Luke Humphrey

Weekly Fighter Verse & New City Catechism (2021.12.24)

“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.”
— Psalm 23:5–6

Devotional - Luke Humphrey

Last week we saw where the Shepherd leads his sheep. This week, we see the way he provides for his sheep. He does so as our host.

He prepares a table.

To be God’s sheep doesn’t mean that we don’t experience hardship—we saw in verse 4 that God leads us through the valley of the shadow of death. And it doesn’t mean that we don’t have enemies. But it does mean that God will provide for us in the midst of our enemies.

Here David rejoices in experiencing the provision and blessing of God—God sets a wonderful banquet before his people. Even in this life when we have trials and tribulations we can feast at God’s table. God provides physical food and most significantly spiritual food to nourish us along the way. And he does so with generosity.

He bestows honor.

David says that God anoints his head with oil. God doesn’t grumble or complain about his guests but he honors them—that’s what the anointing would have communicated. This honoring is all the more significant when we think about how difficult we can be as sheep. And yet God—being the source of all glory—bestows honor upon his people.

He dwells with them.

David concludes this amazing psalm by pointing to the greatest of blessings for the people of God: the presence of God. At the end of the day we should not ultimately desire God’s protection or God’s provision—those are lesser blessings. We should desire God’s presence. Dwelling in the presence of God forever is the place of highest and greatest joy, which means that God himself is the greatest gift that he gives to his people.

You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. (Psalm 16:11 )

“What is idolatry?

Idolatry is trusting in created things rather than the Creator for our hope and happiness, significance and security.”
— Question 17 (The New City Catechism)

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Weekly Fighter Verse & New City Catechism (2021.12.17)

“He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. ”
— Psalm 23:3–4

Devotional - Luke Humphrey

Psalm 23 is all about the character of God. Specifically, it’s about the character of God in being a shepherd for his people. In these verses we see where our shepherd leads us. And the answer might surprise us.

He leads us in paths of righteousness.

First, we see that as God shepherds us, he leads us in paths of righteousness. This means that God leads us down the pathway that leads to life and fullness of joy. The path of wickedness leads to death, but the path of righteousness is the way to life itself. Our Shepherd wants us to experience the best of what he has for us. And this comes not through financial prosperity or through earthly comfort but through righteousness as we follow his commands.  

He leads us through the valley of the shadow of death.

Second, God leads us through the valley of the shadow of death. And this comes as a bit of a surprise to us. The path of life often takes us through the valley of the shadow of death. Why does God lead us this way? I think the second half of verse four shows us the reason:

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

God leads us through dark paths to communicate to us his continued presence. And when we see this for ourselves, we are able to fight against fear because we are able to see who God is in the darkness: he is our protector. David’s life is not free of death and suffering—anyone familiar with 1 Samuel and 2 Samuel can see how much suffering David experienced, often at the hands of those closest to him. But in the valley of the shadow of death, God is with him. And through his continued presence God is leading him down paths of righteousness that lead to life itself.

“What is sin?

Sin is rejecting or ignoring God in the world he created, rebelling against him by living without reference to him, not being or doing what he requires in his law—resulting in our death and the disintegration of all creation.”
— Question 16 (The New City Catechism)

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Weekly Fighter Verse & New City Catechism (2021.11.26)

“Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips! Do not let my heart incline to any evil, to busy myself with wicked deeds in company with men who work iniquity, and let me not eat of their delicacies!”
— Psalm 141:3–4

Devotional - Luke Humphrey

The book of James makes it very clear that the human tongue is an incredibly dangerous organ.

How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. (James 3:5–8)

Each one of us carries around in our mouths the ability to destroy those we interact with on a daily basis. We speak words of fire and set ablaze those around us. We utter poisonous barbs and paralyze those closest to us.

And there is a reason why no one can tame the tongue: because no human being can tame the human heart. After all, as Jesus said, “out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” (Matt. 12:34) 

And this is the connection that David makes in Psalm 141 and this is how we can use this verse to help us in the fight of faith. David is praying to God. And he prays specifically that God would set a guard over his tongue and over his heart.

When we stop to meditate up on this text we can see the radical implications that it carries: David need’s God’s grace to guard his heart. David does not trust himself to love the right things or to have the right desires. He knows that his heart could be inclined to evil and that he is powerless to change it on his own. So he prays. He asks that God would work a miraculous work of grace and keep his heart from being inclined to evil; that God would be the one who protects his tongue from uttering destructive words.

