Imagine that you have signed up for a tennis camp that says it will turn you into the next Roger Federer, Nadal or Sharapova (or at least try to). So you eagerly go there with your racquet in tow and your best tennis sneakers ready to learn how to hit scorching forehands down the lines and the intricacies of a serve-and-volley game
Now, assume that when you get there this is the schedule you get:
1) 3 hours on the badminton court..
2) A trip to the closest town to buy souveniers...
3) Loads of fun in a swimming pool, and a seminar on aqua aerobics..
4) An intense 3 hour session on how a tennis ball is made, plus a trip to a tennis ball making factory
And so on...
You would feel pretty ripped off, woudn't you? Presumably, the time spent might be fun, enjoyable and relaxing..but it's not what you're supposed to be doing.
None of those things make you a better tennis player.
The prime reason you wanted to go for this camp was to have hours of gruelling sessions hitting thousands of balls. You needed seminars on court tactics with your double's partner. And everyone wanted to attend those talks on better body mechanics on a service motion. Essentially, you wanted to become a better tennis player, and you payed money and sacrificed time for the opportunity to learn to be one
By now my point is pretty clear. Christian camps that don't do what they are supposed to do, that is - preach the gospel, make disciples of men and women and teach them how to be more like Christ should not be in the game of holding Christian camps. You can call it a motivational, spiritual, get to know your inner hurt child camp but once you remove the 'Christ' from the 'Christian' part..it's as good as if you never put that in the first place
All those points in 1 to 4 are in themselves relatively benign, or even good. But they are not what part of those things that should constitute a tennis camp because they add nothing of value. It's like what one of my tennis coaches used to say to me when I asked him how to get better. He said:
" Hit balls. Lots and lots of balls."
So, this is one of the way to become a better follower of Christ. Read the Word. Lots and lots of the Word. Pray to God. Pray lots and lots to God. And this is what you should be getting in a Christian camp. Lots and lots of what you should be getting
SDG
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Leading Worship: It's all about the gospel
I had a great worship session this morning.
After practice the previous night, I was kind of wondering how it would go; but it went much, much better than what I was expecting. Of course, there a few snafu's here and there but for they were not of earth shattering consequence, in my opinion.
Most of all, I hope the gospel was proclaimed in worship today. It's nice if I hear that someone told me they enjoyed worship, but it would absolutely thrill me if they told me that the gospel message reached them. And that Christ Jesus was proclaimed in song today.
That would be nice. Really, really nice
After practice the previous night, I was kind of wondering how it would go; but it went much, much better than what I was expecting. Of course, there a few snafu's here and there but for they were not of earth shattering consequence, in my opinion.
Most of all, I hope the gospel was proclaimed in worship today. It's nice if I hear that someone told me they enjoyed worship, but it would absolutely thrill me if they told me that the gospel message reached them. And that Christ Jesus was proclaimed in song today.
That would be nice. Really, really nice
Monday, May 3, 2010
Getting it the first time
Sometimes when I take a friend to hear a good sermon from a speaker I highly regard, it stumps me when that person doesn't react as passionately as I would have expected. At times, I want to say: "Are you made of stone?!? Doesn't what he said move you in any way?". In my less charitable moments, I am likely to dismiss that person as one who is not in the rarified circle of those elite who "get it"
Now this might work two ways and I too have been on the receiving end as well. Quite a few times, I've sat stone faced through a sermon when all around me, people are guffawing and rolling in the aisles with laughter. And on certain occasions, I can almost sense the same condenscention directed my way as I have done to others.
