Bible

13 Letters

/ Dennis Griffith / Leave a comment

There is no stretch of an imagination that would cause anyone to classify where I live as Urban.  BUT I still appreciate what the folk at Reach Life have developed.

13 Letters is a curriculum designed with Urban Youth in mind.  Taking the substance of the Paul’s letters, this curriculum applies Sound Doctrine to the lives of Urban Youth.  There is also an accompanying HipHop album that serves as a survey of the Pauline Epistles. Listen to the songs:

  1. Romans
  2. 1 Corinthians
  3. 2 Corinthians
  4. Galatians
  5. Ephesians
  6. Philippians
  7. Colossians
  8. 1 Thessalonians
  9. 2 Thessalonians
  10. 1 Timothy
  11. 2 Timothy
  12. Titus
  13. Philemon

Each of these songs is a remarkably faithful and in-depth exposition of the respective letter.  In addition to those songs written to reflect each of the Pauline Epistles, there are a handful of additional songs:

These songs can be purchased or downloaded from Amazon: 13 Letters

Seeds of Mission in Isaiah

/ Dennis Griffith / 1 Comment

The following is an edited excerpt of an article written by Daniel Bianchi, from Lausanne Global Conversation. I’ve edited it because the English in the original was pretty rough. But Bianchi’s observations about the themes running throughout the Book of Isaiah, and how they reflect issues related to the mandate for Global Mission, are worth noting.

***

1. A Vision of God’s Supremacy

A vision of God and his uniqueness is the basis of a committed mission to his people and to the nations.

Ponder about the existing link between the vision of who God is:

  • in creation
  • in history
  • in redemption
  • in eternity

…and how that should fuel, sustain, strength and direct my mission commitment.

Throughout Isaiah the prophet declares and gives evidence that YHWH is:

  • Unique
  • Glorious
  • Just and holy
  • Merciful
  • Redeemer
  • Powerful

2. The Challenge of Idolatry

In the backdrop of Isaiah lays the pervasive influence of idolatry. Isaiah confronts God’s people with their sin and, bluntly, vividly, and sometimes sarcastically, points out their gross idolatry.

Idolatry is:

  • Foolish when compared to the revelation of who God is.
  • Helplessness when compare with the acts of God in history and in the story of His people.
  • Oppressive when compare to the grace and freedom of their relationship with the true God.
  • Inconsistent when compared with the nature of God and their identity.

The influence of idolatry is present today.  

This is not only a question of bowing down to images of stones or wood. Is much wider in scope, deeper in influence. The gods and goddesses of today:

  • power
  • wealth
  • knowledge
  • sensuality
  • etc.

…are as real, evasive and demanding that those of Isaiah’s time.

Furthermore, this brings the question on how we, as people of God, in our time and place, are to realate to peoples of other faiths in a pluralistic and relativistic society.

Yes, the people of God sinned. In due time God sent judgment. Now the time for restoration, comfort and re-commissioning had come. He would stand for his own again, and would do new things: a new exodus was coming, a renewed relationship, and a new Servant was to be introduced. The “Servant” would accomplish God’s will – although -in unexpected ways.

3. A Perspective of World Events

The prophet shed some light upon the unexpected ways that God has accomplished his purposes in the history of men. God called a pagan king: his anointed, pastor of his people, and a servant. Maybe that king remained totally blind to the fact that God was using him. Nevertheless, God did use him.

Going further, Scriptures, shows that sometimes God, in turn, sends judgment upon those nations and governments that He initially used to accomplish his purposes. This raises questions about how we might interpret todays events of history…

4. A Wider Scope for the Mission

Isaiah cares for his people and stresses God’s faithfulness and patience with Israel. However, he goes much further. He points to the Nations and the Peoples of the world.

Isaiah is a precious gold mine where we discover God’s universal and overarching purposes.

The stage is the Nations. The word “nation” has a rich theological meaning in the Scriptures. Some of Isaiah’s teaching on God and the nations:

  • Nations are insignificant when compare with God.
  • Nations will know the justice of God.
  • Nations will receive the light of God.
  • Nations will partake in the salvation of God.
  • Nations will have the witness of the people and the Servant of God.
  • Nations are the scenarios of God’s redeeming actions.

Conclusion

Isaiah shows that to join in God’s mission, we need a vision of God’s uniqueness and majesty.

