The New Testament in Three Words

"Adoption through propitiation"

That's J.I. Packer's three-word summary of the New Testament from his classic work, Knowing God.

Grace Applied

Check out this very encouraging story about Germantown Baptist Church and the grace applied to their past pastors and their past congregational difficulties. Here's an excerpt:

"Since 2006, there have been several heartbreaking situations that have occurred in our church family that resulted in broken relationships, broken trust, divisions within our church family and a damaged witness in our community," Dr. Charles Fowler, the church's senior pastor, wrote to the congregation last month.

"How can a church proclaim the glories of the love of God to those who are lost when their reputation is such that they cannot get along with each other?" Fowler wrote last month.

"I could simply turn a blind eye to the implications of our painful past (but) that would be spiritually irresponsible. ... In December, God impressed with great conviction that the way forward was to confront the past by seeking and applying grace."

This story is all the more encouraging to me because I know the church's current pastor and the children's pastor very well. Not to mention, I know numerous people who grew up in that church and others who experienced some of the pain in their recent past.

May the Lord give us more and more examples of this kind of grace!

Our Church's Old Building Up in Flames

Two days after Ash Wednesday, we at First Baptist Church experienced ashes of a different sort. The old building where our church worshiped from the early 1900s until 1980 was engulfed in flames, the interior being completely burned within a matter of minutes. And though we no longer meet at that location or even own the building anymore, we are still deeply saddened by this event.

We know that the church, the body of Christ, consists of people, not buildings. And we know that the destruction of a building does nothing to destroy our faith. But we also know that some of the most significant and memorable moments in many of our church members' lives happened in that sacred space - conversions, baptisms, weddings, etc. So to see that building go up in flames was painful. And when you consider that this year marks the 175th Anniversary of our church, a time when we are especially sensitive to our history, it makes it all the more difficult to lose such an important part of that physical history.

As a church, we will remain steadfast in the goodness of Almighty God. And though we are saddened by what happened today, we remain comforted by the fact that "neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth," - nor flames nor fires - "nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 8:38-39).

New Hymn on the Trinity

Praise to God, the Three in One
M. Justin Wainscott, © Copyright, 2012

Before the world was e'er designed,
Or time had yet begun;
'Twas perfect fellowship divine
Between the Three in One.
In lack of nothing, needing naught,
Yet moved by grace alone,
Redemption's plan the Godhead wrought
To make His glory known.

Yes, long before creation's days,
Or man ate of the tree;
God had ordained for Triune praise,
Salvation, full and free.
So praise to God, the Three in One,
Who 'fore the fall decreed
The saving mission of the Son
To undo Adam's deed.

In time preset, the Three in One
Fulfilled the fixed decree:
The Father sent the'ternal Son
To die on Calvary;
Then sent His Spirit to our hearts,
The Spirit from on high,
And all the blessings Christ imparts,
The Spirit does apply.

So praise to God, the Three in One,
For setting sinners free;
The curse of sin is now undone,
Sweet, Triune victory.
O Father, Spirit, Son, to Thee,
The Holy Trinity,
All glory, laud, and honor be
Throughout eternity.

Beeson Divinity School Chapel

For those of you in and around Birmingham, I will be preaching in chapel at Beeson Divinity School next Tuesday, February 28, at 11:00AM. I have been given the simple assignment of preaching on the doctrine of the Trinity as part of the "This Sacred Space" series for the spring semester of community worship.

Ash Wednesday

From the Ash Wednesday liturgy:

Almighty God, you have created us out of the dust of the earth: Grant that these ashes may be to us a sign of our mortality and penitence, that we may remember that it is only by your gracious gift that we are given everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.

Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.

An Open Letter to Praise Bands

James Smith offers a humble yet helpful "open letter to praise bands" in this post.

As he says near the end, "Please consider these points carefully and recognize what I am not saying. This isn't just some plea for 'traditional' worship and a critique of 'contemporary' worship. Don't mistake this as a defense of pipe organs and a critique of guitars and drums (or banjos and mandolins). My concern isn't with style, but with form: What are we trying to do when we 'lead worship?'"

His three main points are as follows:

1. If we, the congregation, can't hear ourselves, it's not worship.
2. If we, the congregation, can't sing along, it's not worship.
3. If you, the praise band, are the center of attention, it's not worship.

The whole letter is worth reading.

