Opening Prayer: Almighty and Gracious God, we are your holy people, gathered in your holy name, to feast upon your holy word and gifts. Pour out your life giving and illuminating Spirit upon us now as we consider your holy word. Grant this for Jesus’ sake, Amen!
Introduction
Today is Pentecost, the high feast of the Christian year when we celebrate the outpouring of the Spirit by the Lord Jesus Christ. Today we worship the Holy Spirit together with the Father and the Son as the one who has anointed us, filled us, and empowers us for service.
Ordination
After the priests were washed (29:4), Aaron was vested in his garments (29:5-6) and anointed to sanctify him (29:7), his sons are vested (29:8-9), and then a series of sacrifices and rituals commenced. There were three animals to be offered: a bull and two rams (29:1). Aaron and his sons lean their hands on each of the animals before they are slaughtered (29:10, 15, 19). As with the individual worshipper, the animal represents those who lay their hands upon it (cf. Lev. 1:4). It is not an accident that this same ritual of ordination is still a central part of ordination in the new covenant (cf. Acts 6:6, 1 Tim. 4:14). Ordination is a call to substitutionary death through sacrificial ministry.
The Sacrifices
The sacrifices are a sin offering (29:14), an ascension offering (29:18), and a peace offering (29:28, 32). Since these represent the priests, they suggest different aspects of priestly service: they are to be a ministry of atonement/forgiveness (sin offering), they are a ministry of reconciliation and reunion (ascension offering), and they are a ministry of peace and rejuvenation (peace offering). This is the same order that the cleansing ritual of the Nazirite follows (Num. 6:16-17). This suggests both that the Nazirite was a kind of temporary priest, but also that priests are Nazirite-like warriors of Yahweh. The blood of the ram of consecration is put on the extremities of the Aaron and his sons (29:20), and blood and oil together is sprinkled upon them (29:21). A very similar action is also prescribed for the cleansing of lepers (Lev. 14:14-18). Notice the priest gets at the beginning what both Nazirites and lepers get at the end. For Nazirites and lepers, their separation was temporary and unusual, for priests, they are separated permanently and vocationally. It is their calling to be separated as holy to the Lord.
Walking Altars
The action of “filling the hands of Aaron” is integral to the ordination ceremony (29:24, Lev. 8:27, cf. Num. 6:19). The meat of the peace offering and the bread of the wave offering are to be eaten in the holy place: it is holy food for holy people (29:33-34). The priestly ordination in some way appears to make Aaron and his sons the equivalent of the altar: just as the priest is cleansed and anointed to consecrate him (29:1, 7-9, and his garments 29:21, 29), so too must the altar be cleansed and anointed to consecrate it (29:36). As blood is put on the extremities of the altar (29:12), so too, blood is put on the extremities of Aaron and his sons (29:20). The conclusion is that the altar is “most holy” (like the Most Holy Place), and therefore whoever touches it must be “holy” (29:37). Presumably, the altar is considered “most holy” because it carries the sacrifices directly into the presence of God; likewise priests are walking altars in so far as they carry the blood of the sacrifices directly into the presence of God in the tabernacle. Just as the sacrifices are placed upon the altar, they are placed upon the palms of Aaron and his sons. Priests are walking altars.
Worship for Glory for Evangelism
The final verses of this chapter outline the daily worship that the priests are to offer in order that God’s glory might sanctify the children of Israel (29:43-46). The glory of God dwells with Israel in order that they may know and remember the Exodus-gospel. The glory of God appears in order that God might be known. It is this reality that actually occurs in the closing verses of Exodus (40:34-38). When the glory of the Lord comes down into the tabernacle, Moses is not able to enter the presence of the Lord (40:35), and the glory of the Lord appears as a great cloud and fire “in the sight of all the house of Israel” (40:38). The tabernacle is the house of God, and with one great fire over top of it, it is a portable altar: when it moves, Israel follows (40:36-38).
Pentecost and Today
What we see in Exodus 40 is precisely what occurred in Acts 2 when the Holy Spirit was poured out. There, a rushing, mighty wind came and “filled the whole house where they were sitting,” but instead of one, centralized fire over the house, “there appeared divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit…” (Acts 2:3-4). The new house of God is the Church which is made up of all the people who have been anointed and sanctified by this Spirit-presence of God.
If the priests of the old covenant were called to minister as sacrificial substitutes for the rest of Israel, and if they were called upon to be ‘walking altars’ for the nation of Israel, it cannot be more plain that this is what all Christians are called to in the new covenant. The reason that fire comes down upon each of the believers at Pentecost is because they have all been turned into altars. They have all been consecrated, made holy, anointed by the Holy Spirit.
Therefore you are called to that sacrificial ministry of forgiveness, reconciliation, and peace. The worship that you enact here is meant to bring the glory of God to the world in order that they might know God. Live out your liturgy in the power of the Spirit.
In the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Amen!
Closing Prayer: Gracious Father, we ask you for a double portion of your Spirit now. Even as Elisha was granted a double portion of Elijah’s spirit, we ask for the Holy Spirit of your servant Jesus to be poured out upon us with greater power. We ask this that we might be your faithful ministers in our families, in our communities, in our work place, and in here in your Church, that we might be means of grace and peace.
Monday, May 12, 2008
Eighth Sunday in Easter: Pentecost: Exodus 29
The Spirit of Loyalty
We serve the Triune God, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and that means that at the center of our faith is the virtue of love. When we say that God is love: we mean that the Father, Son, and Spirit always and forever give themselves to one another in love and loyalty. Paul says that the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. This means that the love of God in an important sense, is the Holy Spirit that has been given to us. The Holy Spirit is the bond of love that unites the Father and the Son in loving loyalty, and therefore the Holy Spirit has been given to us to unite us to one another and to the Father and the Son. So who are your people? Who are the people that God has given you to love, to serve, to cling to? What is the evidence of the Holy Spirit’s work in your life? Who are the people that you are loving now more than ever? Who are the people that you are more loyal to now than you were five or ten years ago. When God saves you, he saves you into his family, into his kingdom, into his city, and it is here in the Church that he promises to bless you as you give yourself away. And this is the key: it will not do to say that you will start being loyal to that guy over there as soon as he starts being loyal to me. It will not do to say that you will start being loyal to them as soon as they start showing some concern for me. That is a false gospel. That is not the way God has been with you. The Trinity is bound up in loving loyalty that is based upon self-giving, self-sacrifice. The call to loyalty means opening your eyes and looking around you. That’s what the Spirit does. The Spirit hovers at Creation, the Spirit inspires artisans, the Spirit empowers judges, the Spirit gives boldness to apostles. Look to your children, look to your spouse, look to your neighbors, and look to those people in your rows and behind you and in front of you. These are your people. Your people are the people of God. You belong to one another because you have been united by the one Holy Spirit who unites us in the harmony of the Father and the Son. The Holy Spirit has been poured out upon us; therefore live in the power of this Spirit. Cultivate loyalty.
Thursday, May 08, 2008
Sunday, May 04, 2008
Tovia in May
Just wanted to give another update on our daughter Tovia: The little woman is eating and growing like a champ. She's broken 3lbs 13oz. as of this evening, and she's definitely looking like she's got a little more flesh on those bones. We're thankful that she has continued to show no signs of bowel issues, and her preemie eye doctor was rather impressed with how "remarkably" good her eyes looked. The doctor has told us that she is definitely on track to be coming home in the next week or so. So we're praying that she might be able to come home sometime this week. Mother's Day would certainly be sweet with our daughter finally home.
Thank you for the many prayers that you have offered for our daughter and our family. We know that our faithful Father has answered many prayers, and continues to show his kindness to us. The Lord be with you!
(I'll try to get a new picture or two up in the next day or so.)
Sitting in the Most Holy Place
In the Ascension we celebrate the fact that our King has sat down at the right hand of God the Father. This is enthronement and rule, but this is also a radical statement about the peace we have with God. There is a son of man, a son of Adam sitting in the presence of God. Remember in the tabernacle, only a few people could drawn near and even then they were always on their feet. The missing piece of furniture in the tabernacle is a chair, a bed, something to sit down and rest on. Of course the ark was sort of a throne for God, but Aaron and his sons were not welcome to rest in the presence of God. They only fought, they only sprinkled blood, they only worked, and then left. But Jesus, the great Moses and the greater Aaron has gone into the Holy of Holies and sat down with God. This is like Moses going into the Most Holy Place and taking a seat above the cherubim. And yet this is precisely what God the Father invited his faithful Son to do. For Aaron and his sons and certainly the rest of Israel getting too close to the presence of God meant certain death. Drawing near was frightening and uncertain. But we now have a High Priest sitting in the presence of God. We can draw near because he is there for us. And even more than that, he invites us to come in and sit down with him. Paul says that he has seated us in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus. He has made us Kings and Priests to our God. And therefore as we come to this meal, we do so reclining, sitting, at peace and at rest with God and one another. We sit as the royalty, the nobility of God, the brothers and sisters, sons and daughters of the King. Here you eat as nobility. You are crowned with glory and honor. You are his staff, his armies, his closest associates, his bodyguards, his advisors, his friends. So come eat and drink and rejoice with the King. Your sins are forgiven, Jesus is King, and you are most welcome.
Ascension Sunday: Exodus 27-28
Opening Prayer: Gracious God and Father, we thank you that our King has been enthroned in heaven. We thank you that he rules over the nations and kings and rulers of the earth. We ask now that you would pour out upon us his Spirit that we may be made mighty to serve in your kingdom. Through Christ our King, Amen!
Introduction
Today is Ascension Sunday, and while we will continue considering Exodus this morning and the building of the tabernacle. There are several themes that we find in our text today that are types and shadows pointing to the enthronement of our King Jesus.
Courtyard of the King
We said last week that the tabernacle is the royal palace of Yahweh, the King of Israel, and it is according to the pattern of the mountain (25:40). The inside of this palace-tent is covered in gold; it shines and glimmers with glory like the top of Mt. Sinai. It is symbolically guarded by the cherubim stationed above the ark and woven into the curtains and veils of the tent. Now we move out into the courtyard of the King: here everything is made of bronze and silver (27:3-4, 10-11, 17-19). The primary object in the courtyard is the great bronze altar (27:1ff, 40:6), but we know from directions in the following chapters that there is also a bronze laver in the courtyard (30:17-21, 40:7). Notice that everything inside the tent is gold, and everything in the courtyard is bronze. The tabernacle is color-coded. The courtyard was about 75ft wide by 150ft long, and the wall was almost 8 feet tall (27:18). The chapter ends with a brief description of the oil for the lampstand inside the tabernacle; perhaps this is mentioned here because it is an activity that took place in the courtyard. The court is considered a holy place, and it is where the priests were to eat their portions (Lev. 6:9, 19). Throughout the Old Testament the word “KHAZER” often means “village” – a smaller enclosed town (e.g. Gen. 25:16, Josh. 13, 15, 19), what the middle ages might have called a castle. The courtyard corresponds to the bottom of Mt. Sinai; it is where Israel must go to offer her offerings (Lev. 1:3, 5). The courts are what many of the Psalms rejoice in (Ps. 84:2, 96:8, 100:4).
Priest as Warrior
The following chapter outlines the garments of the priests who are to serve in the King’s Palace. The priests are the royal attendants, the bodyguards and servants of the King of Israel. And Yahweh cares what they look like (28:2-3). Notice that when the Spirit comes upon people it sometimes makes them create beautiful and glorious things. The priestly uniform is the uniform of a warrior. He wears an ephod which is some sort of vest which attaches to two stones on his shoulders the names of the sons of Israel as a memorial (28:9-12). He then wears a breastplate over the ephod, and it is covered in precious stones again engraved with the names of the sons of Israel as a memorial (28:17-21). The breastplate is attached with gold chains to the shoulder straps of the ephod (28:22-28). Aaron is to have the Urim and the Thummim over his heart whenever he goes in before the Lord in order to bear the judgment of Israel over his heart (28:30). He wears a robe over this armor which opens “like a coat of mail” (28:31-32). He wears bells along the bottom of his robes that make him sound like a soldier geared for battle (28:33-35). The priest is to wear a turban with a gold plate across the front of it with the military insignia “holiness to Yahweh” (28:36-37). They are given sashes and special pants for their service as well (28:39-42). This armor is for “glory and for beauty” (28:2, 40), and all of it prepares Aaron and his sons to do battle with sin and iniquity and guilt (28:38). And they bear the names of their countrymen into battle before the Lord like insignias (28:11, 21). And they carry out this battle with the offerings of the sons of Israel (28:38).
Conclusion & Applications
The court is where Israelites bring their offerings (Lev. 1:3); it is where the bodyguards of Yahweh do their battle, where lambs and birds and cows were slaughtered and cut up into pieces. Pieces were burned on bronze altar, blood was taken into the tabernacle and sprinkled on various items, and once a year, blood was taken in and sprinkled on the ransom lid of the ark. Arguably, the central character of the book of Revelation is the lamb (Rev. 5:6, 8, 12-13, 6:1, 16, 7:9-10, etc.). The whole point of the tabernacle is trying to get Israel into the presence of God. The blood of their lambs was taken in, their names and their judgments were carried in on the priests. And now there’s a lamb in the presence of God. Jesus is our High Priest who has offered his own blood and has sat down at the right hand of God until his enemies are his footstool (Heb. 10:11ff). Jesus has not merely gone in on our behalf, he has taken us up with him. He doesn’t just take our names in with him, he takes us. And this means that God calls us to a full assurance of faith, a clean conscience, hold fast his promises, and consider one another to stir one another up to love and good works – all as we assemble together regularly (Heb. 10:19-25).
In the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Amen!
Closing Prayer: Gracious Lord, we thank you that Jesus has been raised from the dead and that he now sits at your right hand in glory. We thank you that when he was raised up, you offered him all the nations of the earth as his possession and inheritance, and that he is reigning until all of his enemies have become his footstool. Give us faith that is assured of these promises and that lives them out with joy and love.
The Polling Is Over
Today is Ascension Sunday. Today we celebrate with the Church throughout the world the enthronement of Jesus Christ at the right hand of God the Father. This is a message that many non-Christians do not want to hear. This is a message that many Christians do not want to hear. When we say that Jesus is Lord; we do not mean that Jesus is willing to give you happy feelings. When we say that Jesus is the Christ; we do not mean that you can ask him into your heart if you want to. When Kings are enthroned, when Emperors sit upon their daises, when Presidents are inaugurated, the newspapers do not then begin to take polls and see if anyone is willing to vote for them. All the polling is over. It doesn’t matter what the parliaments and supreme courts and nations and rulers of the world think. It doesn’t matter if they accept Jesus or not. It’s not up to them. 2000 years ago, a man came back from the dead, pushed over the stone that was blocking his tomb and announced that a new world was beginning to a small band of frightened Roman Soldiers. Forty days later that same man ascended into heaven and was given power and dominion and rule over all of the nations of the earth. He was granted authority in heaven and on earth, and he was given a kingdom and empire that cannot be stopped, that cannot deterred, and that will not cease to grow and expand until it covers the earth as the waters cover the sea. The powers of this world are not happy with this, and they are doing their best to ignore it and minimize it. But the nations of this world, its kings and presidents owe their allegiance to Jesus. When we say that Jesus is Lord we mean that Caesar is not. When we say that Jesus is the Christ, we mean that Jesus is the King. He is the anointed High Priest and the King of all Kings over the earth. This has been true for 2000 years, and no amount of scientific evidence, historical research, political maneuvering, or polling or market research will change this fact. Jesus is King of this world. We are his loyal subjects, and we utterly refuse to forget it.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Forgiveness as Incense
“Through our forgiveness, which is a sort of daily incense of spirit offered to God on the altar of the heart – the heart we are bidden to lift up – we are enabled, even if we do not live here without sin, to die without sin, when time and again God’s forgiveness erases those sins which time and again, through ignorance or weakness, we commit.” (Augustine, On Nature and Grace, 52)
I love several parts of this: First, Augustine points out that our forgiving of others is an act of worship. Just as prayers and praise directly to God can be acts of worship, so too, our acts of faithful obedience like releasing others from their debts, forgiving their trespasses, those acts are worship, they are like incense that rises as a pleasing aroma to God. Secondly, I love the reference to the Sursum Corda, the "Lift up your hearts!" that the minister declares as we gather for worship. This is an ancient call to worship that has been used literally since the early church. The response from the congregation is: "We lift them up to the Lord!" It is itself a call and a recognition that in Christian worship, God's people are invited into his presence, into his heavenly presence, and thus the Sursum Corda is a call to ascend into the heavenly places. Again, Augustine is pointing out that the same heart that we lift up to the Lord on Lord's Day is the same heart that is called to release, to forgive, to let go and give mercy and grace. And this leads to the third thing: Augustine takes the words of the gospel seriously. Christ says that if we do not forgive others their trespasses against us, neither will our heavenly father forgive us our trespasses. This is a horrific warning that I suspect many glibly pass over and try not to think to deeply about. But Augustine says that we cannot lift up hearts to the Lord for blessing and grace that refuse to extend that same grace and blessing to those around us. Or the other way around: If we lift our hearts up to the Lord, crying out for mercy, how can we not forgive those who lift their hearts up to us for forgiveness, for mercy. And while some may worry that Augustine is teetering on some sort of works-righteousness scheme suggesting that God forgives us (in some sense) literally when we are faithful to forgive those around us, the problem is not in what Augustine says or even encourages us to do. The problem comes when people make it into an math problem, a formula for manipulating God. But of course that will never do, and they've got another thing coming to them. Lift up your hearts, people. Forgiveness is a pleasing aroma to God.
