Return to the reformed tradition

reformed — Wed, 21 May 2008 14:45:26 +0000

After finishing this semester in my intro to pastoral and theological studies, I am amazed at how far the church has come in terms of maturing in her faith. I am also aware of how far we still need to go. We have to grow in our understanding and application of the word of God. The five points, five solas, the Westminster Confession of Faith, the Larger and Shorter Catechisms, biblical theology, systematic theology, practical theology, etc… All theology is practical, meaning that unless we apply it, we don’t truly grasp the full meaning of what we learned.

I’m learning that having a great understanding of the things of God means loving my neighbor as myself, means trusting God when it hurts, means reflecting the glory of God to a dark and sinful world. Reformed theology is historical Christian tradition. It is the pure religion that was taught by Jesus, it is the apostolic teaching, it is the teaching of the saints throughout the ages. It’s not that it has changed, it has matured over the ages… it has been refined and focused by the person of Jesus Christ into a sharp laser that points towards that time when we will worship before the throne of God… with Him seated on the throne and high and lifted up… and us laid low by his glory.

Oh, what a tradition we have. Oh, what a great God we serve.

My prayer is that God will continually remind us of his greatness. Remind us that it is His glory that we see… In times of suffering like that of Myanmar and Chengdu China, it is God who is our refuge and our comfort and our provider and our savior. Lord that we may remember you. In times of prosperity, like what we experience here in the U.S. may we not forget our Lord. May we not forget you. Help us. Help us to worship you. help us to know you and delight in you. Lord help us!

Impress or Serve

reformed — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 14:40:30 +0000

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.

Being Chinese and Reformed (Reforming) » » prayer

Return to the reformed tradition

Impress or Serve