ResponsiveReiding

FMBRF: “My name is Legion”

December 6th, 2019

Mark 5:9 (ESV) — 9 And Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” He replied, “My name is Legion, for we are many.”

FMBRF stands for Friday Morning Bible Reading Fellowship. Under the leadership of Mike Holbein, a small band of men gather at ECF most Friday mornings @ 7 am to just read the Bible out loud to one another for about an hour. It is a precious time. And this morning, among some others, we read from Luke 8, Matthew 8 & Mark 5 each of which contains the account of Jesus delivering the 2 demoniacs in Gadera. When the demons inhabiting the one man were confronted by Jesus they replied: “My name is Legion, for we are many.” And while we might think our own condition is quite different than this poor man, this startling example reminds us forcefully that our sin is not simple and one stranded, but complex.

It can be a very deceptive thing for us to believe that the whole of our difficulty as Christians may lie in this or that particular sin. But that is not the case. Sin is complex. Our sins are interrelated – and no one sin stands alone without being tied to other sins. It is why we cannot imagine “if I could just conquer this one thing or that, then all would be well.” We do not just sin – we are sin-FUL. We think sinful thoughts, commit sinful acts, hold sinful attitudes, respond sinfully to slights, pressures and difficulties, rebel against the Word we know and the Spirit’s persistent inward prompting to holiness. Galatians 5 contains that brief catalog of the “works of the flesh”: “sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these.” Which Paul goes on to note “that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”

And this is what makes Christ such an astounding Savior. For He does not deliver us from just this one sin or peccadillo or failing or that – from sin in all of its effects, manifestations and from sinfulness itself! Sin is Legion. MY sin is Legion. But my Savior is the Lord of hosts! The Lord of all! As He delivered this man from the Legion of demons which possessed him, and Jesus delivers those who are justified by faith in Him from the Legion of sin which so often seems to hinder, bind and plague us.

Sin’s name is Legion. But Jesus’ name is Lord of all. And at His word, Legion must yield up all of its long-held territories.

And so I am reminded today of my favorite of all of John Newton’s hymns:

1 HOW lost was my condition,
Till Jesus made me whole!
There is but one Physician
Can cure a sin-sick soul!
Next door to death he found me,
And snatch’d me from the grave,
To tell to all around me,
His wond’rous pow’r to save.

2 The worst of all diseases
Is light, compar’d with sin;
On ev’ry part it seizes,
But rages most within:
’Tis palsy, plague, and fever,
And madness, all combin’d;
And none but a believer
The least relief can find.

3 From men great skill professing
I thought a cure to gain;
But this prov’d more distressing,
And added to my pain:
Some said that nothing ail’d me,
Some gave me up for lost;
Thus ev’ry refuge fail’d me,
And all my hopes were cross’d.

4 At length this great Physician,
How matchless is his grace!
Accepted my petition,
And undertook my case:
First gave me sight to view him,
For sin my eyes had seal’d;
Then bid me look unto him;
I look’d, and I was heal’d.

5 A dying, risen Jesus,
Seen by the eye of faith,
At once from danger frees us,
And saves the soul from death:
Come then to this Physician,
His help he’ll freely give,
He makes no hard condition,
’Tis only—look and live.

John Newton and Richard Cecil, The Works of John Newton, vol. 3 (London: Hamilton, Adams & Co., 1824), 375–376.
Margin notes: A “united” heart

December 5th, 2019

Psalm 86:1–17 (ESV) — 1 Incline your ear, O LORD, and answer me, for I am poor and needy. 2 Preserve my life, for I am godly; save your servant, who trusts in you—you are my God. 3 Be gracious to me, O Lord, for to you do I cry all the day. 4 Gladden the soul of your servant, for to you, O Lord, do I lift up my soul. 5 For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you. 6 Give ear, O LORD, to my prayer; listen to my plea for grace. 7 In the day of my trouble I call upon you, for you answer me. 8 There is none like you among the gods, O Lord, nor are there any works like yours. 9 All the nations you have made shall come and worship before you, O Lord, and shall glorify your name. 10 For you are great and do wondrous things; you alone are God. 11 Teach me your way, O LORD, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name. 12 I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify your name forever. 13 For great is your steadfast love toward me; you have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol. 14 O God, insolent men have risen up against me; a band of ruthless men seeks my life, and they do not set you before them. 15 But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness. 16 Turn to me and be gracious to me; give your strength to your servant, and save the son of your maidservant. 17 Show me a sign of your favor, that those who hate me may see and be put to shame because you, LORD, have helped me and comforted me.

Psalm 86 bears the title: “A Prayer of David.” And I love how David prays, as much as I need to look at what he prays for.

In the “how” column, he prays as a “poor and needy” man. Cognizant that he has nothing in himself. He prays too as a “godly” man. Not perfect. Not righteous in himself. But one who looks to and desires to serve the one true and living God. He prays to the Lord who is “good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you.” To the God who does “great and wondrous things.”

