Listen HERE.
Yes, I do realize that bolding my favorites parts loses something when nearly the whole song is in bold text, but I suppose that speaks to the beauty and power of this hymn.
I hear the Savior say,
“Thy strength indeed is small;
Child of weakness, watch and pray,
Find in Me thine all in all.”
Refrain
Jesus paid it all,
All to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain,
He washed it white as snow.
For nothing good have I
Whereby Thy grace to claim,
I’ll wash my garments white
In the blood of Calv’ry’s Lamb.
Refrain
And now complete in Him
My robe His righteousness,Close sheltered ’neath His side,
I am divinely blest.
Refrain
Lord, now indeed I find
Thy power and Thine alone,
Can change the leper’s spots
And melt the heart of stone.
Refrain
When from my dying bed
My ransomed soul shall rise,
“Jesus died my soul to save,”
Shall rend the vaulted skies.
Refrain
And when before the throne
I stand in Him complete,
I’ll lay my trophies down
All down at Jesus’ feet.
Refrain
Monday, March 19, 2012
Friday, March 16, 2012
Adiaphora
1 Corinthians 7:25
...I have no command from the Lord, but I give my judgment as one who by the Lord's mercy is trustworthy.
There are choices in this life on which we have no chapter and verse on which to lean for the use of guiding our decisions.
In these we can search for Biblical principles by which we can find firm, consistent wisdom in which to provide peace and grace to our decisions.
These areas are called, "adiaphora." These are open-hand discussions. By that I mean that there are conversely closed-hand discussions on which the Church is strictly defined.
An example of a close-handed topic is the deity of Jesus. He is God. If you do not believe this, you are not a Christian. You can call yourself a "Christian," but you are not in essence truly one.
An example of an open-handed topic is whether or not to use guitars or organs in the accompanying of songs at church. It may be only preference. You can choose not to dance if you like, but you may dance if you like as well. Same with playing cards, smoking a cigar, using large screens at church, or women wearing pants in public. All up for discussion and subject to preference, but none of these determine or divide Christians and non-Christians.
HOWEVER - the apostle Paul still answered the Corinthians' questions. He pointed out that it was not a command of Jesus, but he did - as an apostle in Christ - relay his wisdom and ideas concerning the subject matters presented to him.
There are good reasons to think about and develope convictions regarding open-handed issues. They ought not become stumbling blocks or dividing fences for Christians however.
Be careful not to insist too deeply on your well-developed opinion on a matter of Christian freedom in which there is no direct command from God recorded in the Bible. Also be careful not to take too lightly matters of Christians freedom so that if you are asked for advice you have no thought or conviction on which to assist your brother/sister in Christ.
The trick is caring enough to mull it over, but not so much as to after having done so to believe it to be doctrine.
Being a Christian does not mean not having opinions. Being a Christians means knowing the difference between opinion and Gospel and fighting for the one in light of doctrinal purity and letting the other go in light of Spiritual unity.
...I have no command from the Lord, but I give my judgment as one who by the Lord's mercy is trustworthy.
There are choices in this life on which we have no chapter and verse on which to lean for the use of guiding our decisions.
In these we can search for Biblical principles by which we can find firm, consistent wisdom in which to provide peace and grace to our decisions.
These areas are called, "adiaphora." These are open-hand discussions. By that I mean that there are conversely closed-hand discussions on which the Church is strictly defined.
An example of a close-handed topic is the deity of Jesus. He is God. If you do not believe this, you are not a Christian. You can call yourself a "Christian," but you are not in essence truly one.
An example of an open-handed topic is whether or not to use guitars or organs in the accompanying of songs at church. It may be only preference. You can choose not to dance if you like, but you may dance if you like as well. Same with playing cards, smoking a cigar, using large screens at church, or women wearing pants in public. All up for discussion and subject to preference, but none of these determine or divide Christians and non-Christians.
HOWEVER - the apostle Paul still answered the Corinthians' questions. He pointed out that it was not a command of Jesus, but he did - as an apostle in Christ - relay his wisdom and ideas concerning the subject matters presented to him.
There are good reasons to think about and develope convictions regarding open-handed issues. They ought not become stumbling blocks or dividing fences for Christians however.
Be careful not to insist too deeply on your well-developed opinion on a matter of Christian freedom in which there is no direct command from God recorded in the Bible. Also be careful not to take too lightly matters of Christians freedom so that if you are asked for advice you have no thought or conviction on which to assist your brother/sister in Christ.
