Urban Liberty

On Sunday night we had the privilege of hearing Stef preach for the first time as an elder. He finished off our current series of The Dirty Bride, from the book of Hosea.

Something that stood out to me is that we all fall under the label of ‘idolater’. Not one of us is immune. Maybe you don’t worship little wooden figures or gold ornaments like they did back in the day; our idols are much more sophisticated and civilized now. Stef pointed out that the question isn’t if you have an idol, but rather what is your idol. An idol is anything that we regard as more important than God.

God created you with affections. Those affections, that need to love and be loved, was meant for your Creator. Nothing. Nothing else will fill you and satisfy you so completely other than God.

Stef gave us a couple of questions to help identify the idols in our lives:

1. what do you spend most of your time thinking about?
2. how do you spend your money?
3. where does your hope truly lie?
4. when and why did you loose control of your emotions?

William Temple said, “Your religion is what you do with your solitude.”

God knows that if you’re spending your energy, your time, your money on anything other than him, you will end up feeling like something is missing.

Just like Gomer in the book of Hosea was running towards different lovers, looking for security and satisfaction and meaning with them instead of with her Husband, so we also try fill ourselves with empty an conditional affections. A lot of the time they are good things, but when they become more important than God, they lead to a dead end of disappointment.

Hosea is a book of love and we see again and again how God loves His people continuously and unconditionally, even when they reject Him. He was meant to be our only obsession. He longs for you. He longs to be your everything. God’s love is perfect, ferocious, passionate and unconditional. The only kind that will satisfy you completely.

So how do you get rid of an idol? Thomas Chalmers said, “The only way to get rid of an old affection is by the expulsive power of a new one.”

There is no possibility for us to worship nothing at all. There is a gap, and unless you fill it with what fits in there perfectly, it doesn’t work. It’s like trying to start a car with a cucumber, or putting a pen in a cup holder (as Stef explained).

“…For whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved.” 2 Peter 2v19

What controls you? What captivates you? What stirs you?

Ask God to be that for you. He made you for Him.

Helena.

On Sunday we had the privilege of hearing Glen preach out of Hosea. He continued with the series the Dirty pride and expounded on the topic of redemption.

Glen did such a great job of showing us how Hosea is a representation of Jesus a few hundred years before Jesus was even born.

This on its own is a miracle and such a great display of Gods sovereignty. However I would like to highlight a different point that Glen raised:

Hosea’s life was such a clear picture of redemption. Everything this man does throughout the book of Hosea drips with redemption. This is a man that was completely surrendered to the will of God.

This challenges me to my core and should do the same to you. Are you living a live that reflects redemption? Are you living a life that reflects Jesus?

In everything we do we have the privilege of pointing back to Jesus! The way we speak, work, party and even mourn has the amazing ability to reflect a redemptive Savior.

When you speak, do you speak life? Do people come to speak to you because of the life that is in your speech? Or do people avoid talking to you because they fear what you may say?

This is but a small example of how we can use our lives to show people that we are the redeemed.

You see just as Hosea bought Gomer back in her worthless state after she had left him. In the same way God bought us back after we had left Him. The only difference is that God paid the ultimate price. His one and only Son, Jesus was tortured and murdered for us, the dirty bride.

We are the redeemed and our lives should point to our redeemer.

Lets live like we are saved…

Mech.

On Sunday we said “goodbye” to the Football World Cup while we celebrated and cheered our hearts out. In and amongst all this we had a great opportunity – a privilege – to hear God’s Word preached in truth and authority. We are currently going through the book of Hosea in our new series “Hosea: Dirty Bride”. This Sunday Jarrod preached on one of the major themes of this book, God the (our) Redeemer.

When reading the book of Hosea without the eyes of faith and guidance of the Holy Spirit, one can very easily misinterpret God as being petty and wanting to whole-heartedly punish Israel (us) for their gross unfaithfulness. However, the story and example of Hosea is about the limitless love and faithfulness of our God. It amazes me every time I think about it!