The “what” he prays for is notable as well. Deliverance from opposing or oppressing enemies. That’s reasonable. But the real sum and substance of his concern is in vs. 11 ” Teach me your way, O LORD, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name.” a. To know God’s ways as taught from God Himself. b. To walk in truth – in God’s reality. c. And above all – that his heart might be united that he might fear God’s name. How intriguing. A united heart.

A “united” heart; in other words, one that does not have any divided loyalties, but is wholly set upon finding its joy and satisfaction and fullness in Christ alone. One that fears God alone, and nothing nor anyone else. Oh how divided my own heart often is – torn by a host of loyalties and desires rather than unified in the fear and love of God in Jesus Christ.

So let’s pray with David today: Oh Holy Spirit, grant this heart to me! Heavenly Father, grant your Spirit to create this heart within this weak and brittle vessel. Give me, give we your servants, a singular, united heart – to fear your name. For the cause and glory of Christ we pray. Amen.
Margin notes: When God says “no” to a good thing

December 4th, 2019

Psalm 84:11–12 (ESV) — 11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly. 12 O LORD of hosts, blessed is the one who trusts in you!

One of the mightiest weapons the Believer has against sin and temptation, is the firm conviction that “no good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly.”

Now we must be clear here, the text does NOT say, everything which is simply good in and of itself is to be ours. Providence will teach us well that there are many things inherently good, which nevertheless a Believer might find themselves bereft of.

Freedom is something we might consider a universal good. But when the issue of slavery comes up in the New Testament for instance, we find that some Believers were in fact slaves, and that God called them to behave in certain ways in that circumstance. Would we not be right then in saying that in such cases – God had indeed withheld something good from one walking uprightly? Or, might we posit that if a Believer is a slave, that itself indicates they are NOT walking uprightly? We must answer no to both of those inquiries as nakedly stated.

Why? Because our God in His infinite wisdom and unfathomable love, knows what is best for each of us individually in terms of giving us the maximum opportunity to grow in grace and the image of Christ. And when that goal requires that something “good” be withheld, given the usefulness of that withholding for our spiritual, ultimate and eternal good.

He does indeed at times withhold some things which are natively “good” when they might mean some temporary happiness, but would be contrary to eternal and higher joy.

So how does this impact temptation? It defuses sin’s lie, that just because something is “good” in my estimation, or even in general, that it is necessarily the highest good. And it instead shifts my thoughts to the “Lord of hosts” (vs. 12) and the blessedness that comes from trusting Him and His judgment in it. i.e., we can reply to our sin – “I trust my God, that in my case, if I cannot have this specific “good” – there is a higher good He has ordained for me, and He is most loving in denying me the good I want right now, in favor of the better things He has ordained for me.”

That is a conversation we all need to engage in more regularly, especially when sin lies and tells us God is not good, and that the sin we are contemplating is the good we think we deserve.

Trust Him Beloved. For those are truly blessed, who can trust Him with all their desires – and who will not withhold any truly “good” thing, for those who walk uprightly before Him.

Trust Him.
Margin notes: Not forsaking steadfast love and faithfulness

December 3rd, 2019

Proverbs 3:1–6 (ESV) — 1 My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments, 2 for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you. 3 Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. 4 So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man. 5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

I so love coming back to this passage in my regular reading. I love being reminded to “keep” this commandment – to not let “steadfast love and faithfulness” be forsaken.

The idea here may be, to be sure to be a loving and faithful person. That may be. But I am more inclined to think of it in terms of resting in the love and faithfulness of our God. The one who rests content here, who lavishes in knowing these graces are poured out upon them, will live a life far different than those languishing in the hopelessness that captures so many. It is a pre-echo of “keep yourselves in the love of God.”

It is a call to never let the wonder, the mystery, and glory, the reality of God’s steadfast love and faithfulness toward you ever escape your consciousness.

When we imagine His love to be vacillating or indistinct – or when we doubt the absolute certainty of His commitment to see all of His promises to come to pass – faith suffers its most devastating blows.

We MUST see our God as constitutionally incapable of any of the defects of human love. In the darkest of hours, He cannot love you any more, nor can He love you any less. See Him as ontologically unable to fail to keep His word, or to break His promises. He does not merely carry out His promises faithfully, He IS faithful. This is the One with whom we have to do. This is our God. Loving and faithful beyond anything the human mind can imagine. This is the One in whom we place our trust.

Know for yourself Believer, and remind yourself often, of the steadfast love of the Lord, and of His faithfulness. That He cannot fail. And in that, you will become one of steadfast love and faithfulness yourself.

This belongs to all who are in Christ. And it is a treasure we begin to enjoy even here and now – part of the “downpayment” of the Holy Spirit that is ours.
Margin notes: A simple prayer about my cravings.

November 13th, 2019

Psalm 78:18 (ESV) — 18 They tested God in their heart by demanding the food they craved.

