"Then the Lord sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people, so that many people of Israel died....And the Lord said to Moses, 'Make a fiery serpent and set it on a pole, and everyone who is bitten, when he sees it, shall live.'" (Numbers 21:6, 8)
We are all familiar with the story of the Israelites in the wilderness with their impatience before God and their rebellion against God. God's judgment was to send the fiery serpents to bite the people and kill them. But when they cried out to the Lord, God provided a way of salvation. His answer was the snake on the pole.
While reading this story again recently a question surfaced in my mind of how odd it seemed (at first) for God's remedy to be what it was. He told Moses to put the very thing that was killing them on the pole to provide them a way to be healed from death to life. Why, I asked myself, did God not instruct Moses to put a lamb on the pole? The obvious symbolism of this Old Testament story is Christ's saving work on the cross for us. He himself tells us that in John 3:14-15: "And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life." If Jesus is the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world, why didn't God use that typology for healing from the serpents' stings?
As I continued to meditate on this Scripture God graciously directed my mind to other New Testament passages to show that His choice of the serpent on the pole was the exact representation of Christ's saving work on the cross. For not only did "He himself [bear] our sins in his body on the tree," but God also "made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." God made Jesus "to be sin," i.e., He became the very thing that was killing us on the cross in order to bring us life from the sting of sin, death.
Moses' message to the dying Israelites was: "Look to the serpent on the pole and you will be saved." Our message is the same to a dying world as we plead with them to look to Jesus and be saved.
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Sunday, April 24, 2011
SATURDAY & SUNDAY
SATURDAY
The cross is empty
The tomb is full
The dream was shattered
Upon the Skull
Disciples huddled
Their hope is gone
Returned to normal
The world moves on
But veiled in darkness
Unseen to them
The Power is lurking
To rescue Him
SUNDAY
Out of the stillness
As morning comes
The power is loosened
And Death succumbs
The Grain was planted
And from the tomb
Undying Flower
Begins to bloom
And now I’m singing
With Gospel glee
Christ died and risen
To rescue me
The cross is empty
The tomb is full
The dream was shattered
Upon the Skull
Disciples huddled
Their hope is gone
Returned to normal
The world moves on
But veiled in darkness
Unseen to them
The Power is lurking
To rescue Him
SUNDAY
Out of the stillness
As morning comes
The power is loosened
And Death succumbs
The Grain was planted
And from the tomb
Undying Flower
Begins to bloom
And now I’m singing
With Gospel glee
Christ died and risen
To rescue me
Saturday, December 18, 2010
My Message for Hannah & Joey's Wedding
This is difficult. Primarily it’s difficult because I have the unenviable task of trying to say something meaningful to two people who are barely even aware that my lips are moving. Joey can’t think of anything but what a beautiful bride Hannah is and Hannah is just generally overwhelmed by Joey’s all-around hunkiness. But let’s give it a shot.
I have been thinking and praying for some time about what to say at this moment that would hopefully be meaningful and special and particularly unique to the two of you. For some reason, a while back, my thoughts began to center on your names and what they mean. Now I knew what Hannah’s name meant because Janet and I had carefully considered that when she was born. But I needed to do some investigating on Joey.
First, Hannah Gale Price. In my crack research I learned that in 1989, the year of your birth, Hannah was the 42nd most popular name for girls. The name Hannah means grace and the name Gale means song, at least that’s what all the books said around the time she was born. While preparing for this I looked up Gale again and found that one of the meanings it holds is “father in rejoicing.” Now that’s a reference to the fact that it has also been a name for males historically. So a man named Gale is one who is a “father in rejoicing.” But it’s also very significant here. For all of your life Hannah, as my Baby Girl, you have made your father rejoice. I have rejoiced as I’ve watched you grow into the woman you are today and I greatly rejoice in God’s sovereign providence in bringing you to this moment with Joey.
