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This Bible study was originally considered during Midweek Connection on November 19, 2014. 
 Michael Phelps is an American swimmer and the most decorated Olympian of all time with 22 medals. He also holds the all-time record for Olympic gold medals with 18, which is double the second highest record holders. His list of honors, awards, accomplishments, and records is enormously lengthy, and he stands as the greatest swimmer of all time.
What has contributed to his incredible success? An August 2008 article examined Phelps' physique and demonstrated several unique features that helps Phelps as a swimmer. First, although he stands at 6'4" and most peoples' wingspan equals their height, Phelps' wingspan is 6'7", allowing his arms to work like powerful propulsive paddles. The article also states that his lower body, interestingly, is shorter than that of an average man of his height. His relatively short legs result in less drag or resistance. In short, Phelps has an upper body of a 6'8" person but his lower body seems to be of someone who is only 5'10", which also make the perfect plane in water. Then there's his size-14 feet and double-jointed ankles that allow him to whip his feet as if they are flippers. Finally, Phelps eats 12,000 calories a day, but his body produces less lactic acid than most other people which means he takes less time to recover after a swim. So, Michael Phelps is the greatest swimmer of all time, because he's built perfectly for it, right? Wrong! The article goes on to state that Phelps swims 60 miles a week and maintains a mind-boggling daily routine. Without his workout program, Michael Phelps would still have a "freakish" physique, but nothing to show for it. His God-given gifts had to be complemented with his own rigorous effort in order to accomplish the results that have made him famous. Likewise, believers have been given a unique "spiritual physique"—"old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new" (2 Corinthians 5:17). They have the life of God, as they are "partakers of the divine nature" (2 Peter 1:4). Yet, unless they use what they've been given, they'll still have a "new man" nature, but nothing to show for it. The believer's God-given gifts (2 Peter 1:1-4) have to be complemented with his own diligent effort (2 Peter 1:5-7) in order to accomplish the results that glorify Jesus Christ (2 Peter 1:8-11).  Pastor Phelps shared the following illustrations with his ABF class this past Sunday, and I thought I'd pass it along, as it really helps to clarify Peter's tension between justification (1:1-4) and sanctification (1:5-11).
When his children were still in high school, Pastor and Mrs. Phelps bought them all inline skates for Christmas. The kids were ecstatic about that gift, especially in light of (1) their 140 foot paved driveway, (2) their large and energetic dog that could pull them around, and (3) the unusual 60 degree weather they happened to have on that particular Christmas day. For one of their children, however, a wrong size had been purchased--the skates fit okay, but would be outgrown within a few months. So, the parents had the incredibly difficult job of convincing that child to wait until their inline skates could be returned the next. Why was that so hard for the child to understand and agree to? Because the natural response for those children--in light of the really neat gift and tremendously warm day--was to run outside and enjoy it. In a picture, that's what sanctification it--having received the incredibly wonderful gift of salvation, we run outside and use it! Recognizing our freedom from sin and reveling in our new status as children of God, we naturally and energetically unwrap the gift and put it to use! Some gifts just make us want to drop everything and start using it right away, and not to do so is agony--just ask the Phelps' child! Likewise, God's gift of true faith through Jesus Christ (2 Peter 1:1-4) is a gift that keeps on giving, and it compels the recipient who's paying attention to drop everything else and respond in gratitude and cooperation. This is sanctification.  I understand the thinking of the libertine. Giving him the benefit of the doubt here, I think he probably understands God’s grace better than most of us do. From Paul’s perspective, it is because the libertine understands the lavish nature and dominating power of God’s grace that he decides to continue in sin (Romans 6:1). So, while it is a wrong conclusion that the amazingness of grace gives us the allowance to continue in sin, it is an understandable conclusion when God’s grace is properly grasped.
