Todd Linn's Blog, page 23
July 15, 2021
Why I Don’t Believe In Secular Evolutionary Theory
Today’s Theology Thursdays post continues our study on the doctrine of creation. This SlideShare presentation is adapted from a sermon by Bob Russell, former senior pastor of Southeastern Christian Church in Louisville, KY. It concludes with the great hymn text of “How Great Thou Art.”
Enjoy! ⬇️
Why I Don't Believe in Secular Evolutionary Theory from Todd Linn, PhD Follow Preaching Truth on WordPress.com(function(d){var f = d.getElementsByTagName('SCRIPT')[0], p = d.createElement('SCRIPT');p.type = 'text/javascript';p.async = true;p.src = '//widgets.wp.com/platform.js';f.par...
July 13, 2021
When Suffering Unjustly
There is a popular genre of literature known as “The ‘Get Even’ Books.” These are books that help readers exact revenge upon their enemies or “get even” with those who have hurt them. Sound look a book you may want to read?
John Jackson has written one such book entitled, The Black Book of Revenge. The subtitle reads: The Complete Manual of Hardcore Dirty Tricks and Schemes. On the book cover or inside the book is a description of its contents:
How to satisfy your lust for revenge, get justice, or even the score with anyone who has ever made your life miserable. This book graphically illustrates methods actually used by people who have had all they can take and turn to their own resources for justice. You’ll find out how to obtain information on your target, the “art” of blackmail and its uses. With illustrations of homemade devices as well as instructions on how to use them, this is the best of the “get even” books.
Now if that title interests you, you may also be interested in acquiring, Spite, Malice, and Revenge: The Complete Guide to Getting Even (3 Diabolical Volumes in One). The book promises “376 dirty tricks that will stimulate your imagination and help you find the perfect gift for the special someone who has taken everything from you. Learn how to wreak revenge against all those people who make your life miserable.”
I suspect that there is something within many of us that may drive us to page through one of these books. In a world where it is common for people to return evil for evil and in a fallen society that naturally engenders spite, malice, and revenge, such little manuals find a niche in the market. Nobody wants to be insulted, hurt, or wronged. Everyone wants justice…
But Wait!
What does the Bible teach about suffering injustices? How does the Christian live as a “pilgrim” or a “sojourner” in this world? That’s largely what this passage is all about: “When Suffering Wrongly.” You could add the subtitle: “How to take it on the chin when you’ve done nothing to deserve it.”
Here’s our text: 1 Peter 2:18-23
While Peter is addressing servants in general, his teaching provides all Christians with helpful pointers about what to do when suffering unjustly.
Expect to Suffer (verses 18-20)We’ve seen this before in 1 Peter. You’ll remember Peter’s opening the letter with praise to God for His salvation, reminding us to rejoice in this salvation when undergoing trials. Recall Chapter 1 and verse 6: “In this (this salvation) you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials.” This theme of suffering recurs a few times later in 1 Peter, including in our passage today.
Servants, be submissive to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the harsh. (verse 18)
Before we talk about servants submitting to their masters, it is important that we talk just a moment about servants–or slaves (as the NIV has it)–in 1st Century New Testament times.
It is supremely helpful that we not think of slavery in New Testament times as we think of slavery in American antebellum times; an utterly horrid practice that demeaned human beings created in the image of God.
Slavery in New Testament times was not based upon race. In addition, while slaves in American Civil War times were discouraged from receiving an education, many slaves in the New Testament era were highly educated, some better educated than their masters. And there are other differences, as well. One commentator, drawing upon the Oxford Classical Dictionary writes this:
Although mistreatment of slaves could occur…it must be remembered that 1st-century slaves were generally well treated and were not only unskilled laborers but often managers, overseers, and trained members of the various professions (doctors, nurses, teachers, musicians, skilled artisans). There was extensive Roman legislation regulating the treatment of slaves. They were normally paid for their services and could expect eventually to purchase their freedom.
Oxford Classical Dictionary, page 995; as per Wayne Grudem, 1 Peter.
But, of course, this does not make slavery as an institution right. The Bible certainly prohibits the trafficking of individuals and the Bible nowhere endorses slavery as something desirable. So, while slavery existed in both Old and New Testament times, one will never find a verse where God endorses the practice.
