Thursday, July 28, 2016

The Secular vs the Sacred: Brand on the Influence of Luther

This upcoming Sunday we will continue our study of Exodus and will highlight the important issue of how the gospel break's down the secular/sacred divide. In anticipation of that, I want to pass along the following quote from Dr. Chad Owen Brand who gives us a historic and theological perspective in the context of work in his book Flourishing Faith.

In 1517 an Augustinian monk in Saxony (Germany) sparked off a theological debate that grew into the movement we now call the Protestant Reformation. Luther’s major slogan was ‘justification by faith alone,’ but a corollary of that, and a point Luther made w/ almost as much ferocity as he did justification, was the idea that all Christians have a vocation (vocatio in Latin), that all Christians are divinely called. Whether one is a farmer, a banker, a scholar, a priest, or a merchant, Luther believed that all are callings from God and that the calling to a ‘secular’ vocation is just as holy as a calling to a ‘sacred vocation. Indeed, the distinction between sacred and secular becomes very blurred in Luther’s theology. In effect, this notion of vocation did more to elevate the field of ‘business’ than anyone might have thought possible. R. H. Murray in his book, The Political Consequences of the Reformation, offered this comment: ‘The “Saint’s Rest” was in the world to come: in this [world] he was a labor at his calling. Business henceforth became a sacred office in which it was man’s bounden duty to do his utmost ad majorem Dei gloriam [to the greatness of God’s glory].’ Labor glorifies God, and it is in that sense that every calling is a calling from God. In Catholicism the workplace could not have been seen as sacred (at that time), since only the communion of the saints in heaven is sacred. Luther had brought heaven down to earth.

Connected to this is Luther’s doctrinal conviction that all Christians are priests unto God (1 Peter 2:9). Luther did not diminish the important of the role of ‘pastor,’ but instead leveled the playing field, making that calling but one calling in the life of Christian people. All believers are priests, which means that all believers have the responsibility of serving one another in ministry. This preaching did not have the immediate effect of harnessing a vast lay movement toward ministry, but in the generations that followed a movement in Lutheranism called Pietism would seize on these ideas and witness a lay revival movement that empowered people in ‘secular’ employment to use their gifts and calling to serve the church. Luther’s doctrine of the priesthood of all believers would also spill over into later Baptist and Methodist circles, evangelical denominations that emphasized even more than Lutheranism that all are called into God’s service.

Luther’s reform initiative would eventually swallowed up large parts of Western Europe (including England) after his public stand before the emperor and the papacy at the Diet (Congress) of Worms in 1521. There, Luther, in defiance of the established powers in his part of the world proclaimed, ‘Here I stand. I cannot do otherwise. God help me. Amen.’ The Reformation was on, and it would, over time, completely transform the way Europeans thought about church, theology, politics, and work.” (17-18)
Let us not overlook the culture in which Luther lived. Only the priests could partake in the drinking of the transubstantiated blood of Christ (in the wine). The laity were only allowed to partake in the eating of the bread. This set the two classes, the sacred from the secular, apart giving the impression that in the eyes of God, the priests were holier, better, and more righteous. Luther tore that down in his reform.

Today we do something similar. Many feel that unless they are in vocational ministry (as pastor, youth minister, seminary professor, evangelists, etc.) they are not called to ministry. That does not reflect Luther's reform or his theology of the priesthood of believers. The minister, in reality, is a minister of ministers for we are all called. Serve where God has you to His glory.

A great example of this is William Wilberforce. After his conversion to Christianity, Wilberforce struggled with his public service. Can one be a consistent Christian while working in parliament. The hymn writer John Newton (most famous for the hymn "Amazing Grace") encouraged him to stay in Parliament for the very reasons articulated above by Dr. Brand about the theology of Martin Luther.

Wilberforce continued to serve the Lord as a politician and led the fight for the abolition of the slave trade in England.

