PRAYER IS FOR THE NEEDY

I've been reading—and thoroughly enjoying--the biography of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, fittingly entitled "Bonhoeffer.” The book tells of an occasion, in 1928, when he was visited a church in France and noticed many "heavily burdened people," and how they were naturally disposed to prayer. He remarked, "Nothing is so at odds with prayer as vanity." Prayer is for the needy.

It is the realization of our needs that drives us to our knees. Jesus told a parable of a Pharisee and a Publican. The self-righteous Pharisee prayed, not to God, but to himself as he acknowledged his superiority. The Publican cried out to God, "God, be merciful to me, the sinner!" (Luke 18:9-14). The Pharisee had supposed he had no needs and did not pray (at least not to God). The Publican saw his need and cried out to God in prayer.

God knows we are needy creatures. His exhortations to us to pray speak to our neediness: "But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God" (James 1:5); "Let us therefore draw near...that we...may find grace to help in time of need" (Heb. 4:5); "casting all your anxiety (anxiety=worry about needs) upon Him, because He cares for you" (1 Pet. 5:6).

It is quite possible for any of us to be misled regarding our true condition. The Laodecian church wrongly assumed themselves to be in "need of nothing" (Rev. 3:17). They would not have been a praying church. James chided the proud, "You do not have, because you do not ask" (James 4:2). A spirit of humility is essential to prayer. Humility is honestly assessing ourselves in view of God’s holiness and our sinfulness. In humility we realize that God is perfect in all of His attributes. In humility we realize we "fall short” of His perfection.

Humility is not native to sinful soil. It is by the Spirit alone that we—as proud, rebel sinners--were brought to the point of humble trust in Christ for salvation. It is by the Spirit that we now recognize our total dependence on Him. The believer in Christ is “already” perfect with regards to his position (Col. 2:10), but “not yet”—and far from it—with regards to his practice (Phil. 3:12). An awareness of the dichotomy between the "already" and "not yet" is reason enough for us to pray. A Spirit-borne passion for growth in Christlikeness burdens our hearts and instructs our prayers . A Spirit-borne compassion for others causes us to intercede on their behalf (Col. 1:28; Rom. 10:1; 2 Tim. 2:1-4).

Needs of every kind surround us and threaten, at times, to overwhelm us. We are needier than we think that we are. The extent of our sin problem is greater than we realize. The spiritual opposition we face is stronger than we think. God’s purpose and plan for us in Christ is “exceeding abundantly” beyond what we can imagine (Eph. 3:19-21). Prayer is for the humble inasmuch as they alone appreciate the gravity of the task at hand. They know that the things that need to be, cannot be, apart from God’s intervention (John 15:5).

Prayer is for the needy and for those having faith in God. "Faith is the assurance of things of things hoped for" (Heb. 11:1). Prayer exercised in faith trusts in God and His readiness and ability to respond to our need. God says, "Ask and it shall be given to you" (Matt. 7:7). Asking is such a simple thing--a person in need asks of someone who is able to meet the need. God is able, more than able. The angel declared to Mary, “Nothing will be impossible with God” (Luke 1:37). God is indeed able "to do exceeding abundantly beyond all that we ask" (Eph. 3:20). He is well-pleased to respond to the requests of His grace-needy children (Rom. 8:32). He is glorified in His abundant provision providing both “strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow.”

God exhorts us to "draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace to help in time of need" (Heb. 4:16). Needy souls need look no further. God is on the throne—and it is a throne of grace! He knows all about our troubles. He bids us to bring them to His throne—to cast them upon Him (1 Pet. 5:7). From His presence He freely dispenses both mercy and grace. His provision can never be exhausted. He will not turn His children away (James 1:5). We have the freedom to come at any time in any place with requests both great and small.

I have it in my mind that the throne of grace—like a stream in a populated desert--ought to be well-attended by countless souls. But in pride, the thirsty refuse to go. They wander about frantically searching for some other source of refreshment. It is sinful pride that keeps them from the obvious. But it is the Spirit who humbles them and drives them back. And they find, in Him, “rivers of living water” to satisfy their innermost longings and needs. Are you needy? If so, prayer is for you!

Pastor Jerry

ONE THING NOT ADDRESSED

This excerpt is from the book "Bonhoeffer" and is his commentary on the preaching he heard in New York City: "In New York City they preach about virtually everything; only one thing is not addressed, or is addressed so rarely that I have as yet been unable to hear it, namely, the gospel of Jesus Christ, the cross, sin and forgiveness, death and life."