We must remember that biblical writers address readers in their historical and cultural settings. It is not the purpose of Peter’s letter to call for overthrow of slavery as an institution. Such a call would have failed miserably as the overwhelming majority of people in the Graeco-Roman world supported slavery and, if a tiny minority of people called Christians attempted to overthrow the institution, the attempt would likely have proven disastrous.
We must also remember that the gospel does not concern itself primarily with social overhaul. Rather, the gospel addresses sinful individuals who stand before a holy God, proclaiming their need for reconciliation through the atonement of Christ. Ultimate social change and social overhaul on a larger scale occurs through the personal life change of individuals.
Of course, not all slaves in New Testament times were treated respectfully. Many were, in fact, mistreated and even beaten. Yet Peter says in verse 18, “Servants, be submissive to your masters…not only to the good and gentle, but also to the harsh.” There were “harsh” masters. The word describes masters who were “morally evil,” and suggests “not only physical mistreatment but also dishonesty regarding pay, working conditions, expectations,” and so forth (Grudem, 1 Peter).
Yet again, just as in our previous post, Peter calls for humble submission to authority, even when we don’t agree with that authority. Unless commanded to sin personally, Christians are to submit to “every ordinance of man.”
For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully. (verse 19)
Peter says Christians may bear up under the pressure of suffering wrongfully when they remember their Lord. That’s what this phrase “if because of conscience toward God” seems to mean. The ESV has “when mindful of God” or “conscious of God” (NIV). In other words, servants can bear up under the pain of injustice remembering that God is there. God sees everything and He will honor our submission to authority.
For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. (verse 20)
Look closely at the first part of verse 20, “For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently?” In other words, “If you behave poorly or disrespectfully, there is no glory in your suffering. In fact, you very likely deserved it.”
But–second part of verse 20–“But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God.” God honors your faithful submission when you submit to authority. He honors your submission, especially when suffering wrongfully.
Peter suggests that when Christians suffer for doing good that God will reward them. It’s similar to our Lord’s teaching elsewhere:
And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive back, what credit is that to you? For even sinners lend to sinners to receive as much back. But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil.
LUke 6:34-35
While Peter has in mind specifically those who are servants, this teaching of submission carries implications for citizens submitting to their political leaders, employees submitting to their employers, students submitting to their teachers, and any other area where one is called to live under the authority of another.
But again, expect to suffer. Verses 18-20 teach that followers of Christ should not be surprised when they are mistreated by others.
Follow Your Example (verses 21-23)For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps (verse 21)
If you need an example of how to behave when submitting to authority, look to Jesus. Peter uses Jesus as an example of how the Christian should behave when bearing up under injustices. The Christian is to be like His Lord; to be like Christ, to look like Jesus.
How did Christ behave when suffering? Peter tells us:
“Who committed no sin, nor was deceit found in His mouth” (verse 22)
That’s a quote from Isaiah 53:9: “He had done no violence, nor was any deceit in His mouth.”
Peter continues:
who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously (verse 23)
Look again at that last part of verse 23: He, “committed Himself to Him who judges righteously.”
Here’s the key: when Christ suffered wrongfully, He continued entrusting Himself, as well as those who who mistreated Him, entirely to God. He knew that God, the Father, always does what is right. He knew that the Father would make all things right in the end.
When you suffer injustice follow your example; follow Jesus.
Do you remember how the Roman authorities had stripped Christ of His clothing and beaten Him to within an inch of His life? Do you remember how they nailed His hands and feet to a wooden cross? Do you remember how He bled as they hurled their insults at Him? Do you remember how He suffered? Yet, “when He was reviled, He did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously” (verse 23). He had said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”
Peter is providing more than just general teachings of morality. He’s not simply saying, “Be a good person when you suffer” or “Don’t exact revenge upon those who hurt you.”
Those statements sound nice, but you could get that message just about anywhere. You could get the teachings of “Be good and don’t treat others badly” in Judaism or Islam or popular psychology or daytime TV shows. Peter doesn’t merely say, “Follow Christ’s example.” He doesn’t even say, “Christ suffered leaving us an example.” That’s just morality.
Look more closely at verse 21, “Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example.”
“For us”
Here is the theological underpinning that motivates our morality. It is the doctrine of the atonement: Christ also suffered for you. He died for you. Christ died in your place.