Sunday, April 27, 2008
River, Felicity, and of course Tovia
We continue to be so thankful for all the answered prayers for Miss Tovia. As you can see in this picture, she (as of today, Sunday) is tube-free. No more needles, no more tubes. She has gone to full bottle feeds, and our hope is that she can keep it up with out getting too worn out. Her eye exam last Friday went well, and the doc says she's got remarkably good eyes. Thank you for your prayers; Lord willing, Tovia will be home in the next couple of weeks. 
Face Bread
As we considered the instructions for building the tabernacle, we noticed that there was to be a table overlaid in gold in the presence of Yahweh. It was to have “showbread” on it and was to be before Yahweh always (25:30). This showbread is literally “face bread,” and it perhaps derives its name from the fact that it is literally “before the face of” Yahweh. But generally it refers to the nearness and presence of God, and therefore we might call it the bread of the presence or the bread of nearness. Of course most of Israel will never eat of this bread, only those priests who work in the tabernacle will be allowed to eat of this bread. This bread of God’s face reminds us of the elders and priests on Mt. Sinai who saw God and ate with him (24:11).
There’s so much meaning in the face. When we don’t want to talk to people we tend to look the other way. When we don’t want to be seen, we hide our face. If when we’re slightly embarrassed or ashamed we look down or away. This is why the Aaronic benediction says “The Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious unto you…” For the Lord to look at you is for him to be gracious to you. This table is where God assures you of his intentions to bless you. This is the bread of the presence, the bread of God’s face that he gives to you. And week after week, we stumble and trip up, and God keeps inviting us back here and he doesn’t look away. He doesn’t turn his face from you. Jesus turns his face toward you and invites you to eat and drink with him. He looks at you like the adulterous women in the gospel and asks, ‘where are your accusers?’ Go and sin no more. God has not turned his face from you; this is the table of his presence. Here you eat bread and drink wine before his face. Jesus looks at you and causes his face to shine upon. He rejoices over you; He smiles when he sees you. So come eat, drink, and rejoice.
Sixth Sunday in Easter: Exodus 25-26: Impressing God’s Pattern on the World
Opening Prayer: Gracious Father, you are determined to build the kingdom of your Son in this world. We ask that as we consider the construction of the tabernacle, you would teach us wisdom to be faithful in the tasks you have given to us. Through Jesus, Amen!
Introduction
Remember that the Covenant with God has to do with being near to God. It has to do with God being in their midst and their being able to be near to God (23:21, 24:1-2, 16-18). The “nearest” an Israelite could get was at the foot of the mountain, while the elders could go part way up, and only Moses could go into the midst of the cloud/fire (24:18). Here Yahweh is outlining and giving instructions for how he will dwell with his people.
An Offering and the Pattern
Yahweh tells Moses to have Israel bring an offering (a T’RUMAH), a “high up thing” (25:1). This is a striking parallel to what we have just seen on the mountain, where Moses went into the presence of God high up, on top of the mountain. The fact that this offering is for the tabernacle suggests that whatever happened at the “mountain of meeting” will in some sense be repeated at the “tabernacle of meeting” (27:21, 28:43, etc.). As Yahweh was present at the top of the mountain for Moses to draw near to him, he will be present “in their midst” in the tabernacle (25:8, cf. 23:21, 24:1-2, 16-18). Moses is to construct the tabernacle according to the pattern that Yahweh showed him at the mountain (25:9, 40, 26:30) which is the “pattern” of chapter 24. The following instructions are the “pattern” in more detail (25:9). In other words, the tabernacle is meant to be a replica of the mountain. Yahweh will draw near to Israel at this tent just as at the mountain. The offering itself is likely taken up primarily from the spoils of Egypt (Ex. 11:2, 12:35).
The Coffin, the Ransom, and the Cherubim
The “ark” that Yahweh has Moses build is a wooden box overlaid in gold (25:10-11). The only previous use of this word for ark (ARONE) was for Joseph’s coffin (Gen. 50:26). But this is a coffin made to be carried; it’s permanently portable (25:12-15). The “testimony” is supposed to go inside this golden coffin (25:16). In fact, the ark is often called the “ark of the testimony” (25:22, 26:33-34, 30:6, etc.). The lid of this golden coffin is called the “mercy seat” in most translations, but the word does not directly mean “mercy” or “seat” (25:17). While it may be related to the verb for cover/cover over (cf. Gen. 6:14), it appears to be more associated with actions of ransom and redemption (Gen. 32:21, Ex. 21:30, 30:10, Lev. 4:20ff, esp. 16:30, Num. 16:47-48, 35:31). It can sometimes even refer to a bribe (e.g. Pr. 6:35, Amos 5:12). The New Testament calls it the “propitiation” (Heb. 9:5). Two cherubim stand on top of the lid, all one piece of pure gold (25:17-20). This is a clear allusion to the Garden of Eden where two cherubim were stationed at the entrance to prevent access back into the garden (Gen. 3:24). Perhaps significant is the fact that these cherubim are not armed with a sword, but it’s striking that they are permanently attached to the lid. Their wings spread out covering over the “ransom” (cf. Ps. 5:12, 91:4) and their faces are toward one another and toward the “ransom” (25:20). It is above the cherubim that Yahweh will meet with Moses and Israel (25:22).
The Table and Lampstand and Tabernacle
There is much that might be considered in the rest of the passage we are considering today, but I want to concentrate on the big picture. Exodus 25-26 are the instructions for the Tabernacle proper, the tent which housed the holy place and most holy place (e.g. 26:33). We should notice that there is gold covering everything: The ark is gold, the ransom-lid and cherubim are gold, the table and the lampstand are also made of “pure gold” (25:24, 31, 36, 38-39). Notice that the boards of the tent and the rings for the curtains are all gold as well (26:6, 29, 32, 37). This is Yahweh’s royal throne room, but all this gold would reflect the burning lamps creating a fiery light throughout the tent, picturing the top of the mountain where Yahweh’s presence was a “consuming fire” (24:17). There are also cherubim throughout: (26:1, 31); Yahweh is still guarded by angels. Humanity is being invited back closer to the garden, but it is still guarded. Not only is the structure and curtains and veils meticulously ordered, but the furniture is put in particular places as well (26:33-37). God’s house is both beautiful and orderly.
Conclusions & Applications
One on the important things to note is the overall context of what’s going on here. Immediately following the Sinai covenant God gives the instructions for building the tabernacle from chapters 25-31. There are seven speeches in this section of Exodus (25:1, 30:11, 17, 22, 34, 31:1, and 31:12), and this might not seem too striking except for the fact that the seventh speech is a command to keep the Sabbath and a reminder of the creation week (31:17). The point is that building the tabernacle is parallel to the creation of the world. But the opposite is true as well: Israel building the tabernacle is God’s way of beginning to remake the world. Israel will begin to remake the world by building a house of worship and taking that beauty and order into the world.
The “pattern” that Moses saw ultimately points to Jesus who is the true tabernacle (Jn. 1:14). The image/pattern of God has been distorted in humanity and in the world, and it is being refashioned through the work of Christ and his Spirit. This is why worship is so important. Here God reshapes our words, our actions, our thoughts, our lives in order that we might go out there and reshape the world according to this pattern. We learn to confess sin here and seek forgiveness so that we can do it out there. We learn to give thanks for all things here so that we can do it our there. We learn to love God’s story here so that we can see and love God’s story out there. We learn to pray here so that we can pray out there. We learn to eat together here so that we can fellowship and rejoice together out there. We are blessed here so that we can go out bless others. This is God’s way of remaking the world: this is the pattern of the mountain that God intends to impress upon the world. So what’s your house like? What’s in the center?
In the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Amen!
Closing Prayer: Almighty and gracious God, we have come to a mountain that cannot be touched, to mount Zion the city of the living God where all the saints in heaven and earth meet worship you. Grant us faithfulness to be faithful Adams and Eves in this world that we might follow your example impressing your glory on this world.
Given Dominion
As we celebrate the sixth Sunday in Easter today we’re looking forward to Ascension Sunday next Lord’s Day. This Thursday is Ascension Day proper (the fortieth day after the Resurrection), and we will mark the Ascension even more in our worship next Sunday. The Sunday after that is Pentecost, the fiftieth day after the Resurrection marking the pouring out of the Holy Spirit on the Christian Church.
