I am not an impressive preacher, and my preaching itinerary is by no stretch of the imagination significant in proportion. On the contrary it is quite insignificant in quantity. I do, however, take time to reflect on preaching in order to form a biblical theology of preaching. My efforts here might be little more impressive than my preaching and certainly, as far as frequency is concerned, not very much greater in number of times that I have preached. With little experience and not many more times of reflection there is, however, one aspect of preaching that I know to be the life-breath of this divinely ordained means of grace. If preaching is not done in the power of the Spirit it is an exercise accomplished in vain. The pulpit might as well be empty if the Spirit is not present. I can sincerely say that I would rather never stand behind the pulpit than to stand there alone. It is of absolute importance and a non-negotiable necessity that a man be full of the Spirit if he is to be of any value as a preacher. I find more and more that there is nothing I long for so much as I long to be full of God’s Spirit. Being so filled I will then, and then only, be more holy; more like Christ, and there is no greater a preacher than one who is most like Christ. “It is not great talents God blesses so much as great likeness to Jesus. A holy minister is an awful weapon in the hands of God.”[1] I often tell my friends that if I had the opportunity to sit under the preaching of the most persuasive, talented, and well educated man; being greatly versed in Scripture and Calvinistic theological learning, yet only with a little “spirituality,” I would far rather sit under a man with little learning and little talents, but who is full of God’s Spirit and near to Christ; a man who knows what it is to commune daily with His God. Thomas Charles once said, “Had I the strongest constitution and the best advantage of human literature, yes, of all learning, both sacred and profane, yet I am perfectly convinced that all this would be much too little to make me a gospel preacher. One may speak a great deal, and that very orthodox; but unless he has a little of the unction of the Holy Spirit, he might, for aught I know, as well be silent. That is what I want in my prayers, studies, and meditations.”[2] A greater measure of God’s Spirit is what Thomas Charles wanted and He is what I desire as well. May God help us and grant us much grace that those of us men who stand behind the pulpit would stand there as men who have long been on our knees before our God.
[1] Robert Murray M’Cheyne
[2] Charles, Thomas. Thomas Charles’ Spiritual Counsels. (The Banner of Truth Trust), p. xiii-xiv.
Filed under: Marriage
Oneness in all things is a sweet ecstasy full of joy; an unprecedented blessing from the hand of God. In the fall of the year two thousand and two I encountered a young woman upon who was bestowed high honor among her peers. Her appearance was beautiful; her desires modest, her interest simple; her intellect stimulating; her demeanor charming; and her disposition sweet. I knew her only from a distance, but gradually the distance lessened and the gap decreased. In an unhurried manner, like that of a planted seed, my affections for her began to grow. Infatuation and genuine fondness mixed, watering the seed of my affections, which created sprouts of enthusiastic anticipation of closing the distance between us. This anticipation had an intoxicating effect resulting in consummate resolve. My mind was fixed on testing the waters of a more developed friendship. Months past and a year of distance came and went. The distance drew me closer, and with the hopes of my affections on the rise, the strength-gaining resolve of my mind became the longing of my heart. Fixed on a deeper friendship, my affections grew stronger and my enthusiasm more intense. Distance had drawn me closer, but her presence exponentially multiplied the warmth of my heart towards my lovely friend. I was not prepared for the wooing effects of the nearness of her presence. My heart was more intrigued, my resolve more firm, my enjoyment of her company more full, and my desires more exact. After some time, excitement at the prospect of a deeper and more richly developing friendship became my daily disposition. My heart was smitten. I wanted her as my constant companion. Another year past and my heart grew closer to hers, and closer became closer. Riveted by her beauty I longed for further intimacy in friendship. Intimacy advanced, and the sapling of my affections was no longer merely growing, but now maturing, and the roots of my love were deepening. My mind was determined to make her my wife. Six months later, the question ensuing and my affections escalating, my