I’m so thankful to our own Patricia who discovered another series of messages from Reeves on the Puritans. In this, Reeves clears up the misunderstanding people have about the Puritans. Even the word “puritanical” is derived from this misunderstanding, picturing them as joyless, as “the frozen chosen,” as “baptized in vinegar.”
And though Reeves says there were some puritans who deserved that reputation, most, and the ones who impacted the world, were the opposite! They were filled, not with vinegar, but with grateful joy, for they had experienced the freedom of resting not in their own goodness, but the goodness of God.
Several of you have commented on a truth brought out by those Puritans: Jesus runs toward the sinner, not away, just as He did on earth (think of Matthew, of Zacchaeus) and watch this clip from The Chosen. You probably know how hated the tax collectors were for cheating everyone, including the poor. Matthew, as a Jew, had betrayed his own people. Jesus calls us, not because we are good, but because we are not!
I knew He ran toward the sinner who didn’t know Him yet, but I didn’t think of Him running toward the believer who was sinning, but rather, backing up. I have quoted Bernard of Clairvoix: “When God sees us in the arms of another lover, He backs up.” So it was sobering for me to hear Reeves take that quote and contrast it with the teaching of Thomas Goodwin and Richard Sibbes. I knew Jesus came to rescue us not just from the penalty of sin, but also the power of sin, so my reasoning didn’t really make sense according to the gospel. He is not going to walk away from us but run toward us, the way a parent will run for a child who is playing with forbidden matches.
This is a short and wonderful message from Reeves to listen to on Monday and Tuesday.
Sunday:
- What stands out to you from the above and why?
- Where are you in your thinking of how Jesus sees you when you are sinning?
Monday: A Varied Bunch, But They Loved The Bible (Leave the last 12 minutes for tomorrow)
Reeves says the word “Puritan” is as diverse as “Evangelical.” But they all loved the Bible and the Puritans who left a lasting legacy were the ones who truly understood the heart of Christ.
3. Why did they not smile and wear black for their portraits?
4. What did you learn about the Puritans that you didn’t know?
5. What trait united all Puritans, according to Reeves?
6. Reeves tells of a sermon by Rogers in which he impersonated God concerning how His people valued the
Bible. Goodwin said the people were overcome with tears and repentance. What do you remember?
Tuesday: Heart Doctors
7. Listen to the last twelve minutes of Reeves and share your notes and comments.
8. How can concentrating on holy living take away your focus from the gospel? Do you see this in your own life or church?
9. John Owen, Richard Sibbes, and Thomas Goodwin spoke into the danger of focusing on striving for our own righteousness instead of being so confident of being wrapped in His righteousness, and so confident of His love, that we draw near to Him, abide in Him and that fruit comes naturally. Share notes from this.
There is more righteousness in Christ than sin in me. (Richard Sibbes)
Wednesday/Thursday: Gentle and Lowly
This week we will read chapters 9 and 10 in Gentle and Lowly. (If you don’t have it, I’ll share highlights.) In chapter 10 we learn of Jonathan Edward’s sermon to children. The main thing Edwards wanted children to know was the depth of Christ’s love for them — that it was even greater than the love of their parents. In a healthy home, children know they are loved by their parents. Recently my 8-year-old grand-daughter Claire had to write an essay on why she mattered. Her main point was that her mommy and daddy would be really really sad if she was gone – and that is why she mattered. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if Claire could see that Jesus loved her even more?
Miabelle, Claire’s cousin who is ten, has begun to truly experience the love of God. This last Christmas, we each shared how Jesus has been a light to us in the last year. Shy Miabelle was prepared to share:
Jesus has really been helping me when I get into a funk and I can’t seem to get out of it. I get alone and tell Him I’m sorry and ask Him to help me. Pretty soon those bad feelings are gone. I just don’t feel mad at anyone anymore. I feel happy!
Even though Miabelle is just a child, she has learned the secret as old as time for overcoming darkness and keeping the devil at bay: repentance and faith. She has seen her parents model repentance to God, to one another, and to her siblings, and has begun to practice it too. This is so simple, yet so hard, not only because of our sinful nature but because we have an enemy egging us on, fueling the flames with lies, endeavoring to divide us from one another. Miabelle did what Cain refused to do despite God’s warning. When Cain was in a funk, God told him a secret. If he did what was right, he’d be lifted up and shut the door on the devil. If not, he’d be overpowered by that crouching tiger at the door. Cain dug in his heels, murdered his brother. Yet even though Cain refused to listen, God still showed him grace in the midst of his misery.
Miabelle is learning firsthand, that genuine repentance leads not only to forgiveness, but restores her joy (Psalm 51:12) and surrounds her with “songs of deliverance.” (Psalm 32:7) She is learning, firsthand, the depth of God’s love for her, and how He runs to her, even in the midst of sin. Below is a picture of Miabelle (in front) running across my yard in the summer with her cousin Sadie (Claire’s older sister).
10. What stands out to you from the above and why?
11. In Chapter 9 of Gently and Lowly, Ortlund concentrates on Christ as our advocate, explaining the difference between mediator (bringing two parties together) and advocate (aligning with one party) It speaks of deep solidarity like you would feel if you were to advocate for someone with whom you felt knit.
A. How does 1 John 2:1 explain use the word advocate? What gives Jesus the qualifications to do this for us?
B. Tim Keller uses the example of Stephen and what he saw when he was dying as a picture of Christ’s advocacy. Look at it in Acts 7:54-59 and share what you see.
12. For those of you who have the book, what else stands out to you from chapter 9?
13. In Chapter 10 of Gentle and Lowly, we read of Jonathan Edward’s sermon to children. His main text was Matthew 10:37! What does this say, and how do you imagine he used this for children?
14. If you have the book, what else stands out to you from chapter 10?
Friday: Applications
15. Is your view of the heart of Christ for you changing? If so, how?
16. Ortland points out we all tend to be “self-advocates” bristling when criticized, justifying ourselves. Have you grown in this area — and if so — how?
17. If the most important thing we can teach our children is the love of Christ, how might we better do this?
18. How have you seen prayer answered for your children or those you love in this regard? (This is to encourage those still in the waiting room!)
Saturday:
19. What is your take-a-way and why?
108 comments
Sunday
1. What stands out to you from the above and why?
I was told growing up that when we sin it is revolting to God and so my thinking was I needed to do something above and beyond asking forgiveness to win God’s favor back…works/righteousness. It is so freeing to know that “He runs towards us when we sin.” As Ortlund said at the end of chapter 7, “The sins of those who belong to God open the floodgates of His heart of compassion.” Compassion!? God has compassion towards me when I sin…wow!
Loved these lines from The Chosen…
Gaius to Matthew: You have money…you’re going to throw it all away?
Matthew: Yes (he was willing to give it all away to follow Christ!)
Jesus to Peter: You didn’t get it when I chose you either.
Peter: This is different, I’m not a tax collector.
Jesus: Get used to different. (Upside down kingdom)
2. Where are you in your thinking of how Jesus sees you when you are sinning?
I think I answered this above.
I loved those lines too.
And yes — it is new for me too to think of Jesus heart of compassion and running toward me when I sin!
Sunday:
What stands out to you from the above and why?
I really enjoyed the clip of Matthew. The line “Get used to different” by Jesus to Peter is so very good. We all need to see that we need to get used to different in our own thinking when it comes to what Jesus may be doing or want to do in our lives. He is the God of surprises as we learned in the teaching by Paige Benton Brown.
This last paragraph of today’s intro stood out to me.
“I knew He ran toward the sinner who didn’t know Him yet, but I didn’t think of Him running toward the believer who was sinning, but rather, backing up. I have quoted Bernard of Clairvoix: “When God sees us in the arms of another lover, He backs up.” So it was sobering for me to hear Reeves take that quote and contrast it with the teaching of Thomas Goodwin and Richard Sibbes. I knew Jesus came to rescue us not just from the penalty of sin, but also the power of sin, so my reasoning didn’t really make sense according to the gospel. He is not going to walk away from us but run toward us, the way a parent will run for a child who is playing with forbidden matches.”
This thinking has really changed my perspective of how Christ responds to me in my sin and to others around me living in sin. It has gotten very personal for me in the recent days. We have a granddaughter in her early twenties who has allowed sin to take over in her life. It is painful to watch. This is a girl who accepted Christ into her life as a young girl and took a strong stand for Him in her teen years. We have had a close relationship with her and she knows we love her and we continue to demonstrate our love for her but we know she is making bad choices and we are troubled by her friendships. It’s complicated more by a boyfriend whom gives no evidence of being a believer and demonstrates unhealthy traits. We are in that dance now of not wanting to alienate her but wanting to grab hold of her and try and shake some sense back into her. It comforts my heart that Jesus has not backed away from her but is ever moving toward her in her sin. We can see she has some painful days ahead of her. So we pray.
Where are you in your thinking of how Jesus sees you when you are sinning?
I no longer question and doubt how He sees me. Because of these wonderful truths about Jesus as my Lord and Savior I desire to live out this love He demonstrates to me to others. I want to keep short accounts on any sin in my life and walk worthy of Him in the remaining days I have in this flesh. I so want to finish well.
That is such a hard “dance” of not wanting to alienate but not wanting to endorse. I pray for her — and for you and her parents!
Bev, I will be praying for your granddaughter. We have a similar situation with our son, who is married but not sure his wife is a Christian. He asked if she was a Christian before he asked her to marry him and she said she was…just don’t see any fruit or desire for the things of the Lord and she wasn’t raised in a Christian home. As you said, it does comfort my heart that Jesus hasn’t backed away from him…so we pray.
Bev, there is hope. I will pray 🙏🙏🙏.
Thank you Ladies for your prayers. Her name is Kara and we love her dearly. I just want to be wise in my approach to her. Praying for your son Sharon. I do believe God hears our prayers and shares our hearts for wayward children. And Laura I know you are in the long haul with your wayward children. My daughter commented to me over the weekend that we could be in for the long haul with Kara but I hope not. God will be faithful in it all.
Praying for you and your family, Bev.
1. What stands out to you from the above and why?
I LOVE The Chosen! This is a great scene too 😉.
I never thought about Jesus running to the sinner, but I know that it is true. Makes me realize He would run to me too!
