Why Jesus is to be valued above all else, part iv :: because he pursued the highest end

In the last post I mentioned that Christ was not pursuing us as that which was ultimately valuable when he died upon the cross. However, there was something that he did pursue; there was something that he chiefly valued. It is this that he pursued, longed to exalt in and clearly demonstrate.

I am referring to the glory of God. This is what Jesus valued. This is what he came to vindicate (Rom. 3.21-26). God is fanatically intolerant with the disregard of his own glory. He vows with all of heaven as a testimony that he will not give his glory to another (Is. 42.8). Therefore to have us as humanity shaking our puny fists in God’s face like a bunch of little ants is to have God’s most prized possession attacked. This cannot go unpunished. Furthermore, the glory of God cannot go unvindicated; God must get his glory.

This is what we see from Jesus throughout his ministry. He comes and does nothing but love God perfectly (Jn. 8.29) giving him glory (Jn. 17.4) and doing all that he required. His mission was to exalt the glory of God. This is seen in everything from his preaching, to his healings, to the cross and the empty grave. Everything that Jesus does is aimed at the glory of God.

This tells us a bit more about Christ’s inherent excellence; for what does he set his life to exalt but that which is the highest good. Nothing rivals the glory of God, for it is the ultimate good. Therefore the successful pursuit and exaltation of that which is best distinguishes Jesus as the supreme good.

We understand that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (Rom 5.8). That is while we were not pursuing the glory of God but rather attacking and undermining it (sin) Jesus Christ died to rescue sinners like us and in so doing vindicate divine glory. Jesus is to be esteemed because he valued that which is of the highest value.

Worship Matters:: thinking biblically about worship

Over the past 5 weeks at OBC we have been studying what the Bible says about worship. Pat Abendroth has been teaching on everything from what worship is to whether or not the Bible specifies what type of music to use.

I have found the study particularly refreshing. There were a few points from my own notes that I wanted to highlight.

/1/ The Devastating Effect of the Sacred / Secular Worldview

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The Inner Shrine

“We have an ALTAR and a PRIEST
Within the riven veil?
All typal sacrifice has ceased,
Remove that ‘altar rail!’
With holy boldness venture nigh;
The Golden Altar stands on high.

“‘Tis sprinkled with the costly blood
On which the Father smiles,
That blood which from the Offerer flowed
For all whom sin defiles.
Look there, and meet your Father’s eye,
THERE learn the priestly mystery.

“The bronze altar smokes no more
On which the Victim lay,
Where sin’s unmeasured doom He bore,
When you had nothing to pay;
‘Go forth without the camp,’ and see
What God’s High Priest has done for thee. (more…)

Heidelberg Podcast

I have been enjoying and want to recommend to you the Heidelberg podcast from The Resurgence.

Here is some information from the Resurgence site:

The Heidelberg Catechism was divided up into 52 sections and will be read by pastors, professors and other godly men and women in the Church. The Heidelberg Catechism has been translated into many languages and is the most influential and most generally accepted catechism from the Reformation era. The desire of Resurgence is that believers in Jesus Christ stay biblically faithful while reaching people in their community and we believe this project will give support in this missional life. For more information, history and verses of the Heidelberg Catechism see Pastor Gary Shavey’s blog post: Resurgence Presents the Heidelberg Catechism.

To subscribe to our Podcast use the link below:

• iTunes users click here
• If you use a podcast reader other than iTunes use the feed here.

Study Music

I spend a lot of time by myself with the headphones on. Whether I am writing, reading, crafting a sermon, or doing administrative work I more often than not have myself plugged into iTunes listening to something. I think some of this comes from the fact that we did not have ceilings in the offices at our old building (wharehouse) so music was imperative in order to retain concentration.

I am curious if others (not just pastors) listen to music when studying and if so what are some of the favorites? Are you one of those who need silence?

My music style is admittedly eclectic. I find myself bouncing between the genres of Beck, Coldplay, Donovan Frankenreiter, DJ mixes, all the way to classical music. It is strange but I can only study to music that I can drain out the words, so oftentimes Christian music becomes more of a distraction for me. I am all about sound.

Here is a video of something that I have been enjoying for a couple of months now, ever since they appeared on NPR’s All Songs Considered podcast. The group is called The Battles and the whole album is an electronic soundscape that is fun to study to.

