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"For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory. And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee. But I call God to witness against me—it was to spare you that I refrained from coming again to Corinth. Not that we lord it over your faith, but we work with you for your joy, for you stand firm in your faith.For I made up my mind not to make another painful visit to you. For if I cause you pain, who is there to make me glad but the one whom I have pained? And I wrote as I did, so that when I came I might not suffer pain from those who should have made me rejoice, for I felt sure of all of you, that my joy would be the joy of you all. For I wrote to you out of much affliction and anguish of heart and with many tears, not to cause you pain but to let you know the abundant love that I have for you.” 2 Corinthians 1:20-2:4"Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." 2 Corinthians 5:20-21"But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again.” Philippians 1:24-261. Christian joy is a good feeling produced by the Holy Spirit that is the result of our beholding and treasuring the beauty and greatness of Christ. “Father, command what you will and grant what you command.” Augustine (d. 430) (i.e. our emotions are the result of our beholding and treasuring)2. Joy → Stand Firm → In the Faith (the Centrality of Christ)“What I finally came to as I walked and prayed for you is the old, old story of getting the gospel clear in your own hearts and minds, making it clear to others, and doing it with only one motive — the glory of Christ. Getting the glory of Christ before your eyes and keeping it there — is the greatest work of the Spirit that I can imagine. And there is no greater peace, especially in the times of treadmill-like activity, than doing it all for the glory of the Lord Jesus. Think much of the Savior's suffering for you on that dreadful cross, think much of your sin that provoked such suffering, and then enter by faith into the love that took away your sin and guilt, and then give your work your best. Give it your heart out of gratitude for a tender, seeking, and patient Savior. Then every event becomes a shiny glory moment to be cherished — whether you drink tea or try to get the verb forms of the new language.” C. John Miller, Heart of a Servant LeaderThe Treasury of Merit - a Roman Catholic doctrine holding that the infinite good works of Jesus Christ, the prayers of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and the surplus good works of the saints form a spiritual reservoir in heaven3. Continually remembering and rehearsing the gospel (vv. 21-22).4. We live in security and expect progress by the power of the Holy Spirit (and opposition from the devil) (2 Corinthians 4:4-5, 11:13-14).5. In working with people, we experience the gamut of emotions: affliction, anguish, tears, sorrow, joy, hope, pain…"For this reason, brothers, in all our distress and affliction we have been comforted about you through your faith. For now we live, if you are standing fast in the Lord." 1 Thessalonians 3:7-8“Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.” 1 Peter 3:7Consider... Speaker: Buster Brown

"Because I was sure of this, I wanted to come to you first, so that you might have a second experience of grace. I wanted to visit you on my way to Macedonia, and to come back to you from Macedonia and have you send me on my way to Judea. Was I vacillating when I wanted to do this? Do I make my plans according to the flesh, ready to say 'Yes, yes' and 'No, no' at the same time? As surely as God is faithful, our word to you has not been Yes and No. For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, whom we proclaimed among you, Silvanus and Timothy and I, was not Yes and No, but in him it is always Yes. For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory. And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee." 2 Corinthians 1:15-22"Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." 2 Corinthians 5:20-21In order to not have another painful visit to the church at Corinth, Paul changed his travel itinerary so that the church could have the opportunity to assess their attitudes towards Paul’s apostolic calling (2 Corinthians 7:6-7). And in the context of canceling his visit some detractors who were preaching a “different gospel” (11:4) were accusing Paul of being indifferent in his communication and vacillating in his decision making.The Apostle Paul has established that trust was of utmost importance (1:12 and 10:11). In this passage, he underscores the fact that all of life is lived out in the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the fulfillment of all the promises of Scripture (v. 19).In building faithfulness:1. The fulfillment of all the promises of Scripture are found in the person and work of Christ (vv. 19-20). We are continually established and built up in Him (vv. 21-22).2. We have been anointed or set apart by the merciful grace of the cross and the indwelling Holy Spirit (v. 21).3. We have been sealed with the Holy Spirit as a deposit/guarantee of the glory that is to come (v. 22).Applications1. In order to be people of observable faithfulness and consistency, we always glory in the greatness of Jesus Christ, our prophet, priest, and king. 2. All the promises of the Scripture found their fulfillment in Christ."Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever." Psalm 23:6…because I am in Christ"You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore." Psalm 16:11…because I am in Christ"fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10…because I am in Christ"And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ." Philippians 1:6"Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.'" Hebrews 13:5"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28 Speaker: Buster Brown

