Delighted, Not Dependent: God’s Glory and Your Good

God can make children of Abraham out of rocks. God will be glorified with or without you. And yet, God delights to use you for his glory and your good in his kingdom plans. At the same time, he is not dependent on you to accomplish them. This is a principle that John the Baptist reminds the Pharisees and Sadducees of (cf. Matthew 3:9 — “And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father,’ for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham.”) We see this principle illustrated in Acts 1:15–26. There we witness a memorable scene play out. Peter leads the disciples to fill the void in the twelve left by Judas with a qualified disciple, in keeping with the necessary fulfillment of God’s Word with regard to kingdom restoration (cf. Psalms 69:25; 109:8). Two fellas, the man with three names, Joseph-Barsabbas-Justus, and the man with one name, Matthias, meet the stipulations. That is, both Joseph and Matthias are qualified to be counted among the twelve and receive a share in their ministry. And yet, only one will be chosen. In the end, King Jesus reveals his choice of Matthias. Check out the final movements in the scene:

And they prayed and said, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.” And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles. (Acts 1:24–26)

The disciples pray for the Lord to reveal his choice, and he does. We may wonder: What did Joseph do after this? Did he leave in a huff? Did he ask for a recasting of the lots? Did he take his ball and go home? I think it is safe to say no to all of the above. Here’s why.

The very next thing we read in Acts 2:1 is this,

When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.

They here refers to all of the disciples of Jesus who were present in the preceding scene: the eleven and the roughly 120 including the newly added to the eleven, Matthias, and Joseph. All of these were baptized in the Holy Spirit and became instrumental witnesses of Jesus Christ in the founding of the early church. Some traditions even say that Joseph went on to become a bishop in the early church. But, we may still wonder: Why was Matthias chosen over Joseph?

The short answer, as we’ve made clear at the top, is because Jesus delighted to choose Matthias and wasn’t beholding or dependent to pick one over the other. But there might be more to say on the matter.

We find one other valuable insight in Acts 1:24. From the disciples’ human perspective, the choice is a toss-up. All the objective evidence they can observe suggests that these men are equally qualified. There are no glaring reasons why one and not the other should be chosen. Therefore, they pray. Notice the content of their prayer again. Not only do they confess that Jesus has already made his choice (he simply needs to reveal it) but they address Jesus as the knower of hearts. They recognize that not only does the Lord know the hearts of these men in a way that they as outside observers certainly can’t, but that the Lord also knows Joseph and Matthias’ hearts more intimately than even Joseph and Matthias can. We’re reminded here of the Psalmist:

Who can discern his errors? Declare me innocent from hidden faults. (Psalm 19:12)

 Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting! (Psalm 139:23–24)

Perhaps, there was something in the heart of Joseph that better suited him to not be one of the twelve. For that matter, perhaps there was something in Matthias’ heart that better suited him to be one of the twelve. What was it? We don’t know. We can only speculate on the specifics. But what we can know for sure is that this choice by the Lord was a grace to both men.

Everything God does for his people, he does for his glory and their good. God’s will for his people is their conformity to Jesus and their ultimate glorification with him (Romans 8:29–31). Therefore, God works all things toward this ultimate good for those who love him and are called according to this purpose and plan unto his own glory (Rom 8:28; 11:36). By taking away from Joseph the role of being one of the twelve, King Jesus was doing what was most glorifying for himself and what was best for Joseph. Likewise, by giving to Matthias the role of being one of the twelve, King Jesus was doing what was most glorifying for himself and what was best for Matthias. This is instructive for us.

Our identity should never be wrapped up in anything other than Jesus—not even our particularly calling or ministry. If Joseph bound his identity to being named one of the twelve because he thought it was what was best for him and the kingdom, the loss of this possibility might have driven him to despair. By taking this role from Joseph, then, we can trust that God was working a particular grace in his life that otherwise wouldn’t have come about. Perhaps he was exposing things in Joseph for his good. Perhaps he was protecting Joseph from hidden things in his heart that wouldn’t have been revealed and dealt with otherwise. So, for you, when God takes something away, even when it is what you believe he has called you to, you can rest assured of this: God gives and God takes away always for your ultimate good and his glory.

