Discipline of Purity – Ch. 2

Posted on February 17, 2012 by Pastor Ron

This week we are reading through chapter 2 – Discipline of Purity in  Disciplines of a Godly Man by R. Kent Hughes.  He begins by giving some shocking statistics pertaining to the sensuality in our culture.  I was blown away by the Christianity Today survey that returned results showing that 1 in 4 Christian men have had an affair and close to half have acted in sexually inappropriate ways.  Satan has used sensuality to trap between 25% and 50% of Christian men and make them ineffective for Christ because they are giving in to temptation. That is startling.  I praise God that the story doesn’t have to end there because Jesus paid the wages for that sin on the cross if we will surrender to Him!  Kent hits hard, but true when he talks about the results on the church.

  • No wonder the Church has lost its grip on holiness.
  • No wonder it is slow to discipline its members.
  • No wonder it is dismissed by the world as irrelevant.
  • No wonder so many of its children reject it

Why did Kent choose to address the discipline of purity first?  Purity is not often the first discipline in a book on spiritual disciplines.  He explains it this way.  “Sensuality is easily the biggest obstacle to godliness among men today and is wreaking havoc in the Church.”  I agree with him.  Men, do we love God more, or lust more? It Satan can attack and defeat men in this area, he can stop the forward movement of the church.

Kent then uses the story of David as a lesson and warning to men about the path to impurity.  We see David progressively desensitized to sin as his heart descended from holiness.  He says, “Men, it is the ‘legal’ sensualities, the culturally acceptable indulgences, which will take us down.”  Things like TV and the things we find it ok to talk and joke about put us on a path of desensitization.  The second flaw in David’s conduct was that he relaxed from a disciplined life and from his morals.  We must be careful not to think we are above a certain sin and be vigilant to setup barriers to sin.  We talked about this last week in this post.

David’s third failure was that of fixation.  When he saw Bathsheba, he kept looking . . . and looking.  He should have turned away, but he forgot obedience to God and the very reality of God and His holiness.  Bonhoeffer talks about lust taking control.  “At this moment God . . . loses all reality . . .  Satan does not fill us with hatred of God, but with forgetfulness of God.”  The longer he looked . . . the longer we look . . . the more God is fading from view.

Kent then talks about the role of rationalization and degeneration in the path of David’s sin.  After justifying his sin in his own mind and sleeping with her, he then attempted to cover it up through lies and ultimately, murder.  It is easy to look down on David as a depraved man doing something we would never dream of doing.  However, as we fight the battle of purity, we are only an undisciplined moment away from the same path.  Beware of rationalization.  Thoughts like “How can something that has brought such enjoyment be wrong?” or “God’s will for me is to be happy” will sink their long teeth into our hearts and drag us down.  We then are tempted to go to great lengths to hide our sin and “protect ourselves.”  Hidden sin will usually become repeated sin.

1 Thes 4:3-8 is a direct call to purity. This is our command.

For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God; that no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you. For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness. Therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you.

In his last section, Kent then gives suggestions for how to pursue purity.  How do we train ourselves to be godly?  It is a vital pursuit as the “Church can have no power apart from purity.”  That is so true!  Not only can we individually have no spiritual victory in our lives without purity, but the Church is also affected by our “private” actions.  What steps should we take?

  • Accountability – It is much more difficult to rationalize when we have true accountability with someone willing to be touch with us.
  • Prayer – Spend time intentionally praying for your purity.  Also, ask someone else to specifically pray for your purity.
  • Memorization – Guys, this one is powerful, but few are willing to do the work. It seems to me that our culture is losing the ability or discipline to memorize.  Do you want victory in the discipline of purity?  Kent challenges us to memorize the 1 Thes 4:3-8 passage listed above.
  • Mind – What do we allow into our minds?  Kent says, “Men, it is impossible for you to maintain a pure mind if you are a television-watching “couch potato.”  We need to get radically serious about guarding what goes into our mind.  Let there be not a hint of sexual immorality among us including what we observe.
  • Hedges – PUT UP HEDGES OF PROTECTION.  I shout my agreement with Kent in this area.  Men, we should never discuss items of a personal nature with a woman other than our wives.  Don’t share troubles and don’t let her.  Be overly careful with issues of touch.  Some ladies complain that men give little side hugs rather than full on “hold me close” hugs.  Let them complain.  I’d rather stay faithful and honor my wife.  Don’t allow yourself to be alone with another woman.  Don’t flirt.  These hedges are vital to our purity.  Every man that has come to me after falling into sexual sin has been able to identify hedges that they failed to put up.  Enough said.
  • Reality – Every one of us can fall.  Deal with this discipline seriously.
  • Divine Awareness – Sexual sin is sin against God, not just some bodily function.  May we walk with God.