Tuesday, July 26, 2016

July 24, 2016 | Enduring Faith

Here is the sermon from Sunday evening taken from the entire book of Hebrews.
God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world. And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much better than the angels, as He has inherited a more excellent name than they.
For to which of the angels did He ever say,
You are My Son,
Today I have begotten You”?
And again,
“I will be a Father to Him
And He shall be a Son to Me”?

Audio


For more:
April 24, 2016 | Exodus 1:1-2:10: Your Best Slavery Now
May 1, 2016 | Exodus 2:11-4:17 - Your Rod and Your Staff They Deliver Me
May 15, 2016 | Exodus 4:18-7:7: When Pharaoh Tempts Me To Despair
May 22, 2016 | Exodus 7:8-10:29
May 31, 2016 | Exodus 11:1-13:16 - Gospel Forgotten is Gospel Forsaken
June 5, 2016 | Exodus 13:17-15:21: The Grace that Saves is the Same Grace that Sustains
June 12, 2016 | Exodus 15:22-17:7: Would You Like Some Cheese With That Whine? or Why the Gospel is Better than Our Appetites 
July 3, 2016 | Exodus 17:8-18:27 - Help! I Need Somebody
July 10, 2016 | Exodus 19:1-20:21: (Thou Shalt Not) Walk Like an Egyptian
July 17, 2016 | Exodus 20:22-24:11
July 24, 2016 | Exodus 24:12-27:21, 35:1-40:38
April 24, 2016 | Genesis 37-50: Joseph
May 1, 2016 | Psalm 23
May 31, 2016 | Salvation is Creation: A Theology of Revelation
June 5, 2016 | Ecclesiastes 1-2
June 12, 2016 | Number 20:1-13
June 26, 2016 | Matthew 14:13-33
June 26, 2016 | Matthew 15:29-39
July 3, 2016 | 1 Samuel 15: Partial Obedience is Just Another Term for Disobedience
July 16, 2016 | 1 Corinthians 1:18-2:2: The Centrality of the Cross
July 24, 2016 | Enduring Faith

Monday, July 25, 2016

July 24, 2016 | Exodus 24:12-27:21, 35:1-40:38

Here is the sermon from Sunday morning taken from Exodus 24:12-27:21, 35:1-40:38:
12 Now the Lord said to Moses, “Come up to Me on the mountain and remain there, and I will give you the stone tablets with the law and the commandment which I have written for their instruction.” 13 So Moses arose with Joshua his servant, and Moses went up to the mountain of God. 14 But to the elders he said, “Wait here for us until we return to you. And behold, Aaron and Hur are with you; whoever has a legal matter, let him approach them.” 15 Then Moses went up to the mountain, and the cloud covered the mountain. 16 The glory of the Lord rested on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it for six days; and on the seventh day He called to Moses from the midst of the cloud. 17 And to the eyes of the sons of Israel the appearance of the glory of the Lord was like a consuming fire on the mountain top. 18 Moses entered the midst of the cloud as he went up to the mountain; and Moses was on the mountain forty days and forty nights.

Audio
Notes


For more:
April 24, 2016 | Exodus 1:1-2:10: Your Best Slavery Now
May 1, 2016 | Exodus 2:11-4:17 - Your Rod and Your Staff They Deliver Me
May 15, 2016 | Exodus 4:18-7:7: When Pharaoh Tempts Me To Despair
May 22, 2016 | Exodus 7:8-10:29
May 31, 2016 | Exodus 11:1-13:16 - Gospel Forgotten is Gospel Forsaken
June 5, 2016 | Exodus 13:17-15:21: The Grace that Saves is the Same Grace that Sustains
June 12, 2016 | Exodus 15:22-17:7: Would You Like Some Cheese With That Whine? or Why the Gospel is Better than Our Appetites 
July 3, 2016 | Exodus 17:8-18:27 - Help! I Need Somebody
July 10, 2016 | Exodus 19:1-20:21: (Thou Shalt Not) Walk Like an Egyptian
July 17, 2016 | Exodus 20:22-24:11 
July 24, 2016 | Exodus 24:12-27:21, 35:1-40:38
April 24, 2016 | Genesis 37-50: Joseph
May 1, 2016 | Psalm 23
May 31, 2016 | Salvation is Creation: A Theology of Revelation
June 5, 2016 | Ecclesiastes 1-2
June 12, 2016 | Number 20:1-13
June 26, 2016 | Matthew 14:13-33
June 26, 2016 | Matthew 15:29-39
July 3, 2016 | 1 Samuel 15: Partial Obedience is Just Another Term for Disobedience
July 16, 2016 | 1 Corinthians 1:18-2:2: The Centrality of the Cross

