The Danger of Moralistic Preaching

In my reading today I came across the following observation from D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones:

I am increasingly convinced that so much in the state of the Christian church today is to be explained chiefly by the fact that for nearly a hundred years the church has been preaching morality and ethics, and not the Christian faith. It is this preaching of the ‘good life’, or being ‘a good little gentleman’, and of viewing religion as ‘morality touched by emotion’, as Matthew Arnold put it, that has been the curse. Such men have shed the doctrines; they dislike any idea of atonement, they dismiss the whole notion of the miraculous and the supernatural, and ridicule talk about re-birth. Christianity to them is that which teaches a man to live a good life (Life in the Spirit, 19).

Those words are from one of his sermons he gave about 50 years ago! Even at his day MLJ observed and warned against preaching that is mere moralistic and ethical, and devoid of any doctrinal substance. When I hear such exhortation, I somehow think of guys like Joel Osteen in our day, though he certainly is not alone in this. He just happens to be the posterboy of today.

Currently I am preaching through Ephesians on Sunday mornings at Sovereign Grace. I am just a few passages away from the “marriage text” (i.e., 5:22-33). I say “marriage text” because that is a typical pre-understanding of most people. I don’t know how many times I have heard sermons on that text or at marriage seminars/conferences that completely negate some of the major theological themes in Ephesians, namely the nature and work of Christ and the church. In fact, Paul even states in verse 32 that “this mystery is great; but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church” – just in case you and I miss the whole point of the passage.

However, we have missed the whole point of the passage by simply giving pep talks about marriage when there is a theological disconnection from its doctrinal foundation. What is so Christian about telling the guys to love their wives? That’s no different than what a Mormon can say? That’s no different than what you’ll find at the “self help” section of your local Barnes and Noble or from a “marriage guru.”

I am getting sick and tired of preaching that is so Christless and/or devoid of any doctrinal substance, especially in the media. By the way, why is it that so many “preachings” in TV are so off-the-wall or wrong? I mean who support such ministries? And I am getting sick and tired of watching so called Christians who 1) do not know what biblical preaching is (perhaps because they have never heard one), 2) desire everything else but sound expositions of God’s word, and 3) simply complacent.

I certainly do not claim to be the prince of preaching. I just want to be faithful to the text. That means making God look so glorious that I and my listeners want to treasure him alone.

 

The Death of Death

In the last couple of weeks we have seen the deaths of several celebrities:  David Carradine, Ed McMahon, Farah Fawcett, Michael Jackson, and Billy Mays.  Needless to say, this has been a very pronounced reminder of the certainty of death.  The harsh reality is that regardless of education, race, gender, age, or social status, everyone will die (Gen. 5).  In this regard, death is no respecter of persons.  It has been said that “Death comes equally to us all, and makes us all equal when it comes.”

Since death is such a harsh reality, many seek to ignore that it is coming.  In my own life I have found this impossible to do.  Because one of my brothers died when I was eleven and both of my parents died when I was in my mid twenties I have frequent thoughts about death.  This is not something  I am alone in.  Thinking about death has been the practice of some of the most significant figures in church history:

Jonathan Edwards stated in his ninth resolution, “Resolved, to think much on all occasions of my own dying, and of the common circumstances which attend death.”

Charles Spurgeon said, “If death comes to me as a stranger, I may be startled, but if I have prepared myself to receive him, he may come and knock at my door and I shall say, I am ready to go with you, for I have been expecting you all my life.”

It is good to think about death because of the immense spiritual benefits it can produce.  Let me mention a couple:

1.  Thinking about death makes us realize the brevity of life which should result in humility and soberness (Job 14:2; Pss. 39:4; 90:12; 102:11; 103:15; Eccl. 12:13-14; Isa. 40:6-8; James 4:13-15).

2.  Thinking about death should make us think about the only one who conquered death, the Lord Jesus Christ.  During His earthly ministry Jesus demonstrated His power over death by raising people from the dead (Mark 5:21-24, 35-43; Luke 7:11-17; John 11:1-46).  But more importantly, Jesus demonstrated His power over death when He Himself rose from the dead.

As much as the death of Christ did not make sense at the time, the Apostles eventually came to understand that His death brought an end to death.  The Apostle Peter said…

“But God raised Him up again, putting an end to the agony of death,

since it was impossible for Him to be held in its power (Acts 2:24).”

The resurrection of Christ was not only the end of the agony of death for Him, but for everyone who would receive Him as Savior and Lord (Rom. 10:9).  One of the most profound statements about the death of death was written by the Apostle Paul…

“O death, where is your victory?  O death, where is your sting? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 15:55-57).”

An equally profound statement was made by Christ Himself…

“I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die…(John 11:25-26).”

