This is such a sweet and beautiful picture of marriage, Christ's love for us, and faithfulness. Ian and Larissa demonstrate the beauty of the Gospel in their marriage in ways that we all should long to have in our own marriages. Grab a box of tissues and enjoy this beautiful video of a beautiful couple imaging and portraying a beautiful God.
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Friday, May 4, 2012
Furniture Fit for the Kingdom
I saw this video on a friend and fellow pastor's blog, Mike Hsu. Very much reminds me of Marcus Hinrichs and his love for creating good, beautiful furniture from good, beautiful trees. Oh that we would all view life, work, and the world in this way.
Sunday, April 29, 2012
1 Peter 1:1-12
I’m very excited to announce that we will be starting a new 10 week preaching series through the book of 1 Peter. 1 Peter is a great letter with theological implications and practical applications, written by the apostle and disciple of Jesus Christ, Peter.
Why should Redeemer preach straight through a book? What are the benefits of employing such a structure? A few thoughts on this...
Convinced yet? I hope you see the benefit and blessing of working through a book together. With that in mind, let’s dig in...Follow along as I read 1 Peter 1:
1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 2 according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood: May grace and peace be multiplied to you.3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5 who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, 9 obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls. 10 Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired carefully, 11 inquiring what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories. 12 It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look.
My guess is absolutely every one of us has asked questions about pain, suffering, evil, or trials that we go through. Why? Why do we experience these trials that test us and push us to our limits, even beyond at times? If God loves us and is in control then why is there so much pain, suffering, hurts, and trials in this world? This world is filled with pain. We each experience trials of many kinds. Some of us have been looking for a job, for steady income, for years, piecing together the finances to meet our personal needs and the needs of our family. Some of us have been battling sickness, disease, or other ailments that keep nagging us, causing us pain, discomfort or make us unable to perform certain tasks that we need to complete. Some of us have situations that are really difficult for us, family situations/family dynamics, work relational conflicts, car problems (like we have had this week), or financial struggles.
Trials are part of life. But, does that imply that God doesn’t love us, care for us, or he is somehow out of control. My happiness is at the forefront of God’s plans for me and in me, right? I’m the center of this universe, right? 1 Peter 1:1-12 has a different opinion about that and actually explains that your trials are refining, transforming. We, as Christians, can not only endure suffering for Christ’s sake; we can rejoice, for in our agony we are joined to Jesus Christ who suffered for us in his life, death, crucifixion, and burial. He went through the trials that we might be refined through our trials and not consumed. Even in the person of Christ suffering always precedes glories...so it will be with us. The goal of it all, to magnify and glorify God!
Most of 1 Peter, including 1:1-12, will be confronting and developing two themes:
David Helm explains that these two truths are held in check “in light of a settled hope.” These two things are actually explained for us in 1 Peter 1:1-12. We are given insight into Peter’s focus, his theme, and his purpose for writing this letter in these first 12 verses. First we will look at the Christian Identity saturated in hope, a sure/guarded hope, and finally we will look at The Christian conduct which is tested by fire, through trials. Identity and conduct go hand in hand in the Scriptures. Conduct always follows the identity that Christ has given us. This is true of 1 Peter as well as all of the rest of the Scriptures.
The Christian’s Identity: 1 Peter 1:1-5
Paul addresses this letter to elect exiles ... people chosen by God, elected (meaning called into and unto salvation in Christ Jesus) but not in their home, they are strangers, sojourners, absent from their true home. Although Peter clearly has a few places in mind that this letter is to go to, really this is true of all Christians, we are all elect (chosen) exiles looking to heaven...looking to the promised land, our home! This is the context for the rest of the book. Addressed to God’s People living in a foreign land. All of this is wrapped into one of the most beautiful pictures of the Trinity in all of Scriptures.
Peter is saying that our identity is fully wrapped up in the saving work of the Triune God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The Lord God, the Creator of the heavens and the earth is behind all of this and has given you your identity. Christian you are God’s chosen, elect exile. This is our identity as Christians.