So, how are Christians empowered to bear up under injustice? By remembering what Jesus Christ did for them.
Remember He died for your sins. He took the punishment you deserved. He treated you not as you deserved to be treated, but He treated you with mercy, compassion, and forgiveness.
The atonement is your motivation.
The atonement makes bearing up under injustice possible and reminds us why it’s needful. Because Christ has extended mercy, compassion, and forgiveness toward you, you will treat others with mercy, compassion, and forgiveness. You owe it to God and you owe it to others. And you will do so because you are not of this world. You are a pilgrim, a sojourner, a guest of this world.
So you’ll not do as the world does. You’ll not do what your fallen nature tells you to do: Defend yourself! Fight! Don’t let false accusations stand! Get in the last word! Pummel your enemy!
No. You will expect to suffer. You will follow your example. And you will remember your motivation: “Christ suffered for us.”
Follow Preaching Truth on WordPress.com(function(d){var f = d.getElementsByTagName('SCRIPT')[0], p = d.createElement('SCRIPT');p.type = 'text/javascript';p.async = true;p.src = '//widgets.wp.com/platform.js';f.par...July 12, 2021
Consequences Of Sin
We noted in our previous post that sin is always “an inside job.” Having examined the cause of temptation, we look now at the consequence of temptation (should we give in). Next week we’ll examine the correction for temptation.
Once we allow ourselves to be drawn away by our desires and enticed, James warns: “then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.”
Remember: this all takes place within each person. Again, sin is an inside job. See how it works in one of the most familiar accounts in the Old Testament: King David, a godly man once described as a man after God’s own heart (1 Samuel 13:14; Acts 13:22).
We read in 2 Samuel 11 that King David stays at home during a season when kings are generally found on the battlefield. The Bible says that one evening David walks out on his rooftop to have a look around. And from this vantage point he happens to see a young woman bathing herself. Now, had David just turned away and gone back inside, that would have been the end of it. But he didn’t. He kept looking, watching this young woman; Bathsheba, watching her as she bathed herself.
His perpetual looking was not Bathsheba’s fault. The text suggests she is completely unaware of his watching her. It was David’s fault to continue looking. And the more he looks, the more he thinks and the more he feels. Desire is forming within. And the longer he looks at this unsuspecting woman—a married woman as he will soon learn—the more greatly David allows himself to be “drawn away by his own desire and enticed.” Remember what James writes next? “When desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin.”
David calls for Bathsheba and she is brought to the king’s palace. Given his royal position and the expected compliance of all persons under his authority, we shouldn’t be too surprised by Bathsheba’s willingness to follow the king’s directives. The writer’s economy of words is understandable: “Then David sent messengers, and took her; and she came to him, and he lay with her…and she returned to her house (2 Samuel 11:4).”
Many today would consider David’s actions to be nothing more than a “fling,” an affair, or a one-night stand. The Bible calls it a sin, namely the sin of adultery. And, as is often the case with such egregious sins, the duration of the sin was remarkably short compared to the years of consequences that followed.
James asserts: “When desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.” James is writing metaphorically and yet, in David’s case, this literally happened. The child conceived by Bathsheba dies as a consequence of David’s sin, discipline by God. And the death of the child was certainly a painful consequence for both David and Bathsheba. And yet a fate far worse than physical death was the death of David’s vigor and spirit for the rest of his days. He is clearly a broken man after his adultery. He is not the man he once was. He is broken; broken by sin and temptation.
Little wonder James cautions, “Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren.” Never think that you can give in to a particular temptation “just once” and all will be well. We must never toy with temptation. Learn from David! Do not flirt with others. Don’t click on questionable web links. Don’t look at the picture. Don’t watch the video. Don’t even joke about sin. Listen again to James’ warning: “Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren.”
Here is a reminder that we are all capable of being deceived. Just as trials are inevitable, so temptation is inevitable. Remember that James writes, “Let no one say when (not if) he is tempted…” Every Christian is subject to temptation. As Paul warns elsewhere, “Let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall (1 Corinthians 10:12).”
Thankfully, God provides the means of escape from every temptation. Paul goes on to say in the very next verse, “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it (1 Corinthians 10:13).”
This happy consideration takes us to the next fact Christians should know about temptation–but we’ll save that for next time!
