The importance of sound doctrine in the Christian life - change and unity

Acts 2:42 They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

Yesterday we considered the importance of sound doctrine in the Christian life as it pertains to its content. To review, based upon Peter's inaugural sermon at Pentecost in Acts 2:14-40, we can define the contents of "Apostle's Teaching" in Acts 2:42:

1. Authority of Scripture

2. Jesus Christ

3. God's Sovereignty

4. Holy Spirit

5. Salvation

6. Church

7. Missions

8. Second Coming of Jesus

Those eight teachings comprise the heart of the Apostolic doctrine and define the core of the Christian message in regards to the Christian faith and practice. Various church groups may differ of course on the nuance and details of each, as well as perhaps stating other doctrines that fall under secondary and tertiary importance. Nonetheless the eight truths above are found consistently throughout the scripture. 

With the importance of sound doctrine defined by way of its content, we now need to consider today how the doctrine of scripture are vital in terms of the change they bring and their creation of unity.

Sound doctrine is important because of the change it brings

Acts 2:40-41 states: "And with many other words he solemnly testified and kept on exhorting them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation!” 41 So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls." As a result of the preaching of God's word that is the basis for Apostolic teaching, great change came about. Sinner's were converted by the Word of God and the exposition thereof and saints immediately grew in their obedience and commitment.

Other scriptures in the New Testament testify to the necessity of sound doctrine for bringing about true spiritual change. The Apostle Paul speaks on this subject by inspiration of the Holy Ghost in Titus 1:9 "holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict." 1 Timothy 4:13-16 "Until I come, give attention to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation and teaching. 14 Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you, which was bestowed on you through prophetic utterance with the laying on of hands by the presbytery. 15 Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that your progress will be evident to all. 16 Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will ensure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you." 2 Timothy 3:16-17  "All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17 so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work."

Another Apostle, the Apostle John, states clearly the importance of sound doctrine from God's Word as bringing about necessary change and retaining such. 1 John 5:13 "These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life." 2 John 1:9  "Anyone who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God; the one who abides in the teaching, he has both the Father and the Son." 

Then of course we come back to the Apostle Peter who wrote the following some 30 or so years in 2 Peter 3:20-21 after that inaugural sermon: "You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard so that you are not carried away by the error of unprincipled men and fall from your own steadfastness, 18 but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen." It is abundantly clear the sound doctrine that flows from the preaching and teaching of God's Word is necessary for spiritual change and growth. But now notice also a third reason for the importance of sound doctrine in the Christian life (remember the first two reasons: content of it and the change it brings)...

Sound doctrine is important because it creates unity

Notice the unity enjoyed by the early church in Acts 2:44-46 - "And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; 45 and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need.46 Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart." What was it that caused this church to be unified? Two principle realities: The Spirit and the Word. When sound doctrine is accompanied by the Holy Spirit's working, the church cannot help but to be unified. We see evidence of this for example in Ephesians 4:1-3 in regards to the Spirit's working: "Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, 3 being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." In the same chapter in Ephesians we see the agency of God's Word, expressed in sound doctrine, as the source of unity in Ephesians 4:4-6 "There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism,6 one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all." The Person of the Holy Spirit is the uncreated fire of Deity and His Word is the sweet smelling incense of the unity of the church. The Spirit of God will not do His work apart from the scriptures right preached and taught. Without a doubt the Bible ever is and ever will be the Word of God, with the Spirit ever being associated with its words. Conversely, whenever the scriptures are used apart from reliance upon the Holy Spirit, they will come off as a dead letter. If a church or individual grieves the Spirit, He will mute His voice and illuminating ministry until which point their is repentance and return to Him and humility around the cross. (see Ephesians 4:30-32). 

The church today must re-emphasize sound doctrine

These last two posts have labored to show the importance of sound doctrine in the Christian life. Far from advocating "classroom" churches that make members fat and lazy, sound doctrine sanctifies and exhorts the church to be the church and proclaim the life changing power of Jesus Christ. We know that a word-centered, Spirit anointed church is of utmost necessity today as it was in the days of the apostles. In closing, consider these words from Ephesians 4:11-17 And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers,12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. 14 As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; 15 but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love."

The importance of sound doctrine for the Christian life is seen by its content

Acts 2:42-43 "They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles."

