He That Handleth A Matter Wisely Shall Find Good

by Charles Haddon Spurgeon

Proverbs 16:20

Wisdom is man’s true strength; and, under its guidance, he best accomplishes the ends of his being. Wisely handling the matter of life gives to man the richest enjoyment, and presents the noblest occupation for his powers; hence by it he finds good in the fullest sense. Without wisdom, man is as the wild ass’s colt, running hither and thither, wasting strength which might be profitably employed. Wisdom is the compass by which man is to steer across the trackless waste of life; without it he is a derelict vessel, the sport of winds and waves. A man must be prudent in such a world as this, or he will find no good, but be betrayed into unnumbered ills. The pilgrim will sorely wound his feet among the briers of the wood of life if he do not pick his steps with the utmost caution. He who is in a wilderness infested with robber bands must handle matters wisely if he would journey safely. If, trained by the Great Teacher, we follow where He leads, we shall find good, even while in this dark abode; there are celestial fruits to be gathered this side of Eden’s bowers, and songs of paradise to be sung amid the groves of earth.

But where shall this wisdom be found? Many have dreamed of it, but have not possessed it. Where shall we learn it? Let us listen to the voice of the Lord, for He hath declared the secret; He hath revealed to the sons of men wherein true wisdom lieth, and we have it in the text, ‘Whoso trusteth in the Lord, happy is he.’ The true way to handle a matter wisely is to trust in the Lord. This is the sure clue to the most intricate labyrinths of life, follow it and find eternal bliss. He who trusts in the Lord has a diploma for wisdom granted by inspiration: happy is he now, and happier shall he be above. Lord, in this sweet eventide walk with me in the garden, and teach me the wisdom of faith.

5.5p

Weekly Links (9/11/2015)

Many disparate believers, in many ways, have helped me toward the Lord.  How could I be ungrateful?  I don’t believe that verses like Romans 12:10 apply only to other Reformed believers.  My heart has been stretched out beyond that circle, without diminishing my own convictions, and for that too I am grateful. (Ray Ortlund)

by Cesar Vigil-Ruiz

Feliz Friday! I pray this week’s links helps you to strive to live under Christ’s Lordship. Here we go!

That’s all for this week! Please be in prayer for the youth and collegians as they meet tonight at church, luau tomorrow, and corporate worship on Sunday!

Soli Deo Gloria

A New Year In Single’s Ministry

by Roger Alcaraz

Now that I’m leading Single Life, people sometimes ask me what my plans are for it. I joke and say that my goal is to get everyone married and eventually work myself out of a job. But while Singles ministry is a great place to meet a spouse, I don’t want people to think of it as a stepping stone to something greater.

Marriage will never satisfy someone the way way Jesus alone can. And marriage itself presents sacrifices that get taken for granted among singles. Even a few days ago, a happily married father saw people planning a volleyball event and said, “Ahhh…the days when I was the master of my schedule.” So while marriage brings much joy, it also brings restrictions. And it’s not just when it comes to playing sports but even in our Christian walk. First Corinthians 7:32-34 says “The unmarried man is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to please the Lord. But the married man is anxious about worldly things, how to please his wife, and his interests are divided.”

The adage of calling a spouse the ol’ “ball and chain” is a crude and inaccurate portrayal of marriage, implying that all a spouse does is hold you down in life. But let’s not get rid of the imagery altogether. There may not be a ball, but there’s definitely a chain. Two people are tied together for the rest of their lives. The person on the other end will be able to lift you up when you fall, but you will also have to carry them sometimes. And that’s just the beginning. Have you ran a race chained to someone you’re in conflict with? It’s not easy.

The point is that people imagine marriage to be a blissful stroll through a park when it will often be a uphill climb through a rocky forest. Marriage will disappoint any person putting their hope in it and the truth is that an unhappy single will make for an unhappy married. Wanting to see people get married is simply too small of a goal.

This is why our main focus for this coming year will be on deepening our relationship with God so that we’re not chasing every fleeting pleasure before us only to be disappointed or have our faith shaken. We want to be like the man who builds his house on the rock so that when the storm comes, the house stands. We’ll do this by going through Philippians for the first semester of our Bible study since it carries the theme of joy in Christ. The last thing I want Single Life to become is a cold and joyless ministry. It really should be a time of great joy and sanctification, more than any other time of their lives since the people there don’t have their interest divided on how to please their spouses.

