September 11th Musings

Pardon my long musings on this day; September 11th.
11 years ago I was on my way to a pastor's prayer group early in the morning when I heard on the news that a plane had flown into the WTC in NY. I turned to different stations, incl. my music and sports stations and they were all talking about the events unfolding with hijacked planes. Just as I arrived at a church about a mile north of FBC Smithfield, the second tower was hit. As I went in all the pastors were already on their knees. The usual time of fellowship and worship had been skipped and men were praying! I mentioned to one of them softly about the 2nd tower and he said they had just heard as well.
The prayers were fervent, passionate, and somehow both comforting and alarming. We prayed for the people on the planes, in the towers, the families of the killed and wounded and for the terrorists. We prayed for our country. Was this the first wave? Was it going to go nuclear soon? Was our western way of life over all at once?

The unity in the days and months ahead was inspiring, but we are mere humans with different priorities, goals, values and busy busy lives. The unity fades. The arguing returns.
When I stood a couple years later on that field in Pennsylvania where one of the planes went down there was a just a makeshift memorial there at that time. But it was loaded with hats, bumper stickers, and postcards, mostly from law enforcement and Emergency workers from all over the country. I think their sense of unity in the light of this tragedy has lingered longer than anyone else's except perhaps the Airline industry. Like the Police, Fire, and EMTs they put their lives on the line everyday in ways most of us don't.

But there is a different kind of unity I experience. It may wax and wane and then grow hot again from time to time, but it never goes out. That's the unity I experience around other followers of Jesus Christ. And it's one of the reason Christians would like to see other people join our ranks; The fellowship of the forgiven, the congregation of the righteous, the church of the Savior Jesus Christ.
Human based unity never lasts. Sadly. Especially government or geographic based unity. Ethnic unities may last longer but eventually splinter, dim and die. But there is a God-made unity that has lasted longer than Assyria, Babylon, the Zhou dynasty, Rome, Great Britain, and certainly longer than the USA has been around. That is the unity of those purchased by the death of God's Only Son.
What a shame we don't maintain that unity the way we should. Because it is a valuable asset. It is more than a feeling. It is a commitment to help the fallen, to strengthen the weak, to weep with those who weep and rejoice with the joyful.

9/11 saddens me, angers me, frustrated me and leaves me feeling a bit helpless. The watershed event that makes the unity of the body of Christ possible, causes me to rejoice.  Maybe that is just one reason this unity has lasted and means so much to so many.

Greatest Chapter in the Bible* Outlined and Annotated

(*According to James Boice)

I have mentioned in other places that one way I study the Bible is to outline a passage. Even If I'm preaching on a few verses I look at the whole context and at least outline the chapter where the verses are set. You may outline it differently, but the goal is to understand the flow of the argument, the story, the illustration, or the worship better.

Its been said that the whole Bible is a ring, the New Testament the setting, Romans the jewel, and Romans 8 the shining point on the brightest facet of the gem.

It's also been said that whatever chapter the preacher is preaching from is the Greatest Chapter in the Bible!

WHY there is NO Condemnation:

Rom 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation [C1] 

     for those who are in Christ Jesus[C2] .

                2 For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus 

                from the law of sin and death.

                     3 For God has done what the law, weakened by flesh, couldn't do.

                                By sending his own Son in the likeness 

                                     of sinful flesh and for sin,

                                he condemned sin- [C3] in the flesh, 

                                              4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law [C4] 

                                               might be fulfilled in us, who walk 

                                               not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

                                     5 For those who live according to the flesh 

                                          set their minds on the things of the flesh,

                                     but those who live according to the Spirit 

                                          set their minds on the things of the Spirit.

                                                6 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but

                                                to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.

                                     7 For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God,

                                                for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot.

                                                 8 Those who are in the flesh cannot please God[C5] .

How we live with No Condemnation:

                9 You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit,

                      if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you.                          

                     Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ 

                          does not belong to him.

                                10 But if Christ is in you,

                                                 although the body is dead because of sin,

                                                the Spirit is life because of righteousness.

                                11 If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead 

                                dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead

                                                will also give life to your mortal bodies                                      

                                                through his Spirit who dwells in you.

                12 So then, brothers, we are debtors[C6] ,

                                not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh.

                                           13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die,

                                but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, 

                                            you will live.

                                14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.

                                     15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery 

                                          to fall back into fear,

                                     but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons,

                                          by whom we cry "Abba! Father!"            

                                16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit 

                                        that we are children of God,

                                17 and if children, then heirs—

                                                heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ,

                                                     provided we suffer with him in order that

                                                     we may also be glorified with him.

How No Condemnation affects us Now in this world:

                18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth 

                     comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

                                19 For the creation waits with eager longing for 

                                the revealing of the sons of God.

