As I read, or re-read, some of the writings of, or writings about, the great reformers and evangelists of the eighteenth century, I am struck by how much they took to heart the words of the prophets of the Old Testament, and recognised the relevance of Old Testament prophecy for their situation.
As I mentioned a day or two ago, I have been re-reading the History of the Baptist Missionary Society. Do you remember that great sermon of William Carey’s, based on Isaiah 54:2-3?
Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes. For you will spread out to the right and to the left; your descendants will dispossess nations and settle in their desolate cities.
I love those words, ‘do not hold back’. There’s an expectancy here, an encouragement, as in Joel, to dream dreams and catch God’s vision. Exiled Judah had apparently been forgotten by God, and Carey saw that as a picture of the church of his day. But in the prophecy there is great hope for the future, with the promise of a great part to play in God’s plan not only for them, but also for the world.
But along with the promise also came a challenge to be obedient to God’s call. Carey felt that in his day, and believed that God was indeed going to grow his kingdom.
No wonder that William Carey said,
Expect great things from God. Attempt great things for God
The prophets, I believe, have a relevance to us today. With growing secularism in our land, we might see ourselves as a people in exile, a people for whom God sometimes seems far away. God calls us to repentance and renewal, to a recognition of his purposes and the part that he calls us to play in that. We are indeed to expect great things from God. But that means that, as well, we are to attempt great things for God.
Yes, the Old Testament is indeed part of the word of God, and a part that should not be neglected, for it is as highly relevant in our generation as it was for God’s people two or three hundred years ago.
Categories: Bible Notes and Prayer Diary
Tagged: attempt great things, expect great things, Isaiah 54:2-3, Old Testament, prophecy, William Carey
Following up yesterday’s comment about Haggai, and today’s thought about the importance of spirituality, reminded me that Richard Lovelace, in ‘The dynamics of spiritual life’, recounts the history of Herrnhut, a community of refugees established on the estate of Count Ludwig von Zinzendorf. The community consisted of Christians from a variety of backgrounds, who were forged by Zinzendorf into a praying community, praying for the renewal of the church throughout the world.
He gave the community the name ‘Herrnhut’, which means “The Lord’s watch”, after a passage in Isaiah which seemed to sum up the Puritan and Pietist longing for continuing renewal and reformation in the church, a passage which formed part of my reading for today.
For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent, for Jerusalem’s sake I will not remain quiet, till her righteousness shines out like the dawn, her salvation like a blazing torch. … I have posted watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem; they will never be silent day or night. You who call on the Lord, give yourselves no rest, and give him no rest till he establishes Jerusalem and makes her the praise of the earth (Isaiah 62:1; 6-7)
Again, another challenge about prayer – and not letting God rest until he pours out his blessing. Don’t you love the imagery here – of taking hold of God and not letting him rest until he has answered your prayer. But that means, too, that we are not to rest in our praying until he has answered.
Categories: Bible Notes and Prayer Diary · Books
Tagged: Herrnhut, Isaiah 62:1;6-7, prayer, reformation, renewal, revival, Richard Lovelace, The dynamics of spiritual life
Richard Lovelace, in his classic ‘The dynamics of spiritual life’ reminds us of the importance of spirituality.
Spirituality is in many ways treated as the neglected stepchild of the Christian movement. It is often reduced to an emotional frosting spread over the surface of other parts of Christianity which are considered more substantial and important, such as the maintenance of sound doctrine, correct social engagement or institutional policy. But it is seldom recognised to be the indispensable foundation without which all these are powerless and fall into decay. In parts of the church a fairly shallow spirituality is the bread and butter of daily experience, but it is almost invisible as a matter of serious concern among church leaders.
Richard Lovelace went on to talk about how both Pietism and Puritanism came to recognise that reforming doctrines and institutions in the church was futile unless people’s lives were reformed and revitalised.
God’s Word tells us that we must be vigilant in guarding our hearts, for the heart is the wellspring of life (Proverbs 4:23).
What a challenge to me, as I consider my own spirituality. Am I content with paddling in the shallows, or have I heard and responded to God’s call to go deeper? And as a pastor, I must seek to ensure that not only are our structures right, but that I am constantly encouraging and enabling folk to move deeper in their relationship with God.
Categories: Bible Notes and Prayer Diary · Books
Tagged: Proverbs 4:23, Richard Lovelace, spirituality, The dynamics of spiritual life
An article released by the Press Association talks about the dramatic fall in charitable giving in recent years in terms of national income. In the last fifteen years giving to charities, as a percentage of GDP, has fallen by 25%. And it seems as if the poor give away a higher percentage of income than those who earn a lot of money.
I imagine that if the financial downturn begins to bite over the coming months, we might see a bigger fall in charitable giving. And that might even effect giving to churches!
Categories: Public Blog
Tagged: charity giving, giving
This was a headline that I found on the internet this morning, and it conjures up all sorts of images of Boris Johnson standing outside supermarkets, bakers and kiosks on railway stations, waiting to canvas the votes of those who are buying doughnuts. Why, why, why would he do that? I know he’s eccentric, but that policy seems to be ridiculous.
But reading the article further elucidates the headline. Apparently, there is a doughnut of boroughs, around the inner city boroughs of London, where Conservative councillors are in the majority. These are the boroughs which, so it seems, Boris Johnson is targetting. He is losing in the inner city boroughs, which are traditionally Labour voters. He hopes that the more Conservative boroughs will give him their support, and swing the election in his direction.
Categories: Politics · Sermon illustrations
Tagged: Boris Johnson, doughnuts, election, London mayor
