Charles Spurgeon Weighs In

Kindled Fire by Zack Eswine examines the life & times of Charles Spurgeon, and what lessons on preaching can be learned from this towering figure from the 19th century. Charles Spurgeon has been called the "Prince of Preachers," and his sermons were printed and distributed far and wide -- prior to radio, CDs, or iPods. His sermons are still read today, and will be for quite some time.

I think what I read today relates to the Saturday evening post:

It turns out that Spurgeon was criticized for speaking frequently from his own experience. One critic said the printer of Spurgeon's sermons must "run out of capital I's" because Spurgeon spoke so often in the first person. But Spurgeon believed firmly that a preacher must speak from his own experience, and thus from the heart - that he is called upon to give personal testimony to the truth he speaks.

Zack Eswine summarizes: "The preacher is a man who has has personally encountered God and from these personal dealings and God's personal call, the preacher speaks to people about this God with whom he has had first-hand experience."

Preaching isn't only oratory, Spurgeon would say. It is testimony.

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NOTE: I had Zack as a preaching professor at Covenant Seminary, by the way, and he is a thoughtful, kind person. So far, his book is very helpful.

God's Word...in My Words?

Preaching has been described as "God's truth, filtered through personality." This is an inadequate definition, but it captures at least one reality: as preachers we are called to speak God's word...in our words.

Tonight I was reflecting on what a challenge this is. Sure, anyone can talk about the Bible - for good or ill. But to speak from the heart, and have what comes out of the heart be God's truth - that's a high calling! If we only read the Bible aloud, there would be no major problem; but instead we are called to clarify it with our own words, which can so easily divulge our fallen, sinful, or simply shallow hearts.

In seminary we were taught that the easiest part of preaching is exposition - studying the text and deciding what it means. You see, this can be turned into a routine: read the passage over and over, look at the original languages, determine the historical and literary context, compare the passage with other biblical themes, read some commentaries... Of course, this is a rewarding process for both preacher and hearer. I don't intend to downplay the absolute necessity of serious study. But: there's a method. I know when I'm done.

But what method do you use to insure that what you speak, after all that study, is from your heart? What method can insure that what you proclaim from the pulpit has been proclaimed to yourself, and that you will find yourself heeding your own warnings on Tuesday morning?

Fortunately, we have these promises: "When we are faithless, he remains faithfulness." And, "The word of the Lord endures forever." Ultimately, we trust God's word to do its work inside the preached-at and the preacher.

Nevertheless, what a high and holy calling to prepare not only our heads, but our hearts, to properly speak God's word to others.

You Should Know About GAFCON

This week, a conference has been taking place in Jerusalem called the Global Anglican Future Conference. Here are five big reasons you should know about it.

1. This is an outgrowth of the "culture wars" in the United States. Because of the actions of the Episcopal Church, specifically in their appointment of an openly gay bishop (Gene Robinson), conservatives in the worldwide Anglican communion have sought to find direction, to find a voice, and to find shelter. The ecclesiastical deck seems stacked against them.

2. This is an example of the changing face of world Christianity. If you still think the U.S. or the West provide worldwide evangelical leadership, it's time to catch up. Things have changed. Instead, evangelical Episcopalians (Anglicans) in America have sought shelter under the jurisdiction of like-minded, Bible-believing, gospel-preaching leaders in Africa.

3. These brothers in the Lord are suffering for their faith. Because they oppose the progressive agenda so prevalent in the U.S. and elsewhere, these Christian brothers are being sidelined, shoved around, defrocked, etc., by the powers that be (not counting the heavenly powers). Hebrews 13:3 commands us to "remember...those who are mistreated as if you yourself were suffering."

4. We have a lot to learn about repentance. One address, by the Rt Revd Robert Duncan, included statements such as these: "Over the last five decades we have made more than our share of compromises when issues of Scriptural truth were debated or challenged. There were countless times when we kept silence when we should have spoken. Moreover, the witness of our personal lives has been scarcely better than the record of those whom we now forthrightly confront... Further to our shame, we have sometimes as orthodox battled one another..." (Read entire speech here.)

