"He who thinks lightly of his sin will think lightly of the Savior."

"This is God’s Word. It is smarter than you are. [Amen!] God is smarter than you are. And if you think that is a call to anti-intellectualism…the smartest people that have ever lived have devoted themselves to trying to make sense of the the book that is God’s book. It’s foolish to do anything else with your brain. God has given you a brain and He means for you to use it maximally to make sense of this best as you can. It will keep you busy the rest of your mental life."

Some interesting resources in Jan 2012

Before I forget, here are some things that I want to come back to and check out:

• Hymns of the Faith series at First Presbyterian Church (Ligon Duncan and Derek Thomas’ church).
• 9 Marks media page with a ton of interviews and other interesting thingums.
• Vimeo links of D A Carson preaching at Veritas Church on Eschatology.
• AFES conference Vimeo links of D A Carson preaching, over a few sermons, on how Christians preserve the gospel in different capacities.
• Vimeo links of The Don preaching at St Helen’s Bishopgate in London on preserving again.
• 2 Vimeo sermons of Francis Chan preaching at Fearless.
• 5 part series by Paul Tripp on the Nowism of the Gospel at New City Church Gahanna.

Takeaway from Project Timothy: Your Kingdom Come with Dr. John Woodhouse

1. Crime doesn’t pay (2 Sam 1:1-16)

- describes the lie told by the Amalekite who crafted a story based on 1 Sam 31 to endear himself to the new king. He miscalculated the character of God’s chosen king.
- all sin and wrongdoing is based on the belief that it will somehow delight or reward us. It is an illusion, or at best, short-lived pleasure.
- God’s new kingdom is one of truth and righteousness and justice. He does not tolerate evil.
- God’s anointed king is His own appointed representative, and none but God can remove him from power.
- The better we understand the character of God’s kingdom, the better we understand the character of God’s King.

2. What the victorious king said about the dead king (2 Sam 1:17-27)

- based on the eulogy of Saul and Jonathan by King David, who instructed the lament to be taught and known throughout all his kingdom.
- learning how to cope with death and loss- eulogy helps us process grief by understanding why we are so sad- putting into words the good lost when a person dies. The good in a person does not negate the reality of a person’s sin and shortcomings, but eulogy is a way of acknowledge the good that God puts in every single person.
- we, like David, are to acknowledge the good in people.
- David’s precious friendship with Jonathan and his love for him grew out of the latter’s act of giving up the kingdom in a covenant they shared.
- what kind of king did God appoint? David in his wisdom, compassion and grace points to the true King that David foreshadows.
- the failure represented in King Saul will later be replicated in the failure of King David until we arrive at the true hope and joy found in King Jesus, who inaugurates the kingdom of heaven on earth.

3. Who will have this king? (2 Sam 1:1-11)

- whereas this OT narrative is useful for its historical, literary and biographical appeal, its supreme purpose is in foreshadowing King Jesus, who is the true Son of David.
- the new king is marked by his obedience to God’s Word, which Saul failed to keep.
- the new king is gracious to his enemies, showing kindness and offering them peace, forgiveness and the audacious promise that he himself will be the fulfillment of his own prayer for blessing upon his enemies.
- opposition rises up against God’s anointed king, and the alternative claim over God’s people is made, seeking loyalty and allegiance. Two camps are formed. Likewise, today, when Christ’s kingdom has been inaugurated and He has begun His rule, there are other ‘men of shame’ who would lay claim to our lives.

4. Human politics and the kingdom (2 Sam 2:12-32)

- the futility of human politicking and machinations to bring about unity and peace is best shown in the games played by Abner and Joab.
- we are not wise enough, strong enough, or powerful enough to bring about peace on earth, or God’s kingdom here on earth.
- in fact, human wisdom leads simply to more bloodshed, pain, regret, bitterness and conflict. At best, a cessation of conflict is what we can do.
- God’s people are meant to be united under one true king, God’s appointed representative.
- God’s people must pray that God establishes His own kingdom, because no other way will work. We must pray the Lord’s Prayer, and acknowledge our own failure to bring about God’s kingdom work here on earth. There is no other way.

Meditation from YA & Career retreat on work and rest

My refusal and inability to rest is born out of the stubborn, rebellious, disobedient rejection of the sufficiency and effectiveness of God’s work in Jesus Christ for my full provision in all things: providence, justification, sanctification, glorification and satisfaction. 

Distilled from Hebrews 4:1-11.