Month: January 2023

In the summer 1991 I read the biography of Dawson Trotman, the founder of the Navigators and a man of intense and effective spiritual discipline. Later, in the fall of 1992, I read the book Holiness by J.C. Ryle which was given to me as a gift by a man named Mike Edmunds, one of the elders of the church where I was working as a youth pastor. As I read Holiness, while still under the influence of the Trotman biography, I was completely overcome by the fact that there was only one thing keeping me from being a more godly man on more deeply intimate terms with my Savior. Me! Or more specifically, my sinful lack of spiritual discipline. The question in my mind wasn’t how I could look more spiritual or add more rules to my life. The issue was how much did I want to delight the heart of my Savior and bring glory to my heavenly Father – by deepening in my knowledge of, pursuit of, and satisfaction in, Him. And what was I willing to give up in order to gain it.

Since we are all called to glorify God by conforming to His image, building His church, and leading our families (or others) in a God-honoring fashion, we must learn the duty and delight of spiritual discipline. In order for this to happen we must find greater delight in bringing God glory and doing what is best for others, than in satisfying our carnal nature. No man consistently disciplines himself unless it is for something that brings him great pleasure. Thus, only the Spirit-filled man or woman can be truly disciplined, for only he can delight in spiritual things.

Spiritual discipline is the practical side of the call to discipleship – to deny yourself, take up your cross and follow Jesus. Effective denial requires intense discipline.

The thesis of this series of posts is:

The command by God to be spiritually disciplined is fundamentally a call to do the hard work of delighting ourselves in Him in greatest measure and thus impact the eternal destiny of all whom God has placed in our sphere of influence.

Discipline is a duty and delight which results in effective service

A.    The Foundation of Spiritual Discipline

First, lets consider the foundation of spiritual discipline laid by the apostle Paul in 1 Timothy 4:7-8:

But have nothing to do with worldly fables fit only for old women. On the other hand, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness; for bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.

Paul authoritatively states the call for discipline, as a command, not a suggestion. The Greek word , translated “discipline” is gymnazo and carries the connotation of rigorous training to the the point of exhaustion. It was often used for the regimen undergone by athletes preparing for the Olympics and indicates intense effort for a carefully considered goal.

Spiritual Discipline Thwarts “Old Wives Tales.”

One of the primary benefits of spiritual disciple, as commanded by Paul, is that it enables the Christian to supplant the “worldly fables” of the world. These “old wives tales” consist of everything the world believes about life, meaning, purpose, and value. These beliefs are all tainted with the effects of sin on the hearts of the men who base their lives upon them. Myths such as: man is inherently good; you can determine your own reality; you can only be fulfilled if you follow your own dreams and desire; there is no God; changing your circumstances will make you happy; and many, many more. In fact, every one of the worlds religions and “anti-religions” amount to nothing more than foolish vanity.

Spiritual Discipline is for the purpose of godliness

There is only one thing standing between us and the depth of intimacy with Christ – ourselves. Paul urges Timothy to focus his efforts on vigorous training for genuine godliness. John MacArthur defines godliness as: the right attitude and response toward the true Creator God; a preoccupation from the heart with holy and sacred realities. It is respect for what is due to God, and is thus the highest of all virtues. Oswald Sanders states, “Without this essential quality, all other gifts remain as dwarfs:  they cannot grow.  So discipline appears first on our list.  Before we can conquer the world, we must first conquer self.”

Spiritual Discipline is a fruit of the Spirit

Spiritual discipline, however, is just that, spiritual. It is not the effort of the “type A” personality driven to dominate others by the force of his will. True discipline has nothing to do with personality. The discipline that results is godliness is a fruit of the Spirit.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Ga 5:22-23

This means that in order to be spiritually disciplined, a person must be regenerated by the Spirit of God, indwelt by the Spirit of God (facts that are true of every believer), but also increasingly filled with (i.e. controlled by) the Spirit as Paul commands in Ephesians 5:8.

