PART 2 Idolatry on Sunday Morning

Article from www.worshipmatters.com

I tried to come up with a shocking title for these posts to alert us to the difference between a “professed” God and “functional” god. That is, the God we say we believe in, and the god that actually governs our desires and actions. As I mentioned in my post yesterday, idolatry can be active in my heart even as I’m outwardly worshipping God. That’s a sobering thought. Whenever I think I can’t worship God unless “X” is present, I’m making a profound statement. If “X” is anything other than Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, I’ve moved into idolatrous territory. Idolatry is always evil, but the idols we pursue aren’t necessarily evil things. They are evil for us because we value them over God. Pages could be written on each of the potential idols I’m about to cover. Most, if not all of them, touch on areas that can and should be used with discernment to serve God’s people as we gather to sing His praise. Some of them are more important them others. But all of them are meant to exalt God, not replace Him. Music – Musical styles for congregational worship have caused quite a stir in recent years. Actually, they’ve been causing a stir for centuries, and for good reason. Music is a powerful medium that can affect us positively or negatively. However, the root of the division is often (though not always) people insisting they know what kind of music God likes. It hasn’t helped that “new music proponents” are often arrogant, insensitive, selfish, and impatient. However, we can make an idol out of what’s old and familiar as easily as we can make one out of what’s new and creative. Music must be wisely chosen for its ability to serve both the lyrics and the congregation in order to truly honor God. But thinking that we need a certain type of music to truly engage with God is, at its root, idolatry. Tradition – Every church, even those that claim to be non-traditional, has traditions. A tradition is simply something you’ve done more than once. Can traditions serve God’s purposes in the church? Absolutely! Paul encourages the Thessalonians, ““So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter.” (2 Th. 2:15, ESV1 Thessalonians 2:15 [15]who killed both the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove us out, and displease God and oppose all mankind (ESV)

This text is from the ESV Bible. Visit www.esv.org to learn about the ESV.

) But are our traditions today equal to Scripture in authority? Absolutely not! Every generation is responsible to examine whether or not the traditions they’ve inherited (or are seeking to establish) are biblical and truly help people exult in God’s worthiness and works. The complementary idols of familiarity and comfort are often revealed in the words, “We’ve never done it that way before.” Creativity – Lest this list seem one-sided, NEWNESS can also be an idol. We’re convinced that some fresh, different, never-been-done-before idea will make our congregational worship more effective. Or powerful. Or appealing. Maybe it’s lighting…or a new stage set up…or a video clip…or candles…or banners…or “interactive artistic activity.” Creativity is never our goal in worshipping God. It’s simply a means to the end of displaying and seeing the glory of Christ more clearly. New forms or mediums of communication can give us a different perspective, causing the truth to have a greater impact on us. But if we walk away from a time of corporate worship more affected by our creativity than our Savior, or think that the Word of Christ is old news, God help us. I’m aware what I’m writing may offend some. I pray that’s not the case, although what we perceive as an “offense” might be the Spirit’s conviction. It could just as well be my poor communication. But this I know: God is committed to receiving all the glory, honor, and praise each time we gather as His people, redeemed through His Son’s atoning sacrifice. He will have no rivals. “I am the Lord; that is my name; my glory I give to no other, nor my praise to carved idols.” (Is. 42:8, ESV) Each time we meet to worship the triune God, HE should be the all-consuming center of our attention and affections. His greatness and splendor should become bigger in our minds, hearts, and wills. His desires and commands should become more precious to us. Jesus Christ and His atoning work should be more glorious and amazing to us. Tomorrow, I’ll share more idols I’ve found myself worshipping on Sunday mornings. In the mean time, I pray you’re encouraged by the Father’s costly love for us.

Idolatry on Sunday Morning

This article is from www.worshipmatters.com
Here is part 1 of this article:

So these nations feared the LORD and also served their carved images. (2 Kings 17:41a ESV)

What is our greatest hindrance in worshipping God? We could come up with a number of potential answers.

“Our worship leader isn’t very experienced.”
“The services are too planned/spontaneous.”
“The songs are too complex/simple.”
“The band/orchestra/organist/guitarist sounds bad.”
“There are too many new/old songs.”
“Our church is too big/small.”

Ignoring for a moment that all these statements refer to a meeting context, they reveal a profound misconception about the hindrances to true worship. Contrary to what we might think, our greatest problem doesn’t lie outside us, but within our own hearts. It’s the problem of idolatry.