Introduction:

As we turn our attention today to those earliest days of the church, we read the following statement in Acts 2:42 regarding what the early church did in the wake of the Holy Spirit's arrival at Pentecost and Peter's preaching about that event: "they were continually devoting themselves to the apostle's teaching....". As the first Christians began to grow in doctrine, fellowship and prayer, verse 43 states: "Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe"

The early church was a church that gave themselves to the Apostle's teaching. It can be said that the early church's commitment to the Apostle's teaching was another way of describing them being saturated with the scriptures.   The early Christians were not only practical and spiritual but also doctrinal. Doctrine dominated the early church's thinking, practice and spirituality. Author David Wells writes about the significance of doctrine in the life of the church in his book "No Place for Truth", page 103: No one who is familiar with apostolic teaching and practice could imagine that a bare, credal orthodoxy alone is being advocated in these passages. It is clear, for example, both from the structure of many of Paul's letters and from his many specific statements, that he saw belief and practice as inextricably related to each other, the former being the foundation of the latter and the latter being the evidence of the outworking of the former." Wells then later adds: "The apostolic exposition of God, his character, his acts, and his will (especially as these were focused in the giving of His incarnated Son) for the foundation without which one cannot have the Christian faith."

What exactly defines the "Apostle's teaching" or "content of faith"

So when we read such statements as the early Christians continually devoting themselves to the Apostle's teaching, where does one find out what they taught. Thankfully the search is not a hard one. With the same chapter, Acts 2, we find the first sermon ever preached in that early church - Peter's inaugural sermon on the Day of Pentecost. Everything he preached in that sermon comprises nearly every core doctrine and teaching found throughout the Old Testament, stated specifically by Jesus in the Gospels and spelled out completely by the Apostles throughout the rest of the Book of Acts, the Epistles and Revelation. 

The contents of the apostolic teaching which shaped and defined the early Christian faith is the same teaching that acompananies the faith of Christians over 2,000 years later. By mainly looking at Peter's Sermon in Acts 2:14-40, we can list the major points and doctrines preached to his audience on the day of Pentecost, notice:

1. Authority of scripture. Acts 2:14-21; 25-28; 33-36

We can see the commitment to the Old Testament scriptures as indicated by the various quotations made by Peter. Furthermore, since Peter's sermon is recorded and included in Luke's Gospel by Divine inspiration, by default this includes the New Testament. This demonstrates that the scriptures gave birth to the church and not the reverse.

2. Jesus Christ

Peter preached that Jesus is God (2:34); incarnated in human flesh as a man who lived, was crucified, buried and risen from the dead (2:23-24) and ascended into heaven (2:34-36). Later on the Apostle Paul in his sermon on Mars Hill preached similarly and remarked in Acts 17:31 regarding the Second Coming of Jesus in judgment. 

3. Sovereignty of God. 

We see this truth expressed by Peter in the terms "purpose" and "foreknowledge" in Acts 2:34.

4. The Holy Spirit. 

In Acts 2:33 we see reference to the Holy Spirit in terms of His Person and work: "Therefore having been exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He has poured forth this which you both see and hear." Incidently this remark by Peter serves as initial evidence for what would be the later New Testament expression of God being One God existing as Three Persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. 

5. Salvation.

Acts 2:38-41 summarizes the earliest preaching of the Gospel following Jesus' ascension - namely salvation by grace alone, through faith alone in Christ alone. Clearly the 3,000 that got saved in Acts 2:41a were baptized to express publically before many witnesses the miracle work of salvation wrought by the Spirit in their hearts by faith and repentance. 

6. Church

Acts 2:42-46 serves to underscore the necessity of church life for the believer. Without expanding into too much detail, suffice it to say that the believer's connection to the local church is considered at the heart of apostolic teaching and thus the Christian faith.

7. Great Commission.

Acts 2:47 records that many more people were being added daily to the church, which indicates that God was doing so through the witness of the early Christians. 

8. The Second coming.

This final truth is alluded to in Acts 2:20-21 and 2:34. Jesus is returning back a second time to redeem His bride the church and judge the world. 

Final thoughts: Why doctrine is important for the Christian life

David Wells spells out why doctrine is so vital for the Christian life in his book: "No Place for Truth", page 103: "it is this message that is our only ground for hope (Titus 1:9) and salvation (1 Corinthians 15:2; 1 Peter 1:23-25). Without it, we have neither the Father nor the Son (2 John 9). Indeed, Paul says that we can grow in Christ only if we stay within this doctrinal framework, for its truth provides the means of our growth (Col 2:6). It is no wonder that Christians are urged not to depart from the apostolic teaching they received in the beginning (John 2:7,24,26; 3:11) or from what they had heard (Hebrews 2:1), for it is the "faith once and for all entrusted to the saints" (Jude 3). May we recognize this significance and do exactly what the early church did: "continually devote ourselves to the Apostle's teaching". 

The Better Life in Jesus: Empowered to enjoy the better life

Hebrews 11:39-40  "And all these, having gained approval through their faith, did not receive what was promised, 40 because God had provided something better for us, so that apart from us they would not be made perfect."

