The Luscious Carrot of God's Promises

“Sin makes its attack by holding out promises to us for our happiness: if you lie on your income tax return, you will have more money and be happier; if you divorce your spouse, you will be happier… if you don’t upset your relationship with your neighbor by sharing Christ, you will be happier; etc… And sin will always win the battle unless we have the luscious carrot of God’s promises hanging clearly in front of our noses. Unless we enter our day armed with one or two precious and very great promises, we will be utterly vulnerable to temptation.”

(John Piper, from his sermon “Liberating Promises”)

The God of the Cross

We must allow Jesus and his cross to redefine our notions of God. God is not some impersonal, ultimate Absolute. He is not a deistic god who looks on the world he has made with indifference. He is not a god who must be placated through religious duties. Nor is he a lenient god who indulgently overlooks our rebellion and the suffering it causes. He is the God of the cross. He is the God who offered himself in love to reconcile himself to us.

Tim Chester
Also: The wisdom of God is hidden in the folly of the cross. The glory of God is hidden in the shame of the cross. The power of God is hidden in the weakness of the cross.

Folly, Shame, Weakness... Wisdom, Glory, Power

Jesus' Suffering & Ours... It MUST be this way

Jesus says these things (his suffering many things) "must" happen because the
redemption of humanity depended on it. God's fail-safe plan was to redeem a people for himself and Jesus' death was essential for the accomplishment of that
plan. It is sometimes said that if there had been another way for God to redeem us, he would have used it. If he could have spared His Son from judgment he
would have. Scripture confirms this to be true. In Hebrews 2:17 we read "For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that
he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people." It was necessary
for our forgiveness that Jesus be killed and resurrected. That Jesus says these things "must" happen reminds us that he came to deal with our central problem ---sin.    --Jeff White


RP: How interesting... Here I see Jesus saying to His disciples... it MUST be this way.  Just a few months later His Dad will say to him--"Son, there is no other way... it MUST be this way."--and how often is the role of the friend, the spouse, the parent to say to the ones we love and are called to encourage....
"It has to be this way.  The road of suffering, though repulsive and painful, is the road to life.  Jesus walked it and so must we.  Yes, His was the only sin-bearing walk on that road... but we walk that road nonetheless... and it hurts--Man! does it hurt! ... and it leads to glory."

Comments on Mark 8:31 and following

Comments on:

The Context as we now enter Part II of Mark's Gospel 

Jesus calling Himself the SON OF MAN

Jesus connects his friend, Peter, with Satan

Why these things MUST HAPPEN (Prophecy)

Last week we ended here:

Jesus asks disciples: "Who do y'all say that I am?”

Peter answered him, “You are the Christ.”

And he strictly charged them to tell no one about him. Why did Jesus do this? Many possible reasons but the one that I find most persuasive is that--although the disciples have now "gotten it" that their leader & friend is the Messiah... they have yet to "get it" as to what that means... will he overthrow Rome? Will he make them his powerful "cabinet" as he rules? They don't understand his MISSION. Freeze there. How often I forget Jesus' mission, in the world and in my life. We forget that He has redeemed us to make us holy and think his mission is our comfort. I think He's come to give me what I want... but He's come to wean me from finding life away from Him and His provision. I forget that the abundant life He's given me is often very painful. How about you?

So, this week Jesus begins to tell us WHY he came... what kind of Messiah be he?

Jesus Foretells His Death and Resurrection

31 And he began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes and be killed, and after three days rise again. 32 And he said this plainly.

Yearning for our Inheritance

Sunday I mentioned ROmans 8 and the role of yearning.... here is more on that:

“We know that all that is possible or conceivable of what is good and fair and blessed shall one day be real and visible.

Out of all evil there comes the good;
out of sin comes holiness; out of darkness, light; out of death, life eternal; out of weakness, strength; out of the fading, the blooming; out of rottenness and ruin, loveliness and majesty;

out of the curse come the blessing, the incorruptible, the immortal, the glorious, the undefiled!

Our present portion, however, is but the pledge, not the inheritance. The inheritance is reserved for the appearing of the Lord. Here we see but through a glass darkly. It does not yet appear what we shall be. We are now but as wayfaring men, wandering in the lonely night, who see dimly upon the distant mountain peak the reflection of a sun that never rises here, but which shall never set in the ‘new heavens’ hereafter.”

—Horatius Bonar, “Home”

Much Awe but Zero Fear

“A priest presents God to us; he also presents us to God. He brings together the divine and the human. Priests do not protect God’s holiness from human sinfulness by setting up barriers to access. Nor do priests protect human weakness from divine judgment by arranging ritual defense systems.

The priest opens up routes closed by fear or guilt or ignorance or superstition so that there is access. A priest mediates. He is just as much on God’s side as on our side. He is just as much on our side as on God’s side.