                                20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly,

                                                but because of him who subjected it,  in hope

                                                21 that the creation itself will be set free from 

                                                     its bondage to corruption

                                                and obtain the freedom 

                                                     of the glory of the children of God.

                                                22 For we know that the whole creation 

                                                     has been groaning together

                                                     in the pains of childbirth until now.

                                23 And not only the creation, but we ourselves,

                                                who have the firstfruits of the Spirit,                                     

                                                groan inwardly as we wait eagerly

                                                      for adoption as sons,

                                                      the redemption of our bodies.

                                24 For in this hope we were saved. 

                                                Now hope that is seen is not hope.

                                                For who hopes for what he sees?

                                                25 But if we hope for what we do not see,

                                                we wait for it with patience.

                                26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness.

                                                For we do not know what to pray for as we ought,

                                                but the Spirit himself intercedes for us

                                                                with groaning(s) too deep for words.

                                                27 And he who searches hearts knows 

                                                      what is the mind of the Spirit,

                                                because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according 

                                                       to the will of God.

Why God called us to be with No Condemnation:

                28 And we know that for those who love God all things 

                                work together [C7] for good,

                                for those who are called according to his purpose.

                                29 For those whom he foreknew[C8] 

                                     he also predestined to be conformed 

                                           to the image of his Son[C9] ,

                                     in order that he [Jesus] might be the firstborn 

                                           among many brothers.

                                30 And those whom he predestined he also called[C10] ,

                                and those whom he called he also justified,

                                and those whom he justified he also glorified[C11] .

What else does it mean to Have No Condemnation?

(More Questions!)

                31 What then shall we say to these things?

                                If God is for us, who can be against us?

                                32 He who did not spare his own Son [C12] 

                                                but gave him up for us all,

                                                how will he not also with him graciously 

                                                     give us all things?

                33 Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? 

                It is God who justifies.

                34 Who is to condemn? 

                Christ Jesus is the one who died[C13] —

                     more than that, who was raised—  

                     who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.

                35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?

                      Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, 

                          or nakedness, or danger, or sword?

                                36 As it is written,

                                "For your sake we are being killed all the day long;

                                     we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered."

                37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors

                through him who loved us.

What does No Condemnation Mean for our Eternity?

38 For I am sure that neither

                death nor life,

                nor angels nor rulers,

                nor things present nor things to come,

                 nor powers,

                39 nor height nor depth,

                nor anything else in all creation,

                will be able to separate us from the love of God 

                     in Christ Jesus our Lord[C14] .

---

 [C1]Theme of Ch 8

 [C2]Only Condition for No Condemnation

 [C3]Sin is Condemned not the sinner

 [C4]Not for salvations sake but for God’s glory

 [C5]In Christ no condemnation, in Flesh there’s no righteousness

 [C6]He was debtor to the ethne in Rom 1:14 But now Debtor to God.

 [C7]Or God works them

 [C8]Foreknew is not chronologically before Predestined. They are simply stated as both occurring.

 [C9]Higher purpose than merely predestined to be saved.

 [C10]This is where the chronology of the “Ordus Salutis” begins: the Order of Salvation.

 [C11]Notice predestined, called, justified, glorified are all past tense. As in already done.

 [C12]Anyone disappointed with God doesn’t know or has forgotten this!

 [C13]So he was condemned for us

 [C14]No condemnation Christ in V.1; No Separation in Christ in V.39.

A Friendly Appeal to Church Service Etiquette

Note: This was edited and adapted with my own tweaks and concerns from http://www.baptistedifier.com/an_exhortation_to_church_service_etiquette.html

A Friendly Appeal to Church Service Etiquette

Several years ago a Baptist College Professor attended a sports awards banquet at a high school. Soon after the speaker began, the professor became disgusted. Not with what the speaker said, but with the terrible lack of respect and common decency given him by the crowd. He said you could barely hear over the conversations going on by students and adults. As well as people constantly coming and going, rattling snack wrappers, cutting up, and other disrespectful behaviors.

Such disrespectful manners among those at banquets, concerts, plays and other public occasions are common today. BUT, lack of respect through bad manners has reached into local churches. 

One sad truth of my generation is: the world has changed the church more than the church has changed the world.

 People used to wear “Sunday Clothes” for church out of respect for God and fellow believers, but in a society where it’s OK to wear shorts, t-shirts and tank tops most anywhere that’s quickly falling by the wayside. True many don't own suits and ties any more, or have fancy dresses. The Bible doesn't say that ties and fancy dresses are required for worship. How about "Dressing Respectfully"? If I went to a Cowboy church I would expect them to be in their better Cowboy attire.

