A more wonderful union

September 11, 2009 Stephen Jones Leave a comment

Ephesians 5 is one of the clearest passages in all the Bible dealing with marriage and the family. But what’s so fascinating about this passage is that Paul is teaching on two levels at the same time.

First, Paul is describing the literal level, that a man is to love his wife; that a woman is to submit to her husband; and that they are joined together as “one flesh.” There is intimacy, permanence, and mutual respect in marriage.

But there’s a second level Paul is teaching on. In verse 32, he says something extraordinary. “This mystery is great; but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church” (Eph. 5:32). Wait a second, Paul, weren’t you just speaking with reference to man and woman in marriage?? Well, yes. But he was also speaking of something deeper and even more wonderful: the union between Christ and His bride, the church. This is the second level.

I love being married. I’m so thankful the Lord has given me a wonderful bride Natalie. But Ephesians 5 teaches there is an even more wonderful union that Christ is producing in us. Marriage is temporary, but union with Christ is permanent. Marriage is wonderful, but fellowship among believers and our Savior is in many ways actually superior.

Jayne Clark explains how the joyful relationship of Christ with His church outshines the relationship between husband and wife:

Consider Genesis 2 through the lens of the New Testament. As surprising and awesome as it must have been for Adam to open his eyes and see a woman who was like him but not like him, how much more awesome it is when we meet brothers and sisters who differ from us in innumerable ways—culture, background, social class, political views, education, interests, everything imaginable—but with whom we still have a sense of recognition and connection, a sense of familiarity that says, “I feel like I know you. Have we met before?”

As beautiful and miraculous as it is for a husband and wife to become one flesh, how
much more beautiful and miraculous it is to be the body of Christ, so connected with one another that if one part suffers, we all suffer. If one part is honored, we are all honored. We are all the bride of Christ together.

As incredible as it is for a husband and wife to come together so that they can be fruitful and multiply, how much more incredible it is that Christ should multiply and grow His kingdom by sending flawed people like us to make disciples of all nations.

As wonderful as it must have been for Adam and Eve to be naked and unashamed with each other, how much more wonderful it is that dirty, rotten scoundrels like us should have our sins washed away by the blood of Christ and now stand clothed in His righteousness! We no longer need to hide behind fig leaves when our sin is exposed. Now we can confess our sins one to another. (“Loneliness: God’s Remedy,” Journal of Biblical Counseling, Fall 2005)

This is a strong cure for the sorrow of singleness and loneliness that many people face. Whether we’re married or single, we have much to be thankful for in our union with Jesus Christ and one another. Marriage is great, and it does offer great companionship in this life, but it’s still only a picture of a spiritual unity even more permanent and profound, a relationship available to all people, that will outlast this life and carry on through the rest of eternity.

Science

New NASA photos

September 10, 2009 Stephen Jones 1 Comment

NASA has finished some repairs and upgrades to the Hubble Telescope and is releasing beautiful new images from space.

My favorite picture was the Abell Galaxy Cluster, located 5 billion light years away. My mind can’t comprehend that kind of distance! It’s so far way that the gravitational fields of closer galaxies stretch the light and warp the appearance of galaxies lying further back.

O how wise and beautiful is our Almighty Creator!

Psalm 19:1 The heavens are telling of the glory of God; And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands.

Romans 1:20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.

Theology

Look upon the pierced One

September 8, 2009 Stephen Jones Leave a comment

Many people today deny the deity of Jesus Christ. In historical theology, this is known as the heresy of “Arianism,” named after the 3rd century elder Arius. But did you know there’s another heresy that attacks Christ’s nature? It’s called Docetism, and it was already cropping up by the end of the first century.

The label “Docetism” comes from the Greek word dokeo, meaning to “seem” or “appear.” This heresy teaches that Christ was fully God, but that He only appeared to be human. He was really just a phantom, a ghost, a spirit . He was not God in flesh. Docetists felt it was impossible for God to have a Son, and felt that having a material body would somehow defile God’s nature.

The Apostle John vigorously opposed this doctrine in his letters to the churches. In 1 John 4:2, he writes, “By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Chrsit has come in the flesh is from God.” His defense against Docetism even shows up in his Gospel, as we learned together on Sunday. When studying John 19:31-42, we made two observations that show the genuine humanity of Jesus Christ:

Jesus’ Body is Pierced (John 19:31-37). In contrast to the two thieves, Jesus’ bones are not broken. He has already given up His spirit before the soldiers come to Him. But just to ensure He is dead, a soldier pierces His body with a spear, causing blood and water to flow out. John Himself witnessed these things firsthand (John 19:35) and tells us they all came to pass to fulfill the Scriptures (vv. 36-37; cf. Ps. 34:20; Ex. 12:46; Num. 9:12; Zech. 12:10).
Jesus’ Body is Buried (John 19:38-42). Two unexpected people arrive on the scene in verse 38. Joseph and Nicodemus, Pharisees who followed Jesus in secret, get permission from Pilate to remove the body and give it a proper burial. Pilate agrees, which is itself remarkable. They take special care of His body, removing it from the cross and placing it in a newly hewn tomb before sundown.

