Your status is your standard
James 1.19 says, “Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.”
This principle is exceptionally difficult to obey and internalize in a digital culture. Beth Moore notes in her study of James about this that “if the implications were frightening in James’ day when letters were written longhand and delivered foot-slow, imagine the impact in a culture where we can instantly voice our heated opinions in a public forum without the benefit of an editor or a permanent eraser”
Make no mistake that social media is a public forum. What we post on Twitter, Facebook, and other web platforms should be submitted to the wisdom of this verse. With the advent of Facebook’s new timeline, it’s easy to see the maturity (or lack thereof) of a person’s posts.
A ministry friend recently tweeted, “One thing I have noticed about the new Facebook timeline is that I was very immature with things I said when I first got on it.”
What we post as our status can become the standard by which we’re measured. So think twice. Is what you post necessary, helpful and beneficial? Whether you want your character to be measured by the ones you post is not an option. It will be.
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Live like those who cannot die
I recently started Beth Moore’s new Bible study on James. James is the one of the half brothers of Jesus, and she begins her study looking at how that difficult familial relationship evolved from doubt to faith.
We know from John 7:5 that there were long years when “even his own brothers did not believe in Him.” However, somewhere between his final earthly days and His post resurrection appearances to the disciples, Jesus’ earthly family surrendered their hearts in belief.
Soon after, James became a leader in the growing early church. When Peter was arrested and then freed by an angel from prison in Acts 12:1-17, he instructs those gathered at Mark’s house to tell “James and the brothers about this.”
Beth (we’re on a first name basis) posits what may have been going through James mind when he heard the news about Peter’s deliverance. Keep in mind that James the apostle had already been killed by Herod before Peter was arrested. All this happened around the time of the Passover, and it may have been the first Passover after Jesus was betrayed (the one year anniversary of that event).
This thing we’re doing is deadly. Terrifying. I feel sick. I feel exhilarated. He said not to fear those that can kill only the body. Think past the pain. What about our families? What does all this mean? I feel like hoards of demons have been unleashed on us. There are angels. Real, live angels – and some of them appear in beams of brilliant light. We may be captured, but we may be rescued. We may see horrors, but we may see wonders. We may lose our heads, but we cannot lose our souls. The stakes are up. The fire is lit. It’s time to live like those who cannot die.
She concludes with the thought, “Welcome to the life of those called Christians.” (The believers were first called “Christians” in Antioch – Acts 11:26 – as a derogatory term meaning “little Christs.” This would been an aspersion along the lines of calling them junior messiahs, or saying something like, “They think they’re little gods.”)
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Engage in business
This past Sunday, Adam Wilson preached for us at Northstar. Adam is a staffer with Cru at VT, and he has recently come on board as volunteer staff to help us with our discipleship processes.
*As a quick aside, I can't describe the blessing of having passionate, gifted men in our church who are able and eager to teach God's Word. I love sharing the joy of preaching with a teaching team.*
We’ve been in Luke since January of last year, and he spoke from Luke 19:11-27 in all three services.
Sitting under someone else’s teaching is a humbling and joyful experience. No minister is ever above being taught, nor have we “arrived.” I’m going to share in a couple of brief posts what God surfaced for me as truths to dwell on.
The entire passage is a stirring and provocative parable that has serious implications for how “Christians” live and conduct their lives.
‘Engage in business until I come.’ (Luke 19.13)
Adam pointed out that the parable is a parallel to the ascension and inevitable return of Jesus Christ, our King. The command to his servants is not vague. He has entrusted an equal responsibility to each one, and there is clear direction and consequentially, expectation, for each servant to follow through.
Modern Christians should examine their lives with humility. Are they engaged in the business of the King, or are they engaged in their own business? Before we get defensive and claim “that’s none of your business,” we should realize that there will be accountability.
In the parable, and in reality, the king will come back. He returns to assess, rebuke, and reward. We are not given the option of doing nothing.
So, have you made God’s business your business? Are you engaged? Are you busy? Think about it. He is coming.
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A big but…
“But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.” (1 Timothy 1.13)
That’s a big “but.” And a beautiful one at that.
