What is sin and how does it affect us?

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The topic of sin and even the use of the word doesn’t seem popular among many modern preachers. Yet the Bible doesn’t avoid addressing humanity’s deepest problem of sin. From the beginning of time, God created the world and its creatures with a good blueprint in mind for the flourishing of life[1]. God designed humanity to reflect His glory and possess the capacity to be responsible moral agents who govern the earth and their own lives honorably and carefully[2]. With deception at play and disobedience to God carried out the first humans engaged in the “original sin” that has had global effects to this day and every person feels it.

The Essence of Sin

            The Bible has much to teach us about sin. Sin at its core is a rejection of God and His good design for life and its rebellion against His authority and word.  Sin is a failure both to be what God has created us to be and a failure to do what He has commanded us to do. 

           The Scripture teaches that we are sinners both by nature[3] and by choice[4]. From birth, all of humanity is born in sin[5] and bent toward doing evil[6]. This is what the Bible is referring to when it uses the word iniquity. Humanity’s sin problem isn’t merely a matter of us doing something wrong, which we all have, the problem goes to the very core of who we are, which must be changed. Many address the problem of sin on solely an external level while leaving the inner person full of pollution and corruption. Jesus, the Apostles, and the Prophets each addressed sin at a much deeper level than merely external behavior, though sin is displayed through outward actions. They addressed sin at the level of the thoughts of the heart[7], motives[8], words[9], and deeds[10].  The Greek word that is translated “sin” in the English New Testament means to “miss the mark”. All of humanity has failed to live up to the mark or God-given design of reflecting God’s glory and rendering God the glory that He is due[11]. This is what we are made for, to glorify God[12] and enjoy Him forever[13] and yet we have all utterly failed to do so. We have failed to do this in word, deed, thought, and in our attitudes. 

            Another word the Bible uses to describe sin is transgression. This word conveys the idea of not merely missing the mark but transgressing the boundaries that have been set by God. A transgression is an act of rebellion and disobedience.  One theologian describes sin as such: “Sin is deviant and perverse, an injustice or iniquity. Sin in the Exodus literature is disorder and disobedience. Sin is faithlessness, lawlessness, godlessness. Sin is overstepping the line and failure to reach it—both transgression and shortcoming. Sin is missing of the mark, spoiling of the goods, a string of the garments, a hitch in one’s gait, a wandering from the path, a fragmenting of the whole. Sin is what culpably disturbs shalom”[14]. 

The Effects Of Sin

            Sin has had effects on our entire life and much deeper than we realize. The very nature of sin is deceitful and it can be difficult to recognize and seemingly impossible to know the depths of our sin[15], which is what King David bemoaned in a prayer[16]. Sin clouds the minds of its partakers and brings confusion and deception[17]. It leads to foolish thinking that is illogical, immoral, and inconsiderate of God and others[18]. The distortion of thinking that sin has had in their life will lead them to call what is good evil and to call what is evil good[19]. Knowing that sin permeates our thought life King David prayed:  “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer”[20].  He recognized his need for divine assistance to be pleasing to God in both his words and thoughts. And David recognized his need for God to search him and reveal what exactly is wrong with him[21]. Sin also affects our wants and desires. Within mankind lives multitudes of sinful desires, which should no longer dominate the life of a follower of Jesus[22]. 

            Relationships are damaged by sin. By sin our peace is vandalized and communication between two people breaks down along with any trust, care, and delight. Sin at its core is selfish and no relationship can flourish where selfishness characterizes thoughts, words, attitudes, and actions. From the beginning, we see how sin damaged Adam and Eve’s relationship with God and with one another. They began hiding from God in their fear, guilt, and shame and sought to cover their nakedness[23]. And when confronted by their sin rather than taking responsibility for their actions each of them blame shifted[24], which has been the negative pattern for human conflicts since.  

            Sin is first and foremost an offense towards God. That is why David prayed in his great prayer of repentance after committing adultery and murder along with many other sins: “Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight…” [25]. Sin even has effects on our bodies. King David described this in Psalm 32 when he wrote, “For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer”[26]. The wisdom of Proverbs also tells us about the negative effects sin can have on our body[27] as well as the positive effects of fearing the Lord and repenting of sin can have on one’s physical body[28]. The Apostle Paul explains how the effects of sin have subjected this world to futility and we along with creation groan as we wait for redemption in it’s full manifestation. 

Sin & The Savior 

            The former slave trader and hymn writer John Newton said in his later years, “Although my memory’s fading, I remember two things very clearly: I am a great sinner and Christ is a great Savior.” He was a man who was aware of his sin and this helped him see just how amazing the saving grace of Jesus is. In the hymn Amazing Grace, which he wrote and is one of the most loved hymns, Newton wrote: “Amazing grace! How sweet the sound, That saved a wretch like me! I once was lost, but now am found, Was blind, but now I see”. This summarizes the state of sinful humanity and the only hope that we have for rescue through Jesus’ amazing grace.  

            Jesus came to save sinners from the damning effects of sin[29], its penalty (death), power and presence. He did this by offering his life as the atoning sacrifice for the sin of the world and by it he absorbed the punishment for sin[30]and took our sin away[31]. Through the death of Christ, he redeems a people from every tribe, nation, and tongue[32] and they are made new creations[33]. 

This redemption from sin and its effects is a reality now for the people of God, that is those who have repented and trusted in Jesus as their Savior and follow Him as their Lord. Yet there is more to come for those of us who wait for the return of Christ when he will make all things new. In that day and age there will be no more sickness, sorrow, or suffering and God will wipe every tear from our eyes[34]. 

[1] Genesis 1:31

[2] Genesis 1:28

[3] Ephesians 2:3

[4] Romans 3:23, 5:12

[5] Psalm 51:5

[6] Romans 3:9-18

[7] Matthew 5:28, 1 John 3:15, Romans 3:9-18

[8] Matthew 6:1, Galatians 1:10, Mark 7:21-23

[9] Matthew 12:33-37, Ephesians 4:25,29, James 3

[10] Galatians 5:19-21, Isaiah 1:16-17

[11] Romans 3:23

[12] Isaiah 43:7, 

[13] Westminister Catechism, Question #1

[14] Cornelius Plantinga Jr., Not The Way It’s Supposed To Be; A Breviary Of Sin, p.88

[15] Jeremiah 17:9

[16] Psalm 19:12

[17] Hebrews 3:13

[18] Romans 1:21-22, Ephesians 4:17-19

[19] Isaiah 5:20

[20] Psalm 19:14

[21] Psalm 139:23-24

[22] Galatians 5:16-24, Romans 6

[23] Genesis 3:8-11

[24] Genesis 3:12-13

[25] Psalm 51:4

[26] Psalm 32:3-4

[27] Proverbs 14:30

[28] Proverbs 3:7-8

[29] Matthew 1:21, 1 Timothy 1:15

[30] 1 John 4:10

[31] John 1:29, Hebrews 10:12-14

[32] Revelation 5:9

[33] 2 Corinthians 5:17

[34] Revelation 21:1-4 

How Are Christians To View And Apply The Old Testament?