But Ascension Day is not merely the day we remember that Jesus left us. Ascension Day is not the celebration of Jesus disappearing. The Ascension is the enthronement of Jesus. The Ascension is what Daniel saw in his vision centuries earlier when he said, “I was watching in the night visions, and behold one like the Son of Man, coming with the clouds of heaven and he came to the Ancient of Days…” (Dan. 7:13). Notice where this Son of Man is coming to: He’s not coming to earth. He’s coming to the Ancient of Days. And Daniel goes on: “Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom the one which shall not be destroyed.” (Dan. 7:14). When Jesus ascended into heaven he was crowned king of the world, and given a kingdom that will never be destroyed.
As we gather this morning, we gather as the subjects of this king, as the citizens of his kingdom. And we gather with millions of saints throughout the world, with those who have gone before us, and all the angels. Therefore rejoice; our king reigns over this world in perfect sovereignty. And all the nations and kings and presidents and prime ministers are under his rule, whether they like it or not. Glory in this today, glory in this throughout the week, and celebrate this Thursday with your families and friends. Christ is risen! He is risen indeed.
Monday, April 21, 2008
Tovia Closer to Home
God continues to be so kind to us and to our daughter Tovia. Tovia is now completely off all IVs and is at 'full-feeds' of mom's milk. Another wonderful development was that she was transferred this last Friday back to the hospital she was born in, a closer, smaller hospital, allowing us to visit Tovia more frequently and more conveniently. This is a great vote of confidence from the doctors, indicating that they think she is on the way to coming home.
I promise, promise, promise that I will have a new picture up very soon, but I did want to thank you for your many prayers. God has heard and answered them. Tovia is on track to be able to come home in 2-3 weeks. She needs to be able to take all her feedings by bottle/nursing, and this is something that preemie babies have to work up to. It is a thoroughly exhausting workout for a 3 pound baby to suck down a few ounces of milk, so she's working up to it. Pray that she grows in strength and size and stamina. Lord willing, she will be home soon.
Glory to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit!
Drinking the Spirit
Earlier we considered what St. Paul says about the Holy Spirit baptizing all believers into one body. In the same place, Paul says that we have all been made to drink into one Spirit as well. Given the fact that Paul has already mentioned baptism and in the previous chapter has had an extended discussion of the Lord’s Supper, particularly concerned with making sure that everyone is served and no one is overlooked, it seems fairly certain that when Paul says that we have been made to drink of the Holy Spirit, he means primarily this table. This is one of the primary ways in which God the Holy Spirit knits us together as one body. Doug Jones pointed out yesterday that the blood of Christ is not only atonement before God but that it is what joins the body of Christ together. The blood of Christ is what unites joints, muscles, organs, and limbs so that they work together. And that’s why Jesus says that this cup is the new covenant in his blood. That’s what covenants do; a covenant binds a man and a woman together, a covenant forms a family, a nation, a kingdom. We are the covenant in the blood of Jesus, and as we serve one another here, passing bread and wine to each other, we are the body of Christ. And the Spirit works to strengthen us individually, but perhaps even more miraculously, the Spirit works to bind us together. To make us a stronger body, to make the eyes more appreciative of the feet, and the hands more thankful for the mouth. This is the wonderful work of the Holy Spirit, who loves to knit us together taking different notes, different rhythms and makes it all harmonize, makes it all sing. So come, eat, drink, and rejoice in one another, you are the body of Christ and the Spirit is binding you together.
Sudden Urges to Love
In 1 Corinthians 12, Paul says that it is the Holy Spirit who has baptized all sorts of people into one body. And he insists that a body must have different members, different parts. If it doesn’t have different parts it’s not a body. But the tragedy in many churches is that we tend to do the very thing that Paul says not to do. He says not all believers are eyes, not all believers are feet or arms, and he insists that that’s a good thing, otherwise where would the body be if we were just a collection of right thumbs? But we tend to get suspicious of other body parts, we get suspicious of differences, and all the thumbs tend to band together in one congregation and peer doubtfully over at the church across the street with all the elbows. But Paul says that the Holy Spirit knits the body of Christ together; it is the Holy Spirit that makes eyes, joints, ligaments, livers, and knee caps to come together and function in harmony as one body. In our own strength and if left to ourselves, people attract like people: it’s more comfortable to hang out with people who have similar backgrounds, have similar interests, and are pursuing similar goals. But Paul says that’s easy. Anyone can do that. But God is at work knitting together a body full of opposites, a body of slaves and slave masters, a body of Gentiles and Jews, a body of people that aren’t usually supposed to get along or associate, much less like one another. And that’s how you know the Spirit is at work; that’s how you know this isn’t just another social club. Anyone can get a bunch of similar people to like each other, but only the Holy Spirit can get opposites to attract; only the Holy Spirit can make a family out of enemies and teach them to love one another. And that’s why it’s no accident that Paul goes immediately from talking about how different we are to the fact that the greatest gift of the Spirit is love. That’s how you know the Holy Spirit is filling and empowering you because you find yourself having sudden urges to love people you previously would have avoided like the plague.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Tovia the Political Analyst
In this picture, Tovia is clearly wondering about who she would vote for in the coming presidential election or probably more likely why she has to vote for any of them. Either that or why Dad is taking another picture.
Thank you so much for the many prayers that have been offered for Tovia over the last few weeks. God continues to be very good and kind to us and our daughter. When we last reported, Tovia had begun eating momma's milk, just a little bit at a time. She did well for a couple of days, but then things started getting a little backed up. She seemed to have a "slow drain." The doctors took her off the feedings and did another study to check her whole digestive track; the results came back looking better than ever. Her intestine that had been swollen and shrinking looked wonderfully normal. So... without knowing exactly what was going on, the doctors went back to feeding her. We are now on day four or five of feedings, slowly increasing the amount of milk each day. We have now passed the mark we made it up to last time, and she seems to be doing very well. One of the great signs is that the last few days she's been filling diapers like a champ. Everything looks great.
Our current prayer is that she would keep taking her feedings and handle the increases well enough to get her off her IV on Friday. She's got this PICC line, an IV commonly given to preemie babies that lasts longer, but it's due to get changed Friday. The doctors say that if she's cruising with her food, gaining weight, etc. then they will just take the PICC out altogether. That's our prayer.
Thanks again for your support in so many ways. God has clearly heard and answered many prayers.
"The LORD is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth. He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him; He also will hear their cry and save them." (Ps. 145:18-19)
This is the Covenant
“And Moses took the blood, sprinkled it on the people, and said, ‘This is the blood of the covenant which the Lord has made with you according to all these words. Then Moses went up, also Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel… So they saw God, and they ate and drank.” (Ex. 24:8-9, 11).
It is no accident that these words are so reminiscent of Christ’s words at the last supper. Of course there are differences: Christ did not sprinkle blood on his disciples. In fact, the only sprinkling that took place was the washing of feet. The other difference of course is that instead of sprinkling the blood of the covenant, Jesus gave the blood of the new covenant to his disciples as a cup of wine to be drunk. But the overarching parallels are unmistakable. As the disciples ate and drank with Jesus, they like the elders of Israel centuries before “saw God” and “ate and drank” with him. Instead of a mountain, it was an upper room, and instead sapphire stones beneath his feet, there was probably a humble upper room floor. Of course Jesus has ascended back into heaven, but Paul doesn’t believe that we no longer see God. In fact he says in 1 Corinthians 11 that we ought discern the Lord’s body. We are to look and see Him here as we eat and drink. How do we do this? Does it happen as we squint and look really closely at the bread and the wine? Is there some kind of magic trick that happens such that if we put the elements under a microscope we would see Jesus? Of course not. The Body of Christ is you. You are the Church, and as the Church you make up the body of Christ. So discern the body of Jesus in one another. You are the body of Christ because you have been given the Spirit of Christ. God has put his Spirit in your midst. He has put his Name upon you. He has drawn near to you so that you may draw near to him. Therefore come: eat, drink, and see God.
Fourth Sunday in Easter: Exodus 23-24: The God Who Draws Us Near
Opening Prayer: Almighty and merciful God, we bow before you now as our only God, our only strength, our only savior. Grant that we might be taught by your word, and give us hearts and minds and bodies that are receptive and obedient to your word. Through Jesus, your Word, Amen!
Introduction
Today we consider the climax of the covenant which God renewed with the people of Israel at Sinai. This covenant was in fulfillment of the promises to Abraham (Gen. 15:12ff, Ex. 2:24, 6:3-5, 20:1). The Book of the Covenant closes reminding Israel of their royal Sabbath callings (23:1-19). The covenant is that relationship that God has initiated to bring humanity back into fellowship with God, to bring us near to God again.
