Ordinary Grace from Whitehorse Inn

Faithful Stewardship Leave a comment

While we are still on a bit of a break from our normal blogging schedule, I get to spend more time listening to podcasts and sermons I don’t normally get around to. I found this podcast from the Whitehorse Inn to be a wonderful reminder of the beauty of God’s ordinary grace.

Ordinary Grace

Have you grown weary of Christian fads promising to transform the world, or your own approach to the Christian life? On this special edition of the program, Michael Horton calls us back to an appreciation of ordinary grace that can sustain us for the long-term. Recorded at a recent Gospel Coalition conference in Boston, Massachusetts, Dr. Horton encourages us not to be taken in by the excitement and hype of “the next big thing,” but instead to focus our attention on the ordinary means of grace.

http://podbay.fm/show/356920632/e/1435467600?autostart=1

Be blessed this summer, and do spend some time in the Word.
In Christ Jesus,
Jorge

Summer Break (well, a slowdown, anyway)

Faithful Stewardship Leave a comment

fbbanner

Now that summer is in full swing I’m finding less free time to get ahead of our posting schedule. I’m going to be doing a lot of personal traveling this month and next, so I think it’s time that we at Faithful Stewardship take a bit of a summer break. I do intend to keep sharing posts as I find time, but we’ll be putting the daily schedule on break. I’m still working through the Gospel of Matthew in my studies, and hope to continue that writing, even if I don’t get to publish (we’ll be traveling outside of solid internet coverage… yes… those places still exist).

In the meantime, please keep us in your prayers, as we work toward expanding our Discernment in Music segments to 2 days per week as well as possibly adding a weekly summary podcast for those who wish to catch up on the week’s posts without having to read each one daily. Please keep your families, fathers, churches, and governments in your prayers.

Jude 1:24-25 (ESV) | Doxology

24 Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present youblameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, 25 to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.

In Christ Jesus,
Jorge

Friday Sermon | Alistair Begg – Friendship Matters (2 Timothy 4:11-13)

Faithful Stewardship Leave a comment

2011-alistair-begg

Today, we’ll visit TruthforLife.org for a sermon by Alistair Begg.

Sermon link: Friendship Matters

The Apostle Paul faced his approaching death with confidence in God, but also with real vulnerability. In this message from the concluding verses of 2 Timothy, Alistair Begg directs our attention to the important roles that Luke, Mark, and Tychicus played in the life and ministry of Paul. By their loyalty and usefulness, these men illustrate the practical value of faithful ministry to Christ and the providence of God in ordering even missteps and failures for His glory.

Sermon Text

2 Timothy 4:11-13 (ESV)

11 Luke alone is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is very useful to me for ministry. 12 Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus. 13 When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, also the books, and above all the parchments.

John called Mark

Now, for a little background (some of which Alistair Begg will provide), let’s take a walk through Acts, noting where John called Mark interacted with the Apostle Paul. In chapter 12 of Acts, James killed and Peter imprisoned. God sends and Angel to free Peter from the inner jail, though Peter initially thinks it is a vision or a dream. Let’s pick up with the story in verse 11:

Acts 12:11-25 (ESV)

11 When Peter came to himself, he said, “Now I am sure that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting.”

12 When he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose other name was Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying. 13 And when he knocked at the door of the gateway, a servant girl named Rhoda came to answer. 14 Recognizing Peter’s voice, in her joy she did not open the gate but ran in and reported that Peter was standing at the gate.15 They said to her, “You are out of your mind.” But she kept insisting that it was so, and they kept saying, “It is his angel!” 16 But Peter continued knocking, and when they opened, they saw him and were amazed. 17 But motioning to them with his hand to be silent, he described to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, “Tell these things to James and tothe brothers.” Then he departed and went to another place.

18 Now when day came, there was no little disturbance among the soldiers over what had become of Peter. 19 And after Herod searched for him and did not find him, he examined the sentries and ordered that they should be put to death. Then he went down from Judea to Caesarea and spent time there.

The Death of Herod

20 Now Herod was angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon, and they came to him with one accord, and having persuaded Blastus, the king’s chamberlain,they asked for peace, because their country depended on the king’s country for food. 21 On an appointed day Herod put on his royal robes, took his seat upon the throne, and delivered an oration to them. 22 And the people were shouting, “The voice of a god, and not of a man!” 23 Immediately an angel of the Lord struck him down, because he did not give God the glory, and he was eaten by worms and breathed his last.

24 But the word of God increased and multiplied.

25 And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem when they had completed their service, bringing with them John, whose other name was Mark.

