One Another-ing

Whoever loves his brother abides in the light, and in him there is no cause for stumbling. (1 John 2:10)

by Josh Liu

Loving one another is such a foundational characteristic and primary activity of a believer that those who do not love others show themselves to not abide in the light–that is, Jesus Christ. This is one theme the youth ministry seeks to emphasize.

Cesar preached on 1 John 2:7-11 for a Lumos Friday night Bible study in November. In a subsequent Bible study, he expounded on the theme of loving one another. He shared with us Tim Keller’s organization of the one another commands in the New Testament (from A Gospel Life: Grace Changes Everything):

Affirm

  • Affirm one another’s strengths, abilities, and gifts (cf. Rom. 12:10; James 5:9; Rom. 12:3-8)
  • Affirm one another’s equal importance in Christ (cf. Rom. 15:7; 1 Cor. 12:25; 1 Peter 5:5; James 2:1)
  • Affirm one another through visible affection (cf. Rom. 16:16; James 1:19; Eph. 4:32; 1 Thess. 3:12)

Share

  • Share one another’s space, goods, and time (cf. Rom. 12:10; 1 Peter 4:9; Gal. 6:10)
  • Share one another’s needs and problems (cf. Gal. 6:2; 1 Thess. 5:11; Heb. 3:13)
  • Share one another’s beliefs, thinking, and spirituality (cf. Col. 3:16; Eph. 5:19; Rom. 12:16; 1 Cor. 1:10)

Serve

  • Serve one another through accountability (cf. James 5:16; Rom. 15:14; Eph. 4:35)
  • Serve one another through forgiveness and reconciliation (cf. Eph. 4:2; Col. 3:13; Gal. 5:25; James 4:11; Matt. 5:23-24; 18:15)
  • Serve one another’s interests rather than our own (Heb. 10:24; Rom. 15:1-2; Gal. 5:13)

It has been an incredibly challenging time in examining our lives through the lens of Scripture, particularly in measuring ourselves to these tests of love. It was my personal experience during my youth group years of struggling to love my family members. I fought a lot with my brothers and father. Refusing to love them, and in fact actively hating them, should have revealed that I did not abide in Christ. Yet I was blinded by my own sinful heart. Thankfully, by God’s grace, He revealed the depths of my sinfulness and my desperate need for Christ as my Lord and Savior. Only then, by the power of the Holy Spirit, did I begin to actively love, for I then knew the love of Christ through His life, death, and resurrection, reconciling me to the Father.

Our discussion time after the message during Bible study was encouraging. Some of the youth shared about areas that they struggled in and thoughts on what to do differently next time.

In the same way, I present this challenge to you: examine your life–your heart attitudes, thoughts, actions, speech, tone. Does it reveal one who abides in the light? Or, one who abides in darkness? Are you actively loving others to make God big? Or are you actively loving yourself to make you big? Prayerfully rate yourself in the above one-another’s that Keller summarizes.

As you do so, I suggest using the following from The Passion of Jesus Christ: Fifty Reasons Why He Came to Die…To Show the Wealth of God’s Love and Grace for Sinners, by John Piper, to reflect on Christ’s love for us.

One will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die—but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:7-8)

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16)

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace. (Ephesians 1:7)

The measure of God’s love for us is shown by two things. One is the degree of his sacrifice in saving us from the penalty of our sin. The other is the degree of unworthiness that we had when he saved us.

We can hear the measure of his sacrifice in the words, “He gave his only son” (John 3:16). We also hear it in the word Christ. This is a name based on the Greek title Christos, or “Anointed One,” or “Messiah.” It is a term of great dignity. The Messiah was to be the King of Israel. He would conquer the he measure of God’s love for us is shown by two things. One is Romans and bring peace and security to Israel. Thus the person whom God sent to save sinners was his own divine Son, his only Son, and the Anointed King of Israel—indeed the king of the world (Isaiah 9:6-7).

When we add to this consideration the horrific death by crucifixion that Christ endured, it becomes clear that the sacrifice the Father and the Son made was indescribably great—even infinite, when you consider the distance between the divine and the human. But God chose to make this sacrifice to save us.

The measure of his love for us increases still more when we consider our unworthiness. “Perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die—but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:7-8). We deserved divine punishment, not divine sacrifice.

I have heard it said, “God didn’t die for frogs. So he was responding to our value as humans.” This turns grace on its head. We are worse off than frogs. They have not sinned. They have not rebelled and treated God with the contempt of being inconsequential in their lives. God did not have to die for frogs. They aren’t bad enough. We are. Our debt is so great, only a divine sacrifice could pay it.