No human being can tame the tongue and no human being can tame the heart. But God can. There is no aspect of our lives that are “off limits” to him. And this is good news because it means that he can help us when we feel most powerless over our own desires.

So, if you find yourself consistently struggling with sinful desires or speaking sinful words, join David in praying that God would work in grace to protect and preserve you at a heart level. He has the power and the grace to do it.

“Can anyone keep the law of God perfectly?

Since the fall, no mere human has been able to keep the law of God perfectly, but consistently breaks it in thought, word, and deed.”
— Question 13 (The New City Catechism)

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Weekly Fighter Verse & New City Catechism (2021.11.19)

“Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever. As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people, from this time forth and forevermore.”
— Psalm 125:1-2

Devotional - Luke Humphrey

Christians are weak people. We acknowledge this before God. We are not the strong ones in the world; we are not the powerful or the rich or the famous. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 1:

26 For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; 28 God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are. (1 Corinthians 1:26–28)

If you’re looking for people who have a CV of strength to show to the world, then don’t look at Christians.

And yet, in Psalm 125 the psalmist describes those who trust in the Lord as mountains which cannot be moved. How is this possible? How can the weak and the foolish and the poor be steadfast and stable as mountains?

The answer doesn’t come by looking at the strength of Christians—it comes by looking at God. Verse 2 shows us who the mountain is: the Lord surrounds his people as the mountains surround Jerusalem. We who trust in the Lord are unshakeable and steadfast because of Him, not us.

Tim Keller points out in The Reason for God that,

“It is not the strength of your faith but the object of your faith that actually saves you.”

That’s what Psalm 125 is all about. You may feel that you are weak and just barely holding onto trusting the Lord. But your steadfastness is not based upon the strength of your faith—your faith is not the mountain. Your steadfastness is based upon God surrounding you and protecting you. So take heart and hold on in hope.

“What does God require in the ninth and tenth commandments?

Ninth, that we do not lie or deceive, but speak the truth in love. Tenth, that we are content, not envying anyone or resenting what God has given them or us.”
— Question 12 (The New City Catechism)

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Weekly Fighter Verse & New City Catechism (2021.10.29)

“Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense.”
— Proverbs 19:11

Devotional - Luke Humphrey

There are many ways to combat the sin of anger. Proverbs 19:11 gives us two compatible approaches.

Logic

First, the wise teacher uses logic to combat the temptation to hasty, sinful anger. It makes good sense to be slow to anger—it's logical. How often has our hasty anger gotten us in trouble? How many times have we said something in a momentary rage that we wish we could take back? "Just look at it objectively," the teacher says, "it only makes sense that we should be slow to anger."

We can resist anger by using our heads to reason our way out of the temptation.

Glory

The second way to resist is through the heart—it is a glorious thing to overlook an offense. The teacher calls for us to see glory as it truly is.

When we refuse to inflict pain upon those who have wronged us, we show ourselves to be worthy of the respect of others. Often our rush to anger is a way of getting glory back for ourselves—we try to force people to bend to our wills—but being self controlled and overlooking an offense is the path to glory. Because it is the way of God. When we overlook an offense and are patient with others, we reflect the glory of our Heavenly Father who is merciful and slow to anger.

Logic and glory come together to guard our emotions and to train us in patience. May God help us to use these tools to pursue holiness.

“What does God require in the first, second, and third commandments?

First, that we know and trust God as the only true and living God. Second, that we avoid all idolatry and do not worship God improperly. Third, that we treat God’s name with fear and reverence, honoring also his Word and works.”
— Question 9 (The New City Catechism)

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Weekly Fighter Verse & New City Catechism (2021.10.15)

“My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent.”
— Proverbs 1:10

Devotional - Luke Humphrey

All of us live around sinners. All of us are surrounded by acts of wickedness and evil rebellion against God. There is nowhere that we can run to escape this because we carry our sin around with us in our very flesh. And the Bible does not expect us to try to hide from sinners—in fact, the Apostle Paul assumes that we will regularly be engaging with those who rebel against God's ways and God's person (1 Cor. 5:9–10).

This is why it is so helpful to have a firm principle of commitment that we can hold onto in order to keep us from being drawn away from the path of righteousness. Proverbs 1:10 give us that firm commitment: if sinners entice you, do not consent. The temptations of sin and of sinners are real—there is an enticing nature to them. But the response of righteousness is a firm commitment to not give in—we will not say yes to sin.