**Excerpt from You’re Either Walking The Walk Or Just Running Your Mouth (Preaching Truth: 2020), pages 32-34, available on Amazon.
Follow Preaching Truth on WordPress.com(function(d){var f = d.getElementsByTagName('SCRIPT')[0], p = d.createElement('SCRIPT');p.type = 'text/javascript';p.async = true;p.src = '//widgets.wp.com/platform.js';f.par...July 9, 2021
Preach The Word-s!
I’ve written a few posts over at chucklawless.com in recent weeks; grateful to Chuck for his inviting me to provide a few “Thursdays With Todd” on his terrific site. This post is similar in format.
Most ministers are intimately familiar with Paul’s imperative to his young protogé Timothy: “Preach the Word!” (2 Timothy 4:2). It’s a great text, frequently cited in pastoral ordination sermons and preaching lectures.
Yet many evangelicals committed to “preaching the Word” do not seem as committed to actually using it much in their sermons. The preacher dutifully reads the text in the beginning of the sermon but, as his sermon unfolds, listeners hear less and less of the biblical text itself.
While the threefold pattern of explanation, illustration, and application comprise the essential elements of good, expository preaching, consider how frequently–or infrequently–the words of the text occur throughout the message.
While there are many ways to preach a passage, consider a few reasons why preachers are wise to speak (and repeat) as many of the actual words of the text as possible as they preach.
AuthorityIf we believe the authority of our preaching is located in the text of scripture, then we will speak the actual words of the text as much as possible.
To be clear, I am not arguing that each word of a text contains a power of its own apart from its relationship to other words in the passage. We are not prepared to preach until we have discovered the context and meaning by way of careful exegesis and sound hermeneutics.
But once we have discovered the meaning, we will speak the actual words as much as possible because we believe authority and power are localized in the text.
FrequencyThe “law of frequency” asserts that learning increases as content is repeated or emphasized. Applied to preaching, the more we speak the actual words of a text, the more likely our hearers are to learn it.
Because preachers can only say so much in thirty or forty minutes, expositors committed to speaking as much of the text as possible will craft their sermons accordingly.
Unlike sermons heavily weighted in lengthy illustrations or first-person narratives, preachers committed to making much of the text will give as much time as possible to the Word itself.
MemoryLike most ministers, I have faced the singular challenge of being my family’s pastor. When my two sons were small, they were always hearing dad preach.
Often I would ask them a question after Sunday morning worship. Perhaps during lunch, or later in the day I’d ask, “What did the preacher preach about?”
This was a slightly humorous way to remind them that they were expected to listen to the preacher (even if he was their dad!) and a means to measure the effectiveness of the sermon.
It was a humbling exercise to be sure, but it reminded me that the more I spoke the actual words of the text, the more likely they were to remember it.
So as you “preach the Word” this Sunday, preach as much of the “words” of your text as possible!
Follow Preaching Truth on WordPress.com(function(d){var f = d.getElementsByTagName('SCRIPT')[0], p = d.createElement('SCRIPT');p.type = 'text/javascript';p.async = true;p.src = '//widgets.wp.com/platform.js';f.par...July 8, 2021
Biblical Basis Of Creation: How & Why
Today’s Theology Thursdays post continues our systematic theological treatment of the doctrine of creation. This study overviews the basics of the “how” and “why” of God’s creation, namely that God created everything ex nihilo and for His glory.
So, before ado is in any way furthered, here’s today’s SlideShare presentation:
Biblical Basis of Creation: How and Why from Todd Linn, PhD Follow Preaching Truth on WordPress.com(function(d){var f = d.getElementsByTagName('SCRIPT')[0], p = d.createElement('SCRIPT');p.type = 'text/javascript';p.async = true;p.src = '//widgets.wp.com/platform.js';f.par...July 7, 2021
Following Christ Whatever Your Politics
“I wish more churches would preach on politics!” It’s a familiar cry frequently shared among concerned Christians. But I’m not sure all would feel as strongly about this when looking closer at the Bible’s teaching on politics.
1 Peter 2:13-17 is a passage that has implications for Christian living under an authority structure with which they may disagree. Whether it’s the government at large or local authority, this passage teaches Christians about how they are to follow Christ whatever their political identity may be.
