Last evening, Sky and I watched Max Mclean’s 2021 film adaptation of his one-man stage production on the conversion of C. S. Lewis to Christianity.
Co-written by McLean (also the lead actor) and Director Norman Stone – the film does the near impossible – it is a Christian film that is neither cheesy, maudlin nor Pollyanna. It is a real treat and enjoyable as a first rate film even apart from its subject matter.
Done in a narrative style, the cinematography and locations (I hear there were about 20) are superb. The writing – drawn from Lewis’ own – sticks to the facts. The acting is spot on. All around the production values are as high as any could hope for in a good movie. Thank you Fellowship of Performing Arts and 1A Productions for being committed to producing something of quality and excellence in the telling of Lewis’ conversion.
If you are not familiar with Lewis’ personal life, the brief primer in this movie is worth the watching alone, since it adds depth and context to his other writings.
Clive Staples Lewis was no ivory-tower elitist. At least not in the usual sense. Yes, he held on to his early rejection of Christianity, foray into occultism and philosophical materialism. But he was a also a man of real life. Losing his mother when he was a very young man. The strained relationship with his father (throughout his life) – especially in his father’s personality shift after the death of his wife. The pained distance between his father and both of the boys. Then on the front lines in WWI – wounded, sent back and wounded yet again. He grappled with the horrors and hardships of living in this fallen world. So for instance, when we pens his Mere Christianity lectures, they come from a place of having lived real life – not from behind the alabaster walls of isolated academia.
The film is available now on Amazon – free if you are a Prime member. And well worth the viewing. As you see him cave first to mere deism and then to embracing Christ full on – it will remind you of the power of God to scale the seemingly unassailable intellectual fortresses of those unsaved loved ones of yours. Our God knows how to conquer souls, and make them trophies of his grace – no matter where they are.
Jeremiah 17:19–22 (BSB) — This is what the LORD said to me: “Go and stand at the gate of the people, through which the kings of Judah go in and out; and stand at all the other gates of Jerusalem. Say to them, ‘Hear the word of the LORD, O kings of Judah, all people of Judah and Jerusalem who enter through these gates. This is what the LORD says: Take heed for yourselves; do not carry a load or bring it through the gates of Jerusalem on the Sabbath day. You must not carry a load out of your houses or do any work on the Sabbath day, but you must keep the Sabbath day holy, just as I commanded your forefathers.
In Jeremiah’s day, the Mosaic Law was still in full effect. One of the Law’s key components was the way in which a strict rest from all labor was required on the Sabbath. And yet, as the nation slid into idolatry and the neglect of God’s Law, the Jews fell into a pattern of violating that Law to the extent that not only would they keep transacting business on the Sabbath, they would actually carry their goods through the Temple grounds as a short-cut to other parts of the City. Even after the Babylonian captivity, we see the same issue addressed by Jesus (Mark 11:16). While there, it may not have been a Sabbath issue, the use of the Temple courts as a cut-through for merchandising still was.
As we read, the Sabbath was noted by God in Exodus 31:12–13 (BSB) — “Surely you must keep My Sabbaths, for this will be a sign between Me and you for the generations to come, so that you may know that I am the LORD who sanctifies you. ” To not do so was a capital offense.
Under the New Covenant, Believers are no longer bound in the same way to the Sabath as the Jews were. And while sound scholars will debate the extent of the Sabbath’s abrogation, or what form the actually takes, we can still derive a most potent principle from what Scripture lays before us in this regard. And that, in one parallel in particular.
I would argue (as do others) that in this transition into the New Covenant, carrying the burden of our own works or righteousness when we come to worship the Lord, is a direct repudiation of our trust in – and total reliance upon – Christ as our righteousness and the fulfillment of the Law.
In other words, we do not come to Church, into gathered worship, relying on our own obediences, perfections, works or righteousness in any way for our acceptance before God. We come, burden free, resting fully in the finished work of Christ.
We do not come to gathered worship to gain God’s approval – as a rite of acceptance.
We do not come to gathered worship hoping that in the act, our burdens of sin will get lifted.
We come to gathered worship as those who are trusting already in Christ’s having taken the whole of our sin burden upon Himself – on the Cross.
We come to gathered worship to rejoice in His finished work – not as a work unto itself.
We come to gathered worship in faith.
And this, is how we fulfill the Sabbath now. We rest, in Him.
Do not carry anything on the Sabbath beloved. He has borne it all.