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In our modern age, the Bible has often been treated as an outdated and patriarchal book that people should not be in high regard and the Old Testament particularly has been referred to by Andy Stanley as something that Christians should be “unhitched” with1.  The Apostle Paul wrote to his young protege Timothy this timeless truth about the Bible: All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17). When he wrote these words under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit the New Testament was not yet completed as the canon of Scripture we know as the Bible. Paul was primarily referring to the OT and likely parts of the NT that had been written. 

The entirety of the Bible, both OT and NT, is one unified story that points to the person of Jesus and his redemptive work. The NT expounds on many commands, promises, and redemptive themes that were first established in the OT. In many places of the NT the authors claim that the OT Scriptures were being fulfilled in the life of Christ when he came and lived, died, and rose from the dead. Certain themes such as the Kingdom of God continued to progress in revelation from the OT to the NT. A summary of the teaching and preaching of Christ could accurately be described as the “good news of the Kingdom” (Luke 4:43), which was the subject of most of his parables (Matthew 13). Jesus is the King through whom the Redemptive work of God culminates. Scripture consistently points to the promise of his reign and redemptive work. Jesus testified of this to the religious leaders of his day who searched the Scriptures but failed to miss the main point of them, namely Jesus (John 5:39).

After Jesus was resurrected from the dead he had a life-changing conversation with some of his followers in which he walked them through the entire OT and showed them how it pointed to himself (Luke 24:27, 44).  Perhaps in Genesis, he revealed himself as the Creator and Promised Redeemer who would crush the head of the serpent (John 1:1, Colossians 1:16) and then explained how he was the Ram at Abraham’s altar (Genesis 22:13). Or in Exodus, he revealed how he is the Passover Lamb (John 1:29,1 Corinthians 5:7). When he came to Leviticus surely he revealed himself as High Priest (Hebrews 4:14) and our Sweet Smelling Aroma (Leviticus 1:9)2. In the book of Numbers, he spoke about himself being the Rock that was struck to give water in a desert place (1 Corinthians 10:4), and the Bronze Serpent on Moses’ Pole that when looked upon brings healing to the sin-sick world (John 3:14-16). In Deuteronomy, he likely mentioned himself as the great Prophet (Deuteronomy 18:15) who would be like Moses but greater or how he would become a curse for us (Galatians 3:13, Deuteronomy 28). Perhaps he described himself as the mana in the wilderness or the Bread from Heaven (John 6:51). In Joshua, he could have identified himself as the Commander of the Army of the Lord. In Judges, perhaps he explained how he is the Faithful Judge and Deliverer of his people (Judges 2:18). Surely in Ruth Jesus explained himself as the Kinsmen Redeemer (Ruth 3:12). In the first and second Samuel perhaps he explained how he is the Prophet, Priest, and King. Perhaps when he got to Job he identified himself as the Redeemer who lives and the Mediator between God and man that Job was longing for in his suffering. Perhaps in the Psalms, he mentioned that he is the Good Shepherd and the Strength and Song of his people. In Proverbs, he may have identified himself as the Wisdom of God like the Apostle Paul described him as (1 Corinthians 1:30).  In Songs Of Solomon, He could have spoken about being the bride-groom and the Author of faithful marital love. Surely in Isaiah, he must have spoken about him being the Suffering Servant (Isaiah 53).  Perhaps in Daniel, he identified as the fourth man in the fiery furnace and Ancient of Days or the Son of Man coming in the clouds of heaven. In Malachi, he could have mentioned how he is the Sun Of Righteousness who brings healing in his wings (Malachi 4:2). Since the OT points to Jesus preachers should not fail to locate Him in the OT books that they preach through. Pastors who don’t teach the OT do a disservice to their people and risk the failure to convey the whole counsel of God, as Paul sought to do (Acts 20:27). Paul leaned heavily on the use of the OT in his ministry.  

The Law of God is put into three categories by theologians, namely, the moral law, civil law, and ceremonial law. The NT is clear that the ceremonial law is no longer an obligation to be kept by followers of Jesus, however the moral law is reemphasized in the NT and considered by Paul as a standard that is in accordance to the Gospel (1 Timothy 1:10). The civil law portion of the Torah has proven to provide a helpful basis for just and wise laws. The history of America displays evidence of having based parts of the constitution upon biblical principles in civil law. 

The law of God reveals the nature and character of God, particularly his holiness, righteousness, justice, and love3. God’s holiness is the basis of his requiring holy living from his people (Leviticus 19:2, 1 Peter 1:15). The law confronts and corrects unrighteousness and injustice and the fulfillment of the law is love for God and neighbor (Matthew 22:37-40, Romans 13:10, Deuteronomy 6:4-5, Leviticus 19:34). The Apostle Paul told Timothy that the law is good, and it is good when used properly.  The function of the law is to expose sin and have a basis for holding people accountable ethically. It is for the lawless, sinners, ungodly, and unholy people (1 Timothy 1:8-10).

God graciously gave the law to his people for at least three purposes according to the Protestant Reformers. These are: to show people their need for the Savior, to function as a restraint in society, and to direct the believer in his behavior4. This is particularly helpful in ministry either in evangelism, preaching sermons or counseling when addressing people who assume that they are pretty good and have no need of repentance or forgiveness through trusting Christ and his perfect sacrifice for their sins. Very few patients will take a prescribed medicine without first being diagnosed with an illness. The law diagnoses all of humanity with the sin-sickness that is fatal (Romans 3:1-23). Only when sinners see themselves as such and deserving of death will they recognize their need for the Savior who died in their place (Galatians 3:24).

After being saved or redeemed by Christ the moral law does not become irrelevant. It should still shape one’s behavior by giving a blueprint for ethics and a baseline for measuring what is right and wrong. Yet the law doesn’t grant the power one needs to change nor does it provide cleansing of defilement and guilt for us (Romans 8:3-4). This is where the power of the Gospel is magnified in the Son who did for us what we could not do for ourselves and with the Father sent the Spirit to empower us to do what we could not do ourselves, namely live in victory over sin (Romans 8:13, 2 Corinthians 3:17-18). The law helps us see that the penalty for sin is death and all the animals that had to die and the people who had to die under the judgment of their sin point us forward to the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29). The book of Hebrews describes the ceremonial animal sacrifices for sin as a shadow and highlights Christ as the substance (Hebrews 8:5, 10:1, Colossians 2:17).  

Since the Bible is about Jesus, preachers should preach Christ-centered sermons (Colossians 1:28) to identify him as the hero and attribute the glory to him who is mighty to save and whose kingdom will never end. This approach follows the teaching of Christ and the pattern of the Apostles (Luke 24:27,44, John 5:39, John 1:14, Colossians 1:28, 1 Peter, 2 Peter). They should preach through the books of the OT to provide a well-rounded spiritual diet for their church. Tony Merida wrote, “Every text will point to Christ futuristically, refer to Christ explicitly, or look back to Christ implicitly”5.

In ministry today we ought to also show the ways that Christ has fulfilled the OT prophesies and requirements for righteousness. Jesus said he didn’t come to abolish the law but rather to fulfill it (Matthew 5:17). So our attitude toward the OT law should not be negative or dismissive. The OT is a large part of the inspired and infallible word of God that is useful for us to learn and train others in the way of righteousness and it helps equip us for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17). To neglect such a great resource would be a disservice to us and those whom we lead. 

Yet at the same time, preachers should not preach and teach the OT in such a way that it would diminish the superiority and newness of the New Covenant, which is described as better (Hebrews 8:6) by the author of Hebrews and more glorious than the Old Covenant by the Apostle Paul (2 Corinthians 3:1-18). 

Another important element of the OT is the consistent theme of the Mission of God’s people and leaders in the church must help people see that vision.  From the Genesis account of humanity being mandated to be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth, we see mission and purpose (Genesis 1:26-28). This was reemphasized after the flood to Noah and his family (Genesis 9:1).  In the call of Abram, we see God’s missional purpose to bless the entire earth through his seed (Genesis 12:1-3). Israel was called by God to be a light to the nations (Isaiah 42:6). Chris Wright does an excellent job of helping one see the mission of God’s people from the OT in his book The Mission Of God’s People. He wrote “There should be no theology that does not relate to the mission of the church – either by being generated out of the church’s mission or by inspiring and shaping it. And there should be no mission of the church carried on without deep theological roots in the soil of the Bible. No theology without missional impact; no mission without theological foundations.”6

The OT is full of wisdom for living well in this world and it gives us a framework of how the world became like it is and how we live within it. The books of Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Job are particularly helpful here since it is wisdom literature. The book of Psalms teaches us not only about Jesus, as it is the most quoted OT book in the NT, but it also teaches us how to pray. Each of the seven petitions Jesus taught his disciples can be found in the book of Psalms7. Paul instructs Christians to use the Psalms as a source of content for worship and encouragement in the corporate gatherings of the church (Colossians 3:16, Ephesians 5:19).  

Bibliography 

  1. https://albertmohler.com/2018/08/10/getting-unhitched-old-testament-andy-stanley-aims-heresy/ ↩︎
  2. Hawkins, O.S., The Bible Code Finding Jesus In Every Book Of The Bible, p.23, Nashville, Tennesse, Thomas Nelson, 2020  ↩︎
  3. Packer, J.I., Growing In Christ, P.232, Crossway, Wheaton, Illinois,  ↩︎
  4. Luther, Martin,  Luther’s Small Catechism with Explanation, Q: What Purposes Does The Law Serve? , Concordia Publishing, St. Louis Missouri,  2017,
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  5. Merida, Tony The Christ-Centered Expositor, p. 52 ,Holman Bible, Nashville, 2021
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  6. Wright, Christopher J.H., The Mission Of God’s People, P. 20, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Mi, 2010 ↩︎
  7. Bonhoeffer, Dietrich, Life Together,  Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Life Together, Harper One, San Fransisco, 1978, p.47, Harper One, San Fransisco, 1978 ↩︎

Pastoral Leadership 101

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What is pastoral Leadership?

“What do you do during the week?” a friendly, but curious church member asked their pastor. The pastor felt as though the question accompanied a perception that being a pastor doesn’t have much work to it.  However, those who have served in pastoral roles know that pastoring a church is more than merely showing up on Sunday and preaching inspiring messages and then making a few phone calls during the week. 

Pastoral leadership begins with following Jesus the Good Shepherd who called his disciples to “follow him” and promised that he would make them “fishers of men”.1  Following Jesus is the priority for any pastor or person who is going to effectively lead others in the “Way” of Jesus. Spiritual leadership, John Piper says, is about “knowing where God wants people to be and taking the initiative to use God’s methods to get them there in reliance on God’s power”.2 As one gets closer to the Lord taking daily steps to follow his revealed will, they will increase in their awareness of God’s will for others and experience the empowerment to care for and lead others to follow Christ. And as the pastor cares for the church he too is being pastored and cared for by the Lord. The pastor is to take his marching orders for the Lord through Scripture and he declares what God has said. 

Pastoral leadership requires that one not only lead by instructing with words of exhortation and teaching but also lead by example. Pastors must model a life of godliness, prayer, and devotion to God. They must exhibit a fervor of spirit and priority for the gospel that they preach accompanied by conduct that adorns their message. As their cup overflows from their relationship with God, they will have what they need to give the people they lead spiritual nourishment, encouragement, and instruction.  Jesus appointed 12 disciples first to “be with him” so “that he might send them out to preach”3 .  Pastoral leadership is first about being with Jesus the “Chief Shepherd”4 and then being with the people entrusted to your care for the sake of their development and conformity into the image of Christ 5. Perhaps if we were to summarize what pastoral leadership is in a few words we might say it is a loving truth-filled influence6. This is what we experience from our relationship with the Lord and this is what pastors are to give their church family, helping them move towards God’s agenda for their lives.  God has designed pastors to represent Himself by declaring God’s word and ways and demonstrating character and conduct consistent with their message7 . Pastors are designed to lead, feed, protect, and care for the flock. 

Why is pastoral leadership designed to function as it does?

The Apostle Paul gave his spiritual sons Timothy and Titus the responsibility of setting in pastors or elders within the local church. And in doing he gave them specific qualifications and characteristics for those who serve in pastoral ministry.8  Here is the list that Paul outlined: blameless as a steward of God, above reproach, a faithful husband to his wife, self-controlled, sober, vigilant. sober-minded, prudent, of good behavior, orderly, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, and not a drunkard. The primary emphasis Paul had for pastoral leaders who were ordained in the church was a portrait of godly character. Only one qualification emphasized competency, and that was being able to teach the word9. The character of the pastor is to serve the local church ministry as a foundation does for a building, holding up the rest of the structure. The larger the building the stronger and deeper the foundation of that building needs to be to sustain its weight of it. Those who serve in pastoral roles and lack the character needed, end up faltering under the weight of the various responsibilities and end up hurting and disappointing themselves and others whom they lead. They dishonor the name of Jesus, whom they represent. Pastors are not necessarily required to be the smartest, strongest, and most disciplined in every area of life as if they are the special forces of Christianity. Still, they are expected to be mature followers of Christ, whose lives are marked by love, truth, and discipline. By living out an example before the church they set the pace for the rest of the flock to follow. Pastors must be mature and healthy both spiritually and emotionally. Healthy pastors are motivated by love and energized by grace as they seek to make disciples and care for souls10.  The primary role of the pastor is to equip the saints to do the work of the ministry so that the entire church is meaningfully involved in the mission11. Pastors are not designed to do all the ministry for the church just as an athletic coach isn’t to jump in a game and run plays for his team. On a weekly rhythm, the pastor is to faithfully proclaim the truths of Scripture with a gospel-centered lens and point the saints to Christ and his will for their lives. As the pastor exposits the life-changing truths of Scripture week after week the people of God are equipped for every good work12 and they are empowered to appropriately apply those truths to their relationships, work, finances, rest, and every area of their lives. Churches that have pastors fulfilling their role of equipping through faithful preaching and teaching move the church towards relational unity, spiritual maturity, doctrinal stability, and ministerial mutuality13.    

What does it look like in practice? 

