TABLETALK - November 2017

I follow the readings from the Tabletalk Magazine devotional, though I am now working through 2017 devotionals. Each month of 2017 is a study of key biblical doctrines celebrating the 500th year of the Reformation. 

• November - Vocations (March 8, 2023 - June 11, 2023)
• October - Sacraments (December 16, 2022 - March 7, 2023)
• September - The Reformation of Worship (July 20, 2022 - December 15, 2022)
• August - The Body of the Lord - the Church recovered in the Reformation (April 14, 2022 - July 19, 2022)
• July - The right use of God's Law (May 23, 2021 - April 13, 2022)
• June was justification by faith alone (February 14, 2021 - May 22, 2021)
• May, Christ Alone (September 3, 2020 - February 13, 2021)
• April, salvation by grace alone (March 6, 2019 - September 2, 2020)
• March, the sovereign providence of God (January 28, 2019 - March 5, 2019)  
• February, the doctrine of revelation, Scripture (January 8, 2019 - January 27, 2019)
• January, the doctrine of God (December 16, 2018 - January 7, 2019). 

The Doctrine of Vocation - As we see, the reformation is a return to scripture, and one area to recover was the idea of the priesthood of all believers and that we can offer spiritual service in every vocation. This is an idea that had been lost or obscured in the medieval church given the idea that spiritual service was restricted. Thus, this months lesson is focused on vocation and this priesthood of all believers. There is still a distinction between the clergy and laity. 

The Priesthood of All Believers

The Old Covenant Priesthood - God has always provided a substitute and a mediator between God and man to reconcile us (Priests, Jesus). Man sins. God provides the way for righteousness. Christ our Mediator - The priests of the old covenant provided a temporary atonement for sin. Christ, one time is the ransom for all. And now man is a mediator for people through prayer.  God's Royal Priesthood - There is no distinction among believers. We are all a chosen race and all set apart as priests to proclaim the excellence of Him. New Covenant Ordained Ministry - Elders and deacons are set apart for specific roles. But those who are not set apart for these roles still are essential members of the church. All are vital, equally. 

The Distinctive roles of Cleary and Laity

The Vocation of Elder - Elders/Bishops/Overseers has specific qualifications or requirements - they are men set apart from society for a specific role of shepherding the flock which may include preaching and teaching. The Vocation of Deacon - Deacons play a vital role in making sure people's basic needs are met. Lay Duties: Obedience - Submit to God-honoring leaders in a way that makes them glad to their jobs. Lay Duties: Teaching, Admonishment, and Thanks - Each person in the church puts on the new person in Christ to learn God's word, teaching, admonishing and giving thanks.  The Vocation of Husbands - Husbands have a nonordained vocation to love their wives, humbling themselves as Christ did towards His church, and serving their wives. The Vocation of Wives - Wives submit to their husbands, as they would submit to the Lord, and conversely the husband is to be the Godly leader. The Vocation of Parents and Children - Children are to obey parents and in the process their life will be better off. Parents are to not provoke their children to anger, setting reasonable expectations for them. Called From Every Vocation - Be it freeman or slave, it does not matter. I am called to do the will of the Father. Loving Neighbor Through Vocation - I am to labor diligently in my vocation as to have resources to share with those who cannot meet their own needs. The Mandate to Work - We have a mandate to work, if we are able, and not only work, but to do it to the best of our ability, not lazy, but striving to be the best worker possible. Equipped for Vocation - All good gifts are from God and our aptitudes and abilities to work are a gift from God as well.

Finding God's Will

Searching the Will of God - One thing is clear as we discern the will of God in our lives, we are to be about sanctification, always on the quest to grow in Christ and minister to others. Defining the Will of God - God has two wills in a way - a revealed will or what we can know for the path we walk on and his secret will, what He knows and we can trust Him.  God's Will and Internal Call - God's call on a person's life does not have to only be a call to full-time ministry, but it is also a call for their vocation and to be a full-time lay person. God's Will and the External Call - In determining God's will, in addition to a person identifying for themselves where to serve, leaders and others around them, such as the congregation, also are involved in confirming this call. Finding Your Vocation - God gifts us to work in a certain way, for our good and for the good of others in loving them. - God's Will and Your Spouse - We are to be guided by wisdom and the principles of Scripture in both choosing a vocation and a spouse.

