"Lies of the Devil" Sermon: Isaiah 36:1-22

“Lies of the Devil”

February 1, 2020 YouTube

Isaiah 36:1-22

As we reach chapter thirty-six of Isaiah, we come to a historical text.  We will remember that King Ahaz is at the conduit of the upper pool on the highway to the Washer’s Field – just as we read now with King Hezekiah – and King Ahaz is shaken because Israel and Syria are planning to attack Judah.  Isaiah comes to Ahaz and tells him that the Word of the Lord is to do nothing – wait on the Lord – not to seek to make alliances and build up a force to fight Syria and Israel.  We remember that Ahaz does not listen – he makes an alliance with Assyria and Egypt against Israel and Syria.  And the Assyrians defeat Syria and Israel, and they push back the Egyptians, and then they turn their eyes on conquering Judah.  And that’s where we are this morning.

And what we want to understand from our text is the devil is a liar.

Jesus condemned some of the Pharisees, saying, “You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies” (John 8:44, ESV).

After conquering Syria and Israel and pushing back the Egyptians, the Assyrians scrap their alliance with Judah and turn to conquer them.  They lied.  They always intended to lie.  Their father is the devil, because he is the father of lies.  Even though King Hezekiah had rebelled by refusing to continue to pay tribute to the Assyrians – the fact that they had to pay tribute to the Assyrians shows that they lied and are no longer allies with Judah.

We pick up our text at the point when Assyria decides it is time to conquer Judah outright.  We read that in the fourteenth year of King Hezekiah’s reign, Sennacherib, the King of Assyria conquers all the fortified cities of Judah.  He breaks down their walls and defeats the armed forces of Judah, and he turns his attention to Jerusalem.

            Sennacherib sends the Rabshakeh – a high ranking military officer – with a large army – to deliver a message to Hezekiah, King of Judah.  And when the Rabshakeh and the great army arrive at “the conduit of the upper pool on the highway to the Washer's Field.”  Hezekiah sends three officials out to find out what he wants: “Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, who was over the household, and Shebna the secretary, and Joah the son of Asaph, the recorder.”

            And here we have the first lie:  you can’t trust God.

            “And the Rabshakeh said to them, ‘Say to Hezekiah, ‘Thus says the great king, the king of Assyria: On what do you rest this trust of yours? Do you think that mere words are strategy and power for war? In whom do you now trust, that you have rebelled against me? Behold, you are trusting in Egypt, that broken reed of a staff, which will pierce the hand of any man who leans on it. Such is Pharaoh king of Egypt to all who trust in him. But if you say to me, ‘We trust in the LORD our God,’ is it not he whose high places and altars Hezekiah has removed, saying to Judah and to Jerusalem, ‘You shall worship before this altar’?”

            The Rabshakeh asks them if they think they can rely on the word of Hezekiah to save them – and the answer is “no.”  The Rabshakeh is being truthful is this assessment.  They could not trust the word of the good King, Hezekiah, because Hezekiah is a sinner.

            Jeremiah writes, “Thus says the LORD: ‘Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the LORD. He is like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see any good come. He shall dwell in the parched places of the wilderness, in an uninhabited salt land’” (Jeremiah 17:5-6, ESV).

            Jeremiah – on behalf of the Lord – is not saying that there is never a man who does what he promises.  He is saying that every human being fails.  Every human being sins.  Even your pastor will fail you and sin against God.  So, to place any person as our ultimate hope is doomed to failure.

            Likewise, the Rabshakeh says that you can’t trust the army – because the army is made up of sinful humans, and other nations have better armies. A few chapters ago, we read, “Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help and rely on horses, who trust in chariots because they are many and in horsemen because they are very strong, but do not look to the Holy One of Israel or consult the LORD!” (Isaiah 31:1, ESV).

            Isaiah is not saying that it is wrong for a country to have a strong military.  He is saying that if your trust is in your military above God, you will fail.  The greatest army on earth cannot overturn the will of God.  David writes, “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God” (Psalm 20:7, ESV).  That doesn’t mean “our side” will always win.  It does mean that we must submit and trust our God in all things.

            And the Rabshakeh says one more true thing – you can’t trust Egypt – because the Egyptians are sinners, and because the Assyrians broke Egypt and sent them home.

            All three of these things are true, but then he lies:  you can’t trust God.

            The Rabshakeh’s reasoning is that Hezekiah tore down the high places.

