Banner of Truth -- Gethsemane's King and Lamb -- Joel Beeke

John 18:1-14

-nobleman saw a beautiful slave woman for sale
-men who were going to buy her were talking about the depraved things that they would do to her
-the nobleman called out to the slave trader that he would pay double whatever anyone else would pay
-after seeing the nobleman's money he sold the slave to him
-he took her, and she spite in his face
-he wiped it off and took her to an office
-after arguing with the man behind the desk he finally said, "I have the right to do this."
-the man behind the desk grudgingly admitted that was true and put together some papers
-the nobleman gave them to the slave woman and she spit in his face
-he wiped it away and said, "Don't you understand, these papers mean you are free."
-she stared at him and asked if it was really true he paid twice the price anyone would pay for a slave to set her free
-he said yes, and she broke down in tears
-we have a saviour who has paid a far greater price to set up free
-here we find Jesus knowing the suffering that was coming, set forth to go through all that to save us
-to pay the whole price
-and he did it knowing you and me
-knowing his church and the people the Father had given him
-with that knowledge he went forth to endure all this
-this was the joy that was set before him
-he went forth as Gethsemane's king and lamb

First the kings three fold sovereignty
-only 11 went into the garden with Jesus
-Jesus had 12, but only 11 entered the garden
-and only 3 when further in to his place of prayer
-prays to his Father asking if there is another way
-in angony, overwelmed, over burdened with what is coming
-three times he prays
-it is after this third session of prayer he goes to meet Judas and the soldiers
-not just a few soldiers, a great multitude can to get Jesus ready if there was any resistance
-Judas betrays him with a kiss
-how often do we do this, betraying our Lord
-how often are we more passionate about other things than Jesus?
-then Jesus steps forth toward them and asks who are they looking for
-they were seeking Jesus of Nazareth
-but not Jesus as he was
-Nazareth was not meant as a title to honor, but to speak of him as a false prophet
-no valuing of Christ for who he is
-we often do the same thing
-we want him to take away the bad
-but don't have him as our treasure, but things he can give us are the real treasure
-Jesus answered, "I am."
-language of Exodus 3, Where God in answer to Moses says he is, "I am."
-speaks as supreme king and god
-when he says this they fall back before him
-because he is king, I am, God
-then he lets them get back up
-and then asks them again, "Who do you seek?"
-but they are still blind, and respond, "Jesus of Nazareth."
-still have no idea of who he is
-then this king comes forth and stands as a substitute
-saying that he is the one they seek, so let his followers go
-amazingly even with Peter cutting off the one person's ear none of these soldiers did anything
-they were held back by the word, the command of Jesus
-so he lost none of those who were his
-he preserves not only they bodies, but their hearts and souls
-he still protects his people today
-he stands in our place as our substitute that we might go free
-he is bound for their sake and ours

-second the lambs three fold submission
-turns himself over to his enemies and becomes a submissive lamb
-first his willingness to be arrested
-he already showed he really held the power
-but he submitted to them and the arrest they put him under
-this was the working out of God's plan and decree and will
-none of these soldiers, or Judas, or the Jewish rules are in control
-yet Jesus submits
-reminds us that even when our worst fears come to be, God is still in control and operating in those troubles
-secondly he submits in his willlingness to be bound as a criminal
-sometimes they would tie the bindings so tight to keep blood from going to his fingers
-to cause pain
-Jesus offers these hands in submission
-to set us free from the bands of sin
-fettered with our sins to free us from that bondage
-bound so his people might be bound to him for all days
-makes all the difference
-bound to the sovereign will of his Father
-that was Jesus only goal, to do his Father's will
-bound to restore as the second Adam, what we lost in the sin of the first Adam in garden of Eden
-thirdly, submits to being led away
-like a lamb to the slaughter - Isa 53
-taking our place
-to be our savior
-the deliver delivered himself up

-let us serve him as our king
-and submit to him as he submited to the Father
-cherishing the privilege of sharing in the fellowship of his sufferings

-african slave girl said more, "I have only one request, now that you have set me free can I be your slave forever."