Though preaching and teaching are very important aspects of pastoral ministry no pastor will complete his duty to care for God’s people without the ministry of presence and listening. Many wounded Christians seeking healing and wholeness from their broken past need more than just a spiritual leader who is going to tell them what to believe and what to do. They also need someone who cares enough to listen as they pour out their hearts and share their griefs, disappointments, hopes, dreams, fears, and frustrations. Many Christians need a shoulder to cry on and a lingering embrace when their child’s life is taken or their spouse is taken away by death or divorce. Pastors must learn to lead in doing what every follower of Jesus is called to do, namely “weep with those who weep” and “rejoice with those who rejoice”.14 Pastoral ministry is accompanied by many heartaches and joys15 resulting from being on the frontlines, spending and being spent, for the gospel’s sake. It’s certainly not an occupation to pursue for the one who is seeking comfort and security, for it requires risk, sacrifice, humble dependence upon the Spirit, diligence in study, relational commitment through conflicts, responsibility to address doctrinal and moral error and it necessitates the hard work of prayer and intercession.16  As the Apostle Paul expressed his gratitude for and commitment to praying for the churches in many of his epistles. So the pastor must do for his church family.  Perhaps many pastors would do well to adopt the commitment and conviction of the prophet Samuel who identified the necessity of intercession and instruction of God’s people when he said “As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by failing to pray for you. And I will teach you the way that is good and right”.17 This is what spiritual leadership and pastoral ministry require. Though the standards are high and the requirements are great for pastors the rewards are even greater. 18

Footnotes

  1. Matthew 4:19 ↩︎
  2.  Piper, John, The Marks of a Spiritual Leader 22-23, Desiring God 2014
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  3. Mark 3:14 ↩︎
  4.  1 Peter 5:4 ↩︎
  5. Romans 8:29 ↩︎
  6.  John 15:9, 17:17,17:26 ↩︎
  7.  1 Timothy 4:12-13 ↩︎
  8.  1 Timothy 3, Titus 1 ↩︎
  9. 1 Timothy 3:2 ↩︎
  10. Colossians 1:28-29, 1 Corinthians 15:10, 2 Corinthians 5:14 ↩︎
  11. Ephesians 4:11-12 ↩︎
  12.  2 Timothy 3:16-17 ↩︎
  13. Ephesians 4:14-16 ↩︎
  14.  Romans 12:15 ↩︎
  15. 2 Corinthians 6:10-13 ↩︎
  16. Colossians 4:12, 1 Timothy 2:1-3 ↩︎
  17.  1 Samuel 12:23 ↩︎
  18. 1 Thessalonians 2:19, 3:8-9 ↩︎

Why Start With A Genealogy?

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During Advent, we take time to reflect on the birth of Christ which was a historical and miraculous event that took place to fulfill God’s promise of sending a Messiah King to rescue His people and reign in their lives.  

Have you ever wondered why the Book of Matthew begins with a genealogy? Many of us may skip over these sections when we read through them in Scripture, yet the Holy Spirit inspired the human authors to include them for good reason. There a several implications as to why Matthew began the Christmas story this way under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit and here are some of them to consider:

  1. It points us to God’s Great Redemption Story.

The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.2 Abraham was the father of Isaac, and Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers, Matthew 1:1-2 ESV

“He is the Son of Abraham both because it is in him that the entire history of Israel, which had its beginning in Abraham, attains its goal (1:17) and because he is the one through whom God will extend to the nations his blessing of salvation (8:11; 28:18-20). . . .“Just as the title ‘Son of Abraham’ characterizes Jesus as the one in whom the Gentiles will find blessing, so the title ‘Son of David’ characterizes Jesus as the One in whom Israel will find blessing.” – Jack D. Kingsbury

  1. It affirms the historicity & humanity of Christ.

Matthew does not begin the story of Jesus’ birth by saying, “once upon a time.” That is the way fairy tales and legends and myths and Star Wars begin. “Once upon a time” signals that this probably didn’t happen or that we don’t know if it happened, but it is a beautiful story that teaches so much. But that is not the kind of account Matthew is giving us. He says, “This is the genealogy of Jesus Christ.” This means he is grounding what Jesus is and does in history. Jesus is not a metaphor. He is real. This all happened.    – Tim Keller, Hidden Christmas  

  1. It validates the credentials of Jesus to be the Messianic King

“Jews kept extensive genealogies to establish a person’s heritage, inheritance, legitimacy, and rights. Matthew demonstrates Jesus’ legal claim to the throne of David, emphasizing Jesus’ legal descent from David to Abraham, while Luke’s genealogical record (Luke 3:23-38) emphasizes Jesus’ biological descent from David to Adam.” – Michael Wilkins

  1. It displays the faithfulness of God in keeping His promises.

Matthew wants us to see that Jesus fulfills the prophecies foretold about the Messiah King.

  1. It highlights the grace of God towards sinners.

“That women’s names should even be in this list is extraordinary—and then when you see the names, you’re doubly surprised. The first is Rahab, who was a harlot of Jericho. The second is Ruth, who was not even a Jew but a hated Moabitess. The third was Tamar, who committed adultery with her father-in-law. The fourth was Bathsheba, the mother of Solomon, who participated in David’s great sin… Each of the four names is a person who was foreign or immoral or undesirable, yet in spite of this, was included in the messianic family tree. Redemptive history is inventive and incorporative. It doesn’t make any difference who your mother was. Anyone can get into the family. Which is good news… for us all.” Eugene Peterson

God cares about people and he wants to them to accurately know His story of redemption.

May you find your place in God’s great story by trusting Jesus as the Savior who came in this world as child and lived a life free of sin and then died for your sins and rose from the dead, so that you might be forgiven, free and live with him for eternity!

The Redemptive Reversals Of Advent

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The Advent season is often accompanied by increased stress and pain for many of us. Knowing our tendency toward hurry and to accumulate mental and emotional weights during this time of year. Let us slow down and sit quietly this week and reflect on God’s ways. Mary’s prayer helps us see the nature of God’s Kingdom and His redemptive work.

“and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name. And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate; he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭1‬:‭47‬-‭55‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Consider some of the elements of her prayer juxtaposed to this prayer of Jesus several chapters later in the gospel of Luke.

“In that same hour he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, or who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.”” Luke‬ ‭10‬:‭21‬-‭22‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Advent Prayer

Father, thank you for the ways that you work! We rejoice with Mary and Jesus over the way you reveal yourself to the humble and child-like, yet you conceal yourself from the proud know-it-alls. You  lift the lowly and bring down the proud. You help the humble. 

During this advent season we remember that you King Jesus  have shown us the ultimate expression of humility in the incarnation and in suffering (Philippians 2:5-8). 

We thank you Father that because of Christ’s humility expressed by coming down to us and suffering on our behalf we have been raised up with Christ (Colossians 3:1). Thank you that through the coming of Christ “Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low….And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed… (Isaiah‬ ‭40‬:‭4‬-‭5‬ ‭ESV‬‬).

May our hearts be humbled this advent season as we reflect on the grace that has been brought to us in the first advent and the grace will be brought to us in the second advent (1 Peter 1:13). 

May we be quieted before you as we reflect on your holiness and great redemptive work (Luke 2:19) and become aware of your presence with us, Emmanuel (Matthew 1:23)

Advent Purpose & Prayer

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During Advent, we reflect on why Jesus came into this world. It is good to be refreshed in the story of our rescue, the story of Christ coming into our world to bring light amidst darkness, hope among despair, freedom amidst bondage, peace amidst fear, joy amidst sorrow, and love amidst hatred and war. Our King has come and has conquered evil and destroyed the works of the devil (1 John 3:8). For this reason he came. He came to save us from our sins (Matthew 1:21).

What was the purpose of the first advent of Christ? 

