Tuesday 25 September 2012
Monday 24 September 2012
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus
"If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it." - Genesis 4:7 (NIV)
"So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God's law; but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God - through Jesus Christ our Lord!" - Romans 7:21-25a (NIV)
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." - Hebrews 12:1-2 (NIV)
"So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God's law; but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God - through Jesus Christ our Lord!" - Romans 7:21-25a (NIV)
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." - Hebrews 12:1-2 (NIV)
Thursday 13 September 2012
Holy Fire
In Elijah's day the holy fire had disappeared from the altars of Jehovah; and false fire was burning on the altars of Baal. The glory had departed, and no man could rekindle the sacred flame. When Nadab and Abihu "offered strange fire before the Lord," they died, for there can be no substitute for the true fire of God.
In our day, the greatest lack in the life of the individual Christian and of the church is the fire of God, the manifested presence and mighty working of the Holy Spirit. There is little about us that cannot be explained on the level of the natural. Our lives are not fire-touched. There is no holy conflagration in our churches to which people are irresistibly drawn as a moth to a flame.
It is the absence of the fire of God which accounts for the insignificant impact the church is making on a lost world. It never had better organisation, a more scholarly ministry, greater resources of men and means, more skillful techniques. And yet never did it make a smaller contribution to solving the problems of a distraught world. Our prayer should be, "Lord, send the fire." What else can meet the need of the hour?
The fire fell when Elijah obeyed God without hesitation.
The falling of the fire and the coming of the rain were a direct result of Elijah's obedience to facing Ahab, the personification of moral and spiritual evil. We will seek in vain the falling of the fire of God if there is some reserved area in our lives concerning which we refuse to obey God. If He is pressing on us the necessity of some act of obedience, restitution, apology or witness, we refuse to obey at our own cost. He cannot move in blessing until there has been obedience.
The fire fell after the ruined altar had been repaired.
The fire of God falls when there is spiritual unity among God's people. If there is some altar in our lives which has fallen into disrepair, the fire will not fall until it is reerected. What does the altar preeminently typify? Did Christ not offer Himself on the altar of the cross? Only when the cross in its full significance is restored to its central place will the fire of the Lord fall.
The fire fell when the whole offering was placed on the altar.
It is not one great initial dedication only, but continuing acts of surrender. God will not be satisfied with a partial surrender. Ananias and Sapphira presented part to God, pretending it to be all, but at what tragic cost to themselves.
Abraham was called upon by God to surrender to God the worst thing in his life and the best thing in his life. He had to surrender Ishmael, son of his carnal unbelief, and send him away from his paternal tent into the wilderness. He had to place on the altar Isaac, son of his sublime faith, and lift the sacrificial knife. Then the fire of the Lord fell on Abraham and there came the divine response, "In thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice." The last piece of the sacrifice had been placed on the altar.
We cannot deceive God. He knows when the altar is full and His response will not tarry. When Elijah placed the last piece of the sacrifice on the altar, there was the flash of flame.
- J. Oswald Sanders, Spiritual Maturity
In our day, the greatest lack in the life of the individual Christian and of the church is the fire of God, the manifested presence and mighty working of the Holy Spirit. There is little about us that cannot be explained on the level of the natural. Our lives are not fire-touched. There is no holy conflagration in our churches to which people are irresistibly drawn as a moth to a flame.
It is the absence of the fire of God which accounts for the insignificant impact the church is making on a lost world. It never had better organisation, a more scholarly ministry, greater resources of men and means, more skillful techniques. And yet never did it make a smaller contribution to solving the problems of a distraught world. Our prayer should be, "Lord, send the fire." What else can meet the need of the hour?
The fire fell when Elijah obeyed God without hesitation.
The falling of the fire and the coming of the rain were a direct result of Elijah's obedience to facing Ahab, the personification of moral and spiritual evil. We will seek in vain the falling of the fire of God if there is some reserved area in our lives concerning which we refuse to obey God. If He is pressing on us the necessity of some act of obedience, restitution, apology or witness, we refuse to obey at our own cost. He cannot move in blessing until there has been obedience.
The fire fell after the ruined altar had been repaired.
The fire of God falls when there is spiritual unity among God's people. If there is some altar in our lives which has fallen into disrepair, the fire will not fall until it is reerected. What does the altar preeminently typify? Did Christ not offer Himself on the altar of the cross? Only when the cross in its full significance is restored to its central place will the fire of the Lord fall.
The fire fell when the whole offering was placed on the altar.
It is not one great initial dedication only, but continuing acts of surrender. God will not be satisfied with a partial surrender. Ananias and Sapphira presented part to God, pretending it to be all, but at what tragic cost to themselves.
Abraham was called upon by God to surrender to God the worst thing in his life and the best thing in his life. He had to surrender Ishmael, son of his carnal unbelief, and send him away from his paternal tent into the wilderness. He had to place on the altar Isaac, son of his sublime faith, and lift the sacrificial knife. Then the fire of the Lord fell on Abraham and there came the divine response, "In thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice." The last piece of the sacrifice had been placed on the altar.