Banner of Truth Opening Sermon -- Mark Johnson

John 17

Fascinating to consider the psychology behind various Christian conferences.
-various reasons people go
-some trendy
-some personality driven
-some smaller conferences have a certain loyalty among attenders
-Banner conference has one aspect to encourage a spirit of catholicity -- not a denominational focus, but a kindred spirit united in Christ and his gospel
-not a unique thing, has much historical precedence
-looking at the final verses of John 17
-the prayer of Jesus not only for his apostles, but for all his people
-if this prayer had not been answered by the Father in Heaven, there would be no church today
-but the Father's answer in the affirmative gives us hope
-we may have come wondering what God would say to us at this conference
-but how many considered what Jesus would be praying for us at this conference
-how and what is he praying for as our intersessor
-only a few places in scripture where we are given a direct insight into Jesus prayers for his people
-this passage is one of them
-prays that he would be glorified in his people just as Father glorified in Jesus
-prays for his apostles, the very ones who would forsake him that night
-then he prays for all his people
-one thing we find Jesus praying here
-that his people would be one
-first thing, his concern for unity among his people
-in view of the expansion of the church he prays they may be one, not just once but twice
-what exactly is he asking for
-oneness seems to be far from us for a multitude of reasons
-Jesus answer is that the oneness among his people is to be like the oneness of the triune God--Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
-many try ways to get around it through various ways
-invisible unity, spiritual unity
-but the unity Jesus has in mind is a very visible one
-three thought arising from this to help make sense of it
-first and formost a positional unity
-just as Father, Son and Spirit are one because they are one God
-so Christians are one because they are part of one body
-we have union and communion with Christ and in him and through him we have union and communion with one another
-share same spiritual DNA
-the divine family is the pattern of our spiritual family
-we belong to one another
-Second thing we find is the unity Jesus has in mind is diverse in its character
-the persons of the godhead are distinct persons even though they are one God
-that is the beauty of the oneness we have as God's people
-we are all different
-even Jerusalem counsel did not give a lot of specifics, but general directions allowing a lot of latitude
-third, this unity will always be imperfect in this world
-it will never be a unity we find, as it should be, on this earth
-it must begin in our local congregations
-then spill over to our denominations, networks, fellowship
-but beyond that as well
-recognizing that this unity is beyond denominational bounds
-we must spare not effort to preserve the unity of the Spirit and the bond of peace
-on the eve of his crucifixion he prayed this
-He also speaks of the impact of this unity
-for those outside the church
-not to say there are not joys, and blessings for those in the church for those who experience this unity
-but Jesus focus is on those outside
-again points to it twice
-that the world may know
-the major effect of this will be to turn the eyes of the world away from the church to Christ and Father
-this extraordinary oneness among people of God reflects the the oneness of the triune God to the world
-man has tried to manufacture this oneness
-but it always fails
-but God cultivates a unity that doesn't start on the outside, but on the inside with a change of the heart, then works out
--Matthew Paris (sp?) -- Africa needs Christian Missionaries not NGOs
-gospel when truly believed brings unity even between enemies
-when the world sees the church like that in unity their eyes are directed to Christ wondering who is the savior who can do this
-if we put the effort into building bridges to one another as Christians as we do seeking to divide we would see much more of this unity
-not that there are things that don't need to be defended, but we spilt all to easily
-What are the things that build this unity?
-How is it achieved?
-all to often our answer is diplomacy, church politics, and the like
-but at the end of the day none of those things will achieve this
-only way to get this unity that Jesus is praying for, is to recognize the church is a spiritual living organism
-very last request
-"the love you have for me might be in them"
-prayer ends on same note in began on
-knowing God and Jesus Christ whom he has sent
-to know in the Bible is so often the language of love and intimacy
-that sort of love is what Jesus wants in his people
-souce is in knowing God the Father and Jesus his Son
-Jesus will continue to make the Father known
-the more we grow in the knowledge of God, the more we will grow to love one another as fellow believers
-cf. Eph 4:16ff
-thus the means of grace and how they bring increasing knowledge of Jesus and through him the Triune God will bring growth in our love for one another
-this unity of love is THE distinctive of the church (cf. John 13)
-we should not settle for our divisions but labor for this unity that Christ prayed for.

Camping Bringing Shame on Jesus

There are many ways to bring shame on the name of Jesus such as getting caught up in various sins, but one of ways that some like Harold Camping seem not to consider is false teaching, in particular his teaching that today is the day of the rapture. The shear amount of mockery of Christ and his people that has come from this man ignoring Christ's own teaching is amazing. To be clear the Lord Harold Camping claims to follow said the following,

And then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘Look, there he is!’ do not believe it. False christs and false prophets will arise and perform signs and wonders, to lead astray, if possible, the elect. But be on guard; I have told you all things beforehand.

But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. And then he will send out the angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.

From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates. Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come.