Spiritual Discipline is an Eternal Benefit

The beauty of Spirit produced discipline is that, unlike bodily discipline, which only produces earthly benefits, spiritual discipline produces godliness – which is profitable both for this life and the life to come. It is literally beneficial for “all things,” that is, no part of our life, both now and in eternity, is left unimproved by the exercise of spiritual discipline.

In this present world, godliness brings effective service, joy, hope, peaceful relationships, and a host of other benefits; while at the same time preparing us for eternity spent with Christ by storing up reward in heaven. Later in this same epistle, Paul challenges Timothy to instruct the “rich” (a title applicable to nearly every American Christian):

 . . . to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed. (1 Timothy 6:18-19 – emphasis added )

Once the foundation of Spiritual discipline is understood, we must practice the spiritual disciplines with wisdom and diligence. More on that in tomorrow’s blog. For today, my primary exhortation is to carefully consider the benefits of discipline, not just its difficulties, and then begin to humbly seek the Lord for a deeper desire and greater motivation to pursue the godliness which enables us to bring Him glory now, and fits us for heaven later!

Bible reading, Bible study, Bible memorization, and Bible sermons are the best ways to deepen your knowledge of Scripture. However, the next step is to read books which will explain and apply Biblical principles in powerful, winsome, and enduring ways. My prayer is that you will make it your ambition to read “just a bit more” in 2023. For some that may mean reading one book this year, for others one book a month or week! Regardless, the benefit of reading can hardly be overstated. You would do well to turn off Netflix, wait to download the next video game, even silence your music for a little while, and indulge in a few good Christian books.

To that end, I have a few suggestions! Below are a list of books that I have compiled over the years – broken up, vaguely, into various categories to help direct your attention to areas of interest. This is certainly not a comprehensive list, but these are some of the best books I have read in these different areas and I pray that they will be of benefit and blessing to you. I you have questions or other suggestions, please feel free to email me at the church and I will respond as I can!

Chris’ Book List

If I could pick ten books for you to read in your lifetime they would be:

1. Holiness – J.C. Ryle
2. Mortification of Sin – John Owen
3. Knowing God – J.I. Packer
4. The Holiness of God – R.C. Sproul
5. The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment – Jeremiah Burroughs
6. George Whitefield – Arnold Dallimore (2 Volume Set)
7. Trusting God – Jerry Bridges
8. The Joy of Fearing God – Jerry Bridges
9. Spiritual Disciplines – Don Whitney
10. Don’t Waste Your Life – John Piper

General Book List

B. Christian Living

1. Holiness – J.C. Ryle
2. Knowing God – J.I. Packer
3. Trusting God – Jerry Bridges
4. The Joy of Fearing God – Jerry Bridges
5. The Pursuit of Holiness – Jerry Bridges
6. The Hole in our Holiness – Kevin DeYoung
7. Respectable Sins – Jerry Bridges
8. Spiritual Disciplines – Donald Whitney
9. Habits of Grace – David Mathis
10. Killing Sin Habits – Stuart Scott
11. The Screwtape Letters – C.S. Lewis
12. Desiring God – John Piper
13. Don’t Waste Your Life – John Piper
14. Pleasing People – Lou Priolo
15. Spiritual Leadership – Oswald Sanders
16. The Enemy Within – Kris Lungaard
17. Idols of the Heart – Elyse Fitzpatrick
18. When People are Big and God is Small – Ed Welch
19. The Gospel Primer – Milton Vincent
20. The Treasure Principle (Money/Finances) – Randy Alcorn
21. Humility – True Greatness – C.J. Maheny
22. Prayer
    a) Alone with God – MacArthur
    b) A Call to Spiritual Reformation (Prayer) – D.A. Carson
    c) A Call to Prayer – J.C. Ryle
23. Decision Making
    a) Decisions, Decisions – Dave Swavely
    b) Just Do Something – Kevin DeYoung
    c) Is That You God – Gary Gilley
24. Purity
    a) The Purity Principle – Randy Alcorn
    b) Finally Free – Heath Lambert
    c) From Passion to Purity – Elizabeth Elliott
25. Marriage
    a) Not Yet Married – Marshall Segal
    b) I Still Do – Dave Harvey
    c) What Did You Expect – Paul Tripp
    d) Sex and the Supremacy of Christ – John Piper
26. Parenting
    a) Instructing a Child’s Heart – Paul Tripp
    b) Shepherding a Child’s Heart – Ted Tripp
    c) Gospel Powered Parenting – William Farley
    d) Age of Opportunity (Teens) – Paul Tripp
    e) The Heart of Anger – Lou Priolo
    f) Growing Up Christian – Karl Graustein
27. Discipling Your Teens
    *Contains repeats from above lists
    a) Growing up Christian – Karl Graustein
    b) The Enemy Within – Kris Lungaard
    c) The Purity Principle – Randy Alcorn
    d) The Treasure Principle – Randy Alcorn
    e) Thoughts for Young Men – J.C. Ryle
    f) The Masuline Mandate – Richard Philips
    C. Church Ministry
28. Instruments in the Redeemer’s Hand – Paul Tripp
29. The Peacemaker – Ken Sande
30. The Master’s Plan for the Church – MacArthur
31. Why We Love the Church – Kevin DeYoung
32. Nine Marks of a Healthy Church – Mark Dever
33. Let the Nations be Glad (Missions) – John Piper