In this Psalm of Asaph, he recounts the stubbornness of Israel in the way it has dealt with God, and the mercy and grace God has displayed in the face of Israel’s stubbornness. Vs. 18 seems to be the lynchpin on which their rebellion hung. And I could not help but feel the pinch of it myself as I reflected upon how often I’ve resented God loving me better than my cravings, by abundantly meeting my needs – far and above anything I could have imagined. He is so very, very good to us.

Heavenly Father, this is so much how I am. No matter how often or how wondrously you prove yourself to me, at the next crisis, it is as though you have done nothing in the past. It is as though you are constantly having to prove yourself to me. Please forgive my hardness and unfaithfulness. Make my mind recall your past graces, and let me stand secure in your love that I do not repeatedly put you to the test. Let my heart be free of its sinful doubting – and truly trust you. Make my only “demand” – that I might know you more. Keep me from demanding that you cater to my cravings above what your infinitely perfect love and wisdom deem best for me. Teach me to trust you above my own wicked heart. Teach me to “crave” better than I know or feel. Love me better than what I think love ought to be.
Margin notes: Teach your children well – Better than Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young.

November 12th, 2019

Psalm 78:1–8 (ESV) — 1 Give ear, O my people, to my teaching; incline your ears to the words of my mouth! 2 I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings from of old, 3 things that we have heard and known, that our fathers have told us. 4 We will not hide them from their children, but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might, and the wonders that he has done. 5 He established a testimony in Jacob and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers to teach to their children, 6 that the next generation might know them, the children yet unborn, and arise and tell them to their children, 7 so that they should set their hope in God and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments; 8 and that they should not be like their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation, a generation whose heart was not steadfast, whose spirit was not faithful to God.

If you didn’t get my byline – than LISTEN HERE first, and then come back to read this.

What a good thing it is for each generation to make known what they’ve come to know and have learned about the goodness, power and wonder of God. For parents to tell their children of their own conversion to Christ. To tell them how God rescued them in trouble, provided for them, walked with them, comforted them, sustained them and blessed them. Parents – do not be silent. Give your children the heritage of your life in Christ. Recount it. Glory in it, joy in it, and tell them of it.

The following verses tell us why we should do vss. 1-4 – So they should:

a. Set their hope in God; b. Not forget His works; c. Keep His commandments; d. Not be like their fathers in stubbornness, rebellion, and unfaithfulness.

We don’t share these things with others – especially our children according to the World’s wisdom. How often do we hear that the only goal parents have for their children is that they “be happy.” Or fulfill their dreams, etc.? BUt are there not higher goals in mind for those in Christ. To live in the eternal hope of the resurrection because of reconciliation to God through the Gospel of the finished work of Christ. Happiness beyond THIS life. Hope in the face of all opposition. And to know the wondrous power of God. The mightiest of all works that of rescuing us from our death n our sins. The most degenerate among us can kill – but who can bring to life? None but God. To live a life where one is in union and harmony with their Creator. Knowing the joy and intimacy of His presence. Oh how I want my grandchildren to know that in their lives too. And to avoid the multiplied sorrow, heartaches, defilements and tragic consequences of sin.

This, beloved, is a true education indeed. If they never learned anything beyond these – they will be prepared for eternity.

And note how much of the balance of this Psalm consists of a record of Israel’s sin and failure, but God’s goodness, grace, mercy and forgiveness in the face of it. Our testimonies to men ought not to be about OUR goodness, but His, in the face of our rebellion.

Teach your children “well”. And if you have none of your own, then find someone else’s to pour these into. Even if they are already adults. Teach them of Christ.
Margin notes: God’s Steady “pillars”

November 11th, 2019

Psalm 75:3 (ESV) — 3 When the earth totters, and all its inhabitants, it is I who keep steady its pillars. Selah

3 Things in the 3rd verse from Asaph are so vital for Christians today to bear in mind.

First, there are times when the earth totters, stumbling and quaking and crumbling. The Psalm does not say “IF” these things happen – but “when.” They will. Great upheavals in the creation physically, politically in governments, economically and even religiously and personally. The earth and all earthly system stand presently under the judgment of God. And it is crumbling.

Second, The Lord knows there will be these seasons. He is not surprised by them, and so neither should we be. Comfort, ease and outward security are no inalienable rights. We live in a world that is passing away. And this entire world system suffers from its death spasms. This will not be reversed, even tho God in His grace does give seasons of respite as well. But we must make no mistake that this present world which is passing away – cannot be rescued. (1 Cor. 7 :31; 1 John 2:17)

Third. Those in Christ have this knowledge as well – that in spite of it all, even in its worst moments, the Lord still keeps those pillars of grace and mercy steady. We have a sureness and security those outside of Christ cannot conceive of. Like the Disciples in the boat with Jesus when the storm threatened to sink and drown them – they could not perish because HE could not perish. As long as we are with Him, in Him and He in us, though every piece of the fabric of human existence be torn, we have secure and steady pillars which cannot be shaken even in the least. 2 Timothy 2:19 a (ESV) — 19 But God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are his,”

What a glorious Christ we serve.
Ordination Service for Jim Luckey and Ben Zwickl

November 11th, 2019
Reid A Ferguson

Philippians 2:19–30

AUDIO FOR THIS SERMON CAN BE FOUND HERE

Ordination

As I mentioned a few weeks ago, this morning is a very special morning for us at ECF, as we take this opportunity to ordain or officially set into the office both Ben Zwickl and Jim Luckey.

