Christian Parenting

The point of Christian parenting, as Pastor Mark Driscoll has pointed out in the past, is not to raise moralists who do what’s right for the sake of its rightness, but to raise young people who love Jesus.  Think about it – when you scold your children, why are you telling them that they should do things?  “We don’t call people fat because it’s not a nice thing to do.”  “We don’t treat people with disrespect because it’s unkind.”  “We don’t lie to people because it’s not the right thing to do.”  These are all moralistic instructions.  Do what is right because it’s right.  Don’t do what is wrong because it’s not the right (moral) thing to do.  Atheists raise their children in the same way, many even far better than we do.  How then, should we act?  What should we, as Christians be teaching them?  In the very same way that we ourselves should view our impact in the world should we raise our children.  We, as Christians, are not to change our lives or to expunge the sins that impregnate our actions, thoughts, and deeds.  We focus on Jesus.  When we spend time daily in prayer – when we spend time reading the Word – when we spend time contemplating the Son of God, His perfect life, His sacrifice on our behalf, and our right response – we will not want to sin and our first inclination will be to do what is right because it’s what Jesus commanded us to do.  We, as Christians, should be so Jesus saturated that His very essence is seen in all of our words and actions with those in the world. 
 
How does this relate to our children?  Raise your children in the love of the Lord, reveal to them the grand things of Christ and God’s kingdom, spend time daily with them in the Word and in prayer.  Let them observe Christ in you as you impact the world for His kingdom as well as how we treat our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ (not confined to our own local church body, but the body of Christ as a whole) and they will want to follow suit.  When you sin against your children, repent to them, then ask God to forgive you.  When your children sin against you, explain it to them in the context of Jesus.  “Sam, it was wrong to throw that rock at Jimmy because Jesus told us to love our neighbors and by throwing the rock at him you’re neither loving your neighbor, nor are you showing him the love of Jesus.”  Be a strong servant leader in your home by modeling Jesus to your family.  Be intentional in your relationship with Jesus and study His word daily.  Be public with your children in your prayer life.  Don’t put on a facade of a the perfect Christian father or mother when you’re hurting deeply in your relationship.  That leads your children to think that when they are feeling distant from God that it’s a problem with their own actions or maybe an issue in their relationship with Christ.  Be honest in your desires before God and your family, knowing that every word and every action is watched by your children. 
 
How do we impact the world as Christians?  By living for Christ in all that we do and our children are the most prominent symbol of our worldview.

To whom does the glory of my salvation belong?

To whom does the glory of your salvation belong?  Think back to the testimony you give to your friends, co-workers, and family - what is the crux of this conversation?  "When I said the prayer...", "When I raised my hand...", "When I gave my heart to Jesus...", "When I was baptized...", "When I surrendered my life to His...", "When I recognized the depth of my sin before the cross of Christ and I repented of my sins before Him..."  To whom does the glory of your salvation belong?  If your salvation story depends on your action before a holy and perfect God, then to whom does the glory and honor for your salvation truly belong?  It's not when "I" did anything, but when GOD did something.  He is the one to whom all glory and power and honor belongs.  Who are we to ascend to His high and holy mountain?  Is it me who is just and righteous before the Lord?  Is it me who is clean before His judgment?  Is it me who is perfect in His presence?  Are even my thoughts or intentions clean before Him?  NO!  There is none that seeks after God!  Even the "seeker" is evil in every thought and action.  God is righteous in His judgment against them when He damns them to Hell for refusing to bend the knee to the one who died for them on their behalf.  It is the sins that we have committed that condemn us to Hell!  Our refusal to accept His judgment, or our final destination have no bearing on this decision.  Who is it who saves us from the consequence of our sins?  Who is the righteous one?  Who is the one to whom we should all turn for the work that was done on our behalf? 
 
JESUS!  He is the only one who lived a perfect life that neither you nor I could ever live!  He is the one who has right and authority to step boldly into the throne room of God!  He is the one has the right to declare that we are made perfect in HIM!  He is the one who has the power to save!  It is by His Holy Spirit that we are regenerated!  It is by The decision of the Father alone that we are chosen to be saved!  Who are we to decide that God should save us?  Does that which is molded have the right to say to the molder, "Why have you made me like this?"  Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for dishonorable use?  God alone is the one who has the right and authority to declare over His own creation that which seems good and right in His eyes.  More than that, it's not that God is standing at the gate of Heaven, declaring to millions who come thronging to His temple, "Yes, Yes" to some and "No, No" to others.  Everyone is running away from Him as fast as they possibly can.  I was running to Hell as fast as I possibly could!  It was the work of God alone who saw me on my path to damnation who stepped in and chose me out and stopped me in my tracks.  He appealed to my conscience, showed me the depth of my sins before Him, and revealed to me the destination of my own decisions.  It is God who did these things before me and who is utterly responsible for my current condition.  It is the power and might, and foresight of God alone by which I am saved. 
 
