The Trinity in Romans 8

JP: Helpful chart from the ESV study Bible

More than conquerors

JP: Our Bible study this coming Wednesday will be from Romans 8:31-39. Study notes are available here.

Previous notes:

A flat tire, a tranquil place, a witnessing opportunity

we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope (Romans 5:3-4)

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28)

Kathee and I had a brief trip to Antigo Wisconsin Tuesday and Wednesday.

Returning late yesterday afternoon and North of Thorp WI we had a blowout. We are not sure if we hit something but the tire went flat very fast.  What unfolded:

• We pulled into the remote Thorp Mennonite church.
• I called roadside assistance for aid and then had almost an hour wait
• The location was as tranquil, comfortable and beautiful as one could ask:
  • The church is in an old (built in 1938) brick school house
  • The church sign is difficult to see from the above photo but it has a quote from Revelation 22:17, “Let him that is athirst come” (KJV). On the other side of the church was another sign that had a quote from John 20:31, “that believing ye might have life through his name”
  • Kathee and I prayed and we thanked the Lord that it was not raining or snowing or dark or cold.
  • We enjoyed the flowers around the church, the birds flying here or there, the grass, the beautiful farm scenery.
• Along the way Eric the tow truck driver arrived. He apologized for taking so long but he had to drive from 40 minutes away. He moved swiftly to replace the damaged tire with the spare. As we parted I had a brief witnessing opportunity by pointing him to the John 20:31 sign.

MBBC Summer Ensemble

The Maranatha Baptist Bible College Summer ensemble will minister on Wednesday night August 5th. 4BYA will join the main congregation in the auditorium that evening.

• What: Maranatha Baptist Bible College Summer ensemble
• When: Wednesday night August 5th
• Where: Main auditorium

The MBBC team is blogging this Summer. Follow them here

John Piper on Pride

JP: Kathee and I have been discussing this. We like the quote.

HT: Andy Naselli: Another Dagger-Like Tweet from John Piper

Important Announcement

JP: The 4BYA Leadership Council met with Pastor Levy last night about the Adult Bible Fellowship. The Pastoral leadership has decided to have a 25-35 year old ABF class on Sunday morning at the regular ABF hour (9:15-10:05). Details bulleted:

• What: A new day and hour for 4BYA.
• When: Beginning Sunday December 6th, 2009
• Time: 9:15 am until 10:05 am
• For whom: Anyone ages 25-35. Including Singles and Young Marrieds
• Replaces: the Wednesday night Bible study
• Why: To more effectively minister to this age segment of Fourth Baptist Church
• Format: The ABF (Adult Bible Fellowship) format currently being used by our church

Image from ABF Freight

What Price Freedom

JP: For a good 4th of July read, consider What Price Freedom

Excerpt:

In America, we enjoy a degree of freedom unknown throughout most of the history of the world. This freedom had its formal birth with the Declaration of Independependence, July 4, 1776, in which the 13 colonies declared themselves independent of Great Britain, and which ended with the words “for the support of this declaration…we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor.”

Was that just big talk, or flowery rhetoric? Well, the 56 signers were marking themselves as traitors to the Crown. “By the end of the war, almost every one had lost his property; many had lost wives and families to British guns or prisons; and several died penniless, having given all to the Revolution” (Larry Schweikart and Michael Allen, A Patriot’s History of the United States [Sentinel: 2004], 81).

Americans enjoy freedom today because of the blood spilt by thousands of men and women from before 1776 until this very day. Our freedom, as Americans, is not free. If it hasn’t cost us personally, it surely has cost someone else!

But my mind turns today to a far deeper bondage, however, and an infinitely greater freedom — and to the far more dreadful price that was paid for that freedom.

It is found in Revelation 1:5b: “To Him who loves us, and loosed us from our sins by His blood.”

Have a nice 4th

JP: Image from my Sister in Law’s antique postcard collection. Circa 1911.