"He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again. You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many. For our boast is this, the testimony of our conscience, that we behaved in the world with simplicity and godly sincerity, not by earthly wisdom but by the grace of God, and supremely so toward you. For we are not writing to you anything other than what you read and understand and I hope you will fully understand— just as you did partially understand us—that on the day of our Lord Jesus you will boast of us as we will boast of you." 2 Corinthians 1:10-14"Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." 2 Corinthians 5:20-21Paul spent one and a half years in Corinth establishing and nurturing the church (Acts 18). But now “a group of super apostles” (2 Corinthians 11:5)who preached “another Jesus” (11:4) were seeking to discredit Paul and his calling while causing the church to drift into error. In response to this Paul wrote a painful letter (2:4) but has now received good news that the church has repented and has fully embraced the gospel (7:6-9).“There is no safe investment. To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything, and your heart will certainly be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact, you must give your heart to no one, not even to an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements; lock it up sake in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket–safe, dark, motionless, airless–it will change. I will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable. The alternative to tragedy, or at least to the risk of tragedy, is damnation. The only place outside of heaven where you can be perfectly sake from all the dangers and perturbations of love is hell.” C.S. Lewis, The Four LovesIn not being overwhelmed…1. Bank your hope and look to the “Father of all mercies and God of all comfort”(2 Cor 1:3); the one who “raises the dead” (v. 9) to refresh and deliver you in the midst of trials (Is. 40:28-31).2. Those who are potentially overwhelmed experience refreshment and strength through the prayers of other believers (v. 11).“Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” Luke 22:31-32"Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us." Romans 8:34"Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them." Hebrews 7:253. Strive to live with simplicity and godly sincerity (as you realize that your sins are covered by the work of the cross). The gospel of done. 4. Labor to have a clear conscience toward God and man (v. 12) (Acts 24:16)."If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us." 1 John 1:6-105. Live in light of the glorious coming of the comin... Speaker: Buster Brown

"Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." 2 Corinthians 5:20-21An ambassador is a sent/authorized representative or messenger."Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too. If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer. Our hope for you is unshaken, for we know that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort. For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again." 2 Corinthians 1:3-101. Comforters: “We despaired… therefore, we were taught to rely not on ourselves but on the power of God.” (v. 8-10)"I asked the Lord that I might growIn faith, and love, and ev'ry grace,Might more of his salvation know,And seek more earnestly his face.I hoped that in some favored hour,At once he'd answer my request,And by his love's constraining power,Subdue my sins and give me rest.These inward trials I employFrom self and pride to set you freeAnd break your schemes of earthly joyThat you would seek your all in me.”John Newton, I Asked the Lord, Stanzas 1, 3, 7"Whate'er my God ordains is right:though now this cup, in drinking,may bitter seem to my faint heart,I take it, all unshrinking.My God is true; each morn anewsweet comfort yet shall fill my heart,and pain and sorrow shall depart.Whate'er my God ordains is right:here shall my stand be taken;though sorrow, need, or death be mine,yet am I not forsaken.My Father's care is round me there;he holds me that I shall not fall:and so to him I leave it all."Whatever My God Ordains Is Right, Stanzas 3-42. Rejoicing in comfort…that we may be able to comfort others (v 4)3. Understanding the afflictions/difficulties patiently endured speaks of the power of the gospel, the sustaining gospel to others (v 6).Applications 1. Radical (total) obedience and the life of chosen suffering/affliction is one of abundantly living.“For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too.”"Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles...What do I gain if, humanly speaking, I fought with beasts at Ephesus? If the dead are not raised, 'Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.'” 1 Corinthians 15:7,322. We should think much (ponder) on the character and grandeur of the triune God. “Our cure begins, to extend the medical analogy, when God as the Great Physician applies the medicine of the cross to the disease of our sin and nurses us through the love of the Holy Spirit into good health according to the prescriptions of his Word. The application of this divinely therapeutic balm of the gospel transforms our loves and reorders our lives. We become worshippers of God instead of idolaters. We trade in our vices for virtues. God breaks the power of our habits and addictions and undermines and propensities we may have toward violence. Our lives can only be r... Speaker: Buster Brown

