We are in the thick of a political campaign—you have seen yard signs sprouting everywhere like they were mushrooms, and those who do not know God are evidencing their faith in democracy. But we have faith in Jesus, not democracy. We believe in Jesus, not the Republicans and not the Democrats. C.S. Lewis once said …
Exactly So
Last week we considered the truth that we do more than consume in this meal—we are consumed as well. If the entire congregation is the loaf, as St. Paul plainly teaches, then we are—all of us—both eating and being eaten. We consume and are consumed. Christ gives Himself to us, certainly. But we also surrender …
Halloween
Here is a brief something I sent out to our church a few years ago. Some of you all might find it helpful. I forget if I have posted it before. Halloween As another Halloween approaches, and as many of us are working on building alternatives, I wanted to take the opportunity to offer a …
Audio Reading of Post
Fifth Decade of Psalms/Psalm 49
INTRODUCTION: We come now to a very potent expression of the biblical take on blind wealth in the face of inexorable death. As we treat the subject of our riches, let us take care, first, to remember the whole counsel of God on this subject, and let us take even greater care to not allow …
Hypocrisy and the Young
This exhortation is directed to the young people in our midst, to those who have grown up in the covenant. Here is the charge. Our unbelieving culture around us likes to pretend that hypocrisy, particularly religious hypocrisy, is the special province of elderly and crotchety Christians. But as one who has spent my entire life …
To Be Consumed
The apostle Paul plainly teaches us that when we partake of the bread in this Supper, we are partaking of the body of Christ, and by this he includes the entire congregation. “For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread” (1 Cor. 10:17). But …
Fifth Decade of Psalms/Psalm 48
INTRODUCTION: This jubilant psalm is not credited to any particular writer, but the tone and content make it likely that it was written in the aftermath of the great victory over Ammon, Moab, and Edom in the reign of Jehoshaphat—the time he sent the choir out in front of the army. THE TEXT: “Great is …
Twin Errors
The Church of Jesus Christ is a corporate body, a covenanted reality. Together, we are the bride of Christ, organically connected to all who love Jesus Christ all over the world and throughout history. We are the Church. We are also individual Christians. And we know that, while the elect are saved, not everyone who …
Wine of Astonishment
In Psalm 60:3, the judgments of God are described as making Israel drink the “wine of astonishment.” That astonishment was the result of seeing God shake everything. God makes the earth tremble and shake, and those who observe are undone. The wine we drink here at this Table is also the wine of astonishment. The …
Fifth Decade of Psalms/Psalm 47
INTRODUCTION: Throughout the Old Testament, we are frequently given glorious visions of God’s glorious plan for our fallen world. It is tempting to say that we are given glimpses of this, but when we finally understand what God has promised us, we start to see His promises everywhere. This psalm is one of many examples. …