Introduction:
In this series we have considered what the writer of Hebrews refers to here in Hebrews 11:39 as “something better for us” or what we could call “the better life”. People all the time are interested in having the so-called “good-life” – a life with no problems, plenty of money and endless possibilities. But why have the “good-life” that is a myth when you can have “the better life” from God that is described here in Hebrews 12-13. The Christian life is of course “the better life” of which we speak. The first one we considered was that Christians are: "Victors Running Out the Better Life". We then considered the second truth that shows why life with Jesus is the better life: Children (of God by adoption & faith) secure in the better life. The third truth we discovered yesterday about the better life in Jesus was: "Heavenly Citizens living out the better life". Today's post will close out this study about the better life in Jesus by considering the final truth: Empowered to enjoy the better life.

Empowered to enjoy the better life. Hebrews 13:20-25

The closing remarks of the book of Hebrews is truly encouraging in Hebrews 13:20-21 “Now the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the eternal covenant, even Jesus our Lord, ²¹ equip you in every good thing to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.” Why is it that God commands Christians to live holy, Godly lives in Christ Jesus? because only by His grace can such a life be lived. When believers arrive in heaven, everything will be credited to God's enablement - including good works. Here is a question to consider: who lives the Christian life? Some will say "it is I" and others will say "let go, and let God". Both answers are correct, since on the one hand "I am crucified with Christ, and yet it is not longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me..." (Galatians 2:20a). Yet on the other hand consider what Paul writes next in Galatians 2:20 "and the life that I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself for me." The better life with Jesus is better because He empowers us to live it by His presence (Colossians 1:27); His Spirit (Ephesians 1:18-20) and His word (2 Timothy 3:16).

Conclusion:

That concludes the reasons why life with Jesus Christ is the better life. As Christians, we are victors running out the better life, children secure in the better life, heavenly citizens living out the better life and empowered to enjoy the better life. 

The Better Life in Jesus: Heavenly Citizens living out life here on earth

Hebrews 11:39-40  "And all these, having gained approval through their faith, did not receive what was promised, 40 because God had provided something better for us, so that apart from us they would not be made perfect."

Introduction:
A couple of days ago we began a new blog series entitled: "The Better Life in Jesus". In this series we want to consider what the writer of Hebrews refers to here in Hebrews 11:39 as “something better for us” or what we could call “the better life”. People all the time are interested in having the so-called “good-life” – a life with no problems, plenty of money and endless possibilities. But why have the “good-life” that is a myth when you can have “the better life” from God that is described here in Hebrews 12-13. The Christian life is of course “the better life” of which we speak. In the details of Hebrews 12-13 there may be parts which may not sound appealing or good, let alone “better”. However by the end of this blog series we will discover four truths about the Christian identity that demonstrates it to be “The Better Life in Jesus.” The first one we considered was that Christians are: "Victors Running Out the Better Life". Yesterday we considered the second truth that shows why life with Jesus is the better life: Children (of God by adoption & faith) secure in the better life. Today's blogpost features the third truth: "Heavenly Citizens living out the better life". 

Heavenly Citizens living out the better life. Hebrews 12:19-13:19

Paul writes regarding the Christian’s heavenly citizenship in Philippians 3:20-21 “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; ²¹ who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself.” The writer of Hebrews describes the Christian as one who is not approaching God under the fear and judgment of Sinai. By grace through faith we are transfered out of fear of judgment into the freedom of citizenship in God’s Heavenly Kingdom. (1 Peter 2:9-12) 

The writer of Hebrews describes this citizenship as a heavenly reality that is foretasted here on earth in the Christian life. (Hebrews 12:19-24) As citizens of the Heavenly Kingdom of Jesus Christ, we are in the process of receiving an unshakable kingdom (Hebrews 12:26-29) and are called to offer forth our lives and relationships as spiritual sacrifices for Jesus’ sake (Hebrews 13:1-19). Such a better life of Heavenly citizenship impacts our relationships, marriages and handling of resources. (Hebrews 13:1-5) Such a better life includes great and precious promises tied to Jesus Himself. (Hebrews 13:6-14) Such a better life as citizens of the Kingdom yields forth a life of worship and praise to God. (Hebrews 13:15-19) 

More tomorrow...

The better life in Jesus: Children (by adoption & faith) secure in the better life

Hebrews 11:39-40  "And all these, having gained approval through their faith, did not receive what was promised, 40 because God had provided something better for us, so that apart from us they would not be made perfect."

