A Lord's Supper Devotional

Heb 10:19 Therefore, brothers,

     since we have(bold) confidence to enter the holy places

          by the blood of Jesus,

          20 by the new and living way

               that he opened for us through the curtain,

               that is, through his flesh,

     21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God,

22 let us draw near

     with a true heart

     in full assurance of faith,

     with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience

     and our bodies washed with pure water.

I so love the Book of Hebrews!

since we have(bold) confidence – Before Christ came there was no confidence or boldness to enter into God’s presence. Humanity had no indwelling presence and only fear and loathing.

to enter the holy places  - If you went into the Lord’s presence and weren't permitted to, you could be struck dead. If you were a priest and you went at the wrong time, you could be struck dead. Why? Because of our sinful nature.

But now, by the blood of Jesus – Because the perfect Lamb of God, not a dumb lamb, goat or bull, shed his blood, the way is open. God wrath is assuaged.

And, 20 by the new and living way – New as it is the New Covenant, and Living because none of the old sacrifices lived. Jesus alone rose from the dead!

he opened for us through the curtain,  that is his flesh – As the Veil separated the Holy from the Holiest, and blocked the approach of man to God, so the body of Christ veiled His divinity! Humans had no access through the veil except at God’s beck and call, and not without blood. But to grant access, through the Body of Christ, to God; Jesus gave up His life for us on the cross. Because the body was ‘broken’ and died, along with the blood shed, we have Boldness to enter. Both Body and blood are invoked here, just as in Christ’s last supper.

21 and since we have a great priest – The priest is the go-between, between God and Man. Priests are chosen by God, they're human, and they accept and perform the duties of priesthood.

So the writer is saying, Jesus is both Priest and the sacrifice!

And because of these things - 22 let us draw near – That is God’s Goal! To draw his bride near to Him. He paid a high price for it because He loves us so. And since He loves us He wants us to draw near. Not in some pretend Romantic play, but…

with a true heart – Not with the heart of wickedness and deceit, but a heart changed by the application of Christ’s character. This is done in counterpart to the application of His righteousness to our standing before God, when God conforms us to the image of Christ, and sanctifies us. Psa 51:6

in full assurance of faith – reminds us there is no righteousness, alluded to by “true heart”, without faith! Abraham believed and it was credited to him as righteousness. Without faith it is impossible to please God. So this faith, granted to us, is required, and it accompanies the true heart as we draw near.

with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience – Another allusion to Old Testament ritual is seen in the sprinkling. Blood of sacrifices was sprinkled on both items and people who were being consecrated to God. The evil conscience reminds us that our conscience and self-awareness includes evil and wickedness but also the misery of guilt and the results of sin. But the blood shed for us, and the sprinkling suggests it is applied to us, so that both wickedness and guilt are removed.

and our bodies washed with pure water – often considered an allusion to Christian baptism, it is another reference to ancient ritual, as when Aaron and his sons were bathed with water as a part of their purification as priests.

These sprinkling and washing references are most important to the passage precisely because they do invoke the picture of the sanctification of priests under the Old Covenant. Because in the New Covenant all God’s people are His Royal Priesthood. It is because of this that we all have access to God and may, in fact are called and commanded to, Draw Near!

So Draw near today. Draw Near in Worship, giving God praise for all He has done, for who He is and specifically for Jesus Christ opening the way for us to draw near.

Draw near in prayer, as we bare our hearts to Him and make our requests known.

Draw near in taking the Lord’s Supper as a reminder of His work, a reminder of our current salvation, and a reminder of His return , to once again draw us to Himself, only this time with eternal bodies to be with Him for ever and ever.

Why I Trust the Bible

(First let me say that John Piper addresses this exceptionally well at http://theresurgence.com/2014/09/23/resurgence-leadership-032-why-i-trust-the-scriptures-part-1 and it was John Piper that sort of 'inspired' this post.)

Why do Christians, in the face of opposition, and an abundance of critiques against the Bible,  still trust the Bible and believe it? 

