Seeing clearly...

I had my eyes tested this week. I’m convinced that the letters on the bottom line get smaller every year! It’s always nice to see things clearly, but nowadays I need more & more help from a good pair of glasses – is that a B or a D….?
Speaking of seeing more clearly, a favourite method Jesus used to help his hearers to better understand spiritual truth was to use parables - stories that carried spiritual meaning. Of these parables, one of the best known & loved is The Prodigal Son, although of course, it is never called that in the Bible. Anyway, as I was saying, parables were used by Jesus to help us see things, spiritual realities, more clearly, and this parable is particularly helpful because it gives us a glimpse of what God is like in his attitude towards the wayward (the prodigal son) and the well intentioned (the older brother) – which just about includes all of us.

Now when it comes to seeing God more clearly we are on very important ground – get it wrong here and the whole life of the believer is affected. Is God scary, sad, good or bad…? What we believe here matters. Now I really don’t want to mention that book ‘The Shack’ again (see previous blogs), but just to say that that book will not give you clear vision of what God is like, in fact in my opinion, it is distinctively unhelpful. So for all those who keep mentioning it to me, may I suggest a far better read that will give you clearer insight into what God is like – The Prodigal God by Tim Keller. No, that’s not a typo, that’s the title; Tim Keller points out that the word ‘prodigal’ doesn’t mean ‘wayward’ but actually means ‘recklessly spendthrift – to spend until you have nothing left’ , and therefore it is most appropriately used to describe God in his grace & generosity. Wow, you want to read it already, don’t you?!

I just love this parable, and it has helped me enormously in my understanding of the warmth and commitment of God the Father towards us. And I have read some excellent books written on it, such as Henri Nouwen’s ‘The Return of the Prodigal Son’ (outstanding) and Helmut Thielicke’s ‘The Waiting Father’ (nearly as good), so could there be any fresh insights in Tim Keller’s book? Answer – oh yes, absolutely!
When I heard Tim Keller speak a couple of weeks ago he happened to say that his wife reckons that the best sermon he ever preached was on the parable of the Prodigal Son – and wives are good judges, believe me!
So I hope that this has encouraged you to spend your money wisely when reading Christian literature – Go get a copy!!

I leave you with a few lines from the introduction: I believe that if the teaching of Jesus is likened to a lake, this famous Parable of the Prodigal Son would be one of the clearest spots where we can see all the way to the bottom. (we’re back to clear vision)… I have seen more people encouraged, enlightened, and helped by this passage, when I explained the true meaning of it, than by any other text.’
It should be in the King’s bookshop this week – it’s one of those nice little hardbacks that make great presents!

Goff

Preaching to the heart...

I had the privilege of hearing Tim Keller this week. He was at Oak Hill Theological College speaking on the subject ‘Preaching to the Heart’, and it was well worth the journey to hear him. Tim Keller moved to New York in the late 1980’s to plant a new church for a largely non-churchgoing population. Today, Redeemer Church has grown to over 5,000 and has spawned more than a dozen other congregations. Tim Keller obviously knows something about communicating with our generation and preaching to the heart – which leads me back to what he said this week.

Basically his point was that the whole of the Bible is applicable to our lives, and in fact, unless you know how a text is to be used in your life, then you don't understand it yet. He went on to say that the Bible is basically an invitation from our covenant (promise making & keeping) God, inviting us to a life with Him. Wow – no more dry, theoretical sermons please!
A day or two later I picked up a copy of Mark Driscoll’s new book, ‘Death By Love’ which is an extraordinary collection of very real (and mainly painful) life situations that Mark has helped people through by showing them how the Gospel, what Jesus has done for us, is very applicable and totally sufficient for every situation we may face.
Written with Mark’s usual directness and wit, this is a very helpful and compelling book for anyone who ever struggled with the issues of pain and suffering, and how to resolve the difficult stuff of life as a Christian. Buy it! It will be in the King’s Book Shop at around £10. I leave you with quotes from a couple of the stories:

Hank, Jesus knew you were going to end up in the mess you are in. While hanging on the cross, Jesus prayed that your debt of sin would be forgiven, and then Jesus answered his own prayer by dying in your place for your sin……

Mary, Jesus is the only way out of the mess that is your life and marriage. Jesus relates to the disgrace, shame, and defilement that you have suffered. Jesus was betrayed by someone he loved and considered a friend…..

Goff

Blogin' the Bronx

The sun is shining here in New York and Marcus, Steve and I have been here for a conference at which C J Mahaney, Mark Driscoll, Tim Keller (and others) were taking part. Many of us have fond memories of CJ from Stoneleigh days, and he was vintage CJ, ministering on ‘Watch you life and ministry’ from 1Timothy 4:16. Engaging as ever, CJ graphically urged all present to make sure that they have those around them who will hold them accountable and tell them when they have ‘cream cheese on their face.’ You needed to be there to fully get the picture!

It was good to get to listen to Mark Driscoll, having read a couple of his books, and yes, he was direct as ever – although I did detect a certain mellowing, and I don’t think he did a rant! He was great, bringing fresh, helpful insights under the title ‘When you open the Scripture, what questions should you ask?’ You can see why he engages so well with this generation.
In answer to a question from the floor ‘What do you do at Mars Hill Church for men’s ministry?’ he simply answered ‘Mars Hill Church’, underlining the high priority and focus that he is putting on the men in building the church. ‘Let’s get the men holding the line & then everything else, (marriages, parenting etc) starts to work.’

With the conference now over, I’m spending a couple of days with my good friend Byron Brennerman who I got to know well whilst in Beijing, whose home church is here in the Bronx. We went to look at a vacant property next to their church building and dreamed some dreams….! It’s great getting some time to talk & pray together about church here in the Bronx, out there in Beijing, and to explore what God is doing & how we can connect together, play our part, and of course, in good friendship, enjoy the journey!

Speaking of journeys, I set off Sunday evening for home…

Goff