Peter continues by explaining our response to the Triune God’s great work on our behalf is to be praise, worship, and exaltation! “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!” We are offered more identity statements...who we are in Christ. Our salvation is according to God’s great mercy. He didn’t have to do what he did, he choose to extend, offer, and pay for mercy. He did it our of his love for us. He caused us to be born again. The word used here is not often used in this form meaning to produce again, beget again (be born again), born anew, thoroughly to change the mind of one, so that he lives a new life and one conformed to the will of God. This is not of our doing, but of the power of God through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the power of his resurrection from the dead. That sealed our rebirth. No small thing. We were born to a living hope. Not a dead hope. Christ still in the grave is a dead hope, but we have a living hope. He is alive. It is also a future hope.
We are elect, exiles, reborn through the power of the resurrection. Unto what or heading to where? What’s the end game of this rebirth? Inheritance. My grandma kind of has a standing joke that if you act out or do something that you shouldn’t then she will take you out of the will and out of your inheritance. When we do something good or out of love she says, “I guess, Ben, you are back in the will.” I love my Grandma, she is really great, and it is really just a running joke, but is this the way that God is describing our inheritance. Nope, not at all. Peter uses three negatives to describe our positive inheritance. He says our inheritance is imperishable (not able to be destroyed), undefiled (not polluted), and unfading (not subject to decay). This inheritance is kept in heaven, far from Earth and the curse of Sin, which is why we can be confident of its purity, perfection, and protection.
Why can we be confident it is safe? First, as already mentioned, it is kept in heaven. Also the text explains (1:5) that we are guarded through faith for a salvation that will be revealed in the last time, this all by God’s power. God has not forgotten about us, the exiles, but rather we are being guarded by God’s power and our inheritance is being kept in heaven. There is nothing that can touch it, it is completely and totally safe. Period. This is who we are, but it is also something that is in the future. Our hope is not just tied to something in the here and now, but our hope is a future hope ready to be revealed in the last times. Our hope was foreknown by God before the foundations of the earth, established and furnished by Christ’s work, death, and resurrection on this Earth, and it is anchored in the future, waiting for us. This is who we are, through the grace, mercy, and kindness of our great Triune God, The Father, Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit.
When I think of identity I think of a family. Maren is my beloved only daughter, although we are expecting another little one in October, fyi. She is my beloved child. She is a part of my family and will always be that, her identity is marked and shaped by her family. Her inheritance (or lack of it) is determined by her familial relationship with her mother and father. Her identity is Maren, daughter of Ben and Kara Sinnard and because of that she is greatly and tremendously loved. And my hope is that as we ask her to do certain things that she obeys not to earn our love or affection or good graces, but simply because she knows that she is loved and wants to love us. She must know that her identity is solid, unshakable, and not wavering and then she will obey for the right reasons. The same thing is true for the Scriptures and for God. He bathes us in our identity, that we would know what he has done for us, how we are loved, and who God is to us before we are commanded to do something. So that we can understand that our standing, our identity before God is solely on the basis of Christ and his Work for us and has nothing to do with my ability to perform or obey. Thank you Jesus!
The Christian’s Conduct: 1 Peter 1:6-9
This is a good place to transition to verses 6-12. God through Peter does expect something from us. We are chosen but also called to live in a certain way. Peter opens with a call to rejoice in this. What is the this? It could be the fact that we have a living hope, secured and kept in heaven by God’s power or it actually could be Jesus Christ. In him you rejoice which makes sense in light of verse 8, “you believe in him and rejoice.” Either way we are to rejoice, not just when times are perfect and happy but in and through trials. So what are trials?
Kara and I have a Jeep which we bought right after we were married, almost 9 years ago. It was the first real car that I had ever purchased. About 3 years ago something kind of weird, annoying, and pricey started happening. The gas gauge would fluctuate from Full to Empty to back to full, etc, along with that other kind of weird electrical things started happening. We’ve battled this problem since then with random weird things happening. It has caused us heartaches because every mechanic will say “here try this it might be the last fix” but it never fully fixes the problem. We have been tested to trust in the Lord and place even our car situation in the hands of the Lord. This is kind of fresh and so Kara and I are still working on this.
Last night Kara and I watched a documentary/movie called “Beware of Christians.” These guys interviewed and discussed Christianity with a bunch of people in Europe. One person interviewed said “I used to be a Christian but watching my mother die of cancer helped me come to understand that I can’t really have faith in a God.” Sad.
Another arena of trial comes in the form of temptation to sin, but not sin itself. These trials come when a co-worker wants to steal something from the office, when your boss asks you to cut corners on a project which puts people in unsafe positions, or other scenarios that happen at school, home, or work.