Kathee and I did all of our Saturday jobs yesterday: Kathee went grocery shopping and trimmed in the yard; I went to Lowes to pick up a furnace filter, and mowed. Today we are just relaxing. Later we will be at my Brother in Laws’ for a cookout.

The famous “Eve” observation

JP: Every heard this quote used at a wedding?

A Famous Observation Regarding the Creation of Eve

Excerpt:

One of the most often-quoted devotional comments in Matthew Henry’s (1662-1714) famous commentary on the Bible is his remarks regarding the creation of the first woman from the side of the first man (Genesis 2:21-22)–

[T]he woman was made of a rib out of the side of Adam; not made out of his head to rule over him, nor out of his feet to be trampled upon by him, but out of his side to be equal with him, under his arm to be protected, and near his heart to be beloved. [italics in original]

Henry’s observation was picked up by later commentators, among them John Gill (1697-1771), who, at Genesis 2:22, reproduces much of Henry’s phrasing:

It is commonly observed, and pertinently enough, that the woman was not made from the superior part of man, that she might not be thought to be above him, and have power over him; nor from any inferior part, as being below him, and to trampled on by him; but out of his side, and from one of his ribs, that she might appear equal to him; and from a part near his heart, and under his arms, to show that she should be affectionately loved by him; and always under his care and protection.

While Henry usually gets credit for this thought, he unquestionably was not the originator of it. Matthew Poole (1624-1679) in his English commentary at Genesis 2:21-22 (published posthumously in 1683) makes an obviously similar and definitely earlier comment:

The woman was taken out of this part [i.e., the side], not out of the higher or lower parts, to show that she is neither to be her husband’s mistress [i.e., dominator], to usurp authority over him, I Timothy 2:12; nor yet to be his slave to be abused, despised, or trampled under his feet; but to be kindly treated, and used like a companion, with moderation, respect, and affection.

Albert Mohler: “Governor Sanford is no King David”

JP: Albert Mohler comments on South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford situation:

A Governor, a King, and the Tragedy of Adultery

Excerpt:

America’s recent political history indicates that some politicians can survive revelations of adultery. While Christians should be less concerned about the political consequences and more concerned about the spiritual consequences, it is fair to observe that those politicians who survive more often than not do so when the adulterous relationship is clearly over and in the more distant past and when the politician has given himself in a demonstrable way to the priority of rebuilding his marriage and reestablishing credibility with his family.

Put simply, Governor Sanford’s most recent comments point to a worst-case scenario. His words make clear that his heart is still inclined toward his mistress, and not his wife. With tragic candor, the governor has spoken of trying to fall back in love with his wife. He refers to his mistress, not his wife, as his soul mate, and speaks wistfully of the affair as “a love story at the end of the day.”

Governor Sanford may cite King David, and he may even suffer the illusion that his response is similar to that of Israel’s King. Nevertheless, the difference is clear. David’s adultery was mixed even with murder, but his own acknowledgment of sin came in a flood of contrition, remorse, broken heartedness, and humility. David acknowledged the reality of his sin, expressed his hatred of the sin, and became a model for us all of repentance. Governor Sanford, on the other hand, demonstrates the audacity to speak wistfully of his sin, longingly of his lover, and romantically of his descent into unfaithfulness.

Governor Sanford is no King David, and the people of South Carolina — as well as the watching world — now observe the sad spectacle of a man who, while admitting to wrongdoing, shows no genuine repentance. As the Christian church has long recognized, true repentance is reflected in the “detestation of sin.” This is a far cry from what we’ve heard from Governor Sanford.

If the governor is really serious about demonstrating character to his four sons, he should resign his office and give himself unreservedly to his wife and family. He must show his sons — and all who have eyes to see — how a man is led by the grace and mercy of God to hate his sin, rather than to love it. Until then, the governor must be understood to indulge himself in wistfulness for his affair and in a desperate determination to maintain his office. His remaining days in office are like a Greek tragedy unfolding into farce. The whole picture is just unspeakably sad.