Book Review-

I recently had the opportunity to review another book by Kregel Publications. Kregel is one of my favorite distributors of Christian literature. They have an incredible reputation for producing solid evangelical materials. It is always a pleasure to review their books and post a summation of its contents. 

Today, I want to recommend Kregel's latest offering to you. The book is entitled, Charts on the Life, Letters, and Theology of Paul. I was anxiously anticipating the arrival of this book last month. I was not disappointed! Books that present material by way of systematic charts and graphs are extremely helpful for those of us who are "visual" thinkers. The author of the book, Lars Kierspel has presented a classic work on the life of the Apostle Paul. This book should be on the shelf of every Bible teacher, preacher and theologian. The content is concise, and it has been throughly researched. The author provides 111 different charts that encapsulate the ministry of Paul. These charts are carefully categorized into four distinct sections that provide the reader with clarity. Be sure, this book is academic in nature. It is not devotional in flavor. It is not meant to be. This book is primarily for reference and research. Therefore, every serious student of the Bible should get a copy today.  I welcome it as an addition to my library and you should too! 

 This book was provided by Kregel Academic Publications for an unbiased review. 

Book Review

Book Review:  The Romance of Grace, Jim McNeely III

After reading Jim McNeely's first book, The Romance of Grace, I must confess that I found it difficult to follow and somewhat elusive at times. I certainly appreciate his desire to exhort the believer to "passionately love Christ." However, it is clear that several issues of doctrinal concern became glaringly evident. 

For instance, the premise of the  book is founded upon the couplet of parables found in Matthew thirteen. These two parables, the hidden treasure, and the pearl of great price are to be set in context alongside the other parables found in Matthew thirteen. My concern arises from McNeely's faulty interpretation of the pearl of great price. While it is obvious that the two parables are "mirror images" of one another, the author presents a different view. He asserts that the man in the first parable is a believer seeking after God, more of God. Nothing wrong with that, right? Yet, it is obvious that the true nature of this parable was to point lost men to Christ. The opening verses of Matthew thirteen indicate that Jesus was speaking (from a boat) to a very large crowd of people who had gathered. These individuals were  "unbelievers" who were in desperate need of the saving grace of the Lord Jesus. In parable after parable,  the Lord is presenting the way of salvation to them. This is done in a repetitive fashion, which was a common way of empathizing something of great importance. McNeeely then alleges that the man in the second parable is God and that "we are the pearl." Do you see anything wrong with this? The problem with this view is that it is not speaking about the sacrificial death of Christ for this perceived pearl. It points more clearly to the value of the pearl. The value and worth is found in the pearl. Christ is the pearl, not us. The Bible clearly says that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.  We were unloveable, and ungodly, and of no inherent value. McNeely's flawed interpretation of this parable comes from the misconception that it points to the relationship between Christ and His bride. When in actuality it points to Christ, as He is outlining the way and worth of salvation. 

The book, as a whole, has several points that will raise your eyebrows as well as your conscience. I commend the author for pointing us to Christ. However, I wish that more consideration would have been given on  "how to"effectively flesh this out.

This review was done for Cross Focused Reviews as part of their book program. 

The Privilege of Prayer

"Prayer is ….a most precious privilege, one of the richest blessings conferred on man. It opens a method of fellowship and communion with our Father in heaven; it furnishes a refuge for the soul oppressed with sin and sorrow; it affords an opportunity to the heart overwhelmed with an intolerable weight of misery to unburden itself, to pour its griefs into the ear of one who can pity and help." –Archibald Alexander, Princeton theologian

 Prayer is a privilege and it should be treated as such. For the Christian, it is to be an instinct, and not a last resort. It should be our first string offense and not our fourth string defense. Often we neglect the wonderful gift of prayer. 

 "What a Friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear! 

 What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!

 O what peace we often forfeit,

 O what needless pain we bear, 

All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer."

 Such was the case in Psalm 107, “They wandered in the wilderness in a desert region; They did not find a way to an inhabited city. They were hungry and thirsty; Their soul fainted within them. Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble; He delivered them out of their distresses.” Psalm 107:4-6 “ 

"There were those who dwelt in darkness and in the shadow of death, Prisoners in misery and chains, Because they had rebelled against the words of God And spurned the counsel of the Most High. Therefore He humbled their heart with labor; They stumbled and there was none to help. Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble; He saved them out of their distresses.” Psalm 107:10-13 

“ Fools, because of their rebellious way, And because of their iniquities, were afflicted. Their soul abhorred all kinds of food, And they drew near to the gates of death. Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble; He saved them out of their distresses.” Psalm 107:17-19