So, accepting Paul’s warning in Romans 6:2ff that we must still put off our sin, let us see how he got there by basking in the overwhelming greatness of grace in Romans 5:18-21. In this passage, we find ourselves in Paul’s transition from discussing the righteousness of God in justification (Romans 3:21-5:17) to teaching us of the righteousness of God in sanctification (Romans 6:1-8:17)—both of which are taught in the gospel (Romans 1:16-17). We see that Paul ends his first point on a very high note, contrasting the sin of Adam with the work of Christ. His key point is if Adam’s sin made all men sinners and therefore condemned to hell, how much more will Christ’s obedience result in righteousness and justification to the one who believes (vv. 18-19)! This truth gives a positive light to what we so often look upon as negative—rules. Our negative perspective (and experience) with rules (the law) reminds us that according to verse 20(a), law was instituted by God so that sin would be known and (in a sense) multiply (by magnification). However, the positive goal of that knowledge and multiplication of sin is so that God’s grace can be known and multiply in like (and greater) proportion (v. 20b). The result, then, of the abounding of sin and the consequent super-abounding of grace is found in verse 21. The contrast between sin and grace is highlighted even more poignantly in Paul’s use of grammar. In the first phrase, “reign” is actually the first word in the sentence in the original language and is thus intended to be emphasized. In the second phrase, “grace” is placed first and therefore highlighted. In other words, using italics to emphasize what Paul is saying, “Before you were saved, the king of sin reigned over your life in the dominion of death. It didn’t just influence you to make poor decisions or pressure you to rebel against God or annoy you incessantly; it reigned over you—completely, entirely. However, now that you have attained Christ’s righteousness by faith, that which is reigning in your life is grace.” And Paul has already highlighted in verse 20 how much more powerful than sin is this potentate of grace. The climax of grace’s greatness is discovered in the second half of this verse. Grace reigns and dispenses its power “through righteousness,” the righteousness of Jesus Christ which you already received by faith. So, since you were by faith on the day of your salvation clothed and completed in His righteousness “unto eternal life,” there is never a time when you are without God’s grace! It is always reigning in your life! And although some may rebel against their leader, a powerful ruler will always prevail. So it is with grace! Even though you might not be reading God’s Word to receive grace (Acts 20:32), even though you might be neglecting prayer which is said to channel grace (Hebrews 4:16), even though you may be avoiding those who can minister grace to you through fellowship (Ephesians 4:29), grace still reigns and rules in your life, because you stand clothed in Christ’s righteousness which is the never-ceasing means of God’s grace to you. Just as sure as you have the righteousness of Christ, so you stand complete in the grace of God. As a child of God, you might flee from His work in your life, but you never leave the boundaries of this kingdom of grace through righteousness. Behold the super-abounding nature of grace! Behold the ability of Jesus’ righteousness! Behold the power of the gospel! This is your position! Yes, don’t abuse it, but do let it thrill your heart, as you wrap yourself up in thanksgiving for what Jesus has accomplished on your behalf! We considered this theme from Haggai in our Sunday morning Bible Study this past week. If you missed it, I've pasted the notes below. INTRODUCTION
What are your life priorities? We could figure that out by asking… • What do you think about most? • What do you talk about most? • What do you sacrifice for most? Is God one of your life-priorities? Are you a priority to Him? YES! • He thinks about us all the time (Psalm 139:17-18—“How difficult it is for me to fathom your thoughts about me, O God! How vast is their sum total! If I tried to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand.” NET). • He talks about us throughout Scripture (both negatively, focusing on our sin, and positively, focusing on solution/relationship). • He sacrificed His life for us (John 15:13). Is God a priority to you? • Do you think about Him often? • Do you talk about Him frequently? • Do you sacrifice for Him? Throughout her history as God’s chosen people, Israel regularly struggled with the issue of spiritual priorities, manifesting itself regularly in blatant idolatry. It was this sin, primarily, that God repeatedly warned against and would eventually punish with captivity. When they were released from captivity 70 years later, Israel had learned her lesson and was once again a fiercely monotheistic people to this day. Nonetheless, they would continue to struggle with the issue of spiritual priorities. V. 1 – Audience: God addresses the leadership of those who had returned to Israel after the captivity. • Zerubbabel = political leader who led the first remnant in their return to Palestine in 538 B.C., 18 years earlier. • Joshua = spiritual leader who was the high priest V. 2-4, 9 – Message (Indictment): The people had determined that it was not time yet to rebuild God’s house. They had constructed lavish homes for themselves (e.g., paneled = probably walls overlaid with cedar), but were indifferent to the status of God’s house, which was still desolate. They “ran” to the attention of their own homes, while completely ignoring God’s (v. 9). God not only didn’t have first place; He didn’t have any place! God was not pleased (“This people,” NOT “My people”—v. 2). External idolatry had been replaced with idols of the heart! INTERROGATIVE: What Does God Do When We Misplace Him in our List of Priorities? (VV. 5-15) 1. He Chastens Us (vv. 5-7, 9-11). – Grace Rebuke (vv. 5, 7) God explains that their decision was wrong. They should “consider [set your heart on/think carefully about] your ways” (v. 5, 7; 2:15, 18). They were challenged to stop and think about what they were doing, to stop and listen to themselves. It would be obvious that such rationale was completely off! Punishment (vv. 6, 9-11) V. 6 – Thus, even though they had been working hard, they didn’t get very much. (Illustration: 2 steps forward, 3 back). Vv. 10-11 – God had even called for a drought on all that Israel came into contact with so that those things would not produce properly. V. 9 – Any profit they did make didn’t seem to last very long, for God was “blowing away” what they got. Application: God is purposeful in His chastening. He “resists” the proud, so that in their humiliation, they may be put into a situation in which they may know His exaltation. Those “2 steps forward, 3 steps back” times in life may be from the hand of God, who’s seeking to get your heart. Those profitless seasons of life may not be due to a bad economy, but may be the chastening work of God, whose knocking at your heart, commanding His rightful place on the throne of your heart. Resistance in life may not be persecution or trial; it may be your heavenly Lover, removing your other lovers, so that you are returned to your senses and returned to your God (cf. Hosea 2). 