Both of these as elders, and of course with Jim having the expanded role as being paid staff. His compensation providing the means to give himself to this service full time, whereas our other elders (apart from myself) take up these responsibilities in addition to working full time to support themselves.

Ordination?:

What do we mean by that?

Lexham Bible Dictionary: ORDINATION The process of formally appointing someone to ministerial office within a religious community.

The term first appears in Exodus 29 when Aaron and his sons are officially put into office as priests for Israel.

Now as you know, we are not OT Israelites. And with Jesus coming as the final, Great High Priest – as He is designated in Hebrews 4 & 10, we no longer have a separate priesthood in the Church.

In fact, as we saw in our study of Revelation, the entire Church and everyone in it takes up a part of this priesthood now.

So we read in Rev. 5:9-10 that after Jesus took the scroll of the whole of God’s plan for time and humanity from the right hand of God the Father – the 4 living creatures and the 24 elders which surround the throne of God burst out into song singing:

Revelation 5:9–10 ESV / And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.”

This really is a tectonic shift. In the New Covenant we no longer have this separate priesthood.

That said, we still see the Church setting certain people apart for certain tasks, and in all reality – ordaining them – the congregation officially recognizes them as suited for a certain task.

It does NOT mean they are in any wise spiritually superior or a special class of individual. It is designation for specific service. We want to be clear on that. Those ordained aren’t more holy or of a higher spiritual order somehow. They are peers, set aside for special service.

And we see that in a number of places: In Matt. 10 Jesus did it with the 12 Disciples. Setting them uniquely apart with unique authority.

We see it again with a local congregation in Acts 13:2–3 ESV / While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.

Here we see the dynamic of recognizing the Spirit’s gifting in these men, and the Church then laying hands on them – marking them out for this ministry they have.

In Acts 14, Paul and Barnabas repeat this action in returning to a number of the cities where they first preached the Gospel –

Acts 14:22–23 ESV / strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God. And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed.

And here we see how that figures into ordaining elders in the local assembly.

I wont take the time this morning to go into much detail, but the NT uses 3 words to describe the same individuals but in varying capacities: Elders, Pastors and Overseers. They come together for clarity in 1 Peter 5:1–4 ESV / So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.

So notice how the Holy Spirit put this together:

(1) Peter exhorts the ELDERS (presbuterous); to

(2) SHEPHERD the flock of God (poimen) – translated “pastor” in Eph. 4);

(3) exercising OVERSIGHT (from episkopeo) – from which word we get the idea of Bishops.

The elder is a shepherd is a pastor is a teacher is a bishop or overseer.

The only 2 offices in the NT church being: Elders and Deacons.

And as you know when we were going through our pastoral search for Jim to come on board as an associate, we spent much time going over the qualifications for elders/pastors/shepherds outlined in Timothy and Titus especially.

And because of the seriousness of this work we have Paul’s warning to Timothy when he was given the task of helping the Church order itself well: 1 Timothy 5:22a ESV / Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands.

This is not to be done quickly, or lightly, without those being considered having proven themselves as suited for this ministry.

So much for ordination.

Jim Luckey and Ben Zwickl

So the pleasure we have this morning is being able to set these two men apart for this ministry having done our due diligence in that regard.

With Ben, we know his history, having served as an elder in other churches previously, and more importantly, how he has served here at ECF over the past number of years.

There simply is no question at all and we are most grateful for that reality. God is good. Ben and his family are an invaluable part of this assembly.

With Jim – while our personal experience has been more limited, we know his preparation in seminary, his service in his previous Churches and offices, and the testimony of those we talked with extensively during the search process. And tho as I said, our personal experience has been limited, I can tell you that in his time here, he has more than demonstrated his preparedness and giftedness for this Role. God has been so good in bringing Jim and his family into our midst. We are truly blessed.

Some Scriptural Insight

I want to turn our attention now to a most interesting and informative passage – pertinent to our activity this morning.

A passage that talks about 2 other men set aside for service, and which holds particular importance to me having served here at ECF the last 40+ years, and as senior Pastor since 1996.

The passage we had read for us earlier is from Paul’s letter to the Church in the city of Philippi.

There are 4 Things about Timothy and Epaphroditus in their service, that for me are supremely important in this matter.

It unpacks perhaps the most often neglected but vital considerations regarding eldership and ministry.

They are spoken of specifically in reference to Timothy, but then also demonstrated in Epaphroditus. And if we had time, we could see how these very same key ideas are connected by Paul with the ministry of Titus as well.

Philippians 2:19–30 ESV / I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you. For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare. For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. But you know Timothy’s proven worth, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel. I hope therefore to send him just as soon as I see how it will go with me, and I trust in the Lord that shortly I myself will come also.

