ResponsiveReiding

All of us who endeavor to preach and teach at all, have the God-given and deep desire to see genuine fruit from our labors. After all, the Gospel IS the “power of God” to all who believe. And how we long for the lost to believe unto salvation, and our brothers and sisters to believe unto growth in Christ’s image. Indeed, if those are not our most basic desires in ministry, we have no business being in ministry at all.

Many of us can recall hearing of George Whitefield’s famous plea: “O Lord, give me souls, or take my soul!” Or that well remembered prayer of John Hyde: ” “O God, give me souls or I die.” May that be the heart-cry of each of us who endeavor to break The Bread of Life to our hearers.

At the same time, we are wont to consider the ministries of some of the greats like Whitefield and Spurgeon and Baxter and Wesley and long for similar results in terms of the sheer number of converts. We can ask “why not here? Why not now?” as we labor preaching the same Bible, the same Gospel, bathed in the same prayer to the same God.

Who knows if there may be something in us which mysteriously prevents it? soul searching is always good. But it is not the end all. Perhaps we question our “call.” Maybe we look at the culture, the region, the lack of prayer support from others, general spiritual torpidity or some other cause to lay blame at the feet of. And maybe, just maybe, if we have asked the Lord to search our hearts for any obstacle and come up empty – we need to trust the Providence of God. Trusting Him so, even as we continue to plead for His blessing on our ministrations.

And then we need too to consider the ministries of those who have gone before without the great successes of others. Men equally called as the great revivalists. Equally gifted. Equally earnest and consecrated. Men like Jeremah who is told at the very outset of his ministry that he is going to be resisted every step of the way. Or consider our man Noah.

This man of God -a preacher of righteousness for no less than 120 years. And then consider this from Charels Simeon: “Amongst us, the Gospel, though generally, is not universally, despised: some are brought to listen to its benign overtures: but to such a degree did the contemporaries of Noah harden themselves against the gracious messages of Heaven, that in that whole space of time there was not (as far as we know) one single person awakened to a sense of his guilt and danger.]” ^{Charles Simeon, Horae Homileticae: Genesis to Leviticus (London: Samuel Holdsworth, 1836), 72.}

Take heart my brother. Don’t stop preaching. Don’t stop teaching, exhorting, pleading, praying, and laboring to make the Word of God known as best you can. Keep at the work no matter what. You may only be sowing in Christ’s field today. Perhaps only watering what someone else has sown long ago. Maybe your preaching in all of its tearful insistence still only reveals the hardness of those around you as did Noah’s. We do not know the secret providences of our great God and King. But we DO know His mandate: “And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” Mark 16:15

Be His herald. Fulfill your work. Preach His Word. Plead for His blessing. Be faithful. And in due time, you will see what He has chosen to do with it all, and how it fits into His eternal plans and purposes. Nothing done for His glory by His means is without its reward.

Preach on!

We read words like these in Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, and it behooves us to try and suss out what they really mean. Why?

1 – So that we can know our true condition outside of Christ.

2 – So that we can properly marvel at the miracle of salvation – it is nothing less than being raised from the dead.

Hear the words of old J.C. Ryle as he opens this description of being “dead.” For it is not merely a euphemism. And its signs are not what some religionists might make it to be. Ryle writes: “[W]hen a man’s heart is cold and unconcerned about religion,—when his hands are never employed in doing God’s work,—when his feet are not familiar with God’s ways,—when his tongue is seldom or never used in prayer and praise,—when his ears are deaf to the voice of Christ in the Gospel,—when his eyes are blind to the beauty of the kingdom of heaven,—when his mind is full of the world, and has no room for spiritual things,—when these marks are to be found in a man, the word of the Bible is the right word to use about him, and that word is “dead.” _{J. C. Ryle, Living or Dead? A Series of Home Truths (New York: Robert Carter & Brothers, 1851), 10.}

If you recognize yourself here, then let me share the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In His sovereign love, mercy and grace – He has undertaken the only remedy for your condition – faith in the substitutionary atonement for sin on the Cross of Calvary.

There, on that hill that day in Jerusalem, the incarnate Son of God willingly stood as a substitute for fallen men. He willingly allowed the God and judge of the universe, to place the guilt and shame of humanity on Himself. There, He suffered and died. He was buried. And on the 3rd day, He rose again. And so the Scripture records that “the wages of the worker are not credited as a gift, but as an obligation. However, to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness. And David speaks likewise of the blessedness of the man to whom God credits righteousness apart from works: “Blessed are they whose lawless acts are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will never count against him.” (Rom. 4:4-8)

Bow before Him today. Acknowledge your sin and rebellion against Him. Plead for His mercy. And place your trust in Jesus’ death as your only means to be reconciled to the Father – and born again out of death – into new life in Christ.

And Believer, take this moment to reflect once more upon how it is you are alive in Christ Jesus today. Marvel at the miracle of grace that has been bestowed upon you. How one day, Jesus stood by your spiritual graveside as truly as He did Lazarus’ physical tomb. And there, in sovereign glory He spoke your name and cried “Come out.”