Questions for thought and discussion:

What are the consequences of rejecting Christ as fully Man?
How could we use John 19:31-42 to refute Docetism?
What does John 1:14 tell us about Christ’s nature?
Have you believed in the testimony of John and the saving work of Jesus? (John 19:35)
Do you regularly thank Jesus for taking on human flesh, becoming like His creation in order to become our substitute?
Why was Joseph a secret disciple of Jesus? (John 19:38)
Have you ever been afraid to share your faith? What can we learn from Joseph’s example in this passage? (cf. Mark 15:43)

Sunday’s sermon will be uploaded to our podcast site soon and available for free download.

God became flesh

Shepherding

The great Builder of the church

September 7, 2009 Stephen Jones Leave a comment

“Upon this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades will not overpower it” (Matt. 16:18).

J. C. Ryle says of this passage:

“Great is the wisdom wherewith the Lord Jesus Christ builds His Church! All is done at the right time, and in the right way. Each stone in its turn is put in its right place. Sometimes He chooses great stones, and sometimes He chooses small stones. Sometimes the work goes on fast, and sometimes it goes on slowly. Man is frequently impatient, and thinks that nothing is doing. But man’s time is not God’s time. A thousand years in His sight are but as a single day. The great Builder makes no mistakes. He knows what He is doing. He sees the end from the beginning. He works by a perfect, unalterable and certain plan. The mightiest conceptions of architects, like Michaelangelo and Wren, are mere trifling and child’s play, in comparison with Christ’s wise counsels respecting His Church.” (Ryle, Holiness, p. 213)

The great Builder of the church makes no mistakes. None. This quote by Ryle brings me to my knees in repentance. So often, I find myself questioning Jesus’ wisdom in how He is building His church. Why is He so slow to bring growth? Why doesn’t He save more people? Why doesn’t He sanctify us faster? Why does He tolerate so much sin? Why doesn’t He raise up more men? Why doesn’t He answer more of my prayers? Why are so many ministries short-handed? Why did the “sign” gifts of the Holy Spirit cease? Why is ministry so hard?

But how foolish I am to think I have a better plan than the great Builder. If God were to speak audibly to me today, He would probably say the same thing He asked Job long ago, “Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge?…Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding!” (Job 38:2, 4).

Like Job, I lay my hand on my mouth (Job 40:4). I humbly bow the knee to Jesus Christ as the great Builder of His church. His plans are always wise and His timing is always perfect. I may not always understand them, but I can rest assured His ways are best. Praise be to Jesus.

Shepherding, Teaching

Sunday School in the 21st century

September 5, 2009 Stephen Jones Leave a comment

This month, our church is taking a new direction in our Sunday School. For the last two years, we’ve tried an “elective” format with limited success. We had some great teachers and offered some outstanding classes, but the idea just never really took off with many of our members, and the quarterly elective model did not lend itself to building a deeper sense of community.

In some ways, we’re moving back to a more traditional Sunday School model, but with a twist. Our focus will shift from strictly teaching toward fellowship (sharing in common). About 2/3 of our time will be spent in interactive, verse-by-verse Bible Study, while the other 1/3 will be spent in prayer. Time for socializing and evangelism will also be encouraged as the small groups develop.

Thom Rainer, Director of Lifeway, admits that Sunday School has lost the “coolness factor” and fallen out of fashion in many churches across the country. But statistics show it still has value:

Do you realize that a person in a Sunday School class is five times more likely to be assimilated and discipled in a church than a person who attends worship only? Did you know that Sunday School increases biblical literacy and encourages personal Bible study? Are you aware that churches with the healthiest Sunday School organizations are likely the healthiest churches evangelistically?

And what makes a healthy Sunday School? Rainer explains,

For one, it is the priority of the leadership of the church, particularly the senior pastor. And the plan of study or curriculum is not haphazard where all are doing their own thing. What takes place in Sunday School is no less planned than what is preached in the pulpit.

A healthy Sunday School is an open group, where anyone can attend at any point. A healthy Sunday School has the best teachers who are trained and capable. And a healthy Sunday School is well organized and given a prominent place in the life of the church.

We at First Southern are not ready to give up on Sunday School yet. Times have changed, and our tactics for discipleship must change. But we believe Sunday School still has big potential. People are already traveling to our church campus for Morning Worship, so why not seize this opportunity to build deeper relationships, small group Bible study, and prayer? There’s the added bonus of having a good program available for the kids.

Since the focus of our new Sunday School program will be on fellowship and relationships, we will be phasing out the name adult “Sunday School” and replacing it with “Life Groups,” which we hope will better capture our purpose.

I join Rainer in the conclusion of his article,

I pray that the small group Bible study called Sunday School will begin to be embraced with similar fervor. I’m not hung up on the name assigned to it. I just pray that men, women, boys and girls will return to the experience of regular group Bible study. It’s the trend of some of the healthiest churches in America. And that’s really cool.

Pinch Of Clay