Chesterbrook Taiwanese Presbyterian Church

Our bible readings are in the Pastoral letters which have been good for my soul. This week, we are in Titus, Philemon, and James. Admittedly, Titus and Philemon are not on my radar very much, so I’m appreciative for a bible reading system because it covers parts that I’m not initially inclined to turn to.

Paul, a servant God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the sake of the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth, which accords with godliness, in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began and at the proper time manifested in his word through the preaching with which I have been entrusted by the command of God our Savior;

At the beginning of his letter to Titus, Paul identified himself and his purpose as an apostle of Jesus Christ, which is to spur on the 1) faith of his people, and the 2) knowledge of the truth (v.1). Both go hand in hand and leads to godliness. Both faith and knowledge of the truth, rest on the hope of eternal life (v.2). In other words, Paul is giving Titus and his readers and long view of the Christian life. Since godliness on this side of heaven can be so hard to experience, is Paul showing us the long view by saying that our time here is momentary and although it seems growth is so slow and incremental, the reality is that one day, we will be godly for a long time. That should encourage us in the midst of our discouragement!

But what shall we do in the meantime? Paul points to sitting under his preaching in order to spur on faith and knowledge. Practically, this means to sit under good preaching where the gospel is central. But we also need to learn how to preach to ourselves. What are you doing daily that would stir up faith and knowledge of the truth within you? If anything, we often operate off of unbelief and deception which inevitably leads to ungodliness which stems not from a long view, but a short view of life. This is where preaching to oneself is crucial. For our minds, we must evaluate our thoughts and see if we are operating off of lies and deception. We then need to counter the lies we believe about God and ourselves with the truth of the gospel. But this is not just merely a mind exercise, but a battle for your heart as well. Our hearts are the center of our affections, desires, and worship. To extricate oneself from something you love and desire isn’t easy at all since we are all by nature, worshippers. The only way is to worship something infinitely more valuable not only for today, but for all of eternity. Jesus is not a temporary fix to get you through your life. Jesus in the central character of the BIG story in which he was so gracious to include you to be a part of it.

So keep the truth of the gospel in your mind and heart.  Keep the long view in focus. God will finish what He has started in you.

I’m a day late, but Happy Easter. May we face our fears with the hope of the resurrection. Here’s two quotes on what Jesus’ death and resurrection accomplished for us:

The message of the cross takes away the burden of guilt and sin, removes forever the divine wrath from us; then it takes away the heavy burden of our selfishness and self-preoccupation. (p.74)

I am so glad for the free and absolute forgiveness of sins by the Father because of His reconciling love revealed on a blood-stained cross. I need his righteousness to cover over my best deeds as well as my worst. (p.208)

John Miller in The Heart of a Servant Leader:

Back when I was courting Monique, I would write letters and emails to her fairly often. Rather than wooing her with poetry or winsome words, I would quote Spurgeon from my  Daily Spurgeon Devotionals. That might sound weird to you, but heck, it worked! Here’s a quote that I wished I had on hand for last week’s sermon. But alas, it’s never too late. Enjoy.

“Earthly comforts are loaned. They are not gifts, for all that we possess is God’s property. He has only lent them, and what he lends He has a right to take. We hold possessions and friends on a lease that can be terminated at the Supreme Owner’s option. Therefore, do not complain when God takes His own. In a world where thorns and briars grow, is is natural that some sharp points will pierce you.

The world swarms with thieves, deceivers, and slanderers, with losses in business, crosses in our expectations, false or fickle friends, and with sickness and death. Little wonder our joys are stolen. Our Master warns that our habitation is not theft-proof. “Do not lay up for yourself treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal” (Matt. 6:19).

Beloved, because of these calamities may be expected, let us be prepared. Hold all things loosely. Hold them as though you did not have them. Look at them as fleeting; never expect them to remain. Never make mortal things your gods. If you do, your heart will be broken when they are taken, and you will cry with Micah, “You have taken away my gods which I made” (Judges 18:24).”—Charles Spurgeon, Beside Still Waters

HT: Josh Harris