God is not dependent on you for his kingdom plans to succeed. He is not beholden to use you in any specific ministry or way. Rather, God delights to use you in the way that will most glorify him and conform you into the image of Jesus (Rom 8:28–31). The picture of Matthias being chosen rather than Joseph illustrates this reality for us in a memorable way.

God can make children of Abraham out of rocks. God will be glorified with or without you. But, in his kindness, he has delighted to call you to wrap yourself up completely in his Son, Jesus. He has delighted to call you to glorify him in the way he chooses. Submit to his call knowing that he will work all things for your good. For, his glory is your good.

DGCC’s Vision Part I: We Glorify God

Why We Exist: Gospel Purpose

Our mission statement at DGCC says the following:

We exist to spread a passion for the supremacy of God in all things for the joy of all peoples.

This is why we exist. This is our gospel purpose. This has been DGCC’s identity from the time it was planted 20 years ago. And, by God’s grace, this will be DGCC’s gospel purpose for the next 20 years and beyond. The question is, what exactly do we aim to do to live out this gospel purpose.

 

What We Do: Gospel Pursuit

For the past several months the Vision Team here at DGCC has met regularly to pray and discern DGCC’s vision for the foreseeable future. Essentially, the Vision Team aimed to articulate what we do, our gospel pursuit. And, by God’s grace, in our most recent members meeting, the Vision Team shared with our fellow members the vision we believe God has led us to. This statement below captures that vision.

We glorify God by joyfully treasuring Christ and prayerfully pursuing Christlikeness in the love of the Father and the power of the Holy Spirit.

Scripture birthed this statement. Specifically, Ephesians 3:14–21 became the foundational text that informed and shaped this vision statement. I aim to unpack this vision statement in a series of blog posts here. And I aim to do that by unpacking Ephesians 3:14–21 in order to reveal the wonderful truths within this glorious prayer of Paul and to hold those truths forth as a glorious vision for the saints.[1] Here in this initial post, we will consider the core of this vision: We glorify God.

Before diving in though, let’s first orient ourselves to the context of Ephesians 3:14–21.

 

Context

Paul has just heralded God’s glory in the gospel of Jesus in one of the densest and richest treasure troves Scripture has to offer in Ephesians 1 and 2. He penned astounding realities such as

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. (Ephesians 1:3–6)

And

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 2:4–7)

Paul goes on to exhort the Ephesians to walk in this new life, to grow in their gospel-forged unity as a local church,  and specifically to grow “to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ” (Ephesians 4:9).

Ephesians 3:14–21 fits right in between Paul’s heralding of these wonderful gospel realities—the gospel indicatives—and his powerful gospel exhortations—the gospel imperatives—to the Ephesians. Moreover, Ephesians 3:14–21 is a prayer. And this prayer makes clear to us what Paul understands the necessary ingredients for Christian growth—growth in both love for God and Christlikeness—to be. Consider Paul’s prayer.

 

Ephesians 3:14–21: A Prayer for God’s Glory

For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. (Ephesians 3:14–21)

First, notice the obvious that I have already pointed out. This is a prayer. Paul says, “For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named” (Ephesians 3:14).

“For this reason” refers to all of the gospel realities that Paul has just touched on in Ephesians 1:1–3:13. Paul essentially says, “God in his sovereignty planned to save you through the gospel of his Son, so ‘for this reason’ I pray as a minister of this grace for you, Ephesians.” The fact that this is a prayer informs us immediately that Paul assumes the Ephesians have need for God to act in order to bring about whatever Paul is about to pray for. Thus, we have need for God to act in order to bring about for us the things Paul instructively petitions for here. The Christian life is completely dependent upon God to act. So prayer colors everything we aim to do as Christians, and of course what Paul is about to request here.

