Today is David Livingstone's birthday. John Piper AT Desiring God has a tribute worth your time.
ROMANS 1:1-7: PAUL
In these first seven verses I find four descriptions of Paul that he desires his Roman readers to know about him. Paul had never visited Rome so his readers only know about him from others. He introduces himself with these four traits.
A servant of Christ Jesus
- First, Paul says he is a servant. this is a free and voluntary submission of Paul to Jesus. Paul is so overwhelmed by the grace of Jesus toward him that he freely becomes his slave.
Called to be an apostle
Paul next realizes that he has been called to a particular work in the kingdom of Christ. In this statement we see what work God has done in the life of Paul. he is called.
Set apart for the gospel
The third characteristic Paul wishes his readers to know about him is that he was not only called to be an apostle but he was set apart for the gospel. What would our Christian faith look like today if that statement wasn't true? what, in a grander scale, would the world look like today without Paul and his being set apart for the gospel? This further defined God's grasp on Paul's life.
Received grace and apostleship
finally, Paul lets Rome know that he was the recipient of grace and apostleship. Note the order, grace comes before the calling of apostleship. apart from grace apostleship would mean nothing. Paul always looked back to the interruption of his life by the Savior on the road to Damascus. He constantly focuses his gaze upon that grace which took place at the cross. Application:
What do I learn from Paul's description of himself:
- To be amazed at what God has done at the cross will allow me to freely give myself to Him.
- god has placed a call on my life. It won't be to apostleship but nevertheless there is a call to work in His kingdom.
- My whole existence should be about the gospel. May I never forget that Jesus died for me a wicked sinner.
- Grace has extended down to me from a loving sovereign God. May I receive it daily and pass it on.
Isaac Watts penned these beautiful lines:
Alas! and did my Savior bleed?
And did my Sovereign die?
Would He devote that sacred head
For such a worm as I?
Was it for crimes that I have done
He groaned upon the tree?
Amazing pity! Grace unknown!
And love beyond degree!
Well might the sun in darkness hide
And shut its glories in,
When Christ, the mighty Maker, died
For man the creature's sin.
Thus might I hide my blushing face
While His dear cross appears;
Dissolve my heart in thankfulness,
And melt mine eyes to tears.
But drops of grief can ne'er repay
The debt of love I owe:
Here, Lord, I give myself away -
'Tis all that I can do!
Numbers 7 -- Another example of Repetition
So I read Numbers 7 today in my journey through the bible in a year. I am on a different plan than John Piper he got to Numbers 7 on March 8. Here is his thoughts.
"I just read Numbers 7 on my annual way through the Bible. I read every word. It is one of the longest, most repetitive chapters in the Bible.
From verse 12 to verse 83 Moses describes the offerings that each of the twelve tribes of Israel brought to the tabernacle when it was first dedicated to the Lord.
But here's the amazing thing. There are 93 words in the description of what each tribe brought as an offering. And all 93 words are repeated verbatim for each of the 12 tribes. Twelve times he says exactly the same thing. Twelve times! Exactly the same 93-word description for each tribe's offering!
Why?
Gordon Wenham answers: "It seems likely that a theological purpose underlies his wordiness."
The purpose he says is "to emphasize as strongly as possible that every tribe had an equal stake in the worship of God, and that each was fully committed to the support of the tabernacle and its priesthood." (Numbers, p. 93)
Yes. But let the method of emphasis sink in. Moses could have used Wenham's words and saved time, space, and tedium. He could have said, "Every tribe has an equal stake in worship and all are to be fully committed to the tabernacle." That's 18 words. But he used 12 x 93 = 1,116 words.
Here are some lessons:
- There are times when you look into every child's eyes and say the same important thing. You don't say the precious thing to one and then sweep over the others: "That applies to all of you."
- These tribes are not equal. Some are larger. Some have sordid legacies. But everyone heard every word of God's plan for their approach to God. Every one. Every word. Identical.