This is not mere willpower. Many of us lose the battle against sin because we assume that it is only a matter of time until we fall and we give into sin yet again. But Jesus died in order to free us not just from sin's penalty but from sin's power. Because the crucified and risen Christ has poured out his Holy Spirit into our hearts, we can hold fast to the path of righteousness. As the Apostle Paul writes:

16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. (Galatians 5:16)

Walking by the Spirit starts with a commitment to walk the path of righteousness—a commitment not to give in when sin and sinners entice us away from this path.

“What does the law of God require?

Personal, perfect, and perpetual obedience; that we love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength; and love our neighbor as ourselves. What God forbids should never be done and what God commands should always be done.”
— Question 7 (The New City Catechism)

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Weekly Fighter Verse & New City Catechism (2021.09.24)

“4 From of old no one has heard or perceived by the ear, no eye has seen a God besides you, who acts for those who wait for him.”
— Isaiah 64:4

Devotional - Luke Humphrey

The God of the Bible is completely unique, and Isaiah 64:4 tells us why: he acts for those who wait for him.

There are many different religions and many different “gods” that are worshiped. But not one of them has the ability and the authority of the God of the Bible.

The Ability to Act

The God of the Bible has the ability to act. When we wait for him, we do not wonder whether or not he can do something. Nothing is too difficult for God. He can do all things and nothing can withstand his power. He created the universe by the Word of his power and he sustains it merely though speaking. His ability is unmatched among the gods of the nations.

The Authority to Act

But he not only has the ability to act, he also has the authority to act. The ancient pagans believed that gods were restricted by their geographic boundaries—that they had authority to act in particular places but not in others. Many of our home cultures believe the same. We may speak of the spirit of the river or the spirit of the forest. But God’s authority is unlimited. He rules over all things.  

Isaiah was writing to a people going into exile. They were to be carried away from their homeland and taken to a foreign country. But even there, God acts on those who wait for him. He is not limited by authority and he defers to no other gods.

The Character to Act

And because of his character, we can wait with confidence that he will use his ability and authority for good. The gods of the nations are often capricious or despotic, but that is not the way that our God is. He never makes a morally wrong decision or compromises his perfect integrity. He is pure and holy and good. And that means that his power is connected with his goodness, his authority connected with his love. And those who wait upon him will not be put to shame.  

“How and why did God create us?

God created us male and female in his own image to know him, love him, live with him, and glorify him. And it is right that we who were created by God should live to his glory.”
— Question 4 (The New City Catechism)

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Weekly Fighter Verse & New City Catechism (2021.09.17)

“9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. [10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.] ”
— 2 Corinthians 12:9 [10]

Devotional - Luke Humphrey

Often, when we pray we, we expect God to answer our prayers in exactly the way that we prayed. We pray for a new job and expect God to provide one. We pray for a spouse and expect God to provide a suitable partner. We pray for healing and expect God to provide complete and full recovery. Anything else we would call an “unanswered” prayer.

The Apostle Paul prayed that a thorn in his flesh would be removed. Three times he pleaded with the Lord for this exact thing to happen. But did God answer his prayer?

Yes! But not in the way that Paul expected.

Paul prayed for the thorn to be removed, but God answered with sufficient grace and perfected power to be able to endure the thorn. In God’s wisdom he did do what Paul asked but gave him something better: the ability to boast in his weakness.

Our strength often blinds us to God’s strength. When we are strong we fail to see our need of others. But in our weakness we can see more clearly the strength of God and the grace of Jesus. He came not for the “healthy” but for the sick; he does not empower the “powerful” but the weak.

In his mercy, God often sees fit to answer prayers in the way that we expect. But he also answers prayers with something better: patience in our current jobs, contentment in our singleness, and boasting in our weakness.

“How many persons are there in God?

There are three persons in the one true and living God: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. They are the same in substance, equal in power and glory.”
— Question 3 (The New City Catechism)

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Weekly Fighter Verse & New City Catechism (2021.09.10)

“8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. ”
— 2 Corinthians 9:8

Devotional - Luke Humphrey

In the verses right before this, Paul writes that believers should give bountifully, freely, and cheerfully. But you can almost hear the questions that arise when we someone calls us to give our money away.

What if my salary seems too low to give anything?   

What will happen if there’s an emergency in the future?  

What about my plans for building a home or saving for my children’s education in the future?  

