The responsibility to obey

On Sunday were looking at Matthew 7 and Jesus conclusion to the Sermon on the Mount, the Parable of the two builders. We saw that the rock here is not a picture of Christ but obedience to his words. Charles Price, Pastor of the People's Church in Toronto provides the following challenge in his commentary on Matthews gospel,

'It has been well said that the greatest need of many Christians is not to know more, but to obey what they already know.' To listen without obedience is deception, says James when he writes, 'Do not merely listen to the word and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says (James 1.22). Spiritual growth is more than an intellectual process, it is a volitional process. The word of God is only effectively read and understood from a disposition of submission and obedience. The more we know the more our capacity for sin increases. James again writes, 'Anyone who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins (James 4.17). It is a sobering thought that every new lesson we learn that does not meet with a response of submission creates new possibilities of sin. Understanding carries responsibility. It is submission to the word of God and obedience to the will of God which are the foundation of security and stability.'

When trials come

It was great to attend the Getty concert in Ipswich on Friday evening. I continue to be impressed by their (along with Stuart Townend) ability to combine rich theological truth with great music that is singable by a variety of congregations.

Here is one example from their new CD 'Awaken the dawn' that helps to think about God's purposes in our trials.

When trials come

When trials come, no longer fear
For in the pain our God draws near
To fire a faith worth more than gold
And their His faithfulness is told x2

Within the night I know Your peace
The breath of God brings strength to me
And new each morning mercy flows
As treasures of the darkness grow x2

I turn to wisdom not my own
For every battle You have known
My confidence will rest in You
Your love endures; Your ways are good x2

When I am weary with the cost
I see the triumph of the cross
So in its shadow I will run
Till You complete the work begun x2

One day all things will be made new
I'll see the hope you called me to
And in Your kingdom paved with gold.
I'll praise your faithfulness of old x2

A lily among brambles

'As a lily among brambles, so is my love among the young women'.

Song of Solomon 2.2

A lily among brambles is how every husband should seek to view their wives in relation to other women. Christian husbands should have eyes only for their wives. In our marriage vows we promised to forsake all others. This forsaking should be mental and visual as well as physical. Of course there are many enemies that seek to stop our eyes and mind expressing this exclusive, covenant love. So every day let us pray that by God's grace we may view our wives as a lily among the brambles. Few contemporary voices address these issues as boldly and wisely as CJ Mahaney. I highly recommend his book, 'Sex Romance and the glory of God. Here is a relevant excert,

He writes,

'Every wife wants to know that she is uniquely impressed on the heart of her husband...Do you wear that seal upon your finger as an external affirmation of the seal upon your heart? Do you truly treasure your wedding ring as a bold, unwavering, ever present assertion - to yourself and to the world - of your total, exclusive, utterly comprehensive devotion to your wife? It's really simple. No one should be more important to you than your wife or be the object of greater love and affection. So let us do two things. First, let us scrutinize our lives: Is there any other passion that may be eclipsing our passion for our wives? And second, let us give to our wives whatever resassurance of this unparalleled love they may need.'

Awaken the Dawn

Many of you know that I have a great deal of time for the music of Keith and Kristyn Getty. Their first album, In Christ Alone, featured songs that the church at Great Whyte are becoming familiar with . They have just announced the launch of their second album, Awaken the Dawn, of which you can find out more at the website. Just follow the link at the side to know more.

Holiday

The past few weeks have been rather busy. We had a very positive Holiday Bible Club through which we made contact with quite a few new children. I ask you to join me in praying that these children will continue to attend our regular club. The family and I are now off on holiday for a week to our regular holiday destination of Overstrand, just outside of Cromer. I am thankful for the opportunity of rest and the time it affrods with Amy and the children.

'From the pastors desk' 2

Letter writing from a pastor to his congregation has a long and noble history. I also believe that it enables the pastor to communicate with the congregation and address issues somewhere other than the pulpit. Therefore I am going to post the letters I write to Great Whyte on my blog.