2. Where are you in your thinking of how Jesus sees you when you are sinning?
He is disappointed (as I am with my own children) and probably wishes I would stop. He knows what will happen in the end (sometimes I know this too). And it usually isn’t good….
I want to stop thinking of myself and focus on Him, but alas! I don’t all the time. There are some times when I am better though.
🙂
Laura, these last few days on the study have been awakened me to how much I focus on myself and my behavior. While I try to act in a way that won’t call my Christianity into question, I’ve really been challenged to focus on my personal relationship with Jesus. How does He see me? How am I responding to Him.
I have always thought of my time with Him as being when I prayed, read the bible or did bible study (again, focused on what I am doing) and some days it is little to none. The reality is my time with Him is every second of every day. He never leaves me. He’s always loving me and encouraging me. Praying and studying the word is crucial to my relationship with Him, but it isn’t our only time together.
Dawn–wow. This is beautiful “I have always thought of my time with Him as being when I prayed, read the bible or did bible study (again, focused on what I am doing) and some days it is little to none. The reality is my time with Him is every second of every day. He never leaves me. He’s always loving me and encouraging me.”
1. What stood out in the introduction?
The freedom of resting in God’s goodness….how I want that! And I absolutely loved the look on Matthew’s face when he realizes Jesus really wants him.
2. Where are you in your thinking about how Jesus reacts to you when you sin?
In the past, when I’ve faced a choice, I’ve felt Christ warning me that I could choose what I want, but I might experience a distance from Him. I took that to mean that He would withdraw from me, but now I’m wondering if what He was really saying is that I would be removing myself from Him. And that makes a lot of sense to me, because when I would turn back to Him, He was right there. So now I am pondering Cain and his choice. God wasn’t being stern with him; He was lovingly urging him to count the cost of what he was contemplating. The sentence you put in, Dee, that a parent runs toward a child who is playing with matches, helps me a great deal. I am feeling a big shift in how I view Jesus’s response to my sin.
I think we all are, Mary!
Dee, as I was prepping, I had an area that didn’t make sense to me. In #9, what fallacy are you referring to? It wasn’t clear to me from the question.
3. In their portraits, why did they wear black and not smile?
It wasn’t just them. Portraits at the time took days of sitting, and people can’t hold a smile that long. They wore the best they had, which tended to be black. Reeves pointed out that Sibbes’ portrait does have a twinkle to it, and how that speaks of how full of joy he really was. We actually see the same thing if you look back at photos taken when it was always a professional doing the shot. People didn’t smile. The exposure time was too great, and your face ended up blurry.
4. What did you learn about the Puritans you didn’t know before?
That they were diverse as people, having many different perspectives on current events, and even in theology. That their goal was to bring reformation to every aspect of life, which frightened the political leaders.
5. What trait united the Puritans?
They all had an incredibly passionate love for the Bible. They thought nothing of traveling great distances and then listening for hours and hours. They had this hunger for God’s word because it had been withheld from them for a long time. Reminds me of Amos 8:11-12, where the prophet says men will be starved for the word of God. They did not see themselves as more pure than others, and were in fact, very conscious of sin. But they used the feeling of guilt to catapault them further into God’s presence, rather than trying to justify themselves at God’s expense. They saw the good news the Bible brought them, and couldn’t get enough of it.
6. What Reeves had to say in regards to Rogers sermon where he impersonated God. What do you remember?
When Rogers was speaking as if he were God, and following through to the end of the sermon, he threatened to remove the Bible from them. They didn’t just feel a little something; they cried for long periods of time, and repented in deep contrition. In today’s world, repentance and contrition are generally so short lived they aren’t even noticeable. We come down on anyone who plays a ‘guilt card.’ We make God out to be some dottering old man, who just wants to be nice all the time.
I’ll reword it Mary to see if I can be clearer!
1. What stands out to you from the above and why? That Jesus runs toward those who are His and are sinning. I too thought He backs away when we are sinning-but Song of Songs came to mind-Chapter 5 and 6. So I just read it again…Oh my.
Could it be that he wasn’t backing away rather she had union with Him, but her communion was frosty-and His pursuit -thrusting His hand through the door and leaving his myrrh on the door was part of His presence and caused her heart to beat harder for Him. He turned her frosty heart into panting after Him. So he never truly left her-rather He was in his garden browsing-picking lillies. Huge..His response to her in 6:4-9 is telling..How He saw her and loved her even though she sinned against Him.
This also reminds me of, and I forgot where it is, where God divorces Israel after giving them chance after chance to turn from their sin…even in their hardness of heart after He divorced them, He pleaded with them to turn and repent for He wanted them back. Isn’t that amazing?
2. Where are you in your thinking of how Jesus sees you when you are sinning? My natural bend is to think He turns from me, but that is changing. I think He grieves when I sin, but the fact that He is faithful and shows me such mercy-not just in how He pursued me to make me His (Union with Him), but His pursuit is ongoing in communion with Him..when my heart gets cold in communion He draws me back to Him. Just like the Shulamite maiden! None of this I deserve, rather He has lavished His love on me. So makes me want to turn from my sin.
It’s changing for me too, Rebecca. How wonderful looking at the Puritans more closely has been!
Sunday:
What stands out to you from the above and why?
Jesus calls us, not because we are good, but because we are not!
He is not going to walk away from us but run toward us, the way a parent will run for a child who is playing with forbidden matches.
Again, this is so upside-down kingdom of Jesus! Who would ever think this way? I think of my own relationship with my daughter. Our persevering love, though at times wrongly motivated by my desire to be considered a good parent) has saved our relationship. I love my daughter and now I understand that it is a good thing to keep continually drawing toward her even when she is doing something unlovely. My husband has always been better at this than me.
From the movie: “Get used to different.” Wow! That must have made Simon flabbergasted! I finally get to watch some of the episodes of Chosen. I love it! In this scene, I especially was impressed with the one playing the character of Matthew. His facial expressions are so revealing of his turmoil, hesitant and then suddenly, the change especially when he was told he was going to be the host of the dinner.
Where are you in your thinking of how Jesus sees you when you are sinning?
I think I was like Bernard of Clairvaux thinking that Jesus backs away from me when I sin. Now, the Spirit has clarified his great love for me in that He runs towards me when I do so. This is kind of like the clarification of the verse that says, … God demonstrated His love for us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Christ died for sinners not the righteous! So, Christ died for me while a sinner and He has continued His efficacious ministry by loving me, running to me, when I sin. It makes sense that His faithfulness is timeless, and not dependent on my poor “performance”.
Great to see your love for your daughter as a reflection of His love for us.
1. What stands out to you from the above and why?
I agree and relate to Sharon—growing up, for me Catholic, it was so strongly enforced that sin separates me from God, He cannot tolerate it. I think that plays into my default of works-righteousness and struggle to believe I am lovely to Him. But the example of a parent to a child is so helpful–and that He runs towards us, not away, not sighing in frustration or disappointment, but actively runs.
2. Where are you in your thinking of how Jesus sees you when you are sinning?
These lessons have been helping me so much, even though I haven’t been able to post much, it’s been impacting my heart—breaking down old lies again, and again. Defaults are so strong. My desire to please and “be good” in order to be acceptable, lovely…as a young child I believed He really loved me for me—He’s bringing me back to that place.
Defaults are so strong. They often make me mad on my computer! 🙂
Lizzy, my hope and prayer for you is that you capture that truth and feeling again, the one you had as a young child, when you believed “He really loved me for me.”
Monday
3. Why did they not smile and wear black for their portraits?
When having portraits done it took a period of over many days, so it was hard to hold a smile. I would imagine trying to holding a smile that long it would become disingenuous. They wore black because that was their Sunday best. But during the rest of the time they dressed in colorful clothing.
4. What did you learn about the Puritans that you didn’t know?
There was much diversity of their interpretations of the Bible…the cross, trinity etc. Much like today. They wanted to reform the Reformation. John Milton said they wanted to purify in the church that which hadn’t been purified. To apply reformation to everything…themselves, the church and the country.
The Reformation was about the reforming of life under the authority of the Bible and put the fear of God into the authorities.
5. What trait united all Puritans, according to Reeves?
Their passionate love for the Bible. They would travel hours to hear sermons and the sermons would lasting up to 7 hours was not unheard of.
6. Reeves tells of a sermon by Rogers in which he impersonated God concerning how His people valued the Bible. Goodwin said the people were overcome with tears and repentance. What do you remember?
They called him “roaring” Rogers. Goodwin remembers a sermon where he fell into an expostulation with the people about their neglect of the Bible. Impersonating God said, “I’ve trusted you with My Bible, it lies in your homes collecting dust and cobwebs and you can’t look into it? Well, you’ll no longer have My Bible.” Then, Rogers walks away with it. Then he impersonates the people addressing God, he falls to his knees crying and pleading not to take the Bible. You can kill our children, burn our houses, destroy our goods but only spare us our Bibles. Impersonating God again he says, “Well, I’ll try again a little longer, here is a Bible for you. I will see how you will use it, whether you will love it more, whether you will value it more, whether you will observe it more and whether you’ll live more according to it.” By these actions he put the congregation into so strange a posture. Goodwin said he’d never seen such actions by a congregation like it in his life…the people were in tears. Goodwin himself cried for an hour before getting on his horse to leave.
The Bible is the most valuable thing the world affords!
Great notes, Sharon.
Monday: A Varied Bunch, But They Loved The Bible
3. Why did they not smile and wear black for their portraits?
Because it took so long for cameras to get exposure for a picture they could not keep a smile on their faces that long. And they were wearing their Best Sunday clothes which were black as was the custom.
4. What did you learn about the Puritans that you didn’t know?
How varied they were in their thinking from group to group. I always thought of them as a singular group of people all in the same school of thought. Their being called Puritans came from a derisive attitude for their beliefs.
5. What trait united all Puritans, according to Reeves?
Their passionate love of the Bible. Because they had been deprived of a written access to God’s Word for 1000 years they valued the good news of the Gospel deeply. I loved his comment that it was “like a burst of Florida sunshine in the gray world of religious guilt”.
6. Reeves tells of a sermon by Rogers in which he impersonated God concerning how His people valued the
Bible. Goodwin said the people were overcome with tears and repentance. What do you remember?
