The Aseity of God

by Pastor Patrick Cho

This past week at Grace Life, we continued our series on the attributes of God. This week’s study was on the aseity (or independence) of God, and it was a wonderful time of fellowship and instruction. We encourage all of our married couples and parents to come out on Thursday evenings to join us for Bible study as we walk through this helpful series. The following is the “blurb” from this week’s study:

The aseity of God is the idea that the Lord is independent and self-sufficient. The term is derived from the Latin a se (“from himself”). The basis for this doctrine is found in several passages of Scripture that indicate that God is completely content and sufficient on His own such that He does not depend upon His creation. In Acts 17:24-25, Paul explains to the Athenians why God is unlike their false gods. Their gods needed their service, but our God is not “served by human hands, as though He needed anything.”

The very nature of God supports the idea of aseity. God exists because existence is a necessary part of His eternal nature just like we die because death is a necessary part of our finite and fallen nature. In this way, the Creator/creature distinction is emphasized because God is of a completely different nature as us. Consider this thought from Wayne Grudem:

The difference between God’s being and ours is more than the difference between the sun and a candle, more than the difference between the ocean and a raindrop, more than the difference between the arctic ice cap and a snowflake, more than the difference between the universe and the room we are sitting in: God’s being is qualitatively different. (Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1994), 162.)

God is thus existent in Himself and is not dependent upon any part of creation for His existence. Even if none of creation was ever made, God would not only still exist, but He would also be the same perfect God Scripture reveals Him to be. The name of God revealed to Moses sums up God’s aseity well: “I AM WHO I AM” (Exod. 3:14). Moses expresses the thought in the Psalms, “Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever You had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting You are God” (Ps. 90:2).

The relationships of the Trinity also shed light on God’s aseity. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit have enjoyed perfect fellowship for all eternity. In John 17:5, Jesus prays, “And now, Father, glorify Me in Your own presence with the glory that I had with You before the world existed.” In other words, since eternity past, the Father and Son shared in perfect glory. Later in John 17:24, Jesus says, “Father, I desire that they also, whom You have given Me, may be with Me where I am, to see My glory that You have given Me because You loved Me before the foundation of the world.” In other words, the Father and Son shared in a perfect love relationship before time began. For all of eternity past, God was perfectly happy, content, fulfilled, and sufficient in Himself through the relationships of the Trinity. There is nothing that created beings can offer that would possibly compare to what God enjoyed in Himself.

This attribute of God establishes an eternal Creator/creation distinction. The gods of the nations required man’s service and worship. Our God does not need us. He does not need our service. He does not need our worship. God does not need us to repay Him. We don’t give to God as if He needs us, and He certainly is not obligated then to repay us for our service. We serve the Lord out of gratitude and worship, but not because we’re doing God a favor. Wayne Grudem writes,

People have sometimes thought that God created human beings because he was lonely and needed fellowship with other persons. If this were true, it would certainly mean that God is not completely independent of creation. It would mean that God would need to create persons in order to be completely happy or completely fulfilled in his personal existence. (Ibid., 161.)

In light of all that is said about God’s aseity, this does not mean that God is impersonal or somehow does not want us. Consider the amazing truth that the Lord created men to have relationship with him even though it was not necessary. What motivated God’s free choice was His grace. And then consider that this sinful man sinned against Him and rebelled against His will, and yet God redeemed him. What an awesome testimony of God’s infinite, matchless grace especially in light of His aseity. God made us because of a choice of love, and it is not because He had to satisfy some deep need. It was His gracious choice by His divine free will to create man.

Common Pitfalls for Young Men: Pride

by Pastor Patrick Cho

From time to time, I get contacted by high school or college students to meet up. Sometimes there is some agenda they want to discuss (ahem… girls), but sometimes they just want to take some time to get to know me. I have always appreciated these opportunities because having long since passed my high school and college years, there is so much I understand better today that I wish I could go back and tell my younger self. I know how impressionable a young mind can be and I appreciate when young men recognize their limitations and inexperience and seek the counsel of older men in the church.

One question I am frequently asked is, “What advice would you give a younger man desiring to grow spiritually?” Throughout the next several Pastor’s Corner articles, I would like to address some of the common spiritual pitfalls that I often see young men stumble into. The aim would be then to offer some practical counsel not only about how to avoid these pitfalls but also how to positively pursue biblical attitudes and actions.

