My excellent wife Di gave birth to a baby girl on Sunday evening.  We thank God for the opportunity to nurture her life.  Our hearts are full — and our days are busy!  I’ve selected some wise advice below for parents and would-be parents.  For your contemplation…

The “little church”

“Every Christian family ought to be as it were a little church, consecrated to Christ, and wholly influenced and governed by his rules. And family education and order are some of the chief means of grace. If these fail, all other means are likely to prove ineffectual. If these are duly maintained, all the means of grace will be likely to prosper and be successful.”  (Jonathan Edwards, “Farewell Sermon”)

Children and sin

“Every one of us is, even from his mother’s womb, a master craftsman of idols.” (John Calvin, Commentary on the Acts of the Apostles)

Jonathan Edwards: “As innocent as children seem to us,’ he wrote, ‘if they are out of Christ, they are not so in God’s sight, but are young vipers….”
(Jonathan Edwards: A Life by George Marsden)

Martin Luther on nappies

“Now you tell me, when a father goes ahead and washes diapers or performs some other mean task for his child, and someone ridicules him as an effeminate fool, though that father is acting in the spirit just described and in Christian faith, my dear fellow you tell me, which of the two is most keenly ridiculing the other? God, with all his angels and creatures, is smiling, not because that father is washing diapers, but because he is doing so in Christian faith. Those who sneer at him and see only the task but not the faith are ridiculing God with all his creatures, as the biggest fool on earth. Indeed, they are only ridiculing themselves; with all their cleverness they are nothing but devil’s fools.”       (“The Estate Of Marriage”)

John Bunyan on work

“…though you should provide for your family; yet let all your labor be mixed with moderation; ‘Let your moderation be known unto all men’ (Phil. 4:5). Take heed of driving so hard after this world, as to hinder yourself and family from those duties towards God, which you are by grace obliged to; as private prayer, reading the scriptures, and Christian conference. It is a base thing for men so to spend themselves and families after this world, as that they disengage their heart to God’s worship.”  (“Family Duty”)

Ben Kwok

Two young American soldiers visited our church. They were on leave from many months serving in Iraq.

They left the hell of the deserts of ancient Babylon to find some relief in Cairns. They found our church on the web and wanted to come.

They had not been able to go to church for a long time and perhaps just as bad, had enjoyed no home cooked meals.

They were two believers hungry for fellowship and the Word of God.

It was our privilege to have them with us for lunch afterwards and enjoy some fellowship.

Thankfully, we also had family staying, who like the Master, were able to multiply the bread and fishes for our surprise visitors.

I learned again that you never know what a ‘Sunday can bring forth’.

God can bring us visitors, whether locals or from the ends of the earth, even Iraq.

We need to be available for them. Treat them well, for these labours are not forgotten by Christ.

Some of our visitors will find the demands of Bible preaching onerous, the traditional music boring, but at least they shouldn’t fault us for being unfriendly.

At least we can love them.

I also learned that we should value every sermon we hear.

No, not the sermons you download and put on your IPod.

The real sermons.

The ones you hear when you assemble with God’s people and there is a pulpit at the front and centre and a Bible passage is being proclaimed and explained.

Our visitors were thirsty souls had not heard a sermon while gathered with the brethren for months.

How many sermons do I listen to that I treat so flippantly?

So whatever you do next Sunday, look out for any visitors, especially the first timers.

‘Us’ regulars should be lining up to meet and greet them.

For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister. Hebrews 6:10

Let brotherly love continue. Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels. Hebrews 13:1-2

By Robert Apps

Every day is precious. Don’t waste even one.

He is just learning to crawl, eat solids and of course to refuse some foods like rice cereal that he doesn’t care for. Perhaps there is a battle of the wills coming up.

We have been blessed with a baby who sleeps through the night and accordingly, so do his parents.

We love him more than he knows.

No it doesn’t take having your own child to understand something of the Father’s love for His children.

But it certainly does shed some light on Scriptures that I have known for some time but have now been able to grasp more fully. These being:-

As a father pities his children, So the LORD pities those who fear Him.
For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust. Psalm 103:13-14

If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish?  Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him! Luke 11:11-13

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. James 1:17

Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! 1 John 3:1

Well we are just back from a week of family camp. Believers and their guests from 4 other churches in North QLD attended. We scored a caravan (with power) for the week which was handy when you have a 5 month old son.

There were helpful Bible messages morning and evening with special activities, games and loads of fellowship in between. Plus the occasional afternoon nap of course.

It was a blessing to catch up with old friends and I got to make some new ones. Spending time with other pastors was also a bonus.

Let me give some scattered thoughts about the value of the week:-

1. Family camp for believers, is not about getting together to hear messages only for the ‘nuclear’ family, but is about how, as God’s children, we are to relate to our Heavenly Father.