So we see here introduced this John whose other name was Mark in the heart of what is going on among the brethren in Jerusalem. He is witness to the miracle of Peter’s release and probably to a great deal more. The Word of God increased and multiplied. Upon leaving Jerusalem, Saul and Barnabas brought along John-Mark as they returned to Antioch.

Acts 13:1-14 (ESV) | Barnabas and Saul Sent Off

13 Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a lifelong friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” 3 Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.

Barnabas and Saul on Cyprus

4 So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus. 5 When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews. And they had John to assist them. 6 When they had gone through the whole island as far as Paphos, they came upon a certain magician, a Jewish false prophet named Bar-Jesus. 7 He was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, a man of intelligence, who summoned Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God. 8 But Elymas the magician (for that is the meaning of his name) opposed them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith. 9 But Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him 10 and said, “You son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, full of all deceit and villainy, will you not stop making crooked the straight paths of the Lord? 11 And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you will be blind and unable to see the sun for a time.” Immediately mist and darkness fell upon him, and he went about seeking people to lead him by the hand. 12 Then the proconsul believed, when he saw what had occurred, for he was astonished at the teaching of the Lord.

Paul and Barnabas at Antioch in Pisidia

13 Now Paul and his companions set sail from Paphos and came to Perga in Pamphylia. And John left them and returned to Jerusalem, 14 but they went on from Perga and came to Antioch in Pisidia. And on the Sabbath day they went into the synagogue and sat down.

The Holy Spirit sends Paul and Barnabas out on a missionary journey, and John-Mark goes with them to assist. We aren’t given much detail on the matter, but for whatever reason, John-Mark leaves the mission at Perga in Pamphylia to return home to Jerusalem. There could have been some majorly compelling reasons for why John-Mark chose to return to Jerusalem, or it could simply have been fear or immaturity. Whatever it was, the Holy Spirit did not include it in Scripture. Suffice it to say that it left a mark on Paul. Paul and Barnabas travel throughout the region preaching the Word of Christ. Meanwhile, the council of Jerusalem regarding the matter of Gentile Believers and the Mosaic Covenant convened. Paul and Barnabas returned to Jerusalem to testify of the Holy Spirit’s work among the Gentiles, and the council came to an agreement and drafted a letter to be sent out to those outside of Jerusalem. We pick up in Acts 15:22.

Acts 15:22-41 (ESV) | The Council’s Letter to Gentile Believers

22 Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men from among them and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They sent Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, leading men among the brothers, 23 with the following letter: “The brothers, both the apostles and the elders, to the brothers who are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia,greetings. 24 Since we have heard that some persons have gone out from us and troubled you with words, unsettling your minds, although we gave them no instructions, 25 it has seemed good to us, having come to one accord, to choose men and send them to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, 26 men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27 We have therefore sent Judas and Silas, who themselves will tell you the same things by word of mouth. 28 For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay on you no greater burden than these requirements: 29 that you abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell.”

30 So when they were sent off, they went down to Antioch, and having gathered the congregation together, they delivered the letter. 31 And when they had read it, they rejoiced because of its encouragement. 32 And Judas and Silas, who were themselves prophets, encouraged and strengthened the brothers with many words. 33 And after they had spent some time, they were sent off in peace by the brothers to those who had sent them. 35 But Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.

Paul and Barnabas Separate

36 And after some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us return and visit the brothers in every city where we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they are.” 37 Now Barnabas wanted to take with them John called Mark. 38 But Paul thought best not to take with them one who had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work. 39 And there arose a sharp disagreement, so that they separated from each other. Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus, 40 but Paul chose Silas and departed, having been commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord. 41 And he went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.

Barnabas chose to mentor John-Mark while Paul chose another to travel with him to do the work of the ministry. Too often, this becomes a matter of friendships being broken or family discord, but this was about the work of the ministry. Paul sought to encourage and strengthen the planted churches and John-Mark was not up for the task. Barnabas, on the other hand, felt led to pour into John-Mark’s life, to nurture him, to equip him for the ministry. Luke goes on to follow Paul’s ministry rather than that of Barnabas, but in Paul’s letter to Timothy, we see that John-Mark becomes a particularly useful brother in the faith. Despite all that has taken place, most of it not recorded, when Paul was at the end of his race, he wanted the company of friends… of whom John-Mark was mentioned by name.

May God bless you and keep you,
In Christ Jesus,
Jorge

Gospel Wednesday | Matthew 13:53 – 14:12

Faithful Stewardship Leave a comment

bibleSo, it seems summer is in full swing, and our family schedule will become quite busy with family trips and home improvement projects. I will do my best to keep up a posting schedule, though these posts will necessarily become shorter. Please pray for us as we embark on several trips this summer, and we work on several home projects as well as working toward some new changes to this blog site (working toward possibly adding a weekly podcast on Saturday Mornings).