That it was a young Thomas Goodwin who went to hear him preach and he himself experienced the strong emotions and tears from the effect of the message preached. Also that “Roaring Rogers” was quite a lively character in his style of preaching liking to do impersonations for effect to make his point.
Tuesday: Heart Doctors
7. Listen to the last twelve minutes of Reeves and share your notes and comments.
” The Bible is the most valuable thing this world affords.” Puritanism was about reforming every aspect of life with the Bible. The Puritans wanted to see a heart change in people personally as well as the formal church.
There was a danger that had surfaced when people were focusing on holy living in response to the Gospel instead of focusing on the Gospel that would promote holy living. When people began to measure their lives by how good they could be rather than recognizing their sinfulness and the outpouring of righteousness by Jesus into their lives. The need was to embrace the free gift of grace totally apart from works of any kind. To get back to what Luther had discovered. Justification by faith alone.
8. How can concentrating on holy living take away your focus from the gospel? Do you see this in your own life or church?
When we begin to concern ourselves with what and how we are doing with a sense of needing to measure up some how spiritually and as we struggle with sin thinking it is somehow up to us to correct it. This teaching has been wonderfully affirming to what in my heart I have believed about Jesus for quite a few years. As I have grown in my walk with Jesus and spent more time in his Word this is the Jesus I have been coming to know. One who gave all for my sin and has rescued me from it. I have found greater and greater security in knowing Jesus. Observing his response to sinners is amazing in its power to transform lives. With many years of church experience I have observed this danger talked about in this lesson where holy living as works became the focus above the Gospel being the purpose for holy living out of love for Jesus. I have been associated with my current church for most of the last 50 years and it went through a time of strong legalism which had a stifling affect. I view that now as a somewhat knee jerk reaction to a culture that was degenerating before our very eyes. My husband and I left for a time but God brought us back to it and we have watched it grow into a healthy fellowship of committed believers. I believe in part because it stayed true to the teaching of Scripture. I am blessed to be attending this church where grace is now clearly taught and these very things are correctly being promoted from the pulpit and by the leadership.
9. John Owen, Richard Sibbes, and Thomas Goodwin spoke into the danger of focusing on striving for our own righteousness instead of being so confident of being wrapped in His righteousness, and so confident of His love, that we draw near to Him, abide in Him and that fruit comes naturally. Share notes from this.
Some comments in regard to that:
“He is mine. His righteousness is mine. “
”Christ clothes sinners in his righteousness.”
”We seek Him. We desire Him. It pleases Christ when we receive his grace.”
There is more righteousness in Christ than sin in me. (Richard Sibbes)
It was a delight to see my granddaughter-in-law post this very comment on her Facebook page yesterday. She lives in Texas and it was so random it was in my Bible study lesson today 😊
Golden from Bev:
This teaching has been wonderfully affirming to what in my heart I have believed about Jesus for quite a few years. As I have grown in my walk with Jesus and spent more time in his Word this is the Jesus I have been coming to know. One who gave all for my sin and has rescued me from it. I have found greater and greater security in knowing Jesus. Observing his response to sinners is amazing in its power to transform lives. With many years of church experience I have observed this danger talked about in this lesson where holy living as works became the focus above the Gospel being the purpose for holy living out of love for Jesus.
3. Why did they not smile and wear black for their portraits?
This is based on how they looked in portraits: dressed in their “Sunday best” which was black, and people did not smile in portraits because they had to hold the pose for so long. I liked how he said Sibbes had an un-hide-able “twinkle” in his eye and almost a smile—evidence of the Spirit.
4. What did you learn about the Puritans that you didn’t know?
It was neat to hear about their love of Scripture and eagerness to learn. They loved to listen to sermons, travelling hours to listen to up to 7 hours of preaching. They were eager to hear the Bible. Europe had been without the ability to read a Bible for about 1000 years so they were hungry.
5. What trait united all Puritans, according to Reeves?
The unifying trait of the Puritans was their passion for the Bible. For the Puritan, the Bible is the most valuable thing. They believed in reforming all of ulife under the supreme authority of the Bible.
6. Reeves tells of a sermon by Rogers in which he impersonated God concerning how His people valued the Bible. Goodwin said the people were overcome with tears and repentance. What do you remember?
Rogers acted out a dialogue between God and the people with God taking away the Bible and what their reaction would be. He acts out them pleading with God not to take their Bible away–take anything else…they repent, cry, they are broken and realize anew the value of His Word.
3. Why did they not smile and wear black for their portraits?
Portraits took a long time to complete so they didn’t smile because it would never be exactly the same for each sitting. They wore black because it was their Sunday best!
4. What did you learn about the Puritans that you didn’t know?
Their name was reminding them to be pure, and to purify what needed to be in the church, not that they were any more pure than others. They were known as the reformers of the reformation.
5. What trait united all Puritans, according to Reeves?
They all loved and had a deep personal relationship with God.
6. Reeves tells of a sermon by Rogers in which he impersonated God concerning how His people valued the Bible. Goodwin said the people were overcome with tears and repentance. What do you remember?
The pastor acted out the parts of God and the Christians. As God, he said he was taking away the Bible because no one seemed to need it much. As the Christians, he begged that He not do that. “God” agrees to allow them to keep it
I think my answer to 5 is wrong…whoops! I guess it was the love of the Bible.
1. What stands out to you from the above and why?
Dee, I remember you using that quote from Bernard, about how when God sees us in the arms of our idols (other lovers) He backs away. I remember thinking that had something to do with the scene in The Songs, where the bride is too lazy to get up and answer the door when her Lover is there, knocking. Then, he disappears. I guess I believed it to be true, too.
I haven’t been commenting on our book, Gentle and Lowly, because I am going through it so slowly, reading and re-reading. I am only on chapter 9. But, I have been using the book as a springboard for my prayers, “discussing” things I’ve hi-lighted with God. This morning, I was on page 40, using the book to say to God, “Lord, You don’t just want me to be forgiven. You want me. You want me today to partake in Your atoning work, to come to You for forgiveness, to commune with You despite my sinfulness, and to lay hold of Your own deepest longing and joy.” At the end of this chapter, chapter 3, I wrote in the book, “Imagine coming to Him, needing to confess sins, feeling guilty, and praying, “Jesus, I’m coming to You with my sins because I know this will make You very happy.”
I, too, am experiencing a correction in my thinking, but it takes a lot of reviewing these truths, and a lot of talking to God about it.
2. Where are you in your thinking of how Jesus sees you when you are sinning?
Well, I started to answer this in the previous question, not having seen this question. This book is really helping me understand Jesus’ heart in a new way, that what makes Him unhappy is when I lurk around in the shadows, afraid to come to Him with my sin, afraid of Him. He lives for this – it gives Him joy and when I come to Him for help. He is able to sympathize with me because of the union I have with Him. Yesterday, when I was praying with this book, I was thinking about this union, and how can He feel my pain; even pain that I “deserve” because it is from sin. And God brought to my mind the night before my first son was born, and my dad called me. He started to cry on the phone, and I asked him what was wrong. He said he didn’t like to think about what I was going to have to go through tomorrow, the day I was scheduled to be induced in labor, and he wished there was some way he could take the pain for me. And so I saw in this earthly father a shadow of my Lord who does not just sympathize with me in an understanding way, but is actually able to feel and take my pain in His own body. The book says, “How does the head feel about his own flesh? He nourishes and cherishes it.”
And again, He does not back away when I sin. On page 71, I read that “He sides with me against my sin, not against me because of my sin. He hates sin. But He loves me.” He can no more back away from me and abandon me that I could if I saw my little child doing something that will harm him.
Oh what a tender dad you had, Susan.
I think we are all being so impacted by the Puritans. Yes — I am rethinking the Clairvoix quote. I think it is we who back away — and He gives us freedom to do so, for he did not break the door down in the Song. Even leaving perfume in the lock was a way of expressing His love before He left. I think the image of the deer that hides and leaps out is still relevant, for it seems He does both test and delight. Much to think about!
This is such a sweet picture. Thank you.
Tuesday
7. Listen to the last twelve minutes of Reeves and share your notes and comments.
8. How can concentrating on holy living take away your focus from the gospel? Do you see this in your own life or church?
The focus can become about our works rather than His work on the cross…we’re saved by grace through faith. It is the gospel that actually transforms our lives and holy living is an outpouring of that transformed life. He speaks of how church goers could hear a sermon on the 10 commandments, lessons about the need for holiness but not hear about Christ’s free gift of righteousness which may then lead them to think their salvation is dependent upon holiness of life. Strong warnings such as damnation that aren’t being coupled with the saving grace of Christ can cause morbid introspection, sniffing around inside to see if there’s any faith in there they can trust, thus trusting in their own faith, not Christ…so dangerous.
When we moved to NC, there were holiness churches everywhere and it was something we were not familiar with. I thought it was great that there was an emphasis on holiness in the church we go to but very seldom do we hear the gospel. Our church in Oregon was the opposite, there was much emphasis on the gospel and heard little about holy living. But to be honest, I saw more of a desire for Christ in Oregon and more growth than I have here. I wonder now, do people really understand the gospel, have they grasped it? Please know I’m not judging, just questioning. This question really caught my attention…thanks for drawing it out of the message.
9. John Owen, Richard Sibbes, and Thomas Goodwin spoke into the danger of focusing on striving for our own righteousness instead of being so confident of being wrapped in His righteousness, and so confident of His love, that we draw near to Him, abide in Him and that fruit comes naturally. Share notes from it
We need to ask, “what am I?’ I’m a poor sinful creature but I have a righteousness in Christ that answers all. I’m weak, but He is strong. Foolish in myself, but wise in Him. What I lack in myself I have in Him. He is mine, His righteousness is mine, which is the righteousness of God-man. Being clothed in this I stand safe in conscience, hell, wrath and whatsoever. Though I have daily experience with sin, there’s more righteousness in Christ who is mine. We cannot please Christ more than by cheerfully taking part of His rich provision. That’s what pleases Christ, receiving His grace.
Such an interesting observation from Sharon confirming what the Puritans believed:
When we moved to NC, there were holiness churches everywhere and it was something we were not familiar with. I thought it was great that there was an emphasis on holiness in the church we go to but very seldom do we hear the gospel. Our church in Oregon was the opposite, there was much emphasis on the gospel and heard little about holy living. But to be honest, I saw more of a desire for Christ in Oregon and more growth than I have here. I wonder now, do people really understand the gospel, have they grasped it? Please know I’m not judging, just questioning. This question really caught my attention…thanks for drawing it out of the message.