Also, folks used to behave in church services in a way demonstrating respect for the speakers, singers, congregation, facilities and, most of all, for the Lord. However, in many churches even those who desire to hear the Word are too distracted by irreverent conduct of others to get much out of it.

In some churches it’s hard to focus on God with people coming and going, conversations going on, rattling wrappers, slurping drinks and smacking food. That’s not to mention children who aren’t taught to sit quietly, cell phones, and the sound of Bible covers being zipped before the end of the sermon. Bad manners in church are a reproach to God, His Word, preachers, churches and the members themselves.

I. PROPER CHURCH ETIQUETTE GIVES GOD WHAT HE DESERVES

We’re to respect and glorify God at all times, but most especially in His house.

Leviticus 19:30 reads, “Ye shall keep my Sabbaths, and reverence my sanctuary: I am the Lord.” In the New Testament the Temple is not the building but God’s local church joined in worship and service.

Psalm 29:2 exhorts us to “Give unto the Lord the glory due unto His name” and to “worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.”

·        When people are walking in and out of the sanctuary when it’s time to worship God in song, prayer, and preaching is that giving the Lord the glory due Him?

·        When distracting conversation is going on at such times is God given the glory due Him?

·        When people choose to wear inappropriate clothes and such to church rather than dressing in their nicer clothes is the Lord given the glory due Him?

·        When folks are still somewhere else drinking coffee, fellowshipping, or procrastinating after services have already started is our Savior given the glory due Him?

The popular trend in churches is to gratify people by making dress ultra-casual, ensuring that coffee and pastries are available, provide never-ending entertainment for all ages, and since it appears to be just like any other event in our society, people tend to talk and move around as they please. But any honest reader of the Bible must surely conclude that this new tradition is contrary to the worship of God recorded and instructed in His Holy Word. More and more so the worship of the Lord in churches is being replaced by the traditions of man which revolve around worshipping self.

The Bible says we’re not to be conformed to the world, we’re to be transformed from it. People should see a difference from the world when they come to church. They should see a people who are giving the Lord the glory due unto His name. They should see Spirit-filled saints honoring and reverencing God rather than a laid-back, sleepy congregation devoted to getting their blessing and glorifying self.

II. PROPER CHURCH ETIQUETTE GIVES EVERYONE ELSE WHAT THEY DESERVE

The worst thing about bad church etiquette is it disrespects God; but it also hinders those with spiritual needs. Those who contribute distractions to people in need of God should heed Rom 14:13b “…but judge this rather, that no man put a stumbling-block or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way.”

·      There’s the person who needs to be saved, distracted by folks continually talking or walking out.

·      The visitor seeking a church who wants to leave due to continual horseplay of kids in front of her.

·      The church member who needs the message but misses it through the crackling candy wrappers, cell phone noises, and other assorted disruptions.

·      And, the person under conviction who thinks it must be time to leave when Bibles are zipped up and people gather their things to leave. Bad manners disrespect God, and everyone else.

Jesus said, “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.” With that in mind, we need to conduct ourselves in church as if we are the ones praying, singing, teaching or really need to hear from God. Especially when the preacher is telling people the most important message of all, how to be saved from eternal hell.

III. PROPER CHURCH ETIQUETTE ACCOMPLISHES WONDERFUL THINGS

Wonderful things come forth through practicing proper church etiquette. The Lord will be reverenced and honored, receiving The Glory Due His Name.

·      The Word of God will have free course.

·      The congregation will experience the unhindered ministry of the Spirit.

·      Visitors will be drawn to the church.

·      The entire ministry of the church will become more effective for the cause of Christ.

What more motivation does one need to repent of bad manners and begin to practice proper ones?!

“Steps Towards Proper Church Etiquette”

·      In order to avoid walking into services late, leave home or Bible class earlier.

·      Don’t bring food or drinks into church service. (Certainly water bottles are understandable if needed)

·      Silence cell phones during services.

·      Please! Don’t walk out of services during the Invitation/Commitment Hymn.

·      Don’t expect someone else to make kids behave whose parents aren’t around. Give it a try yourself.

·      Wait until services are dismissed before zipping up your Bible and gathering your belongings.

·      If you must have a cough drop or mint in a crackling wrapper, unwrap as many as you need and put them in a noise-free container.

·      If you need to exit, please take the least distracting route, even if it means walking farther. Or sit close to an exit if you may need to leave early.

·      Use the restroom before services.

·      Consider how the way you dress relates to respect for God and His people. This is not about wearing “ties or fancy dresses”, but respect and reverence.

·      And don’t hand this list to someone else as a hint, Fold it and put in your own Bible.

Yes, Worship is more a matter of the heart than outward appearances.

But the words we say and the way we act - reveal what is in our hearts.