"What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, 'He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us?' But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, 'God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.'” James 4:1-6This passage is the description of the combatants in their “pleasure wars.” One group was involved in the embrace of a worldly system which minimized the character and standards of God and led to a type of “wisdom that was earthly, spiritual, and demonic” (3.15).There was another group who pursued the Lord with a desire to worship and honor him and embrace a wisdom that is from above, that is “first pure, then peaceful, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere” (3.17).James 4:5 is a lynchpin argument in this text. It is a difficult verse to understand, but the central argument in the passage is vitally important for the believer to understand: “The specific details of the verse have been much debated, but we understand the general force to be that God is a jealous God and will brook (tolerate, allow, endure) no rivals.” Curtis Vaughn, James, pg. 86“God’s jealousy means that God continually seeks to protect his own honor…It is healthy for us spiritually when we settle in our hearts the fact that God deserves all honor and glory from his creation, and that it is right for him to seek this honor. He alone is infinitely worthy of being praised. To realize this fact and to delight in it is to find the secret of true worship.” Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology, pg. 205-206“...God’s jealousy is praiseworthy zeal on his part to preserve something supremely precious.” J.I. Packer, Knowing God, p. 189“So here’s the bottom line: the jealousy of God is the measure of zeal for happiness in him. His anger at our spiritual adultery, at having other lovers besides him, is a reflex both of his zeal for his own worth, but also of his zeal for our joy. If we turn away from him as the greatest treasure, we turn away from our greatest pleasure.” John PiperThe honoring of God and the well-being of His people are eternally linked (Deuteronomy 30:19-20; 1 Samuel 12:14; Matthew 7:24-27; Proverbs 3:4-8; Romans 8:13).1. The accurate understanding of the jealousy of God is a tonic to a life of worship and thanksgiving."You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments." Exodus 20:4-62. The understanding of the jealousy of God is an arresting (captivating, transfixing) teaching which prioritizes our pursuits.“…every preference of a small good to a great, or partial good to a total good, involves the loss of the small or partial good for which the sacrifice is made…You can’t get second things by putting them first. You get second things only by putting first things first.” C.S. Lewis, "First and Second Things," God in the Dock, pg. 280"If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and... Speaker: Buster Brown

"You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, 'He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us?' But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you." James 4:4-10 The believer fights daily against the world (the anti-God energy and thinking that is involved in the denial of God and his standards), the flesh (indwelling sin), and the devil (the stalking, roaring lion).James 4 addresses the mindset among some professing believers who were comfortable with the embrace of the world and its anti-energy standards.  James calls for sober living, earnest obedience, and glad-hearted embrace of life; instead of the non-authentic, slap-happy, insouciant, blasé, cavalier approach to life which did not take the eternal God and the eternal truths of Scripture with utmost seriousness. The way of the non-earnest/unauthentic:An empty laughter that takes little with eternal seriousnessSpeaks maliciously against others (v. 11)Boasts about accomplishments and their coming achievements with no thought of God’s empowering presence or eternity (v.13)Rejoices in accumulated wealth as they simultaneously abuse the day laborer by refusing to pay earned wages (5:1) “We cannot attain the fullness of the Spirit without being turned inside out so that our central focus is no longer on our own growth, but the glory of God and the growth of Christ's kingdom…Faith is the main route of spiritual growth. Spiritual discipline strengthens faith by leading us to prayer and by regularly exposing us to truth, as a solar battery is charged by exposure to light. Taken alone, however, the way of discipline can encourage the delusion that spiritual renewal is a matter of individual achievement. It needs to be balanced by the awareness that we are spiritually renewed as we are refreshed by the gifts of other believers and community and as the Holy Spirit is poured out in answer to corporate prayer.” Richard Lovelace, Renewal as a Way of Life, pg. 10Those who fight the embrace of the world:1. Have a deadly, earnest, sober-minded, glad-hearted approach to life2. Very careful regarding their speech (Matthew 12:37) (James 5:11)3. Understand the precious nature of time and do not presume on tomorrow. (We are Easter people and Second Coming people.)"Out, out, brief candle! Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player, That struts and frets his hour upon the stage, And then is heard no more. It is a taleTold by an idiot, full of sound and fury, Signifying nothing.”Macbeth, Act 5, Scene 54. Understand that all men and women are made in the image of God and are worthy of respect and Christian love.We live for two days: this day and that day.Sober-hearted or Sober-minded but Glad-hearted Reminders:The devil is stalking, prowling, lying and wants to devour me. There is a “worldly system” that is anti-God and anti-biblical, and leads to destruction and death and robs its adherents of life. I am called to submit to the Lord and resist the devil in this daily battle for my joy.As I draw near, he draws near for my joy (v. 5, 8).Live this day in light of that day (I'm not going to presume on tomorrow, on next week, next month, or next year).“Resolved, to endeavor to obtain for myself ... Speaker: Buster Brown

"So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for 'God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.' Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.” 1 Peter 5:1-9In fighting against the forces of the devil and the forces of darkness, we are to RESIST (set oneself against, to be hostile towards).We resist because the devil is a prowling lion and seeks to devour us.“Satan watches all opportunities to break our peace, to wound our consciences, to lessen our comforts, to impair our graces, to slur our evidences, and to damp (put out) our assurances (of salvation).” Thomas Brooks, Precious Remedies Against Satan's Devices, pg. 280We resist because to leave sin unconfessed and unresisted is to give the devil an opportunity."Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil." Ephesians 4:26-27We resist because the devil's plan is to (James 1:14-15):1. lure and entice us into sin (sin is conceived).2. cause sin to be birthed in us.3. when sin is fully grown it leads to death."But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death." James 1:14-15Because the way of the nonresistance of being lulled to sleep leads to death, while life in the power of the Holy Spirit leads to life."So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live." Romans 8:12-13Heidelberg Catechism, Question 89Q: What is the dying of the old man?A: Heartfelt sorrow for sin, causing us to hate and turn from it always more and more (We are to be firm in faith (firm = strong, steadfast, not soft, but mighty)."But God's firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: 'The Lord knows those who are his,' and, 'Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity.'” 2 Timothy 2:19We are firm in faith:1. when we realize that life is a b___________.2. when we comprehend the g________ and j________ of our salvation.“The gospel is not something partial or piecemeal: It takes a whole life, the whole of history, the whole world. It tells us about the creation and the final judgment and everything in between. It is a complete, whole view of life, and many are unhappy in the Christian life because they have never realized that this way of life caters, for the whole of man's life and covers every eventuality in his experience. There's no aspect of life but that the gospel has something to say about it. The whole of life must come under its influence because it is all inclusive; the gospel is meant to control and govern everything in our lives." D. Martin Lloyd-Jones, Spiritual Depression: Its Causes and Cure, Chapter 4“We must..." comprehend, embrace and enjoy (1 Peter 1:8, 1 Peter 2... Speaker: Buster Brown

Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood: May grace and peace be multiplied to you. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory." 1 Peter 1:1-8In resisting the devil, the Scripture says we are to be sober-minded (well-balanced, self-controlled, clear-thinking, watchful, alert, vigilant, wide-awake.We are sober-minded because:1. We continually contemplate the greatness of our salvation. "Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ." 1 Peter 1:132. Eternity is certain (and unending)."The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers." 1 Peter 4:7 "Since I am coming to that Holy room,     Where, with Thy choir of saints for evermore, I shall be made Thy music; as I come     I tune the instrument here at the door,     And what I must do then, think here before;"John Donne, Hymn to God, My God, in My Sickness 3. Right now counts forever (1 Peter 5:2-4).