Finish Jude–Those who cause divisions v19

Mike Leake

Call it irony, call it laziness, call it distraction, call it what you will. I just realized today that I never finished up our bible studies on Jude. My plan is to finish the last 4 messages (1 of those today) and then begin a series of Bible studies on 1 Thessalonians. So, for the poor guy who has been checking this website every day since September 17th, here you go:

“It is these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit”
If you have been involved in the life of a church for any time at all you have problem experienced a church conflict. Sometimes there are significant theological differences that cause problems in the church. Sometimes it is over methodological changes (such as a change in style of worship music or outreach). Sometimes it is just plain stupid (like carpet color, clocks, etc.). All of these things, however, have something in common—according to Jude they are caused by people who are worldly and devoid of the Spirit. Today we are going to discover what we can NOT learn from Jude and what we can learn from Jude about conflict.

Before we really understand what Jude is saying we need to look at what Jude is NOT saying. If you read the story of Paul and Barnabas splitting up in Acts 15:36-41 you see that even great men of God go through difficult disagreements and conflicts. What we Jude is NOT saying is that “if you have a conflict in your church it’s because someone is not saved”. Granted, sometimes that person, who is always complaining and is exhibiting no grace whatsoever, is doing so because he/she is not regenerate. But we can see clearly from this example in Acts 15:36-41 that sometimes “sharp disagreement” and even a parting of ways happen because two believers do not see eye-to-eye on a significant issue. Therefore, it is important for us to remember that whenever we are in conflict we cannot pull the trump, “you’re probably not saved”, card.

But Jude is helping us to see the underlying cause and nature of much division in the body of Christ–lack of unity in doctrine. False teaching always destroys the church and it should not be put up with. How then do you determine whether it is false teaching or biblical teaching that is being propagated? It is an important question. The Puritans caused division in the church. But they did so because they were hoping to transform the ungodly church. So, it really was not the Puritans who caused the division but the one who had adulterated the gospel in the first place. But what do you do when you find your church in the middle of a division? How do you know which side is correct, and which side is the one causing the division?

First of all, not every issue is as black and white as “The Heretics v. The Bible-Believers”. There are definite issues that the Bible does not spell out clearly. But I offer 3 suggestions for determining who is “right” in the argument.
1) Determine the fruit. Jesus said in Matthew 7:15-20 that you could determine false teachers by their fruits. Is their teaching producing godliness? Are they themselves growing in love for Christ? If you can see that one side is producing fruits of the flesh instead of fruits of righteousness it is quite possible that it is because their heart/doctrine is devoid of the Spirit.
2) Which treasures and exalts God more? The one that gives God the most glory is always the right one. I cannot think of a single circumstance where it would be fitting to do something that gave God less glory. Therefore, if one side is promoting something that would diminish the glory of God and the other would give Him more glory, it is probably the latter which is correct. Sometimes it is a matter of good versus greater. In the case of Jude it was heresy versus godliness. Alongside this is to ask the question is Christo-centric? Does it exalt Jesus Christ? Is it Cross-centered? Does it display man in his proper place? Does it show God to be the redeemer? Is it man-centered or God-centered? These are great questions to ask to determine which is truth.
3) What is historical? It might seem like this is saying to mindlessly follow tradition. I assure it is not. But it is an exhortation to follow “the most holy faith” of which Jude speaks of in v20. Usually if a strange doctrine enter the church it is not new. It has probably been dealt with before. Therefore, history is a good place to look. Usually if something flies in the face of historic Christianity it is going to be unbiblical. Be very cautious of accepting the newest fad and newest teaching. It is quite arrogant to think that we are just now discovering the 7 secrets of the Christian life, or THE KEY to living the Christian life.
All in all it is those who want to exalt themselves in the place of Jesus–men who are devoid of the Spirit that are proponents of false teaching. In given time they will be exposed and the truth of God will reign victorious. If you are in the midst of a church conflict I urge you to cling to Jesus above all things. He will reign victorious and so long as you are clinging to the Cross of Christ and the glory of God is your hope you will in no way be ashamed!

Burroughs–What is Christian Contentment Opposed To?

Mike Leake 1 Comment

Last time we looked at three things that Christian contentment is not opposed to. Today we will see the 8 things that it is opposed to (p. 3-4) and then have a brief word on each. Christian contentment is opposed to:

  1. Murmuring and [complaining] at the hand of God
  2. Vexing and fretting (a degree beyond murmuring)
  3. The spirit being highly agitated so that it becomes unruly
  4. An unstable and unsettled spirit whereby it is distracted from its duty to God and others
  5. Distracting, heart-consuming cares
  6. Sinking discouragements
  7. Sinful shiftings and negligence so as to seek relief and help
  8. Desperate risings of the heart against God by way of rebellion

It appears that each of these points that Burroughs mentions has a couple of root exhortations. You cannot claim Christian contentment if when given a difficult trial you murmur and complain towards God and it so agitates you that you are consumed and distracted by it. If it is taking all of your heart and your focus so that you eyes are constantly fixed on this affliction then you are not practicing Christian contentment. Also, we see that if the affliction is bringing you to sinful rebellion whether through active rebellion or negligence. You cannot claim Christian contentment while you are engaged in sinful rebellion so as to relieve the affliction. A biblical example that Burroughs gives is the story of Saul running to the witch of Endor (1 Samuel 28). Perhaps a more contemporary example would be a man who has his finances afflicted and to relieve his sufferings he steals, gambles, and cheats. He pursues dishonest gain to relieve his affliction.