Tuesday, July 19, 2016

July 17, 2016 | Exodus 20:22-24:11

Here is the sermon from Sunday evening taken from Exodus 20:22-24:11:
22 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Thus you shall say to the sons of Israel, ‘You yourselves have seen that I have spoken to you from heaven. 23 You shall not make other gods besides Me; gods of silver or gods of gold, you shall not make for yourselves. 24 You shall make an altar of earth for Me, and you shall sacrifice on it your burnt offerings and your peace offerings, your sheep and your oxen; in every place where I cause My name to be remembered, I will come to you and bless you. 25 If you make an altar of stone for Me, you shall not build it of cut stones, for if you wield your tool on it, you will profane it. 26 And you shall not go up by steps to My altar, so that your nakedness will not be exposed on it.’

Audio
Notes


For more:
April 24, 2016 | Exodus 1:1-2:10: Your Best Slavery Now
May 1, 2016 | Exodus 2:11-4:17 - Your Rod and Your Staff They Deliver Me
May 15, 2016 | Exodus 4:18-7:7: When Pharaoh Tempts Me To Despair
May 22, 2016 | Exodus 7:8-10:29
May 31, 2016 | Exodus 11:1-13:16 - Gospel Forgotten is Gospel Forsaken
June 5, 2016 | Exodus 13:17-15:21: The Grace that Saves is the Same Grace that Sustains
June 12, 2016 | Exodus 15:22-17:7: Would You Like Some Cheese With That Whine? or Why the Gospel is Better than Our Appetites 
July 3, 2016 | Exodus 17:8-18:27 - Help! I Need Somebody 
July 10, 2016 | Exodus 19:1-20:21: (Thou Shalt Not) Walk Like an Egyptian
July 17, 2016 | Exodus 20:22-24:11 
April 24, 2016 | Genesis 37-50: Joseph
May 1, 2016 | Psalm 23
May 31, 2016 | Salvation is Creation: A Theology of Revelation
June 5, 2016 | Ecclesiastes 1-2
June 12, 2016 | Number 20:1-13
June 26, 2016 | Matthew 14:13-33
June 26, 2016 | Matthew 15:29-39
July 3, 2016 | 1 Samuel 15: Partial Obedience is Just Another Term for Disobedience
July 16, 2016 | 1 Corinthians 1:18-2:2: The Centrality of the Cross

Monday, July 18, 2016

July 17, 2016 | 1 Corinthians 1:18-2:2: The Centrality of the Cross

Here is the sermon from Sunday morning taken from 1 Corinthians 1:18:2-2:
18 For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written,

“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,
And the cleverness of the clever I will set aside.”

20 Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. 22 For indeed Jews ask for signs and Greeks search for wisdom; 23 but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness, 24 but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

26 For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble; 27 but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, 28 and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are, 29 so that no man may boast before God. 30 But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, 31 so that, just as it is written, “Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord.”

And when I came to you, brethren, I did not come with superiority of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God. For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.