This is perhaps my favorite painting of all time. It is Rembrandt’s take on Jeremiah – “the weeping prophet” lamenting while Jerusalem burns in the background. It is most poignant.
In the opening chapter of the book of Jeremiah, we’re given sufficient biographical info on Jeremiah and his historical context to make good sense of the rest of the book. And I always wonder if I were Jeremiah, whether or not I would have ventured on any ministry endeavors given the warning he’s given at the outset. Basically, he was told he would speak for the Lord, but no one would listen. And they didn’t. To their destruction and Jermiah’s misery.
Alos included is the following commission: Jeremiah 1:9–10 (BSB) — “Then the LORD reached out His hand, touched my mouth, and said to me: “Behold, I have put My words in your mouth. See, I have appointed you today over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and plant.”
Wow! There is so much here. Let me tease out just one observation. The Lord’s words to Jeremiah here, carry deep import for ministry in all generations.
Many are the ministers and ministries that want only one half of our commission in declaring God’s Word.
Some, imagine the declaration of divine truth is primarily or solely in plucking up, breaking down, destroying and overthrowing. That it is judgment and judgment only. Their own sinfulness is drawn to this necessary aspect, and then they go on to imagine it is wrapped up in the condemnation of all sorts of people and things.
Others, imagine the dissemination of God’s Word to be located in building and planting alone. They so love consoling and bring men joy, they run from any of the hard and negative work which must often be done. They only want to heal, but never to righteously wound.
Balanced Biblical ministry requires both. Challenging sin and wrong belief systems with a deliberate eye toward their destruction, and the preaching of peace in Christ to the saving of souls.
We, like Jeremiah here, are not given the privilege to choose which of these two we will do – we are commissioned to do both. Those laboring in God’s fields need to know how to break up hard ground, violently plow it, and attack and pluck up weeds and other dangerous enemies absent remorse, as well as to plant, water, nurture, prune and bring to fruitfulness.
As the Apostle Paul would say it later – 2 Cor. 2:15–16 (ESV) — “we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life.”
No wonder he must add: “Who is sufficient for these things?”
Only in Christ, by the power of His Spirit. May we look to and rest in Him alone.
Some things get better with age. I’m told wine does – but I’m no judge. To be honest, wine tastes like lighter fluid and I simply cannot bring myself to drink it. Some cheese does. Though I do watch out for mold. I’d like to say I do. But my wife can tell you better. Or should I say – she can tell you the truth.
All that said, J.I. Packer’s “Keep in Step with The Spirit certainly has gotten better since its initial release in 1985, and that even without owing to its expansion and update in 2005. For any Believer wanting to understand what life in the Spirit of Christ looks like, or wrestling with how to grapple with the complexities of Pentecostal/Charismatic teaching and practice- I do not think you can do better than Packer’s treatment here.
I remember first reading this book back when it was originally published. It was good. But now, after decades of my own reflection and experience, and, as mentioned above, the expansion of the original – this book is an exceedingly timely, Biblical and wise resource. It ought to be read by every thoughtful Christian.
Take note, this is not an especially easy book to read. Packer takes the time to reason very closely on controversial topics (i.e. spiritual gifts and the Pentecostal/Charismatic movements). And, he walks you through some very sophisticated Biblical exegesis.
This is not a book of fluff, nor of mere, unconsidered opinions. It is that rare combination of being both irenic and unapologetically truthful. Packer is generous, but honest. Thoughtful and careful. And he refuses to pronounce absolutes where Scripture itself fails to speak as definitively as we might like. No babies get thrown out with the bath water. No bath water is spared while the baby is still in need of more cleaning. No nonsense is tolerated in the name of unexamined love.
As is typical with Packer, the book refuses to budge at any point from its Christ-centeredness. The author’s conviction regarding the Spirit’s own Christ-centeredness leads him to write with the same cast. He will de-mystify what it means to be “spirit filled”. And he will point us over and over to the focus of the Spirit’s ministry, so that we are not distracted by what else the Spirit may grant in his ministrations. Like little children, how easily we can be more dazzled by the wrapping paper on a beautiful gift than the gift itself. Even worse – more enamored by the gift, than the giver. And just as bad if not worse yet, distracted from the focus, the purpose of the gift itself as intended by the giver.