Psalm 19:7 The law of the LORD is perfect,
reviving the soul; 

the testimony of the LORD is sure,
making wise the simple; 

8 the precepts of the LORD are right,
rejoicing the heart; 

the commandment of the LORD is pure,
enlightening the eyes; 

9 the fear of the LORD is clean,
enduring forever; 

the rules of the LORD are true,
and righteous altogether. 

10 More to be desired are they than gold,
even much fine gold; 

sweeter also than honey and drippings
of the honeycomb. 

11 Moreover, by them is your servant warned; 

in keeping them there is great reward. 

12 Who can discern his errors? 

Declare me innocent from hidden faults. 

13 Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins; 

let them not have dominion over me! 

Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgression. 

14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart 

be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer. 

Why do I believe the Bible? Is it smart to believe the Bible? Does it do any good to give Bibles to people? Are there any good reasons to not believe it?

You know what I have found about trusting God’s word? It’s hard to remember all the arguments for it if someone was to ask you. I have books on apologetics where I can look up good info on it's trustworthiness. But if I run into a man on the street who asks me why I believe it, not only can I not remember all those details, but I don't think they are likely to convince him anyway! I mean, I guess I should be able to, I am a preacher! I went to Seminary!

I can tell you details about the Bible. How many prophecies fulfilled, how many authors there are and yet they all agree about things. But in a few days, you’d have trouble remembering all that too! 

For instance, one group of scholars counted, 1,817 prophetic predictions in scripture. Most of which have already been fulfilled in incredible detail and the remainder we fully expect to come to pass as well, they just haven't happened yet. 191 of those are prophecies about the coming Jewish Messiah. Close to 100 of those have been fulfilled, accurately, and the remainder we expect at His return and in eternity.

But 3 days, from now, ask yourself, how many prophecies are there? Do you still remember?

Now it is good to know and hear these things. It is good to know that Geisler and Howe wrote The Big Book of Bible Difficulties, taking on the accusation of 800 errors in scripture and refuted each one of them. Good info! But I believe there is another approach to this whole question.

So I want to take a whole different approach to this.

First, what do we trust it for? What does it Do for us?  

It reveals the principles by which God judges us, and therefore is…the true center of Christian 

union, and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and religious opinions 

should be tried. All Scripture is a testimony to Christ, who is…the focus of divine revelation[1].

Bottom line: The Bible gives us the Law, which tells us about the Holiness of God! And it tells us how far we fall short of God’s Holiness!

     It’s the basis for Christian union. I find myself in agreement with Baptists the most. But, guess what, I also have a lot of agreement with Presbyterians, Methodists and Yes, even Pentecostals – well some of them. If they are true believers and hold to the same gospel of Salvation by Grace thru faith I do. I know the Founders of the Lutherans, Presbyterians and Methodists believed that! But it also means I’m wary about other groups. While I have much in common with Catholics and the Church of Christ, in my opinion, they add works to the process of salvation. That is a big problem for me. Don’t get me wrong; There are true Christians among the Catholics and Church of Christ. And, there are lost people among the Baptists! But if we adhere to the clear teaching of scripture on salvation, on the nature of God and man, then we can have true Christian union. But, It also tells me some groups Like Mormons & Jehovah’s Witnesses are Not Christian at all.

   Also, it gives us a basis for our Behavior and Beliefs! How we should act, how we should think and believe is directed in the Scriptures. Even with all the technology, and the way the world has changed, you can't find a moral or ethical question the Bible doesn’t have something to say about it!

   And Most Important: The Bible Tells us about Jesus! Not Just the New Testament! Genesis 3 tells us about Him. The rituals of Leviticus, Psalms of David, Joshua, Isaiah, Hosea, Jeremiah, even Malachi do, too. Then of course Matthew, Mark, Luke and John do it Supremely Well! There’s not a book on earth that can tell us about Jesus and how He came to save like the Bible!

Second, Why is this important today? 

1) More people today deny the existence of Truth. Oh there is your truth and my truth but there is No Universal truth to a lot of people. That idea begins to trickle down to all of us! In fact, It is taught that if someone comes along claiming truth, then really they just have an agenda to control you!

