To put it bluntly, some people seem to have damaged Bibles, in which the first two and last two pages have got mysteriously torn off. They start at Genesis 3, because they know all about sin. And they end at Revelation 20, because they know all about the day of judgment. And they have their personal solution to the sin problem and their personal security for the day of judgment, provided of course by the death and resurrection of Jesus. Praise God, I believe that too.
But the Bible has a much bigger story, the story of the whole creation, within which my personal salvation fits. And the Lordship of Christ spans the whole story. So I need to see Him as Lord of my physical environment as well as my spiritual salvation, and behave as His disciple in relation to both.
- Dr Christopher J. H. Wright, The Mission of God and the Task of the Church: Integral Mission and the Great Commission
When He renews the land and sky
All heaven will sing and earth reply
With one resplendent theme
The glory of our God and King
Monday 6 October 2014
Sunday 31 August 2014
The Story of Missions
Missions is about (filling the earth with) the glory of God.
1. Creation
"And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day." - Genesis 1:31 (ESV)
2. Fall
"I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel." - Genesis 3:15 (ESV)
3. Redemption
"For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God." - Romans 8:18-21 (ESV)
4. Restoration
"And I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb. And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb. By its light will the nations walk, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it, and its gates will never be shut by day - and there will be no night there. They will bring into it the glory and the honour of the nations." - Revelation 21:22-26 (ESV)
1. Creation
"And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day." - Genesis 1:31 (ESV)
2. Fall
"I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel." - Genesis 3:15 (ESV)
3. Redemption
"For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God." - Romans 8:18-21 (ESV)
4. Restoration
"And I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb. And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb. By its light will the nations walk, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it, and its gates will never be shut by day - and there will be no night there. They will bring into it the glory and the honour of the nations." - Revelation 21:22-26 (ESV)
Wednesday 27 August 2014
Repent and Believe
"The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel." - Mark 1:15 (ESV)
Monday 25 August 2014
Jubilee
1. Social justice is a manifestation of divine justice.
2. Deconstruct and reconstruct the world.
3. Think Big, Start Small, Build Deep
2. Deconstruct and reconstruct the world.
3. Think Big, Start Small, Build Deep
Friday 25 July 2014
Global Convergence and Governance
Random thoughts from a series of lectures at work:
Situation: Global convergence between developed and developing countries, changes in social contract
Challenges: Financial crises, global warming, pandemics
Solution: Strengthen institutions of global governance
On another note, give yourself a margin.
Situation: Global convergence between developed and developing countries, changes in social contract
Challenges: Financial crises, global warming, pandemics
Solution: Strengthen institutions of global governance
On another note, give yourself a margin.
Thursday 24 July 2014
Think
From a boss:
Before you speak, is it...
True?
Helpful?
Inspiring?
Necessary?
Kind?
"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things." - Philippians 4:8 (ESV)
Before you speak, is it...
True?
Helpful?
Inspiring?
Necessary?
Kind?
"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things." - Philippians 4:8 (ESV)
Wednesday 23 July 2014
Is Your All On The Altar Of Sacrifice Laid?
Random thoughts from sharing at prayer meeting:
Genesis 22: Abraham's Dilemma
1. Conflict - Could (a good) God have commanded Abraham to kill his son?
"After these things God tested Abraham and said to him, "Abraham!" And he said, "Here I am." He said, "Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you."" - Genesis 22:1-2 (ESV)
2. Response - Trusting Obedience
"[The angel of the LORD] said, "Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me."" - Genesis 22:12 (ESV)
3. Resolution - Substitutionary Atonement
"Abraham said, "God will provide for himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son." So they went both of them together... So Abraham called the name of that place, "The LORD will provide"; as it is said to this day, "On the mount of the LORD it shall be provided."" - Genesis 22:8, 14 (ESV)
Hebrews 11: Abraham's Faith
1. What is faith?
"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." - Hebrews 11:1 (ESV)
2. How did Abraham walk by faith (and not by sight)?
"By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son, of whom it was said, "Through Isaac shall your offspring be named." He considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back." - Hebrews 11:17-19 (ESV)
3. What did Abraham have faith in?
"If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city." - Hebrews 11:15-16 (ESV)
By faith our fathers roamed the earth
With the power of His promise in their hearts
Of a holy city built by God's own hand
A place where peace and justice reign
Reflections
1. Trust and Obey, Faith and Works
"Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness" - and he was called a friend of God." - James 2:21-23 (ESV)
2. God will provide - Himself!
"He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?" - Romans 8:32 (ESV)