Second, notice the ultimate aim of Paul’s prayer. The ultimate aim of Paul’s prayer reveals itself in verse 21: “to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations forever and ever.” At the bottom (or top, depending on how you look at it) of all of Paul’s requests here is this—God’ glory. This is what his prayer for the Ephesians ultimately aims at, as it should. Carson notes regarding this, “It is possible to ask for good things for bad reasons.”[2] He goes on to note that we “can distort…good requests by envisaging their fulfillment within a framework in which the entire universe revolves around our improvement.”[3] But Scripture makes clear that God’s work of creation is for glory:

“Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.” (Revelation 4:11)

And, Scripture makes clear that God’s work of redemption is for his glory:

In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. (Ephesians 1:4–6)

Indeed, God’s glory is what the entire Christian life aims at, no matter if we’re enjoying breakfast or taking the gospel to an unreached people group in a foreign land—”So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31). Thus, since all things work for God’s glory in creation and salvation, we too join with Paul in saying, “For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen” (Romans 11:36).

Therefore, our vision as DGCC is to first and foremost fall in line with the purpose of all of creation and redemption history. And that purpose is to bring glory to God. This is why we exist: we exist for God’s glory, we exist to enjoy God’s glory, and we exist to spread that enjoyment of God’s glory. This is why our mission statement at DGCC reads

We exist to spread a passion for the supremacy of God in all things for the joy of all peoples.

Thus, our vision at DGCC begins with this—We glorify God.

 

 

[1] Exegesis of this passage was aided by and leans heavily on Carson, who unpacks this passage in his book D. A. Carson, Praying with Paul: A Call to Spiritual Reformation, Second. (Baker Academic, 2015), 159–81.

[2] Carson, Praying with Paul, 280.

[3] Carson, Praying with Paul, 180.

God at the Center

Think of the Bible as a work of literature. Who is the main character? Who is the protagonist? Abraham? Moses? David? Peter? Paul?

No. None of these.

The protagonist of the Bible is God.

The opening line of the Bible makes this clear: “In the beginning, God . . .”

Before all things – before there was a beginning – God is. He exists. And He chooses for the beginning to happen. He is not created; He creates.

Now, remember a bit of basic grammar. Look at this sentence: “The Panthers beat the Jets.” What is the subject of this sentence? Who acts? The Panthers. What is the verb in this sentence? What action is taking place? Beating. What is the object of the action? The Jets. Subject = Panthers, Verb = beat, Object = Jets.

So now consider the first several paragraphs of the Bible, Genesis 1. This chapter contains 42 active verbs (other than in sentences God speaks). Who is the subject of these active verbs? Who is acting? In 41 of these cases, God is the subject of the active verb (and in the 42nd, the earth fulfills God’s command).

God is the subject. God is the one who acts. God is the main character in this introduction to the Bible – and indeed, in the entire book. This book is centered on God.

Why does God act in Genesis 1? Why is He the subject of all these verbs? Why does He create anything?

The Bible tells us that God created the world to show His glory. Psalm 19:1 tells us this is true of the material universe: “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” Isaiah 43:6 and 7 explain that mankind also is created for God’s glory: “Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the end of the earth, everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory.” Later in the same chapter God speaks of “the people whom I formed for myself that they might declare my praise” (Isaiah 43:21).

What does “created for my glory” mean? That last verse helps. The Bible uses the word “glory” to mean: “What makes an object good, or important, or interesting.” Creation tells us about God – about what makes Him good, important, and interesting. Creation exists – we exist – to display to others what God is like. And since God is fully praiseworthy, in order to fulfill that purpose, we must declare His praise, we must praise Him with all of our being.

Thus, Genesis 1, this first chapter of the Bible, must be God-centered. He is the one who acts. All He does, all His acts are for the praise of His own glory.

Friends, this is theme of the entire Bible. If we are His people, we are called to be God-centered. We are to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. We are to focus our every desire on Him. We are to say with the psalmist, “Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you” (Psalm 73:25, emphasis added). We are to focus our attention on Him: “Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus” (Hebrews 12:1-2).

It is easy to get sidetracked from this, isn’t it? It is easy to get wrapped up in the affairs of this world or even in Christian activity and end up violating the call to be God-centered.

This happens in other parts of our lives also. Consider school, at any level. What is the primary purpose of school? To learn! We could say that school is supposed to be Learning-centered. But do all students stay centered on learning?

