Auditing Church

Right now at Trinity, our Pastor is in the midst of a series called, "The High Maintenance Bride." It's all about a biblical view of the Church. So when I came across this blog tonight, it immediately caught my attention. It seems to me that God is shaking up some of the me-centered ideas associated with being the Church and replacing them with His mind as revealed in the Bible. This is a good word for us to consider as we surrender to God's agenda during our day. ~Jon

Is Watching A Very Good Sermon on TV or Online the Same as 'Doing Church'?

Subtitle:

Star Article

Author:

David Livingston

Date Given:

March 23, 2010

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Is Watching a Sermon the Same As Church.pdf

When you read that question, your reaction may well be, “Are you kidding? What a ridiculous thought!” Perhaps the earliest (even before the days of personal computers) and most caustic response I recall hearing about people who rationalize doing “TV church” was an in-your-face, “See if your TV gives you a hug when you’re sick, lonely, or need advice.”

More recently, Johnathon Bowers, our South Site Coordinator, commented on this topic at a staff meeting, remarking about an article’s description of the age we live in.

For the first time in church history, our generation is able to watch and hear quality Christian preaching and music seven days a week, morning, noon, and night. And indulging in this wealth breeds in some a “consumer mentality,” such that they can simply change channels or turn off completely whatever they don’t like. In this, many people fall into a similar pattern with their actual church participation, i.e., to routinely “surf the Web of congregations” instead of hanging in there with all the other imperfect people in their church.

They, therefore, ignore the plain biblical instruction for their good—that God ordains struggles, conflicts, and outright orneriness within a church body so that he will get the glory of saved sinners like them growing in their faith, practicing his “one another” commands, and showing a clueless, alienating world his alternative community of reconciliation and grace.

That said, let’s go back to the original question and more particularly to what it means to “do church.” For starters, let’s acknowledge what the majority of us actually do every weekend at Bethlehem in our multi-site services. On a rotating basis, a different fraction of us will get live preaching, but most of the time far more of us sit and “watch a very, very good sermon” on a big video screen. So, what am I doing here, throwing stones at my own glass house? Maybe.

No doubt there are more than just a few folks who have surfed their way into our services from elsewhere to hear the very good sermons and will stay only as long as the sermons remain very, very good. That’s what “doing church” is for them ... they are “auditing” church.

And that’s not all bad ... in fact, it’s way better than staying away. By all means, come and audit! For that matter, staying home to watch a good sermon on TV is also way better than watching virtually everything else on TV. Long ago, the Apostle Paul wrote that he rejoiced at any kind of gospel preaching so long as Christ was proclaimed (Philippians 1:15–18), and so should we.

The rub comes in letting ourselves settle into minimalism. In other words, it’s very sad to reduce “doing church” to listening to a sermon whether it’s at home in front of a screen or in a building with others in front of a screen. “Doing church” is far more and far better than that ... both on Sunday mornings and all through the week. Why? Because church isn’t a building to go to or programs and classes to attend; it’s a living fellowship of people who have a saving relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ ... and a saving relationship with one another as members of the family of God (consider Hebrews 3:12–13).

So, “doing church” is our identity first and foremost. It is who we are as Christ’s disciples, as our Father’s family, as the fellowship of God’s Holy Spirit. “Doing church” is therefore living in face-to-face (sometimes in-your-face) community with others who, like ourselves, are the “called-out ones” (that’s what the New Testament word for church means), called individually out of death and darkness into the communal life and light of the triune (communal) God and his communing people.

Be glad for good sermons (especially the very, very good ones we are used to) and for the means of sending them far and wide on TV and the Internet. May they be used for creating worshipful, missional, mutually-loving, accountable life together—which is what “doing church” really does!

On the way with you toward being such a “doing church,”

David Livingston, South Campus Pastor

Please indulge some grateful personal nostalgia: As I sit writing this Star article, I remember it was one year ago that Karin and I boarded a plane for Cape Town, South Africa, and began our adventurous four-month sabbatical. Our arrival there coincided almost to the day—170 years later—with that of a far more famous Doctor Livingston(e) about whom many others have since “presumed.”

