Water, Muskmelon, and the Gospel under the Summer Sun

I live on the top floor of one of the tallest buildings on my street. Yesterday, Derabassi was hot like any day with 41°C. I spent my day indoors with a cooler listening to Shepherds’ Conference 2020 Messages. At 3:00 PM, water use to come from a government water supply, so, I went down to a ground floor to put the motor on. It happened to be the hottest hour of the day (02:00-05:00 PM) as the sun had heated up everything on earth.

under construction

The moment I put the motor on, a migrant (construction) worker came running to my gate with a jug. He was a young man like me, but he looked very energetic and lively. I could see from his eyes that he was expecting favor from me, but because I couldn’t think of any way to be of any help I stared at him and said, “Kya chahiye? (What do you want?)” He said, “Pani (water).” I couldn’t believe what he had said because the opposite of my gate is a Hindu Temple with a water tap for devotees to wash their hands. And all the construction workers and vendors usually stop by to not only wash their faces but to quench their thirst. I couldn’t understand why this young man would want the same water from my tap and not from there. Moreover, at that time, the water hadn’t come to my tap, so I ignored him and told him to get from the temple.

Then he said, “That water is very hot!” It suddenly dawned on me that he was seeking cool water from my refrigerator. At the same time, I realized I should have been more kind and gentle to him in my response. I remembered a friend of mine, brother Liju who is the most gentle and kind person I ever know. Certainly, he wouldn’t respond as I did. And surely not my Lord Jesus Christ.  So, I said “Thike! (Sure).” I was heavy with conviction, so, I decided to give him all the cool water he needed. He looked very happy. And I was convicted all the more. 

drinking water inside the fridge

However, we, human beings are complicated creatures. We can have a godly sorrow in one thing which leads to good works and at the same time, we can be having another thought about some other thing in not so godly manner. As I was climbing stairs to get the water, it occurred to me that I had to climb up all the stairs to my room and get down to give him water. So, I thought, “Why do I need to wear myself? Let him do for himself. Giving cool water is good enough already. Is it not? He can still be grateful!” I told him to follow me. On the midway, I realized his feet and clothes were very dirty. It was not a time to regret it. Too late! At first, he hesitated to step into my room, but he did and I offered him to quench his thirst and filled his jug. He was very relieved. Apparently, he had been waiting for cool water for quite some time. When he heard me putting the motor on, he decided to not miss the chance of asking for it. Indeed, I would be locked in my room listening to H.B. Charles Jr. for another hour.

Muskmelons

He hurried down the stairs in gladness. Seeing him very glad, I wanted to do more good things for him. I remembered the Muskmelon I kept for one of my church members who would be coming to my room in the evening for a book study. I thought, “I can give to my church member some other day. Let me give away for this guy.” I looked down the stair to stop him, but he was running down the stairs. Three times the word “Ruko (wait)” was on the tip of my tongue as I tried to catch his attention, but he was in a hurry. So, I didn’t mutter, couldn’t able to give away. Then I saw him running to his friends and it was a great sight, seeing them quenching their thirst. But I turned my face away quickly and headed back to my room because I couldn’t face the reality that I could and should have helped them like that from before especially if such tiny acts of kindness can be of huge significance. [Readers do well to remember Matthew 25:31-46]

Many thoughts came to my mind. Tomorrow, what should I do? Should I offer them before they ask? But will they need it? Maybe they will get it from other neighbors. Perhaps, they have more money than I do, and I shouldn’t underestimate (or pity) them unwittingly. But, should I tell them that they can always get cool water from me as long as they are working on my street? I, being not fluent in Hindi, decided to say nothing more. After all, I would not hesitate to help them in the morrow should they want again.

Spurgeon, Lloyd Jones, and Bonhoeffer

Another thought invaded my mind, “What’s the difference between that young man and me? Why was he working so cheerfully with a song played on his phone under the summer sun when I wasn’t able to even stay indoors without a cooler?” In fact, he looked happier, livelier, healthier, stronger, and younger. I thought, “He is more useful to society than I am. But why does my landlord honor me and treat that young man not in an honorable way? Is it because of what I do? Is it because I have a college degree? Or is it because I pay my rent fees to him?” I was thinking about respect, honor, and dignity in a society where there are strata of social classes. Sure, he and I are the same, alike, created in the image of God. I am no dearer to God than him, and he is no sinful than I am. He is an equally important and beloved image-bearer of God. The only difference is the gift of renewed life I receive in Christ. 

“It doesn’t mean we shouldn’t do it without the gospel. It means we need more evangelists and missionaries than billionaires and entrepreneurs.”

Social classes, status, professions, wealth, colors, education, ethnicity, gender, physical fitness, nothing matters if we do not know Christ. Also, helping poorer people, doing good deeds to the needy, all philanthropic acts, all of charity, mercy, and kindness without the gospel truth is incomplete. It doesn’t mean we shouldn’t do it without the gospel. It means we need more evangelists and missionaries than billionaires and entrepreneurs. Surely, we can’t fix the world. There will always be poor people. There will always be injustices, sufferings and evils in this world. We cannot save the world from these things, but surely we can proclaim the news of deliverance from sin and the wrath to come, which is a better solution and better news for anyone and everyone on planet earth. All these thoughts came and also settled in my mind within a few seconds.

I reached my room and sat down on the chair and resumed listening to the sermon I was listening to. My mind was occupied with this incident but I must practice self-control. As soon as I finished the sermon, I began to start typing on my laptop. Then the phone rang. It was the church member coming to study a book with me. After an hour of discussion about a chapter of that book, we had Muskmelon. As I was cutting it into pieces Galatians 6:10 kept coming to my mind, “. . . especially to those who are of the household of faith.”  After all, the Muskmelon is with someone who belongs to the household of faith. 

