Category: Devotional

Devotional thoughts for my benefit and yours from here, there, and everywhere

5 Months in 1 Sermon: Piper on the Gospels & Justification

~ fundyreformed ~ 10 Comments

This past Sunday was a special day. For the second year in a row, we had a combined service in the parking lot of the new building for our north campus. There easily could have been around 4,000 people there in attendance and it was exciting to be together worshipping God with one voice. And John Piper was back! He again thanked us for his sabbatical, and then delivered a great message.

As is typical upon his return from a writing leave, Piper preached a message birthed from his thoughts and labor over the writing of his books during the past few months. As soon as the sermon is posted onine at Desiring God, I plan to link to it. [update, it is posted now, read it by clicking here. Also, Justin Taylor recently provided the link to the audio, in a recent post providing an excerpt from this same sermon.] But I couldn’t wait until then to comment on it. The sermon’s text was Luke 18:9-14, the parable of the Pharisee and tax collector. While his main point had to do with his book on Justification’s importance (an answer to N.T. Wright), he also touched on a topic relative to his other book on the demands of Jesus in the Gospels. I want to discuss both of these points below.

The Gospels

Piper stressed that in going through all of Jesus’ commands in the Gospels, he discovered one very important consideration. You must read the Gospels backward. By this he meant that you must always keep in mind that Christ was coming to die and shed His blood to provide for our justification and redemption. This thought really riveted me, as I will explain in a second, but first we must look to his proof.

Piper showed that each of the Biblical writers of the Gospels had clues in their book that this was the case. Matthew, Luke, and John all have such clues at the beginning of their works: Matt. 1:21, Luke 2:10-11, & John 1:29. And for Mark, the very structure of his book trumpets this fact. His book spends half of its chapters dealing with the very last week of Jesus’ life. I would marshall a few other considerations to defend Piper’s point. One, Mark 1:1 would be in the vein of the opening declarations in Matthew, Luke, and John mentioned above. But, secondly, consider that all of these Gospels were written several years (30 to 50 or more) after Jesus’ life. Certainly as the writers themselves had been experiencing the new covenant blessings bought by Christ’s death, they were writing in light of them. They were not out to give a historical biography primarily, rather they were trying to give a thematic biography centering on Jesus’ gospel/the gospel of Christianity–which centered on Christ’s atoning work on the Cross and His resurrection. That is why each of those books begins with the title, “The Gospel according to…”.

This truth, that the everything in the Gospels has the cross ultimately in view, has some astounding implications. Piper stressed one of them. Namely, that Jesus’ commands are not suggestions for living a blessed life. They are not a creed for having a successful Business. (Piper was pretty emphatic on this, saying it made him sick that people use Christ’s teaching as a basis for business success, when they really need to hear Christ’s message and be saved.) Neither are they requirements for living the kind of life that will let you in to heaven. Rather, the commands first highlight your guilt in the fact that you cannot keep them, and then they point you to dependence on the only one who can keep them–Jesus Christ. Further, they are given with the seeking and saving ministry of Christ fulfilled on the Cross in view.

Another implication that I immediately considered has to do with a proper hermeneutical approach. Dispensationalists often emphasize that Christ came to offer his kingdom first and then being rebuffed, went to the Cross. Now some make it seem like His purposes were thwarted, while others emphasize that He knew all along that he would be rejected, but in either case this view leads to such extremes as a hyper dispensationalism which disallows virtually any application of the Gospels to our Christian life today, and free grace theology which declares that Christ’s hard sayings in the gospels are not for us today–they have no bearing on what is necessary for salvation in this dispensation. Not all who hold those extreme views would say it exactly as I do above, but many think that way, I am sure. This is where reading the Gospels backward seems to demolish these views. Every chapter of the Gospels has the end of Christ’s life in view–in the author’s mind, and even in Christ’s mind for he is speaking and working to that end. This should at the least inform our hermeneutic. And it might help us avoid some of the extremes birthed from an incorrect view of the Gospels.

Justification

The core of the message centered on the doctrine of justification. From the first and last verses in the story, Piper concludes it is clear the passage is about justification. But he made an important assessment of the passage which has great bearing on N.T. Wright and his doctrinal teachings concerning justification.

Piper sees no reason to doubt the Pharisee’s self assessment. He had a righteousness which was moral, ceremonial, and God-given. Piper highlighted the words “God, I thank you that…”. While we cannot say for sure if the Pharisee was a synergist or monergist, Arminian or Calvinist, clearly he attributed his righteousness to God and not his own self merit. So Piper argues the Pharisee is NOT a legalist. He was not working for his salvation, he saw his works as being given graciously from God.

