By Aaron Wilson

As we approach Father’s Day this coming Sunday, allow me to introduce you to a precious little book for you and your young children to read together.  I received my copy a few weeks ago and read it to the children and they thoroughly enjoyed it!  Written in fun, rhyming poetry, this book can be read by most beginning readers and gives a simple yet helpful explanation of… well, how “Our Home is Like a Little Church.”
Below is the author to tell you a bit  more about this little book.  He is a part of the leadership at Sojourn Community Church in Louisville, KY.  You might also check out their children’s ministry website, including this page full of helpful resources.

“Our Home is Like a Little Church” is available at Westminster Books.

Many of you remember the several-year expositional study we did in the Gospel of Mark.  Although we could think back and enumerate any number of very solid principles from that series, today I want us to focus on 5 major, mountain peak principles from this wonderful book of the Bible.  This would make a great Bible study for anyone taking the time to look up each of the passages below and to ask yourself the application questions I’ve provided for each principle.

I. Mark reveals to us that Jesus Christ was first and foremost a teacher of the Word of God.

We could state this particular mountain peak principle in this way: Jesus came primarily to this earth to teach & preach the good news of the coming kingdom of God.

• Mark 1:14-15, 21, 27, 35-38 (vv. 35-38 confirm the preeminent role of teaching in Jesus’ life)
• Mark 2:2, 13
• Mark 3:14
• Mark 4:1-2, 24a, 34
• Mark 6:1-2, 6b, 8, 12, 34
• Mark 11:17
• Mark 12:35, 38
• Mark 13:10
• Mark 14:9, 48-49
• Mark 16:7

Do you endeavor to teach others about Jesus Christ? If this was Jesus’ main facet of ministry, do you tell others about Jesus Christ? Is your ministry a ministry of proclamation? How often do you tell others about Christ? Are you involved in any kind of communication for Christ? Are you like the man in Mark 5:19-20?

II. Mark reveals to us that God the Father confirmed Jesus’ deity by performing the ministry of the miraculous.

Mark shows us that the teaching and preaching of the kingdom of God was to be confirmed by Jesus’ ability to heal the sick and raise the dead. This can be seen best by the passages which show us the miraculous power of God, performed through the ministry of Christ.

• Mark 1:9-11 (God’s introductory confirmation); Mark 9:1-7 (God’s confirmation of Jesus in the transfiguration)
• Mark 1:23-27, 30-34, 39, 40-42
• Mark 2:1-12
• Mark 3:1, 5b, 7-11, 15, 20
• Mark 4:35-41
• Mark 5:1-20 (demoniac), 21-24 & 35-43 (Jairus’ daughter), 25-34 (woman with a twelve year hemorrhage)
• Mark 6:5-6, 13, 35 (the first feeding of the five thousand), 45-51 (Jesus’ walking on the water), 53-56.
• Mark 7:24-30, 31-37
• Mark 8:1-9 (the second feeding of the four thousand), 12-13 (unbelievers don’t respond to signs!), 22-25
• Mark 9:20-27
• Mark 10:46-52
• Mark 11:13-14, 20-22
• Mark 13; 14:30 (Jesus’ prophetic ministry), 47 (Jesus’ miraculously restored the high priest’s servant’s ear)
• Mark 16:1-8 (the resurrection itself!)

Even though we have not been given the ministry of the miraculous like Jesus and the apostles, what can we glean and then apply to our lives when we ponder the miraculous? First, we can beseech the Lord to mature our faith by praying for God’s will in the healing of ourselves or the healing of others. Second, do we see what these miracles are designed to confirm in the first place? God the Father is confirming that Jesus is the Christ! Do you believe that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father?! This is precisely what Romans 10:9-10 tells us!

III. Mark reveals to us that Jesus’ most severe, ungodly critics were those religious leaders who were considered by many to be the most godly.

