Final Authority

Perhaps we are living in the midst of a crisis of authority. Who or what is our authority? How do we know what is real and good and true? Jesus will help us answer this question. The gospels make it clear in their description of his life and words.

Jesus first shows us during his temptations from the devil in the wilderness. Satan tempted the hungry Jesus to turn stones to bread, to test God by jumping from the pinnacle of the temple, and finally to fall down and worship him (see Mt. 4:1-11). In all three cases Jesus answered, “It is written…” and each time quoted from Deuteronomy: 8:3, 6:16, and 6:13. Men and women are to live on the life-giving words of God, to never test God, and to worship God alone. Jesus, our Savior and our example, obeyed the law of God.

Jesus was often tested by the Pharisees. They once did so, referring to the law of Moses, “by asking, ‘Is it lawful to divorce one’s wife for any cause?’” (see Mt. 19:1-12). Note his response. “He answered, ‘Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, “Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh?” So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate’” (Mt. 19:4-6 ESV). In this case Jesus referred to Genesis and his belief in our first parents, Adam and Eve. He looked to the Old Testament narratives for his understanding of the created order and how we are to live within it.

Toward the end of his earthly life Jesus spoke of his second coming. He wanted us to realize how it will come suddenly. He said, “’For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man’” (Mt. 24:37-39). Jesus recounted the judgement on all living creatures other than those within the ark as he prepares us for the judgement at the end of time as we know it. Old Testament events served as types for the events of Jesus’ life and even the future judgment of the living and the dead.

Finally, on another occasion Jesus was asked by both the scribes and the Pharisees for a sign to authenticate his words (see Mt. 12:38-42). Jesus, however, did not do signs on command. Therefore, not unlike his reference to Noah above, “he answered them, ‘An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of earth’” (Mt. 12:39, 40). Jesus believed in the miracles his Father performed throughout the Old Testament as well as his own fulfillment of the law and the prophets.

So what was Jesus’ authority? The infallible and inerrant Bible, the word of God (at that time made up of the 39 books of the Old Testament). God’s word is the first word and the final word. As Jesus said, “For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass away from the Law until all is accomplished” (Mt. 5:18). And he added, “Scripture cannot be broken” (John 10:35b).

Our Westminster Standards remind us clearly. Our only authority for glorifying and enjoying God as well as our only authority for faith and practice, is the word of God, the Bible, which is made up of the Old and New Testaments. (See WLC questions 1-4.) Thank God for the Bible. Let us continue to read it, study it, preach it, meditate on it, and obey it.

Pastor Josh

• The above is my church newsletter article for Feb. 2024

Luke 15 and the Proper Interpretation & Application of Scripture

By the staff at Ligonier Ministries and concerning recent discussions of important issues of our day:

https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/true-compassion-lgbtq-weddings

Standing Fast in 2024

Dear Believers in the Lord Jesus Christ,

Happy New Year! As we begin this new year, please remember that we are in God’s good and strong hands. “Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases” (Ps. 115:3 ESV). As I pondered writing this article and started twice, I am now in my third try on New Year’s Eve. I have chosen to focus on our men of all ages, 2 to 102. All believers can always learn from every passage of the Bible by extension and application, but some passages focus on us in specific and crucial ways. So I believe it is in the Apostle Paul’s admonition to the church in Corinth just before he closes his first letter to them.

“Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love” (1 Cor. 16:13-14). Friends, we live in challenging times. Not only God, but reality itself, is under attack. Let us be prepared to stand fast even as the opposition to our God, his holy and inerrant Word, and us his people, only grows more and more stubborn and belligerent. Richard Pratt says it clearly, “God calls us to a way of life that incites opposition from the world.” Therefore, listen to General Paul as he gives short orders to his soldiers in the army of the Lord.

Be watchful. In his crucifixion and resurrection, Jesus defeated sin and death. His resurrection guarantees ours. Further, he is coming again. So be prepared. Jesus taught extensively on this theme in his final parables in the gospels. Paul already warned all believers: “Therefore, my beloved brothers and sisters, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain” (1 Cor. 15:58). So brothers and fathers, as you vigilantly await Christ’s return in glory, live holy lives in conduct and in service to Christ in all things. Be prepared to thwart the spiritual forces of darkness. Live with Jesus’ final victory in mind.

Stand firm in the faith. Do not deviate to the right or to the left. “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death” (Prov. 14:12). God does not change with the times. (What a relief!) God’s Word does not change. “The early church faced many challenges that tested believers’ faithfulness to Christ” (R. Pratt). So it is with us today. Be committed to the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the life that flows from such a call and commitment. Rely on the Word and the Holy Spirit.