This awe of God confronts all forms of idolatry and sin. First among his people. And then among the Nations. God is just, and will bring restoration and to execute judgment. He will accomplish His promise of redemption, hope and salvation to Israel and to the Nations through the calling, suffering and triumph of his beloved Servant and the resulting obedience of His people.

To read the original article click: Seeds

Suffering Saints

/ Dennis Griffith / 3 Comments

I have begun a series of messages at Walnut Hill Church from the Seven Letters to the Churches in Revelation.  This past Sunday we looked at the Church at Smyrna, from Revelation 2.8-11.

The Church at Smyrna is most intriguing for a couple reasons. 

First, the name Smyrna litterally means “City of Myrh”.  If myrh sounds familiar it is probably because it is one of the three gifts the Magi brought to Jesus, the new-born king.  We sing about it at Christmas-time.  Myrh is an herb that when crushed emits a fragrant aroma.  This was an appropriate gift for the young Jesus, who was born to become a martyred prophet. It is also an appropriate name for this church since it endured incessant crushing and persecution.  

Second, the Church at Smyrna is one of only two of these churches that received no correction, only commendation. That alone ought to make us take note of them. They received only encouragement from Jesus, who commended them for faithfully enduring seasons of suffering and persecution.

As I considered the Church at Smyrna, and the message Jesus had for them, I could not help but contrast them from the television ministries today that proclaim, what they call, Prosperity Gospel.

The Propserity Gospel, in a nutshell, proclaims that God wants all his people to be Healthy, Wealthy, and Happy.  There are differnt versions of this.  The Kenneth Hagin, Kenneth Copeland, Benny Hinn disciples embrace this clear message.  The Robert Schuller, Norman Vincent Peale disciples embrace a tamer Positive Thinking version.  And Joel Osteen has created a hybrid version, proclaiming you can have the best life now (as opposed to what the Bible says – that the BEST life is yet to come). 

In my message Sunday I pointed out the erroneousness of this teaching.  I was pretty blunt pointing out that this message is unbiblical.  But there are words I did not use that now, in retrospect, I wish I had; I think I should have: Heresy, Lies, Dangerous.   That’s what this whole memvement is – no matter the sincerity of those behind it. 

See, here the issue: they proclaim that the faithful will not experience hardship on this earth. Jesus proclaims to a church that is in the midst of persecution (not prosperity) that they are being faithful by enduring hardship. Clearly there would be no room for Jesus in the Prosperity Gospel movement.

Further, Hebrews 2.10 says:

In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the author of their salvation perfect through suffering.

In some sense, Jesus was made perfect through suffering.  So, the logic of the message of the Prosperity Gospel is:

Be more faithful, be LESS like Jesus. 

Continue reading →

The Ephesians Challenge

/ Dennis Griffith / Leave a comment

I’m in. I am taking the plunge.  I am accepting the challenge.

The Lausanne Movement, which will conduct the Third Congress on World Evangelism in September 2010 at Cape Town, South Africa, is encouraging leaders and participants to “linger” in the book of Ephesians during 2010. It is part of the preparation for this world impacting event.  Each month participants are asked to read and reread this short letter and then reflect on specific themes designated for each month. 

While this collaborative Bible Study actually began in November, there is something stimulating about studying and refelcting along with some of the godliest men and women still on earth – even if I am joining in late.

To join me in this endeavor click: Ephesians Study Plan.

But You Are Not Invited

/ Dennis Griffith / 4 Comments

 In the Corn

There is a scene in the film Field of Dreams where Kevin Costner’s Ray Kinsella gently argues with Ray Liotta’s Shoeless Joe Jackson.  Shoeless Joe had just invited the writer, Terrance Mann (played by James Earl Jones), to follow him into the corn, which in the film is the symbol of heaven.  Ray (Kinsella, not Liotta) grew excited with anticipation of what would be experienced on the other side of the corn. He expected to go. But Shoeless Joe informs him: “You’re not invited.”  That’s when Ray grew irritated and began to argue his case. “What do you mean I am not invited?!  After all I’ve done! What’s in it for me?” Shoeless Joe rhetorically asks: “Is that why you did it, Ray? For you?”

That scene intrigues me, because it reflects a conversation that many people will have one day with Jesus.  And it is not only people in general that come to mind, but many who are wonderful, committed, churched people, who will be told,  “You’re not invited,” while many less “worthy” are receiving gold-clustered engraved invites. 