  • The focus of one student is, “How can I impress that girl?”
  • The focus of another is, “How can I have fun today?”
  • The focus of a third is, “I hope our basketball team wins!”
  • The focus of a fourth is, “I want to do well on the SAT!”

None of these considerations is bad in and of itself. But all of them – even the focus on the test – can be a distraction from the central purpose of school: Learning. If the school is to fulfill its purpose, the focus must be first and foremost on learning.

We too are easily sidetracked from the purpose of our creation, both as individuals and as churches. We easily slip into becoming man-centered or activity-centered. For us to serve our main purpose, we must remember that God is the subject of all creation. He is the main character in the Bible – and thus in all of history. Our purpose is to magnify Him.

We as a church must remind ourselves of this time and again. That’s why our first core value is to be God-centered:

We value putting God at the center of all that we do. We put His glory and His honor first, asking in every decision, “Will this bring the greatest glory and praise to our God?”

May we fulfill this statement in all our acts as a church, and in each of our individual lives – so that we truly might live to the praise of His glorious grace (Ephesians 1:6).

[The sermon “In the Beginning – God!” on Genesis 1:1-2:3, preached 4/18/04, expands on these thoughts. Audio is here.]

Suffering and Advent

How do you respond to affliction and pain?

In Psalm 69 – our sermon text this week – David calls out to God, “I am afflicted and in pain!” He then, as we would expect, calls out for God to deliver him: “Let your salvation, O God, set me on high!” (Psalm 69:29)

But the next verse is surprising: “I will praise the name of God with a song; I will magnify him with thanksgiving.”

In other words: “I am really hurting. And I will sing praises to God. I will show how great He is by thanking Him.”

Is that how you respond to affliction and pain?

Note that David has not yet been delivered when he offers praise. He praises God prior to any deliverance, because God made promises to him and to his people – and He always keeps His promises.

This is what the Advent season is all about: God has made promises. We eagerly await the fulfillment of those promises. We don’t know when they will be fulfilled. But we know He is faithful.

This is the position of God’s people again and again over the centuries. We hurt. We are in pain. And we praise God, looking forward to His fulfillment of His promises.

Consider these examples:

  • God tells Abraham that all the families of the earth will be blessed through his descendant (Genesis 12:1-3) – and he then remains childless for decades, awaiting the birth of a son.
  • God tells Abraham that his descendants will be afflicted in another land for 400 years, but then He will bring judgment on that nation, and they will come out (Genesis 15:13-14). And so the Israelites suffer much oppression in Egypt, crying out to God, before He sends Moses and brings about their exodus.
  • In 586BC God destroys His temple, His picture of His presence with His people, sending the Jews into exile. And yet decades earlier the prophet Isaiah, looking forward to this time of exile, had written, “Comfort, comfort my people, says your God.  Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that her warfare is ended, that her iniquity is pardoned” (Isaiah 40:1-2).
  • The faithful Jews held on to God’s promise of a coming Redeemer, a coming Messiah, across the centuries of foreign dominance and oppression. So in Luke 2 we find faithful Simeon and Anna in the temple, having waited for decades, and now at last seeing their Messiah as a little baby.

We find ourselves in a similar position today. Our Lord promises us, “In the world you will have tribulation” (John 16:33). We will experience pain and affliction. Jesus guarantees it. And we don’t have to look far to find it. In our own neighborhoods – indeed, in our own families – we find broken relationships, poverty of spirit, and oppression of the soul, as well as physical needs and maladies.

But Jesus also tells us in that same verse, “In me you may have peace. . . . Take heart! I have overcome the world.” And the Scriptures conclude with His promise, “Surely I am coming soon! (Revelation 22:20).

So in this interval between the First and Second Advents of our Lord, we will experience troubles similar to those endured by our brothers and sisters in the faith across the centuries. Like them, we will be afflicted and in pain. Like them, we will witness suffering and suffer ourselves.

But also like them, we can follow David’s example in Psalm 69, and, in the midst of trials and hardships, cry out, “I will praise the name of God with a song; I will magnify him with thanksgiving.” For the Lord is a faithful God. He always keeps His promises. And all who love His appearing, all who trust in Him, will see Him face to face – and will know the reality, then, that they have believed all along: That “the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us” (Romans 8:18).

Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.

What Do You Set Your Mind On?

What do you set your mind on?

We often set our minds on the past – how so-and-so talked down to me, how I failed or succeeded on that recent test, how nice it was to receive a compliment – or on the longer-term future: what job I want to be doing a few years from now, whom I will marry, how many children we should have, what retirement will look like. We also tend to set our minds on our immediate needs – such as what we will eat for dinner, what we will say to an angry child, how we will avoid a traffic jam, and how we will spend the weekend.

We can’t and shouldn’t avoid thinking about such issues. But the Apostle Paul tells us that our focus, our central mindset, should be different: “Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth” (Colossians 3:2).

Why are we to do this? He explains: “For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:3). That is: The You that was focused on the things of the earth has died. Yes, you are still in the body. Yes, you still need to eat and sleep. Yes, there are still the pressures, joys, and sorrows of earthly life. But via the sacrifice of Jesus you are reconciled to God – and He promises that He will never leave you or forsake you, that He will bring you safely to His heavenly Kingdom, that He is working all things on this earth together for your good and the glory of His Name. He has united you with Christ so that He sees Him when He looks at you. You have an inheritance that will never perish, that has no blemish, that will never fade, kept for you in His presence – and He will grant that inheritance to you at exactly the right time.

Furthermore: “When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory” (Colossians 3:4). Jesus will come back at the end of the age to punish those who continue in rebellion against Him and to complete the work begun in all of His people. Our life is now hidden in Him, but on that Day the glory of our new life will appear. Note that “in glory” is not a location but a description of who we will be when Jesus appears. On the earth, in this fallen world, we may appear to be ruined, weak, and powerless; we may feel abandoned, hurt, and confused; we will be tempted to lose hope, to quit striving, to give up. But in the midst of all our trials, our true life remains protected with Christ in God – whatever happens around us or to us, it is safe with Him! And Jesus is certain to return. At that time we will appear with Him and be seen for what we truly are in Him: glorious, spotless, perfected, His delight and joy.

So set your mind today on such things – not that you ignore all these other concerns, but that you interpret all other concerns in light of who you are in Christ. Because of who you are in Christ, you can thank God for the gifts and kindnesses and joys around you; you can persevere through the trials and temptations; you can slough off insults, mockings, and demeaning words; you can love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you; you can love your neighbor as you love yourself.

Christian, Jesus is your life. He will return. In Him you are glorious, spotless, perfected. Set your mind on that– every minute of every day.

 

Why Does God Save Anyone?

In this Sunday’s sermon, we will consider the link between the baby born in the manger and the call to missions. What is that link? What does Jesus becoming man, becoming Immanuel – God With Us – have to do with our making disciples of all nations? The link is partly explained in Revelation 5:8-14, which we will read during the service.

In the opening verses of the chapter, John, the author of Revelation, sees God sitting on His throne, holding a scroll. An angel asks, “Who is worthy to open the scroll?” But no one is found worthy. This leads John to weep. But an elder tells him not to weep, for there is One who is worthy: The Lion of the tribe of Judah. John looks up to see the lion- but instead sees a Lamb, looking as if it has been slain. The Lamb takes the scroll. Praise then erupts in the throne room of God.

These words of praise are well-known to many of you. To help us see why God saves anyone, I’m going to quote those words incorrectly. Without looking at your Bibles, see if you can identify what is wrong:

“Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests, and they shall reign on the earth.” (Revelation 5:9-10, modified)

That sounds pretty good, doesn’t it? There is no obvious heresy in those modified verses.

However, that modification leaves out the most important part of our redemption. That modification leaves out the main point of the incarnation, the main point of the cross, the main point of the resurrection.

Here is how it really reads, with the previously left out words in bold:

“Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.” (Revelation 5:9-10)

The point of redemption is not primarily to save us from hell.

The point of missions is not primarily to save people groups from hell.

The point of evangelism is not primarily to save our neighbors from hell.

The point of redemption, the point of missions, the point of evangelism is to purchase a people FOR GOD, a people who will live TO HIS GLORY, a people who will DELIGHT IN HIM ABOVE ALL ELSE, and MAGNIFY HIS name.