'From the Pastor's Desk' – May/June 09

Dear members and friends,
Writing in his diary on February 15, 1835, Robert Murray M'Cheyne wrote, “Tomorrow I undergo my trials before the Presbytery (a board of ministers). May God give me courage in the hour of need. What should I fear? If God see me meet to put me into the ministry, who shall keep me back? If I be not meet, why should I thrust forward? To thy servant I desire to dedicate myself over and over again.” M'Cheyne words are a helpful reminder that only those aware of God's call upon their lives should consider pastoral ministry. The occasion of my induction service enabled me to re-affirm my belief that God in his grace has set me apart for this work. Indeed, were it not for this call upon me then I would most certainly seek another area of employment. However I find it impossible to escape a growing and enduring desire to preach and teach the Bible to others. Every pastor should to some degree sympathise with Paul's words in 1 Corinthians 9.16, 'Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel.'

For your soul

The promises we made at the induction service remind us that the the pastors relationship to the church is a partnership. The challenge for the pastor is found in the words of Charles Simeon, an evangelical minister from the nineteenth century, 'Watch continually over your own spirit, and do all in love; we must grow downwards in humility to soar heavenward. I should recommend your having a watchful eye over yourself, for generally speaking as is the minister so are the people.' This being the case the challenge for the church is to pray faithfully for their pastor in every aspect of his ministry. That is why on the 9th of May I gave the church six words beginning with 'p' to help you fulfil your responsibility to pray. Here they now are on paper as an aid to memory.

(1)Purity

It is striking that the qualifications for being an elder in 1 Tim 3.1-13 are overwhelmingly related to character. The man must 'be an example (1 Tim 4.12) his only necessary gift being that is that he is 'able to teach'. Pray that my godliness will always be greater than my giftedness.

(2)Preaching
Preaching in the church is not popular today, it is 'out of season.' It is my conviction I that the most important time of the week is when we open up God's word with a desire to hear him speak. Pray that God would help me to preach faithfully, clearly and with Spirit-empowered authority. Ask that as his word is proclaimed unbelievers will trust in Christ and disciples will become more like Christ.

(3)Pastoring
'Shepherd the flock of God that is among you,' so commands the apostle Peter (1 Pet 5.2). Pray that God will help me to discharge this duty through my example, teaching, discipline and personal relationships. Pray that God will increasingly fill my heart with love for you and enable me to faithfully keep watch over your soul as one who must give account.

(4)Prayer
'But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.'(Acts 6.4) Here is the apostolic heartbeat of gospel ministry and a reminder of the absolute necessity of prayer. Ironically, in the course of exercising his ministry prayer can so easily be neglected in a pastors personal and devotional life. Pray that I will be as equally faithful in my private devotions as in my public prayer.

(5)Pride
The greatest enemy of the Christian ministry is pride. If the Devil cannot get you down then he is very adept at blowing you up. A minster needs to daily keep at the front of his mind Paul's question, 'who is sufficient for these things.' Pray that God would help me to aim at obedience rather than success by remembering these words of the Scottish minister, John Brown of Haddington, 'I know the vanity of your heart, and that you will feel mortified that your congregation is very small, in comparison with those of your brethren around you; but assure yourself on the word of an old man, that when you come to give account of them to the Lord Christ, at his judgment seat, you will think you have had enough.'

(6)Perseverance
Pray for wisdom as to how to balance sacrifice for the gospel with physical health. Ask for God's protection to be upon my marriage to Amy to for our children, Ella and Micah, to grow up to serve God. Spiritually, I want to finish the race not just start. I believe that becoming a Christian and serving God is not just the decision of a moment but the direction of a lifetime. Pray that God would enable me to finish as well as I intend to start.