I submitted Tuesdays answers and for some reason they didn’t show up!
I was gone all day yesterday getting my 2nd Covid shot far away! So I just saw you needed, for some reason, to have that comment approved. Sorry!
7. Listen to the last twelve minutes of Reeves and share your notes and comments.
It had become all too simple to be zealously anti-Catholic, and yet have no understanding or experience of God’s grace. Everyone went to church, it was easy to be a nominal Christian. The Puritans wanted a reformed church in England, filled with hearts that had been reformed. They wanted to know if the people really loved the Lord or were just nominal Christians. With this there was a considerable danger – the desire to have people respond to the gospel could lead to a focus on the response, not the gospel.
In looking for reformed lives, the sign that a person that responded rightly to the gospel, It was easy to let the concern for a focus on growth and personal holiness eclipse a focus on justification by faith alone, the message that will actually transform lives. The danger of the Puritans was that they could be tempted to concentrate on holy living, in response to the gospel, instead of focusing on the gospel which will promote holy living. The experience of many churchgoers could be to hear a sermon on the 10 Commandments, hear lessons on holiness, but they wouldn’t hear about Christ’s free gift of righteousness. Many acted as if their salvation depended on the holiness of life, which was Luther’s original problem.
They heard strong warnings preached, but if they weren’t coupled with hearing of the free saving grace of Christ, then people were forced to a morbid introspection, sniffing around inside themselves to see if the heart felt good enough. Or to see if there’s any faith in there that they could trust in, and so trusting in their own faith and not Christ. Richard Sibbes Thomas Goodwin, John Owen came with the cure. All saw this danger and tendency around them and they preached into it with a glorious perception and insight.
Sibbes: What am I? A poor sinful creature but- I have a righteousness in Christ that answers all. I am weak in myself but Christ is strong and I’m strong in Him. I’m foolish in myself, but I’m wise in Him. What I lack in myself I have in Him. He is mine. His righteousness is mine, which is the righteousness of God-man. Being clothed with this , I stand safe against conscience, hell wrath and whatsoever. Though I have daily experience of my sins, yet there is more righteousness in Christ, who is mine, and who is the chief of 10,000. There is more righteousness in Him than there is sin in me.
Christ clothes sinners in His own righteousness. This was entirely against the idea that sinners need to make themselves holy in order to be saved, which makes God not gracious, but simply rewarding people for their works. Sibbes preached a most gracious Christ. He asked his people this question: “Do we entertain Christ to our loss? Does He come empty to us? No, says Sibbes He comes with all grace.” He comes to spread his treasures, to enrich the hearts, carry our afflictions, face our dangers, to bring peace of conscience, joy in the Holy Spirit. He comes to make our hearts a heaven.
Christ strives to empty His goodness into our souls. He comes out of love for us. Sibbes said it is only when you see the glory, the graciousness of Christ, only then do you seek not to buy Him off with works, then you seek– Him. Because you desire Him, your eyes having been open to Him, then you find He becomes more attractive than sin to you.
When you know how He loves, you begin to love, 1 John 4:19: we love because He first loved us. Sibbes saw himself as a chef holding out the banquet of Christ’s delicious grace. Sibbes said : We cannot please Christ more than by a cheerful, taking part of his rich provision. That’s what pleases Christ receiving his grace. He must be lovely to you before you will do much for him. We will not suffer with him, if we will not joy with him and in Him.
8. How can concentrating on holy living take away your focus from the gospel? Do you see this in your own life or church?
It’s so easy to become self-focus, performance-based, approval-seeking…speaking from a little experience!
9. John Owen, Richard Sibbes, and Thomas Goodwin spoke into the danger of focusing on striving for our own righteousness instead of being so confident of being wrapped in His righteousness, and so confident of His love, that we draw near to Him, abide in Him and that fruit comes naturally. Share notes from this.
I put my notes above. This was so important for me to hear. I do enjoy serving but it can so easily become what I rest in, my niceness, my helping…I want to rest in Him alone.
Thanks for reminding me of the “zealously Catholic” phrase Reeves used. I meant to mention it in my answer and then forgot! Your notes are super. I have had trouble finding time to be alone so I can take good notes. I find Reeves tough to follow and I have to concentrate. I listen and re-listen!
Thank you for these great notes, Lizzy!
Thank you for these wonderful notes!
7. Listen to the last twelve minutes of Reeves and share your notes and comments.
Protestantism had become a mere “political party” during Elizabeth’s time. The Puritans urged people to a relationship with God. Did the people love the Lord or were they just acting out the Christian life?
8. How can concentrating on holy living take away your focus from the gospel? Do you see this in your own life or church?
You work too hard on concentrating on holy living in response to the Gospel instead of focusing on the Gospel, which would promote holy living. I do see this in our lives and in church. Do we focus on salvation by grace, or in the day to day rigor of life or church “duties?” I definitely have to remind myself over and over again about Christ on the cross, about being saved by grace alone, and about how much he loves me that He would give His life for me. I get caught up in the daily rituals of life on Earth….the going to work, the cooking, the cleaning, the appointments. And at church…the dance, the bible studies, the fellowship. I need Him and all is put into focus.
9. John Owen, Richard Sibbes, and Thomas Goodwin spoke into the danger of focusing on striving for our own righteousness instead of being so confident of being wrapped in His righteousness, and so confident of His love, that we draw near to Him, abide in Him and that fruit comes naturally. Share notes from this.
Sibbes – I’m strong in Him. I’m foolish with myself, but I am wise in Him. There is more righteousness in Him, than there is sin in me. He preached a most gracious Christ. Christ comes with all grace and treasures to us. he comes to make our hearts a heaven. You seek Him because you desire Him. He becomes more attractive than sin to you. Receiving His grace makes Him happy. We won’t suffer with Him if we won’t feast with Him. We won’t do much for Christ if we don’t love Him. We won’t suffer with Him if we won’t joy with Him.
7. Notes from the final 12 minutes.
There was a tension among them, knowing how easy it was to make religion social and undemanding, or else lean too heavily towards judging people on their external holiness. Like today, really, thinking we have to accomplish salvation on our own, or being morbidly introspective. Sibbes said it was good to see yourself with all your flaws, but to also see yourself in Jesus Christ. I really, really, liked the quote, there is more righteousness in Christ than sin in me. Jesus doesn’t come to us empty, but with everything we need; righteousness, joy, and the power to live holy. When we quit seeking holiness, He becomes more attractive to us than sin. We can’t please Him more than in receiving His grace.
8. How can a focus on holy living take your eyes off the gospel? Do you see this either in yourself or in your church?
Human beings are quite limited in the ability to focus on more than one thing. If I focus on the external behavior of holiness, then I’m not thinking about the grace of God and how good He is to me. And if I include inner holiness, it compounds the problem. I can’t speak for others, but I find that I have a very short attention span when it comes to spiritual realities. I constantly get distracted. Unfortunately, holiness gives the appearance of being something I could maybe do on my own, if I just put some effort into it. Maybe it is because of how I came to Jesus, but that isn’t a huge pull for me. Bigger for me is just not wandering away in my thoughts and attitudes. I really don’t see it in my church, either.
9. Talk about being so confident in His righteousness and love that we draw near, abide in Him and naturally produce fruit.
Often I’ve heard encouragements to be confident in Him, but something in how Reeves spoke about how our response to this produces fruit in us naturally was new to me. I think I’m generally desiring to see fruit in my life, and judging myself based on what I see. But I also know that seeing any fruit can quickly lead to pride. Somehow, I need to be satisfied with a continual focus on Who Jesus is, and not worry about the rest.
Speak to the quote, “more righteousness in Jesus Christ than sin in me.”
This was a big encouragement for me. The idea that His righteousness vastly overshadows my sin and I can’t exhaust it!
Such a good quote to keep in our hearts, Mary!
3. Why did they not smile and wear black for their portraits?
Wearing black was “wearing their Sunday best” – wearing a suit. And nobody smiled because they had to sit for days for a portrait.
4. What did you learn about the Puritans that you didn’t know?
That John Milton did not believe in the Trinity.
5. What trait united all Puritans, according to Reeves?
They all had a great zeal to want to re-form everything, and so they were very thorough and detailed. But even more than this, they all had a passionate love for the Bible, for Bible study and listening to sermons.
6. Reeves tells of a sermon by Rogers in which he impersonated God concerning how His people valued the Bible. Goodwin said the people were overcome with tears and repentance. What do you remember?
In this infamous sermon, Rogers dramatized how God felt about the people neglecting reading His Word, and he enacted this by, acting as if he were God, taking the Bible from his pulpit, turning around and walking away with it, as if God were removing the Bible and taking it away from His people. Then, he turned around and played the part of the people, and said things like “No, don’t take it away….burn our houses, kill our children….spare us and don’t take away our Bible!” Goodwin wrote that the people were in a “strange state”, crying; he himself wept for half an hour before he could mount his horse. Reeves said you must understand that for the Puritans, the Bible was the most valuable thing that this world affords.
I understand that these were a people who were in a culture, in Europe, where the Bible had been withheld from them. But – maybe I am wrong here….is it possible to make something of an “idol” out of the Bible? Yes, it is God’s Word, but “it” is not God….to say “kill our children” rather than take away our Bible? Is that the kind of God we serve, One who would demand the lives of our children for neglecting His Word? I don’t know….this just didn’t sound right to me.
I was also struck by the phrase to “…kill our children…” I guess I rationalized it by thinking they really had nothing else like it so they were distraught that it might be taken away. I get what you are saying about the Bible as an idol too. But, it is the play book, the blueprint, of how we are to live our lives, so wouldn’t it be hard to lose the one resource you had to know what you should do in life? It is kind of our life line to God 🤷🏻♀️.
Susan — interesting thought about the Bible. In a sermon by Keller he talked about how in Psalm 119 it sounds like they are worshipping the Bible, lifting up their hands to the word — yet that Jesus is the Word, so it is appropriate. Having said that, I think it is important to see the person of Jesus in the Word, or you can end up making the Bible just rules and become legalistic. Thoughts?