That’s chapter two.  I’d love to hear what you thought was important out of the chapter.  What does God’s holiness have to do with ours?  How can we keep our thoughts and actions pure in the face of the sensuality of our society?  What are your ideas for hedges and disciplines to uphold purity?  Let’s work together to take the fight to Satan and live holy, pure, effective, spiritually powerful lives!  What do you think?

Next Week: Chapter 3 – The Discipline of Marriage

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Discipline For Godliness – Ch. 1

Posted on February 10, 2012 by Pastor Ron

Welcome to our first post as we read through Disciplines of a Godly Man by R. Kent Hughes.  The first chapter is largely an introduction to the topic of spiritual discipline and making a case for how important it is.  Kent starts by giving examples of men who were great in their field because of discipline.  The same is true of our spiritual walks.  None of us can coast because “we are all equally disadvantaged.”  None of us naturally seek God, so by His grace, we must work on spiritual discipline.  Coasting sure sounds easier, it just doesn’t work!  1 Tim 4:7-8 says, “Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; 8 for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.”

Kent goes on to describe that discipline takes work – hard work.  He asks if we are man enough to put in to practice Heb 12:1.  Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.  This verse describes the process of intentionally getting rid of every weight or sin that is holding us back and focusing all our energy on godliness.  How hard have we worked to focus all our energy on godliness?  I liked the quote, “No manliness no maturity!  No discipline no discipleship!  No sweat no sainthood!”  Do we want to grow?  Then we need to step up and be disciplined men.  There are no shortcuts.

In his final sections, Kent gives two reasons to focus on spiritual disciplines as men.

1.  Disciplined Christian lives are the exception, not the rule.

2.  Men are so much less spiritually inclined and spiritually disciplined than women.

Both of these challenge us that the practice of spiritual disciplines is fading or has faded in our culture and it is not something we will come by naturally.  I definitely agree with his first point and am still thinking through the second.  I am challenged that men have given up their role as leaders and men by not stepping up to lead in our spiritual walks.  He ends this section with a statement that I pray draws us to read this book together.  “The Church in America needs real men, and we are the men!”

He ends with these paragraphs.

“Do we have the sweat in us?  Will we enter the gynasium of divine discipline?  Will we strip away the things that hold us back?  Will we discipline ourselves through the power of the Holy Spirit?

I invite you into God’s Gym in the following chapters – to some sanctifying sweat – to some pain and great gain.

God is looking for a few good men!”

As you read the chapter, I exhort you to add some of your thoughts to the comments.  What challenged you in the chapter?  Or what did you think was important?  This first chapter may not have as many specifics, but let’s enter the conversation together.  I’ve put a few questions below from the end of the chapter.  Think about them, chew on them, and possibly answer them.  This is one of those chapters that fires us up, challenges us, and gets us ready to take the hill!  May God use our time reading and discussing to further refine us.  Thank you men.

  • What can a lack of spiritual discipline do to your life?
  • What do you think it means practically to train yourself to be godly?
  • Is there a cost to spiritual discipline?  What cost?

Next Week: Chapter 2 – Discipline of Purity

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If you think . . .

Posted on February 8, 2012 by Pastor Ron

It has been great to see the response of men interested in reading Disciplines of a Godly Man together!  If you want more info, check out the post here.  We will start tomorrow and around Thursday every week, we will post a summary and some thoughts about the chapter we are on.  Then men can comment with what you found helpful or insightful about the chapter.  In this way, we can sharpen each other.  I look forward to this interaction.  Tomorrow we will cover chapter 1!  Now on to today’s post.