The incarnation is not primarily about you.

The cross is not primarily about you.

The resurrection is not primarily about you.

The incarnation, the cross, and the resurrection are primarily about GOD.

Indeed, if we are to leave out any words from Revelation 5:9, we should leave out the word “people.” For that word is not in the original language. The middle of verse 9 reads, literally:

“You ransomed for God by your blood from every tribe and language and people and nation.”

The word “people” is clearly implied – it’s right to include that word in our English versions. But the Greek shows even more clearly than the English versions that GOD is the focal point of our redemption!

And Revelation 5 is not alone in this regard. All the great texts on redemption make this clear – if only we would open our eyes!

  • Consider Ephesians 1:7: “In him we have redemption through his blood.” Is redemption then about us? No, for Paul begins by saying, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,” and he goes on to say that this redemption is “to the praise of his glory.”
  • Or consider Romans 3:25-26: “This was to show God’s righteousness. . . that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.” Redemption is to show GOD’s righteousness. Redemption was not accomplished because of how special man was. Rather, redemption displays God’s righteousness.
  • Or consider the closing words of Romans 11, as Paul wraps up the great doctrinal section of his letter: “From him and through him and to him are all things, to him be the glory forever!” He is the center!

So: God’s eternal plan of redemption is not primarily about saving man from sin. It is primarily about bringing glory to God. The Gospel is God-centered, not Man-centered.

So be careful not to talk about it in a man-centered way! Christ did not ransom people just to ransom them from hell. He ransomed people FOR GOD. He sends us out on mission FOR HIM.

Know that if you are ransomed, you are ransomed for HIM.

If you are not yet ransomed: Yes, He offers to save you from hell. But He doesn’t stop there. He saves you FOR GOD – so that your life will be lived for Him. He will love you, hold you, wipe away your every tear. You will find your joy in Him, and in nothing else. He saves you so that you might fulfill the purpose of your creation: To glorify Him.

So remember this Christmas season: Christ became man FOR GOD. Jesus died on the cross FOR GOD. Jesus rose from the dead FOR GOD. We make disciples of all nations FOR GOD. And you too can be saved – FOR GOD.

 

(Much of this devotion is taken from a sermon on Revelation 5:9-13 preached Easter Sunday, March 27, 2005. Text and audio are available.)

In the Beginning

In the beginning of 2015, let’s reflect on beginnings:

Genesis 1:1 In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.

So begins the Bible. So begins this creation, this eon. But Scripture also tells us:

John 1:1-3 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.

Jesus is God, and was in the beginning with God. Distinct, yet one.

See the same distinction and unity in Revelation:

Revelation 21:5-6a  And he who was seated on the throne [that is, God] said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”  And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end.”

God is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end.

Yet in the next chapter Jesus says:

Revelation 22:12-13  Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay everyone for what he has done.  I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.

Jesus is the beginning and the end. Distinction, yet unity.

Furthermore, this One with God, who was God, through whom all things were made, became man, became a created being:

1 John 1:1-3  That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life–  the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us–  that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.

John and the other disciples handled Jesus – they felt His muscles, they saw Him sweat, they heard Him snore. He is the eternal life; He is the source of life; He is the Way to life; and He became man to bring life to His people.

In the beginning, God created the world for a purpose – a purpose that He is certain to bring about:

Isaiah 46:8-10  “Remember this and stand firm, recall it to mind, you transgressors, remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me,  declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose.’

And what is that purpose?

Revelation 4:11  “Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.”

Psalm 19:1  The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.

Isaiah 40:25-26   To whom then will you compare me, that I should be like him? says the Holy One.  Lift up your eyes on high and see: who created these? He who brings out their host by number, calling them all by name, by the greatness of his might, and because he is strong in power not one is missing.

Isaiah 43:6b-7  Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the end of the earth, everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.”

He created all things – and mankind in particular – for His glory, for His praise. All creation displays Who He is. This is the purpose for which we were made in the beginning.

Expanding on this idea, the Apostle Paul emphasizes that the Church fulfills God’s purpose for humanity:

Ephesians 1:3-6  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.