These aren’t necessarily bad questions, and we should consider it. But Paul doesn’t address every potential difficulty for happily generous giving. Instead, he points to the God that we serve and that power that he possesses. When we give for his glory, God takes care of us. God possesses all riches and power and authority and he is able to use these for our eternal good.  

Look at the way that Paul motivates us: present giving is motivated by future grace. You will always have what you need to be able to obey and glorify God: from his sufficiency he is able to make you abound in every good work.

When we are tempted to disobey what we know we should do because we wonder at what it will cost us we can remember this: our God takes care of his children. We can trust him to provide the present grace that we need to empower our obedience and the future grace he will lavish upon us on account of our obedience.

“What is God?

God is the creator and sustainer of everyone and everything. He is eternal, infinite, and unchangeable in his power and perfection, goodness and glory, wisdom, justice, and truth. Nothing happens except through him and by his will.”
— Question 2 (The New City Catechism)

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Weekly Fighter Verse & New City Catechism (2021.09.03)

“6 The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. ”
— 2 Corinthians 9:6–7

Devotional - Luke Humphrey

Many people ask whether or not the New Testament teaches that we should give a “tithe.” In the Old Testament, the people of Israel were required to give 10% of their “income (harvest, flocks, etc.) to the Lord. This money went to support the Levites and the sacrificial system that was wrapped up in the Old Covenant. This tithe functioned like a tax—directly tied to both the civil and ceremonial life of the nation of Israel.

The Old Covenant tithe is no longer required in the New Covenant. But the New Testament actually teaches something far more demanding: give bountifully, give freely, and give cheerfully.

Give Bountifully

Paul motivates us to give by showing us the reward that comes through bountiful—generous—giving. If we love our money and hold onto it, then we will miss out on the true reward that comes from God. But if we give abundantly, then will reap abundant reward from God. This isn’t financial reward—though God may bless us with financial provision—but reward that is kept in heaven where neither moth nor rust destroy and where thieves cannot steal. For some people, giving 10% of their income may not be bountifully at all, for others it might be quite a sacrifice.

Give Freely

We should give to the Lord and not under compulsion. This means that we should not be forced into giving either by a sense of “earning God’s favor” or by a sense of peer pressure that really wants to impress those around us. Instead, our giving should freely flow from the free grace that we have received in Christ.

Give Cheerfully

Finally, we should give cheerfully, not grudgingly. Giving should be a joy not a burden. And notice the reason that Paul gives: for God loves a cheerful giver. We give not to earn God’s favor but to glorify God and because we have enjoyed God’s favor. God is far more concerned with the motivation behind the gift than with the amount of the gift.

In the New Covenant we are not commanded to tithe, but by the Spirit we are commanded to something far greater: bountiful, free, cheerful giving. Because of the grace of Christ the love of money has lost its grip on our hearts and so we are willing to give everything away for the sake of Christ.

“What is our only hope in life and death?

That we are not our own but belong, body and soul, both in life and death, to God and to our Savior Jesus Christ.”
— Question 1 (NCC)

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Is it ok to criticize a pastor?

Is it ok to criticize a pastor?

Luke Humphrey

Transcript
—

“Touch not the Lord’s anointed.” 

Have you ever heard that used to protect the ministry of a pastor or a church leader? Does this mean that it is wrong to criticize a pastor? Or is it ok to criticize a pastor? What should we think about this? 

The verse quoted comes from Psalm 105. It’s worth hearing it in full for the context: 

Psalm 105:12–15 (ESV) — 12 When they were few in number, of little account, and sojourners in it, 13 wandering from nation to nation, from one kingdom to another people, 14 he allowed no one to oppress them; he rebuked kings on their account, 15 saying, “Touch not my anointed ones, do my prophets no harm!”

This passage is not talking about pastors but actually about the nation of Israel who were set apart for God’s purpose. According to Psalm 105 God protected his covenant people in their wandering from nation to nation. It would be inappropriate to take this and apply it to pastors.

But does that mean that it is ok to criticize a pastor then? Yes and no. 

The Bible teaches that pastors are to be above reproach and that they are to be held in honor. For example 1 Timothy 5:17 says: 

1 Timothy 5:17 (ESV) — 17 Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching.

Faithful elders are worthy of honor, which means we should be slow to criticize and not criticize lightly. In fact, the normal pattern of Scripture is that elders are to be obeyed: 

Hebrews 13:17 (ESV) — 17 Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.

