Meet Mr. Jeremiah Burroughs

Mike Leake

In November we will be looking at the life of Jeremiah Burroughs. Throughout the month we will be studying his book The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment; which can be purchased through Monergism books for the low price of $7.20 plus shipping. You can read it online, but I would suggest purchasing the book here.
Burroughs is best known for the book that we will be studying this month, “The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment”. He was born in 1599 and died in November of 1746. In 1621 he graduated with a BA and had his Master’s by 1624. His tutor was another famous Puritan by the name of Thomas Hooker. By 1627 Burroughs was a member of the famous Westminister Assembly. In 1631 he was appointed as rector [the person in charge of a congregation] of Tivetshall, Norfolk. In 1636 he was suspended for refusing to obey some of the sanctions placed upon churches by the Bishop Matthew Wren. The charge was non-conformity. Burroughs (and many Puritans) refused to read King James Book of Sports, as well as refusing to read prayers rather than speak them without restraint.
Because of his troubles in Norfolk, Burroughs went to the Netherlands were he was a teacher at a congregation at Rotterdam. Here he met William Bridge and Sidrach Simpson. In the 1640’s these three men would be instrumental in the rise of congregationalism. The 1640’s for Burroughs would prove to be the decade in which he received the most notoriety. During the Commonwealth Period he returned to England and again became pastor. In his charge where two of the more prominent churches in all of London: Stepney in St. Giles, Cripplegate.
Burroughs found himself in the middle of the growing controversies between Presbyterians, Independents, and Episcopalians. In 1644 he and several of his friends presented to Parliament their Apologetical Narration. The work was an attempt to find a middle ground for Presbyterianism (too authoritarian in their opinion) and Brownism (too democractic in their opinion). Throughout his life he tried to establish unity among believers and to heal these divisions. His life was “cut short” in 1646 after a fall from his horse.[1]
[1] This biography was adapted from Burroughs article from Meet the Puritans. Beeke, Joel R. and Pederson, Randal J. Reformation Heritage Books. 2006. p118-25.

Jonah and the Gospel

Mike Leake
Wednesday night we were challenged to allow the gospel to go deeper. In fact we were challenged to do everything we can to drive the gospel deeper by pursuing some of the classic spiritual disciplines. We noted that these disciplines are not the goal. The best way to honor a water pipe (if that were your desire) would be to enjoy the water it brings. The same way with the disciplines the best way to honor the disciplines is to enjoy the water (Jesus) that it brings. But again all of these must be clothed in grace. If you really want to here a solid sermon about this I would suggest listening to this sermon by Jonathan McIntosh: How Change Works
I also am a little reluctant to use the phrase “allow the gospel” or “allow God”. Perhaps if you have that same aversion what a dear pastor friend said to me might help. After asking him in what way is it appropriate to use the phrase “allow the gospel” he responded thus:

“I’ll try a quick, 2-part answer.
#1. As often happens, part of answer comes down to semantics. Just how exteme are we defining “allow”? Which seques into second part.
#2. Colossians 3:15-16 tell us to “let the peace of Christ rule….let the word of Christ
dwell….” Obviously we cannot stop these things if God chooses to force them on us -nor- can we make them happen if chooses to deny. We let these thing happen in our lives by a). Not doing things which impede or hamper and by b). doing things which promote them.

Illustration…..I plant corn in my garden and ‘let’ it grow.I let it grow in several ways. I fertilize, weed, and water. I also let it grow by not tromping it down or uprooting it. I don’t cause the growth, but I can have a part in letting (allowing) it to grow in healthier, more productive way.”

This illustration and statement really helped me. We “let the word of Christ dwell” by not hampering it’s growth and by doing things which promote them. Such as the disciplines we talked about Wednesday night.

You can view the sermon from Wednesday night here: The Gospel According to Jonah
This one is a little rough and could probably use a better title. When actually delivering it keep in mind that I changed much of the introduction and the conclusion was a little more full. Also I realize that this sermon could probably be adapted to many stories in Scripture. We could look at the story of David and Bathsheba, Peter denying Jesus, Simon in Acts 8; pretty much anywhere that you find a sin narrative you could adapt this sermon. If you feel a little cheated (since I did not do my typical expository style) on studying Jonah perhaps some of our Sunday School lessons from the summer on Jonah would help: The Consequence of Defiance; Jonah: The Reluctant Prophet. Sadly, those are the only two out of the four that have been preserved, and they are a little rough still. If you are still having a Jonah itch that needs scratched I would suggest listening to Arturo Azurdia’s series–the best preaching on Jonah I have ever heard. The Jonah sermons are about a third of the way down.

Back from the Convention

Mike Leake

I am back from the Missouri Baptist Convention Annual Meeting. It was an eventful 3 days yet also a little boring. I have taken 3 things from this convention.

1) I felt that there was a great deal of pride at the convention (not the least of which was my own). The Lord convicted me deeply of a desire to make my name great. On Tuesday night I skipped out on the programs and got alone with the Lord. I went back over the gospel and had to be reminded that I was created by God and created for His glory and His glory alone. I know that He will not share His glory with another. I was deeply convicted yet mightily encouraged. I have a new resolve to preach the gospel boldly and a desire to fight pride in my life via the power of the Cross. May God be gracious and give me clarity and passion in driving the vice of pride out of my life.

2) I need to go to seminary. I am not sure when, but I realize that I must go deeper and I cannot do that on my own. I need a further education. I am praying that the Lord might show me His timing–and that I might not pursue that any sooner than I am supposed to nor any later.

3) There is a sharp division in our Missouri Baptist Convention. The younger generation seems to be a very large contrast to the older generation. I fear that because of our hubris (“our” being the younger generation) we will not be heard, and when we are it will be self-honoring and not Christ-honoring.

Brothers, we must bow humbly before the Cross. We must realize that God is more concerned with our convention, with being honored, with spreading His name than we are. Therefore, we should boldly stand for the truth yet not create factions and not refuse to love our brothers in Christ. I am humbled by the depth of some of the leaders in my generation. I am thankful to God for them. Hopefully, the MBC stance on alcohol will not be displeasing to God. I say that because by passing a resolution that would not allow Paul, Timothy, or Jesus Himself to be a trustee–i think we have went too far. But enough on that. I am back and happy to be back…now i must draw deeper from the wells of grace and preach the gospel boldly.

MO Baptist Convention Annual Meeting

Mike Leake

On Monday at noon until Wednesday at 4:00-ish I will be attending the Missouri Baptist Convention annual meeting held at Tan-Tar-A. Therefore, the post to the website might be a little slow. However, keep checking back. If I have internet access and find the time then I will try to still make posts. But if not I look forward to seeing all of our students on Wednesday night–do not forget to be a super hero or villan.