2) Others say there is truth but the Bible is a mixture of truth and error. To them the Bible is so full of myths, contradictions, absurdities, and even Divine Sins, where God got things Wrong!

3) There are more books competing with the Bible as Holy Books. Used to be the Quran was way over in the Syrian and Iraq. Now it’s here. And the Bhagavad Gita, the Vedas etc. These are flooding the world! We need to flood the world with the Bible! 

4) And, it’s Important today because the Bible DOES make exclusive claims! It claims to be inspired by God! Look at these claims:

2nd Timothy 3:16  All Scripture is breathed out by God...

John 14:6 (Jesus says) I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man comes to the Father, but by me. 

Act 4:12 ...neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven... 

whereby we must be saved.

Last, Why Trust it? Is it just a blind leap of faith? Or is there something more?

John Piper gives a great example of why ‘blind trust’ doesn’t honor God. 

Suppose you were walking down the street and a guy comes up with a brown bag full of cash and says "go put this in the bank for me, here’s the bank and my account #" and then he runs off without explaining. What would you think? This guy is crazy. Not only that he’s stupid. He doesn’t know me. I know I’m trustworthy but he doesn’t. There’s nothing about that situation that gives you any credit. It’s all about his foolishness. 

But, suppose he runs up gives you all that and you stop and say, "why are you doing this? You don’t know me." And he says, "Oh yes I do. I have watched you. You’re a man of integrity. I've asked many about you and each of them says you are trustworthy. So I've done my homework and I know I can count on you. Now I have to take care of an emergency…"

Now it’s about Your character, and your trustworthiness. Many Christians don’t really do their homework. The preacher says, “Trust God” so they’re like "OK, we’ll do it." I don’t think that works well for them when troubles come, but it’s good enough for now. 

So why trust the Bible? Why Trust that it’s God’s Word?

Look at:

2nd Corinthians 4:2 But we have renounced disgraceful,
underhanded ways. 

We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God's
word, but by the open statement of the truth 

we would commend ourselves to everyone's conscience 

in the sight of God. 

3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those
who are perishing. 4 In their case the god of this world
has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, 

to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel
of the glory of Christ, 

who is the image of God. 

5 For what we proclaim is not ourselves,
but Jesus Christ as Lord, 

with ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake. 

6 For God who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," 

has shone in our hearts to give the light
of the knowledge of the glory of God 

in the face of Jesus Christ. 

Notice Paul is talking about the Word of God, the gospel and the knowledge of the Glory of God. 

All of these phrases refer to scripture. But there is a single, watershed event that makes all the difference. Has this event has happened to you?

6 For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," 

has shone in our hearts

to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God 

in the face of Jesus Christ. 

Let me talk about me a second. WHY DO I BELIEVE THE BIBLE? Because God has pierced the darkness of my heart with the light of His Glory, and this glory takes on the Face of Jesus Christ. Bottom line? I Have Met Jesus Christ! I know the “Living Word”! You say, “well that’s just your subjective experience!” 

True, but I have found the Word of God “Self-Authenticating.” I appreciate all the “Reasons” like how many Bible prophecies have been fulfilled, how accurate its history is, and how beautifully its written and how all these writers from over hundreds of years all have the same view of God. Great!

But I know Jesus! I have met Jesus! He has changed my life! I have encountered the Glory of God. The outshining of His Shekinah Glory in the Person of Jesus Christ! HOW CAN I NOT BELIEVE?

And if you have met him, you know you can trust His word, too.

 

I didn’t answer the Question why should everybody in the world believe the Bible. I answered the Question why I do and you should!

You desperately need an encounter with God, where you have been convinced by the Holy Spirit, that you are a sinner.

And because you are a sinner you are headed for an eternity of separation and suffering.

But Jesus communicates His Love for you in that while we were all sinners Christ Died for us!

And if you will Repent and Believe the Good news, that Jesus Christ has paid the penalty for your sins by shedding His own blood..

And if you will place your trust in Christ...

 He Will Forgive! He will give Eternal Life.

And you will Know the Truth and the Truth Will set you free!

John 16:13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth...