Maybe one's man's meat is another man's poison. After all, it all comes down to personal preference and mood right? The latter is important, to be true. How often have we gone to a church service and while the worship was good, the sermon was God glorifying and the whole service honoured the Lord; you were in a different world thinking about something else? It happens
But it's not an excuse when the Gospel is preached. When the emphasis is not on the techniques of motivating presentation and all expositing the Word, I must say that at that time, irregardless of mood or frame of mind or whatever; the Gospel must pierce. How deep is a matter for debate. Either you have harderned your heart or God has harderned it for his purpose, the lukewarm response is no response at all. It doesn't have to move you to drop to your knees in repentance (although should you be so moved to, it is not a bad thing), nor should you have to shout "Yes! Preach it, brother!!" at the top of your voice. But it should speak to you. And it can't be ignored
If your father speaks to you, no matter how you feel at that time; you have to respond. And if the Father speaks to you through his word, there is no way you can hear the words: "Jesus died for your sins" and not be affected..unless you are not of the elect
Of course, it is not for me to say who is and who is not. I could very well type these words now and years from now, be the equivalent of the son of perdition. I pray to God I hope not. But I might also be a layabout in the faith, and suddenly die as one who God knows and loves. It is possible for in God, all things are possible
However, this does not excuse a non-response. Once the gospel is heard, you must react. Even if you get angry at it, the reaction shows that it has done it's work as a spear to your conscience. But not to move as a result, it is a dangerous thing indeed, my friend
Now this might work two ways and I too have been on the receiving end as well. Quite a few times, I've sat stone faced through a sermon when all around me, people are guffawing and rolling in the aisles with laughter. And on certain occasions, I can almost sense the same condenscention directed my way as I have done to others.
Maybe one's man's meat is another man's poison. After all, it all comes down to personal preference and mood right? The latter is important, to be true. How often have we gone to a church service and while the worship was good, the sermon was God glorifying and the whole service honoured the Lord; you were in a different world thinking about something else? It happens
But it's not an excuse when the Gospel is preached. When the emphasis is not on the techniques of motivating presentation and all expositing the Word, I must say that at that time, irregardless of mood or frame of mind or whatever; the Gospel must pierce. How deep is a matter for debate. Either you have harderned your heart or God has harderned it for his purpose, the lukewarm response is no response at all. It doesn't have to move you to drop to your knees in repentance (although should you be so moved to, it is not a bad thing), nor should you have to shout "Yes! Preach it, brother!!" at the top of your voice. But it should speak to you. And it can't be ignored
If your father speaks to you, no matter how you feel at that time; you have to respond. And if the Father speaks to you through his word, there is no way you can hear the words: "Jesus died for your sins" and not be affected..unless you are not of the elect
Of course, it is not for me to say who is and who is not. I could very well type these words now and years from now, be the equivalent of the son of perdition. I pray to God I hope not. But I might also be a layabout in the faith, and suddenly die as one who God knows and loves. It is possible for in God, all things are possible
However, this does not excuse a non-response. Once the gospel is heard, you must react. Even if you get angry at it, the reaction shows that it has done it's work as a spear to your conscience. But not to move as a result, it is a dangerous thing indeed, my friend
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Put the Gospel First
This is from D.A Carson's Book "Basics for Believers":
"I would like to buy about three quid's worth of gospel, please. Not too much - just enough to make me happy, but not so , much that that I get addicted. I don't want so much gospel that I really learn to hate covetousness and lust; I certaintly don't want so much that I start to love my enemies, cherish self-denial, and contemplate missionary service in some alien culture. I want ecstasy, not repentance; I want transcendence, not transformation. I would like to be cherished by some nice, forgiving broad-minded people, but I myself don't want to love those from different races - especially if they smell. I would like enough gospel to make my family secure and my children well behaved, but not so much that I find my ambitions redirected, or my giving too greatly enlarged.
I would like about three quids worth of gospel please"
- "Basics for Believers" , page 9; D.A Carson -
"I would like to buy about three quid's worth of gospel, please. Not too much - just enough to make me happy, but not so , much that that I get addicted. I don't want so much gospel that I really learn to hate covetousness and lust; I certaintly don't want so much that I start to love my enemies, cherish self-denial, and contemplate missionary service in some alien culture. I want ecstasy, not repentance; I want transcendence, not transformation. I would like to be cherished by some nice, forgiving broad-minded people, but I myself don't want to love those from different races - especially if they smell. I would like enough gospel to make my family secure and my children well behaved, but not so much that I find my ambitions redirected, or my giving too greatly enlarged.
I would like about three quids worth of gospel please"
- "Basics for Believers" , page 9; D.A Carson -
Friday, April 9, 2010
2 Kings 5:1-14 : Meditations
The first thing that grabs you is Verse 1: "..the LORD had given victory to Syria". This is not to be skimmed over and it gives those who say that God always favours them as his children, no matter, what had better take a second, or even a third look at this verse.