“There are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere mortal. Nations, cultures, arts, civilizations - these are mortal, and their life is to ours as the life of a gnat. But it is immortals whom we joke with, work with, marry, snub and exploit - immortal horrors or everlasting splendors. This does not mean that we are to be perpetually solemn. We must play. But our merriment must be of that kind (and it is, in fact, the merriest kind) which exists between people who have, from the outset, taken each other seriously - no flippancy, no superiority, no presumption.” C.S. Lewis, The Weight of Glory“That Man is the product of causes which had no prevision of the end they were achieving; that his origin, his growth, his hopes and fears, his loves and his beliefs, are but the outcome of accidental collocations of atoms; that no fire, no heroism, no intensity of thought and feeling, can preserve an individual life beyond the grave; that all the labours of the ages, all the devotion, all the inspiration, all the noonday brightness of human genius, are destined to extinction in the vast death of the solar system, and that the whole temple of Man’s achievement must inevitably be buried beneath the débris of a universe in ruins—all these things, if not quite beyond dispute, are yet so nearly certain, that no philosophy which rejects them can hope to stand. Only within the scaffolding of these truths, only on the firm foundation of unyielding despair, can the soul’s habitation henceforth be safely built.” Bertrand Russell, Mysticism and Logic: Including A Free Man's Worship4. So much is at stake as we live our lives. Speaker: Buster Brown

"So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for 'God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.' Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." 1 Peter 5:1-8The opening statement of 1 Peter is written to a group of believers who are going through difficult times, which involves persecution. Peter reminds them that they fight an enemy who incessantly prowls about seeking to eat them up. Therefore, they are to resist him. The first four verses of 1 Peter 5 deal with the leaders/elders of the church. He underscores the reason such weight is given to this group of people is because:Leaders (at all levels) are pacesetters.The avowed desire to honor Christ heightens the fierce rage of the devil.“The devil laughs. He is perfectly content to see you becoming chaste and brave and self-controlled provided, all the time, he is setting up in you the Dictatorship of Pride– just as he would be quite content to see your skin rash cured if he was allowed, in return, to give you cancer. For pride is spiritual cancer: it eats up the very possibility of love or contentment or even common sense.” C.S. Lewis, Mere ChristianityHow to Resist the Devil1. Walk in HumilityHeidelberg Catechism, Question 60Q. How are you righteous before God?A. Only by true faith in Jesus Christ; that is, although my conscience accuse me, that I have grievously sinned against all the commandments of God, and have never kept any of them, and am still prone always to all evil; yet God without any merit of mine, of mere grace, grants and imputes to me the perfect satisfaction, righteousness, and holiness of Christ, as if I had never committed nor had any sin, and had myself accomplished all the obedience which Christ has fulfilled for me; if only I accept such benefit with a believing heart.Humility comes as the glory and wonder of the cross is continually understood. "But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler.” 1 Peter 4:15 Prepare for the promise; the Lord will exalt/lift up His people.2. Cast your anxieties/cares upon the living God."But the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it proves unfruitful." Mark 4:19 "But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap."  Luke 21:34 "As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful."  Matthew 13:22 The mighty, eternal, unchanging God tenderly cares for His people. Anxiety:"No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money. Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not lif... Speaker: Buster Brown

"Pray then like this: 'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.'” Matthew 6:9-13“Aslan,” said Lucy, “you’re bigger.”“That is because you are older, little one,” answered he. “Not because you are?”“I am not. But every year you grow, you will find me bigger.”C.S. Lewis, The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince CaspianThe first three petitions of the Lord's Prayer establish the centrality of the living God and his kingdom in our lives. While petitions four through six deal with his provision for our well-being, forgiveness, and relational wholeness, and the supply of strength to fight the daily battle of faith.Heidelberg Catechism, Question 127Q. What does the sixth petition mean?A. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one means: by ourselves we are too weak to hold our own even for a moment. And our sworn enemies—the devil, the world, and our own flesh—never stop attacking us. And so, Lord, uphold us and make us strong with the strength of your Holy Spirit, so that we may not go down to defeat in this spiritual warfare, but may continually and strenuously resist our enemies until we finally win the complete victory.“When a man has no doubt that everything depends on the will of God, then he completely despairs of himself and chooses nothing for himself, but waits for God to work; then he has come close to grace.” Martin Luther, The Bondage of the Will1. The greatest enemy of faith: stoic, fierce self-determinism (more detrimental than pornography or racism) 2. Let personal despair humble you in order to see Christ more clearly. “Learn much of your own heart. And when you have learned all you can, remember you have seen but a few yards into the pit that is unfathomable.” Robert Murray McCheyne (d. 1843)Enter into the joyous free fall of self despair by being focused on the glory of Christ. “The index of the soundness of a man's faith in Christ is the genuineness of the self despair from which it springs.” J.I. Packer, A Quest for Godliness, pg. 1703. Know yourself.