Author: Brian
Follower of Jesus, Husband, Dad, Grandpa, and Pastor
The Stones Cry Out
I love rocks. I collect rocks. I have a LOT of rocks. I still remember my father-in-law helping my wife and I move several years ago. He picked up a really heavy box and exclaimed something to the affect of: “What do you have in here, rocks?” And then he looked at the label on the box, and sure enough, that was exactly what was in the box.
Creation proclaims the glory of the Creator. The beauty of so many rocks points to the beauty of our God. The wide variety of colors, textures, and designs points to the creativity of our Creator. Rocks proclaim the glory of the Lord.
Of course some rocks are more beautiful than others. As I stroll across the pebble beaches along Lake Superior, some rocks stand out. And in a world full of people, Christians should stand out because of their faith and love and humility and joy. We should stand out as our lives proclaim the glory of God.
Luke 19 records how Jesus entered into Jerusalem to the praises of the crowds. The Pharisees of course were upset and told Jesus to rebuke his disciples. But Jesus declared, “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.” Was he speaking literally? Should we think of rocks developing mouths and singing the praises of God? Or was he suggesting the sad irony that all of creation declares in its own ways the glory of God, but too often we as the pinnacle of his creation fail to do so? If stones declare the glory of God, how much more should we.
With those thoughts, I am going to start a new Monday series called “The Stones Cry Out” featuring rocks from my collection. My hope is that it will remind us to join the rocks in praising God. This new series will rotate with “Declaring the Glory” and “Songs of Passion.” My hope is that all three will remind us at the beginning of each work week to praise the Lord – for he is worthy of all our praises. His glory fills the whole earth. We even find it in the rocks he has made.
Passion Points
Here are some good posts for your weekend reading:
Sloth – Mike Wittmer
I’ve spoken of sloth because I suspect it lies at the root of many people’s crisis of faith. More people shrug away their faith than are argued out of it.
What He Could Have Been – Tim Challies
I have been reflecting recently that some of the greatest evidences of God’s grace in the life of the Christian are the things that person could be or inevitably would be without the active presence of the Holy Spirit and without a commitment to the pursuit of holiness.
12 Reasons You Should Pray Scripture – Andrew Naselli (Themelios)
So why should you pray Scripture? For at least twelve reasons….
Four Little Words – Julian Freeman
Customs start with single acts. Good customs start with single acts of conscious obedience. So … where will you be this Sunday?
Hope you have a great Lord’s Day worshiping the Lord with your local church!
We Have a Great Hope to Be Resurrected With Jesus
Today we look at the last of our great hopes from the book of Philippians. As we have already seen, we have a great hope to be with Jesus and to see his return. Today we consider that:
We have a great hope to be resurrected with Jesus. In Philippians 3:20, we read that Jesus will transform our lowly bodies to be like his glorious body. We all have lowly bodies. They are perishable and mortal, but one day we will have bodies that are imperishable and immortal (I Corinthians 15:53). They will not get sick, injured, grow old, or die. We will live forever with our Lord Jesus Christ. Philippians 3:10-11 also speak of attaining the resurrection of the dead. Today we will share in the sufferings of Christ, but one day we will be raised with Christ. This is our great hope.
But until then, we must press on toward Jesus. Paul wants to know Jesus (v8-10), and he presses on to know him more (v12-14). He is like a runner straining forward toward the goal – which is Jesus. He is not content with what he has already attained. He wants to go deeper and further into a relationship with Jesus. What about us? Are we pressing on toward Jesus? Are we seeking to grow in our relationship with him each day?
We have a great hope to be resurrected with Jesus. Until then, press on toward Jesus.
We Have a Great Hope to See Jesus Return
Yesterday, we looked at one of Paul’s three great hopes in the book of Philippians. Today we want to consider the second great hope:
We have a great hope to see Jesus return. In Philippians 3:20-21, we are reminded that our citizenship is in heaven. That is our address, our destination. And from there a Savior is coming. The one who died and rose to save us from the penalty and power of sin is coming again. And this Savior is also our Lord. He is our King whose power enables him to subject all things to himself. He is coming to reign with peace and justice and righteousness (Isaiah 9:7). Image a world with no more strife or wars or crime – a world of peace and justice and righteousness. Jesus is coming, and he will bring such a world. This is our great hope.
But until then, we must stand firm in Jesus. This is Paul’s instruction in the following verse (4:1). Because Jesus is coming, we are to stand firm in him now. As the following verses make clear, that means:
• We ought to strive for unity in the Lord (v2-3). Paul instructs two ladies to agree in the Lord. We are going to agree in heaven, we may as well start learning to agree now. Are you? Do your words and actions enhance or discourage unity in your church?