I love how God displayed mercy to Paul because it shows the extravagance of His love to use as well. In the verse above, the apostle Paul uses that contrasting conjunction to illuminate his former identity as “a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent.”
Think about it.
Paul wasn’t just innocently acting ignorantly. He was zealously pursuing the arrest and persecution of believers in Christ. He detested what he deemed as their heresy. He partnered with other Jesus-hating Jews to attempt to exterminate the explosion of The Way (Acts 9:2) that was occurring in and around Jerusalem, going as far as Damascus, Syria. He was intentional and intense about his religious violence. Yet, God “who is rich in mercy” (Ephesians 2:4) considered him simply… ignorant.
In fact, verse 12 is even more stunning:
“I thank Him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because He has judged me faithful, appointing me to His service, though formerly I was…”
God looked at Saul (who would be renamed Paul to indicate the radical internal change of identity and priority) and saw not a persecutor but an apostle. God’s vision was not hindered by the present or the past. God saw it all of Paul in one glance. Paul couldn’t see all of reality. That was why he was ignorant. He didn’t know it all.
When he knew more than he did, Paul would surrender his life to serve the Christ he claimed he hated. He would lay down his life for the church he sought to squash. God saw what Paul didn’t.
You see, it doesn’t matter how zealous we are in our ignorance. We are eligible for God’s abundance.Â
What does God see when he sees you? Does he see your present failures or past mistakes? Or does He see future glory?
What will your big “but” be?
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Preachers liking liquor
It’s been somewhat hip in the past decade for some Christian leaders to advocate alcohol use in moderation. I’m not a fan. I guess I’m a teetotaler. It’s not because I fear it. It’s a wisdom and Christian liberty issue for me. While I try not to smear my conviction about alcohol use too broadly, the use (and misuse of alcohol) in many church circles is is an old issue that surfaces cyclically. Every generation of believers should allow their practices to be submitted to the scrutiny of scriptural truth.
Unfortunately, there is a segment of Christian leadership (mostly youngish) in the American church today that may be uncritically promoting alcohol in a way that undermines their authority to speak to issues of morality.
John MacArthur has written an article of great diplomacy and wisdom entitled Beer, Bohemianism and True Christianity on his site that you should digest. MacArthur speaks from the wisdom of accumulated ministry experience and scriptural study that for this issue is difficult to refute.
When the apostle Paul speaks of eating meat offered to idols in 1 Corinthians 8, he is presenting a situation that has caused great relational schisms among Christians in the early church. As you follow his thought pattern in that chapter, you see that he concludes with this statement in verse 13:
Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.
The principle is that genuine love for others joyfully limits liberty.
Read MacArthur’s article and let me know what you think.
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The urgency of discipleship and a review of “Real Life Discipleship”
One of the main reasons I read Jim Putman’s Real Life Discipleship is that it had been given to me as part of a promotional package from the publisher. However, I’d been on the hunt for discipleship materials for study and implementation by our church as we prepped for a summer series called “Building a Discipleship Culture.” I stumbled across the book on Amazon and was really interested when I learned of Avery Willis’ influence in Putman’s ministry and church. Willis is the author of the Masterlife series of discipleship books that were hugely popular in the 1970s as a tool for leading people to spiritual maturity. Willis passed away in July 2010, and he left a legacy of devotion to discipleship in the church.
I sensed I’d found the book I needed to digest. I wasn’t disappointed.
Before I proceed, let me just a few things about the church and discipleship.
- Churches should be proactive, intentional and focused on discipleship.
- Discipleship is not arbitrary one-on-one or small group meetings that discuss spiritual principles or read books together.
- Discipleship should be thought of as the deliberate process of leading individuals and churches to spiritual maturity. We use Colossians 1.28 as a key verse:
    ”… that we may present everyone mature in Christ.” - If you as a spiritual leader are hung up on finding the perfect tool to use in discipleship, you will be forever spinning your wheels.
- The urgency of beginning far exceeds the implentation of a perfect tool. So pick a tool and begin. Write your own stuff later.
