Conspicuous? (A SOAP Journal from 1 Timothy 5)

Photo by Ben White on Unsplash

In addition to regular articles, I will once again be posting highlights of some simple SOAP journals that were produced during a regular gathering of pastors to journal, pray, and encourage one another. These are not exhaustively studied as they are generally the work of 20 minutes of reading, 20 minutes of writing, and 20 minutes of sharing with each other what we have written. These brief devotional journal posts will begin in the Pastoral epistles (1 & 2 Timothy, Titus). Hopefully, they will be encouraging to the readers of this blog.

We used the simple SOAP acronym as a devotional guide... which stands for:

• Scripture—what verse or short section caught my attention today?
• Observation—what can I briefly notice that the passage specifically says?
• Application—what will I do differently as a result of having read this today?
• Prayer—what will I ask the Triune God to do for, in, and through me today?

Conspicuous in an Age of Anonymity and Indifference (1 Timothy 5:24-25)

S = “The sins of some men are conspicuous, 
                            going before them to judgment, 
   but the sins of others appear later. 
          So also, good works are conspicuous, 
                 and even those that are not cannot remain hidden.”

Photo by Jonas Jacobsson on Unsplash

O = Some of the people we know are sinners, and that is obvious to all—with others, we only find out later what has all along been in their hearts. Nothing is hidden forever. It will eventually master them in catastrophic failure, or simply ooze out when the skin of their defenses has become thin or is rubbed raw by adversity. This is good to know and a bit scary, too. However, it seems as though the point of this verse is actually about good works. It is a “just as” type of comparison here marked by the “So, also”. Just as hidden sin will come to light in the end, so will our good works as we participate in the love of Christ. Paul is encouraging the young pastor, Timothy, that even if no one notices, even if you are not recognized for your goodness to widows, to needy families, or for serving as an elder laboring in preaching and teaching in all purity…your work and your progress cannot remain hidden forever.

Photo by James Gillespie on Unsplash

A = This goes back to the previous chapter for me…about my progress being noticeable. So, what do people notice about me? Am I making progress? Do goodness and love show themselves in times of pressure, stress, and exhaustion? I want to desire to do good for the sake of pleasing Christ, who has done everything for me. My heart is not in doing things for applause or public reaction. I am usually content to leave recognition and reward in God’s hands, but for times when I grow tired and impatient, this verse is a good reminder that, thankfully, it is from Christ that my reward will come.

P = O Lord, convince me again that you are the one whom I serve. You notice everything about me, good or bad. Lord, have mercy, Christ, have mercy! Lead me in your way, the righteous way. Let me judge myself first, and then others according to your standards, not the popular view, but the right view. Help me to encourage others to be all they can be for you. And if I am conspicuous, may it be for good! Amen.

Heavenly Worship: Responding to the Spreading Goodness of God (Revelation 4-5)

Photo by Kayla Harris on Unsplash

Why do we worship God by offering songs and prayers of praise and thanksgiving? Let’s be honest. Is it primarily because we are told to do so—either as a suggestion or as a command—or is it out of the overflow of a heart that is being transformed by the love and glorious goodness of God? I know which one is more precious. Sadly, I can tell you that sometimes we offer up what we call worship only because we think it is expected. Along with “a sacrifice of praise,” do we view gratitude as a spiritual discipline to be developed? I contend that we cannot offer sincere gratitude to God if we haven’t somehow “seen” or otherwise experienced his goodness. To put it in our current post-Christmas context, if we have not received a gift, then why would we write a thank-you card?

Worship as a Response of the Heart 

The truth is that we have a God who is himself the gift that keeps on giving, not to get something in return but because spreading goodness is what he does. He delights to share His glory with us, even though we may not recognize or acknowledge it. As children, we are quick to see the wonder of God at work around us, but we are trained to disregard such divine glimpses.

Our cultural climate goes to great lengths to hide the goodness of God, only giving tongue-in-cheek blame for “acts of God” but rarely giving credit from reliable sources. “Miracles” are said to be due to science, doctors, and “good and generous people,” but not due to a real, present, and powerfully gracious, Triune God. We don’t hear his story enough. Even when we do read the Bible that speaks of his goodness, we get distracted looking for rules and laws, proof texts, and self-help tips. However, if we read with our eyes open to the love of God, we will begin to see it everywhere in Scripture—even in the hard places!

