Monday, November 26, 2012

Battling Materialism at Christmas

Christmas is a great time to give and receive gifts. More importantly, it is a time in the calendar to reflect on the great doctrine of the incarnation.  As strange as it may sound, it is also a dangerous time for the soul.

The love of riches and material things can (and if left unchecked will) lead us away from God (1 Tim. 6:10, Matt. 6:19-24). And in our wealthy culture, our flesh constantly faces the temptation towards loving things too much (materialism). Advertisements are flying fast and furious like shrapnel.  These advertisements generally work by tempting us to make our desires into needs. And needs quickly become things my heart demands and focuses on and thinks I can't live without.

The solution isn't to go hide in a cave or to mute all the commercials (though the latter isn't a bad idea).  I think the solution is to be more focused on God and His kingdom. We should center our thinking and conversations and desires around God and his rule in our lives and the world. As we see God as our ultimate treasure our hearts are free to enjoy good gifts without turning them into objects of need and worship (Matt. 6:31-33).

During war, you would do well to be alert and ready to fight. The same is true spiritually. In an effort to prepare your soul for this battle, I encourage you to listen to this short (4 minute) clip of John Piper answering the question "What is the danger in being a middle-class, comfortable Christian?".

Thursday, November 8, 2012

Thoughts on The Election

Dr. Russel Moore has some good thoughts on the recent election and how we as Christians should respond. Here is an excerpt.
Christians, above all people, should pray for and show respect for our President and all of our elected officials. After all, unlike those who see politics as ultimate, we recognize that our political structures are important, but temporal, before an inbreaking kingdom of Christ. We don’t then need to be fomented into the kind of faux outrage that passes for much of contemporary political discourse. And, unlike those who see history as impersonal or capricious, we see behind everything a God who is sovereign over his universe.

So let’s pray for President Obama. Let’s not give ourselves to terms of disrespect, or every crazy conspiracy theory that floats across the Internet.

That doesn’t mean slavish obedience. In a democratic republic, the President and the Congress govern by the consent of the governed. We appeal to our elected officials, and lobby them for the common good, expressing disagreement when we must. But we do this, as Paul does before Felix and Agrippa, with respect and honor, even as he seeks to persuade them of the need for religious liberty and as he preaches “righteousness and self-control and the coming judgment” (Acts 24:25).

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

"A Prayer for America on Election Day"

Dr. Al Mohler has some great insights on how we can pray for our nation on this election day at his blog.  Below are the ten things he mentions

First, we should pray that God will bless America with leaders better than we deserve.  Democratic systems inevitably reflect the electorate’s decisions, and these decisions reveal underlying worldviews.  And, truth be told, all we can expect from democracy is the government we deserve.  We must pray for a government and for leaders better than we deserve.  May God grant us mercy as he reigns and rules over all things, including this election.
Second, we should pray that Americans will be motivated to fulfill the responsibilities of citizenship, yet also that we will be stripped of an unhealthy and idolatrous confidence in the power of government to save us.  God has given us the gift of rulers and governments in order to restrain evil, uphold righteousness, and provide for civil order.  No human ruler can save.  No government official or office holder can heal the human heart, solve the sin problem, or accomplish final justice.  These powers belong to God and God alone.
Third, we must pray that Americans will vote by conscience, not merely on the basis of celebrity or emotion.  Christian citizens must vote to uphold righteousness and contend for righteous and just laws.  But, at the same time, we must repent of moralism and the tacit assumption that better laws would produce better people.
Fourth, we must pray that Americans will vote to defend the least among us — and especially those who have no vote.  This starts, but does not end, with concern for the unborn and for the recovery of respect for the dignity and sanctity of every single human life at every stage of development, from conception until natural death.
Fifth, we should pray that God will prick the conscience of the nation on issues of morality, righteousness, and respect for marriage as the central institution of human civilization.  So much ground appears to have been lost on these issues.  We need to pray that much ground can be regained. Marriage itself is on the ballot this year, both in the presidential election and in specific measures in four states. There is much work to be done, and so much is at stake.
Sixth, we should pray that God will protect these candidates and their families.  They have been through an arduous ordeal and now face the deadline of the vote.  They are physically exhausted and now face the judgment of the people.  They are public figures, but they are also flesh and blood human beings, who are fathers, mothers, sisters, brothers, sons, and daughters.  Their families have withstood much.  We should pray for their marriages and their children.  May God protect them.
Seventh, we should pray that the election is conducted with honor, civility, respect, and justice.  We must pray that we do not face another round of litigation after an election.  This brings democracy into disrepute.  May there be a clear winner, not a contested result.
Eighth, we must pray that Americans will be prepared to accept the results of the election with respect and kindness.  This will be no time for rancor, condemnations, and conspiracy theories.  Instead, we must pray that God will settle the hearts of the people.  May Christians be ready to respond with prayer, respect for office, and a gentle spirit.  Others will be watching.
Ninth, we should pray that this election would lead to even greater opportunities to preach the Gospel, and that the freedom of the church will be respected, honored, and protected.
Tenth, we must pray for the church, praying that the church of the Lord Jesus Christ would be strengthened in the truth, grounded in the faith, and empowered for witness and ministry.  May the church, the sign of the coming kingdom, be faithful to declare the Gospel — knowing that this is the only message that will save.

Monday, November 5, 2012

Sermons on Christianity and Politics

This Sunday, pastor Rod preached a sermon on Christianity and politics. If you  missed it you should check it out at www.gcot.org (it should be up later this week).

If you were here, I encourage you to follow it up with this sermon by Mark Dever (Pastor of Capitol Hill Baptist Church in Washington DC) on Mark 12:13-17 called "Jesus Paid Taxes." It is a great lesson on the Christian understanding of politics.