You’ll remember from our previous post that verse 12 teaches Christians are to live in such a way as to point people to Christ. So if we were to ask Peter, “Tell us exactly what you have in mind,” he might reply, “Well, just keep reading my letter” because, from verse 13 and following, Peter talks about how Christians should live in a world that is largely un-Christian.
Live as One who Submits to Authority
13 Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether to the king as supreme,
14 or to governors, as to those who are sent by him (the king) for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good.
The word “submit” in verse 13 is a military term that conveys the sense of arranging oneself under a superior, or a commander. It means to fall in line under the authority of another. So Peter is teaching that Christians are to have an attitude of submission with respect to their governmental leaders.
And Peter spells out our submission very clearly. He says Christians are to submit “to every ordinance of man,” that is, “every human authority” or “every institution of man” whether you happen to like the leader or not.
He adds that this submission applies to the king as well as the governor. We may say today that this teaching applies the president or other leaders of his administration, as well as the governor of our state, and the mayor of our city.
The only time we are exempt from obeying human authority is when the institution forces us to commit sin.
In Exodus 1, for example, Pharaoh says to the Hebrew midwives: “If the Israelites give birth to a boy, kill it.” Here is an authoritative leader commanding personal sin. Of course, the midwives refused to kill the male children: “But the midwives feared God and did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the male children alive” (Exodus 1:17).
In Daniel 3, Shadrach, Messiah, and Abednego are commanded to bow down and worship the golden image. But because it is wrong for an authoritative figure to command personal sin, Daniel’s three friends do not bow down. They refuse: “Let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up” (Daniel 3:18).
In Acts 5, the Apostles are commanded by an authoritative leader to stop teaching the gospel. Additionally, they were threatened with imprisonment. But again, because they were being forced to commit personal sin, the Apostles refused. They said, “We must obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29).
So when authority figures command us to commit personal sin, we must obey God rather than men.
Here’s an honest question: How often does this really happen to you? Just how frequently do political leaders force you to commit some kind of personal sin?
You may say, “Well, that last example in Acts comes pretty close. My boss won’t allow me to talk to co-workers about Christ.” Okay, but that’s not forcing you to sin, is it? He’s not telling you that you can never once–under any circumstance–live out your Christian faith, right? Nor is he or she threatening to lock you up in prison. Odds are, your boss is simply reminding you that you’ve got a job to do and that you need to know where the boundary lines are.
Thankfully, most of have never been commanded by an employer or political leader to commit personal sin. We may say that we don’t like the politics of our leader or leaders, but that does not give us permission to rebel against that authority. Peter is clear in verse 13: “Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man.”
Certainly, Christians are to be “salt and light.” We should be informed politically and use our influence to improve the justice system, but ultimately we must submit ourselves to every ordinance of man.
Remember that Peter is writing this letter during the reign of Emperor Nero, the one who, according to church tradition, would kill the Apostle Paul and would also kill Peter by having him crucified upside down.
By the way, note the phrase there in the middle of verse 13: “for the Lord’s sake.” This phrase is a reminder that it is God Himself Who has set in place these structures of authority. We honor Him when we submit to our leaders.
In a related passage, the Apostle Paul says, “the authorities that exist are appointed by God” (Romans 13:1). While we often wonder why God “appoints” some rulers to rule, we must remember that they rule only because He has sovereignly allowed it. Paul adds in Romans 13:2, “Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God.”
God has set governmental leaders over us because authority is a good thing. Governmental authorities “punish evildoers” and “praise (or commend) those who do good.”
How often do we pray for our leaders? Paul writes in 1 Timothy 2:1-2: “Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority…”
Do you pray for your president? Do you pray for civil leaders; praying that God would give them wisdom and draw them to Himself so that they may be saved and live under Christ’s lordship?
How do you speak about your leaders? Christians may voice their concerns, but they must do so with respect. As Paul commands: “Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men” (Titus 3:1-2).
We may speak against the policies of those with whom we disagree, but we must do so in a respectful manner. Christians will avoid crude jokes and slander about their president or about others in authority over us. Christians will pray for their leaders and speak in respectful ways about them. Doing so will help point people in the direction of the Lord we love.
Our purpose is not to make converts to our political party, our purpose is to make disciples. This truth takes us to the next main point:
Live as One whose Witness Matters15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men—
When Christians submit to their leaders, not only are they doing the will of God (note that in verse 15), but they are also “putting to silence the ignorance of foolish men.”