But let’s go back to the meaning it held for your mother and I, song of grace. That’s what you have been to us all of your life. You were a gift of God’s grace to us from the first moment’s that you emerged from your mother’s womb. How well I remember the night I lay in a hot hotel room in El Salvador that I was sharing with Arthur and the phone rang in the middle of the night. You were calling to tell us that you had just been born again; the greatest display of God’s grace in your life. Since then we have watched you grow in grace till now you stand here as a testament to the grace of God in every way.
Joseph Glen Logan. Again I learned in my crack research that the name Joseph was the 11th most popular name for a boy in 1989 when you were born. But what is the meaning of your name? Well, from several sources I discovered first of all that the meaning of the name Glen. Now I know it was given to you in honor of your granddad. But I also discovered that the name itself means valley. How fitting for a guy from Fresno. You have been a child of the valley all your life.
I went to a Bible dictionary to learn the meaning of the name Joseph, which is very prominent in Scripture. Two of the greatest characters of the Bible are Joseph the son of Jacob in the OT and Joseph the husband of Mary in the NT. Both were men of great faith in and humble submission to God. But what does the name mean? Joseph means God will increase. How true that has been in your life. God has increased you physically in making you into the man you are today. God has increased you mentally in giving you a keen mind that loves to study and learn in whatever area you find yourself. God has increased you personally in making you a kind person who cares deeply about others. And best of all God has increased you spiritually by calling you to Himself and giving you the gift of eternal life and continuing to sanctify you on a daily basis.
However, now for just a moment let’s think of your names and what is happening today. God is making the two of you one. The Scripture says you are no more two but one flesh. So let’s take Joey and Hannah and make them one: God will increase grace! I can think of no greater name for a couple who begin their lives as one together. I pray for you that this name will be true for you in every way. I pray that God will increase His grace in you together as He does individually in conforming your marriage to the likeness of Jesus Christ. I pray that He will increase His grace to you in the provision of your home and earthly needs. I pray that one day He will increase His grace to you by giving you a great heritage for a family. I pray that He will increase His grace to you by allowing your marriage to be a picture to the world of the relationship between Christ and His church. So that many who know you and see your love will be drawn to a loving Savior.
I pray that he will increase His grace to you by helping you to remember that there is “the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
I have been thinking and praying for some time about what to say at this moment that would hopefully be meaningful and special and particularly unique to the two of you. For some reason, a while back, my thoughts began to center on your names and what they mean. Now I knew what Hannah’s name meant because Janet and I had carefully considered that when she was born. But I needed to do some investigating on Joey.
First, Hannah Gale Price. In my crack research I learned that in 1989, the year of your birth, Hannah was the 42nd most popular name for girls. The name Hannah means grace and the name Gale means song, at least that’s what all the books said around the time she was born. While preparing for this I looked up Gale again and found that one of the meanings it holds is “father in rejoicing.” Now that’s a reference to the fact that it has also been a name for males historically. So a man named Gale is one who is a “father in rejoicing.” But it’s also very significant here. For all of your life Hannah, as my Baby Girl, you have made your father rejoice. I have rejoiced as I’ve watched you grow into the woman you are today and I greatly rejoice in God’s sovereign providence in bringing you to this moment with Joey.
But let’s go back to the meaning it held for your mother and I, song of grace. That’s what you have been to us all of your life. You were a gift of God’s grace to us from the first moment’s that you emerged from your mother’s womb. How well I remember the night I lay in a hot hotel room in El Salvador that I was sharing with Arthur and the phone rang in the middle of the night. You were calling to tell us that you had just been born again; the greatest display of God’s grace in your life. Since then we have watched you grow in grace till now you stand here as a testament to the grace of God in every way.
Joseph Glen Logan. Again I learned in my crack research that the name Joseph was the 11th most popular name for a boy in 1989 when you were born. But what is the meaning of your name? Well, from several sources I discovered first of all that the meaning of the name Glen. Now I know it was given to you in honor of your granddad. But I also discovered that the name itself means valley. How fitting for a guy from Fresno. You have been a child of the valley all your life.
