 |
| 07 April 19 b WSU |
 |
| 07 April 19 WSU |
 |
| 12 June 19 WSU |
Tuesday, August 04, 2020
Sunday, July 26, 2020
Stop Using Jeremiah 29:11 As Your Exhortatory Text.
For I know the
thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of
evil, to give you a future and a hope. – Jeremiah
29:11
Last night I was
reading through the book of Jeremiah. Some particular verses stood out to me as
if I had never seen before. I was tempted to open my laptop and make Image Scriptures out of them, but I had decided to keep on reading until I complete a
certain portion of Scripture as a part of spiritual discipline. When I reached
Jeremiah 29:11, I couldn’t keep myself going. I remembered how many times I had
heard people around me using that verse for all kinds of exhortations in all
kinds of settings: birthdays, exam times, graduations, farewells, partings,
fresher’s meet, home fellowships, and even in churches. I decided to write a
blog post about it. I remembered a professor in a seminary who instructed us to
maintain our Title in a positive tone as often as possible. Well, I believe in
this case a negative tone that too in an imperative mood serves us much better.
So, “Stop Using Jeremiah 29:11 As Your Exhortatory Text!”
As I set out to write
a short article, it occurred to me to see if or how many article(s) on it are
available on the internet, because I did not want to waste my time telling the
same thing if many have written about it. Lo and behold! There were lots of
articles on it by some reputed personalities. I skimmed through some of the
articles and found some to be very short and some others to be of in-depth
treatment. I was hard-pressed to write a new blog post or to put it away, but
my mind was still not relaxed, because of all those misuses I had heard in the
past. Consequently, I decided to publish a blog post online for anyone to see
it about my concern regarding those misuses. Someday, when I hear people
misusing or when people ask me about its misuse, I can just send a link of this
page, “Stop Using Jeremiah 29:11 As Your Exhortatory Text!”
Well, you can surmise
the reason why I used the strong word “stop,” it’s because every now and then
people keep on misusing this verse. There are lots of other scripture portions
for anyone to use for exhortatory texts. Come on, why default to Jeremiah
29:11, which is very common to the point that it has no more effect on the
hearers, and also almost always wrong every time we hear it? Of course, Jeremiah
29:11 can be used as a text of exhortation as it can be of any text of
Scripture, but it has to be done in its context. As Steve Lawson would say,
“You can eulogize even the devil; he is consistent!” We can always come up with
good words or exhortation from any passage of the scripture. The principle here
is, if you aren’t sure of what it means, go for other texts of scripture that
you are sure of. Or else, just don’t! Please stop!
Why do we often use
Jeremiah 29:11? I think it’s because of its contents. It has soothing words. It
has promise. It has a direct assurance from God. It has a personal effect on
the hearer. It is very clear in its promises by the way of contrast. Its
promises encompass both the present and the future – of hope and peace. Wow! A
perfect message you would like to tell others in their birthdays, graduations,
farewells, any occasions. The message is perfect, inerrant, and true, but is it
for you, us, or anybody? Are you (or we) the perfect people to get this perfect
message? There lies the line!
How
do we know which verse is for us and which is not? Well, each and every verse
in the Bible is for us. The question here is, how do we understand a particular
verse and apply it to our life? Take for an example from the preceding chapter,
Jeremiah 28:16 “Therefore thus says the LORD: ‘Behold, I
will cast you from the face of the earth. This year you shall die . . .”
Try this one for a birthday or farewell speech! What is the basis for not
choosing this text? If and since everything that the Bible says is infallible
and sure, it means this is true too. Some may argue, “Well, this isn’t
appropriate for a birthday” and I would press on, “What if this is the most
appropriate one, for he may die today?” No matter what your intention, feeling,
desire, or prayer is if it’s the truth it is. You can sip a bottle of poison
thinking it as a fruit juice, believing it will give you good health, but if
you drink, you are dead! It doesn’t matter what may seem appropriate or not
appropriate, we must be certain what is appropriate, and to be certain we must
have a basis or a standard to find out its appropriateness.
