Because of the things we parents make our kids go through, our kids must oftentimes think we are mean. Timothy played Upwards T-Ball last year. He is now in overhand pitch baseball. This is more difficult. When we work out together, he often becomes impatient. He wants to stop. What I know is he must get through this next step in his baseball life. When he gets better, when he improves his skills, he will feel very rewarded.
We place our kids in school for 12 years. Most kids hate school. Yet, we know there is a payoff.
However, as adults, when it comes to us, we often want to bail out when our “drill” gets tough. If things are not as pleasing as we want, we tend to move on. We are less willing to pay the price.
I have been thinking lately about how blessed I am to preach at a church that allows me to preach out of the Old Testament. Yesterday, we finished up II Samuel in our Sunday morning assembly. We have also been studying the book in Bible class and in Leadership Training for Christ.
I realize we might well be in the minority. A lot of churches won’t allow that. They insist on trendy topics or New Testament studies only.
Some churches insist on Bible study and preaching from “the gospel.” Yet, when I listen, gospel can mean anything from the “plan of salvation” to not having Bible classes divided by age.
I am not against preaching topics, nor New Testament studies, nor gospel preaching. I am also for the preaching and teaching of the Old Testament. I am for it because I think God is for it. If God is not, he is guilty of waste because it takes a lot trees to print the thing. I believe in a pursuit of the Old Testament because I believe the Old Testament helps us understand what God is like.
You know, salvation is not simply a matter of point in time—
“We’re saved”—and, boom, now we move on to the next phase of our lives. God saves us, yes, and Christ’s blood continues to wash us. However, salvation is not just “from hell”, it is also from ourselves. Salvation is, likewise, the transformation process that helps us become more like Jesus.
Our goal is to become like Jesus. Jesus showed us the Father. By studying the Old Testament, we get valuable insight into the character of the Father, which is also the character of Jesus. The essence of the gospel of John is Jesus saying, “You’ve seen me, you’ve seen the Father.”
Is there a price to pay for learning from the Old Testament? For some, undoubtedly the answer is, “Yes.” Nevertheless, let’s be careful about spoiling ourselves a luxury we refuse to indulge our children.
Never pass up the chance to become more like Jesus. Let the Old Testament spiritually form you into the image of Christ.
Five Things I Think I Think (with a nod to Peter King for this idea)
1. Last Friday I wrote, “Could God be making a more beautiful painting than is springtime in Tyler?” Yesterday, I posted a photo I took of the snow in Tyler. Our spring tourism may soon be based on the Azalea Trails—and snow skiing!
2. Last week, I watched the movie AWAY FROM HER while exercising. This is a powerful movie about a man, who must let his wife go as Alzheimer’s takes over her existence. Wow! Very powerful. My favorite line, which I shared with my church yesterday was this, “It is never too late to become what you might have been.” A great thought on redemption.
3. I’ve been watching the 1980s mini-series, GEORGE WASHINGTON, with Judy and our two older girls. We finished it Friday. It was marvelous—compelling drama containing great history. Based on James Thomas Flexner’s four part biography, it is truly great television. I can’t wait until we see GEORGE WASHINGTON—THE FORGING OF A NATION next.
4. I am so sad to see HOLLYWOOD VIDEOS is closing in Tyler. I am not surprised, but I am feeling sad. That was a great place to go for older movies.
5. Go Northern Iowa! Go Cornell! Go Baylor—both men and women!
Have a great week!
No comments:
Post a Comment