Absolutely, Dee! I’m a rule follower. I love to remind others to follow the rules too! It’s hard to fight those inclinations. Remembering that the Word is Christ, is so important. Remembering that the Word is alive and active, is so important, otherwise we are in danger of making it say what we want it to say-picking and choosing scripture, etc. The Word becomes an idol when we do these things. Instead we need to search for Christ in the scripture and seek to turn our hearts to Him, so we can enjoy the fruit He produces in us. I can definitely see places in my life where I’ve been proud to check off a good deed. Instead this should be a warning of bad motives. My goal needs to be heart change in myself and deeds performed out of empathy towards others and wanting to share the love of Christ.
I still don’t know how I feel about that sermon and the way Rogers portrayed the people’s response….it just seemed like a heavy guilt trip to me! I guess I feel that if for some reason my Bible was banned, I would always still have God, and His Spirit. Or if it was me neglecting to read it, I don’t think I would say to God to take the life of my child…it just seems really over the top dramatic! I think what made me think of idolatry was the “sacrificing” to it.
I’m inclined to think that the people were in a desperate state and did not really want the alternatives, but did desperately want the Bible. This had so turned their faith that to lose it seemed like losing everything. Our culture, myself included, doesn’t appreciate what we have in the Word. I haven’t taken time to record my answers, but have been studying this week. I’ve known much of what’s being taught about the gospel but like many of you, struggle to reconcile what is taught culturally and what the Word says. I liked the part about how those who really understand the gospel made the most lasting impact. I’m questioning my own true understanding of the gospel and that of my church. Since COVID, we have seen a sharp decline in attendance and much division in our reformed church. The elders response has been to create a membership document that lays out expectations about a member’s duty to the church. They plan to address members who are not attending regularly or participating in church life as laid out in this document. I believe the intent is good in that they want to stay connected and draw people back to full participation in the church, but I’m afraid the effect will be more negative in nature by placing a focus on works versus the gospel.
I fear you are right, Chris. Our church has lost some too — and this is a check on how to approach them, if at all.
10. What stands out to you from the above and why?
How sweet children are! I love that Miabelle “gets it” at such a tender age. I think it is difficult to model what you suggest though, or, maybe I have put my faith in a “box” where it only comes out at certain times? I guess I am trying to find an example where I repent in front of my kids so they will know I talk to Jesus about my failures; where I say I am sorry and then how I will try to do better in the future. I think part of it is that I am not one of those who is confident in prayer regardless of what the prayer is about. I have a usual running dialog in my head with God. I talk to Him ALL the time! I feel that prayer is private. But, if you don’t pray with your kids then how do they know how to pray? Oh sure, we say the prayer at mealtime and bedtime, but I haven’t thought to pray at “odd” times too. I’m thinking I need to incorporate this into the day somehow 🤷🏻♀️. I have a mantra that I have applied to raising our grandkids. I am flipping much of how I raised our kids. We didn’t do everything wrong, but we certainly have room for improvement! Some of what webpage done is already working, and I think this is an excellent addition to the quiver. Thanks Dee, for making me think!
11. A. How does 1 John 2:1 explain use the word advocate? What gives Jesus the qualifications to do this for us?
Jesus is an advocate for us, to the Father. He intercedes for us when we sin. He stands up for us. Jesus was One of us. He came to Earth to be with us. He loves us because He knows us best.
11 B. Tim Keller uses the example of Stephen and what he saw when he was dying as a picture of Christ’s advocacy. Look at it in Acts 7:54-59 and share what you see.
Stephen says he sees Jesus standing in heaven, at the place of honor next to the Father. The people thought he was being blasphemous by describing what he saw so they covered their ears. Stephen knew Christ was there, with him, in support.
Thanks for thinking out loud, Laura!
Laura–this made me smile, love it ” I have a usual running dialog in my head with God. I talk to Him ALL the time! “. Your grandkids are so blessed by you.
Laura, just a thought on prayer. I knew a woman, who whenever a need surfaced of whatever size, she didn’t say she would pray about it. She just right then and there, talked to God about it out loud for just a couple sentences. Initially I was shocked. Then awed. Then I adopted it for myself. That way I don’t promise something and then not do it. The person I am with knows exactly how I prayed. And we have been to the Throne together with a minimum of fuss. You might want to consider praying like that with the kids, modeling for them what it means to live in the presence of God.
Mary B-I love that on prayer. I’ve gotten more that way myself–asking if I can pray for someone right then when they share something.
Good idea Mary! I’ll try that out 😉
Sharon — find your post back a bit — I was slow to confirm it!
👍 Saw that Dee, thanks! I get my 2nd shot in two weeks.
10. What stands out to you from the above and why?
I love Miabelle’s repentance and faith. There is a part near the end of Gentle and Lowly where he says the 2 main steps in a Christian’s life is to 1. Go to Jesus, and 2. See #1.
Miabelle is a great example of that, going to Jesus.
11. In Chapter 9 of Gently and Lowly, Ortlund concentrates on Christ as our advocate, explaining the difference between mediator (bringing two parties together) and advocate (aligning with one party) It speaks of deep solidarity like you would feel if you were to advocate for someone with whom you felt knit.
A. How does 1 John 2:1 explain use the word advocate? What gives Jesus the qualifications to do this for us?
Jesus is our Advocate to the Father. He is the Righteous One. He stands beside us, goes with us—not between but beside. He is our Defender and our Righteousness before God. In of my favorite Keller sermons is about Jesus as Advocate. It has always stuck with me that He takes all the sentence and we cannot be tried again.
B. Tim Keller uses the example of Stephen and what he saw when he was dying as a picture of Christ’s advocacy. Look at it in Acts 7:54-59 and share what you see.
As his enemies were attacking him, stoning him, Stephen was full of the Holy Spirit. He looked “into”—I started to write “up” but it’s interesting that it says “into”—He saw into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. He saw Jesus as his Advocate, and said “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God”.
Love this:
There is a part near the end of Gentle and Lowly where he says the 2 main steps in a Christian’s life is to 1. Go to Jesus, and 2. See #1.
Wednesday/Thursday
10. What stands out to you from the above and why?
Miabelle is learning firsthand, that genuine repentance leads not only to forgiveness, but restores her joy (Psalm 51:12) and surrounds her with “songs of deliverance.” (Psalm 32:7) She is learning, firsthand, the depth of God’s love for her, and how He runs to her, even in the midst of sin.
My kids are grown up and yet I know they are never too old to hear the above, especially the last sentence…the depth of Gods love for them and how He runs to them, even in the midst of their sin! I put that last part in bold because that is a new truth for me and oh how I want them to hear it.
11. In Chapter 9 of Gently and Lowly, Ortlund concentrates on Christ as our advocate, explaining the difference between mediator (bringing two parties together) and advocate (aligning with one party) It speaks of deep solidarity like you would feel if you were to advocate for someone with whom you felt knit.
A. How does 1 John 2:1 explain use the word advocate? What gives Jesus the qualifications to do this for us?
When we sin we have Jesus as our advocate. He pleads our case before the Father. The Greek work for advocate is parakletos…it’s the idea of someone who appears on behalf of another.
His righteousness qualifies Him. We are unrighteous. “Our best repenting of our sin is itself plagued with more sin needing more forgiveness. To come to the Father without an advocate is hopeless. To be allied with an advocate, one who came and sought me out rather than waiting for me to come to Him, one who is righteous in all the ways I am not – this is calm and confidence before the Father.”
B. Tim Keller uses the example of Stephen and what he saw when he was dying as a picture of Christ’s advocacy. Look at it in Acts 7:54-59 and share what you see.
Jesus is standing in the place of honor at God’s right hand in Stephen’s vision of heaven. It’s interesting that He is standing rather than sitting (Matthew 26:64; Colossians 3:1). If Jesus stands as our advocate, He must never sit! 😜
12. For those of you who have the book, what else stands out to you from chapter 9?
The main thing that stood out to me was the difference between intercession, “something Christ is always doing” and advocacy, “something He does as occasion calls for it.” “He intercedes for us given our general sinfulness, but He advocates for us in the case of specific sins.”Also, “when we sin to need to remember our legal standing before God because of the work of Christ; but remember also our advocate before God because of the heart of Christ.”
Sharon–I love how you bolded this, I need that reminder too “He runs to them, even in the midst of their sin!”
Lizzy, me too! I remember my grandpa helping the lepers in Africa after he was warned to stay away. He chose to love and gave them the good news of Jesus.
oh Sharon–to picture your grandpa made my eyes fill–what a beautiful heritage of faith you have!
Sharon — what a heritage you have!
Wednesday/Thursday: Gentle and Lowly
10. What stands out to you from the above and why?
This comment stood out to me:
“Miabelle is learning firsthand, that genuine repentance leads not only to forgiveness, but restores her joy (Psalm 51:12) and surrounds her with “songs of deliverance.” (Psalm 32:7) She is learning, firsthand, the depth of God’s love for her, and how He runs to her, even in the midst of sin.”
This is just such wonderful truth we all need to grasp and cling to. The depth of God’s love for us and that He runs to us even in the midst of our sin.
11. In Chapter 9 of Gently and Lowly, Ortlund concentrates on Christ as our advocate, explaining the difference between mediator (bringing two parties together) and advocate (aligning with one party) It speaks of deep solidarity like you would feel if you were to advocate for someone with whom you felt knit.
A. How does 1 John 2:1 explain use the word advocate? What gives Jesus the qualifications to do this for us?
We have an advocate (One who pleads our case) before the Father. He qualifies because he is the One who is truly righteous and himself is the sacrifice that atones for sin. My sin!
B. Tim Keller uses the example of Stephen and what he saw when he was dying as a picture of Christ’s advocacy. Look at it in Acts 7:54-59 and share what you see.
He saw Jesus standing at the right hand of God in the place of highest honor. Only Jesus is worthy to stand in that place and Stephen seeing Jesus there verifies his total acceptance by God his Father and anything he might ask God for.
12. For those of you who have the book, what else stands out to you from chapter 9?
This stood out to me:
Fallen humans are natural self-advocates. It flows out of us. Self-exonerating, self-defending. We do not need to teach young children to make excuses when they are caught misbehaving. There is a natural built-in mechanism that immediately kicks into gear to explain why it wasn’t really their fault. Our fallen hearts intuitively manufacture reasons that our case is not really that bad. The fall is manifested not only in our sinning but in our response to our sinning. We minimize, we excuse, we explain away. In short, we speak, even if only in our hearts, in our defense. We advocate for ourselves.