Why won’t these who gave themsleves to much for the sake of the church be invited?  Because they don’t understand the basis of the invitation; they don’t understand the heart of the Host. 

Brennan Manning, in The Ragamuffin Gospel, writes:

“Jesus says the kingdom of His Father is not a subdivision for the self-righteous nor for those who feel they possess the state secret of salvation. The kingdom is not an exclusive, well-trimmed suburb with snobbish rules about who can live there. No, it is for a larger, homelier, less self-conscious caste of people who understand they are sinners because they have experienced the yaw and pitch of moral struggle.”

In Isaiah 55 the Lord extends an invitation:

“Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost.

Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare.

Notice that this invitation is eerily akin to the one depicted in Field of Dreams. The invitation is made by the Lord of Hosts to those he wants to invite. Those he invites here are those who are not able to pay their own way; spiritually those who don’t have enough righteousness to warrant an invite.  Conversely, there are some, like Ray in the movie, who feel desering; who have stored up some moral savings, i.e. good deeds or righteousness. To them the Lord says, “What that’ll get you isn’t as good as if you come to my party purely as another  invited ‘unworthy’ guest”.

Among the most difficult things I have to deal with as a pastor are people who are much like Ray Kinsella – maybe even better.  These are good people, kind people, people who have sacrificed much, qualities Ray has in the movie.  In addition to Ray’s qualities, many of these people are also responsible and exercise wisdom in their daily lives. In other words, they have their act together – far more than I do.  Ray did not exercise those traits in the film. In fact, he was raging against the fact that his who life up to that point had been lived out in practicality.  But he was good; he was deserving.  He just wasn’t invited.

It seems that to be around such people would be a pleasure.   And it is.  And that’s part of what makes it so difficult.  They are wonderful people to be around, but it is very difficult for many of them to accept that those God invites to the party – those Jesus died for – are not the prim and proper but people who are a mess, people more like me. Only those who are willing to come as unworthy guests are invited.

But Isaiah 55 does give me comfort about this matter. It shows that God says that polished people can come to the party too, if only they will put away the wallets in which they store their own goodness and righteousness.

Jeremiah: The Blogging Prophet

/ Dennis Griffith / Leave a comment

Adventure

I’ve been reading through the book of Jeremiah this past week. 

One of the “tricks” I have found helpful in maintaining a sense of orientation as I navigate the sea of prophecies of judgement the Lord gives to Jeremiah in chapters 2-26, is to view each of the prophecies as separate blog posts.  Without this mental practice separating the various prophecies, I have a tendency to read them as if they were one big narrative.

When I read theprophecies as one narrative I get confused, and lose the meaning behind both the Lord’s declarations and Jeremiah’s attitude and response.  But seeing each in their own context I get a sense of the character of God, the position of Jeremiah, and the transcendant pertinence from Pre-Exilic Judah to the 21st Century American Church.

Building a House of Prayer

/ Dennis Griffith / Leave a comment

As the officers of our church and I work through our vision and philosophy of ministry process, there are two simple and fundamental truths that serve as a foundation and shape my thinking.

First, Jesus says: “I will build my church.” (Matthew 16:18) And the psalmist says: “Unless the Lord builds the house the laborers labor in vain.”  (Psalm 127:1)  In other words, unless a church (or a home) is built upon the way the Lord wants it, and by the power of God himself, no matter how grand, no matter how great it appears, all our efforts are in vain.  Unless God builds our church, God will not be pleased with anything we develop.

Second, one of the characteristics the Lord specifically says will mark his church – his “house” – is prayer.  “My house will be called a house of prayer for all Nations.” (see Isaiah 56:7; Matthew 21:13) 

Cheryl Sacks, in her book The Prayer Saturated Church, points out that there are some important differences between a church that prays and a house of prayer. (Click: God’s Standard)

I guess, if you think about it, that passage adds two other dimensions to the house God builds. 

First we see Global Missions. The passage indicates the Lord is concerned about the Nations – ALL Nations.  One aspect of a house of prayer for all Nations is that our prayers should include passionate intercession for the advancement of the Gospel among all People Groups (ethnos) throughout the world. 

But another aspect this verse seems to indicate is Unity in Diversity.  Our churches should be open to, even cultivate, a cultural diversity within our doors.  Our churches ought to be places where peoples from any Nation (literally all ethnos, or ethnicities) should be welcome to come to join for prayer. While not every community has a diverse international community, perhaps our churches ought to at least reflect some of the diversity of our neighborhoods.