• Mark 2:6-8, 16, 24
• Mark 3:2-6, 22
• Mark 7:1-2, 8-9
• Mark 8:11-15
• Mark 10:1-2, 17, 23
• Mark 11:15-18, 27-28
• Mark 12:13, 18, 28, 38-40
• Mark 14:1-2, 10-11, 43-46, 53, 55-60, 64
• Mark 15:1-3, 11, 31-32

What this reveals is this: regardless of what a person may look like on the outside, they may be wicked on the inside! Isn’t this precisely what Jesus taught in Mark 7:15-23? What really counts is that which is on the inside! Even if you are a religious leader!
What are you like on the inside? Do you look good on the outside, but on the inside, you are not what you claim to be? This may be the most important lesson a human being can ever learn!

IV. Mark reveals to us that man’s words and actions manifest the true motives of the heart.

You have heard the phrase, “Actions speak louder than words!” But I submit to you that actions are a revealer of the true heart of a person! As humans, we are not always able to interpret the actions of a person, let alone their true motives, but actions are often a determiner of the heart. Mark’s gospel is attuned to this issue and helps us in seeing this principle:

• Mark 4:14-20, 22
• Mark 5:25-28, 34
• Mark 6:14-16, 19-22, 26
• Mark 7:15-23
• Mark 8:1-6
• Mark 10:22, 37, 41
• Mark 11:15, 25
• Mark 12:42-44
• Mark 14:4-6, 37-38, 44, 66-72
• Mark 15:10, 15, 31, 40, 43

What about your actions? What about your motives?

V. Mark reveals to us that the purpose of God all along was to sacrifice His only Son so that men could be redeemed.

There are two great truths Mark reveals to us as we attempt to understand the purposes of God:

(1) God is in complete control and is the sovereign determiner all that is to come to pass;

• Proverbs 15:3
• Proverbs 16:9
• Proverbs 20:24
• Proverbs 21:1
• Genesis 20
• Psalm 75:7

(2) God is ensuring the precise fulfillment of all prophetical elements!

• Mark 14:49-50, Mark 15:40-41 (only the women and Joseph/Nicodemus were there)
• John 19:36-37, Exodus 12:46 & Numbers 9:12
• John 19:37, Zechariah 12:10
• Isaiah 53:9, Mark 15:43

By Todd Murray

A few weeks ago, Lance showed us ten ways to respond to affliction according to Psalm 119.  Today let’s consider two other areas of study in this great chapter of applied bibliology.  I’d like to show you a selection of verses that give us the spiritual benefits of and spiritual responses to the Word of God.

Spiritual Benefits of God’s Word

• Life | Quality of life, not merely a quantity of days; i.e., to “really” live.
• Psalm 119:17
• Psalm 119: 25
• Psalm 119:37
• Psalm 119:93
• Psalm 119:107
• Psalm 119:116
• Psalm 119:149
• Psalm 119:154
• Psalm 119:156
• Light | Understanding, sight and insight.
• Psalm 119:105
• Psalm 119:130
• Psalm 119:34
• Psalm 119:73
• Psalm 119:125
• Psalm 119:144
• Psalm 119:169
• Comfort
• Psalm 119:50
• Psalm 119:76
• Psalm 119:92
• Psalm 119:143
• Psalm 119:165
• Liberation | Found within the confines of the law not outside of it. 
• Psalm 119:32
• Psalm 119:45
• Psalm 119:133

Spiritual Responses to God’s Word

• Delight | We are made to be delighted with God and his word. All other delights are cheap, counterfeit, idolatrous substitutes.
• Psalm 119:14
• Psalm 119:16
• Psalm 119:24
• Psalm 119:35
• Psalm 119:47
• Psalm 119:70
• Psalm 119:111
• Psalm 119:162

• Love | Psalm 119 avoids two extremes:  Cold orthodoxy (Love for the book without love for the author), as well as Anti-intellectualism (Love for the author without love for his book.)
• Psalm 119:47-48
• Psalm 119:113
• Psalm 119:119
• Psalm 119:127
• Psalm 119:132
• Psalm 119:140
• Psalm 119:159
• Psalm 119:167

