The Glory of Easter

The more I gather with God’s people on the Lord’s Day the more I long for heaven. And the more I long for heaven the more I lose interest in the mundane things of this world. This fact was reinforced in my soul with great power on yesterday as I had the privilege to lead God’s people in worship on Resurrection Sunday.

With all the ancillary activities associated with the Day, as we sang songs that reminded us of the reality that Jesus is alive and that He reigns, for a brief moment which felt endless, everything other than the glory of God faded from my heart’s attention. I was there. You know; that place. The place that is almost indescribably vivid to the soul – the place where the presence of God is so real and heavy that you rejoice with trembling because you’re acutely aware of the Divine.

That’s where I was yesterday. Jesus Christ had risen afresh in my heart, and I was awestruck with His loveliness, beauty, and humility. And as I preached from Mark’s gospel meditating on all that Jesus endured for unworthy sinners my heart pounded from a mixture of sorrow & happiness – sorrow because of His sufferings and happiness because of His submission. O’ that He voluntarily submitted to betrayal, denial, beatings, mocking, rejection, accusations, abandonment, condemnation, crucifixion, and forsakenness – and all for Me, the most unworthy sinner of all. My heart was overwhelmed with pure love and admiration for my God and King.

Yes, it was a great day. Jesus is risen; He is risen indeed! I only fear that the glory is fading from my face having beheld Him in His word, and now fighting back the encroaching cares of this fleeting age, I so want to remain in that place. Maranatha! Come Lord Jesus, and may it be soon.

They're Listening with their Eyes (Titus 2:7-8)

Some really bright fellow once said, "Your talk talks and your walk talks, but your walk talks louder than your talk talks." Now that's a mouth full. But, O' is it accurate. Yea, what we say and how we live both speak, but more often than not, how we live speaks a lot louder than what we say. And because of this, people often listen to us with their eyes.

This is why our example is so important; especially for those of us who have spiritual influence on others. For there's probably no quicker way to destroy our ability to effectively persuade people of the spiritual truths of God's word than to live a life of hypocrisy. In other words, failing to live in accordance with sound doctrine short-circuts our ability to reinforce the truthfulness of that doctrine. And so, Paul charges Titus to, "show himself to be an example" -- a charge that must be heeded by us all; especially we Pastors.

Speaking directly to preachers, Dean Shriver in his marvelous book entitled, "Nobody's Perfect, But You Have to Be," says,

"Each Sunday our congregations hear the sermons we preach. The rest of the week they see the sermon we live. If these two sermons don't coincide, it's doubtful the people we minister to will really listen when we preach. More doubtful still is that God will use our preaching to radically transform their lives."

His statement is certainly strong , but I believe he's right. In writing to his other protege in the faith, Paul said, "Pay close attention to yourself and to your doctrine . . . . for as you do this you will ensure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you" (1 Tim. 4:16). The point is clear! Our example is instrumental to our effectiveness in ministry and life.

So, how is your example? Can people hear you with their eyes? What exactly is your life communicating about your doctrine? May it be that as Christians we not only talk the talk, but also walk the walk.

Home Is Where The Heart Is? (Titus 2:4-5)

How often have you heard the quaint little idiom, “Home is where the heart is?” It sounds so good—so right. But is it? If it means that if you are with the person or at the place you love most, it becomes your true home then I think not, especially in light of my recent studies in Titus 2, verses 4-5. Here, the practicality of the gospel is being fleshed out in the instructions directed toward the domestic duties of young married mothers. These young Christian mothers are to be given to the “home” as defined by God, not by where the heart is, so that “the word of God will not be dishonored” (v. 5). Learning from the older women, the younger women of the Christian community are to give their energies and focus to family and home life.

The delightful poignancy of this passage is in its directness and clarity with which it weaves virtue and duty together. A young woman is to grow in the virtues of discretion, purity, and kindness so that she might grow in her love for her husband and children, and grow in her management and care for the home. Her heart of grace leads to a home of grace, which in turn promotes orderliness and gospel attractiveness as God’s prescription for the home is put on display.

No, my friend, for a Christian woman home is not where the heart is. The truth is that her home is where her husband and children are; and her calling is to give her heart to where her home is! Her home doesn't follow her heart, but her heart is to follow her home. And as it does, she will find the joyful satisfaction of being God’s instrument through which His sanctifying grace flows to her husband and children who will be blessed to have her as a “worker at home.” For every young woman who embraces this high calling, may your husband praise you in the gates and may your children rise up and bless you.

“Many daughters have done nobly.
But you excel them all.
Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain,
But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.”