I could so identify with this and was reminded of my need to confess and repent to my wonderful Advocate Jesus.
I liked this quote by John Bunyan
“But since we are rescued by him, let us, as to ourselves, lay our hand upon our mouth, and be silent.”
Oh my need to lay my hand on my mouth and be silent.
13. In Chapter 10 of Gentle and Lowly, we read of Jonathan Edward’s sermon to children. His main text was Matthew 10:37! What does this say, and how do you imagine he used this for children?
”If you love your father and mother more than you love me, you are not worthy of being mine.” Matthew 10:37
His goal was to impress on them that God’s love for them is far greater than even their parent’s love and it made Him worthy of their deepest love in return.
14. If you have the book, what else stands out to you from chapter 10?
This paragraph stood out to me:
Let Jesus draw you in through the loveliness of his heart. This is a heart that upbraids the impenitent with all the harshness that is appropriate, yet embraces the penitent with more openness than we are able to feel. It is a heart that walks us into the bright meadow of the felt love of God. It is a heart that drew the despised and forsaken to his feet in self-abandoning hope. It is a heart of perfect balance and proportion, never overreacting, never excusing, never lashing out. It is a heart that throbs with desire for the destitute. It is a heart that floods the suffering with the deep solace of shared solidarity in that suffering. It is a heart that is gentle and lowly.
In considering the wonderful heart of love in Jesus Christ no wonder the hurt and sick and dying are drawn to him. I think one of the beauties of The Chosen and why we are drawn into it is this very portrayal of Jesus loving the ordinary and the outcasts of society and how He loves and accepts them right where they are. Chapter 10 was a blessing to read. It gives a wonderful sense of the beauty of the love of Christ for us.
Wonderful quote from Bunyan!
12. For those of you who have the book, what else stands out to you from chapter 9?
“Do not minimize your sin or excuse it away. Raise no defense. Simply take it to the one who is already at the right hand of the Father, advocating for you on the basis of his own wounds. Let your own unrighteousness, in all your darkness and despair, drive you to Jesus Christ, the righteous, in all his brightness and sufficiency.”
It tells me that when I try to lessen my sin, or hide it, I am missing the opportunity to run to Jesus in all my filth and to the measure I see my sin, to even more so receive His grace and forgiveness. I cheat myself when I try to hide.
13. In Chapter 10 of Gentle and Lowly, we read of Jonathan Edward’s sermon to children. His main text was Matthew 10:37! What does this say, and how do you imagine he used this for children?
This says a lot to me about Edward’s own confidence, and his great love for God. He was not seeking to be his children’s hero or be their favorite—he was desiring that they put their whole heart into first loving Jesus. Of course, a by product of loving God would be to honor your parents, but I love how his focus was not on self at all, only on bringing glory to God.
14. If you have the book, what else stands out to you from chapter 10?
I loved this, convicting and inspiring: “Why not build in to your life unhurried quiet, where, among other disciplines, you consider the radiance of who he actually is, what animates him, what his deepest delight is? Why not give your soul room to be reenchanted with Christ time and time again?”
15. Is your view of the heart of Christ for you changing? If so, how?
Yes. What Sharon emphasized—that Jesus runs to us in our sin, has helped me take that leap towards really believing I am loveable to Him. I’ve also challenged my thoughts with how easy it is for me to believe He loves others, even those who have deeply hurt me, why don’t I believe it for myself? I believe there is pride there somewhere, because I believe pride is always beneath sin! So I think there’s a part of me that wants to look good, wants to be “presentable”, to Christ. Instead of fully, deeply, on my knees acknowledging I can never be, and yet, I am loved.
16. Ortland points out we all tend to be “self-advocates” bristling when criticized, justifying ourselves. Have you grown in this area — and if so — how?
I know I am tempted to self-justify. And yet, I so admire when I see others humbly accept criticism. I want to always grow in that area–humbly admitting my weakness, agreeing rather than bristling.
17. If the most important thing we can teach our children is the love of Christ, how might we better do this?
I will always remember when my now 14 year old son was about 4. I was trying some new sticker-chart-obedience system and when I finished he quietly said, with gratitude, “God doesn’t use points”. It challenged me to think more about parenting with grace, or at least trying to temper my heavy bent towards truth with an equal measure of His generous grace. I always want to be a parent that is easy to approach with hard things, easy to tell the truth to, quick to forgive. I fail. A ton. But I want to model that kind of love of Christ. I think in my older years too I’ve gotten better at admitting my own sin with my kids, asking their forgiveness when I should. We also pray a lot with our kids—throughout the day. I’ve noticed how this has become a habit they expect, and they ask for—pray for my test, pray I catch a fish…we started when they were very young always praying before road trips and now, they don’t let us start the car without reminding us to first pray. Sorry, rambling there-but I think modeling prayer is important because it shows them Jesus is accessible, He’s with us, ready to listen, ready to help, to be our Advocate.
Beautiful quote Lizzy highlighted:
Why not build in to your life unhurried quiet, where, among other disciplines, you consider the radiance of who he actually is, what animates him, what his deepest delight is? Why not give your soul room to be reenchanted with Christ time and time again?”
Oh, Lizzy! You are not rambling! What beautiful and honest statements! I love that you pray with your kids over all things. What a wonderful legacy you have created and are creating. Modeling prayer is living with Jesus in your home! I love this!
And how we are all so tempted to self-justify. Still, as a grandparent, I continue to pray that I will be a godly example to my children and grandchildren, to teach them the importance of grace and forgiveness to their siblings, husbands and wives, and children.
Bev, I will pray for Kara. I wrote her name in my journal for this study. I will pray right now.
Sharon, your grandpa was such a precious man of God. That took my breath away.
You ladies are all so amazing and I love reading all of your beautiful thoughts, that enrich my life. This study is wonderful. I love Michael Reeves and Gentle and Lowly. The Chosen also has some beautiful ways of making Christ’s love so real. Get used to different is the Best.
Patti–what a GIFT you are! He has given you the gift of encouragement, and we are SO blessed by you here!
Thank you Patti,
Lizzy is right. What a gift you are. 💕
Patti, I too thank you. The picture of your dog(sheltie?) is so cute.
Yes — Patti has always had shelties and loved them well. I’m so glad she is a visible presence now — she has been a dear friend to me for fifty years!
12. For those of you who have the book, what else stands out to you from chapter 9?
~ “…. His advocacy on our behalf rises higher than our sins. His advocacy speaks louder than our failures. All is taken care of.” pg. 91
~ “….. He stands and speak to our defense when we sin, not after we get over it.” pg. 92
~ “Let your own unrighteousness, in all your darkness and despair, drive you to Jesus Christ…… in all His sufficiency.” pg. 94
I’ve been listening to some of Dane Ortlund’s teaching on Galations that dovetail right into his book. Available from his church website:
https://npchurch.org/resources/sermons
10. What stood out from Dee’s sharing?
How do we really understand any love?? It isn’t just a struggle for children. Maybe it is our fallen nature, but I think in general we have a hard time grasping what love is. Hence our culture’s emphasis on what we feel. Our problem with understanding love makes us easy targets for the enemy. Since we don’t comprehend God’s love, we don’t trust it.
11. Chapter 9; the difference between mediator and advocate.
A. 1 John 2:1. What gives Jesus the qualifications to be our advocate?
He was sinless and righteous, so He could come before the Father free of dealing with any personal sin. He had also lived a human life, and understood what it is like to be dust, to be frail, and to be tempted.
B. Keller used the illustration of Stephen and his vision of Jesus’s advocacy in Acts 7:54-59. What do you see?
Because Stephen was full of the Holy Spirit, he could see what was happening continually in heaven that we don’t see, and the Jews in that moment were completely dead to even hearing about it. It seems like being at the right hand of God was significant, but I don’t know what it really means.
12. What else stood out in this chapter?
I struggled with Ortlund saying that intercession is continual, but that mediating was only as needed. I feel like I am never without a need to have Him standing with me before the Father. It isn’t that I think the Father less loving, but I can’t see myself being less needy. There was a line, ‘advocacy is God’s way of encouraging us not to throw in the towel.’ I so love that encouragement! And, ‘who is Jesus in the midst of my sin? His advocacy is itself the conquering of it.’ A couple nights ago was a bad one for me as far as sleep goes. As I was tempted to eat, I thought of something Keller said. It was along the lines of, Jesus suffered through all temptation without failing so that I could be successful in facing it. I was able to ask for that success, and He granted it to me. The last thing was I can quit all my excuses and self defense and lean on His advocacy for me.
13. Edwards use of Matthew 10:37, where it says your love for Jesus has to be more than any other love in your life.
Is it because no other love can be there for you like Jesus can? All other loves either leave us or fail us, but Jesus never.
14. What else stood out in chapter 10?
The emphasis on the beauty of Jesus’s heart. It is the beauty that every other beauty is only a shadow or echo of. We have more need to see His beauty, or goodness, than to see His greatness. “When we come to Jesus, we are startled by the beauty of His welcoming heart.” And he talked about ‘romancing the heart of Jesus’, encouraging us to ponder repeatedly what His heart is like, and to feel His love.
Mary — pondering the difference between intercession and mediating. What do you think it is?
Dee, I looked into all three words (advocate, intercession, and mediate) in Webster’s and in the Strong’s, and could not see a difference. There must be at least a connotation somewhere that I don’t have access to, but it confirms what I was thinking… they are basically the same.
Wednesday/Thursday
13. In Chapter 10 of Gentle and Lowly, we read of Jonathan Edward’s sermon to children. His main text was Matthew 10:37! What does this say, and how do you imagine he used this for children?
”If you love your father or mother more than you love me, you are not worthy of being mine…”
I wish I could of heard this sermon. He preached it to children ages 6-10. It covered 12 small pages, it lasted approximately 15 minutes. His main point was, “Children ought to love the Lord Jesus Christ above all things in the world.” I have a 6 year old grandson that I can’t imagine sitting there for that long listening to a sermon. The point Edwards was making is difficult for us adults to grasp. But yet I know kids pick up on things much more than we think. I would of loved to of heard as a child these words, “There is no love so great and so wonderful as that which is in the heart of Christ.” I can imagine Edwards telling stories of Jesus’s kindness that revealed His heart. I think he wooed these children “with the beauty of Christ.”