So, we should obey our pastors and submit to them in a way that allows for them to joyfully shepherd the flock. This means that there are certainly times when we shouldn’t criticize our pastors.

However, in Hebrews 13 we see that elders are not above accountability. In fact, the way elders shepherd the flock is “as those who will have to give an account.” This is an account to the Lord, but insofar as it is appropriate is also an account to man.

In fact, right after Paul tells Timothy that elders are to be held in honor, he writes this: 

1 Timothy 5:19–20 (ESV) — 19 Do not admit a charge against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses. 20 As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear.

This strikes the right balance between honor and accountability. We honor the elders by not allowing for one person’s criticism or charge to stand by itself. But there is an appropriate process to rightly criticize—bring a charge against—an elder on the evidence of two or three witnesses. And if this charge is demonstrated to be true and the elder is recognized as being in sin and continues without repentance, then Paul commands the church to “rebuke them [the elders in sin] in the presence of all [the church].” 

So, pastors are called to be honored, but only as far as they are faithful. The Bible allows and in fact commands appropriate criticism of pastors who are twisting the Scriptures or living in an unrepentantly sinful lifestyle. Unfaithful pastors can’t hide behind the verse to “not touch the Lord’s anointed.”

Does my suffering mean that God is unhappy with me?

Does my suffering mean that God is unhappy with me?

Luke Humphrey

Transcript
—

Does my suffering mean that God is unhappy with me? 

This is a tough question to answer, because the truth of the matter is that “it might.” 

God loves every Christian as an adopted son or daughter. And just with a human son or daughter, it is possible for God to be displeased with the way that a loved child is acting. Nothing that a Christian can do can make God love you more or God love you less. But he can be more or less pleased with your faithfulness towards him. 

For example, the Bible teaches that through our sinful living we can grieve the Holy Spirit. The Bible teaches that our sinful actions can lead to the Lord’s discipline: 

Hebrews 12:7, 10 (ESV) — 7 It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? ... 10 For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness.

And in the case of the Corinthian church, some of the members were getting sick and even dying because of the sinful way in which they were treating the Lord’s Supper. 

So, it is possible that your suffering means that God unhappy with you due to sin in your life. And if that is the case then you should reflect upon areas of your life that might have unrepentant sin and turn in repentance and receive forgiveness through the grace of Jesus Christ. 

But often, our suffering is not a sign of God’s displeasure but of his pleasure in us. In fact, Christians are promised that they will suffer because we follow the suffering servant, the Lord Jesus Christ. And though this suffering leads to temporary pain, it leads to ultimate glory. Listen to Romans 8: 

Romans 8:16–17 (ESV) — 16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.

When the disciples were arrested and beaten for preaching the gospel, they rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer with Christ: 

Acts 5:41 (ESV) — 41 Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name.

And James 1 calls us to count it all joy when we suffer because of what God does in our hearts and in our lives through the suffering: 

James 1:2–4 (ESV) — 2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

Our suffering may or may not be the Lord’s discipline for sin. But either way, our suffering is an opportunity for us to glorify God and to grow in our holiness, steadfastness, and love for God. When we suffer, we should reflect upon our lives to see if there is any unrepentant sin our lives. A good way to pray is Psalm 139:23–24

Psalm 139:23–24 (ESV) — 23 Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! 24 And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!

And when we suffer, Christians should trust that God is working all things for good in and through the suffering. He is working in the suffering to help us share in his holiness as we grow to treasure him more. And one day our suffering will end as God holds fast to us in Christ: 

Romans 8:38–39 (ESV) — 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Does God promise complete healing?

Does God promise complete healing?

Luke Humphrey

Transcript
—

Does God promise complete healing? 

Man, this is an important question to answer—and it’s a question that is incredibly misunderstood by Christians across the world today. 

There are many churches and pastors who preach that God does promise complete healing in this life. They would teach that if you believe by faith, then you will be healed. But this leads to a whole host of questions and confusion when Christians get sick or even die. Why would a Christian be sick or die if God promises to heal them? And what it often does is point the finger back at the sick or dead person (either explicitly or implicitly) and put the blame on them. They suffered because of a lack of faith—if they would only believe more, then they would have been healed. 

God doesn’t promise complete healing in this life. In fact, the overwhelming teaching of Scripture is that Christians will suffer, and this includes physical sickness and physical wounds. 