Last March, a 25 year old man traveled to Crescent City to photograph the swell that was coming in from the earthquake in Japan.  As the waves came in, he and two friends thought they were safe and stayed near the water.  They were hit unexpectedly by a large wave and swept out to sea.  Tragically, the man lost his life.  This is a picture of how Satan often tempts in our lives.  I was reading The Purity Principle by Randy Alcorn last week and he gave men a great reminder that Satan usually attacks most when we are least expecting it.  It is those times and areas that we think we have covered and let our guard down that Satan will attack and tempt.  1 Cor. 10:12 says, “Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.”  I challenge you to take that verse to heart this week and be vigilant against sin.  We cannot afford to let down our guard to pride, anger, disconnection from our family, self-centeredness, lust, impatience, or anything else.  Men, you can sin and I can sin.  None of us have conquered sin.  Watch out and be vigilant.  Do whatever it takes to protect your walk with God.  We stand because the blood of Christ has paid the price, not because we have earned it.

So let’s not think we can stand, but know that God can.  Rely on Him.

Heb 12:3-4  Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. 4 In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.

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Reading through “Disciplines of a Godly Man”

Posted on January 21, 2012 by Pastor Ron

Men, how is the challenge to love your wife going?  If you missed it, read it here.  In talking to several men who have taken up the challenge, the results have been great.  If you haven’t started, today is a great day to start!

Want to be challenged in your walk with God?  Starting in February, I’d like to read the book Disciplines of a Godly Man by R. Kent Hughes together.  Each week we will read another chapter and post a brief summary of the chapter.  Then any men who would like to comment can add their thoughts.  Hughes does a great job of providing biblical foundations for practical godly living in a man’s life.  You can either pick up a copy yourself online or at a local bookstore, or we will have copies available for $10 each in the church library starting Sunday, Jan 29th.  I pray that God refines us into powerful men of God that He uses for His work.

 

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Shouldn’t be a challenge, but it is!

Posted on January 3, 2012 by Pastor Ron

Wives – do not read further.  Really!  Men, scroll down and read on.

 

 

 

 

Focus on the family recently had a guest that challenged men to deliberately pursue their wives.  You can read the post here.  The challenge was to do at least one thing out of the ordinary every month to let your wife know you love her.  I know they were thinking of big things, but I would suggest that this shouldn’t be much of a challenge. In 30 days, I should be able to let my wife know how much she means to me.  However, for many of us, we forget to be deliberate.  I love the idea of a challenge and accountability and commend them for posting this.

So, here is my suggestion.  What if we, as the men at Village, challenged each other to tell our wives daily that we love them, and do something extra and out of the ordinary at least once a week (not month) to SHOW them that we love them?  The daily requirement means that we find a way every day to tell them including when we are out of town AND including times when there may be disagreements.  The weekly challenge is more than just words, but could be notes, dates, sitting and talking, making a meal, doing a task for them, a Starbucks, or any number of things.  When we do those things, there should be no expectation of anything in return.  We are simply loving them as Christ loves the church.  Eph 5:25,29 say, “Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, 29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church.“  Let’s give ourselves up to nourish and cherish.

Men, I suspect that if we all did this for this entire year, we would be amazed at the results.  We would be amazed not only at the growth in our own home and our marriage, but also spiritually in the lives of our wives.  Will you do this with me?  For those men that do not have wives, I would suggest that you also do this with either a mother, sister, or daughter.  My strong advice to the young men that read this is to get into the practice now with the ladies in your family rather than wait until God brings you a wife to figure out how to let her know you love her.

One last thought.  If your wife finds out about the challenge, don’t use that as an excuse to stop!  Trust me, she will appreciate it!

How do we do this?  Perhaps grab a couple of friends and hold each other accountable.  Comment here and we will hold each other accountable here.  Let’s find a way to challenge each other to stand up, lead, and be men by obeying Christ in how we treat our wives!

