Facet of Christ (Day 70)
He is the final answer to the OT. Jesus gathers up all the various threads of promise and hope and rescue and longing that cover the landscape of the Old Testament and snowball down through the centuries. The virtue of every OT saint is filled out in him, and the failure of every OT saint heightens the longing for him. (2 Cor. 1.20) Dane Ortlund 20 For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory. (2 Corinthians 1:20)
Overcoming Hypocrisy by Growing a Healthy Fear of God
For the last two weeks, the Gospel of Luke has challenged us with Jesus's stark warnings about hypocrisy. Below is a summary of Noah & Carson's preaching points, along with a handful of resources and scripture passages that Carson mentioned may prove helpful in growing a healthy fear of God. Ten Symptoms of Hypocrisy from Luke 11:37-54 Hypocrites value cultural traditions over miraculous movements of God. (11:38) Hypocrites draw boundaries where God does not. (11:39) Hypocrites prefer to give attention to the exterior (what is visible) rather than the interior (what is hidden) (11:40) Hypocrites prefer giving things to
Facet of Christ (Day 69)
The whole Bible is his, and about him (Luke 24:27, 44; John 5:39, 46). The Bible is not a manual for life, not a guidebook, not a rulebook, not sage suggestions. At its heart, and cover to cover, the Bible is the Word of God about the grace of God in the Son of God for the people of God to the glory of God. When I open the Book, I get him. Dane Ortlund 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. (Luke 24:27) 39 You search
Meditation for Preparation – Aug 11th
On Worried Women And Backup Plans Olympians are sickeningly brave. Women make multiple flips on top of a 4-inch wide balance beam without any worry for the neck they might break if they fall. Men fling themselves onto massive ocean waves above sharp reefs knowing a wipe out could mean drowning. It’s all right. I worry enough for them, biting my lip over the helmetless rugby players and cringing for the racer leaping the hurdles. They may not be aware that disaster is looming, but I am. My stomach is tight; my hands are clenched. What are these crazy
Facet of Christ (Day 68)
I cannot experience a temptation he has not (Heb. 2:18). Dane Ortlund 18 For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. (Hebrews 2:18)
Facet of Christ (Day 67)
And his prayers are answered. Since in Gethsemane his prayer went unanswered (“Remove this cup”), every prayer he makes now on my behalf is answered. (John 11.41-42) Dane Ortlund 41 So they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. 42 I knew that you always hear me, but I said this on account of the people standing around, that they may believe that you sent me.” (John 11:41-42)
Facet of Christ (Day 66)
When I am prayerless, he is not. He intercedes for me. McCheyne: “If I could hear Christ praying for me in the next room, I would not fear a million enemies.” (Heb. 7.25) Dane Ortlund 25 Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost[a] those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them. (Heb. 7:25)
Facet of Christ (Day 65)
He does not bring pain into my life to coldly punish but to graciously help. He brings pain to clear away the static in my communion with him. He was punished so that all my pain is not punishing but brotherly. (Heb. 12.5-6) Dane Ortlund 5 And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. 6 For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.” (Hebrews 12:5-6)
Facet of Christ (Day 64)
He makes me human again. He didn’t come to make us a super spiritual being who only prays and praises in a disembodied state. He has angels for that. He came to give me back my humanity. He’s not disappointed that I need sleep, food, and the bathroom. He himself experienced all the same things. (Matt. 8:24) Dane Ortlund 24 And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. (Matthew 8:24)
Facet of Christ (Day 63)
Those in union with him are promised that the more darkness and hell we experience in this life, to that degree we will enjoy resplendence and radiance in the next (Rom 8:17–18). All the haunted brokenness that infects everything— every relationship, every conversation, every family, every email, every job, every vacation—everything—will one day be rewound and reversed Dane Ortlund 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. 18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing
