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Weekend Preview – Mystery and Jesus in Creation

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As we prepare for the coming weekend, know that in the morning, we will be looking at Mystery from Colossians 1:26-27. Here’s Clinton Arnold’s commentary on this verse from the ESV Study Bible:

The mystery does not refer to something mysterious or to a secret ritual. Rather, Paul is speaking of God’s unfolding plan for the world and, above all, his plan of redemption through the Messiah (cf. 2:2; 4:3; Eph. 1:9; 3:3–4, 9; 5:32; 6:19). Although elements of God’s design were already known through the prophets, key aspects of it were hidden for ages and generations and thus were a mystery, which could only be known and understood when they were revealed by God. This language occurs often in the book of Daniel. After God reveals to Daniel that Nebuchadnezzar’s dream foretold four successive kingdoms culminating in the kingdom of God, Daniel tells the king, “there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries, and he has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will be in the latter days” (Dan. 2:28). At the heart of the mystery that God is now revealing through Paul is the amazing hallmark of the new covenant, Christ in you, the hope of glory. God himself, in the person of Christ, will be directly and personally present in the lives of his people, and his presence assures them of a future life with him when he returns. Moreover, Christ does not reside only in believing Jews but also in believing Gentiles, so that there is one unified people of God (cf. Eph. 2:11–22; 3:2–6).

My outline is really pretty simple: it was hidden in the past and revealed to God’s people. If you really would like more reading, check out Spurgeon’s sermon on it: Christ In You. Spurgeon highlights the passage in this way…

The essence of the mystery: Christ
The sweetness of the mystery: Christ in you
The outlook of all of this: The hope of glory

Let’s ask God also to open eyes to behold the light of the Gospel flowing in the face of Christ.

In the evening, we will continue our series on Jesus, the Point of the Old Testament by jumping into the Creation in Genesis 1 and unfolding how Jesus is seen in this amazing narrative. Should be a fun night.

At any rate, this is where we’re heading this weekend. Let’s come ready to worship our Creator and Savior.

Love Story by Arwen Eastman

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It’s an honor and privilege to post a link and ask a couple questions of Arwen Eastman, who is a member of our church and wrote the song “Love Story” for an offertory this past Sunday, 2/14. Here’s the link to the audio, which was a rough recording from our sound booth.

Love Story by Arwen Eastman

Question #1 – What is the concept behind this song?
The idea of this song is that we so often look for love and acceptance according to the worldly standard of love. In reality, God fulfills our need to be loved in every way, but to a way greater extent than any person could, because we’re all sinful.

Question #2 – How did God work to bring this to fruition for you?
I’ve always had a burden for younger women and girls. The age where girls are looking for romance gets younger and younger all the time, and the fact that we have such a loving Father who desires a relationship with them is a message that I feel led to emphasize. These lyrics I think have been in my heart for a long time!

Question #3 – Why the language of what our fathers, brothers, and sons are asking?
Addressing these people groups is supposed to represent the different generations and what each generation might look for in love. A desire for passion might turn into a desire for security which might turn into a desire for friendship and longevity. God fulfills whatever we long for in love no matter what our age. His love is so much greater than we can fathom.

Question #4 – What are the lyrics?

Our children say sing us a love song
A story of passion and romance to sweep us off our feet
They long to feel what the world says love should be
But do they know what I long to say to them?

This is our love story
A Prince who has wooed us
A Groom who calls us His bride
And gave His life that we might live
Might live, might live forever and reign with Him
This is our love story, yeah, ooo

Our brothers say sing us a love song
A story of faithfulness and sacrifice for love
They long to feel what the world says love should be
But do they know what I long to say to them?

This is our love story
A God who has called us
Long before there was time
He knew He’d give His life that we might live
Might live, might live forever and reign with Him
This is our love story, yeah, ooo

For “greater love has not a man
Than he who lays his life down for a friend”
And yet, when we were enemies
Christ’s song of love was faithful to the end

Our fathers say Sing us a love song
A story of friendship where true love is doting to the end
They long to feel what the world says love should be
But do they know what I long to say to them?