The three main kinds of trials that Peter is talking about are temptations to partake in sin, suffering experienced through sickness, and simply the conditions of being in a broken world generally (like stupid cars breaking down). Ok I get we are to rejoice in Christ our living hope while still going through trials, but Why? Why are we put through these trials?
Peter wastes no words. He goes right into his explanation by saying the purpose. The purpose is “so that the tested genuineness of your faith may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” That it may persevere, hold strong, grow, and withstand through time, being strengthened through trials. Take for instance gold with its impurities. Fire does not destroy gold, but rather purifies and refines it by burning away the combustible materials, leaving a beautiful and valuable golden nugget. Fire is like the trials in our life, they are like a stress test, they put our faith to the test. What is being tested? The genuineness of our faith is at stake. This doesn’t mean that if we “fail” a test we don’t have genuine faith. Rather the goal is to be moving more and more in the direction of genuine faith, a faith that in the end results in praise and glory and honor. That is really the endgame with these trials. God’s glory is our first and foremost and ultimate goal in everything we do especially as we persevere through the trials of life.
Our identity grounded in the mercy of God and the finished work of Christ on the Cross and through his resurrection empowers us to see trials differently than those who have no hope, or those who don’t trust in Christ. Peter then encourages us in verse 8 and 9 by saying and implying “I’ve seen Jesus face to face, eaten with him, watched him walk on water, among other things and I still struggle to have genuine faith, yet you have not seen him, yet you love him and you do not see him now, yet you believe in him and right now, presently, you rejoice with joy that is inexpressible...leading to the outcome the salvation of your souls.” Be encouraged through the words of Peter that even though we are exiles, sojourners, and pilgrims we are filled with joy and glory looking to the salvation of our souls, while even now in some way experiencing salvation right here and now.
Conclusion: 1 Peter 1:10-12
Have you asked the question why there is all the suffering in this world? Why are Christians persecuted and mistreated? Why are we tempted and tempted and tempted? Peter has explained that they are to test our faith and make it stronger and more genuine. The final question: Is it worth it? Peter talks about this in verses 10-12. He says that this salvation is so glorious that Prophets have long been prophesying about it. He says that Past Preachers announced and preached about it. He says that Angels long to look into it. The prophets, the preachers, and the angels looked forward to the salvation of our souls through the gracious work of Christ on our behalf, his obedience to us, forgiveness of sins through nothing we do, solely by his mercy, his grace, and the satisfaction he brought. That makes it worth it. More precious that gold.
We can rejoice in this. We can also rejoice in Christ. We can glorify Christ in all that we do knowing that the trials he went through for us secured a glory for himself and all of those who trust in Christ, kept in heaven by God’s never-ending power. Rejoice!
Why should Redeemer preach straight through a book? What are the benefits of employing such a structure? A few thoughts on this...
- There is congruence and harmony within the Scriptures. When we preach on random texts it is still beneficial and God still speaks, but the author, Peter, in 1 Peter 2:1-12 assumes the reader or listener (of a sermon) has already been brought up to speed through the first chapter of 1 Peter. This allows us to present, explain, and connect the harmonious ways the Scriptures interact together.
- It is a rewarding, rich and fulfilling way to study a book or letter from start to finish. Through this series we’ll be able to see the Greeting of Peter, his discussions of our identity, our calling to submit, to suffer, to steward and to shepherd the flock of God, and finishing with “Peace to all of you who are in Christ.” We get the privilege of an inside discussion with the Apostle Peter himself. It is truly a privilege to read and interact with the Scriptures.
- God’s word is going to speak. You can all be at ease that we are not choosing texts individually directed to you each week. We believe the message of 1 Peter is beneficial for absolutely everyone here. So, when something strikes you as written directly for your circumstances or what you are going through Thank the Lord God who directs our ways and speaks through his Word (1 Peter!).
Convinced yet? I hope you see the benefit and blessing of working through a book together. With that in mind, let’s dig in...Follow along as I read 1 Peter 1:
1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 2 according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood: May grace and peace be multiplied to you.3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5 who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, 9 obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls. 10 Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired carefully, 11 inquiring what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories. 12 It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look.
