Love, What it’s Worth

Here again for the purpose of your Monday morning Bible study, as a companion to Sunday's sermon, are my rough draft notes. As often happens, there are deviations in the message from the actual notes. It is my hope that like the Berean brethern of Acts, that your study intensify and clarify your understanding of the truths that are in the Bible. Questions and coments may be sent to perseveringpastor@gmail.com

Love, What it’s Worth

In 2 Corinthians 5:17 we are told that in Christ we are new creations.  It therefore results in the fact that we are different than what we once were.  However, in our old environment, bodies, and habits we are tempted and tossed by trials.  Praise God therefore for the work sanctification and the truths of Romans 8.  Along those lines, I want to discuss the urgent need to rethink our lives and to consider God’s ways as we should be applying them. (This is the essence of Romans 12)

Additionally to our introduction, 1 John 2:15-17 warns us to not love the world nor the things in it.  We should keep this in mind, especially when it comes to values, decision making, and the joy of life.    Mathematically, we could say that when we love God it yields a love for people.  The entire book of first John supports this.  It also teaches that if we love people, love things of the world, and love the experiences of life more than God, it will yield a wavering love for God.

Love in 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 gives us great understanding.

As I said a moment ago, because we are new creations, yet living in the old parameters of the sin nature, temptations, habits, and influences, we need sanctification.  We have many ingrained presuppositions to the way that we think.

Mathematically, verses 1-3 share that

·         Love is > (greater than) Abilities

·         Abilities-love=worthlessness

It is to our benefit to consider these things. As pride and motives are often the driving force, rather than love, in our decision making.  We are greatly renewed to reconsider our motives, actions, and goals in light of the value of love.  Think of this, we spend much of our lives striving, laboring, and preoccupied with achievements, and yet for what end?  What are we really living for?

Real love, in essence, is seeing the glorification of someone other than ourselves.  It is an active belief that it is just to honor something or someone above our own interests.

This is why all should love God.  All other targets of love are unjust, for God alone is holy.  For God to love Himself is not wrong, for He alone is worthy.  It is just that God display His glory for glorification of anything or anyone other than the One True Holy God is idolatry.  For God to be God He must both display His glory and not compromise it.  Jonathan Edwards discussed this whole premise in The End For Which God Created The World.

 

Lets look at these actions and achievements that the old self strives for without love

Spiritually        Speaking in heavenly tongues             yields   a clanging gong or crashing cymbal

Mentally          Understanding prophesy                     yields   nothing

                        Understanding mysteries

                        Faith to move mountains

Physically        Give away possessions                        yields   nothing

                        Sacrifice

                        Faith to stand in the fire        

 

The idea of the body being given to be burned is akin to Daniel’s friends in the fiery furnace.

In Christianity success and betterment is the equivalent of who you are. 

It is measured by your love for others.

Again, we MUST rethink, as new creations, the life we are to be about.

Consider now, John 3:16  "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.

What kind of love are you living for Him?  How should you live accordingly?

I Have Repented, Now What Do I Do?

Grace and peace to you.

Here again for the purpose of your Monday morning Bible study, as a companion to Sunday's sermon, are my rough draft notes.  As often happens, there are deviations in the message from the actual notes.  It is my hope that like the Berean brethern of Acts, that your study intensify and clarify your understanding of the truths that are in the Bible.  Questions and coments may be sent to Perseveringpastor@gmail.com.

I Have Repented, Now What?

Purely Theoretical
"There are many people in the world, alas, who are interested in religion, who talk about it and are always ready to have a debate about it. Many of them read books about religion and listen to lectures on the radio about it: perhaps they even listen to sermons in church about religion and are tremendously interested. But it is purely a detached, intellectual interest, something that they like to play with in their minds and to talk about to others. So the point I am making is this: Surely, this is infinitely worse than the position of people who say there is no God. Indeed, is there anything more terrible than a purely theoretical and academic interest in God and in religion and in the godly life?"Martyn Lloyd-Jones (Dead Religion)

Last session, we came face to face with a reality; the church itself is in a horrible state, we ourselves are accountable for our lives before a Holy God, and as long as we have breath we ought to be doing something about it.

A key passage was Rev 3, the Church in Laodicea.  The church today is highly ineffective, due to being lukewarm.  Being lukewarm comes from a loss of vigor, and assimilating to the environment around you.  In short, the church has become like the world, there is little difference.