Ephesians 3:8-11  To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles [that is, to the nations] the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things, so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord.

From the beginning, He created us, He chose us, He predestined us for adoption, to the praise of His glorious grace. And that praise will come not only from redeemed mankind, but also from “rulers and authorities in the heavenly places” – spiritual beings – who will see God’s glory in us, in the church, and praise Him.

So the psalmist sums up the proper response of all creation to God, their glorious Creator:

Psalm 148:1-5, 11-13  Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD from the heavens; praise him in the heights!  Praise him, all his angels; praise him, all his hosts!  Praise him, sun and moon, praise him, all you shining stars!  Praise him, you highest heavens, and you waters above the heavens!  Let them praise the name of the LORD! For he commanded and they were created. . . . Kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all rulers of the earth! Young men and maidens together, old men and children!  Let them praise the name of the LORD, for his name alone is exalted; his majesty is above earth and heaven.

So may we, at the beginning of 2015, fulfill God’s purpose for us from the beginning of time: May Christ Jesus be our increasing joy, may we praise Him from redeemed hearts, and may we magnify His Name in love and faithful witness to those around us.

God Glorified in Man’s Dependence

[This is a summary of Jonathan Edwards’ sermon in Boston July 8, 1731 – his first published work. See the entire sermon – almost five times as long – here. I encourage you to meditate on your dependence on God as the year concludes, and to resolve to live more and more fully in light of that dependence in 2013 – Coty]

God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are,  so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.  And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 1:28-31)

Paul wrote this letter to Greeks, who held human wisdom in high regard. God destroys human wisdom through the Gospel. Even the greatest human wisdom cannot lead to a full knowledge of God; but it pleases God to reveal Himself graciously, so that “no human being might boast.” By this we see:

1)      God’s aim in His plan of redemption: that man should glory not in himself, but in God alone.

2)      How that end is attained: By man’s absolute dependence on God in the work of redemption.

Doctrine

I) There is an absolute and universal dependence of the redeemed on God

The redeemed have all of their good of God, through God, and in God: Of Him, in that He is the cause and origin of all good things; through Him, in that He is the means by which we obtain every good thing; and in Him, in that He Himself is the greatest good. Therefore, the redeemed are entirely dependent upon God for their all.

Consider these in turn:

1)      The redeemed have all good OF God.

  1. God gives us our Redeemer, as Christ is His only Son.
  2. God gives us faith so that we might be in Christ (Ephesians 2:8).
  3. The benefits that come to us in Christ are from God: He is the one who pardons and justifies and cleanses and transforms and sanctifies.
  4. God Himself is the source of the means of grace He uses in our sanctification.
  5. God gives us His Word.
  6. God gives us His ordinances of baptism and the Lord’s Supper.
  7. God gives us His human ministers, and their success depends entirely and absolutely on Him.

All these are given purely by grace – indeed, by infinitely great grace. For we were completely unworthy of His gift, instead meriting His wrath. And God gave this gift most freely. He could have rejected fallen man, as He did the fallen angels. There was nothing in us to attract Him, and nothing in the saved to distinguish them from the unsaved. We are completely dependent upon Him for holiness, for His favor, for happiness – we would have none of these apart from His free grace.

Furthermore, all of these come from the power of God (Ephesians 1:19). We are dependent on God’s power through every step of our redemption: To convert us, to give us faith in Jesus, and to give us a new nature. For God must create us anew (2 Corinthians 5:17); indeed, He must raise us from the dead (Colossians 2:12-13). Yet this is a more glorious work of power than the first creation or even raising a man from the dead, because the new spiritual life is more glorious – especially in contrast with the depth of corruption to which we fell. God magnifies His power then further in preserving us in His grace (1 Peter 1:5). The redeemed are dependent on God’s power for every exercise of grace, for continually redirecting our hearts, for subduing sin, for producing good works, for becoming Christlike – and ultimately for our new bodies in the new heavens and new earth.

2)       The redeemed have all good THROUGH God.

All the benefits the redeemed receive come through the Mediator, Jesus, who is God Himself. God is both the purchaser and the price of our redemption, for Christ purchased these blessing for us by offering up Himself.

