Drippings from the Honeycomb
More to be desired are [the rules of the Lord] than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. (Psalm 19:10)
|
Life 100.3 interviewed Pastor Chris, interested in our evening service. It aired several times in late June, 2024.
A sermon preached at Strathaven Baptist Church on June 23 a.m., 2024, as part of a pulpit swap.
The sermon explores Heb 13:17. Every age has a counter message that seeks to shroud, confuse or combat, the true Gospel. Our age is no different.
When in the city recently I came across a large mural on the glass of a leading Canadian bank. It read, “There’s no better feeling than being accepted for who you are.” Such a slogan is riddled with faults. Firstly, expressive individualism rooted in subjective feelings (and not objective truth) is not a sure guide. Secondly, total-acceptance (or the intolerance of ‘tolerance’) is as ridiculous. Sure, we respect people as being created in the image of God on the one hand, but we embrace others, not based upon who they put themselves forward as, but whether they, in truth and goodness, are nice and useful people. Thirdly, the message is clearly ideological (cultural-marxism or woke), where if someone doesn’t agree with you on your terms, then they must be a bad oppressor and must be shamed and re-educated. Beyond mere virtue signalling, much of our society seems to have bought into the anti-Gospel, lock, stock and barrel. No longer is it about LGBT, it has become the flag, or mantra of our day. It is the anti-Gospel. Embrace your sin, relish in it and demand others do too. The true Gospel proclaims that we are sinners. That we are accepted by God only when we’ve been accepted by Christ through repentance and faith. That joy only begins when we receive grace and the Holy Spirit works to renew us into the people God wants us to be. I wouldn’t want to be accepted for who I am—what a hideous thought! Rather, my sole hope is being accepted before God by virtue of who Christ is—and has applied to me—through the imputed righteousness and imparted Sanctifier. It is only when I become a new creation and am transformed and await my glorification as a saved sinner that there can ever be a true feeling of joy, even jubilee. Christian, even yet-to-be-Christian, do not be fooled by the anti-Gospel of our age. It doesn’t satisfy or save. This is a bookend to last week’s blog, ‘A Pastor’s Lament.’
Like Jesus’ ministry experienced highs and lows in relation to others, pastoral ministry likewise, comes with it’s valleys and mountains. The low points lead you to the Lord in prayer. The high points are reminders of why you do it and pointers in the valleys. God is sanctifying His people. That means that sometimes I will see sin and other times saintliness. Sometimes I’m privileged to be able to catch glimpses of transformation, and in general oversight, witness it in the congregation mature. I rejoice that Jesus has promised to complete the work He began in me (and in us) as He sanctifies individuals and churches. I’m encouraged:
We’ve been studying Mark’s Gospel. In it we see Jesus lament, groan and ‘sigh deeply in His spirit’ (Mk 8:12). He did this over human sin and the follies and blindness this produced in the crowds, leaders and disciples. In His divinity Jesus is forbearant (though even God’s patience can run out); in His humanity, Jesus was very much like us, those who can become frustrated, though of a rather gracious sort.
I am a sinner saved by grace. I am not perfect. Yet as an under-shepherd of the great Shepherd sometimes I too sometimes groan (Heb 13:17) when shepherding the flock of Christ (or seeking to reach the lost generally). Sometimes there are joys but equally there are inevitably sorrows working with sheep. I seek to point them toward what I believe God has revealed as greener pastures, but am ultimately powerless to force them to go there. I preach and pray, like the early Elders and Apostles (Acts 6), yet lament when they don’t aspire to God’s standard and what is ideal. Here is a pastor’s heart, a welcome to my soul moment. If I didn’t love truth or those I oversee I wouldn’t ever lament, however, because I do, lament is part of life. Here are some things I’m burdened by: Those who profess Christ but won’t be baptized or join the church When we don’t pray together or attend the monthly prayer meeting. When we don’t keep the Lord’s Day holy, putting family, leisure or work ahead of the Lord. When we don’t delight in the public worship gatherings of the church. When we do something else when the church is gathering. When we listen to the Word but not hear and do it. When we don’t participate in the governance of the local church by attending members’ meetings. When we burden our brothers and sisters by not serving in the body ourself. When we neglect opportunities for fellowship or jet out of church so quick we can’t benefit from this. When our joy is not complete. When it becomes a chore to connect with people or have calls returned, etc. When people fail to see the importance of hospitality and encouragement. In all of this I remember how the Lord is being patient with me and how, unlike physical projects, discipleship and sanctification are never complete in this life. I also remember how Jesus suffered and their is glory in being like Christ. And while these are burdens, it I s likewise a great consolation when the sheep seek to live out the elementary aspects of the Christian life in faithfulness and joy. |
Featured BlogsLearn about Jesus Author:
|