Putman’s material helpfully provides a way of assessing where people are in their spiritual growth process. He uses the following “stages” of development:
- Spiritually dead
- Spiritual infant
- Child
- Young Adult
- Parent
RLD uses four key terms to describe the strategy used with people at different levels to lead them to further growth.
- SHARE: Spiritually Dead & Infant
- CONNECT: Child
- MINISTER: Young Adult
- DISCIPLE: Parent
We reproduced the main image the book uses for our folks to better understand how we are to respond and engage people in each stage of spiritual growth.
After digesting the book and much of the accompanying workbook, I recommend it as a fantastic tool for individual and corporate use.
Our churches are full of spiritual infants and children. In many cases, what appear as young adults zealously serving are actually less mature people who are only serving as a result of being asked to help or “fill a slot.” The American church suffers from a maturity deficiency, and yet, that is the very thing that its pastors and leaders have been called to lead people to.
“And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children…” (Ephesians 4.11-14)
So let’s get intentionally busy and focused about sharing the depth of the Father’s love with His children.
Other discipleship resources to consider
I’ve had personal experience and used the following materials with success. Again, it’s not finding a perfect tool. It’s just using one that’s important. I suspect that you or your church will gravitate toward one that fits your collective personality and culture.
- One on One with God by Jerry Fine
- Experiencing God’s Story of Life & Hope by J. Scott Duvall
- This workbook has been split into four separate, smaller workbooks for easier use with different stages. Scott is a good friend, and I love his approach of leading people to Christian maturity from the perspective of believe-behave-become.
- Experiencing God by Henry Blackaby
It’s one of the most foundational studies I’ve ever been through and used in my life and ministry. - Building a Discipleship Culture by Northstar Church
This is the series of videos we produced in the summer of 2011 to help communicate the principles of discipleship from RLD. Disclaimer: Rated “C” for cheesy.
In addition, Jason Dukes, author of Live Sent, has a great entry about books being used by actual disciple makers.
Leave a comment about what materials or process are you using in your personal life or ministry that you’ve seen bear fruit.
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The Same Things
“Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you.” (Philippians 3.1)
I love the truth of the importance of repetition and reminder.
- To be reminded of the beauty and everlasting worth of the gospel in Matthew 13:44.
- To repeat that righteousness comes from God as a gift through Christ and not by obedience to the law in Philippians 1:9.
- To gaze again at the grace of God that saves me and all who believe in Ephesians 2:8.
- To be reminded that God loved me and chose me before I ever conceived of Him in Ephesians 1:4 and 1 John 4:10.
Repeat and repreach these truths to yourself over and over! There is no better preacher than your own voice. Read these truths aloud. Meditate on them frequently so that you will not get discouraged or go astray.
Great is His love for us.
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Thanks to my pastors
Great post here by Thom Rainer that makes me want to thank Dr. W.O. Vaught and Gary Turner (both in heaven), Scott Duvall, Roger MacDonald, Sonny Tucker, and Shawn Barnard for being great pastors to me for God’s glory.
Each of these remarkable men were used by the Lord at key, formative times in my life. I’m so humbled every day to see hints of their ministry in mine.
Serving God as His people’s pastor in a specific local church is one of the most rewarding and challenging experiences a person can ever be called to. Each of these has served long and well. I pray for their protection and longevity, their purity and their passion.
I’ve now been a pastor for just eight years. I’m so grateful for the people of two great churches that I’ve been able to serve. But I’m more grateful for the sustaining God who supplies the wisdom, grace, patience and power to continue. We serve because He lives.
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Notes from Refuel 2011: Stephen Furtick
Mark 5.
It’s important to be honest before God’s people and not stand before them constantly presenting an unblemished life.
Jairus and bleeding woman. Someone else’s miracle can be your discouragement. Imagine Jairus’ heart. Jesus went with him! And now his daughter was dead! Have you ever had a dream or vision that has died in process?
Others are celebrating, but you are mourning. What you hoped would happen has not happened. It’s gone from bad to worse. We like Jairus say, “Why bother?”
Mark 5.36 “Ignoring what they said…” best verse. Sometimes walking in radical faith means practicing selective hearing. Are we going to listen to them or listen to Jesus?