D. Men’s/Women’s

1. The Masculine Mandate – Richard Philips
2. Thoughts for Young Men – J.C. Ryle
3. The Exemplary Husband – Stuart Scott
4. The Complete Husband – Lou Priolo
5. A Woman After God’s Own Heart – Elizabeth George
6. The Excellent Wife – Martha Peace

E. Knowing the Gospel

1. What is the Gospel – Greg Gilbert
2. The Gospel According to Jesus – MacArthur
3. The Cross of Christ – Stott
4. Mere Christianity – C.S. Lewis

F. Dealing With Culture

1. Not Ashamed of the Gospel – John MacArthur
2. The Vanishing Conscience – John MacArthur
3. Why We are Not Emergent – Kevin DeYoung
4. What is the Mission of the Church – Kevin DeYoung
5. The Secret Thoughts of an Unlikely Convert (Homosexuality) – Rosaria Butterfield
6. What Does the Bible Really Teach About Homosexuality – Kevin DeYoung
7. Christianity and Wokeness – Owen Strachan
8. Why Social Justice is Not Biblical Justice – Scott David Allen

G. Theological Topics

1. The Holiness of God – R.C. Sproul
2. The God Who Loves – MacArthur
3. The Freedom and Power of Forgiveness – MacArthur
4. What’s So Great About the Doctrines of Grace – Richard Philips
5. The Battle for the Beginning – John MacArthur
6. The Difficult Doctrine of the Love of God – D.A. Carson
7. Evangelicalism Divided – Ian Murray
8. Delighting in the Trinity – Michael Reeves
9. Taking God at His Word – Kevin DeYoung
10. The God Who Justifies – James White
11. Satisfied by the Spirit – Thomas Edgar
12. Sinners in the Hands of a Good God (Calvinism) – David Clotfelter

H. Theological Study

1. Systematic Theology – John MacArthur
2. Systematic Theology – Wayne Grudem
3. Calvin’s Institutes – John Calvin
4. The Existence and Attributes of God – Charnock

I. Classic/Puritan

1. Pilgrims Progress – Bunyan
2. The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment – Jeremiah Burroughs
3. Mortification of Sin – John Owen
4. The Glory of Christ – John Owen
5. The Doctrine of Repentance – Thomas Watson
6. A Treatise on Earthly-Mindedness – Jeremiah Burroughs
7. The Life if God in the Soul of Man – Henry Scougal
8. The Rent Veil – Horatius Bonar
9. The Mystery of Providence – John Flavel
10. The Godly Man’s Picture – Thomas Watson
11. An Alarm to the Unconverted – Joseph Alleine

J. Church History

1. Evangelicalism Divided – Ian Murray
2. The Unquenchable Flame (Reformation) – Michael Reeves
3. Church History in Plain Language – Bruce Shelley