The passage above from 2 Kings describes a situation that existed when Samaria was resettled by the king of Assyria. It’s a situation which can potentially exist in our church services today. We can fear the Lord externally, engaging in what we perceive to be all the proper elements of worship – singing, giving, praying, kneeling, listening to God’s Word, etc. – and be actively serving false gods in our hearts. God makes it clear in Exodus 20 that he will not tolerate any competition for the allegiance and affections of our hearts. “You shall have no other gods before me.” That succinctly describes idolatry.

When someone mentions idolatry, we can picture some tribesman in New Guinea bowing down to statues of wood or metal, and think, “Thank God I don’t struggle with THAT.” Idols, however, are far more pervasive, insidious, and deceptive. Idolatry is attributing ultimate value, authority, or supremacy to any object other than God.

We foolishly think idols can provide for us what only God can give. They tempt us every day, all day. It’s not surprising, then, that even my ten year old daughter, Mckenzie, deals with idols. One of her primary idols is “not taking showers.” Otherwise known as the idols of control and pleasure. She confessed to Julie and me today that for the past three days she’s only been pretending to take a shower. (For some reason, most ten-year-olds find taking showers as appealing as scratching a chalk board for ten minutes.) After working through a tearful confession with my wife, and learning of her discipline (no playing with friends for three days), we talked about her heart. I explained to her that not taking a shower was an idol for her. She thought that remaining dirty would bring her happiness. Instead it led to deceiving those she loves the most and dishonoring the God Who created her for His glory. And it definitely didn’t deliver on the happiness promise. Ultimately, idols never do.

THE REBELution

Every now and again something comes along that I can't help but get excited about. The conference "The REBELution" is one of those things! On Saturday April 5th, they will be coming to Charlotte for an all day conference for teenagers & their parents. To the right of this page you will see a video... this is their 2008 promo video.

These 2 guys, Alex and Brett Harris, are the brothers of Joshua Harris. Yes, the same guy that wrote the book, "I kissed dating goodbye." They are challenging youth to "Do Hard Things." In our society we limit our youth to a mediocre life and mediocre goals. This conference will challenge you to take the plunge of doing something of great worth. The Scriptures say in 1 Timothy 4:12 "Let no one despise you because of your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity." What a challenge!!!! This conference seeks to guide you in fueling the passion that you have as a teenager.

There will be an article in the Project Gazette with the vast details in this Sunday.

*By the way, you can view all past Gazettes by going to www.smpca.com/youth.php?cat=30

I hope you will buck the system of allowing youth to stand idle while the rest of us shape the world. You have the Holy Spirit in you... what are you waiting for?
www.therebelution.com

Why Calvinism? Why now?

The article below comes from: www.spurgeon.wordpress.com

1. Because Calvinism is biblical. No system of theology has better (notice I did not say ‘perfectly’) displayed a consistently biblical framework. If you want to be consistent with Scripture, Calvinism is your system. Because of this, Calvinism is a firm confrontation to theological reductionism (those who build theological systems from only parts of Scripture). We must deal with themes like God’s sovereignty, our depravity, His election, etc. These Calvinistic themes are carried throughout the Old and New Testaments.

2. Because Calvinism is tested. The greatest theological minds in church history were Calvinists. Augustine, who predates Calvin by centuries, laid a foundation Calvin could easily build on (“Augustine is totally ours!” Calvin once wrote). After Calvin, men like Jonathan Edwards and John Owen stand atop the list of theological elites who were Calvinists which should not surprise since the Puritan movement itself was “a kind of vigorous Calvinism” (Joel Beeke, Meet the Puritans). John Bunyan was a Calvinist. Mathematical genius and philosopher Blaise Pascal was a Calvinist. Great evangelists like David Brainerd and George Whitefield were Calvinists (Whitefield frequently preached of election to non-believers). Calvinist theologians include B.B. Warfield, J. Gresham Machen, Charles Hodge, Cornelius Van Til and the other early Princeton Seminary leaders. Martyn Lloyd-Jones and Francis Schaeffer were Calvinists. The great preacher Charles Spurgeon equated Calvinism with the gospel itself. Representing several denominations, many contemporary Evangelical leaders are Calvinists (Al Mohler, John Piper, Mark Driscoll, C.J. Mahaney, Joshua Harris, R.C. Sproul, Ligon Duncan, John MacArthur, J.I. Packer and Mark Dever). A ministry producing some of the most powerful sermons and worship music goes by a very Calvinistic name, Sovereign Grace Ministries. And this is just a sampling. For centuries (right up to 2007) Calvinism has caught the eye of the brightest theological minds, evangelists, preachers, philosophers and musicians.