- Efficiency is not always the highest value. Slow, long, repetitions are sometimes the best way to make an impact.
- Patience in reading God's word may be a test of the frenzy of our pace and our demanding attitude toward the Bible that it be the way we want, not the way God made it."
From Others
I just subscribed to this blog on Wednesday and have already been amazed. If you want to see prayer from the heart
Good deals on classic books from Christian audio
They have 10 classic books on sale right now through the end of March for $2.98. I got five of them.
The book of Numbers
In my daily Bible reading I have come to the book of Numbers the last two days. If you are like me, you ask yourself why is this here and more importantly what does it have to do with my life?
I have several truths that god has given me in the last two days.
first, God is in the details. Moses continually uses the same phrases and sentences over and over when a summary statement would do. I find myself saying, "get on with it". But, God wanted the details preserved. God is interested in the details of His people.
Second, God had Moses write down the names of people. Not only does god work in the details but He knows each one of us by name. God knows you better than you know yourself. That is both frightening and comforting.
Third, God assigned the Levites special tasks to do concerning the Tabernacle. We read in Ephesians 2:10 that He also has good works for us to do. God wants us to work in His kingdom while we are here not just wait for His return.
So, as you come to passages of Scripture that seem meaningless, remember that all Scripture is God breathed and is profitable (II
Tim 3:16-17).
From Others
AT Desiring God, John Piper has a rather interesting blog on praying imprecatory Psalms
And another from DG concisely stating the difference between Armenianism and Calvinism:
The ESV is now a free app for your IPhone or Ipod Touch:
Justin Taylor points us to an article in the ESV Study bible on levels of Doctrine:
Persistence
Matthew 15:21 And Jesus went away from there and withdrew to the district
of Tyre and Sidon. 22 And behold, a Canaanite woman from that
region came out and was crying, "Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son
of David; my daughter is severely oppressed by a demon." 23 But
he did not answer her a word. And his disciples came and begged
him, saying, "Send her away, for she is crying out after us."
24 He answered, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house
of Israel." 25 But she came and knelt before him, saying,
"Lord, help me." 26 And he answered, "It is not right to take
the children's bread and throw it to the dogs." 27 She said,
"Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from
their masters' table." 28 Then Jesus answered her, "O woman,
great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire." And her
daughter was healed instantly.
In my daily readings today this passage was part. I am truly amazed by this woman's faith and persistence.
Jesus now goes into a Non-Jewish region. A Non-Jewish woman has heard about Him and wants Jesus to heal her daughter. She cries out but with no response. This lady does not give up. The disciples are getting frustrated with her as she is disrupting their journey. They come to Jesus and ask Him to dismiss this lady. Jesus' response is curious at best. But the woman still does not give up.
Somehow she gets passed all the disciples and kneels at the feet of Jesus. He again answers her curiously. she is not satisfied with the answer. Blessings are tied to the house of Israel is basically what Jesus is telling her. but again she doesn't stop.
she says even crumbs fall off the table and the dogs eat them. Paraphrase, even the Gentiles are blessed by god's relationship to Israel. this goes back to the promise god gave Abraham in Genesis 12.
Jesus finally grants her request noting that her faith was very great.
I find three characteristics in this woman that we could all use more of in our lives: determination, persistence and faith.
She has a need and has heard that Jesus has met those needs before. She is fully determined to get to Him and will not let anything stand in her way.
when people do get in her way, she is persistent. this lady will not take "no" for an answer.
Finally, her faith amazes me. Her statement "even the dogs get crumbs" is filled with faith that she has in the fact that Jesus can heal.
Determination , knowing that Jesus is the answer. persistence, not easily detoured when obstacles come in our way. Faith, believing that Jesus will come and save. We can learn a lot from this lady.
Romans: stopping and Starting
Well, I have tried many times to get the first post about Paul done. each time I start and then stop again trying to determine just how much to write. Right now I am back to the drawing board attempting to figure out methodology and structure before I dive into the writing.