---

[1] BF&M 2000

The 5 Solas: For Reformation Day 2012

The Prinicipal beliefs of the Reformation still ground believers in basic truth and communicate the gospel!

In a few days, on Oct 31, it will be the 495^th anniversary of Luther’s nailing the 95 Theses to the door of the Wittenburg Chapel. It was a watershed event that some say began the journey through the Reformation. But what was the hallmark of the Reformation? It might be the 5 Solas.

There’s an old saying, “God can hit a straight lick with a crooked stick.” Look how he used David, who was far from perfect, Paul persecuted the church, Peter denied Jesus. I say that to point out, while men like Martin Luther, Calvin, Zwingli, Beza or one of my favorites, anabaptist Bathasar Hubmaier (I just like saying his name) were far from perfect, and sometimes did bad things, God still used them in a mighty way. Some have said church history is the story of how the gospel was lost in the dark ages and found again. 1400’s Christianity didn’t look very much like we know it today. What’s worse, it didn’t look like anything the apostles would recognize! Here’s a few things they believed in the 1400s:

·      Jesus wasn’t the only redeemer – Mary was the co-redeemer.

·   Jesus’ death on the cross was not all the sacrifice you need – you also need the mass performed by priests.

·   The traditions of the church were higher than the Scriptures.

·   While the death of Jesus made grace available, you had to perform good works to earn salvation.

·   Giving money or Viewing the relics were among the good works.

·   And since the church was the body of Christ the church should be honored and glorified like God.

These are just a few of the strange things people believed. Now this coming Wednesday is the 495^th anniversary of the beginning of the Protestant Reformation. You probably know, that’s when Martin Luther is supposed to have nailed his 95 proposals or Theses to the door of Wittenburg chapel. He didn’t say it was time to start a new church. He didn’t say the church was wrong about everything. He just said, here’s 95 things that need to be fixed.

Now there are many things we can learn from the reformation. The writings of Luther and Calvin are not perfect, but they were brilliant men who desired to serve God. And from this time there arose what are called the 5 Solas. These 5 things still ring true today, because they’re true to the Bible! Sola is a Latin word for Alone or Only.

Sola Fide means Faith Alone. Sola Gratia- Grace Alone. Solus Christus means Christ alone. Sola Scriptura- Scripture alone. And Soli Deo Gloria means Glory to God Alone!

You might wonder: Why are these things important? Are there other Solas besides the 5? And Do I have to remember the Latin?

Those are important questions. I‘ll start with the last one:

NO- you don’t need to remember the Latin.

And YES- there are other Solas. For instance only by being justified will we see God. Only by being born again will we see His kingdom.

The list could go on and on but we’ll just look at the 5 famous ones. They are important because they reset Christianity but are still being challenged today!

1.      First, Faith Alone. One criticism of the 5 Solas is they aren’t in the Bible and the Reformers probably never said them, but they were phrases that were coined later.  First what does the Bible say? James in Jas_2:23 the scripture was fulfilled which says, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness... AND, Paul in Rom 4:2 For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. 3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.  The Bible only speaks of two ways to be saved or justified before God. There is works and Faith. Now the only way works can justify is if you keep Every letter and comma of the law. No one but Jesus ever did that! So the ONLY WAY left to us is Faith in Jesus Christ!

Did the reformers ever teach this? One of the main scripture translations they used was called the Latin Vulgate. It was the Bible translated into Latin around 400 AD. With the translation came Jeromes commentary. And he wrote on comment on Romans 10:3 that says: “Deus ex sola fide justificat: “God justifies by faith alone.” There’s no doubt the reformers read these words as they studied Romans, and right their were the words Sola Fide.

It was important because the church was not teaching Faith Alone! They were teaching some kind of mixture of believing and working. Believe but you have to attend Mass. Believe but give your money. The Reformers said, that’s NOT in the Bible and they were right!

Its important today because some people are still teaching Faith AND something else. Faith and good deeds. Faith and baptism.

But the Bible says Rom 3:28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. And Rom 4:5 But to him that works not, but believes on him that justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. We are Saved Through Faith Alone!