As we live among an unbelieving world; an often hostile world, we have opportunities to silence those who slander Christians. By our Christian living we may silence those who are looking for any reason they can find to speak against believers.
So don’t give unbelievers any more ammunition!
Live a godly life before them. Live as one whose witness matters. This truth points back to verse 12: “Have your conduct honorable among the Gentiles (the unbelievers), so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.”
Live as One who Belongs to God16 as free (that is, your submission is not oppressive), yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God.
In other words, don’t use your Christian freedom as a way to cover up evil. Don’t be like, “Well, I’m freely forgiven of all my sin, so I’m going to sin in my thoughts and in my heart and obey whatever laws I wish.”
No, don’t use your liberty as a cloak for vice. Don’t use your freedom as a means to sin, but remember that you are a slave to God. That’s what the phrase “bondservants of God” means.
You are free, yet you’re not free.
That is, you are free from the world, but you are a slave to God. And when you are a slave to God, you are truly free.
How? Because you want to be a slave to God. You want the Lord to be your Master, don’t you? You want what He wants. You want to please Him.
This is a helpful reminder especially during political election seasons. Christians belong to God, not to America. We live here and we are citizens here, but our ultimate allegiance is to God because we belong to Him. We are His special people; a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation. We are His special possession; bondservants of God.
How do bondservants live? How do slaves of the Lord live? Summary statement in verse 17:
17 Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.
“Honor all people.”
That is, treat every person with respect, including lost people. Remember that all humans bear the image of God. Treat your server at the restaurant with respect. Treat the young lady who checks your items at the grocery store with respect. Treat with respect the man who knocks on your door to sell something. You don’t have to buy from him, but you should treat him with respect. Treat with respect your elders whether you are walking behind them or driving your car behind them. And treat with respect those who hold political views different from your own. Honor all people.
“Love the brotherhood.”
That means, “Love your fellow Christian brother and sister.” Love them. Don’t avoid them. He or she is your brother and sister. Love the brotherhood.
“Fear God.” This is pretty straightforward, isn’t it?!
And finally, “Honor the king,” another reminder to treat with respect those who rule over us.
Live as one who submits to authority
Live as one whose witness matters
Live as one who belongs to God
This last action motivates everything else. Christians “belong to God.” We are “bondservants of God,” His special people who belong to Him.
We belong to Him because He has redeemed us. He has purchased us out of bondage to sin. He has set us free from the consequences of our sin and saved us from the penalty of death, hell, and the grave.
We belong to the One who set us free.
Here then is our greatest possession–that we are possessed–by Him.
What About You?Do you feel you are adequately submitting yourself to governmental authorities? Do you pray for them?How may Christians address examples of injustice while also “submitting to every ordinance of man?”Are you a “bondservant of God?” If you are unsure, read here about how to become a follower of Jesus Christ.July 5, 2021
The Cause Of Temptation
One evening after worship I went into the office of a church I served and made a delightful discovery: someone had anonymously given me an entire box of donuts! There was a nice card, yet nicer still was the variety of donuts in the box: chocolate, vanilla, strawberry-iced, assorted cake donuts and creme-filled donuts. I have a sweet tooth and this gift made my night!
As I recall, most of them were gone before bedtime. I had given at least one away earlier, but my family ate the rest. And when I say, “my family” I mean mostly “me.” Oh I didn’t eat all of them myself, but I ate far more than I should have.
Now I could reason, “Well, you know, I deserved those donuts. After all, they were given to me and the person who gave them intended that I enjoy them.” Yes, but they probably did not intend that I enjoy them all at once.
Truth is, I allowed my desire for something good to be an occasion for temptation. James says, “Each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.” My eating too many donuts was not the anonymous giver’s fault. Eating too many donuts was nobody’s fault but my own.
To be sure, my consuming too many donuts may be thought a relatively minor offense, not unlike the little boy whose mother caught him in the kitchen with his hand in the cookie jar. She thundered: “What are you doing?!” And he replied, “I’m fighting temptation!”
With such levity I certainly don’t mean to overshadow the seriousness of greater temptations, I’m just not willing to describe my own in this book. Of this much we may be certain: whatever the source and substance of our temptations, James indicates that the pattern is always the same: “Each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.”