Glory!

Gracious Heavenly Father, as I come to you today the sins of my youth are brought to remembrance. How, even as a confessed Believer from an early age – I was not the godly child I ought to have been for many years. And how thankful I am today both for your forgiveness and for the godly parents you gave me who in patience and prayer labored through my obstreperous nature, and to faithfully display and impress your Gospel and goodness to me. What an inestimable gift.

In like kind Father – as a father myself I am conscious of how I failed in that roll, but how in all overcoming grace, you still wrought in my daughter’s heart and mind to bring her to yourself. And how she has grown into the godly, faithful and loving wife and mother she has become. THANK YOU!

So too now I pray that as a grandfather I might not provoke these dear and tender souls to wrath in any way, ever, but instead contribute what I can to their being brought up in your discipline and instruction. Make them fully your own in all their years and generations (as long as Christ should tarry) – that this line may never lack and unbroken chain of offspring who seek to know and love you with all their heart, mind soul and strength – and to both revel in and live and preach your Gospel in any walk your Providence deems best fit for your glory and their good. Make them fully your own in every way in Christ.

In any capacity where I might find myself under the employ, service or authority of others – let me serve in sincerity of heart as I would obey Christ – and not just to please them when being observed. Let me always do your will in those places from a willing heart with good will and not as unto men only – but as unto you. Whether I serve or oversee – each of us will receive what is proper given our station without partiality from your hand. And when I am in a position of power or authority, let me exercise my office without threats or heavy-handedness. Let me do so knowing full well that both they and I se4rve you equally – and that you will deal with us both with no favoritism whatever. Keep me humble.

Father, teach me by your Spirit how to appropriate all of your provisions in the spiritual warfare against the world, the flesh and the devil and all of the enemy’s agents and machinations. Help me to stand firm for your kingdom and glory.

Keep me always in the truth as it is in Christ, surrounding and securing me like a belt.

Keep my heart safe in the breastplate of righteousness.

Help me to stand steadfast and secure on the truth and safety of your Gospel.

Grant faith in trusting your perfect, holy character and Word so as to be fully protected from the enemy’s fiery darts.

Let me mind be always that of a redeemed man, never straying from the realities of Christ. ]

And help me to take your Word carefully and skillfully – for it is the very revelation of yourself in Christ Jesus.

Let your Spirit of prayer become my very breath at all times and in all places; in my heart, audibly, in private, with the saints, in pleadings, praises, thanksgivings and in seeking communion with you.

Grant me a watchful heart in prayer for my brothers and sisters in Christ in all they face – and for the souls of those in my orbit who do not yet know your saving grace.

And give me Gospel boldness and ability to share, preach and proclaim your Gospel – seizing upon every opportuniy to do so as is only fitting to glorify you.

In Christ’s precious name – Amen.

Heavenly Father, as Paul, who at that time was a literal prisoner in the Lord urged his readers by The Spirit – grant that I would truly walk in a manner worthy of the calling I have received. Work in me humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with others in love, and with diligence to preserve the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.

Help me Father to live ever mindful that there is one body and one Spirit, one hope to which I was called; serving you the one Lord, in one faith, by one baptism; looking to you, the one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

Help me to grasp what it means not only to each one of us – but to me personally – that grace has been given according to the measure of the gift of Christ. This is why your Word says: “When He ascended on high, He led captives away, and gave gifts to men.” What does Jesus “ascended” mean, except that He also descended to this earth? He who descended is the very One who ascended above all the heavens, in order to fill all things. And it was He who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for works of ministry and to build up the body of Christ, until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God, as we mature to the full measure of the stature of Christ.

Let me take full advantage of all these gifts you have given us in Christ, so that I will no longer be an immature infant, tossed about by the waves and carried around by every wind of teaching and by the clever cunning of men in their deceitful scheming. Grant me lips so that I always speak the truth in love, so that I may in all things grow up into Christ Himself, who is the head. From Him the whole body, fitted and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love through the work of each individual part.

So work in my heart by your Spirit that I no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. They (as I once was) are darkened in their understanding and alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardness of their hearts. Having lost all sense of shame, they have given themselves over to sensuality for the practice of every kind of impurity, with a craving for more.

But this is not the way I came to know Christ. I have heard of Him by your grace, and was taught in Him—let me keep with the truth that is in Jesus— to put off completely my former way of life, my old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; and let me be renewed in the spirit of my mind; and put on the new self, created to be like you in true righteousness and holiness.

I plead Father, empower me to put off falsehood and speak truthfully to my neighbors in Christ, recognizing we are all members of one another. Teach me how to “Be angry, yet do not sin.” To not let the sun set upon my anger, to never let it be the last word so that I do not give the devil a foothold. Keep me from a covetous, thieving heart, and to steal no longer, but work, doing good with my own hands, that I may have something to share with those in need. Let no unwholesome talk come out of my mouth, but only what is helpful for building up others in need and bringing grace to those who listen. Keep me from grieving your Holy Spirit, in whom I was sealed for the day of redemption. Work in me to get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, outcry and slander, along with every form of malice. Give me a kind heart, tenderhearted to one another, and a lavishly generous and forgiving spirit, just as in Christ you have forgiven me.