3. Because Calvinism is a relevant worldview. We are not talking merely about theology and doctrine! Calvinism puts every detail of this world – not in the hands of mere men or fate or luck – but in a personal God who is working all of world history towards one final goal. To say it another way, “there is nothing casual nor contingent in the world.” So what does a Calvinist look like? B.B. Warfield wrote, “He [the Calvinist] has caught sight of the ineffable Vision, and he will not let it fade for a moment from his eyes – God in nature, God in history, God in grace. Everywhere he sees God in His mighty stepping, everywhere he feels the working of his mighty arm, the throbbing of His mighty heart.” Calvinism is a worldview that embraces music, art, history, natural sciences, medicine, politics, economics, labor and race relations. Fittingly, McGrath closes his biographical account of Calvin with these words: “Although Calvin lies buried in an unmarked grave somewhere in Geneva, his ideas and influences live on in the outlooks of the culture he helped to create” (p. 261).

4. Because Calvinism brings reverence and trust in God. According to Calvin, without reverence towards God and worshipping Him as the giver of all things, we cannot know God. Understanding God is not about scholarship and academic degrees but of piety, submission and love towards God. A true study of Calvin and Calvinism will help us foster these godly characteristics.

5. Because Calvinism protects the church. Whether we are talking about open theism, theological liberalism, religious relativism, emergent church movement, church-growth methods, new perspectives of Paul or misunderstandings of the fundamental differences between the gospels of Evangelicalism and Roman Catholicism, Calvinism will keep our attention on Scripture. In the book The Doctrines of Grace, Boice and Ryken write, “The pathway from Calvinism to liberalism – and even atheism – is well worn, and it usually passes through Arminianism” (p. 66). Churches who preach a god unable to sovereignly manage the world to his own glory become vulnerable to the most grave errors.

6. Because Calvinism brings comfort. When life is tough, there is no comfort in a powerless god. Only when we understand God to be firmly in control of our pain and discomforts can we say with Job, “The Lord gives and the Lord takes away. Blessed be the name of the Lord!” And only then can we say with Paul, “All things work together for the good of those who love God.” Only a sovereign God can comfort us in our deepest trials.

7. Because Calvinism is high. If you want to grasp God, you must stand on the highest plateau to get a glimpse of his majesty. Steven Lawson’s newest book reminds us that Calvinism is where “The lofty truths of divine sovereignty provide the greatest and grandest view of God” and “The doctrines of grace serve to elevate the entire life of the church.” Calvinism forces us to climb higher than we imagined, to see bigger things then we thought possible, and elevates the worship and reverence of the church beyond the routine and mundane.

8. Because Calvinism is cool. That’s right. Last Fall Christianity Today called Calvinists, “Young, Restless and Reformed,” which is another way of saying Calvinists are now the cool kids in school. Seriously, people can see through the wafer thin glazing of seeker sensitive church growth movement. Confusing conversations and open theism simply will not do. Christians want the mighty God of Scripture. One who sits high and exalted, who shakes the heavens and whose right hand controls every detail of life to His own glory and to the good of believers. Calvinism is very relevant today.

My body hurts... but you should see the slope!

This past weekend we took our bodies up the slopes only to allow our bodies to be exposed to the hard ground. There were times when I felt like I was traveling 45 mph and when I hit the ground it confirmed my speed. Nonetheless, the ski trip was a blast. No injuries and everyone seemed to have a great weekend. But there is a price to pay for a trip like this.
You see I am almost 30 and my body is no longer going up the lift in ability, but rather coming down off the mountain of youth. It really seems like my body is wasting away in stamina, speed, and ability. I am certainly not over the hill, but I am learning how this body is not what it used to be.

The apostle Paul was also very aware of his body and the decaying results of sin. "So we do not lose heart. Though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day." As a believer, this should become more evident each and every day. Our sanctification is rooted in the upward climb of godliness. As we consider the pages of Scripture daily we will become aware of that our lives need to change. As we walk with the Spirit each day, we will see genuine change in our lives. We long to be more like Christ and long to serve Him in every aspect of our broken lives. The inward man is being renewed day by day. What a comfort! Our inward man is being changed.

I think back 10 years ago when my life changed for the Lord and I see that I was in desperate need of an extreme makeover: sanctification edition! I was a mess. I served the flesh and the things of the Lord didn't concern me. I praise the Lord for the changes He has made in these 10 years, but I step back today and see there is much more to change. But there is a contrast to all of this. At 19 my body was at it's best. I wasn't phased by a 2 hour basketball game, I could pull all nighters without any problem, and I could ski all day and bounce back the next day. Today, my body is not what it used to be. I am wasting away. And things are only getting worse.