In fact, James provides no fewer than three facts we must know about temptation. First:
Know the Cause of TemptationJames cautions: “Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am tempted by God.’” In other words, don’t blame God. God is not the cause of temptation. When you are battling temptation, whether it is a temptation to overeat, to drink, to use drugs, to look lustfully at someone, to insult another, to strike another—whatever your temptation—don’t blame God. He is not the cause of temptation.
Not only is God not the cause of temptation, but He Himself “cannot be tempted by evil.” We know this to be true of God if we have a biblical theology of God. The Bible teaches that God is all-sufficient. There’s nothing He needs, nothing He desires, nothing He craves. So God cannot be tempted by evil. He is completely satisfied in Himself and is all-sufficient.
And James adds, “Nor does He Himself tempt anyone.” Why? Because God does not delight in sin. He’s not going to tempt anyone to do evil. He hates evil. God is not the cause of our temptation.
Does this truth keep us from blaming God? No. The “blame game” was played first in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3). Our first parents (Adam and Eve) played the blame game. They both succumbed to the temptation to eat the forbidden fruit from the Tree of Life. Afterwards, God confronted Adam and Adam blamed Eve. He also blamed God! Remember what Adam said? “The woman…You gave me! She made me do it!” Then God confronted Eve and Eve blamed the serpent.
Will Rogers used to say there were two eras in history: the passing of the buffalo and the passing of the buck. Blaming others, or “passing the buck,” is part of our sin nature. We are, after all, Adam’s children.
No, we cannot blame God for being the cause of our temptation. So who is to blame? James teaches that the cause of temptation does not originate with God, but with us—or better still, within us. He writes that “each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.”
Sin is always an inside job. Sin begins in the heart. Each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires, often wrong desires, or misplaced desires. We sin only when we allow ourselves to be “drawn away” by these desires and then “enticed.” We must recognize these desires for what they are and immediately renounce them. If we will do that, we will avoid being “enticed” and led into sin. Therefore, yielding to temptation is nobody’s fault but our own. Rather than blaming our actions on others—including the devil—we must own our actions.
Like the construction worker during his lunch break at the job site. He opens up his lunch box and says, “Oh, no! Baloney sandwich again! Four out of five days this week it’s been a baloney sandwich. If I see another baloney sandwich, I’m gonna be sick!” His construction worker buddy says, “Well, why don’t you ask your wife to pack you something else?” And he says, “Oh, I’m not married. I pack it myself.”
At least he owned his actions!
The cause of temptation is an inside job. We must realize that we have within us the ability to be drawn away by our wrong or misplaced desires. If we yield to those desires, we will be “enticed” and will fall into sin.
Owning our actions is to acknowledge that we can avoid sin. We are not powerlessly drawn away and enticed by something beyond our control. Someone has said, “You can’t keep birds from flying over your head, but you can keep them from building a nest in your hair.” So true!
In a moment we’ll consider behaviors that will help us respond correctly to temptation, lessening the likelihood of our yielding to it. Before we do that, let’s feel the full force of James’ warning by considering a word picture for the words “drawn away” and “enticed.” They are both words that convey ideas from fishing or hunting. They are the same words used to describe the “baiting” of something, like baiting a trap or baiting a fish hook. To be “drawn away” is to be “lured” as by a fishing lure.
Few fish will bite a hook if there’s nothing on it. So if you’re wanting to catch a fish, you cover up the hook with some kind of bait. The bait hides the hook. So the fish comes along and sees the bait. He doesn’t see the hook. The fish swims up to the bait and finds the bait attractive. The fish is “drawn away by his own desires and enticed.” The fish has taken the bait. And what does the fish now discover? Underneath that bait is the snare of the hook. And all at once it is all over for the fish. Too late to turn back. The hook is set and the fish is caught.
It’s one thing to talk about fish and quite another to talk about men and women, but the pattern is the same. Once we allow ourselves to be drawn away by our desires, it is just a matter of time before the hook is set and we have entered into sin.
**Excerpt from You’re Either Walking The Walk Or Just Running Your Mouth (Preaching Truth: 2020), pages 28-32, available on Amazon.