1 Cor. 2:2, "For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified."

THE REAL PROBLEM IS SIN

If you have listened to the news yesterday you know that there was a shooting in Tuscon, Arizona, at a community open house hosted by congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords. Six people were killed, thirteen others were shot (including the congresswoman), outside a Safeway store, by a mentally unstable man.

Among those who were killed was a 9 year old girl, Christina Taylor Green. She had just been elected to her school’s student council. She had gone to the gathering that she could learn more about her government. Ironically, she was born on September 11th, 2011--the date of her birth and of her death, from this day forward, will both mark tragic days in the history of our country.

We should pray for the families of those who died and those who have been shot. Some of the wounded are still in the hospital. Some have suffered wounds in their souls that only God can heal. May the God of all comfort give comfort...

Not a day goes by without hearing of some tragic act of senseless violence in which innocent people are killed. These events are not far removed from us--just this past week the police chief of Rainier was killed in another act of senseless violence.

In the months to come we are going to hear again about how we need to do something to stop the senseless violence that is occurring in our country these days. Some will say that there is a need for better gun control. Others are already saying that something needs to be done to change the nature of political discourse in our country. Still others will argue that there is a need for better security at such events and gatherings--though acts of violence happen today in malls, businesses, schools, churches--no place is exempt..

None of these things strike at the core of the problem. “We have met the enemy and it us” said Pogo, the cartoon character. And it is true--it is us. Since the fall of man, man has been killing his fellow man. Since Cain killed Abel--senseless violence has characterized man’s existence on planet earth.

We were warned, long ago, of the nature of things to come in these last days. 2 Tim. 3:1-5, “But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gospels, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God...”

And I don’t intend to take a lot of time here, but I just want to say that people, government officials, news media people, and others are going to suggest a lot of things to try to fix what is happening in the society in which we live. I just want to say--ahead of time--that any solutions that fail to address the sin problem that exists in the heart of man--are not true and lasting solutions.

The problem is sin and there is but one solution for sin--the person and work of Christ. "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners" (1 Tim. 1:15). He transformed Saul, "a violent aggressor," (1 Tim. 1:13). and made a great missionary and Apostle out of him. Paul's example of sacrificial love was superceded only by that of Christ Himself. Christ alone can bring about such a transformation! He alone can forgive sin. He alone can transform sinners into saints. He alone offers true and lasting hope to lost sinners.

Paul spoke of the "glorious gospel of the blessed God" (1 Tim. 1:11). He used such language because he himself experienced the life-transforming power of the gospel. That is why we glory in Christ and in His work on the cross. That is why we are compelled to preach the gospel message from this pulpit. That is why God has given to every believer “the ministry of reconciliation.”

2 Cor. 5:18-20, “Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ, and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, namely; that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Chirst, as though God were entreating through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.”

We are great sinners. Christ is a greater Savior. In Him alone we have a confident hope. We, believers in Christ, have been commanded and are privileged to hold forth a message before the “crooked and perverse generation” in which we live. We are to do so with a sense of urgency--as if lives depended upon it--because they do.

Pastor Jerry

THE DAWN OF REDEEMING GRACE, Part 3

Thou didst leave Thy throne and Thy kingly crown,
When Thou camest to earth for me;
But in Bethlehem’s home was there found no room
For Thy holy nativity.
Refrain: O come to my heart, Lord Jesus,
There is room in my heart for Thee.

Heaven’s arches rang when the angels sang,
Proclaiming Thy royal degree;
But of lowly birth didst Thou come to earth,
And in great humility.
Refrain

The foxes found rest, and the birds their nest
In the shade of the forest tree;
But Thy couch was the sod, O Thou Son of God,
In the deserts of Galilee.
Refrain

Thou camest, O Lord, with the living Word,
That should set Thy people free;
But with mocking scorn and with crown of thorn,
They bore Thee to Calvary.
Refrain

When the heav’ns shall ring, and her choirs shall sing,
At Thy coming to victory,
Let Thy voice call me home, saying “Yet there is room,
There is room at My side for thee.”
My heart shall rejoice, Lord Jesus,
When Thou comest and callest for me.

The meaning of Christmas is bound up in a right understanding of the identity of Christ. As the Christmas hymn asks: “Who is He in Yonder Stall?” Who is He? The question is much more than an academic one. A person’s eternal destiny is bound up in a correct “heart-borne” response. Some say that He was a good man or a great prophet. But what do the Scriptures say? Who was the Christ child in the manger?