I concluded with the question, “Is nothing sacred anymore?”

Today we turn to many passages, and I hope you have your handout.  But for time we will focus on two, Isaiah 6 and Colossians 3:1-17.

Isaiah became aware of his sinfulness and of those around him.  He repented, and then he was able to be sent by God.  Unfortunately, he went to others who did not repent, yet he was to be a voice for God.  The work was hard yet highly glorifying God.

Colossians 3:1-17

What can you do to in response to repentance? 

            Directive                                             Support                      Beauty

1. Seek the things above.                                Romans 8                    Power

2. Set your mind on things above.                  Romans 12:1-2            Growth

3. Put off evil.                                                 Galatians 5:16-21        Release from bondage

4. Put on the new nature.                                2 Cor 5:17                   Practice life in Christ

                                                                        Galatians 5:22-23

5. Forgive as you have been forgiven.            Matt 18:21-35             Christ Likeness

6. Put on Love                                                 1 Cor 13                      Biblical Love

7. Peace                                                           John 17:3                     Knowing Christ

                                                                        John 8:32                     Freedom by Truth

8. Let the Word dwell in you.                         John 15:5-7                 Growth

                                                                        2 Tim 3:16                   Doctrine

                                                                        James 1                        Orderly Wisdom Perspective

9. Psalms, Hymns, Spiritual Songs                 Phil 2:3-4                     Unity of Believers

10. Do all to the glory of God.                       Luke 9:23                    Discipleship

 

Practical application for every day: Bases on James 1

·         Know your sins

·         Be prepared

·         Have an action plan for resisting temptation and avoiding tempting scenarios.

·         Follow through.

 Again, Is nothing sacred anymore?  Are you?

An Honor To Pray

Tonight I am humbly excited.  In just a few hours the Guys for Life “How Great a Father’s Love” banquet will begin.  The banquet is featuring some delightful people, Randy Mayfield, Michael Shust, and from Focus on the Family, John Fuller. At the close, I have been asked to pray.

 

This is why I am both humbled and excited.  Humbled, as it is an honor to be asked to lead the group in prayer before almighty God.   Excited, because it is an honor to lead the group in prayer before almighty God.  I am redundant for emphasis. To lead in prayer is always a serious business, no matter the size of the crowd.  

 

 There will be several people gathered tonight, all in the name of the Lord, for the purpose of encouraging each other in the fight to help men become fathers to the unborn.  It is thrilling to think of how those people, gathered in His name, will be praying at the end of the evening.  I am in awe, considering the impact of "For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst." (Matthew 18:20)

 

To lead in the closing prayer finds me seeking God.  I pray that He moves tonight to keep us from growing weary in well doing.  This past election has revealed things about our country and the choices that are being made.  Since the seventies the fight has gone on for the unborn. The fight has been hard, and little hope of changes is on the horizon.  But we must continue to faithfully fight the good fight of faith, in the name of the Lord, for even the few that may be saved.  It is a worthy endeavor.

 

Being a father, pastor, and biblical counselor, I am encouraged by what Guys for Life seeks to do.  Kurt Ramspott’s heart is to see men gain the discipleship they need to become men of God and raise godly families. Often it is the fathers of the unborn that are the crucial factor.  If a woman receives the support of the father, then she is several times more likely to raise her child rather than abort.  Men need men.  Guys for life is all about equipping men to give their life to Christ and in turn be a man and raise a family.  I urge you to investigate the ministry, Guys for Life at http://guysforlife.org/.

 

So my prayer is not only for those that gather, but for all that are fighting this fight of faith.  Not only for those who daily seek to end this holocaust, but for the unborn, and those families that Guys for Life will impact in the future.

What Books Should I Read for Apologetics? or Help I Need Answers for Sharing My Faith.

If I have an interest in a specific subject beyond biblical counseling, it would be apologetics.  With our ever shrinking world, it becomes a great relevant urgency for Christians, who study to show themselves knowledgeable, ready to give an answer, to understand apologetics.  This area of learning is simply being well informed and capable to redemptively share their faith while illustrating the infallible truth of scripture.