 “ Those who go down to the sea in ships, Who do business on great waters; They have seen the works of the LORD, And His wonders in the deep. For He spoke and raised up a stormy wind, Which lifted up the waves of the sea. They rose up to the heavens, they went down to the depths; Their soul melted away in their misery. They reeled and staggered like a drunken man, And were at their wits' end. Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, And He brought them out of their distresses.” Psalm 107:23-28

 As the children of God, we have been granted an incredible gift. We have been given access to the throne room of God. We do not need a mediator, we do not have to be put on a waiting list, and we do not have to be a special dignitary or possess special credentials. The Bible clearly says, “Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:14-16 

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7

 A man arrogantly entered a room boasting that he had just spoken with the President, Vice President, Secretary of State, and several world leaders via a conference call. To which another simple minded man said, so what, today I talked with God!................. Now top that. 

 What a Friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear! 

 What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!

Famine in the land

There is a dearth across the land today. We have turned away from the pure preaching of the Word. Many preachers today are utilizing gimmicky skits, crude humor, and shock tactics to get their message across. Brethren, all we need is the Gospel. The Gospel is a scandal all of its own. What is the deal with this seeker sensitive, feel good gospel we have today? A vast number of so-called "men of God" are not preaching the Word of God! Can we not get back to pure exegetical preaching? Most sermons today are peppered with humor and flavored with poison. Many preachers today are lazy, half-hearted, self righteous authoritarians. They spend more time in the carefree leisures of life than in their study or on their knees pleading for their people. We need men who will seek God on behalf of their flock. A preacher cannot speak to his flock about God, if he himself has not spoke to God about his flock. Sloth and negligence abound in and out of the pulpit. Redundant and repetitive sermons are the result of their apathy. Upon visiting churches in America, a British pastor was asked, "What did you think about your American counter-parts?" He replied, "The expense of their automobiles and the emptiness of their book shelves." Men of God are just not laboring over the Word of God anymore. They carry the latest and most expensive electronic gadget in their pocket and have a high end automobile, yet their libraries are suffering because of their frivolous luxuries. Whatever happened to study to show yourself approved? Thirty minutes of preparation on a Saturday night just doesn't cut the mustard. There are too many preachers delivering "Saturday night specials" on Sunday morning. They are getting their sermons off the internet and not from the throne of God. We have sermonic websites devoted to the procrastinating pastor. Are you one? Do you fire a gun that another man has loaded? I hope not. Load your own gun and fire it from the pulpit. We need God called men laboring over the text of scripture that God has laid before them. "The great need across evangelicalism is exposition of the Scriptures. I sense there is a departure from that, even among some of our own grads, who are entertaining people, giving the people what they want, whereas we are called to teach the Word. It is the Word that is the power of God to salvation, it is the Word that is the power for Christian living, and I would want them to make the Word of God the center of their ministry, It may not be popular, it may not build mega-churches, but it will fulfill that to which they are called upon to do in ministry. "Churches today must return to the primacy of preaching God's Word. May God raise up a new generation of Biblical expositors who, like those in the early church, are supremely committed to the unashamed proclamation of the apostles' teaching. Now more than ever, may they preach the Word!”

TOTAL ALLEGIANCE!

Jesus demands the pinnacle spot, the perennial position, and the preeminent place in your heart. He cannot and will not be relegated to the backseat. He is not merely a doorstop upon which to rest your burdens. He is not a wastebasket into which you can cast your unwanted filth. He is not your big brother, nor your rich uncle. He is the supreme Sovereign God of Glory, and He demands nothing less than your TOTAL ALLEGIANCE. It is not enough to have Him out front, He is to be on top. 

Someone has written:

"I am a disciple of Jesus Christ. The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I'm a disciple of His and I won't look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still. My past is redeemed. My present makes sense. My future is secure. I'm done and finished with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, mundane talking, cheap living, and dwarfed goals. I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity. I don't have to be right, or first, or tops, or recognized, or praised, or rewarded. I live by faith, lean on His presence, walk by patience, lift by prayer, and labor by Holy Spirit power. My face is set. My gait is fast. My goal is heaven. My road may be narrow, my way rough, my companions few, but my guide is reliable and my mission is clear. I will not be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice or hesitate in the presence of the adversary. I will not negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity. I won't give up, shut up, or let up until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up, and preached up for the cause of Christ. I am a disciple of Jesus. I must give until I drop, preach until all know, and work until He comes. And when He does come for His own, He'll have no problems recognizing me. My colors will be clear!"- Anon

Putting Jesus in His place!

"But who do you say that I am" Mark 8:29

Allow me to begin by asking you two crucial questions.

