reformed blogging.

To be entrusted with the treasure of God’s gospel is not a responsibility that can be switched “off” and “on” at will. In a profound way, this calling consumes those who receive it, and its faithful fulfillment demands not only readiness to suffer but also a humble dependence on God’s sovereign Spirit to convey his life-giving good news through our weak words.
The price we are called to pay can be summed up in the words struggle, suffering, and toil.
- Dennis E. Johnson, Him We Proclaim: Preaching Christ From All the Scriptures, 86-7.

The Church may not rest satisfied with teaching the first principles of faith, but must press on to higher ground, in order that those who are babes in Christ may becomes full-grown men and women in Christ, Heb. 5:11-6:3. Only a Church that is really strong, that has a firm grasp of the truth, can in turn become a powerful missionary and make mighty conquests for the Lord.
There is a very evident tendency to stress the fact that the Church is a great missionary agency, and to forget that it is first of all the assembly of the saints, in which those who publicly live in sin cannot be tolerated. It is said that sinners must be gathered into the church, and not excluded from it. But it should be remembered that they must be gathered in as saints and have no legitimate place in the Church as long as they do not confess their sin and strive for holiness of life.
- Louis Berkhof, Systematic Theology, 596, 601.

The fact is that the world expects us to be different; and this idea that you can win the world by showing that after all you are very similar to it, with scarcely any difference at all, or but a very slight one, is basically wrong not only theologically but even psychologically.
Our Lord attracted sinners because He was different. They drew near to Him because they felt that there was something different about Him… this idea that you are going to win people to the Christian faith by showing them that after all you are remarkably like them, is theologically and psychologically a profound blunder.
In this realm we are dealing with God, and our knowledge of God, and our relationship to God. So everything here must be ‘under God’ and must be done ‘with reverence and godly fear’. We do not decide this; we are not in charge and in control. it is God. It is His service, and He has to be approached ‘with reverence and with godly fear, because our God is a consuming fire’
….light entertainment, easy familiarity and jocularity are not compatible with a realisation of the seriousness of the condition of the souls of all men by nature, the fact that they are lost and in danger of eternal perdition, and their consequent need of salvation.
- D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Preaching and Preachers, 139-40.

In today’s sermon our pastor mentioned what a man in China (we’ll call him “B”) said when asked about Christianity. The gist of B’s response was that people in China are too busy trying to get by, too busy trying to make ends meet to think of something like religion or philosophy. Now any regenerate Christian knows that what B is saying is based on a false premise, namely, that Christianity is simply an add-on to life, or a secondary thing rather than being the basis of the totality of our lives. Christianity, rather than being the result of extra time, or luxury, is the foundation of all that we think, say or do. The implication of this is big, it means that whether we are rich or poor, whether we are busy just getting by or living out of abundance, we are all in a position to receive and accept the gospel. Thus, people in China, including B can turn to Christ and live devoted, full and joyful Christian lives. Not because of extra time to think about it or to “philosophize”, but because Christianity deals with a change of heart (regeneration) in response to a message preached (the Gospel), resulting in a completely changed life (conversion).

Having said that much there seems to be a certain amount of truth behind what B said. Of course, his premise is false, and the truth is not be found in what he said taken by itself, but, rather, what caused him to say it. He could not have said what he said unless he found sufficient warrant somewhere that Christianity is an add-on, or an extra to the rest of life. I venture to say that he may have very well gotten such a notion by looking at North American Christianity. Even if he didn’t there’s no evidence to suggest that anyone, by observing American Christianity, would not have reached the same conclusions regarding Christianity. To put it simply, it’s not a mystery why B would think such a thing.