3)      The redeemed have all good IN God. And this holds both for the good that gives them joy, and for the pleasure itself in their souls.

  1. a.      The good that gives the redeemed their highest joy is God Himself. God is the inheritance of the saints, their wealth, treasure, food, life, dwelling-place, crown, honor, and glory. They have none in heaven but God. The beauty of God will forever give joy to the saints, and His love will be their everlasting feast. While the redeemed will enjoy the angels, one another, and the redeemed creation, whatever yields delight in these will be what is seen of God in them.
  2. b.      The joy itself of the redeemed comes from a kind of participation in God. God puts His own beauty upon their souls. They are made partakers of the divine nature (2 Peter 1:4), partakers of His holiness (Hebrews 12:10). This occurs through the Holy Spirit dwelling in the redeemed. He, acting in, upon, and with the soul, becomes a fountain of true holiness and joy (John 4:14, 7:38-39). By partaking of the Holy Spirit, the redeemed have communion with Christ in His fullness. Indeed, the Spirit of God is the great promise of the Father (Luke 24:49).

All the benefits the redeemed receive come through the Mediator, Jesus, who is God Himself. God is both the purchaser and the price of our redemption, for Christ purchased these blessing for us by offering up Himself.

II) God is glorified in the work of redemption through this great, universal dependence on Him

1)      Through this dependence, man has greater occasion and obligation to acknowledge God’s character. It is easy for us to neglect and ignore those things on which we do not depend, but we of necessity think of and concern ourselves with those things on which we depend.

2)      This dependence demonstrates the greatness of God’s glory compared to the creature’s. The greater that men exalt themselves, so much the less they exalt God. But God’s work of redemption shows that the creature is nothing, and God is all. He is seen to be infinitely above us in strength, wisdom, and holiness. It is this acknowledgment of the difference between us and God that yields God the glory He deserves.

3)      God therefore has our whole souls, and should be the object of our undivided respect. If we had our dependence partly on God and partly on something else, we would divide our respect among God and the other. But now this cannot happen once we understand the nature of redemption: Whatever attracts our respect is seen to be the gift of God, and so our respect unites in Him as the center.

Application

1)      Marvel at God’s wisdom in the work of redemption! God has made man’s ruined state through the Fall an occasion for the advancement of His glory. He does this through our being even more dependent on Him today than Adam and Eve were before the Fall. God lifts us up and exalts us in such a way that we deserve no glory, but He deserves it all. Furthermore, God accomplishes this in such a way that each person of the Trinity is equally glorified in the work, as the redeemed are absolutely dependent on every Person for all.

2)      Any teaching that takes away our absolute dependence upon God attempts to diminish the glory God deserves, and thus to thwart the design of our redemption.

3)      This explains why salvation is by faith. For faith is an acknowledgment of absolute dependence on God for salvation. This is how God glorifies Himself in redemption. Faith declares that man can do nothing, and God does everything, so that He receives all the glory for redemption. To be saved, man must humble himself as a child; he must acknowledge that he is “wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked” (Revelation 3:17). It is the delight of the believing soul to humble itself and to exalt God alone (Psalm 115:1).

4)      Therefore, let us exalt God alone, and ascribe to him all the glory of redemption. Let us have a greater and greater understanding of our great dependence upon God; let us put to death a self-dependent and self-righteous disposition. Man is prone to exalt himself, and to depend on his own power or goodness, thinking happiness will come through his efforts. He is prone to think that happiness will come from objects God withholds or denies. But this doctrine should teach us to exalt God alone – by trust, by reliance, and by praise. So let him who boasts, boast in the Lord.

  1. Do any of you think that you are saved, that your sins are forgiven, that you have God’s favor, that you are God’s child – indeed, that you are an heir of eternal life? Then give God all the glory! He alone makes you different from the worst of men.
  2. Do any of you have much comfort and strong hope of eternal life? Do not let this hope exalt you, but rather reflect on your own unworthiness of such a favor, and so exalt God alone.
  3. Are any of you abundant in good works and holiness? Take no glory of that abundance to yourself, but ascribe it to him who “created [us] in Christ Jesus for good works” (Ephesians 2:10).