My family and I have “adopted” international students at our local college from all over the world/  We have had great experiences talking with people from India, Ethiopia, Nigeria, France, and other lands.  Many of these are Catholic, Hindu, Muslim, agnostic. These relationship have served us well to learn many things firsthand.

On a youth retreat this weekend, our speaker Phil Nelson, related that “It is not our job to convert a person (that is what God does) but to share the true God with them.”  I agree.  Charles Wesley said that it was his goal to give everyone a right opinion of God.

During the retreat, Nelson shared a few book titles that ought to be read.  Having those books on my shelf, I today began ruminating through my library to compile an in depth recommended reading list.  Some books are more difficult to read than others. 

 

Why I am a Christian, John Stott   This book is a great book for thinking. Stott writes very well, and will compel the reader to think through problems beyond a short answer.

Tactics, Gregory Koukl   Sometimes sharing your faith can decompose into circular reasoning that gets nowhere.  In this tome you will find not only wise counsel for dialog, it will also help you to consider the depth of your own beliefs.

Why Good Arguments Often Fail, James Sire   As one of the most readable books discussing how to approach someone in dialog, this book quickly get to the heart of our fears.  Only God can convict a person.  This book will aide in giving you the boldness to trust God to do so, and to do your part.

Mere Christianity, C S Lewis  Simply put, Lewis is a master at thought provoking statements and questions.  This book helps shed the often rebutted legalism that is wrongly attributed to Christianity.  Instead, it illustrates the logical conclusions of a holy loving God at work.

Handbook of Christian Apologetics. Peter Kreeft and Ronald Tacelli.  This book is simply a working reference for answering hard questions.  It will give you a great start to in-depth answers.

Between Heaven and Hell, Peter Kreeft   This book is excellent for nonreaders. It is more of a three person play, all dialoging the philosophy of Christianity, secularism, and eastern religion.  I highly recommend it for nonreaders.

The Dawkins Delusion,  Alister McGrath and Joanna McGrath.  Few writers are like McGrath.  With Richard Dawkins leading the charge of atheism, this book head on confronts his strongest arguments.  If you have read Why Good Arguments Often Fail, or Tactics as mentioned above, this book will show you how they are put into practice.

Darwin On Trial,  Phillip Johnson.  This book is a great insight to the famous teachings of Charles Darwin.  A wonderful primer, which will put the reader way ahead of those who blindly accept his notions.

The Universe Next Door, James Sire   Confronting a belief system that you do not understand?  This book will certainly help.  In an ever shrinking world, we will become confronted and acquainted of people with a wide religious philosophy.  This book helps you understand.

Mere Apologetics,   Alister McGrath   This book is a practical application of theology to your sharing of the faith.  It is simple to follow and it will help you cover all the bases.

The Defense Never Rests, Craig Parton.  Parton, a lawyer, presents his apologetic in a manner the confronts the most objectionable opponents.  It is filled with reason and logic.  It is written for the more advanced student.

The Testimony of the Evangelist, Simon Greenleaf    This book, also written by a lawyer, walks through a discourse of accepted legal deduction to show how the gospels witness with evidence that is acceptable in a court of law, even 2000 years later.

Who Made God, Ravi Zacharis and Norman Geisler Here is another worthy quick reverence book that ought to be handy on your shelf.

The Discipline of Spiritual Discernment, Tim Challies   Blogger Challies is adept at pointing out simple truths.  One that must not be overlooked is the deed for Christians to be discerning.  IF we are going to be a credible witness, we must use credible evidence.  This book helps the reader to consider the source when discriminating influences.

A Call For Discernment, Jay Adams     With so many religions and philosophies, even among “Christians”, Adams helps the reader properly question those things presented to him.  Just as we need to have a good apologetic, we must also know how to discern what is apologized to us.

I Don’t Have Enough Faith to be an Atheist, Norman Geisler and Frank Turek     If I were to teach a college or high school course on apologetics, this would be the text book.  It covers a wider variety of truth and helps the reader understand why not all things should be accepted.

An Answer to Everyone, Various contributors.    This tome would be the assigned reading for my credit apologetics class. Covering a wide variety of discipline it does prepare the reader for presenting a case for the gospel truth.

Book Review: Wayne Mack Maximum Impact

Wayne Mack. Living and Loving for God’s Glory. Phillipsburgh, P & R Publishing. 2010.  pp 301.

