Truth Matters Today

Making Much of Christ (part 1)

“Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days, he has spoken to us by his Son,…”  ^ESV Hebrews 1:1-2

My friend Jim Elliff out in Kansas City says, “Churches should not be designed to showcase leaders.”  As I thought about his statement, I began to think of churches that do seem to be designed to showcase their leaders; particularly pastors.  Though it seems the height of arrogance, it happens nonetheless.  Then I began to think of all the other things we showcase in our churches; the music, the lighting, the gymnasium or lack thereof, the food, the fellowship, the building and grounds, even our own children!  All the while, the church should showcase Jesus Christ.

When I read the first several chapters of Hebrews, I’m always impressed with the way the author showcases Christ.  Rather than “showcasing,” I like to think of it as making much of Christ.  Hebrews certainly does makes much of Christ and it is arguably the duty of each and every Christian to make much of Christ; not just our churches.

As the book begins, we are reminded that in times past, before Christ, God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets.  How did he do that?  Think for a moment of all the different ways God communicated with his prophets of old. 

Moses found himself communicating with God through a burning bush, a cloud and even a pillar of fire.  Samuel heard an audible voice in the night.  Jacob wrestled with God in the night.  Joseph had dreams.  Isaiah had a magnificent vision, as did Daniel.  Balaam even got a revelation from the mouth of his donkey!

And how about signs and wonders?  Think of how God revealed himself through signs and wonders in the Old Testament.  The angel of death passed over the Hebrews and set the stage for their exit from Egypt—a pretty significant revelation to my mind.  The Red Sea parted for the Hebrews yet it swallowed up Pharaoh’s army.  In the wilderness, manna and quail mysteriously appeared in the night. 

What about the epic battles of old?  Every victory the Hebrews ever knew was won from a position of weakness.  Goliath was slain by a young boy armed with a slingshot.  Joshua and the armies of Israel prevailed so long as Moses arms were raised to the Lord.  The walls of Jericho fell with a shout.  The examples of God revealing himself in times of old seem endless.

Yet, says the writer of Hebrews in verse two, in these last days, something grander has taken place.  God’s revelation in the Old Testament pales in comparison to the revelation in these last days.  In these last days, God has spoken to us to us through his Son!

RADICAL

 

David Platt does a masterful job of destroying stereotypes, traditions, prejudices and misconceptions around every Christian's call and duty to be a missionary.  Platt argues persuasively that "Every saved person this side of heaven owes the gospel to every lost person this side of hell."  Missions is not optional. 

Exploding the watered-down, comfortable, Americanized  notion of missions where we glibly send money instead of going ourselves, Platt says, "He [Jesus] has created each of us to take the gospel to the ends of the earth..."

With a heart for the lost, a heart for the poor, and a healthy disgust for the rich who look the other way, Platt makes a passionate appeal for believers to make a difference in this world by sharing the gospel without ignoring physical needs.

The book ends with a call to join the "Radical Experiment;" a five pronged challenge that would change our world.

Click here to download the first chapter and other resources.

This book was provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.

Lord of Calamity

“...I am the Lord and there is no other.  I form light and create darkness, I make well-being and create calamity, I am the Lord, who does all these things.”  Isaiah 45:6-7 ESV

“Balloon-boy got more national news coverage than the Nashville flood” quipped one Nashvillian via Twitter.  Sadly, I think he’s right.  Another person I follow online commented abut the President attending a roast hosted by Jay Leno even as a huge natural disaster unfolds in the waters off his home state along the gulf coast.  Neither statement was mean-spirited or particularly self-centered, nor would I expect either of these two Christian men to be anything less than gracious, but both were deeply personal observations regarding calamity unfolding before their eyes.

Now, pay close attention to the following comments from another Nashvillian, Thom Rainer, who departed Nashville ahead of the storms and was headed towards the sunshine state.  His statements are deeply personal too, but they also paint a vivid picture of his faith in the Lord of all creation and they reveal where his treasure is.

“Turning back from FL to get back to Nash. Just learned that the Harpeth River has reached our home in the flood. Please pray.”

“Flood waters rising in our home. We are 4 hours south of Nash. Doesn't look good for the house. I will praise Him in all things.”

“Made it to Columbia, TN. Will stay in a hotel a few days until we figure out our next steps. God is good.”

Did you catch the comments that portray his faith?  “Please Pray.”  “I will praise Him in all things.”  “God is good.”  Here’s the testimonial.  He made each of those statements at a time when he logically assumed that all of his worldly treasures would be washed away in the floods.  He made those statements during a very stressful two-day stretch filled with much uncertainty and I can only imagine the emotional roller coaster he was riding at the time. 

What kind of picture would your words paint if your certain all of your possessions were being washed away in a flood?  Would your comments let folks no that your treasure is in heaven and not on earth?  Would your comments display your faith in a living God who is still Lord over heaven and earth?  Do you have faith in a God who is in control even in the midst of your calamity?

Nashville is in the midst of calamity.  The families of eleven dead oil rig workers are in the midst of calamity.  The entire gulf coast is facing an ecological and economic calamity of unprecedented magnitude.  During these uncertain times let us all praise God who is Lord even in our calamity and look in faith to him for strength to bring us through.