This months articles of faith living

Faithful Servants - Buck Parsons (editor of Tabletalk magazine, copastor of Saint Andrew's chapel in Sanford, FL) -Good leaders no longer applauded, but instead self-appointed leaders with lack of integrity; those with courage and convictions despised and it has spread to the church. The role of leaders appointed by God. Leaders need to lead and those under need to submit and imitate them. As Christians we are not to question all authority as all leaders under authority of God and accountable to Him. Leaders are servants first and foremost. One is to be humble manifested by courage, compassion and conviction. Lead by love, not fear. Doesn't have to be liked by everyone. Knows how to delegate, trusts those he delegates, isn't concerned about who gets credit. Knows his shortcomings and sins. Is repentant and forgiving. Ultimately, a faithful follower of Jesus Christ. Jesus leads us with humility, sacrifice, and joy. 

The Eternal Love of God - RC Sproul (founder of Ligonier Ministries, founding pastor of Saint Andrew’s Chapel in Sanford, Fla., and first president of Reformation Bible College) - God's love is holy. It is eternal. He has no beginning and He is self-existent. He is not dependent on anything else. He didn't become loving, but has always been loving. God created the world. He created it good. Then the world was plunged into ruin through the fall of the human race. Then God redeems His people for the rest of history. None of this was a surprise. God knew this would happen. He always had a plan of redemption. God made a covenant of redemption by all 3 members of Godhead - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Thus, the work of redemption is the work of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. The Father covenanted to send the Son and the Son descended to earth to take on a human nature - subject to humiliation, and obedient unto death to redeem His people. The Holy Spirit covenants from Father and Son to apply the work of Christ to God's people. In creation, the Father creates the heaven and the earth through the eternal Son in the power of the Spirit. Thus, creation and redemption are accomplished by the Trinity. What motivates God? His love for the world. He loves His Son and sends His Son to be a propitiation for our sin. We are included because we belong to the Son. He chose us in the Son to be adopted as sons of the Father. Thus, eternal love is rooted and grounded in the Father's love for the Son. We are not by nature children of God, but become children through adoption. Romans is a good explanation of this. In first 7 chapters Paul lets us know we are in the flesh, hostile to God and under his wrath. To be redeemed the Spirit of God must be indwelt in us to become a child of God. "The Spirit bears witness with our spirit." So the Father has a love for Christ and then adopts us into the royal family, being joint heirs with Christ. We are beloved of the Father because Christ is beloved of the Father. We are adopted because of Love. 

Leading with Conviction - R. Albert Mohler Jr. (President of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky) - Leaders need to be passionate people who seek truth and have convictions, versus leaders that stand for little and ebb and flow with whatever society deems important at any one time. For Christian’s, our convictions are our beliefs in the truth of the gospel, in Christ, that salvation changes us and everything about who we are. We do not waiver in our convictions based upon the mood or way of people around us. He mentions historical figures that led with a conviction resulting in their death - Justin Martyr and Sir Thomas More. Leadership today is often seen as merely managing. For us our convictions start with the power of God in us and being in Christ with the Holy Spirit guiding our way. I Thessalonians 1:5. for our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; just as you know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake.

Leaders in the Church - Dr. Derek W. H. Thomas (Senior minister of First Presbyterian Church in Columbia, SC) Those with spiritual gifts, deacons, deaconess, and elders are discussed. Cessationists believe certain gifts are for only true apostles and once deceased, a more normative situation resulted in deacons, elders and pastors. Later books of Timothy and Titus don’t mention these gifts. Deacons, first recognized as their ministry to widows are to be men of integrity. Deacon is not mentioned but the Greek word for serve is diakonesi similar to deacon. Thus their role involves money, food and basic care. Similar in qualification to elder. Deaconess: Phoebe is mentioned as a servant in leadership. Reformed recognize female deacons but not female elders. A difference for elders over deacons is the ability to teach. But that doesn’t mean all teach but it seems to mean that a pastor is one of the elders. Elders can also transcend the local church.