My Angel
The Angel goes before Israel to “guard” and to “lead” Israel into the place God has prepared for Israel (23:20, cf. Gen. 24:7). The command is to “guard” Him and “obey” his words and do not “provoke/be bitter against” him (23:21). The threat is that he will not forgive their sins if they do not obey him because the name of God is in him. The fact that this angel can forgive sins means that this is no ordinary angel. Jim Jordan points out that this Angel is doing the very things that Adam was called to do: “guard” and “speak” the words of God and “lead” his wife. But this Angel of Yahweh is not only an Adam, he is also Yahweh Himself (Gen. 16:7-13, Ex. 3:2ff, Jdg. 6:11-22). The name “Yahweh,” is literally “in his midst.” Therefore this Angel can be understood as none other than God himself, the second person of the Trinity. In fact “his words” and God’s “voice” are synonymous (23:22). Likewise, obeying the Angel of Yahweh is “serving” Yahweh (23:25). Serving and obeying the Angel of God cannot mean anything less than serving God Himself since all other gods are forbidden to Israel (e.g. 23:24, 33). This “Angel” is apparently also synonymous with the “fear” of Yahweh (cf. Gen. 31:53) that will be sent before Israel into the land to cause confusion among their enemies (23:27). Serving Yahweh faithfully will mean that he will be enemy to their enemies (23:22), and he will slowly drive them from the land (23:28-33). This Angel will go before them to provide food and life for Israel (23:25-26). All of this is tied to keeping covenant with Yahweh and not making covenants with their enemies or their gods (compare 23:32 and 24:8).
Drawing Near
The point of covenant is fellowship and communion with God. Yahweh calls Moses, Aaron, and his sons, and the 70 elders up the mountain to “worship” (24:1). Again, this is in contrast to “worshipping” the Canaanite gods (23:24). But they will worship from “afar” in contrast to Moses who shall “come near Yahweh” (Ex. 24:2). Drawing near is worship, and the entire sacrificial system is for Israel to draw near to God (e.g. Lev. 1:2-3). Because of sin, blood must be shed for humanity to draw near to God, but even this must be done in the context of covenant. So the people make promises (24:3, 7), and the covenant is sealed with blood and a feast (24:5-8). The people offer ascension offerings and peace offerings (24:5). And then Moses and company “go up” and eat and drink with God. Moses and the elders more literally perform that which the rest of Israel have done. With out going into the details too much, it is most likely that Moses and the elders see the Angel of God. As we have already noted, when people see the Angel of Yahweh, they often say that they have seen God. Remember that the Angel has God’s name in him or in his midst (23:21), and literally it is in his “nearness.” The Angel of God is God’s nearness to Israel. To be in covenant with God, to have his blood cover us, is for God to be near to us. But where the elders draw somewhat nearer than the rest of Israel, Moses and Joshua drawn the nearest to God at the top of the mountain in the consuming fire (24:17). But notice that Moses goes up into the mountain, and the glory of Yahweh called to Moses out of the “midst” of the cloud (24:16). Finally, Moses goes into the “midst” of the cloud (24:18). While the word for “midst” is not the same as the one related to drawn near or nearness, the idea is the same. God has come near.
Conclusions and Applications
Notice the pattern: Israel is at the foot of the mounting eating and worshipping God, the seventy elders and others are halfway up the mounting eating and worshipping and seeing God, and Moses ascends even further into the presence of God where God is a “consuming fire.” There is eating going on at every level. This is the covenant that God has drawn us into: it is fellowship with God, eating and drinking with God, being drawn near to him so that he may have all of us.
We serve the God who draws near. In eternity, the persons of the Trinity “draw near” to one another. Theologians call this perichoresis, the idea that the persons of the Trinity indwell and fill one another. And because we serve the God who draws near, when we were far from God, he drew near to our forefathers and ultimately came near in Immanuel, God with Us. Jesus is God’s nearness to us. He was acquainted with sorrows and has tasted life and understands our weaknesses. And now he is our Moses standing in the presence of God, in the consuming fire, near to God for us.
In the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Amen!
Closing Prayer: Almighty and gracious God, we thank you for drawing near to us. We praise you for Jesus who is you Angel, your Messenger, in whom you have put your name. We thank you that in him we have the forgiveness of sins, and that you have brought us near through the blood of the new covenant. Teach us to trust him, to obey him, and give us faith to do so more and more.
God Saves Sinners
One of the oldest heresies in history of the church is Gnosticism. Gnosis means knowledge, and Gnosticism is the heresy that teaches or assumes or believes that holiness and salvation are primarily or entirely related to information or propositions that people think in their minds or believe in their hearts. Of course people don’t go around introducing themselves as Gnostics; it comes out when people either devalue the physical or conclude that they are altogether irrelevant. In the early church Gnostics tended to extreme asceticism, denying their bodies everything because they were evil and got in the way of true spirituality or they would indulge in whatever pleasures or activities they wanted because their bodies were merely along for the ride. What really matters, they all agreed, was inside the mind, inside the soul. Modern day Gnostics take these same forms. It doesn’t matter what my clothes look like, it’s what’s on the inside that really matters. It doesn’t matter what my hair looks like, God looks at the heart. It doesn’t matter how I look, my faith is all that God cares about, as though faith were a little fuzzy spot inside your belly. And this is not at all to suggest that you must look a certain way first before God will begin working on you. God begins his work on corpses, people who are dead and rotting in the grave. God saves sinners, and therefore it’s no surprise that sinners often look like it. But it will not do for covenant children to grow up as the royal sons and daughters of the King and begin wishing they could go back to looking like lost and confused dead people. God does not just want your minds or your hearts. God wants all of you. He wants you to love him with your clothing, with your jewelry, with your hair, with your imagination, with all that you are. None of it is irrelevant, and God has given it to you as a great gift. Therefore rejoice in these gifts: serve God with your bodies. Christ is risen. He is risen indeed.
Monday, April 07, 2008
Tovia
We are grateful to report that Tovia is doing well and God has clearly been answering our prayers. At the end of this last week we received a particularly wonderful volley of good news. Several tests that had been done to check for various genetic/chromosomal abnormalities came back completely clear. Praise God!
You may remember that we (and the doctors) have been particularly concerned for a swollen small intestine, and this last Saturday's x-rays showed that it has shrunk by about 50% in size. Because of these concerns the doctors have been reluctant to introduce much food into the equation. However, she was started on small feedings of mom's milk over the last week, and we had a happy Sabbath morning phone call to announce that Tovia's plumbing was up and running. This was really good news! 
All this good news means that we can keep feeding her and continue to increase the amounts each day as long as she keeps handling it well. It is still a day by day wait, but things look very positive and it looks like we should be able to avoid surgery! We are still expecting Tovia to be in the NICU for a number of weeks, but we are thankful that she is making progress to be able to come home. Jenny is also feeling a little better each day. Thank you for your many prayers, gifts, and kind words.
Praise God for He is kind.
Deep Joy
As God gives reformation to us and to our families and to our communities, one of the characteristics we should be expecting and working towards is a deep and profound joy to permeate all that we do. This is not the same thing as some kind of happy-clappy cheerleader joy that some Christians are constantly trying to gin up. Rather this is a joy that’s down in our bones, a joy that knows that Jesus has been raised from the dead and is now King of the world, a joy that knows that God is at work remaking this entire world until the earth is full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea, a joy that knows that not a hair can fall from our heads apart from the will of our heavenly father, and a joy that knows and believes that somehow – wonder of all wonders – God has drawn near to us. This God who has come near to us, is not only God with us but he is God for us. He is the God who involves himself with our lives, rejoices over us as beloved sons and daughters, and is leading us through life to a sure destination, to resurrection and joy everlasting. This deep joy and thankfulness is one which is able to see the world with greater clarity, and this means that the important things in life are seen as important things and the little things are seen as little things. Laughing with your children, dancing with your wife, singing psalms with God’s people, worshipping on the Lord’s day, feasting in your homes and with one another, working hard and rejoicing in the fruit of your labor… all of these things are the good gifts of God to be pursued with thankfulness and joy. And that means that there really isn’t any room for pettiness and pickiness. There are far too many in our tradition who have spent their lives cultivating this sort of pious prickliness. They’ve got scruples about everything and just about everything rubs them the wrong way. But Jesus is risen from the dead. Stop worrying about the color of the carpet, stop bickering about where the dirty laundry goes, who cares that a few ‘t’s’ need to be crossed or an ‘I’ is missing a dot. Put away your petty squabbles: Christ is risen! He is risen indeed.
Friday, April 04, 2008
Wednesday, April 02, 2008
April
9. The Great Gatsby by Fitzgerald
10. Reformed Is Not Enough by Wilson
11. What Saint Paul Really Said by Wright
12. The Enchiridion on Faith, Hope, and Love by Augustine
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Tovia Ann & Friends
Tovia Ann is officially 1 week old today for which we are very grateful. 
There's some hair under there.
Here she is lounging in the climate controlled crib she's got in the NICU. 
Who could resist a Sabbath table with flowers like this?
