God's Moral Truth speaks to us in movies!

Last night I watched Spider man 3 with my grandsons.

Here are a few scenes and thoughts from the movie that even the secular world recognizes as wrong behavior, all the while embracing this behavior in our own lives.

Spider man kisses another woman even though he is proposing to his girlfriend.
Spider man shows off at a parade for the sake of his own ego.
Spider man seeking revenge, not justice
Spider man seeing women as sex objects as he is walking down the street.

The movie's theme is that Spider man is overtaken by some "symbiotic" substance, and the nature of the substance is to (overtake those who will not resist it, but embrace it(The Darkness)

The whole idea of the movie is that Spiderman is overtaken by evil, and the fans of Spiderman, what do they want? A worldly Spider man that seeks to respond in a dark way, or the good Spider man that seeks to respond with fairness and justice?
Will he overcome the darkness? Will the darkness overcome and possess him?

The truth is that as a viewer, we kind of like Spider man in his dark suit, for it feels more natural, more like we would want to respond if we had that power!
We relate better to the Spider man who shows no mercy to his enemy.
Yet we also know that this is not the nature of the "red" Spider man. Hmmm...

Every movie plays off of good and evil. Some movies elevate evil and darkness and sin as desirable, while others show the battle between good and evil, building in the viewer a hope for good's victory over evil.

What's my point? Moral truth is written in the heart of every man. Our movies address these truths in the viewer, and either seek to entice their viewer to embrace and take pleasure in the evil, in movies where we identify with the villain, live out our fantasies with the adulterer,or the wealthy, or the vigilante.

On the other side of the coin we are torn emotionally by truth's pain as we identify with loss of loved ones, sad love stories, and sad endings.

We cannot avoid the truth. We can only deny it, suppress it, or embrace it. Truth will never go away. We are all accountable, and truth shall always have it's effect upon us, either to teach us, judge us, or bless us.

Jesus said "Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness rather than the light...".

Jesus said "I am the Light of the world".

Too many voices?

The other day I jumped into my car, backed out of the driveway(of course putting on my seat belt first), turned on the radio, and listened to some sermon on marriage. The preacher was discussing the freedom of the believe to remarry after divorce.

I reached my destination, did a few errands, got back into my car, turned on the radio(again buckling up), and tuned in to another station. The preacher was saying the exact opposite of the earlier preacher.

How confusing for some poor and struggling Christian trying to get some word from God. I then considered the pattern that I have experienced for a long time.

There are many different speakers on Christian radio every day. Often times I hear teaching that conflicts with the program that was on ten minutes before. Now I know that we are to use our minds, weigh what we hear, read for ourselves, attend our local church and sit under those whom God has appointed. However, there are so many voices on radio, television, cable, DVD, and so on, that the young or undiscerning believer can become easily confused and worse, taught inaccurately the word of God.


The listener without discernment receives the voice from radio broadcast, and the other media as though it has much great authority than their local pulpit.


Suggestions:

Talk with your local pastor, who has been given charge to care for your soul, and ask for his thoughts concerning all the many voices.

Listen to a select few that are not in great conflict with each other. You are listening to learn, not to be confused! As one writer put it so well, "one cannot enter a coal mine with a white suit and come out clean". So it also is true that one cannot listen to the many different voices often at odds with each other concerning the word of God, and still have confidence that God is unchanging, and not suffering a split personality!


I am not condemning Christian radio. I believe in Christian radio for the sake of basic gospel evangelism messages, for broadcasting to the hard to reach places. But too many people are relying on the radio and television for their basic instruction, when they ought to be in the local church meeting with their brothers and sisters, excited together about God's speaking His word to them in the local church setting.

Is it wrong to listen to Christian radio? No. I have many times been encouraged by solid Christian teaching via radio. But the radio pastor is not in charge of your soul. Listen, but do so with discernment, and weigh what you hear, with the help of your pastor, and other brothers and sisters in your local church.

Your thoughts?

Read a challenging book!

I just finished reading a book that was a challenge for me. I must read slowly, and digest a little at a time many of the books that I read. At first I pick up the book, thumb through it, and realize that it is "Greek to me", and it looks more like physics instead of math.

Well, working through the book slowly I begin to learn, and then I am greatly encouraged that I actually understand partially what the author is saying. I press on reading, and the lights go on brighter and brighter! I begin to understand phrases that were way over my head! What a great blessing for us that our Creator has given us the ability to learn new things, to increase in our knowledge and understanding. (Of course, I am also aware that "knowledge puffs up, but love builds up" and that "the man who thinks he knows something does not yet know as he ought to know." But the adventure of learning is a really great kindness and grace that has been bestowed upon us.

Yet, let us learn the following:

Learning must be accompanied by humility. Humility is the fruit that is far more easiily cultivated when you read books that are beyond your present scope of understanding. Reading books that are beyond us is good fertilizer for the plant that grows humility!

