 Dawn and I are slowly working our way through the book Note to Self: The Discipline of Preaching to Yourself by Joe Thorn. I haven't led the most faithfully in Bible reading, worship, and prayer together, but, even as I know what God desires for me, I also know that His Spirit will continue to enable me—so, I'm striving to ingrain this habit into the very fabric of who I am as a "new humanity" husband (Colossians 3:10, 12-16; Ephesians 4:24; 5:18, 25-27). By the way, accompanying this goal is a desire to pray for you all by name on a weekly basis. It's a shameful lack of love that I have not been more regular in this spiritual responsibility as well (Galatians 6:2). Nonetheless, with my goals stated, with your accountability solicited, and with God's gracious Spirit enabling, I'm excited to reap spiritual success in these areas! Yesterday, Dawn and I prayed through the next 15 names or so in the Single Focus group and we read a chapter from Note to Self entitled, "Speak to Others." It was neat to see how much it complemented our study in True Community, even borrowing one of the key verses (Hebrews 3:12-13) and the very title of our study. I've pasted below that key verse and a quote from that chapter that I hope will serve to "stir you up to love and good works" (Hebrews 10:24-25), even as it did me. Before that, let me just share the key challenge that I received from this reading. I was reminded that "as long as it is called 'today,'" I have a God-given responsibility to spiritually help you, my brothers and sisters. And, "today" just happens to be another day that I can call "today," :) and so my job is clear—to take care to myself, lest I have an evil, unbelieving, and calloused heart; and to exhort you, lest you be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. I hope this post helps accomplish that. I hope any personal interaction I have with you helps to accomplish that. I hope to use the various technology tools around me to help accomplish that. And, if we all focus on accomplishing that goal "every day," then even when individual members fail to do so in any given day (as I know I have and will), we as a community together will accomplish that! 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.
- Hebrews 3:12-13 Dear Self, Are you connected to others in such a way that affords you opportunities to speak into their lives? Just as God has put people near you to speak to you for your God, so he has intended to use you to speak words of grace to others. The questions are—are you connected, and are you speaking? It is not enough to just be around others, maintaining politeness and pleasantries. You must be connected to others more deeply, in true community, where you are doing life together and pursuing the same purpose together. - From Note to Self: The Discipline of Preaching to Yourself by Joe Thorn, chapter 24 – "Speak to Others"
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 In conjunction with our Midweek Connection series entitled, "Relationships in 3s," we solicited input from the entire Single Focus group regarding the areas of morality, interaction, and dating. In particular, we asked the guys to give input in these areas for their sisters, and we inquired of the ladies for input about these issues for their brothers. We did this to emphasize the family focus of the body of Christ, and to remind ourselves that none of us make decisions in a vacuum. Even in the delicate area of morality, we are helped by having some of these discussions in a mixed group so that we can look into each other's faces and remind ourselves that we should be living for one another, even as we live for Christ (cf. Romans 14). Specifically, regarding those three areas mentioned above, we asked each group to share with the opposite gender (1) what they wanted to thank them for, (2) what they wanted to share with them, and (3) how they wanted to counsel them. It's humorous that even in the length of conversation from one group to another, the God-ordained complementary differences of the genders are highlighted. Here's what the guys and girls had to say to one another: From the Girls to the Guys Regarding Morality
From the Guys to the Girls
 Are you interested in Jesus Christ? How do you know if you really are? Anyone can say that, but does your life demonstrate that?
In Philippians 2:4, Paul exhorts the believer to "look not only to his own things [Gk. ta heauton], but also to the things of others." The word "to look" means "to pay careful attention to, to take special notice of." It carries the idea of awareness, that the blinders are off and I'm focused on what's going on with the people around me. In the next several verses, Paul gives us the reason or model for such others-awareness: this mindset was the very mindset of Jesus Christ (vv. 5-8). He was aware of people, and that's why He came to earth (cf. Luke 19:10). Unfortunately, Paul demonstrates that few believers reciprocate this same saving awareness, for "all seek their own things [Gk. ta heauton], not those of Jesus Christ" (v. 21). So, we aren't aware of the people around us, because we aren't very aware of Jesus Christ. 1. So, are you interested in Jesus? Then, focus on people – stop being self-aware, and be aware of people. Against this self-absorbed mold stands Timothy. Paul's testimony of this young man was that "I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for the things about you [Gk. ta peri humon]" (v. 20). The word "to be concerned" means "to be anxious for." We often translate it as "to worry," and it is the same word used in Matthew 6:25 and Philippians 4:6. It carries the idea of genuinely caring for people. Timothy was burdened for people in this way, because he was more than verbally committed to Jesus – he was actively seeking the things of Jesus Christ (v. 21). He recognized that true interest in Jesus Christ will be translated into true interest in people. 2. So, are you interested in Jesus? Then, care for people – stop being self-anxious, and be anxious for people. But, we must take our interest in Jesus Christ one step further. Jesus' interests went beyond merely being aware and concerned for people. His heart for people bled into His service for people, even to the extent that "He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross" (v. 8) that He might take care of their greatest need. 3. So, are you interested in Jesus? Then, serve people – stop being self-active, and be active for people. Jesus wants more than our affirmation that we're interested in Him. He wants us to prove that by being interested in what He's interested in. If you're not interested much in people – you're generally not aware of them, anxious for their welfare, and active in meeting their needs – then you need to meditate much on Christ's interest for you, even when you were un-interesting. "God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8). "In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent His only Son into the world, so that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another" (I John 4:10-11). So, you say you're interested in Jesus Christ. You call Him "Master" and "Lord," do you? That's terrific! But, it's not enough. "If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you" (John 13:14-15). Are you interested in Jesus Christ? Then be interested in people. 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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