Blog
Turf Toe Continues to Trip Up Ravens
Certain injuries seem to become the nemesis for a particular team. Sometimes you experience a rash of hamstring injuries; lately in baseball it seemed like we were seeing a lot of oblique problems. Now with the Ravens the seemingly innocent Turf Toe continues to afflict our major stars. Until it caused the retirement of Jonathan Ogden, I can’t say that I had ever given this injury much consideration. But now with the early season problems of Ben Grubbs (which completely disrupted the chemistry of our offensive line) and the current battle for Ray Lewis, we must recognize Turf Toe as a serious adversary. How could pain in the big toe take down the gladiators of America’s most physical sport? It seems like overkill . . . but the results speak for themselves. Ray Lewis had endured countless hits and physical abuse to all parts of his body, but still maintained an impressive consecutive game streak until the toe sat him down. Maybe we need some special big toe conditioning drills . . . or maybe a little brace that would support the ligaments. Regardless, the Ravens have come up against a formidable foe.
Encouragement in Corinth — Acts 18:1-11
By the time the Apostle Paul arrived in Corinth, he had many reasons to be discouraged and fearful in the ministry.
- Remember his call in Acts 9:15-16 “he is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel; for I will show him how much he must suffer for My name’s sake.” We have seen that sobering prophecy fulfilled in city after city.
- Acts 13:50-52 – first missionary journey in Pisidia Antioch – persecution instigated by the Jews arose and Paul had to shake the dust off his feet and leave the district and head over to Iconium
- Acts 14:5 – attempt was made to stone the missionary team – they escaped
- Acts 14:19-22 – they fled to Lystra where Paul healed the lame man – here the attempt to stone him was successful and Paul was left for dead … but he was revived by the Lord and went back into the city to finish the job – “encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying ‘Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.’” Paul was an expert when it came to tribulations
- Internal debate among church leaders in Acts 15 over the controversy surrounding circumcision – probably some pretty heated discussions; a lot of stress
- Painful parting of ways with Barnabas over the issue of taking John Mark with them as they set out on the second missionary journey
- Then the pattern kept repeating itself of ministry success and jealous opposition and painful persecution – beaten with rods and imprisoned in Philippi (16:23); hidden by Jason and the brethren in Thessalonica from the angry mob and snuck out of town to Berea; chased there by the same folks so that he had to flee to Athens where he ministered all alone against a bunch of intellectuals who ended up mocking the message of the resurrection for the most part
So by the time he gets to Corinth, he is still lonely and ministering by himself; he is physically exhausted and probably still suffering from earlier beatings; he has new challenges ahead because of the depressing sinful state of this commercial hub and seafaring town; plus he was out of money and would not have much time for ministry because of the need to work to support himself
Tebow Time Must be Explained as a God Moment
When the clock ticks down to under 5 minutes, everybody knows it’s Tebow Time. No matter how poorly he or the Broncos have performed up to that point, it seems that some type of indomitable will comes over the Denver quarterback as he takes charge of a come-from-behind surge. Last night against the heavily favored New York Jets on a national TV platform Tebow did not disappoint as he shut up many of his media critics. Sure you can criticize his unorthodox throwing motion — it looks like it takes him maximum effort to wind up and hurl just a medium length pass. Sure you can criticize his inaccuracy. But there is no denying his intangible leadership ability that wills his team to victory time and again.
No Room for Tolerance about Who God is, Part 3 — Acts 17:30-34
Some commentators have criticized Paul’s approach in Athens based on a couple of factors:
- He was ministering solo – without the support of the other members of his missionary team
- Acts 17 does not seem to stress the message of the crucifixion (although certainly preaching Jesus and the Resurrection presumes the significance of the crucifixion)
- He quotes from a couple of their pagan poets
But I would argue that Paul adjusted his approach to his audience and that Acts 17 is a masterful exhibit of effective communication of the gospel message with its emphasis on the uniqueness of God in contrast to the futility of idol worship. We have already studied Paul’s Approach and his Argument. Today we finish with a look at his Application and the variety of Responses.
No Room for Tolerance About Who God Is, Part 2 — Acts 17:24-29
J I Packer: (Knowing God) What were we made for? To know God. What aim should we set ourselves in life? To know God What is the “eternal life” that Jesus gives? Knowledge of God. “This is life eternal, that they might know thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent” (John 17:3). What is the best thing in life, bringing more joy, delight, and contentment, than anything else? Knowledge of God. “Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches; but let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me” (Jer. 9:23 f.).
Paul comes to these sophisticated intellectuals in Athens and brings to them the precious knowledge of God. He presents the gospel argument in a way that exposes the inconsistency and foolishness of worshiping their many idols while focusing on the majesty and glory of the One True God.