• Awe | God’s word inspires fear of him and his word.
• Psalm 119:120
• Psalm 119:161 
• Because it is righteous
• Psalm 119:123
• Psalm 119:138
• Because it is Dependable 
• Psalm 119:86
• Psalm 119:151
• Psalm 119:160
• Because it is Unshakable
• Psalm 119:89-91
• Psalm 119:152
• Because it is Inexhaustible
• Psalm 119:18
• Psalm 119:27
• Psalm 119:129
• Psalm 119:96

We’ve all experienced those times in our Bible reading when we come across a passage that leaves us scratching our heads.  For me, it’s often more times than not!  In Martin Luther’s work, “The Bondage of the Will,” he gives assurance to the believer when faced with those hard-to-understand Bible passages.

I certainly grant that many passages in the Scriptures are obscure and hard to elucidate, but that is due, not to the exalted nature of their subject, but to our own linguistic and grammatical ignorance; and it does not in any way prevent our knowing all the contents of Scripture. For what solemn truth can the Scriptures still be concealing, now that the seals are broken, the stone rolled away from the door of the tomb, and that greatest of all mysteries brought to light—that Christ, God’s Son, became man, that God is Three in One, that Christ suffered for us, and will reign forever? And are not these things known, and sung in our streets? Take Christ from the Scriptures—and what more will you find in them? You see, then, that the entire content of the Scriptures has now been brought to light, even though some passages which contain unknown words remain obscure. Thus it is unintelligent, and ungodly too, when you know that the contents of Scripture are as clear as can be, to pronounce them obscure on account of those few obscure words. If words are obscure in one place, they are clear in another. What God has so plainly declared to the world is in some parts of Scripture stated in plain words, while in other parts it still lies hidden under obscure words. But when something stands in broad daylight, and a mass of evidence for it is in broad daylight also, if does not matter whether there is any evidence for it in the dark. Who will maintain that the town fountain does not stand in the light because the people down some alley cannot see it, while everyone in the square can see it?

My meager summary (in case Luther was obscure):

• Any difficulty in understanding Scripture is ultimately a problem with us, not with Scripture.
• Since Christ is the substance and centrality of Scripture, and since Christ has indeed been revealed, all Scripture has been revealed.
• If one part of Scripture is unclear, be assured that there is another part that is clear and can make clear the unclear.

One week ago today I stood beside the casket of my grandmother, Beulah Land Wilson (Yes – that was her maiden name!) and preached her graveside service.  Both the service and my preaching were her requests, made known to me and our family many years ago.  Mamaw (as she was affectionately called) was no great Bible scholar and I never knew of her ever teaching a Sunday School class, but she knew the Lord and she knew her home was in Heaven and she had been ready to go for quite some time.  She died well.
In preparing for the sermon, I came across this quote by Charles Spurgeon that reminded me of why believers can approach their end on this earth with such hope and how it proves as a testimony to those watching:

“I have seen believers die, and if anything can convince a man of the reality of religion, of the truth of the Scriptures, and of the power of the Spirit, it is the death of saints. I have seen many persons who seemed to be as much dying of their joy as of their disease, they were so happy. Their eyes, their face, their whole bearing were those of persons in whom the utmost pain was forgotten in an excess of joy, while weakness was swallowed up in the delights of the heaven which was dawning upon them . . . for Christ has come to them, and they have seen the King in his beauty, even in the borderland before they have crossed the river and entered into Canaan. ‘Is this to die?’ said one. ‘Well then,’ said he, ‘it is worth while to live even to enjoy the bliss of dying.’

Only mind you do not miss the way, one of you. Mind you do not miss the way!”

C. H. Spurgeon, The Treasury of the Old Testament (London, n.d.), III:272.

 I have many great memories of my Mamaw that will remain with me and my children for a long time, but one of the most lasting memories was the pleasure I had of talking and praying with her for the past few years as she experienced “the bliss of dying.”

In today’s post I would like to tell you the story of two men, explaining to you what made them similar and what made them different. The difference between these two men is the difference between a true Christian and a mere professor.  The difference between these two men is the difference between heaven and hell.