God asked Hosea to marry a prostitute and stay truly faithful and loving to her while knowing that she’d be totally unfaithful to him. Hosea obeyed God! The book of Hosea gives us a real life example of the loving covenant that God created between us and Him.

Hosea 2 is a picture of the covenant of marriage. Israel had taken this loving covenant of marriage between themselves and God and transformed it into a business deal. God takes it upon Himself to restore the original intimacy and intention of this covenant. Hosea 2:16 “In that day,” declares the LORD, ”you will call me ‘my husband’; you will no longer call me ‘my master.’”

Hosea 11 illustrates the intimacy in the relationship between a father and his son. Here, we get a glimpse of the Father-heart of God. We see how God teaches, invests and nurtures Israel while they turn and spit at Him in the face. Even though Israel runs away to other gods and worldly desires, God pursues them. We are like Israel; every single day of our lives our hearts run towards other gods and desires.

God has bought us back from the slavery of sin and death; He, our loving and tender Father, is pursuing us and calling us back to Him, DAILY. God has redeemed us – this is something no man can do. In Christ ALONE my hope is found!

If you feel you’ve got this life absolutely sorted – to the tee – I’d like to remind you that we were created for intimacy with the Father. The Redeemer’s heart pumps for you, who does your heart race for?

Helen

*Redeemed, how I love to proclaim it! – Francis Crosby

“In the beginning God created…” (Gen 1:1) The doctrine of creation is the beginning of the mighty acts that pertain to and have a direct effect on man and the universe. However, the act of creation cannot be fully understood through the knowledge man – this act of creation is mysterious and it is through Genesis 1 and 2 that God gives us a glimpse of His mighty act. When we read about creation we cannot approach it with our own strength and understanding; the reading of creation (and ALL scripture) needs to be done with three basic requirements:

1. Divine revelation. “Creation is a vast mystery incomprehensible to the mind of man. Hence, it is a truth made known by God Himself” (Williams, 1996:95).
2. Faith. We need to read scripture from the perspective of faith. “Without the eyes of faith – the faith wherein new creation is a reality – and the illumination of the Spirit, there is no way of truly understanding the creation of all things” (Williams, 1996:96). Hebrews 11:3 “By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God”
3. Scripture. “The importance of Scripture is that therein we have an authoritative and normative record of creation that will give direction and guidance” (Williams, 1996:97).

Definition

Creation can be defined as the bringing of the universe into existence; it is absolute origination and did not come from any pre-existing material; it is complete, perfect and had no source other than God Himself – God the Father, God the Son, and God the Spirit – “creation is from the Father, through the Son, and by the Holy Spirit” (Williams, 1996:98-105).

Creation in a nutshell

John Rodman Williams (1996:105-113) explains the method behind creation as a series of creative actions and stages in the process of creation. God created in three basic actions – the Universe, animal life and man. The creation of the universe out of nothing seems to overlap and complement the theory of the “Big Bang”. However, scholars of the “Big Bang” cannot explain where it came from whereas Christians know that it originated from God Himself. After the creation of the Universe came the creation of living animals in the sea and on land. Lastly, God created man in His image and according to His likeness – man is the pinnacle of God’s creation.

The process of creation needs to be observed a little more closely. This process occurred in the six days of creation. There is much debate over the actual length of time pertaining to the days. Williams (1996:108-109) does well in explaining the thinking behind the question of time. 2 Peter 3:8 “With the Lord one day is a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.” The important thing is that God completed a great work over a period of time. Another hotly debated topic around creation is the actual contents of the days – due to length constraints it this topic cannot be thoroughly discussed but the important thing is this, God is all powerful, above and beyond all limitations on earth and in Heaven; He does according to His will.

What does this mean for us? What should our response be?