This is not a promise of escaping physical death itself.  Rather it is a promise of deliverance from the ultimate penalty of death (which is hell) and the gift of eternal life which will be experienced to the highest degree at the time of death (2 Cor. 5:8; Phil. 1:21-23).

Consider two concluding verses that speak so powerfully about the death of death…

“Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire (Rev. 20:14).”

“And He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away (Rev. 21:4).”

Praise be to God who has brought about the death of death in the death of Jesus Christ!

 

Ministering in Small Churches and/or in Small Towns

First of all, I would highly recommend you read one of our contributors (Dr. Phil Siefkes) recent post “Small-Town Ministries and Shepherds” here.

Also, read one of my past posts “How To Have An Expository Preaching Church?” here.

Both posts address some aspects of ministering in small churches and/or in small towns in America.

In our recent leadership meeting at Sovereign Grace Bible Church, I distributed the copies of David Van Biema’s Time Magazine article “A Rural Exodus” (Time, February 9, 2009), which I would highly encourage all of you to read. Van Biema’s thesis is that many pastors and/or fresh out of seminarians are not interested in small town churches. He notes what many guys think, namely “A town without a Starbucks scares them.”

What also caught my attention from the article is that only 1 out of 5 churches have a full-time seminary-trained pastor in parts of the Midwest. I believe it. I see it. And I know it. Such statistic does not even qualify what type of seminary training, since not all seminary training is equal.

Like Dr. Siefkes, I too get offended by statements like “All you need is a Bible college degree to serve at a small town church” or “You don’t need a formal training to serve at a small town church” and other similar nonsense. One, it is wrong for ministers to think so low of small churches and/or small towns.

Second, it is wrong for churches (regardless of what size) to have such a low view of minister’s qualification. That’s like saying, “It doesn’t matter if my surgeon didn’t go through all the medical trainings as long as he likes to open people up.” What a nonsense! If there are standards and qualifications for our local school teachers, dentists, car mechanics, and surgeons, shouldn’t we also have standards and qualifications (more so) for men to accurately handle the Word of God?

Missiologically speaking, I see a huge need for churches to revitalize in small towns all across America, especially, here in the Upper Midwest. In some sense I am glad to see churches close down when they are no longer qualified as a biblical church. In fact, I’m praying that more would close their doors. However, I do feel for some of the genuine remnants of God that cannot find a healthy church in their towns or surrounding towns but have to drive 2 hours or so. That is the case in many parts of North Dakota, where we are looking into planting another church.

 

More On Suffering Illness

If I may, I’d like to piggyback on Shaun’s recent helpful post regarding illness.  I would like to consider Hezekiah’s response to his illness as recorded in Isaiah 38:9-20.  Granted, Hezekiah was not a perfect individual.  Yet it is recorded that spiritually he was much like his ancestor David (2 Kings 18:3-6).  What can we learn from his post-illness writing that will help us respond to illness in a Godward fashion?

In 38:10-16 Hezekiah anticipated death.  In doing so he recognized at least 4 basic truths.

1. There is brevity to this life and there is a finality to death (38:10-11).
2. God is directly involved in our illnesses (38:12).
3. There is a reality to the suffering in our illness (38:13-14a)
4. God is sovereign, and has every right to do with us as He pleases (38:14b-16)

In 38:17-20, Hezekiah demonstrates gratitude for the benefits of his suffering.  He expressed at least three basic truths.

1. In our illness we may receive greater maturity and learn of forgiveness from a tender-loving God (38:17).
2. Through our illness, contrary to our fleshly response, we can learn more of God’s faithfulness, and should pass that knowledge on to our children (38:19).
3. In our illness we should take great confidence in God’s revealed truth and publicly praise Him for His faithfulness to that truth (38:20).

I realize Hezekiah received direct revelation from God regarding both his illness and his recovery.  I don’t believe that you and I will receive (or need to receive) such revelation today.  What we have already received from God in the Bible is sufficient.  Let us learn these truths from God’s Word and seek to apply them to our illnesses.  We can learn, as the apostle Paul did, to be content with weaknesses (2 Corinthians 12:10) to the glory of His name.

 

Don’t Waste Your Kidney Stones!

For about a week now I have been suffering from kidney stones.  Unfortunately this has been a reoccurring event in my life over the last three years.  And during my current bout with stones my wife has asked me on two occasions, “What do you think the Lord is trying to teach you through this?”  Hmm, now that’s a good question.