There is only one explanation for God’s sacrifice for us. It is not us. It is “the riches of his grace” (Ephesians 1:7). It is all free. It is not a response to our worth. It is the overflow of his infinite worth. In fact, that is what divine love is in the end: a passion to enthrall undeserving sinners, at great cost, with what will make us supremely happy forever, namely, his infinite beauty.

Then All The Disciples Forsook Him And Fled

by Charles Haddon Spurgeon

From Matthew 26:56

He never deserted them, but they in cowardly fear of their lives, fled from Him in the very beginning of His sufferings. This is but one instructive instance of the frailty of all believers if left to themselves; they are but sheep at the best, and they flee when the wolf cometh. They had all been warned of the danger, and had promised to die rather than leave their Master; and yet they were seized with sudden panic, and took to their heels. It may be, that I, at the opening of this day, have braced up my mind to bear a trial for the Lord’s sake, and I imagine myself to be certain to exhibit perfect fidelity; but let me be very jealous of myself, lest having the same evil heart of unbelief, I should depart from my Lord as the apostles did. It is one thing to promise, and quite another to perform. It would have been to their eternal honour to have stood at Jesus’ side right manfully; they fled from honour; may I be kept from imitating them! Where else could they have been so safe as near their Master, who could presently call for twelve legions of angels? They fled from their true safety. O God, let me not play the fool also. Divine grace can make the coward brave. The smoking flax can flame forth like fire on the altar when the Lord wills it. These very apostles who were timid as hares, grew to be bold as lions after the Spirit had descended upon them, and even so the Holy Spirit can make my recreant spirit brave to confess my Lord and witness for His truth.

What anguish must have filled the Saviour as He saw His friends so faithless! This was one bitter ingredient in His cup; but that cup is drained dry; let me not put another drop in it. If I forsake my Lord, I shall crucify Him afresh, and put Him to an open shame. Keep me, O blessed Spirit, from an end so shameful.

3.27a

Weekly Links (11/29/2013)

To be bursting with thanksgiving is a true witness of the Spirit within us. For the voice of thanksgiving speaks without ceasing of the goodness of God. It claims nothing. It sees no merit in man’s receiving but only in God’s giving. It marvels at his mercy. It is the language of joy because it need look no longer to its own resources.

The Christian rejoicing in this blessing of a thankful heart will have his eyes fixed upon the right person and the right place, Christ at God’s right hand. He cannot be taken up with himself without being immediately reminded that everything he possesses is the gift of God. (R. C. Lucas)

by Richard Shin

Thanksgiving has come and gone. With it, there were a number of notable Thanksgiving posts we want to highlight here on the Beacon.

Here are a couple for Black Friday shopping.

And here are a few more of your usual flare.

Have a great weekend! Keep being thankful.

Coram Deo

Peacemaker Redux

by Stephen Rodgers

I just wanted to sneak this little reminder/update in as we head out of Flocks’ week and into the holiday season.

  • Patrick’s sermon from last week…the “introduction” to the Peacemaker pledge can be found here.
  • The earlier sermon from May 2013 that gets into the pledge in greater detail can be found here.
  • Way back, veiled to our sight by the mists of time, we did a Sunday School series on Peacemaker as well.  There was a ton of information there: audio messages, class handouts, a blog series, etc. Links to all of it can be found here.

And now you know.

When He Cometh In The Glory Of His Father With The Holy Angels

by Charles Haddon Spurgeon

From Mark 8:38

If we have been partakers with Jesus in His shame, we shall be sharers with Him in the lustre which shall surround Him when He appears again in glory. Art thou, beloved one, with Christ Jesus? Does a vital union knit thee to Him? Then thou art to-day with Him in His shame; thou hast taken up His cross, and gone with Him without the camp bearing His reproach; thou shalt doubtless be with Him when the cross is exchanged for the crown.

But judge thyself this evening; for if thou art not with Him in the regeneration, neither shalt thou be with Him when He shall come in His glory. If thou start back from the black side of communion, thou shalt not understand its bright, its happy period, when the King shall come, and all His holy angels with Him. What! are angels with Him? And yet He took not up angels-He took up the seed of Abraham. Are the holy angels with Him? Come, my soul, if thou art indeed His own beloved, thou canst not be far from Him. If His friends and His neighbours are called together to see His glory, what thinkest thou if thou art married to Him? Shalt thou be distant? Though it be a day of judgment, yet thou canst not be far from that heart which, having admitted angels into intimacy, has admitted thee into union. Has He not said to thee, O my soul, ‘I will betroth thee unto Me in righteousness, and in judgment, and in lovingkindness’? Have not His own lips said it, ‘I am married unto thee, and My delight is in thee’? If the angels, who are but friends and neighbours, shall be with Him, it is abundantly certain that His own beloved Hephzibah, in whom is all His delight, shall be near to Him, and sit at His right hand.