This love is not a marginal attribute of God in isolation, but the motivation of all his plans and purposes, from the beginning to the end, in redeeming and blessing us together in community. When we read the scriptures to encounter a loving God, who acts in time and space, we will not be disappointed. However, we may be surprised by a rising faith that enters our lives when we put our trust in what the scriptures reveal about Jesus Christ, who, in turn, shows us the heart, will, plans, and works of God the Father. This faith is strengthened as we internalize what is revealed about God and his great love for us, and then respond with worship straight from the heart, resonating with that of the psalmist.

I have told the glad news of deliverance
          in the great congregation;
behold, I have not restrained my lips,
                                                             as you know, O Lord.
I have not hidden your deliverance within my heart;
I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation;
I have not concealed your steadfast love and your faithfulness
    from the great congregation. (Psalm 40:9-10)

How Worship Reveals the Spreading Goodness of God

When we look at the great heavenly worship narrative that is found in Revelation Ch. 4-5, we can see the spreading goodness of God reflected, and responded to, in the praise that is offered. While there are topical differences in the five recorded expressions of praise found here, differences that could be arranged chronologically, it is possible that more is being communicated in this great vision than merely chronology. The sequence and scope of these praise anthems seem to suggest a spreading goodness flowing from the nature of God himself that elicits a response from increasingly larger and more “distant” groups of worshippers.

Let’s look at the four concentric rings of responsive worship resounding in this section of the Book of Revelation.

Worshipping the Lord God for Who He Is (4:8)

The four living creatures, those closest to the throne, representative of all of creation, model unending worship centered on the character and attributes of God…

“Holy, Holy, holy,                                                 

 is the Lord God Almighty                                   

 who was and is and is to come!”                       

Our Triune God was holy in the past, he is holy in the present, and he will always be holy in the future. He is a Holy Father, a Holy Son, and a Holy Spirit! Such goodness is communicated within the Godhead itself and is not dependent upon anything or anyone else. His Trinitarian holiness, his power, and his authority, as well as his abiding and eternal life, elicit the praise of those creatures closest to the thrown—the “four living creatures”.

Photo by Zhang Kaiyv on Unsplash

But the goodness that provoked such praise is neither contained nor accumulated; rather, as John records the heavenly revelation, his imagery suggests it expands and flows forth in ever-larger concentric circles of experienced blessing and the response of joyful worship. Historically, this goodness was first experienced by earthly creatures in how God’s goodness was expressed in creation.

Worshipping the Lord God for what He has done in Creation (4:11)

The second ring of heavenly worship shows how the 24 elders responded to the worship offered by the four living creatures with their own chorus:

“Worthy are you, our Lord and God,                     

 to receive glory and honor and power,                

 for you created all things,                                   

 and by your will they existed and were created.   

Photo by NASA on Unsplash

This chorus introduces the concept of the “worthiness” found in the Lord God, to receive glory and honor and power, not only because of who he is and what he is like, but because of something he has done—he has created all things! His goodness was manifested as he created all things according to a divine plan and purpose. Nothing was in conflict. Everything had what it needed to thrive. At the creation, nothing was yet marred by sin and wickedness. Today, as we experience even the now sin-flawed creation, we still see aspects of God’s creativity, his aesthetic eye, loving care, and perhaps even humor. Yet, what is to be done about the man-made mess? Who would be able to open the seals on the scroll and bring God’s redemptive purposes to pass?

Worshipping the Lamb for What He Has Done in Redemption (5:9-10)

This third layer, or ring, of worship shows the first two groups of worshippers (the four living creatures and the 24 elders) now combined in recognizing the worthiness of Christ, the Lamb of God, for ransoming a great multi-ethnic group of people for God. Together…

They sang a new song, saying,

“Worthy are you to take the scroll and open its seals,

for you were slain, and by your blood ransomed people for God

from every tribe and language and people and nation,

and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God,

and they shall reign on the earth.” (5:9-10)

This heavenly chorus to the Lamb then expands beyond the four and the 24 to include an innumerably vast group of angels—myriads of myriads—saying,

“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain,

to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might

and honor and glory and blessing!” (5:12)

Did you notice how many different things (of which the Lamb is worthy) are listed? It is that number to which John’s inspired writing repeatedly returns, to emphasize completeness. Jesus Christ, the Lamb who was slain, is more than worthy of anything and everything good that we could offer. And everything good is only good as it shares what he has so abundantly given. If we even had a little awareness of all he has done for us, we would willingly offer everything we have to him in gratitude. However, we often deny the depth of our need and miss the significance of what he has provided and what he still wants to give to us (Rev. 3:17-18). This great heavenly host responds to the spreading goodness of God that came to earth as a virgin’s babe, lived a sinless life, healed and delivered all who asked, then died for a world that could not save itself from itself, and rose again in victory. This is the goodness that changes things from the inside out. He is worthy!