5. We have a lot to learn about faithfulness to God's word and counting the cost. In that same speech, Rev. Duncan asked, "What will it take to restore the Holy Scripture as 'ultimate rule and standard' among us?" That is what is at issue, and is a concern every generation of church leaders must ask and answer. The speech mentioned above is powerful in that there is a desire to be faithful to God and also to His church.

Okay, those are five reasons to visit http://www.gafcon.org/ or http://www.virtueonline.org/. Go to it!

Blogging Bridges: Where Do We Go From Here?

Are our sins as small to God as they are to us?


We've been blogging our way through Jerry Bridges' Respectable Sins for several months. We now reach the end, the final chapter, entitled "Where Do We Go From Here?"

Bridges' primary suggestion is challenging: find a friend, ask them what sins they see in your life, and work on them! Blogging seems so much easier, though...

I believe that this book is not something that is to be closed and forgotten. This book is a valuable resource, one of the best contemporary books on the subject of sin. It does two things at once:

1. It focuses on seemingly "small" sins that we take lightly, which we are therefore a little more open to talk about. It's easier to admit you have a problem with overeating than with, say, covetous or idolatry.

But because of that...

2. It oh so subtly, yet effectively, makes us realize just how deeply rooted sin is! Because when we see these "small" sins for what they are, we are all the more able to recognize the "big" sins for what they are.

I have only one "small" critique, namely, that it takes a number of chapters before getting into the so-called respectable sins. First there are a variety of chapters concerning how to deal with sin generally; these might have been better left for the end of the book, after the different subtle sins had been exposed. They are helpful chapters, I would just place them differently.

It's been a great read.

And so the question is, indeed, what next? We have some ideas... and will be back soon to tell you about them.

Forsaking Independence

Last week I attended the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA). This is our church's yearly denominational meeting, attended by church leaders - and some families - from all over the country.

One of the values of historic Presbyterianism is "connectualism." Remaining connected to other ministers, and remaining accountable, is not only our value but a biblical one. This takes place at local, regional, national, and even international church levels.

Hebrews 13 reminds us to "remember your leaders," plural. Acts 15 and Galatians 2 speak about church leaders gathering together to address concerns that crossed geographical boundaries. 2 Corinthians 8-9 speaks of a collection taken for needy Christians in another part of the globe. Jesus said, "You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the uttermost parts of the world" (Acts 1) -- and so we are united, whether we know it or not, to believers across all times and places. The body of Christ spans the globe, and our attitudes and priorities should reflect this.

At the General Assembly, I had the opportunity to hear reports from all different ministries - for example, Covenant Seminary, various church plants, and military ministries. I had the opportunity to hear a some matters of concern debated, and to vote on the outcome. But best of all, I was able to encourage and pray with fellow ministers who are facing challenging times. Sensing God's leading in this was the best part of General Assembly, and perhaps the most profound part as well.

It occurred to me today that pastors desire church members to be committed and accountable to the local church. (Revisit Hebrews 13 for the reasons why.) But it might be helpful to know that church leaders are likewise called to remain committed and accountable as well; we are not called to independence! God's too smart to let us get away with that.

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NOTE: To read more about this year's General Assembly, you can visit Pastor Adam's blog here. He details the major issues and provides further links as well.

Prudent or Shameful?

Have you ever put these two verses together?

Do you not say, 'There are yet four months, then comes the harvest'? Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest. John 4:35

He who gathers in summer is a prudent son, but he who sleeps in harvest is a son who brings shame. Proverbs 10:5

This hit me hard on the airplane yesterday. There is a spiritual harvest: Opportunity all around us to share our faith and lives with others, in a way that draws others to Jesus Christ. Proverbs 10:5 says some recognize this and "gather," while others choose to sleep.

What would make us sleep? Well, what makes a shameful son sleep while the rest of the family goes out to work? Thoughts such as, "I have all I need" or "The work is too hard." Let the work be done for us, but please don't make me work!