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“We A Family” – Wisdom from a 4 year old

Posted on December 28, 2011 by Pastor Ron

Men, this may not seem like a normal post for men of the sword, but as I reflect on our adoption of Jeffrey and Alicia, it teaches me much about God’s adoption of us.  I wanted to share some of my reflections with other men.

Yesterday was adoption day!  No, you won’t find it on any calendar.  This is a personal celebration day in our home.  One year ago, we sat in front of the judge and Jeffrey and Alicia officially became part of our family.  We still celebrate birthdays, but adoption day is a very meaningful day for us as well.  It culminated several long years of preparation, waiting, and seeing God work in amazing ways.  As we were talking at lunch (yes, McDonalds with a play area to celebrate), I was telling them that mommy and daddy were adopted too!  Not by our earthly families, but by God as He adopted us to be His son and daughter.  In fact everyone who believes in Jesus Christ is adopted into the family!  So we not only celebrate adoption day for Jeffrey and Alicia, but for each of us as a child of God.

It is amazing how many of the parts of that official adoption ceremony apply to us as children of God.  I can still clearly recall the look of the courtroom as we sat in the front row in front of the judge with kids in tow.  There was a sense of respect and a little fear as this man normally is dispensing justice and making difficult decisions in the eyes of those who cannot care for their children.  I recall Prov 9:10, The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom,       and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.  God is a righteous, just God, but also a God of love.  Fear Him.  Be in awe of Him.  He and the bailiff were in good spirits as they made some small talk and prepared to start.  Adding children to loving families is the best part of their job.  Our families were with us to commemorate the additions to the family.  It helped me picture the celebration in heaven when one more comes to Christ and is added to the family.  (Luke 15:10)

During the ceremony, the words spoken were full of meaning to Susie and I.  Seven phrases in particular stood out and have meaning to us as we understand the depth of what God has done for us.

1.  “Jeffrey and Alicia will be treated as your legal children, the same as your natural children with rights to inheritance and to be supported by you.  Do you accept those responsibilities and obligations?”

Adoption meant bringing these two precious lives completely into the family.  It is not a partial, temporary decision.  Rather, they are my children as much as Mark is my child.  We are agreeing to support and include them in the family with all rights of a son and daughter because they ARE our son and daughter.  They never have to worry about being disowned or somehow being less a part of the family.  What a wonderful picture of God’s work to adopt us into His family with all rights and permanence associated with that adoption.  When we believe and trust Christ, we ARE His sons and daughters and we WILL receive the inheritance of eternal life with Him.  (1 Pet 1:3-4)

 Rom 8:16-17         The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.

2.      “Do you enter into this agreement willingly and voluntarily?”

It was important to the judge to know that we wanted Jeffrey and Alicia to be part of our family and were choosing to make them such.  We love them so much that we chose to make them part of our family when there was no reason we had to.  It was a willing decision that speaks to their worth.  They are wanted, not abandoned.  The same is true with God’s adoption of His children.  He chose us!  Not because He had to, but because He wanted to.  If we question our worth, we are questioning the decision of the Almighty God.  Praise God He loves us and chose us!  He chose to go to the cross and pay the price to make us His own.  (John 10:17-18, 1 Pet 2:9-10)

 1 Thes 1:4 For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you,

Eph 1:5     he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will,

 3.       “My Mark,  My Effrey”

This was Alicia’s answer to the judge regarding her thoughts about her brothers and her new family.  After some laughter and ahhhs, we thought about how profound her answer was.  This is family.  Both Mark and Jeffrey are her brothers.  Why wouldn’t they be?  It really is that simple.  She will often say things like, “We do that because we a family!”  My prayer is that we view each other in the church that same way.  We are a family and that brings certain expectations of behavior.  Every other believer is my brother or sister because we are all adopted and as Alicia would say, “We a family!”  May we have that same joy, comfort, and love for our fellow adopted siblings in the kingdom of God.

 1 Pet 1:22-23a      Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart, 23 since you have been born again,

 4.      “The court finds and orders that the children’s interests will be promoted by the adoption.”