3. Is your all on the altar of sacrifice laid?
"I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." - Romans 12:1-2 (ESV)
Genesis 22: Abraham's Dilemma
1. Conflict - Could (a good) God have commanded Abraham to kill his son?
"After these things God tested Abraham and said to him, "Abraham!" And he said, "Here I am." He said, "Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you."" - Genesis 22:1-2 (ESV)
2. Response - Trusting Obedience
"[The angel of the LORD] said, "Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me."" - Genesis 22:12 (ESV)
3. Resolution - Substitutionary Atonement
"Abraham said, "God will provide for himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son." So they went both of them together... So Abraham called the name of that place, "The LORD will provide"; as it is said to this day, "On the mount of the LORD it shall be provided."" - Genesis 22:8, 14 (ESV)
Hebrews 11: Abraham's Faith
1. What is faith?
"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." - Hebrews 11:1 (ESV)
2. How did Abraham walk by faith (and not by sight)?
"By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son, of whom it was said, "Through Isaac shall your offspring be named." He considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back." - Hebrews 11:17-19 (ESV)
3. What did Abraham have faith in?
"If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city." - Hebrews 11:15-16 (ESV)
By faith our fathers roamed the earth
With the power of His promise in their hearts
Of a holy city built by God's own hand
A place where peace and justice reign
Reflections
1. Trust and Obey, Faith and Works
"Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness" - and he was called a friend of God." - James 2:21-23 (ESV)
2. God will provide - Himself!
"He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?" - Romans 8:32 (ESV)
3. Is your all on the altar of sacrifice laid?
"I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." - Romans 12:1-2 (ESV)
Friday 18 July 2014
Faith and Work
Random thoughts from KC's sharing at CG:
1. Work is from God and for God.
2. Are you walking close to God?
3. Are you where God wants you to be?
4. Are you doing what God wants you to do, where He wants you to be?
5. Invest in relationships.
1. Work is from God and for God.
2. Are you walking close to God?
3. Are you where God wants you to be?
4. Are you doing what God wants you to do, where He wants you to be?
5. Invest in relationships.
Sunday 13 July 2014
Intentions
Song
I had the privilege of listening to the Sophron string quartet play - and explain - arrangements of Prokofiev and Shostakovich last night. A blend of composers' intentions and performers' interpretations.
Scripture
Authorial intent(ion) is key.
"For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit." - 2 Peter 1:21 (ESV)
Song + Scripture (Sound + Doctrine)
When singing hymns (even psalms), we need to understand the stories and Scripture underlying them.
I had the privilege of listening to the Sophron string quartet play - and explain - arrangements of Prokofiev and Shostakovich last night. A blend of composers' intentions and performers' interpretations.
Scripture
Authorial intent(ion) is key.
"For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit." - 2 Peter 1:21 (ESV)
Song + Scripture (Sound + Doctrine)
When singing hymns (even psalms), we need to understand the stories and Scripture underlying them.
Friday 27 June 2014
28
For me as a boy, one of the most gripping illustrations my fiery father used was the story of a man converted in old age. The church had prayed for this man for decades. He was hard and resistant. But this time, for some reason, he showed up when my father was preaching. At the end of the service, during a hymn, to everyone's amazement he came and took my father's hand. They sat down together on the front pew of the church as the people were dismissed. God opened his heart to the Gospel of Christ, and he was saved from his sins and given eternal life.
But that did not stop him from sobbing and saying, as the tears ran down his wrinkled face - and what an impact it made on me to hear my father say this through his own tears - "I've wasted it! I've wasted it!"
This was the story that gripped me more than all the stories of young people who died in car wrecks before they were converted - the story of an old man weeping that he had wasted his life. In those early years God awakened in me a fear and a passion not to waste my life. The thought of coming to my old age and saying through tears, "I've wasted it! I've wasted it!" was a fearful and horrible thought to me.
- John Piper, Don't Waste Your Life
I was 21 not so long ago, and now I'm 28. I thank God for giving me the past 7 years - 3 years in York, and 4 years (and counting) with the Singapore Prison Service.
What will the next 7 years bring?
But that did not stop him from sobbing and saying, as the tears ran down his wrinkled face - and what an impact it made on me to hear my father say this through his own tears - "I've wasted it! I've wasted it!"
This was the story that gripped me more than all the stories of young people who died in car wrecks before they were converted - the story of an old man weeping that he had wasted his life. In those early years God awakened in me a fear and a passion not to waste my life. The thought of coming to my old age and saying through tears, "I've wasted it! I've wasted it!" was a fearful and horrible thought to me.
- John Piper, Don't Waste Your Life
I was 21 not so long ago, and now I'm 28. I thank God for giving me the past 7 years - 3 years in York, and 4 years (and counting) with the Singapore Prison Service.