I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need, for he has been longing for you all and has been distressed because you heard that he was ill. Indeed he was ill, near to death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. I am the more eager to send him, therefore, that you may rejoice at seeing him again, and that I may be less anxious. So receive him in the Lord with all joy, and honor such men, for he nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was lacking in your service to me.

Philippians 2:20 ESV / For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare.

Genuine concern for the souls of men above a “ministry.”

One thing that I’ve learned over the years, is that there is no shortage of those who want to preach, teach or hold positions of leadership in the Church.

Ministry often attracts a certain personality type. They have a sort of romance with the idea of ministry. Preparing sermons. Having a group of people to sit and listen to their wisdom, insight and eloquence.

They are taken with the idea that if they could just get their chance, if they could just get in the pulpit, God would finally use them the way they believe they are called to, people would necessarily have respect and awe for their gifts and value, and the Lord could finally do the work He intends to do now that they are firmly ensconced in place.

And they are never truly happy, never truly content unless they are given that particular avenue of service.

Oh, there is enough sincerity mixed in, in terms of having a high opinion of the call to ministry – but this compulsion really goes well beyond that. So much so that robbed of this opportunity, they forever feel cheated and resentful.

And God help the congregation where these find their way into ministry. For there is a perpetual undercurrent that they are not being properly recognized or utilized. And when the inward vision for their version of success and acceptance isn’t met, someone or someones will inevitably become their scapegoat – the stumbling block they are certain Satan has placed in their way and the great hindrance to their extraordinary ministry.

All of this because their grand object isn’t the care of souls, but the building and carrying out of “their” ministry.

When I was a young man, I remember a pastor who had long regarded my Dad as his mentor in the ministry, coming by the house to discuss the crises his church was embroiled in at that time.

After he left, my Dad simply shook his head and said: “The real problem with his church was on his own lips the entire conversation – it was MY church, MY ministry, MY people, MY vision, etc.. Everything was about him.” Nothing was about Christ. And certainly nothing about the souls of those people.

Here, the Apostle states what he does about Timothy – why Timothy is so well suited and employed to tend to the Church at Philippi and later pastor the Church at Ephesus: He was genuinely concerned for THEIR welfare, not HIS ministry. His burden if you will, was the spiritual growth and health of God’s people. It stood out as his chief concern.

The same spirit Was demonstrated in one of the Philippians’ own – Epaphroditus, who had been sent by them to carry a gift to Paul and serve him for a bit. This good man, when he grew gravely ill in Rome, was deeply longing for them and was “distressed”, anguished over how his fellow Philippians might be disheartened by his near passing.

His concern, like Timothy’s and Paul’s was for THEIR welfare. That they might not be discouraged but encouraged, built up and energized to follow Christ.

And this Beloved I can testify is the heart and mind of Ben and Jim.

They are here and serving us at ECF, and I can say with all confidence that they are like minded with myself and the other Elders in a passion for YOUR spiritual welfare above anything that the office of Elder-Shepherd-Overseer holds for them.

Passages like those in Timothy and Titus which lay out the basic qualifications for elders – in all truth say little more than that they ought to be men who seriously pursue living out authentic Biblical Christianity in a mature way. Other than needing to able to teach or communicate the Gospel and defend it from detractors, they simply need to be solid men seeking Christ.

But Paul notes the things here that really set them apart – and chief among them is this one thing: They have an abiding concern for the spiritual health and development of those around them. An inexplicable burden to pray for and help others in this regard.

And as I consider the transition ahead in my own service here, after the basics are met, this for me takes precedence in looking to men to be elders in this congregation. They MUST have this burden for your spiritual welfare at the fore. And I am more than glad to be able to say that concerning our existing elders, and these two this morning.

The 2nd vital characteristic Paul alludes to here is found in the next verse: Philippians 2:21 ESV / For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.

Seeking Christ’s interests above their own.

Growing out of the first priority comes this second one. They are connected though not identical. But those who are to enter this office must be those who seek Christ’s interests above their own.

Once again, the thought of having or establishing THEIR ministry, is NOT a leading factor. Being convinced of Christ’s priorities and what He is doing in His Church, they do not seek to carry out their own vision – but His.

Ben has a career as a scientist and educator.

Jim didn’t go looking for a mega-church or for a position as a stepping-stone to something higher.

Each in his place simply sought to serve Christ’s people for Christ’s sake.

They have nothing personal to gain in this. They want to serve God’s people in their growth in the image of Christ.

Now even the best of men can err in this at times. We have a stunning example of that with Peter in Matthew 16:21–23 ESV / From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you.” But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”

Peter was sincere. Peter was gifted. Peter was hand chosen by Jesus. But when Peter insisted on his agenda apart from considering Christ’s, he found out just how dangerous that was. This is a powerful rebuke.

And those who seek any position of ministry need to be especially cautious here. For the only thing it takes to become a supreme hindrance to Christ is to lose sight of His plans and purposes, and insist on our own instead.