(Mark 13:21-33 ESV)

By presuming to know more than Jesus said any of us know, Harold Camping has brought shame on the name of his professed Lord and Saviour. May God preserve all of us from doing the same, even if it is in different ways.

Hymn that Would Have Fit Nicely this AM Service

Today the focus of our worship service was that we must exalt Jesus above ourselves based on the events that lead up to John the Baptist saying, "He must increase and I must decrease." (John 3)

When I got home I read the text of this hymn over a Challies.com. It would have fit very well with our service, but I was not aware of it when planning things.

Here it is:

God forbid that I should glory,
Save in the Redeemer’s cross.
Counting shame for Him but honor,
Counting earthly gain but loss.
All the love of God is here,
A love that casteth out all fear.

God forbid that I should glory,
Save in Christ my Lord alone.
Him I lean on; Him I follow,
Him, before the world, I own.
All the love of God is here,
A love that casteth out all fear

God forbid that I should glory,
Save in Christ the Son of God.
Him who sought me Him who bought me,
Him who washed me in his blood.
All the love of God is here
A love that casteth out all fear.

If Yoga Is Just Exercise, Someone Should Tell The Hindus

Recently Al Mohler was vigorously chastised by many people who took his comments about yoga and its incompatibility with Christian practice badly. His response and the links to his comments that stirred up such a tempest can be found here.

What brought this back to my mind was the strong response from Hindu's to Playboy's release of a nude yoga DVD. Now I am against such a DVD for the obvious reasons, and am no fan of Playboy and their exploitation of both women and men, but I am surprised that something so clear to Hindu's (and many others), that is, that yoga is a religious practice, can be missed by so many Christians. Lets get real here people, if you are a Christian holding Jesus as your Lord and Savior, there is not really a middle ground. As we find in 2 Corithians:

Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? 15 What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? 16 What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said,
“I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 17 Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you, 18 and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty.”

2 Cor 6:14-18 (ESV)

There is no place for the practices of a false religion and Christian practice. If you do the moves of yoga without that, stop calling it yoga, because it isn't. If you are doing yoga to get spiritual clarity, realize you are trying to mix light and darkness, Christ with Belial, belief with unbelief, the temple of God with the temple of idols. Stop it! There is no place for this, instead seek to build yourself up Spiritually as God has directed in the Bible.

A Pickle

Sunday night as I came home from worship, I saw a person shooing off something in front of our house. I had no idea what it was, and at first I thought they were calling a dog. The walked on and had no dog, so I started to look. I saw a dark shadowy shape by our front kidney shaped garden. Then the shadow moved and came toward me. It was a cat. A rather pretty brown tabby, and very friendly. I went inside and told Annette and she went out to see him. Picked him up and he purred like crazy.

We left him outside as he was declawed and fixed, so we figured he would have a home to go to. Well, he seems to have adopted us. He lives in one of the rabbit tents, and comes and greets us every time we go out. Annette has even started feeding him. Justin likes him a lot, and has named him Pickle. He even brought him in the house for a while. Sparks and Milo are not as enamored by this interloper though. We are going to put of posters to find his people, but Justin will not be happy if we do.

It Is Amazing - Amazingly Unhealthy

I have not blogged for a while, for various reasons. I had a crazy busy schedule, and then I got sick with pneumonia which didn't get better. I had a small stroke, and was in hospital. For the last while I have been recovering. Looking back this has been good for me, at least God worked it that way. More than that, he was gracious in bringing healing, and renewed strength to me.

Now, as part of my recovery, I am working at dealing with high blood pressure. I am on 4 blood pressure medications among others. So far the pressure is down and staying down with meds and now with exercise and diet. However, that is lead me to start reading labels. Especially, in find the nutritional information from restaurants and prepared food interesting.

As I have done my research, I have found that restaurants pile on the salt. I mean you can't avoid all sodium but on restaurant in one dish had more that the daily allowance for sodium. That is one meal, meaning you shouldn't have an more that day. Some meals are a bit better, but for the most part they are surprisingly high. I even checked out some donuts, and although not as bad, among those I checked you are talking approximately 200 to 400 mg of sodium. I believe the recommended amount for a day is around 2400 mg. That means a few donuts, and you can have a quarter to half of that.

I don't know how sodium affects me. For some people it makes a big difference; for others not so much--I do know this, that much sodium cannot be good for anyone. I guess eating out will become much less common for me.

Having said all this there are some meals at restaurants that are not too bad, but unless they tell you on their menu the nutritional information (at least the important stuff like fats, saturated fats, carbs, protein and sodium) or make sheets available when asked, for those who are concerned about those things, or even those not so concerned, eating out is dangerous.

