The Ambassadors' Ministry of Reconciliation :: Grace to You

The Ambassadors' Ministry of Reconciliation :: Grace to You

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An Excerpt from 'Garden Flower' by Stacey Gilson

Psalm 103:15-17 "As for man, his days are like grass, he flourishes like a flower of the field; the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more. But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord's love is with those who fear Him."
Matthew 6:28-30 "And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?"

A true life, I believe recognizes two things. First, it realizes that it is nothing. Humble and poor by all measure, it has no other purpose that the purpose chosen for it and that purpose is a moment of true beauty. It has been created to bring glory to its Creator and not much else. But what an exquisite life. A flower cares not for anything, but stands simply and quietly. It never turns and screams that it would be better if only it could be placed here or there, or arranged this way or that. What silliness. No, a flower simply lives as it should because its temporary. It will pass away when the purpose has been fulfilled, but that time will not come a moment too soon as we see in Matthew.
Not only does a flower recognize its lowliness, but it doesn't worry either. Never has man been able to create something so simple and precious as a budding flower. Never. Yet because our great God has created this tiny bit of life for a sole purpose, it is finer than the splendor of Solomon. I believe that if we would quit the prideful sin of worrying we too, would shine in splendor for our King. If we would step out of our own fear of failure and misery we too, could grow in the lush lands that our Father has in mind for us. Our focus on Him and not on self would create blooms of life and reflections of Him.

Importance of Doctrine: doctrine or practical lessons?

The priority of any pastor should be the preaching of sound doctrine. For, as John MacArthur said, "Doctrine forms the belief system that controls and compels behaviour." Men and women practice their principles, thus the importance of instilling into them foundational biblical principles. Sadly, the importance of doctrine has been lost. Maybe at the thought that the church body might not understand, or that the church body might not be entertained. Whatever the misconception is, it has for the majority been lost.

Martin Loyd-Jones comments, “There is nothing which is so wrong, and so utterly false, as to fail to see the primary importance of true doctrine. Looking back over my experience as a pastor for some thirty-four years, I can testify without the slightest hesitation that the people I have found most frequently in trouble in their spiritual experience have been those who have lacked understanding. You cannot divorce these things.”

I am not at all against application, for that is the purpose of God's holy Word, and that is the reason for the preaching of sound doctrine. Howard Hendricks adds, "The Bible was written not to satisfy your curiosity but to help you conform to Christ's image. Not to make you a smarter sinner but to make you like the Savior. Not to fill your head with a collection of biblical facts but to transform your life." However, how can one "be transformed by the renewal of...mind," so that he/she can, "discern what is the will of God" (Romans 12:2), if they have no knowledge of the Word of God, no doctrine is being taught to them and all they have are a new collection of jokes, stories, or man's belittling lessons?

The preaching or doctrine will bring about "practical living" and the preaching of practical lessons has a place in a sermon, but should by no means replace doctrine. When someone knows biblical principles, doctrines, and sound teaching, he/she will know what the will of God is in their daily situations.

Quotes that Add

Stories have emotional impact, but they are lightweight compared with scripture.
John MacArthur

You have to believe the power of God's Word will be more effective than any human drama or communication gimmick. Nothing is as dramatic as the explosion of truth on the mind of a believer through powerful preaching.
John MacArthur

Doctrine is not the exclusive domain of seminary professors. All true Christians must be concerned with understanding sound doctrine....Doctrine forms the belief system that controls and compels behaviour.
John MacArthur

The best illustrations are those taken from the Bible itself.
Iain Murray

It is... wrong when a preacher thinks the best way to gain a hearing is to sprinkle the message with appealing anecdotes, stories, or humor. A man who cannot get attention without these things...does not know what it means to use the sword of the Spirit.
Iain Murray

all glory belongs to God

It has become prolifically apparent to me that God is worthy of all the glory man can muster and ever could muster. Worthy of all his time. Worthy of all his strength. Man cannot even boast about his saving faith for it is given him by God (Ephesians 2:8-9, Titus 3:5, John 1:13). Everything man has attained, has been given him by God. Everything that exists is the result of God.

Knowing this truth, I dedicate my life to His glory, for that is a life unrivaled by any other. This blog is an attempt to make God known, to give him the glory He is entitled to.

"He must increase, but I must decrease."

John 3:30