This is our love story
A God who still loves us
A God who still calls us friend
And covers our sin that we might live
Might live, might live forever and reign with Him
This is our love story, yeah, yeah, yeah

This is our love story
This is my love story
Is this your love story?

Thanks Arwen, for not only taking time to answer these questions, but also for giving us another song to use in our delight of our great God and Savior. We are thankful. If you are interested in a chord chart for the song, leave a comment and I’ll see if Arwen can pass it on to you.

Weekend Recap on Ministry…

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Yesterday’s sermon from Colossians 1:25 is now online–entitled Ministry: From, To, For. This sermon greatly affected my heart by allowing me to see afresh how ministry is from God, to us as individuals and for the benefit of others. It also affected me in showing me how arrogant I often function in ministry. As God’s Word called me to humble service, I could find grace.

In small group last night we talked about different kinds of righteousness that we use to inflate our position before God. These performance driven righteousnesses easily get us from centering all that we are on Jesus and His Work for us. One they didn’t mention might be:

MINISTRY RIGHTEOUSNESS — “I’m serving in the church, doing what God has gifted me to do. Surely my obedience in this area and care for others establishes my position before God.” Nope! It doesn’t replace the cross and my need for it daily. I hope you are encouraged, then, to serve in the strength that God supplies, so that HE is glorified.

The Pastor’s Heart

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This coming Lord’s Day, we will be looking at a sermon entitled Gospel Ministry from Colossians 1:25. I am going to conclude saying something like:

Recently, when I was at the DGPC, Paul Tripp did the pre-conference on the pastor’s heart and said, “The greatest danger [facing the church] is not outside of the church or a weakening theology, but in the heart of the one who stands in the pulpit.” Recently, I’ve noticed that my heart craves a desire to be served or I want people to agree with me because “I am the pastor.” I feel fragile knowing I need to “guard my heart with all diligence” for the good of this body. I want to lead our church well. Tripp mentioned praying 3 prayers each morning, “1) God, I’m a man in desperate need of help, 2) In grace, send helpers my way, 3) Give me humility to receive help when it comes.” I want to be this kind of man, a man who ministers in a God-centered humble way.

In the coming weeks, I plan to post some things related to how we can guard our hearts. But all of this happens because of the amazing truth of the Gospel illuminating the indwelling sin remaining in me. May God use this to make me holy!

On Negativity…

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…from Matt Perman…

Negativity is all a matter of perspective. Negative people can make any situation, no matter how great, seem like the end of the world. And positive people can make any situation, no matter how bad, seem great.

Well said and the post gives an incredible example of what being positive can do.

Recap of Gospel Suffering

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Today’s sermon, Gospel Suffering from Colossians 1:24 is now online. Thought we had a good morning. I was really stirred by the passage and the call to join Christ in suffering. Like I confessed this AM, I have a hard time embracing suffering for the Gospel because I don’t want the negative. This running after convenience is missing what the NT says is the norm for believers. Any applications stick out to you?

Pastor’s Conference Wrap Up…

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We are in KC today. We left the conference yesterday and drove in here. Ate some nice BBQ and visited with some old friends. Here’s the recap from yesterday:

We got up for a session called “Morning Devotions” with Paul Tripp. He masterfully encouraged us to be ambassadors for Christ in our families and churches (from 2 Corinthians 5:14-21).

The AM session featured the US Director of Frontiers, Bob Blincoe (Notes, Audio, Video). This session was a highlight for us. What stuck out was his phrase (borrowed from Dawson Trotman): “If you can’t see far ahead, go as far as you can see.” He related this to God calling him to serve in a missions context. Oh that we would have faith to go where we can see and beyond.

The conference wrapped up with a Q & A (Notes, Audio). There was some amazing interaction between the panel. Good stuff, really.

Our hearts are full and we look forward to getting back later today.