Audio
Notes


For more:
April 24, 2016 | Exodus 1:1-2:10: Your Best Slavery Now
May 1, 2016 | Exodus 2:11-4:17 - Your Rod and Your Staff They Deliver Me
May 15, 2016 | Exodus 4:18-7:7: When Pharaoh Tempts Me To Despair
May 22, 2016 | Exodus 7:8-10:29
May 31, 2016 | Exodus 11:1-13:16 - Gospel Forgotten is Gospel Forsaken
June 5, 2016 | Exodus 13:17-15:21: The Grace that Saves is the Same Grace that Sustains
June 12, 2016 | Exodus 15:22-17:7: Would You Like Some Cheese With That Whine? or Why the Gospel is Better than Our Appetites 
July 3, 2016 | Exodus 17:8-18:27 - Help! I Need Somebody 
July 10, 2016 | Exodus 19:1-20:21: (Thou Shalt Not) Walk Like an Egyptian
April 24, 2016 | Genesis 37-50: Joseph
May 1, 2016 | Psalm 23
May 31, 2016 | Salvation is Creation: A Theology of Revelation
June 5, 2016 | Ecclesiastes 1-2
June 12, 2016 | Number 20:1-13
June 26, 2016 | Matthew 14:13-33
June 26, 2016 | Matthew 15:29-39
July 3, 2016 | 1 Samuel 15: Partial Obedience is Just Another Term for Disobedience
July 16, 2016 | 1 Corinthians 1:18-2:2: The Centrality of the Cross

Thursday, July 14, 2016

July 10, 2016 | Exodus 19:1-20:21: (Thou Shalt Not) Walk Like an Egyptian

Here is the sermon from Sunday morning taken from Exodus 19:1-20:21:
In the third month after the sons of Israel had gone out of the land of Egypt, on that very day they came into the wilderness of Sinai. When they set out from Rephidim, they came to the wilderness of Sinai and camped in the wilderness; and there Israel camped in front of the mountain. Moses went up to God, and the Lord called to him from the mountain, saying, “Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob and tell the sons of Israel: ‘You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings, and brought you to Myself. Now then, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be My own possession among all the peoples, for all the earth is Mine; and you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you shall speak to the sons of Israel.”

Audio


For more:
April 24, 2016 | Exodus 1:1-2:10: Your Best Slavery Now
May 1, 2016 | Exodus 2:11-4:17 - Your Rod and Your Staff They Deliver Me
May 15, 2016 | Exodus 4:18-7:7: When Pharaoh Tempts Me To Despair
May 22, 2016 | Exodus 7:8-10:29
May 31, 2016 | Exodus 11:1-13:16 - Gospel Forgotten is Gospel Forsaken
June 5, 2016 | Exodus 13:17-15:21: The Grace that Saves is the Same Grace that Sustains
June 12, 2016 | Exodus 15:22-17:7: Would You Like Some Cheese With That Whine? or Why the Gospel is Better than Our Appetites 
July 3, 2016 | Exodus 17:8-18:27 - Help! I Need Somebody   
July 10, 2016 | Exodus 19:1-20:21: (Thou Shalt Not) Walk Like an Egyptian
April 24, 2016 | Genesis 37-50: Joseph
May 1, 2016 | Psalm 23
May 31, 2016 | Salvation is Creation: A Theology of Revelation
June 5, 2016 | Ecclesiastes 1-2
June 12, 2016 | Number 20:1-13
June 26, 2016 | Matthew 14:13-33
June 26, 2016 | Matthew 15:29-39
July 3, 2016 | 1 Samuel 15: Partial Obedience is Just Another Term for Disobedience

Wednesday, July 13, 2016

Thursday, July 7, 2016

Tuesday, July 5, 2016

July 3, 2016 | 1 Samuel 15:1-35 - Partial Obedience is Just Another Term for Disobedience

Here is the sermon from Sunday evening taken from 1 Samuel 15:1-35:
Then Samuel said to Saul, “The Lord sent me to anoint you as king over His people, over Israel; now therefore, listen to the words of the Lord. Thus says the Lord of hosts, ‘I will punish Amalek for what he did to Israel, how he set himself against him on the way while he was coming up from Egypt. Now go and strike Amalek and utterly destroy all that he has, and do not spare him; but put to death both man and woman, child and infant, ox and sheep, camel and donkey.’”
 
