Happy day after the National Day of Prayer and day before Cinco de Mayo:
The Cubs moved into first place in their division this week. Briefly.
What drives you? The early part of Paul’s letter to the Galatians focuses on his attack on a group attacking him. They claim he failed to voice the requisite sacrifices required to earn God’s favor. They further claim he was silent because he wanted the Galatians to like him. This rogue group – called “the Judaizers” – said God’s plan is: Faith (in Christ) + Works (circumcision, a kosher diet, the observance of other aspects of the law, etc.) leads to Salvation, or F + W = S. Paul thunders back that F = S + W. He also tells the Galatians they are idiots if they give up the Gospel for the drivel the Judaizers are peddling and suggests they are equally misguided if they think he’d adjust God’s message in hopes of making them smile. In my sermon on Galatians 1:10, I explored motivation, noting that the Bible implies that four things should compel us: 1) fear (of God, the effects of sin and a wasted life); 2) pleasure; 3) rewards (especially eternal ones); and 4) love of God. I ended the message saying, all four categories are valid, over time number four should dominate. In my devotional reading this week, I ran across a great insight in Michael Reeve’s book, Rejoicing in Christ. It expands on point four. After noting that the Father is eternally motivated by his love for the Son, Reeves writes, “Jesus has satisfied the mind and the heart of an infinite God for eternity. If the Father can be infinitely and eternally satisfied with Christ, He must be all sufficient for us.” He later argues that any boredom we have with Christ must be from blindness. Oh Lord, give me a clearer vision.
Leff on Law: As part of my study on Galatians, I’ve been reading about law and freedom. One of the articles I stumbled across is a 1979 Yale Law Review piece by the late Arthur Leff. I had not heard of Leff – who taught at Yale Law School and who was apparently an outspoken atheist – before reading this piece. But given what he says in Unspeakable Ethics, Unnatural Law, I imagine his lectures were riveting. Leff argues that absent a good God we’re stuck with a legal mess. He sounds like Nietzsche. Why am I sharing this? I found Leff on law a great reminder of God’s brilliance. Perhaps you will as well.
Power – Take Two: Of all the topics I’ve commented on in Friday Updates, few have generated more response than last week’s mention of power. I remember being surprised by the topic twenty-some years ago while prepping for a series entitled: The Character Assassins: Money, Sex and Power. If you want to read more about power, Andy Crouch’s book, Strong and Weak, is a good place to start. I am a big fan of Andy’s. Here is a link of a twenty minute talk he gave on power.
Losing Our Soul: In The Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership, Ruth Haley Barton compares losing your soul with losing your credit card. She says, “you think it’s in your wallet so you don’t give it much thought, until one day you reach for it and it’s not there. The minute you realize that it’s gone, you start scrambling, trying to remember when you last used it or at least had it in your possession. No matter what is going on you stop and look for it, because otherwise major damage can be done. Oh that we would feel the same sense of urgency when we become aware that we have lost our souls!” Capital One’s marketing campaign for their credit card asks, “What’s in your wallet?” Perhaps the better question is, “have you seen your soul lately?”
Labberton on Life: Several months ago, I interviewed Mark Labberton – the president of Fuller Seminary – in front of a gathering of church staff and local seminary students. I have held out hope of typing – and then editing – a manuscript of our talk. That is not going to happen, but that doesn’t mean you can’t hear it. You can. Click here. By the way, I think you will profit if you do.
Quotes Worth Requoting
- We are especially tolerant these days in matters of religion. But much of the tolerance is simply indifference. Eugene Peterson, Traveling Light
- Hard choices, easy life. Easy choices, hard life. Jerzy Gregorek
- Why would you risk what you need and have for what you don’t need? Warren Buffett
Prayer Requests:
- As noted above, this is National Day of Prayer. Please pray for our nation and all those who lead and shape the path it follows (I Tim. 2:2).
- It has been a long time since I have had as much difficulty pulling together a sermon as I have had this week. The text is Galatians 1:11 – 2:14. Much of the text is given over to Paul’s testimony. I plan to cover that, but focus on his assumptions – which differ markedly from those in vogue today. Prayers appreciated.
- Next week Ben Torres joins the staff. He will work with Brad (the campus pastor at HP) and Carlos Herrera (the pastor of Journey Church in Waukegan) to launch a Saturday night worship service in Highland Park aimed at the growing number of second-generation Hispanics living in the area. Ben, who in a previous life worked in toy development (think Star Wars) has an MA in Christian Studies and is working on a second in Systematic Theology. Please pray the Lord blesses his efforts.
Closing Prayer: Father, you are love, and you see all the suffering, injustice and misery which reign in this world. Have pity, we implore you, on the work of your hands. Look mercifully on the poor, the oppressed, and all who are heavy laden with error, labor and sorrow. Fill our hearts with deep compassion for those who suffer, and hasten the coming of Your Kingdom of justice and trust, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Eugene Bersier (1831-1889)