K. Apologetics

1. Nothing But the Truth – Brian Edwards
2. Apologetics to the Glory of God – John Frame
3. Total Truth – Nancy Pearcy
4. Finding Truth – Nancy Pearcy
5. Tactics – Greg Koukl

L. Bible Study

1. Living By the Book – Howard Hendricks
2. Knowing Scripture – R.C. Sproul
3. How to Get the Most from God’s Word – MacArthur
4. How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth – Fee and Stuart

M. Christian Philosophy

1. Francis Schaeffer
   a) The God Who is There
   b) Escape From Reason
   c) He is There and He Is Not Silent
2. C.S. Lewis
   a) Mere Christianity
   b) The Great Divorce
   c) The Problem of Pain
   d) The Abolition of Man
3. David Wells
   a) God in the Wasteland
   b) Losing Our Virtue
   c) Above all Earthly Powers
4. When Choice Becomes God – F. Lagard Smith

N. Biography

1. Athanasius of Alexandria – Peter Barnes
2. Augustine of Hippo – Peter Brown
3. Martin Luther – Roland Bainton or Eric Metaxas
4. John Calvin – Alister McGrath
5. William Tyndale – David Daniel
6. John Bunyan – Faith Cook
7. Jonathan Edwards – George Marsden
8. George Whitfield – Arnold Dallimore (2 Volumes)
9. John Wesley – Ian Murray
10. Spurgeon – Arnold Dallimore or Lewis Drummond
11. Susie (Spurgeon’s Wife) – Ray Rhodes
12. William Wilberforce – Eric Metaxas
13. J.C. Ryle – Ian Murray
14. Amy Carmichael – Ian Murray
15. William Carey – S. Pearce Carey
16. Hudson Taylor – Vance Christie
17. George Mueller – A.T. Pierson
18. Dietrich Bonhoeffer – Eric Metaxas
19. David Brainerd – Life and Diary of David Brainerd – Jonathan Edwards
20. Adoniram Judson – To the Golden Shore – Courtney Anderson
21. C.S. Lewis – Surprised by Joy – C.S. Lewis
22. C.S. Lewis – A Life Observed – Devin Brown
23. Jim Elliott – Through Gates of Splendor – Elizabeth Elliott
24. Martin Lloyd-Jones – Ian Murray (2 Volumes)
25. Eric Liddell – Pure Gold – David McCasland
26. Eric Liddell – For the Glory – Duncan Hamilton
27. Agape Leadership – Life of R.C. Chapman – Alexander Strauch
28. R.C. Sproul – Stephen J. Nichols

What better way to begin 2023 then by asking a question, the most important question of your life – “who do you worship?” There are really only two answers – either you worship the King of Kings and Lord of Lords – the Creator God of Universe who sent His Son to die for our sins – or you worship yourself. There are no other options. Every other so-called god, idol, religion, or worldly pursuit is simply a manifestation of your desire to please yourself.

Thus, the greatest need in this new year is not political stability, economic security, or even family harmony, as encouraging as those things would be. No, our greatest need is to stop worshipping ourselves and, instead, worship the King of Kings whose birth we have just finished celebrating.

The key idea of this post then is that Jesus is the King of Kings whose worship is the wisest use of our lives and must be our consuming focus in this new year, and for all eternity. In fact, to understand life is to worship Jesus

To briefly explore this essential theme of worship, I will use the outline of the message I had the privilege of preaching on Christmas morning – to my joyful, yet slightly distracted congregation! We will fly over the text of Matthew 1:1-12, and the story of the Magi, to see that worship takes commitment, worship takes perseverance, worship brings opposition, worship inspires passion, and worship requires sacrifice.

A.   Worship Takes Commitment

The Magi made a journey, most likely over 900 miles, to pursue their commitment to worship at the feet of Jesus. These wise men were not kings (although from Orient, they were), but more likely were astronomers (okay, astrologers, but they did study the heavenly bodies) and intellectuals from Persia or Babylon. There were almost certainly more than three of them, probably a large company, most likely with many soldiers to offer protection for the valuable treasures they carried. Also, they arrived after Jesus was born – in the days of Herod the King, so you will need to remove them from your manger scene. Finally, the fact that they showed up in Jerusalem and not Bethlehem indicates that the “star” did not lead them during the journey.

