Archive for April, 2008
Westminster Confession of Faith, Chapter 1, Section 8
Sunday, April 20th, 2008
Two questions today’s confession may answer are:
1. How did the bible come into being?
2. Why are there so many different translations of the bible?
The Old Testament in Hebrew (which was the native language of the people of God of old) and the New Testament in Greek (which at the time it was written was the language most generally known to the nations), being directly inspired by God and by his unique care and providence kept pure in all ages, are therefore authoritative, so that in all controversies of religion the church is finally to appeal to them. But, because these original languages are not understood by all the people of God, who have a right to, and a vital interest in, the Scriptures and are commanded to read and search them in the fear of God, therefore the Scriptures are to be translated into the common language of every nation to which they come; so that, the Word of God dwelling abundantly in all, they may worship him in an acceptable manner and by perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures may have hope.
Westminster Confession of Faith, Chapter 1, Section 8
How did the bible come into being?
- The scriptures were given to the people of God originally in Hebrew and Greek and have been carefully preserved in these original languages by God’s unique care and providence… They are to be trusted and appealed to as the authority in all controversies of the church.
Why are there so many different translations of the bible?
- Because God inspired the scriptures, the people of God need it “Vital Interest”– Because not everyone speaks the original languages, the word of God must be translated to the common language so that everyone may have access to the Word. That’s why we have so many different translations…
The scriptures are the inspired word of God, 2 Timothy 3:16 – All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful… they are a gift given to us by God to use, to encourage, to train, to equip… to worship God in Jesus Christ. Treasure this gift.
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Four things every Christian needs
Wednesday, April 16th, 2008
Our church held an eldership training class a few years back. The pastor made a distinction among Christians in terms of maturity. This can be seen in churches all over. It’s not determined by age or wealth or intellect. It is determined by one’s walk with the Lord. It can be broken down to these five: baby, child, teenager, young adult, elder.
How do you grow from baby into maturity? The teacher/pastor mentioned four things. These four things aren’t the only things, but they are so essential that if you’re not doing all four consistently, you might just be a baby/child Christian.
1. Fellowship – are you meeting with other believers? Are you sharing what God is teaching you to others to edify the body? Are you sharing in other’s struggles and sufferings? Are you rejoicing with them when they rejoice? Do you neglect meeting with other believers? Are you able to confess sins and forgive one another?
2. Prayer – are you praying more than grocery lists? do you repeat the truths of God? Are you consistent in praying for those entrusted to your care? Are you interceding for God’s people? Are you praying for leadership and missionaries and pastors? Are you praying that the Gospel will go forth? Are you praying more than “bless so-and-so?” Are you truly seeking God?
3. Ministry/Tithe/Service – Are you serving the body? Are you giving of yourself as Christ gave himself for the church? Are you using your spiritual gifts to edify the body? Have you found a place where you can serve regularly? Do you give a regularly portion of your money to the work of the church? Do you desire for people to come to know the Lord? Do you desire to disciple?
4. Reading Scripture – Are you consistently in the word? Do you nourish yourself with God’s word? Does God speak to you through his word? Are you able to see Jesus in context of the law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms? Do you preach and share the word with others? Are you able to lead others into the word?
Well, these four things aren’t the only things, but they are basic. If you’re not doing any of the following, it’s like a plant trying to grow without water or sunlight. Christians will have a hard time growing without the word, prayer, ministry, or fellowship. I encourage you if you are discipling anybody or seeking to grow yourself from child to adult… submit yourselves to God and discipline yourselves with the following disciplines.
Let me know what you think. Did I miss any?
Tags: christian, discipleship, discipline, spiritual formation, spiritual growth
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Impress or Serve
Wednesday, April 16th, 2008
Been listening to Eldership training classes that were held a few years back. Lately have been a time of reflection and thinking about my relationship with God, where do I stand with him and in relationship with the church, what roles do we play… I heard this in one of the Sovereign grace MP3s about eldership.
In ministry a question I was asked was do I do it to impress or serve? To whom do you do the things that you do? For whose glory? This is the downfall of many ministries. Whom do you serve? That question was asked the Israelites many times over – Elijah asked choose for yourselves this day whom you serve… it was asked to the early church… our motivations, whatever they may be, may still move the gospel as Paul says in Philippians, but we will not be blessed.
Are you in the ministry so that the kingdom of God will be advanced… so that the name of Jesus will be glorified… so that people will praise God for his creation, salvation, greatness, love, etc…. or are you ministering so that people will pat you on the back? are you serving so that you can achieve titles, accolades, self-justification… to whom do you serve? That is my thought for today….
Proud man pursues humility by the grace of God… If we are to truly prepare for ministry… it is in the word and prayer… it is not by our strength, might, intellect… instead it is by the spirit of God. Let this be your prayer and mine.
Tags: meditations, motivation, prayer, service
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Westminster Confession of Faith, Chapter 1, Section 7
Tuesday, April 15th, 2008
Last time in our confession, we affirmed that all things concerning God’s glory, man’s salvation, faith and life are expressly set down in Scripture and that nothing is to be added to scripture, not by new revelations of the Spirit or the traditions of men.
What would you say to someone that said “The bible is too hard to understand”?
There are a lot of things in the bible that I don’t understand. Even Peter said that there are things in Paul’s writings that he doesn’t understand.
However, today’s confession states that the things necessary for salvation are explicit, plain, clear-cut… The oldest of people to the youngest of people can understand, the educated and the uneducated… teens, marrieds, adults, singles, kinds… pretty much if you understand what I’m saying now, you can understand the basic message of the bible.
Believe on the Lord Jesus and you will be saved.
We are saved by Jesus Christ alone, by faith alone, through grace alone, for the glory of God alone.
God is our God and we are his people in Christ.
Believe on the finish work of Jesus Christ. Submit your life to Christ.
Those things that are necessary for salvation are clearly taught in scripture, so that even the simplest person may understand.
7. All things in Scripture are not alike plain in themselves, nor alike clear unto all: yet those things which are necessary to be known, believed, and observed for salvation, are so clearly propounded, and opened in some place of Scripture or other, that not only the learned, but the unlearned, in a due use of the ordinary means, may attain unto a sufficient understanding of them.
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