The trick is caring enough to mull it over, but not so much as to after having done so to believe it to be doctrine.
Being a Christian does not mean not having opinions. Being a Christians means knowing the difference between opinion and Gospel and fighting for the one in light of doctrinal purity and letting the other go in light of Spiritual unity.
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Cornerstone
Psalm 118:22
The stone that the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone.
God forecast long ago that Jesus would be both rejected by men and at the same time the only foundation on which those same men may be saved.
That stone which the builders cast aside as unworthy has been exalted as more worthy than the building built upon it. The stone which was not even deemed sturdy enough to be included in the building of the wall has become the most firm foundation on which the weight of the world and government was layed. The stone judged crooked and unsteady has become the chief cornerstone by which all other stones find their straightness.
Jesus was rejected by men, but exalted by God. That which men call foolish, God calls wisdom.
Don't be too wise as to seek another way than Jesus. In Him is all wisdom. In Him is a steady and true guide by which to judge all other things. In Him was the fullness of God pleased to dwell. He is the chief cornerstone.
Woe to those who build on any other foundation!
The stone that the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone.
God forecast long ago that Jesus would be both rejected by men and at the same time the only foundation on which those same men may be saved.
That stone which the builders cast aside as unworthy has been exalted as more worthy than the building built upon it. The stone which was not even deemed sturdy enough to be included in the building of the wall has become the most firm foundation on which the weight of the world and government was layed. The stone judged crooked and unsteady has become the chief cornerstone by which all other stones find their straightness.
Jesus was rejected by men, but exalted by God. That which men call foolish, God calls wisdom.
Don't be too wise as to seek another way than Jesus. In Him is all wisdom. In Him is a steady and true guide by which to judge all other things. In Him was the fullness of God pleased to dwell. He is the chief cornerstone.
Woe to those who build on any other foundation!
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Made in the image of...
Psalm 115:4-8
4 Their idols are silver and gold, the work of human hands. 5 They have mouths, but do not speak; eyes, but do not see. 6 They have ears, but do not hear; noses, but do not smell. 7 They have hands, but do not feel; feet, but do not walk; and they do not make a sound in their throat. 8 Those who make them become like them; so do all who trust in them
4 Their idols are silver and gold, the work of human hands. 5 They have mouths, but do not speak; eyes, but do not see. 6 They have ears, but do not hear; noses, but do not smell. 7 They have hands, but do not feel; feet, but do not walk; and they do not make a sound in their throat. 8 Those who make them become like them; so do all who trust in them
We become like the things we worship. If you worship that which is not God, you become more and more ungodly as the days wear you away.
Idols are the work of human hands, imaginations, and vanity. We worship that which we create whether ideas, images, or items. When we worship them, we become like them: empty of life and full of vanity, void of substance and overflowing with mere sentiment, detached from reality and embedded in fantasy.Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Lessons from Revelation 22:6-21
Today we concluded the study through the book of Revelation at Cornerstone Church.
Pastor Jeff exhorted the congregation to keep waiting on the Lord by working out their salvation until His return.
He also fleshed out the real, tangible nature of Heaven and the new earth described with rivers, trees, fruit, food, streets, gates, etc... When resurrected, we will live in new, perfected, heavenly, Jerusalem forever with God, face-to-face.
We are encouraged not to add anything to what God has said, but not subtract or fall short of saying anything He has declared at the end of the book of Revelation.
We are also encouraged to "keep" the sayings of the prophecy of the book of Revelation. This is an odd exhortation given that the letter is largely a statement of what God is doing, has done, and has promised yet to do. "Keeping" seems to imply an active doing of some kind, however, the things about which we are encouraged to keep are largely declarations of things done and to be done by God (not by us) If anything, Revelation is largely about God and His one and only Son, Jesus. There are, however, encouragements to "stand firm" or "persevere" throughout the book. There are also very church specific exhortations given in the opening letters addressed specifically to respective churches. The lion's share of the book seems to revolved around the reporting of what God alone can do and will do.
The "sayings" of the prophecy of the book of Revelation are largely debated and anything but proclaimed definitively (outside cultic "Christian" sects). So it does beg the question as to what one is to do with this last charge to the reader to keep the sayings of this book.
Many of the mysteries of Revelation remain simply that, mysteries. Admittedly, my church allowing that which belongs to God to remain with Him throughout the teaching of this book is more comforting than if they had attempted to dogmatize and codify as closed-handed that over which many have debated since the pen left the paper on this letter (or quill left the scroll you nitpicking jerkwad).