I went to a Bible dictionary to learn the meaning of the name Joseph, which is very prominent in Scripture. Two of the greatest characters of the Bible are Joseph the son of Jacob in the OT and Joseph the husband of Mary in the NT. Both were men of great faith in and humble submission to God. But what does the name mean? Joseph means God will increase. How true that has been in your life. God has increased you physically in making you into the man you are today. God has increased you mentally in giving you a keen mind that loves to study and learn in whatever area you find yourself. God has increased you personally in making you a kind person who cares deeply about others. And best of all God has increased you spiritually by calling you to Himself and giving you the gift of eternal life and continuing to sanctify you on a daily basis.
However, now for just a moment let’s think of your names and what is happening today. God is making the two of you one. The Scripture says you are no more two but one flesh. So let’s take Joey and Hannah and make them one: God will increase grace! I can think of no greater name for a couple who begin their lives as one together. I pray for you that this name will be true for you in every way. I pray that God will increase His grace in you together as He does individually in conforming your marriage to the likeness of Jesus Christ. I pray that He will increase His grace to you in the provision of your home and earthly needs. I pray that one day He will increase His grace to you by giving you a great heritage for a family. I pray that He will increase His grace to you by allowing your marriage to be a picture to the world of the relationship between Christ and His church. So that many who know you and see your love will be drawn to a loving Savior.
I pray that he will increase His grace to you by helping you to remember that there is “the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Should We Stand or Sit to Read the Scriptures
In our church worship services we have for many, many years observed the practice of standing for the reading of the sermon text on Sunday mornings. The stated reason has normally been, “We want to honor the Lord for giving us His Word.”
A while back we added another time of Scripture reading to most Sunday mornings and we have not asked the people either to stand or to turn to the passage, but simply to sit and listen meditatively to the reading of the Word. We also added a time of silence after this reading to allow for reflection on what has just been heard.
Recently, some have asked why we stand at one time and not the other. Honestly, I had never given it much thought since we are not commanded one way or the other in the Scripture itself. Also, we read many passages as a part of our teaching where we do not ask folks to continually stand and sit again. Now I know the Puritans did stand for the whole sermon, often hours, and I thought of suggesting this but chose discretion over valor. Actually, I chose for that not to be my last Sunday here. (smile!)
But, since the question has been asked, I have spent some time thinking about it and looking again at the Scripture. This is my response.
First, let me say that the content of the Word is the important thing, not the position of the reader. On that I’m sure we all agree. So whichever we choose, to sit or to stand, is perfectly acceptable. Of primary importance is the position of the heart, not the position of the body.
Having said that, here are a few thoughts on either practice. The idea of standing for the reading of the Scripture comes primarily from Nehemiah 8:5 where Ezra “opened the book in the sight of all the people…and…all the people stood.” Obviously, that passage gives us a great example to follow. However, we should note that this was not merely the reading of the Scripture but also explaining “the sense, so that the people understood the reading.” This would correspond to our sermon text and sermon today.
As we examine the Scripture for times of “sitting before the Lord” we find the beautiful story of David sitting before the Lord, contemplating God’s amazing blessings for him and offering a sincere prayer of gratitude in 2 Samuel 7:18ff; 1 Chronicles 17:16ff.
So, what will we do. I think we’ll just keep doing what we have been doing with a better understanding of what we are doing. At the sermon time, at least most of the time but not always, we’ll stand and all open our Bibles to read the passage. For the other extended reading of God’s Word, we’ll let that be a time of hearing (not opening our own Bibles), reflecting and meditating while seated before the Lord.
Our prayer is that both times, as well as any time we read and hear God’s Word, our hearts will respond in faith and obedience to what we hear.
A while back we added another time of Scripture reading to most Sunday mornings and we have not asked the people either to stand or to turn to the passage, but simply to sit and listen meditatively to the reading of the Word. We also added a time of silence after this reading to allow for reflection on what has just been heard.