 

Wayne Mack has graduated Wheaton College (BA), The Philadelphia Seminary (Mdiv, Greek), and The Westminster Theological Seminary (Dmin-research project on marriage and family counseling).  He holds a position of being one of the charter members of NANC, the National Association of Nouthetic Counseling.  From 1958 through 1976 Mack served as a pastor.  Since 1976 he has consistently taught seminary level courses in biblical counseling. He has written over twenty books throughout his ministry including; Humility the Forgotten Virtue, Out of the Blues, and A Fight to the Death.[1]

Whereas many books help us in knowing what needs to be done in ministry, Wayne Mack’s Maximum Impact is more about telling us who we should be in ministry.  Though the book can be analytical at times, and does provide a few lists, it is most importantly a cache of wealth and wisdom to aid the counselor in remembrance to operate in love for the Lord and the counselee.  It serves well as a reminder that “without love, we are nothing.”

 

            Wayne Mack takes us through his tome as an exposition of 1 Corinthians 13.  Each aspect of love is exposited.  Additionally the remaining passages of the book of 1 Corinthians, are given as background to the main point, the application of real love.  We are reminded again and again that no matter what we do, if it is not out of a heart of love, we are working worthless works.   Mack reasons that: “Whatever unusual insight (knowledge) He may give to anyone is worthless unless the person possessing that knowledge dispenses it to others out of a real love for the people to whom he is ministering and, even more important, unless he does it because he is passionately in love with his God(17).”  Mack continues to set up the thrust of this book by stating: “…having a fruitful life and ministry is far more important for us to have lives that are permeated and motivated by real love than it is for us to be people who have great faith(17).”

            Mack does not diminish the role of faith in the believer, but rather addresses how love is a demonstration of faith by growing in the fruits of the Spirit.  Mack is agreeable when he shares how some serve out of duty, yet without love.  He relates how some people may give generously, but may do so without love.  Whatever our service may be within the church, if it is without love it is not sacrificial.  “Still further, Paul says that it is far more important for us to have lives that are permeated and motivated by real love than it is for us to be willing to suffer and even die and be martyrs for the cause of Christ (23).”

            Too often the “Love Chapter” of 1 Corinthians 13 is read in a mundane, “I have heard this before” way.   Mack seems to realize this tendency of some people to gloss over the text; therefore, he takes time to focus on each adverb of the Biblical truth set before us by Paul.  In his usual style, Mack  writes in a way that you enjoy, as if for the first time, the truths of scripture. With challenging questions throughout, we are tested and trained with great seriousness.  One case in point is when he writes: “You have to ask yourself, ‘Have I done what He wanted me to do?  Have I loved and served Him in the way He deserves to be served (29)?’   Further questions, such as those for self-evaluation in each chapter’s conclusion, are quite necessary in their context.  The author agreeably works through the necessity of taking thoughts of the mind and applying them as actions of the heart.

            Mack makes an analysis of each facet of love in application.  Several statements throughout the book are worth noting as they give the reader an axiom by which to gain valuable direction in discipleship.  Mack reveals: “kindness may be defined as ‘love in working clothes (47).’  ‘Envy consists of a disposition of dissatisfaction or dislike over the fact or thought that someone seems to be ahead of us or above us or superior to us in honor, position, respect, success, possessions, or effectiveness (69).’  When it comes to bragging, Mack divulges: “The problem with our self-glorying is the problem with all sin; it is a good thing made evil because it is used not for it’s right end but to seek a wrongful end (92).”  He goes on to note that real love does not try to impress people with a litany of conversational topics such as our knowledge, possessions, skills, and accomplishments.  Out of the more extensive list on page 95 comes a series of applicable  situations in which no one can escape innocent.  Mack is not trying to condemn in his book, he is merely pointing out the deep need Christians have to rethink the way in which they operate under the name of Christ.

            When speaking on how love is not arrogant, Mack points out the Corinthians, “…acted as if they had generated their own abilities and therefore should be regarded differently from other people who may or may not have superior abilities (111).”  Mack teaches us the value of treating everyone equally.  This is a lesson that we may subtlety avoid, yet should take to heart.  Mack believes that such an attitude of the heart places us in the same danger that: “their arrogance was producing in them an attitude of self-sufficiency, complacency, spiritual indifference, spiritual pride, worldliness, compromise, and lack of zeal (112).”  Thus, Mack goes through each of the attributes of love in 1 Corinthians, outlining the residual entrapments to life that permeate the corresponding actions or thoughts.