One of the greatest dangers I see in young men is pride. Unfortunately, this is particularly true of those who seek to grow in spiritual knowledge. This is why one bit of counsel I often repeat with our seminarians is to guard the heart against pride. We are not naturally prone to humility. There is a heightened tendency in the human heart to magnify self when the mind is armed with knowledge. We like to let others know that we are well-versed in the Bible and theology. We like to put our reading and spiritual disciplines on display. All too often I see young men in particular puffed up with conceit.

I’ll never forget one occasion years ago when I was a younger college pastor. I had just finished Bible study and we were enjoying a time of informal fellowship when one of the college students approached me and introduced himself. He was new to our Bible study and wanted to let me know how much he appreciated the preaching from the Word. He then went on to explain to me all the things he felt I missed in the text and some points that he felt I could have addressed. I couldn’t help but smile. I thanked him for his input and for visiting our Bible study. I wish I could say encounters like this were rare, but it seems that each year in college ministry there was at least one. There was always that one guy who needed to tell me how much they knew or what books they were reading. They would throw out the occasional theological term to validate their spiritual prowess.

1 Peter 5:5-7 is a sober reminder that all men, young and old, need to clothe themselves with humility. This is because God opposes the proud and we find ourselves under the mighty hand of God. It is the mighty hand of God that will hold down the proud and arrogant, and it is the same mighty hand that will exalt the humble (cf. Ps. 147:6; Matt. 23:12). The Bible promises that the Lord will direct the humble heart (Ps. 25:9). We forget that the greatest in God’s kingdom are those who humble themselves (Matt. 18:4).

Here are some practical ways young men can cultivate humility:

  1. Take some time each morning to preach the gospel to yourself. There is nothing that can humble a person more than the sobering reminder of our personal depravity and our absolute reliance on the grace of God to save.
  2. If you especially find pride to be a point of difficulty or struggle, serve others. The problem with pride is that we are too focused on ourselves. One great way to direct your heart away from yourself and toward others is to serve them. Especially target those who will not be able to repay your service.
  3. If you struggle with pride, then there are probably people in the church that you either mistreat or avoid. If you have been mistreating them, ask the Lord for forgiveness and then meet up with them to ask their forgiveness as well. Do something to encourage at least one of these people this week. Write them an encouragement note or treat them to a meal. It may be that you avoid them because you feel like you are better than they. Learn to treat them as better than yourself (Phil. 2:3-4).
  4. Learn to be quiet. One sure giveaway of a prideful heart is an unbridled tongue (cf. James 3:2). Let others talk and try not to offer your opinion when no one has asked for it.
  5. Seek to apply the knowledge you gain. Remember that mere knowledge puffs up (1 Cor. 8:1), but true wisdom is applied in meekness (James 3:13).

If Ye Seek Me, Let These Go Their Way

by Charles Haddon Spurgeon

From John 18:8

Mark, my soul, the care which Jesus manifested even in His hour of trial, towards the sheep of His hand! The ruling passion is strong in death. He resigns Himself to the enemy, but He interposes a word of power to set His disciples free. As to Himself, like a sheep before her shearers He is dumb and opened not His mouth, but for His disciples’ sake He speaks with Almighty energy.

Herein is love, constant, self-forgetting, faithful love. But is there not far more here than is to be found upon the surface? Have we not the very soul and spirit of the atonement in these words? The Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep, and pleads that they must therefore go free. The Surety is bound, and justice demands that those for whom He stands a substitute should go their way.

In the midst of Egypt’s bondage, that voice rings as a word of power, ‘Let these go their way.’ Out of slavery of sin and Satan the redeemed must come. In every cell of the dungeons of Despair, the sound is echoed, ‘Let these go their way,’ and forth come Despondency and Much-afraid. Satan hears the well-known voice, and lifts his foot from the neck of the fallen; and Death hears it, and the grave opens her gates to let the dead arise. Their way is one of progress, holiness, triumph, glory, and none shall dare to stay them in it. No lion shall be on their way, neither shall any ravenous beast go up thereon. ‘The hind of the morning’ has drawn the cruel hunters upon himself, and now the most timid roes and hinds of the field may graze at perfect peace among the lilies of his loves. The thunder-cloud has burst over the Cross of Calvary, and the pilgrims of Zion shall never be smitten by the bolts of vengeance.