Africa, England, and America all lay in the offing before us then … 110 days to enjoy God’s pre-arranged cavalcade of the places and people he would show us one by one. We can never sufficiently thank him (or you) for that gracious investment in our renewing time away ... but a very fast one year later we aim to always keep trying. Thanks again!

http://www.hopeingod.org/document/watching-very-very-good-sermon-tv-or-online-same-doing-church

Finally, Brethren, Pray For Us

Tonight was fun.

God is bringing lots of new folks to be a part of Trinity Worship & Music and there is, what some would call "momentum" building. I must confess, it makes leading rehearsal very enjoyable.


It might seem weird to you, but I find myself kind of hesitant to enjoy it sometimes. I guess it's because I have, at times, been involved in ministries where there was a negative "momentum" and I fear going back there. I admitted that to Suzanne when we were getting ready for bed tonight and as we talked about it, I was reminded that God's got it either way. I am not the one in charge of either type of momentum. Jesus promised that He would build His church. It's not my job. It's His!

I have publicly said many times that I would rather have 20 folks involved as lead worshipers who are there by the call of God than 200 who are just there to put on a good show...and I still believe that.

As Suz drifted off to sleep, I picked up a book I keep by our bed called Taste And See and read the chapter below. As I read it, I knew I needed to write this post and enlist you to pray for the pastors at Trinity Baptist Church that we would stay in line with God's agenda for ourselves, our families, and the local assembly of believers known as Trinity.

~Jon


http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/TasteAndSee/ByDate/1999/1123_Brothers_Pray_for_Us/

Authority in the Word

This morning, I read a story about Jesus that left me amazed, as it did those who lived it. I read two different accounts of it found in Mark 1:21-28 and Luke 4:31-37. Jesus went into Capernaum in the region of Galilee and was teaching in the synagogue on the Sabbath. It is my assumption that they must have been somewhat comfortable with Jesus' handling of the Jewish scriptures (our Old Testament) to allow Him the opportunity to teach on the Sabbath, but on this day, they recognized something different about Jesus.

"And He went down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee. And He was teaching them on the Sabbath, and they were astonished at His teaching, for His word possessed authority." (Luke 4:31-32 ESV)

They were astonished at His teaching for His word possessed authority. Wow! What a statement. A living example was then paraded in front of the crowd as Jesus proceeded to command a demon to give up control of a man that "happened" to be in attendance that day. (We should be as aware as Jesus that we also worship alongside those who are bound by the enemy of our souls, and through this same authoritative Word, God can set them free.) Look at the response of those who witness this freedom granting God at work in their midst.

"And they were all amazed and said to one another, 'What is this word? For with authority and power He commands the unclean spirits, and they come out!'" (Luke 4:36 ESV)

"And at once His fame spread everywhere throughout all the surrounding region of Galilee." (Mark 1:28 ESV)

Eugene Petterson paraphrases this last verse in the Message by saying, "Jesus was the talk of the town." It is "this Word" that defined Jesus, and it should define us as followers of Him, too. By the power of the Holy Spirit, the Word of God is the tool He gives us to bring about change in ourselves and in this world.

Lord, let us feast continually on "this Word" that carries Your authority and sets captives free.

~Jon

Ministry Idolatry

I just listened to this message from Mark Driscoll on idolatry. My mind is swimming with the thoughts that the enemy of our LORD would be so crafty as to lure us to worship even good things in order to keep us from worshiping the Only One Worthy Of Worship. Mark repeats this phrase throughout the message..."When a good thing becomes a god thing, it is a bad thing." There are many penetrating words here that make this well worth getting a cup of coffee, your journal, and your Bible, and settling in to hear what God might want to say to you through this message. ~Jon

The Result Of Revival

This past weekend we (at Trinity BC) hosted David Miller in a "2-day revival." I put that in lowercase because only God brings Revival, with a capital letter. It is a sovereign move of God that rearranges priorities, sets affections aflame for God's glory in Christ, and returns God's people to His agenda. Although I did not witness a dramatic and outwardly visible Revival of this type, God used Brother David to remind us of God's goodness and sovereignty and to point us to God-focused repentance. As our pastor has said more than once, this repentance is not an event, but a lifestyle. It is exciting to sense God stirring us and wooing us into this lifestyle.

"Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord;" - Acts 3:19(NASB)

This repentance, if we embrace it, can be the beginning of Revival. I pray that it will be. I came across an amazing quote today called The Result Of Revival. It made my heart soar and I respond to it with a hearty "amen!"

"What happens in a Christian church when a fresh and vital working of the Spirit of God brings revival?

In my study and observations, a revival generally results in a sudden bestowment of a spirit of worship. This is not the result of engineering or of manipulation. It is something God bestows on people hungering and thirsting for Him. With spiritual renewing will come a blessed spirit of loving worship.

These believers worship gladly because they have a high view of God. In some circles, God has been abridged, reduced, modified, edited, changed and amended until He is no longer the God whom Isaiah saw, high and lifted up. Because He has been reduced in the minds of so many people, we no longer have that boundless confidence in His character that we used to have." (A.W. Tozer, Whatever Happened To Worship, 86)

God, help us to see You as You really are and worship You as You desire to be worshiped. By Your kindness, lead us to repentance (Romans 2:4) and revive Your Bride and make her beautiful with Your glory!

~Jon

Matthew 5:42

This is one of those posts that I kind of wish I hadn't run across...but, I guess that shows my selfish tendencies. Suzanne and I have, even within the last few weeks talked about this passage and the difficulty of obeying it in the real world. I think Jon Bloom from Desiring God extracts the heart of Jesus' words and puts it right in my face. Jesus, help us obey You even when Your radical commands are completely contrary to our thinking. ~Jon


I Have Not Always Obeyed This Command
September 28, 2009 By: Jon Bloom Category: Commentary

"Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you" (Matthew 5:42).

I confess, I have not always obeyed this command.


I'm a veteran urban-dweller. Having lived in an inner city neighborhood for 18 years, I've encountered many beggars and borrowers. Some I discerned as cons I have called out or waved off. Some I have hired to do work. Others I've given to because I felt the conviction of this text.

I've thought a lot about this command of Jesus over the years. I've discussed it with many. I think I know all the major reasons why not to give when someone asks. You don't want to encourage deception. You don't want to feed a chemical addiction. You don't want to contribute to someone's cycle of poverty. And there are many others.


But still this text unnerves and convicts me.

The reason is that Jesus doesn't give this command in the context of addressing how I can best facilitate transformation in someone else. He is telling me how I should respond to those who are making demands on me, either from explicitly evil motives or just plain out of their difficult situation. He is telling me how I ought to respond even when being taken advantage of.


Do not resist the evil person, he says. Let him slap you twice. (v. 39)
Give him more than he is suing you for. (v. 40)
Do more than he is forcing you to do. (v. 41)
Give to those who ask. (v. 42)
Love your enemy. (v. 44)

Jesus is telling me to actively show kindness and radical generosity toward those who hate me or who are seeking to take advantage of me.


Really, Jesus? Isn't that rewarding sinful, or at least unhealthy, behavior?

Of course, I can think of Biblical examples that illustrate when it seems right to resist or flee an evil person in situations of theft, deception, abuse, persecution, war, etc. So when the Word speaks, I must listen carefully, and I must weigh all of his words.


But from the words Jesus speaks here, I think it applies more often and more broadly than I want it to. He does not let me off the hook easily. He tests my heart with such radical love. And in my heart I see my selfish, unloving impulses that do not want to part with my money, possessions, time, or convenience for needy or evil people. And I have a ready arsenal of noble-sounding rationales that conceal my sin, almost from myself.

What Jesus is calling me to is gospel love. It's the love that drove him to die for me with when I was still a weak, ungodly, sinful enemy of his (Romans 5:6-10). There is something about such over-the-top, radically generous love that is so different from the way the world loves that it reflects the Father's love for sinners. It's why Jesus calls us also to costly love. It is both an expression and picture of the gospel.


Pray for me. I have an opportunity in my life right now to obey this command, which is why I'm wrestling with this text again. Pray that I will love the way I have been loved.