            Page after page of Mack’s book offers insightful definitions of the biblical intent of each verse.  Properly following suit, a variety of concrete applications are illustrated.  Therefore, this book is quite advantageous to believers who want to make a maximum impact with the life God has given them.  Our world has too often shaped the church rather than the opposite.  Mack not only writes of the truth of scripture that we may glorify God,  he teaches that: “We should reflect on the fact that, according to 1 Corinthians 13:1-3, this is giving us another opportunity to develop the kind of love that will cause us to make a powerful impact on others in and out of our family for Christ (191).”  This is an agreeable tenant for the body of believers to rethink the purposes behind all ministries.  This appears to be a thread of responsibility that Mack finds in the scripture.  Several chapters hint at or directly conclude that one person’s sin affects the entire church.  This can be seen in the context of relating to others when Mack writes: “So when Paul says, ‘Love does not rejoice at wrongdoing [unrighteousness],’ he means that real love will not be glad in or take any joy in evil or unrighteousness of any kind (200).”  A further implied principal is that as believers who do love, we love for others to love.  True love for other believers will want to see them excel in the maximum impact that they are to have.  Stated in another way, if you are one who truly loves you will rejoice when others exceed your works of love for the glory of God.

            Throughout the book many assessments are made for the reader as to what the standard of love looks like.  Never are these held as legalistic mandates, for that would not incorporate love.  The truths behind real love are held before the reader as the revealed will of God for Christian living that is attainable by abiding in Christ.  Thus, love is a goal of great pursuit and enjoyment for those who are His.

Conclusion

Having read the book with great acceptance, this author agrees heartedly with Mack when he states…

“To pursue love means that you must want to be a loving person and you recognize love’s importance to yourself and others.  It means you are determined to show love even when it is hard to do.  In order to do this, you’ll have to spend some time considering just how to show love.  Pursuing love means that you are willing to discipline yourself to develop and manifest love.  Developing and sustaining this kind of love won’t come automatically or easy.  It will come as the result of a sustained, dedicated, and focused effort to follow the biblical directives delineated in this chapter.  It will be produced as we discipline ourselves for the purpose of acquiring the godly characteristic of love (1 Tim. 4:7) (287).”

There is a great value in this work. It has provided its readers with a reference point for all of ministry.  It humbly reminds us all to first have a love for God and to secondly put on the work clothes of love when dealing with others.  So impacting is this book, this author’s family is utilizing it for evening devotions.

---

[1] Many of these facts are taken from mackministries.org/docs/about.shtml, accessed September 17, 2012.

What You Hear on Sunday Will be Relevant Throughout the Week

I have often found that attending my college classes greatly enhanced my understanding of the material, an accumulation of skills, and an acceptable test score.  Each lesson was designed to have an application that supported the following labs, homework, and lectures.

Obviously, the same is true of attending Sunday School and worship services.  I often try to remind everyone, “There will be a test, this week.”  Quite often, being “the teacher” has me taking the test also.  We frequently kid, “that if you desire the character of patience, you will have to go through an ordeal that requires patience.”  (I was thinking of this the other day as I stood in line at the local Stuff-Mart)

So last week, my lesson to learn was actually on the order and harmony of the family.  I had written a blog on the Robertsons, as seen on A&E’s Duck Dynasty.  I wrote that despite the differences within the home, they all worked together. 

So last week was a test for me.  After installing a door and finding it did not fit right, I had to come up with a plan B.  Then, in preparation for a getaway with my wife, we could not find a sitter for one of our children, as the original family took ill.  To further complicate things, upon returning from the getaway, the dishwasher needed to be replaced.  The two hour installation turned into three, and upon completion it ran like the Titanic. It leaked. 

Yet the real test was not getting everything to work right or be comfortable.  The real test was doing all these tasks with a right heart attitude.  Did I lose patience or pray?  Did I do my best and unto the glory of God?  Was I counting it all joy in various trials?  What things did I sincerely exhibit thankfulness in?  Did my kids see something redemptive in the experience that would draw them deeper in faith in Christ, or did I blow my witness?