14. If you have the book, what else stands out to you from chapter 10?
Dear Lord,
The desire of my heart is to draw my sweet grand boys to the heart of Christ. To share with them of your beauty in creative ways…woo them Lord and my I not get in the way with any of my doubts but trust that You can give them understanding and will work in their lives. Amen
I had similar thoughts about my grandchildren and Edward’s sermons. Some would sit, most would not. Perhaps it is our culture and how we are more permissive with children?
I think you’re absolutely right and I also think today there are so many more distractions and technology to compete with.
Monday: A Varied Bunch, But They Loved The Bible (Leave the last 12 minutes for tomorrow)
Reeves says the word “Puritan” is as diverse as “Evangelical.” But they all loved the Bible and the Puritans who left a lasting legacy were the ones who truly understood the heart of Christ.
1. 3. Why did they not smile and wear black for their portraits?
Because they have to hold that smile for a long time if they were to have their portraits taken and black is their Sunday’s best.
2. 4. What did you learn about the Puritans that you didn’t know?
Others thought that a Puritan is a dour person wearing black. That the trait that united all Puritans was their passionate love for the Bible.
3. 5. What trait united all Puritans, according to Reeves?
They share a passionate love for the Bible.
1. 6. Reeves tells of a sermon by Rogers in which he impersonated God concerning how His people valued the Bible. Goodwin said the people were overcome with tears and repentance. What do you remember?
He impersonated God and after his expostulation of the people’s neglect of the Bible, had everyone weeping in tears. Goodwin said on his way home, it took him a while to get on the saddle as he was greatly overcome by Rogers’ sermon.
Tuesday: Heart Doctors
1. Listen to the last twelve minutes of Reeves and share your notes and comments.
The Puritans were concerned about the people they love. Are they focusing so much on growth and holiness that they are missing the fact that justification is by faith alone that can transform lives? Are they focusing so much on holy living rather than the gospel that can promote holy living? Are they hearing only the message of holiness but not hear the message of Jesus as their justification?
1. How can concentrating on holy living takes away your focus from the gospel? Do you see this in your own life or church?
“Sniffing around if their hearts are good enough; not focus on Christ”. It seems easy to get back to works righteousness again!
Yes, I see it in my life and the church. Christians, it seems, like to be told what to do to make them feel good. I revert to works righteousness whenever I feel like I failed Jesus. And I have to be reminded that in Christ, there is no more condemnation. I can always go back to Him or be assured that when I am wretched, He will run to me and love me more than ever.
2. John Owen, Richard Sibbes, and Thomas Goodwin spoke into this fallacy, and have left us a great legacy. Share notes from this.
There is danger in morbid introspection. Often think with thyself- What am I? A poor sinful creature BUT I am strong in Him. I am foolish in myself but wise in Him.
What I lack in myself I find in Him. Being clothe with his righteousness, I stand safe against conscience, hell, wrath, and whatsoever daily experience in sin I have, there is more righteousness in Christ than there is sin in me.
He comes in fullness to us… Not to buy him off with works rather, you seek Him. You desire Him. He becomes more attractive to you.
We love because He first loved us.
Sorry about the numbering in my submission above. I couldn’t edit it right.
1. What stands out to you from the above and why?
I love what Miabelle said. I do get into a funk; in fact almost every day. And her solution is so simple-so child like! It is no wonder Jesus wants us to be like children. Miabelle is learning firsthand, that genuine repentance leads not only to forgiveness, but restores her joy (Psalm 51:12) and surrounds her with “songs of deliverance.” (Psalm 32:7)
11. In Chapter 9 of Gently and Lowly, Ortlund concentrates on Christ as our advocate, explaining the difference between mediator (bringing two parties together) and advocate (aligning with one party) It speaks of deep solidarity as you would feel if you were to advocate for someone with whom you felt knit.
A. How does 1 John 2:1 explain the use of the word advocate? What gives Jesus the qualifications to do this for us?
One who speaks to the Father on our behalf. Jesus is the only righteous one who can be our utmost advocate. He died for us and His death cancels all our debts to God and has saved us from the wrath of God.
Hebrews 8:1-2
Now the main point in what has been said is this: we have such a high priest, who has taken His seat at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, a minister in the sanctuary and in the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, not man.
B. Tim Keller uses the example of Stephen and what he saw when he was dying as a picture of Christ’s advocacy. Look at it in Acts 7:54-59 and share what you see.
Lord, do not count this sin against them. Can I be like Stephen towards my enemies?
2. For those of you who have the book, what else stands out to you from chapter 9?
“Intercession is something Christ is always doing, while advocacy is something he does as occasion calls for it. He intercedes for us given our general sinfulness but he advocates for us in the case of specific sins.”
“Your salvation is not merely a matter of a saving formula, but of a saving person.”
He stands and speaks in behalf of us when we sin, not after we get over it.
We can leave our case to be made by Christ, the only righteous one.
Let your own unrighteousness, in all your darkness and despair, drive you to Jesus Christ, the righteous one, in all His brightness and sufficiency.
Bing, this also stood out to me… “Your salvation is not merely a matter of a saving formula, but of a saving person.”. How wonderful it is that we don’t have to jump through hoops to be saved. It’s all about what Christ, a person did for us. I’ve been meaning to ask how your back is doing and if you’d had relief?
Yes, Sharon, I have had some relief. Thanks for asking. I am getting back to my exercises and yoga. I had my second covid shot Wednesday morning and had some flu-like reactions. So I have been at home since then. I am thankful for the time at home so I can get here and follow the blog! So much rich exchange. Trying to catch up in between rests and fielding answers from the school. Hah! I do feel much better today.
Glad to hear your back is doing better and praying you’ll quickly recover from the flu symptoms.
Yes, Bing – -to be like children.
Good notes!
1. In Chapter 10 of Gentle and Lowly, we read of Jonathan Edward’s sermon to children. His main text was Matthew 10:37! What does this say, and how do you imagine he used this for children?
He wanted to woo people with the beauty of Jesus Christ. I watched Episode 2 of The Chosen and was so touched by the portrayal of Jesus loving the children. All of the kids especially Abigail, acted like they were really attracted to Him-not just His demeanor but His words of affirmation and truth.
“It is Christ gentle heart that adorns Him with beauty.”
37 “Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.
2. If you have the book, what else stands out to you from chapter 10?
Parents are often full of kindness towards their children, but that is no kindness like Jesus Christ’s.
There is no love so great and so wonderful as that which is in the heart of Christ.
…But seeing God’s greatest is not our deepest need but seeing His goodness. Seeing only His greatness, the enmity, and opposition of the heart, may remain in its full strength, and the will remain inflexible; whereas one glimpse of the moral and spiritual glory of God, and supreme amiableness of Christ, shining into the heart, overcomes and abolishes this opposition, and inclines the soul to Christ, as it were, by an omnipotent power.
In other words, when we come to Christ, we are startled by the beauty of His welcoming heart. The surprise is itself what draws us in. Again from The Chosen movie: When Jesus put his hands on Mary’s face, I saw her gasp and when Jesus said, “You are mine.” She wept-and Jesus drew her close. What a tender moment of what Jesus’ heart is for us. No demon can stay when we come to the realization that we have been chosen and are forever loved by Jesus.
15. Is your view of the heart of Jesus changing?
Yes, it really is. The hiss of the evil one has been so slow and subtle I hadn’t noticed that I had started to think of Jesus as upset, disappointed, and distancing Himself from me. And because I was listening to those lies, I was pulling away from Him. I’d like to think that knowing what I know now, I would put those wrong thoughts out of my mind once and for all. But I have the feeling I will have to be diligent to root them out as they crop up. I can see myself needing to have help bringing my actions and reactions into line with the truth.
16. Ortlund says we tend to self advocate. How?
Growing up, it was evident that if you didn’t stick up for yourself people would walk all over you. Plus our sin nature, following in the steps of our first parents… it wasn’t my fault; they did it. Our culture celebrates what we call ‘assertiveness’, which is actually self advocacy. So a thousand times a day, I ‘stand up for myself’. I push back against anything I perceive as taking from me, whether it is my place in line or respect for my opinions. To be honest, I can’t conceive of not self advocating, though I try not to be sinful in it. Or is all self advocacy sinful??
17. If the most important thing we can teach children is the love of Jesus, how might we do a better job of this?
Children catch more than they are taught. If they see the adults in their lives as passionately responding to the love of Jesus, they will recognize it as real and want it for themselves. If all they see are rules and hypocrisy, then they are not likely to want it. That said, it is not a guarantee. Adam and Eve felt the fullness and freedom of God’s love and presence, yet walked away, so we can’t make our children come to Him. We can only model the joy we have found in Him. It is also possible to respond to Jesus without someone in your life showing you a loving walk with Him. That is what was true for me.
18. How have you seen prayer answered in this regard?
I have children on opposite sides of the spectrum. One wanted Jesus from before she was 5, saying she didn’t want to be alone on the inside anymore. Today, she is in full time Christian ministry. My other told us repeatedly he didn’t want to go to heaven, didn’t want God telling him what to do, and fighting us every step of his growing up. Today, he is a father of three, one of whom is giving them fits. My son walks with Jesus, but it is not an easy road for him. I see God’s grace in both their lives, and to us as their parents. I see that every individual has their own story, and have to walk their own road. And now I pray fervently for the grands, and write letters to them about my prayers for them and God’s love for them.
How I love this testimony, Mary, of seeing Jesus differently!
Mary, I believe too that it is a constant thing we must do, to replace those lies with the truth. Likely we will never be rid of those thoughts “once and for all”….yet, I believe they can plague us less and less as we learn more about how Jesus really feels about us!
Mary, this was helpful for me. Adam and Eve felt the fullness and freedom of God’s love and presence, yet walked away, so we can’t make our children come to Him. We can only model the joy we have found in Him. It is also possible to respond to Jesus without someone in your life showing you a loving walk with Him. That is what was true for me.
