God is so pure, he cannot even look on sin or tolerate it in his presence (Hab.1:13). So, we need holiness to see God (Heb.12:14). We need holiness to relate to God.

This call to holiness can be seen in Old Testament worship. When you came to the tabernacle or the temple to worship and saw the priest, you would have seen, emblazoned on the gold band which encircled his forehead the Hebrew words, qodesh l’yahovah. The words, translated from Hebrew mean, “Holiness unto the Lord.” You couldn’t really escape this pervasive message in tabernacle worship. God was Holy – and you weren’t.

Even the temple furniture communicated God’s holiness. For instance, there was an enormous basin in the tabernacle courtyard which was used for the washing (2 Chr.4:1ff). Why was it there? Well it was there partly because there were washings required so that worshippers would be ceremonially clean to participate in the particular act of worship that they were supposed to undertake. The worshipper washed, the sacrifice was sometimes washed, and the priest washed (2 Chr.4:6). The message was incessant…God is holy, you are not, God has a standard of holiness, and you must meet that standard if you hope to have his worship accepted of you.

The problem as every Jew knew was that holiness did not last. If you touched something unclean, then you became unclean (Lev.5:2). Men or women. But women felt this more acutely. According to v.19ff Menstruating women were considered unclean. Men who touched menstruating women were considered unclean. Objects that menstruating women sat on were considered unclean. You see, unholiness, uncleanness and impurity always flowed out in the Old Testament.

This is why people took such care in the New Testament too. Remember the story of the Good Samaritan? Why did the Priest and the Levite pass by the man who was beaten on the other side of the road? Because you couldn’t touch someone who was a bloody mess and still be clean. What if he was dead? Defilement that came from touching a dead body would last for days. No priest would risk that. So, rather than be defiled so that they were rendered unholy for worship, they simply passed by.

And so holiness was always something you needed but didn’t have. It was a constant challenge and a struggle to stay clean and pure – to maintain holiness. Especially considering that ungodliness, uncleanness flows out from the unclean and stains everyone who comes in contact with it.

But with Jesus, all this changes. How does it change? Consider the woman in Luke 8. In v.43 we are introduced to her. She has an issue of blood. This meant one thing. For 12 years this woman has been unclean. Unholy. Unable to come to God. She knows this and she has spared no expense in trying to find a diagnosis and cure. The doctors have bankrupted her. She is desperate. Since she is unclean she carefully comes and sees to it that she has a chance just to touch him. And what happens? Well, we should expect – every Jew would have expected it – that now Jesus is made unclean. But that’s not what happens is it? Virtue goes out from Jesus. Because Jesus makes what is impure pure. Jesus makes what is unacceptable to God acceptable to God. Holiness flows out from Jesus.

Who cares, you ask? Well you should. You need holiness to see God. In your sinful fallen state you need cleansing so you can stand before God. How can you possibly get that? You aren’t holy enough to come to God. You aren’t holy enough to have God look on you with favour, but there is one who is. It’s Jesus. He gave himself for you, so that you can be made clean. The stain of your sin which renders you unholy and unfit to meet with God can be cleansed by Christ and you can be declared righteous! (Rom.3:22ff; 1 Peter 2:5). So, come and accept him and be cleansed. His purity flows out, sweeping away the unholiness that is true of you and allowing you to stand – as a result of his holiness in the presence of God.

There, I said it. Admitting you have a problem is the first step in solving it. So, I admitted that I crave the approval of people too much.

This adduction has cause me to respond in unhealthy ways to the news that someone wants to meet with me. You know how it works. Someone casually walks over to you and tells you they would like to get together to talk; or they would like to meet to discuss concerns they have. Suddenly your stomach tightens. You feel lightheaded. Your mind begins racing through anything you possibly could have done to make this person upset with you.