To whom does the glory of my salvation belong?  GOD!  He is the one who called me out!  He is the one who did the work in my life to turn me around!  He is the one who secures me firmly in His hands.  What is the alternative?  That I chose to be saved of God?  Then who holds me fast in my salvation?  If it is by my own hand that I am saved, then it is my own hand that secures me!  My weak and frail hand that binds me to the cross of Christ!  What then if I am convinced that my salvation is invalid?  What then if I am moved to release my grip on the salvation that He has provided?  Then there is no help for me and I am damned for all eternity!  Should Christ be recrucified again on my behalf?  Certainly not!  There is but one crucifixion for all - there is one payment for all.  It is therefore the work of God alone that saves us from our sins.  Our salvation is by the hand of God alone!  From our selection by the hand of God to our conversion, to the work of God in keeping us firmly to the cross of Christ until our restoration in glory.  It is all by the hand of God alone. 
 
To whom does the glory, power, and honor for my salvation belong?  To God!  He is the author of my salvation, and one who holds me firmly to Him.  It is Jesus to whom our praise should be directed!  He is the one to whom we will call out "WORTHY!" for eternity to come! 

It's been three months

I think that qualifies as "eventually". I've been doing a lot more reading lately and that plus my taking over the 5th grade class at church during 3rd service. My nephews are in town for the summer and that's been a lot of fun. I really like these boys and, while occasionally a challenge, it has really been a blessing for my family. Other than that, there's not a whole lot else going on.

Oh yeah - I updated my website. It's been a while since I've done that.

Have a great one!

Soli Deo Gloria!

Romans 16:17-27

Romans 16:17-27

Avoid Divisive Persons

17 Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. 18 For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple. 19 For your obedience has become known to all. Therefore I am glad on your behalf; but I want you to be wise in what is good, and simple concerning evil. 20 And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.

Greetings from Paul's Friends

21 Timothy, my fellow worker, and Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater, my countrymen, greet you.
22 I, Tertius, who wrote this epistle, greet you in the Lord.
23 Gaius, my host and the host of the whole church, greets you. Erastus, the treasurer of the city, greets you, and Quartus, a brother. 24 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

Benediction

25 Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret since the world began 26 but now made manifest, and by the prophetic Scriptures made known to all nations, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, for obedience to the faith- 27 to God, alone wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever. Amen.

Even at this time, 23 years after Christ's ascension (56 AD), there were heresies starting to develop. Many of these false teachers were coming in and preaching that the new Christians should become circumcised and follow the Mosaic laws - these people were called the Judaisers. The book of Galatians covers Paul's response to this adherence to legalism after they have been freed from their bondage to the law of sin and death by the grace of God. Paul's warning stands for them that the believers in Rome will be wary of these who come in and teach a different message and that they would listen intently when they hear new preachers speak. A servant of God would never ask for money for his own benefit, nor would they seek to defraud the believers - these Judaisers would commonly ask for money to preach. Much like how the Roman Catholic Church would require money from a community before they would send a priest to them prior to (and in some areas, even well after) the reformation.

Paul's friends and companions also send their message of love and encouragement to those believers in Rome and we learn that Tertius was the man who actually penned the letter. Paul had bad eyes and his body had been horribly injured during his ministry - speaking of what he has suffered for the sake of the Gospel, Paul said:

From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness- besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches. Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to stumble, and I do not burn with indignation?
If I must boast, I will boast in the things which concern my infirmity. The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is blessed forever, knows that I am not lying. In Damascus the governor, under Aretas the king, was guarding the city of the Damascenes with a garrison, desiring to arrest me; but I was let down in a basket through a window in the wall, and escaped from his hands.

~ 2 Corinthians 11:24-33

The fact that he would dictate these letters would only make sense given the history of the persecutions he suffered.

In closing, Paul declares that all the glory for the prophesied salvation which has been present through the recorded history of the Jews has been revealed through the work of Jesus belongs to God alone. I can't think of a better way to close this letter that contains such a well composed and succinct exploration of the major themes and doctrines of scripture pertaining to the overall nature of man, our indebtedness to God, the salvation which God provides through Jesus Christ, how to obtain that salvation, and how we should behave once we have been saved by God. That is why I love this book - it's the doctrine of God, man, and our relationship with Him in one short 16 chapter book. To God be all the glory, and honor, and praise. Amen.

Romans 16:1-16

Romans 16:1-16

Sister Phoebe Commended

1 I commend to you Phoebe our sister, who is a servant of the church in Cenchrea, 2 that you may receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and assist her in whatever business she has need of you; for indeed she has been a helper of many and of myself also.

Greeting Roman Saints

3 Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, 4 who risked their own necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles. 5 Likewise greet the church that is in their house.
Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia to Christ. 6 Greet Mary, who labored much for us. 7 Greet Andronicus and Junia, my countrymen and my fellow prisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.
8 Greet Amplias, my beloved in the Lord. 9 Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and Stachys, my beloved. 10 Greet Apelles, approved in Christ. Greet those who are of the household of Aristobulus. 11 Greet Herodion, my countryman. Greet those who are of the household of Narcissus who are in the Lord. 12 Greet Tryphena and Tryphosa, who have labored in the Lord. Greet the beloved Persis, who labored much in the Lord. 13 Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine. 14 Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes, and the brethren who are with them. 15 Greet Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them.
16 Greet one another with a holy kiss. The churches of Christ greet you.