Then Saul summoned the people and numbered them in Telaim, 200,000 foot soldiers and 10,000 men of Judah. Saul came to the city of Amalek and set an ambush in the valley. Saul said to the Kenites, “Go, depart, go down from among the Amalekites, so that I do not destroy you with them; for you showed kindness to all the sons of Israel when they came up from Egypt.” So the Kenites departed from among the Amalekites. So Saul defeated the Amalekites, from Havilah as you go to Shur, which is east of Egypt. He captured Agag the king of the Amalekites alive, and utterly destroyed all the people with the edge of the sword. But Saul and the people spared Agag and the best of the sheep, the oxen, the fatlings, the lambs, and all that was good, and were not willing to destroy them utterly; but everything despised and worthless, that they utterly destroyed.




10 Then the word of the Lord came to Samuel, saying, 11 “I regret that I have made Saul king, for he has turned back from following Me and has not carried out My commands.” And Samuel was distressed and cried out to the Lord all night. 12 Samuel rose early in the morning to meet Saul; and it was told Samuel, saying, “Saul came to Carmel, and behold, he set up a monument for himself, then turned and proceeded on down to Gilgal.” 13 Samuel came to Saul, and Saul said to him, “Blessed are you of the Lord! I have carried out the command of the Lord.” 14 But Samuel said, “What then is this bleating of the sheep in my ears, and the lowing of the oxen which I hear?” 15 Saul said, “They have brought them from the Amalekites, for the people spared the best of the sheep and oxen, to sacrifice to the Lord your God; but the rest we have utterly destroyed.” 16 Then Samuel said to Saul, “Wait, and let me tell you what the Lord said to me last night.” And he said to him, “Speak!”

17 Samuel said, “Is it not true, though you were little in your own eyes, you were made the head of the tribes of Israel? And the Lord anointed you king over Israel, 18 and the Lord sent you on a mission, and said, ‘Go and utterly destroy the sinners, the Amalekites, and fight against them until they are exterminated.’ 19 Why then did you not obey the voice of the Lord, but rushed upon the spoil and did what was evil in the sight of the Lord?”

20 Then Saul said to Samuel, “I did obey the voice of the Lord, and went on the mission on which the Lord sent me, and have brought back Agag the king of Amalek, and have utterly destroyed the Amalekites. 21 But the people took some of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the choicest of the things devoted to destruction, to sacrifice to the Lord your God at Gilgal.” 22 Samuel said,

“Has the Lord as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices
As in obeying the voice of the Lord?
Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice,
And to heed than the fat of rams.
23 “For rebellion is as the sin of divination,
And insubordination is as iniquity and idolatry.
Because you have rejected the word of the Lord,
He has also rejected you from being king.”

24 Then Saul said to Samuel, “I have sinned; I have indeed transgressed the command of the Lord and your words, because I feared the people and listened to their voice. 25 Now therefore, please pardon my sin and return with me, that I may worship the Lord.” 26 But Samuel said to Saul, “I will not return with you; for you have rejected the word of the Lord, and the Lord has rejected you from being king over Israel.” 27 As Samuel turned to go, Saul seized the edge of his robe, and it tore. 28 So Samuel said to him, “The Lord has torn the kingdom of Israel from you today and has given it to your neighbor, who is better than you. 29 Also the Glory of Israel will not lie or change His mind; for He is not a man that He should change His mind.” 30 Then he said, “I have sinned; but please honor me now before the elders of my people and before Israel, and go back with me, that I may worship the Lord your God.” 31 So Samuel went back following Saul, and Saul worshiped the Lord.