Come, my heart, rejoice in the immunity which thy Redeemer has secured thee, and bless His name all the day, and every day.

3.26a

Weekly Links (11/15/2013)

Satan accuses Christians day and night. It is not just that he will work on our conscience to make us feel as dirty, guilty, defeated, destroyed, weak, and ugly as he possibly can; it is something worse: his entire play in the past is to accuse us before God day and night, bringing charges against us that we know we can never answer before  the majesty of God’s holiness.

What can we say in response? Will our defense be, ‘Oh, I’m not that bad?’ You will never beat Satan that way. Never. What you must say is, ‘Satan, I’m even worse than you think, but God loves me anyway. He has accepted me because of the blood of the Lamb.’ (D. A. Carson)

by Richard Shin

  • Crossway is celebrating 75 years and making the ESV Study Bible available for free on the web. If you haven’t taken advantage of this already, you need to get on this. And in case you’re confused, it’s the “web app” which you can activate and view with an account on crossway.org.
  • Crossway also released a new web app called Reformation Creeds & Catechsims that enable you to view the different historic creeds and catechisms. You can activate this one for free.
  • Tim Challies has a three-part series on the topic of modesty that is quite good.  You can find them here: part 1, part 2, and part 3.
  • Jonathan Leeman shares a few thoughts on what high schoolers really want from college. Even if you’re not in high school, you may very well know one who is or have a kid that will be. So, perhaps worth a gander.
  • The Employment Non-Dscrimination Act (ENDA) has been a hot topic as of late. Joe Carter shares a few questions and answers regarding this bill. Denny Burk also has a similar Q&A session with Andrew Walker, Director of Policy Studies with the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, here.
  • John Piper recently went to Ethiopia and came back with some lessons he learned, like “missions is not for wimpy women.” Since not many of us will go to Ethiopia (or similar) in our lifetime, this might be insightful for us.

Coram Deo

Tired Singles: Single Life Ministry Update

by Johnny Kim

With the start of this Fall season, I have the privilege of serving as the elder overseeing the Single Life ministry. Having been on the Single Life ministry staff years ago when I myself was single, I am excited to return to serving Single Life, this time joined by a ministry partner (my wife!). As I think about my own past experiences as a single adult and all the lessons learned that I could possibly share, one lesson about being single sticks out in particular because it seems I learned it only after getting married. Before I go any further (and before I risk getting into trouble with my aforementioned ministry partner), I can’t help but to say that I absolutely love my wife and being married in general. Though I would not trade marriage for any other life stage here on Earth, the one thing that marriage made me finally realize about singleness was just how precious singleness is.

Allow me to explain.

It just so happens that it’s the same lesson that the Apostle Paul was trying to teach the church at Corinth throughout 1 Corinthians 7. Throughout the chapter, we can see that Paul extols the virtues of being single as opposed to being married. Paul presents the simple and plain truth that, compared to their married counterparts, those who are single face less hindrances and concerns in the way of offering complete and undistracted devotion to the Lord. Opportunities for greater devotion to the Lord are definitely precious and no Christian, single or married, can deny that.

And yet, as single adults, we (I am also speaking for myself when I was single) can sometimes fail to see the preciousness of the single stage of life. We fail to see that our freedom as singles grants us a whole host of opportunities to serve Christ and His church; opportunities that would surely be harder to come by if we were married. Rather than celebrating singleness as a special stage of life, we can be prone to treating singleness as if it were an unnatural state. Some might even reduce this special stage to nothing more than a sort of waiting room in life where we sit around simply waiting for bigger and better things to come our way. Under the weight of those kinds of attitudes, devotion to the Lord is replaced by discontentment with our life and discontent singles then quickly grow tired of being single.

On the contrary, throughout 1 Corinthians 7, Paul paints a picture of singleness where the single person is not tired of being single, but more likely tired from being single. It’s the picture of a single person who without a wife or husband to be concerned about, is free to work wholeheartedly for God and His kingdom purposes. Without the various needs of a spouse vying for their time and attention, they are free then to devote all of their time and attention (and at all hours of the day) in service to God. The single person can completely tire themselves out in total devotion to the Lord without worrying that they will have nothing left of themselves to give to a waiting spouse at home.