The Apostle Paul experienced a thorn in the flesh sent from Satan to afflict him. He pleaded with God for it to be removed and listen to what God said to him:

2 Corinthians 12:8–9 (ESV) — 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Paul’s coworker Timothy experienced frequent ailments in his gospel ministry, and Paul doesn’t rebuke him but offers medical advice.

Paul was eventually executed. The Apostle James was killed by Herod. The Apostle Peter was crucified by the Roman Empire. The Apostle John died in exile. 

But just because God doesn’t promise complete healing in this life doesn’t mean we are hopeless. In fact, the hope of Christianity is that death and disease have been ultimately conquered through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. One day, we will put off these natural bodies that experience sickness and pain and affliction and we will be clothed with immortal bodies that will be glorious. In this way, death is the pathway to glory. Our complete healing will be experienced in the resurrection and that is guaranteed through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. 

1 Corinthians 15:50–57 (ESV) — 50 I tell you this, brothers: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. 51 Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. 53 For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. 54 When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” 55 “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” 56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Right now death is still an enemy. But because Jesus has risen from the dead it is a conquered enemy. Christians will experience sickness and suffering in this life—in fact we are promised that we will experience sickness and suffering and persecution. But one day we will stand in the presence of Christ completely freed from sickness and pain in glorified and resurrected bodies: 

Revelation 21:4 (ESV) — 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

Does God want us to be wealthy?

Does God want us to be wealthy?

Luke Humphrey

Transcript
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This is a great question and it’s one that Christians really need to think through. The world assumes that the answer is “Yes.” The world assumes that God wants us to be happy and then we assume that money will lead to happiness, therefore God wants us to be wealthy. 

But the actual answer is far more complicated. God does want us to be happy, but money cannot be the source of happiness. In fact the Bible says that the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil (1 Timothy 6:10). Going to money as the source of your happiness will not make you happy; it will make you evil. God does want us to be happy, but he is the one who knows what will lead to our joy—and that is himself. The Westminster Shorter Catechism says that:

“The chief end [that is, the chief purpose] of man is to glorify God and enjoy him forever.” 

Our happiness—our joy—comes through glorifying God. So the primary thing that God wants for us is to glorify him and thereby be eternally happy. 

So, let’s come back to our question: does God want us to be wealthy? And the answer is not necessarily in this life. God has poured out eternal riches in Christ Jesus that are better than anything that we have in this life. The way Paul writes in Philippians 3 is helpful here: 

Philippians 3:7–8 (ESV) — 7 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ…

Paul is willing to count every earthly blessing that he has experienced as rubbish compared to the wealth of Christ. And it’s this perspective that allows for him to write later on in Philippians 4: 

Philippians 4:11–13 (ESV) — 11 ... I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Because of Christ’s surpassing worth Paul can be content in plenty and in hunger, in abundance and in need. His happiness is not based upon his wealth but upon glorifying and enjoying God. 

God is all powerful, all wise, and all good. In his sovereignty, he sometimes purposes that Christians would be entrusted with significant earthly wealth. They are called to not love money but to love God. In other instances, God purposes that Christians would be born in earthly poverty, raised in earthly poverty, and die in earthly poverty. These Christians are just as capable of experiencing happiness in God because of the surpassing worth of Christ. 

At the end of the day, earthly wealth—or the lack earthly wealth—is an opportunity to glorify God and serve other people. Ultimately, God wants us to be happy in him and he gives wealth and withholds wealth so that we would have eternal happiness in God. 

Family Devotionals

Family Devotionals

Luke Humphrey

recommended RESOURCES

Video Resources for the Whole Family

The Bible Project YouTube Channel: This is an excellent resource that introduces all the books of the Bible and many basic biblical concepts such as the sin, law and covenants in simple language and interesting graphics. It is easy enough for children in upper primary to follow but is also very helpful for youth and adults who need to learn the basics of Scripture content.

Video Resources for Parents

The Village Church YouTube channel

A Family Discipleship Course – The Gospel Coalition

Books

The Big Picture Story Bible

The New City Catechism

Being a Dad Who Leads, McArthur, Harvest House

A Family Guide to the Bible, Ditchfield, Crossway

Family Discipleship, Chandler and Griffin, Crossway

Virtual Membership Class: Session 2

Session 2: Statement of Faith

Please watch the videos below prior to your elder chat, and write down any questions that you might have to discuss with the elders. We hope they are a helpful resource as you learn more about our life and ministry as a church.