That does not mean we cannot have ideas of how to serve and put into action plans and methods for meeting the needs of the souls of those around us. But it IS to say our ideas must both take second place to the priorities set in God’s Word, and are only valid when they are useful for promoting Christ’s agenda in the Believer, the Church and the World.

We must never forget that Peter’s great blunder here came on the heels of Jesus telling him how the Church would be built upon the revelation of and Peter’s confession of Jesus Being the Christ, the Son of God. And that it was on that revelation and confession that Jesus said “I will build my Church.”

The Church isn’t ours to build – it is Christ’s! And He, is still building it. All we can be is co-laborers in HIS work. We do not seek to establish our own.

And once again I am confident that we have in these 2 men, those who have that very mindset and are committed to it. Neither one has their own kingdom here to try and establish.

The 3rd characteristic Paul appeals to is found in Philippians 2:22 ESV / But you know Timothy’s proven worth, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel.

As a son with a father.

The picture here is one of humility and service.

Our church governance here is one of a plurality of elders. We have a team of pastors. Not just one pastor with advisors.

Nor are only the paid ones like Jim or myself considered more so than the others. We simply have been compensated so that we can devote all of our time to the pastoral duties the others can only do part time.

While I have the privilege of being technically the “lead” pastor, it truly is only leadership among equals. I am not THE pastor any more than the others even though I’ve enjoyed the role of being the lead-teacher/preacher.

But when I look at the eldership God has been pleased to gift us with here, I am truly amazed. What I am about to say about Jim and Ben I can rightly say of the rest as well.

These men are smarter than I am.

They are better equipped than I am.

More educated and trained than I am.

But in humility, they serve under me, like sons with a father.

And doesn’t every father hope to see their sons outstrip them in growth and service? I know I do. I want that for them, and I want that for you.

This has been true of all our elders here. And it speaks to genuine humility and willingness to serve above seeking recognition or position.

In fact, if one cannot serve UNDER others, then they are never fit to serve OVER others. It is a simple fact of life, as well as a Scriptural principle.

We have no greater example of this than we do in Jesus Himself.

We all know the account of Jesus when He was 12 years old going up to Jerusalem for the Passover with His parents.

In returning, they thought He was in the caravan, and when they discovered He wasn’t, they spent 3 days looking for Him.

They finally found Him in the Temple sitting around with the teachers, listening and asking them questions. But when His parents get Him back in tow, Luke 2:51 states –

Luke 2:51 ESV / And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them. And his mother treasured up all these things in her heart.

Make no mistake, He was no less God of the universe in His incarnation than He was before He came or after He ascended.

He was His parents creator!

He was in every conceivable way their superior. And yet, in fulfilling the Father’s plan, He was “submissive” to them.

In Luke when He went to heal the Centurion’s servant – do you remember what the Centurion said to Him? And why he didn’t need Jesus to actually come and lay hands on the servant, but just “speak the word?”

Luke 7:8 ESV / For I too am a man set under authority, with soldiers under me: and I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”

I too – like you Jesus, am UNDER authority – and that is why – like you – I HAVE authority and recognize yours.

The Spirit of Christ is not a spirit of self-promotion or autonomy – but of submission to God’s arrangements without chafing.

And once again, as all the elders here, these men have served with me, in many ways their inferior, but in preserving right order in God’s house, as though they are sons with a father.

It really is an unusual blessing for an assembly to have men like this.

Lastly, in that same verse, we light upon the 4th quality Paul finds so necessary in one who serves best in his own place: And I will only touch on it briefly.

Philippians 2:22 ESV / But you know Timothy’s proven worth, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel.

They serve in the Gospel.

They are Gospel centered men.

I know them.

I’ve watched them.

I’ve worked with them. I’ve seen how they reason and what guides their views, plans, opinions and goals.

They aren’t given to trends and gimmicks and every new wind of doctrine which comes down the pike.

They seek to see Christ’s cross-work lived, proclaimed and wrought out in their own lives, and in the lives of others.

They have the Gospel as both their starting point and their goal, in their own lives and in their service here at ECF.

Seeing the lost reconciled to God through the Gospel, and pointing Believers always back to the Gospel as our only hope and comfort. Seeking to see the implications of the Gospel applied to the lives of those they minister to.

They are committed to Gospel ministry above all other ways to serve. And this Beloved, this alone is safe for your own souls, and central to the kingdom of God in our time and place.

As the Apostle Paul would put it in Ephesians 3:7–12 ESV / Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God’s grace, which was given me by the working of his power. To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things, so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him.

To know the Gospel for themselves savingly, to live in it, to preach it and teach it to others, and to protect it from distortion, loss, dilution, mixture or indifference.