Here is the problem, though we may take B to task for his false understanding of Biblical Christianity, and though we may very well be able to prove him wrong scripturally, it seems that very few people can prove him wrong with their lives. There is a bigger problem here than B’s false understanding of Christianity. The problem seems rather to be the source from which he has derived his false notion of Christianity. This source, I believe, points back to the way many professing Christians are living. We must not live in such a way so as to make it seem that Christ is a mere addition to an already full life! Though we may not say it with our lips, many of us preach this well enough, and very clearly with our lives. Many Christians seem to be just as worldly as the next person (if not more so) with the exception that they can utilize Christian jargon. Paul, in the book of Titus, directs women to live a certain way (sensible, pure, workers at home, subject to their own husbands, etc.) for one purpose: “so that the word of God will not be dishonored.” This same principle can be applied to our current situation. It is not what we are saying about Christianity that is dishonoring to God (at least for orthodox, reformed, protestant believers) but what we are showing it to be with our lives.

It comes down to this. B is wrong, very, very wrong. But is it in word only that we prove him wrong? Do we prove him wrong with our lives? Do we show by our dependence on God’s Word that it is our light and sustenance? Do we show through prayer that our only hope for living in this crooked and perverse generation is by His free grace? If a surgeon is seriously wrong in the way he is performing surgery, I may be able to point out his error. This, however, would mean very little for the patient unless my correction, or my understanding of the surgery changes the surgeon’s procedure. A correct understanding is necessary, we must know, Biblically, that Christ is the foundation of all that we think, do or say, that the glory of God is the chief end of man, but if it does not filter into our lives, it means nothing! Do we make Christ so supreme in our lives that it would be impossible for a man like B to believe, even for a moment, that Christianity is the result of extra leisure time?

We would do well to make David Brainerd’s prayer our own:

O, that I may never loiter on my heavenly journey!

What is preaching? Logic on fire! Eloquent reason! Are these contradictions? Of course they are not. Reason concerning this Truth ought to be mightily eloquent, as you see it in the case of the Apostle Paul and others. It is theology on fire. And a theology which does not take fire, I maintain, is a defective theology; or at least the man’s understanding of it is defective. Preaching is theology coming through a man who is on fire. A true understanding and experience of the Truth must lead to this. I say again that a man who can speak about these things dispassionately has no right whatsoever to be in a pulpit; and should never be allowed to enter one.
- D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Preaching and Preachers, 97.

…the work of preaching is the highest and the greatest and the most glorious calling to which anyone can ever be called. If you want something in addition to that I would say without any hesitation that the most urgent need in the Christian Church today is true preaching; and as it is the greatest and the most urgent need in the Church, it is obviously the greatest need of the world also.
…they [who suggest that the Church may be a hindrance to the propagation of the Gospel] argue, if you really want to influence people in the Christian direction you must not only talk politics and deal with social conditions in speech, you must take an active part in them… Not preaching, not the old method, but getting among the people, showing an interest, showing your sympathy, being one of them, sitting down among them, and discussing their affairs and problems… what is our answer to all this? I am going to suggest… that all this at best is secondary, very often not even secondary, often not worthy of a place at all, but at best, secondary, and that the primary task of the Church and of the Christian minister is the preaching of the Word of God.
- D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Preaching and Preachers, 9, 19.

Christian officers in the Church should show their loyalty to Christ in their capacity as members of the individual congregations. The issue often arises in connection with the choice of a pastor. Such and such a man, it is said, is a brilliant preacher. But what is the content of his preaching? Is his preaching full of the gospel of Christ? The answer is often evasive. The preacher in question, it is said, is of good standing in the Church, and he has never denied the doctrines of grace. Therefore, it is urged, he should be called to the pastorate. But shall we be satisfied with such negative assurances? Shall we be satisfied with preachers who merely “do not deny” the Cross of Christ? God grant that such satisfaction may be broken down! The people are perishing under the ministrations of those who “do not deny” the Cross of Christ. Surely something more than that is needed. God send us ministers who, instead of merely avoiding denial of the Cross shall be on fire with the Cross, whose whole life shall be one burning sacrifice of gratitude for the blessed Saviour who loved them and gave Himself for them! - J. Gresham Machen, Christianity and Liberalism, 175-6.

Ryle wrote the following to an audience of Englishmen, but I think it fair to take “Englishmen” and apply to all who call themselves Christian. Though Ryle speaks specifically of the English Reformation, if there were no Reformation (whether in England or in Europe) there is no sign that anyone but the Pope would have had access to Scripture. It would be wise, therefore, for any Bible believing Christian to go back to the Reformation and resist what Ryle calls the “unprotestantizing” of our Churches.