Read Keep in Step with the Spirit slowly. Better yet, read it with friends. Consider the arguments with some deep reflection. Open your Bible and follow the exegesis with care. Deep and troubling questions will be answered. Not all of them. But at least they will be addressed in a solid and useful manner. Whether you agree with all of Packer’s conclusions or not – you will experience what good, analytical thinking looks like for a Christian.
As the title of this brief review states – this is the best book I’ve read so far in 2026. But the problem is, this sets the bar so high, I am doubtful I’ll read another one this year as engaging, helpful and Christ-centered. But, the year is young! And God has many, many treasures poured out through his children I’ve yet to encounter.
Proverbs 13:19 “Desire fulfilled is sweet to the soul, but turning from evil is detestable to fools.”
Biological human life has certain non-negotiables to consider one alive. The Johns-Hopkins website states: “The four main vital signs routinely monitored by medical professionals and health care providers include the following:
Body temperature
Pulse rate
Respiration rate (rate of breathing)
Blood pressure”
No body temperature other than the ambient one? You’re not alive. No pulse rate? Same thing. Not breathing? Not living. No blood pressure, no life.
There are vital signs of spiritual life as well. And one of them is explicated perfectly in this verse. It is couched in the contrast between one spiritually alive and one not. And it is quite the contrast: A desire fulfilled versus turning from evil.
And herein is the great divide between those regenerate, and those not: Nothing is more desirous for the regenerate than being freed from their sin, while for the unregenerate – nothing is more detestable than having to turn away from their evil.
Many a sincere Believer is plagued by a lack of assurance over their salvation due to their ongoing struggle against the remaining pull of indwelling sin. It makes them both miserable and doubtful. Can I be a true Christian and still find such repulsive inclinations within? It is a heartfelt cry. Little do they know that the struggle is in and of itself, a vital sign of true spiritual life in Christ.
The unregenerate do not grieve over and long for freedom from – the very presence of sin – as sin. They may want deliverance from the consequences of it if it has produced certain miseries. But they do not care to turn from sin simply because it IS sin, and is contrary to the new desires implanted by the Holy Spirit in every true Believer.
In contrast, every true Christian hates their sin. They grieve over the fact that some sinful impulses remain, and break out from time to time. They long to be rid of it all. They look forward to the day when in the resurrection – sin will be no more. Nothing is sweeter to the soul. Nothing is more desired.
A number of years ago I presided over the funeral service for a man in our congregation. He was a character and a half. A true individual. Not Joe-Average Christian. Sometimes I had no idea where he was coming from on things. But one day, in the midst of a most casual conversation, with tear filled eyes, he looked at me and said – “I can’t wait until the day when I no longer have any desire for sin.” He went on to lament just how much sin grieved him. His spiritual heartbeat was a strong as it could be.
Maybe this is you today. The pain of sin’s inward impulses grieve you to no end. And sometimes, they are so relentless, you begin to wonder if such could be the case in a genuine Christian. Dear brother, dear sister – nothing could be a greater testament to the reality of your regeneration than to hate sin for sin’s sake – and how it impairs your joy in walking after Christ as you would.
Take heart beloved. The day will come when this desire will be so completely and sweetly fulfilled in Christ. He who began that good work in you, will be working to complete it until that day.
If the title to this entry is worthy of the title to a Puritan’s sermon, that is not an accident. I do it on purpose. It only makes sense when the subjects of a book are two titans of Puritan England: John Owen and Richard Baxter.
If the notion of a theological page-turner seems to be an oxymoron, you have to, you MUST read Tim Cooper’s “When Christians Disagree”. You must. It is subtitled: “Lessons from the Fractured Relationship of John Owen and Richard Baxter.” When you simply cannot put the book down until you have read it cover to cover, you’ve struck gold. I started this about 10 last evening, quit a little after midnight, and sat to polish it off this morning. True, it is not a huge tome – just around 160 pages. But it is so crisply and engagingly written, you simply don’t want it to end. All of that without even addressing the actual topic and how it is handled yet.
Amazon’s “About the author” carries this: “Tim Cooper (PhD, University of Canterbury) serves as professor of church history at the University of Otago in New Zealand. He is the author of John Owen, Richard Baxter and the Formation of Nonconformity and an editor of the Oxford University Press scholarly edition of Baxter’s autobiography.” And I will mention quickly that the forward is written by Michael Haykin.
What Cooper so deftly does in this book, is expound Luther’s Simul Justus et Peccator as displayed in the lives and relationship of its two subjects. Two giants of the Faith; two towering geniuses; two godly and theological powerhouses; two men committed to Christ and his glory – whose personal foibles, personalities and disagreements make us blush to consider how they disliked and ill-treated each other. A study in contrasts if there ever was one.