Despite all these myth-busting realities, what an amazing event it must have been for these foreigners to arrive in a search of the King of the Jews – in the very city where the current (but completely phony) King of the Jews had his palace.

Of all people, these wise men seemingly had the least reason to be committed to worshipping Jesus. They were not part of God’s chosen ethnic people, did not live in Israel, and did not have access to the OT Scriptures (as evidenced by their confusion as to where the King would be born). Yet, as J.C. Ryle states in his commentary on Matthew:

These verses show us that there may be true servants of God in places where we should not expect to find them. The Lord Jesus has many “hidden ones,” like these wise men. Their story on earth may be as little known as that of Melchizedek, Jethro and Job. But their names are in the book of life, and they will be found with Christ on the day of his appearing. It is well to remember this. We must not look round the earth and say hastily, “All is barren.” The grace of God is not tied to places and families. The Holy Spirit can lead souls to Christ without the help of any outward means. Men may be born in dark places of the earth, like these wise men, and yet like them be made “wise for salvation.

What kind of commitment to worship will you carry out this year? We don’t have to travel to a temple or a city to worship. Will we take advantage of our open access to the throne room of our King? Even our corporate worship doesn’t require us to travel very far – certainly not from “the east” (although my precious congregation members from Sevierville, La Follette, etc. might feel like they have come from “afar”). Will we commit to worship individually and corporately this year?

B.   Worship Takes Perseverance

When the magi arrived in Jerusalem, they were most likely puzzled not to find the city in an uproar over their new king!  However, they did not give up, but began a search of the city, asking for information concerning this new King of the Jews. There was no doubt in their minds that a king had been born – after all, “they had seen His star in the east,” but nobody seemed to know what they were talking about.

More important than their desire to find this new King, however, was their stated reason for traveling nearly 1000 dangerous and wearying miles – “We have come to worship Him.” The magi were adamant about their purpose.  They were worshippers, desperately seeking the object of their worship! What is striking is the detail that Matthew leaves out in order to emphasize this one phrase. We know nothing about the magi’s appearance, numbers, background, or specific personalities – but we do know that they were intent on worship. And not just the worship of an earthly king. The text makes clear that they were seeking the Messiah, the true God-King. In fact, there is no object or person in this universe that is worthy of the word “worship”. We use it metaphorically for earthly trivialities, but only God should be, and must be, worshipped. Humility, thankfulness, obedience, can all be exercised toward another human being, but not worship!

The only thing of true importance about the Magi is that they desired to worship Jesus. This is the only thing of true importance in the world. Do we want to be known for other things (our skills, power, achievements) – or do we want to be known for the fact that we worshipped Jesus? And will we persevere in the pursuit of this worship – even as the Magi did? Or will we be easily distracted by the trial and temptations that 2023 will surely bring. Again Ryle is instructive:

It would be well for all professing Christians if they were more ready to follow the example of these good men. Where is our self-denial? What pains do we take about means of grace? What diligence do we show about following Christ? What does our religion cost us? These are serious questions. They deserve serious consideration. The truly “wise,” it may be feared, are very few.

C.   Worship Brings Opposition

Instead of joy and worship, the magi’s question brought confusion and fear. The text tells us that Herod was “troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.” Herod feared the rise of a new king and the people most likely feared the response of Herod.

What is fascinating here is that Herod clearly saw the quest of the Magi as a search for the Messiah, not some purely political usurper to the throne. In response to the news he heard of the Magi’s question about a king (he has not yet talked to the Magi themselves), he gathered his own “wise men” (chief priests and scribes) and asked them where the “Messiah” was to be born. He knew enough about Judiasm to know a Messiah was predicted, but not enough to know the clear prediction of His birthplace.