The Legacy of Asaph - Learning to Sing in the Same Room

This is another great article from Bob Kauflin. His insights into unity of worship are spot on.

Lord, help us maintain Your unity among Your people (Ephesians 4:1-6). Focus us on You, not what we prefer. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Learning,
~Jon


The Legacy of Asaph - Learning to Sing in the Same Room

The Passionate Preaching of John Piper

I must first apologize that it has been so long since my last post, but I am going to try to get back to posting things on a regular basis. I came across this tonight on Bob Kauflin's Worship Matters blog. I think you will see why it struck a chord with me. Enjoy! ~Jon


The Passionate Preaching of John Piper

Thankful...again

If you have been following my blog for a while you may remember a post from Thanksgiving 2008 titled Thankful. (If not, go back and read it.) It chronicled the addition to my parents' house that, at that time, was under construction, and how this is a picture of God's activity in our lives. We went back to visit my folks recently and the room is completed and really nice. The door is no longer there...replaced by a wider hallway with some great storage cabinets on one side.

On November 9, 2008 I led worship for the final time at Two Rivers Baptist Church where I had served as the Associate Minister of Music & Worship for 3 1/2 years and where our family had been members since 1996. My job there was eliminated due to financial strains. This was the context of my original Thankful post. God had clearly brought one season to an end and had not revealed what our next assignment would be.

For about 4 months the LORD literally led us week to week where He would have us worship. We went to big churches, small churches, lively churches, subdued churches, churches in different areas of town, churches with totally different ministry objectives and philosophies--but wherever we went, we experienced God. Some places we had to look for Him a little harder, but He led us and He spoke to us week in and week out as we explored what He was up to within His people in the Nashville area. This was the beginning of His healing process in us. Although God had done amazing things during our years at TRBC, we had been wounded in unexplainable ways.

This process of healing continued as we began to get invitations to lead worship on the road. We spent March and April traveling and leading worship and were busier than we ever were during our 7 years of traveling ministry. Everywhere we went, we were encouraged by Godly leaders. This may be hard to hear, but because of our wounds, we had become very cynical and God knew we needed to see Him at work in pastors (younger and older and in-between) who were chasing after His heart and leading their people to do the same. Week after week we were moved to see God's heart on display in these men of God and I thank God so much for it! He knew what we needed.

About halfway through this traveling season, I received a call from the pastor of Trinity Baptist Church in Southaven, MS, Chad Everson. As we talked on the phone, a common view of God and His church and what we are to be about as we gather to worship quickly surfaced. I hung up the phone greatly encouraged and energized. He invited Suzanne and I to come lead worship for several weeks during May. We entered into a time of seeking the Lord as to whether or not this might be a more long-term assignment. As we prayed and after we had been there and led worship once and visited much more with Brother Chad and his family, the LORD took Suzanne and I to Exodus 3-4. This is where Moses and God are arguing about him going to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. You'll have to read it all to get the passion, but it comes down to God saying this:

"Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall say." - Exodus 4:12(ESV)

With that, we said, "OK God. We hear you." We had already seen Him at work as we had talked with Chad and visited with his family and as we had worshiped with the family of faith at Trinity, so this was simply God providing a promise for us to stand on.

So if you haven't figured it out, we're moving to Southaven, MS. The church officially called me to be their Worship Pastor last Sunday evening, June 7, just a few days shy of 7 full months since our last week at TRBC. In Hebrew culture, the number 7 represents completion or perfection and the number 8 represents new beginnings. God has completed much in these past months and we are confident that He will do great things in the days ahead. We are already getting to know and love the body of Christ that is Trinity Baptist Church and we are treasuring the eternal friendships that God has given us during our years in Nashville. I am thankful...again...for God's activity behind the door of this new assignment even before we had any idea where He was leading. (Philippians 1:6)

Thanking God,
~Jon

[Suzanne and I and the boys ask that you pray specifically that God would lead us (quickly) to the house He has for us to live in in Southaven and that He would bring THE buyer for our house in Nashville.]

