November 26th, 2017- God's Loving Discipline & Gospel Grace

A rendition of Zachariah in the Temple in Luke 1:5-25

During our Lord's Day worship service we will continue our verse by verse trek through Luke 1.  The title of this AM's exposition is "God's Loving Discipline and Gospel Grace."  This final message of three highlights Luke 1:5-25, 57-66 (the birth account of John and the story of Zacharias and Elizabeth). 

In our adult Bible study hour I will highlight various "Points of Agreement between Complementarians and Egalitarians."  Though much divides those who embrace Biblical Manhood and Womanhood and those promote Evangelical Feminism today we also need to know what convictions we share.   In any theological dispute it is helpful to acknowledge any common ground you may have with the opposing point of view.

Post Script- In the weekly sermon handout I try and provide a list of questions for further reflection and personal application (see example below).

For Further Reflection/Application:
Have all of your transgressions and sins been washed clean in the blood of the Lamb?  (Meditate on the wonder of Isaiah 1:18; 53:1-23; and 55:1-3)

What did the preacher mean when he made a distinction between the eternal consequences of sin
and the temporal consequences of sin?

Some/many of the religious friends of Zacharias and Elizabeth assumed their barrenness was a
sign of Divine displeasure (see Luke 1:24-25; last sermon)- when it was not (see Jn 9; Job 1-2).

Having said that, sometimes our trials and difficulties are part of God’s loving correction (note
Hebrews 12:4-11). Do you evaluate your walk with God when the Lord allows trials to come
your way?

Indescribable Gifts: A Thanksgiving and Christmas Meditation

The phone rang.  The believer on the other line asked "If I was busy the rest of the afternoon?"  I explained that I had just come home after our men's leadership class and an outdoor work party at church, but that I was now free.  They invited me to meet them in thirty or so minutes. 

Upon arriving at the designated meeting place my family and I received an over the top gift that simultaneously met a pressing need.  It was one of those presents that you are at a loss for words as to how to express your appreciation.  In moments like this all you can say is, "Thank you, thank you, thank you!"  As the words come out of your mouth you realize that human words do not do justice for such gospel generosity! 

This real life story serves as a great illustration of 2 Corinthians 9:15 where Paul writes, "But thanks be to God for His indescribable gift."  Other translations say, "But thanks be to God for His inexpressible, unspeakable, too wonderful for words" gift! 

The greatest gift of gifts is the Lord Jesus Christ.  "For God so loved the big bad world that He gave His one of a kind Son that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life" (John 3:16).  The eternal Son left the glories of heaven to give His perfect life as a substitutionary  sacrifice for sin (2 Cor. 5:21).  In coming, living, dying, and rising again the Son of God met our greatest need (Romans 3-5).  He paid off our debts.  He satisfied the wrath of God (1 John 4:10).  He brought us near again (Eph. 2:13).

Paul is not exaggerating when He labels this an "indescribable gift." 

November 12th, 2017 @ Lake Country Bible Church

During our adult bible study I will continue our Rediscovering Biblical Manhood and Womanhood and contemporary events series.  The title of this eighth lesson is "Judgment, Mercy, and Hope in a Post-Fall Universe." Our primary text is Genesis 3.

In the worship service we will consider part two of the birth narrative of John the Baptist.  The title of my exposition is "O For Grace To Trust You More."  This sermon will cover Luke 1:5-25 (pt. 2).  You can listen to the message here.

After hearing the message I would encourage you to put feet to your faith throughout the week.  The follow portion of our sermon notes might help you do this with greater ease.

For Further Reflection/Application:
How is your prayer life? Is it constant? (1 Thess. 5:16-17; Matt. 26:36-26). Our anemic prayer
lives often expose our sinful self-reliance.

How are trials blessings in disguise? (2 Cor. 12:7-10)

“We have not because we ask not”…and sometimes we ask not because we lack the faith to
believe; (note Matt. 7:7-11).

Scripture also warns of a subtler danger of going through the right motions w/o exercising the
muscles of faith! Compare Acts 12 with Luke 1:18.

India Missions Focus: Let the Nations Be Glad

"Missions is not the ultimate goal of the church. Worship is. Missions exists because worship doesn't." John Piper- Let the Nations Be Glad.