But the author is not interested in painting these warts-and-all portraits for the sake of morbid or emotionally prurient curiosity. His is not to expose their flaws to the rubber-necking gawker. Rather, he is wanting to use their tragic mutual story, to goad us all on to Christian lives that ponder our own sins and shortcomings, how those impact others – especially in discourse – and spur us on to be more fully clothed with Christ.
These men are both heroes in my theological pantheon. And I, like they, am just as sinful, often blind to myself, and have been the unwitting instrument of unnecessary division among the saints at times. Father, forgive us. Forgive me!
Cooper wisely takes the time to examine the political, religious and social landscape of the England in which they both dwelt, and yet experienced vastly differently. Each with their unique upbringing and familial contexts. Each with strong personalities and rigid convictions. Each used by God. Each sinning against the other – especially (and this is SO VERY timely given our online communications) in how they discoursed in print. What a warning and road map this blessed book is.
There are but 7 short chapters followed by a “Conclusion”, a helpful Chronology, a Glossary and a very helpful section on further reading.
Where this crosses over into an oh-so practical book, is that at the end of each chapter (from chapter 2 on) Cooper includes a section for reflecting on what we’ve just read, and then provides insightful questions to ask ourselves in light of what we’ve witnessed. They are sound and deep questions without being contrived or crossing over into the oft-noted Puritan tendency toward morbid introspection. These are truly helpful and worth the time to consider. Not just alone, but with others.
I would really encourage this book to be used by Pastors with their Elders or leadership groups, as well as other small groups as a 7-8 week study. Reading and thinking about the chapter during the week, and then gathering to talk over the questions with others would be absolutely invaluable.
Of all the books I’ve read this year, this was at once the most engaging and enjoyable, as well as instructive and convicting. I cannot recommend it highly enough. If a book can be tasty – that’s what this book is.
Do your soul a favor – buy it and read it soon. Make it a Christmas gift to yourself, and a New Year’s treat. You won’t be sorry.
Just as in the larger culture, certain terms come and go even in the Church. Ever since the advent of the American Jesus Movement in the late 60’s – leading worship in music took on a life of its own. There emerged in that time and atmosphere, and new focused role called the “Worship Leader.” This worship leader was considered part of the ministry team. The role grew and grew to what might be perceived as occupying a very outsized place of influence. And typically (though certainly not in all cases) this new ministry office seemed to come with its own set of rules.
Worship leaders by and large (and forgive me if I paint with too broad of a brush here) were not held to the same rigorous standards as those who preached and taught. Talent was a main ingredient. Whether or not the music chosen was Biblically sound was not as much a primary concern, as long as it used Bible language or concepts. More importantly it seems – if it produced a certain atmosphere, evoking a visceral response in the congregation.
So the worship leader could be a man or a woman. No distinctions needed there. And perhaps their lifestyles were not as scrutinized as others in ministry. Afterall, they were usually “artsy” and free-spirited and not overly theological. With some very noted and notable exceptions.
Now I don’t want to make that sound entirely out of line. Music should help people fix on Biblical truth in memorable ways that also stir the emotions – with the truth – above just the music itself.
I watched a video recently where someone was reacting to a live recording in Denmark by Gary Brooker of Procol Harum fame, performing the amazing piece – A Whiter Shade of Pale. It is a masterpiece. The man watching the performance broke into tears. The piece is highly emotive. The music is truly beautiful and carried by a melody and chord progression which easily lead one to high emotions. These coupled with a set of very enigmatic lyrics can have a profound effect. But make no mistake, it is not worship.
Truly, this phenomenon can be repeated even in so-called Christian music. The right chords, and a haunting melody can actually eclipse the message – especially if the message is not clearly communicating Biblical truth, but is sufficiently vague to let the “worshipper” sort of pour their own meaning and emotion into it.
Now as far back as Exodus 15, we have Moses’ sister Miriam, leading the people in singing to the Lord in regard to his deliverance of Israel from Egyptian bondage and the miracle of parting the Red Sea. It was an appropriate response. And it fixed on exalting God for his great works. But the very next record of something similar – and serving as both a warning and a counterpoint is in Exodus 32. As Moses descends Sinai with the tables of the Law, he hears something coming from the camp. Once again there is singing and dancing by God’s people – but this time as they celebrated the consecration of the Golden Calf. God’s people, engaging in the identical behavior – but this time, it is idolatrous. It did not have as its anchor – God, and who and what he was and had done. But it was no less joyous, emotional and done by God’s People. It is worth considering.