For your diary

Please do not forget that I am making Thursday evening until 8pm available for anyone to visit me in my office. If you do want to see me please check beforehand that I am available. We are looking forward to our HBC running from Tues 26 – Fri 29th May and encourage you to bring your own children and encourage others to attend. We are planning to follow up this years club with a family service on Sunday 31st May with a goal to making contact with parents. On Sunday June 14th at 4.30pm we are starting a new venture called 'Tea and Talk'. Instead of having a standard evening service we shall be meeting in the hall for a testimony, a short gospel talk and a bite to eat. It is hoped that this half-way house will provide a forum to invite non-Christian friends and family members who may not normally attend a service. Again, its success is dependent on us thinking about who we may invite to come along. Look out for the invites that will be prepared. On Saturday June 27th we hope to go on a church outing. We want to give you the opportunity to offer suggestions as to its venue so put your ideas down on the sheet at the front table.

For your bookcase

In this letter I am only going to mention one outstanding resource. The ESV Study Bible is perhaps the greatest study Bible ever put together by some of today's best evangelical scholars. Abundant study notes, beautifully detailed maps and diagrams, articles on Christian doctrine and ethics are but a few of its treasures. While it is expensive (from £30) it offers a lifetime of usefulness in your attempt to grow in your knowledge of the word of God and the God of the word. If you would like to know more visit its website, www.esvstudybible.org or order it online from Amazon or pick it up at a local Christian book shop. I have a copy that I would be happy to show to you if you are having doubts about its purchase.

Thanking you in anticipation of your prayers.

Your friend and Pastor,
Paul.

Listen to Alistair Begg for hours

Alistair Begg is making available 1000 of his online sermons available for free.

Visit the truth for life website opposite to have a look.

The 'basics' conference for Pastors (its worth looking at even if you are not a pastor) can be discovered my clicking on the link to Parkside church from the 11th-13th May.

Induction service

My induction service on Saturday was a wonderful and humbling occasion. It was terrific to see so many friendly faces old and new joining Great Whyte to thank God for the past and trust God for the future.

I gave the church 6 things to pray for my ministry all beginning with the letter P. Please pray these things for me in the coming days...

(1) Purity - Pray that my holiness would be greater than my giftedness

(2) Preaching - Pray that God would help me to proclaim his word clearly, faithfully and passionately.

Pray that through my preaching unbelieving men and women may become committed followers of Jesus Christ. Pray for believers to be built up in their faith and equipped for works of service.

(3) Pastoring - Pray that God would help me as I shepherd his flock as one who must give account.

(4) Prayer - Pray that God would help me to make prayer a priority. Pray that I would be as committed to prayer in private as I am in public.

(5) Pride - The greatest danger in the Christian ministry. Pray that God would keep me close to the cross, reminding me that I am a sinner saved by grace. Pray that I would always remember that no one is equal to this task save for his strength and help.

(6) Perserverance - Pray that I may finish as well in the future if not better than I intend to start in the present.

Atheist converts

Here is an interesting article from the novelist AN Wilson who claims to have converted back to Christianity. Let us pray that he will truly come to know Christ as Saviour and Lord.

www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1169145/Religion-hatred-Why-longer-cowed-secular-zealots.html

Courage, brother...

I have been thinking about what hymns to sing at my induction service. Here is one that we're going to sing as I find its words so appropriate and challenging. Written by Norman McLeod its a call to trust in God and do the right a rallying cry which is not just for ministers...

Courage, brother, do not stumble,
Though thy path be dark as night;
There’s a star to guide the humble:
Trust in God and do the right.
Let the road be rough and dreary,
And its end far out of sight,
Foot it bravely; strong or weary,
Trust in God and do the right.

Perish policy and cunning,
Perish all that fears the light!
Whether losing, whether winning,
Trust in God and do the right,
Trust no party, sect or faction;
Trust no leaders in the fight;
Put in every word or action,
Trust in God and do the right.

Some will hate thee, some will love thee,
Some will flatter, some will slight;
Cease from man, and look above thee:
Trust in God and do the right.
Simple rule, and safest guiding,
Inward peace and inward might,
Star upon our path abiding,
Trust in God and do the right.