Humble Pastors

This message ROCKS!! Humility is not a virtue that our world appreciates, but in the radical message of God, it is primary. Whether you are a pastor, a parent, a manager, this message is for you. If you have ever dealt with pride, this message is for you.

Lord, teach us to live in humility. In Jesus Name, for His sake, and in His power, Amen.

~Jon

Axioms For A Great Commission Resurgence

I am encouraged that God is at work. I read a sermon from Danny Akin, the president of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (the link is below) and my spirit soared with joy as I read. He very boldly speaks to many of the issues facing the American Church today and I say a hearty, "Amen!" Check it out, but be careful, it will challenge your status quo.

~Jon

http://betweenthetimes.com/2009/04/16/akin-axioms-for-a-great-commission-resurgence/

A Conversation with Death on Good Friday

A Conversation with Death on Good Friday
April 10, 2009 | By: John Piper
Category: Commentary

CHRISTIAN:

Hello, Death, my old enemy. My old slave-master. Have you come to talk to me again? To frighten me?

I am not the person you think I am. I am not the one you used to talk to. Something has happened. Let me ask you a question, Death.

Where is your sting?

DEATH, sneeringly:

My sting is your sin.

CHRISTIAN:

I know that, Death. But that’s not what I asked you. I asked, where is your sting? I know what it is. But tell me where it is.

Why are you fidgeting, Death? Why are you looking away? Why are you turning to go? Wait, Death, you have not answered my question. Where is your sting?

Where is, my sin?

What? You have no answer? But, Death, why do you have no answer? How will you terrify me, if you have no answer?

O Death, I will tell you the answer. Where is your sting? Where is my sin? It is hanging on that tree. God made Christ to be sin—my sin. When he died, the penalty of my sin was paid. The power of it was broken. I bear it no more.

Farewell, Death. You need not show up here again to frighten me. God will tell you when to come next time. And when you come, you will be his servant. For me, you will have no sting.

O death, where is your victory?
O death, where is your sting?
The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.
But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory
through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:55-57)


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Jesus Wants The Rose - Matt Chandler

This is an AMAZING story! I was blown away!! I think all that I can say is that this sinner - Jon - is so grateful that Jesus loves sinners. ~Jon

Friendship

I have always had friends, but over the last few years, friendship has taken on a much more significant meaning. I guess some of it could be attributed to age. (I'm about to officially enter the "late thirties." Ugh!) But I really believe that these more honest, real life, deep, life-long friendships are from God. Now, if you are a friend from years ago, please don't take offense. This in no way minimizes any friendship from the past. It's just that God has revealed more of Himself in these last few years and He has brought people into my life that have walked that path with me. I think it could be compared to the kinds of friendships formed by those who serve in the military together. There's something life-altering about going to battle together. That is true in a spiritual sense, too. When you have shared life together when life is hard, intimacy forms. When you experience the reality of God together, you are forever connected. This is the life Jesus was talking about in John 10:10b, "I came that they may have life and have it abundantly." (ESV)

I am finding that this is not a new phenomenon. There have always been people who have shared life this way. One group was called the Inklings. This group included the likes of C.S. Lewis (who wrote The Chronicles Of Narnia), J.R.R. Tolkien (who wrote The Lord Of The Rings), and author Charles Williams. I came across a quote from Lewis tonight that was written after Williams passed away and it captures the essence of friendship like I never could.

"In each of my friends there is something that only some other friend can fully bring out. By myself I am not large enough to call the whole man into activity; I want other lights than my own to show all his facets. Now that Charles [Williams] is dead, I shall never again see Ronald's [Tolkien's] reaction to a specifically Charles joke. Far from having more of Ronald, having him 'to myself' now that Charles is away, I have less of Ronald...In this, Friendship exhibits a glorious 'nearness by resemblance' to heaven itself where the very multitude of the blessed (which no man can number) increases the fruition which each of us has of God. For every soul, seeing Him in her own way, doubtless communicates that unique vision to all the rest. That, says an old author, is why the Seraphim in Isaiah's vision are crying 'Holy, Holy, Holy' to one another (Isaiah 6:3). The more we thus share the Heavenly Bread between us, the more we shall have." -C.S. Lewis, The Four Loves, pg 61-62

Seeking Bread, Sharing Bread,
~Jon

The Chief Task Of Parenting

I came across this quote that is just too good not to post. I want to parent like this. God, please help me. ~Jon

"The chief task of parenting is to know God for who he is in his many attributes--especially as he has revealed himself in the person of Jesus and his cross--and then to live in such a way with our children that we help them see and know this multi-faceted God." -John Piper, This Momentary Marriage, pg. 144

Mark Driscoll on Proverbs

I came across this message from Mark Driscoll that really is a great intro to Proverbs.

