Taste and See

Growing up I never ate Chinese food.  Maybe because I came from a town of 600 and my only exposure to all things Chinese came from Rambo and Chuck Norris.  I had always assumed it was only noodles, egg rolls, and little baby kittens.  So, I think the first time I ate Chinese food was in college.  But once I had my first bite of cashew chicken I was hooked.  And my love for Chinese food has expanded and grown over the last 10 years.  I couldn’t imagine turning down such joy. 

Scripture encourages us to “taste and see that the Lord is good”.  I have, and He has proven to be far more glorious than cashew chicken.  With that as a background consider this from the pen of John Newton:

For how can we but be staggered, when we hear people speaking the language of assurance—that they know their acceptance with God through Christ, and have not the least doubt of their interest in all the promises—while at the same time we see them under the influence of unsanctified tempers, of a proud, passionate, worldly, selfish, or churlish behavior?

In other words, how can it be consistent that someone can claim to be in a right relationship with a holy God and yet have lives filled with unholy behavior.  How can you taste and see that the Lord is good and yet turn back to living ungodly lives?  Is it not unsettling that a person (myself included) would feast on steak and then chase it down with a glass of sawdust? 

To this Newton speaks of the full effects of faith (You can read the whole letter, here).  Faith causes us to want more and more of God.  This is why Newton is able to say:

Whoever is possessed of true faith, will not confine his inquiries to the single point of his acceptance with God, or be satisfied with the distant hope of heaven hereafter. He will be likewise solicitous how he may glorify God in the world, and enjoy such foretastes of heaven as are attainable while he is yet upon earth.

Newton is saying here that once you have tasted that the Lord is good you are not satisfied with a mere taste or settling for the hope of a great banquet meal in the distant future.  Just like me with my first taste of cashew chicken.  I went back to Chinese restaurants and I even branched out and tried all sorts of other dishes. 

You haven’t really tasted that the Lord is good if you never come back to feast…

Why we sin

"...the primary reason people are in bondage to sin is because people are bored with God."

-Sam Storms, Pleasures Evermore, p.108

Who Said Puritans Can't Be Poetic?

"All the delights in the sensual life are but as the putrid waters of a corrupt pond where toads lie croaking and spawning, compared to the crystal streams of the most pure and pleasant fountain." --John Flavel, The Method of Grace

Jesus Christ, The All-Sufficient Treasure

Despite having to meet in the larger sanctuary, Wednesday night went quite well. Our attendance seemed to be up. But more importantly God was there. The music was phenomenal, I always love it when Brian is able to lead us. And the Word, I believe, came with much unction. Numerous times during the week I prayed that the Lord would overwhelm us with the gospel. What an insane task to preach on the benefits of the Gospel. It is but one cut in the beautiful diamond, that is Jesus. And to think that this too is but a word picture. Oh, how awesome must be the reality.

Here is my feeble attempt to display the All-Sufficiency of Jesus Christ.

Review of Jeremiah Burroughs--Gospel Fear

Author: Jeremiah Burroughs

Pages: 142

Publisher: Soli Deo Gloria

Price: 14.40 USD

Genre: Puritan/Christian Living


Quick Summary:

One of my favorite verses is Isaiah 66:2, “But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word.” In this work, the Puritan, Jeremiah Burroughs, concerns himself with teaching on the heart that trembles at God’s Word. Would a man who can turn having a kidney stone into a means for preaching the gospel, disappoint in expositing one of my favorite verses?

Burroughs does not disappoint. The book is an offering of seven classic Burroughs sermons on a heart that trembles at the Word of God. There is always a little something to be desired in a book of sermons. The sermon is different than a typical printed work. A book of sermons is like looking at a section of row homes. They are all going to look relatively the same, yet each will have a few things that make it stand out as different. A typical printed work looks like an exquisite mansion, with each piece building upon the other. Therefore, the book of sermons always leaves a little something to be desired. Yet, there is also something that a book of sermons can have that a typical work will not; a passionate preaching of God’s Word. Burroughs offers that passionate preaching. In typical Puritan fashion, each sermon leaves the hearer either over the pits of hell or embraced in the arms of the Almighty.

What I Liked:

Burroughs preaching (and writing) style is very easy to follow. It is straightforward and easily outlined. Yet, it is not dull. Burroughs has a way of passionately encouraging the believer and pleading with the unbeliever in the same breath. Of all the Puritans Burroughs is one of the best at giving a visual picture and illustration of what he is discussing. Therefore, he is a very enjoyable read. At the same time, his work is not light. You will be convicted. If Burroughs words are heeded the saint will tremble at God’s Word. Even the unbeliever is given reason for trembling. His writing style and communication of vital doctrine makes Burroughs stand head and shoulder above the rest.

What I Disliked:

Again, a book of sermons always leaves a little something to be desired. There are major topics that will not be addressed in this particular work. Another disadvantage of a book of sermons is that looking at row homes can get a little monotonous. Even though Burroughs is a phenomenal writer, the reader will still find himself getting a little bored at times because of the lack of novelty. The best way to read this book would be devotionally over a long period of time. Read one chapter (sermon) and then read another a month or two later. Let the truths sink in, and then come back to another chapter/sermon at a later date.
Should You Buy It?

If it has the name Jeremiah Burroughs on it, and you love Jesus, then it is worthy of your money. As mentioned earlier, Burroughs is a wonderful writer and is solid theologically. It may be a little monotonous at times, but if you space out the reading of each chapter you will find it a highly profitable work.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

The Suicidal Exchange of Licentiousness

I just realized that I never put the sermon from January 30th online. In our five-part series on Enjoying the Gospel, this is the third sermon. We have previously discussed that The Gospel is Meant to be Enjoyed. Our second and third sermon was dedicated to two pitfalls in enjoying the gospel. The Impossible Burden of Legalism and The Suicidal Exchange of Licentiousness. As always, this is a somewhat rough copy and the actual delivery of the sermon is sometimes a little different than what you read.

The Gospel MUST Be Enjoyed

Last night we began our new 5 week series on Enjoying the Gospel. It is my prayer that last night served as a fitting introduction to this topic. I am always a little reluctant to do a quick "topical" series and break away from our typical book by book messages. You can find the full text here.