John 1:1-4, 14 speaks to His identity:

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being by Him…In Him was life, and the life was the light of men…And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us…”

He is the eternal Son of God and creator of all things. He left His throne and kingly crown when He came to earth for you. He came in great humility as a servant. His life was that of a servant from beginning to end. There was no room for Him in the inn. His cradle was a feeding trough; His grave was a borrowed tomb. He lived the life of a servant-- He had no wealth, no home, and no possessions. He received no welcome from the religious elite, indeed they sought His death. He ministered day after day to the needs of multitudes of people, but in the end they cried out “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!” “And this is judgment, that the light is come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the light; for their deeds were evil” (John 3:19).

But there were those who did receive Him and there are those who will receive Him this very day. “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name” (John 1:12).

Have you any room for Jesus, He who bore your load of sin?

As He knocks and asks admission, Sinner, will you let Him in?

Room for Jesus, King of glory! Hasten now, His Word obey;

Swing your heart’s door widely open, Bid Him enter while you may.

Pastor Jerry

THE DAWN OF REDEEMING GRACE, Part 2

AWAY IN A MANGER

Col. 1:16 says of Jesus, "For by Him all things were created." This is an important truth to keep in mind as we sing the Christmas hymns.

Away in a manger no crib for a bed, the little Lord Jesus—the creator of all things—lay down His sweet Head. The stars—He created—in the bright sky—which He Himself created—looked down where He lay. The cattle—He created—were lowing.

How wide the gulf that spans His creation. Stars, light years away, shone from the expanse of heaven, down upon the lowing cattle in the lowly manger. That gulf in space was superceded only by the spiritual gulf that exists between the holy God and sinful man. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23). “The wages of sin is death” (Rom. 6:23). In sin man is utterly divorced from God with no hope of reconciliation. No amount of religious effort or good intentions could ever bridge that gap.

Most people believe that good people go to heaven. The Scriptures say, “There is none who does good, not even one” (Rom. 3:12). Salvation is not something we do, but something God does for us. All we have to offer Him is brokenness and strife. He alone is able to make something beautiful of our lives.

The little Lord Jesus came to do what we could never do. “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” (1 Tim. 1:15). He came as the “Lamb of God” to take away “the sin of the world” (John 1:29). On the cross He “died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, in order that He might bring us to God” (1 Pet. 3:18). He offers salvation to any person who will humbly place his or her faith and trust in Him. He alone is able to cause us to be born again and “fit us for heaven to live with Him there.”

AWAY IN A MANGER

Away in a manger,
No crib for His bed
The little Lord Jesus
Laid down His sweet head

The stars in the bright sky
Looked down where He lay
The little Lord Jesus
Asleep on the hay

The cattle are lowing
The poor Baby wakes
But little Lord Jesus
No crying He makes

I love Thee, Lord Jesus
Look down from the sky
And stay by my side,
'Til morning is nigh.

Be near me, Lord Jesus,
I ask Thee to stay
Close by me forever
And love me I pray

Bless all the dear children
In Thy tender care
And fit us for heaven
To live with Thee there

Pastor Jerry

THE DAWN OF REDEEMING GRACE, Part 1

O COME, O COME, EMMANUEL

“One day when Heaven was filled with His praises, One day when sin was as black as could be”…It was indeed a dark day in the time before Jesus came. God’s chosen people, the Israelites, were held captive under the oppressive Romans. Sin had brought them to that place. God had privileged them beyond measure. To them belonged the “adoption as sons and the glory and the covenants and the giving of the Law and the temple services and the promises” (Rom. 9:4). But despite their privileges and blessings they forsook God and disobeyed His law. Their plight was according to God’s warning. 400 years of prophetic silence preceded Christ’s coming.

The estate of the Gentiles was, if possible, even worse. “For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God, or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened” (Rom. 1:21). Lost and exiled in sin, they had “no hope and (were) without God in the world” (Eph. 2:12). It was indeed a sin-darkened and hopeless world.

But the prophets had spoken of one who would come to the rescue. “The people who walk in darkness” Isaiah declared, “will see a great light; those who live in a dark land, the light will shine on them” (Isa. 9:2). “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” was the cry of the prophets. They spoke of One:

Who would come and ransom captive Israel;

Who would come and disperse the clouds of night;

Who would come and make safe the way that leads on high.