If you’re like me, you immediately begin imagining apocalyptic scenarios where rumours about you spread and the church empties of people within a week. You do a mental run through on every conversation you had in the past month.  You agonize over every possible conversational blunder you might have made in the past month. In extreme cases, your hands get clammy. Your antiperspirant stops working. You want to go hide.

And yet, you know you can’t. You know that conversations in the past have all ended well. You have a track record of working through problems and dealing fairly with people. Even when those difficult conversations happen, you have found that in the past they have not been as bad as you thought they might be. And yet…you fret. Maybe I’m the only one this ever happens to, but I don’t think so.

Now, in the midst of my struggle with approval addiction, insert the passage found in Matthew 12:10 (and the few verses that follow it). Jesus is at the synagogue. It is the synagogue, according to Matthew 12:9 where some of the Pharisees that had dogged him earlier in the passage attended each Sabbath day. Jesus went to the place where those who opposed him were. Wow. I would have avoided their synagogue. Not Jesus. He never passes up an opportunity to teach and do well. So, Jesus goes. We learn that there is also in that congregation a man with a withered hand. Don’t know what that means exactly, but this man had some kind of physical deformity in one of his hands that was noticeable to everyone. The Pharisees know it and ask Jesus if it lawful to heal on the Sabbath.

Now, this is the “I need to meet with you” statement for me. The Pharisees are ill intentioned, and so they ask Jesus if it is lawful to heal on the Sabbath. Their beady, self righteous glares are designed to make Jesus feel uncomfortable. Doesn’t he know that he will be departing with established religious traditions? Doesn’t he know that he will be trampling underfoot years of careful scrutiny? Doesn’t he know that there is a danger he will be circumventing his father’s law? The Pharisees look condescendingly at Jesus. A little smugness, I suspect, sneaks into their posture. They dare him to challenge them. At this point, I freely admit, I would have been paralyzed with fear. My courage would have withered. Face with so much disapproval, my own response would be to say something humorous to diffuse the tension and then look for the nearest exit. After making a couple of statements that would set the pahrisees to thinking (verses 11-12), Jesus calls the man with the withered hand to hold it out (see verse 13), which he does and it is healed.

In the presence of possible disapproval, Jesus did what was right. He did not cave to pressure. He did not turn and run. He did not go and hide. He did not refuse to do good because he feared the disapproval of others. He healed despite the pressure to do otherwise. With all his detractors standing there, Jesus does the right thing.

I have to tell you, this story amazes me. It humbles me. It encourages me. It challenges me.

So if you have ever struggled with approval addiction, why not pray with me today…

God, help me to love you more then I love myself. Give me the grace I need to move towards people, whatever their issues. Guard my heart with truth, protect my mind with peace and lead me in the path – to the situations – where you can show yourself mighty through me. Teach me to love you supremely. Teach me through the example of Jesus, and by your Spirit change me.

In His name

Amen.

Laying Hands on Pastor Joel Eastwood

I participated in an ordination service for Pastor Joel Eastwood on Sunday night, Nov.13th. I am posting an edited version of the sermon I preached for that occasion. Congratulations to Joel on his ordination!

The nation of Judah, the southern kingdom, was a mess. In 686 BC, King Hezekiah had died. He was a godly king. In fact, because of his repentance, he was granted an extra 15 years of life during which he prospered greatly. But, in 686 BC he died and his son Manasseh ascended the throne. Hezekiah’s son Manasseh did not follow in his father’s footsteps. His rule was marked by vice and wickedness. He was a scourge, a blight on the good name of his father. Manasseh ruled the nation of Judah for 55 years – the longest reign of any of the Judean kings. 2 Chron.33:1-9 is a good place to find a summary of this reign.

Now, Manasseh had a son, and although he became the king, Amon was no better than Manasseh. The chronicler actually tells us in 2 Chronicles 33:20-23 that Amon was as bad if not worse than his father. He was so bad, that after 2 brutal years his own servants assassinated him.