            What is he talking about?

            God authorized worship in the Temple in Jerusalem, but some said they were worshipping God through various “holy” places and shrines in the high places dedicated to other gods.  Hezekiah had these torn down because they were not legitimate places of worship to God.  God was only to be worshipped in the Temple in Jerusalem.

            So, the Rabshakeh has bought into the idea that “it doesn’t matter what you call God, He is still the same God.”  You may have friends that say, “God doesn’t care what religion or lack of religion we follow, so long as we are good people.”

            The problem with that is that God says, “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. You shall have no other gods before me” (Exodus 20:2-3, ESV).

            When Moses came down from the mountain, he found the people worshipping a golden calf.  Yet, listen to what comes before this: “And he received the gold from their hand and fashioned it with a graving tool and made a golden calf. And they said, ‘These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!’ When Aaron saw this, he built an altar before it. And Aaron made a proclamation and said, ‘Tomorrow shall be a feast to the LORD.’ And they rose up early the next day and offered burnt offerings and brought peace offerings. And the people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play” (Exodus 32:4-6, ESV).

            Aaron, the High Priest, says, “We are worshipping the Lord when we bow down and worship the golden calf.”

            God says, “I am the only God and you will worship Me the way I want to be worshipped and that is the end of the story.”

            So, the Rabshakeh is wrong.  God can be trusted.

            Again and again, we read in the Psalms verses like this:

            “In God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can man do to me?” (Psalm 56:11, ESV).

            Jesus says, “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matthew 10:28, ESV).

Paul writes, “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, ‘For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.’ No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:35-39, ESV).

We can trust God because He is our Sovereign Savior Who loves us.

            Then the Rabshakeh mocks them, “I’ll make you a deal – so this is a fair fight:  I’ll give you two thousand horses for you to put warriors on, so you are better able to fight us.  But, oh, you don’t have that many warriors do you.  You trusted in Egypt, and we took them out.  And, besides, your God told me to destroy you.”

            The important thing for us to notice here is that the Rabshakeh is right:  Judah did not have the warriors to fight and God did send the Assyrians against Judah and Jerusalem.

            And we might think, “Wait a minute, didn’t you just quote Paul and say we can trust God because He is our Sovereign Savior and loves us?  How can that God send an evil nation against His people to destroy them?”

            Remember the history of Job.  God sent the Chaldeans to steal from Job and to kill.  And in the end, Job is further along in his sanctification.

            God uses evil people to bring glory to Himself and to discipline and grow His people.

            And some of us will say that’s not fair – it’s not just.  And so, we ought to consider whether God’s election of us – His choosing us out of the whole damned race of humans is fair and just.

            Then the three officials of Hezekiah ask the Rabshakeh to stop talking in Hebrew, and to speak to them in Aramaic, because everyone understands Hebrew, and they are going to scare the people of Jerusalem.  And the Rabshakeh says he will speak in Hebrew because the people should know that soon they will be drinking their own urine and eating their own dung.

            And then the Rabshakeh voices the second lie of the devil:

            The God of Judah is no different from any of the other gods.

“Beware lest Hezekiah mislead you by saying, ‘The LORD will deliver us.’ Has any of the gods of the nations delivered his land out of the hand of the king of Assyria? Where are the gods of Hamath and Arpad? Where are the gods of Sepharvaim? Have they delivered Samaria out of my hand? Who among all the gods of these lands have delivered their lands out of my hand, that the LORD should deliver Jerusalem out of my hand?’”

            I’ve already touched on this a little bit, but the Rabshakeh says, “We defeated the gods of Hamath and Arpad and Sepharvaim and Samaria – every god that has been called on has failed to protect his people, and your God is no different.  The God of Judah cannot deliver you from us.”

            Is there any difference between the gods of Hinduism and the gods of the ancient Roman and Greek religions and the God of Judah – the Father of our Lord, Jesus, Christ?

            We’re on Mars Hill, aren’t we?

“So Paul, standing in the midst of the Areopagus, said: ‘Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious. For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription: “To the unknown god.” What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place,  that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us, for

            “‘In him we live and move and have our being’;

            “as even some of your own poets have said,

            “‘For we are indeed his offspring.’

“Being then God's offspring, we ought not to think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of man. The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead” (Acts 17:22-31, ESV),.