But he WAS trusting in his righteousness to secure his standing before God–this much Christ makes clear. N.T. Wright and a rapidly increasing number of theologians are saying that our Christ-wrought righteousness is the very basis of our acceptance with God/our justification. Yet this passage teaches that it is not a God-given righteousness in which we should trust, but rather we should be looking away from ourselves and trusting/pleading for God’s mercy as the publican does. This is not to say God-given righteousness is not important, but it is to say that looking at the righteousness as our surety is not only wrong but perilously so.

With sadness, Piper concluded the message emphasizing four words Christ spoke: “rather than the other”. Piper said he can see no reason for those four words in v. 14 other than Christ making it absolutely clear what we should expect of the Pharisee and others who “(trust) in themselves that they (are) righteous”, namely that they are not justified and have no place in heaven. Piper made it clear that he would rather not think such of those who disagree with the historic doctrine of justification–for he knows many people who do; but this passage forces him too. He also made it clear that he believes some who follow this new teaching do not really believe it, but sadly others like the Pharisee do. It was a sobering message, for sure, and a foretaste of his book which hopefully will be published soon.

"Imitate their faith": The Godly Example of John Piper

~ fundyreformed ~ 1 Comment

1 Cor. 11:1 “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.”

Heb. 13:7b “Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.”

Pastors and elders are the de facto leaders of the congregation. And more than that, they are called to lead. And still more, we are called to follow.  

Throughout history and in each age God has graciously blessed the church with Godly leaders. The Christian biographies on my shelf each tell the story  of a life worth emulating. Many leaders are men of insignificance from a human standpoint, yet God takes note of them. Others are destined given by God to be the prime leaders and movers in His Church in each era. Some leaders fail the test of insignificance while more, possibly, fail the test of influence. Rare are those who  have passed both.

In encouraging you to read this article (see below) I do not want to deify man. I want to lift up a good, though fallible example of a leader God wants us to imitate. I respect my pastor John Piper very much, even though I have spoken to him only a few times. His writing and preaching ministry is very influential and used by God. Yet when you see him in person, you truly get a sense of how truly humble and serious this man is about pursuing Christ–at whose side there are “pleasures forevermore” (Ps. 16:11).  

I know that some who read my story or hear of others who leave fundamentalism through Piper’s influence are content to think the worst of him. I know that Piper takes criticism from more sides than just the fundamentalist corner, though. But I truly encourage everyone, including any scoffers out there, to read this article. It describes Piper’s recent sabbatical. But more than that it is a window into his life and it reveals a Christ centered walk that matches his talk. It is a long read, but I encourage you to read it anyway–you may just be challenged to serve Christ more completely and joyfully then you have hitherto.  

Like a good biography, the living testimony of a man of God can have a dramatic impact on your life. Even you who disagree with Piper’s Calvinism and “lack of separation” will find rich food for your soul in many of his books. His Seeing and Savoring Jesus Christ has no “ulterior motives”, it is simply one of the best devotional looks into the life of our Savior as revealed in the Gospels.

So go to this article, read it, and imitate his faith, giving the glory to God.

(Thanks to Mathew Sims who pointed me to this article)

∼striving for the unity of the faith for the glory of God∼ Eph. 4:3,13 “¢ Rom. 15:5-7

"Only Your Mercy" by Scott Wesley Brown

~ fundyreformed ~ 6 Comments

We sang a wonderful song Sunday that I wanted to share with you all. It took me a while to find the lyrics, which I eventually found via Google’s Blog Search on someone else’s blog here. I would have obtained them from asking my church music department eventually, but I am glad they were available somewhere else on the web.

Anyway, this song emphasizes God’s role in our salvation. The song captures Biblical truth that I believe all believers can share alike, Calvinist or not. And for Calvinist’s especially, the song captures the wonder of our personal election. Why me? Truly, whether you are Calvinist or not, there is a definite “why me?” which applies to you. Think about it. Why weren’t you born into an orthodox Muslim home? Why were you not one of the 2 or 3 billion people (probably more) stuck in a 3rd World country with very little access to the gospel. For that matter, why weren’t you born in the  Mayan empire  before Christ? If you were you would have had basically nill chance of coming to faith in the One True God.

The proper response to such reflections is to be more in awe over our “so great salvation”! Oh, might God impress the reality of the wonder of His great grace upon our souls daily with such conviction that we would be strengthened in the very depths of our soul to commit ourselves completely to Him, daily. This song can help further that noble end.

 

Only Your Mercy

by Scott Wesley Brown

Only Your mercy, only Your grace,
Only Your Spirit brings us to faith.
O what a wonder that You chose us first,
Not by our merit but Your perfect work!