For Jesus’ sake I pray – Amen.

Heavenly Father, I thank you for one like the Apostle Paul, who was a prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of Gentiles like me. I have heard about the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to him for the likes of me, that is, the mystery you made known to him by revelation, as you have reiterated in your Word. In reading these truths, you have enabled the lowest believer like myself to understand Paul’s own insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to men in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to your holy apostles and prophets. This mystery that through the gospel even Gentiles like me are made fellow heirs, fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus.

Paul became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace, given to him through the working of your power. And though he was less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given to him: to preach to the likes of me, the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to illuminate for everyone the stewardship of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in you, who created all things.

Wonder upon wonder upon wonder!

Help me to grasp this Father; your purpose was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to the eternal purpose that you accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Help me top grasp such a cosmic reality.

In Christ and through faith in Him you have allowed me to enter your presence with boldness and confidence. No wonder then Paul could ask his original readers not to be discouraged because of his sufferings for them, and by extension us, which are our glory. Seeing what things you have wrought in Christ for us, for me, makes all suffering and discomfort for the Gospel fade into the darkest night.

And so, given all this Father, with Paul and the rest of the saints, for this reason I bow my knees before you Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I too ask that out of the riches of your glory you may strengthen me with power through your Spirit in my inner being, so that Christ may dwell in my heart through faith. Then, being rooted and grounded in love, I would have power, together with all the saints, to comprehend the length and width and height and depth of the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge, that I may be filled with all your own fullness.

Now to you who are able to do so much more than all I can ask or even imagine, according to your power that is at work within me, to you be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever.

Amen.

And now Father, how can I possibly praise and thank you sufficiently when I consider that I was once dead in my trespasses and sins, in which I used to walk when I was conformed to the ways of this world and of the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit who is now at work in the sons of disobedience? I and all of my brothers and sister also lived among them at one time, fulfilling the cravings of our flesh and indulging its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature children of wrath. But because of your great love for us, you Father, who is rich in mercy, made us, made ME alive with Christ even when I was dead in my trespasses.

It is by your grace that I have been saved!

And you raised me up with Christ and seated me with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages you might display the surpassing riches of your grace, demonstrated by your kindness to me in Christ Jesus.

Again! It is by grace I have been saved through faith, and this is not from myself; it is your gift, not by works, so that I cannot possibly boast.

Father, I am your workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which you prepared in advance as my way of life. Therefore I need to constantly remember that formerly, I who am a Gentile in the flesh and called uncircumcised by the so-called circumcision (that done in the body by human hands)— I need to remember that at that time I was separate from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and a total stranger to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without you in the world.

But now in Christ Jesus I and those like me who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ. For He Himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has torn down the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing in His flesh the law of commandments and decrees.

Hallelujah!

Jesus did this to create in Himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace and reconciling both of us to yourself in one body through the cross, by which He extinguished our hostility.

Jesus Christ came and preached peace to me who was far away and peace to those who were near. For through Him we both have access to you Father by one Spirit. Therefore I am no longer a stranger and foreigner, but a fellow citizen with the saints and a member of your own household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone.

I can see now that in Christ the whole building is fitted together and grows into a holy temple in the you. And in Him I too am being built together with all the other believers into a dwelling place for you in His Spirit.

Heavenly Father, words cannot express the wonder of such grace. Glory to your everlasting name!

Ephesians 1 – Blessed be you God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. You have blessed me in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms. For you chose me in Him before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless in your presence. In love you predestined me for adoption as your son through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of your will, Oh! praise your glorious grace, which you have freely given me in the Beloved One.

In Jesus I have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of my trespasses, according to the riches of your grace that you lavished on me with all wisdom and understanding. And you have made known to me and to all in Christ the mystery of your will according to your good pleasure, which you purposed in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to bring all things in heaven and on earth together in Christ.

In Jesus I was also chosen as your own, having been predestined according to your plan; you who works out everything by the counsel of your will; in order that I, who am now among those who were the first to hope in Christ, would be for the praise of your glory.

And in Christ, having heard and believed the word of truth—the gospel of my salvation—you sealed me with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the pledge of all the Believer’s inheritance until the redemption of all we who are your possession, to the praise of your glory.

For this reason, even those like Paul before me ever since he heard about the faith of Believers in the Lord Jesus and our love for all the saints, he had not stopped giving thanks for the Believers, remembering them in his prayers, that you, the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, would give us a spirit of wisdom and revelation in our knowledge of Christ.

Paul asked, and I do now, that the eyes of my heart  may be enlightened, so that I may know the hope of your calling, the riches of your glorious inheritance in the saints, and the surpassing greatness of your power to us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of your mighty strength, which you exerted in Christ when you raised Him from the dead and seated Him at your own right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.

And you Father, put everything under Jesus’ feet and made Him head over everything for the church, which is His body, the fullness of you who fills all in all.