PROCLAIMING THE TRUTH ABOUT GOD – HE IS UNIQUE – LEAVES NO ROOM FOR TOLERANCE OF WORTHLESS RELIGIOUS PHILOSOPHY
Like a yearlong seminary course on the Nature and Attributes of God – true Theology …
Looked last week at Paul’s Approach – picking up on their recognition of an altar to the Unknown God – Next week will be part 3 – the Application (the altar call) – Here we have Paul’s Argument — What does Paul proclaim here about Who God is?
No Room for Tolerance About Who God Is, Part 1 — Acts 17:16-23
The University of Richmond where Jenny attended has a very special contest for its students with a very valuable reward. You can win a free year’s tuition by submitting the best thesis question for the university to debate and discuss from various angles for a couple of years. It’s called the Quest Question. Past winner: “Is Truth in the eye of the beholder?” Doesn’t sound too tough (you have to submit an entire package that expands on your theme and suggests avenues of debate for the different departments)
Jenny and I put our heads together and submitted a surefire winner: “Is Tolerance the new modern virtue?”ccWe’ll be talking about this today …
However, sad to say it must not have been politically correct enough to win the prize …
Winning statement = “When does Discovery Inspire Change? Why Change?”
What about Tolerance in today’s culture?
being patient and fair is one thing; We are not talking about going about like the KKK in a crusade of violence and a lynch mob type mentality; but today tolerance means not speaking against another point of view as being wrong and dangerous … but taking a hands-off approach; different strokes for different folks
Truth vs Tradition: Tale of Two Cities — Acts 17:1-15
Funerals have a way of stopping you in your tracks and making you think about what really matters in life. That’s why Solomon writes in Ecclesiastes 7:2 that “It is better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting.” Karen and I recently attended a funeral of a dear friend who went home to be with the Lord after wasting away for six months with stomach cancer. The elder officiating at the ceremony made the point that Steve’s life was characterized by loving his wife Connie. Everybody could tell that he cherished his wife. His four children were there to testify that they had learned lessons from observing how their Dad treated their Mom.
What would someone say about you or me? What would be a summary statement that would best describe the impact of our life on others? What could someone write on your tombstone. There are always the lighthearted comments, like “I told you I was really sick.” But let’s be serious and reflective for a minute. How has our value system shown itself in our words and deeds? As I thought about this for my own life, I certainly see that there is a lot of room for growth in the area of loving and cherishing my wife. In fact, she was poking at me just the other day for being so inattentive that I did not even recognize that she had lopped a couple of inches off her hair. She was right… I have to confess – some things just don’t register with me… but they should.
But I was encouraged when I came to this passage for this morning which addresses the issue of our ultimate value system. There are certainly many areas where I need to grow and set a better example. But when it comes to passion for truth, I have a pretty good track record. That is not to say that I am right all of the time, but I have a hunger to learn what God has said, to see that implemented in my life and to teach those truths accurately and fully to others.
2 Tim.2:15 “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.”
I can say that by God’s grace I have invested my adult life in trying to faithfully carry out that charge. Our passage this morning presents a tale of two cities – Paul’s missionary outreach to Thessalonica and to Berea. As always, he meets with a variety of responses to the presentation of the gospel message – some positive, but the majority negative. It is instructive to see the contrast in the way Luke records what took place in these two cities.
Unshackled! Acts 16:25-40
If you are a believer in Jesus Christ and still living in bondage to sin, you need to open your eyes and see that the chains have fallen off. God delights to use simple object lessons and we have one of those clear pictures in our passage today. This passage is about the divine deliverance of Paul and Silas from the chains of prison in Philippi. But it is also about much more than that. For you see that the cry of the Philippian jailor is “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” The issues run much deeper.
Demonic Religious Profiteering – Acts 16:16-24
Are you appalled as I am at the amount of profiteering surrounding false religion in our day? Just look at the false teachers who tickle the ears of their vast followers on TV or radio broadcasts. Follow the money stream; examine their extravagant lifestyles and you will see that they have nothing in common with those who offer the unadulterated gospel message free of charge and from pure motives of serving the Lord.
Opening Doors and Opening Hearts – Acts 16:6-15
Do you ever get discouraged in your efforts at reaching out to others with the gospel message? Do you wonder why your ministry plans just don’t seem to work out the way that you envisioned? Does it seem like you are witnessing to hearts of stone that have no response to God’s gracious offer of new life? It is easy to get discouraged in Christian ministry if we forget our dependence upon the sovereign initiative of God. We are severely limited in what we can accomplish and God has ordained it to be that way. We can plan our course, but ultimately God is the one who closes certain doors and opens other doors of opportunity. We can try to persuade people of the truth of God’s plan of salvation, but ultimately God must open hearts before people are able to respond in repentance and faith.