2. But we are also saved by Grace Alone. Sola Gratia! Is this a biblical doctrine? You decide:  Ac 15:11 But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, …

Ro 4:16  Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; …

Ro 5:2 By whom we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand

Ro 11:6 And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be works, then is it no more grace:

Ep 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: Ti 2:11 the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men,

Ti 3:7 being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs …

Faith is how we receive Salvation, But GRACE is how its offered to us! The church in the 1400s said it was offered by grace, But they kept mixing Grace with Works making salvation something you earned. And if you earned it, its Not Grace! (ro 11:6)

Billy Graham was driving through a small southern town, he was stopped by a policeman and charged with speeding. Graham admitted his quilt, but the officersaid he had to appear in court.The judge asked, "Guilty, or not guilty?" Graham pleaded guilty, and the judge replied, "That'll be 100 dollars -- ten for every mile you went over the limit."THEN  the judge recognized Billy Graham. "You violated the law,The fine must be paid--but I am going to pay it for you." He took a 100 bucks from his wallet, attached it to the ticket, then took Graham out and bought him a steak dinner! "And That," said Billy Graham, "is how God treats sinners!"

3. And Its Only By Christ we are Saved! Solus Christus! 

If Mary is the Mother of God- which they taught – and if she was the co-redeemer, then Mary helped save us! But not only Mary. Because the Blood of Christ of 2000 years ago wasn’t enough, the Priests offered the Mass everyday so that you could go and have your sins cleansed again and again! They believed the bread and the wine actually became the body and blood of Christ when the priest said the Latin words: Hoc est Corpus Meum! This is my body! So the people depended on the priests for salvation, not on the Once for all death of Christ! But what does scripture say?  Ac 4:12 neither is salvation in any other: for there is no other name under heaven… whereby we must be saved.  1Ti2:5 there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;  He 12:24 to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling.   It wasn’t Mary on the cross. It wasn’t the Priests who offered the sacrifice.

In Christ alone, who took on flesh, Fullness of God in helpless babe.

This gift of love and righteousness, Scorned by the ones He came to save. 'Til on that cross as Jesus died, The wrath of God was satisfied, For every sin on Him was laid, Here in the death of Christ I live.

4 How do we know all this? Scripture Alone- Sola scriptura!

In the 1400s the tradition of the church was as important as the Bible. And traditions could change if the pope wanted to. Listen to what Martin Luther said on trial: "Since Your Majesty and lordships desire a simple reply, I will answer without horns and without teeth. Unless I am convinced by sacred Scripture or by evident reason - I do not accept the authority of popes and councils, for they have contradicted each other - my conscience is held captive by the word of God. I cannot and I will not recant anything, for to act against conscience is neither right nor safe. Here I stand! I can do no other. God help me!

Why did he say that? 2Ti 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: Jesus told the Pharisees: Ma 7:13 you Make the word of God of no effect through your tradition…  

But even today, people want to add to scripture. Whether it’s the Book of Mormon or people adding their own legalism to the Bible. Don’t drink, don’t dance, don’t you dare play games of chance!

It’s NOT that the Bibles the ONLY authority. That’s not what Sola means here. Parents are authorities. The government has authority. The police have authority. But the ONLY Foundation for All authority is in the words of Scripture and in the Word- Jesus Christ!

5. And Lastly- To God alone be Glory! Soli Deo Gloria! Bach & Handel wrote SDG on their music. The church taught, since it was the body of Christ, it also was worthy of honor and glory. But the reformers said, No, that’s not what Scripture teaches. Listen to 1Ti 1:17 in Latin "soli Deo honor et gloria". To God alone be the Glory. The glory is not for Popes or priests. It’s not for great preachers or singers. God’s glory is not for believers. All that we do should be for the Glory of God! 1Co 10:31 Whether ye eat, or drink, or whatever ye do, do all to the glory of God. Ph 2:11 every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 1Ti 1:17 Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

The Message of the Resurging Calvinism

I want to republish someone else's article because I think its very informative, relevant, and I kinda like it...pretty much...for the most part.Clark
The Message of the Resurging Calvinism
Jonathan Dodson Acts 29 Pastor - Austin, Texas

I recently had the privilege of guest lecturing at the University of Texas on the topic of the Resurgence of Mission & Reformed Theology in America. Eileen Delao-Flynn, Professor and Religion writer for the Austin American-Statesman, was kind enough to extend me the invitation to address her Journalism & Religion class. The entire lecture would be too long to reproduce here. However, I have included a section on “Resurging Calvinism” below.