How
do we find out the appropriateness of any passage in the scripture? Well, we
have to read the context: a few verses or chapters before and after any passage
we seek to know. That’s not something of insight; that’s just normal and plain
to us. We do that in each of our conversations, when we listen to the news, or
when we read any letters or text messages on our phone. Don’t you remember
yourself asking, “what did he say before that?” or “what did he say after
that?” when you missed some part of news reporting on the television? We read
anything, listen to anything, evaluate anything, and apply anything based on
the fuller version of anything, not just in a few words of our choice for our
indulgence. That’s often called “out of context” or “proof text” or “pretext,”
and is negative in its connotation.
I
want to remind you that this blog post is about to Stop Using Jeremiah 29:11
As Your Exhortatory Text, please don’t expect me to devote a section on how
to use this verse as an exhortatory text. Weighing the issue at hand, it’s
better off without that section. And, mind you, the title is not even “What is
the meaning of Jeremiah 29:11?” but I am sure you will find out the answer to
this question as you keep reading. Before we read verse 11, we must read v.10. “For thus says the
LORD: After seventy years are completed at Babylon, I will visit you and
perform My good word toward you, and cause you to return to this place.”
Verses 10-13 are in the future tenses, “will,” that will happen only after 70
years of captivity in Babylon. The “you” here refers to the people of Judah
(v.1, 4). Actually, most of the hearers of this news would not survive for 70
years to see the promises of v.11-13. It is for their children, being still the
people of Judah, who will live to see it. For the original audience, their life
will be hard and rough and die eventually (v.4-9)!
Now
we see, this is for the people of Judah; we are not. This is also not even for
all the people of Judah, it is only for those who survive the 70 years in
Babylon; we’ve not been to Babylon. It is only for the good figs, for those are
chosen by God as we see two types of people of Judah in Jeremiah 24 – the good
figs and the bad figs; we are neither the good figs nor the bad figs of
Jeremiah’s vision. And no matter who they are and how they live, this is a
promise which will be fulfilled not in the lifetime of its hearers.
The
people and timeline of Chapter 29 are the same as in chapter 24 and chapter 21.
What is applicable in chapter 29 is applicable in chapter 24 and chapter 21.
The only difference is those who are in Babylon and those who aren’t. Let’s see
for those who aren’t in Babylon in Jeremiah 21:10 ““For I have set My face
against this city for adversity and not for good,” says the LORD. “It shall be
given into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall burn it with fire.””Also in Jeremiah
24:9-10 ““I will deliver them
to trouble into all the kingdoms of the earth, for their harm, to be a reproach
and a byword, a taunt and a curse, in all places where I shall drive them. And I will send the
sword, the famine, and the pestilence among them, till they are consumed from
the land that I gave to them and their fathers.””
You
see! You aren’t in Babylon. You aren’t their children. You aren’t the people of
Judah. You aren’t even reading properly the context of Jeremiah 29:11. Please
Stop Using Jeremiah 29:11 As Your Exhortatory Text!
 |
| "Context is Queen!" |
Friday, July 17, 2020
Thursday, July 09, 2020
Biblical Principles for Discipline and Corporal Punishment
I believe every parent faces difficulty in
bringing up their children to adults. To bring them up in godly ways is indeed
difficult but it is not impossible because God has given us the right methods
in the Bible. I grow up in a society where a parent who did not spank or
discipline his children is seen as a selfish parent. Today, modern philosophy
gave the impression that those who spank their children are very unloving and
senseless parents. Now, parents are confused.
I realized, it is because parents do not
examine the Scriptural teaching. They either followed the traditions of the past
(by which they were brought up by their own parents) or by the trends of the
present time (which is just a surrender to pressure without conviction, an abdication
of responsibility). However, Parents must have experienced already that neither
“all-permissive” nor “all-authoritative” parenting works. There must be some
form of discipline and corporal punishment. Ephesians 6: 4 says clearly: “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in
the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” The Bible teaches
that physical discipline is appropriate, beneficial, and necessary. Here are
some of the Principles for Discipline and Corporal Punishment:
1.
Chastening and
love go hand in hand in Scripture. God, the ultimate Parent, chastens
those He loves when one goes astray. We should also do the same with our own
children. Hebrews 12:6 “For the Lord
disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.”
2.