My guess is absolutely every one of us has asked questions about pain, suffering, evil, or trials that we go through. Why? Why do we experience these trials that test us and push us to our limits, even beyond at times? If God loves us and is in control then why is there so much pain, suffering, hurts, and trials in this world? This world is filled with pain. We each experience trials of many kinds. Some of us have been looking for a job, for steady income, for years, piecing together the finances to meet our personal needs and the needs of our family. Some of us have been battling sickness, disease, or other ailments that keep nagging us, causing us pain, discomfort or make us unable to perform certain tasks that we need to complete. Some of us have situations that are really difficult for us, family situations/family dynamics, work relational conflicts, car problems (like we have had this week), or financial struggles.
Trials are part of life. But, does that imply that God doesn’t love us, care for us, or he is somehow out of control. My happiness is at the forefront of God’s plans for me and in me, right? I’m the center of this universe, right? 1 Peter 1:1-12 has a different opinion about that and actually explains that your trials are refining, transforming. We, as Christians, can not only endure suffering for Christ’s sake; we can rejoice, for in our agony we are joined to Jesus Christ who suffered for us in his life, death, crucifixion, and burial. He went through the trials that we might be refined through our trials and not consumed. Even in the person of Christ suffering always precedes glories...so it will be with us. The goal of it all, to magnify and glorify God!
Most of 1 Peter, including 1:1-12, will be confronting and developing two themes:
- The Christian identity
- The Christian conduct
David Helm explains that these two truths are held in check “in light of a settled hope.” These two things are actually explained for us in 1 Peter 1:1-12. We are given insight into Peter’s focus, his theme, and his purpose for writing this letter in these first 12 verses. First we will look at the Christian Identity saturated in hope, a sure/guarded hope, and finally we will look at The Christian conduct which is tested by fire, through trials. Identity and conduct go hand in hand in the Scriptures. Conduct always follows the identity that Christ has given us. This is true of 1 Peter as well as all of the rest of the Scriptures.
The Christian’s Identity: 1 Peter 1:1-5
Paul addresses this letter to elect exiles ... people chosen by God, elected (meaning called into and unto salvation in Christ Jesus) but not in their home, they are strangers, sojourners, absent from their true home. Although Peter clearly has a few places in mind that this letter is to go to, really this is true of all Christians, we are all elect (chosen) exiles looking to heaven...looking to the promised land, our home! This is the context for the rest of the book. Addressed to God’s People living in a foreign land. All of this is wrapped into one of the most beautiful pictures of the Trinity in all of Scriptures.
- We are elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father. Foreknowledge is a little different than election it states that his people, his elect, were the objects of God’s loving concern from all eternity. Love is at the heart of God’s foreknowledge.
- We are elect according to God’s foreknowledge in (through) the sanctification of the Spirit. It is through the Spirit that we are given new birth and some have even pointed out that this might be implying our baptism.
- We are elect according to God’s foreknowledge in (through) the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling with his blood. By Christ’s blood we are cleansed and redeemed. The obedience here is most likely referring to our initial obedience, not exactly our lifestyle of obedience. The sprinkling harkens back to Mount Sinai after the Exodus from Egypt where Moses sprinkles the sacrifice on the people saying, “This is the blood of the covenant that the Lord has made with you in accordance with all these words.”
Peter is saying that our identity is fully wrapped up in the saving work of the Triune God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The Lord God, the Creator of the heavens and the earth is behind all of this and has given you your identity. Christian you are God’s chosen, elect exile. This is our identity as Christians.
Peter continues by explaining our response to the Triune God’s great work on our behalf is to be praise, worship, and exaltation! “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!” We are offered more identity statements...who we are in Christ. Our salvation is according to God’s great mercy. He didn’t have to do what he did, he choose to extend, offer, and pay for mercy. He did it our of his love for us. He caused us to be born again. The word used here is not often used in this form meaning to produce again, beget again (be born again), born anew, thoroughly to change the mind of one, so that he lives a new life and one conformed to the will of God. This is not of our doing, but of the power of God through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the power of his resurrection from the dead. That sealed our rebirth. No small thing. We were born to a living hope. Not a dead hope. Christ still in the grave is a dead hope, but we have a living hope. He is alive. It is also a future hope.