“For what man in all the world would not gladly remain as he is–what man does not remain as he is–so long as he does not know himself, that is, while content with his own gifts, and either ignorant or unmindful of his own misery? Accordingly, the knowledge of ourselves not only arouses us to seek God, but also, as it were, leads us by the hand to find him." John Calvin, The Institutes of Christian Faith, Section 1, Book 1, Chapter 14. Know your enemy/the battle.“Most of us, if we're honest, live our lives too serious about casual things and too casual about serious things. We fret about clothes and calories. We fuss about diets and home decor. Our whole week can be ruined by a sporting event gone wrong. We are supremely concerned about these relatively unimportant matters. And yet we will start each new day as if we were in no spiritual danger, as if we had no enemy, as if we were not at war with our own flesh. We realize we need daily bread and we realize we need daily forgiveness. But how many times do we go about each day thinking that there is no battle, blissfully ignorant, sometimes willfully ignorant of the danger that we will face.” Kevin DeYoung, The Lord’s Prayer, pg. 94-95In November of 1941, a survey was done among Americans and the question was, “Is war with Japan imminent?” 52% said yes, 27% said no, and 21% were undecided. And yet three weeks later on December the 7th, 1941, there was the surprise attack at Pearl Harbor. “There but for the grace of God go I...” John Bradford (1510-1555)Is se... Speaker: Buster Brown

"Pray then like this: 'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.'”  Matthew 6:9-13Forgiveness is desiring the welfare/good, not the ruin of the one who wronged you. It is the refusal to allow bitterness or hate to strangle our life in Christ as we trust that Abba Father is just in all his ways (Romans 12:19-21).One of the purposes of the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) is to push us to despairing of self-help righteousness and cause us to look to the mercy of Christ alone. We are to be forgiving and kind even to our enemies “so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:44). We are to be forgiving because forgiveness is a mark of a disciple of Christ."For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." Matthew 6:14-15Regarding Forgiveness1. This is a daily commitment because sin clings to us and will seek to have the upper hand until the day we die."If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:8-9“'Okay, may I kill it,' said the angel to the man tormented by lust (represented by a lizard attached to his shoulder). To which the man responded, "Honestly, I don't think there is the slightest necessity for that. I'm sure I shall be able to keep it in order now. I think the gradual process would be far better than killing it." 'The gradual process is of no use at all,' replied the angel." C.S. Lewis, The Great Divorce, pg. 106 2. In order to change, we must continue to behold the glory and goodness of Christ. The life of faith is the fight to see continually the wonder and mercy of Christ."But their minds were hardened. For to this day, when they read the old covenant, that same veil remains unlifted, because only through Christ is it taken away. Yes, to this day whenever Moses is read a veil lies over their hearts. But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed." 2 Corinthians 3:14-163. In the fight of faith, the struggle to forgive is not disqualifying. But, when unforgiveness, bitterness, and anger rule as the operative emotion in our life, it is not only defeating; it takes away our joy and robs us of the assurance of salvation and calls into serious question the reality of our salvation. Unforgiving people are not in a saving relationship with Christ.  "You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock." Isaiah 26:3-4"For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. Selah I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, 'I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,' and you forgave the iniquity of my sin." Psalm 32:3-54. In the fight of faith, why does the Lord allow these struggles? "The most wise, righteous, and gracious God often leaves his own children for a season to various temptations and the corruption of their own heartsto chastise them for their former sins, or to show to them the hidden strength of the corruption and deceitfulness of their hearts, so that they may be humbled,to raise them to a more close and constant depend... Speaker: Buster Brown