These men are set for these things, and that is why we set them apart today in ordination for those ends.
1. Genuine concern for the souls of men above a “ministry.”
2. Seeking Christ’s interests above their own.
3. As a son with a father.
4. They serve in the Gospel.
Jim and Ben – I charge you as Paul did Timothy in his 2nd letter to him:
1. (1.6-7) Rekindle the fire/ “fan into flame” the gift of God – Don’t let the flame die!
2. (1.8) Resist Timidity/ “do not be ashamed of the Gospel” – Don’t lose boldness!
3. (1.13-14) Regard the standard/ “follow the pattern of sound words” – Don’t compromise!
4. (2.1) Renew yourself in Christ’s favor/ “be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus” – Don’t rely on yourself!
5. (2.2) Recommit these truths to others/ “entrust to faithful men” – Don’t stop teaching!
6. (2.3-6) Rise to the Rigors/ “share in suffering” – Don’t become soft!
7. (2.8-9) Remember Jesus Christ/ “Remember Jesus Christ” – Don’t forget whom it is you serve!
8. (2.10-13) Recall my Reasons/ “for the sake of the elect” – Don’t forget the lost souls of men!
9. (2.14) Remind them of these things/ “Remind them” – Don’t stop rehearsing the truth!
10. (2.14-19) Require them to avoid word wars/ “charge them before God” – Don’t let them get bogged down!
11. (2.15) Resolve to show yourself approved to God in the Word/ “Do your best” – Don’t lose focus!
12. (2.16-19) Refuse irreverent babble/ “avoid irreverent babble” – Don’t get tangled up!
13. (2.22) Run from youthful passions by running to Godly passions/ “flee youthful passions” – Don’t let down your guard!
14. (2.23) Reject ignorant controversies/ “Have nothing to do” – Don’t get derailed!
15. (3.1-9) Recognize the Times/ “understand this” – Don’t get disheartened!
16. (3.14-17) Retain the essentials/ “continue in what you have heard” – Don’t move from the Scriptures!
17. (4.1-4) Remain Ready/ “preach the word” – Don’t stop preaching!
18. (4:9-13) / Refresh Other Laborers/ “Do your best to come” – Don’t Forget others who Labor!
19. (4:14-15) / Refrain from Opposers/ “Beware of him yourself” – Don’t be gullible!
20. (4:19) / Reaffirm Relationships/ “Greet Prisca and Aquila” – Don’t get isolated!
And so now I would call for the other elders to come and lay hands on them and pray.
Margin notes: Being “Evangelical” Pt. 5

November 8th, 2019

This is last in this series of posts. And I trust there has been a stirring in your heart as there has in mine – to recover true Evangelicalism for our day. It is when basics like those we’ve been examining here either get assumed, and thus for all practical purposes ignored, or shoved out of the way by other important, but not equally as essential things – that the foundations erode quickly. We go off course. It is one of the features of the Old Testament prophets that they were like “master-builders” (to use Paul’s term) who were constantly calling God’s people back to the original plan. Back from distraction and compromise. Back to the foundations. Back to lives and practices commensurate with the foundations laid. Hence we need those prophetic voices in every generation. It would be in that context that I would exclaim with Paul – “For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all be encouraged 1 Corinthians 14:31 (ESV). Oh for such a spirit of prophecy to fall on our generation. Calling us back consistently to be about the eternal purposes and plan of God in Christ – and not sidetracked by so many other things.

If I might summarize our writer’s points so far – Dr. Ryle has been advocating for understanding true Evangelicalism as having 5 “leading” features. As he’ll note today, these aren’t the only features, but they are the 5 leading ones in his opinion. An opinion I share.

The Supremacy of the Scriptures
The Depravity of the human heart
The Centrality of Christ
The Necessity of Regeneration

And today: The active Presence of the Holy Spirit

(e) The fifth and last leading feature in Evangelical Religion is the importance which it attaches to the outward and visible work of the Holy Ghost in the life of man.
Its theory is that the true grace of God is a thing that will always make itself manifest in the conduct, behaviour, tastes, ways, choices, and habits of him who has it. It is not a dormant thing, that can be within a man and not show itself without. The heavenly seed is “not corruptible, but incorruptible.” It is a seed which is distinctly said to “remain” in every one that is born of God. (1 Peter 1:23; 1 John 3:9.) Where the Spirit is, He will always make His presence known.

We hold that it is wrong to tell men that they are “children of God, and members of Christ, and heirs of the kingdom of heaven,” unless they really overcome the world, the flesh, and the devil. We maintain that to tell a man he is “born of God,” or regenerated, while he is living in carelessness or sin, is a dangerous delusion, and calculated to do infinite mischief to his soul. We affirm confidently that “fruit” is the only certain evidence of a man’s spiritual condition; that if we would know whose he is and whom he serves, we must look first at his life. Where there is the grace of the Spirit there will be always more or less fruit of the Spirit. Grace that cannot be seen is no grace at all, and nothing better than Antinomianism. In short, we believe that where there is nothing seen, there is nothing possessed.