We cannot deceive God. He knows when the altar is full and His response will not tarry. When Elijah placed the last piece of the sacrifice on the altar, there was the flash of flame.
- J. Oswald Sanders, Spiritual Maturity
Wednesday 12 September 2012
Football and Chess
No other team sport places such an emphasis on harmony between players as football. As in chess, every movement or action affects everything else around it. One badly positioned piece or player can be ruinous. Consequently, a group of superior footballers will often lose to technically weaker players who are interacting more harmoniously. In the same way, as every serious chess player knows, having more powerful pieces left on the board does not guarantee a win. It is the power of the interactions between the pieces which is decisive.
Perhaps it is no surprise that both Rafael Benitez and Karel Bruckner (longstanding coach of the Czech Republic national team) are both avid chess players, and know only too well how much greater the whole can be than the sum of the parts. Both are famous for their ability to create exceptional teams without exceptional players. Indeed, according to his agent, Benitez has no particular aptitude for noticing good players, such is his preoccupation with watching the team as a whole.
As a result of the endless possibilities of harmony and interaction, both games are limitless: infinitely complicated, infinitely interesting, forever elusive and mysterious, and always open to new interpretation. This makes them very exciting to play and watch.
- Adam Wells, Football and Chess: Tactics; Strategy; Beauty
Perhaps it is no surprise that both Rafael Benitez and Karel Bruckner (longstanding coach of the Czech Republic national team) are both avid chess players, and know only too well how much greater the whole can be than the sum of the parts. Both are famous for their ability to create exceptional teams without exceptional players. Indeed, according to his agent, Benitez has no particular aptitude for noticing good players, such is his preoccupation with watching the team as a whole.
As a result of the endless possibilities of harmony and interaction, both games are limitless: infinitely complicated, infinitely interesting, forever elusive and mysterious, and always open to new interpretation. This makes them very exciting to play and watch.
- Adam Wells, Football and Chess: Tactics; Strategy; Beauty
Tuesday 11 September 2012
Tangled Theology
"Oh what a tangled web we weave,
When first we practice to deceive!"
- Sir Walter Scott, Scottish playwright
Not that theology tangles, although it has the potential to do so - as Paul thrice warns Timothy in 2 Timothy 2.
"Keep reminding them of these things. Warn them before God against quarrelling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen." - 2 Timothy 2:14 (NIV)
"Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly." - 2 Timothy 2:16 (NIV)
"Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord's servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful." - 2 Timothy 2:23-24 (NIV)
Anyway, I was watching the movie Tangled (based on the German fairytale Rapunzel by the Brothers Grimm) on my flight back to Singapore from Istanbul and couldn't help but notice more than a few allusions to the biblical narrative (whether intended or not).
1. Old Birth
Rapunzel was abducted at birth and locked up in a high tower under the supervision of a wicked witch.
We have been abducted at birth (one might even say before birth) and locked up in a prison of sin under the supervision of the law (cf. Galatians 3:23-25).
"For as in Adam all die..." - 1 Corinthians 15:22a (NIV)
2. Old Life
Rapunzel sees floating lanterns (released annually by the King and Queen to mark the birthday of their lost Princess ie. Rapunzel) through her window and longs for something beyond her tower but continues to obey her "mother" (the wicked witch).
We see through a glass, darkly (cf. 1 Corinthians 13:12) and long for something beyond our present age but continue to obey our sinful nature.
"As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath." - Ephesians 2:1-3 (NIV)
3. Justification by Faith
Flynn Rider, the white knight in shining armour (or so) stumbles upon Rapunzel in her tower and she sees her tiara (ironically stolen by Flynn Rider) for the first time.
Christ redeems us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us (cf. Galatians 3:13), that we might receive the full rights of sons (cf. Galatians 4:4-7).
"But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions - it is by grace you have been saved." - Ephesians 2:4-5 (NIV)
4. Ascension
Flynn Rider brings Rapunzel out into the world to see the floating lanterns and releases a lantern with her.
Christ commissions us to be the light of the world (cf. Matthew 5:14-16), just as He was the light of the world.
"Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."" - Matthew 28:18-20 (NIV)
"Again Jesus said, "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you." And with that he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit."" - John 20:21-22 (NIV)
"He said to them: "It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight." - Acts 1:7-9 (NIV)
5. Sanctification
Rapunzel sees that Flynn Rider has left her (not knowing that he has been captured by opposing forces) and follows her "mother" back to her tower.
We struggle with sin as we remain in the world but not of it (cf. John 17:15-19). We need to be reminded that the Spirit helps us in our weakness (cf. Romans 8:26) and that God will not let us be tempted beyond what we can bear (cf. 1 Corinthians 10:13).
"So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God's law; but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God - through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God's law, but in the sinful nature a slave to the law of sin." - Romans 7:21-25 (NIV)
6. Descension
Flynn Rider rides to Rapunzel's tower on a white horse to battle the wicked witch.