Introduction:
In this series we want to consider what the writer of Hebrews refers to here in Hebrews 11:39 as “something better for us” or what we could call “the better life”. This theme of "better" or "more excellent" runs its course like a silver river through the golden hills of Hebrews. In Hebrews 1:4 we discover that Jesus Christ has acheived a "more excellent" or "better name" than the angels. Hebrews 3:3 tells us that Jesus, touching His humanity, was better than Moses. In Hebrews 7:7, Abraham, the father of faith and protoype of all who by faith trust in Jesus, was blessed by One better than He, Melechizedek or what was most likely and Old Testament appearance of the Son prior to His incarnation. Then we come of course to Hebrews 12:24 that speaks of the blood of Jesus being better.  

People all the time are interested in having the so-called “good-life” – a life with no problems, plenty of money and endless possibilities. But why have the “good-life” that is a myth when you can have “the better life” from God that is described here in Hebrews 12-13. The Christian life is of course “the better life” of which we speak. In the details of Hebrews 12-13 there may be parts which may not sound appealing or good, let alone “better”. However by the end of this blog series we will discover four truths about the Christian identity that demonstrates it to be “The Better Life in Jesus.” The first one we called: "Victors Running Out the Better Life". Today we consider the second truth that shows why life with Jesus is the better life: Children (of God by adoption & faith) secure in the better life. 

Children (of God by adoption & faith) secure in the better life. Hebrews 12:5-18
Several places in scripture describe believers in Jesus Christ as “sons and daughters”. (Romans 8:14-16; Galatians 4:6) The discipline that God enacts on Christians must not be viewed as punishment for sin as it is in developing the Christian’s character and enriching them in the things of God. Oftentimes we may view God’s chastening as Him being mean, but beloved, Hebrews 13:6 states plainly that discipline demonstrates we are the Lord’s beloved. The point of God’s loving chastening is to remove out of us what is not Christ and replace in us what is Christ. The passage from whence Hebrews 12:5-6 is quoting (Proverbs 3:12) has the word translated “discipline” as referring to God restraining one’s life in order to bring it into conformity with His will. The author here shows the validity of the Christian’s sonship by comparing it to what is experienced in earthly parent/child relationships (Hebrews 12:7-14). We are warned in Hebrews 12:15-17 to ignore the seduction of earthly things and pleasures in comparison to the better life found in Jesus Christ.

The Christian life is regarded as “better” because of the fact that Christians are victors and children secure in their relationship with the Lord. 

More tomorrow....

The Better Life in Jesus - victors running out the better life

Hebrews 11:39-40  "And all these, having gained approval through their faith, did not receive what was promised, 40 because God had provided something better for us, so that apart from us they would not be made perfect."

Introduction:
In this post we want to consider what the writer of Hebrews refers to here in Hebrews 11:39 as “something better for us” or what we could call “the better life”. People all the time are interested in having the so-called “good-life” – a life with no problems, plenty of money and endless possibilities. But why have the “good-life” that is a myth when you can have “the better life” from God in Jesus that is described here in Hebrews 12-13 as a reality. The Christian life in Jesus is of course “the better life” of which we speak. In the details of Hebrews 12-13 there may be parts which may not sound appealing or good, let alone “better”. However by the end of this blog series we will discover four truths about the Christian identity that demonstrates it to be “The Better Life in Jesus.” Let’s see a little bit of how it is that God has something better for us in Christ than what this world could ever offer. As Christians, we are first of all....

1. Victors running out the better life. Hebrews 12:1-4
The wonder of the Christian running the race of faith is that in Jesus Christ the victory has already been guaranteed. Romans 8:37 states: “But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.” The victory of the better life is in realizing that we are not hostages of our past but heirs of a future eternity with Jesus Christ. 

Philippians 3:12-14 reminds us: “Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. 13 Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” 

As a runner, the number one motivation I have is finding the finish line. Whether running a quick lap around a track or a 5K race, the idea of "pressing on" and "leaving behind to reach forward" speaks volumes to the goals in running any race. The Christian life is not a spring but a marathon. The Christian life is God’s better life because the Christian is deemed a victor running out their victory lap. 

More tomorrow…

A Highly Recommended Resource for Husbands and Fathers: The Shepherd Leader at Home

Ephesians 5:22-25 "Wives, be subject to your own husbands,as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body. 24 But as the church is subject to Christ, so also the wives ought to be to their husbands in everything. 25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her."

Introduction:                                                            Today's post features a review of a marvelous book written for husbands and fathers by a great friend and mentor, Dr. Timothy Witmer. The book is entitled: "The Shepherd Leader at Home". The below review is also available at the other blogsite: https://biblicalexegete.wordpress.com/2015/01/01/highly-recommended-resource-for-husbands-and-fathers-the-shepherd-leader-at-home/

An Overview of "The Shepherd Leader at Home"

To begin on a personal note, it is rare to read a book that is written by an author that is considered to be a family friend and mentor. If the reader is looking for a well written and accessible book containing illustrations and wisdom for men who desire to be better men of God for their wives and children, then “The Shepherd Leader at Home” comes highly recommended.  Dr. Witmer’s central thesis is that men are called to be “shepherd leaders” in their homes in the capacities of knowing, leading, protecting and providing for their families. The below review aims to briefly summarize Dr. Witmer’s book with the aim of commending it to every man who desires to shepherd his wife and children by God’s design. At the end of the review there will be a link for the reader to go to in wanting to know further information about the book. 

