Pastor Online
Gathered around the Word for Worship
15/03/2010 - 12:35
So many things happen during the week! So many works of service, acts of mercy and efforts at evangelism. As I looked at you all gathered yesterday morning and as I observed you chatting afterwards I was made aware, once again, that so much goes on in the name of the Lord. So much work; so much friendship. It's brilliant. Throughout the week our ministry is diversified, and performed either as individuals or in teams, but on a Sunday we come together, gather together around the word of God for worship. It is this that unites us, inspires us, teaches us and motivates us for another week of frontline service. If we neglect the Word and worship then we fail to be united; our works will become meaningless, and we will do all with drudgery, not joy. May we always be a community gathered around the Word for worship.
The Unknown God
26/02/2010 - 16:14
"Raised near the mountains of Sandpoint, Idaho, novelist Marilynne Robinson remembers sensing God's presence there long before she had a name for him. "I was aware to the point of alarm of a vast energy of intention, all around me," she writes, "barely restrained, and I thought everyone else must be aware of it."" (For the rest of the article see here).
When I read this it took my mind back along a road it has been travelling since Thursday 18th February (I know because I keep a journal). On that day I read a commentary on Chapter 1 section 1 of the Westminster Confession of Faith (Oh what exciting lives we pastors live!) where the writer was talking about an "absolute First Cause" and a "great First Cause". I reckon there are many people who believe in some kind of "First Cause" but do not know who He is. Like the Philosopher's of Athens (Acts 17) who had an altar to an Unknown God; like philiosopher's throughout history who talk of "god"; like seekers after Reality; like people who believe in Intelligent Design, but who do not know who the Designer is; like the Puliziter Prize winning author Marilynne Robinson who was aware of God long before she had a name for him.
And some of our friends and family are in the same situation. they know "Someone" or "Something" is "out there" but they do not know "what" or "who". Then its up to us to tell them His Name! YHWH, our Father and Creator revealed in His Son, Jesus, our Saviour and Redeemer.
The next time someone says to you "I think there must be 'Something" out there" - just tell them his name and address and watch God work.
Good Old Saint Nick?
17/12/2009 - 17:12
Phew - that's good - our Christmas traditions are all explained here by good young Mark Driscoll.
Begun Recovery
03/12/2009 - 11:39
In preparation for some Genesis Project lectures next year I've been reading Thomas Boston's book "Human Nature In It's Fourfold State". The fourfold states are as follows:
I. THE STATE OF INNOCENCE
II. THE STATE OF NATURE
III. THE STATE OF GRACE
IV. THE ETERNAL STATE
Boston was a Scottish guy who died in 1732. His writing is sometimes tough going and I'm struggling to trudge through section II at present. It contains 140 pages about sin, it's misery and judgement. I've read 120 of these pages and have been made thoroughly miserable by them. But the other morning my spirit was lifted as I relooked at the contents page and noted the subtitles:
I. (Primitive Integrity)
II. (Entire Depravity)
III. (Begun Recovery)
IV. (Consummate Happiness or Misery)
Ah - what joy - through Christ God is recovering his creation. If anyone is in Christ he is a new creation. Look at yourself Christian - right now you are in a state of "begun recovery!" That is RIGHT NOW. Rejoice.
And one day it will be complete recovery!
The decrease of Christianity
25/11/2009 - 12:03
Jesus valued women and treated them with dignity and respect.This often surprised his disciples (John 4v27), yet Jesus was on a mission to show the true value of all human beings. His church have followed him in this mission, and wherever Christianity has taken root in a culture or community the treatment of women has vastly improved and their value given proper status.
It is no surprise then, as Christianity decreases in influence in a community or culture, that women are devalued and often abused. Hence an article in today's Times comes as no surprise. Sad, but not surprising in a land that has turned its back on the gospel.
The advancement of true Christianity and the preaching of the real gospel not only prepares people for eternity, but also to live according to God's values right now.
Sadness & Misery
18/11/2009 - 14:36
I have been convinced for a while now that there is far more misery and sadness than joy and gladness in our world. Oh yes there certainly is joy and gladness but put it on one side of the scales and misery/sadness on the other and see which wins.
But it is God's world. So why the large amount of misery and sadness? The Fall. Genesis 3 explains it all. And the corruption of sin and depravity that spring from the fall is the reason for the misery and sadness in our world today. A Puritan guy called Thomas Boston wrote as follows: "Let us not complain of the miseries we are exposed to ... while we are in this world. Here (the corruption of our nature) is the venom that has poisoned all the springs of earthly enjoyments we have to drink of. It is the corruption of man's nature that brings forth all the miseries of human life in churches, states, and families, and in men's souls and bodies."
OK then, how are we going to cope with living in such a fallen world? First we can sprinkle our world and lives with things that give us respite and bring us joy. Surely this was one of the reasons for the many feasts and festivals in the Old Testament? God wanted his people to meet so as to rejoice together in the goodness and salvation of God. Second we can spread the gospel so that people are regenerated and become new creatures whilst living in an old world. This does not rapture them from misery and sdness, but it does enable them to spread good news and the joy of the Lord wherever they go. Third, we can pray for the return of Jesus and the coming of that Eternal World of Joy, where instead of the thornbush will grow the pine tree and the mountains and hills will burst into song and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.
Your servant
Paul
A Few Good Books
11/11/2009 - 18:24
Dear Disciple,
So what are you going to put on your Christmas present list? Why not go for a few good books? Here's some I can recommend
Knowing God by Jim Packer. An oldie now, but still so relevant. Packer packs his pages full of stirring stuff.
Desiring God by John Piper. Here Piper demonstrates that God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him. A life changing book.
God's Big Picture by Vaughan Roberts. A really concise but not a skimpy overview of the story of the Bible. Read it to find out how the Bible hangs together.
The Christian Life by Sinclair Fergusson. A doctrinal overview of what has happened to us as Christians. Read it if you want to understand who you are in Christ.
The Reason For God by Tim Keller. Quite simply the best book I've ever read on the objections that are so often thrown at Christians.
Charity and it's fruits by Jonathan Edwards. Written way back in the 1700s,its his sermons on 1 Corinthians 13. Mind-blowing stuff. He writes with the solidity of an Italian defence and the speed of a Brazilian attack. But it is an acquired taste.
Enjoy!
In Christ
Paul