The very act of creation is a miracle; the fact that God willed it into being and did it so perfectly is amazing! This should evoke a response of blessing and praise –“[C]reation is something to be rejoiced in… It is not how God created, but that He did” (Williams, 1996:97-98).

Another, closely related, response of marvel and wonder is appropriate; there is a deep appreciation of the wonder of creation and of what God has done. “In the beginning God created…” (Gen 1:1) “[T]hese opening words of the Bible stagger the imagination. There was nothing outside of God Himself – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; and then God projected the universe. Who can but wonder at it all!” (Williams, 1996:98).

Lastly, an understanding or slight grasp of the wonder of creation evokes a sense of deep humility. “In the presence of the great creative act of God, we can but realize how little our minds are capable of apprehending and how much we need to be taught by God, His Word, and His Spirit” (Williams, 1996:98).

Williams, J. Rodman. 1996. Creation in “Renewal Theology: Systematic Theology from a Charismatic Perspective.” USA: Zondervan.

This Sunday Neil Smit kicked us off to our new series on the book of Hosea. Few people know much about this book enigmatic book of the Bible, but that’s certainly not because it’s a dull story.

God calls the prophet Hosea to marry. Not just to any woman though,  but ‘a wife of whoredom’ (Hosea 1:2). This wayward woman bears 3 children, each of whom we are less sure is actually Hosea’s than the one before. In the end she deserts Hosea to be with other men.

We are this wife. God invited us to be in relationship with Him but how much more we would rather pursue sports, entertainment, money, success, romance over Him. Who needs the security of a husband when you can have the excitement of illicit lovers?

But what is most incredible is that this betrayed, deserted, offended God calls His people back (2:1-2). Men, imagine if the one who is most close to you deserted you, publically, humiliating you, embracing others in your place, rejecting the commitment you had made, making clear to all that you do not satisfy. You’d find it hard to accept her back. Maybe if she was repentant. Maybe if she had proven herself, that she has definitely put away that lifestyle. Maybe if she showed a renewed love towards you. Maybe, maybe then you’d accept her back.

But not God. God calls His people back whilst they are still adulterers. Before they had shown any signs of change He wants them. Just as they are.

This is not to say that God in any way approves of what they had done. He hates it. But still He calls the adulterous prostitute to be His wife even whilst she is out with other men.

So let’s stop thinking we can only come to God when we’ve proved ourselves, when we’ve made amends, when we’ve done emough good deeds. We can only come to God because He is gracious.

So as you are you now, come to Him, warts and all. He’s calling you.

Tom

One thing I am sure you have realized since coming to Christ is that you are by no means perfect. You still sin. While I’m sure you wish you had been miraculously transformed into a sinless, perfect being, the truth is you just haven’t. Sometimes you tell lies, cheat, swear, gossip, get angry, think bad thoughts, have a bad attitude… I think you get the picture.

Jesus’ death on the cross forever broke the penalty (death) and power of sin over us. The former happened instantly when we confessed Jesus as Lord (justification) the latter happens gradually and requires our co-operation (sanctification).

Justification deals with our legal standing before God and only happens once at conversion. It is entirely the work of God, it is completely perfect and is the same for ALL Christians.

Sanctification on the other hand deals with our internal condition. It is a continuous process that requires our co-operation with and through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. It is not perfect in this life and depending on your level of commitment is greater in some than in others.

Sanctification comes from the same root word as “saint” and “holy” and means to be set apart or made holy. Wayne Grudem in his book “Systematic Theology” defines sanctification as “the progressive work of God and man that makes us more and more free from sin and like Christ in our actual lives” pg 749.

While we’ll never be able to completely eradicate sin from our lives (this only happens when you die) it is important to remember that our position in Christ (salvation) does NOT change. We are still God’s sons / daughters despite sinning.

Does this mean that we should just give up then and continue sinning? Absolutely NOT! Paul in his letter to the Romans emphasizes our obligation of and power for a new life in Christ. Romans 6, tells us that we “must consider ourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus” and that “sin will have no dominion over you”.