As wonderful as this heavenly worship is, it would be incomplete if it stopped there. It must allow all who have been transformed by God’s love-in-action to respond.

Worshipping the Father and the Son, Together, Forever (5:13-14)

The rippling waves of praise now spread out even further to include every creature in heaven and earth and under the earth,

“To Him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb

be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!”

And the four living creatures said, “Amen!” and the elders fell down and worshiped.       

While I could stop here with verse 14’s mighty “Amen!”, this article would be incomplete without one last passage. 

In chapter seven, there is one more group that worships the Father and the Son together. It is a subset of the “every creature” group mentioned above and has an important lesson for us today. It is the anthem of those who had not tried to save their own lives but lived faithfully as the redeemed people of God, a new race made up of “all tribes and peoples and languages”, despite the great tribulation of their circumstances. As it is written, 

After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, 

“Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”

And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying,

“Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.” (7:9-12)

Worship is shown to be a community practice and a practice that needs to continue forever. Why forever? Is it because God wants to hear us tell him how awesome he is over and over again? No, rather it is because he continues to share his amazing love with us, in surprisingly creative and wondrous ways, that we cannot keep silent before the fountain of gratitude that rises up in our transformed hearts.

God shares the goodness of his glorious love with us in all that he is, and all that he does. How can we help but respond, and then with enthusiasm pass it on to others?

Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,
    for his steadfast love endures forever!
Let the redeemed of the Lord say so,
    whom he has redeemed from trouble… (Psalm 107:1-2)

His Light at Christmas

It's that time of year again! It's when I share some fairly dogmatic advice about Christmas lights (for teaching purposes only) that are a good metaphor for our Christian life and Witness. 

This advice comes in the form of my “famous” Christmas light sermon, "Christ's Light at Christmas." I will share it with you all in three short installments. It addresses the question, "How can we help others see the light of Christ this Christmas?" 

Part 1: Being Lights For His Glory 

I will be using the metaphor of "Christmas Lights" to call us to a more joyous, welcoming, and authentic witness this season. In the process, I will also indulge some of my own Christmas lighting biases—strictly for educational purposes!  

How can we do this? There are two things I would suggest for starters: we should be visible, and we should be unblinking. (Read More)

Part 2: Being Conformed To His Image!

The light we shine needs to be tasteful and courteous, rather than rude and overbearing. I think of the classic Charlie Brown Christmas special, where both kinds of lights are seen. Snoopy's obnoxiously decorated doghouse contrasts sharply with the humble little tree that the whole Peanuts gang helped to decorate (after hearing Linus quote the Christmas story as found in Luke 2). The world is dying and needs us to shine as Jesus did, not in a loud, tacky, rude, uncaring manner, but in a simple, sincere, spiritual way... (Read More)

Part 3: Being Plugged Into His Power!

Scripture says that Jesus is "upholding all things by the word of His power." Further, Isaiah 8:20 says that if we are not plugged into the Word of God, there is no light in us. We only have the power to shine as lights if we are plugged in. Our power is found in His Word, as made alive in our hearts by His Spirit.

In Part 2 of The Hobbit trilogy of movies, The Desolation of Smaug, the evil one (Sauron) says to Gandalf the wizard, “There is no light that can defeat the dark!” Just as that line is not in Tolkien’s book, it is not in the Bible either. The darkness has not overcome the light of Christ (John 1:5) which enlightens everyone (John 1:9). While it is true that some will choose the darkness over the revealing character of Jesus’ light (John 3:20), all who believe in Christ are no longer bound by darkness (John 12:46)... (Read more)

To This End (A SOAP Journal from 1 Timothy 4)

Photo by Ben White on Unsplash

In addition to regular articles, I will be posting highlights of some simple SOAP journals that were produced during a regular gathering of pastors to journal, pray, and encourage one another. These are not exhaustively studied as they are generally the work of 20 minutes of reading, 20 minutes of writing, and 20 minutes of sharing with each other what we have written. These brief devotional journal posts will begin in the Pastoral epistles (1 & 2 Timothy, Titus). Hopefully, they will be encouraging to the readers of this blog.

