Church Blog (Page 3)
Plan as God Wills
James 4:13-17 isn’t so much a condemnation of planning, as it is a condemnation of selfish planning. The merchants’ words in v. 13 aren’t problematic in what they say. They are problematic in what the don’t say. Life is Short The merchants’ plans are, first of all, presumptuous. Not only is the future uncertain, rendering all of our plans tentative endeavors at best, but the brevity of life and the impending judgment ought to set our plans in eternal perspective.…
Who are you to judge your brother?
In James 4:11-12, James warns us against passing judgment on others. Obviously, he’s not against exercising discernment, nor is he against correction. After all, he’s just called the congregation he writes to a bunch of adulteresses, correcting them for their rank idolatry. The 9th Commandment What James is concerned about, rather, is a judgmental spirit that holds itself above the law or above its neighbor. Whenever we advertise the failings of our neighbor, we actually violate the law. The 9th…
Friendship with the World: Ezekiel sheds light on James
James 4:1-12 is a rich passage. It begins by tracing the origin of all conflict (literally ‘wars’ and ‘duels’) to our own covetousness. But then James draws us into the idolatrous nature of such covetousness. And he does so by looking at our prayer life. We want. We don’t get what we want. Frustration which arises causes conflict. But why do we not get what we want? James points to two reasons. We don’t ask. And we ask wrongly. We…
Photo Directory is Ready
If you’re eager, or just want a digital copy, here’s a PDF (Click Here) of the photo directory. For the contact info, you’ll have to pick up a hard copy at church, where you’ll also find a hard copy of this one. Have a great week, Clark
Kingdom Humility: Philippians 1:27-2:11
Paul has one concern for his Philippian brethren. He would have them live in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Obviously, we cannot live in such a way that our lives would be ‘deserving of’, or ‘worth’ the death of Christ. Paul cannot be meaning “worthy” in that sense. All of our righteous deeds are as filthy rags before him, and as the most we could ever do would only be our duty (Isa 64:6; Luk 17:10). Rather,…
Paul’s Kingdom Mindset
As Paul writes to his beloved Philippians from house arrest in Rome, he’s intent on 1) thanking them for their generous contribution, 2) dissuading them from further giving, since they are impoverished and he is well-supplied, and 3) addressing the divisions that are creeping into their fellowship. He does so by setting before them a self-less kingdom minded example to follow (Phil 3:17; 4:9). The kingdom advances In chapter 1, vv. 12-18a, Paul wants to assure the Philippians that he…
Keeping the Fire when the Missions Trip is Over
Holding on to What You’ve Gained Coming off of such a great trip (the Boardwalk Chapel), it’s easy (though sad) to lose the gains you’ve made when you get home. Don’t do it. Hold on to them with all your might. Wake up with joy in your hearts, however early it feels. Unless Stacy and Lydia have Dan’s great “Good Morning” song from the Kibbomers, girls, you may not know what I’m talking about. But there’s something glorious about seizing…
The Boardwalk Chapel
Boardwalk Evangelism Thousands file past the last wooden structure on the boardwalk in the Wildwoods. For 69 years, God has placed a witness there. And we were a part of that this past week. As people head toward the neon lights, they are beckoned by what’s going on in that one place on the boardwalk that is like no other. Skits are being rehearsed, songs sung, kids mill about. Just inside the doorway is a free game — answer a…
Jesus Clams Up: Luke 22:63-71
The Fear of Man Historiography is a selective process. We don’t know the names of many privates or corporals from the Civil War, and not every battle makes it into our history books. Like any historian, Luke had to be selective. Like any good historian, Luke chose just the right details to make his point well. He tells us nothing about the trial before Annas (John 18:12-24) or even the night-time trial before Caiaphas (Matt. 26:57-68). Nor does he mention…
The Rock is Broken ~ Luke 22:54-62
Peter Stepped Up and Stumbled Peter put himself out there when he confessed Jesus to be the Christ in Luke 9:20. And when all were deserting Jesus after the Bread of Life Discourse, Jesus stood fast, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life,” (John 6:68 ESV) And, while his rebuke in Matthew 16:22 was clearly misguided (Jesus even refers to him as Satan), surely his words indicate a sentiment of brave loyalty, the same…
Following Jesus through the Valley
A Sharp Contrast The disciples wasted no time moving from “Who’s the worst among us?” … “Who’s the traitor?” … “Who could do such a thing as to betray our Lord?” … to jockeying for position, determining for themselves a pecking order. But if we read Luke 22:24 closely, we find that they aren’t even actually interested in being the greatest. At least not in this iteration of their favorite discussion. They are willing to settle for the imitation ……
How Could Judas Do Such a Thing?
Satan Conspires and Men are Culpable Have you ever wondered about Judas? How could a guy who spent the last 2 to 3 years traveling around the country with Jesus stoop so low as to betray him? The answer is only hinted at in Luke, but the Gospels as a whole answer it clearly enough. Luke only tells us that the priests and scribes “agreed to give him money.” (Luke 22:5) But Matthew informs us that it was Judas who…