Only Your goodness, only Your love,
Only Your pardon poured out in blood–
Your righteousnes exchanged for our sin.
Oh what a Savior, oh what a friend!

Jesus, we long to worship You,
And give You all glory and praise!
All that You are,
All that You have,
We have received by faith.

 

For a sample of the melody click here (mp3). You can also learn about the author here  and check out his other songs on his website. Sheet music for “Only Your Mercy” can also be purchased here, among other places.

∼striving for the unity of the faith for the glory of God∼ Eph. 4:3,13 “¢ Rom. 15:5-7

“The Grace and Truth Paradox” by Randy Alcorn

~ Bob Hayton ~ 5 Comments

On my recent vacation, I read an excellent book by Randy Alcorn, The Grace and Truth Paradox. It is based on John’s statement in John 1:14 that Jesus was “full of grace and truth”. Some churches (and Christians) today emphasize grace over truth while others do just the opposite. Christ did neither. He was full of grace and truth.The book is small (92 pages). It is part of Multnomah’s “Small Books, Big Change” series. Yet it has a big message. It is very easy to read, yet some of its principles are potentially life-changing, and merit thoughtful contemplation. To that end, I will finish out this “review” by providing some quotes from the book itself, and let Randy do the talking.

A grace-starved, truth-starved world needs Jesus, full of grace and truth. (p. 14)

Some churches today embrace truth but need a heavy dose of grace. Other churches talk about grace but cry out for a heavy dose of truth. (p.15)

Truth-oriented Christians love studying Scripture and theology. But sometimes they’re quick to judge and slow to forgive. They’re strong on truth, weak on grace.

Grace-oriented Christians love forgiveness and freedom. But sometimes they neglect Bible study and see moral standards as “legalism.” They’re strong on grace, weak on truth.

Countless mistakes in marriage, parenting, ministry, and other relationships are failures to balance grace and truth. Sometimes we neglect both. Often we choose one over the other. (p. 17)

Why should we have to choose between conservatism’s emphasis on truth and liberalism’s emphasis on grace? Why can’t we oppose injustice to minorities and to the unborn? Why can’t we oppose greedy ruination of the environment and anti-industry New Age environmentalism? Why can’t we affirm the biblical right to the ownership of property and emphasize God’s call to voluntarily share wealth with the needy? Why can’t we uphold God’s condemnation of sexual immorality, including homosexual practices, and reach out in love and compassion to those trapped in destructive lifestyles and dying from AIDS?

We cannot do these things if we are first and foremost either liberals or conservatives. We can do these things only if we are first and foremost followers of Christ, who is full of grace and truth. (p. 80-81)

If we minimize grace, the world sees no hope for salvation. If we minimize truth, the world sees no need for salvation. To show the world Jesus, we must offer unabridged grace and truth, emphasizing both, apologizing for neither. The Colossian church “understood God’s grace in all its truth” (Colossians 1:6)

Truth is quick to post warning signs and guardrails at the top of the cliff. Yet it fails to empower people to drive safely–and neglects to help them when they crash.

Grace is quick to post ambulances and paramedics at the bottom of the cliff. But without truth, it fails to post warning signs and build guardrails. In so doing, it encourages the very self-destruction it attempts to heal. (p. 87-88)

Grace and truth are both necessary. Neither is sufficient….We who are truth-oriented need to go out of our way to affirm grace. We who are grace-oriented need to go out of our way to affirm truth. “Hate the sin, but love the sinner.” No one did either like Jesus. Truth hates sin. Grace loves sinners. Those full of grace and truth do both. (p. 88)

In Jesus, “mercy and truth have met together” (Psalm 85:10, NKJV). Grace and truth met face to face on the Cross. (p. 92)

This book is available for purchase at the following sites: Amazon.com or direct from Waterbrook Multnomah.

"Quiet Time Guilt", Legalism, and the Freedom of "Weakness Christianity"

~ fundyreformed ~ 9 Comments

I will not have time to do much posting this week. But let me encourage you to read this brief (about 4 pages long) article. It is entitled “Freedom from Quiet Time Guilt: The Rare Beauty of Weakness Christianity”.

Perhaps I will find time to comment later more fully on this article [update: I did–check out the comments!], but for now know that it does an excellent job at exposing the deceitful nature of legalism with regard to spiritual “disciplines”. It is worth reading, re-reading (I plan to do that), and pondering over. I would appreciate it if you all could share your thoughts and impressions of the article. For me, it was encouraging and convicting at the same time.

(HT: Sharper Iron Filings)