One of Burroughs points that you might have contention with is #6, “sinking discouragements”. Is Burroughs saying that the Christian is not allowed to struggle mightily with depression? What about Spurgeon–was he sinning in his bouts with melancholy? What specifically did Burroughs mean? We will let Burroughs speak–“God would have us to depend on Him though we do not see how the thing may be brought about; otherwise we do not show a quiet spirit. Though an affliction is on you, do not let your heart sink under it. So far as your heart sinks and you are discouraged under affliction, so much you need to learn this lesson of contentment”.

What Burroughs seems to be referring to is the type of person who is distrusting God during times of affliction. When trouble is brought about they are brought to despair instead of hoping in God. It does not seem that Burroughs is specifically addressing the type of melancholy that plagued folks like Spurgeon.
What then can we learn from today’s reading? First of all, I believe the Lord is calling us to trust Him in the midst of our afflictions. We should hear the exhortation of James to the dispersed brothers and sisters. “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds…” Secondly, the Lord is calling us to quietly submit to everything that comes from His hand, all the while trusting in His goodness. When dealt every blow we must cling to the promise that God works all things for good. We must have a big view of God. We must be quieted as Job was, “I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted…I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know…I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eyes see you; therefore I despise myself, and repent in dust and ashes.” You can feel Job putting his hand over his mouth as he utters these words. Let us do the same. Make our requests known to the Lord, but humbly rest under His sovereign hand of goodness.

Burroughs–The Quiet of Heart and What it is not opposed to

Mike Leake
Some might think that if God desires us to be content always then does that must mean that we can never have a frown on our face. Does this mean we cannot weep? Does this mean that it is a sin for a Christian to be sad? In his typically profound way Burroughs will help us see three things (page 3)that this “quiet of heart” is not opposed to:
  1. To a due sense of affliction. What Burroughs means by this is that the Christian should not ignore and refuse to acknowledge that there are difficult times. If we were totally unaware that we were being afflicted then what type of virtue would it be to have joy amidst the trial? The very nature of being content in all circumstances points to the necessity of being sensible to our afflictions.
  2. To making our cries known to God. Notice in the life of Job that he was able to make his affliction known to his friends without sin. He was able to even make his plea to God without sin. But what if we are being disciplined? Can we then make our moan known to God? Burroughs seems to think this unfitting when he says, “…a Christian ought to be quiet under God’s correcting hand”. However, Burroughs also says, “without a breach of Christian contentment complain to God”. The way this is done is by a “quiet, still, submissive way [in which we disclose our] heart to God.”
  3. To seeking help and refuge from the difficult circumstance. Who knows if it is God’s will to alter our condition? Perhaps God wills to bring us through this suffering time. Indeed we should pray and seek to be relieved. As Burroughs says, “God is thus far mercifully indulgent to our weakness, and He will not take it ill at our hands if by [serious intention] and [persistent] prayer we seek Him for deliverance until we know His good pleasure in the matter.” Which should thus desire that our “wills [be] melted into the will of God”.
These things then are not opposed to Christian contentment. It is soothing to a broken soul to know that it is not merely okay to make their request known to God but strongly suggested. Nor is it wrong to be broken and to cry out to the Almighty! James 1:2-18 confirms this. Especially focus on verse 5. James is specifically saying that if any of us lack wisdom [in the context referring to wisdom in our trials] we should ask the Lord. Then we are encouraged by the character of God, “who gives generously without reproach”. The word for reproach means he does so without rebuking us, without thinking we are stupid for asking, or without laughing at us and scorning us. I am reminded of Psalm 103:14, that God “knows our frame; he remembers that we are but dust.” Therefore today let us make our request known to God. But also might we fashion our prayer after what Burroughs said, that “our wills be melted into the will of God”.

Prayer Request

Mike Leake

In what has been the first “complication” to my wife’s pregnancy the other day she was diagnosed with possible placenta previa. Placenta previa is a condition where the placenta is near to or covers the cervix. To put this in “what does this mean” terms–it means that if it stays in its current position Nikki will not be able to have a normal birth but will have to have a C-section. However, there is still much hope. She has been put on bed rest (not complete bed-rest, as of yet). The hope is that the placenta might “move up” and Nikki will be able to have a normal delivery. So, I am asking that you please pray that the Lord might heal this condition and that the placenta might move up and allow my wife to have a normal delivery. But, above all it is my prayer that He might be glorified and give us the strength to enjoy Him no matter His will on this. As my friend Will has prayed for and encouraged me–pray that “our eyes will be fixed on Christ and His wonderful sovereign grace”. Oh, how the Lord loves us and wants what is best for us. Even if it’s a trial.