A GREAT SINNER AND A GREAT SAVIOR

Sociologist Marsha Witten analyzed forty-seven taped sermons on the prodigal son (see Luke 15:11-32) preached by Baptist and Presbyterian ministers. In her book, All Is Forgiven, she wrote, How does the idea of sin fare in the sermons under study here? We should not be surprised to find that communicating notions of sin poses difficulties for many of the pastors…As we have seen here, a closer examination of the sermons suggests that many ways in which the concept of “sin” has been accommodated to fit secular sensibilities. For while some traditional images are retained in this speech, the language frequently cushions the listeners from their impact, as it employs a variety of softening rhetorical devises.

John Newton, who wrote the much loved hymn Amazing Grace, said the following to a friend at the end of his life: My memory is nearly gone; but I remember two things: that I am a great sinner, and that Christ is a great Savior.

Jerry Bridges, Respectable Sins, pages 18, 31

PRAYER ACCORDING TO JESUS

And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him (Luke 11:9-13)!

Are we so hard of heart that these words of Jesus do not move us to pray with confidence, joyfully and gladly? So many of our prayers must be reformed if we are to pray according to these words. To be sure, all of the churches across the land are filled with people praying and singing, but why is it that there is so little improvement, so few results from so many prayers? The reason is none other than the one which James speaks of when he says, You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions (James 4:3). For where this faith and confidence is not in the prayer, the prayer is dead.

Martin Luther

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

The mother, more than any other, affects the moral and spiritual part of the children’s character. She is their constant companion and teacher in formative years. The child is ever imitating and assimilating the mother’s nature. It is only in after life that men can gaze backward and behold how a mother’s hand and heart of love molded their young lives and shaped their destiny (E. W. Caswell).

Caswell’s words are certainly true about our mother, Shirley Godwin. She shaped the lives of her children. As parents of two each, we can’t even begin to imagine the work and sacrifice required to raise five. Yet her life was never about herself. She invested her life in the children she loved and served. We can all look back and she how she impacted each of us. Her relationship to our father is perhaps her greatest investment in our lives. Their love and commitment to each other, after fifty-three years of marriage, continues to be a great example to us.

In addition to being a mother, our mom faithfully served alongside our father as a pastor’s wife for over forty years. Yet we never felt like we were second place to the church. She was a mother first.

Today we give thanks to God for our mom and for the godly life she lives and the great example she has been to us.

Happy Mother’s Day mom!

Love,

Joe, Susan, Tim, John, Nancy

OUR ONLY LEGITIMATE GOAL

If we are not our own, but the Lord's, it is clear to what purpose all our deeds must be directed. We are not our own, therefore neither our reason nor our will should guide us in our thoughts and actions. We are not our own, therefore we should not seek what is only expedient to the flesh. We are not our own, therefore let us forget ourselves and our own interests as far as possible.

We are God's own; to him, therefore, let us live and die. We are God's own; therefore let his wisdom and will dominate all our actions. We are God's own; therefore let every part of our existence be directed towards him as our only legitimate goal.

John Calvin, Golden Booklet of the True Christian Life

PRAYER AND POLITICS

Paul told Timothy that a priority of the church is to pray for kings and all who are in high positions that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way (I Timothy 2:1-2). As is often the case, we fail to grasp the important while embracing the unimportant. I am constantly amazed at how often the modern-day church fails to make this distinction. We become very emotional about politics and candidates, as if our future depends upon the success of our preferred candidates, while ignoring our responsibility to pray for those in authority, whether we agree with their political positions or not.

It seems to me that the church has elevated political positions almost to the status of essential, foundational doctrines. Christians speak today more passionately about politics than they do the critical issues of Scripture. Remember, the church does not take its lead from the democratic process, but from the living and eternal word of God. Regardless of what happens on November 4, God still sovereignly reigns over all things.

For not from the east or from the west and not from the wilderness comes lifting up,
but it is God who executes judgment, putting down one and lifting up another (Psalm 75:6-7).