As I think about that, Matthew 21:13 provides both a foundation (prayer) and scope or goal of ministry (Nations).  That’s a big job.  I’m glad God is the builder.

Studies in 1 John: Compassion Among Brothers

/ Dennis Griffith / Leave a comment

   In my study through 1 John I had to pause and go back over one verse this week. 

 

Having preached from 1 John 3:11-18 last week, and John’s assertion that Christians are to be characterized by love for one another if Christ is in actuality alive in them,  I am struck by v. 17:

 

“If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?” 

 

Together, with John exhortation in the next verse: “…let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth”; these verses not only reflect the heart of God, they express a mandate for a more holistic ministry. 

 

Clearly John has in mind here a demonstration of compassion that is to be practiced between Christians.  It was not John’s purpose at this point to discuss the broader scope.  But his narrower focus here in no way mitigates the Christians responsibility to express mercy to all people, Christian or not, as a reflection of God’s grace. 

 

Consider Paul’s counsel from Galatians 6:10:

 

“Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”

 

Paul’s emphasis to do good, “especially” to other Christians, is consistent with John’s focus. But Paul gives a more expanded view of the heart of God.  Still, Paul shares John’s sentiment, that while we ought to show compassion to all people, how much more ought we do so for other Believers!

 

I am convinced and convicted that this – holistic ministry – has long been an area of neglect for many (most?) conservative Evangelicals.  So I feel compelled to go back to those two verses to preach from them. 

 

As I prepared this week several old books came off my shelf that proved helpful.  I thought I’d post them for anyone interested in pursuing the God-given, ministry of compassion that John urges us to undertake in v. 17-18…

 

The Tragedy of American Compassion by Marvin Olasky

Rich Christians in an Age of Hunger by Ron Sider

Charity and It’s Fruits by Jonathan Edwards

The Micah Mandate by George Grant

Ministries of Mercy by Tim Keller

Restorers of Hope by Amy Sherman

Churches Than Make a Difference by Ron Sider, et. al.

 

And finally, anyone interested in seeing how ministry of compassion is practically & effectively being implemented across America will do well to visit Christian Community Development Association.  This is a wonderful network of holistic practitioners.

 

Walk in the Light – Studies in 1 John

/ Dennis Griffith / Leave a comment

If it is true, as they say, that one is known by the company he/she keeps, then the first epistle from the Apostle John is really good news for Christians. 

In the prologue of this letter John talks about Christian Fellowship.  He tells us that, if we are in Christ, not only do we have fellowship with other Believers, but with God Himself!   

In the following verses John explains how we experience that fellowship. That’s what he is talking about when he writes about “walking in the light…” (See v. 5-10) 

John begins by talking about God: “God is light; in Him there is no darkness at all. 

John is here succinctly expressing a few important things.   

1.      Theology is important.   

Theology, in the proper sense, is the study about God.  And John demonstrates here that theology, at its best, is practical.  For John, knowledge of God is not an optional accessory for the Christian life; theology is not something that is left for the professionals.  Theology comes first, as a foundation upon which we build our lives, our churches, and our relationships. 

2.      Fellowship begins with considering God.   

John has already expressed that his purpose in writing about our fellowship is “to make our joy complete.”  Here, again, he elaborates about how we experience that fellowship – and he begins by talking about God. 

Wisdom, true spirituality, and real fellowship (that produces joy) always begin with our understanding of who God is. 

This may seem obvious to most of us. But, as Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones suggests:  

“Most of our problems occur precisely because we don’t begin at this point.” 

3.      God is Holy 

J.I. Packer says: “Those who know God have great thoughts of Him.” 

John describes God as being “light”.  Again, it is helpful to remember that John uses word pictures to help us grasp concepts that are important but difficult to define. 

By describing God with the metaphor light, John opens us to consider a wide range of God’s attributes. But while “light” may illustrate many of God’s attributes, most scholars seem to agree that what John has in mind, primarily, is God’s holiness. 

Recognizing, and contemplating God’s holiness is essential to having a relationship with God, and according to John understanding God’s holiness is important for our relationships with others.  

For more reading about God’s Holiness, I suggest: 

Holiness of God by R.C. Sproul 

The Knowldege of the Holy   by A.W. Tozer