In the end, I did well, but there is room for improvement.  In the end I also found joy in the fact that this world is not my home.  The test came unexpectedly.  And they always do.  Thus as I write, I am thinking of the Lord’s Supper yesterday.  My mind wanders, how will the covenant of Christ play out in my life?  What will the test be and how do I plan to be ready?  How will I cherish the wine and the bread, the blood and the body, and the gospel message?

Duck Dynasty, Taking Back the Throne of Family Television?

Over the last several weeks our home has enjoyed a new television reality show, Duck Dynasty.  The program offers an inside look at the Robertson clan.  The family made its fortune in the outdoors sporting goods industry, specifically, inventing and manufacturing high quality duck calls.  The premise of the show is all about giving an inside look at a family that became wealthy, yet holds on to their “redneck roots”.  Phil Robertson, the patriarch of the family is said to have turned down an NFL quarterback contract as it interfered with duck hunting season.  His college backup was none other than Terry Bradshaw.   All in all, the storyline supposes,” if a redneck could dream big and have all the resources they need, what would they do.”

 

It is that premise, out of curiosity, my attention was drawn to watch the first time.  What I found has me watching every episode, and for good reason. In a day of outrageous television, this show is quite the opposite.  You would expect outrageous behavior, and there is some: blowing up duck blinds, scaring a daughter’s boyfriend with intimidation, frog hunting at midnight on the country club golf course, and more.   However, the antics of the family, though a bit rough on the edges for most, are quite refreshing.  Whereas other “reality” shows are outrageous in their self-absorption, vulgarity, and over reaction to deadlines that do not matter at all, the Robertsons emphasize sticking to what is right, without compromise.  The underlying beauty of the show is that despite their differences they truly are in the habit of looking out for one another.

 

The family has an interesting dynamic. Everyone has a ZZ Top style beard that is, except for the ladies and the grand kids. Their rags to riches story starts with Phil inventing the calls, and his strong marriage to Miss Kay.  Often they espouse simple marriage advice.  All of it is positive.  All of it is practical.  Willie works as the CEO and thus in business matters has to be the boss of his own family.  I do not envy what he has to do.   Because this is a family business the stakes are high.  His brother Jase and he often trade roles of being the protagonist in different episodes.  Though competitive brothers, they often portray of maturity amongst differences in the end.  There are many more family members, we find uncle Si as most endearing.  He is a little out of the loop with technology and laws of the land, such as stating that its fine to do 55 in a 35 zone.  “35 is just a suggestion.”  Every family should have a Si among them.  For all his proverbial attempts at philosophy, you find a rare humility.  

 

Thus, it’s the people, who seem very down to earth (Though it is television) that have brought me to look forward to Wednesday nights after church.  Our family joins the Robertsons by way of technology for a look at principals not often found from television.  Not once have we heard anything offensive or any cursing.  Not once have we heard someone legitimately attempt to tear someone down.  The entire family shows honor and respect.  Homer Simpson, Al Bundy, and others take note. 

 

Television needs more families like the Robertsons.  Each episode ends with a prayer, yes a prayer, with the family gathered together around a table for a meal.  Our family would love to dine with them, but please, no frogs. Or squirrel. Or opossum. The parting words are usually narrated by Phil or Willie.  They sum up a family value that is illustrated by the previous 23 minute experience, often missing from not only television, but homes in America.  My family has been blessed by the Robertsons, because after every episode we find ourselves bonding, not through entertainment, but in discussing what we found right with the way they live.

 

Stay tuned:  I am working on another article, My Thoughts on 19 Kids and Counting.

The Christian Life of a Wife/ The Wise Wife: Sermon Notes

Once again I have been asked to publish my speaking notes from the Sunday sermon.  These notes differ from the actual message.  That message can be found at: http://www.holidayshoresbaptist.org/media/2012-10-14_Wes_Pinkley.mp3

Several Scriptures are pertinent to this topic, and this sermon is limited by time.

However there are three areas I desire to address today.

I. Your Husband is Your Ministry

II. Submission is Faith in God

III. Looking Good

 Remember, Paul uses these things as an illustration of the Church.  Thus we all need to heed and know our role.  For it is a grand blessing of God to be His bride. 

Ladies, your success is not based on your husband, but on your God.  Live accordingly.  For it is an honor to God to serve well, especially in difficult circumstances.

All these are done to the glory of God.