“Don’t be afraid; just believe.” Jesus said to a man whose daughter had just died… Some of you are trying to figure out something that God tells you to “just believe.” Don’t apply human logic to divine promises.
The reason God isn’t moving in your situation is because He is above your situation.
5.40 “but they laughed at Him” I hope someone is laughing at your vision! And then he “put them all out.” Be courageous enough to get rid of the laughers and doubters.
“Hey Jairus, He who began a good work will be faithful to complete it!” (Philippians 1.6)
Is it possible that God let something die in your life to show the world that He has something better in mind that will display His power and glory?!
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Notes from Refuel 2011: Ed Stetzer
Idolatry… Identity… Conversion.
“… you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.” (1 Thess 1:9-10)
We have been transferred from darkness to the kingdom of light. (Colossians)
The Gospel is not “you do” but “Jesus did.”
Idols are the gods of the illegitimate rebellion. Other people’s idols are easier to spot than our own. Not all idols are carved stones of primitive people. “Put to death then… Which is idolatry.” we exchange the truth of God for and worship something created rather than the Creator.
Be careful that the attendance of the church doesn’t become the idolatry of your heart. You will sacrifice yourself on the altar of your idolatry. Stop chasing after the idolatry of ministry success. When idolatry drives us, idolatry dominates us. Get over your man crush on Mark Driscoll and pastor the church God has given you.
Unjustified fears and worries. You can’t have fear of the future and faith in God at the same time. Too many are afraid of the churches God has called them to lead.
Can you as a minister say, “I’m not afraid of telling the truth. I’m not afraid of making the hard decisions.”
Acts 17.30 the worship of idols is “ignorance”
Conferences like these can encourage idolatry. It can become ministry pornography. An unrealistic picture of the ministry you’re never gonna have that distracts you from the real, wonderful thing that He’s given you.
Worship of God. It redirects our loyalties and reorders our priorities. I would say that idolatry is worship of anything other than God.
We are like East TN during the Civil War. They seceded from TN when TN seceded from the Union. We are the rebellion against the rebellion. Turned to God from idols. We are rebelling against the rebellion.
Too many have been received vaccinations in lukewarm Gospel presentations, churches that has insulated them against the real thing.
It’s easier to look like a godly pastor rather than to be a godly pastor.
Conversion causes us to be rebel with a new hope.
If everyone in the world is bowing toward idols and we’re not, then we stand out. When He returns, do you want to be forced to your knees or on your knees?
1 John 5.21, “Little children, keep yourselves from idols.”
Recognize your own propensity to idolatry.
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A heart like mine
Miranda Lambert has a hit song on the country charts right now called A Heart Like Mine. It’s an excellent example of spiritual rationalization and selfishness.
Here are the lyrics (I’ve included a video link below):
I ain’t the kind you take home to mama
I ain’t the kind to wear no ring
Somehow I always get stronger
When I’m on my second drinkEven though I hate to admit it
Sometimes I smoke cigarettes
Christian folks say I should quit it
I just smile and say “God blessâ€â€˜Cause I heard Jesus, He drank wine
And I bet we’d get along just fine
He could calm a storm and heal the blind
And I bet He’d understand a heart like mineDaddy cried when he saw my tattoo
Said he’d love me anyway
My brother got the brains of the family
So I thought I’d learn to sing‘Cause I heard Jesus, He drank wine
And I bet we’d get along just fine
He could calm a storm and heal the blind
And I bet He’d understand a heart like mineI’ll fly away
From it all one day
I’ll fly awayThese are the days that I will remember
When my name’s called on the roll
He’ll meet me with two long-stemmed glasses
Make a toast to me coming home‘Cause I heard Jesus, He drank wine
And I bet we’d get along just fine
He could calm a storm and heal the blind
And I bet He’d understand a heart like mineOh, yes He would
Miranda, Jesus does understand your heart. And that’s why He has lovingly offered you His. Your heart… my heart… all our hearts are hardened by sinfulness and selfishness.
In fact, our hearts are the problem, Miranda. You wouldn’t want a surgeon to use a dirty scalpel on you during surgery. Neither can you appeal to your heart as a defense against allowing God to change your life.