We are elect, exiles, reborn through the power of the resurrection. Unto what or heading to where? What’s the end game of this rebirth? Inheritance. My grandma kind of has a standing joke that if you act out or do something that you shouldn’t then she will take you out of the will and out of your inheritance. When we do something good or out of love she says, “I guess, Ben, you are back in the will.” I love my Grandma, she is really great, and it is really just a running joke, but is this the way that God is describing our inheritance. Nope, not at all. Peter uses three negatives to describe our positive inheritance. He says our inheritance is imperishable (not able to be destroyed), undefiled (not polluted), and unfading (not subject to decay). This inheritance is kept in heaven, far from Earth and the curse of Sin, which is why we can be confident of its purity, perfection, and protection.
Why can we be confident it is safe? First, as already mentioned, it is kept in heaven. Also the text explains (1:5) that we are guarded through faith for a salvation that will be revealed in the last time, this all by God’s power. God has not forgotten about us, the exiles, but rather we are being guarded by God’s power and our inheritance is being kept in heaven. There is nothing that can touch it, it is completely and totally safe. Period. This is who we are, but it is also something that is in the future. Our hope is not just tied to something in the here and now, but our hope is a future hope ready to be revealed in the last times. Our hope was foreknown by God before the foundations of the earth, established and furnished by Christ’s work, death, and resurrection on this Earth, and it is anchored in the future, waiting for us. This is who we are, through the grace, mercy, and kindness of our great Triune God, The Father, Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit.
When I think of identity I think of a family. Maren is my beloved only daughter, although we are expecting another little one in October, fyi. She is my beloved child. She is a part of my family and will always be that, her identity is marked and shaped by her family. Her inheritance (or lack of it) is determined by her familial relationship with her mother and father. Her identity is Maren, daughter of Ben and Kara Sinnard and because of that she is greatly and tremendously loved. And my hope is that as we ask her to do certain things that she obeys not to earn our love or affection or good graces, but simply because she knows that she is loved and wants to love us. She must know that her identity is solid, unshakable, and not wavering and then she will obey for the right reasons. The same thing is true for the Scriptures and for God. He bathes us in our identity, that we would know what he has done for us, how we are loved, and who God is to us before we are commanded to do something. So that we can understand that our standing, our identity before God is solely on the basis of Christ and his Work for us and has nothing to do with my ability to perform or obey. Thank you Jesus!
The Christian’s Conduct: 1 Peter 1:6-9
This is a good place to transition to verses 6-12. God through Peter does expect something from us. We are chosen but also called to live in a certain way. Peter opens with a call to rejoice in this. What is the this? It could be the fact that we have a living hope, secured and kept in heaven by God’s power or it actually could be Jesus Christ. In him you rejoice which makes sense in light of verse 8, “you believe in him and rejoice.” Either way we are to rejoice, not just when times are perfect and happy but in and through trials. So what are trials?
Kara and I have a Jeep which we bought right after we were married, almost 9 years ago. It was the first real car that I had ever purchased. About 3 years ago something kind of weird, annoying, and pricey started happening. The gas gauge would fluctuate from Full to Empty to back to full, etc, along with that other kind of weird electrical things started happening. We’ve battled this problem since then with random weird things happening. It has caused us heartaches because every mechanic will say “here try this it might be the last fix” but it never fully fixes the problem. We have been tested to trust in the Lord and place even our car situation in the hands of the Lord. This is kind of fresh and so Kara and I are still working on this.
Last night Kara and I watched a documentary/movie called “Beware of Christians.” These guys interviewed and discussed Christianity with a bunch of people in Europe. One person interviewed said “I used to be a Christian but watching my mother die of cancer helped me come to understand that I can’t really have faith in a God.” Sad.
Another arena of trial comes in the form of temptation to sin, but not sin itself. These trials come when a co-worker wants to steal something from the office, when your boss asks you to cut corners on a project which puts people in unsafe positions, or other scenarios that happen at school, home, or work.
The three main kinds of trials that Peter is talking about are temptations to partake in sin, suffering experienced through sickness, and simply the conditions of being in a broken world generally (like stupid cars breaking down). Ok I get we are to rejoice in Christ our living hope while still going through trials, but Why? Why are we put through these trials?
Peter wastes no words. He goes right into his explanation by saying the purpose. The purpose is “so that the tested genuineness of your faith may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” That it may persevere, hold strong, grow, and withstand through time, being strengthened through trials. Take for instance gold with its impurities. Fire does not destroy gold, but rather purifies and refines it by burning away the combustible materials, leaving a beautiful and valuable golden nugget. Fire is like the trials in our life, they are like a stress test, they put our faith to the test. What is being tested? The genuineness of our faith is at stake. This doesn’t mean that if we “fail” a test we don’t have genuine faith. Rather the goal is to be moving more and more in the direction of genuine faith, a faith that in the end results in praise and glory and honor. That is really the endgame with these trials. God’s glory is our first and foremost and ultimate goal in everything we do especially as we persevere through the trials of life.
