A song from Romans 12:7-8

Below are lyrics to a song John Piper wrote while preaching through Romans 12:1-8 in 2004. Kevin Potherician wrote music for the lyrics.

A Song From Romans 12:7-8

O Jesus, take my bent away
For thinking much of me,
And kill my pride, and from this day
With mercy make me free.

O Jesus, grant the gift to see
The treasure that you are,
And as the night eclipses me,
O be my Morning Star.

And now if I should serve, or lead,
Or give, or mercy show,
O Jesus, let my love be freed,
And like a river flow.

O Jesus, be the treasure of
My heart and all I do,
And may the river of my love,
Alone make much of you.

Piper's concluding comments in his Nov. 7, 2004, sermon:

"What matters to God is not merely that we use our gifts, but how we use them—the spirit, the attitude. What matters is not merely that we give and lead and show mercy. What matters to God is free and lavish generosity in our giving. What matters to God is passion and eagerness and zeal in our leadership. What matters to God is gladness and cheerfulness and joy in our mercy.

"And my point—and I think Paul’s point—is that these are the overflow of mercy-dependent, mercy-loving, self-forgetting, Christ-treasuring humility. ...

"The church and the world need people who have trembled in the courtroom of God as guilty sinners; who have heard the joyful sound of mercy from the bench of the Judge: “You may go free; my Son paid your debt”; who are therefore mercy-loving, mercy-dependent, Christ treasuring people; and who therefore overflow not just with contributions but self-forgetting, lavish contributions; and who don’t just lead, but lead with self-forgetting zeal and passion for the cause of Christ; and who don’t just do mercy, but love mercy and do it with self-forgetting joy.

"That is what we need because that is what will show how valuable Christ is. He gets the glory, we get the joy."

(HT: Josh Etter)

Why is He called God’s “only begotten Son,” since we also are the children of God?

Heidelberg Catechism

~His Deity

Question 33. Why is He called God’s “only begotten Son,” since we also are the children of God?

Answer. Because Christ alone is the eternal, natural Son of God,[1] but we are children of God by adoption, through grace, for His sake.[2]

[1] Jn 1:1-3, 14, 18, 3:16; Rom 8:32; Heb 1; 1 Jn 4:9;
[2] Jn 1:12; Rom 8:14-17; Gal 4:6; Eph 1:5-6; 1 Jn 3:1

Light is sown for the righteous

Bagster's Daily Light - February 21 - Evening

Light is sown for the righteous ...

Light is sown for the righteous, and joy for the upright in heart. 1

Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy! He who goes out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him. 2

And what you sow is not the body that is to be, but a bare kernel, perhaps of wheat or of some other grain. 3

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith--more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire--may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 4
______________

1 Psa 97:11;
2 Psa 126:5,6;
3 1 Cor 15:37;
4 1 Pet 1:3,6,7

I am the Lord who sanctify you

Bagster's Daily Light - February 21 - Morning

I am the Lord who sanctify you.

Keep my statutes and do them; I am the LORD who sanctifies you. But I have said to you, 'You shall inherit their land, and I will give it to you to possess, a land flowing with milk and honey.' I am the LORD your God, who has separated you from the peoples. You shall be holy to me, for I the LORD am holy and have separated you from the peoples, that you should be mine. 1

Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and brother of James, To those who are called, beloved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ: 2

Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. 3

Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 4

So Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through his own blood. 5

waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. 6

For he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one source. That is why he is not ashamed to call them brothers, 7

And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth. 8

Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who are elect exiles of the dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 9
______________

1 Lev 20:8,24,26;
2 Jude 1:1;
3 John 17:17;
4 1 Thess 5:23;
5 Heb 13:12;
6 Tit 2:13,14;
7 Heb 2:11;
8 John 17:19;
9 1 Pet 1:2

But why are you called a Christian?

Heidelberg Catechism

Question 32. But why are you called a Christian?

Answer. Because by faith I am a member of Christ[1] and thus a partaker of His anointing,[2] in order that I also may confess His Name,[3] may present myself a living sacrifice of thankfulness to Him,[4] and with a free conscience may fight against sin and the devil in this life,[5] and hereafter in eternity reign with Him over all creatures.[6]

[1] Acts 11:26; 1 Cor 12:12-27; 1 Jn 2:20, 27;
[2] Joel 2:28 [Acts 2:17]; 1 Jn 2:27;
[3] Mk 8:38, 10:32; Rom 10:9-10; Heb 13:15;
[4] Rom 12:1; 1 Pt 2:5, 9; Rev 1:6, 5:8, 10;
[5] Gal 5:16-17; Eph 6:11; 1 Tim 1:18-19;
[6] Mt 25:34; Eph 6:12; 2 Tim 2:12; Rev 3:21

The day of temptation in the wilderness

Bagster's Daily Light - February 20 - Evening

The day of temptation in the wilderness.

do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, on the day of testing in the wilderness, 1

Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am being tempted by God," for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death. 2

But they had a wanton craving in the wilderness, and put God to the test in the desert; 3

And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness for forty days, being tempted by the devil. And he ate nothing during those days. And when they were ended, he was hungry. The devil said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread." 4

For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. 5

"Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers." 6
______________

1 Heb 3:8;
2 James 1:13-15;
3 Psa 106:14;
4 Luke 4:1-3;
5 Heb 2:18;
6 Luke 22:31,32

He shall see the travail of his soul

Bagster's Daily Light - February 20 - Morning

He shall see the travail of his soul ...

Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied; by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities. 1

When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, "It is finished," and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. 2

For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 3

the people whom I formed for myself that they might declare my praise. 4

so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, 5

so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 6

In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory. 7

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 8
______________

1 Isa 53:11;
2 John 19:30;
3 2 Cor 5:21;
4 Isa 43:21;
5 Eph 3:10,11;
6 Eph 2:7;
7 Eph 1:13,14;
8 1 Pet 2:9

The intolerance of tolerance

D. A. Carson speaks about the incoherence of postmodern tolerance:



D. A. Carson: The new definition of tolerance is not only inconsistent, it's incoherent and proves, in fact, to be less tolerant than the brand of tolerance that was around under modernism. Because at the very point where it comes up with that which disagrees with it the most, it has to dismiss all opponents as intolerant and bigoted, and therefore becomes, in fact, totalitarian.

Below are audio resources from D. A. Carson related to the topic of postmodernism that are posted at the European Leadership Forum.

• Don Carson - Postmodernism 1 (mp3)
• Don Carson - Postmodernism 2 (mp3)
• Don Carson - Postmodernism Workshop (mp3)
• The Gagging of God: Questions & Answers
  

Here's an outline for the first three messages above:

Understanding Postmodernism from a Confessional Stance

Introduction: The challenge of terminology
1 Historical overview: The centrality of epistemology
2 Premodernism

3 Modernism and its six defining characteristics
Beginning with the finite 'I'
Epistemological certainty is both desirable and attainable
Foundationalism
The focus on method
The assumption of 'a-historical universality'
The rise of philosophical naturalism

4 Postmodernism
Historical antecedents
Twentieth century contributions of Germans, French and Americans
The overthrow or the revision of the six characteristics of modernism

5. Correlatives of Postmodernism
6. The advantages of Postmodernism
7. The weaknesses and dangers of Postmodernism

(HT: Tim Challies)

Why is He called “Christ,” that is, Anointed?

Heidelberg Catechism

~His Title

Question 31. Why is He called “Christ,” that is, Anointed?

Answer. Because He is ordained of God the Father and anointed with the Holy Spirit[1] to be our chief Prophet and Teacher,[2] who has fully revealed to us the secret counsel and will of God concerning our redemption;[3] and our only High Priest,[4] who by the one sacrifice of His body, has redeemed us,[5] and ever lives to make intercession for us with the Father;[6] and our eternal King,[7] who governs us by His Word and Spirit, and defends and preserves us in the redemption obtained for us.[8]

[1] Ps 45:7 [Heb 1:9]; Isa 61:1 [Lk 3:21-22, 4:18];
[2] Deut 18:15 [Acts 3:22];
[3] Jn 1:18, 15:15;
[4] Ps 110:4 [Heb 7:17, 21];
[5] Heb 9:12, 10:11-14;
[6] Rom 5:9-10, 8:34; Heb 9:24; 1 Jn 2:1;
[7] Zech 9:9 [Mt 21:5]; Lk 1:33;
[8] Ps 2:6; Isa.61:1-2; Mt 28:18-20; Jn 10:28; 1 Pt 2:24; Rev 12:10-11, 19:16

The year of my redeemed is come

Bagster's Daily Light - February 19 - Evening

The year of my redeemed is come.

For the day of vengeance was in my heart, and my year of redemption had come. 1

And you shall consecrate the fiftieth year, and proclaim liberty throughout the land to all its inhabitants. It shall be a jubilee for you, when each of you shall return to his property and each of you shall return to his clan. 2

Your dead shall live; their bodies shall rise. You who dwell in the dust, awake and sing for joy! For your dew is a dew of light, and the earth will give birth to the dead. 3

For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. 4

Shall I ransom them from the power of Sheol? Shall I redeem them from Death? O Death, where are your plagues? O Sheol, where is your sting? Compassion is hidden from my eyes. 5

Their Redeemer is strong; the LORD of hosts is his name. He will surely plead their cause, that he may give rest to the earth, but unrest to the inhabitants of Babylon. 6
______________

1 Isa 63:4;
2 Lev 25:10;
3 Isa 26:19;
4 1 Thess 4:16,17;
5 Hos 13:14;
6 Jer 50:34

The Lord giveth wisdom

Bagster's Daily Light - February 19 - Morning

The Lord giveth wisdom ...

For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding; 1

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. 2

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. 3

For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. 4

The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple. I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. 5

And all spoke well of him and marveled at the gracious words that were coming from his mouth. And they said, "Is not this Joseph's son?" 6

The officers answered, "No one ever spoke like this man!" 7

And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, 8
______________

1 Prov 2:6;
2 Prov 3:5;
3 James 1:5;
4 1 Cor 1:25,27,29;
5 Psa 119:130,11;
6 Luke 4:22;
7 John 7:46;
8 1 Cor 1:30

Three hours

"Christ dispatched more work in those three hours He suffered, than ever was or will be done by all creatures until eternity. It was a good six days of work when the world was made, and He had a principal hand in that; neither has He been idle since. But that three hours’ work on the cross was more than all the other. More will not be done in eternity that virtually was done in those three hours. As they say that eternity is all time contracted into an instant, so all time, past and to come, was contracted into those few hours, as well as the merit of them. For He then made work for the Spirit, and indeed for all three persons, to eternity. He did that which the Spirit is writing out in grace and glory forever, and all that ever was or will be done toward the saints was then perfected: ‘He perfected for ever them that are sanctified, by that one offering’ (Heb 10:12,14)." — Thomas Goodwin, A Habitual Sight of Him: The Christ-centered Piety of Thomas Goodwin, ed. Joel Beeke and Mark Jones(Grand Rapids, MI: Reformation Heritage Books, 2009), 63-64

(HT: Of First Importance)