Part One: The Shepherd Knows His Family

The first three chapters explain what is entailed in men knowing their wives and children. Dr. Witmer notes on page 31 that marriage is designed by God to be permanent, meet the needs for companionship, help in the tasks of life, relationship, intimacy, joy and functions to illustrate Christ and His church.  In chapter two we see the following quote that emphasizes the priority of getting to know one’s wife: “This is an important way to express your love for your wife as you show her that being alone with her is a key priority of your life.” Dr. Witmer develops the idea of knowing one’s wife as foundational and thus leading to the important effort in knowing one’s children. The third chapter contains four necessary elements in exercising quality communication with your children:

1. Look at the most effective way to interact with each child
2. Commit yourself to building up your children with your words
3. Remember, quality communication means being a good listener
4. Finally, speak to the heart

Part Two: The Shepherd Leads His Family

Knowing one’s wife and children is crucial to how a man begins to understand their role as a shepherd in the home. The second part of Dr. Witmer’s book challenges men to lead their families. One of the most insightful illustrations on leadership itself appears in chapter four of the book. In the illustration he progressively introduces three boxes labeled from left to right: “followers”,” leader” and “goal”. He then sets a fourth box with the label “God” directly above the other three and has arrows leading from the bottom three boxes to  the “God” box. Dr. Witmer’s point is that all the relationships between followers, leaders and goals must be directed toward and in relationship to God, who is the Creator and supplier of all three. This insight is then used in undergirding chapter five’s emphasis on leading the wife with unconditional love and the children by loving principles in chapter six.

Part Three: The Shepherd Provides for His Family

The third part of the book urges the man of God to shepherd his home by way of providing for his family both materially and spiritual. Dr. Witmer explains the material provision as the man of God exercising the attitudes of child-like dependence, thankfulness, generosity and dependence. Such attitudes are modeled and reinforced by the shepherding father to his children. In the sixth chapter we see the shepherding father and husband encouraged to lead his family by the scriptures. Dr. Witmer uses the four-fold function of scripture described in 2 Timothy 3:16 as the basis for such spiritual provision: teaching, reproof, correction and training in righteousness.  Dr. Witmer writes on page 116: “As the Lord renewed his covenant with Israel, he reminded parents that their responsibility was to convey their love and commitment to the Lord and His Word everywhere and all the time.”

Part Four: The Shepherd Protects His family

Thus far “The Shepherd Leader at Home” has unfolded three functions of the man of God who aims to shepherd his home as a knower, leader and provider for his wife and children. This final section of the book unfolds the fourth and final area of protecting the family through the drawing forth of boundaries. In chapter nine Dr. Witmer lays out boundaries for husbands to draw that can protect their marriages from unfaithfulness: namely determination to walk in the Lord’s way; rejoicing in one’s wife; immediate rejection of lustful thoughts; reliance upon the Great Shepherd and accountability. The final chapter of the book is devoted to drawing boundaries for the children. Dr. Witmer’s seven-step process for reacting to the inevitable crossing of boundaries by the children is invaluable:

1. Ask the Lord for wisdom
2. Be sure the line has been crossed
3. Confront and clarify
4. Deliver the promised consequences
5. Explain additional consequences of action
6. Forgive completely
7. Graciously restore and move on

As Dr. Witmer closes out his book, he has an “afterword” that reminds men that they have less time than they think to directly impact their children before they become adults. Applying the principles of the “Shepherd Leader” must begin now if results are to bear forth fruit over the lifetime of the children and the duration of the marriage relationship.  A very helpful appendix listing resources for family devotions is included to help men to know where to look in furthering their responsibilities as shepherd leaders.

Final thoughts:

As was noted above, this book is highly recommended and a must have for any husband and father wanting to shepherd their home by God’s design.  It’s size (158 pages plus appendices), cost ($12.99 or $10.71 on Amazon) and readability makes “The Shepherd Leader at Home” a necessary resource for every husband and father. Below is a link that describes the book in further detail.

