Shameful Speech

Shameful Speech

Ephesians 5:3–21 But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. 4 Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. 5 For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous ( that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not become partners with them; 8 for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), 10 and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. 11 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. 13 But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, 14 for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, “ Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” 15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, 19 addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, 20 giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Paul tells us that there are certain sins that should not only not be done by Christians, but should not even be talked about. They are sexual immorality, all impurity, and covetousness (which is idolatry). Paul goes on to list filthiness, foolish talking, and crude joking. He tells us that it is out of place for the Christian to be speaking about these things. Instead I am to replace that speech with thankfulness, (this thankfulness is to be thanking God always for everything in the name of Jesus) and with the singing of psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. I am to expose their sins by the light of truth. Leviticus 19:17 tells me that I am to “reason frankly” with my neighbor who is in sin.

Dear Lord, please take away all fear of man. Let me speak the truth boldly, and lovingly. Let me do what you have asked of me in these texts. I thank you for your answer in the name of Jesus.

A Prayer For Knowledge (sermon)

I had the blessing of preaching at our Church last Sunday. It was only the second time I have ever preached during a Church service. I have had many other opportunities to teach God's Word, but always in other contexts. Any feedback would be appreciated. Scott Sermon link

Old Self-New Self

Old Self–New Self

Ephesians 4:20–24

Ephesians 4:20–24 But that is not the way you learned Christ! — 21 assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, 22 to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, 23 and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24 and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

We have this conflict that is present inside us. We have an old self that is corrupt through deceitful desires. And we have a new self that is renewed by Christ, in the spirit of our minds. I am made up of mind and body.

The body is not the same thing as my old corrupted sinful nature. The body is my flesh and blood; the tent that houses my mind and my corrupted nature. My body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, and I am to take care of it. But my old self is the enemy within. Thomas Watson said “you could sooner trust the devil than listen to your sinful nature.” We are to put off this sinful nature with its deceitful desires. We are to then put on our new self that God created in His own image when he gave us new spiritual birth. This new self is created in true righteousness and holiness.

The Consequence of Ignorance

Ephesians 4:17–24
Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. 18 They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. 19 They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity. 20 But that is not the way you learned Christ! — 21 assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, 22 to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, 23 and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24 and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

I am ignorant about many things. Matter of fact, I think I am ignorant of the ignorance in me sometimes. This is not good! Ignorance comes from a hard heart. Callousness is the next step for the ignorant and hard hearted man. Once callousness sets into the heart, the man gives himself up to all kinds of impurity. But that is not the way I learned Christ. That’s what Paul tells me =•)

Unified Doctrine

Ephesians 4:1–7 1 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit –just as you were called to one hope when you were called – 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. 7 But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.

Doctrine Is Important

We are called to make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. Then the text goes on to mention seven major doctrines that believers are to be unified about. One body, one spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and father of all.

We are called to:

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15

All the while striving toward gentleness, and humility. After all, doctrine is like the laws of logic; we don’t create them, we merely discover them.

We can not be unified in our unity; we must be unified in our doctrine. Are you doing your best to handle the word of truth?

Why Pastors?

Ephesians 4:11–13 It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, 12 to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

Why Pastors?

Pastors are given to the Church for the building up of the flock of God. They are to prepare the people of God to work for God. The goal is that all the people of God would grow up into a mature Christian that is not tossed here and there by every wind of doctrine that may blow past.

The more knowledge of Jesus we have, the more mature we become. And the more mature we become, the more unified we become with God and with His people.

You may not be a Pastor of your local Church, but if you are a husband and father; you are the shepherd and pastor of your family. Start your building project from the ground up. Christ is the chief cornerstone, and the doctrine of the apostles and the prophets is the foundation. Happy Building!

The Value of Apple

I saw in the New York Times yesterday morning an article about Apple's value. The article said that Apple was the "most valuable company."

Apple was reported to be worth 624 billion. The Wall Street Journal said that Apple is the most valuable company because of it's influence on the economy, the stock market, and popular culture.

Augustine wrote about two kingdoms; the kingdom of God, and the kingdom of man. Which of these two do you think makes Apple the most valuable company in the eyes of the New York Times editor? Do we have the same perspective as God as to what is valuable?

I love Apple products. My family has many of them, and I am the one that supplied those products to my wife and older children. But do they build the kingdom of God, or do they build the kingdom of man?

I think Apple products can do both depending on how each individual uses them. Right now I am typing this blog with my thumbs on my iPhone. I am seeking to write this in order to advance the kingdom of God. I have however used my phone at times that would in no way advance the kingdom of God.

How do you use the things that man has made? Which kingdom do you seek to advance?