Seeking Wisdom,

~Jon

Wisdom, A Benefit Of The Gospel?

Do you ever read something and think, "why have I never seen that?" That's what happened to me this morning. I read this and the light bulb went off.

"He (God) is the source of your life in Christ Jesus, whom God made our wisdom and our righteousness and sanctification and redemption." - 1 Corinthians 1:30 (ESV)

Did you catch that? A part of what Jesus gives us when we surrender our lives to Him is wisdom! So the gospel is not just exchanging our sin for His perfection, but also, our foolishness for His wisdom.

Lord, let this surrendered fool be controlled by Your wisdom.

~Jon

These thoughts were fueled by a book I am reading...Craftsmen, Skillfully Leading Your Family For Christ, by John Crotts.

Joshua...Not Hoshea

I have a divine connection to the Joshua of the Bible. A few years ago, the Lord took me through an intense season where He revealed to me who He says I am. It was through that process that He forever connected me to Joshua. (For the whole story, check out my initial post.) So due to this connection, whenever I come across something on Joshua, my ears perk up. That's what happened tonight.

We have a little devotional book by Beth Moore called Believing God Day By Day and today's reading tells about God's purpose in changing Hoshea's name to Joshua. It hit home for me. Check it out.

"These were the names of the men Moses sent to scout out the land, and Moses renamed Hoshea son of Nun, Joshua." - Numbers 13:16 (HCSB)

"We may not know exactly when Joshua received his new name from Moses, but we don't have to be biblical scholars to reason why he might have needed one. In essence, his original name Hoshea means 'deliverer,' while his new name Joshua (or Jehoshua) means 'Jehovah delivers.'

If I were flesh and blood chosen by God to lead a grasshopper people into a land of giant opposition, I'd want to know He was the true Deliverer, not me.

I'd like to suggest that Joshua not only needed to know who he was, he needed to know who he wasn't. He wasn't God. Not a bad lesson for any of us to learn." - Believing God Day By Day, Beth Moore, February 11

Learning the lesson,

Jon

Song Of Fools

Once again Ron Bergthold has taken a relevant truth and turned it on it's musical ear so we can say, "yeah, I get that." If there is one overarching truth the Lord has drilled into me in the last 3 years, it has been that God works through His Body, the Church, to accomplish His purposes...both in cultural ways and in personal ways. Thanks again Ron, for reminding us that it is a good and right thing to live with Godly accountability in the Body of Christ. ~Jon

Song of Fools
by Ron Bergthold

What is the difference between a musician and a savings bond? (Answer: Eventually a savings bond will mature and earn money.)


“Did anyone just hear a bad note?” The question came from one of the woodwinds. Of course, my first thought of “Is it me?” propelled me to verify that I was at least in the right key. Another group run-through confirmed there was indeed something that sounded bad. Others now heard and confirmed it. I did not hear it, but my initial self-evaluation runs clean. Now what should I do? How should the group respond?

Some groups would not have stopped in the first place simply because they don’t even hear wrong notes (some might say ignorance is bliss!). Some groups will hear it and just move ahead like it didn’t happen because wrong notes have become so routine, and therefore accepted, as a normal part of playing. Others who hear may want to stop and fix it, but are unsure how to find and resolve the bad note, and leave it up to the conductor to do so, if he can.