"The Lord works righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed. He made known his ways to Moses, his acts to the people of Israel.The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. He will not always chide, nor will he keep his anger forever. He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities.so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us. As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him. For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust. As for man, his days are like grass; he flourishes like a flower of the field; for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more. But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him, and his righteousness to children's children, to those who keep his covenant and remember to do his commandments." Psalm 103:6-18Great Love for Great Sinners (6-14)"God is merciful in the most tender and affectionate manner; he has bowels of mercy…his mercy is free, without any motive or merit in men to engage it; he delights in showing it; he constantly bestows it; it is the source of all good things; it is communicated through Christ." John Gill, Commentary on Psalm 103Forever Love for the Fleeting (15-18)"Time, you left me standing thereLike a tree growing all aloneThe wind just stripped me bareStripped me bare" Hootie & the BlowfishSo Bless the Lord for His love and more! (1-5, 19-22)“Bless”: to remember, relish, and respond to all of God’s goodness to you in Christ(1-5) Bless the Lord for a mountain of benefits (19-22) Bless the Lord with all of creationDiscussion Questions:What blessings and benefits of being a Christian do you tend to be most forgetful of? What are some ways you need to learn to be a beloved sinner in your life with the Lord?How are we all “cut flowers”? How does the Bible direct us to respond to the fleeting nature of life? What are some ways you can cultivate remembering, relishing, and responding to God’s goodness to you in Christ? Speaker: Leland Brown

“You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet. You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." Matthew 5:13-16After giving a composite picture of what it means to be a disciple of Christ (Matthew 5:3-12), the Lord makes application regarding living out this reality as salt (preservative) and light (illumination and guidance) in the world at large. In 2016, the Oxford Capital Dictionary's Word of the Year was “Post-Truth,” which is defined “as relating to or denoting circumstances in which objective facts are less influential in shaping public opinion than appeals to emotion and personal belief” (personal autonomy is valued more than objective statements).“The understanding of life which emerges with the Romantic expressivism of the late 18th century, that each of us has his/her own way of realizing our humanity, and that it is important to find and live out one's own, as against surrendering to conformity with the model imposed on us from outside, by society, or by previous generation, or religious or political authority.” Charles Taylor, quoted by Carl Trueman in The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self, pg. 46To live as people of biblical truth in our culture, we must read the Bible, in prayerful dependence upon the leadership of the Holy Spirit and in the context of community which embraces the present and past.Salt and Light:Salt preserves and gives flavor, and yet, if the salt is mixed with other elements it loses its effectiveness (Matthew 5:13).Light gives guidance and shines brightly, but it can be placed under a basket.How do we preserve and illuminate? 1. We live as citizens of heaven in the midst of a b_______, o__________-l________ country. All Christians are under obligation to seek to make the will of Christ supreme in our own lives and in human society. Means and methods used for the improvement of society and the establishment of righteousness among men can be truly and permanently helpful only when they are rooted in the regeneration of the individual by the saving grace of God in Jesus Christ. In the spirit of Christ, Christians should oppose racism, every form of greed, selfishness, and vice, and all forms of sexual immorality, including adultery, homosexuality, and pornography. We should work to provide for the orphaned, the needy, the abused, the aged, the helpless, and the sick. We should speak on behalf of the unborn and contend for the sanctity of all human life from conception to natural death. Every Christian should seek to bring industry, government, and society as a whole under the sway of the principles of righteousness, truth, and brotherly love. In order to promote these ends Christians should be ready to work with all men of good will in any good cause, always being careful to act in the spirit of love without compromising their loyalty to Christ and His truth. The Baptist Faith and Message, Article 15: The Christian and the Social Order“W_______ and all.” Oliver Cromwell (1599-1658)While we rejoice in the opportunities afforded us to live in the land of freedom, we also acknowledge the reality of sin.3. We embrace the present day calling of God on our lives as we cry out “give us this day our daily bread."“I wish it did not have happened in my time,” said Frodo (re the power of Sahron the Great, the Dark Lord). Gandalf replied, “So do I, and so do all who live to see such times. But this is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do ... Speaker: Buster Brown