Our role in the sanctification process is both passive, whereby we rely on the work of the Holy Spirit to conform us to the image of Christ and active where we strive to obey God’s Word and take steps that will increase our sanctification.

How do we do this? Well there are NO shortcuts! We need to devote ourselves to daily Bible reading and meditation, prayer and worship. Close the gap between sinning and repenting. Practice self discipline or self control. Strive for holiness in all you do. Abstain from immorality. Remember that sanctification is a corporate process and that God places us in families (like Urban Liberty) with fellow Christians who can help us. Most importantly, don’t despise chastisement – God discipline’s those He loves and He is committed to transforming your life into the nature and image of Christ.

Interestingly, sanctification affects our whole person. Our thoughts ought to be taken captive to obey Christ. We need to “put away” the negative emotions involved in “bitterness and wrath and anger and clamour and slander” (Eph 4:31). Our will, must become more and more conformed to the will of the Father. We should consider “how to be holy in body and spirit” (1 Cor: 7:34). Even our physical bodies are to be used to bring God glory,”…you are not your own; you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body” (1 Cor 6:19-20).

Righteousness became our legal status in heaven at justification; through sanctification it must become our actual state here on earth.

Resources: Grudem, W, Systematic Theology, 1994

Rodman Williams, J, Renewal Theology, 1996

Dr Michael Eaton Series: Working Out Your Salvation

This week marked the sixth preach in the Absolution series and the topic we heard about was ‘Confession’s Fruit – Fellowship With Others’.

Mark defined true biblical fellowship as ‘partnering with each other to further our relationship with Jesus’. In fact, the word ‘fellowship’ can also be described as ‘partnership’, ‘participation’, ‘benefit’ or ‘communion’.

I was challenged by Mark’s message on many levels. The realisation that there’s more to biblical fellowship than getting together for a braai will affect my life in various ways.

Firstly, it means that the time I spend with fellow Christians must be intentional. There’s weightiness in our walk with Christ and therefore in our walk with other Christians. If your relationship with other Christians does not push you further in Christ, you are just friends.

Secondly, it challenges me to take a deeper interest in other people. The cool thing about Christianity and the local church is that you get to meet and befriend people you would never normally socialize with. This also extends to those who have not yet accepted Jesus as the resurrected Son of God, the only Saviour. My friendships with them should not be shallow, but I (like Jesus) must walk alongside them and show them the love that Christ has first shown me.

Lastly, true biblical fellowship always points toward Jesus. He must always be glorified. Fellowship cannot be self-righteous, hypocritical, judgmental or arrogant in any way. Christ’s life, death and resurrection has not given us that option. The incredible thing about this God we serve is that the more glory you give Him, the more Christ-like you become. As Mark said on Sunday, ‘walking in the light builds the weight of your fellowship’. You are under His governance. Your example carries people to God.

These truths are challenging because they call us to more. Jesus has not called us to live insignificant lives. We are called to make an impact in this generation – for His name’s sake.

1 John 1v3 ‘that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed jour fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. 4 And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.’

Inge

1 JOHN 1:6-7 6

If we say that we have fellowship with Him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 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.

1. DARKNESS CANNOT HAVE FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD.

Michael Eaton says “If we are seeking fellowship, we must remember the character of the One whose fellowship we are seeking.” God is completely pure as 1 John 1:5 says “God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all.” We humans on the other hand are filled with darkness, its called sin. Dark thoughts, dark motives and dark actions fill our days on earth. “Our ultimate problem is that we are alienated from the Lord because of our own sin. It is not God who turned His back on us and severed our loving relationship. It is we who sinned and gave God the finger. As a result, while God remains fully loving, His anger has been rightly aroused along with His just wrath.” (Mark Driscoll)

2. SIN BLOCKS FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD.

Even once God has saved us we still have indwelling sin. Our position in God stays the same (Justification) but the process of becoming more like God literally takes a lifetime (Sanctification). We can be certain that while we live on this earth we will sin and that our sin will block our fellowship with God. We were created for fellowship with Him and in Him we find our ultimate purpose and satisfaction. To have a block in our fellowship is to cut ourselves off from our only source of life and purpose and meaning. We need to be a people who treasure Gods presence so much that we hate the sin that separates us from Him.