Equally fascinating is the complete indifference of the Israelite “magi” who immediately knew the answer to the question (“in Bethlehem of Judea” – of course!), but indicate zero desire to go and worship Him. We know from the rest of the Biblical narrative that this initial indifference soon gave way to open hostility, opposition, and eventually murder. Indifference towards God will always turn into hatred if it does not turn into true belief. Ryle insightfully notes:

How often the very people who live nearest to the means of grace are those who neglect them most! There is only too much truth in the old proverb, “The nearer the church the farther from God.” Familiarity with sacred things has an awful tendency to make men despise them. There are many who, from residence and convenience, ought to be first and foremost in the worship of God, and yet are always last. There are many who might well be expected to be last, who are always first.

Certainly, both Herod and the chief priests and scribes were far more interested in keeping their power than saving their souls. Herod is already planning to kill this perceived usurper as he questions the Magi about the exact time of the star’s appearance and feigns piety by asking them to return with news of the new king’s whereabouts. But what about us?  Are we troubled when we hear that Jesus is the King!? Are we willing to face the opposition that will certainly come when we pursue the worship of Jesus? True worship of God will always bring opposition from those who do not understand Him and from those who hate him as a threat to their rule of their own life.

D.   Worship Inspires Passion

This was no indifferent, intellectual pursuit for the magi. After leaving for Bethlehem the “star” reappeared and led them to the child’s house, they “rejoiced exceedingly with great joy”. Their passion had been ignited and their desire was about to be fulfilled. The text piles superlative upon superlative in order to communicate the overwhelming joy experienced by the magi in the success of their expedition. No passionless side quest from some boring video game was this. They understood that they were near the end of their quest and this caused them great joy – the privilege of worshipping the King of kings. They were being Divinely guided to their much longed for desire!

The question comes to us in this new year. How passionate are we about Jesus – the object of our supreme affection? One whom we do not travel to visit in a house made with hands, but who dwells with us, meets with us, empowers us, and rises like the morning star in our hearts.

E.   Worship Requires Sacrifice

The magi had traveled far to come to Bethlehem and brought gifts of great earthly value.  Yet the expenditure of energy and resources paled in comparison to the surrender of their intellect, will, and affections. The text culminates with the magi’s entrance into the house to find the Child with Mary and they fall to the ground and worship Him. This is the response of true faith, not earthly obeisance. Ryle agrees:

These wise men believed in Christ when they had never seen him; but that was not all. They believed in him when the scribes and Pharisees were unbelieving; but that again was not all. They believed in him when they saw him as a little infant on Mary’s knees, and worshiped him as a King. This was the crowning point of their faith. They saw no miracles to convince them. They heard no teaching to persuade them. They saw no signs of divinity and greatness to overawe them. They saw nothing but a newborn infant, helpless and weak, and needing a mother’s care like any of us. And yet when they saw that infant, they believed that they saw the divine Saviour of the world! “They bowed down and worshiped him”

Faith is the greatest sacrifice of all. Far from being mere mental assent to the reality of Christ’s person and work, faith is to set aside the all-consuming worship of ourselves, repent of our sin and worship the true King with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. No man truly worships Jesus unless he “denies himself, takes up his cross, and follows” (Luke 9:23).

This is completely stunning of course. The shepherds did not worship, Herod did not worship, and the chief priests and scribes did not worship. Total foreigners, Gentiles from a strange land and culture, are first to bend the knee. and Jews are the first to try to destroy Him.

Dignitaries from a foreign land come to worship Him, while the monarch of His own land tries to kill Him. This humble worship marks these magi as the shrewdest of men for it is the wisest action in the world to fall on our knees in worship of the King of Kings. In fact, they were not truly wise men until they prostrated themselves before the King of Kings.  Their humility demonstrated the depth of their wisdom – a wisdom that can come only from God.

Certainly, before returning to their land (by a different route as commanded by the Sovereign God who thwarts the plans of foolish kings), the Magi provided costly gifts to their newfound King. However, the gifts only serve to put an accent on the presentation of their bodies as living sacrifices to their Monarch.

So the question confronts us in this new year. Are we willing to stop worshipping ourselves? To lay down our pride and ego, our security and treasure, our dreams and plans – in order to join the Magi of long ago in worship of Jesus the Messiah? It is the wisest decision you could ever make.

Ro 12:1-2 Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.