knee hit the ground…Three more months passed. My knee hit the ground once more. This time I rose with my heart full of joy and joyfully surprised. Three months more and she was mine and I was hers. Joined by God, the woman (more beautiful and wonderful than the woman of my dreams) was flesh of my flesh and bone of my bones. The excitement my heart once felt at the prospect of making her mine diminishes in comparison to the excitement my heart feels now. Three and a half years of marriage have proven that my heart is now more full of love for her than that time when I previously supposed that it would burst. My love increases; my joy is fuller; my affections warmer; my delight more delightful; my pleasure more pleasurable. Her love is more fantastic and her companionship more pleasant than ever I could have imagined. I am exhilarated by her love.[1] She is most beautiful among women. Our friendship is deeper and grows sweeter each day, and the kindness of her heart towards me is overwhelming. She is a help-meet deluxe; a partner unsurpassed. She cares for me and provides me with more joy and satisfaction than a man (humanly speaking) could ever imagine. The wife of my youth, the joy of my life, and the warmth of my day stands sweetly by my side. Because of her I am a better man. She has provoked me to love my Savior more, a quality unsurpassed by all others. She is dearer to me than my own life. She is much more than all I wanted and very much more than what I deserved.[2] Stated simply, I am crazy about this girl.[3] “Behold you are beautiful my love, behold you are beautiful.”[4] You are altogether beautiful my love; there is no flaw in you.”[5] How beautiful and pleasant you are, O loved one, with all your delights.”[6]
I love you Sweetie
[1] Proverbs 5:19
[2] Adopted and adapted from Will Lunsford
[3] Crazy for this girl, Evan and Jaron
[4] Song of Solomon 4:1
[5] Song of Solomon 4:7
[6] Song of Solomon 7:6
Filed under: Faithfulness
With the New Year already on the way many promises have been made, many goals logged, and aspirations declared. Volition rises from coast to coast and the “I wills” of the past and current generation are stacked high. Many feel that promising times are ahead on the basis that promises have been made. Human ambitions, legitimate and good desires, and earnest aims have been recorded. Objectives are in place and resolve is the current tone of the masses. Yet, the sincere and sober aims at this point are mere goals and nothing more. There is a truth recorded by the prophet Jeremiah that sounds a loud warning to those eager to be faithful this year. That warning is that “the heart is deceitful above all things, and is desperately wicked: who can know it?” With this timeless truth brought to the forefront of our minds a cloud moves across the sunshine of our newly asserted resolutions. A certain uncertainty arises.
There is a stark, yet simple, difference between those who desire to be faithful and those who are faithful. What sets apart one man who longs to be more like Christ from the other who longs to be more like Christ and is found to be excelling in his desire? Wherein lies the secret of the faithful? Sincerity is found in both hearts, as well as eagerness and zeal. The difference is uncomplicated. Although one’s desire is strong, he only desires, while the other exhaustively exerts himself towards the end which he strongly desires. Faithfulness is more than a longing. It is more than having good intentions. Faithfulness is more than a regret of not being faithful, and it is more than talking about a lack of faithfulness and the need to be more faithful. It is much more than resolutions that aim towards faithfulness. Being faithful, simply put, is actually being faithful. A modern sports company encompasses the idea of faithfulness in their marketing slogan: “Just do it.” There is the difference. The one who is faithful is the one who works hard at being faithful. He kindles the desire for faithfulness and ignites true faithfulness with relentless diligence. He promotes faithfulness in his own life as a non-negotiable exercise of the will. The New Year is on the way and the question looms in the back of our minds: will we only be theoretically faithful or will we actually be faithful this year?
Filed under: Articles
Dr. Robert Gonzales recently wrote an good article concerning ‘worldliness.’ The article is titled: What In the World Is “Worldliness”: Providing Some BIblical Clarity On a Misused Term
This brief summary of John Owen’s theology will incite you to plumb the depths of this man’s God-given understanding of the Triune God and His sovereign outworking of salvation. It successfully entreated me and I found myself craving extended time with Owen.