That's one proud brother. 
Here you can see the cool eye gear Tovia has been sporting. 
That's Felicity posing for Dad.
What kind of tree is that? It's just mind blowing that it does that.
Tovia Ann Sumpter
In the Presence of our Enemies
Ps. 23 is a well known psalm, but we do not often stop to think what it is actually saying. The Lord who is our Shepherd prepares a table for us in the midst of our enemies. It does not say that this Shepherd immediately dashes all of our enemies to pieces or that he immediately removes all obstacles from our path. Even in the valley of the shadow of death, the promise is that the Shepherd will be with us. The Shepherd does not promise to completely remove us from all threat, from all danger, out of all of harm’s way. Rather, the promise is that the Shepherd will be with us. The promise is that he prepares a table for us even in the midst of our enemies. This is the kind of people God is making us into. In the midst of the storms of life, in the midst of the ups and down and fears and trials and dangers of life, God invites us back here, week after week. This is the table that our Shepherd, our King, has prepared for us, in the midst of our lives, in the midst of our enemies, in the midst of our trials and tribulations. The Lord is our Shepherd, and therefore we shall not want. If God is our Shepherd, what else do we need? If we have Jesus, or rather, if Jesus has us, what shall we fear? What shall we want? Therefore, come: eat, drink, and rejoice.
Second Sunday in Easter: 1 Cor. 15:20-28: How Our King Puts Enemies Beneath His Feet
Opening Prayer: Almighty and Gracious Lord, You raised your Son from the dead almost 2,000 years ago, and you have unalterably changed the course of history. We thank you that in Jesus you have begun to remake the world and that because Jesus is King he is overseeing this process according to your perfect counsel. We ask that you would bestow greater faith and fuller obedience upon us now. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen!
Introduction: The Text and the Question
Paul says that the resurrection of Jesus is just the beginning (15:20). It is the firstfruits, the proof of what the harvest will be like. He explains that Christ is raised first as the firstfruits and afterwards everyone will be raised at his coming at the end (15:23-24). The end will be marked by Christ handing over the kingdom to God the Father (15:24). This will also mark the final end to all rule, authority, and power; which will be his to end because it has been put beneath his feet (15:25). The last enemy is death, and therefore all will be raised (cf. Rev. 20:12-15). Therefore, to the question, ‘What is Jesus doing now?’ we must answer unambiguously, Jesus is ruling the world and destroying all his enemies (15:25-26). But that leads to the next obvious question, ‘why is it taking so long?’
The Resurrection means Jesus is King
Because there are still problems and evil in the world, the constant temptation of Christians has been to downplay the reign of King Jesus. But Paul begins Romans declaring that Jesus is the seed of David that he was declared to be the Son of God with power by the resurrection of the dead (Rom. 1:3-4). The promise of the Davidic covenant was a son of David who would also be God’s Son who would be King forever (2 Sam. 7:12-14). This is what Peter declares to be true in his Pentecost sermon: Because Jesus is raised from the dead, he has been exalted to the right hand of God until his enemies are his footstool (Act 2:32-35). Later, Peter says that all authorities and powers have been made subject to him following his resurrection (1 Pet. 3:21-22). This also explains why the resurrection was so offensive and threatening to the authorities (e.g. Acts 4:1-2, 17:31-32). If Christ’s resurrection was just a weird phenomenon then there’s really no reason to get worried. But if the resurrection means that Jesus is King of the World, then every rule, authority, and power has cause to be threatened (cf. 1 Cor. 15:24).
The Wisdom of the Cross
And so we ask, ‘if Jesus is King of the world, why does my car still break down?’ What don’t my children obey? Why does my husband talk to me that way? Why is my boss such a jerk? Why is there cancer and AIDS? Why do children die of starvation? Why do tsunamis wipe out whole communities? Why do stupid people keep getting elected to office? Why have more Christians died for being Christians in the last hundred years than all other years combined? If Jesus is reigning until all of his enemies have become his footstool, why is it taking so long? And why is it so hard? Part of the answer is seen in the wisdom of the cross: God conquered death by taking death upon himself. God conquered sin by taking sin upon himself. Therefore it should come as no surprise that God calls upon us to participate in the conquest of his enemies, the conquest of suffering, sickness, and hardships by taking them upon ourselves. And in this, he is making us the people he wants us to be.
For Communion: Paul says that he considers all of his accomplishments rubbish that through faith he may know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of his sufferings and death (Phil. 3:10). For Christians, hardships ought to draw us closer to Christ. And if closer, surely we are made more like Him.
For Character and Hope: Paul says that tribulations produce perseverance; perseverance character; and character hope (Rom. 5:3-4). James says something similar when he insists that the testing of our faith produces patience and perfection (Js. 1:2-4). Paul says that for this reason, we are called upon to glory in tribulations. If we are convinced that God is it at work, how can we not glory? How can we not rejoice (cf. Js. 1:2).
For Ministry: Paul says that we suffer some tribulations so that we will be able to comfort others who are in any trouble (2 Cor. 1:4). Whatever the burden is that causes us to despair even to the point of death, the point is that God would have us place our trust in Him who raises the dead (2 Cor. 1:8-10).
For Prayer: James says that if anyone is suffering, he should pray (Js. 5:13). Pain and hardship have a wonderful way of concentrating the mind. Hardships should make us know and feel our dependence upon God (e.g. Ps. 123:2).
For Thanksgiving: God gives tribulations and hardships to some so that when others bear their burdens with them, particularly in prayer, there may be even greater rejoicing in the deliverance that God grants (2 Cor. 1:11).
The resurrection is not merely ‘a good idea’. (e.g. the Gravity bumper sticker). The resurrection is not something that we hope will ‘catch on.’ The resurrection is not a fad. The resurrection is a fact, and therefore Jesus is King. This means that history is unfolding according to his perfect wisdom and counsel. This means that Jesus wants his people to grow up into a certain kind of holiness, a certain kind of faithfulness, a certain kind of joy. Jesus will reign until every enemy is beneath his feet; you have been called to become part of that story: therefore, rejoice.
In the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Amen!
Closing Prayer: Gracious Father, we take this opportunity now to publicly rejoice in all of the trials you have given to us. We do this not in a glib or superficial manner, but with the simple faith of children. Very often we do not have the slightest idea of what you are doing in our lives, but we trust you. You have raised Jesus from the dead, and this means that he is most certainly King of the world. Therefore, we give you thanks for the countless ways you are conforming us to his image.
Unholy Wretchedness
The Book of Acts says that after the resurrection, Jesus was seen by the apostles for forty days before ascending into heaven and ten days later on Pentecost, he poured out his Spirit on the Christian Church. And for this reason, the Christian church not only celebrates Easter on Resurrection Sunday, we celebrate the resurrection throughout the following number of weeks. Therefore, I want to encourage you to celebrate this festive season. It simply will not do to celebrate Lent by fasting and giving up various blessings and then not celebrate Easter. It will not do to dwell on the sufferings of Christ for several weeks and only give one day to the victory of the empty tomb. Christ surely humbled himself in the incarnation and bore our sorrows on the cross for a number of hours. But Jesus has been alive and well and reigning for nearly 2000 years. One of the great disasters of medieval theology was this very lopsidedness, ascribing so much energy to penitence and morbid introspection. And there is a certain kind of pharisaical pietism that delights in certain forms of abstinence and self-loathing. Certain people think they are more holy because they know they are so wretched. But Christ is risen. Therefore, if you gave up chocolate for Lent, make sure there are extra pieces on the dinner table throughout the Easter season. If you fasted from particular meals or on particular days, take extra helpings and rejoice before the Lord. Remember too that feasting was never meant to be some kind of self-centered gluttony. The feasts were always opportunities for Israel to share with those in need, to take portions to the sick and the poor. Therefore, use this festive season of Easter to bestow gifts upon one another, care for the sick, and give to those in need. Christ is risen! He is risen indeed.
Monday, March 24, 2008
Tovia Ann: Easter Babe
We are so thankful to report that Tovia Ann was born yesterday evening, on Resurrection Sunday, just after 7pm. She weighed in at 2lbs 2oz, but she was breathing on her own and all of her vitals were good. She's got a long road ahead of her, and she still needs much prayer. But we are so thankful for her and that she looks so healthy thus far. Please also keep mom in your prayers as she has a good deal of recovery ahead of her.
'Tovia' means God is good, and 'Ann' is after a couple of great-grandmothers, an aunt, and a great-aunt. 'Ann' also means grace, and she is.
Christ is Risen! Alleluia!
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Miss Sumpter & Mrs. Sumpter
We just wanted to let you all know that we had another doctor's appointment with the maternal fetal specialist this morning. We are very pleased and thankful to report that our little girl continues to grow and develop. She is still on the small side, but she is keeping up a regular pace and looks great. God is very good.