“To the Reformation Englishmen owe an English Bible, and liberty for every man to read it. To the Reformation they owe the knowledge of the way of peace with God, and of the right of every sinner to go standing in his way. To the Reformation they owe a Scriptural standard of morality and holiness, such as our ancestors never dreamed of. For ever let us be thankful for these inestimable mercies! For ever let us grasp them firmly, and refuse to let them go! For my part, I hold that he who would rob us of these privileges, and draw us back to Pre-Reformation ignorance, superstition, and unholiness, is an enemy to England, and ought to be firmly opposed.” - J.C. Ryle, Five English Reformers, 43-44.

Here is what Ryle strives against:

“Let us not go back to ignorance, superstition, priestcraft, and immorality. Our forefathers tried Popery long ago, and threw it off with disgust and indignation. Let us not put the clock back and return to Egypt. Let us have no peace with Rome, till Rome abjures her errors and is at peace with Christ.
“Let us read our Bibles, and be armed with Scriptural arguments. A Bible-reading laity is a nation’s surest defence against error. I have no fear for English Protestantism, if the laity will only do their duty.
“Let us read history, and see what Rome did in days gone by. Read how she trampled on your country’s liberties, plundered your forefather’s pockets, and kept the whole nation ignorant and immoral. Read Foxe, Strype, and Burnet, and Soames, and Blunt. And do not forget that Rome never changes. It is her boast and glory that she is always the same. Only give her absolute power in England, and she would soon put out the eyes of our country, and make her like Samson, a degraded slave.” - 67-68.

Here are seven points according to the Westminster Directory for the Public Worship of God, as to how the servant of Christ ought to perform his ministry:

1. Painfully, not doing the work of the Lord negligently.

2. Plainly, that the meanest may understand; delivering the truth not in the enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect; abstaining also from an unprofitable use of unknown tongues, strange phrases, and cadences of sounds and words; sparingly citing sentences of ecclesiastical or other human writers, ancient or modern, be they never so elegant.

3. Faithfully, looking at the honour of Christ, the conversion, edification, and salvation of the people, not at his own gain or glory; keeping nothing back which may promote those holy ends, giving to every one his own portion, and bearing indifferent respect unto all, without neglecting the meanest, or sparing the greatest, in their sins.

4. Wisely, framing all his doctrines, exhortations, and especially his reproofs, in such a manner as may be most likely to prevail; shewing all due respect to each man’s person and place, and not mixing his own passion or bitterness.

5. Gravely, as becometh the word of God; shunning all such gesture, voice, and expressions, as may occasion the corruptions of men to despise him and his ministry.

6. With loving affection, that the people may see all coming from his godly zeal, and hearty desire to do them good. And,

7. As taught of God, and persuaded in his own heart, that all that he teacheth is the truth of Christ; and walking before his flock, as an example to them in it; earnestly, both in private and publick, recommending his labours to the blessing of God, and watchfully looking to himself, and the flock whereof the Lord hath made him overseer: So shall the doctrine of truth be preserved uncorrupt, many souls converted and built up, and himself receive manifold comforts of his labours even in this life, and afterward the crown of glory laid up for him in the world to come.

“The terrible thing is that in these degenerate times the consciences of thousands have been drugged by preachers (whom it is greatly to be feared are themselves spiritually dead, and helping forward the work of Satan) that have presented “the eternal security of the saints” in such an unscriptural way, as to convey to their poor hearers the impression that, provided they once “accepted Christ as their personal Saviour” Heaven is now their certain portion, that guilt can nevermore rest upon them, and that no matter what sins they may commit nothing can possibly jeopardize their eternal interests. The consequence has been — and this is no imaginary fear of ours, but a patent fact of observation on every side — that a carnal security has been imparted, so that in the midst of fleshly gratification and worldly living it is, humanly speaking, quite impossible to disturb their false peace or terrify their conscience.” - Arthur W. Pink, An Exposition of Hebrews, p.618