What will the next 7 years bring?
Monday 23 June 2014
On Waiting
Waiting is not buying time or killing time, but redeeming the time.
"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen... And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect." - Hebrews 11:1, 39-40 (ESV)
"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen... And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect." - Hebrews 11:1, 39-40 (ESV)
Saturday 31 May 2014
Thursday 1 May 2014
Manuals for Pastoral Ministry
Of the 242 verses in 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy and Titus, 16 refer to teaching/doctrine.
The church (not the seminary) should be the primary recipient of the seminary's theological endeavours.
"...the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth." - 1 Timothy 3:15
The pastor leads, feeds, cares for and protects his flock.
"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep." - John 10:11
The church (not the seminary) should be the primary recipient of the seminary's theological endeavours.
"...the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth." - 1 Timothy 3:15
The pastor leads, feeds, cares for and protects his flock.
"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep." - John 10:11
Saturday 26 April 2014
The Discipline of Grace
Grace has a pedagogical function in the lives of those who prove His faithfulness, who walk by faith and not by sight.
"For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works." - Titus 2:11-14
"For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works." - Titus 2:11-14
Friday 25 April 2014
The Perfect Wisdom of Our God
God does His deepest work in the darkest days.
"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." - Romans 8:28
"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." - Romans 8:28
Sunday 20 April 2014
Raised For Our Justification
"[Jesus] conquered death by allowing death to conquer him." - A. W. Tozer, Preparing for Jesus' Return: Daily Live the Blessed Hope
"God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it." - Acts 2:24 (ESV)
"[Jesus] was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification." - Romans 4:25 (ESV)
"And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins." - 1 Corinthians 15:17 (ESV)
And we are raised with Him
Death is dead, love has won
Christ has conquered
And we shall reign with Him
For He lives: Christ is risen from the dead!
"God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it." - Acts 2:24 (ESV)
"[Jesus] was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification." - Romans 4:25 (ESV)
"And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins." - 1 Corinthians 15:17 (ESV)
And we are raised with Him
Death is dead, love has won
Christ has conquered
And we shall reign with Him
For He lives: Christ is risen from the dead!
Saturday 19 April 2014
Rest
Of God
"So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation." - Genesis 2:3 (ESV)
From God
"It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep." - Psalm 127:2 (ESV)
For God
"Commit your work to the LORD, and your plans will be established." - Proverbs 16:3 (ESV)
"The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps." - Proverbs 16:9 (ESV)
"The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD." - Proverbs 16:33 (ESV)
"So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation." - Genesis 2:3 (ESV)
From God
"It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep." - Psalm 127:2 (ESV)
For God
"Commit your work to the LORD, and your plans will be established." - Proverbs 16:3 (ESV)
"The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps." - Proverbs 16:9 (ESV)
"The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD." - Proverbs 16:33 (ESV)
Friday 18 April 2014
Random Thoughts from Word Alive
"For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes." - Romans 10:4 (ESV)
The Lord's Supper continually brings the church back to the cross, when we have drifted away from it in our activities and discussions.
One of the issues the early church faced was keeping Jews and Gentiles together.
"And Jesus answered them, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance."" - Luke 5:31-32 (ESV)
"Why do you call me 'Lord, Lord,' and not do what I tell you?" - Luke 6:46 (ESV)
The Lord's Supper continually brings the church back to the cross, when we have drifted away from it in our activities and discussions.
One of the issues the early church faced was keeping Jews and Gentiles together.
"And Jesus answered them, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance."" - Luke 5:31-32 (ESV)
"Why do you call me 'Lord, Lord,' and not do what I tell you?" - Luke 6:46 (ESV)
Saturday 5 April 2014
Saturday 29 March 2014
Shadow of the Cross
Everything from Luke 9:51 onwards is written under the shadow of the cross.
"When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem." - Luke 9:51 (ESV)
Other points by Don Carson:
1. There is glory to be pursued and judgment to be feared.
2. The things we pursue may blind us to our need for grace.
3. God has not left Himself without witness.
"When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem." - Luke 9:51 (ESV)
Other points by Don Carson:
1. There is glory to be pursued and judgment to be feared.
2. The things we pursue may blind us to our need for grace.
3. God has not left Himself without witness.
Monday 3 February 2014
Nuances
1. Works of the Law vs Works
2. Righteousness of God vs Righteousness from God
3. Faith vsWorks Sight
2. Righteousness of God vs Righteousness from God
3. Faith vs
Wednesday 1 January 2014
A New Thing
"Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert." - Isaiah 43:19 (ESV)
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