"His authority on earth allows us to dare to go to all the nations. His authority in heaven gives us our only hope of success. And His presence with us leaves us no other choice." - John Stott

“Would that God would make hell so real to us that we cannot rest; heaven so real that we must have men there, Christ so real that our supreme motive and aim shall be to make the Man of Sorrows the Man of Joy by the conversion to him of many.” - J. Hudson Taylor



"He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose" - Jim Elliot, missionary martyr.

"If I had 1,000 lives, I'd give them all for China."

"God uses men who are weak and feeble enough to lean on him." - Hudson Taylor


It's fall time again in Lake Country, Wisconsin.  This means the changing of seasons, majestic autumn colors, and LCBC's "Blessed to Be a Blessing" offering.  Leadership has determined to use our above and beyond love gift to support various ministry projects in India.  

\

India has a special place in the heart of LCBC.  Our founding pastor Sal Massa retired, in large part, so he and his wife could devote more undistracted time and energy into helping build up the Lord's Church in India.  In addition to this, multiple groups will be traveling to India over the next few months to come alongside various ministries and native church leaders.  Please prayerfully consider partnering with us this month as we seek to make Christ known among all the people groups of the world.  

A Word to Faithful Believers Who Bear the Weight of Unseen Shame

A Word to Faithful Believers Who Bear the Weight of Unseen Shame.

Sometimes it is difficult to live out our theology in the real world (see Psalm 73).  This is true for pastors as much as it is true for parishioners.  As Bible-believing Christians the Scriptures remind us that church leaders are merely servants and stewards.  Some plant, others water, but true spiritual growth is always God's doing (1 Cor. 3:5-9).   The glory ultimately belongs to Christ for every (truly) "good work" has His fingerprints all over it (Rom. 11:36; Eph. 3:20-21; Phil. 1:6).

When it comes to Christian ministry if a pastor's hidden ambition is to become a "who's who" of Christianity biblical compromise is inevitable.  It does not take a rocket scientist to figure out that man-made growth can be achieved by following a series of slick marketing principles, by chasing down the latest ministry fads, and by skillfully implementing (mega)church growth theory.  The vast majority of ministries that are abnormally successful in terms of sheer size, numbers, and finances have succumbed to this (all too common) temptation.  Sadly, the "movers and the shakers" among us often host the major conferences wherein pastors like Hybels, Warren, Ferdick, and Andy Stanley lead other less successful local churches down this well traveled path of pragmatism.  Tragically, mile-wide churches that are an inch deep have become the norm, rather than the exception here in America (see Heb. 5:12-14; Col. 1:28-29; Eph. 4:11-16; and Rev. 2-3).  Spiritually vibrant, theologically sound, Word-driven houses of worship are increasingly difficult to find.  I know this because everywhere I move I hear this testimony among Bible-saturated saints.

It should be quickly noted, with thanksgiving, that there are exceptions to the norm!  For example, Charles Spurgeon, the so called "Prince of Preachers," pastored the largest congregation in the world without compromising the Word of truth.  Spurgeon was a theological heavyweight, a masterful preacher of Scripture, a courageous churchman, an intentional shepherd, a faithful mentor of men, with an evangelist's heart.  Today we think of faithful expositors in the mold of Spurgeon who pastor unusually large congregations; (think MacArthur, Begg, Dever, Pennington, De Courcy, Faberez, and Piper).  We should all be grateful for faithful church leaders who enjoy an unusual measure of ministry fruitfulness!

Having said that, the list of A-list conference speakers at even the most doctrinally sound events, such as Together For the Gospel, seem to suggest that the more gifted you are, the more books you write, the larger your platform will be!  "Ok great.  What's your point?"

The ministry rubber often meets the real-world road when a pastor finds himself serving in a church that is not growing (numerically or financially) like Kevin DeYoung or Matt Chandler.  You might even call this ministry "barrenness."  The longer this pattern of numerical stagnation continues the greater shame pastors often begin to feel.  "God's hand of blessing must not be upon that minister."  In some cases, it becomes increasingly difficult for these brother-shepherds to attend pastors conferences wherein "the triumphs of ministry" are frequently recounted  by those who lead "really large and successful" churches.