In 640 BC, however things improve. A full 57 years after the death of his great grandfather, the young Josiah becomes the king of Judah. Josiah was a great king. In 2 Chron.34:1 we read that although he was only 8 when he started to reign, his reign began well. When he was 16 he sought after God (v.3). When he was 20, he began a national campaign to stamp out idolatry (2 Chron.34:3). But, this isn’t the only good thing Josiah does. Breaking down the high places and the private places of worship that had sprung up was just the beginning for Josiah. When he was in the 18th year of his reign, at age 26, he began a renovation of the temple. Manasseh, the wicked king had used the temple as a shrine for worshipping the heavens, and it needed to be repaired. And so the stimulus money was announced and work on the temple began. Stones were cut, flooring was laid (v.11). As workmen are scurrying about preparing the building, Hilkiah, a priest in the temple makes a remarkable discovery. He finds a copy of the law. I often wonder what it might have looked like. Was it covered in dust bunnies, as though it had lain behind the fridge for years? Was it frayed on the edges? Had it been nibbled on by the temple mice?

Hilkiah the priest finds Shaphan the scribe and gives him the copy of the law. Then Shaphan, realizing the value of the document brings it to Josiah the king. Shaphan then proceeded to read it aloud to King Josiah. But Josiah was not only going to hear the words of the Law, he was determined to keep them. After finding a prophetess to inform them what God would do to the people for not obeying the law, a prophecy announced in 2 Chron.34:24-26 we learn that Josiah will be spared the misery of watching this judgement.

How is it that Josiah secures the blessing of God on his life? Well, v.27 provides the answer to that question. Because Josiah’s heart was tender before the Lord. Because Josiah’s heart was – notice – humble. When Josiah heard God’s law – he was humbled.

Now, this is not a coronation, but an ordination. Joel is not a king, and last time I checked, we are in Lepreau, not in Judah. But there is a disposition which Josiah displays that transcend location, time, place and circumstance. Isaiah 57:15 says that God dwells with those who are of a humble and contrite heart. Joel, if I could tell you one thing tonight as you are about to be ordained to the gospel ministry, I would tell you this. Learn the lesson of humility. Pride is a canker. It will fester in your heart and spoil your ministry for the Lord more completely than anything else. You may become one of the greatest preachers in all the land. You may be possessed of a brilliant and keen intellect – and I think you are. You may amaze people with your insight and dazzle them with your wit. You may have people clamour for your advice. But that will all be burned up if it is done in pride and for self glory.

If you long to have a ministry among people that bears eternal fruit, you must learn the lessons of humility. You have a great teacher, for Jesus humbled himself (Phil.2). Jesus humbled himself and became obedient unto death. Learn that lesson. Don’t forget it. Bind it to your mind and heart. Nothing will ruin your ministry faster than a heart of pride. Pride is like a wildfire. It consumes everything in its path.

A ministry which is characterized by pride will result in ashes. No one wants to stand before Jesus with a fistful of ashes to offer as the fruit of your life.

Just because you are a pastor you will not be immune to the temptation of pride. In fact, 1 Peter 5, which is written to elders says this, (1 Peter 5:1-3; 5-6). Joel, pride will be the greatest threat to your ministry. Many people have fallen because of it.

What makes a great king – humility according to Josiah’s life. What will make a great pastor? Well, I’m a big fan of education – but it won’t be education that makes you a great pastor. I am glad to see you pursue and finally be ordained. But ordination doesn’t make you a great pastor. I’m glad you are loving pastor and I am glad to see that you have built and are building relationships in this community, but it won’t be relationships that will make you a great pastor. It will be humility. Because if you will humble yourself, then God will exalt you in due time!

Humility, I might add is not only for the pastor, but also for the congregation (v.5). That means that you must approach your pastor in humility. God resists those who are proud. But together, humbly moving toward each other and humbly moving toward your God will be able to accomplish much to the glory of God – because you will not be seeking your own glory.