Marriage is definitely a blessing from God as is singleness according to Paul. It is my desire that Single Life would be a ministry full of tired singles; singles who are absolutely tired and spent from being wholeheartedly devoted to serving God while in the single stage of life. In a society that offers singles plenty of other reasons to be tired, including the pursuit of career advancement, higher education, travels around the world, hobbies and the like, it is my hope that the Single Life ministry can be characterized by singles who are completely tired for the sake of Christ.

Singles, are you tired of being single or are you tired from being single?

This Week at LBC San Diego!

by Pastor Patrick Cho

Dear LBC church family!

I just wanted to send out a quick email to remind everyone about some of the happenings this week at LBCSD. Please read through the ministry opportunities below and participate in the life of the church!

  1. Baptism Class. Please don’t forget that we will be having a baptism class tonight at 7:00 PM at the church. If you have not yet been baptized as a believer in obedience to the Lord’s command, please come out tonight to learn more about this ordinance.
  2. Baptism Service. We will be having a baptism service on Sunday, November 17, at 4:30 PM, at the church. Please come out and support those who will be sharing testimony!
  3. Midweek Bible Studies. Our midweek Bible studies continue this week at the church. The singles ministry will be meeting on Wednesday at 6:30 PM, the LBC Kids’ Club and Grace Life will be meeting on Thursday at 6:30 PM, and the college and youth ministries will meet on Friday at 7:00 PM.
  4. Peacemaker Sunday. This Sunday, we will take some time to look at the importance of being peacemakers in the church. All members of LBC have committed to pursue God-honoring conflict resolution and reconciliation. This weekend’s sermon will help us remember why this commitment is so crucial. (Editor’s Note: there is a hub post for Peacemaker as well).
  5. Operation Christmas Child. Please don’t forget that this Sunday is our collection date for Operation Christmas Child. You can visit the website for Samaritan’s Purse for more details. If you have any specific questions about our collection date, please contact Mrs. Grace Lee (gracelee357@aol.com).

That’s it for now! Please also don’t forget about the upcoming Thanksgiving potluck (11/24) and Christmas Concert (12/14)! There’s much going on at LBC! Let’s continue to seek to be a blessing to our fellowship brothers and sisters in Christ.

In His grace,

Pastor Patrick

True Disciples Of Christ

by Elder Johnny Kim

There are times when in the course of my job, I have to travel to various regions in the Middle East. Most of the time, they are fairly routine business trips, but there have been times when I’ve found myself in areas known to be hostile toward U.S. citizens. Prior to traveling to such places, I have to attend mandatory briefings in which one of the reminders I’m always given is to avoid wearing any clothing or accessories which may give away that I’m a U.S. citizen. It’s always a sobering thought to consider that there are people in certain regions of the world whose hatred of the U.S. runs so deep that it would drive them to kidnap and or kill anyone who might be from the U.S. Though these people might not know me or have any idea what kind of person I really am, the fact that I am merely associated with the U.S. is reason enough to fuel their hatred.

Jesus’ disciples were given a similar warning about associating with Him and being His disciples. In John 15:18-20, Jesus warns His disciples that they should expect to be persecuted on account of following Him. Jesus makes it clear that the disciples would not escape the persecution that Jesus faced because in being His disciples, they were advertising to the world around them that they stood for everything Jesus stood for. As followers of Jesus, they were engaged intimately in His work. In the eyes of Jesus’ enemies, the disciples were just as guilty as Jesus Himself.

In thinking about the implications of this idea for Christians today, one thing that might stand in the way of a clear understanding is our definition of being a disciple. Jesus’ disciples were a real threat to His enemies simply because they rightly viewed His disciples to be so intimately associated with Jesus. Jesus’ disciples subscribed to Jesus’ teachings, beliefs, and commands in an intimate way. Their thoughts, actions, and words were closely aligned with Jesus’ thoughts, actions, and words. For them, the disciple-Master relationship was such that they sought to mirror their Master in every way and to submit their lives to Him in complete submission and obedience.