Inspiring

This was sent to me by a minister friend from Whitby. As I watched it I was reminded how easily we can complain about the things we don't have or the struggles that are part of our life. Yet, this reminds us that it is much more important to be thankful for what we have been given.

I Appreciated This Quote

Contrary to what many Christian’s have concluded, the gospel doesn’t just ignite the Christian life; it’s the fuel that keeps Christians going every day and in every way. Once God rescues sinners, his plan isn’t to steer them beyond the gospel but to move them more deeply into it. After all, the only antidote to sin is the gospel—and since Christians remain sinners even after they’re converted, the gospel must be the medicine a Christian takes every day. Since we never leave off sinning, we can never leave the gospel.

by Tullian Tchividjian at Gospel Coalition Blog

Consider it All Joy - I -- James 1:1

Here is a sermon from back in June. I wanted to try out Vimeo for posting sermons, and this is the first I am posting. Due to the 500Gb upload limit per month for the free service, I may never catch up to where we are currently, but I will try. :)

Consider it All Joy - I from James Vellenga on Vimeo.

The Next Dan Brown Novel (Courtesy of Slate.com)

A long-forgotten labyrinth deep beneath the streets of Ottawa.
A shadowy cult determined to protect it.
A frantic race to uncover the Kiwanis Club's darkest secret.

The First Glyph

When celebrated Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon is summoned to the Parliament Buildings to analyze a mysterious geometric form—drawn on a calling card next to the mangled body of the head docent—he discovers evidence of the unthinkable: the resurgence of the ancient cult of the Quintinati, a secret branch of the Kiwanis Club that has surfaced from the shadows to carry out its legendary vendetta against its mortal enemy, the Vatican.

Langdon's worst fears are confirmed when a messenger from the Quintinati appears at the Rideau Canal to deliver a grim ultimatum: Deposit $1 billion in the Kiwanis Club's off-shore bank accounts or the exclusive clothier of the Swiss Guards will be bankrupted. With the deadline fast approaching, Langdon joins forces with the dexterous and enigmatic daughter of the murdered docent in a desperate bid to crack the code that will reveal the cult's secret plan.

Embarking on a frantic hunt, Langdon and his companion follow a 1100-year-old trail through Ottawa's most sacred statues and venerable buildings, pursued by a hypoglycemic assassin the cult has sent to thwart them. What they discover threatens to expose a conspiracy that goes all the way back to Joseph Prance and the very founding of the Kiwanis Club.

For Some Reason This Made me Chuckle

Or click this link.

Jimology

Tag you're it!!! Let others know a little more about yourself by re-posting and tagging your friends. Re post note as your name "ology"

1) What is your salad dressing of choice? Thousand Islands

2) What is your favorite sit-down restaurant? Mandarin

3) What food could you eat for 2 weeks straight and not get sick of? Cocoa Peanut Butter Smoothy

4) What are your pizza toppings of choice? pepperoni, extra cheese

5) What do you like to put on your toast? peanut butter, honey, cinnamon sugar

6) How many televisions are in your house? 2

7) What color cell phone do you have? black

8) Are you right-handed or left-handed? left

9) Have you ever had anything removed from your body? tonsils, kidney stone, slivers

10) What is the last heavy item you lifted? Easy up shelter

11) Have you ever been knocked unconscious? Not that I know of, but I could have been unconscious and not know because I was unconscious at the time.

12) If it were possible, would you want to know the day you were going to die? Nope, God knows and that is good enough for me.

13) If you could change your name, what would you change it to? No idea.

14) Would you drink an entire bottle of hot sauce for $1000? No, I like hot sauce and want to keep it that way. Add another zero to the end of that number and I might consider it.

15) How many pairs of flip flops do you own? NONE!!!!

17) Last person you talked to? Justin

18) Last person you hugged? Annette

19) Favorite Season? It is a toss-up between Spring and Fall

20) Favorite Holiday? Thanksgiving

21) Favorite day of the week? I was going to say Sunday afternoon, but it is a tie with Monday.

22) Favorite Month? May

23) First place you went this morning? Classis meeting in Springford

24) What's the last movie you saw? Cars

25) Do you smile often? No.

26) Do you always answer your phone? No

27) It's four in the morning and you get a text message? I would not know since I turn off the ringer of my cell at night

28) If you could change your eye color what would it be? Green . . . no brown . . . no green . . . hold it I have both with Hazel eyes. No change needed.