All of that aside, I want to argue briefly, that all of God’s people ought to be worship leaders, and that we take back that role from a few select talented folk. How so? We catch the concept in 1 Peter 2:0-10 “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.”
As a people, God has set aside the Redeemed, that we might proclaim, make known, HIS virtues. HIS perfections. HIS glory. And that, more than our joy or feelings about it, as legitimate as they are.
It is a call for an entire congregation of people to delight ourselves in who and what God is and what he has done, and to communicate that to one another over and over and over. And that, with this focus – his deliverance in the cross from the darkness and bondage of sin, having received mercy, and now being made his own people. In other words – to magnify the work of Christ on our behalf.
You may not be able to carry a tune in a bucket. You may not be able to play a single instrument. But you and I can lead others into worship, as we rehearse for ourselves and to one another – the glory of God in our salvation. As we lift up the cross of Christ. And remind each other, especially in our struggles, that he is holy, and good and merciful and full of grace and forgiveness and has purchased us for himself with the blood of Jesus – and has granted us his Spirit, his people, his Word, access to his throne in prayer – and the promise of eternal life in the resurrection.
Let us lead one another in this kind of worship today. And every day.
Most views of the end times, fall into shades or versions of either Premillennialism, Amillennialism or Postmillennialism.
So on the top level we have a view that either says: 1 – Human history will plod on until Jesus returns, and then there is his literal 1000 year reign on the earth; 2 – Jesus is ruling and reigning now and will continue to do so until he returns – but the “1000” years is basically now until he returns; 3 – Christianity is going to gradually grow until it becomes dominant on the earth, and then Jesus will return. And then like I said, there are variations on each of these themes. And, each points to scriptures that appear to validate their particular view, and then extrapolate what that will look like in the unfolding of human history.
To be honest, I think there are in fact smattering of all 3 concepts in the Bible. The question is, are these views mutually exclusive – or might something else be at play? And I think it may be the latter.
Let me explain, but with a bit of oversimplification to get at a point.
Most Premills, envision Christianity in the world continuing but facing an inevitable period of severe persecution just before Jesus comes back. Again, with some variations.
Amills envision Christianity in the world, but with Jesus on the throne now – all things sort of continue as is until his return.
PostMills envision Christianity in the world continuing and progressing to a wonderful state until Jesus’ return.
But hind all 3 of these views, is the tendency (I’m just citing a tendency mind you) to interpret these matters in light of what is or isn’t happening where were are in our little corner of the world.
For example, Jonathan Edwards, a convinced PostMill, experiencing the Great Awakening and it impact here in America, easily sees his PostMill convictions verified in the move of God he is in the midst of. Naturally. But while this move of God was happening here, what was going on in China, or the Sudan, or Australia? Would Believers there think the Kingdom was dawning in that way?
And how would Premills here during that time read it? Where is the persecution and the rise of anti-christ? Or Amills? Was this a sign of Jesus’ present reign? Or was it simply one of the ups-and-downs of history?
My point is this: When Jesus returns – when it comes to Believers globally, he will probably return to Christians somewhere nearly extinguished by persecution, where others are enjoying revival and great advancement, and others still in other climes solidly holding the fort. Some will be grinding at the mill in hard labor, some just laboring in the field – maybe harvesting and rejoicing, some will be asleep, others awake, some marrying, some burying, some rejoicing, some weeping. The “Church” in any given region may be living and ministering in a PreMill, PostMill or Amill context. And to assume that the whole Church globally will be experiencing Jesus’ near return in exactly the same way is perhaps a bit too parochial, too narrow. It does not leave room for the various ways the Scripture may speak.
So, when we look at the group of parables in Matt 13 – Will there be sowing the Gospel with varying results? Yup. Will the Kingdom be growing like a mustard seed? Yup. Will the Kingdom be invading like the leaven? Yup. Will evil weeds be growing in God’s field? Yup. Will the Kingdom be hidden like treasure? Yup. Will the Kingdom be like gathering good and bad fish together? Yup? All of these will be true, in varying degrees in various places and at various times.
At some times and in some places, the Church will look fantastically triumphant. Satan utterly bound.