"Pray then like this: 'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.'" Matthew 6:9-13“Forgiveness is the key ingredient, not only in marriage, but in any relationship involving sinners. If your friends are going to stick around, if you’re going to see your relatives more than once a year, if you plan to work in the same place with the same people for any length of time, if you want to be happy in the church (or simply not give up on the church), you need to learn forgiveness. You need to grant it and you need to receive it.” Kevin DeYoung, The Lord’s Prayer, pg. 711. Why do we continue to confess our sins if we have been fully forgiven of our sins by the work of Jesus on the cross? (In part, the confession of sin and fleeing from sin removes the roadblocks to the enjoyment, glorification, and honoring of the living God by the believer).“Having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead. And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses…” Colossians 2:12-13“For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God...Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.” Colossians 3:3, 5Heidelberg Catechism Question 126Q. What is the fifth petition?A. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.That is: For the sake of Christ’s blood, do not impute to us, wretched sinners, any of our transgressions, NOR THE EVIL WHICH STILL CLINGS TO US, as we also find this evidence of your grace in us that we are fully determined wholeheartedly to forgive our neighbour.“If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:8-92. As we confess our sins, it reminds us of the glory and wonder of the grace of the gospel personally received. "For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." Matthew 6:14-15"Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." Galatians 6:1-2 “So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.”Matthew 18:353. It leads to the joy/assurance in our walk with the Lord. We are saved by faith alone, but there are traits (fruits) which the Holy Spirit produces in the life of the child of God. One of those traits is a forgiving spirit.“Christ’s way of unpacking forgiveness is not three easy steps. It is a way of life, following Jesus, learning from him, being involved in his church, hearing his Word preached. Apart from consistent involvement in these disciplines, you are trying to paddle with a stick. And that just won’t work.” Chris Brauns, Unpacking Forgiveness, pg. 32Forgiveness is desiring the welfare/good, not the ruin, of the one who wronged you. It is the refusal to allow bitterness or hate to strangle our life in Christ as we trust that Abba Father is just in all His ways (Romans 12:19-21).“When God forgives, he frees the sinner from everlasting punishment, and blesses him with his favor, which is the fountain of life and of all happiness. But when we ... Speaker: Buster Brown

"For behold, the day is coming, burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble. The day that is coming shall set them ablaze, says the Lord of hosts, so that it will leave them neither root nor branch. But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall. And you shall tread down the wicked, for they will be ashes under the soles of your feet, on the day when I act, says the Lord of hosts. Remember the law of my servant Moses, the statutes and rules that I commanded him at Horeb for all Israel. Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes. 6 And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the land with a decree of utter destruction.”  Malachi 4:1-6When life is difficult, we are quick to doubt God's character and neglect our responsibilities to Him and our fellow human beings. This is what has happened to the returning exiles from the Babylonian captivity, as Malachi, the last writing prophet of the Old Testament, directly addresses perennial challenges to the people of God.Their worship had become routine (v. 10). The destruction of the family was widespread and accepted (v.15), and social obligations were neglected and mocked (v. 3-5). Apathy needed to be replaced by renewal and hunger for the things of the Lord. Their hope was a powerful visitation from the Lord on high that would be ushered in by one who had come in the power of the prophet Elijah."...And he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.”  Luke 1:17Because of the coming of our Messiah and King, His resurrection, ascension, and present session in heaven, we live in the “already, but not yet”.THE DAYS OF ELIJAH, AND THE AFTERMATH WILL INCLUDE:1. Foundational reality: those who revere my name (Malachi 4:2). "And this city shall be to me a name of joy, a praise and a glory before all the nations of the earth who shall hear of all the good that I do for them. They shall fear and tremble because of all the good and all the prosperity I provide for it."  Jeremiah 33:9“But the fear of God which is the basis of godliness, and in which godliness may be said to consist, is much more inclusive and determinative than the fear of God’s judgement. And we must remember that the dread of judgment will never itself generate within us the love of God or hatred of the sin…Punishment has itself no regenerating or converting power. The fear of God in which godliness consists is the fear which constrains/promotes adoration and love.”  John Murray, Principles of Conduct, p. 236“Right fear of God is not a minor key, gloomy, flip side to proper joy in God. There is no tension between this fear and joy. Rather, this trembling ‘fear of God’ is a way of speaking about the sheer intensity of the saints' happiness in God. In other words, the biblical theme of the fear of God helps us to see the sort of joy that is most fitting for believers. Our desire for God and delight in him are not intended to be lukewarm.”  Michael Reeves, Rejoice and Tremble, p.312. ...Healing/restoration, renewal in the reality of Christ."And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, to give knowledge of salvation to his people in the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, whereby the sunrise shall visit us[a] from on high to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.”  Luke 1:76-... Speaker: Buster Brown