Yes, our God is different from all the other gods, because our God created and sustains everything that is and He alone provides the Only Way to be made right with God through the work of His Son, Jesus.

How do the three respond to these lies – that God cannot be trusted, and He is no different from any other god?

Hezekiah had told them to listen and not respond – so they didn’t say anything.  But when they go back to report to the King, they tear their clothes as a sign of distress and sorrow, and they tell the King all that the Rabshakeh has said.  

I suspect that most of us have not had to face down an army and be told lies about God in the form of intimidation – to get us to turn away from God and give in to their threats and demands.

But what if you are diagnosed with cancer?  What if someone tells lies about you?  What if your child or grandchild is in a car accident? What if our President does something you disagree with?

Can we trust that God is able to intervene and bring good out of these events?  Maybe not what we want – maybe not in the time we would prefer.  But do we believe that our God is Sovereign – the One Sovereign God – unlike every other God – Who loves His people and promises, “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28, ESV).

Can we believe that God is Who He has revealed Himself to be, and trust Him, even if we don’t have any idea how things can be made right, and come to Him in distress, heavy-laden with burdens, and fall before Him knowing that whatever He answers is an answer in love?

It may not be easy, but will you come to our God, trusting Him Alone, crying out, knowing that He will answer in His Fatherly Love?

Let us pray:

Almighty God, we thank You for this example of the Assyrians coming against Jerusalem, knowing that people still come against us, telling lies about You, trying to get us to give in and give up.  Loving Father, strengthen us by the Holy Spirit that in whatever we suffer, we will trust You whole-heartedly, knowing that You are the God unlike any other god – the God Who sovereignly saves and loves us.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

"Lies of the Devil" video

https://youtu.be/xgDrkbyw3_w

Review: "Philippians"

Philippians:  A Commentary for Biblical Preaching and Teaching, part of the Kerux Commentaries series by Kregel, by Thomas Moore and Timothy D. Sprankle has far more in it that the size of the book would lead you to assume.

Herman W. Bateman IV, the series editor, explains that the series attempts to give “a detailed introduction and outline [of the book], a summary of all preaching sections with their primary exegetical, theological, and preaching ideas, preaching pointers that join the original historical context with the contemporary one, insights from the Hebrew and Greek text, a thorough exposition of the text, sidebars of pertinent information and historical background, appropriate charts and photographs, a theological focus to passages, a contemporary big idea for every preaching unit, present-day meaning, validity, and application of a main idea, creative presentations for each primary idea, key questions about the text for study groups, lists of books and articles for further reading” (7-8).

Now, if that doesn’t sound overwhelming, you can’t be overwhelmed!

The commentary begins with an “overview of all preaching passages” including “the exegetical idea, theological focus, preaching idea, [and] preaching pointers.” 

After dividing the text in this way, there is a chart of abbreviations.

Then an introduction to the book – much along the lines you would find in a study Bible, but in significantly more detail.

Then the commentary begins (44 in this case).  All the facets intended are covered here, ending each preaching section with discussion questions.

Final, there is the list of reading materials.

The good about this commentary – and the series – is that it takes the text seriously, it gives the read extensive information – particularly in interpreting the text in its context, and in this, it is a very valuable series for seminary students, preachers, and discussion groups.

My one qualm is the other side of the coin:  this series gives an extraordinary amount of information – great for the price! – but it even divides the text into preaching sections and tells the reader what the points/themes of the text are.  I am concerned that some will use this commentary to automatically write the sermon without relying on the guidance of the Holy Spirit.  One could easily take this commentary and give eighteen sermons covering the book without thinking about the text or waiting on the leading of God for the congregation the preacher is shepherding.

This is a valuable series, packing an incredible amount of information in a short space.  However, it might be wise for the man of God to read the text and pray prior to opening the commentary, so he will not be lulled into simply giving a summary of the commentary to his people.

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.

            [This review appears on my blog, Amazon.com, Kregel.com, and Goodreads.com.]

Review: "Vintage Murder"

Naigo Marsh takes us on vacation with Detective Alleyn to New Zealand (our author's homeland) for Vintage Murder.

Detective Alleyn is booked on a train with a group of characters who make up an acting troupe -- including the lead actress, who for some reason -- was it money? -- married a wealthy businessman who bought a half interest in the troupe.

At the conclusion of their first round of shows, the cast has an onstage party for the businessman, but things go wrong for all but one person when the champagne bottle trick ends up crushing in the businessman's head.