SBC Keeping Legal Name, Informal Name Suggested

Baptist Press reports:

The task force appointed to study a possible name change of the Southern Baptist Convention is recommending that the convention maintain its legal name but adopt an informal, non-legal name for those who want to use it: Great Commission Baptists.

The name "Southern," task force chairman Jimmy Draper said, is a barrier to the Gospel in some regions of the country. The task force was appointed by Southern Baptist Convention President Bryant Wright.

The task force made its recommendation during the Executive Committee meeting Monday night. The Executive Committee will consider the recommendation Tuesday.

The recommendation means that the legal name of the convention will remain “Southern Baptist Convention” and can be used by any church who wishes to use it. But other SBC churches can call themselves “Great Commission Baptists” if they wish.

In Defense of Religious Liberty

One of our church members, Dr. Ben Mitchell, who serves as the Graves Professor of Moral Philosophy at Union University, was called on to testify before a Congressional Committee this past Thursday to defend religious liberty and freedom of conscience. The Congressional hearing was in response to the recent government ruling that requires religious institutions to provide contraceptives and abortion-inducing drugs for their employees.

Ben did an excellent job of articulating the historical significance of religious liberty for Baptists, but he also made it explicitly clear that this is not just a Baptist issue (or a Roman Catholic issue).

We're thankful for the Lord's gifting of Ben and in preparing him for a moment such as this. May the Lord use Ben's efforts for the common good of all Americans.

To read more about this story and to watch a video of Ben's opening statement, click here.

Thou Must Save, and Thou Alone

Rock of Ages, Cleft for Me
Augustus Toplady, 1740-1778

Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee;
Let the water and the blood,
From Thy wounded side which flowed,
Be of sin the double cure;
Save from wrath and make me pure.

Not the labor of my hands
Can fulfill Thy law’s demands;
Could my zeal no respite know,
Could my tears forever flow,
All for sin could not atone;
Thou must save, and Thou alone.

Nothing in my hand I bring,
Simply to the cross I cling;
Naked, come to Thee for dress;
Helpless look to Thee for grace;
Foul, I to the fountain fly;
Wash me, Savior, or I die.

While I draw this fleeting breath,
When mine eyes shall close in death,
When I soar to worlds unknown,
See Thee on Thy judgment throne,
Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee.

"Linsanity"

New York Knicks' point guard, Jeremy Lin, has provided the sports world with quite a story, but the sensation known as "Linsanity" extends beyond sports. The recent New York Times article by Michael Luo helps explain why. Here's an excerpt:

For me, as an Asian-American, the chants of “M.V.P.!” raining down on Lin at the Garden embody a surreal, Jackie Robinson-like moment. Just as meaningful to me as a Christian, however, is the way the broadcasters have hailed Lin as not just the “Harvard hero” but the “humble Harvard grad.” His teammates appear just as overjoyed at his success as he was. Both seem to be testaments to his character.

Some have predicted that Lin, because of his faith, will become the Taiwanese Tebow, a reference to Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow, whose outspokenness about his evangelical Christian beliefs has made him extraordinarily popular in some circles and venomously disliked in others. But my gut tells me that Lin will not wind up like Tebow, mainly because Lin’s persona is so strikingly different. From talking to people who knew him through the Harvard-Radcliffe Asian American Christian Fellowship, and watching his interviews, I have the sense that his is a quieter, potentially less polarizing but no less devout style of faith.

Lin comes across as soft-spoken and winsome; he comes across as thoughtful. He comes across, actually, as a distinctly Asian-American Christian, or at least like so many that I know.

Read the entire article here.

Grace Is More Abundant and Stronger than Sin

If you're tempted to doubt the grace of God, then hear this reminder from Luther:

Although sin does still remain in our flesh, and we daily fall and offend, yet grace is more abundant and stronger than sin. The mercy and truth of the Lord reigns over us forever. Wherefore sin cannot terrify us, nor make us doubtful of the grace of God, which is in us. So long as Christ, the vanquisher of sin, is at the right hand of God, making intercession for us, we cannot doubt of the grace and favor of God towards us.

--Martin Luther, Commentary on Galatians

A Guide to Christ-Focused Reading of Scripture

For those of you who preach or teach the Bible (or anyone who wants to gain a better understanding of the Bible), Michael Williams' new book, How to Read the Bible through the Jesus Lens: A Guide to Christ-Focused Reading of Scripture, looks to be a very helpful resource.

If you want to read a sample chapter, the one on Genesis is available here.