Secondly, I appreciate that so many want to get married but it’s not enough to want a good thing. We have to want it for good reasons. Marriage is a very sweet gift of grace to many, but it can become sour if we go into it with wrong motives. So after Philippians, we’ll be going through a series on biblical marriage.

It’s easy to lose sight of the fact that marriage is a ministry to another person, and instead make it something that serves their own needs. Saying that you want to get married to have a companion in life is like saying you want to go on missions to travel the world. It ignores the real reason God would call you to the foreign mission field: to bring glory to God. Likewise, if a person marries without concern for God’s glory, and only for their needs, it is done selfishly. In the end, I want to see people married but only if they’re doing so for God’s glory and the other’s good.

And lastly, most people experience a decrease in the number of non-Christian interactions when leaving college and the same is true when people get married. Being single presents one with more opportunities for evangelism, and so sprinkled throughout the year will be an emphasis on sharing the gospel to our friends and community. I even want to do what I can to make Bible studies more friendly to new visitors so they can come and witness the love we have for one another as they hear about God’s love.

In short, we should all have a godly jealousy to those in Single Life. Some may see it as a pit stop to a greater destination, but I say stay, grow, serve, and evangelize in ways you may never get to again.

Theology and Practice of Corporate Worship (Part 3)

Editor’s Note: This article is part 3 of an ongoing series by Pastor Jim Kang on corporate worship. Click the following links to find the previous articles: part 1 and part 2. 

by Pastor Jim Kang

Why Worship Corporately?

At the most basic level, worship is the duty of every creature to his creator by acknowledging that God is the sovereign creator and that we’re not. As his creation and as his image-bearers, we give thanks to God for creating us, providing for us, and protecting us from harms and from the world that is now damaged, rebels, and marred by sin and disobedient to their creator.

However, as a church we do not merely worship God at the most basic level – meaning simply because God is our creator. By the very definition of what a church is (i.e., the community of God’s redeemed), we worship God not simply because he is our creator, but more importantly, because God is our redeemer. Hence, for redeemed sinners, worship is the gospel-generated thankful expression of God’s redeemed, to their redeemer for exercising his sovereign grace and showing exclusive compassion for them.

In our individualistic American culture, many erroneously believe that worship is simply a personal and private matter. Hence, one can worship whenever, wherever, and however as long as the worshiper is “sincere.” However, the Bible points out overwhelmingly that one can worship sincerely, but be sincerely wrong. For instance, Cain in Genesis 4, and Nadab and Abihu in Leviticus 10. According to Westminster Confession of Faith:

The light of nature shows that there is a God, who has lordship and sovereignty over all, is good, and does good unto all, and is therefore to be feared, loved, praised, called upon, trusted in, and served, with all the heart, and with all the soul, and with all the might. But the acceptable way of worshipping the true God is instituted by Himself, and so limited by His own revealed will, that He may not be worshipped according to the imaginations and devices of men, or the suggestions of Satan, under any visible representation, or any other way not prescribed in the Holy Scripture (21.1).

While one can certainly worship God individually, private worship is severely limited in many ways. For example, how can one fulfill “one another” directives in Scripture, such as, Colossians 3:16? The Bible is written predominantly for corporate body, not for mere individual edification. For those who say that they don’t need to go to church to worship God or obey God, I often point them to Hebrews 13:17. And then I ask how they can fulfill such command when they are “worshipping” on their own.

All that to say, just as we were not created to be alone, we were not re-created to worship alone.

I Will Be Their God, And They Shall Be My People

by Charles Haddon Spurgeon

2 Corinthians 6:16

What a sweet title: ‘My people!’ What a cheering revelation: ‘Their God!’ How much of meaning is couched in those two words, ‘My people!’

Here is speciality. The whole world is God’s; the heaven, even the heaven of heavens is the Lord’s, and He reigneth among the children of men; but of those whom He hath chosen, whom He hath purchased to Himself, He saith what He saith not of others-‘My people’

In this word there is the idea of proprietorship. In a special manner the ‘Lord’s portion is His people; Jacob is the lot of His inheritance.’ All the nations upon earth are His; the whole world is in His power; yet are His people, His chosen, more especially His possession; for He has done more for them than others; He has bought them with His blood; He has brought them nigh to Himself; He has set His great heart upon them; He has loved them with an everlasting love, a love which many waters cannot quench, and which the revolutions of time shall never suffice in the least degree to diminish.