However, Jenny's blood pressure has continued to rise, and the doctors have now advised complete bed rest. Everyone wants all of Jenny's energy put into "baby baking."
We thank you all for your prayers and encouragement to us. We are all in good spirits and enjoying some enforced family time! It's looking like Jenny's mom will be able to come out in the next few weeks to help with the kids and other household chores, and we are very thankful for this. God is good.
Please continue to pray for the little girl that she would continue to grow and develop, and for Jenny's blood pressure to stabilize (and go down!). In particular, we are praying that she be able to make it to 36 or 37 weeks where the doctors say there is much less concern for the baby's safety and health. Jenny is 30 weeks this week. Our little girl is also breech, so we're praying that she is compliant does some gymnastics in the next few weeks.
Please rejoice with us at God's kindness and join us in prayer for all these matters.
Performing the Judgments of God in Prayer
We noted this morning that the word for “judges” is actually the word “gods” several times throughout the Book of the Covenant. It is very interesting to find “judges” only used one other time in 21:22, and there it is a less common word for judge. The root of the word means to intercede or interpose. Sometimes it means to judge or arbitrate, but quite often it is the root for the word “pray.” In Exodus 21, the woman and/or the unborn child who have been harmed are to be defended by the ‘intercessors’, by those who intercede. The intercessors are those who determine justice and defend the oppressed.
Exodus 19-24 is basically a worship service. God calls his people to the mountain and tells them that they are to be his holy people (19:1-6). In order to do this they must be washed and sanctified to be in God’s presence (19:10-14). Moses ascends the mountain as their representative and God draws near to his people and speaks to them and teaches them (19:17 – 23:33). Finally, God invites the people up into his presence to display the blood of the covenant, to eat a meal with him, and receive his blessing (24:8-11).
The reason for pointing this entire context out is to recognize where the “judgments” come in the service. The judgments come as a result of the teaching and the Words. God speaks the Words and explains his judgments so that the people may perform the judgments of God. This is precisely what we have done. We have been taught by the reading of God’s word and the preaching of God’s word how to perform God’s judgments, and this we did by offering up our prayers. When the people of God intercede for the nations, for rulers, the poor, the sick, the erring, and all others, we are performing the judgments of God. Our prayers are the declarations of justice in presence of God, and we sit down here at this table on thrones judging the nations. We are the judges of the nations, and we sit here as God’s family, the sons of God renewing covenant on behalf of the world.
Fifth Sunday in Lent: Exodus XXI: Ex. 20:22 – 22:15
Opening Prayer: Almighty God, we thank you for your covenant with us. We thank you that you have brought us near by the blood of Jesus, and that his faith and obedience have become our faith and obedience. We ask therefore that you would renew that covenant with us now, give us your judgments that we might be your faithful sons. Through Jesus, your faithful Son, Amen!
Introduction
We now continue our study of the book of Exodus after our study of the Ten Commandments. Ex. 21:1 through 23:19 (or 33) begins the “judgments” of God following the “words” of God (Ex. 20:1, cf. 24:3). This Book of the Covenant (24:7) is Moses’ initial sermon on the Ten Words. Since we have looked at some of these details previously in our study, we will focus on several broad principles established here.
An Altar of Earth
Immediately preceding the Book of the Covenant, Yahweh instructs Moses concerning the altar that he may be worshipped at (20:22-24). It must not be made of carved stones; it must be made of unhewn stones or raw earth. The altar must be a picture of the Mt. Sinai, and its significance is based upon God’s promised blessing not the work of man’s hands. Yahweh also prohibits exposing of nakedness on his altar (20:26). It is important to remember that the Garden of Eden was itself also on a mountain (Ez. 28:13-14), and it was there that the shame of nakedness was first exposed. Later, the priests are given coverings just as Adam and Eve were (Ex. 28:42, Gen. 3:21). But this introduction to the Book of the Covenant sets the thematic tone for the “judgments” that are set before Israel.
The Gods
The instructions for building the altar include the prohibition against making gods of sliver and gold, and this is at least in part because God has spoken directly to them from heaven (20:22-23). The word “elohim” is a common designation for God/gods through the Old Testament, but it is used several times in the Book of the Covenant to describe the judges (Ex. 21:6, 22:8, 9, 22:28(?)). This should not seem that strange since people are made in the image and likeness of God. This goes back to the garden where the serpent said that Eve would become “like God” if she ate from the fruit (Gen. 3:5) and apparently this was true (Gen. 3:22). The early chapters following the Fall trace the story of the “sons of God” (Gen. 5:1-3ff, 6:2), and Israel is explicitly called the “son of God” (Ex. 4:22). Likewise, Psalm 82 refers to judges and rulers as “gods” (Ps. 82:1-8, cf. Ps. 58:1-3). Therefore, God making covenant with Israel is bringing them back into an Eden-like relationship with him. He speaks to his people on the mountain as he did in Eden, and gives them tasks to guard and keep.
The Judgments
The judgments begin with instructions concerning slaves and giving freedom and then work from the most serious crimes against other humans (premeditated murder – 21:12) to less serious crimes (accidental property damage – 22:17). The word “judgment” is used three other times in the Book of the Covenant (21:9, 21:31, 23:6). These “judgments” are not merely more rules or laws; they are descriptions of how people are to be protected and delivered. In the garden, Adam and Eve were required to guard the garden, in Israel, God is required to guard their neighbors, families, and friends. God is teaching his son, Israel, how to distinguish between good and evil. This is what God began in the Exodus (Ex. 6:6, 7:4, 12:12), and now he is teaching his Son, Israel, how to do it too. Adam and Eve had seized this knowledge and lost it, but now in the kindness of God, it is being given to the new Adam, the new rulers, the new gods. God is renewing his image in his people; he is making them like him, teaching them to deliver the oppressed, protect the defenseless, and execute justice.
Conclusions & Applications
The primary sin of Adam and Eve was refusing to trust God and being impatient for God’s blessing. God’s plan was always to make Adam and Eve more and more like himself, but they seized for this likeness and lost it. Like Adam and Eve, you are called to patient faithfulness in the tasks in front of you, trust that God will bless you with greater glory in his good timing.
In Christ, the covenant has grown up to maturity. These “judgments” have become flesh and blood in Jesus Christ. Jesus is the final Word and the last Judgment of God who came to set captives free, proclaim liberty to the oppressed, and to defend those in distress. Of course Jesus is the natural Son of God, but because we have been given his Spirit, we are also sons who call God ‘Father.’ This means that you are called upon to be gods, images of the true and living God. What kind of gods are you? Are your judgments acts of deliverance? Or have you erected false gods of gold and silver, lifeless and impersonal images to substitute for real love and protection? The great danger of false gods is the curse of becoming like them. You can tell if you are worshipping the state if you are just as ineffective.
In the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Amen!
Closing Prayer: Gracious Father, we thank you that you have adopted us into your family, that you have made all of us sons in your Son. We thank you that you are transforming us more and more into the image of your Son. Give us wisdom that we might issue judgments to truly defend the orphans and widows, deliver the strangers and the oppressed, and set free the captives and slaves of every sort in our community.
Listen and Obey
When God speaks, God acts. The words of God do not come back empty and void. The words of God are performative; they enact and perform what they say. The word of God is the sword of the Spirit; it is sharper than any other two edged sword and it is able even to divide between the soul and the spirit and it discerns the thoughts and intents of the heart. When God says, ‘Let there be light,’ his words enact what they say, and light shines in the darkness. Likewise, when God heals, he says rise up and walk, and a paralyzed man is suddenly able to take up his bed and walk. The commands of God include the strength to obey them. There was nothing in the darkness waiting to become light. There was nothing in the paralytic just waiting to get up and walk. Lazarus had been dead for four days. There was nothing in the corpse of Lazarus waiting for Jesus’ words. When Jesus gives the command, life erupts in the corpse of Lazarus. When the word ‘light’ is spoken, light explodes from the black nothingness. When Christ bids the lame man walk, severed nerves and weak tendons and muscles bow before their Maker. Therefore, you are called upon to let the word of God dwell in you richly. Read the word of God in faith believing that God will teach you. Sing the word of God, sing the psalms with joy and thanksgiving, believing that the Spirit is reshaping you, remaking you. Listen to the word read and declared as though God is giving you light and life; because he is. And do not think that you need to prepare yourself to obey before listening to the word; rather listen to the word in order that you may obey. When God speaks, every atom in the universe obeys.