Which one did it?  A lengthy investigation featuring a green tiki leads to many lies, and finally only one answer.

[This review appears on my blog, Amazon.com, and Goodreads.com]

Review: "Insecure"

I wondered what John Perritt would say in his book, Insecure:  Fighting Our Lesser Fears with a Greater One, being someone who is very insecure.  His little book is quite worth the read.

            Perritt notes that some of the content of this book was given at conferences for Reformed Youth Ministries.  In keeping with the audience first in mind, this is a very readable book, though it is not easy – it is bound to make anyone who suffers with insecurity a bit uneasy at times – but for good reason, and with an antidote.

            Perritt defines insecurity as being “self-focused” (19).  Now don’t get your backs up.

Each chapter ends with reflection/discussion questions and a prayer.

            Insecurity – being self-focused comes from the lies that dwell in our hearts (“did God say”) due to Original Sin and sin in our lives (31).

            Insecurity causes fear, judgmentalism, and jealousy.  If you are unsure of this, just talk with most people about theirs views about their social media (59).

            Freedom comes in believing that we are hidden in Christ (74), that we are created in God’s Image and for community – the Church (82).

            “Our insecurities often move us to focus on self.  So, a very helpful practice is getting our eyes off of ourselves.  Getting us to stop focusing in the mirror and start looking out the window [seeing the beauties of God through the Scripture]” (90, italics his).

            The book ends with a reflection on when we should care about what others think – that is, regarding our witness to Christ and His Gospel.

            A second appendix with a quiz to see how social media is affecting you.

            And a third with Scriptures we can say to ourselves to become secure in Christ.

            Each chapter ends with reflections questions and a prayer.

            This book is well worth your purchase, for junior high age and up – for anyone who has ever felt insecure and confesses Jesus as God and Savior.

            [This review appears on my blog, Amazon.com, and Goodreads.com.]

Review: "The 4-Hour Body"

            I really enjoyed Timothy Ferriss’ book, The 4-Hour Work Week.  I was less impressed with his book, The 4-Hour Body.

            In this book, Ferriss addresses several issues, first beginning with both weight loss and muscle building.

            Ferriss has an interesting idea called the “Slow-Carb Diet,” which consists of five points:

1.      Avoid white carbs.

2.      Eat the same few meals over and over.

3.      Don’t drink your calories.

4.      Don’t eat fruit.

5.      One day a week, eat whatever you want (75).

This makes up the first half of the book. And... despite the anecdotes, it seems that something important in nutrition is missing.  I was discouraged and overwhelmed, so I didn’t formulate an argument against what he says, I just dropped it.

The next section looks at how to improve sex.

Then, how to improve sleep.

How to reverse permanent injuries.

And ultra-endurance.

These sections are things I am not up for, and he also looks to have you get tests and do things that most people, it seems to me, won’t do.  Such as going to another country for less expensive tests.

Meh.  Just skip this one.

            [This review appears on my blog, Amazon.com, and Goodreads.com.]

Biblical Preaching on Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9sUBCE5YAY&t=2s

Review: "The Book Your Pastor Wishes You Would Read (But is Too Embarrassed to Ask)

            I suspected what Christopher Ash’s book, The Book Your Pastor Wishes You Would Read (But is Too Embarrassed to Ask), and I was right – in a good way.

            Ash begins by introducing us to ten ministers – pastor who sin, who have insecurities, who get overwhelmed, and so forth.  The point being that “pastors are people too.”

            Then he asked why a parishioner should want to care for his pastor.  The answer is found is Hebrews 13:17 – if your pastor is overburdened, he won’t be of any benefit to you.

            The bulk of the book is “seven virtues of church members that impact our pastors.”

1.      Daily repentance and eager faith.  Come to your pastor with your struggles and sin and be desirous of instruction from God’s Word and tell the pastor when he has done or said something right or helpful.

2.      Committed belonging.  We are not primarily consumers, but providers in our local church.  So, as often as possible, we are to be involved in everything our church does, including the worship service.

3.      Open Honesty. Be open and honest between church members and the pastor, and as much as possible, face to face.

4.      Thoughtful Watchfulness.  We are to keep a concerned watch – not a watch seeking to see the pastor fail – over the pastor’s life and doctrine.  Not just inquiring of him and listening to his sermons, but allowing him time to read, to go to conferences, to have a study leave, a day(s) off, and vacations.