The first man is “the rich young ruler” found in Luke 18:18-27.  Consider his character for a moment:

1. He was a ruler and probably well respected.
2. He wanted to know how to get to heaven and knew Jesus was special.
3. He wasn’t concerned with what others thought about him.
4. He was a religious and moral man.
5. He was a rich man.

Now realize his destiny:

He refused to follow Jesus and was condemned.

In our day, this young man would perhaps be a teenager from a good home and part of the wealthy class. He would live in West Little Rock and be a moral person who was respected in the community. He would be liked by others and considered to be a contributing and responsible member of society. He would regularly attend church and perhaps even attend a Christian school. He would know the gospel and have heard much about Christ, but never would have given Christ his heart.

The second man is the rich tax-collector identified as Zaccheus from Luke 19:1-10.  Consider his character:

1. He was rich at the expense of others and was hated among his people.
2. He was dissatisfied with life and was curious about Jesus. He knew that He was special.
3. He wasn’t concerned with what others thought about him.
4. He wasn’t a religious or moral man.

And his destiny:

He was saved and inherited the kingdom of heaven.

In today’s world, this man would have been an social outcast and considered to be a menace to society. He would have lived the “street life” downtown and perhaps have made a fortune selling drugs. He isn’t religious at all, and doesn’t even attempt to live morally. And yet, hearing about Christ, his life would be changed and he would leave his life of sin and begin immediately to live for Christ.

If we were to compare these two men, we would quickly realize that the less likely of the two to become a Christian was Zaccheus. The rich young ruler was respected, religious, and came to Jesus to find out how he could gain eternal life. On the other hand, Zaccheus was a tax collector who was very sinful and hated by all. The only thing which seemed to attract him to Jesus was curiosity. And yet Zaccheus was the one who found salvation. What made the difference?

Although the rich young ruler believed himself to be righteous, he wrongly understood God’s standard. Zaccheus was under no such delusions about himself, he knew that he was a sinner. Both received a glimpse of the deity of Christ. The ruler heard Jesus make a claim to being “good”, and Jesus demonstrated omniscience by knowing the name of Zaccheus. They both loved money, but only Zaccheus was willing to repent of his sin. He received the Lord joyfully. When Zaccheus met Jesus, his life changed!
What made the difference between these two men? Simply put, Zaccheus was a repenter, and the rich younger ruler was not.

What is A Repenter?

A repenter is someone who has had a change of mind about living a life of sin and living life apart from God, and who has forsaken their old life and turned to God. Repentance is a change of mind about sin, and the decision to turn away from sin and to walk in obedience to Christ. According to one man, it is “hating what you once loved and loving what you once hated” (Jim Elliff). A person repents when they become miserable in sin and under its load of guilt, and realize that living apart from God is a terrible way to live, and desire to return to Him in order to be cleansed of sin. An example of this change of mind is found in the prodigal son in Luke 15:17, which says that he came to his senses.

It is important that you realize that you do not have to cleanse yourself from sin in order to come to Christ. But you do have to want to be rid of your sin. That is why you come to Christ! Repentance is leaving your sin, and faith is believing that God will accept you when you come to Him and will forgive you of your sin! The true Christian is one who at a point in time repented and was cleansed from sin, and yet who continues throughout life repenting and forsaking sin.

It is also important that you realize that many professing Christians have never really repented of sin and therefore are not truly saved. They have attempted to hold Christ in one hand and a love for sin in the other. They have tried externally to impress others through morality, but if given the chance and the opportunity to sin without consequences, they would indulge themselves. Anyone who claims to know Christ and yet does not practice genuine repentance must face the words of Christ, “Why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?” (Luke 6:46).

Therefore, the issue is not whether or not you sin (we all do!), but, what you do when you sin. The true repenter will confess that sin to God and turn from it, experiencing a change in life. The false Christian will minimize the sin (its no big deal), or will hate the consequences of getting caught without truly hating the sin.

