Weekly Roundup: 2019.07.26
Articles on practical help for confessing sin even when it’s awkward (which is always), making Jesus the point of every OT sermon (maybe), and how pride disqualifies a pastor; a quote on speaking the truth in love.
Resources
Confessing Sin Is Always Awkward, Sometimes Costly, and Absolutely Worth It | John Lee | 9Marks
A must-read, especially for people like the author who come from a shame-based culture that prizes reputation.
It’s true. Confession could cost your reputation. It could result in an awkward conversation. But freedom in the gracious, holy light of God is priceless.
Should Jesus be the point of every OT sermon? | Jesse Johnson | The Cripplegate
This was a very relevant article for me. Typically there are two extremes: (1) Yes, always preach Jesus no matter what the passage because we’re Christians, not Jews, and (2) no, because to do justice to the text, we are bound by the original intent of the author. Johnson tries to resolve this by finding a better way.
Pride Disqualifies a Pastor | David Mathis | Desiring God
This hit close to home. O Lord, for a more humble heart!
Few things poison the church, and sully her reputation in the world, like arrogant pastors. Manifest arrogance in politicians, lamentable as it is, we might expect. But arrogance in the pulpit — this is a great blight on the church and in the community where she is to shine her light.
I read, and save, more articles that I’m able to post in the Weekly Roundup. To see all of the articles I’ve saved over the years, see my Evernote collection.
Quote
Paul Tripp ends his chapter called “The Process of Speaking the Truth in Love” with these words:
It is tragic when we are too busy to see the need around us. It is terrible when we see wrong going on but trim the truth because loving, humble rebuke takes us beyond the borders of our safe lives and casual relationships. These responses are the fruit of self-love that has replaced a love for God. The ministry of loving, humble, biblical truth speaking always begins with examining our own hearts.
We have been called to participate in the most important activity in the universe. God is taking rebellious, self-absorbed people and changing them into those who pursue holiness for the sake of his glory, even as they suffer in a fallen world. To this end he has called us to call sinners to repentance, incarnating his presence and his work.
— Paul Tripp, Instruments in the Redeemer’s Hands, pg. 237.