At some times and in some places, the Church will look like it is snuffed out. Satan rampaging and seemingly conquering.
At some times and in some places, the Church will be steady Eddie. Satan bound but still active.
And then the big deal: All of these can be happening in various places on the globe AT THE VERY SAME TIME – when Jesus returns.
Bottom line? Don’t let your eschatology be governed by your local newspaper. The Kingdom is vast, and is in various stages of growth and experience all over the place.
No matter what the current stage or experience you or I are undergoing right now, nor what trend we may see on the horizon – it may be very VERY different for your brothers or sisters elsewhere. How some of the Believers during the Black Plague must have understood their plight as the sure sign of final torment before Jesus’ return.
He’s coming back. As Robert Winsett wrote in song years ago:
Troublesome times are here, filling men’s hearts with fear Freedom we all hold dear now is at stake Humbling your hearts to God saves from the chastening rod Seek the way pilgrims trod, Christians awake
Jesus is coming soon, morning or night or noon Many will meet their doom, trumpets will sound All of the dead shall rise, righteous meet in the skies Going where no one dies, heavenward bound
Troubles will soon be o’er, happy forevermore When we meet on that shore, free from all care Rising up in the sky, telling this world goodbye Homeward we then shall fly, glory to share
Oh, Jesus is coming soon, morning or night or noon Many will meet their doom, trumpets will sound All of the dead shall rise, righteous meet in the skies Going where no one dies, heavenward bound
Jesus is coming soon, morning or night or noon Many will meet their doom, trumpets will sound All of the dead shall rise, righteous meet in the skies Going where no one dies, heavenward bound Heavenward bound, heavenward bound
As one who has spent decades preaching and teaching God’s Word, I can say without fear of contradiction that this beast we call preaching is sometimes akin to riding an untamed monster. Let me explain.
First, we are met with the weight of trying to communicate God’s Word, on his behalf. to his people. So it is we need to separate between our own mere thoughts, opinions, agendas and ideas, and God’s as they are found in the text. There is the constant danger of letting us as communicators spill over on to him. To superimpose ourselves onto Christ’s personality, heart and mind. Here is a battle we must constantly fight – to let his Word be heard, and not our own.
Second, we come to the task with all sorts of defects. We preach to people about their sins, but must never lose touch with our own lest we become imperious and give the impression we do not need the Gospel as much as our hearers do. That we are the example – not Christ. Truth be told, we often do not want to need the Gospel as much as we tell others they do. We want to think ourselves above certain attitudes, weaknesses and outright sins. But as the old saying goes, we are in fact only lepers, telling other lepers where they can find bread – as per 2 Kings 7.
Third, we are so often prone to gauge our success (or lack thereof) by how we feel a particular sermon was received or not; by the sensory experience of that particular worship service. To rely on the comments of others, both positive and negative. In this, we can forget the reality of how our own subjective feelings on any given day may fluctuate due to a host of factors – as well as those of our audience. It is a fruitless consideration – but very present and real.
Fourth, it is easy to forget that we are merely heralds and that the Holy Spirit alone can make our preaching effectual in the hearts and minds of our hearers. And so to constantly plead with him for his moving upon both ourselves, and them in the execution of our office.
It is in thinking on these things again this morning that I offer up something I wrote many years ago for my own reflection upon my preaching duties. I titled it then – The Preacher’s Manifesto.
And might I add, if you are going to worship this morning – pray for your preacher. Please.
I am a preacher of the Gospel,
One of the sails on a great ship.
I did not make myself.
I was created by His hand,
For His purpose.
Sin brought rottenness, carelessness and neglect.
But the holes are mended through by His Grace,
Lest even unfurled, I am of no use.
Prayerlessness keeps me wrapped and rolled.
Prayer alone hoists me high in preparation for service.
Yet, mended in righteousness and hoisted high in prayer,
If the Wind not blow,
If the Spirit not move;
There is no power, no progress,
no true advancement toward the Harbor.
I am, we are, adrift – and at the mercy of the currents, or lack of them.
One has to appreciate the succinct brevity with which the author of 1 Chronicles 11 sums up the demise of Israel’s first King – Saul. Vs. 13 reads: “So Saul died for his unfaithfulness to the LORD, because he did not keep the word of the LORD and even consulted a medium for guidance, and he failed to inquire of the LORD. So the LORD put him to death and turned the kingdom over to David son of Jesse.”