We start with Gideon. In Judges 6 Gideon is supposed to go to war against an invading army, yet he is so scared he is hiding out while he threshes wheat. Most people have never heard of Barak – other than he won a great military victory – but Barak didn’t get the glory of defeating the commander Sisera – Deborah did that. And so Barak remains overshadowed by a woman in Judges 4, where his story is found. Speaking of women – the next character to appear is Samson. Samson is really just a playboy. Samson loves the ladies (and not the nice ones either). If only he had just dated someone from the youth group he might have been okay, but he ends up in the lap of Delilah, spilling his guts about the secret of his strength

What about Jephthah? Most people don’t know about Jephthah, but he was a judge in OT Israel. In Judges 11 Jephthah is introduced. Jephthah was illegitimate – born through the union of his father with a prostitute. Then, because of his background, he is kicked out of his family. Homeless and alone, Jephthah joins a gang in the land of Tob and makes a name for himself. When his family is in trouble, they come looking for his skills to help defend them. He agrees, but during the ensuing battle Jephthah makes a rash vow and his daughter ends up being murdered as a result. Jephthah is a man with a sketchy past and mouth that gets him into trouble. And you wondered if God could ever use you?

Whose next – David? Great leader, but don’t forget he’s a murderer and adulterer. As I look down through the list, I find that Samuel is about the only one who appears on the list about whom very few bad things are ever recorded. Oh, wait. In 1 Sam. 8:3 we learn that Samuel made his sons judges in Israel. And his sons were corrupt. Nobody likes a corrupt government official, even if their father is a good guy. Samuel’s kids were greedy, dishonest leeches on the public purse. Kind of puts Samuel in a bad light!

So here’s the tremendous encouragement to you. Yes you are a sinner, yes, you have failed God. But that doesn’t mean you can’t live by faith and walk by faith. It’s not as though we’re surrounded by a group of people who lived without problems, without trials and stresses, without sin! So, look to their example and ask; God, help me to live by faith despite my sin!

It seems like in this life, saying goodbye is one of those difficult tasks. There are tears, sighs, and memories. Life in fallen world is full of those realities and they seem to be more frequent than we would like. Thankfully, goodbye for the believer is never a permanent reality.

This is one of the great truths of the Christian’s life. Although separated by distance, or in the case of the Troester’s, by an ocean, the wonderful truth about God’s family is that when people are united in Christ, there is the hope of a future reunion. So while John and Abby have gone to PA, and Joel and Joan Troester have gone to PA and eventually back to Mozambique, our separation is not permanent. Even if we never lay eyes on them again this side of heaven, we’ll have all eternity to visit together.

And so perhaps better than goodbye, we should say, “see you later.”

Looking forward to the sessions tomorrow, and looking forward to a good night of sleep.

Good night from Louisville, KY

Pastor Herb

This is great news. If change happens in the ordinary moments, then I can give up the expectation and longing I have for some “aha!” moment when everything will suddenly be made better. As I meditate on and practice the truth, then I will see his grace shaping me each day in my interactions with my spouse.

I am prone to negative reactions to my spouse when I feel unloved. But, the problem with my perspective is that I am defining love by constructing a definition out of my experiences of love. Usually this means that if I received love in a way that connected with me, I look for love to be delivered to me that way. When my spouse doesn’t deliver love the way I expect then watch out! For example, I may believe that love is expressed by hearing my wife say positive things about me. If she doesn’t say those things I become sullen and withdrawn. The answer to this problem, however is not to sit my wife down and tell her I need more affirmation. The fix to the problem is to define love as God defines it and Christ demonstrates it (1 John 4:7-10). When Jesus came showing true love – he wasn’t affirmed and praised – he was murdered. Jesus came showing the love of God, and people didn’t want his love. This reveals a deep human problem. We want love on our terms, not God’s. It’s the same way in marital relationships. I want love on my terms. But, God messes with my categories by introducing a love that goes beyond what I want to what I need.