“The human heart is the most deceitful of all things,and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is?” (Jeremiah 17:9)
“Dear children, keep away from anything that might take God’s place in your hearts.” (1 John 5:21)
“Then Jesus called to the crowd to come and hear. ‘All of you listen,’ he said, ‘and try to understand. It’s not what goes into your body that defiles you; you are defiled by what comes from your heart.’ And then he added, ‘It is what comes from inside that defiles you… For from within, out of a person’s heart, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, lustful desires, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness. All these vile things come from within; they are what defile you.’” (Mark 7:14-15, 20-23)
One thing I think you’ve got right, Miranda, is that Jesus would love to spend time with you. And yes, He understands. He made you, and He loves you. But as catchy as your song is melodically, let’s not allow ourselves to elevate our own hearts above God’s.
It’s not our heart and its concerns that matter. It’s His heart. Rather than “a heart like mine,” let’s hope for a heart like His.
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Radical sacrifice vs thankful enjoyment
I’m grateful to Michael Kelley for pointing out a lively discussion that happened last week in The Elephant Room. The ER was a live simulcast discussion between seven influential pastors about current issues affecting the church and included Mark Driscoll, James MacDonald, Steven Furtick, David Platt, Matt Chandler, Greg Laurie, and Perry Noble.
The particular discussion that intrigues me is the issue that Platt and MacDonald went toe-to-toe over. Simply put, how should Christians who live in a land of abundance respond to world need? The underlying focal points revolve around what Platt describes as “radical generosity” and what MacDonald says is the need to avoid equating poverty with spirituality.
I reviewed Platt’s best-selling book Radical soon after it came out, and I noted in that review:
While I was challenged by the book, I think that it also needs the balanced corrective of God’s deep and majestic love for His people. Platt comes across many times as simply… angry. The book seems to need a great dose of the joy and love of God.
MacDonald counters Platt’s urgency of radical sacrifice with the need to enjoy God’s good gifts to us. There’s a very real sense that in disdaining wealth and urging sacrifice that we forget that gifts are given to be enjoyed, according to MacDonald.
Trevin Wax identifies the three major points on which Platt and MacDonald are in agreement and has an excellent entry on the ER discussion between the two.
- Money and possessions are a good gift from God.
- Money and possessions can become idolatrous.
- We are called to exercise stewardship of our finances in a way that pleases the Lord and furthers the spread of His name.
I am a great respecter of David Platt and his deeply biblical teaching ministry. I’ve had the joy and privilege of having a personal conversation with him a few years ago after he spoke at a collegiate conference and was refreshed by his focus and intensity to proclaim the Gospel to all nations.
While I don’t know James MacDonald very well, his position on this issue may be closer to my own. However, in reality, there may not need to be disagreement on either side if those who follow Christ can prioritize obedience to the gospel while at the same time demonstrating humility, thanksgiving and generosity in the midst of blessing.
I’m definitely interested in getting the source materials from this discussion as I believe it will lead to a deeper and more joyful practice of how Christians should handle, give and live with their money. I’m hopeful that the attention this discussion provides will help more Christians move away from rigorous financial management principles and move toward joyful whole-life stewardship.
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Thanks for praying
Again, I thought I’d post about the effect of your prayers.
(1/20/11): For God to move in His people at Northstar this week as we have our “State of the Church” Sunday.
This past Sunday, we had a fantastic turnout at Northstar, but greater than that was our privilege to make much of our great God. I resolved last week as I finalized preparation to focus my proclamation efforts to focus all attention on the God of our church rather than the goals of our church. It’s irresponsible to magnify a church. People are not inspired or touched by church. They’re inspired by discovering a relationship with the Creator of the church.
From the comments about this message, I believe that your prayers and my meager attempts were blessed and answered. Thank you again for praying!
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Proof of prayer’s effectiveness
I worked on implementing the homepage feature of my blog’s WordPress theme this past week (It’s SimpleFolio by Smashing Magazine). If you have been to the blog at journeyguy.com (many just read it in their RSS feeds or readers), you will have noticed a new feature under the main photos – a personal prayer request.