2. These kinds of gatherings include singles, widows/ers and divorcees and their needs and burdens should not be forgotten.

3. I would love to hear 1 Corinthians 7 preached at a family camp sometime where the needs, strengths and temptations of singles and marrieds are dealt with.

4. Drawing aside from our regular suburban surroundings and spending a week ‘closer’ to the beauties of the natural creation do wonders for the soul.

5. We can often get helpful perspectives about our own lives, relationships and ministries just by being somewhere different for a week.

6. We can only get to know people to the extent to which we invest time with and in them. A week of family camp allows you to get around others to build such relationships.

7. Remember it is family camp so if you bring your family, then make sure you spend quality time with them.

The thought of watching another Christian movie made in America with a happy ending sounded completely uninspiring. However, my wife’s gracious persistence paid off.

What a movie! It had humour, action, pathos, at times heart rending glimpses into the tensions within all marriages, and a compelling message: you need Jesus in your life to remove sin and restore relationships.

Even though I am old enough to remember actor Kirk Cameron in his unregenerate days in Growing Pains, he did an admirable job portraying the young fire-fighter trying to save his marriage single-handedly. It is a blessing to see someone previously in the grip of Hollywood step out to receive Christ and use his acting gifts for the kingdom.

We have already used Fireproof for evangelistic purposes and it comes with study questions and other useful tools. It has had really pleasing results.

While it is still the preaching of the Cross that God uses to declare his message, there are other mediums like cinema, when used wisely and sparingly, that are wonderful means to getting the Gospel out.

Here are some of the reasons why…

1. Young people have fun at camp.

2. Old people act young at camp.

3. Young people slow down at camp.

4. Relationships are built and strengthened at camp.

5. Character is revealed at camp.

6. Convictions are tested at camp.

7. Young people get marinated in God’s Word at camp.

8. The world to grows “strangely dim” as young people “turn their eyes upon Jesus” at camp.

9. Lives are transformed at camp.

Life on planet blog

I reckon this link section needs a more permanent title. Right now I’m leaning toward “Life on planet blog.” I may change my mind.

• If you want to understand how Generation F (as in facebook) thinks, this post is an excellent overview.
• Eight common problems in evangelism… and suggested solutions. HT
• Theology Central: Pastor Nathan Hitz dedicates a full service each month to the public reading of Scripture. HT
• Would you trade that gadget for a soul?

And now for the substance of my weekly posts…

There are wise elderly mentors. There are children. There are families.

There is love and giving. We rejoice to serve each other food and coffee. We look out for each other and care for each other’s needs.

We prod each other toward what is good and godly. We provoke each other to love God and do good.

We remind each other, time after time, of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

There is nothing—nothing—in all the world like the local church!

Group blog

Well, the new group blog segment has begun. I’m glad that most of the old team stayed on for another round. Also, I’m excited to have a new team member, Lina Wardan, starting up on Thursday.

Lina happens to be the mother of one of my close friends and the founder of GMT, Farid Wardan. Lina radiates joy, strength, and godly wisdom (she reminds me a lot of my own mum actually). So I’m excited to have her on board.

Check out the team here.

Link clearance

My links folder is just getting out of control. I think I’ll take it out on you now. Here goes…

• You think we Fundamentalists squabble? Just be glad you’re not a Sikh!
• A good reminder to preach the Word, not granny Scriptures.
• This is a bit close to home for all of us coffee addicts.
• Mr. Spurgeon: “Far be it from me even to imagine that Zion contains none but Calvinistic Christians.”
• Andrew Barry gives his thoughts on the unease of the next generation (fyi, this was posted before the recent brouhaha in Fundamentalism).
• See. I told ya’.
• “Communicate Jesus” gives eight tips for email liberation (very good thoughts).

Right. So now my folder is empty. Well, almost.

And to wrap it up, I think it was my dad who linked me to this:

This verse tells us to hold on to certain truths, that should in turn radiate from us: mercy and truth.

We tend to crave ‘mercy’ for ourselves but ‘truth’ for others. We easily overlook our own shortcomings but hold others to a very high, even impossible standard. We readily acknowledge our feet are only made of clay, but assume others are made of refined gold or bronze.

Yet God is calling us to a better way.

So let’s look at these powerful twins separately and then together.

Why is mercy so important? A Christian is saved because of the great mercy of God, and the Bible tells us to extend that divine mercy to others. The very fact that it is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, should be a powerful reminder to us that every day is a merciful gift of God, but also an opportunity to show that mercy to others.

So what about truth? It is the means of making a person like Jesus Christ: His Word is Truth. It is also the standard by which we are to live before God and others.

Truth is often uncomfortable, unpopular and intrudes into the darkest crevices of our hearts. To know the real truth about ourselves can often be devastating.

But at the very point that truth brings clouds of despair and conviction, the rays of mercy quickly follow! God sends us the truth that we might humbly accept his mercy.