The "New Calvinism"In an article entitled “10 Ideas Changing the World Right Now,” TIME magazine numbered the "New Calvinism" as the third most influential idea changing the world in 2009.

In an effort to explain this "New Calvinism," New Calvinists are laboring to shake off a fundamentalist, religious image and articulate the old gospel in fresh, biblically faithful ways. They are making five important distinctions:

1. Gospel/Religion:New Calvinists point out that the Gospel is not Religion. This came as a surprise to some of the students.

Religion says, “You must impress God,” but the gospel says, “Jesus impressed God for you.”

Religion says, “Perfect yourself and God will be happy.” The gospel says, "We are all imperfect people, but Christians cling to a perfect Christ who obtains the pleasure of God for them."

The gospel is good news, but religion is burdensome news.

Religion tells us to perform for God, but the gospel reminds us that Jesus has performed perfectly on our behalf. The Gospel is not Religion.

2. Us/Them:The Gospel makes a distinction between arrogant separatism and humble evangelism. It doesn't exaggerate an Us/Them mentality. New Calvinism doesn't evangelize out of superiority but empathy. We recognize that we all need Jesus before the judgment of a holy God. The only difference between true Christians and non-Christians is that Christians are recipients of God’s grace in Christ. But we all are equally in need of that grace. There's not one person in this world who needs God's saving grace more than anyone else. The New Calvinism does not pit the human race against one another—Us versus Them—but views all humanity in light of our standing with God.

3. Big/Small:New Calvinism is recovering a gospel that is bigger than "fire insurance" from hell. It is articulating the gospel as “good news” for the whole world—society, culture, people, and the environment. The gospel is not an LCD, a lowest common denominator of the bare minimum facts you have to believe to get into heaven. Rather, it is a TOE, a theory of everything that addresses God’s purpose for humanity, society, culture, cities, environment, justice, and the future. It possesses an explanatory power that addresses everything from human motivation to environmental concerns. New Calvinists are embracing all goodness, truth, and beauty as God’s truth, goodness, and beauty, and redemptively engaging those things that are false, ugly, and evil. The gospel is much bigger than people think, but it is not smaller than personal redemption.

4. Conservative/Liberal:New Calvinists are distancing the gospel from politics. They are not preaching a political gospel, though the gospel does have political implications. In short, Jesus is not a Republican or a Democrat.

5. Urban/Suburban:New Calvinists are returning to the city, to engage the beauty and brokenness of urban life. They are recovering a commitment to justice and mercy in the city, returning to cities from the white suburban flight.Where Do These Distinctions Come From? These distinctions are the direct result of a high view of the sovereignty of God—his reign over all of life, not just in so-called religious matters. These distinctions flow from a big gospel that can be articulated as the good news that Jesus has defeated sin, death, and evil through his own death and resurrection and is making all things new for those who hope in him. The dying-rising-from-the-dead Messiah alone has the power to break the back of evil, redeem sin, and exchange life for death. It is the gospel that awakens us to this marvelous news.Continuity from the Old to the New CalvinismMuch more could be said regarding this resurgence.

One student asked what remains the same between the "Old Calvinism" and the "New Calvinism." There is much more continuity between the New Calvinism and John Calvin than with some of his followers. However, what essentially remains the same is the soteriological core—God's sovereign grace in redeeming broken sinners, which has been popularly captured by theTULIP acronym: total depravity, unconditional election, limited atonement, irresistible grace, and perseverance of the saints (limited atonement appears to be more negotiable among the New Calvinists). This understanding of God’s sovereignty over salvation extends into a life lived under his sovereignty post-salvation.The TULIP is flowering more vibrantly than it has for some time in the U.S. The Reformed resurgence has led to a missional resurgence that is set on holding the formerly "liberal" and "conservative" agendas together with the gospel, promoting robust engagement of social, cultural, and spiritual spheres of life.

In this regard, the New Calvinism has more in common with the Calvinism of Abraham Kuyper, who argued that Calvinism is not merely a soteriological system, but an entire life- and worldview. The New Calvinism is broader than some of its narrower conceptions. All in all, I believe this resurgence is a very positive resurgence, a winsome Calvinism for the 21st century that advocates a whole gospel for the whole person and country.

Ruth's Gamble

Ruth chapter 3

God provides for those who act on faith and act righteously.
Ruth 3:1-8 Most don’t know this but way down deep in an archeological dig in Israel they discovered an ancient newspaper several thousand years old. It was a small fragment but they found this on it. “Dear Abigail, my widowed daughter-in-law has found a very nice man who is a bit older than her but she really likes him a lot. And he is a fine man who treats her like a princess. He seems to really like her but he won’t take their relationship to the next level, and he ain’t getting any younger. What can I do to get him to fish or cut bait? Signed, Baffled in Bethlehem.” Now it looks like Abigail wrote back but her letter was never found.
OF course they didn’t have newspapers back then, but I would really like to know where Naomi got this crazy scheme for Ruth to follow; it just might have been from God!
Chapter 3 is like the third act of this great play written by God. At the end of Chapter 1 Naomi felt empty and forsaken by God but by the end of Ch 2 she is praising God for His goodness. She went from hopeless to hopeful. You know when you feel hopeless you don’t even try to figure a way out of your mess. It’s just too hard and there’s no hope for success anyway. But when someone gives you hope you begin to think about what God might do for you, especially if you’re willing to step out in faith.
1 Naomi: Scene 1 opens with Naomi’s counsel.
The first four verses of this chapter just have so much hope. But the funny thing is you could see this plan going terribly wrong in many ways. I don’t know how long Naomi thought of this, maybe several weeks, or maybe the Lord gave her this idea that very day.
But think about it, Ruth is to go to the threshing floor too hide. What if she is found hiding wearing lipstick and perfume, what will they think of her? Now when Boaz goes to his sleeping bag she has to get over to him without waking anyone else up, uncover his feet and then lay down there near him. Several things could go wrong here. She could step on one of his servants in the dark. She could accidently uncover the feet of the wrong fellow. Or the plan could backfire in the wee hours of the morning if Boaz wakes up and thinks that Ruth has some really different intentions. But in spite of all that, Ruth tells Naomi she will do what she has been told.
Now the scene changes to the Threshing floor and Ruth.
There’s Ruth all cleaned up and wearing some Chanel #5, but it might not be what you think. Remember it hasn’t been long since she lost her husband. It was typical for a widow to spend time in mourning. But when a man or a woman is done with the grieving period, they wash themselves, anoint themselves with oil and perhaps a fragrance, and go about their business . So she’s not just making herself look attractive, she’s announcing that mourning is over.
One commentator points out that Ruth does 4 things. She is attractive, attentive, assertive, and available. She made herself attractive; she attends by watching to see where Boaz is going to sleep. She is assertive when he wakes up and asks who she is, and available to submit to whatever he suggests. But what a Bold move? It’s bold but there is no sin. She is still acting righteously.
There’s something very interesting about this story: There is no villain! The three main characters all want the best for others. Naomi wants Ruth to be provided for. Ruth wants Naomi to be taken care of in her later years. And Boaz is helping to take care of both of them without asking anything in return! This part could even be a comedy! But it seems God uses a wise old woman to get things rolling along.
Now why on earth would Naomi tell Ruth to uncover his feet?
Some say this was a customary way to show one is willing to be a servant, sort of saying I’ll be under your feet. Some say that she uncovered more than his feet and later on they were essentially under the covers together. Listen, the Bible never teaches that! In fact it teaches both Ruth and Boaz with great restraint and righteousness.
So Scene 2 fades to black after she uncovers his feet and lies down.
Scene 3 Boaz Awakes! As for me I think this is where we get the expression, “He got cold feet.” But it’s changed some over the years.