It may be that the Syrians avoided the Israelites in battle, and thus preserving the notion that God always sided with his chosen people. However, this is unlikely. The reaction of the king (note the small "k") of Israel probably indicates that neighbourly relations were not always of the cordial kind. And in an era where skirmishes and wars were common place, Israel and Syria came to blows and the LORD favoured the latter!
This goes to show that the Lord is indeed sovereign, and that everything is under his command, both good and evil. Not that he is evil, but evil is not outside his jurusdiction. A quick read of Job 1-2 will show that Satan cannot do anything unless it is willed by God ultimately. Now, this also means that God is not in our pocket, so to say. That even the best of intentions may not garner his favour because we look on 'favour' in uniquely earthly terms (i.e: If I do good, God is sure to bless my requests and give me stuff etc etc)
Was the king of Israel always good? Was Israel always devoted to it's God? Of course, not. So one could say that the Syrians, like the Babylonians, were at one time or another used as instruments of his wrath for his purpose. Not that they were any better, they too were cruel, bloodthirsty and idolatous, with the Syrians and Babylonians worshipping Rimmon (v.18) and Marduk respectively
No, the issue here is that God chooses to save who he'll save and let those perish who he chooses to let perish. This is harsh to our ears but what can we say of the fact that he chooses to save Naaman, a gentile and worse, an enemy of Israel who was probably directly involved in the loss of Jewish lives in his role as commander of the Syrian army? That he uses a Jewish prisoner who is now essentially a slave in a Syrian household to carry out her plans. What of her eventual fate or redemption? We hear no more of her after this.
But in the end, Naaman is cured and becomes a follower of Yahweh. He seems for all intents and purposes, a changed man on the inside and out. His leprosy was external but the more serious condition of the leprous heart was dealt with in this chapter. And in God extending his mercy to Naaman through Elisha, it is in essence a snapshot of Paul's mission to the Gentiles (Romans 11:13)
Ultimately, the lesson we learn from this is that we should not be presumptious in being able to read the mind of God. It is God's perogative to give grace to who he wants, and likewise, it is his choice to issue condemnation. It should serve to make us a little less cocksure about our self delusional lofty status in this world and to realise that we are his created beings, made to worship and serve him with meekness,humility and love
SDG
It may be that the Syrians avoided the Israelites in battle, and thus preserving the notion that God always sided with his chosen people. However, this is unlikely. The reaction of the king (note the small "k") of Israel probably indicates that neighbourly relations were not always of the cordial kind. And in an era where skirmishes and wars were common place, Israel and Syria came to blows and the LORD favoured the latter!
This goes to show that the Lord is indeed sovereign, and that everything is under his command, both good and evil. Not that he is evil, but evil is not outside his jurusdiction. A quick read of Job 1-2 will show that Satan cannot do anything unless it is willed by God ultimately. Now, this also means that God is not in our pocket, so to say. That even the best of intentions may not garner his favour because we look on 'favour' in uniquely earthly terms (i.e: If I do good, God is sure to bless my requests and give me stuff etc etc)
Was the king of Israel always good? Was Israel always devoted to it's God? Of course, not. So one could say that the Syrians, like the Babylonians, were at one time or another used as instruments of his wrath for his purpose. Not that they were any better, they too were cruel, bloodthirsty and idolatous, with the Syrians and Babylonians worshipping Rimmon (v.18) and Marduk respectively
No, the issue here is that God chooses to save who he'll save and let those perish who he chooses to let perish. This is harsh to our ears but what can we say of the fact that he chooses to save Naaman, a gentile and worse, an enemy of Israel who was probably directly involved in the loss of Jewish lives in his role as commander of the Syrian army? That he uses a Jewish prisoner who is now essentially a slave in a Syrian household to carry out her plans. What of her eventual fate or redemption? We hear no more of her after this.