Act like men. Be strong. I am currently reading a marvelous book that its author says should never have needed to be written, but, alas, the times call for it: No Apologies: Why Civilization Depends on the Strength of Men by Anthony Esolen. The KJV translates the phrase Acquit you like men. That is, men, conduct yourselves according to the way God made you, in his image and according to his instructions. There is such a thing, a person actually, as a man and specifically a Christian gentleman. That is who we are called to be.

After instructing us to meditate on God’s law day and night, Joshua said, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9). Our world certainly resembles Canaan today. Let us take heed of Joshua’s words. Joab once told King David, “Be of good courage, and let us be courageous for our people, and for the cities of our God, and may the LORD do what seems good to him” (2 Sam. 10:12). I say, “Amen!” And the late Dr. Simon Kistemaker warned us, “No soldier in the army of Jesus Christ may be fainthearted; in his presence, there is no place for cowards and weaklings.” Men of Christ, Acquit yourselves like men. Our victory is sure in Jesus Christ, who offered us peace in him, adding, “In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33b).

Let all that you do be done in love. Without the Christian virtue of love, we could appear loud and obnoxious to the world. May it never be! Clothed in love and humility we will live godly and orderly lives. And we will be ready to respond to the fiery darts of the devil. Love for God first and secondly for our neighbor is the motivation and the guiding principle for everything a Christian does. After all, “God is love” (1 John 4:8b).

Dear brothers and sisters, as we begin 2024, “May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all” (2 Cor. 13:14).

Pastor Josh

*The above is my church newsletter article for Jan. 2024

A Call to Repentance

Anne Steele’s Hymns in Response to War

I am privileged to be featured in the inaugural issue of the Birmingham Theological Journal

https://www.btswritingcenter.net/_files/ugd/98b6b2_d70b36e9b9ba4af1ba3d377dcb44d920.pdf

A Christmas Classic

My December newsletter article:

St. Luke records four Christmas classics in his gospel. Let’s take a lyric from the first one to meditate on this Christmas season.

“Magnificat” (sung by Mary, Luke 1:46-55)

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 (50- 53).

Mary was a young lady of modest means betrothed to Joseph, a simple craftsman in Israel. They lived in the region of Galilee in a city called Nazareth. Israel was ruled by Rome at this time under Caesar Augustus. A virgin and a pious Jew of her day, Mary had been visited by an angel and told she would carry the promised Savior—the son of God. How? By the power of the Holy Spirit. It happened just as she was told. Yet even before this, the angel had visited her older cousin’s husband, Zechariah, and told him that his barren wife would give birth to the Messiah’s forerunner. It happened. We are even told that the elderly lady “for five months she kept herself hidden, saying, ‘Thus the Lord has done for me in the days when he looked on me, to take away my reproach among people’” (Lk. 1:24b-25). Reproach? She was barren, childless. But not anymore! He opened her womb. God had visited her and also her young cousin.
So, Mary, having been told by the angel that Elizabeth was in the sixth month of her miraculous pregnancy “arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a town in Judah, and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, and she exclaimed with a loud cry, ‘… Behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord’” (Lk. 1:39-45). Mary responded with a song of praise.

What a story! Two obscure women of rural first century Israel. Both visited by the Lord of heaven and earth. One barren, the other a virgin. The older woman carrying the one prophesied by Isaiah and Malachi to come in the spirit of Elijah and blaze the trail of the coming kingdom of God (see Is. 40 and Mal. 3-4). The young lady carrying the promised Suffering Servant, a light to the Gentiled, a faithful disciple, and a perfect substitute for the sins of his people (see Is. 42, 49, 50, 52-53). What else could Mary do but sing!

Let’s consider three important themes in the excerpt above: the fear of the Lord, humility, and divine provision.

His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. Mary sings of the mercy of the Lord that comes to those who fear him. The wise man told us that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. And the psalmists add that the friendship of the LORD, compassion, and steadfast love are for those who fear him (see Pr. 9:10; Ps. 25:14; 103:11, 13). Mary knew her Bible and she knew her God. Let us approach our great God with reverence, awe, and wonder. Receive mercy, wisdom, friendship, and love—from the Lord!

He has scattered the proud … he has brought down the mighty. If there is one pair contrasting traits we see from the beginning of the Scripture to its end, it is pride and humility. God hates one and loves the other (cf. Pr. 6:16-19). Mary knew this and she sings about it. Two proverbs prove her point clearly. “It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor than to divide the spoil with the proud.” “Haughty eyes and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, are sin.” (Pr. 16:19; 21:4) Mary knew this truth in her youth and would experience it throughout her life. Let us take her words to heart—to both humble us and give us hope for the present and the future!