Our identity grounded in the mercy of God and the finished work of Christ on the Cross and through his resurrection empowers us to see trials differently than those who have no hope, or those who don’t trust in Christ. Peter then encourages us in verse 8 and 9 by saying and implying “I’ve seen Jesus face to face, eaten with him, watched him walk on water, among other things and I still struggle to have genuine faith, yet you have not seen him, yet you love him and you do not see him now, yet you believe in him and right now, presently, you rejoice with joy that is inexpressible...leading to the outcome the salvation of your souls.” Be encouraged through the words of Peter that even though we are exiles, sojourners, and pilgrims we are filled with joy and glory looking to the salvation of our souls, while even now in some way experiencing salvation right here and now.
Conclusion: 1 Peter 1:10-12
Have you asked the question why there is all the suffering in this world? Why are Christians persecuted and mistreated? Why are we tempted and tempted and tempted? Peter has explained that they are to test our faith and make it stronger and more genuine. The final question: Is it worth it? Peter talks about this in verses 10-12. He says that this salvation is so glorious that Prophets have long been prophesying about it. He says that Past Preachers announced and preached about it. He says that Angels long to look into it. The prophets, the preachers, and the angels looked forward to the salvation of our souls through the gracious work of Christ on our behalf, his obedience to us, forgiveness of sins through nothing we do, solely by his mercy, his grace, and the satisfaction he brought. That makes it worth it. More precious that gold.
We can rejoice in this. We can also rejoice in Christ. We can glorify Christ in all that we do knowing that the trials he went through for us secured a glory for himself and all of those who trust in Christ, kept in heaven by God’s never-ending power. Rejoice!
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Rise of the Planet of the Apes
I watched the movie "The Rise of the Planet of the Apes" tonight. I had pretty low expectations with this movie due to it's main theme. Apes becoming so human-like that they rise up and take over San Francisco. The IMDb website offers this nugget of goodness on the movie, "During experiments to find a cure for Alzheimer's disease, a genetically-enhanced chimpanzee uses its greater intelligence to lead other apes to freedom." Well...uh...ok. I wouldn't say that this tag line really leaves me wanting more. Experimental Alzheimer's cures? Genetically-enhanced chimpanzees? A zoo on the loose? Needless to say, my expectations were pretty low.
This was not my favorite movie of the year by any stretch of the imagination, but it did say something about the importance of relationships and the results of dysfunctional relationships. Cesar is the main, genetically-enhanced chimp who becomes the Leader of the Apes. Two scenes involving Cesar offer great insights into the truth of relationships. The first scene depicts the Alzheimer's victim Charles, the father of Will, who together have raised Cesar, having an Alzheimer's outbreak. He thinks that he can still drive a car, which he cannot. He gets into his neighbors car, which was conveniently left running and driver's door open. Quickly a fight breaks out between the owner of the car and the confused Charles. Cesar sees the fight breaking out and is visibly agitated by the neighbors verbal and physical (albeit light) assault on Charles. Instantly, Cesar full out attacks the neighbor. He tackles him, punches him several times and eventually bites off his finger (kinda gross), until he hears his name, "Cesar!" from Charles. That is all it took for the 5 year old chimp to realize what he has done and to come lay his head upon the still confused and shocked Charles. Cesar protected Charles with everythign he had.
Another scene that really seems to bring light to the idea of relationships happens later in the movie. Due to the previous incident with Charles, Cesar is put in a facility where he is caged. Will after the death of his father is so moved to get Cesar out of the facility that he tries to payoff the keeper of the facility to let Cesar out. The keeper agrees (and takes the money), but Cesar does not agree. He is so offended by being placed in the facility and abandoned by Will that instead of being free with Will he would rather be locked and caged with his own people in the facility. He locks himself back into his cage! Pretty crazy! This is a sad moment where Will is greatly disappointed and saddened by Cesar's gesture. Even more than that, when Will leaves the rest of the Apes begin to affirm Cesar's devotion to the "tribe" by hooting and hollering.