Read something that is truly worthwhile, something that will increase not only your learning, but your love, your character, your skills, your person, your storehouse of truth! Truth matters in this life, regardless of what others are saying about it. Bus schedules must be true, or they are not worth anything. A man's word must be true or his word is not worth anything. Your savings book must hold the truth of what you have in there or it is not worth anything!
Truth matters. Read books that will increase your knowledge and love of the truth.

(Read the Bible. Jesus said "Thy Word is Truth" as he prayed to the Father. Yes, read the Bible. The Bible teaches us the truth about God, life, death, purpose, heaven, hell, parenting, justice, forgiveness, etc...)

There was a time when I actually thought I knew a good bit of theology. Well, only because I live in a culture where the religious leaders are mostly elementary theologians.

But as I read scholars, godly scholars, I am humbled. One of my favorite speakers, C.J. Mahaney once said at a conference in which he was one of the last speakers, following great and well known speakers
"Well, you've heard Concords take off, and B1 bombers shake the place, all out here with a roar, and now I come out with a little puff, puff, buzzing, like a Cessna two seater."

That's how it is when we read books that humble us, or that should humble us. We learn that we are only Cessnas, but we can learn from and grow into, well, maybe a four-seater!

What to Read!

Okay, here is something most readers do not practice in their reading.

Grab a book that is over and beyond your present knowledge, a difficult book.

Most people read what they already know! They read what agrees with them, or is just a repeat of their storehouse of knowledge. Their mental library would look more like a specialty bookstore that supplies the same subject, level, and opinion.

Read a book from "the other side", you know, those you disagree with, but have no real idea about the person or their real views.

In other words...read a book that will increase your knowledge, that will teach you something new. You may disagree with the author more than before, but at least it will be based upon knowledge.

Suggestion: Read How to Read a Book, by Mortimer Adler.
There are excellent chapters that teach one how to read any kind of book.
This book should be required reading in all high schools.

"Jesus Christ is Lord" Is Not Necessarily Good News!

Hear Ye! Hear Ye! The good news! Jesus Christ is Lord! Jesus Christ is Lord!

IS THIS GOOD NEWS? Not necessarily. It is terrifying news to an unredeemed, unrighteous world that is still under that wrath of God! Contrary to author N.T. Wright's understanding of Paul in the Scriptures, WE MUST HOLD DEARLY THE DOCTRINE OF IMPUTED RIGHTEOUSNESS.

In John Piper's book The Future of Justification, the author is arguing to defend the historical understanding of the doctrine of justification which is crucial to the nature of the gospel.

Tom Wright is a very sharp scholar who is arguing against the historical interpretation of the apostle Paul . Wright teaches that the message of the gospel is not "how to get saved" or how to be made righteous in the sight of God, but rather "the gospel is a proclamation that Jesus, the crucified and risen Messiah, is the one and only true Lord of the world."

Now this may sound like good news(Gospel), but John Piper rightly reminds us that this is not good news...necessarily. It is not good news because, without justification in that good news we are not saved. If we are not saved, then we are in serious trouble, for we remain under the wrath of the Holy God, Creator and Sustainer of the Universe! Piper points out that the announcement that "Jesus is Lord is not good news until we hear the terms of the amnesty." The really good news is that we are saved from the wrath of God through Jesus Christ's life, death, and resurrection. We are "justified", that is, that the righteousness of Christ is imputed to us, which in reality makes us righteous, through faith in the finished work of Christ on the cross.

Remember Paul, knocked to the ground blind? Apart from Christ having chosen to save Paul, Paul was in serious trouble under such an infinitely powerful Being that blinded him, and grounded him. When this happens Paul's first response is not "Hooray, Jesus is Lord of the Universe". He is trembling and fearful, and at God's mercy. The good news is that God chose to deliver Paul from His fierce wrath, through faith in Jesus Christ.

Have you been delivered from the fierce wrath of God? Only if you have repented to God concerning your sinful state, and placed your faith in Jesus Christ. Then Christ has you "covered". Enjoy your Savior.

Worship matters!

Do you worship? Yes, you do worship. Whether you are an atheist, a Muslim, a Christian, a scientist, you do worship. Worship is the expression of the soul toward that which it loves, finds happiness in. Whatever it is that gets most of your attention, time, and service, is your god.
Now the One true God has said in the Bible that He alone is worthy of your worship, yet Christians are often like the Israelites in the Old testament; they fear God, but practice idolatry.
We worship what our hearts are longing after, running after, expending all energy after.

Who or what do you worship?

Do you enjoy meeting with God in His Word, in prayer, in corporate gatherings? Or do you get more joy out of reading books, buying new flat screens, ipods, pda's, etc...?

Here's a hint...read Bob Kauflin's book, Worship Matters.

Worship includes knowing God's word, singing, practicing our skills on instruments, serving others as we serve God. But we can do all of these and not worship God, and too often that is exactly what we are doing; everything but worshipping God.
An excellent and enjoyable read. Every worship pastor must read this book. MUST!

A brief word on the singing aspect of worship, by the author...

"It's a source of profound encouragement to realize that God gave us music to deepen and develop our relationship with Him. The Father sings, the Son sings, the Spirit sings...

How can we keep from singing?" (pg. 99)

"Big Brother (Elder) is Watching You?"