At this point in the ceremony, the judge started making some official declarations making the adoption legal.  It was an emotional moment that I have difficulty describing.  It was a combination of awesome, weighty, and momentous all at the same time.  The first is that Jeffrey’s and Alicia’s wellbeing and interests will be benefited from adoption.  They will be better off by being adopted.  This is significant because part of the court’s responsibility is to make sure that the children that are wards of the state be placed in homes that will watch out for them and take care of them.  How much more when we are adopted as children of God.  We think we know what is best for ourselves and our sinful man defaults to self-centeredness.  However, the only true way our interests are promoted are by following the King of Kings.  He knows what is best and He is good.  We may not see how things are working out, but in His sovereign plan, our interests are taken care of because our Father will be glorified.  No one else, including ourselves, can take care of what we need.  So because dad is faithful, we can trust and let go of worry!  (Matt 6:25-34)

 Rom 8:28  And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

 5.      “The children are now the lawful children of the petitioners.”

At exactly this moment, Jeffrey’s and Alicia’s status changed.  They were now our children.  They did not earn this or fight for this.  We as the parents were the petitioners and everything changed because of that petition.  In the same way, God declares us justified in a judicial act where the work of Christ on the cross is applied to us.  In that moment, our status changes.  We are then redeemed, adopted children and no longer slaves to sin.  We have done nothing to earn grace, but by His work and His power it is possible.  Praise God that we as believers are now “lawful children of the petitioner.”

 Gal 4:5-7 to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.

 6.      “The names of the children shall be Alicia Ruth Johnson and Jeffrey Titus Johnson.”

When I heard these words, the chills came over me and tears came to my eyes.  The change of names culminated their journey into our family.  They were Johnsons with all that the name entails!  I was extending my reputation, name, and heritage to them for the rest of their lives.  The change of a name is no small thing.  We chose their middle names intentionally.  Ruth became family with Naomi and they were faithful to each other.  Titus was a servant of God under Paul’s tutelage and was described as his true child in the faith and his partner and fellow worker.  Our prayer for Jeffrey is that he serves God with all his heart.  When God gives us His name, it shows that we are His and no longer our own.  It also means that we represent the name of God and are to represent Him well.  By giving us His name, God says, “You are mine.”  Wow!  (Acts 15:14-18)

 Is 62:2       The nations shall see your righteousness, and all the kings your glory, and you shall be called by a new name that the mouth of the Lord will give.

 Rev 22:4    They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads.

 7.      “The court vacates all future hearings and terminates the dependency.”

With this short statement, the court was giving up all its rights to Jeffrey and Alicia.  There would be no more visits, no more court dates, and no more directives on how to raise our children.  We would no longer have to face the possibility that the process could be stopped and our children taken out of our home.  We breathed a sigh of relief as it was like a heavy burden falling off our backs.  We could be a family.  This is a great picture of what God has freed us from when He adopted us into His family.  We are no longer enslaved to sin, but have the Holy Spirit indwelling us helping us say no to sin.  Death and hell no longer have power over us.  We will spend eternity with our Heavenly Father.  There are no future hearings with the accuser because Jesus will step in and say He paid the price.  There is no more dependency to sin.  May we take heart and live like children of the King!  Oh death, where is your victory?  God has given victory!  I’m proud to be adopted.  (Rom 6:17-18)

Rom 6:6-7 We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. 7 For one who has died has been set free from sin.

 Rom 8:15   For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”

 

Seven little statements and everything has changed.  This last year has brought many changes, challenges, joys, and much growth for all of us.  God is good and faithful.  As I reflect, I can’t remember or even imagine when I didn’t have three children.  As Alicia would say, “We a family!”  God has said the same thing.

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It Tolls For Thee

Posted on December 16, 2011 by Andrew Gilmore

Ecclesiastes 8:8 – No man has power to retain the spirit, or power over the day of death. There is no discharge from war, nor will wickedness deliver those who are given to it.

Christopher Hitchens is dead. ”"A man who made his reputation lately by denying the existence of God (he described himself not so much as an atheist but as an “anti-theist”) died last night of pneumonia as a complication of his esophageal cancer. Let us hope that with his last breaths he repented of his sin and put his faith in the incarnate Son of God who loved him and gave himself for him.