There will be a day that my body gives up and will not recover. There is an end to this flesh here on earth. I will join the rest of those 6 feet under. But one thing is for certain... my inward man will be at his strongest. As my outward man is wasting away, my inward man is growing stronger and stronger. He longs to be like Christ and longs to serve Him in ALL aspects of his life.

Is this happening to you? Do you find your inward man changing? Is he longing to be conformed to the Scriptures? All saints of the Lord will change. All saints of the Lord will have this contrast... the body is weak, but the Spirit is willing. Change today for the Lord. Search deep at the core of your being and see the sanctifying change that your inward man is longing for!

Finally, do not lose hope on this outward man either. He will be renewed as well. This past week I attended a funeral. While the body was placed in the ground, I was aware that while death had come to the body, the spirit lives. And one day, the body will be renewed gloriously. Christ will come back and will bring all those saintly bodies to glory and restore
EVERY
SINGLE
ONE OF THEM!

Do not lose hope dear Christian... for as your body wastes away, the inward man is being renewed. Praise be to God who delivers us, strengthens us, renews us, and changes us.

How about this for your next devotion?

When one's heart is turned to the Lord, it was the Lord who did the turning. When repentance is in one's heart, it was the Lord's work that brought you through the act. When faith was exercised, it was the faith of our Lord who gave it to you. When you enter in His kingdom, you will have nothing to boast about except in God. The late Dr. Kennedy said this, "In heaven you nothing to boast about in ourselves... In hell, we have no one to blame but ourselves." The glory has and WILL always be in and for God. We have nothing to offer God that would have Him say, "Boy, I need him/her in my kingdom." I take that back... we offer God rebellion, greed, selfishness, hatred, murder, adultery, and the like. Now that is credibility of the worst kind. God doesn't choose us for our good (which is filthy rags in God's eyes) but He chooses us based on His love. We have NO PART in this process. Period! "I have decided to follow Jesus" is a misleading hymn. How could we have decided to follow Jesus when we already choose death? So while living in our death, He rescued us from the jaws of hell. The Arminian perspective gives glory to man, Calvinism gives glory to God.
Praise God for whom ALL blessings flow,
praise Him all creatures here below,
praise Him above ye heavenly host,
praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
A true biblical hymn... all of Him, none of us!
May your life sing of these praises.

*Below are Scriptures that teach this great doctrine.
Go through these in your next devotional time with your God.

1. By God. 1Ki 18:37; Joh 6:44; Ac 21:19.
2. By Christ. Ac 3:26; Ro 15:18.
3. By the power of the Holy Spirit. Pr 1:23.
4. Is of grace. Ac 11:21,23.
5. Follows repentance. Ac 3:19; 26:20.
6. Is the result of faith. Ac 11:21.
7. Through the instrumentality of
a. The scriptures. Ps 19:7.
b. Ministers. Ac 26:18; 1Th 1:9.
c. Self-examination. Ps 119:59; La 3:40.
d. Affliction. Ps 78:34.
8. Of sinners, a cause of joy
a. To God. Eze 18:23; Lu 15:32.
b. To saints. Ac 15:3; Ga 1:23,24.
9. Is necessary. Mt 18:3.
10. Commanded. Job 36:10.
11. Exhortations to. Pr 1:23; Isa 31:6; 55:7; Jer 3:7; Eze 33:11.
12. Promises connected with. Ne 1:9; Isa 1:27; Jer 3:14; Eze 18:27.
13. Pray for. Ps 80:7; 85:4; Jer 31:18; La 5:21.
14. Is accompanied by confession of sin, and prayer. 1Ki 8:35.
15. Danger of neglecting. Ps 7:12; Jer 44:5,11; Eze 3:19.
16. Duty of leading sinners to. Ps 51:13.
17. Encouragement for leading sinners to. Da 12:3; Jas 5:19,20.
18. Of Gentiles, predicted. Isa 2:2; 11:10; 60:5; 66:12.
19. Of Israel, predicted. Eze 36:25-27.
Torrey, R.A.: The New Topical Text Book : A Scriptural Text Book for the Use of Ministers, Teachers, and All Christian Workers. Oak Harbor, WA : Logos research Systems, Inc., 1995, c1897. Torrey embraced covenant theology (in contrast to Moody's dispensationalism) and was critical of the emotional and manipulative methods of revivalism.