Recently, some have asked why we stand at one time and not the other. Honestly, I had never given it much thought since we are not commanded one way or the other in the Scripture itself. Also, we read many passages as a part of our teaching where we do not ask folks to continually stand and sit again. Now I know the Puritans did stand for the whole sermon, often hours, and I thought of suggesting this but chose discretion over valor. Actually, I chose for that not to be my last Sunday here. (smile!)
But, since the question has been asked, I have spent some time thinking about it and looking again at the Scripture. This is my response.
First, let me say that the content of the Word is the important thing, not the position of the reader. On that I’m sure we all agree. So whichever we choose, to sit or to stand, is perfectly acceptable. Of primary importance is the position of the heart, not the position of the body.
Having said that, here are a few thoughts on either practice. The idea of standing for the reading of the Scripture comes primarily from Nehemiah 8:5 where Ezra “opened the book in the sight of all the people…and…all the people stood.” Obviously, that passage gives us a great example to follow. However, we should note that this was not merely the reading of the Scripture but also explaining “the sense, so that the people understood the reading.” This would correspond to our sermon text and sermon today.
As we examine the Scripture for times of “sitting before the Lord” we find the beautiful story of David sitting before the Lord, contemplating God’s amazing blessings for him and offering a sincere prayer of gratitude in 2 Samuel 7:18ff; 1 Chronicles 17:16ff.
So, what will we do. I think we’ll just keep doing what we have been doing with a better understanding of what we are doing. At the sermon time, at least most of the time but not always, we’ll stand and all open our Bibles to read the passage. For the other extended reading of God’s Word, we’ll let that be a time of hearing (not opening our own Bibles), reflecting and meditating while seated before the Lord.
Our prayer is that both times, as well as any time we read and hear God’s Word, our hearts will respond in faith and obedience to what we hear.
Saturday, August 7, 2010
A Long Journey to the Beginning
While listening to a download of a message by D.A. Carson I was struck by something that have never occurred to me before.
Apologetics for the existence of God is a worthy pursuit. I am thankful for those who are much more learned than I who can engage the great minds of skeptism and atheism in the continuing debate about the existence of God. From the marvels of space to the irreducible complexities of creation and from the amazing instrument we know as the eyeball to the perfect and precise distances between the inner workings of the atom, the arguments for the existence of God are irrefutable for the non-foolish mind (Psalm 19:1; 14:1).
But what do we have when the apologetics are successful? At the end of the debate, at the end of the arguments, at the end of the wrestling with the evidence, when the skeptic arrives at belief and confesses, "God exists," where have we come? We have come to the point where...the Bible...begins! "In the beginning God.
The existence of God is not the end of the journey. His existence is not the summit of the Everest, it is the base camp at the bottom of the hill that is the starting point. The Bible is the answer to the basic question, "God exists, now what?"
Interestingly, a part of the answer to that question, found in the Bible, is the explanation of why there are those who do not want to arrive at the beginning point.
God does exist! Now, discover all that means!
Apologetics for the existence of God is a worthy pursuit. I am thankful for those who are much more learned than I who can engage the great minds of skeptism and atheism in the continuing debate about the existence of God. From the marvels of space to the irreducible complexities of creation and from the amazing instrument we know as the eyeball to the perfect and precise distances between the inner workings of the atom, the arguments for the existence of God are irrefutable for the non-foolish mind (Psalm 19:1; 14:1).
But what do we have when the apologetics are successful? At the end of the debate, at the end of the arguments, at the end of the wrestling with the evidence, when the skeptic arrives at belief and confesses, "God exists," where have we come? We have come to the point where...the Bible...begins! "In the beginning God.
The existence of God is not the end of the journey. His existence is not the summit of the Everest, it is the base camp at the bottom of the hill that is the starting point. The Bible is the answer to the basic question, "God exists, now what?"
Interestingly, a part of the answer to that question, found in the Bible, is the explanation of why there are those who do not want to arrive at the beginning point.
God does exist! Now, discover all that means!
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