Such are the leading features of Evangelical Religion. Such are the main principles which characterize the teaching of the Evangelical school in the Church of England. To my eyes they seem to stand out in the theological horizon like Tabor and Hermon among the mountains, and to tower upward like cathedral spires in our English plains. It will readily be perceived that I have only sketched them in outline. I have purposely avoided much that might have been said in the way of amplification and demonstration. I have omitted many things which might have been handled as parts and portions of our system, not because they are not important, but because they are comparatively of secondary importance. But enough has probably been said to serve my present purpose. I have pointed out what I conscientiously believe are the five distinctive doctrinal marks by which the members of the Evangelical body may be discerned. Rightly or wrongly, I have laid them down plainly. I venture to think that my statement will hold water and stand the fire.

I do not for a moment deny, be it remembered, that many Churchmen who are outside the Evangelical body, are sound in the main about the five points I have named, if you take them one by one. Propound them separately, as points to be believed, and they would admit them every one. But they do not give them the prominence, position, rank, degree, priority, dignity, and precedence which we do. And this I hold to be a most important difference between us and them. It is the position which we assign to these points, which is one of the grand characteristics of Evangelical theology. We say boldly that they are first, foremost, chief, and principal things in Christianity, and that want of attention to their position mars and spoils the teaching of many well-meaning Churchmen.

J. C. Ryle, Knots Untied: Being Plain Statements on Disputed Points in Religion (London: William Hunt and Company, 1885), 7–8.
Margin notes: Being “Evangelical” Pt. 4

November 7th, 2019

Following a short essay by Bishop J. C. Ryle, a leading evangelical Anglican of the 19th century, we have seen that Evangelicalism isn’t what most would think of today when they hear that word in the public sector. In a sense, we’ve let others define that term for us rather than insisting on making it clear what WE mean by it. And to be fair, many self-professed Evangelicals have poured into the current public perception by doing what they do in the political and social realms in the name of Evangelicalism. When in fact those endeavors may have more to do with their brand, than the core features we’ve been discussing.

The great churchman of the 16th century Richard Hooker noted that when people have a cause and a particular slant in controversial issues or those they are greatly exercised over, they tend to make that issue an all-or-nothing proposition before long. And in doing that, they then pour everything into it in such a way that their very Christianity rests in the issue itself. And as a result, those who do not agree with them on this issue are suspect even in their Christianity. So for some, a representative republic as a form of government or free-market capitalism become synonymous with Biblical Christianity – and anyone holding to anything else in any way can’t even be a Christian! Thus in the process, Evangelicals end up deconstructing our own Evangelicalism.

All that to say, that we need to get back to real basics here. So far we’ve seen the first 3 leading features of Evangelical Religion – and today our writer sets forth the 4th one.

a) The first leading feature in Evangelical Religion is the absolute supremacy it assigns to Holy Scripture, as the only rule of faith and practice, the only test of truth, the only judge of controversy.

(b) The second leading feature in Evangelical Religion is the depth and prominence it assigns to the doctrine of human sinfulness and corruption.

(c) The third leading feature of Evangelical Religion is the paramount importance it attaches to the work and office of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the nature of the salvation which He has wrought out for man.

(d) The fourth leading feature in Evangelical Religion is the high place which it assigns to the inward work of the Holy Spirit in the heart of man.

Its theory is that the root and foundation of all vital Christianity in anyone, is a work of grace in the heart, and that until there is real experimental business within a man, his religion is a mere husk, and shell, and name, and form, and can neither comfort nor save. We maintain that the things which need most to be pressed on men’s attention are those mighty works of the Holy Spirit, inward repentance, inward faith, inward hope, inward hatred of sin, and inward love to God’s law. And we say that to tell men to take comfort in their baptism or Church-membership, when these all-important graces are unknown, is not merely a mistake, but positive cruelty.

We hold that, as an inward work of the Holy Ghost is a necessary thing to a man’s salvation, so also it is a thing that must be inwardly felt. We admit that feelings are often deceptive, and that a man may feel much, or weep much, or rejoice much, and yet remain dead in trespasses and sins. But we maintain firmly that there can be no real conversion to God, no new creation in Christ, no new birth of the Spirit, where there is nothing felt and experienced within. We hold that the witness of the Spirit, however much it may be abused, is a real, true thing. We deem it a solemn duty to be no less jealous about the work of the Holy Ghost, in its place and degree, than we are about the work of Christ. And we insist that where there is nothing felt within the heart of a man, there is nothing really possessed.

J. C. Ryle, Knots Untied: Being Plain Statements on Disputed Points in Religion (London: William Hunt and Company, 1885), 6–7.

To open his point a bit more, we can have a great many feelings and experiences which are nothing in terms of the Holy Spirit’s work in our souls – but at the same time, if He has and is doing a work there, it is a felt work. We experience something. For instance, if we have not been grieved over sin because it is offence against God and not just because of its ill effects; if we have no true love for Christ, having been melted by His love and sacrifice on our behalf; if there is nothing of anticipatory desire for Jesus’ return and our being gathered to Him; if there is nothing of an inward communion with God brought about by union with Him in the Holy Spirit, then we are not simply not Evangelicals, we are not born again.

People may scoff at the old idea, but Jesus’ words cannot be dismissed: John 3:3–7 (ESV) — 3 Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4 Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’

You MUST, be born again.