30) Have you ever had a pet fish? yes still do.

31) Favorite Christmas song? Joy to the World

32) What's on your wish list for your birthday? A real MIG welder.

33) Can you do push ups? A few.

34) Can you do a chin up? Nope. Can't now, never could.

35) Does the future make you more nervous or excited? Neither or both.

36) Do you have any saved texts? Yes, but I can't read them because the screen on my cell is cracked.

37) Ever been in a car wreck? Sort of.

38) Do you have an accent? Canadian!!!

39) What is the last song to make you cry? So long ago I can't remember.

40) Plans tonight? Final prep on sermons for tomorrow.

41) Have you ever felt like you hit rock bottom? Yup.

42) Name 3 things you bought yesterday. Adjustable trailer ball mount, 30Amp auto reset breaker, 20 amp auto reset breaker.

43) Have you ever been given roses? Yup.

44) Current hate right now? Our Mazda Protege.

45) Met someone who changed your life? Yes.

46) How did you bring in the New Year? Sleeping.

47) What song represents you? No idea

48) Name three people who might complete this? Annette, and likely no one else who has not already done it.

49) What were you doing 12 AM last night? Reading a book.

50) What was the first thing you thought of when you woke up? Time to go to a meeting . . . I don't wanna go.

Seeing Things Differently -- James 1:9-11

How do you see poverty and riches? Check out what we find about it in James.

Seeing Things Differently -- James 1:9-11

Office Cleaning

Closing Thoughts, but Not Yet

I was going to post my closing thought on General Synod, but when I woke up this morning I was exhausted. I tried getting up, but ended up back in bed. Tried again and got some reading and commenting on other blogs done, but now I want to sleep again. I guess this is the big crash I expected based on how busy and draining Synod was. I have a meeting tonight, so I think I will take another nap and see what I can get done.

Thoughts on GS Today

[A brief prefatory note. I was up until 3:40AM and awake an out of bed by 7:15AM so if there are typos, grammatical errors, or sentences that make no sense, it is the fatigue speaking as it is after 11PM of a very busy day.]

Today was an historic day in the RCA, at least it was the first step. What may you ask was this historic event? It was the passing of the recommendation to add the Belhar Confession as the RCA's fourth standard of unity.

I think my study of the Belhar started more or less several years back. I read through an early copy and found it difficult to understand, and the parts I did understand were troublesome. When I arrived, I was quite sure that while I supported what the Belhar called for as concepts, that at the same time I could not support it as a standard of the RCA. What I appreciated though, was what seemed like a much better translation of the Belhar that was distributed to delegates. I read through it several times, and although I still had difficulties with it, I was much happier about it should the vote be positive to add it. Yet, I was still concerned for possible misuses in particular in the area of using it to support advocacy for homosexual ordination and marriage, in areas of weakness, in particular in terms of the foundation and root and fountain of our reconciliation being reconciliation with God through Christ's death on our behalf for our sins, and the resulting ministry of reconciliation being primarily, albeit not exclusively, one of calling others to be reconciled to God. From that the reconciliation, unity, and justice exhibited by the people of Christ grows and finds its power. (That may be a run on sentence, but I am tired.)

I went through the advisory discussions, and the rest of a Synod that left the impression that those who had concerns were being pushed very hard to vote in favor, although I realize this was likely not intentional but more of a reflection of the passion and joy those who had worked to get to this day viewed things; and I was still not in support of it. By Saturday, I was exhausted, frustrated, and while not as adamant in not voting for it, still unable to do so.

Sunday, however, was a blessing, worship with the people of Fair Haven Ministries was like healing rain for me, filling me with praise to God and feeding me with the fine preaching of the Word of God. Yet, the Belhar was still there. Sunday night it seemed the push went into overdrive with several people speaking from ecumenical partners speaking of the importance of passing the Belhar. I started to feel pressed, guilted, and manipulated again. Yet, instead of thinking the worst, or assuming the worst of intentions from those who planned things, I decided instead to work as long as it took into the night in study of the Belhar and Scripture and in prayer in hopes I could speak in solid support or denial of the recommendation to adopt the Belhar.

I labored into the night. I spent time talking with a brother and sister in Christ about my struggles. I prayed. I read. I thought. I prayed some more. This kept going until the early morning, and even after I had realized I had moved closer to having my concerns satisfied and went to bed still unable to support the recommendation, in bed I prayed some more until the last time I checked my clock at 3:40AM.