Paul, through his ministry and travels, has made many, many good friends. He knows of some who are in the area where this letter is going and he takes this time to mention those who have meant a lot to him. Not to bring them glory, nor to put emphasis on any one of them over another, but that they may know of their commitment to helping him in his ministry and that they may send them his love and encouragement. This is not a "shout out" to people he knows, but acknowledgment of the work and effort that his dear friends have offered to him when he has needed them, and he's letting them know that he still thinks of and pray for them often. The "holy kiss" was a common way to greet one another at that time. Now-a-days we just hug people or give a hearty handshake. Serious - if you ever meet me - the "holy kiss" is totally off limits.

Romans 15:22-33

Romans 15:22-33

Plan to Visit Rome

22 For this reason I also have been much hindered from coming to you. 23 But now no longer having a place in these parts, and having a great desire these many years to come to you, 24 whenever I journey to Spain, I shall come to you. For I hope to see you on my journey, and to be helped on my way there by you, if first I may enjoy your company for a while. 25 But now I am going to Jerusalem to minister to the saints. 26 For it pleased those from Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor among the saints who are in Jerusalem. 27 It pleased them indeed, and they are their debtors. For if the Gentiles have been partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister to them in material things. 28 Therefore, when I have performed this and have sealed to them this fruit, I shall go by way of you to Spain. 29 But I know that when I come to you, I shall come in the fullness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ.
30 Now I beg you, brethren, through the Lord Jesus Christ, and through the love of the Spirit, that you strive together with me in prayers to God for me, 31 that I may be delivered from those in Judea who do not believe, and that my service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints, 32 that I may come to you with joy by the will of God, and may be refreshed together with you. 33 Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.

Paul's heart was to meet with his Christian brothers and sisters in Rome and it had been his intention to do so many times but he had always been hindered by one thing or another. Whether it be weather, or ministry opportunities, he was never able to get to them. He has it set in his heart, however, that after he delivers a financial contribution (not coerced, but a free gift from the new believers who heard that the believers in Jerusalem were having a hard time finding work as the Jewish community shunned them and their businesses) to the church in Jerusalem he would go and meet with them. Did he know that God's plan for him to reach Rome would go through many years in prison and death threats (Acts 21-28)? Nope. All he knew was that God was leading him to Rome and that he would be safe until he arrived there. Granted, it's his PLAN to go to Spain, but we know that never happened. We may not see it now, or even in this lifetime but it will be revealed to us when we are with Him in glory. Remember that Paul, were he just going to Spain, would not have been able to address the whole body of leadership in Judea and Samaria (Acts 25-26), and later to appeal to the whole court of Caesar in Rome (Acts 28:17-31). Never forget - God's plans are not the same as our plans, but God's plans are always better.

Romans 15:14-21

Romans 15:14-21

From Jerusalem to Illyricum

14 Now I myself am confident concerning you, my brethren, that you also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another. 15 Nevertheless, brethren, I have written more boldly to you on some points, as reminding you, because of the grace given to me by God, 16 that I might be a minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering of the Gentiles might be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. 17 Therefore I have reason to glory in Christ Jesus in the things which pertain to God. 18 For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ has not accomplished through me, in word and deed, to make the Gentiles obedient- 19 in mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God, so that from Jerusalem and round about to Illyricum I have fully preached the gospel of Christ. 20 And so I have made it my aim to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build on another man's foundation, 21 but as it is written:

" To whom He was not announced, they shall see;
And those who have not heard shall understand. (Isaiah 52:15)"

Paul expresses his faith that many of the the Roman believers are truly saved by the grace of God and who are mature in their faith have the qualities that he mentions. He then defends his approach by preaching more boldly on certain issues: doctrine of original sin, that everyone (both Jews and Gentiles) is guilty before God if they do not have salvation in Jesus Christ, how to walk in the Christian life, and how we are to encourage and help those who are "baby Christians" - even giving them some more grace than we would an unconverted person as God works through their life experiences to shape them into people that He will use. Paul makes it clear that his ultimate goal through this letter and his ministry is that he would, if God authors it, bring salvation to the Gentiles and instruct them in the history of the Jewish people to give them a full understanding of the Christian message. By doing so, the Gentiles may place their full trust in the word of God and in the actions of Jesus Christ, and the offering of these Gentiles may be acceptable to God. His commitment is such that he would not speak on things that have been accomplished by his own hand but only on those things which God has done through him as only those things have any merit at all. His mission and ministry is dedicated to those who have never known about the Jews or their God - reaching those who have no hope of salvation if they don't hear the word from traveling ministers. God has opened the door of salvation through Jesus' substitutionary death on the cross - by His mercy and grace alone to all the world.

How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written:

How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace,
Who bring glad tidings of good things!" (Isaiah 52:7; Nahum 1:15)

~ Romans 10:14-15

Paul is firm in his commitment to the work which the Lord has prepared him (Galatians 1:13-24) and set him apart (Acts 13:2-3). Are you keeping up with the work which God has set before you?