Dear friends, can you, by faith, see yourselves in that number? Can you look up to heaven and say, ‘My Lord and my God: mine by that sweet relationship which entitles me to call Thee Father; mine by that hallowed fellowship which I delight to hold with Thee when Thou art pleased to manifest Thyself unto me as Thou dost not unto the world?’ Canst thou read the Book of Inspiration, and find there the indentures of thy salvation? Canst thou read thy title writ in precious blood? Canst thou, by humble faith, lay hold of Jesus’ garments, and say, ‘My Christ’? If thou canst, then God saith of thee, and of others like thee, ‘My people;’ for, if God be your God, and Christ your Christ, the Lord has a special, peculiar favour to you; you are the object of His choice, accepted in His beloved Son.

5.5a

Weekly Links (9/4/2015)

“We all want progress. But progress means getting nearer to the place where you want to be. And if you have taken a wrong turning, then to go forward does not get you any nearer. If you are on the wrong road, progress means doing an about-turn and walking back to the right road; and in that case the man who turns back soonest is the most progressive man.” (CS Lewis, Mere Christianity)

by Stephen Rodgers

So, it’s the first Friday of the month, and that means I’m back with hopefully enough reading material to keep you occupied until next month rolls around!

  • If audio books are your thing, then the free book of the month by christianaudio.com is AHA by Kyle Idleman. I can’t really tell you much about this one, since it’s new to me, but you can check the link and see if it’s of interest to you.
  • If Logos is your thing, then the free book of the month is the Mentor Commentary on Amos. I’ve heard a few people say some nice things about it, so I’d recommend snatching it up.
  • Ligonier puts out a monthly collection of articles called “Tabletalk,” and this month the topic under discussion is “The Study Bible.” You definitely don’t want to miss that.
  • Also, the Gospel Coalition puts out a more…robust…journal entitled Themelios, and issue 40.2 is out. A good chunk of each issue is given over to book reviews, but definitely scan the table of contents and see if there’s anything in there that grabs you. Personally, I thought Ovey’s essay on Antigone being misunderstood in secular society was pretty…what’s the word the kids use these days?…boss. It was pretty boss.
  • Ligonier Ministries is also on a roll this month. Not only is there a new edition of Tabletalk (see above), but there’s also a free ebook entitled The State of American Theology. It’s an expansion of their article series on demographic data of religiosity in America, with a number of additional articles thrown in. It’s definitely worth getting, especially if you want to get a better understand of where our culture and context are heading.
  • Last but certainly not least, they also have expanded their free offering of RC Sproul’s Crucial Questions series to a whopping 22 books! GET THIS! It’s on Kindle, it’s on iBooks, it’s on Logos…seriously, now is a great time to check to make sure that these are all on the reading device / platform of your choice. While Sproul and LBC would quibble on a doctrinal distinctive here or there, on par these are excellent, Gospel-centered resources, and your library and mind will be better for having them and reading them.

That’s pretty much it for now…see you Sunday!

Pro Rege

 

Transitions: Oh, The Places You’ll Go?

by Josh Liu

“I didn’t know how difficult life would be after college,” a college graduate confessed to me. “It’s really lonely. I’m depressed and confused about what to do with my life.” A significant amount of post-college persons experience the hard-wall of reality of life after college, and struggle immensely. Understandably so, the transition to post-college life can be tumultuous, confusing, chaotic, wearisome, discouraging, and monotonous.

Christians and non-Christians alike are concerned. This particular season of life is in the middle of what some have labeled as “emerging adulthood” (I’ve also heard “twenty-somethings,” “youthhood,” “adultolescense,” “extended adolescence,” “black box”). Regardless of the label, most are familiar with this “stage of life.” Many collegians are warned about “life to come;” many don’t understand it until it’s too late. Some collegians aren’t even aware of it and slip into a lukewarm, routine lifestyle that is for the most part God-less. The vibrant, social, available, adventurous, care-free college life is rudely removed. Instead, it is replaced with expectations and responsibilities (i.e. get a job, set a career, get married, buy a home, pay off loans, etc.). In response, many graduates step into spiritual depression; they feel isolated and lonely; they fantasize about the good ol’ college days; they want to take a “gap year” to really experience life before succumbing to the ball and chain of “real life;” they throw aside the spiritual passion and discipline they once had during college to study the Bible and pray, to serve others and the church, and to evangelize and witness.