One thing is clear. Jesus wins. God returns the earth and those created from it to their original state: Eden. A place where God dwells with man face-to-face without any intercession necessary. No priests, no temple, no sin, no rebellion. A final state, like the first, without the possibility of the fall repeating itself.
Evil finally and forever put down. Not necessarily Heaven on earth, but earth and Heaven cleansed, perfected, and returned to their original state.
Redemption.
Pastor Jeff exhorted the congregation to keep waiting on the Lord by working out their salvation until His return.
He also fleshed out the real, tangible nature of Heaven and the new earth described with rivers, trees, fruit, food, streets, gates, etc... When resurrected, we will live in new, perfected, heavenly, Jerusalem forever with God, face-to-face.
We are encouraged not to add anything to what God has said, but not subtract or fall short of saying anything He has declared at the end of the book of Revelation.
We are also encouraged to "keep" the sayings of the prophecy of the book of Revelation. This is an odd exhortation given that the letter is largely a statement of what God is doing, has done, and has promised yet to do. "Keeping" seems to imply an active doing of some kind, however, the things about which we are encouraged to keep are largely declarations of things done and to be done by God (not by us) If anything, Revelation is largely about God and His one and only Son, Jesus. There are, however, encouragements to "stand firm" or "persevere" throughout the book. There are also very church specific exhortations given in the opening letters addressed specifically to respective churches. The lion's share of the book seems to revolved around the reporting of what God alone can do and will do.
The "sayings" of the prophecy of the book of Revelation are largely debated and anything but proclaimed definitively (outside cultic "Christian" sects). So it does beg the question as to what one is to do with this last charge to the reader to keep the sayings of this book.
Many of the mysteries of Revelation remain simply that, mysteries. Admittedly, my church allowing that which belongs to God to remain with Him throughout the teaching of this book is more comforting than if they had attempted to dogmatize and codify as closed-handed that over which many have debated since the pen left the paper on this letter (or quill left the scroll you nitpicking jerkwad).
One thing is clear. Jesus wins. God returns the earth and those created from it to their original state: Eden. A place where God dwells with man face-to-face without any intercession necessary. No priests, no temple, no sin, no rebellion. A final state, like the first, without the possibility of the fall repeating itself.
Evil finally and forever put down. Not necessarily Heaven on earth, but earth and Heaven cleansed, perfected, and returned to their original state.
Redemption.
Monday, March 12, 2012
Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing
Listen HERE.
Come, Thou Fount of every blessing,
Tune my heart to sing Thy grace;
Streams of mercy, never ceasing,
Call for songs of loudest praise.
Teach me some melodious sonnet,
Sung by flaming tongues above.
Praise the mount! I’m fixed upon it,
Mount of Thy redeeming love.
Sorrowing I shall be in spirit,
Till released from flesh and sin,
Yet from what I do inherit,
Here Thy praises I’ll begin;
Here I raise my Ebenezer;
Here by Thy great help I’ve come;
And I hope, by Thy good pleasure,
Safely to arrive at home.
Jesus sought me when a stranger,
Wandering from the fold of God;
He, to rescue me from danger,
Interposed His precious blood;
How His kindness yet pursues me
Mortal tongue can never tell,
Clothed in flesh, till death shall loose me
I cannot proclaim it well.
O to grace how great a debtor
Daily I’m constrained to be!
Let Thy goodness, like a fetter,
Bind my wandering heart to Thee.
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,
Prone to leave the God I love;
Here’s my heart, O take and seal it,
Seal it for Thy courts above.
O that day when freed from sinning,
I shall see Thy lovely face;
Clothed then in blood washed linen
How I’ll sing Thy sovereign grace;
Come, my Lord, no longer tarry,
Take my ransomed soul away;
Send thine angels now to carry
Me to realms of endless day.
Come, Thou Fount of every blessing,
Tune my heart to sing Thy grace;
Streams of mercy, never ceasing,
Call for songs of loudest praise.
Teach me some melodious sonnet,
Sung by flaming tongues above.
Praise the mount! I’m fixed upon it,
Mount of Thy redeeming love.
Sorrowing I shall be in spirit,
Till released from flesh and sin,
Yet from what I do inherit,
Here Thy praises I’ll begin;
Here I raise my Ebenezer;
Here by Thy great help I’ve come;
And I hope, by Thy good pleasure,
Safely to arrive at home.