But in the end, Naaman is cured and becomes a follower of Yahweh. He seems for all intents and purposes, a changed man on the inside and out. His leprosy was external but the more serious condition of the leprous heart was dealt with in this chapter. And in God extending his mercy to Naaman through Elisha, it is in essence a snapshot of Paul's mission to the Gentiles (Romans 11:13)
Ultimately, the lesson we learn from this is that we should not be presumptious in being able to read the mind of God. It is God's perogative to give grace to who he wants, and likewise, it is his choice to issue condemnation. It should serve to make us a little less cocksure about our self delusional lofty status in this world and to realise that we are his created beings, made to worship and serve him with meekness,humility and love
SDG
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Theology of the Cross
" But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us "
- Romans 5:8 -
It is appropriate during Easter that one should reflect on the Cross and what it means to us. Strangely, the Cross is rarely preached, let alone the blood of Christ. This is all part of a current trend that recently has seen attacks on the Doctrine of Penal Subsititution, the Deity of Christ, Double imputation, Propitiationary Sacrifice and the Redeeming act of Salvation. Churches avoid mention of any of these because it is seen as distasteful, off putting and primitive
However, if one stays true to God, and the Word; we must acknowledge these things. You cannot omit these elements; it's a package deal. Justification must mean the Cross. And you must have a theology of the Cross which explains the whole story for what it is, and not a day where one goes on Easter egg hunts and eats lots of Chocolate
No, it is a story which starts off in dark tones. Man, headed towards eternal condemnation and separation from a Holy and just God because he wallows in Sin, unable to do a single thing about it. A God, who loves men and women, totally justified in pouring his wrath out on a rebellious and hateful creation..performs the ultimate act of redemption
The sacrificial offering of his Son. Pure and Holy. A willfull sacrifice by the Son, not coerced, bribed or cajoled. One done out of the purest love. Doing the will of the Father.
As he lay on the Cross, bearing your sins and mine; he could have stepped down. "Enough!" , he could have said. A stiff necked people that refused to listen, follow or obey were now spitting on him and willing him a humiliating and painful death. Oh, he could have wiped them and the whole world out with a thought, or a word.
But he didn't
Till the awful deed was done, and finally, he uttered the last words, that will ever be said by God hanging on that cross: "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit"
It was done. Redemption. Saved. Rescued. No words can describe what was done on that Cross for me that day. Nothing I do from here till the day I die can ever make up or repay that. I can give every waking minute to the Lord, every penny, submit every thought and even give my body to be burned for him..no, not enough. Never enough
And that was Grace. A free gift to someone who doesn't deserve it. It was also Mercy. Ultimately, it was an act of Love from the author and creator of Love: God almighty
On this day, remember this: No cross,no salvation.
May you have a blessed Easter. And always have the Theology of the Cross. Always
SDG
- Romans 5:8 -
It is appropriate during Easter that one should reflect on the Cross and what it means to us. Strangely, the Cross is rarely preached, let alone the blood of Christ. This is all part of a current trend that recently has seen attacks on the Doctrine of Penal Subsititution, the Deity of Christ, Double imputation, Propitiationary Sacrifice and the Redeeming act of Salvation. Churches avoid mention of any of these because it is seen as distasteful, off putting and primitive
However, if one stays true to God, and the Word; we must acknowledge these things. You cannot omit these elements; it's a package deal. Justification must mean the Cross. And you must have a theology of the Cross which explains the whole story for what it is, and not a day where one goes on Easter egg hunts and eats lots of Chocolate
No, it is a story which starts off in dark tones. Man, headed towards eternal condemnation and separation from a Holy and just God because he wallows in Sin, unable to do a single thing about it. A God, who loves men and women, totally justified in pouring his wrath out on a rebellious and hateful creation..performs the ultimate act of redemption
The sacrificial offering of his Son. Pure and Holy. A willfull sacrifice by the Son, not coerced, bribed or cajoled. One done out of the purest love. Doing the will of the Father.
As he lay on the Cross, bearing your sins and mine; he could have stepped down. "Enough!" , he could have said. A stiff necked people that refused to listen, follow or obey were now spitting on him and willing him a humiliating and painful death. Oh, he could have wiped them and the whole world out with a thought, or a word.
