Preaching and Application

In the midst of a Review of Michael Horton, Christless Christianity: The Alternative Gospel of the American Church (a book that I have not read), John Frame talks about Scripture and application:

Showing how the teachings of Scripture are related to us is what I call “application.” In this sense, preaching, teaching, and theology are all kinds of application. The application of Scripture shows us how Scripture ought to change our beliefs, actions, feelings, indeed every aspect of human life (1 Cor. 10:31). As I mentioned earlier, preaching cannot possibly have the precise emphasis that Scripture has, for its work is not to replicate Scripture but to apply Scripture to its readers.

In this sense, it is wrong to distinguish “interpretation” from “application” in preaching. Often people think that interpretation shows the original thrust of the biblical words to its original audience, while application relates the passage to us today. But a closer look reveals that even in expounding the “original thrust of the biblical words” we are putting those words into categories that are meaningful to modern hearers and readers. There is no point in the preparation of sermons and lessons at which we can ignore the contemporary audience.

A New Church in Essex County

Northshore Community Church is a church being planted in the Belle River, Ontario area. They are planning to "launch" in November 2009. Dan Valade is the church planter.

Their website is a Clover design (I love the concept and the look of the sites).

The Key Character Quality of a Pastor/Elder

According to 1 Timothy 3:6, a pastor/elder "must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil.” It's been said that some people have twenty years of experience while others have one year of experience repeated twenty times. The point is, just because you’ve been a Christian a long time doesn’t necessarily mean you’re a mature Christian.

That being said, it does take time and experience and growth to become spiritually mature. New believers lack the maturity to handle the responsibility of being a pastor. In particular, Paul says they face the danger of becoming puffed up with pride, and consequently falling like Satan. And it’s not just the pride of being in a position of leadership. There’s also the danger of pride in how a person reacts to people and situations. Pride keeps us from being vulnerable and teachable. And it makes us defensive and dishonest and hurtful.

I take from this that a major concern in our spiritual development is learning to put pride to death and to clothe ourselves with humility. I think this character quality is so important that I would consider it the primary character issue in the life of a pastor. The key way for us to measure the spiritual maturity of a pastor is the humility he exhibits.

Guidelines for Corporate Prayer

Daniel Henderson shares these practical guidelines for corporate prayer:

1. Use the Scriptures – Learn to talk to God based on his word.
2. Rely on the Spirit – Submit to the leadership and guidance of the Holy Spirit as you pray.
3. Be specific – Keep your prayers targeted to the focus of particular themes for maximum agreement and continuity.
4. Keep your prayers short – You will have many opportunities to verbalize your prayers so be careful not to pray too long at a time.
5. Be sensitive as you pray – Listen to the Lord as he directs you in prayer. Listen to others that you might agree and complement their prayers.
6. Don’t sermonize for those present – Pray to God.

The Lord's Supper

Some foundational thoughts on the Lord's Supper or Communion, in a question and answer format (drawing from 1 Corinthians 11:17-34 and other scriptures):

1. Who takes part in the Lord’s Supper? The Lord’s Supper is for the church – for disciples of Jesus.

2. When is the Lord’s Supper to be eaten? It appears that in the early church the Lord’s Supper took place whenever the church gathered (v. 20; cf. Acts 20:7). Although this does not demand that we must do the same thing, it is a pattern we would do well to emulate. Also, we are to continue to regularly observe the Lord’s Supper until Jesus Christ returns (1 Corinthians 11:26).

3. What does the Lord’s Supper show? The Lord’s Supper confronts us with the work of Christ; it points to Jesus’ death (vv. 24-25). The bread represents the body of Jesus, which was sacrificed for our sins. Likewise, the cup represents the new covenant, which was secured or purchased by the blood of Jesus.

4. Why is the Lord’s Supper observed? Jesus commands us to observe the Lord’s Supper “in remembrance” of him. This is not merely an intellectual recalling of historical facts, but a response of faith to the death of Christ for our sins. It is the God-ordained means for reminding us of the cross and the gospel. At the same time it serves as a proclamation of the gospel (v. 26).

5. How is the Lord’s Supper to be observed? Paul warned the Corinthians to take part in the Lord’s Supper after they had first examined themselves. Specifically, they were to repent of their lack of concern for other members of the body. In the same way, we are to come to the Lord’s Supper in repentance, being reminded by the bread and the cup that Christ died us.