To Save Us, Sinners 

“She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21 ESV 

To Destroy Evil In Our Lives

“Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.” 1 John 3:8 ESV 

To Reveal God’s Love To Us

 In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. 1 John 4:9 ESV 

To Give Us Life Eternal and Abundant 

In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. 1 John 4:9 ESV 

I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. John 10:10 ESV 

To Be The Atoning Sacrifice For Our Sin

In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 1John 4:10 ESV 

These are some key reasons why Jesus came but you may be able to find several more purpose statements about why Jesus came. I exhort you to search out these reasons in the Scripture and see how many you can find and reflect upon them this month. 

Prayer 

Father, we pray that your Kingdom will come on earth as in heaven. We ask that your righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit (Romans 14:17) would increase in the hearts and lives among us and our families, communities, cities and beyond. We pray the truth of your word would spread rapidly in this Advent season and be heard, received and honored (2 Thessalonians 3:1). 

May the word of Christ dwell in us richly this Advent (Colossians 3:16). May the influence of the word of truth increase in our lives and sanctify us (John 17:17).

The Gifts Of Advent

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One of the common traditions during this time of year is the practice of gift-giving. Though this is not enjoyed by all this practice is fitting since we are celebrating the greatest gift ever given, Jesus.

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6 ESV

Each of the advent themes focused on during the four weeks of December leading up to Christmas are hope, peace, joy and love. These too are gifts from God that the coming of Jesus into the world has also brought us. We now have hope because of Christ (1 Timothy 1:1) who is our hope and through his resurrection, we are born again unto a living hope (1 Peter 1:3). We now have peace because Christ has brought about reconciliation between us and God and has made “peace through the blood of his cross (Colossians 1:20-21). And through faith, we have been made right with God and thus we have peace with God (Romans 5:1). We have joy because Christ brought with him “good news of great joy” (Luke 2:10) and has brought the joy of salvation into the lives of his followers through both his words and his redemptive work (John 15:11, Luke 24:52). The love of God has come down and been manifested to us through the coming of Jesus (1 John 4:10) and the Holy Spirit has poured out the Father’s love into our hearts (Romans 5:5).

Since this hope, peace, joy and love are gifts brought to us with the coming of Jesus and accompany his redemptive work in our lives we must first receive these gifts. May we not miss out on these wonderful gifts that we have in Christ during this season. Receive them, unwrap them, enjoy them, and share them with others. Don’t allow the busyness or materialism of this season diminish your exaltation of Christ and enjoyment of Him and the gifts that accompany his advent. Receive the advent gifts and resolve to cultivate these graces of hope, joy, peace, and love in your life, as the Apostles exhort us to do.

We are called to cultivate these characteristics in our lives. Abide in hope and love (1 Corinthians 13:13, 1 John 3:16). Rejoice in the Lord in the Lord always (Philippians 4:4) and be at peace with others (Romans 12:16,18, 14:19, Hebrews 12:14).

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. Romans 15:13 ESV

And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment… Philippians 1:9 ESV

Repentance & Repercussions

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One of the things I appreciate about the Bible is that doesn’t hold back from revealing the sins and failures of people, even the great men and women who are held as leaders and examples to imitate. We learn both from positive and negative examples of biblical characters and many times we read about the positive and negative examples to learn from in the same person.


King David is an example of this. Though he is called a “man after God’s own heart” and “with upright heart he shepherded them and guided them with his skillful hand”(Psalm 78:72), David sinned and failed greatly. In 2 Samuel chapters 11-12 we see the tragic moral fall of a great leader. We see that he committed great sin, concealed his sin, was confronted in his sin and confessed and repented of his sin. He found God’s gracious forgiveness immediately upon his repentance (2 Samuel 12:13), yet he still had to experience the painful consequences of his sin (2 Samuel 12:10-12,14) This reminds us of the biblical truth that man will reap what he sows. Eugene Peterson paraphrases this NT truth well:

“Don’t be misled: No one makes a fool of God. What a person plants, he will harvest. The person who plants selfishness, ignoring the needs of others—ignoring God!—harvests a crop of weeds. All he’ll have to show for his life is weeds! But the one who plants in response to God, letting God’s Spirit do the growth work in him, harvests a crop of real life, eternal life.”
Galatians 6:7-8 MSG

One of the applications we learn from David’s example is to confess of sins both to God and others (1 John 1:9, James 5:16). Confession is the path to forgiveness and freedom, healing and community. When we humble ourselves through prayers of confession and confession in our community, then we are met with gospel grace. Pastor J.D. wrote that:
“Grace frees us from the paralysis of guilt to the possibility of true community”.

So let’s be a people who walk in the light of truth and transparency since we truly have been made children of the light (Ephesians 5:8).

The Fear Of The Lord Vs. Unhealthy Fear

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How do you reconcile the many passages of Scripture that call God’s people to not be afraid and those which call them to fear the Lord? The Old Testament has much to say about the fear of the Lord and contrary to what some people say the New Testament also has a good deal to say about the fear of the Lord.  

Here are some passages in the OT that may puzzle some of us:

Moses said to the people, “Do not fear, for God has come to test you, that the fear of him may be before you, that you may not sin.” Exodus 20:20 ESV 

“And Samuel said to the people, “Do not be afraid; you have done all this evil. Yet do not turn aside from following the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart… 

Only fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things he has done for you.”1 Samuel 12:20, 24 ESV

So which is it? Fear or don’t fear? 

There are also NT passages that teach us to fear the Lord such as:

Jesus On the Fear Of the Lord 

“So have no fear of them, for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. 27 What I tell you in the dark, say in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops. 28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. 30 But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. Matthew 10:26-31 ESV 

Here again, we see coming from the lips of our Lord do not be afraid and fear God. You and I are designed for awe and wonder and this is to be centered around the Lord, who created us for Himself. If we fail to live in awe of God, or in the fear of the Lord, then we will be subject to all sorts of other fears dominating our life.   

Peter of the Fear of the Lord 

The Apostle Peter wrote: Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.  1 Peter 2:17 ESV 

And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one’s deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile. 1 Peter 1:17

Paul on the Fear Of the Lord

The Apostle Paul wrote:

Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others. 2 Cor. 5:11 ESV 

…They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand fast through faith. So do not become proud, but fear. Romans 11:22 ESV 

John On The Fear of The Lord 

The Apostle John hear an Angel say:

“Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come, and worship him who made heaven and earth, the sea and the springs of water.”

Revelation 14:7 ESV

So it’s evident that both the NT and OT teach the fear of the Lord and call God’s people to not fear evil, people, trouble, death, etc…

Some passages are also very clear about us not walking in a certain type of fear such as these:

  • For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” Romans 8:15 ESV 
  • for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. 2 Timothy 1:7 ESV
  • There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.  1 John 4:18 ESV 

So what do we make of these two concepts that the Bible teaches? We have all seen enough of unhealthy toxic fear in our lives that robs us of quality of life. Clearly, a tactic of Satan is to use this kind of fear to keep people in bondage. Yet the fear of the Lord is clean and pure (Psalm 19:9). The fear of the Lord describes a life that is oriented towards God and worshipful of Him.

Luke wrote about the early church walking this:

So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being built up. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it multiplied. Acts 9:31 ESV 

Here are so ways that godly men have distinguished between the two fears that Scripture addresses:

 • A forbidden fear vs. a fear commanded- John Bunyan 

•  Bondage fear vs. reverential fear – Stephan Charnock 

•  Filial fear vs. servile fear – George Swinnock 

•  Idolatrous fear vs. worshipful fear – John Gill

•  Fear that draws men further from God versus fear that drives men toward God. – Charles Spurgeon 

  • Twas grace that taught my heart to fear And grace my fears relieved- John Newton 

This last quote from the most loved hymn Amazing Grace has been so helpful for me as I’ve wrestled with seeing the compatibility of the fear of the Lord and New Testament grace. It reminds me of the powerful words of the Prophet Jeremiah when he wrote about the New Covenant:

I will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear me forever, for their own good and the good of their children after them. I will make with them an everlasting covenant, that I will not turn away from doing good to them. And I will put the fear of me in their hearts, that they may not turn from me.  Jeremiah 32:39-40 ESV 

The reality that God puts a holy fear of Him in us is a gracious gift. And that fact that through this holy fear, we are kept from departing from Him is also God’s grace, which helps sustains us. 

The gospel of Jesus addresses our deepest fears, such as fear of death, rejection, and judgment, by Christ taking the punishment for sin, tasting death for us, and becoming sin for us that we might become to the righteousness of God (2 Corinthians 5:21). Knowing what Christ has done for us relieves us of the paralyzing toxic fear, while at the same time, we are awestruck by who God is and what great things He has done for us at the cross. We respond as Psalm 2 instructs us to:

Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling.Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way, for his wrath is quickly kindled. Blessed are all who take refuge in him. Psalm 2:11-12 ESV 

We are those who have fled to Jesus for refuge and reverently welcome his reign in our lives, knowing that he has bore the wrath of God’s judgment for our sin (1 Peter 3:18, 1 John 2:1-2). Our hope is in Christ alone. 

Note the fear of the Lord is accompanied by hope:

  • Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love,that he may deliver their soul from death and keep them alive in famine. Psalm 33:18 ESV
  • …the Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him,
        in those who hope in his steadfast love. Psalm 147:11 ESV

Perhaps some of us need to recover a healthy fear of the Lord and be relieved through the gospel of the unhealthy fears in our life. 

The Scripture highlights several benefits to walking in the fear of the Lord and the consequences for not doing so. Here are some benefits:

  • The fear of the Lord leads to life,and whoever has it rests satisfied; he will not be visited by harm. Proverbs 19:23
  • Who is the man who fears the Lord? Him will he instruct in the way that he should choose.His soul shall abide in well-being, and his offspring shall inherit the land.The friendship of the Lord is for those who fear him, and he makes known to them his covenant. Psalm 25:12-14 ESV
  • …by the fear of the Lord one turns away from evil. Proverbs 16:6 ESV
  • In the fear of the Lord one has strong confidence, and his children will have a refuge.The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, that one may turn away from the snares of death. Proverbs 14:26-27 ESV
  • Oh, fear the Lord, you his saints, for those who fear him have no lack! Psalm 34:9 ESV

May you and I experience all the benefits of this holy fear in our lives as we ‘work out our own salvation with fear and trembling, knowing that God who works in us, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.’ Philippians 2:12-13 

May we be delivered from every toxic fear that Scripture calls us to courageously resist so that we might glorify God more fully with our lives (Psalm 34:4).

If you’re inclined to worship the Lord in light of these biblical truths here is a great song to lead you in your worshipful response.

Processing Tragedy

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After hearing about the school shooting in Nashville on Monday, where a 28-year-old woman who identified as a man walked into a Private Christian school and killed three 9-year-old children and three adults, my heart has been heavy. It’s not something that I can hear about and just move on without feeling affected by it. If that’s so then I might either be too busy or too numb and indifferent to feel sad for the family and friends who have been devastated. I can only imagine the pain this father must feel right now. Being a pastor of a church and having two girls around 9 years old. I can imagine what it might feel like to suddenly lose that precious daughter.    

Some of the common emotions that accompany the aftermath of an event like this are anger, anxiety, and grief. Many people are processing those feelings alone, others are publishing them on social media and others are having conversations with friends and coworkers. 

There are some helpful ways that I learned to work through the mental and emotional burdens that come from such events. 

First and most important is prayer. I appreciate that we have a scheduled prayer meeting on Tuesday morning to pray. Because I personally needed to pray with others about this dark situation and roll the felt burden off to God. Doing that with others is even more helpful, though I also need adequate time alone to reflect, pray, and process. Journaling is helpful in this process or writing like I am now. And it’s important to do this with Scripture in view. What reality about God, myself and the world do I need to cling to through these feelings of grief, anger or anxiety. Kyndall and I processed and prayed with our children on Monday night knowing that they too would need a space to work through the most recent event. 

My 4-year-old son Justus came to me with a CT magazine opened to a troublesome picture in Haiti and he said “Dad look expooson…them can’t live…their home is gone”. He wasn’t moving on to the next thing and didn’t want me to move on either. He wanted to pause and ponder for a moment this sad situation and he felt that something needed to be done by us at that moment. We did do something at that moment. We stopped to think about the situation and the people in Haiti. And prayed for them. Often it’s difficult to keep my 4-year-old quiet and focused during times of prayer but this was a sweet moment in which he was moved to participate and it was sweet for me to watch as his father. My son is learning to respond to the brokenness of this world with prayer and compassion. When he sees an ambulance or fire truck with lights and sirens racing down the street he usually tells us to pray and that’s what we do in the Dollar family.  We are training our children to pray so that their knee-jerk reaction to the tragic moments around us is to call on the One who is our source of help and rescue. While the gesture of “sending out thoughts and prayers” may be like white noise in the background that doesn’t seem to mean much to some because they’ve read or heard that so many times in recent years, but praying faith-filled prayers that are focused on the revealed will of God Scripture is actually doing something. It is inviting the Almighty into the situation that He might do something. Praying for others is one of the most important things we can do for them and sometimes the only way to help them. Avoid underestimating or undervaluing the necessity and power of your prayers. Praying for others is a labor of love and each of us would be do well to excel in this as they Scripture exhorts us to (Luke 18:1, Colossians 4:2, Romans 12:12, 1 Thessalonians 5:17…). It is a rewarding activity through which we experience God and He brings His will and kingdom on earth as it is in Heaven (Matthew 6:9-13). Prayer is our duty and privilege. Prayer is part of our engagement in the spiritual battle which we all are involved in (Ephesians 6:18). 