But he didn't
Till the awful deed was done, and finally, he uttered the last words, that will ever be said by God hanging on that cross: "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit"
It was done. Redemption. Saved. Rescued. No words can describe what was done on that Cross for me that day. Nothing I do from here till the day I die can ever make up or repay that. I can give every waking minute to the Lord, every penny, submit every thought and even give my body to be burned for him..no, not enough. Never enough
And that was Grace. A free gift to someone who doesn't deserve it. It was also Mercy. Ultimately, it was an act of Love from the author and creator of Love: God almighty
On this day, remember this: No cross,no salvation.
May you have a blessed Easter. And always have the Theology of the Cross. Always
SDG
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Jesus is my Life Coach
These days, it's all the rage to be into life coaching; either to have one or to be one. People want to improve their lives. More happiness, more money, more power - and a life coach is just the person to help you do that. He or she is an expert (or at least a perceived one) in a field and their job (for a fee) is to help you attain your goals
Now I am not against all forms of coaching. I benefit greatly from my tennis coaches, my judo teachers and other instructors. If you ask someone to teach you about managing your money, a good financial coach should be able to give you some pointers. It would be singularly foolish of me to say I don't need coaches and can teach myself everything, and it would be highly arrogant as well.
But I am particularly sceptical of life coaches. That is, those who say that they know how life works, so they can help you to achieve greater happiness and get the things that you want out of life . Not that they can't. I'm sure they can..in a manner of speaking.
No, I am wary because they help you attain exactly what you want, and usually what you want is not what Jesus wants. If my desires and motives are not exactly cracked up to what they should be in the first place (read Jeremiah 17:9), then anyone assisting me in reaching those goals are complicit in a bad, bad thing. Sorry, Life coaches, that is the truth.
If I coach someone into thinking that they are a good person, that all they need to be happy is to be self-actualising and realise their inner potential; I am deceiving them into what needs to be actually done. They, and you presumably, are still sinners on the road to condemnation. That's not Life, but Death coaching.
Life can only be found in Christ. It can only be taught through the Word. The leading can and should come only from the Holy Spirit. And all the lessons that you will be coached will be ones that are diametrically opposite to what the world thinks you need to learn. Instead of asserting yourself, you are asked to be meek. Far from living for one's sake, you die to your self for the sake of Christ. And lastly, you count what is seen to be worthy in this world as worthless for the true riches of what is to come in the life hereafter
Can a Life coach give you that, my friends? Can they offer you Hope..or life,really?
No, they can't. And if you are attuned to Christ, you will know this too and stay away from another worldly trinket that has the appearance of a precious stone, but under closer inspection; is merely just a fake bauble.
SDG
Now I am not against all forms of coaching. I benefit greatly from my tennis coaches, my judo teachers and other instructors. If you ask someone to teach you about managing your money, a good financial coach should be able to give you some pointers. It would be singularly foolish of me to say I don't need coaches and can teach myself everything, and it would be highly arrogant as well.
But I am particularly sceptical of life coaches. That is, those who say that they know how life works, so they can help you to achieve greater happiness and get the things that you want out of life . Not that they can't. I'm sure they can..in a manner of speaking.
No, I am wary because they help you attain exactly what you want, and usually what you want is not what Jesus wants. If my desires and motives are not exactly cracked up to what they should be in the first place (read Jeremiah 17:9), then anyone assisting me in reaching those goals are complicit in a bad, bad thing. Sorry, Life coaches, that is the truth.
If I coach someone into thinking that they are a good person, that all they need to be happy is to be self-actualising and realise their inner potential; I am deceiving them into what needs to be actually done. They, and you presumably, are still sinners on the road to condemnation. That's not Life, but Death coaching.
Life can only be found in Christ. It can only be taught through the Word. The leading can and should come only from the Holy Spirit. And all the lessons that you will be coached will be ones that are diametrically opposite to what the world thinks you need to learn. Instead of asserting yourself, you are asked to be meek. Far from living for one's sake, you die to your self for the sake of Christ. And lastly, you count what is seen to be worthy in this world as worthless for the true riches of what is to come in the life hereafter
Can a Life coach give you that, my friends? Can they offer you Hope..or life,really?
No, they can't. And if you are attuned to Christ, you will know this too and stay away from another worldly trinket that has the appearance of a precious stone, but under closer inspection; is merely just a fake bauble.
SDG
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