• We ought to rejoice in the Lord (v4). If our hope is found in him, then he is the place to find our joy. Are you rejoicing in the Lord? Or are you looking for joy in all the wrong places?
• We ought to point to the Lord (v5). We are to be known for our reasonableness or gentleness, our being more concerned about others than ourselves. We aren’t pointing at ourselves. And when the Lord returns, it is clear who we will be point toward. In a world where everyone is pointing at themselves, who are you pointing at?
• We ought to set our gaze on the Lord (v6-7). As we wait for him, we can bring our cares to him. We can keep our gaze set on him in the midst of the trials of life. Where is your gaze?
• We ought to think like the Lord (v8). We are to set our mind on good things – things above instead of earthly sinful things like the rest of the world (3:19). What is your mind set on? What are you putting in your mind?
• We ought to imitate the Lord (v9). Paul says to imitate him, but he can only say that because he is imitating the Lord. Are you following Christ’s example of love and humility and service and…?
We have a great hope to see Jesus return. Until then, stand firm in Jesus.
We Have a Great Hope to Be With Jesus
In the book of Philippians, Paul gives us three great hopes. I want to look at one of those hopes each of the next three days. So today we want to consider that:
We have a great hope to be with Jesus. In Philippians 1:21, Paul says to die is gain, and v23 makes clear why death is gain: because we go to be with Jesus. That is Paul’s hope: to be with Jesus. He says it is better than life, echoing the Psalmist who said of God, “Your steadfast love is better than life” (Psalm 63:3). Paul desires to be with Jesus. Is that your desire? Does your heart resonate with this great hope to be with Jesus? To be with the one who took on flesh as a little baby for you? To be with the one who died a cruel death on a cross for you? To be with the one who rose from the dead, ascended into heaven, and reigns as your King? One day we will be with him. That is our great hope.
But until then, we must live for Jesus. Paul desires to be with Jesus, but until then he says: “to live is Christ” (v21). And as the verses progress, it becomes clear that this means fruitful labor for Christ in serving God’s people for their growth and for the glory of God (v22-26). In other words, until the day we go to be with Jesus, we have work to do. Each of us has gifts and abilities God has given to us to serve God’s people for their growth and God’s glory. Some will teach. Some will lead. Different ones will be involved in different ministries. All of us in our own ways can care for, encourage, and help one another. And we can pray for one another, even when our age and health allow us to do nothing else. Don’t coast into heaven. If you are here, God has a purpose for you. And at least part of that purpose is to live for Jesus serving God’s people for their growth and God’s glory.
We have a great hope to be with Jesus. Until then, live for Jesus.
Prayer Quote of the Week
I am convinced that the really great issues before us
will be settled on our knees.
– D.A. Carson
Passion Points
Here are some good posts for your weekend reading:
Christian Christmas Grinches – Kevin DeYoung
If the disciples were to rejoice when the Bridegroom was with them, surely we can do better than to be outraged sourpusses every year when we commemorate his coming.
When Black Friday Becomes a Mission – Jon Bloom (DG)
With the Christmas season and all its commercial blitz and glitz upon us (seen especially on Black Friday), let’s lay aside the grousing and see the grace.
4 Questions to Ask Your Money – Tim Challies
Someone once drew my attention to four questions to ask when I am about to make a purchase—any purchase. Looking back, I can see how much better I am at managing money when I keep questions like these in mind….
How Vast the Sufferings – Joseph Swain (via Trevin Wax)
How vast the sufferings, who can tell,
When Jesus fought sin, death, and hell,
And was in battle slain?
How great the triumph, who can sing,
When from the grave the immortal King
Triumphant rose again?
Yet we’ll attempt His name to bless,
While we pass through the wilderness
To Canaan’s happy shore.
But when we reach the plains above,
And every breath we draw is love,
We’ll sing His glories more.
Hope you have a great Lord’s Day attempting to bless the name of Jesus!
Prayer Quote of the Week
In all your prayers
forget not to thank the Lord for his mercies.
– John Bunyan
Exult in the Savior’s Birth
Matt Boswell and D.A. Carson have written a new hymn for Christmas entitled “Exult in the Savior’s Birth.” You can download the music, chords, and lead sheet here for free. This would be a great song for pastors and worship leaders to introduce to their congregations during the upcoming Advent season. Also makes a good song to add to your Christmas rotation on your MP3 player.
Brian J. Mikul 