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)
A pre-recorded sermon preached virtually for another church. The recording begins after having begun with a list of "better than" examples that was missed in the recording.
I remember about a decade ago it was thought that Canada Post would soon be obsolete with the dawn of the electronic communication era. Today the online shopping revolution has meant that Canada Post (and other carriers) are busier than ever. One reason, despite the rising cost of stamps, is that in our digital age people are actually reverting (or advancing?) to sending letters. Think how impersonal a text or email can be; they’re surely easy to send and free. Not so with a letter. You need to pick out a card or paper, you need to take the time to write something with real ink, your hand and eye being intricately involved in the process. Then you need to seal the envelope, buy a stamp and then get that letter to the Post Office (It then travels about and a real person delivers it to you). While still a relatively simple form of communication it is actually an involved process that breathes connection and relationality. The impersonality of our electronic age is seeing letters make a return. I’m always delighted to receive a letter, especially from overseas.
In the ancient world, to write a letter, on parchment or papyrus (costly resources because of the time involved in preparing them) was a very intentional thing. There was no whiteout or delete buttons. Every word mattered. The intentional inspiration of Scripture is therefore a wonder, especially when scroll lengths are considered. In a sense letters are actually a thing divine for through them God chose to reveal Himself to us. We’re presently reading one of them—Revelation—which is a letter to the Seven Churches! I first became interested in Biblical letters, ironically, not through the Epistles but through a letter Elijah wrote to Jehoram (2 Chr 21:12) Here Elijah challenged Judah’s idolatry. While difficult or sensitive matters are usually best reserved for in person conversations, sometimes they can be effective when written in the right spirit (they give people something to come back to) or when in person conversations may be impossible. John Newton once had to write such a letter and said he sought to, “play the part of a friend by letter.” Perhaps most famously were Paul’s letters to the Corinthians. He actually wrote several letters, only two making it into the Bible. Having founded and pastored the church, it became shipwrecked. He wrote a previous letter to the Corinthians (1 Cor 5:9), then 1 Corinthians, followed by a visit (2 Cor 2:1), followed by a “sorrowful” letter (2 Cor 2:3) and then 2 Corinthians. Sometimes difficult letters are necessary and effective. However, in person meetings are ideal. This is what John expressed, though in more positive circumstances, when he wrote in 2 Jn 12, Though I have much to write to you, I would rather not use paper and ink. Instead I hope to come to you and talk face to face, so that our joy may be complete. One day, there will be no need for difficult letters and time will abound to fellowship with the saints; until then, however, the Lord has given us letters. Weeping may tarry for the night,
but joy comes with the morning. (Ps 30:5b) When I was a boy, I had a fantastic three story tree house complete with ropes and ladders. One day I had the brilliant idea to erect a pulley lift that, through hoisting, would pull me on a seat up into the tree house above. All was well, like I said, a brilliant idea! Part way up my maiden hoist I realized, however (being a hefty lad), that the strength of my arms was not adequate to match the engineering of my pulley system. I let go and fell—flump! It was the first and only time I have had the wind knocked out of me. I lay there for some time until I came too and was able to go back to my play. That story is a very simple description of the believer’s journey through life. There are times when all seems to be going well: well at work, well with the wife, well in our relationship with Jesus. Then suddenly, our world is turned upside down, by death, illness, succumbing to temptation, etc. However, through looking to Jesus, in time, life usually finds some sort of equilibrium again, and ultimately light always returns. In studying prayers in the Bible and in Christian counselling, this process has been called: Orientation, Disorientation, Re-Orientation. One Bible scholar notes 6 types of prayers found in the Old Testament offered to God by people who are disoriented:
The following suggestions are offered as ways of preparing for or walking in faith in the midst of disorientation (in no particular order):
This is like doing business in great Waters, or like going down into the deep; this is like being in the heart of the Sea, and like going down to the bottoms of the Mountains; now it seems as if the Earth with its bars were about us forever. But let them that walk in Darkness and have no light, trust in the name of the Lord, and stay upon their God. For my part, as I have told you already, I have gone often through this Valley, and have been much harder put to it than now I am, and yet you see me alive. I would not boast, for that I am not mine own saviour, but I trust we shall have a good deliverance. Come, let us pray for Light to him that can lighten our Darkness, and that can rebuke not only these [fiends], but all Satans in Hell. One thing is sure, we will face disorientation in life. I am always amazed by the Psalms that almost always, even after expressing disorientation in a variety of ways, end in faith and hope. Allow the Psalms to be the guide of your heart through disorientating experiences. Pray through them. They will express and align your heart to the Father and lead you from darkness into His glorious light. Yesterday MBC and Rock Mills Fellowship Baptist Churches held an annual pulpit swap. It was another great opportunity to strengthen bonds between these two area churches. This is the sermon I preached on the occasion.