Follow Preaching Truth on WordPress.com(function(d){var f = d.getElementsByTagName('SCRIPT')[0], p = d.createElement('SCRIPT');p.type = 'text/javascript';p.async = true;p.src = '//widgets.wp.com/platform.js';f.par...July 2, 2021
3 Reasons To Write Out Your Sermon
I’ve written a few posts over at chucklawless.com in recent weeks, grateful to Chuck for his inviting me to provide a few “Thursdays With Todd” on his terrific site. This post is similar in format:
In his classic treatise De Oratore (On The Orator), Cicero argues that the best master of the speaker is his pen (though today we might say his keyboard!).
Whether you carry notes into the pulpit or preach from nothing but an open Bible, consider three benefits of writing out a full sermon manuscript before preaching your message:
1) ClarityExpanding upon William Boyd Carpenter’s lectures on preaching at Cambridge (1894), W.H. Griffith Thomas offers a popular framework for sermon preparation:
“We must think ourselves empty, read ourselves full, write ourselves clear, and pray ourselves keen.” 1
Note that third element: We must write ourselves clear.
Writing gives clarity to the thoughts and feelings we experience in our study and helps shape those thoughts and feelings in the most logical manner. If we omit this step, we may create unintended confusion as we endeavor to explain, illustrate, or apply our message.
Alistair Begg agrees: “We may believe that we have a grasp of the text, only to stand up and discover that somewhere between our thinking and our speaking, things have gone badly awry. The missing link can usually be traced back to the absence of putting our thoughts down clearly.”2
2) AccessibilityLike audio & video sermons on a church’s website, uploaded manuscripts give people all over the world access to biblical content.
A love for the gospel motivates preachers to make their sermons accessible to members of their congregations as well as to those whose internet searches bring them to their content.
What preacher has not been helped by the sermons of others? When Susie Spurgeon looked upon her late husband Charles’ collection of printed sermons, she recalled the great Puritan Thomas Goodwin’s words:
“Sermons preached are, for the most part, as showers of rain that water for the instant…but printed sermons are as snow that lies long on the earth; they are longer-lived, they preach when the author cannot, and–what is more–when he is not.” 3
This takes us to the third reason for writing out our sermons:
3) PosterityBenjamin Franklin wisely advised, “If you would not be forgotten as soon as you are dead and rotten, either write things worth reading, or do things worth the writing.”4
Writing out our sermons extends the life of our messages. Even after we have died, our messages live on via the internet and/or published works.
Think about it this way: if the average sermon contains 2,500 words and the average book about 66,000 words (roughly 250 printed, book pages), the preacher who writes out a full manuscript will generate enough content to produce anywhere from 2-4 books a year. What a lasting influence upon the Kingdom!
Preachers, what other reasons would you give for writing out your sermon?
Follow Preaching Truth on WordPress.com(function(d){var f = d.getElementsByTagName('SCRIPT')[0], p = d.createElement('SCRIPT');p.type = 'text/javascript';p.async = true;p.src = '//widgets.wp.com/platform.js';f.par...July 1, 2021
Back In The Saddle!
After enjoying several weeks of sunshine, beaches, a bit of history, and a bit of writing–it’s good to be back!
While I always enjoy my time away, I am grateful for the grace of routine. Beginning another monthly read in Proverbs this morning, I was challenged afresh by the opening words of the prologue:
…for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life…”I don’t know about you, but that’s what I need: a disciplined and prudent life. I do better when I have goals, deadlines, and godly instruction pushing me forward.
So…while it’s good to get away, it’s always good to be back in the saddle again!
Follow Preaching Truth on WordPress.com(function(d){var f = d.getElementsByTagName('SCRIPT')[0], p = d.createElement('SCRIPT');p.type = 'text/javascript';p.async = true;p.src = '//widgets.wp.com/platform.js';f.par...May 24, 2021
Away Awhile!
Preaching Truth will be away for several weeks working on a new book project and enjoying the beauty of God’s creation! Look for an occasional re-post and know that we’ll be back in the saddle first week of July, Deo volente. Until then, consider checking out one of the categories below.
Follow Preaching Truth on WordPress.com(function(d){var f = d.getElementsByTagName('SCRIPT')[0], p = d.createElement('SCRIPT');p.type = 'text/javascript';p.async = true;p.src = '//widgets.wp.com/platform.js';f.par...1 Peter Book ExcerptsBook of Colossians Book of James Book of Proverbs Dealing With Our Feelings Devotions Encountering Christ Preaching Post Fridays Theology Thursdays