5.      Loving kindness.  The ministry takes a toll on a person.  Our care for the pastor should reflect in his pay and housing.

6.      High expectations.  We ought to expect and example of striving after holiness and the presentation of biblical doctrine from our pastors.  God holds them to higher standards and so should we.  We out also protect them from false accusations.

7.      Zealous submission.  We ought to zealous follow our pastor’s lead (so long as it is biblical).

Ash then recommends that several people in the congregation self-consciously get to know the pastor and his family – befriend him – be a sounding board – people to have times of casual acquaintance with.  In this chapter, he includes several questions that someone in the congregation should be able to answer about their pastor.

In the final chapter, he suggests that some churches will respond well to his thoughts, and others will rebel or be angry.  For the latter, the pastor may find it time to move on.

This is both a sobering and encouraging book as I considered what I have done well and not well and how I perceive the same in my congregation.  I will never forget – not to long into my ministry – when I asked the congregation to pray for me and for my striving after holiness during the sermon – and one dear woman, who I know cares for me very much, came up to me after worship and said, “I never thought about praying for you.”

There is a misperception of pastors being anywhere from sluggards to social workers to holy men – all of which are wrong.  We need to fight for a correct understanding of the ministry, fight, as pastors to be holy and good undershepherds, and to teach our congregation how to care for us and why it is necessary.  This book is a great place to start.

Interestingly, he says that most people should never know what the pastor’s salary is because that could cause unrealistic expectations (79).  I’m not sure what I think of that.  My salary and benefits have always been broken down in detail in our budget.

Read this book.  Think it through.  And then consider getting it for the congregation – even if it causes you some embarrassment.

            [This review appears on my blog, Amazon.com, and Goodreads.com.]

Review: "Laughing at the Days to Come"

            In the final chapter of the book of Proverbs, King Lemuel instructs his son on finding a woman who is worthy of marrying, and he writes, “Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come. (Proverbs 31:25, ESV).

            Tessa Thompson, the author of Laughing at the Days to Come:  Facing Present Trials and Future Uncertainties with Gospel Hope argues that being able to laugh at the days to come is essential for the godly woman (and person, I add).

            Thompson was diagnosed with Neurofibromatosis Type 2 when she was sixteen years old – when she went deaf.  The disease causes tumors to form on the auditory nerves which brings about deafness.  Tumors can grow in other parts of the body, and it is a disease of chronic pain.  Her father went deaf with this disease in his forties.

            Thompson addresses her book specially to women – though men can certainly profit from her wisdom – and she divides her book into three sections:  Laughter: It’s Definition, Laughter: It’s Doctrine, and Laughter: It’s Doing.

            It’s Definition is found in “liv[ing] a life that reflects what is; namely, the present abiding reality of God” (16).  For, “the gospel promises us that this earthly vale of tears is not the end and our suffering here is fleeting, not final” (33).

            It’s Doctrine is found in Peter telling us that we have “a living hope” (51).  “He [God the Father] desires our highest good, and our highest good is God-glorifying, Christ-exalting, Spirit-enabled holiness” (79).  “But the distinguishing mark of laughter at the days to come is an unwavering confidence that God will carry out His promises and finish what He began” (94).

It’s Doing is found in knowing that we are given doctrine to know what we ought to know and believe about God and the Gospel, and that we would live in the light of those truths (118).

If you think you might suffer, if you are suffering, if you think you might suffer in the future, if you want to be assured that God loves you, Christ has live and died and risen for you, and the Holy Spirit is upholding you day by day, this is a great book to read.  I would put this on my list of books every Christian should read.

If you want insight into what the Bible teaches us about suffering and how we are to live in the light of the truth about God and the Gospel – whether you are a woman or a man – this is a great resource.

            [This review appears on my blog, Amazon.com, and Goodreads.com.]

Review: "Death in Ecstasy"

                Most of us have some familiarity with a church and the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper – and the drinking from a cup – whatever that means. 

            At the up and coming House of the Sacred Flame, five novitiates gather around the sacrament kneeling to receive the cup.  They drink, and one falls dead.

            Enter Inspector Alleyn who has to figure out who these people are, what there relationship is to the deceased, and why she gave all those bonds.

            Death in Ecstasy by Ngaio Marsh is another enjoyable mystery which adds the facts up to catch the killer.