So mercy and truth are in fact inseparable friends. They balance each other out perfectly. God is Truth and He is also Mercy.

So what does that mean for us?

1. Mercy cannot be extended at the expense of truth (personal ministry without a true Gospel witness);
2. The ‘hard, cold truth’ given without mercy, is in fact a distortion of truth (eg personal confrontation without hope);
3. God declares that these twin truths are so important to the spiritual good of His children, that His Word to describes them as needing to be physically attached to a person’s body, and written in the innermost chamber of their personality;
4. A person truly known for these graces, cannot be the ‘real thing’ without the transforming power of Christ;
5. To live out ‘mercy and truth’ will mean death to our selfishness and our love for what is false, or even what is close to the truth;
6. Are you known for your mercy and/or your personal honesty?
7. In conflict, do people expect you to respond fairly and graciously?

As William Arnot wrote in his classic, Studies in Proverbs:-

….‘mercy and truth’. These two, meeting and kissing in the Mediator, constitute the revealed character of God himself; and He desires to see, as it were, a miniature of his own likeness impressed upon his children…..It is only in Christ that we know God……mercy and truth meet in the person and sacrifice of the Son…..

By Steven Mock

What can you do to be a blessing to your pastor and make his job easier? We’ve already looked at how you can love him, pray for him, and serve him. My final answer to this question is that you can submit to him.

The writer of Hebrews instructs believers to behave a certain way in relationship to their church leaders. Hebrews 13:17 says to obey and be submissive to them. If you want to be a blessing to your pastor and help ensure that he does not have the worst job in the world, then you can do that easily by obeying his counsel and submitting to his directions.

Before we go any further, let me make a disclaimer against potential abuse of this passage. Your pastor is not perfect. He isn’t God. And he doesn’t know everything! So it is more than likely that your pastor can and will make a lot of mistakes about a lot of different things (like building programmes, interior decorating, ideas for fun youth activities, etc.). So this passage is not demanding complete and totally “blind” allegiance to everything that comes out of your pastor’s mouth. Obviously if I counsel a church member to murder her obnoxious neighbour, she has the right to appeal to God’s clear teaching in His word (“Thou shalt not murder!”) that will always supersede everything that I say. Let’s be clear—this passage is not trying to make any pastor into a tyrannical despot!

But what this passage is teaching is that you must be very, very careful not to nonchalantly dismiss your pastor’s counsel and disregard it as utterly insignificant. The major thrust of this verse teaches you to trust your pastor. You should want to and be willing to submit to him every chance you get.

Why should you have this kind of attitude and response? Because it is your pastor’s great joy to watch out for your soul! It is your pastor’s calling to help you grow in grace and in the knowledge of your Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. He is like a diligent shepherd who feeds the sheep and faithfully protects the sheep. But this is not only his delight. It is also his awesome responsibility. He will have to give an account for how he has watched for your soul. Think of that! And so your pastor doesn’t take his role lightly.

You are encouraged to let your pastor watch for your soul with joy, and you are promised that if he is able to shepherd you joyfully that it will be profitable for you. How will you know if your pastor is able to do this joyfully or not? By whether or not you are obeying and submitting to him.

If I had the time I could tell you several stories of people in my church who were facing major life-changing decisions. As I tried to fulfil my role as their shepherd, watching for their souls, I would give them sound biblical counsel as to what would and would not be pleasing to God. And to my great grief they would not obey or submit to my watch-care for them. They assumed they knew better than me and that they had liberty to decide what they wanted to decide. I wish I could put into words the sorrow their rejection caused me. Not because they were going against me but because I could see their spiritual lives were in danger. Oh the heartache caused because they would not obey or submit to their pastor who loved them, gently confronted them, counselled them, pleaded with them, and prayed for them to do what was right!

As hard as it may seem to have this kind of response to your (fallible) pastor, I would focus your attention and trust to Almighty God. Can you trust God to lead your pastor to lead you?

How serious is this matter? Let me try to explain it this way. Did you ever have a babysitter watch you when you misbehaved like a devil? If you did, do you remember what it was like when your parents returned home and your babysitter gave them a report of your behaviour? Uh oh.

You see, your pastor is not the final judge. But one day, according to this verse, your pastor will stand before the final Judge and give an account of how he watched out for you. What kind of report will he give about you?

I trust the Lord will give you a submissive heart and that as a result your pastor will have great joy in his ministry and be graciously spared from the worst job in the world.

P.S. Maybe if you have other ideas that will help your pastor not have the worst job in the world you would like to tell us about them. I’d love to hear about any stories of how God has used you to encourage your pastor.

Steven Mock is currently pastor at Trinity Baptist Church in Cairns, Australia. Steven and his wife, Cristy, moved to Cairns in July 2003. The Mocks have two children and one on the way.