Timothy Z. Witmer. “The Shepherd Leader at Home” Crossway. 2012. $12.99 ($10.71 on Amazon)                                                                  http://www.amazon.com/Shepherd-Leader-Home-Protecting-Providing/dp/1433530074/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1420145253&sr=8-1&keywords=shepherd+leader+at+home

Envisioning a more awesome church - Life around the cross

Acts 2:36-38 "Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ—this Jesuswhom you crucified.” 37 Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brethren, what shall we do?” 38 Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."

Introduction & Review

I pray these last several posts have proven insightful to the reader. We have been concerned about envisioning a more awesome church. Acts 2:43 tells us about that inaugural church gathering: "Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles." That word for awe could just as easily rendered "fear, trepedation, anticipation". God's presence saturated that early congregation to such an extent that the people felt like they had crossed a threshold into the extraordinary, unfamiliar, uncommon and sacred. Unfamiliarity spawns dependency. When we fear God, we are depending on Him and hating sin. This church was under the control and power of the Holy Spirit and the authority of Jesus Christ. The miracles of the apostles were not the cause of their awe, rather it was people getting saved and the reality of the church coming into focus. The miracles and signs confirmed the apostlic ministry, however it was God's birthing of the church by the sign of the Spirit and the masses getting saved that caused this early church to be in "awe". Thus the early church was "more awesome" than anything else.

We have considered four characteristics of envisioning a "more awesome" church that are found mainly in Acts 2:42-47 and other scriptures in the New Testament:

1). Intercession

2). Word

3). Fellowship

4). Commission

These four practices or traits are what I call a "vision target" for the church. Will that mean that these four things will be in place in equal measure? No. The church, like individual Christians, is ever striving to become in its experience what it is in its calling. (Ephesians 4:11-12) 

Now I hope the reader has grasped why I have labored over these four areas. These four traits or practices are a must for a church to be more awesome. However without the cross, these four practices will drift and quickly become isolated, shrunken or dead. Today's post aims to show the central anchoring point of envisioning the more awesome church: Life around the cross.

Why the Gospel must be heard every day

How often should we be exposed to the Gospel? Is once a month enough? Once a week? How about everyday! Yes everyday! Why? Consider Jesus' words in Luke 9:23-24 "And He was saying to them all, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me. 24 For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake, he is the one who will save it."

The Gospel for the Christian is the source and power of sanctification, just like it is for the sinner the source and power of salvation. Unless I center my life around the cross everyday, I will never put to death the selfish propensisties that wage war against the desire to love and live for God (otherwise known as the flesh).

Notice what Jesus says again in Luke 14:27-28 "Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. 28 For which one of you, when he wants to build a tower, does not first sit down and calculate the cost to see if he has enough to complete it?" More awesome church life and more awesome Christian living requires us to daily assess the cost of following Jesus. The cross is the only place in which I can gain the proper perspective. Our problem so often in the church and in the Christian life is that we compare ourselves with other people or other churches. When we keep the cross at the center of our lives, Jesus alone is our standard. 

Consider what Paul writes about the centrality of the cross and the Gospel in Romans 12:1-2 "Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice,acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect." Consider these words in Galatians 6:14 "But may it never be that I would boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world." When the cross is at the center of our daily lives, we won't compare ourselves with the world and crave and admire the success of the world above the need and desire to be godly. The cross shows us that we need not conform ourselves to the world's pattern nor give into its whims and desires. We need to hear the Gospel daily. 

We need to hear once more Jesus Christ virgin born, perfect active obedience in childhood, adolescence and adulthood, crucified, buried, risen and ascended. Jesus' entry into humanity by the virgin birth was necessary to provide the foundation of the Christian's new birth in saving faith. Moreover, His perfect life of active obedience was required to provide the righteous life that would be credited to my wretched life in justification. His submissive obedience in crucifixion was foundational to the removal of the penalty of the curse from me at the moment I am justified by faith in salvation. His resurrection and ascension are fundamental to the Spirit's work of empowering the Christian to live the overcoming life day to day, as well as the promise of a physical resurrection at Jesus' physical, bodily return to earth. 

We need to hear how at saving faith a sinner is newly born, crucified, buried with Christ, risen and seated in the heavenly realms in Jesus. The fact that a new convert participates in water baptism as a testimony of what took place in their life asserts that pattern of having been newly born, buried in Christ, risen and seated. When we partake of the Lord's table as a church body, we yet again are telling ourselves and those around us the Gospel story. We are asserting the need of the cross-centered life. The "death-to-self" message is embedded deeply in the Lord's supper so that "life in Christ" may express itself as something that the church has in common. Taking in the life and power of Jesus daily by the Spirit is captured in that physical partaking of the elements which portray such realities. Jesus in me and I in Him. 

Closing thoughts:

As we close out this post and this series on "envisioning a more awesome church", today we have considered the power source behind the traits of such a church - the cross. Only when the cross and the Gospel are central to our individual Christian lives and church lives can we seriously pursue intercession, the word, fellowship and the Great commission. More awesome churches proceed forward by the blood of the lamb and power of the Spirit. 

Envisioning a More Awesome Church - The Great Commission

Acts 2:46-47 "Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved."

Introduction and review

These last several posts have been dedicated to unfolding and envisioning a more awesome church. Whenever we look at the pages of the New Testament with regards to the effectiveness of the local church, we find churches that achieved more for God than the sum of their people or resources. The churches of the New Testament are characterized as "more awesome" because they consistently practiced intercessions, powerful word ministry and Godly, Spirit united fellowship with one another. These were the type of churches people would had wanted to be a part of because the risen Christ were the main draw. The Holy Spirit's liberty to express Himself through the gifts He gave His people was at a premium in those churches. Today's post deals with yet another crucial mark of "more awesome" church life - namely an emphasis on the great commission.

What happens when churches are reaching others for Jesus' sake by way of the Great Commission

Jesus told his disciples in Matthew 28:18-20 "And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Acts 1:8 has Jesus echoing similar sentiments to his disciples about the then soon coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost: "but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.”

Notice what makes the great commission so "great": we as the church proceed on the basis of Christ's Sovereign authority and the Spirit's power. Whenever the church is consistently practicing the Great commission, she will be marked by God's favor which is a composed of both Christ's Sovereign authority exercised among God's people through the Spirit's power. This is why in Acts 2:47 we read about how the church enjoyed "favor" with all people. A church that is practicing the Great commission will have God's favor in ever increasing measure. 

A church that is serious about the Great commission must be in tune with these twin realities of Christ's supremacy and the Spirit's empowerment. Think about the spread of Christianity across the entire Roman Empire in the first 30 years of its existence in the Book of Acts. The persecutors of the early church said in Acts 17:6  "When they did not find them, they began dragging Jason and some brethren before the city authorities, shouting, “These men who have upset the world have come here also."  In practicing the Great Commission, we must be in tune with the greatness behind the great commission - the glory of God revealed in Jesus Christ by the Holy Spirit.

John Piper writes in his ground-breaking work on missions "Let the Nations be Glad! The Supremacy of God in Missions": "If the pursuit of God's glory is not ordered above the pursuit of man's good in the affections of the heart and the priorities of the church, man will not be well served and God will not be duly honored. I am not pleading for a diminishing of missions but for a magnifying of God. When the flame of worship burns with the heat of God's true worth, the light of missions will shine to the most remote peoples on earth. And I long for that day to come! Where passion for God is weak, zeal for missions will be weak. Churches that are not centered on the exaltation and majesty and beauty of God will scarcely kindle a fervent desire to "declare his glory among the nations" (Psalm 96:3). Even outsiders feel the disparity between the boldness of our claim upon the nations and the blandness of our engagement with God."

Piper's comments certainly sting but they also hit the nail on the head when it comes to the anemic approach so many American churches have towards missions. 

Why being on co-mission with God must be the necessary outlet for intercession, the Word and fellowship

At some point the life of the local church must spill out into the community and the world. These past several days have been dedicated to envisioning a more awesome church. What happens if a church begins to get gripped by God so much that intercession ripples across that fellowship, preaching and teaching become paramount, fellowship becomes sweet and profound and yet no efforts in great commission work are done? stagnancy, complacency and a short-circuit of God's purposes. 

When I read of the Great Revivals that swept across our globe in the past two millennia, I see all of them yield forth fruits of countless souls won to Christ. Without a doubt God's movement among His people is for His people to once again rekindle the flame that was but a flicker. However unless that fervency is matched by missionary endeavor, the revival will be short-sighted and short-lived. If we only aim to draw closer to God without aiming to urge others to do the same, our remoteness of God's conscious presence will only grow. 

I'm reminded of the little pond that was close by my child-hood home. The little pond was home to many fish and sustained wildlife of all kinds. The only outlet for that little pond was a pipe that drained off the water and fed a small creek that ran parallel to our property. My sister and I would frequent that pond to skip stones and view the dragon flies meandering their way among the cat-o-nine tails. Whenever we would walk up to that pond, we at times had to unclog that drain pipe that fed the creek from the pond. In the summer times the pond would begin to get clogged up with green algae and moss. If the pipe got clogged, the smell of stagnancy would set in and soon the stench of death could be smelled. 

A church that ever expects to be vibrant must have an outlet. Church's by their very nature are inward focused and if the Great commission is not being regularly practiced, soon the church becomes more like an overweight cruise ship than an outfitted battleship with Christ at the helm. For the church to be "more awesome", she must be about the co-mission assigned to her by her Lord.  