Hopefully in the next couple of days I will have it nailed down and begin.
Writing is difficult!
From Others
From the Desiring God blog concerning a speech by Charles Malik in 1980.
Kevin Deyoung gives us his 3rd part in the series social justice.
this week it is Jeremiah 22:
I have started reading C. J. Mahoney's book "Living the Cross Centered Life". IN the introduction he quotes John Stott and D. A. Carson.
John Stott: "The Cross is the blazing fire at which our heart is kindled, but we have to get near it for its sparks to fall on us."
D. A. Carson: "I fear that the cross, without ever being disowned, is in constant danger of being dismissed from the central place it must enjoy by relatively peripheral insights that take on far too much weight. Whenever the periphery is in danger of displacing the center, we are not far removed from idolatry."
From Others
Excellent quote from B. B. Warfield on grace and sinners.
Tim Challies has yet another book review which deals with short term missions and helping the poor.
ROMANS 1:1-7
In this introduction there are three items I will discuss: Paul, the Rome church and the gospel of Christ. These will take one post each.
But here we introduce them.
Paul wants his readers to know four characteristics of himself:
- A servant of Christ
- Called to be an apostle
- Set apart for the gospel
- Received grace and apostleship
What Paul says about the Romans:
- Called to belong to Jesus Christ
- called to be saints
- loved by God
- grace and peace to you from the Father
What Paul declares about the gospel:
- Declared beforehand by the prophets and holy scripture
- concerning His Son
- descendant of David by the flesh
- declared to be the son of god in power according to the Spirit
From Others
Sermons on Jude
C. J. Mahaney preached a two part series from Jude which is quite worth your hearing. The presentation of the gospel of grace is set forth powerfully and Mahaney's pathos in his preaching is extraordinary.
ROMANS -- INTRO
Methodology
I will take a section of text and work through it following this approach.
- Discover what the text meant to the original audience.
- examine any differences between the original audience and us living today.
- Discover timeless principles from the text that apply to any people at any time living in any culture.
- Apply the principle to life so that it transforms the individual more into the image of Jesus Christ and impacts not only his life but the way he interacts with his world.
I will first deal with the text before consulting any outside sources such as commentaries. I want to understand the text uninfluenced by others. After I have gone through the above process I will consult commentaries.
Commentaries
I will start using these six commentaries and add others as needed. I will, when coming to chapters 9-11 find dispensational viewpoints.
- Leon Morris: Romans (Pillar New Testament Commentary)
- Donald Grey Barnhouse: Expositions of Bible Doctrines: Taking the Epistle to the Romans as a Point of Departure
- John Stott: The Message of Romans
-
Everett F. Harrison: Expositor's Bible Commentary: Romans
-
James D. G. Dunn: Word biblical commentary, Romans
-
Douglas Moo: NIV Application Commentary, New Testament: Romans
On page 2 in the first volume of Barnhouse's commentary on Romans he writes:
Luther wrote: "The epistle to the Romans is the true masterpiece of the New Testament and the very purest gospel, which is well worth and deserving that a Christian man should not only learn it by heart, word for word, but also that he should daily deal with it as the daily bread of men's souls. It can never be too much or too well read or studied, and the more it is handled the more precious it becomes, and the better it tastes."
One of the greatest fathers of the church, Chrysostom, had it read to him twice a week. Coleridge said that the epistle to the Romans is "the most profound writing that exists." The latter thought must not frighten the reader, for it is most certain that the truths of this epistle are those which have entered into the hearts of many simple men and given them a light and a life which was utterly beyond their natural capacities.
So with that said, we begin.
From Others
Denny Burk has an interesting post concerning a new book out by someone who pretended to be a convert and spent two years at Thomas road Baptist Church. Might be a book worth the read.
The MacArthur study bible comes to the ESV.