Christ descends from heaven on a white horse to judge the earth (cf. Revelation 19:11-16).
"They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. "Men of Galilee," they said, "why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven."" - Acts 1:10-11 (NIV)
7. Glorification
Finally, Rapunzel is described as 'a princess worth waiting for'.
As the bride of Christ, our worth is found in Christ - who has given His life as a ransom for many (cf. Mark 10:45).
"Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world." - John 17:24 (NIV)
The church's one foundation is Jesus Christ her Lord
She is His new creation by Spirit and the Word
From heaven He came and sought her to be His holy bride
With His own blood He bought her and for her life He died
Of course, the entire plot does not perfectly allude to the biblical narrative (eg. Flynn Rider is healed by Rapunzel's tears). But then again, nothing perfectly alludes to the biblical narrative.
"For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears." - 1 Corinthians 13:9-10 (NIV)
Happily Ever After
"Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."" - Revelation 21:1-4 (NIV)
In a way, the biblical narrative is like a fairytale. Only that it's true!
When first we practice to deceive!"
- Sir Walter Scott, Scottish playwright
Not that theology tangles, although it has the potential to do so - as Paul thrice warns Timothy in 2 Timothy 2.
"Keep reminding them of these things. Warn them before God against quarrelling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen." - 2 Timothy 2:14 (NIV)
"Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly." - 2 Timothy 2:16 (NIV)
"Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord's servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful." - 2 Timothy 2:23-24 (NIV)
Anyway, I was watching the movie Tangled (based on the German fairytale Rapunzel by the Brothers Grimm) on my flight back to Singapore from Istanbul and couldn't help but notice more than a few allusions to the biblical narrative (whether intended or not).
1. Old Birth
Rapunzel was abducted at birth and locked up in a high tower under the supervision of a wicked witch.
We have been abducted at birth (one might even say before birth) and locked up in a prison of sin under the supervision of the law (cf. Galatians 3:23-25).
"For as in Adam all die..." - 1 Corinthians 15:22a (NIV)
2. Old Life
Rapunzel sees floating lanterns (released annually by the King and Queen to mark the birthday of their lost Princess ie. Rapunzel) through her window and longs for something beyond her tower but continues to obey her "mother" (the wicked witch).
We see through a glass, darkly (cf. 1 Corinthians 13:12) and long for something beyond our present age but continue to obey our sinful nature.
"As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath." - Ephesians 2:1-3 (NIV)
3. Justification by Faith
Flynn Rider, the white knight in shining armour (or so) stumbles upon Rapunzel in her tower and she sees her tiara (ironically stolen by Flynn Rider) for the first time.
Christ redeems us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us (cf. Galatians 3:13), that we might receive the full rights of sons (cf. Galatians 4:4-7).
"But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions - it is by grace you have been saved." - Ephesians 2:4-5 (NIV)
4. Ascension
Flynn Rider brings Rapunzel out into the world to see the floating lanterns and releases a lantern with her.
Floating Lanterns at Sam & Heather's Wedding, July 2011
Christ commissions us to be the light of the world (cf. Matthew 5:14-16), just as He was the light of the world.
"Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."" - Matthew 28:18-20 (NIV)
"Again Jesus said, "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you." And with that he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit."" - John 20:21-22 (NIV)
"He said to them: "It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight." - Acts 1:7-9 (NIV)
5. Sanctification
Rapunzel sees that Flynn Rider has left her (not knowing that he has been captured by opposing forces) and follows her "mother" back to her tower.
We struggle with sin as we remain in the world but not of it (cf. John 17:15-19). We need to be reminded that the Spirit helps us in our weakness (cf. Romans 8:26) and that God will not let us be tempted beyond what we can bear (cf. 1 Corinthians 10:13).
"So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God's law; but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God - through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God's law, but in the sinful nature a slave to the law of sin." - Romans 7:21-25 (NIV)
6. Descension
Flynn Rider rides to Rapunzel's tower on a white horse to battle the wicked witch.
Christ descends from heaven on a white horse to judge the earth (cf. Revelation 19:11-16).
"They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. "Men of Galilee," they said, "why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven."" - Acts 1:10-11 (NIV)
7. Glorification
Finally, Rapunzel is described as 'a princess worth waiting for'.
As the bride of Christ, our worth is found in Christ - who has given His life as a ransom for many (cf. Mark 10:45).
"Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world." - John 17:24 (NIV)
The church's one foundation is Jesus Christ her Lord
She is His new creation by Spirit and the Word
From heaven He came and sought her to be His holy bride
With His own blood He bought her and for her life He died
Of course, the entire plot does not perfectly allude to the biblical narrative (eg. Flynn Rider is healed by Rapunzel's tears). But then again, nothing perfectly alludes to the biblical narrative.
"For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears." - 1 Corinthians 13:9-10 (NIV)
Happily Ever After
"Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."" - Revelation 21:1-4 (NIV)
In a way, the biblical narrative is like a fairytale. Only that it's true!
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