I.          Your Husband is your ministry

Genesis 2:24-25 One Flesh
1 Corinthians 11:3 The husband is the head of the wife
Ephesians 5:23
Proverbs 31:10-31 The priority is the household to aid the husband
2 Peter 1:3 Doing all with excellence
Ephesians 5:22 & 33 submit and respect, serving by building up your co-laborer

 

II. Submission

This idea has been perverted by the “women’s liberation movement”, and by unloving husbands who have manipulated it into a dirge of the covenant.

HUSBANDS- remove the plank in your own eye before going after her speck.  Remember the sermon on success?  The standard is from God, not the world.  Idolatry places us against God’s ways.  You yourself are in submission to God. Are you thus hypocritical or a man of character?

Ephesians 5:22 Submission is graceful acceptance of the husband’s care.

Your husband has a responsibility to God, how can he learn submissiveness if you do not have humble submission?  This of course is for those who desire for their husbands to take on a spiritual leader role and to honor God. 

The context is Ephesians 5:2, 15-17, 20-21

It is a submission to God issue.

Because your husband is your ministry, it is a key to success before God.

III.  Looking Good, Women’s Adornment

1 Peter 3:1-6

            Again submission comes up, it is working orderly with your husband.

Peter shows that it has a purpose in bringing others to Christ.

As I said weeks ago, we are to be peculiar people.  Your disposition to your husband will set you apart from other women.  It can give great glory to Christ.  Otherwise, claiming to be a Christian and yet grumbling, band mouthing, and showing disrespect puts you in the category of unchanged from the former ways.  The cross always changes us in sanctification.

  Beauty is not merely clothing, hair, and jewelry. Peter does not prohibit these things.

A pastor once said, if the barn needs paint, then pain it.

However, true godly beauty is the personality of the heart.  Really. 

Unfortunately, physical appearance is idolized today.  Magazines, TV shows, fitness programs, all turn appearance into an idol.

            Here is a point, the body is temporary, the eternal is the priority.  God has chosen to give us the bodies we have.  Yes we should care for them, but to the point that we are at our best for ministry.  That we live quality lives for the glory of God.  When you eat, eat sensibly.  Exercise too.  To fail to do these is to be slothful, and Proverbs says much about this character, it calls it sin.

But your character is key.  A ring of gold in a pigs snout is a disgraceful waste.  If you do not have the beauty of the heart they you may run the risk of being a bejeweled sow.  However, a woman of excellence is to be praised.

Do not look for praise for your shoes, hair, or figure; find it in “well done thou good and faithful servant.”

Thus, eat that chocolate to God’s glory.  Dine on pasta.  But also enjoy a salad and exercise regularly, all the while, renewing the mind- not conforming to the things of the world. For God wishes to bless you through sanctification. 

Husbands, help your wife to become the woman God intends for her to be.  She is your co-labored, your help-meet, your responsibility, together you both shall worship God in spirit and in truth.

Living the Christian Life: Biblical Marriage-A Redemptive Work of God.

These sermon notes correspond to the sermon at http://www.holidayshoresbaptist.org/media/2012-10-07_Wes_Pinkley.mp3. It is my hope that if you missed out on being here that day, or even if you were here, these would be a help to you.

 

 

As you are called to be the leader of the home, you are required to lead with love.  This is the absolute best method.  It is God’s way.  It is the way in which He has always led the church.

BTW: Husbands ought to seek to measure up to the qualifications of an elder, as this is a consummate design in leadership.  Those whom can lead their home can then lead in the church.

 TEXT

1 Peter 3:7

Genesis 2 & 3

 Husbands, how do you handle someone given to you as a helper, and who submits to you?  Do you successfully fulfill the office of leader, of working together, of loving as God commanded, and of being an example to others of the grace of God?  Do you honor the covenant you made on your wedding day?

These are weighty obligations.

Lets talk a moment about the ideal marriage vs. reality?

            Again, do not look at the world’s example, but remember as I preached, what is marriage and what is success in the biblical model?

Ephesians 5 is about imitating God.

Submitting to Christ, thus 22-33 is how that is played out.
Action words abound: love, gave up, in order to sanctify her (make pure),

            In order to have a wife of splendor: (all glory)

            Without spot or wrinkle that is without blemish or seam, holy as one.