Modeling is such a powerful, too. Jesus is the ultimate example. He never wavered or flinched at what was His calling. It was His constant communion with His Father that made Him “Set His face like a flint”. And all for the joy set before Him. I still cannot get over this wonderful truth. He died for me because I am one of His joys.
Friday
15. Is your view of the heart of Christ for you changing? If so, how?
Most definitely. I have a different outlook on sin and how Jesus sees me. “In order for me to fall short of loving embrace into the heart of Christ both now and into eternity, Christ himself would have to be pulled down out of heaven and put back in the grave. His death and resurrection make it just for Christ never to cast out his own, no matter how often they fall.” He runs to me in the midst of my sin!
16. Ortland points out we all tend to be “self-advocates” bristling when criticized, justifying ourselves. Have you grown in this area — and if so — how?
I don’t want to wallow in my sin any longer than I have to thinking that I can make it right somehow on my own or justifying it. I think of Jesus going towards the leper rather than being repulsed and walking away. My disease is sin and He comes to me wanting to heal, wanting to forgive because He loves me.
17. If the most important thing we can teach our children is the love of Christ, how might we better do this?
By showing them the heart of Christ…” emphasize the beauty or loveliness of his gracious heart.”
Friday: Applications
1. Is your view of the heart of Christ for you changing? If so, how?
Yes. I have become more reflective of His love for me day by day.
2. Ortland points out we all tend to be “self-advocates” bristling when criticized, justifying ourselves. Have you grown in this area — and if so — how?
Being more sensitive to areas of sin in my life and coming to the Lord and asking Him to forgive me. The time it is taking to forget and be happy again in the Lord gets shorter and shorter.
3. If the most important thing we can teach our children is the love of Christ, how might we better do this?
I am to point them always to Jesus when they have the tendencies to depend on us or on themselves.
4. How have you seen prayer answered for your children or those you love in this regard? (This is to encourage those still in the waiting room!)
Our daughter got saved when she was in the 4th grade. I remember her vibrant faith. And her simple trust in praying for things like my lost class ring. I found it in our yard after she prayed. Even when she started straying from the Lord, I have seen God draw her through His provision and care.
I have wept over the consequences she has experienced as a result of her pride and disobedience. I continually wait on God for her return to Him while being grateful for the pieces of evidence of His wooing of her in the midst of all things. “He who started a good work in (my loved ones) will complete it until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:6Saturday:
5. What is your take-a-way and why?
“Why not give your soul room to be re-enchanted with Christ time and again?”
It is so easy to take things for granted. My husband and I have been married almost 33 years. I just expect him to do things certain ways, to love me as he always has done, and to be charmed of me all.the.time. But am I charmed with him as well? So it is I think with my relationship with Christ. Do I keep the fires burning in my love for Him? Is it so much just an auto-response or is it a true heart response? Lord, let not my heart grow cold towards you. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and renew a right spirit within me. In your presence is fullness of joy, in your right hand pleasures forevermore.
There is a surety that Jesus will always come to us. He comes in the fullness of grace and beauty all the more even when we are sinning. As the spring rains come watering the parched earth (my parched soul) and refreshing its grounds, so our Lover and Bridegroom waters our souls and refreshes us as He restores the joy of His salvation.
“Let us know; let us press on to know the Lord; his going out is sure as the dawn; he will come to us as the showers, as the spring rains that water the earth.”Hosea 6:3
Psalm 51:12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation…
Bing, what a great picture and encouragement for us to recognize we play a part in keeping the fires burning!
Bing, what a blessing to read your thoughts. A good challenge to my own heart. “I think with my relationship with Christ. Do I keep the fires burning in my love for Him?” Like Mary says below I don’t want to presume on His grace in my life. I want to move closer to Him proactively not just be reactive. Appreciate the Psalm 52:12 scripture. My husband loves that verse and prays and quotes it every so often.
Bing–your words here, so wise, so good for me to hear “Do I keep the fires burning in my love for Him? Is it so much just an auto-response or is it a true heart response? Lord, let not my heart grow cold towards you. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and renew a right spirit within me. In your presence is fullness of joy, in your right hand pleasures forevermore. There is a surety that Jesus will always come to us. He comes in the fullness of grace and beauty all the more even when we are sinning. As the spring rains come watering the parched earth (my parched soul) and refreshing its grounds, so our Lover and Bridegroom waters our souls and refreshes us as He restores the joy of His salvation.”
7. Listen to the last twelve minutes of Reeves and share your notes and comments.
There was an “internal tension” in the whole Puritan movement. There was a possibility for Protestantism to become just another political party, or to be zealousy anti-Catholic, yet have no personal understanding of God’s grace. (In this way, it could become just another “cause” – my thoughts.)
In a day when just about everyone went to church, it was easy to be a nominal Protestant. The Puritans wanted, therefore, pastors to be “heart doctors”, urging people to have a heart transformation and to know God personally. These pastors wanted to know if their people really loved God.
There was a real danger, though, for the Puritans to focus on holy living in response to the gospel (evidence that a person had rightly responded to the gospel) instead of focusing on the gospel, which would promote holy living. Sermons could focus on, say, the Ten Commandments, and not on the gospel, so people would think it was all about their behavior. Some preachers focused on preaching hell and damnation, to the neglect of the free, saving grace of Christ. This left people perplexed, and looking into their own hearts to see if there was enough evidence that they were really saved.
In response, some, like Sibbes, preached truly good news to people, reminding them that yes, they were poor, weak sinners, but they had a great Savior in Christ, whose righteousness outweighed their sin. He preached a “most gracious Christ”. He asked the question, “Does Christ come to us empty? No…He comes to us with all grace, His goodness, to spread His treasures to enrich our hearts…to make our hearts a heaven.”
I liked the metaphor of Jesus as a fountain, seeking to empty all of His goodness into us. Our lives our changed when He becomes more attractive to us than our sin. YES. “The chief thing that Christ requires is an appetite to His dainties.” I like that, too. We will not suffer for Him if we have not first feasted with Him and tasted His goodness.
8. How can concentrating on holy living take away your focus from the gospel? Do you see this in your own life or church?
I’ve “been there, done that”. There was a period of my life when all I did was look at my behavior, my sins, and I had no peace and no joy; nothing but constantly worrying, doubting, and being in a state of unrest. That’s what is most meaningful to me when Jesus says to come to Him, all those who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Rest for our souls. I believe He desires us to be at rest in Him.
9. John Owen, Richard Sibbes, spoke into the danger of focusing on striving for our own righteousness instead of being so confident of being wrapped in His righteousness, and so confident of His love, that we draw near to Him, abide in Him and that fruit comes naturally. Share notes from this.
I think I put that in my above sermon notes. But Owen and Sibbes focused mainly on preaching Christ, and His beauty, grace, riches, and righteousness, which He freely pours into us. It is when we behold Him, and He captures our hearts and is more attractive to us than our dark, sinful ways, that we are transformed. That is the feeling I’ve had at times reading Gentle and Lowly. Reading about Jesus’ heart makes me feel more loving toward Him, and wanting to live and behave differently.
Susan–I love these words and you model it so well “That’s what is most meaningful to me when Jesus says to come to Him, all those who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Rest for our souls. I believe He desires us to be at rest in Him.”
19. Take away and why.
Has to be the change in how I’m seeing the intersection of my sin and Christ’s heart. I keep pondering the specific applications of each moment. I don’t want to presume on His grace and tell myself my sin is OK because He is happy to forgive. But I don’t want to fall back into thinking of Him being upset. I know we keep talking about being more enamored with His beauty than our idols, but I haven’t found a rhythm where when I get triggered, I go immediately to Him. Some instances I tell myself to recognize it takes time for something new to become habit. It took me years for daily Bible reading to be my habit. But I had to put effort into it, and while I could put reading on my list for the day, I can’t check off that I’ve run to Him appropriately. So I am praying that He will shine His light on every step for me.
Mary,
Much of what you say here resonates with me. Especially that I not presume on His grace. And finding myself concerned over some that I love who are buying in to “progressive Christianity” that is misrepresenting the gospel and the heart of Christ.
Mary–I resonate with your words also “But I don’t want to fall back into thinking of Him being upset”
14. If you have the book, what else stands out to you from chapter 10?
~ That He is one who “delights in mercy.” (A few years ago I read a book titled ‘The Mercy Prayer’ by Robert Gelinas. What life-giving encouragement this the author conveys. He is a pastor in Colorado who was raised by his grandmother in humble circumstances. He writes out of a heart of humility and mercy.)
~ That we can “unexpectedly find Him with open arms.”
~ “This is a heart that upbraids the impenitent with all the harshness that is appropriate, yet embraces the penitent with more openness than we are able to feel.”
~ “Our goal (as parents) is that our kids would leave the house at eighteen and be unable to live the rest of their lives believing that their sins and sufferings repel Christ.”
Sara Groves sings this short and simple song with her daughter. It is a prayer for mercy on this journey. Sometimes the song becomes our prayer.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5lPVK5XRNiw
Well I got derailed from the Friday questions but the take always this week have been good and many with the teaching from Reeves and the book Gentle and Lowly. The insights into the Puritans and their deep love of God’s Word along with how they wanted to see heart changes in church goers of their day and not just attenders because of their political stance or opposition to the Catholic Church.
I am finding the deeper appreciation of Jesus and how he moves toward the sinner and the heart of God’s love for the sinner being so strong and powerful and even proactive has deeply encouraged my heart. I find myself saying “I am His and He is mine!” And I relish the thought.
I’m behind, but my take-away this week has to be chapter 10 in the book. When I read it this morning, it was just what I needed to hear. There were some things in this chapter that moved me to tears. One was on page 98, about how you feel when you come to Jesus with your sins: “They unexpectedly find him with open arms to embrace them, ready forever to forget all their sins as though they had never been. In other words, when we come to Christ, we are startled by the beauty of his welcoming heart.” I thought….I remember that’s how it was when I first came to Him and He became real to me. I couldn’t have made it up.
It was lovely to read and think about the beauty of His heart, and as the author said, we should “romance the heart of Jesus.” When he said that Jesus’ heart is the heart that “walks us into the bright meadow of the felt love of God”, I thought about Song of Songs, when he wants her to come with him….see, the rain is over….the birds are singing, the flowers are blooming….come away with me! When I don’t feel loved and cherished, here is where I can turn. He is waiting for me, always.