2. He Gives Second Chances (v. 8). – Grace Command: God tells them clearly what they should do…they should go to the mountains to get wood and rebuild the temple. Promise: This would cause God to be pleased and glorified, which was of course their purpose. Principle: The burden of success was not laid upon them; only the responsibility of obedience. Application: Because the consequences of our failures and sins have been judged in Christ, God has no judgment left for us. Rather, as the “God of all grace,” God extends fresh opportunities of obedience and promises to delight in that obedience. We don’t have to wonder whether or not He will be pleased; we just need to obey out of a heart that treasures God as highest priority. Daily are these opportunities given, for “His mercies are new every morning” (Lamentations 3). Let us not abuse, but use His grace, for His gory! 3. He Enables Us To Obey (vv. 12-15). – Grace Our Need to Obey -- They practiced repentant obedience (v. 12) which invited and enabled the work of God in their midst. God’s Provision of Enablement (a.) He reminds them of covenant realities: • God’s presence and promise: “I am with you” (v. 13; 2:4-5). • God’s program: “I will fill this house with glory...and in this place I will give peace” (vv. 2:6-9). While some would look at this rebuilt temple and quietly mourn that it didn’t compare with the former glory of God’s house (vv. 2:1-3), God reminds them of His culminative, future work for Israel in the Millennium. (b.) He internally motivates them to obey Him: ”The Lord stirred up the spirit” (v. 12). God got within them to energize and enable them to prioritize Him in active obedience as they rebuilt His house. Application: God wants your loyalty and love: simply your heart throughout your day; some specific ministry He’s burdening you for; some relationship that He wasn’t secondary; some decision that He wants primacy in; some command He wants submission to. Will you invite His enabling grace and covenant faithfulness thought a heart of repentant obedience? CONCLUSION You are a priority to God. Is He a priority to you? Hosea teaches us that because God is patient with our misplaced priorities, we must put Him first. → This is contrary to typical thinking. Put God first in everything. If you don’t through self-centered, heart-idolatry… • He will rebuke. • He will punish. If you do, through repentant obedience… • He will instruct. • He will surround you with His faithful presence. • He will enable you to obey Him. • He will bless when you do. Give God the obedience and reverence that He deserves; “in all things [may] He have the preeminence.” If you're looking for another devotional tool to enrich or refresh your walk with God, let me recommend The Valley of Vision. This is a collection of short Puritan prayers, which contain earnest emotion, rich doctrine, and personal hunger for God's fellowship. The prayers are structured in such a way to aid meditation and reflection, and the prayers are organized around key themes.
While I've known of the benefit of this little book for a long time, my problem has often been knowing where to start with it or how to use it. Thankfully, Joe Thorn solved that problem for me over at his blog. Joe has prepared a schedule that enables you to read through this book in 13 weeks, by meditating on three prayers a day (at 9:00, 12:00, and 3:00) Monday-Friday. You can read his own comments about this devotional aid and download the schedule here. You can purchase the book from Amazon, either as leather-bound or soft-cover. As a sample of the rich benefit this little resource offers, I've quoted the first prayer below. The Valley of Vision Lord, high and holy, meek and lowly, Thou hast brought me to the valley of vision, Where I live in the depths but see Thee in the heights; hemmed in by mountains of sin I behold Thy glory. Let me learn by paradox that the way down is the way up, that to be low is to be high, that the broken heart is the healed heart, that the contrite spirit is the rejoicing spirit, that the repenting soul is the victorious soul, that to have nothing is to possess all, that to bear the cross is to wear the crown, that to give is to receive, that the valley is the place of vision. Lord, in the daytime stars can be seen from deepest wells, and the deeper the wells the brighter Thy stars shine; Let me find Thy light in my darkness, Thy life in my death, Thy joy in my sorrow, Thy grace in my sin, Thy riches in my poverty, Thy glory in my valley. A pastor in Ohio started a ministry of song-writing about 4 years ago. His hymns are tremendous and can be freely used from his website, www.churchworksmedia.com. One of my favorite hymns is one he wrote earlier this year, entitled, Draw Near Through Christ. I've copied the text below. I'm always been especially stirred by the theme of the cherubs throughout each stanza. In Eden’s bliss we walked with God
Unhindered by the curse. Yet we rebelled and were expelled-- Estranged; alone; perverse. Two mighty cherubs barred the path To Eden’s holy place; No more could men, now stained by sin, Behold our Maker’s face. Beneath the Law we sought the Lord Through sacrifice and priest. One time each year one man, in fear, Sought God with blood of beast. Still mighty cherubs blocked the way So sinners could not pass-- In curtain sewn, on golden throne, They stopped the rebel fast. Then Christ appeared to clear the way To God for sinful man; Fulfilled the Law without a flaw-- Our Temple, Priest, and Lamb. Astounded cherubs stepped aside; Each hid his flaming sword. With nail and thorn the Veil was torn; Draw near through Christ the Lord! In Jesus’ name we boldly come Before the throne of grace. With empty hand, in Christ we stand To seek Almighty’s face Till saints and cherubs join in awe Around the Savior’s throne. With one great voice we will rejoice: “All praise to Christ alone!” Copyright 2010 ChurchWorksMedia.com. All rights reserved. If you talk, at all, you need to read Paul David Tripp‘s book, War of Words (Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R Publishing Co.).