Change occurs when I re-align my ideas of love with what the Bible says love is. This means I won’t fight with my spouse to get her to love me in the way I want to be loved, but rather it means that I will move toward my wife in ways that demonstrate the realities of true love – sacrifice and service.

If, by God’s grace, I can learn this lesson well, my marriage will be improved. Especially in ordinary moments!

Looking forward to tomorrow – we begin the day at 9:00am with a session entitled: Making Sense of Complex Problems, with Ed Welch. One of my favourite CCEF presenters!

Pastor Herb

So, as I was saying, we left Saint John around 9:00am and headed down to Bangor for a flight that was supposed to take us to New York City, Atlanta and then Louisville. Our passage through security was relatively easy, except the security guard gave me grief for not having my liquids and gels from my shaving kit in a ½ gallon Ziploc baggie. I think she was just having a bad day though, because she gave Joel a tongue lashing for having his in 1 gallon bag!

We no sooner arrived at our gate when the flight attendant announced that he was looking for two volunteers to give up their seats. So Joel and I stepped forward to see what was involved. The flight attendant thanked us, gave us $400 in flight credits for anywhere Delta flies, and we were re-routed to Louisville through Detroit, Michigan a few hours later – but our flight would arrive in Louisville at almost the same time. As we were leaving the gate area, the flight attendant announced to the remaining passengers that they were grounded due to bad weather in NYC and might not get out for a couple of hours. Joel and I certainly felt blessed!

We finally made it to Louisville, at about 9:15pm, and waited for about 45 minutes for our shuttle to arrive to pick us up. By the way, it was colder in Louisville Kentucky than it was in Saint John. I wore shorts, because I figured we would end up in warmer weather. As I stood shivering on the sidewalk, I realized the foolishness of my decision! If you’re interested in checking it out online…we are staying at the Galt House in downtown Louisville.

This morning, I am heading to the pre-conference (the main conference starts on Friday). At the pre-conference, Tim Lane, author of Marriage Matters is going to be walking through his book and helping us understand how to use that book alongside the Bible as we counsel those struggling in marriage. I am looking forward to this, as a sinner saved by grace, not only so I can help others more effectively, but so my own marriage will be improved.

Pray for me…and may God be glorified in all of us today as we seek to do his will!

Pastor Herb

This verse has formed part of my meditations over the past few days. Partly because I am approaching this verse in the Hebrews series I am preaching through at church, partly because of things I have read recently and partly because of things I hear week in and week out as part of my counseling duties at church.

Shame and sin hang out together. They are like kissing cousins, if you’ll pardon the expression. They’re cluster sins. Find one, and the other is not far away. Shame, as defined by the dictionary is that painful feeling which comes from awareness that you have done something dishonorable. It’s the feeling that causes Adam and Eve to hide from God in the Garden of Eden. Shame causes you to move away from the relationship that you were intended to have with your creator. It is God, after all, whom you have dishonored by your sin. And so, shame keeps me from moving toward God when I need Him. It pushes me away from Him.

Shame also has a disastrous effect on people relationships. If I feel shame, I can’t look someone in the eye. When I have wronged someone by sinning against them, I often find my desire is to avoid them at any costs. The desire to avoid certain people toward whom you feel shame. Perhaps you have felt this way. Perhaps you have done this. Perhaps you are doing this.

Yet, even through shame causes me to move away from people, and away from God, the glory of the gospel is that Christ took my shame on himself on the cross. So, instead of me running from God, instead of me avoiding people, I can look to the cross of Jesus, see my shame exposed, and repent of my sin. And in the repentance, I find restoration. My relationship with God through Christ is renewed. The gospel gives me hope because I see that Christ bore my sin and shame, he despised it and exposed it, so that I don’t have to be ruled by it.

That’s good news. Because now when I fall, I can fall forward, into the arms of Jesus who is there to help. And into the arms of others, who love me, walk with me and challenge me to obey.

Pastor Herb