Monday, March 10, 2008
March
6. The Communist Manifesto by Marx and Engels
7. On Christian Doctrine by Augustine
8. The Lord's Service by Jeff Meyers
Wednesday, March 05, 2008
Forgiveness for Sinners
Jesus said some very radical things when he instructed his disciples to celebrate this meal. One of those radical things is that this cup is “the covenant” in his blood for the “remission of sins.” This cup is the covenant in the blood of Jesus so that we can be forgiven. While it is good and right that we confess our sins and be declared forgiven at the beginning of the worship service, this table is a further declaration that your sins are forgiven in Jesus. This bread is Christ’s body broken for your sins; this cup is his blood shed for your sins and the sins of many. But one of the conclusions we ought to draw from this is that this table is for sinners. The Lord’s Supper is not for those who have it all together. The Lord’s Supper is not for those who are doing pretty well, thank you very much. The Lord’s Supper is for sinners in need of forgiveness. This table is for people who don’t have it all together. It’s for people who have made mistakes; it is for people who have guilt and who need pardon. It is for those who struggle with sin and know that they need strength. This table is for those who need the remission of sins, for those who need the blood of Christ to cleanse them from every stain. Therefore do not think that being worthy to partake means that you are not sinner; do not think that being worthy means you have put to death every sin in your flesh and you’re just whistling and waiting for the resurrection. Christ said that eating of his flesh and drinking of his blood was necessary that you might have life within you. Do you need life? Do see the remnants of death and decay still your members? Are you a sinner? Then this meal is for you. God has sent his Son into the world that you may have life, and after Jesus died and rose and ascended into heaven, he poured out his Spirit on the church. And by the power of the Holy Spirit, Jesus gives you his life here at this table with bread and wine. So come, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and Jesus will give you rest.
Fourth Sunday in Lent: Exodus XX.20: Dt. 26:12-19
Opening Prayer: Almighty and gracious Lord, we love your law. We rejoice in your commands. They are better than much money; they are more satisfying than the most satisfying dinner. Therefore we come to you to be taught; teach us that we might live. Teach us that we might have life abundantly. Through Jesus Christ who is our Life, Amen!
Introduction
We come at last to the conclusion of our series on the Ten Commandments. We considered last week the fact that the tenth commandment is fundamentally concerned with gratitude and rejoicing in the gifts of God. It is concerned with our heart: God requires us to believe that he is giving us the world in Jesus Christ, and we are the firstfruits of this new creation.
The Holy Tithe
In Moses’ closing comments on the tenth commandment, he reminds Israel about their duty of tithing (Dt. 26:12). It is necessary to point out that the tithe is something which God still requires of his people in the New Covenant. This is the case because Jesus did not come to destroy the law but to fulfill it (Mt. 5:17), and he explicitly requires our righteousness to exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees (Mt. 5:20) which includes tithing (Mt. 23:23). The tithe is also part of Hebrews’ argument that Melchizedek was the original type of Christ (Heb. 7:1-10). Finally, Paul assumes that Christian ministers ought to be supported by offerings of the congregation (1 Cor. 16:1, 1 Tim. 5:18). The biblical standard for such offerings was always at least ten percent. And incidentally, this principle is one of the reasons why taxation equal to or beyond 10% should normally be considered tyranny (1 Sam. 8:15-17, but cf. Gen. 41:46ff). Moses says that the Israelite is required to confess that the tithe is “holy” (Dt. 26:13, cf. Lev. 27:30-32). Removing the holy tithe was to be a sign that the Israelite has kept all the commands of God and not forgotten them (Dt. 26:13). This tithe also included the confession that it is in fact a full tithe; nothing has been kept back (26:14). The tithe is also a prayer that God would look down and bless Israel and the land he has given (26:15). Here, Moses pays particular attention to the tithe that is most likely to be neglected. While it appears that normally the tithe had to be taken down to the central sanctuary (Dt. 12:17, 14:22-25) for the support of the priests and Levites (Num. 18:22), in the third year, the tithe was supposed to support local needs (Dt. 14:28-29). Moses addresses the particular as a principle for the general. He says that refusing to tithe is coveting that which is holy, and that is not only idolatry, it can bring judgment on God’s people (e.g. Josh. 6-7).
With All Your Heart
Christians sometimes speak as though the Old Testament was only concerned about externals while the New Covenant is about the heart and God doesn’t care about externals. This is false. Throughout the giving of the law Moses exhorts Israel to serve God from the heart (Dt. 26:16, 4:9, 29, 5:29, 6:5, 10:12, 11:13, 18, 30:2, Josh. 22:5). Moses calls upon Israel to circumcise their hearts (Dt. 10:16, 30:6). Covetousness is a sin of the heart, and Jesus says that out of the heart come all kinds of wickedness (Mt. 15:19-20). Another element of this principle is that breaking one law is in fact breaking the entire law (Js. 2:10). This is true in principle (ie. we are lawbreakers), but this is also true in reality. For example, the one who covets commits idolatry, worships an image, profanes God holy name, does not remember and rest in God’s salvation, does not honor authorities, hates his brother in his heart, is not loyal to the gifts of God, and steals and lies in the process. Thus, all of the laws interconnect and are mutually dependent. Recognizing this fact reminds us of our need to confess our sins regularly, fully, and to recognize that we have many secret faults (Ps. 19:12). But God made covenant with Israel, a sinful people, and we have been given a far greater covenant. When we gather to renew covenant in worship, we are declaring that Yahweh is our God, and that we will walk in all of his ways (Dt. 26:17). Likewise, God proclaims that we are his special people and exhorts us to keep his law (26:18). Finally, he promises to give us glory and dominion over all nations as his holy ones, his saints (26:19).
Conclusions & Applications
First, since we are required to hate covetousness, we must begin by not coveting what belongs to God. The tithe is holy to God; it belongs to him. It is not optional, and we must not begrudge it. Giving grudgingly is covetousness. If you do not believe you can tithe because of your financial situation, you should talk to the elders and ask for counsel.
Second, covetousness is not only one single sin that plagues the heart, it reminds us that all of the law hangs together as one and we are guilty of it all. Thus, the law of God is either grace and blessing and joy to us; or it is ugly and overbearing and damning. The difference is whether or not you are under condemnation (Rom. 8:1). If there is no longer condemnation for you, then the law is your glory, your beauty, and your righteousness. If the law condemns you, then it and the gospel smell like death (2 Cor. 2:15-16). Therefore, as a minister of the gospel, I call upon you to circumcise your hearts. You cannot keep the law unless you are forgiven. Do you believe that God is giving us this world in Jesus Christ? Do you believe that there is no condemnation for those in Christ?
In the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Amen!
Closing Prayer: Gracious Father, we give you thanks for sending your Son in the likeness of sinful flesh in order that sin might be utterly condemned and that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in Him. We thank you for pouring out the Spirit of life in our hearts that the law might be for us freedom and righteousness and life.
Worshipping as though God is Giving us this City
Throughout the book of Revelation, John witnesses a worship service in heaven. As he watches, the saints and angels and elders fall down before the throne and worship, and each time judgments are sent down upon the earth: plagues, famines, floods, and wars fall on the earth as the Triune God is worshipped in heaven. Worship is warfare. We are here for battle. We serve the Lord of Hosts; hosts are armies. We are the armies of King Jesus. Therefore as we gather this morning, I call upon you to fight with all your might. As we confess our sins, do it heartily as though your confession were for the sake of the world. Because it is. As we sing out our praises to God, sing out at the top of your voice as though these Psalms might tear down strongholds and bring injustice to the ground. Because they do. As we declare the goodness of God to one another in our spoken responses, declare it like it like you are on the battle field, as though God is giving us this city, this county, this state. Because he is. At the close of the hymns and Psalms declare your ‘Amen!’ not with some kind of quiet, passiveness. Declare your ‘Amen!’ as though the God of heaven took your vows seriously, as though your shouts of affirmation might bring judgments on the earth. Because they do. As you hear the word of God read and declared listen intently, as though your King was giving you your commands, your marching orders. Because He is. And as you feast at the table of your Commander, do so as the friends of the Commander, rejoicing in the fact that as God’s people eat their bread and drink their wine with joyful hearts, God judges nations. He brings down kings and raises up beggars. He blesses the righteous and undoes the plans of the wicked. We are at the gate of heaven; we are here for battle. We serve King Jesus who will reign until all of his enemies have been made his footstool. Therefore, he cannot fail. And if He cannot fail, then neither can we.
Saturday, March 01, 2008
Resurrection Ball 2008: Back with a Friend
You are cordially invited to Holy Trinity's second annual Resurrection Ball. This year the Ball is back and has brought a friend along. The friend's name is "Living the Trinity," a Saturday conference with Pastor Doug Jones of Moscow, Idaho fame whose most recent exploits center around Scribblative Agincourting and Sabbath House. This year's Ball is also a benefit for Piedmont Women's Center, Greenville's ministry to the unborn and crisis pregnancies. Come out and support this important work.
Click here for all the Ball and Conference details. Click here to view a slide show of last year's festivities.
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