Proverbs calls this line of reasoning shameful. I pray that the Lord will help me to labor hard for the gospel. Though the work is the Lord's in one sense, we are called to it - like sons working alongside their father. Will we be shameful sons, or prudent sons?

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NOTE: Having been away during the week at the PCA's General Assembly, I'll post on our Jerry Bridges book next week. We'll be wrapping it up next week and then... well, we'll see.

Blogging Bridges: Worldliness

We've come to the second-to-last chapter (and last sin-specific chapter) in Respectable Sins, and Bridges saves one of the best (and most convicting) for last. True to the purpose of the book, Bridges doesn't discuss overt worldliness, but focuses on subtle aspects of worldliness. He points to 1 Corinthians 7:31 to define this subtle aspect as using the things of the world "as if not engrossed by them." We are to use the legitimate things of the world carefully in case they become too important to us. Thus, Bridges defines worldliness as "being attached to, engrossed in, or preoccupied with the things of this temporal life." These things may not be sinful in and of themselves, but sinful worldliness occurs when we put too high a value on them.

Bridges unhesitatingly compares Christians to our unbelieving neighbors - our lives do not look much different than theirs - we mow the lawn, we pay our taxes, we avoid scandals. This is why living among them makes worldliness look acceptable. Thus, another definition cuts right to my heart: "Worldliness means accepting the values, mores, and practices of the nice, but unbelieving society around us without discerning whether or not they are biblical." Worldliness, then, is just going along with the culture around us as long as it is not obviously or explicitly sinful. What struck me is that discernment is not only necessary with doctrinal and theological issues, but a lack of it also contributes to worldliness.

Bridges focuses on three aspects of worldliness: money, immorality, and idolatry. I can't go into all three here, so I'll discuss the latter two (Ken or others: feel free to weigh in on the chapter at large, or on the money section as you see fit).

The primary form of subtle immorality is "vicarious immorality:" reading about other people's immorality or knowingly watching movies in which sexually explicit sins will be shown. When was the last time you declined to watch a film you knew portrayed sinful acts? Further, indulging in vicarious immorality never satisfies. Proverbs 27:20 says that "Hell and destruction are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied." Indulging in immorality just whets the appetite for more.

In today's modern age, idolatry can refer to "anything that we place such a high value on that it tends to absorb our emotional and mental energy, or our time and resources." Examples are career vocations, hobbies, sports, computer games, and even political and cultural issues. For example, Christians can make idols out of cultural issues like abortion, which I do not deny is a heinous sin. But Bridges calls us out when saying that the first priority of the church is to proclaim the gospel:

Unborn babies do need to be protected, and the biblical standard of marriage does need to be preserved. But above all, people need to be rescued from the power of Satan and brought into the kingdom of God through Jesus Christ. If we lose sight of the church's primary calling, then we are in danger of making an idol out of our cultural and political initiatives.

The final thought I'll bring up is that to combat worldliness, it is not enough to just resolve to not be worldly anymore. But we need to commit ourselves, by God's grace and the power of the Holy Spirit, to become more godly. In admonishing the early church, Paul never just says to stop sinning, but he uses a "put off/put on" model. Take Ephesians 5:17-18 for example:

Therefore, do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit.

As we ask God to increase our knowledge, faith, and desire for him, he will answer us, and our affections for worldly things will decrease and pass away.

Blogging Bridges: The Tongue

In ch.19 of Respectable Sins, Jerry Bridges discusses "sins of the tongue." This is a short chapter, and I'd like to complement it with a short post.

Like Bridges, I have found that Ephesians 4:29 is the "go to" passage for thinking about how we use our words. Few Christians fail to be convicted when they consider the weight of these words:

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. Ephesians 4:29

I would encourage you (and myself) to spend a day with Ephesians 4:29. Through the whole day, examine your words and conversations according to this principle: Did my words build others up, or tear them down?

If you give serious thought to this, you may just see your need for Christ - and his forgiveness - like never before!

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Two more chapters to go!