 #1) Who is Jesus Christ? (and)
 #2) Do you know Him?

 Upon these two crucial questions rests your eternal destiny. You can not be wrong about these two questions and be right with God. Please understand, the salvation of your soul hangs in the balance. Everything you believe about salvation, justification, sanctification, and glorification hinge on your view of Jesus Christ. It does matter what you believe! One day you will stand before the God of Glory, and just before the gavel of God falls in judgment, Jesus Christ will call command you to give an account of your life. Therefore, how you view Jesus Christ is vitally important. Who do you say that He is? Who is Jesus Christ to you?

 The world may be divided over this issue, astute scholars may be divided over the issue and even religions may be divided over the issue of Christ’s deity, but the Bible is not! The Apostle Paul testified that he was, “looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus” (Titus 2:13). Simon Peter also testified of the, “righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 1:1). Luke records Paul's words to the Ephesian elders in Acts 20:28 where he reminds them that they are overseers of, "the church of God which he purchased with His own blood." 

The erroneous misconception that Jesus is not God and therefore not divine, usually arises from the uniqueness of His divine nature. After all, God the Father is Spirit, but Christ is God in the flesh. There are obvious differences in the roles of the Father and Son. Christ, the Son of God, carried out the sacrificial act of redemption on the cross. He was born, He grew, experienced hunger, thirst, and even pain. Yet, the Bible also declares that He is completely perfect and without sin. He existed before all creation in eternity past. As the Son of God, He is omnipotence, omniscient, omnipresent, which is analogous with the Father. He is absolutely beyond our comprehension! The doctrine of the hypostatic union¹ has been the subject of much controversy over the centuries. However, the Word of God is crystal clear that Jesus Christ is both human and divine. He is 100% man and 100% God all at the same time.  He is God of very God. Try as they might, they will never be able to remove Jesus off His throne, nor out of our hearts. Yet, there are two vital questions that remain, "Who do you say that He is, and do you know Him?"            
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1. Hypostatic Union- Jesus has two complete natures—one fully human and one fully divine. What the doctrine of the hypostatic union teaches is that these two natures are united in one person in the God-man. Jesus is not two persons. He is one person. The hypostatic union is the joining of the divine and the human in the one person of Jesus.

Have you left your first love?

The Peril of Growing Weary

"You have left your first love." Rev. 2:4 

The year was 1964, the St. Louis Cardinals were World Series Champions and the Boston Celtics were on top of the basketball world after claiming their sixth straight title. Lyndon Johnson was President, Ronald Reagan was still an actor, and a gallon of gas would only set you back $0.30. In December, of that year, the Righteous Brothers recorded a number one hit entitled, "You've lost that loving feeling." Two thousand years before those words were recorded on a soundtrack they were written in a letter addressed to a primitive church in the city of Ephesus. The words came from the mouth of the Lord Jesus and were dictated by the hand of the exiled Apostle John. In that letter, our Lord issued a stinging indictment against the church in Ephesus for, "leaving its first love." Why was such a woeful indictment given to this church? To adequately understand the answer to this question, we must first explore the historical context of the church to whom the Lord issued  His reproach.  

The Church at Ephesus was established by the Apostle Paul around 50 A.D. He spent about three years of his life ministering and equipping the saints there. Much of what can be deduced about this church comes to us by way of Paul's letter to them, which was written while he was in a Roman prison. The approximate date that is often provided for the writing of this letter is around 60-62 A.D. A cursory reading of the book of Ephesians yields no obvious doctrinal errors of moral failures. The clear indication is that as late as 62 A.D. the Church at Ephesus was holding firm and persevering in the face of opposition. Unfortunately, by the writing of the book of Revelation (circa. 95 A.D.) this church had already begun to grow weary in its resolve. Sound familiar? The Church at Ephesus stands as a stark warning for all lest they grow weary and complacent. A good beginning doesn't guarantee a good ending. The Church at Ephesus had clearly moved from its foundation and found itself in the cross hairs of the Lord's rebuke. If we are not careful, we can grow weary and drift from our foundation. How are we to guard against this danger? The answer is simple and of course Biblical. We must remain fervent in our determination and faithful in our discipline. Paul said that we are to, "discipline ourselves for the purpose of godliness" (1 Timothy 4:7). It has been said that discipline is what we need most but desire the least. Remaining fervent in our devotion to Christ is hard work. It is a rewarding endeavor that requires constant attention. If we become apathetic and complacent along the journey we will eventually succumb to temptation and fall into sin. We must remain determined, devoted, and disciplined in our walk with Christ lest we find ourselves as recipients of His rebuke. Have you left your first love? Repent, and be reconciled unto the Lord.