In America, the temptation to preach shorter and lighter topical sermons, to stop implementing biblical church discipline (contra Matt. 18:15-17; 1 Cor. 5), to gloss over controversial subjects (such as same sex marriage, the holiness and wrath of God), to turn the worship service into a emotion-driven concert atmosphere is real.  The good news is that if I am describing your struggle you are not alone.

In the glorious gospel of Luke the Holy Spirit introduces us to a couple named Zacharias and Elizabeth.  This believing remnant of true Israelites are commended for their walk of faith and God-honoring piety in Luke 1:6.  By all accounts Zacharias went against the flow as a faithful priest in what had become a very contaminated religion; (I am referring here to 2nd Temple Judaism; Matt. 23).

Embedded in the details of this wonderful narrative we are told that Zacharias and Elizabeth carried a secret ministry burden. 

9 Marks of a Healthy Church

One of the most helpful books today on the Church is Mark Dever's, 9 Marks of a Healthy Church and it's companion volume, What is a Healthy Church. 

May all who love the Lord continue to pray for reformation and revival within American Evangelicalism understanding the "judgment begins with the house of God." (see also Jesus' word to 7 Churches in Revelation 2-3)

May we give our best to see the Bride of Christ grow in gospel maturity (Col. 1:28-29)

 I love your church, O Lord!

Her saints before you stand,

dear as the apple of your eye

and graven on your hand.

Beyond my highest joy

I prize her heavenly ways,

her sweet communion, solemn vows,

her hymns of love and praise.

 I love your church, O God,

the people you have called,

the church our blest Redeemer saved

with his own precious blood.

The End of Brutal Tyranny and Savage Tyrants

If you think Hitler or Stalin were the first tyrants in history- think again.  Since sin entered the human race through Adam (Rom. 5) brutal acts of tyranny from power hungry tyrants has brought untold sorrow and grief to the world.  From the merciless Egyptian Pharaoh during the days of Moses (see Exodus 1-11) to Pol Pot, to the present day reigns of Putin and Kim Jong Il.  Evil rulers proceed from bad to worse. 

As such God's people long for the return of the King (see Revelation 22:20)!  We anticipate his return for a slew of reasons.  One reason why we long for the 2nd Coming of Christ is that we know it will usher in a kingdom of righteousness and will eliminate brutal tyranny! 

In the gospel of Luke we're briefly introduced to King Herod the (not so) Great (Luke 1:5).  Herod's bloody reign lasted from 37 BC to 4 BC.  As a Roman appointed ruler Herod's diabolical deeds were somewhat protected so long as he "kept the peace."  As one studies history you find that Herod was a power-hungry, self-serving, brutal yet brilliant, political figure with an insatiable blood lust!

This shrewd snake was so paranoid that he murdered every potential threat and rival (real and imaginary), including his own wife and three sons.  His most infamous act of brutality however was his abortion-esq edict to murder every innocent son of Abraham under the age of two during the early years of the Christ child (Jesus).  Matthew 2 recounts this horrific act of  selfishness and self-preservation.

Tyrants in History

In view of history, past and present, may we continue to pray (Matt. 6:9-10) and long for the Kingdom of God on earth (see Revelation 19-20).  Psalm 2 reminds us of what is yet to come and tells us how we should respond.  Repent; Believe; Worship; and never Lose Heart- for the King of kings shall one day return.  In that day, he will right every wrong and will "smash to pieces" every power-hungry tyrant.  As we enter into Advent season let us sing "Joy to the World" with renewed vigor and passion. And may we continue to pray with the disciples and early church, "Thy Kingdom Come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven!"  "Marantha!  Come quickly Lord Jesus, Come!"

PSALM 2- The Reign of the Lord’s Anointed.

1 Why are the nations in an uproar

And the peoples devising a vain thing?

2 The kings of the earth take their stand

And the rulers take counsel together

Against the Lord and against His Anointed, saying,

3 “Let us tear their fetters apart

And cast away their cords from us!”

4 He who sits in the heavens laughs,

The Lord scoffs at them.

