#markmck

Over the last couple of weeks both the back and front pages of our newspapers have been dominated by the downfall of hero's.  The nation has been gripped by the stories of Lance Armstrong and Jimmy Saville.

The downfall of a hero is nothing new, infact the bible is full of tales of fallen hero's - not least the story of Abraham, which we shall be returning to this Sunday morning.  This week, is a good week for him... but it won't be long till he stumbles once again.  Refreshing honesty, which I for one can identify with.

One of the session in First Steps looks at the gospel. Last Friday night, I was delivering this session and begun by asking 'What is the gospel' to which I answered - 'it's everything'.  Because it is so important, so valuable, embraces all of our life etc.

Now, on Monday, I began reading Tim Kellar's new bookCenter Church,I was rebuked to read in one of his first chapters 'the gospel is NOT everything'.

Here's what Kellar says:

the gospel is not everything, meaning it must be distinguished as an announcement of news, distinct for its results and implications. 

the gospel is not simple,meaning it cannot be packaged in a single standard form

the gospel affects virtually everything.

He then quotes DA Carson, who says:

the gospel rightly works out in massive transformation of attitude, moral relationship and cultural interactions.... this must be done, not by attempting to abstract social principles form the gospel, still less by endless focus on the periphery in a vain effort to sound prophetic, but precisely by preaching and teaching and living out in our churches the glorious gospel of our blessed Redeemer.

On Sunday night we looked at the topic 'The Weary Soul'  from Psalm 6.  As we reflected on the depths of emotion and confidence in the Lord contained within the Psalm, Debbie sung a solo 'Hide away in the love of Jesus.'  You can get the words of that solo, and listen to a preview of it here  It is the title track of the Sovereign Grace Album, Come Weary Saints.  It is a great album, you can download it either from the Sovereign Grace Store or Amazon.

If you want to do some reading around this subject, here are a few book recommendations

Up Against It - James Philip.  A look at the experience and emotions of some bible characters.

Spiritual Depression - Martyn Lloyd Jones.  A classic on the subject by one of the greatest preachers in the 20th century and former medical Dr.

Deserted by God - Sinclair Ferguson.  Finding hope in the Psalms for those moments when you do not feel God's presence.  (Psalm 6 isn't one that is covered by this excellent book).

I'm using the new edition of Spurgeon's Morning and Evening at the minute.  The reading for a couple of days ago was encouraging prayer for ministers... here's what it said (using the original text which is available online!)

"Brethren, pray for us."—1 Thessalonians 5:25.

HIS one morning in the year we reserved to refresh the reader's memory upon the subject of prayer for ministers, and we do most earnestly implore every Christian household to grant the fervent request of the text first uttered by an apostle and now repeated by us. Brethren, our work is Solemnly momentous, involving weal or woe to thousands; we treat with souls for God on eternal business, and our word is either a savour of life unto life, or of death unto death. A very heavy responsibility rests upon us, and it will be no small mercy if at the last we be found clear of the blood of all men. As officers in Christ's army, we are the especial mark of the enmity of men and devils; they watch for our halting, and labour to take us by the heels. Our sacred calling involves us in temptations from which you are exempt, above all it too often draws us away from our personal enjoyment of truth into a ministerial and official consideration of it. We meet with many knotty cases, and our wits are at a non plus; we observe very sad backslidings, and our hearts are wounded; we see millions perishing, and our spirits sink. We wish to profit you by our preaching; we desire to be blest to your children; we long to be useful both to saints and sinners; therefore, dear friends, intercede for us with our God. Miserable men are we if we miss the aid of your prayers, but happy are we if we live in your supplications. You do not look to us but to our Master for spiritual blessings, and yet how many times has He given those blessings through His ministers; ask then, again and again, that we may be the earthen vessels into which the Lord may put the treasure of the gospel. We, the whole company of missionaries, ministers, city missionaries, and students, do in the name of Jesus beseech you

I came across this as I was reading today

The Bible assumes that we do not know instinctively how to talk with God but rather need some help with knowing how to do so.  The Psalter is the Bible’s book of praise and prayer to meet that need…. Eugene Peterson comments that the Psalms are where Christians have always learned to pray – till our age!

Psalms, Vol 1 by John Goldingray

Last night, at Discipleship Explored, we looked together at Philippians 3:1-9.  In this passage, Paul admits that he is repeating himself, encouraging us once again to 'Rejoice in the Lord!'

Paul then shares his infectious passion for Jesus... a passion which reminds me of the song, 'I will glory in my redeemer'. 

I will glory in my Redeemer Whose priceless blood has ransomed me Mine was the sin that drove the bitter nails And hung Him on that judgment tree I will glory in my Redeemer Who crushed the power of sin and death My only Savior before the holy Judge The Lamb who is my righteousness The Lamb who is my righteousness I will glory in my Redeemer My life He bought, my love He owns I have no longings for another I’m satisfied in Him alone I will glory in my Redeemer His faithfulness my standing place Though foes are mighty and rush upon me My feet are firm, held by His grace My feet are firm, held by His grace I will glory in my Redeemer Who carries me on eagles’ wings He crowns my life with lovingkindness His triumph song I’ll ever sing I will glory in my Redeemer Who waits for me at gates of gold And when He calls me, it will be paradise His face forever to behold His face forever to behold

© 2000 Sovereign Grace Worship

(Listen to the song here http://youtu.be/XuRru9jYqOk)

In case you haven't heard, Rory McIlroy became the world no 1 golfer at the weekend.  Aged just 22 he is the 2nd youngest person ever to hold this honour, behind a certain Tiger Woods.

Being the top of the world in any field, at such a young age is an amazing achievement and since the weekend a few questions have been bouncing around in my mind.

The first is the obvious one - what were you doing when you were 22?  I was finishing of an engineering degree and heading off to Manchester for a summer to work for United Utilities.

The second is - do we sell young people short?  Rory is a great example of what young people can achieve.  We should encourage young people to excel, especially in the faith.

And finally, do we look down on young people?  Paul tells Timothy not to let folk look down on him because of his age... but then issues a challenge to young Timothy - live a life which means people will look up to you!