He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. She anticipates the Sermon on the Mount and Jesus’ “upside down kingdom.” The first will be last and the last first. The sad will be comforted. The meek will inherit the earth. The Shepherd will indeed provide for his needy flock. We pray, give us this day our daily bread. The Good Shepherd would not only fill us with good things, but would know our names and would lay down his life for the sheep. Do you hunger and thirst for righteousness? If you do, Jesus said you will be filled.

Mary’s hit tune is just what we need this Christmas. In a world and nation that is forsaking the God who brought us into existence, she reminds us—exhorts us—to fear the Lord. In a culture that is fueled by the highest octane of pride on the market, we are extolled to seek the gift of humility. After all, Jesus said of himself that he was gentle and humble in heart and that in him we could find rest for our souls (see Mt. 11:28-30). Finally, as you may perhaps struggle to afford the Christmas gifts you would like to give to your loved ones this Christmas, we have a promise stated in the present tense: he has filled the hungry with good things. And what is the best thing? Jesus prayed it for us the night before he died for sinners. And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent (John 17:3).

An Attitude of Gratitude

Make a joyful shout to the LORD all you lands! Serve the LORD with gladness;…
Enter His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise.
Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. (Psalm 100:1-2a, 4 NKJV)

It is November, the month of Thanksgiving. But as believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, we can be thankful a lot more than one month a year!

Below is an example and model for us as we seek to follow Paul’s instructions to the church in Thessalonica (and the psalmist’s above): Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you (1 Thess. 5:16-18).

The Catholic philosopher and teacher, Alice von Hildebrand, died last year at the age of 98. She and her husband, Dietrich, were well-known as Christian philosophers in a field less friendly to the faith than it once was. A website known as The Hildebrand Project is dedicated to their legacy. Dietrich von Hildebrand (1889- 1977) is described there as “an original philosopher, ardent Christian, fierce foe of Nazism, and fervent champion of beauty.” What an amazing way to be remembered!
In a celebrated talk Alice gave at her 90th birthday celebration, she quoted an axiom that her husband lived by: the key to happiness is gratude. The Hildebrands chose to spend their very long lives living and spreading the simple but profound Biblical message of being thankful.

We can choose each day to say, “Thank you, Lord, for waking me up this morning.” Or we can arise in poor moods and spread negativity rather than genuine cheer. The Apostle Paul was very clear about what happens to human beings who refuse gratitude: Although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened (Romans 1:21).

I am not suggesting that we just grin and bear hard times. In fact, I am personally convicted as I write this. We are not thankful due to life being easy. After all, Jesus said, In the world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world (John 16:33b). I simply invite you to join me as I seek to join the psalmists, St. Paul, and the late Hildebrands in saying, “Thank you Lord, we bless your name.”

PRAYER: Dear Lord, at this very moment some of us are happy, others are sad, and others maybe angry or frustrated at the sin and difficulties of life in this world. We thank you, Jesus, for overcoming the world. And we ask you to help us, through the power of your Holy Spirit, to have attitudes of gratitude. In Jesus’s name, Amen.

Divine Instruction

Whoever despises the word brings destruction on himself, but he who reveres the commandment will be rewarded. (Proverbs 13:13 ESV)

When I was growing up there were some popular commercials for a successful American stock brokerage firm. In each commercial one person would say to another, “Well, my broker is EF Hutton, and EF Hutton says, …” At that point the camera would pan back as every person in the scene was hushed and would lean in to listen. The voiceover followed: “When EF Hutton talks, people listen.” Our proverb reminds us of an even greater authority then EF Hutton was in the financial world of the 1970s. This proverb is referring to the word of God.

Several Hebrew words for the word of God, specially noted in Psalm 119, are translated by a variety of English terms. For example, law, testimony, way, precept, statute, commandment, instruction, and word, just to name a few. We know that for a human being, the most important response to the word of God is to repent and believe the gospel and be saved by faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ. But families, communities, nations, and entire cultures also do well to heed God’s word. History recounts the blessings that fall on those who revere and follow God’s law and the problems that immediately ensue as the word of God is rejected or ejected, as it may be. From the individual to the nation, this proverb teaches, whoever despises the word brings destruction on himself. Other English translations can help press this point home for us. The CSB, for example, says, the one who has contempt for instruction will pay the penalty. And the NLT, people who despise advice are asking for trouble. 