Then, Monday, having come to appreciate and value the Belhar, but still being held back by my concern on its lack of expansion on the foundational reconciliation being between God and people through faith in Jesus, and that our message of reconciliation is primarily that we are to be reconciled to God, I was unable to vote for the Belhar the way it stood. The recommendation came, and the discussion started. I stood to speak, frustrated by an earlier speaker. I told of the strengthened joy I had in the truth that we are all from one family in Adam, and the terrible further truth that due to his sin we are also all in the same pit, under the power of sin without the redeeming, reconciling work of Christ received through faith, and my concern on the weakness of the Belhar's development of that foundational reconciliation with God through faith in Christ, and our ministry being one primarily of calling others to be reconciled with God. Then I said I could not vote for this because of that.

As the discussion progressed I heard person after person, brothers and sisters in Christ, people who are part of the far greater unity we have beyond Adam, that unity in Christ through faith; speak of how then needed the Belhar. They spoke of how it would be for the benefit of the congregations they served, the communities they ministered in, the teaching of their children, and more. Then verses I had studied the night before while studying the Belhar came to mind, Philippians 2:3b-4, "in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others." My brothers and sisters needed this. Yes, that could mean struggles I would have to face due to misuse of the Belhar. Yes, that meant me not being completely satisfied with the short mention of the foundational reconciliation and ministry of reconciliation that is found in the Belhar. But, I realized I was, at least in part, looking out to my interests before theirs. I stood up to speak of how the discussion from the floor and the scripture moved me to now be willing to support the recommendation, only to have the delegate before me call the question. I would have liked to see the discussion continue, for it had benefited me greatly, giving me clarity so I could vote in favor of the Belhar as our fourth standard, and rejoice with those around me in this historic move to battle divisions between fellow believers based on colour, ethnicity, and culture which have so marred the church.

To my brothers and sisters, family in Adam, all sinners in need of a Saviour in Adam, children of God through faith in Christ, and brothers and sisters much deeper than blood in him as well . . . I rejoice with you this day, and pray that your hopes for the Belhar to help bring healing and reconciliation might not only come to pass, but that God, "who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think" may do this far more than you hope and pray even now. To him be the glory forever.

Banner of Truth 2009 -- Closing Sermon by Ian Hamilton

Closing Sermon – Ian Hamilton

2 Corinthians 4
1 Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, 1 we do not lose heart. 2 But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God's word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone's conscience in the sight of God. 3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled only to those who are perishing. 4 In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5 For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants 1 for Jesus' sake. 6 For God, who said, Let light shine out of darkness, has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. 8 We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; 10 always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. 11 For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. 12 So death is at work in us, but life in you.
13 Since we have the same spirit of faith according to what has been written, I believed, and so I spoke, we also believe, and so we also speak, 14 knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence. 15 For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.
16 So we do not lose heart. Though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day. 17 For this slight momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, 18 as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