Statement of Faith
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THE BIBLE

We believe that the Holy Bible, both Old and New Testament Scriptures, are the inspired Word of God, written by man, and are completely free from error in their original form. It is the perfect treasure of heavenly instruction and complete revelation of His will for the salvation of mankind. It is, and will be, the supreme standard and final authority for all Christian faith and life. (Isa. 40:8; 2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Pet. 1:20-21; Prov. 30:5-6; 1 John 4:1; Matt. 5:18; Rev 22:18-19, 17:17)  

THE TRIUNE GOD

We believe that there is one living and true God. He exists eternally as three distinct persons-- the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Each is fully God and equal in every divine perfection, and executing distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption. God is the eternal, infinite Creator and supreme Ruler of heaven and earth. He is merciful, just, and loving and governs all things according to His sovereign will for His glory. He is inexpressibly glorious in holiness, and is worthy of all possible honor, confidence, and love. (Matt. 28:19; Ps. 83:18; Rom. 1:20; Rev. 1:4-5, 4:11; Mark 1:9-11, 12:30; Ex. 15:11, 34:5-7; John 10:30; 2 Cor. 13:14; Eph. 2:18; Col. 1:16-17; Heb. 1:1-3)

THE STATE OF HUMANITY

We believe that all the human race is created in the image of God and that through the voluntary sin of our first parents Adam and Eve, we are now all born in sin. As a result, all mankind are now sinners by nature and choice, being utterly void of the holiness required by God and completely inclined to evil. Therefore, all humans are by nature unable to turn to God, incapable of contributing to their own salvation, and are under just condemnation to eternal punishment, without defense or excuse. (Gen. 1:27; Gen. 3:6-24; Ps. 51:5; Rom. 1:20; 3:19; 5:12,19; Eph. 2:1-3)

THE GOSPEL

We believe that the gospel is the good news of what God has accomplished for sinners separated from God by sin, through His Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ. Jesus is fully God and fully man, was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of a virgin and lived a sinless life in obedience to the Father. He taught the way of God’s kingdom, worked miracles, suffered, died and rose from the dead. In His death He made full atonement for our sins and became our sacrificial substitute, absorbing the wrath of God and purchasing forgiveness of our sins. Through His death we are united with Him and adopted into the family of God. This good news is the foundation for the life of the Church and our only hope for salvation and sanctification. (Eph. 2:5; John 3:16; Phil. 2:6-7; 2 Cor. 5:21; Is. 53:4-5; Gal. 4:4-7; Mark 1:1; Rom. 1:16-18; Gal. 1:6-9)

THE GIFT OF SALVATION

We believe that the blessings of salvation are made free to all by the gospel, and there is nothing one can do apart from this free gift of God to obtain merit, favor or standing before God. It is the duty of all to accept the free gift upon hearing the gospel, and nothing prevents salvation of the greatest sinner on earth but his own depravity and voluntary rejection of the gospel. Acceptance of the gift is initiated and empowered by the Holy Spirit through regeneration, or being born again, by which we are made alive in Christ with a new and holy disposition enabling repentance, faith and obedience. Those accepting the gift of salvation receive the blessing of justification, by which sinners are pardoned from their sin and declared righteous solely on the basis of Christ’s righteousness. This perfect righteousness brings them into peace and favor with God. They are brought in God’s family as sons along with Christ, securing for them every eternal blessing. (Rev. 22:17; Eph. 1:13-14, 2:4-8, 4:20-24; Tit. 3:5; John 3:3-7, 12:48; Rom. 5:9, 15; 2 Cor. 5:21)   

THE RESPONSE OF FAITH

We believe that repentance and faith are sacred duties, brought about in our souls by the Holy Spirit in regeneration, whereby being deeply convinced of our guilt, danger and helplessness, and of the way of salvation by Christ, we turn to God with sincere remorse, confession and supplication for mercy. At the same time we heartily receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Prophet, Priest and King, and rely on Him alone as the only and all-sufficient Savior. (Acts 11:18; Eph. 2:8; Acts 2:37-38; Ps. 51; Rom. 10:12-13; Heb. 4:14)