We used the simple SOAP acronym as a devotional guide... which stands for:

• Scripture—what verse or short section caught my attention today?
• Observation—what can I briefly notice that the passage specifically says?
• Application—what will I do differently as a result of having read this today?
• Prayer—what will I ask the Triune God to do for, in, and through me today?

1Timothy 4:7-10

S = “Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths.

                  Rather train yourself for godliness;

     for while bodily training is of some value,

                                                        godliness is of value in every way,

      as it holds promise for the present life

                                   and also for the life to come.

The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance.

   “For to this end we toil and strive, 

              because we have our hope set on the living God, 

                           who is the Savior of all people,

                                             especially of those who believe.

Photo by Lance Grandahl on Unsplash

O = “To this end we toil and strive” …to what end does he refer? Two answers jump out: 
(1) To the end of not departing from sound doctrine and thanksgiving; and

(2) To the end of training ourselves for godliness rather than wasting time with silly, irreverent myths.

Paul encouraged Timothy to labor and strive to stay true and focused. Why does he do this? It is because their hope was set on the Living God revealed in the Son, Jesus Christ, not in ascetic practices such as strange diets, self-improvement techniques, celibacy, genealogies, funky haircuts, and the like. Bodily training in the sense of good health and fitness is not bad, Paul notes that it is of some value, but godliness is of comparably much more value. God alone is our Savior, not our own merit!

Photo by Ben WHite on Unsplash

A = Is there some doctrine, popular teaching, philosophy, or practice that has grown up in my mind to be my identity…my salvation? Or do I practically, as well as theoretically, put all my faith and hope in the work of the Living God through Christ? Am I becoming more like Christ or more like the self-focused non-Christian? Do I thank God more enthusiastically? Do I receive everything through the Word of God and prayer? They will keep me on track and up close. This week, without neglecting physical and emotional health, I will put my shoulder to the work of God’s mission in prayer, study, service, and gospel proclamation.

P = Lord, train me continually in the words of the faith and your good doctrine. Let me not get sidetracked or become deceived. Let me follow you with a winsome thankfulness and self-discipline that comes from a heart transformed by love rather than turning aside to follow deceitful spirits and irreverent myths.

House Rules (SOAP Journal from 1 Timothy 3)

Photo by Ben Dixon on Unsplash

In addition to regular articles, I will be posting highlights of some simple SOAP journals that were produced during a regular gathering of pastors to journal, pray, and encourage one another. These are not exhaustively studied as they are generally the work of 20 minutes of reading, 20 minutes of writing, and 20 minutes of sharing with each other what we have written. These brief devotional journal posts will begin in the Pastoral epistles (1 & 2 Timothy, Titus). Hopefully, they will be encouraging to the readers of this blog.

We used the simple SOAP acronym as a devotional guide... which stands for:

• Scripture—what verse or short section caught my attention today?
• Observation—what can I briefly notice that the passage specifically says?
• Application—what will I do differently as a result of reading this today?
• Prayer—what will I ask the Triune God to do for, in, and through me today?

S = 1 Timothy 3: 2-7, 14-15

"Therefore an overseer must be above reproach,

• the husband of one wife,
• sober-minded,
• self-controlled,
• respectable,
• hospitable,
• able to teach,
• not a drunkard,
• not violent but gentle,
• not quarrelsome,
• not a lover of money.
• He must manage his own household well. (v.4)
• He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit. (v.6)
• He must be well thought of by outsiders. (v.7) [bullet-list mine]

v. 14-15

I hope to come to you soon, but 

I am writing these things to you so that, if I delay,

you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God,

which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth. (emphasis mine)

O = Paul was preparing Timothy and those to whom Timothy would minister for the possibility of his being delayed. He gave Timothy what amounts to a list of “house rules” that pertained not so much to a physical place as relationally to the family of God! This list is pretty descriptive regarding the “above reproach” character (KJV "conversation") attributes of someone pastoring/overseeing the church. This is a great gift for it is a (non-exhaustive) list of how God's love manifests itself in God's family on earth. Because pastoring is a “noble task” the pastor/overseer must have a noble character. It needs to have been transformed by Christ from the inside out. So many problems would be solved if all who serve in church leadership lived up to these lofty standards from a heart responding to the love of Christ. If there is any hope for people to mature and become more like Christ, their leaders should show evidence of such change in their lives.