It is in 2 Corinthians that Paul reveals quite deeply his heart and soul. He is battling against false apostles, against questions of his authority, and you can sense the intensity and humanity of the language of Paul from the beginning of the letter. The is a note of sanctified frustration. He feels deeply and keenly the slanders that have been raised against him and his ministry. As you read from chapter 2:11 on you can see him seeking to vindicate his ministry, but at the same time he is also seeking to encourage his own heart in in God.
In chapter 1 and 2 we hear of his struggles, his burdens, his experiences of opposition of the wiles of Satan. He knew struggles. Struggles much like we face. Struggles of inadequacy, of opposition, and more.
Twice in chapter 4 he wrote, “We do not lose heart.” Paul had many reasons to lose heart. Much opposition, the weightiness of his calling, and the opposition inside and outside the church.
Then Paul describes himself and other gospel ministers as “jars of clay.” What a description. What a way to speak of those called to gospel ministry. But, that is the reality out of which we live our live in Jesus Christ. We are jars of clay who belong to the God man who is glorified clay.
So why doesn't Paul lose heart? First of all because of the greatness of the ministry God has entrusted to us (v1). It is amazing how easily we can lose the sense of the greatness of the ministry we have received from Jesus Christ. How can it be? This is an amazing ministry. Paul tells us in various ways what this ministry is.
It is the ministry of a new covenant. That covenant that the prophets spoke of. That new covenant of the Spirit not of the letter. We are men at the end of the ages who have been called out and brought into this astonishing privilege that prophets look into with astonishment and amazement. This is what we have been called to do.
Further, it is a ministry of righteousness. If the glory of the ministry of condemnation had glory, how much more the glory of the ministry of righteousness. We stand before people every week to speak to them of a message revealed from heaven, incarnated in Jesus the Son, and in him God has provided righteousness in this righteous one. We know that, but we need it impressed on us day by day by day.
This ministry is a ministry of the light of the glory of God in Jesus Christ. It is a ministry to declare the glory of Christ who is the image of God. The one who is glorious above all. In our frail jars of clay we are called and ordained to make him know.
In this Paul is in one sense encouraging and reassuring himself about the sheer privilege of what God has entrusted to him. This treasure of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
Brothers this is the ministry the Lord Jesus Christ has call you to, has called me to. We need to understand it is a ministry that is our by virtue of our being ministers of the great minister Jesus Christ. Our minister is not only a reflection, but more so an overflow of his ministry. The great pattern that marked his ministry was death and resurrection. There is an inevitable cross like pattern to all Christian ministry. Paul is reminding himself that all he has faced is because he has been united to Jesus Christ the minister of the new covenant. That ministry has been stamped on him and all ministers of the new covenant. Death works in us, but life in you.
That is the principal pattern of New Covenant ministry. Peter tells us not to think it is strange when trial come upon us.
Martin Luther stated, “Those who are in the teaching office should teach with the greatest faithfulness and expect not remuneration but … expect death, violence, and danger.” How many young men would be pressing to be in the ministry after words like that.
[Stepped out]
We don't deserve better. We are hell deserving sinners, but we HAVE receive mercy. We have received mercy, and God is pleased to use us. What an amazing thing. In that mercy he gave us this treasure of making him known. In our weakness. We are sad clay that God has come to in mercy.
This is to show the surpassing power belongs to God not to us. This is not new, think of Gideon. Death works in us, and life in you. Some face inexplicable trials, and all we can say is with Jobe, “It is the Lord.” But even this is in his mercy to make known the knowledge of his glory in the face of his son.
Every time we stand before the congregations we serve we are doing the most significant thing in the cosmos. And, of all people we are debtors who have received unfathomable mercy. The sovereignty of God is not first disclosed as a doctrine to confess, although it is, but for God to disclose his grace. His is sovereignty that is bathed in the glorified compassion of the man of dust.
We have been privileged beyond language. Maybe you feel the utter utter weakness of your person in ministry. Brothers our weakness is held in the strong keeping of our Saviour Jesus Christ. In him we are weak, but we are strong. God is pleased to take puny men and have his voice resound in them and through. We do not lose heart. We have received mercy. And even when it seems we will we have one who is at the right hand of the Father who intercedes for us and comes to us in the power of the Spirit in our wretchedness.
May God help us to be faithful ministers of Jesus Christ.

NOTE: I had to step out during this sermon, so my notes are missing parts of it.

Banner of Truth 2009 -- Modern Challenges to Calvinism by Walter Chantry

Modern Challenges to Calvinism – Walt Chantry

2 Timothy 3:1-17
1 But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. 2 For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, 4 treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. 6 For among them are those who creep into households and capture weak women, burdened with sins and led astray by various passions, 7 always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth. 8 Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men corrupted in mind and disqualified regarding the faith. 9 But they will not get very far, for their folly will be plain to all, as was that of those two men.

10 You, however, have followed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, 11 my persecutions and sufferings that happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra—which persecutions I endured; yet from them all the Lord rescued me. 12 Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, 13 while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom 1 you learned it 15 and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God 1 may be competent, equipped for every good work.