Second, I’ve found it helpful to have conversations with trusted friends about situations like this. The listening ear of another is such a gift when you feel overwhelmed and so is the godly perspective and encouragement that your friend may share. They may also give some corrective insight of something we aren’t seeing accurately. Mourning with people in their grief is something the Bible exhorts Christians to do as well (Romans 12:15) and this involves our thoughts about them, sympathy, and empathy for them. This requires a chunk of our time, mental space, and emotional energy. We also need others to mourn with us in our grief and through conversations about hard things in life. As sinners who live in a Post-Genesis 3 world, we experience brokenness in various parts of our lives, including the emotional part of our lives. This often leads us to respond in ways that would be contrary to Christ if he were here. Dane Ortlund wrote about this in the book Gentle And Lowly, “Fallen emotions not only sinfully overreact; they also sinfully underreact”  (Pg. 107). He used the example of himself when he saw a person suffering from leprosy in India. He observed that his lack of response to seeing someone up close suffering highlighted something wrong within himself. The overarching response of Jesus that we see in the gospels when he encountered people in their suffering was compassion. Look at this powerful snapshot into the ministry of Jesus:

35 And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; 38 therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” Matthew 9:35-38 ESV 

Notice how Jesus addressed the sinfulness and brokenness of this world:

  • He taught and proclaimed the gospel of the Kingdom-V35
  • He healed every disease and affliction -V35b
  • He had compassion on them -V36
  • He directed his followers to pray for laborers to be sent into the harvest- V38

That’s our Savior! He is the answer to the rescue needed for the lost, the healing needed for the sick, the freedom needed for the captives, the hope needed for the hopeless, the comfort needed for the afflicted! And he has trained and raised up and sent out disciples to represent him and be his hands and feet in this broken world. He sends us into our workplaces and communities to be salt and light, to proclaim his message of repentance and reconciliation. He sends with the good news of great joy, the gospel of grace and peace. He calls us to be moved with compassion, to pray and moved to share the good news, and show his love with actions that express his heart.      

Christ entered into our pain and suffered on our behalf. He took the weight of our sin and died in our place. He rose from the grave and defeated death. He did something about the brokenness, sinfulness and need in our world. He is working through his church to bring his message, show his love and be his hands and feet. He is doing something about the brokenness, sinfulness and need in our world. Christ coming back to make all things new remove our suffering and sorrow, wipe every tear from our eyes and restore all things. He is going to do something again about the brokenness, sinfulness, and need in our world. 

Prayer 

Father, how long will the evil of violence and murder prevail. Come and bring justice and righteousness into our world. Let your kingdom come and your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. We grieve for and with those who have lost their loved ones in this senseless shooting.  Comfort them and meet them in their mourning with your loving presence. Steady them with gospel hope. Please grant wisdom and guidance to all the leaders involved in making decisive decisions in this situation that would be most helpful and both righteous and just. Give us your heart of compassion for the hurting and move us to action in helping those near to us. May we not pass them over without looking at them with the compassionate eyes and heart of Christ. May we each be faithful to pray, love and serve among those you have placed us.

You may want to listen to Pastor Chad Scruggs share about the emotions of Jesus and the hope that we have through his victory over death in a sermon he preached a few weeks ago titled Death’s Conqueror. As I listened to this my heart was comforted with gospel hope. I grieve with and for this father and pastor. I’m confident of and pray that his story and journey through the valley of the shadow of death will bring much healing, hope and comfort to many. 

What is Revival?

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Recently we have heard reports of revival at Asbury College where students have been praying, worshiping, repenting, and lingering in God’s presence for about two weeks. People were hearing about it on social media and traveling from all over the country to experience God, in an atmosphere of hunger, faith, worship, and repentance.

Much has been written about the subject of revival, though we don’t find the word mentioned in Scripture. We do however see the theme of the activity of God working in to revive, renew and restore His people. The Scripture does use the word revive and it is something that the saints of old pleaded for in prayer.

You who have made me see many troubles and calamities will revive me again; from the depths of the earth, you will bring me up again. Psalm 85:6 ESV

The Hebrew word translated to revive in English is ḥāyāh and its used 283 times in Scripture. It’s meaning to save, sustain, spare, or restore life. It is used by God to describe his saving or restoring work in the Prophet Isaiah:

For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite. Isaiah 57:15 ESV

Dr. Martyn-Loyd Jones defines this unusual activity that he called revival in his book titled Revival. He wrote:

Revival is “a period of unusual blessing and activity in the life of the Christian church….The essence of revival is that the Holy Spirit comes down upon a number of people together, upon a whole church, upon a number of churches, districts, or perhaps a whole country. That is what is meant by revival”. Martyn-Lloyd, Jones, Revival page 99-100.

“A revival by definition is the mighty act of God and it is a sovereign act of God.” Martyn-Lloyd Jones, Revival, Pg. 112

Revival is a gracious and sovereign work that the Holy Spirit brings into the lives of God’s people. It is usually accompanied by a heightened awareness of God’s presence and of our need for him, repentance, a return to Scripture, and fervent and extended prayer. It’s a time when God gets the attention of His people and stirs the hearts of His people to seek His face. It’s a time when the people of God respond to God’s goodness and worth by adjusting their lives to God’s will and ways.

When Moses prayed to the Lord asking God to show him His glory, God answered and caused His goodness to pass by him. God proclaimed His name to Moses and the glory and goodness that Moses experienced led to a deeper knowledge of God (Exodus 33-34). Martyn-Lloyd Jones connects that narrative to what God does in the lives of His people in revival. He wrote:

“The supreme blessing that comes to the Church in a time of revival is this deeper knowledge of God in his goodness towards us.”Martyn-Lloyd Jones, Revival, Pg. 227

Jonathan Edwards wrote about the effects of revival during the great awakening that he was instrumental in:

“This work soon made a glorious alteration in the town. So that in the Spring and Summer following it seemed, that is to say, the town, seemed to be full of the presence of God. It never was so full of love nor so full of joy and yet so full of distress as it was then. There were remarkable tokens of God’s presence in almost every house. It was a time of joy in families on account of salvation being brought to them. Parents rejoicing over their children as newborn, husbands over their wives and wives over their husbands. The doings of God were then seen in His sanctuary. God’s day was a delight and His tabernacles were amiable. Our public assemblies were then beautiful. The congregation was alive in God’s service. Everyone earnestly intent on the public worship. Every hearer eager to drink in the words of the minister as they came from his mouth. The assembly in general were from time to time in tears while the Word was preached. Some weeping with sorrow and distress, others with joy and love, others with pity and concern for the souls of their neighbors.”

Jonathan Edwards: Works, London 1840, Vol I, p. 348.

That sure does sound like the effects of revival to me.

How can we participate in revival?

1. Turn the Lord in repentance acknowledging the sin that has kept you from sweet communion with Him.

Repeatedly in Scripture God calls his people to return to Him both in the old and new covenant. Here are two examples from both:

“Yet even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; and rend your hearts and not your garments.”Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster. Joel 2:12-13 ESV

15 “‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! 16 So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. 17 For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. 18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. 19 Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. 20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. Revelation 2:15-20 ESV

2. Linger in the word of God until your heart is warmed by its truth and beauty and act upon what the Lord is calling you to do.

Read Nehemiah chapter 9 and see the beautiful repentant response of the Israelites after hearing the Torah read to them. And being convicted of their sin, they confessed their sins to the Lord who is a “God ready to forgive, gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love” (Nehemiah 9:17 ESV).

3. Wait on the Lord in prayer.

Reflections On God’s Providence

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“Joseph named his second son Ephraim, for he said, “God has made me fruitful in this land of my grief.”” Genesis‬ ‭41‬:‭52‬ ‭NLT‬‬

This beautiful verse is loaded with truth about the providence and goodness of God in the life of Joseph. God was with Jospeh through all the pain and grief he experienced in betrayal by family, injustice being sold to slavery, false accusation by Potiphar’s wife, injustice again due to false accusations, yet the Lord was with Joseph. God’s presence was with Joseph in his pain and God produced something good and beautiful in and through Joseph’s life. In the story of God told through Genesis we see the faithfulness, goodness and providence of God.