By any account, Saul is a tragic figure. Chosen by God to be Israel’s first King, he is set in place by God’s prophet – Samuel. Samuel was a faithful priest – though himself displaying weakness in his failure to discipline his sons. But as weak and fractured as both of these men were, God was working out his plans with his nation through them. They were a formidable pair.
What happened?
It all began with Saul’s need to solidify his leadership at a time when his men were losing heart. The account is found in 1 Sam. 13. Because he was over-anxious, instead of waiting for Samuel to arrive and offer up the burnt offering which was the responsibility of the priest, not the King – Saul overstepped. Samuel tells him he had “not kept the command of the Lord.” Samuel tells Saul that because of this foolish act – going beyond the bounds God had set, that his dynasty will end in but this one generation, and be given to another, viz, David.
And so we are back to our text: “So Saul died for his unfaithfulness to the LORD, because he did not keep the word of the LORD.”
Disaster ingredient #1 – Stepping outside of God’s boundaries in his Word, because we are under pressure from circumstances.
If we do not cherish the commands of God and adopt some form of situational ethics – we have begun the descent. When we know what God’s Word has spoken clearly, we use that as the supreme guide for life and practice. It trumps everything else. So Jesus will counter Satan in the desert by answering: “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” (Matt. 4:4) Yes, my stomach pinches after a long fast – but God’s Word stands above my uncomfortability. I can trust the Father fully with my pain.
Disaster ingredient #2 – Having rejected God’s Word as the supreme authority, Saul sought supernatural help elsewhere.
This can be true even for Christians – failing to trust that God’s Word is sufficient in revealing what we need to know in living rightly unto him, we can turn to impressions, omens, signs, oracles like modern day prophets, chills, twitches, and maybe even horoscopes. Other means to divine God’s will above what he has provided in his Word, with the illumination of the Spirit.
No, I’m not suggesting we do not draw from the wisdom of other Godly men and women. We have teachers appointed by God in the Church. And we have each other with our shared experience in how the Lord has dealt with us over the years – and how we understand the wisdom of his Word.
The issue here is the need to sort of peek behind the curtain, to get inside information into the heart, mind and will of God that he has chosen not to reveal. To get divine direction, so that in effect, we do not have to actually trust him with the unknowns, but take power over them with special, hidden knowledge. Something that borders on, if it doesn’t actually cross over into occultism.
Knowing God’s Word that seeking after such counsel was sin, nevertheless, Saul pursued the medium at Endor because in his unrepentant sin, God had ceased communicating. Not altogether. He still had the Law. But facing the Philistines in this instance, and with Samuel dead, with himself separated from God by unrepentant sin – he sought a way to get over on God and get the assurance of victory from some other source. Rather than repent, he rebelled yet further.
Disaster ingredient #3 – “he failed to inquire of the LORD.”
Now 1 Sam. 28:6 tells us that Saul inquired of the Lord, but the Lord did not answer him by dreams or Urim or prophets.” How do we reconcile these 2 accounts? As Saul had continued his murderous assault on David, knowing full well David was to succeed him, he put himself in the place where God would not answer – while he remained in his rebellion.
When we pretend to want to know God’s will and enjoin his help, while living in unrepentant sin – the heavens grow silent. It is like the volume and tuning dials on a radio. If I don’t like what’s playing on one station, I can either change stations, or turn the volume down. There are problems with both. If I don’t like God’s counsel, and switch to another station, I end up consorting with his enemies. But if I turn down the volume, I turn down all means of receiving counsel, from his Word, or his people.
Saul sought the Lord, but not to seek the Lord in repentance and reconciliation so as to obey, but merely to get assurance of the course he was pursuing.
Nope.
He had mixed these three together, with the end result that he lost his and his son’s lives on the same day, in shameful defeat before the enemies of God, and even lost possession of the Ark of The Covenant.
How dreadfully, dreadfully sad. And unnecessary.
And how do we avoid such disaster ourselves? How do we un-bake this cake?
Cherish God’s Word.
Reject attempts to get secret knowledge, even in the face of dire circumstances no matter how supernaturally attractive they seem. “The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, so that we may follow all the words of this law.” (Deut. 29:29)
In all things – inquire of the Lord in his Word. Learn it. For in learning it, you learn of him. Hear it. For in hearing it, you hear him. “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through the knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.” (1 Pet. 1:3)
For if your pursuit is a life lived unto him in godliness – you can be assured of all of his mighty provisions placed at your disposal.
ResponsiveReiding 