I know some who read my blog aren’t Christ-followers, but I assume that most are. For those who are, I’m grateful for your intercession for me. I need every ounce of guidance from the Father that I can get. A few days ago (on January 17), as I was motivated to post my first prayer opportunity, I did so with expectation and experimentation.
I wondered whether I would sense or see the fruit of this request being made manifest in my life. I requested prayer for:
A clear mind for planning and acting this week (lots on the burner)
It’s a big week for our church as we head into our annual State of the Church weekend. Since I’m easily distracted and am trying to stop multi-tasking so much (read this great article on the detriments of multitasking), I knew I needed help with focus and productivity. It wasn’t so much that I wanted God’s help with my to-do list as I wanted the Lord’s tangible magnificence to hover over my mind as I worked this week. I craved an awareness of His preciousness and the eternality of my work for Him.
Today, as I reflected on that request and the reality of my week, I’ve found… joy. This post is no empirical proof for God. It’s no convincing argument for the skeptic about a God who listens. It will not bring into undoubtable reality for the unimpressed the proclamation of Isaiah 64:4:
For since the world began, no ear has heard, and no eye has seen a God like you, who works for those who wait for him!
However, for this little life, I know that God has responded to my desires in the prayers of His people. With just a moment’s reflection on the past few days, there has been deep clarity of thought, productivity and accomplishment for His kingdom. He has stepped in and filled my fingers and feet with progess. But it’s not just been a checked-off list… it’s been the constant, joyful and worshipful awareness of Him and His pleasure as I’ve worked.
Some of the tools that He’s used to continue directing my thoughts this week:
- John Piper’s first chapter in Let the Nations Be Glad
- Kristian Stanfill’s new CD Mountains Move
- Prayer times with Northstar staff
- Dinner times with my family
You’ll just have to trust me. Your prayers have been effective as God has graciously responded to them. Thank you. Thank Him. And keep praying for me, those around you and His glory… pray in confidence that the Lord is acting.
Finally,if you would like to give me an opportunity to share in God’s work in your life by prayer, use the contact form on the site to describe your need, and I’ll be honored to pray for you – whether you currently believe in prayer’s effectiveness or not. Ask yourself, “What can it hurt?” I’m here to promise you that He listens.
Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by ceasing to pray for you, and I will instruct you in the good and the right way. Only fear the LORD and serve him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things he has done for you. (1 Sam 12.23-24)
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Spiritual journeying together
It’s mid-January. Do you know where your priorities are? It’s never too late to begin something today that will make regular deposits into your life all year. Wouldn’t it be nice to pause in December 2011, look back over this year and realize how much you’ve grown personally, spiritually?
You’ll need to begin somewhere.
I saw where Amy and some others are Backpacking Through Joshua. That’s the sixth book of the Bible, and it’s an exciting place for anyone to pick up in God’s story. What do you do when the person you’ve followed, who has “always been there” and has been a huge encouragement and spiritual influence in your life is, well, no longer there? The Israelites will face this question after Moses dies. It’s a time of upheaval, transition, and conquest. It’s a time of deciding for themselves if God’s promises will morph into reality as they obey.
The River Jordan, the city Jericho. All are walked through by the Israelites as they follow the leadership of a holy God.
This group of bloggers are embarking on a spiritual journey together over the next few months. They have determined to grow together. It’s such a wonderful idea that I’d like to throw it there for you to chew on as well. Who will you grow together with this year as you seek the God of All Promises?
I challenge you to grab a backpack and trail along with the others in Joshua. Get your feet sandy as you travel. Rip a rebel yell as the walls of Jericho come tumbling down.
Or… start your own online study. Pray about it. Be quiet before the Lord. Listen and see if He directs you to a particular book or section of the Bible. Then make a cool logo, start a blog or Facebook group, and invite others into your journey with you. Use your digital influence for His glory and your growth.
I’d love to hear from you in what directions you travel together.
