I love church. ...Some people dont, but I do. I love the going, the singing, the fellowship, the sense of belonging, and the sitting under good preaching of the word of God. Its both desirable and indespensible to the people of God, a way to encounter Christ in a united way. Today I was blessed to go to Sunday School just in time for the opening words of a video teaching by Dr. John Piper. Maybe you know of him. (And when you get Piper you get the late Jonathan Edwards too, which is so cool.) His teaching today was how you can have joy and sorrow at the very same time. Why? How? Because God is joyful, and therefore joy is a Master Virtue (my term). It involves emotions--and often should--but its profoundly greater than emotion, so that even when our emotion is sadness or anguish the power of joy can be abundant. Indeed, this is a part of Jesuss mission statement: I came that they may have life and have it abundantly (John 10:10) and These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. (John 15:11) I love that. I need that. I really, really want that. Dont you? Then, in the service, after a glorious time of singing worshipful songs, Pastor Johnny delivered a rich sermon from the Bible--Philippians chapter 1:1-11. It was entirely harmonious with the Sunday School teaching because this text states that He who began a good work in you [God] will bring it to completion... (v. 6) Then the Apostle Paul says it is right for him to feel as he does about the saints and that he holds them in his heart and even yearns for them with affection in Christ Jesus. And why? Because they are partakers with him in the defense of and confirmation of the gospel. (v. 7) This, of course, is what the church is all about. (Its also what apologetics--and Ratio Christi--are about.) All this and more from church today.
Posted on: Sun, 11 Jan 2015 21:40:24 +0000
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