32 Then Samuel said, “Bring me Agag, the king of the Amalekites.” And Agag came to him cheerfully. And Agag said, “Surely the bitterness of death is past.” 33 But Samuel said, “As your sword has made women childless, so shall your mother be childless among women.” And Samuel hewed Agag to pieces before the Lord at Gilgal.

34 Then Samuel went to Ramah, but Saul went up to his house at Gibeah of Saul. 35 Samuel did not see Saul again until the day of his death; for Samuel grieved over Saul. And the Lord regretted that He had made Saul king over Israel.

Audio
Notes


For more:
April 24, 2016 | Exodus 1:1-2:10: Your Best Slavery Now
May 1, 2016 | Exodus 2:11-4:17 - Your Rod and Your Staff They Deliver Me
May 15, 2016 | Exodus 4:18-7:7: When Pharaoh Tempts Me To Despair
May 22, 2016 | Exodus 7:8-10:29
May 31, 2016 | Exodus 11:1-13:16 - Gospel Forgotten is Gospel Forsaken
June 5, 2016 | Exodus 13:17-15:21: The Grace that Saves is the Same Grace that Sustains
June 12, 2016 | Exodus 15:22-17:7: Would You Like Some Cheese With That Whine? or Why the Gospel is Better than Our Appetites 
July 3, 2016 | Exodus 17:8-18:27 - Help! I Need Somebody   
April 24, 2016 | Genesis 37-50: Joseph
May 1, 2016 | Psalm 23
May 31, 2016 | Salvation is Creation: A Theology of Revelation
June 5, 2016 | Ecclesiastes 1-2
June 12, 2016 | Number 20:1-13
June 26, 2016 | Matthew 14:13-33
June 26, 2016 | Matthew 15:29-39 
July 3, 2016 | 1 Samuel 15: Partial Obedience is Just Another Term for Disobedience

July 3, 2016 | Exodus 17:8-18:27 - Help! I Need Somebody

Here is the sermon from Sunday morning taken from Exodus 17:8-18:27.
Then Amalek came and fought against Israel at Rephidim. So Moses said to Joshua, “Choose men for us and go out, fight against Amalek. Tomorrow I will station myself on the top of the hill with the staff of God in my hand.” 10 Joshua did as Moses told him, and fought against Amalek; and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. 11 So it came about when Moses held his hand up, that Israel prevailed, and when he let his hand down, Amalek prevailed. 12 But Moses’ hands were heavy. Then they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it; and Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side and one on the other. Thus his hands were steady until the sun set. 13 So Joshua overwhelmed Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.

14 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Write this in a book as a memorial and recite it to Joshua, that I will utterly blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven.” 15 Moses built an altar and named it The Lord is My Banner; 16 and he said, “The Lord has sworn; the Lord will have war against Amalek from generation to generation.”
Audio
Notes


For more:
April 24, 2016 | Exodus 1:1-2:10: Your Best Slavery Now
May 1, 2016 | Exodus 2:11-4:17 - Your Rod and Your Staff They Deliver Me
May 15, 2016 | Exodus 4:18-7:7: When Pharaoh Tempts Me To Despair
May 22, 2016 | Exodus 7:8-10:29
May 31, 2016 | Exodus 11:1-13:16 - Gospel Forgotten is Gospel Forsaken
June 5, 2016 | Exodus 13:17-15:21: The Grace that Saves is the Same Grace that Sustains
June 12, 2016 | Exodus 15:22-17:7: Would You Like Some Cheese With That Whine? or Why the Gospel is Better than Our Appetites 
July 3, 2016 | Exodus 17:8-18:27 - Help! I Need Somebody  
April 24, 2016 | Genesis 37-50: Joseph
May 1, 2016 | Psalm 23
May 31, 2016 | Salvation is Creation: A Theology of Revelation
June 5, 2016 | Ecclesiastes 1-2
June 12, 2016 | Number 20:1-13
June 26, 2016 | Matthew 14:13-33
June 26, 2016 | Matthew 15:29-39