If we aspire after more than we are, a priest promises help. If we regret the mess we are in, a priest promises help. If the Son of Man does the work of priest, there is much to be in awe of but nothing to be afraid of: mediation results in loving union. If the Son of Man does the work of priest, there is much to be repented of but nothing of which to despair: mediation results in gracious forgiveness.”

—Eugene Peterson, Reversed Thunder (New York: HarperCollins, 1988), 33-34

12 sins we blame on others.... ouch!

The following is by Ben Reaoch, pastor of Three Rivers Grace Church in downtown Pittsburgh, PA.

* * *

It started in the Garden. Adam said to God,

The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit of the tree, and I ate. (Genesis 3:12)

The first man, caught in the first sin, turns to blame his wife. And he extends the blame to God as well! He implies that he would have remained innocent if God hadn't put Eve in the garden with him.

The blame-shifting in the Garden continues today. Our proud hearts send us desperately looking for someone else to point to every time we're confronted with our own sin. There must be someone else—our spouse, sibling, parent, boss, co-worker, pastor, friend, or God, himself.

We are so desperate to justify ourselves that we become irrational. Here are 12 examples.

1) Anger

I wouldn't lose my temper if my co-workers were easier to get along with, or if my kids behaved better, or if my spouse were more considerate.

2) Impatience

I would be a very patient person if it weren't for traffic jams and long lines in the grocery store. If I didn't have so many things to do, and if the people around me weren't so slow, I would never become impatient!

3) Lust

I would have a pure mind if there weren't so many sensual images in our culture.

4) Anxiety

I wouldn't worry about the future if my life were just a little more secure—if I had more money, and no health problems.

5) Spiritual Apathy

My spiritual life would be so much more vibrant and I would struggle with sin less if my small group were more encouraging, or if Sunday school were more engaging, or if the music in the worship service were more lively, or if the sermons were better.

6) Insubordination

If my parents/bosses/elders were godly leaders, then I would joyfully follow them.

7) A Critical Spirit

It's not my fault that the people around me are ignorant and inexperienced.

8) Bitterness

If you knew what that person did to me, you would understand my bitterness. How could I forgive something like that?

9) Gluttony

My wife/husband/roommate/friend is a wonderful cook! The things they make are impossible to resist.

10) Gossip

It's the people around me who start the conversations. There's no way to avoid hearing what others happen to say. And when others ask me questions, I can't avoid sharing what I know.

11) Self-Pity

I'll never be happy, because my marriage/family/job/ministry is so difficult.

12) Selfishness

I would be more generous if we had more money.

Making excuses like this is arrogant and foolish. It's a proud way of trying to justify our actions and pacify our guilty consciences. And it keeps us from humbling ourselves before God to repent of our sins and seek his forgiveness.

Consider James 1:13-15, which leaves us with no way of escaping our own sin and guilt. We cannot blame God, for he "cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one."

Instead, we have to accept the humbling truth that "each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire." This will end the blame game, and it will send us pleading for Christ's mercy and grace. --end

NOW... having looked at your sin... TAKE 10 looks at your savior... get to the cross & find freedom!

a puritan prayer

I am always going into the far country,
and always returning home as a prodigal,
always saying, Father, forgive me,
and thou art always bringing forth
the best robe.

Every morning let me wear it,
every evening return in it,
go out to the day’s work in it,
be married in it,
be wound in death in it,
stand before the great white throne in it,
enter heaven in it shining as the sun.

New Kid in Church!!!!

http://hamersmaadoption.blogspot.com/2008/06/gotcha-day.html

don't forget VBS and Soccer at Kanapaha 5:30pm

"Clearly, it is this divine light, shining into our hearts, that enables us to see the beauty of the gospel and have a saving belief in Christ. This supernatural light shows us the superlative beauty and loveliness of Jesus, and convinces us of His sufficiency as our Savior. Only such a glorious, majestic Savior can be our Mediator, standing between guilty, hell-deserving sinners such as ourselves, and an infinitely holy God. This supernatural light gives us a sense of Christ that convinces us in a way nothing else ever could." J. Edwards

We cannot see ourselves aright

Since each of us still has sin remaining in us, we will have pockets of
spiritual blindness. Our most important vision system is not our physical
eyes. We can be physically blind and live quite well. But when we are
spiritually blind, we cannot live as God intended. Physically blind people
are always aware of their deficit and spend much of their lives learning to
live with its limitations. But the Bible says that we can be spiritually blind
and yet think that we see quite well. We even get offended when people act
as if they see us better than we see ourselves! The reality of spiritual
blindness has important implications for the Christian community. The
Hebrews passage [Heb. 3:13] clearly teaches that personal insight is the
product of community. I need you in order to really see and know myself.
Otherwise, I will listen to my own arguments, believe my own lies, and buy
into my own delusions. My self-perception is as accurate as a carnival
mirror. If I am going to see myself clearly, I need you to hold the mirror of
God’s Word in front of me. --Paul Tripp

Our Need

Our need for illumination...