3. CONFESSION AND REPENTANCE RESTORES OUR FELLOWSHIP AND JOY.

Confession = aligning ourselves with the truth about our sin and God’s solution in Jesus, so that God can restore us to fellowship. The Westminster Confession of Faith says “Although they never can fall from the state of justification, yet they may, by their sins, fall under God’s fatherly displeasure, and not have the light of His countenance restored unto them, until they humble themselves, confess their sins, beg pardon, and renew their faith and repentance.” The goal of confession and repentance is a restored relationship with God which results in much joy on our part. Jesus secured our right standing with God through His death on the cross as well as giving us the ability to confess our sins directly to God and instantly have fellowship and joy restored.

4. HOW TO WALK (AND KEEP WALKING) IN THE LIGHT.

Confession isn’t something that we practice on the odd occasion, it is part of the daily Christian life. All of life is confession and repentance. Each and every day we need to acknowledge our need for God and our hope in God and ask Him to forgive our sins. This daily and continuous confessing and trusting in Him is the road of fellowship and joy in God.

Neil

On Sunday we tackled the fifth section of the current Absolution series, “Confession: Myths & Madness”. Mat Kohly did a brilliant job preaching on this topic at Urban Liberty on Sunday evening. Solid truths and the perfect presence of God were some things that characterised the evening.

Absolution is when the guilt and eternal penalty of sin is removed and communion with God is restored. We’ve discovered the holiness of God, the wretchedness of sin, God being light, Christ as our advocate and now the myths and madness surrounding confession.

What should happen when a Christian sins?

Everyone sins on a daily basis, whether it is telling a white lie, thinking bad thoughts or committing adultery, everyone does it. Sin tarnishes our relationship with God; God is disappointed in us but He does not disown us. However, this sin needs to be dealt with; God is holy, righteous and just and therefore must deal with sin.

1 John 1:9 “⁹If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness”.

The Holy Spirit will convict us (make us aware) of our sin so that we may confess our sin. Conviction is a gift from the Holy Spirit; if we had no awareness of our sins, our relationship with God would always be tarnished.

Conviction of our sins will lead to us confessing (admitting) our sins. This means that we will go to God in prayer and agree with Him in telling Him the truth about who we are and what we have done.

After confessing our sins, it should lead to repentance (changing our mind). Repentance is a 180° turning around of behaviour, thinking and attitude.  As the Puritans put it, “Repentance is the vomiting of the soul”. Furthermore, it is important that there is fruit of repentance – a changing of the heart and mind is demonstrated by a change in behaviour.

Lastly, repentance brings about reconciliation (restoration). This is the forgiveness and cleansing that God gives us. It is a continuous, daily occurrence.

Debunking the 7 myths surrounding confession:

It is important to always look in the Word for the answers and truths when it comes to being confronted by these 7 myths.

1. We have no sin

John is writing to Christians – sinners! WE HAVE SIN; THERE ARE NO EXCUSES – DEAL WITH IT. The Christian never gets over the battle with indwelling sin – this is a good thing! Why? We draw closer to Christ; our advocate, propitiation and redeemer.

1. We can’t win

WE HAVE CHRIST. He has already beat sin and death; there is great freedom to be lived in!

1. Sin is not important

Sin is very important. If sin was not important, the truth and power of the Gospel would be destroyed – SIN IS VERY IMPORTANT.

1. Priests can absolve us

Jesus is ENOUGH. He is the only person who is worthy and who has the ability to absolve ALL THE SIN IN THE WORLD. No other mediator is required.