            [This review appears on my blog, Amazon.com, and Goodreads.com.]

Review: "The 4-Hour Workweek"

                I inhaled The 4-Hour Workweek:  Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich by Timothy Ferriss – and I have put his other books on my wish list.

            To look at the title, you might think it pure fancy or illegal, but it’s not.

            Ferriss argues that it is much more important to do what is meaningful to you than to fill a seat from nine to five.  That sounds reasonable to me.

            The sections of the book spell D-E-A-L.

            Definition:  what do you really want to do?  What is meaningful to you?  What would you want to do if you had no restrictions or limitations on you?  (Legal things, of course.)  You must have a solid idea of what you want and how to get there fulfilling the meaning you seek.

            Elimination:  what don’t you need?  What takes you away from is meaningful?  Excess stuff – excess nuances – anything that is not necessary in achieving what is meaningful for you should be eliminated – whether people, clothes, or your current job.

            Automation:  in the long run – and even in the short run – paying someone else to do what you don’t want or need to do will increase your ability to achieve what is meaningful for you.  Spend your time and effort only on what you enjoy doing on the way to your meaningful goal.

            Liberation:  go.  Work from home, from another country, take min-retirements.

            Ferriss includes many examples and websites to check out.  The book concludes with a selection of his best blog posts and testimonials of those who followed through with what he explains.

            Now, you may love your job.  I do.  But there are things you wish you didn’t have to do, right?  I know there are for me.  See if someone else will do them to allow you to fulfill your call.  Set short term goals and get to them now.

            I am also setting long term goals which begin now, certainly, but things I want to achieve.  I love my job, but there are other things I would like to achieve as well.  And, though I don’t have much interest in going to other countries, I would like to take more vacations at different times of the year to be in the place that I find most beneficial to my achieving meaning.

            Even if you don’t follow everything he says – he is not in favor of reading a lot – I disagree – taking time to figure out what is meaningful and what things would be better out of your life or handled by someone else is a worthwhile activity.

            [This review appears on my blog, Amazon.com, and Goodreads.com.]

Review: "The Gift"

                Do you like gifts?

                Do you like Christmas presents?

                How do you react to them?

                Glen Scrivener looks at our gift-giving – and especially our Christmas gift-giving, in his book, The Gift:  What if Christmas Gave You What You’ve Always Wanted? – and he walks us through the gift-giving dance of “It’s for you,” “You shouldn’t have,” “I wanted to,” and “Thank you.”

                Scrivener explains that the same dance that we have with our loved ones is a dance that God has with us regarding the gift He has given us in His Son and the salvation He has merited.

                How do we respond?

                Does it make gift-giving all the more meaningful to us?

                Will you refuse this gift?

            [This review appears on my blog, Amazon.com, and Goodreads.com.]

Review: "Leaving Your Mark Without Losing Your Mind"

            My friend, Tom, gave me a copy of Leaving Your Mark Without Losing Your Mind:  Overcoming Seven Obstacles to the Important Work of Your Life by Mark Brouwer, and it a book that I found helpful and encouraging, especially given my current circumstances.

            The seven obstacles Brouwer addresses are:

1.      Losing touch with what you really care s about and are committed to doing.

2.      Getting overwhelmed by the needs you encounter.

3.      Living with confusion about divine guidance and empowerment.

4.      Struggling with not having enough time.

5.      Getting burned out by high levels of stress and anxiety.

6.      Feeling disheartened by conflicts and difficult people.

7.      Getting discouraged and losing heart.

I am at a point of evaluation and seeking out how best to go forward, so it was very helpful to have Brouwer guide me through thinking about what is really important to me, what I really want to do and accomplish, and seeing that planning, setting markers, and recognizing what is in my control and what is not.

This is not a book to go through once and never look at again.  It is a book to go through, start to move in the direction that you believe is right and desire for yourself, and then refer back to to keep up healthy practices and thinking to get to the end of what you have set before you.

I am finding this a helpful book for me as I consider what is next and how to get there, and you may as well.

            [This review appears on my blog, Amazon.com, and Goodreads.com.]

Review: "John's Letters"

            John’s Letters:  An Exegetical Guide for Preaching and Teaching (Big Greek Idea Series) by Herbert W. Bateman IV and Aaron C. Peer is an interesting new volume – and beginning of a series – in the interpretation of the New Testament.