Block Diagramming Ephesians 5:1-2

Book Application: Christ-Centered Preaching – Redeeming The Expository Sermon

We can do a lot with a book after we have read it.  We can talk about it, we can write about it, we can promote it, or we can even lament for having wasted our time. While I was in a Seminary, we were assigned to read a lot of books in a very limited time with a requirement to write a book review for some, a book summary for some, and a book application for some. I enjoyed writing Book Application because whenever I was writing, I thought through what to apply it in my life and ministry. Actually, reading a book application is always edifying. A Book Review often contains both commendation and criticism. A Book Summary summarizes the contents of the book. A Book Application reveals the effects of the books on a reader. I am of the opinion that many should read and write a Book Application, not just a review or a summary. Here is the Book Application I wrote for this book of Bryan Chapell when I first read it 5 years ago. I am sure, I would write a different one when I reread again, now, especially after listening to the lectures of Dr. Abner Chou critiquing the Christo-centric hermeneutics applied in this book.

TOP 10 THINGS I LEARN FROM BRYAN CHAPELL’S BOOK

“CHRIST-CENTERED PREACHING – REDEEMING THE EXPOSITORY SERMON”

2^nd February 2015, Sancoale, Goa, India

1.      “When preachers perceive the power that the Word holds, confidence in their calling grows even as pride in their performance withers.” (p. 18). “Neglect of prayer signals serious deficiencies in a ministry even if other signs of success have not diminished.” (p. 21)

Ø  These two lines show me to focus on the study of the word of God and prayer. When these are strong, nothing shall discourage me. On the other hand, negligence of these will cost the ministry dear sooner or later, how effective the moment may seem.

2.      “Statements of truth, even biblical truth, do not automatically make a message for the pulpit. Well-constructed sermons require unity, purpose, and application.” (p. 30)

Ø  This statement is really practical for the ministry of preaching. It challenges me to go beyond understanding the text for myself and to present it to everyone.

3.      “The Fallen Condition Focus (FCF) is the mutual human condition that contemporary believers share with those to or about whom the text was written that requires the grace of the passage for God’s people to glorify and enjoy him.” (p. 35)

Ø  I realize that finding FCF will be one of the most effective methods to prepare for a sermon. Moreover, that would be like a bait to the ears of the hearers when emphasized in the introduction.

4.      “Mere lectures are pre-sermons because they dispense information about a text without relevant application from the text that helps listeners understand their obligations to Christ and his ministry to them.” (p. 39). “Preachers who cannot answer ‘so what?’ will preach to a ‘who cares?’” (p. 40)

Ø  The difference between a teacher and a pastor, both in terms of preparation and shepherding.

5.       “The application of the sermon is not merely an appendage to the discussion or a subordinate part of it, but is the main thing to be done.” (P. 62). “However, these traditional categories can damage expository preaching if preachers do not see that explanation, illustration, and application are all essential components of opening and unfolding the meaning of a text. Explanation answers the question, What does this text say? Illustration responds to, Show me what the text says. Application answers, What does the text mean to me? Ordinarily, each component has a vital role in establishing listeners’ full understanding of a text.” (p. 66). “Preachers once posted this reduction of the preaching task in their studies: Preach Reach Each.” (p. 69)

Ø  The component of Exposition is well-written in these 3 statements. Nothing to be taken lightly. Moreover, the “PREach” is quite informative and beneficial for sermon preparation.

6.      1. State the truth. 2. Place the truth. 3. Prove the truth (p. 93)

Ø  Perhaps, one of the most logical way to make a point in an outline. However, it may take me time to catch up very well.

7.      “The bottom line for structure simply requires that all expository sermons have F-O-R-M. Every outline should be: Faithful to the text. Obvious from the text. Related to a Fallen Condition Focus. Moving toward a climax.” (p.129)

Ø  Another insight for preparing a sermon. Easy to remember, yet broad in its understanding.

8.      “Thus, John Broadus, the father of modern expository preaching, declares, “Application is the main thing to be done.” (p. 167). “The application of an expository sermon, however, is not complete until the pastor has disclosed the grace in the text that rightly motivates obedience.” (p. 174)

Ø  Applications to be very effective for each one, which is doable. And there should be motivation for it, in the grace of God

9.      “Maybe there are those who enjoy developing the universal sermon, the one that can be preached everywhere and anywhere, that has a quality of being timeless. But as far as I am concerned, everywhere and anywhere really means nowhere; and those who strive to be timeless, are usually, simply not very timely.… The particular is higher than the universal.” (p. 178). “In application, preachers pour out their hearts. Without application, preachers have difficulty preaching with fervor.” (p. 184)

Ø  The whole chapter of “Application” convicts me that a preacher should take seriously of applications in a sermon. It’s true that a sermon with applications shows the integrity of the preacher, and the shepherding spirit he has for the flock.

10. “A message that merely advocates morality and compassion remains sub-Christian even if the preacher can prove that the Bible demands such behaviors.” (p. 215). “However well intended, these sermons present a faith indistinguishable from that of morally conscientious Muslims, Unitarians, Buddhists, or Hindus.” (p. 231)

Ø  The difference between the world and the church. The difference between true transformation and superficial behavior modification. Yes, almost every religion is moralistic. The exclusivity of the Christian Gospel makes Christianity differs from other religions. And that must be preached all the time, for us to be worthy to bear the name of Christian.