A = Just as we have a sign in our home listing attitudes and actions that we would like to characterize our lives together, Paul left just such a set of affectively descriptive “house rules” for Timothy and those he would pastor. However, we don’t always live up to such lists. I recognize how much I need the grace of God to live into such noble standards! I am reminded of a quote from the movie Remember the Titans, "Attitude reflects leadership!" The attitude of church leadership is contagious—one way or the other.

Will I be honest and vulnerable about my own struggles, wrestlings, and lessons learned the hard way? It is not a failure to show people:

• that I am human but adopted into God’s family,
• that I am broken, but depending on the God who heals the sick, and
• that I am not perfect but am hopeful and am being transformed by the love of Christ poured into my heart by the Holy Spirit (Rom. 5:5).

This week I will see this scriptural list not as a condemnation of my weaknesses but as an invitation—listing areas where I can respond more affectionately to the love of Christ for me.

P = O Lord, please help us to live by your "house rules", not just by behaving in a way that honors you and honors your presence in your people but as a loving response of our hearts to yours! Let us function as a community of mercy and grace, full of forgiveness, yet rightly focused on the work of gently, faithfully, and lovingly, advancing your kingdom.

"I Held My Peace To No Avail"

Have you ever struggled unsuccessfully to bite your tongue, to not respond in kind to the stupid or wrong things being done around you? Have you tried not to defend yourself against untrue things that are being said? I know I have. 

As pastors and Christian leaders, it is in just such moments that we often tend to say things that we regret... I know that I have. 

This week, while we gather to express gratitude to God for his blessings, sometimes our encounters with others are a challenge.

Psalm 39 expresses the agony of the slow burn such silence produced in his heart and what surprising thing he did about it. 

Check out this new post on my Psalms blog, entitled "Psalm 39: Agony & Irony—I Was Silent...Then I Spoke!"

Don't Stop Praying (SOAP Journal from 1 Timothy 2)

Photo by Ben Dixon on Unsplash

In addition to regular articles, I will be posting highlights of some simple SOAP journals that were produced during a regular gathering of pastors to journal, pray, and encourage one another. These are not exhaustively studied as they are generally the work of 20 minutes reading, 20 minutes writing, and 20 minutes of sharing with each other what we have written. These brief devotional journal posts will begin in the Pastoral epistles (1 & 2 Timothy, Titus). Hopefully, they will be encouraging to the readers of this blog.

We used the simple SOAP acronym as a devotional guide... which stands for:

• Scripture—what verse or short section caught my attention today?
• Observation—what can I briefly notice that the passage specifically says?
• Application—what will I do differently as a result of having read this today?
• Prayer—what will I ask the Triune God to do for, in, and through me today?

1 Timothy 2:1-4

S = “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”

O = These four verses say that we are to offer all kinds of prayers for all kinds of people, no matter how high or low their position. To make this more challenging, it would seem likely that the king/emperor at that time, for whom Paul exhorts prayer, would have been the infamous Nero. How do you pray for a leader who is harmful to your people? The same way you pray for anyone else…maybe just more so. 

Photo by Jason Betz of Unsplash

There are at least a couple of clear reasons for this public prayer as the gathered church that readily appear. First, it explicitly affects our ability to live peaceful and quiet lives (implicitly = living unhindered for Christ and as a ready example for others) as the community of God. Second, our prayer pleases God and affects the lives of those for whom we pray—God desires “all people” to experience salvation and thoroughly know the truth. It behooves us to pray in agreement with the revealed will of God!

A = Do I spend more time complaining about others or praying for them? Can I give thanks for them, even the difficult ones? That can be stretching to my faith, especially in the area of political leadership. My prayer life will be evidenced in how I live: peaceful or stressed out, quiet or loud, godly or selfish, dignified or disturbing? This week, I will pray before posting, I will intercede for others rather than insisting on my own way, and I will talk with Jesus (conversational aspect of prayer) and let him correct my heart before trying to set others straight.

P = O Lord, let me pray before I choose to complain, critique, criticize, or condemn. Give me a thankful heart today. so that I can bless others, building them up in the faith, and be fully present with them in their walk. Because you first loved me, I want to be pleasing in your sight by sharing in your heart for the lost.