Leaders in the Home - Dr. Tim Witmer (Pastor of St. Stephen Reformed Church in New Holland, PA) - The Bible identifies leaders in the church, government and family. Misunderstandings exist regarding the woman and man’s role in marriage. For wives - primus inter pares means first among equals. Thus not an expression of inferiority. Just as Jesus submitted to the Father in the world. It is God’s plan of order. We are all one in Christ Jesus. Wife’s submission is voluntary. Needs to be the right man. Expression of submission to Christ. 40 words to wives. 115 words to husbands by Paul. Love as Christ loved - that’s our standard. Unconditional- does not change based upon circumstances or looks tomorrow - same each day. Sacrificial so it is selfless serving. And to sanctify his wife and children so they grow in Jesus. This is not natural because we are sinners.

Leading for the Glory of God - Chris Larson (President and CEO of Ligonier Ministries) - Leaders have followers which include future leaders. Our work is done in dependence on the Lord, building up of His church. Consider others more important. Don’t look over shoulders. Think true north. The Lord is our leader.

Following Leaders - Dr. Harry L. Reeder (Senior Pastor of Briarwood Presbyterian Church in Birmingham, AL) - Good leaders need good followers. Leaders are under assault by Satan. Hebrews 13:7, “Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the Word of God…imitate their faith.” To remember is to hold in esteem and appropriate honor. We will not always be in full agreement but we can be in full support.

Hope-Shaped Living - Rev. Jason Helopoulos (senior pastor of Reformed Church in East Lansing, Michigan) - Much of the apathy and immaturity of Christians is from lack of hope. Do we really believe in our heavenly hope? Paul to Colossians stands secure in the Christians hope saying hope is "laid up for you in heaven" (Colossians 1:5). Christians struggle believing this applies to them. Paul does not say that faith and love cause hope, but rather hope causes faith and love. This hope has impact. Jesus said, "Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom" (Luke 12:32). We need to contemplate this hope of heaven and the more we believe it the more the things of this world will not occupy our thoughts. Our hope is there. Don't go along with being caught up in today, focus on the hope of heaven. 

Hope-Filled Evangelism - Melissa Kruger (Women's ministry coordinator at Uptown Church in Charlotte, NC) - Encouraging devotion mentioning how her husband likes to fish and how she likes to garden and how Jesus used these images to talk about evangelism. And for us these are pastimes, First, evangelism is a hopeful endeavor. Placing a hook in the water or a seed in the soil is done with the hope that something will be caught or grow. If anyone has fished they know there is patience that is needed. But we do it with excitement as there is no greater privilege and joy to have people catch on. Second, evangelism is joy. My wife loves gardening and loves to show off what has grown. Even though she does it every year, it remains exciting every time something is produced. In fishing we take pictures often of a catch. Sharing our faith and seeing a soul come alive is no higher joy. The best harvest and Jesus allows us and wants us to be involved. Third, it is necessary. Fishing and gardening often for us in this country is optional or recreation. But in Jesus' day, these were activities that sustained our lives. Without them people did not survive. And so in that vein, it makes sense that Jesus would use these to describe how we interact with people in sharing our faith. How will people believe if no one sows seed or throws a net? How will they find life if no one shares the gospel? 

Spectacular Conversions - Robert Rothwell (Associate editor of Tabletalk magazine) - All conversions are spectacular works of God. We love to hear about radical stories because the exemplify the power of God but God's power is equally at work in ordinary circumstances. "Every conversion is a powerful work of the Spirit to give a heart of flesh to someone who had a heart of stone (Ezek. 36:26). 

The Need for Prayer - Dr. Jonathan Leeman (Editorial director of 9Marks and elder at Capital Hill Baptist Church in Washington, DC) - Prayer, the encouragement to do it is what this article is about. I need that encouragement. I love to Study God's word but often always recognize regular praying is often missing from my life. What we pray or don't pray reveals what our hearts want. I like to think that as I mediate on God's word and study it that I am praying and asking God to mold me through the reading and study of His word. I interact with others and think about their situations, but I need to petition more for them. The Book of Acts mentions how the early church prayed together: "devoting themselves to prayer" (1:14, 24, 2:42), "earnest prayer by the church" (12:5), "gathering together" (12:12), commission people for service (13:3). Group prayer was important for this church but also individual prayer is mention by the Apostles (6:4-6), Peter (9:40, 10:9, 11:5), Cornelius (10:2,4), Paul and Silas (16:25, 28:8). And I need to remember that prayers do not need to be long. I can pray for people regularly and those prayers can be brief ("let your words be few" - Eccl. 5:1-2). How often do a go through the day without specifically praying. What foolish self-sufficiency. Yet, I do not depend on myself, but only always depend on Him. 

Becoming a Titus 2 Woman - Susan Hunt (mother and grandmother, author, speak and pastor's wife) - Remembering Titus 2:3-5 - Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored. This ministry is to occur in the context of church life and oversight of church leadership. 1 - Submit to the Lord and ecclesiastical authority; 2 - have teachable spirit, feasting on Solid food of God's word to grow in salvation; 3 - Love the covenant family where God has called a woman; 4 - Have a gentle and quiet spirit, eager to share the gospel and our lives with one another; 5 - Invest in others; 6 - Be motivated by gratitude for salvation; 7 - Rest in the gospel to redeem and purify God's people. 

The Danger of Gossip - Rev. Jared C. Wilson (Director of content strategy for Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary) - "Put away from you crooked speech, and put devious talk far from you" (Proverbs 4:24; ESV). Crooked speech is gossip. Gossip is saying anything about someone that you wouldn't say to them. Even as we pray or talk of prayer requests, our words of concern can border on insinuation or improper speculation. Malice is the desire to do evil. We must be careful in voicing criticism or accusation of another person; it is best to lovingly, gently confront the subject of our concern. Gossip works its way into a church to undermine the unity of the Spirit and Christ's call to love one another. In sharing sins, it often serves as entertainment and stirs up other critical spirits. Paul confronts this with I Timothy 5:13, to beware of "idlers, going about from house to house, and not only idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying what they should not." No self-oriented curiosity. Pride or envy is making oneself look better by comparison. We do this when we hear good things about people we are often in competition with. Peppered often with, "Yeah, but they are...." In conclusion, 1. Don't say anything negative about someone that you wouldn't say to them. 2. Redirect others' gossip with a gentle query about the intent (i.e. "Have you spoken to them about this concern you have?"). 3. Rebuke repeated gossip and discipline unrepentant gossips. - Don't give crooked speech an inch; it will take a mile. Shoot straight with all. 

Globalization and the Christian Mission - Albert Mohler (President of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary) - Missions may be erupting. It needs to be adapted to our world. Throughout history, most live in cultural and social isolation. Global reality became more prominent in the 19th century. World War I was a turning point as multiple Americans of Irish, Italian and German backgrounds were together fighting together for America. With technology, we can now communicate easily with one another from one side of the world to another. Globalization means we can travel anywhere on the globe within 24 hours. In the year of 1800, only 3 percent lived in cities. Now 75-80% live in cities. Cities is where you meet people different from you. 1.6 billion live in shantytowns or slums; Christians must go to them. America is looking more like a majority-minority nation. From Genesis 1:28 to multiple and fill the earth and subdue it, to Matt. 28:18-20 to go into all the world and make disciples, God commissioned us to have a global perspective long before technology and globalization was a matter of secular awareness. We are to proclaim the name of Jesus in all of the world and to see people of all tribes, tongues, and nations bow the knee to the King. 

William Chalmers Burns -  Dr. Sinclair Ferguson (teaching fellow for Ligonier and chancellor professor of Systematic Theology at Reformed Theological Seminary) - William lived from 1815 to 1868, dying at the age of 53, for 2 decades serving as missionary to the Chinese people. He grew up wanting to be a farmer, though later train to be a layer in Edinburgh, growing up in Scotland, first in Dun near Montrose, then Kilsyth, outside Glasgow. Then a calling to ministry and had a special aptitude for language, mastering Hebrew and Greek and becoming fluent in French, Chinese, and Scottish Gaelic. He had a burden for the lost, prayer, and world missions. In 1839 (age 24), he started preaching in Dundee at St. Peter's Church, while the local minister, Robert M'Cheyne, was traveling throughout Europe. However, in between preaching, he spent long time in prayer. He then was present at a person's conversion and this ignited in him further a desire for the lost condition of people. And before you knew it, he was preaching more regularly and many were coming to hear him and come to faith. And this still at age 24. Yet, his ministry had much opposition. He was preacher from 1839 to 1844 before setting sail to Canada for a period of time and then to China for 2 decades.