Do you read and meditate on the Bible? Do you attend a church where the word of God preached faithfully and accurately? You know, the Bible was formerly read in public schools and at government-sanctioned events. Do we not see that a restraining grace from God has been removed from our society as God’s word has come to be more and more despised and rejected? I think the evidence is inescapable. Yet still, my main point is to encourage you to read this God-breathed book (see 2 Timothy 3:16-17) for your own edification.

God’s word says of itself that it is living and effective and sharper than any double-edged sword, penetrating as far as the separation of soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart (Hebrews 4:12 CSB). It is as if God’s Spirit uses his word to perform needed spiritual surgery on us—for our good, our healing, the perfecting of our faith! And the psalmist, King David, describes the sheer wonder and pleasure of this word. He says it is trustworthy, right, radiant, reliable, and sweet. And he lists some of the rewards that revering the commandments bring: renewal, experience, gladness, enlightenment, and righteousness. (See Psalm 19). Do you desire these qualities and characteristics and outcomes in your life? I do. How about in your spouse or children? Or even in your vocational or business pursuits? Let us return to the word of God. May it again be a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our paths—for God’s glory and our good.

PRAYER – Psalm 19:14: 

May the words of my mouth

and the meditation of my heart

be acceptable to you,

Lord, my rock and my Redeemer. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

What Does Not Please God?

Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? By one of works? No, on the contrary, by a law of faith. (Romans 3:27 CSB)

There is no boasting in the Christian life. Well, save in the cross of Christ (cf. Galatians 6:14). In a political and sports culture of brag and swag, we do well to remember that God does no go for this. Paul has just given a summary in Romans 3:21-26 of the gospel for which he is not ashamed, this gospel in which is revealed the power of God and the righteousness of God, to be received by faith alone. All have sinned and have fallen short of the glory of God. Therefore, all who are saved are saved by grace through faith, and receive a righteousness from outside of ourselves, and are thus declared just before God. This leaves no room for boasting in ourselves. We do not trash talk. The Lord will have none of that. None. So what does not please God? Pride, arrogance, a boastful spirit.

But we already knew this. The wise man had told us this long before. The Lord hates six things; in fact, seven are detestable to him: arrogant eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that plots wicked schemes, feet eager to run to evil, a lying witness who gives false testimony, and one who stirs up trouble among brothers. (Proverbs 6:16-19) What do you think of when looked upon by arrogant eyes? Other translations help us get the whole picture. Haughty eyes (ESV). Eyes high (YLT). A proud look (KJV). This is not a light matter with our Lord. These things are detestable to him.

So this principle is simply drilled down as we consider our salvation. God saves us in such a way to undercut the temptation that goes all the way back to the garden—pride. Pride comes before destruction, and an arrogant spirit before a fall (Prov. 16:18). Indeed. Oh how we have known that since Genesis 3! Reflecting on the teaching of his Savior, Peter sums this up for us: All of you clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because

God resists the proud

but gives grace to the humble.

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your cares on him, because he cares about you. (I Pet. 5:5b-7).

The Greatest Hymn-writer You’ve Never Heard Of

My article posted today at The Gospel Coalition. I am thankful for their invitation.

https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/best-hymn-writer-never-heard/

What Pleases God?

His delight is not in the strength of the horse, nor his pleasure in the legs of a man, but the LORD takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his steadfast love. (Psalm 147:10, 11 ESV)

What does the Lord God take pleasure in? What pleases him? On this earth we are impressed by power and might, or skill and expertise, or eloquence and creative genius. Not so with God. He is certainly the source of such characteristics. Further, he is glorified if these things are wielded rightly. But he is not impressed by them. This psalm does not mention them as giving him pleasure, or gratification or satisfaction.

Rather, the Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his steadfast love. God takes special notice as we come before his throne and seek his face with reverence. He does not want us to cower in fear of other people, living in subjection to a culture that would now like to “cancel” those who trust in the Bible and the God of the Bible. His Spirit inhabits the praise of those whose only fear is of the one true God. Yes, we tremble at his awesome holiness. We ought to at least!

In addition, he is pleased by our hoping in his steadfast love, his hesed. This is his love that sticks like glue to his covenant people. God takes pleasure in those who know that he keeps his promises and those who live by them. He is pleased to shower daily mercies on those who say, with Jeremiah, The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; … “The LORD is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him” (see Lamentations 3:19ff.).

PRAYER: Dear Lord, thank you for not only bestowing favor on your people, but for actually taking pleasure in us as we fear you and hope in your steadfast love. Help me to fear the Lord and hope in your promises today. In Jesus’ name, Amen.