So, what do these two scenes depict about human relationships? First, we need them. Cesar found a home with Will and his father, Charles. He lived there for many years, learning and developing. He needed them and they needed him, especially Charles. Charles deeply loved Cesar. Secondly, broken and dysfunctional relationships can cause us to do crazy things. How often have people done things that otherwise would be considered crazy because of relationships that go awry? Cesar prefers to lock himself in his prison rather than experience the freedom that comes with Will all because he was offended by Will. Finally, we crave and need acceptance into a "family." Cesar struggled with being different than Charles and Will. They loved him, yes, but he couldn't get past that he wasn't quite like them. Oddly enough, Will found that connection in the prison, his cage, with his fellow chimpanzees.
Well, I thought I was just going to be watching a weird, sci-fi movie with little character engagement. Rise of the Planet of the Apes won't win any awards, I can guarantee that, but we can learn a lot from a chimp and his need for relationships. Right?
This was not my favorite movie of the year by any stretch of the imagination, but it did say something about the importance of relationships and the results of dysfunctional relationships. Cesar is the main, genetically-enhanced chimp who becomes the Leader of the Apes. Two scenes involving Cesar offer great insights into the truth of relationships. The first scene depicts the Alzheimer's victim Charles, the father of Will, who together have raised Cesar, having an Alzheimer's outbreak. He thinks that he can still drive a car, which he cannot. He gets into his neighbors car, which was conveniently left running and driver's door open. Quickly a fight breaks out between the owner of the car and the confused Charles. Cesar sees the fight breaking out and is visibly agitated by the neighbors verbal and physical (albeit light) assault on Charles. Instantly, Cesar full out attacks the neighbor. He tackles him, punches him several times and eventually bites off his finger (kinda gross), until he hears his name, "Cesar!" from Charles. That is all it took for the 5 year old chimp to realize what he has done and to come lay his head upon the still confused and shocked Charles. Cesar protected Charles with everythign he had.
Another scene that really seems to bring light to the idea of relationships happens later in the movie. Due to the previous incident with Charles, Cesar is put in a facility where he is caged. Will after the death of his father is so moved to get Cesar out of the facility that he tries to payoff the keeper of the facility to let Cesar out. The keeper agrees (and takes the money), but Cesar does not agree. He is so offended by being placed in the facility and abandoned by Will that instead of being free with Will he would rather be locked and caged with his own people in the facility. He locks himself back into his cage! Pretty crazy! This is a sad moment where Will is greatly disappointed and saddened by Cesar's gesture. Even more than that, when Will leaves the rest of the Apes begin to affirm Cesar's devotion to the "tribe" by hooting and hollering.
So, what do these two scenes depict about human relationships? First, we need them. Cesar found a home with Will and his father, Charles. He lived there for many years, learning and developing. He needed them and they needed him, especially Charles. Charles deeply loved Cesar. Secondly, broken and dysfunctional relationships can cause us to do crazy things. How often have people done things that otherwise would be considered crazy because of relationships that go awry? Cesar prefers to lock himself in his prison rather than experience the freedom that comes with Will all because he was offended by Will. Finally, we crave and need acceptance into a "family." Cesar struggled with being different than Charles and Will. They loved him, yes, but he couldn't get past that he wasn't quite like them. Oddly enough, Will found that connection in the prison, his cage, with his fellow chimpanzees.
Well, I thought I was just going to be watching a weird, sci-fi movie with little character engagement. Rise of the Planet of the Apes won't win any awards, I can guarantee that, but we can learn a lot from a chimp and his need for relationships. Right?
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Link to Pictures of Maren's 1st Birthday party...
Thanks to Jenna Lewis for the great pictures. Here is the link:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jennalewis/sets/72157625028632895/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jennalewis/sets/72157625028632895/
Link to two sermons ...
The first sermon was preached on April 11, 2010 at South City Church (PCA) St. Louis, MO. The title of the sermon is "Doubt to Certainty to Worship" and the text is Luke 24:35-53:
The second sermon was preached on August 15, 2010 at South City Church (PCA) St. Louis, MO. The title of the sermon is "Crash #6: Lydia and the Slave Girl" and the text is Acts 16:6-24:
The second sermon was preached on August 15, 2010 at South City Church (PCA) St. Louis, MO. The title of the sermon is "Crash #6: Lydia and the Slave Girl" and the text is Acts 16:6-24:
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