Kevin Deyoung writes on the relationship between the kingdom and the church read it
From Others
this will be a reoccurring topic from time to time. I will gather posts from other blogs I watch which I think are of import.
Social Justice:
Kevin Deyoung has started a seven part series on the major passages in the bible, his opinion, on social justice. You can find the first two at:
and here is an interesting online magazine this month about sanctification, I will be reading this with interest as I just finished a rather scholarly work on the matter and need some practical writing.
Tim challies has a review of yet another man book, but I am putting this one on my Amazon wish list.
God Making Himself Known
But the basic reality of God is plain enough. Open your eyes and there it is! By taking a long and thoughtful look at what God has created, people have always been able to see what their eyes as such can't see: eternal power, for instance, and the mystery of his divine being. So nobody has a good excuse. The Message Romans 1:19-20
As I am reading Romans getting a general idea of the flow of the book, this passage jumped out. In god's work of creation, He has made Himself known in a general way to all mankind. Paul says just look around at nature and you cannot help but understand that a person much more powerful and intelligent than ourselves created. Use your eyes and you will see. but, what about those of us who are blind. I want to explore that a little here.
If you were to stumble upon a village of people who were all blind how would you interpret these verses to them? With what words would you use?
Are we to conclude that those who cannot see are excluded from Paul's declaration? Or to put it another way, can God be "seen" with other senses? If the eye can observe creation and see God can the ear, nose, fingers, or tongue?
Can the ear hear the surf rolling into the shore, the clap of thunder, the stillness of new snow falling in the forest, Beethoven's third symphony, the quaking of the aspen, the lone bugler playing taps, or the cry of a new born child and Say "there is no god."
can the nose smell the fragrance of the rose, the aroma of chocolate chip cookies, the smoke of the camp fire amongst friends, the newly cut Christmas tree, or the freshness of the air after a spring rain and Say "there is no God".
Can the fingers touch the smoothness of silk, the warmth of wool, the softness of a baby's skin, the coldness of a mountain stream, the hand of a loved one, or can the face feel the warmth of the sun and "Say "there is no God."
Can the tongue taste the perfectly grilled steak, a hot slice of freshly baked bread, a cold slice of watermelon, an orange picked fresh off the tree, a cup of coffee first thing in the morning, or homemade chicken and noodles and "Say "there is no God."
Solomon says in Proverbs 20:12 that God made both the ear and eye. I believe that we can infer from this that God also made the nose, tongue and hand. He gave us five senses to experience His creation. Each one of our senses is given as a gift from god. he wants us to enjoy His creation and learn about His magnificence via our senses. Each sense can open our mind and emotions to say "There is a God."
I had the privilege of working at a camp in California for blind children in the late 1970's. One week the camp was dedicated to deaf blind children. Let me tell you, that was one of the hardest weeks of my life. I was responsible for one child 24x7. there was another child, David, who was truly amazing. he was able to move around the camp freely with little assistance. He could also sign and receive sign by feeling the fingers of the signer. One day I noticed him playing with the telephone outside a lodge. He knew what it was for as he was making noises into it. We taught him to do a flip off the diving board by picking him up and flipping him into the swimming pool. After three days or so, he did a flip by himself off the diving board.
David was missing two of his senses and yet he engaged his world just fine. God used that experience of the week to show me that even those with less functioning senses than I can engage His creation and know of Him.
Let me encourage you today not only to see that God exists but to hear, smell, feel and taste that He exists and that His creation is wonderful beyond our wildest imagination.
As the Psalmist says "taste and se that the Lord is good" Psalm 34:8. May I add hear, feel and smell that God is good.
Stop and Think
At Reformation21 Carl Trueman wrote "the Most Broken Vow of All"
his writing did make me stop and think about my commitment.
Free books
There are two free books this month at
A classic "The Cost of Discipleship" by Dietrich Bonhoeffer
50 Reasons Why Jesus Came to Die by John Piper
They also have all these two authors books on sale this month for $4.98.
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