Many men live in the dark to themselves all their days; whatever else they
know, they know not themselves. They know their outward estates, how
rich they are, and the condition of their bodies as to health and sickness
they are careful to examine; but as to their inward man, and their
principles as to God and eternity, they know little or nothing of
themselves. Indeed, few labor to grow wise in this matter, few study
themselves as they ought, are acquainted with the evil of their own hearts
as they ought; on which yet the whole course of their obedience, and
consequently of their eternal condition, doth depend. --John Owen

Gadsby 804

YE lambs of Christ's fold, ye weaklings in faith,
Who long to lay hold on life by his death;
Who fain would believe him, and in your best room
Would gladly receive him, but fear to presume;

2 Remember one thing, O may it sink deep;
Our Shepherd and King cares much for his sheep;
To trust him endeavour; the work is his own;
He makes the believer, and gives him his crown.

3 Those feeble desires, those wishes so weak,
'Tis Jesus inspires, and bids you still seek;
His Spirit will cherish the life he first gave;
You never shall perish if Jesus can save.

Have a go at it

Like Rush Limbaugh saying, "I'd rather listen... you talk."

Like Urban Meyer saying, "I'm not going to try to influence the recruits."

Like me saying, "Did I remember to pick up hair gel?"

These are examples of things you don't naturally hear... and that is how we should see Peter's confession of Christ.

When Peter said to Jesus:

"You are the Christ the Son of the Living God"

... he was going against everything he had known... "It was the last thing in the world Peter would have been 'programmed' to say by birth or environment." Sinclair Ferguson

* see also Matthew 16 and Luke 9

Why the command of silence in 8:30?

Jesus knew that Peter and the other disciples did not understand the significance of His message--yet. Certainly, Peter had seen that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of God. He had, at last, seen the answer to the question of Jesus' identity. What he did not yet understand was the nature of Jesus' ministry. In the coming days, Jesus would patiently unfold that to him (and the other disciples). But as yet, Peter's poor spiritual vision was only partly healed. Like the blind man of Bethsaida, Peter needed a 2nd touch from Jesus, in order to see properly. The first touch had enabled him to see Jesus' identity. The second would help Peter to see 'everything clearly' (Mark 8:25). This 'second touch' is described in the rest of Mark's gospel... from 8:31 to the end.

--Sinclair Ferguson, Let's Study Mark, page 130

Ever wondered about James & Paul?

“FOR WE MAINTAIN THAT A MAN is justified by faith apart from observing the law” (Rom. 3:28). So writes the apostle Paul.

“You foolish man,” argues James, “do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? . . . You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone. . . . As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead” (James 2:14 - 26, especially vv. 20, 24, 26). The formal contradiction between Paul and James is so striking that it has called forth relentless discussion across the centuries. --Don Carson, answer is here

The Cross Uproots Sin

No gloomy uncertainty as to God’s favor can subdue one lust, or correct our crookedness of will. But the free pardon of the cross uproots sin, and withers all its branches. Only the certainty of love, forgiving love, can do this.” --Horatius Bonar
More of the quote here

What Think Ye of Christ?

What think you of Christ? is the test

To try both your state and your scheme;

You cannot be right in the rest,

Unless you think rightly of him.

As Jesus appears in your view,

As he is beloved or not;

So God is disposed to you,

And mercy or wrath are your lot.

If asked what of JESUS I think?

Though still my best thoughts are but poor;

I say, he's my meat and my drink,

My life, and my strength, and my store,

My Shepherd, my Husband, my Friend,

My Savior from sin and from thrall;

My hope from beginning to end,

My Portion, my LORD, and my All. --John Newton, whole hymn here

Jesus on Fallen Human Nature

It is difficult to understand those who cling to the doctrine of the fundamental goodness of human nature, and do so in a generation which has witnessed two devastating world wars and especially the horrors which occasioned and accompanied the second. It is even harder to understand those who attribute this belief to Jesus Christ. For he taught nothing of the kind. Jesus taught that within the soil of every man's heart there lie buried the ugly seeds of every conceivable sin -'evil thoughts, acts of fornication, of theft, murder, adultery, ruthless greed, and malice; fraud, indecency, envy, slander, arrogance, and folly.' All thirteen are 'evil things', and they come out of the heart of every man. This is Jesus Christ's estimate of fallen human nature.
--John Stott in 1970, From "Christ the Controversialist"