So I really wish I could have posted this sermon much earlier, but it wasn't immediately available. Then when it was, I was under the burden of finals.
Anyway, this is Dr. Sean Lucas from Covenant Seminary preaching Psalm 23. It is a very familiar passage for many of us, but he sheds a fresh light on it that I feel most anyone should be able to appreciate, especially in the midst of stress, trials, and tribulation.
Let the peace (and Word) of God reign in your hearts... Here's the link.
http://www.covenantseminary.edu/resource/Lucas_chapelmsg20080506.mp3
If the link does not work, please go to www.covenanseminary.com and click on the link that says ministry resources and search for the sermon by Sean Lucas entitled "I Shall Not Want."
Grace and Peace,
Di
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Saturday, May 3, 2008
You Ain't Perfect!!!
"...If anyone else thinks he has a reason to put confidence in the flesh, I have more..." Phil 3:4
Okay, so obviously this is not the topic that I promised to write on, but in having some much needed, personal time in the Word I was compelled to write this.
YOU AIN'T PERFECT!!!!
This message may apply to unbelievers, but my purpose is to dispel the myth of perfection theology. Granted, I believe that we are to walk in holiness as Moses wrote in Lev 11:44 and Peter reiterated in 1 Peter 1:16, "Be holy, because I am holy."
That being said, it is essential for believers and non-believers alike to understand that the Bible teaches the doctrines of positional and progressive sanctification. God sees Christians as perfect because of Christ's perfect obedience, death, and resurrection; this is called positional sanctification or righteousness. The truth of this principle allows my "old skool" saints to confidently say, "I'm saved, sanctified..."
In terms of our everyday Christian walk, having been given new natures, we are continually conformed to the image of Christ or growing in holiness; this is progressive sanctification. NO ONE BECOMES PERFECT THIS SIDE OF ETERNITY!!! I write this with such fervor because I find the doctrine of perfection to be legalistic, self-righteous bondage. But I will not give my perspective, let's consider what our brother Paul thinks of the issue.
Phil 3:3-4 (NIV) "For it is we who are the circumcision, we worship by the Spirit of God, who glory in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh- though I myself have reasons for such confidence. If anyone else thinks he has reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more..."
So Paul may very well be the closest human recorded in scripture to upholding the Law, which is why he was able to say that, of all people, he had a reason to put confidence in his flesh. Yet after he lists all of his accolades, he admits that "...I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord..." Phil 3:8
Furthermore, when he speaks of attaining the resurrection from the dead Paul states, "Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on..." Phil 3:12 He continues by saying, "I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." Phil 3:14
He then concludes the thought by saying, "All of us who are mature should take a view of such things." Phil 3:15
So as I dismount my high horse, let my conclude by reiterating that none of us can be perfect on this side of eternity; there was only ONE! If you have issue with that, I would challenge you to go toe-to-toe with the Apostle Paul, because I didn't think up this idea; not to mention Christ who actually was perfect.
So am I saying that we should wild out in light of this discovery? God forbid!!! Our Lord still commands holiness of His saints, not to earn our righteousness, but out of thankful obedience to this gracious salvation that He has lavished upon the elect. So, in following our brother Paul, "press on toward the goal" Christian! Surrender your attempts at righteousness at the feet of Jesus and find joy, satisfaction, and purpose, like Paul or maybe even Mary (Martha's sister), "in the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus" intimately!
I pray that this edifies, encourages, loosens chains of bondage, and draws us nearer to our Savior who paid such a high price to secure our souls. For more on sanctification, please follow this link written by our brother, Dr. John Piper.
What We Believe About God's Work In Faith and Sanctification
Grace and Peace,
Di
Okay, so obviously this is not the topic that I promised to write on, but in having some much needed, personal time in the Word I was compelled to write this.
YOU AIN'T PERFECT!!!!
This message may apply to unbelievers, but my purpose is to dispel the myth of perfection theology. Granted, I believe that we are to walk in holiness as Moses wrote in Lev 11:44 and Peter reiterated in 1 Peter 1:16, "Be holy, because I am holy."
That being said, it is essential for believers and non-believers alike to understand that the Bible teaches the doctrines of positional and progressive sanctification. God sees Christians as perfect because of Christ's perfect obedience, death, and resurrection; this is called positional sanctification or righteousness. The truth of this principle allows my "old skool" saints to confidently say, "I'm saved, sanctified..."
In terms of our everyday Christian walk, having been given new natures, we are continually conformed to the image of Christ or growing in holiness; this is progressive sanctification. NO ONE BECOMES PERFECT THIS SIDE OF ETERNITY!!! I write this with such fervor because I find the doctrine of perfection to be legalistic, self-righteous bondage. But I will not give my perspective, let's consider what our brother Paul thinks of the issue.
Phil 3:3-4 (NIV) "For it is we who are the circumcision, we worship by the Spirit of God, who glory in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh- though I myself have reasons for such confidence. If anyone else thinks he has reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more..."
So Paul may very well be the closest human recorded in scripture to upholding the Law, which is why he was able to say that, of all people, he had a reason to put confidence in his flesh. Yet after he lists all of his accolades, he admits that "...I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord..." Phil 3:8
Furthermore, when he speaks of attaining the resurrection from the dead Paul states, "Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on..." Phil 3:12 He continues by saying, "I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." Phil 3:14
He then concludes the thought by saying, "All of us who are mature should take a view of such things." Phil 3:15
So as I dismount my high horse, let my conclude by reiterating that none of us can be perfect on this side of eternity; there was only ONE! If you have issue with that, I would challenge you to go toe-to-toe with the Apostle Paul, because I didn't think up this idea; not to mention Christ who actually was perfect.
So am I saying that we should wild out in light of this discovery? God forbid!!! Our Lord still commands holiness of His saints, not to earn our righteousness, but out of thankful obedience to this gracious salvation that He has lavished upon the elect. So, in following our brother Paul, "press on toward the goal" Christian! Surrender your attempts at righteousness at the feet of Jesus and find joy, satisfaction, and purpose, like Paul or maybe even Mary (Martha's sister), "in the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus" intimately!
I pray that this edifies, encourages, loosens chains of bondage, and draws us nearer to our Savior who paid such a high price to secure our souls. For more on sanctification, please follow this link written by our brother, Dr. John Piper.
What We Believe About God's Work In Faith and Sanctification
Grace and Peace,
Di
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