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Luke, a gift and a tool

Today we are celebrating our son Luke’s 8^th birthday. Luke is a high-energy, tender, comical joy in our family. As with every birthday, particularly with the children, I am amazed at how fast each year goes. The life of Luke has been a great reference point of sanctification for me.

I remember the day Luke was born, it was like Africa hot in Omaha and my wife was far too pregnant (translation: I have never seen a belly this big). We were ‘going natural’ this pregnancy so that meant everything short of having the baby at home. Christie progressed quickly that afternoon and it resulted in me driving with hazard lights on at nearly light speed down the road to the hospital. It was nine minutes from check in that he was born. And he wasn’t just born…he jumped out. Literally, the doctor came running and knocked me out of the way as I had a notion of being an OB-dad for a minute.

In reality Luke never stopped moving from that initial leap. His first nine months were full of crying and very little sleep (for everyone involved). To make matters more complicated I seemed to be the only one who could get him to stop crying for extended periods. I remember holding him and just feeling bad for him but at the same time getting frustrated that he was inconveniencing me. At this point in my life I was a brand new Christian and I remember this as some of the first real struggles with the flesh. I just went to war on my heart and held him, realizing that he is not my child first but rather he is the property of Almighty God, I am just a steward, and with my bad attitude I was proving to be a pretty poor one. This was such a great time of growth for me and I thank God for using little Luke in my life to make me less like Erik and more like Jesus.

Luke’s life could be illustrated well by an event that happened when he was five. There was a mild confusion in his mind as to whether or not he was in fact Spiderman at this point and time, I think we have cleared this up, but there are occasion which cause me to wonder. Well, he had climbed a pine tree to the top, which was about 35-40 feet up. One of his buddies had tried to join him but unfortunately he fell from about halfway up (he was not hurt). We came running outside when we heard what had happened and I tried to climb up but the combination of weak and congested branches made this impossible. So we called the fire department. They came out with a beautiful red truck and with full sirens. They moved the ladder over and he climbed down the arm. The whole neighborhood clapped and Luke charmed the firemen as he made jokes and shrugged the thing off like no big deal. In many ways this is what Luke is about, high energy, loving challenges, making jokes and providing great fodder for stories. He is great to be around.

It is so exciting to watch Lukey grow up and prayerfully anticipate what he will become. With his high intensity, motivation and relentless persistence I of course would love to see him be a great preacher (he has a killer vain in his neck that bulges when he gets excited, this could be useful in the pulpit :/). However, even if he never preaches a sermon, I know that God desires that he be godly. And I understand that God must, by his grace and good pleasure, make him this man. It is my earnest desire and prayer though that God would make him a great man of God how fears and loves Jesus with heaven-sent joy and that he would make a tidal wave sized splash of the glory of God that would dwarf any pebbled splashes that I could would muster.

So, here’s to Luke on his 8^th birthday, he is an enduring gift of God to Christie and me. We, and his brother and sisters love him so much and aim to be thankful and faithful stewards of such a gift from God.

I have to go, Luke wants to sword fight…:/

quote || cross-centered holiness

In finalizing some notes for teaching tomorrow morning on the holiness of God in light of the cross, I came across a couple of very edifying quotes from Robert Hawker (1753-1827). Enjoy!

Surely, never was there a manifestation of the holiness of Jehovah, nor the utter detestation of God against sin, as was set forth in the crucifixion of Jesus. Would men, would angels, see what sin really is, let them go to the cross of Jesus. The casting rebellious angels out of heaven, the curse pronounced upon the earth, the drowning the old world by water, the burning of Sodom by fire; nay, the millions of miseries among men, and the unquenchable fire of hell; though all these may make the souls of the awakened exclaim against sin, yet all these are slight and inconsiderable things, compared to the wrath of God poured out upon the person of God’s own Son, when he died the accursed death of the cross.

Was there no method, in all the stores of Omnipotency, for satisfying divine justice, but by thy holy, harmless, undefiled body dying the violent, cursed, painful death of the cross? Oh by the crimson fountain of thy blood, which issued from thy pierced side, enable me to sit down, day by day, until I find my whole nature crucified with thee in all its affections and lusts. Let there be somewhat, dearest Lord, of an holy conformity between my Lord and me; and if Jesus died for sin; may my soul die to sin; that by mortifying the deeds of the body I may live; and by carrying about with me always the dying of the Lord Jesus, the life also of Jesus may be made manifest in my mortal body.