This is symptomatic of deeper, significant issues, related to identity in Christ, spiritual maturity and character, and idolatry of a distorted youth life stage. I am particularly concerned that so many appear shell-shocked after briefly experiencing post-college life. I am particularly concerned that many have confessed that they don’t know what to do or how to respond, or that they weren’t prepared during college. I am particularly concerned that many have allowed the circumstances of life to dictate how they think, feel, and act.

As I personally experience some challenging transitions (stepping out from children’s and youth ministries, and stepping into college ministry and my final year in seminary), I want to take this opportunity to encourage all those going through difficult transitions. A comprehensive analysis and response to delayed maturing, the above described experiences, and the related significant spiritual issues are outside the scope of this article. Instead, I want to remind you of six biblical principles to carry with you in every circumstance or transition:

1. Plan on the sovereignty of God.

God is intimately involved in your life. Consider David’s words in Psalm 139:1-16.
He knows your entire person, and each moment of your life. Behold His omniscience, omnipresence, omnipotence, immanence, and magnificence! Take your eyes off yourself, off the circumstances, off the unknowable future, and wholly entrust yourself to God your Creator and Sustainer.

Know that God is ultimately directing your life (Prov. 16:9; cf. 16:1; 19:21; 20:24; Jer. 10:23). God’s sovereignty (control, leading, authority, will) over individuals’ lives and actions is readily seen throughout Scripture. This is seen in Joseph’s life (Gen. 50:20), the nation of Israel (Jer. 29:11), Paul’s life (Acts 9:15-16; 16:6), and the believer’s life (Rom. 8:28).

As a result, plan and live your life out of dependence on the sovereignty of God.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart
And do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit.” Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away. Instead, you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that.” (James 4:13-15)

2. Pursue Christ first.

Wherever God leads you, whatever circumstance He places in your life, and however you’re feeling in the moment, pursue Christ vehemently. Seek to deepen your intimacy with Christ through intentional prayer, Bible study, Scripture memorization and meditation, serving others, and fellowship with Christ’s body.

Don’t let anything or anyone else displace the centrality of Christ in your life. Be able to say with Paul,

But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ…Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. (Phil. 3:7-8, 12-14)

Friendships, interests, careers, and personal feelings of usefulness can become idols if you do not pursue Christ first. When Christ is central in your life, when He is your first priority, when He is your greatest treasure, the present trials and circumstances of life fade in light of the great glory of Christ and eternity with Him (cf. behold Christ in Col. 1:13-18 and Heb. 1:3-4).

3. Preoccupy yourself with faithfulness.

The Christian isn’t called to achieve the life milestones that the world expects (begin a career, get married, buy a home, etc.). Don’t be busy with the things of this world that will ultimately fade, but be busy with what God has commanded. Seek to steward your life, time, energy, and resources to fulfilling what God has directed believers to be busy with here on this earth (cf. Matt. 25:14-30). How will you seek to be faithful with the life that God has graced you?

  • Are you being faithful to making disciples (Matt. 28:18-20; Titus 2:4, 6; 2 Tim. 2:2)?
  • Are you being faithful to pursuing godliness (1 Thess. 4:3-4; Eph. 4:22-24; Col. 3:5)?
  • Are you being faithful to serving the body of Christ (Rom. 12:1-21; Eph. 4:1ff; Heb. 10:25)?
  • Are you being faithful to witnessing (Acts 1:8)?
  • Are you being faithful in your relationships (Eph. 5:22-6:9)?

4. Prioritize godliness.

As you seek to pursue Christ and live for Him, be concerned with personal godliness and character. Since God is holy, His people are called to be holy (cf. Ps. 15:1-5; 1 Pet. 1:14-15). In deepening intimacy with Christ, how are you growing in personal holiness and spiritual maturity?

Can you say with the psalmist in Psalm 119:9-11,

How can a young man keep his way pure?
By keeping it according to Your word.
With all my heart I have sought You;
Do not let me wander from Your commandments.
Your word I have treasured in my heart,
That I may not sin against You.

Seek to walk by the Spirit to be filled with the Spirit, and so produce the fruit of the Spirit (Rom. 8:13-14; Eph. 5:18; gal. 5:16-25).