            The series was created with the concern that most people don’t have a solid, working, understanding of biblical Greek.  This series will be a help to the pastor who has some knowledge of biblical Greek, as well as “the overloaded professor,” and the seminarian (14).  Although the authors provide their own translation of the text at the rear of the text, the book is designed to highlight “the big Greek idea” of each section of text and put the tools out there for these persons to use to interpret, explain, and preach the text.  It is not for the average lay person – some knowledge of biblical Greek is necessary.

            The text opens with a table of contents, charts and sidebars index, list of abbreviations used, and then a length introduction which explains how to read the text and the authors’ basing it on the use of the clausal outline of the text.

            Then the text begins in earnest with an introduction to each letter before it, followed by the big Greek idea, structural overview, outline, and clausal outline for each section of text.  Interspersed are syntactical, lexical, semantical, theological, text-critical and grammatical “nuggets” to help in understanding the translation and interpretation of the text.

            The volume ends with a bibliography and a “nugget” index.

            If you are looking for a commentary that gives your denominational interpretation, this is not it.  If you are looking for a commentary that helps you work through the Greek to understand the bid ideas and, thereby, the text, you will find this very useful.

            I am interested to see future volumes.

            I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

            [This review appears on my blog, Amazon.com, Kregel, and Goodreads.com.]

Review: "Surplus"

            I like to give.  I especially like to give to the church and the people of the church.  I especially look for good books to give to others.  As Richard Baxter commends, “There is nothing better a minister can do than to give good books to his people.”

            On the other hand, I wonder how God wants us to prepare for the future and eventualities of not being able to do the work we once did – especially in a world where not even the church folk are as close and supportive as they once were – as we ought to be.

            I read Surplus:  Fearless Generosity in 2 Corinthians 8-9, by Bryan Elliff, in two sittings on the same day.  It is short, convicting, joyful, and very readable.

            As the title suggests, Elliff explains the context and meaning of 2 Corinthians 8-9 and applies it to the modern Christian.

            As the reader might know – this section of 2 Corinthians is Paul asking the Corinthians to be prepared for his arrival and his taking of the collection of an offering for the church in Jerusalem which is suffering – and Paul relates some of the giving that has been done thus far.

            Elliff explains that God gives us all that we need, plus a surplus to give to others.  He shows that what we have is a grace from God and we give as a grace to others (Ch. 2).

            What is most important – as we tend to highlight in this passage while ripping it out of context – is that we are to give with the right heart attitude – and God has gifted us – graced us – with a surplus another needs that we may share that grace and meet that need.  “Paul’s big idea is that theses churches should pursue equality in times of acute need by using their surplus to remedy the deficits of others” (31).

            He is not suggesting socialism.  He is suggesting that everyone’s needs ought to be met through the gifts and grace God gives.  God gives the surplus that we may have joy is filling a need.

            Elliff tells of John Wesley and George Mueller who did not believe we are to save for ourselves or future generations but are to fill our needs and give the rest away.  Elliff admits that he is still wrestling with whether this is a biblical norm or a gift of certain people (37).

            Chapter four looks at the integrity needed in giving.

            Chapter five looks at what it means to not give begrudgingly or under compulsion.

            In chapter six, Elliff argues that the text tells us that if we are as generous as God has been with us, “we will never lack supply, both for our needs and for continuing acts of liberality” (68).

            “But now comes the truly remarkable reality.  Not only will you be provided with enough seed for planting, your seed planting will be multiplied.  For every one bag of seed you go out to plant, there will be more bags waiting to be planted.  In other words, the more you give, the more you will have to give” (69, emphasis his).

            Don’t misunderstand:  the multiplying is not for us to store up, save, or hoard.  The multiplying is only for giving to others.

            Chapter seven looks at how gifts communicate something – how they can build fellowship.

            The book ends with a chapter considering the indescribable gift all Christians have received in Jesus.

            Each chapter ends with study and/or group questions.

            The book ends with the text of 2 Corinthians 8-9 for review and meditation.

            This book reinvigorated me and my desire to give more.  Though, I admit, I still struggle with knowing what is biblically right with regards to saving.  For now, I will pray and be and wise and liberal in my giving to the glory of God and in thanks for His grace.

            You need to read this book.

            [This review appears on my blog, Amazon.com, and Goodreads.com.]

Review: "D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, 2 volumes"

            D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) was a rising star in the surgical field of medicine, when he received a call to the ministry – the larger part which was to be at Westminster Chapel, London.