A good musical group will always be sensitive to and deal with wrong notes. They don’t always play perfectly, but they will always know what the tune should sound like and work toward getting it right. A good conductor will help greatly by repeating and reviewing measures that seem wrong. Good players are willing to point out places where something sounds wrong, even if they may be at fault. The group understands that they may have to repeat parts by section or, if needed, by individual player to find the cause. Sometimes it is as simple as an excellent musician just reading the wrong chart! Regardless, the wrong note gets resolved with good listening, an intent to play well, and group accountability focused on helping each other for the glory of God.

Paul declares in 2 Corinthians 5:18 that God “…reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.” God has an ordained plan and purpose for our lives, and it always involves Christ – Who He is, what He has done, and what He wants to do in us. Our intent should be to seek Him and, as part of the journey, to encourage others to seek Him as well.

We may be seeking Him fully, yet be reluctant to help others do the same. At times, this may include the need for correction. Few people like to be corrected and therefore few take the initiative to correct others. So we often just live wrongly! We forget that many people cannot hear wrong notes because they are simply deaf to God in one or many areas. In truth, we all have some deafness in our lives in this world, and we truly need others to help us hear God well.

We must act in the same manner as a great musical group which is intent upon playing a piece well. We must be listening to God very well, we must have the intent to live according to His ways, and we must encourage each other to live well for the glory of God. A loving church body is perfectly designed to complete this reconciliation. But we must always start with God’s Word: “It is better to heed a wise man’s rebuke than to listen to the song of fools.” (Ecc 7:5)

For the TRBC Orchestra on February 11, 2009

Wisdom in 2009 pt. 2 - What does Solomon mean by "sense"?

If you took the time to read my post from January 4th about Wisdom in 2009, you know that God has me on a journey in Proverbs this year. I read the book through in January reading a chapter a day and God has begun, what I know is going to be a life changing year for me. I want to first make a few comments on some things I discovered in my first time through Proverbs this year.

If you will remember (or if you don't, check out my first article), I have a hang-up with assuming that common sense decisions are always from God. I do not believe they are. So when I started coming across verses dealing with common sense (the ESV uses the word sense 20 times in Proverbs), I became somewhat troubled. How is one supposed to think about this? I believe after digging a bit in Strongs, I have reconciled the two seemingly at-odds ideas about wisdom. Here's what I found.

There are three different Hebrew words translated sense in the ESV and one of them is the root of another. The first, and most common is "Leb." Strongs defines Leb as: inner man, mind, will heart, understanding, soul, knowledge, thinking, reflection, memory, inclination, resolution, or determination (of will). The first time this word shows up in Proverbs, it is used three times in one verse!

"making you ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding." Proverbs 2:2 (ESV)

The first time it shows up translated as "sense" is in 6:32.

"He who commits adultery lacks sense; he who does it destroys himself." (ESV)

Clearly in the first verse the wisdom referred to is not from the person, but comes from outside the person, thus the command to pay attention to it is understandable. In the second, it sounds more like something that we innately possess. Even though it appears that way, I want to beg to differ. Check out how Jeremiah uses the word:

"The heart is deceitfully wicked above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? I, the LORD search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to the fruit of his deeds." Jeremiah 17:9-10 (ESV)

So our common sense is "deceitfully wicked above all things." But here's the good news, later in the book, Jeremiah uses the word again.

"I will put My laws within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people." Jeremiah 31:33b (ESV)

This changes EVERYTHING! When God comes and gives us new hearts, nothing stays the same. So this second use of Leb in Proverbs is also from outside us. The "sense" that comes from our hearts without Christ's control is folly. But with Him at the helm, we can trust what He has put in our hearts.

Now the second and third word used for sense in Proverbs are essentially the same, one word is the root for the other. The root is Sakal, meaning: to be prudent, be circumspect, or wisely understand. I must confess, I didn't know what circumspect was, so I looked it up. According to the American Heritage Dictionary, it means "heedful of circumstances and potential consequences." The word that immediately came to my mind was discernment, which is a gift of the Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:11)! So here's the verse where it is used:

"One who wanders from the way of good sense will rest in the assembly of the dead." Proverbs 21:16 (ESV)

I hope you don't mind my taking a long time here, but God is, I believe, revealing what His wisdom looks like and He is birthing in me a desire to pursue it more.

Praying you will join me,
~Jon