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Review: Suffering and the Sovereignty of God
With Carolyn’s 6th round of cancer and her resulting double mastectomy, it’s not difficult to understand my timing of reading John Piper and Justin Taylor’s compilation Suffering and the Sovereignty of God. It’s the collection of messages presented at the 2005 Desiring God Pastors’ Conference.
It’s one of those books that may speak powerfully at different places according to the need and experience of the reader. I am a Piper fan, and have read many of his books. I was really looking forward to this particular one.
However, there is really only one chapter that I would highly recommend in the entire book – Piper’s chapter 4:Â Why God Appoints Suffering for His Servants. The others are written by some fantastic folks – and folks familiar with suffering through personal experience – but they fall short of being inspirational. Perhaps Joni Eareckson Tada’s chapter entitled Hope… The Best of Things is the second best.
Since the entire book is available for download here, I’d highly encourage you to read chapter 4. It’s a rousing explanation of why Christians suffer. In short, they’re chosen for it. I’ll leave it to the book to give you the scriptural background for such a statement. The chapter is not just provocative, but it’s deeply encouraging.
“Suffering is a primary means of building compassion into the lives of God’s servants,” Piper claims.
In my own understanding, suffering, in its very essence, is something that not only is God familiar with, but that God is sovereign over. Nothing escapes His notice because nothing falls outside His power. We groan, chafe, cry and agonize over our own suffering, but we also demand explanation for the astonishing and gut-wreching suffering of others – especially innocent others.
We want an explanation for it. We want an end to it. We want to control suffering, limit it, end it. We want a lot. We expect that “God” – if he is all-powerful – would want what we want and agree with us. We are insulted not only with God’s unwillingness to bend to our demands, but we begin to redefine Him in our own minds when He doesn’t perform the way a sensible, compassionate person would. We even begin to offer up excuses for God to others who demand explanations.
As scripture consistently reveals, suffering may not be explained to us on this side of heaven. We should not seek to explain suffering or excuse God. Rather, suffering provides a dramatic opportunity to exchange our life for the life of God revealed in Christ. There is power and love available from the Father for anyone who in his suffering clings to His infinite resources of strength, compassion, hope and help. They are riches which are inexhaustible. Anyone who has suffered will testify how quickly their own resources evaporate. That’s a large part of what suffering does. Its strips us.
Suffering drives us deep. In another chapter entitled Don’t Waste Your Cancer, Piper and David Powlinson advise the sufferer to resist the temptation toward solitude and instead allow suffering to lead you to dependent community with God’s people. Our family can certainly echo that affirmation.
So… while Suffering and the Sovereignty of God may not be the best book ever written on the subject, at least one chapter was a significant joy for me in these days of ministry to my wife in her recovery time. You may find a wealth of instruction, encouragement and direction in its other pages.
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The Thorn
I stumbled across this poem by Martha Snell Nicholson which is quoted in the book Suffering and the Sovereignty of God. It’s magnificent. You can read my review of the book here.
The Thorn
I stood a mendicant of God before His royal throne
And begged him for one priceless gift, which I could call my own.
I took the gift from out His hand, but as I would depart
I cried, “But Lord this is a thorn and it has pierced my heart.
This is a strange, a hurtful gift, which Thou hast given me.â€
He said, “My child, I give good gifts and gave My best to thee.â€
I took it home and though at first the cruel thorn hurt sore,
As long years passed I learned at last to love it more and more.
I learned He never gives a thorn without this added grace,
He takes the thorn to pin aside the veil which hides His face.
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Turn the other cheek?
I recently preached on Luke 6:29, but does “turning the other cheek” require a faithful Christ follower to suffer abuse or just take it? I advocated complete dependence on God in situations of unfairness in my sermon. However, there are deeper issues of life that we must take into account as well.
Yes, God has promised consistently throughout scripture that He will be our defense, that He will fight for us (Exodus 14.14, Joshua and the city of Jericho, Gideon’s army, and 2 Corinthians 4:7 are examples). However, while we see Paul getting stoned and beaten for his faith in Christ, we also see him being lowered in a basket through the an opening in the city wall to escape a murder plot in Acts 9:25, sneaking away by night in Thessalonica (Acts 17:10), and hightailing it out of Iconium (Acts 14:6).