Some friends we spoke with recently began attending a P.C.A. church(a fine denomination I might add).

Our friends shared with their church that they had watched American Idol. Oh my!
Immediately, the leadership ordered a meeting with them to discuss this "sin".

Brothers, I am not a TV buff. I personally prefer to read edifying books. But I am not going to judge my brother because he is watching some show on TV. Our Lord says that we will be judged with the measure that we judge others. Let us be careful how we deal with such matters.
A dinner together, a discussion perhaps on what made the show such a big hit, perhaps a conversation on how, or whether a Christian can watch the show to the glory of God, etc..., or better yet, a discussion with a number of healthy pastors to weigh the importance or unimportance of the issue.

Discipline over American Idol? Imagine if we disciplined over music, television, movies, books magazines, and such, that are...okay, shallow, empty perhaps.

How we handle such matters as leaders reflects our understanding of the great grace of the Gospel of Christ.

I am sure that there are BIGGER SIN PROBLEMS IN THE CHURCH THAN WATCHING AMERICAN IDOL! (Pride, arrogance, legalism, materialism, lukewarmness, lust, GOSSIP, SLANDER...you finish the list.

We do not want a worldly church, but we do not want a harsh, legalistic, and graceless church either. None of these glorify the Lord Jesus Christ.

Which PDA Do I Buy with Bible on it?

Okay, I'm no geek, not even close!

Which Pda do I buy? Does it come with the ESV on it? If not, then which software should I get?

I told you that I'm not a geek, not even close! Help me. My family wants to buy me a pda/bible package. Duh, what should I tell them?

God's Transforming Power

Last night I watched a testimony video of a former male prostitute, drug addict, transvestite that lived on the streets of New York City for years. I was certainly moved by the powerful conversion story of this individual. Repentance, acceptance into the church, true transformation back into a real man. This individual then married, and tasted life as God had designed it.
He then evangelized to others that were trapped in their sin just like he had been. An amazing story. And true. The man ended up dying of aids as a result of his former life, but now he is in the arms of His Redeemer.

What really connected with me were two aspects of his testimony.
The first was the faith and courage of a simple man that would evangelize these troubled men. He would go down to the salt pits, where the city stored their winter street salt. This was where these male prostitutes would hang out and get business from doctors, lawyers, and all types of professionals from Wall Street. Anyway, this man of God cared enough to go there and tell them of the Savior's love, of God's greatness, and of the power of God to save. The story spoke of only the one man that was rescued, while others walked away in their troubles, despair, and sin.
God is awesome, sending his people to the "pit of hell" to rescue His people.

The other thing that really moved me was how the church received this mixed up individual.
You see, he did not embrace Christ at first. The initial sight that the church saw was still the shocking sight of this male prostitute dressed as a woman, enter their church. The first thing he did was come to the worship service. He was in appearance as an attractive, slender blond. He did not know how to be a man, walk like a man, talk like a man or dress like a man anymore. The church met with him and treated him as some woman's son, and a creature of God, and they told him about the love and power of Christ to save.

Over the next few weeks, he was befriended by a small group in the church. He learned how to be a man again. He learned how to be who he was created to be. What an example of the church of Jesus Christ, Who came to save sinners, troubled, wicked, stinking sinners. Jesus did say that he came to "seek and save the lost" not those who had their lives together, or at least think they have it together.

William Cowper reminds us that we, like this troubled man, are vile as he, yet also as clean as he, in his Hymn There is a Fountain, in verse 2
"the dying thief rejoiced to see that fountain in his day, and there may I though vile as he wash all my sins away".
Hallelujah, what a Savior!

Putting Sin To Death

What have you put to death recently? Rather, what sin have you put to death recently?

Right now I am reading Mortification of Sin by John Owen. In this practical and convicting work Owen reminds us that we have a life long calling to "put sin to death" or it will put you to death.

One small note that I walked away with, and I will meditate on "assiduously" is this:
sin never desires to just flirt with an individual. The flirt is meant to seduce, the seducing is meant to allure, and the alluring is meant to give birth to adultery, immorality, greed, or whatever the nature of the sin is. Sin always has in mind the extreme maximum is permitted.
Owen writes that unbelief is aimed to bring about atheism, lust is meant to complete itself in immorality and so on.

Do you remember David and Bathsheba? David's first sin was not adultery! He stayed home at the time when kings go to war. He went up on the roof. He studied Bathsheba with his eyes, he committed adultery, then murder, and self deceiving. Only by God's grace was David redeemed through the prophet Nathan's message.

Keep this in mind. Sin seeks to have it's way with you, to do far more than make yo sick. Sin wants to destroy you, and as a result of crumbling you, to shake the faith of others as they watch you fall.

KILL SIN OR IT WILL BE KILLING YOU!--JOHN OWEN

One final word, for now. We are saved by grace, not by our killing sin. Jesus is our righteousness! But we were saved from sin and it's destructive powers, in order that we would be a holy people! O God, make us to be a people that learn how to put to death whatever belongs to our earthly nature, by the power of Your Holy Spirit. Amen.