This is what happened, in the middle of the night Boaz’s feet get cold so he wakes up and that’s when he spots a woman lying near him. The fact that he has to ask who she is tells us there was no hanky-panky going on.
But that doesn’t mean she hasn’t put herself in a vulnerable position. In fact, isn’t that what a step of faith entails? When we step out in faith there is the possibility that things won’t go according to plan. But it appears that Ruth and Naomi trusted in God and also in the character of Boaz. Here she was an unattached lady that he apparently likes, it’s late at night, he’s been partying, who knows what might happen? But Boaz is a gentleman just as Ruth is a lady.
Look at v9. (read) Notice what she says to him. She makes it clear why she is there. She says at first I’m Ruth your servant. She ends with ‘you are the redeemer’. What did she mean by that? Under Jewish law there were two things in play here. The first is Levirate marriage. If a man died before his wife was pregnant, the man’s brother was to take her as his wife, but the first son she had would carry on the dead brother’s name. That’s found in Deut 25. But, there is another concept called the Goel, or kinsman-redeemer. Under the law the nearest relative could act on behalf of his brother or cousin in matters like paying off his debts or buying back his land. Ruth is reminding him that she is available to him under the law.
Now Boaz responds with “May you be blessed by the LORD, my daughter.” And he is really glad she is there. He liked her but thought of himself as too old and her as too young. He calls her daughter several times. There may have been 20 years difference in their ages. He’s glad she didn’t go after younger men.
But wait, I gotta go back to Ruth. After she says I’m Ruth, and before she says you are my kinsman redeemer, she asks him to cover her. I DON”T KNOW WHY most translations say cover me with your garment! The word is WING! It’s the same word we saw in chapter 2:12 when Boaz tells her, “May Jehovah repay your work, and may a full reward be given you from Jehovah, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to trust.”
Do you see what Ruth is saying? Not only have I come under the wings of God, I would like to be under your wing as well. What a nice way to ask him to marry you girls! You don’t really have to propose marriage; you can let him know you’d like to be under his wings! And Boaz got the hint. Look at verse 11 (read 11-13)
First He says, don’t worry, I gotcha covered! I will do ALL your requests. He knows this is more than just barley talk.
Then he tells her there is another kinsman that has to be dealt with. Then: If he doesn’t redeem you I will. As God Lives! Now lay down till morning. He is not about to send her home in the middle of the night, its dangerous.
BUT, he does something else. V 15, he gives her more grain so that she will not go home to Naomi empty handed. Now this isn’t just a nice gesture, He is sending Naomi a message. This is like a bride price, but he hasn’t dealt with the other kinsman yet.
Then the last scene: Ruth and Naomi again. (vv 16-18)
What a wise woman Naomi was. Wait till it’s a done deal! She knows that we do our part and then wait on God. Don’t presume to know exactly what he will do, just Trust and Obey, there’s no other way! But she was confident in the Lord and in the character of Boaz.
What do we learn from this?
First, when God gives us Hope, we begin to think about what God might do to provide for us. Listen, this church needs Hope again. God has not forgotten you or us! He is still blessing us!
Second, Ruth is ready to step out in faith, follow the counsel of her mother in law and make herself vulnerable. Sometimes, we step out in faith and discover that we didn’t quite see what God’s plan was or we missed the timing a little. That’s OK; God still honors your faith in Him. He’ll correct your course or you’ll get another opportunity, or God will work it all out anyway. Just don’t step out presuming on the Lord. Step out trusting Him.
Third, they let the sun come up on their righteousness. Sometimes in the dark we make the wrong decision. We fail and miss God’s best. This is not just for young people to stay pure before marriage, it’s for the man tempted to cheat on his taxes because dark financial times. It’s for the single mother tempted to put a couple of things in her purse and not pay for them because of dark times in raising a family.
If we will follow God’s plan, let the sun rise on our obedience to God, He can do great things with us. He can make this Moabite heathen into the god-fearing grandmother of King David, who will be the great great great etc. grandfather of Jesus Christ.
We don’t obey just because we want a blessing but because its right. But God blesses his children in obedience.
Let the Sun rise on your purity!