My title for this post is sort of borrowed from John Piper who has written a book entitled Don’t Waste Your Life and an article Don’t Waste Your Cancer, both of which I heartily commend to you.  But the point is this, how are Christians to view suffering, whether it is cancer, kidney stones, persecution, financial, etc?  As I have considered my wife’s question, here are some thoughts.  Please keep in mind this is by no means an exhaustive list:

1.  Suffering is the result of Adam’s sin and thus is an intrusion in God’s perfect world (Rom. 5:12; Gen. 1:31).

2.  As sinners living in a sinful world, suffering is now a natural part of life (Job 5:7; 14:1; John 16:33).

3.  Suffering reminds us of the sinfulness of sin (Rom. 5:12, 18).

4.  While suffering in and of itself is not good, God intends to use it for our good (Rom. 8:28; James 1:2-4).

5.  Some suffering is considered to be a gift from God (Acts 5:41; Phil. 1:29).

6.  Suffering weans us from self-dependence and teaches us to trust in God (2 Cor. 1:8-9).

7.  Suffering reminds us to put our hope in God and the world to come rather than in this world (Rev. 21:4; 22:3-5).

8.  Suffering should cause us to examine our lives and consider if it be the result of the Father’s gracious discipline (Heb. 12:4-11).  If our suffering is the result of God’s discipline, we should be quick to repent and seek His mercy (Prov. 28:13; 1 John 1:9).

9.  Periods of suffering are the most fertile times of spiritual growth (Job 42:5-6; 2 Cor. 12:7-10).

10.  Exalting Christ is more important than personal comfort in our time of suffering (Phil. 1:20-21).

11.  Suffering should cause us to meditate upon God’s mercy since no amount of suffering that we experience in this world is what we truly deserve, namely hell (Rom. 6:23).

12.  When we suffer God is still in control of our lives as much as when we don’t suffer (Job 1:6-12; 42:2).

13.  When we suffer God is still worthy of our worship and trust (Job 1:21-22; 13:15).

14.  Suffering should remind us of the cross, where the sinless Son of God suffered God’s wrath for our sins (1 Cor. 15:3; 1 Pet. 2:24).

Everything that God does (including bitter providence) is wise, right, and good.  And so may we not waste our sufferings by failing to see them as a means of grace and growth from our gracious Father’s hand.

 

The Reality of the Christian’s Struggle Against Sin

It seems that there have always been those who have argued that Christians don’t sin after their conversion. Still, I would think that anyone who is even vaguely aware of the condition of their own heart will admit that they battle with sin every day.  James 3:2 tells us “we all are stumbling in many ways”.  Recently I came across Francis Turretin’s thoughts on this topic in his Institutes of Elenctic Theology (P & R Publishing, 1994).  Turretin (1623-1687) gave a five-fold proof to his negative answer to the question: Is sanctification so perfect in this life that believers can fulfill the law absolutely? (2:693-700)  He wrote:

1. First, from the remains of sin.  Where sin dwells, there perfect sanctification cannot be, nor the fulfilling of the law.  And yet in believers, whoever they may be, sin always dwells…. (1 Jn. 1:8; Jam. 3:2; 1 Kg. 8:46; Prov. 20:9)
2. Second, this very thing is confirmed by the “struggle between the flesh and the Spirit” which perpetually occurs in believers in this mortal life, and forces out of them so many groans and lamentations. (Gal. 5:17) [Turretin also argues at length that Romans 7 is the testimony of a believer.]
3. Third, the impossibility of fulfilling the law is proved from Acts 15:10, where it is called an unbearable … yoke…. For if it could not be borne, how could it be fulfilled by anyone?
4. Fourth, we are commanded to pray daily for the remission of our sins.  Now if it was possible for the renewed to fulfill the law of God, it is possible for the same not to need the remission of sins and not to be bound to say according to the command of the Savior, “Forgive us our debts.”
5. Fifth, from the examples of the saints.  The saints everywhere openly acknowledge and confess this inability (Job 9:3, 20, 28; 15:15); David (Pss. 32:5; 130:3; 143:2); Solomon (Prov. 20:9; 1Kg. 8:46); Isaiah (Is. 64:6); Daniel (Dan. 9:5, 6); Paul (Rom. 7:14; Phil. 3:13); John (1 Jn. 1:8) James (Jam. 3:2).

Helpful words from a teacher who ministered in Geneva about 100 years after John Calvin.

 

A True Wealth

Here’s a food for thought:

Many Christians believe that: God + wealth = contentment.

The Bible teaches that: God + contentment = wealth!

[R.W. Mackey, "Proposing a Biblical Approach to Economics" in Think Biblically, edited by John MacArthur (Wheaton: Crossway Books, 2003), 311]

“Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am” (Apostle Paul).

 

Some Aspects of Worship from Exodus 19:10-15

This particular narrative points out a few but very important aspects of worship.

1. It is God who mandates specific regulations on how the people should approach him. That is to say, worship is not carried out whenever, however, wherever, and whoever the people want. Rather, it is God who sets the policy and procedures, not man. That is to say, it not only matters who we worship, but also how we worship.