Unfortunately, some Christians today who would consider themselves disciples of Christ are anything but when measured against the standard of Christ’s disciples during His day. Christ’s disciples were a threat to the religious establishment, not because they called themselves disciples of Christ, but because they acted like disciples of Christ. We might call ourselves disciples of Christ today, but for some of us, our true thoughts, actions, and words would betray that title. Even if we go to church every Sunday, read the bible, and agree with the things that we learn, if we are not conforming our lives to Christ’s and surrendering ourselves as slaves to Him and His every command, then we fall short of being His true disciples. And if we are not willing to proclaim every truth that Jesus proclaimed and not willing to live as He lived, then we fall short of being His true disciples.

We don’t need to look any further than our circle of influence of unbelieving family, friends, co-workers, classmates, and acquaintances to measure our effectiveness as true disciples and followers of Christ. If Christ promised that the world would hate us and persecute us just as they did Him, then we can either believe that to be true or dismiss it as an empty threat. But the truth is the lack of hatred and persecution on account of Christ in our lives may very well be an indication that we aren’t the disciples that we thought we were. After all, what threat would the world feel from a Christian who walks like the world, talks like the world, seeks the same things as world, and affirms the pursuits of the world?

Are our lives filled only with people that love us and like us? Is there no one in our lives that would not even say anything negative about us? Do we live lives that are conflict-free and in peace and harmony with the world around us? If so, then we might be further from being true disciples of Christ than we think. If we believe the words of Christ, Son of God, to be true, then we have to believe that the promised outcome for His followers will be true as well.

The Son Of Man

by Charles Haddon Spurgeon

From John 3:13

How constantly our Master used the title, the ‘Son of man!’ If He had chosen, He might always have spoken of Himself as the Son of God, the Everlasting Father, the Wonderful, the Counsellor, the Prince of Peace; but behold the lowliness of Jesus! He prefers to call Himself the Son of man. Let us learn a lesson of humility from our Saviour; let us never court great titles nor proud degrees.

There is here, however, a far sweeter thought. Jesus loved manhood so much, that He delighted to honour it; and since it is a high honour, and indeed, the greatest dignity of manhood, that Jesus is the Son of man, He is wont to display this name, that He may as it were hang royal stars upon the breast of manhood, and show forth the love of God to Abraham’s seed. Son of man-whenever He said that word, He shed a halo round the head of Adam’s children.

Yet there is perhaps a more precious thought still. Jesus Christ called Himself the Son of man to express His oneness and sympathy with His people. He thus reminds us that He is the one whom we may approach without fear. As a man, we may take to Him all our griefs and troubles, for He knows them by experience; in that He Himself hath suffered as the ‘Son of man,’ He is able to succor and comfort us. All hail, Thou blessed Jesus! inasmuch as Thou art evermore using the sweet name which acknowledges that Thou art a brother and a near kinsman, it is to us a dear token of Thy grace, Thy humility, Thy love.

‘Oh see how Jesus trusts Himself
Unto our childish love,
As though by His free ways with us
Our earnestness to prove!

His sacred name a common word
On earth He loves to hear;
There is no majesty in Him
Which love may not come near.’

3.25p

Weekly Links (11/8/2013)

by Stephen Rodgers

It’s my turn to take a crack at the weekly links, which has a fairly predictable result: new monthly resources!

  • The free Logos book of the month is The Works of Richard Sibbes Volume 1.
  • Christianaudio.com is giving away In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day.  I have to admit I don’t know the first thing about that book, so I can’t really recommend it.  Still, it’s there.
  • Ligonier’s free book of the month however, I do recommend wholeheartedly. With verve.  Like. +1. My recommendation is over 9,000. Anyhow, it’s The Gospel Focus of Charles Spurgeon, but Steve Lawson, so be sure to grab it for whatever ereader you use.
  • The new Tabletalk is out as well, entitled To Enjoy Him Forever (the theme is theme is God’s presence with His people). You obviously don’t want to miss that.
  • On top of that, there’s a new 9Marks eJournal out. It’s part 2 of the previous eJournal, on the topic of Evangelism.
  • Last but not least, creation.com has a series of 60 10-minute audio programs (designed for radio programs, but available to you) that you can download.

That’s it! See you Sunday!

Pro Rege