Spanking must be
painful and timely (Hebrews 12:6). We don't pretend
that certain aspects of discipline don't hurt. The word 'chastise' is
very strong and indicates that at times, chastisement needs to be very painful
to accomplish its goals. It has the idea of flogging.
3.
When spanking, we must avoid these
two things: 1) spanking out of frustration or anger, and 2)
the tendency to spank for every type of offense. God has not said that
you must spank for every type of offense, nor has He specified which offenses
require spanking. That’s what Proverbs 13:24 implies. “Whoever
spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline
him.”
4.
Discipline must
be consistent. Parents must spank it on the basis of
clearly defined rules, not on the feelings at that particular moment. Like police
officers, we can choose to enforce God’s Moral Law on them. Proverbs 19:18 “Discipline
your son, for there is hope; do not set your heart on putting him to death.”
5.
A clear
explanation for spanking must be made known to Children or the reason
for the punishment, and your expectations for their future behavior. The
discomfort of swift consequences helps a young child associate the offense and
the painful result. Rom 6:23 “For the wages
of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our
Lord.” Prov. 13:15 “Good sense
wins favor, but the way of the treacherous is their ruin.”
6.
Focus on positive
behavior rather than directing negative attitudes toward children. The end
goal is to produce children that love and respect God and others. The doctrine
of depravity tells us that they do not need help developing more self-esteem!
They need encouragement to grow in humility and servanthood. Since as sinners,
we’re all rebellious at heart, kids need to learn submission to proper
authority as a part of godliness. Ephesians 4:24 “and to put on
the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and
holiness.”
7.
Disciplining
should never lead to actual physical damage. It should not cause lasting pain or
permanent scar. The rod is just one part of the correction process. We can use
other tactics like a restriction of liberties, rebuking, distraction, and other
things to work in conjunction with using the rod. Proverbs 23:13 “Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you
strike him with a rod, he will not die.”
8.
Start
disciplining early on. Settling the authority issue with the
small child can prevent many problems later. Corporal Punishment helps develop
respect for authorities and self-control so that the child can reach their full
potential as a human being. Without this discipline, the child will become a
victim of his own evil tendencies. Ecclesiastes 8:11 “Because the sentence against an evil deed is
not executed quickly, therefore the hearts of the sons of men are given fully
to evil.”
9.
It should not be
excessive. It should be balanced with instruction. Spanking should never be
the objective of Christian parenting; it is one of many tools with which to
achieve biblical principles in bringing up the child. Ephesians 6:4 “Fathers, do
not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and
instruction of the Lord.”
10. Spanking or Corporal Punishment should not be avoided. If a parent
hesitates to discipline his child, he also has a problem with God. Because God
chastises whom he loves. This displays His interest in our well-being. The parent
shows love in doing so. Proverbs 23:13-14 “Do not
withhold discipline from a child; if you strike him with a rod, he will not
die. If you strike him
with the rod, you will save his soul from Sheol.” Hebrews 12:11 says, “All
discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those
who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of
righteousness.” Also, Deuteronomy 8:5-6 says, “Know then in
your heart that, as a man disciplines his son, the LORD your God disciplines
you. So you shall keep the
commandments of the LORD your God by walking in his ways and by fearing him.”
In Conclusion: Parents need to learn from God, our Father, how to discipline. If children
are precious, then parents need to consistently follow these principles.
Parents should also continually build close relationships with children.
Parents need to remove all the things that become barriers between parents and
children in order to imitate our heavenly Father who exercises both His authority
and love.
Sunday, July 05, 2020
Wednesday, June 17, 2020
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 |
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. Tuesday, June 16, 2020
Wednesday, June 03, 2020
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”
2nd
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.
Tuesday, May 26, 2020
Prodigious and Miniature
Spurgeon got converted at sixteen,
Began preaching at seventeen,
Became a pastor at eighteen,
Dominated England at nineteen!
In 2 years period, before he came to London,
When he was just 19, preached 670 sermons.
He went on to preach over 7000 sermons,
Of which we have around 3600 sermons.
At 17, I began preaching to my peers,
Since then I’ve been preaching for 12 years,
Yet achievement of Spurgeon’s first 2 years
Is still an impossible feat, it appears!
– S.R. [2020]
Friday, May 22, 2020
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)