There is a brief chapter for every book of the Bible, and each chapter contains the following:

• a succinct statement of the theme of that book
• an explanation of how that theme finds its focus in Christ
• a brief discussion of how the New Testament treats that theme as fulfilled in Christ
• suggestions for contemporary implications

When He's the Subject of the Song

Majestic Sweetness Sits Enthroned
Samuel Stennett, 1727-1795

Majestic sweetness sits enthroned
Upon the Savior’s brow;
His head with radiant glories crowned,
His lips with grace o’erflow.

To Christ, the Lord, let every tongue
Its noblest tribute bring
When He’s the subject of the song,
Who can refuse to sing?

Survey the beauties of His face,
And on His glories dwell;
Think of the wonders of His grace,
And all His triumphs tell.

No mortal can with Him compare
Among the sons of men;
Fairer is He than all the fair
Who fill the heav’nly train.

He saw me plunged in deep distress
And flew to my relief;
For me He bore the shameful cross
And carried all my grief.

His hand a thousand blessings pours
Upon my guilty head:
His presence gilds my darkest hours,
And guards my sleeping bed.

To Him I owe my life and breath
And all the joys I have;
He makes me triumph over death
And saves me from the grave.

To Heav’n, the place of His abode,
He brings my weary feet;
Shows me the glories of my God,
And makes my joys complete.

Since from His bounty I receive
Such proofs of love divine,
Had I a thousand hearts to give,
Lord, they should all be Thine.

The Story of John Newton and Amazing Grace

Want to learn more about John Newton and his most famous hymn, "Amazing Grace"? If so and you have 13 minutes to give, I recommend watching this brief documentary researched and written by Dr. Devin Brown. It was produced with Asbury University Media Com students and an Asbury Art Department student under the direction of Prof. Greg Bandy.

Amazing Grace: The Story Behind the Song from Gregory Bandy on Vimeo.

The Desires of the Heart

A helpful reminder from Paul Tripp:

The great spiritual war being fought for control of our hearts is a war of desire. (See James 4:1-4 and 1 Peter 2:11.) Remember this biblical principle: whatever rules your heart will control your words and behavior. We do not live by instinct. We have been designed by God with the capacity to desire. This means that everything you do or say is done or spoken out of the want for something. You and I are always seeking something. You and I are always living for something. Beneath everything we do is the desire for something. Here the war of right and wrong is fought. Here the direction of our lives will be shaped. In your personal life and in crucial moments of ministry response or decision, you cannot let yourself think that the war for what is right is a war of behavior. If you fight the battle of behavior alone, the battle will not be won. You must be willing to fight the spiritual fight at the place where your behavior is formed: in the desires of the heart.

Read the entire post here.

Encouraging Story on Many Levels

There was a front page story last week in our state Baptist newspaper, Baptist & Reflector, that was encouraging on many levels. Of course, there's nothing encouraging about embezzlement by a minister, but what happened as a result of that sad situation was encouraging.

• The church followed the Bible's teachings regarding church discipline.
• The discipline exercised was loving, redemptive, and restorative.
• The church lovingly cared for, encouraged, and financially provided for the disciplined minister's family.
• Ongoing and consistent accountability was provided for the disciplined minister after he was released from prison.
• The disciplined minister was, as a result of church discipline, awakened to his lost state and converted!
• The church restored the disciplined minister back to fellowship and membership after his repentance.
• God was honored, the church was strengthened, and a sinner was saved.

Read the story here.

The Sweet Grace of God's Pardoning Word

Sweet Is the Memory of Thy Grace
Isaac Watts, 1674-1748

Sweet is the memory of Thy grace,
My God, my heav’nly King;
Let age to age Thy righteousness
In sounds of glory sing.

God reigns on high, but not confines
His goodness to the skies;
Through the whole earth His bounty shines,
And every want supplies.

With longing eyes Thy creatures wait
On Thee for daily food;
Thy liberal hand provides their meat,
And fills their mouths with good.

How kind are Thy compassions, Lord!
How slow Thine anger moves!
But soon He sends His pardoning word
To cheer the souls He loves.

Creatures with all their endless race
Thy power and praise proclaim;
But saints that taste Thy richer grace
Delight to bless Thy Name.

Never Moving Beyond the Cross

"We never move on from the cross of Christ - only into a more profound understanding of the cross."

--David Prior, The Message of 1 Corinthians