A few concluding thoughts:

1. There is no one who is able to meet God’s standard of righteousness and doesn’t need to receive forgiveness from Christ.
2. There is no one who is so sinful that they are beyond the reach of Jesus to save them. Jesus took a covetous tax collector and turned him into a generous man. Today, Jesus is still seeking and saving the lost.
3. Idols of the heart are damning to the soul. We must be willing to part with anything in our lives when Christ calls us to follow Him.
4. Those who have given their lives to Jesus will always give evidence of their salvation. They will show by their lives that they are a “new creation in Christ.”

It is what Martin Luther called “the wonderful exchange.”

It is what Jerry Bridges called “The Great Exchange.”

It is what Leon Morris called, “something so infinitely wonderful.”

It is why Charitie L. Bancroft can write, “My sinful soul is counted free.  For God the just is satisfied to look on Him and pardon me.“

It is what can easily be underestimated.

It is what theologians call “The Doctrine of Substitutionary Atonement.”

It is our great GOSPEL!

• If “comforters” knew anything about real hardship, they would know that sufferers usually don’t know what they want or need.
• If comforters knew anything about the sufferer, they would know what the sufferer wants or needs.
• If comforters really knew the sufferer, they would know that he or she would never make the call. Never.

The comment is the equivalent of “ta ta, see you later,” “luv ya, call me sometime,” or some other mindless goodbye. The speaker is not giving any real thought to the comforter’s needs and circumstances, and the suffering person knows it.
So don’t say “If you need anything, please call me—anytime.” to anyone. Let’s put it to rest and never let it appear on another “Not Helpful” list.
That’s the bad news. The good news, of course, is that the same people who have heard the “call me” comment have also been blessed by friends who do the opposite: these friends don’t wait to be called, they just figure out what needs to be done and they do it.
These “angels” – I have heard many sufferers use that epithet – go through two steps. First, they listen and understand the suffering person. They pick up on to-do lists that are growing and impossible. They identify tasks that are especially important. They don’t barge in and do trivial work or serve in ways that leave more disarray. For example, I could imagine that someone would look at my chaotic arrangement of books and attempt to serve me by organizing them in a way that would make a librarian proud – and I wouldn’t be able to find a book for the next year (which actually happened, but it wasn’t because I was suffering. My wife could tell you the story. A small home office renovation project that was supposed to be a surprise, and it was, but . . .). A good friend can identify what would be truly helpful.
Next, they do it. They get the dog groomed, do the dishes, drop off a meal, cut the grass, baby sit the kids, bring a meal over and eat it together, clean the house, give a ride to small group, drop off a note of encouragement and then another and another, arrange for a hair cut, and so on.
Any of these acts of love and service make life easier for the suffering person. That certainly helps. But a meal is never just a meal; maid-service is never merely maid-service. These say to the suffering person, “I remember you,” “I think about you often,” “you are not forgotten, you are on my heart,” “I love you.” That, as they say, is priceless.
When in doubt, and you are concerned that you might unknowingly rearrange the library; you can get ideas from those who know the sufferer best. There is nothing wrong with the direct approach and ask the suffering person, “Would it help if I ______?” That’s great, but realize that he or she will demur. What commends the approach in which you ask friends and family is that you give even more thought to the suffering person’s interests and needs. It is the time you give to creative strategizing that is the power behind these acts. That is unmistakable love that mimics the strategic planning of the triune God’s rescue mission. He planned and acted even before we knew our real needs.

You can read the entire article, which is Part Two, here and Part One is here.

Listen to the sermon here.

AWAKEN my soul according to God’s Word
Psalm 119:25

FORTIFY my strength according to God’s Word
Psalm 119:28

FIX my comfort on God’s promised Word
Psalm 119:50

LEARN how affliction produces my obedience
Psalm 119:67

INCLINE my heart to see the benefits
Psalm 119:71

COMMEND God’s faithfulness in afflicting
Psalm 119:75

TAKE supreme delight in God’s law during the very height of my affliction
Psalm 119:92

INVIGORATE my life with Scripture when I am most severely afflicted
Psalm 119:107

OBSERVE God’s precious commandments in my worst trouble and anguish
Psalm 119:143

NEVER forget the law of God’s ability to deliver me from my afflictions
Psalm 119:153