THE SOVEREIGN GRACE

We believe that God chose in Jesus Christ before the foundation of the world the elect, those who would be made regenerate by the Holy Spirit and respond to the gospel in faith. This choice was made fully on His own gracious initiative and was not on the account of any foreseen merit in those who would receive His great mercy. This is perfectly consistent with the free agency of man, and is a most glorious display of God’s sovereign goodness, being infinitely free, wise, holy and unchangeable. It utterly excludes boasting by man and promotes humility, love, prayer and trust in God. This sovereign choice is the foundation of Christian assurance. (2 Tim. 1:8-9; Acts 13:48; 2 Thess. 2:13-14; Eph. 1:4-5, 2:8-9; John 6:37-44, 10:25-30; Rom. 8:28-30)  

THE CHRISTIAN LIFE

We believe that those saved by the Holy Spirit are being conformed to the image of Christ through the process of sanctification. It is a progressive work of the Holy Spirit that will continue until death or the glorious return of our Lord. It requires our participation by the denial of self and turning from fleshly desire to renew our minds with God’s Word and prayer. It is marked by ongoing confession and repentance, joyful obedience to all of Scripture’s commands, active love for God’s people and identification and fellowship with them, and a growing hope in God’s promises. It is not marked by sinlessness, but by a diligent fight against sin and growth in the fruits of the Spirit. Those who have authentically experienced the saving grace of God and are being kept by God will persevere in Him until the end. This distinguishes them from superficial professors. (Rom. 8:28-30; Phil 2:12-13; Matt. 7:21-23; 16:24-25; 1 Thess. 4:3; Eph. 4:22-24; Gal. 5:16-25; 1 John 1:8-9; 4:17; John 15:10-11)

THE CHURCH

We believe that the Church is the Bride of Christ and is comprised of all true believers from every tribe, language, people, and nation throughout all the ages. It is made manifest in local churches, which are marked by the right preaching of God’s Word and right administration of the ordinances. Christ is its head and the Word of God is its authority. It is God’s primary instrument by which He is fulfilling His redemptive purposes and displaying His glory to the nations through the preaching of the gospel and the making of disciples. God has bestowed spiritual gifts upon all who are in the church for the unity and edification of the church. (Matt. 16:17-19, 28:18-20; Rev. 7:9; Eph. 3:10, 4:11-12; 1 Cor. 11:24-26; 12:4-6; Col. 1:18) 

THE ORDINANCES: BAPTISM AND THE LORD’S SUPPER

We believe that Christian baptism is the immersion of a believer in water, in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; to show forth the believer’s faith in our crucified, buried, and risen Savior. It is a solemn and beautiful symbol of our union with Christ in His death and resurrection, by which we have died to sin and been resurrected to a new life, and is done in response to the command of Christ. The Lord’s Supper is practiced by believers eating the bread and drinking the cup to commemorate together the dying love of Christ, celebrate their unity in Him, and look forward to joining with Him again when He returns. The Lord’s Supper is also observed in obedience to Christ’s command. Neither baptism nor the Lord’s Supper offer salvation, yet they are a gift of God’s sustaining grace to those who believe. They shall be reserved for those who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ, our Lord. (Matt. 28:19; Acts 8:12; Rom. 6:4; 1 Cor. 11:23-26; Luke. 22:14-20; 1 Pet. 3:21)

THE DIGNITY OF MAN AND WOMAN

We believe that both men and women are together created in the divine image and are therefore equal before God as persons, possessing the same moral dignity and value. Both men and women are recipients of spiritual gifts designed to equip and empower them for ministry in the local church and beyond. We also believe that God in His perfect wisdom has ordained the principle of male headship in the home and in the local church, and that certain governing and teaching roles, namely eldership, are restricted to men. (Gen. 1:26-27; 1 Cor. 11:2-16; Eph. 5:22-33; Col. 3:18-19; I Tim. 2:11-15)

THE JUDGMENT AND THE WORLD TO COME

We believe that Jesus Christ will return again in all glory and power at the final consummation of His kingdom bringing about the ultimate defeat of Satan and death. On that day, the dead will be raised from the grave and all persons from all of time will face the final judgment. The wicked, who are apart from Christ, will be judged and sentenced to suffering and eternal separation from God in hell. The righteous, who belong to Jesus, will be granted eternal life in the new heavens and new earth, living to the glory of God in ever-increasing joy without death, pain, or mourning of any kind; being in the very presence of God and worshipping Him forever. (Rev. 1:7, 20:7-15, 21:1-4; 22:12; Matt. 25:31-41; Acts 1:11; John 5:25-29; 2 Thess. 1:5-10; Phil 3:20-21)