We are at a transition in Matthew’s account where Matthew recorded several parables taught in fulfillment of prophecy as well as to teach the Apostles about the Kingdom of Heaven. Matthew then turns his attention back to the Ministry of Jesus as it tracks overall leading to the cross. Matthew will be returning in a sense to his the account in Matthew 11, where Jesus testified of who John the Baptist is. But first, we see that despite having John the Baptist as a forerunner and witness to Jesus, and despite all of His teaching and miracles, the people of Nazareth rejected Him.

Matthew 13:53-58 (ESV) | Jesus Rejected at Nazareth

53 And when Jesus had finished these parables, he went away from there, 54 and coming to his hometown he taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished, and said, “Where did this man get this wisdom and these mighty works? 55 Is not this the carpenter’s son? Is not his mother called Mary? And are not his brothers James and Joseph and Simon and Judas? 56 And are not all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?” 57 And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown and in his own household.” 58 And he did not do many mighty works there, because of their unbelief.

I’ve seen many abuse this passage to suggest that our “little faith” ties God’s hands. There is a really bad habit of treating faith that saves and faith that heals or blesses as different things. Such poor understanding of faith can be found in any denomination, but tends to be preyed upon by the televangelist, revival crusades, and so-called faith-healers. Read the passage again. Was their unbelief in the works being performed or unbelief that God could heal/deliver? No… it was in the person of Jesus, the Son of the Living God. They lacked faith in Jesus, and for this He did not do many mighty works in Nazareth.

Matthew 14:1-13 (ESV) | The Death of John the Baptist

1 At that time Herod the tetrarch heard about the fame of Jesus, 2 and he said to his servants, “This is John the Baptist. He has been raised from the dead; that is why these miraculous powers are at work in him.” 3 For Herod had seized John and bound him and put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, 4 because John had been saying to him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.” 5 And though he wanted to put him to death, he feared the people, because they held him to be a prophet. 6 But when Herod’s birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced before the company and pleased Herod, 7 so that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she might ask.8 Prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me the head of John the Baptist here on a platter.” 9 And the king was sorry, but because of his oaths and his guests he commanded it to be given. 10 He sent and had John beheaded in the prison, 11 and his head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother. 12 And his disciples came and took the body and buried it, and they went and told Jesus.

13 Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a desolate place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns.

Matthew gives an account of the martyrdom of John the Baptist by way of back story. Notice that Matthew isn’t concerned so much with giving a chronological account; rather, his goal is to highlight the state of Jesus’ earthly ministry at this point. Herod heard about the fame of Jesus, while those at Nazareth were offended by Him. Jesus’ Ministry was no meek and mild secretive venture. He preached the Kingdom, He declared who He was, and He was fulfilling the Law and the Prophets throughout Israel. Matthew comes into this portion of his account, only to then have to give the back story of the death of John the Baptist. I am indeed grateful for this insight, I just want to highlight the focus of Matthew’s account and reiterate that much of what gets passed off as inconsistencies among the Gospels is really a failure to acknowledge that each writer is giving his account from different perspectives and for different purposes yet all under the inspiration and power of God the Holy Spirit.

Now, if we aren’t careful in our reading, we might think that the “this” that prompted Jesus to withdraw to a desolate place was the news of John the Baptist’s death. Verse 13 is a continuation of the primary thought in verse 2. Verses 3-12 are back story to why Herod had assumed that Jesus was John the Baptist raised from the dead. Herod feared John the Baptist and the guilt of his bloods were on Herod’s head. But Herod hadn’t heeded the words of John the Baptist, and he didn’t know/acknowledge who Jesus was.

Until Next Week

Western Society is really going through a heightened state of rebellion against the One True God. While we need to speak up and speak out against falsehood, particularly false teaching and heresy, do not allow the distractions to draw you away from the dutiful study of God’s Word. Spend time studying the original Word of God, and you will be better equipped to identify, expose, and refute the counterfeits. The apostate church is abandoning sound doctrine and misrepresenting Jesus Christ. Stand firm and keep preaching the Word (both Law and Gospel). Next week, we’ll look at some of Jesus’ large-scale miracles that further testify of His Lordship, and then we will move into His teaching regarding the Pharisees.

Jude 1:24-25 (ESV) | Doxology

24 Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, 25 to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.

Amen, indeed.
In Christ Jesus,
Jorge