The One of whom they spoke was a man, but no ordinary man. He was Emmanuel—“ God with us,” the promised Messiah, the Savior of all, who was born into this world some 2000 years ago.

O COME, O COME, EMMANUEL

O come, O come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear.

Refrain: Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free
Thine own from Satan's tyranny;
From depths of hell Thy people save,
And give them victory o'er the grave. Refrain

O come, Thou Day-Spring, come and cheer
Our spirits by Thine advent here;
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night
And death's dark shadows put to flight! Refrain

O come, Thou Key of David, come,
And open wide our heavenly home;
Make safe the way that leads on high,
And close the path to misery. Refrain

O come, O come, Thou Lord of Might,

Who to Thy tribes on Sinai's height
In ancient times didst give the law
In cloud, and majesty, and awe. Refrain

Pastor Jerry

THE TOTAL TRANSFORMATION SYSTEM

Perhaps you have heard the advertisement for something called "The Total Transformation System." Its creator claims that it can somehow bring a rebellious and unruly child into quiet submission, with results experienced in as little as 30 minutes. Needless to say, I won't be buying his product. There is only one "Total Transformation System" and it belongs to God. It’s called the gospel.

Before we can appreciate the full measure of the gospel's transforming ability we need to appreciate the extent of man's sin problem. As a result of the fall every man is born a sinner (Rom. 5:19; Rom. 3:23). “The wages of sin is death” (Rom. 6:23). Man is helpful to resolve his sin problem (Rom. 5:6; Eph. 2:1).

It is also helpful, however, to our appreciation of the gospel's transforming power, to reconsider the events related to the fall of man. Adam and Eve were created in the "image" of God. What is meant by the term "image?" The meaning of the term and the results of the fall both help us to answer that question. According to the Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament the word "image" "basically refers to a representative, a likeness." There is a visual component to this definition. There was, for Adam and Eve, some visual correspondence to God. This understanding is affirmed by what happened to them after the fall. They saw themselves "naked" and took immediate steps to deal with the problem. What else could account for their nakedness, but the loss of some kind of God-imparted glorious covering?

Their response is instructive. They "sewed together fig leaves and made themselves loin coverings" (Gen. 3:7). Their man-devised response to their sin problem was the best that their sin-darkened minds could come up with. Their response is emblematic of all the misguided efforts of man ever since in dealing with sin. Fig leaves are no substitute for a God-imparted glorious covering. The religious efforts of an unredeemed man are "like a filthy garment" before God (Isa. 64:6).

God has a better way. "And the Lord God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife, and clothed them" (Gen. 3:21). Two elements of this act are especially noteworthy: 1) God clothed them by grace. They didn’t come up with the plan. They expended no effort. They had done nothing to merit it; and 2) God clothed them through sacrifice. "He made garments of skin for Adam and his wife." These garments would have required a sacrifice, a sacrifice that looked to the future sacrifice of the Lamb of God. That covering was not the glorious one they had previously enjoyed, but it looked forward to a future one.

The gospel alone can restore unto man what was lost in the fall. "It is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes" (Rom. 1:16). The gospel saves "to the uttermost those who draw near to God" (Heb. 7:25). Through the gospel--through faith in Christ and His finished work on the cross--a person is forgiven, transformed, and set on a course to heaven. These things take place per God’s design--by grace, through sacrifice. This glorious gospel represents "the power of God and wisdom of God" (1 Cor. 1:22-24).

The gospel imparts no half-way salvation. It doesn’t just save a man from hell, it saves him to heaven. It doesn’t just clean up his behavior, it changes his heart. It doesn’t just make him a good churchgoer; it prepares him for Christ’s presence. It changes a man from the inside-out. It is a transformation from one state of glory unto the next: 2 Cor. 3:18, "But we all, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit."

Christ's saving work is culminated in the glorification of the believer in Christ. Phil. 3:21: "(He) will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself" (Cf. Col. 3:4; 2 Cor. 4:17-5:4). It is this very work that is said to be "exceeding abundantly beyond all that we ask or think" (Eph. 3:19-20).

Are you enrolled in God’s "Total Transformation System?" Have you trusted in Christ for salvation (Acts 16:31)? Fig leaf coverings and white-washed tombs are no substitute for the transformation empowered through the "glorious gospel of the blessed God" (1 Tim. 1:11). "To Him be the glory in the church to all generations forever and ever. Amen" (Eph. 3:21)!

Pastor Jerry