Hate what is evil, cling to what is good. (Romans 12:9b)
In a Casting Crowns song there is a line that has often stayed with me. It says, “Nobody knows what we're for, only what we're against.” In the song it is speaking into a spirit of Judgementalism that sadly pervades in some Christian quarters. But right judgement of evil is not wrong as our verse reminds us. We need to know what is right and wrong. However, we must do more than to point out the problem (i.e. telling someone they’re a sinner or that such and such is wrong), we must point them to the solution; provide the better alternative.· -We’re against sin; but FOR a Saviour from sin, Jesus Christ· -We’re against sexual immorality (lust, one night stands, common law living, pornography, homosexuality, etc); but we’re FOR God’s design in faithfulness, purity, marriage and family· -We’re against injustice; we’re FOR justice and mercy· -We’re against falsehoods; we’re FOR truth· -We’re against empty purposes and dreams; but we’re for hope· -And so on… May we not simply cling to what is good by hating evil, may we hate evil and so positively present goodness. May people not only know what we as Christians are against, but ultimately what we are for. Prayer: Heavenly Father, forgive me for only dwelling upon the negative, help me to live for you by positively portraying your good plans and purposes, calling people to repent of sin and turn to Jesus. In His name I pray. Amen. As a local pastor I have the priviledge of ministering to the residents of Grey Gables. Below are a series of I AM reflections I've been leading the residents through in Chapel based upon Jesus' 7 I AM statements in John: July 2022- I am the true vine (Jn 15:1) June 2022- I am the way, the truth and the life (Jn 14:6) May 2022- I am the Resurrection and the Life (Jn 11:25) April 2022- I am the Good Shepherd (Jn 10:11 and 14) December 2021- I am the door (Jn 10:7, 9) November 2021- I am the light of the world (Jn 8:12) September 2021- I am the bread of life (Jn 6:35)
Christians have always been a people devoted to the noble principles of God’s Word. As such they have been a principled people. Through their commitment to missions they’ve also tended to be a pragmatic people as well. So Christians have sought to balance two critical values: principles and pragmatism. Principled One does not have to search far to see this. Here are three examples:
Pragmatism At the same time, because Jesus has given us a mission, we’ve been a pragmatic people. Here are a couple of examples:
Enter 1 Peter 4:4: With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you. The New Testament era church did not engage in a host of activities, explicit or perceived, because it would compromise them on the subject of idolatry and holiness. Historian Nick Needham[1] said this of the early Church period: [1] Nick Needham, 2000 Years of Christ’s Power, vol. 1: The Age of the Early Church Fathers. (Scotland: Christian Focus, 2016), 81–2. This is a helpful glimpse into early Christians, living in an ungodly age, who lived out 1 Peter 4:4. To not join in or even to not give the impression of joining in, is a vital value. Greater than missional pragmatism, but interesting still missional.