In chapter 9, Paul deals with the issue of confrontation, but he defines and addresses it differently than most. Paul starts the chapter by demonstrating why most people dread confrontation; he then suggests “a very different way” that centers on the Gospel. After discussing the story of Nathan’s confrontation of David, Tripp concludes that this story “gives us a real window…into God’s covenant commitment to intervene in our blindness and rebellion with His redemptive grace” (p. 141). He continues, “This deliverance [cf. Colossians 1:13] is not the end of Christ’s work of salvation; it is the beginning. Once He has broken the dominion of darkness over us, He then begins to remove all the darkness within us so that we may be holy as He is holy” (p. 141). Therefore, the Gospel not only deals with the sinfulness of our talk, it also provides positive ministry-focused “biblical guardrails for all that we say to one another” (p. 142). In his own words, “Our speaking must have the principle work of God’s kingdom [justification and sanctification, cf. p. 141] in view….our talk with one another has been ordained by God to be a vital part of that work.” At last, not only am I gripped with my need to focus on my speech in my sanctification process because of its destructive power (cf. James 3), but I am also amazed to discover the potential sanctifying power in my speech. Indeed, does not Ephesians 4:29 catch us off guard by informing us that we can be channels of God’s grace to each other? Think about that…consider what God’s grace is…consider what God’s grace does…consider the benefits of God’s grace…consider how much you feel your need for God’s grace–you can be the channel of that very power to fellow believers! Up to now, it is apparent that Tripp has been providing us with an alternative understanding of confrontation. On p. 142, he does that clearly by stating what was for me the most profitable sentence in the chapter, “Intervention…is a lifestyle, a commitment.” He follows up with, “In some way our talk should always have ongoing redemption in view.” To explain that statement, Tripp climaxes this chapter with a brief commentary on Hebrews 3:12-15, cited for you here: Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. For we have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end. As it is said, “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.” In a section entitled, “Each One a Helper, Each Needing Help,” Tripp summarizes three main points from that passage that relate to a lifestyle of intervention:
In light of Tripp’s teaching in this chapter, let me suggest two main conclusions and applications that I came to personally:
Friends, be afraid about destructive potential of your speech (cf. James 3), but be empowered by the responsibility to use your speech to minister grace to your brothers and sisters in Christ. In this way, we can have a more far-reaching and a more ongoing ministry with people than our pastor can have…he may own the pulpit for a few hours on Sunday and Wednesday, but we can preach to ourselves and others the wonderful grace of God 24/7! Let’s do it…we need each other! Hebrews 3:13 reminds us to "exhort one another daily, while it is called 'today,' lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin." From Scripture and personal experience, I know the need to take Sunday/Wednesday church and bring it into Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. I NEED the daily help of fellow believers to keep me focused on the Gospel and to encourage me to walk in its realities. I have come to understand that Christianity is a group effort, that "intervention is a way of life" (Paul Tripp), and that "ministering grace" to each other (Ephesians 4:29) is an incredible privilege that we need to utilize more often.
This site is designed to be a tool to meet that need of daily connectivity and fellowship with other believers. I hope you find it incredibly helpful and encouraging, and I trust you will frequent it often. Take a moment to check out the various pages and don't hesitate to contact me with any questions or comments. Grace and peace, Keith |
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