Here is a morning star of hope for thee, of such exceeding brilliance, that it may well light up the darkest and most desolate experience.

3.26p

Weekly Links (11/22/2013)

The office of the law is to show us the disease, in such a way as to show us, at the same time, no hope of cure: the office of the gospel is, to bring a remedy to those that were past hope. For as the law leaves a man to himself, it condemns him, of necessity, to death; while the gospel, bringing him to Christ, opens the gate of life. (John Calvin)

by Richard Shin

  • Thabiti Anyabwile has a 2-parter on leaving the church. The first is for members and you can find it here. And then here‘s the pastor’s edition.
  • How we save or spend our money is a very important topic we need to think through if we haven’t already. Tim Challies gives us four questions we can ask to guide our thought process.
  • I have from time to time linked to Jeremy Walker’s articles on his personal evangelism series. He has finally completed it, and you can find it here. On the topic of evangelism, Mark Dever shares five things evangelism is often mistaken as.
  • When I reference Joe Carter on the Beacon, it’s usually in reference to “9 Things You Didn’t Know…”. However, this time he writes for the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission here on comforting those who are dying.
  • Do you believe that God speaks to you? Daniel Hyde shares three purposes with which God speaks to us through His Word.
  • For those of you who enjoy Steve Lawson, here is a great, impromptu presentation of the gospel message.

Enjoy!

Coram Deo

LBC Weekly SPARK – November 21, 2013

by Pastor Patrick Cho

Dear LBC family and friends,

I hope you are doing well and walking in the Lord. Hopefully with the holiday season upon us, things aren’t just frantic at your home. I know that we can oftentimes get caught up with planning, get-togethers, presents, and traveling, but I hope you will take some time each day to remember the blessings you have received.

This weekend, our church will celebrate Thanksgiving together with our annual potluck. Of course, many are excited about the food (and they should be!), but I am thankful that most are glad for another opportunity to spend an evening together with brothers and sisters in Christ. The church really has gotten to the size that many of us have really nothing much in common other than the fact that we share in the same gospel hope by God’s grace. And yet, for us that’s enough.

This holiday season, I am particularly thankful for the fellowship of the church. It is so refreshing to see each week how the love of Christ binds us together and how the Spirit of God has woven us in our relationships. I would encourage you to tell someone at the church this week why you are thankful for them. Try to be specific. Be a blessing to someone because you never know. Perhaps you will have encouraged someone who really needed an uplifting word.

In His grace,

Pastor Patrick

Here are this week’s ministry opportunities:

  1. FLOCKS. Please don’t forget that it’s flocks week! Our regularly scheduled midweek Bible studies will be taking a break, and the church family will be meeting in regional flocks throughout the community. Most flocks meet on Friday evening, but there are a few that meet on Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday. Please visit the church website for more details.
  2. THANKSGIVING POTLUCK. This Sunday evening, we will have our annual Thanksgiving potluck! This is more than a meal shared. It is a great opportunity to fellowship with the church family and be a blessing to one another. Please come prepared to share your thanks as we will be having a time of sharing. It all begins at 5:00 PM on Sunday. Please contact Lynn Yu if you have any questions about helping with food.
  3. THANKSGIVING BREAK. Since next week is Thanksgiving, we will be taking a break from all our regular midweek activities. This includes Kids’ Club, Lumos Youth, College Life, Single Life, Grace Life, and Mommy and Me.
  4. MEN’S MINISTRY SPORTS FELLOWSHIP. On Saturday, December 7, the men of the church will come together for a morning of athletic fun! We will meet at Torrey Hills Neighborhood Park from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Afterwards, we’ll hang out at Chick-Fil-A on Mira Mesa for lunch!
  5. CHRISTMAS CONCERT. On Saturday, December 14, we will be having our annual Christmas Concert. Come out for this musical celebration as we take time to celebrate Jesus’ birth. It all begins at 6:00 PM at the church. Be sure to invite your friends and family!
  6. CHRISTMAS SERVICE. On Sunday, December 22, we will be having a special Christmas service. This is a great opportunity to invite unbelieving friends and family to come out and hear the gospel message. That weekend, the children’s ministries will also be taking a break and the kids will join us in service. Nursery care will still be provided.
  7. NEW YEAR’S EVE SERVICE. On Tuesday, December 31, we will be having a New Year’s Eve service at the church beginning at 5:30 PM. Dinner will be served. Please bring $5/adult for food (children 0-12 eat free!). This will be a special time to reflect on the past year, but also to look forward to 2014!
  8. BEACON. Don’t forget to check out the Beacon newsletter online for continuously added content and helpful articles!