In contemporary post-Christian Canada there are many past practices, residue of cultural Christianity, that we’d do well to rethink (e.g. Halloween). Likewise, as the Church faces new realities there are areas we ought not to rush into for the sake of missional relevance until we’ve seriously thought them through. Of the latter attending a same-sex wedding is a prime example. The value to be missionally pragmatic would say to attend for the sake of loving them and building relationships. The value of principle demands no (you can read more here), for while there are many acceptable ways to minister to our homosexual friends and neighbours, to attend a wedding (which celebrates) is to take part in celebrating something which God calls evil. While we wouldn’t necessarily become unholy by attending, the act of condoning (even by perception) would go against the command in 1 Pet 4 “do not join them.” You see, sometimes to be principled, while not being pragmatic, does actually better serve the cause of the Gospel and our mission better. For when we are seen to be humbly different, even if they malign us, we will bear a greater witness that God will use more effectively for His glorious purposes: Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honourable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation. (1 Pe 2:12). A recent sermon preached on the neglected theme of beauty in Scripture.
Our world is obsessed with itself (yet “God opposes the proud,” Ja 4:6). Think of how vain we can be when we shamelessly draw attention to ourselves[1]:
Think of how Jesus commanded his followers to pray in secret (Mt 6:5–6), fast without flaunting it (Mt 6:16–18), give in secret (Lk 21:1) and take the less prestigious seats at gatherings (Lk 14:10). Listen to how Jesus described vanity in His own words on the subject of giving to the needy and how seriously he condemns it (Mt 6:1–4): 6 “Beware of practising your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. 2 “Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. There is no place for vanity amongst Christ’s followers. We do not make a spectacle of self but live to give all glory to Christ. Let us not live empty lives but full lives that centre upon Him. [1] It is not wrong to speak of oneself discretely, but what is our motive? That is always the most important question. We can appropriately share in natural conversation with others about our lives when we’re mutually interested in others and when what we share is in the pursuit of sharing wholesome truths (e.g. come see the birds at my feeder, I think you’ll really be interested vs. I’ve got a new feeder, come see how nice it is). Why do people pursue vanity? For some it is sheer pride, the desire to be God. For others it comes for competition's sake. Still others do it to meet some unmet need in their life (relational affirmation). On the latter, they ought to find affirmation through knowing the love of Christ through faith in Him, which of course is what all three ultimately need.
this is impossible; such practices are deeply rooted in Eastern religions. Such a lie is simply meant to ensnare the unsuspecting in an ultimately unhelpful and spiritually harmful exercise.
How did Western culture move from the Lord’s Prayer to Eastern Meditation? Two basic things: a) as many Christian churches became nominal and prayer became lifeless people sought for an alternative to meet a most basic human need, and b) during the 60s, and through the influence of groups such as the Beatles, the West was introduced to Eastern Transcendentalism, or the practice of meditation.[1] This fit very well with the reactive Hippy years. Now meditation is now wrong, it just depends on how we define it. Eastern meditation involves “emptying” whereas Christian meditation involves “filling.” Both are aiming at peace but only one can achieve true and lasting peace. Christian filling produces a peace that comes from getting right with God through belief in the Gospel, a peace that comes from asking God to fill you with more of His Spirit, a peace that comes from seeking forgiveness, knowing Him, and bringing your deepest longings and needs before Him, a peace that comes from worshipping Him in thanksgiving. Christian meditation is the exact opposite of Eastern meditation. Likewise, when Scripture speaks of meditation, we think or ponder upon God’s character as revealed in His word; we meditate upon Scripture, its meaning and application (Josh 1:8). In Lk 11 Jesus told the story of a person who had a demon cast from them, yet the troubling sequel of how, “finding the house swept and put in order,” that demon went and found seven of its nastiest friends and returned! (Lk 11:24–26). I’ve often likened this story to the ejection of nominal Christian in Canada and its replacement with many false religions more dangerous than the falseness of nominal Christianity. More specifically, if we meditate and let our mind “float,” “drift” and be open and free, what spiritual force are we opening ourselves up to be filled by (other than the living God)! Rather than following the CAA article’s 5 steps, allow me to recommend 5 better and biblical steps:
[1] Nigel Scotland, The Baker Pocket Guide to New Religions. (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, 2006), 193. |
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