1. Good works and indulgences can absolve us

We need to remember and be constantly reminded that there is not one piece of goodness in us – NOTHING. We have absolutely nothing to add to the work of Christ – NOTHING!

1. When you sin you need to get saved all over again

When we give our lives over to Christ and declare Him as Saviour, our position in Christ is secure. This does not mean that every time we sin we lose our salvation; our condition is tainted and can be dealt with through confession. OUR POSITION IS SECURE!

1. We don’t have to repent, we are under grace

Titus 2:11-12 “¹¹For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, ¹²training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age,” The grace of God demands a daily response – we should never become ungrateful for His goodness towards us.

Therefore, let us praise His holy name for He is just and faithful to forgive and cleanse us of our sins WHEN we confess! “OH COME LET US ADORE HIM!”

Helen

Sin can only be understood in relation to God. What is right and what is wrong can only be discerned when there is an absolute standard to measure against. God in His greatness and holiness is the Absolute. Our worldly secularized understanding of sin however has sought to emancipate sins biblical definition from the divine and adopted a softer more therapeutic definition, something along the lines of our mistakes, faults, mostly as defined by ourselves and with a sensitive understanding of what is right and wrong in our immediate culture.

The Bible has a different view of sin “Against You, and You only have I sinned and done what is evil in Your sight.” Psalm 51:4. The ‘You’ the psalmist is referring to is God himself. David Wells in his book, The Courage to be Protestant writes “Sin is all about taking issue with God, defying Him, refusing to submit to Him, and displacing Him from the centre of our existence.”(1)

A sound theological definition is “any failure to conform to the moral law of God in act, attitude, and nature.”(2) Consider the Ten Commandments in Exodus 20. We easily understand sin as acts that violate the law (murder, adultery, stealing, lying etc) but what about sin as a violation of the correct attitude (coveting for example). Furthermore these commandments represent the holy nature of God, His righteousness, and by failing at any point we reveal our sinful nature (James 2:10), that internal character that is our essence. We must understand that our transgression of the law is not just an unintentional blunder but a willful rebellion, for which we bear full responsibility (Romans 5:12), and that we are born into this world with this depraved nature that no one is exempt from (Proverbs 20:9).

“But if we begin to see the nature of sin we are on the road back to reality. We are on our way back into the presence of God through Christ. It is not that the knowledge of sin alone will suffice, but rather it pushes us to seek deliverance from it. Knowing about sin is vital knowledge, we should be deeply grateful.”(3)

The fundamental issue of mankind is one of sin. It’s a problem because God who is holy cannot tolerate sin (1 John 1:5), and it would be against His nature, and it would be an injustice were He to excuse it and not deal with it.

D. A. Carson says it well “Sin can also be thought of as a stain. In that case the dirt is removed by the death of Christ. Our sin is offence before God. In that case we insist that the Cross expiates our sin, it cancels it and thus removes it. Regardless, however of what foul image is used to depict odious sin, the cross is the solution, the sole solution.”(4) God in His holy and loving character, in His justice and grace, has made a way for us to be reconciled to Him. Come humbly with repentance and trust in Jesus Christ’s atoning work on the cross. Let the cross lead you into “wonder and worship, to praise and adore God who has given Himself to us in this way. This is what has lead people to give themselves away, too, to give themselves in service of others, to go to the mission field. It is what has impelled Christian believers to give of their substance, and to reach out in acts of mercy to those who need it, and in acts of courage against the injustices of society.”(5)

‘Nothing in my hands I bring, simply to thy cross I cling’

(1)David Wells, The Courage to be Protestant, pg 102

(2)Grudem, Systematic Theology, pg 490

(3) Wells, The Courage to be Protestant, pg 128

(4) Carson, Basics for Believers, pg 42

(5) ) Wells, The Courage to be Protestant, pg 129