            The massive two-volume biography of Dr. Lloyd-Jones by Iain H. Murray began as Murray’s notes for Lloyd-Jones for the eventual writing of Lloyd-Jones’ autobiography – which was never to be written.

            Volume 1: D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones: the First Forty Years: 1899-1938.

            Volume 2: D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones: the Fight of Faith: 1939-1981.

            Murray served alongside of Lloyd-Jones at Westminster for some years and they collaborated on the Banner of Truth Trust, so he is someone with a great knowledge of the man of which he writes.

            Though the two-volume biography scales some 1,300 pages, it is very readable and extraordinarily engaging.  Murray includes primary documents and pictures will greatly add to the work.

            Had a never read Lloyd-Jones or heard Murray speak before reading these volumes, I would still have picked them up knowing that Lloyd-Jones defines preaching as “logic on fire” – that is, preaching – good preaching – examines the text as a surgeon diagnosing with medical skills and with a passion given by God the Holy Spirit.

            Other than saying you will have missed out on a great preacher, a great biographer, and what the Holy Spirit might do with you through this book, I will keep this brief – you have much to read.

            Highly recommended.

            [This review appears on my blog, Amazon.com, and Goodreads.com.]

Review: "Small Church Essentials"

           What are the essentials of a small church?  Well, to become larger and to have more money, right?

            Not necessarily, Karl Vaters argues in his book, Small Church Essentials:  Field-Tested Principles for Leading a Healthy Congregation of Under 250.

            I can’t tell you how much I hate it when someone asks what our average attendance is and I say, “25,” and they respond, “Oh, I’m sorry” or “Have you thought about an open house?”  Or a revival?  Or a sermon series on giving?  Or focusing your ministry on doing whatever you have to do to change to get people in the doors?

            Vaters has been to all the church growth seminars – as he shows with quotations and endnotes.  Yet, he states the average Protestant church in the US has 80 congregants (18) and that is not necessarily wrong or indicative that a church is broken; it may be perfectly healthy and obedient – and there’s the rub – the Church is to “equip the saints, reach the lost, and glorify God” (41) and there is no numerical equivalent to that mandate.

            In Part Two of his book, Vaters presents the differences between big and small church and argues that the differences merely make them different, not wrong.

            In Part Three, he asks if your church is small because there is a problem or because it is strategically small by virtue of its context – in which case, there is nothing to be fixed.

            If there is a problem, the problem must be understood and addressed (though the problem’s resolution does not mean the church will grow financially or monetarily).

            Vaters begins by arguing that all churches should “fill up” and “empty out” in being who God calls them to be – there is a receiving part in the church and a giving out in the church (116).  The problem could be that the church focuses on one and not the other, rather than having a balance.

            Functional churches are not cluttered (120).  (And he helps the reader understand what clutter is and how best to remove it.)

            In chapter ten, he argues that each church has something(s) that it does well, and that is what it should focus on – that is what it’s purpose/way/method it brings the Gospel and grows as a church (135ff).

            In part four, he argues that being a “great” small church is found in recognizing that small churches are much more about relationships than large churches, so maximize relationship-building (191ff).

            Vaters book is very readable – great for church boards to read through and plan with, as well as for senior/solo ministers to read and bring forth to the church.  It is extremely important that we disabuse ourselves of the notion that all churches must be large or that small churches are being punished.  A faithful, Gospel-preaching, obedient church can be perfect with 25 people in it.

            [This review appears on my blog, Amazon.com, and Goodreads.com.]

Review: "The Outsider"

            A pre-teen boy is savagely murdered and left in the woods.  His coach’s DNA is on him.  His coach’s fingerprints are on him.  His coach is seen with him by several people in the hours before his body is found.  The case seems like a slam dunk.

            But as several law enforcement agencies work together, they find that not everything is as it seems – not everything adds up.  There is conflicting evidence – hours away conflicting evidence – and someone else’s fingerprints.

            It’s said that everyone has a double.  But maybe it’s not as simple as that.  Maybe some can become your double.

            Stephen King leads his readers on a high-speed chase to answer the question of whether the person you saw has to be the person you saw in, The Outsider – an engrossing and disturbing read that leaves the reader wanting to believe – and not wanting to believe.

            [This review appears on my blog, Amazon.com, and Goodreads.com.]