It’s obvious that a Christian is not commanded to simply be someone’s whipping post. Any sane person would counsel someone in an abusive situation to get out and get safe as soon as possible. The problem comes when it’s not in your power to do so.
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were helpless to resist the will of the king in the book of Daniel. They had to submit to his power and authority over their lives. In that particular instance, their faith led to flames, with the very presence of Another to affirm them in their stand and submission. (Daniel 3:16-18)
It was their profound refusal to bow to an idol that led to their supposed fate in the fire. Should they have meekly bowed to save their life? Should they have turned the other cheek in that moment to live for God another day?
The “turn the other cheek” passage in Luke 6 is not a command to simply suck it up and take it. It’s an instruction to willingly suffer loss when it is no direct harm to your person. In both cases that Jesus describes, the intent is to confound the person who demands something from you with patience, kindness and radical generosity.
It leads to Jesus’ amazing command for us to love our enemies. And pray for them. It’s also a command to stay the course. Be faithful and trust God even if it leads us into suffering. His ministry to us will be radically sufficient in our suffering. Our suffering for His sake actually destroys the power of evil rather than magnifying it.
The overarching principle in scripture is not as simple as “turn (the other cheek) or burn.” There are consistently great rewards and examples promised to and made of those who persist, stand firm and refuse to relent in their commitment to God in the face of persecution. However, we’re also given examples of escape. It’s not wise to stay in situations of persecution or abuse when you have the power and freedom to remove yourself from it.
If you can’t get out, stand firm. Be faithful. Be humble. Resist with an other-worldy confidence in God who is Immanuel, which means “God with us.” It should come as no surprise that a follower of Jesus experiences intentional persecution for our faith. In fact, it’s proof of it.
Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. (1 Peter 4.12)
Do not be surprised, my brothers and sisters, if the world hates you. (1 John 3.13)
A few thoughts in conclusion:
- If you’re experiencing physical abuse or danger and it’s in your power to do so, get out and get safe.
- If you’re experiencing consistent emotional or verbal abuse, seek counsel and pray hard about whether you’re called to remain or leave the environment.
- Reflect deeply on the causes. If it’s due to your faith in Christ, the way you respond is critically important.
- Examine scriptural examples of persecution to compare them to your situation. God is able, and He will be just as present for you in similar situations. Scripture is given to us as a guide, encouragement and instruction in how to respond and even stand firm if God should call us to do so.
- Your suffering, however intense, may be exactly what God uses to increase your eternal reward, lead another to genuine faith and bring glory to Himself.
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A poem from Luke 8
On Sunday at Northstar, I shared this poem by John Oxenham. It’s powerful, and after teaching about demonology, I think it’s rather more important to dwell on what Oxenham did – how the people at Gadara prized pigs over people. How do we do the same?
GADARA, A.D. 31
Rabbi, begone! Thy powers
Bring loss to us and ours.
Our ways are not as Thine.
Thou lovest men, we—swine.
Oh, get you hence, Omnipotence,
And take this fool of Thine!
His soul? What care we for his soul?
What good to us that Thou hast made him whole,
Since we have lost our swine?And Christ went sadly.
He had wrought for them a sign
Of Love, and Hope, and Tenderness divine;
They wanted—swine.
Christ stands without your door and gently knocks;
But if your gold, or swine, the entrance blocks,
He forces no man’s hold—he will depart,
And leave you to the treasures of your heart.No cumbered chamber will the Master share,
But one swept bare
By cleansing fires, then plenished fresh and fair
With meekness, and humility, and prayer.
There will He come, yet, coming, even there
He stands and waits, and will no entrance win
Until the latch be lifted from within.
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The Thanksgiving Chair
We showed this video during worship at Northstar on Sunday. It’s probably one of the most powerful ones I’ve seen lately. When was the last time you sat in the Thanksgiving chair?
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About
Notes from the Trail
The Personal Blog of Jeff Noble
Info: From the misty hills of Virginia, "Notes from the Trail" seeks to encourage you on your journey. Written by a graphic designer-pastor, this blog is a blend of humor, insight, and faith discovery.
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