12/20/2020 – “How to Live in a Crooked and Perverse Generation.” – Sermon link attached
Do we have one whole hour to listen to God’s message that speaks directly to our times right here in this moment? John MacArthur points to the book: “How then Shall We Live” by Francis Schaeffer, a book I read around 15 years ago. And, I have a category for it in this blog with the book in mind. Around a half century ago (or so) , a bunch of crazy college kids looking for an answer, flocked overseas to the L’Abri Fellowship that he founded in Europe. One of those future warriors for Christ are deployed now to His glory, Nancy Pearcey at Houston Baptist University being one prime example. She is a warrior indeed!
John early on notes: Philippians 2: 9-11, a verse I noted last night in my post before knowing this sermon existed. It was also coincidentally right behind my weekly live stream sermon from Alistair Begg!; It just started playing all by itself, as I hadn’t exited the link as I thought I had. So , I have a change of orders, as to what I post this morning. Read John 17: 20-26: Jesus Praying for All Believers just before His arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane. Was He not praying for us in our time now?
I never learned how to hold a pencil correctly. lol So that will be my excuse for not being able to keep up with all the scriptural references that John communicated to us. Here is some: John 18:37 (Jesus’ answer to Pilate); Matthew 17 ; Luke 9; 1 Corinthians 5:9; Isaiah 59: 78; Acts 2:40.
Questions:
- Where are we?
- Who are we?
- How are we to live?
How will they know that we belong to Him? We are in the world; but, not of the world!
- Humility – 2 Corinthians 8-9 – “He who is humbled, will be exalted.”
- Pursue Holiness for the Holy Spirit lives within us! Philippians 3:13
- Faithful on proclaiming Him to the lost, He who gave us life by His grace! – The Great Commission – Matthew 28: 16-20
- Rejoice and be joyful in your suffering in defending His Truth to His glory? “Carpe Diem”! – Seize the Glorious Opportunity. // Another one of my memory verses: “For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospels will save it.” (also: Luke 9:24 & Matthew 16:25) Our Men’s Bible study started a couple years back in our review of Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s book: “Cheap Grace” with a preface imperative: “To answer God’s call is to die to Christ!” Dietrich was executed by the Nazis two weeks before the war was over. Reports from the guards said he danced to the gallows. And it definitely had an impact! Btw – At the time of arrest , he had found the love of his life as an old bachelor preacher and was engaged to be married soon. He had an opportunity to go to America but passed it up knowingly what it might lead to. Our power? Nope – His grace! (I recommend Eric Metaxas’ book: “Dietrich Bonhoeffer: Pastor , Martyr, Spy” An awesome biography as is Eric’s habit. He prays as he writes I expect.
Finally on this last point, “Stop the whining”. As C.S. Lewis put it: “Putting God in the Dock” – just the thought of it should strike us down to our knees for fear of the Lord. Note : God’s deliverance for His people from Pharaoh. And invariably, how is that they would witness God’s deliverance miracles and then follow it up right behind it with the most perverse sins. Example: Parting of the Red Sea followed by building the “golden calf” as Moses was on the mountain receiving the tablets. So, can you make a case that we haven’t done that in the U.S.A.?
Soli Deo Gloria!