Lets look at 1 Peter 3

      Men vs1-6 is for you to know how to help your wife.
      Her ministry goal is you- make it easy for her.

     V7       Husbands- love in an understanding way
      Show honor
      Weaker vessel- leading you to honor/fellow heir
      Help make her complete

NOTE: This is that your prayer life is to not be hindered

·         Prayer life of the husband is expected, obligatory, not an optional item.

 So, we are to live as examples of Christ

This glorifies God and brings us joy (success too)
So as Chrsit loves the church so you are to love your wife.

How you treat your wife shows the depth of your relationship with Christ.

This requires

·         Being a Christian
·         Humility, the denial of self
·         Actively leading the family in the ways of Christ
·         Sanctification and discipleship
·         Daily applying love

Living the Christian Life: Biblical Marriage-A Redemptive Work of God,: Sermon Notes

Saints,

Once again I have been asked to publish my notes from the Sunday sermon.
These are the notes that I began with, however, as often happens, thae actual sermon will differ.
The link for this sermon is http://www.holidayshoresbaptist.org/media/2012-09-30_Wes_Pinkley.mp3

Many of you may have heard in the past two weeks about a third century fragment of parchment that alludes to a conversation where Jesus mentions having a wife.

Even though this is poor scholarship, many are curious about this “fragment.”

However, I need to tell you, it is true that Jesus had a bride, she is called The Church.

Biblical marriage can be seen as a redemptive work of God, even before sin entered the world.  For marriage was God’s way of blessing Adam.

Marriage needs to operate in the context that it is God’s picture of the church relating to Him, thus it is extremely sacred.  As a matter of fact, When Ephesian 5 talks about marriage, Paul states that he is actually talking about the church.

First off, through a Fact Checker, I found this week that the statistics on ”Christian divorce” are not equal to the world.  Often this has been misrepresented. Protestant active conservative couples are 35% less likely to divorce.

 Biblical Marriage is redemptive, in it we have

·         Trials and failures
·         Love as the key
·         And a covenant to keep

With all of that, we can find a picture of God’s redemptive plan.

 

Genesis 2:1-25  It is not Good for Man to be Alone

Genesis 3:7-17 God created Adam. 
He is the only creation where God breathed life into him.
Work, Duties, responsibilities, all were for the Glory of God and before the fall.

V18     God makes a helper, fit for him,

            This is one that is beside him, notice the rib.  God does have an order, but the wife is to be a literal part of the life of the husband.
God also implies charges that Adam is to care for his wife Eve.  It will be a pleasurable union.

V18-24 initiates the covenant of marriage- all before sin.

Leave- obligations are involved in the marriage covenant
Hold Fast- is that there exists a covenant bond- not to be broken.  The Bible only grants divorce in two cases, and both of those are to be worked out if at all possible.
Become- an active verb of growing together. Much emphasis is lost here, but you need to know your verbs.  They are for action, men, do you want to be a man of action?  Do you want to be an action superhero?  Then be a man of marriage in redemptive action.
One Flesh- this is the goal. That there be a solidarity in the marriage, a total single commitment that together they are helping one another to the glory of God.  This is the natural state of marriage.

But sin messes things up.

So let’s Be redemptive

Ephesians 5
Chapter 5:1-21 is all about the reverent behavior we are to have before Christ.
It explicitly addresses conduct that we ourselves are responsible, and thus answerable, for.

Ephesians 5:22-33

V 32 says that this is referring to Christ and the church.  However, it is a fitting doctrine for marriage.
The idea is for Husbands to submit to Christ as you know to do/ and to not be hypocritical of your wife in the matter.

Submit- granting full acceptance-  The word actually is best rendered- be subject to, which implies order.

Thus, the husband is to be in proper order with his Lord to in order be able to lead his household.

Wives are to live in proper order of the covenant, but this does not mean that they are trash or to be treated without sincere love.

This section gives us many clues to the Redemptive Union a church has with it’s Lord, as well as a wife with her husband.

Action Verbs abound

·         Submit
·         Love
·         Sanctify
·         Cleanse
·         Present
·         Love
·         Nourish
·         Hold Fast
·         Become One
·         Love/respect

Christ has done all of these on the cross.  They are the pinnacle of redemption in our history.

Men are to sacrificially glorify God as they do likewise for their bride.