Serve the Family

With reference to church unity, Lloyd-Jones says,

“It is not even a matter of friendship. It is deeper than that. It is like a family relationship. You have no choice about that and what it involves. You are born into a family. Though you may disagree with members of your family you cannot get rid of the relationship. It is a matter of blood and of essence. So is the unity of the Church. It must never be thought of, therefore as something voluntary. It is something which is inevitable because it is the result of being born into a given family. Christians are brothers and not merely an association of friends.” (D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, The Basis of Christian Unity: An Exposition of John 17 and Ephesians 4,)

Listen to The Doctor!

Momma Didn't Raise No Fool-- Or Did She?

Paul Tripp summarized this list of what a fool looks like in Proverbs. And after reading through Proverbs this week, it was convicting to see a list put together. It only reminds me of how foolish I have been in my life. Thank you, Lord, for saving a fool like me.

The description of the fool in Proverbs portrays a person who:

• Is convinced that he is right (Prov. 12:15).
• Quickly shows his annoyance (Prov. 12:16).
• Is hotheaded and reckless (Prov. 14:16).
• Spurns discipline and correction (Prov. 15:5).
• Wastes money (Prov. 17:16).
• Delights in airing his own opinions (Prov. 18:2).
• Is quick to quarrel (Prov. 20:3).
• Scorns wisdom (Prov. 23:9).
• Is wise in his own eyes (Prov. 26:5).
• Trusts in himself (Prov. 28:26).
• Rages and scoffs, and there is no peace around him (Prov. 29:9)
• Gives full vent to his anger (Prov. 29:11)

A Letter to SBCAC

To my brethren in Christ at the local assembly in Carson (soon to be Long Beach),

First of all, I want to express how much I have been blessed by your acceptance of me and all my faults. I haven't been the best intern, I've biffed many a sermon, and I know that I've offended quite a few of you unknowingly. Yet, despite my shortcomings, you have been so gracious in allowing me to serve alongside you at this local church; and for that I am grateful.

The church is in the middle of some exciting times, and I am truly excited. Who knows what the Lord has in store for us at Long Beach. Things like new ministry or new members are just a couple of possibilities that the Lord may grant us in the future. Even the thoughts of a future Bible school makes me eager to finish seminary faster. And I would be lying to you if the whole "mega-church" mindset wasn't popping in every once and while (I know, it's sinful. j/k). But it is clear, excitement is in the air at SBCAC and we are all intoxicated by its joyful aroma.

Yes, the excitement over the possibilities is a good thing, but I pray that our minds would stay sober in the midst of this celebration. May we never forget who exactly gave us this reason to celebrate. Christ has granted us every good gift, and this new location is a very good gift. But let us take heed to brother Job as he reminded us that the one who gave bountifully also reserves the right to take away as He sees fit. We also must listen to the Apostle Paul who encouraged us to be content in all things and in every circumstance.

It is very possible for our congregation to blow up into the triple digits. It is also possible for us to lose all the people that we have gained since December. And it is also possible for us to stay exactly the same until the Lord's return. Anything can happen. We don't know what will happen! But one thing we do know: if we are content in all things and in the steadfastness of Jesus Christ, numbers and results won't be the foundation of our joy in life and our drive to serve; Christ will be.

In all the joy, we have to remember that there is work to be done. It's a bitter-sweet moment for us as a church because, amidst the celebration, there are so many that are hurting within our walls. Broken families and sin-strugglers are rampant within the body and it breaks my heart because they are those who are ONE with us in Christ. When they hurt, then we hurt as well.

We are not a perfect church yet God is blessing us. We are seasoned sinners, yet God is still using us. Brethren of SBCAC, let's be excited over this new chapter of church history. But when the excitement ends and depression is fighting to take over, remember that ministry is worth the struggle to the very end.

It's worth it to get that crown. It's worth it to see your brother restored. It's worth it to please God when nobody else wants to.

So I end with this encouragement. Endure and keep serving our brethren selflessly. And, together, in our service and our evangelism, we shall upset the world with the Gospel.

Martin and Katie

For 500-600 years prior to the Reformation, you have a bunch of single guys running the church. They were Roman Catholic celibates who, unnecessarily, opened the gift of celibacy when they shouldn't have. No wonder there were so many problems during the Medieval age! You see, it wasn't popular for spiritual leaders to get married at that time; but Luther's conversion would spark a reformation not only in Christian soteriology but in Christian marriage as well.

Here is an excerpt from Nathan Busenitz:

On 13 Katherina von June 13, 1525
Luther married Katherina von Bora
(one of a group of nuns whom he had
helped escape from a convent)
This after he had written: “I shall never take a
wife, as I feel at present. Not that I am
insensible to my flesh or sex (for I am neither
wood nor stone); but my mind is averse to
wedlock because I daily expect the death of a
heretic” (in November of 1524).

Luther was bent on being a "Bachelor till rapture." It's not that Luther didn't want to get married; he chose not to because he thought he could be killed at any moment. He'd rather spare his family from that trouble, so he decided not to marry. However, he did not know that the sovereign God he spoke of would bring into his life a woman that would match his colorful personality, and who would eventually win his heart.

He learned much from his wife and his children;
[and] saw marriage as a great key to sanctification.
[He] Greatly loved his wife “Katie,” whom he often
called his “rib”; [and he] referred to his favorite book of
the Bible (Galatians) as his “Katie”

From this we can see how dear Katie was to Luther. History tells us that he would pick a white rose for her every single morning and then place it in her room (who knew a former monk and nun would get together?!) It was a lively marriage. Both had big personalities. And for the first time in church history, we are finally seeing Biblical marriages being modeled for us.

By no means was Luther a perfect man. His tongue started many fires and everyone hated him for it. But in this I believe he did right. It's funny how contentment in Christ allows you to be content in singleness and even celibacy. But sometimes the Lord brings someone into your life and He just says, "Nope, you're going to marry this one."

Pull out the principles that you want from this. But, remember, you can have a good marriage and a good ministry too. You don't have to pick sides; they both complement each other.