Are you practicing (and growing in) Spirit-led love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control? Or, are you prioritizing a stronger GPA, a more impressive résumé, accumulating academic or work experience, or attending life workshops? These are not evil or wrong, but are often exalted to highest priorities, which may contribute to the experience of spiritual trials in transitions.

5. Preach to yourself.

Do not allow your emotions, feelings, or fantasies dictate how you think or act. You may understandably experience depressive emotions or struggle with despondency/despair. Similar to circumstances, your emotions do not dictate the truths of Scripture. If you do not actively fill your mind with the truth of Scripture, you may spiral downward in your own false and condemning thoughts, and respond sinfully (e.g. laziness).

Seek to renew your mind (cf. Rom. 12:2; Phil. 4:8; Col. 3:16). Capture every thought for Christ (cf. 2 Cor. 10:5). Remind yourself of the gospel of Christ that has secured for you eternal hope, in which you eagerly await for Christ’s return. Reading Ephesians 1-3 can be helpful!

6. Persevere with patience.

Life circumstances and transitions are merely earthly seasons of life. They will eventually pass. They do not compare with the glory and duration of eternity, of the life to come with Christ. Remember Paul’s encouragement in 2 Cor. 4:16-18,

Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Remember that all that God leads you through is under His sovereignty. It all fits in His eternal purposes and plans. Persevere knowing that God is using you, your life, even tumultuous transitions, for His Kingdom and for your sanctification (cf. Gen. 50:20; James 1:2-4; 1 Pet. 1:6-9).

Indeed, transitions can be difficult. Thankfully, God has instructed us on how to live for Him in all circumstances.

I suggest the following supplemental resources:

LBC SPARK – September 1, 2015

by Pastor Patrick Cho

Dear LBCSD family and friends!

After weeks of being away and a summer full of traveling and ministry around the globe, it is great to finally be back in San Diego and to be settled at home. Thank you to everyone who prayed for me and Eugene Park as we ministered in Argentina these past couple weeks. It was a greatly encouraging time together with our brothers and sisters in Tucuman and San Justo. I’m looking forward to sharing more about that ministry this Sunday morning during service.

Needless to say, we really missed the church family during our time away, and we’re looking forward to seeing everyone’s lovely faces once again this weekend. What a wonderful God who saves us by His grace and calls us into fellowship together. Consider the awesome privilege it is to be called children of God (1 John 3:1).

In His grace,

Pastor Patrick

Here are some ministry opportunities for you to know!

  1. Lighthouse Kids’ Club. If you are interested in serving on LKC staff this year, please come to an interest meeting this Thursday at 7pm at the church building. Let’s work together to make this an awesome year for our kids!
  2. Midweek Bible Studies. College Life and Lumos Youth meet this Friday evening at 7pm at the church. For more information on midweek Bible studies, visit the church website.
  3. Czech Republic Missions Report Night. Please come out on Sunday evening at 5pm for our Czech Republic Missions Report Night. Hear what the Lord is doing on the other side of the world through the missionaries and church in Beroun. The team had a wonderful time of ministry there in July and are eager to tell you more! Dinner will be served. The cost is free!
  4. MNV. Don’t forget that Monday Night Volleyball will run until the end of September. It’s not too late to come out and enjoy some fun in the sun. We meet at around 5:45pm at La Jolla Shores by the sand volleyball courts on the north side.
  5. Luau. Aloha! On Saturday, September 12, we will be having our annual all-church luau! We’ll be at Mission Bay from 10am-4pm. This is always a highlight of our year and a great time together. Please find your best islander outfit and make plans to come out! The cost is only $5 for food (children 0-12 eat free!).
  6. Flocks. Flocks will be starting up again later this month. This is a time each month that we shut down our regularly scheduled midweek activities and get together in homes around the community for worship, fellowship, and prayer. If you would like to help host a flock this year, please contact Pastor Patrick and let him know (pastorpatrick@gmail.com). Even if you hosted a flock last year, please contact Pastor Patrick and let him know you would like to host again. We need homes so please consider hosting.
  7. FITS. On Sunday, September 27, we will be having our last Fun In The Sun day of the summer. Come out as we go to Torrey Hills Neighborhood Park to spend a day together as a church family. Lunch is $5/person (children 0-12 eat free!).