(Understanding) Righteousness In Three Words

Righteousness is an important biblical concept.  As unrighteous people it is difficult to get our arms around the absolute holiness of God (see for example Isaiah 6 or Revelation 4-5).

Pastor John MacArthur provides a helpful summary of this key concept using three words: Law, Grace, and Obedience.

1) Righteousness is defined by Law. 

You want to know what righteousness is? What it is to be right with God?  Holiness is defined by the Law.  The holy Law of God defines perfect righteousness (see Rom. 7).  Our Creator's holy character is revealed in the righteous Word of truth (see Psalm 119).  As we gaze into God's righteous Law it reveals our many blemishes and moral imperfections (like a mirror). 

We need to be opposed to the light of God's word to not affirm that "there is none righteous, no not one" (Romans 3) and that we "ALL fall short of the glory of God" (Rom. 3:23; 6:23).  This leads to a very important question: How are you going to be righteous? 

2)  Righteousness is empowered by Grace. 

First of all, righteousness is imputed to us by grace and then it's imparted to us by grace (Gen. 15:6; Rom. 4). So righteousness is defined by law and empowered by grace.  We can't keep the law and therefore we must throw ourselves on the mercy of God.  His holiness becomes ours through imputation (2 Cor. 5:21).  By and through God's sanctifying grace we are empowered to keep the law of God and grow in godliness. The fruit of faith and love is obedience (Eph. 2:8-10).  This transitions us perfectly into a third key principle.

The God Who Remembers- Nov 5th, 2017 @ LCBC

During the AM worship service we will consider the wonderful account of Zacharias and Elizabeth and the birth account of John the Baptist.  The title of this introductory message is "The God Who Remembers!"  My exposition of Luke 1:5-25 can be found here

A sermon study guide is also available on Lake Country Bible Church's website.  These sermon notes are intended to help us drive home the practical significance of the message.  Scripture says we must effectual doers of the Word (not merely hearers).  It is the Holy Spirit's joy to help God's people grow in the knowledge and grace of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Here is a snippet from Sunday's note sheet.

For Further Reflection/Application:
Imagine what it would have felt like to have ministered faithfully as a believer (as Zacharias
and Elizabeth did) without any signs of deliverance or the fulfillment of many O. T. promises.
Do you ever feel discouraged concerning various N. T. and 2nd Coming Promises?
(note 2 Peter 3)

Numbers 23:19, “God is not a man that He should (ever) lie. Has God said, and will He not do
it? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?” How you answer these rhetorical
questions will not only influence how you live your everyday life it will also determine your
eternal destiny. I say this on the basis of texts like John 3:16-36.

These Entrust to Faithful Men, Who Will Be Able to Teach Others Also!

Lake Country Bible Men's Leadership- Track 1

The response to our men's leadership training and discipleship ministry at Lake Country Bible Church has been humbling and overwhelming both in terms of sheer quantity and in view of spiritual quality. Here is how you can partner with us in prayer.

In our opening super session I asked our band of brothers a series of questions.  A) Such as:  What are you guys thinking with regards to personal expectations and goals?  B) What do you hope to get out of these men’s leadership training and discipleship sessions?  C) Why did you sign-up?  D) Why this investment of sleep, time, and money?  E) In your estimation, what would a successful “class” look like?

Here is how the class answered.  I am confident these desires are of the Lord because they reflect the biblical ideals of Scripture.  Please join in praying that God would accomplish these 12 requests in the spirit of Col. 1:29; 1 Tim. 4:7-8; and Phil. 2:12-13.

1) We want to enjoy deeper fellowship with other brothers in Christ and to develop spiritual comradery.

2) We want to grow in the knowledge of God.

3) We want the Spirit to revive our hearts and to give us a deeper passion for Christ and a greater burden for lost souls.

4) We want the Lord to raise up another generation of Godly, Word-driven, Shepherd-leaders (organically).

5) We want to grow spiritually.

6) We want the Lord to strengthen our marriages and our families.  We want to learn what it means to be “exemplary husbands” that we might truly love our wives as the Lord Jesus Christ calls me to (per Eph. 5:22-33).

7) We hope to receive loving correction (Gal 6) in an individual way via our small group time.