Jesus sought me when a stranger,
Wandering from the fold of God;
He, to rescue me from danger,
Interposed His precious blood;
How His kindness yet pursues me
Mortal tongue can never tell,
Clothed in flesh, till death shall loose me
I cannot proclaim it well.
O to grace how great a debtor
Daily I’m constrained to be!
Let Thy goodness, like a fetter,
Bind my wandering heart to Thee.
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,
Prone to leave the God I love;
Here’s my heart, O take and seal it,
Seal it for Thy courts above.
O that day when freed from sinning,
I shall see Thy lovely face;
Clothed then in blood washed linen
How I’ll sing Thy sovereign grace;
Come, my Lord, no longer tarry,
Take my ransomed soul away;
Send thine angels now to carry
Me to realms of endless day.
Friday, March 9, 2012
Lessons from Revelation 21-22:5
This week Pastor Troy taught from Revelation 21-22:5.
I love that in 21:6 God says, "It is done!" The finality and climax of it is intense.
Pastor Troy mentioned that the best day here on earth will not rival the worst day in Heaven.
Conversely, the worst day here on earth will be the best you can hope for in Hell.
There is no temple in Heaven because the Father and the Lamb are the temple. Finally the shadow becomes the substance.
The tree of life is back. The last time we saw it was in the opening scenes of creation in Genesis.
The Bible is a wonderful story that captures the imagination and inspires the soul. The story is written so beautifully and the protagonist and the antagonist go at it from Genesis chapter 3 until the very end when God in Jesus puts down for good the threat of the Devil and his evil.
Pastor Troy brought up in John 14 the opening verses indicate that Jesus told his disciples that he went to prepare a place for them, a marvelous place in the mansions of Heaven. Pastor Troy pointed out that the disciples' response was not to ask about the place, to get anxious about arriving at the place, or to worry about who would live next to who and who would have the "best" place to call home. The disciples' response was to ask where Jesus was going and how to get there to be with Him. The mansion was of little enticement compared to being with Jesus. You can have the mansion if I can have You.
That is the final centrality of Heaven and the future of those He has called to salvation in the Lamb. Glory and Honor and Praise to God, forever!
There is no sin in Heaven. For those of us who are Christians here on earth, we follow Jesus sinfully. We struggle to resist the flesh as it wars with the new Spirit placed within us at our rebirth. In Heaven, this struggle will cease and the flesh's piece of the equation will be removed. This allows us, by our own volition, to worship Jesus because the Spirit in us wants to do nothing else. It is not that we are made robots in Heaven. It is not that we lose the ability to make decisions. It is that in Heaven we are finally completely free to choose Jesus in each and everything and to enjoy Him alone forever because the partial has passed away and the perfect has come.
I love that in 21:6 God says, "It is done!" The finality and climax of it is intense.
Pastor Troy mentioned that the best day here on earth will not rival the worst day in Heaven.
Conversely, the worst day here on earth will be the best you can hope for in Hell.
There is no temple in Heaven because the Father and the Lamb are the temple. Finally the shadow becomes the substance.
The tree of life is back. The last time we saw it was in the opening scenes of creation in Genesis.
The Bible is a wonderful story that captures the imagination and inspires the soul. The story is written so beautifully and the protagonist and the antagonist go at it from Genesis chapter 3 until the very end when God in Jesus puts down for good the threat of the Devil and his evil.
Pastor Troy brought up in John 14 the opening verses indicate that Jesus told his disciples that he went to prepare a place for them, a marvelous place in the mansions of Heaven. Pastor Troy pointed out that the disciples' response was not to ask about the place, to get anxious about arriving at the place, or to worry about who would live next to who and who would have the "best" place to call home. The disciples' response was to ask where Jesus was going and how to get there to be with Him. The mansion was of little enticement compared to being with Jesus. You can have the mansion if I can have You.
That is the final centrality of Heaven and the future of those He has called to salvation in the Lamb. Glory and Honor and Praise to God, forever!
There is no sin in Heaven. For those of us who are Christians here on earth, we follow Jesus sinfully. We struggle to resist the flesh as it wars with the new Spirit placed within us at our rebirth. In Heaven, this struggle will cease and the flesh's piece of the equation will be removed. This allows us, by our own volition, to worship Jesus because the Spirit in us wants to do nothing else. It is not that we are made robots in Heaven. It is not that we lose the ability to make decisions. It is that in Heaven we are finally completely free to choose Jesus in each and everything and to enjoy Him alone forever because the partial has passed away and the perfect has come.
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