2. God wants his people to actually spend some time preparing to meet their God (vv. 10-11). In fact, God commanded the people two days of special preparation. Such preparation was both inward and outward preparations. Inward preparations included Scriptural meditations, prayer, singing, confession of sins, repentance, and so on. The outward preparations included getting some adequate physical rest, sleep, personal hygiene, and even taking time to have proper attire for the occasion.

3. God should be approached with fear and reverence. The fact that God had set up bounds indicates that there are limitations, such as what is permissible and what is not permissible, and that there is a consequence if those God-given bounds are ignored, namely, a death penalty (vv. 12-13a).

4. It is God who calls the people to come to him, including when and where (v. 13b). Not only God calls us to salvation, namely, with his effectual call, but also it is God who calls us to a sacrificial and holy worship. For us at Sovereign Grace Bible Church, I usually remind the congregation with a biblical text during the “Call to Worship” that it is God who officially summons us by his word to worship him. It is a wonderful reminder at the onset of worship service that God chose us, we didn’t choose him; he sought us, we didn’t seek him; he first loved us, we didn’t first love God; and he first called us, we didn’t first call him.

 

Unmasking Hypocrisy

I would like to begin my first blog on the Pastor’s Perspective by thanking Jim for his gracious invitation to be a contributor and for the wonderful opportunity to serve the body of Christ in this way.  In my home church we have been studying verse by verse through the gospel of Matthew for about four and a half years now.  And this Lord’s Day we will begin chapter twenty three, which is the strongest denunciation of the Jewish religious leaders anywhere in the pages of holy writ.  In this chapter Jesus identifies the scribes and the Pharisees as hypocrites seven times (vv. 13, 14, 15, 23, 25, 27, 29)!  This however, was not Jesus’ first confrontation of their hypocrisy (Matt. 6:1-18), but it was the most severe.  Just consider for a moment that Jesus’ final public sermon (Matt. 23) consisted of the most scathing diatribe against the Jewish religious leaders imaginable.  This ought to give us some insight into our Lord’s profound displeasure of hypocrisy.

But just exactly what is a hypocrite?  The Greek word for hypocrite was used in the ancient world to refer to actors, that is, those who pretended to be someone other than they really were.  In other words, the religious leaders that Jesus confronted were the kind of men who gave a flawless impersonation of worshipers of God.  Stephen Charnock said “A hypocrite may well be termed a religious atheist, an atheist masked with religion.”  The supposed spiritual devotion of the scribes and Pharisees was so completely motivated by what men thought about them rather than God’s pleasure (Matt. 6:1; 23:5), that they were practical atheists.  Simply put, they lived as if the true and living God had died and they had taken His place.  And Jesus made it a point to unmask them for who they really were.  So, while we may applaud those who are skilled at acting in the entertainment industry, when it comes to spiritual things, acting like we love God when we really don’t is detestable in the sight of God (Luke 16:15). 

Though true Christians are not hypocrites like the scribes and Pharisees in Jesus’ day were, there is the very real temptation to do what we do to please men rather than God.  Jesus’ remedy for this in Matthew 23 is to not seek exalted ecclesiastical titles to impress men (vv. 8-10), to seek to be a servant rather than a celebrity (v. 11), and to humble yourself before God (v. 12).  May the Lord enable us to shun all forms of hypocrisy and to be authentic in our devotion to Him.  I leave you with a quote from Matthew Henry, “We must do such good works, that they who see them may glorify God; but we must not proclaim our good works, with design that others may see them, and glorify us.”

 

A Parallel of the Two Cultures

Christian Overman, in his book Assumptions That Affect Our Lives, refers to Will Durant’s book The Life of Greece, which was published in 1939. Overman summarizes Durant’s discussion of ancient Greece and compares it with modern America with the following list on pp. 19-20.

• People, especially the educated ones, have rejected traditional religions.
• Cults from the East have been accepted.
• Astrology is practiced.
• Patriotism has declined.
• Men practice manners which have previously been considered effeminate.
• The upper class is consumed with the pursuit of pleasure.
• Education stresses knowledge more than character, and produces masses of half-educated people.
• Public athletic games have turned into professional contests.
• Homosexuality is popular.
• Men who want to watch dances by unclad women do not have to go far to find them.
• The dramas of the day are full of seduction and adultery.
• A women’s liberation movement has brought women into active roles in a previously male-oriented culture.
• Motherhood is devalued, and the bearing of children is viewed as an inconvenience.
• Abortion is commonly practiced, as well as infanticide.

Sounds familiar. Ever wonder what happened to the Greeks?

(Permission from Dr Phil Siefkes)