Through this story we are to be reminded that we can trust God with our lives as the faithful one who fulfills His promises & purposes for our lives. And we can forgive those who have wronged us, as we consider God’s goodness & favor towards us (Colossians 1:13-14, 3:13).

“Yet I am confident I will see the Lord’s goodness while I am here in the land of the living. Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.”
Psalms‬ ‭27‬:‭13‬-‭14‬ ‭NLT‬‬

• Reflect on God’s gracious heart for you and identify where you have seen His goodness working towards you & for you as you listen to the song below titled Canvas & Clay.

• What is one thing you need from Him right now? Ask Him for it and expect Him to answer.

Let’s Worship Together

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Today the CDC gave some pleasant news that many will be excited to hear. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stated “that people fully vaccinated against COVID-19 don’t need to wear face masks or social distance at gatherings of any size”.

For many Christians who haven’t been gathering for in-person worship services that means it time to go back church! As I was reading through my bible reading plan this morning I came a across a passage that stood out to me in Psalm 122.

“I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord!” Psalm 122:1 ESV

Gladness In Going To Corporate Worship

This verse points to the annual pilgrimage that that the Jews would make to Jerusalem while also highlighting the joy of corporate worship. David was one whose love and affection for God led him to great delight in worshiping God privately and publicly. When he was called to corporate worship, just the thought of it made him glad and he was eager to attend. Matthew Henry commented from this passage that:

“Those that rejoice in God will rejoice in calls and opportunities to wait upon him.”

We see in David the heart of a true worshipper. His thoughts, words, affections and actions were centered on God. His entire life was saturated with worship of God. We too are wired for lives of worship. Eugene Peterson pointed out that worship “overflows the Sunday-morning hour and permeates the days of the week”.

After a long season with many people being socially distanced over the last year and many are feeling an ache and longing from not gathering corporately in worship. I can’t help but notice how timely this little verse is right now. Yet for some it may be a challenge to have a “glad” response to the call to corporate worship in-person. Perhaps the fear of being around other people holds them back. Or for others perhaps spiritual atrophy and indifference has set in. The habit of not being present has been replaced by other habits. It’s time get out of the spiritual rut and get connected once again by being present in the corporate assembly, pouring out your hearts to the Lord in song and hearing the song of faith sung by other saints near you.

Let Us Go To The House Of The Lord

Matthew Henry also said

“It is the will of God that we should worship him in concert, that many should join together to wait upon him in public ordinances. We ought to worship God in our own houses, but that is not enough; we must go into the house of the Lord, to pay our homage to him there, and not forsake the assembling of ourselves together.”

Since Jesus came saints no longer need to make a pilgrimage to Jerusalem for worship (see John 4:21-24). We can worship God anywhere personally and we can worship God anywhere corporately. The people of God who make up the Church are now the Temple of God (Ephesians 2:19-22). We are the dwelling place of God. God dwells in each of us and He dwells among us as we gather together corporately.

“Christians who sing this recognize that in their gathered worship they are carrying out the task of the temple, and their Davidic king (Jesus) is present with them (1Peter 2:4-5;Eph.2:19-22). -C. John Collins

So let’s arrive early this Sunday and come with an eager expectation for God to show up. Let’s sing with gusto to God together, let’s listen to His word together, let’s testify of His work in our lives together and be present to encourage our brothers and sisters. Let’s go to the house of the Lord.

Another verse in this Psalm is particularly timely.

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem! “May they be secure who love you!”Psalm 122:6 ESV

Currently there is an uproar of violence in Israel among the Palestinian militants and the Israelis military, which has been occurring for the past 4 days. Over 100 people have died in Gaza and 7 people others. There hasn’t been this level of violence since 2014 and there concern that this could become a full scale war.

Prayer for Jerusalem

Father, as Jerusalem is currently in turmoil with a violent uproar, we pray now for your peace to be within this special city. We pray that Jesus Messiah would be welcomed as the Prince of Peace and that you would graciously bring your kingdom of reign there, filling it with righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit (Romans 14:17). Let the Gospel of peace bring healing to the broken relationships between Palestinians & Jews. We pray for wisdom and guidance of the leaders to skillfully and effectively lead through this time well that many lives would be spared from death in war. .

Here are two melodies with different musical genres put to Psalm 122 that I think you enjoy.

Psalm 122 Desert Spring Church

Psalm 122 StreetLights

Spiritual Amnesia

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“They forgot God, their Savior, who had done great things in Egypt,” Psalm 106:21 ESV

How could a person forget the Lord who has done so much to bring rescue to their life? Spiritual amnesia was an issue with the Israelites hundreds of years ago and it is still an issue with God’s people today. To remember the Lord one must be intentional about recounting His works, reviewing His word and relooking at His character. We all need daily reminders of who God is, what God has done and what God has said. If we are not careful it won’t take long for a you and I to coast into spiritual forgetfulness & indifference. When we forget God, His word and His works then we tend to make the same mistakes the Israelites made. When we forget God we tend to tempt him rather then trust Him. We tend to complain about Him and to Him rather than cry out to Him for help. We tend to rebel against His commands rather than jofullly obey God. And we tend to create idols to worship rather than giving our adoration & allegiance to the one Savior who is worthy of our worship!

The Father’s Heart

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“The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.”
‭‭Zephaniah‬ ‭3:17‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Wow, this verse is loaded with hope, comfort and encouragement. God is in your midst, with you and beside you. He is PRESENT and aware of what you and I are going through and he cares. He is POWERFUL and he wields his strength on your behalf to rescue you from yourself and all your enemies. He is PLEASED with you. The Lord doesn’t just tolerate you, He takes great delight in you. He is 100% for you not against you. He really loves you and even sings over you.

Why do we as God’s people struggle to believe this? Why do so Christians live as if the Father has a perpetual frown and feelings of disappointment directed toward them?

I believe it’s because of amnesia. That is gospel amnesia. We have a tendency to forget how amazing the grace of the gospel is and seem to think, perhaps subconsciously, that the guilt of our sin must be carried by us for a certain amount of time as way to show remorse.
We forget the Father’s heart towards us or we just don’t know it deeply, intimately and accurately. Often our experience with our earthly fathers or lack thereof plays a significant role in distorting our view of the Heavenly Father. Earthly fathers are designed by God to reflect a mirrored image of the love, compassion, patience & faithfulness of GOD the Father.
When you became a Christian you were given a right standing before the Father, declared righteous before Him because of the righteous work of Jesus‘ life given for you as a sacrifice for your sins. You are now “accepted in the Beloved”, you are redeemed, you are forgiven and you are sealed with the HOLY SPIRIT (Ephesians 1:3-13). The Father has lavished love and grace upon you who are “in Christ”. He chose you and set His love on you even before you were born, knowing all the sinful choices you would make that He would forgive and cleanse by the blood of Jesus. God demonstrated His love for you that while you were still a sinner Christ died for you (Romans 5:8). He took your place, your sin, your guilt and your shame. So why would you walk in any of that any longer. You died and now have new life because of Christ. You now have a new identity and trajectory for life. God has given you purpose and has good plans for your days here on earth. It’s time to live in these realities and avoid false narratives and influences on your thinking and your feelings. It’s time to be fully alive as a beloved child of God, enjoying the grace of God, doing the will of God and reflecting the glory of God with joy inexpressible!