Envisioning a More Awesome Church - True fellowship

Acts 2:42 "They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer."

In the last few posts we have been considering what it means to envision a more awesome church. Thus far we have looked at envisioning a more awesome church that takes to heart intercessory prayer as not only a personal practice by a church-wide characteristic marking that church. We also saw the equally important emphasis of centering all preaching and teaching on the unfolding, expositional, verse by verse application of God's Word in worship and life application. These tenets may sound basic, however few churches practice them consistently. American pulpits today are not as concerned about explaining God's Word as they are in entertaining an already over entertained audience. Likewise, programs and planning are put ahead of prayer. To plan and program before prayer is putting the cart before the horse. In-as-much as we need to put feet to our prayers, there does need to be prayers first, otherwise our feet and hands will falter. 

Whenever we consider the New testament church as depicted in Acts and described in the New Testament letters, there is no question that intercessory prayer and emphasis on God's Word marked the reasons behind its effectiveness. Today we add a third vital element - the relational element of Biblical fellowship.

The outcomes of true fellowship as intended by God in His Word

One of the clearest descriptions one can find of what true fellowship looks like, talks like and acts like is found in Acts 2:44-46 "And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; 45 and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need.46 Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart." Does this sound like a church you would like to be a part of? Does this description sound like your church or mine? What about other places in the New Testament that describe what fellowship was like in the early church? What happens when a more awesome church is exercising true Biblical fellowship?

1. Cause for celebration 

Colossians 1:3-6  "We give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, 4 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and the love which you have for all the saints; 5 because of the hope laid up for you in heaven, of which you previously heard in the word of truth, the gospel 6 which has come to you, just as in all the world also it is constantly bearing fruit and increasing, even as it has been doing in you also since the day you heard of it and understood the grace of God in truth." The church at Colossae had biblical, Spirit-filled fellowship happening and it was cause for celebration. 

2. Clear example to other churches and the community

1 Thessalonians 1:2-8 "We give thanks to God always for all of you, making mention of you in our prayers; 3 constantly bearing in mind your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the presence of our God and Father, 4 knowing, brethren beloved by God, His choice of you; 5 for our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; just as you know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake. 6 You also became imitators of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much tribulation with the joy of the Holy Spirit, 7 so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. 8 For the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith toward God has gone forth, so that we have no need to say anything."

3. Christ's favor and blessing

Revelation 3:8-10 ‘I know your deeds. Behold, I have put before you an open door which no one can shut, because you have a little power, and have kept My word, and have not denied My name. 9 Behold, I will cause those of the synagogue of Satan, who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie—I will make them come and bow down at your feet, and make them know that I have loved you. 10 Because you have kept the word of My perseverance, I also will keep you from the hour of testing, that hour which is about to come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth."

The three churches above demonstrate the outcome of what takes place when true Biblical fellowship is occurring. The blessing is not only experienced within the church but more so outside by others. 

8 relational ingredients for building true biblical fellowship

The key to true fellowship in the local church where Christians come together and enjoy the supernatural unity and "God-kind" of love for one another is discovered in the reciprocal or "one another" commands. For every command God gives in His Word there is always at least one provision of grace attending it. The following 8 reciprocal commands must be practiced by churches today to experience and express true Godly fellowship that marks that church as a "more awesome church". 

1. Love one another. John 13:34,35; Gal 5:14; 1 Thess 3:11-12; 1 Pet 1:22

2. Receive One another. Rom 15:7

3. Greet One another. Romans 16:16; 1 Cor 16:20; 2 Cor 13:12; 1 Pet 5:14

4. Have the same care for one another 1 Cor 12:24-25

5. Submit to one another. Eph 5:18-21

6. Forbear one another. Eph 4:1-3; Col 3:12-14

7. Confess your faults to one another. James 5:16

8. Forgive one another Eph 4:31-32; Col 3:12-13

Closing thoughts

Imagine what would happen if every church practiced those eight reciprocal commands? Imagine if even half of those were followed how much different our churches would be? A more-awesome church life is around the corner when God's people take to heart the true meaning of Biblical fellowship. I close today from a wonderful description of Biblical fellowship by author Edmund P. Clowney in his book, "Living in Christ's Church": "The communion of the Spirit joins us both to God and to men. The participation of the church in the presence and blessings of the Spirit is a sharing of a common life, not in the sense of shared experiences primarily but of a shared nature: the nature of new creatures in Christ Jesus. Those who share this Spirit are bound together in the same mind, of one accord, united in the love of Christ (Phil. 2:1,2). Those who share a common life will also be ready to share daily bread or clothing."1

Endnotes:

1. Edmund P. Clowney. Living in Christ's Church. Great Commission Publications. 1986. page 98