Conferences like this a good because we meet so many godly men. One of the thoughts that come to all godly ministers is this trouble in their heart – Am I laying a foundation that will last? Will the gospel be proceeding from this church in this community when our children and grand children have grown?
Many have been greatly effected by the resurgence of the doctrines of grace. In some institutions where these teachings were once found, had turned aside from the truth in the late 18 and early 19 hundreds. Could it be that the same thing could happen in the next 30 years? Could that pattern be repeated? Could those teachings of Calvinism disappear?
There is a danger. We find the truth of that all the way back in Revelation in the seven churches that stood on the brink. There was the treat of their lamp stand being removed. If this happened with the very churches the apostles founded, what about now? That is but one instance. Think of Judges, of Amos, and the other prophets.
In 2 Timothy 3 Paul tells Timothy what he must know about the church, and he points to the time of the last days, that time from the ascension to the second coming. He points out that Timothy should realize this about the last days. It will be perilous times, difficult times, grievous times for the Christian churches. Yes, Jesus will build his church through this same time. The gospel will be preached through all the world to all the nations before the end comes. Yet, with this we have troubles as well. He warns of those things we must steer through in those perilous times.
First, because of human depravity both outside the church, and remaining in those in the church. He does it in a vivid manner. “people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power.” Lovers of self, like Narcissus, the daffodil, a poisonous plant. Lovers of self, focused on self. Is that not the way of many today. Lovers of money, seen in those who promise money will come to those who follow their way. Hedonists who love pleasure more than god. People who want entertainment and the church moves that way to entertain. In doing so making them part of the church when they are still all these things which are not to be there. This is indeed the direction America is moving.
But there is a second danger here as well. Paul describes false religionists. They are people who have a form of godliness but deny its power. They have the rigors and rituals of religion, but not the reality. They should be avoided. They are the type who capture the weak and take them captive by deception. They deceive others and at the same time are deceived themselves.
With all this Timothy gives several correctives. He tells Timothy that he himself must be different from what he finds around him. He should continue in what he has learned and been assured of. Don't go in the direction they have. Do not tolerate it. This is a call to be confrontational with false religionists. 1 Tim 1:3ff, calls for Timothy to tell them not to teach other doctrines, to avoid idle talk in ignorance. 1 Timothy 4, we find another mention of the latter times. That then people will turn from sound doctrine to the doctrine of demons and Timothy should command and teach and be an example to the congregation through reading, exhortation and doctrine. Then again in chapter 6, when people turn from wholesome words of scripture of Christ, Timothy should withdraw himself from them. This continues in 2 Timothy.
With this Paul reminds Timothy of the reality of suffering for living godly lives in Christ Jesus. That is the reality. Persecution is part of living in Christ. This is just as true in North America. The church needs the preaching that reminds them constantly there will be suffering as part of following Christ. Willingness to suffer for Christ, in Christ, was a mark of the reformers and other. It is the reality of the church that is loyal to Christ.
Notice how Paul points to the time he and Timothy labored together and the example Timothy saw in Paul and his sufferings. It is important that such examples are seen by young pastors as they work with older pastors. Timothy saw that example, and Paul could point to it.
Finally, there must be a biblical system of doctrine that is handed down and preserved int eh chruch. Paul leads into that in verses 16-17. All Scripture is God breathed. Scripture has all you need for the ministry, but you must understand it. This is where confessions and catechisms are helpful. They bring the teachings of scripture into a form that can assist.
Are we prepared to be part of the solution of the problem of churches rising in one generation to the truth and falling in the next. Where are the ways departure is being seen today? Certainly in the area of revelation and scriptural sufficiency. Charismatics saying they are reformed, with few saying the are not. Some call themselves reformed and simply ignore parts of reformed understanding of the scriptures. Even doctrine of covenants who twist it into some sort of dispensational understanding even though they don't call it that. Abandonment of worship and church office. And the list goes on.
We do need to deal with this, or where is the “Thus saith the Lord” for our generation.

Banner of Truth 2009 -- Reflections on the Conference Thus Far

Once again the Banner conference has been a great challenge and a great blessing to me. This conference I have struggled with discomfort and fatigue.

I pulled a muscle in my back the Monday previous to the week of the conference as I put as new window lift motor in my van. It seemed to heal fairly well, but I kept re-injuring it so when we left for the Banner it was fairly uncomfortable. That discomfort has been increased by both the hotel bed, and the beds here at Messiah College neither of which provide the kind of support needed. That has led to less than sufficient sleep and the accompanying fatigue.

Thankfully, but for the presentation by Jonathan Watson on Wednesday afternoon, God kept me alert enough to not only take notes, but to hear the speakers clearly. Today, however, has been a struggle to keep up with my notes, and if tomorrow is any indication I will not be able to get too much note taking done for the closing sermon.

In spite of all of this, I have still found the conference to be excellent, humbling, discouraging, and encouraging. It has shown me once again how far from the pattern of what a pastor should be I am, yet has given the encouragement that in union with Christ I can be transformed to be more like the great shepherd of the sheep, Jesus Christ.

The fellowship has been good, and I have met several other people including a contingent of men from the PCUSA. Yes, you read that correctly, the PCUSA. I know as an RCA pastor my presence could be seen as surprising by some as well, but even I am not the only RCA pastor at the conference. It heartens me to see these men present here. It heartens me to know that even in these mainline denominations, God has called men to faithfully minister, and is working to form Christ in them. My hope is to see many more at future conferences of these men who have held the line, that they may be strengthened and built up to the building of the Church and glory of Christ.

Now to the next session.