This, That, & the Other: 9/19-9/25/2021
An article to read
The Tech Industry’s War on Kids by Richard Freed
One of my good friends sent me this article the other day. It is a longer read, but I appreciate the article’s honest analysis of the tech industry’s use of psychology to create addicting social media platforms, video games, and advertising. This article is a must read for any parent since it is your kids who are most targeted by these efforts. I recommend using this article to jump start a family conversation about technology and it’s role in a Christian household.
A teaching to listen to
The Preaching Class by John Piper
This is a set of 10 teachings that recently came out. I appreciate Piper’s perspective on preaching and his book “Expository Exultation” is my second favorite preaching book after “Preaching and Preachers” by Lloyd-Jones. So you can imagine my excitement when these videos dropped. If you find yourself preaching or teaching at Church, take 10 minutes each day to work through these videos. Even if you disagree with Piper’s conclusions, it is a thought provoking study which will cause you to ask “what is preaching and how do I do it well to the glory of God?”
A quote to consider
Guard your thoughts, and there will be little fear about your actions.
J. C. Ryle
A product to buy
Essential Works of Charles Spurgeon
To say Spurgeon was a prolific writer is an understatement; the man wrote and preached like there was no tomorrow. Unless you want 50 volumes of Spurgeon’s works on your shelf, this single volume is an amazing resource. It contains an excellent sample of Spurgeon’s works including selected sermons & chunks of his autobiography. Unfortunately, it looks like the physical book is out of print, but if you can find the volume on eBay or purchase the eBook version, you will be blessed. Hands down the best single volume of Spurgeon’s works I have found.
A recipe to try
Ground Beef Mongolian Noodles
I always struggle to find good recipes with ground beef. Sure you can do hamburgers, tacos, or some sort of Chili-type dish, but I’m always on the hunt for novel recipes which feature ground beef. This recipe is one of my favorites. The sweet, savory, and spicy flavor combination of the noodles makes for a delicious dinner. The leftovers are amazing for work the next day, and most of the ingredients you already have in your pantry. Give this recipe a try when you find yourself with ground beef and you don’t want to have taco night again.
A question for reflection
Are you treating the Bible like a work of art that you admire or is it a mirror which shows you your need of Christ?
This question came to mind while talking with my sister. As someone who grew up in a Christian home, I was constantly exposed to the Bible’s truth. My parents raised me to accept the Bible is true, important, valuable and so on. But throughout my childhood, the Bible never impacted me or changed me or convicted me. Why is that? Because although I would verbally affirm the Bible is true and could explain clearly what the Gospel was, my heart was still not convicted by the truth or responsive to the truth.
See, if you treat the Bible like an art museum, you read the text and affirm it and maybe even admire it. But Scripture and the Gospel are not meant to merely be admired. It is only when Scripture becomes a mirror which shows you your sin and your need of Christ that the Bible begins truly changing you. This happened to me later on in high school: the Gospel was no longer a set of true statements, it was my only source of hope in the world.
As you read your Bible, don’t stop merely affirm it’s truth. That is good, but there is more to it than that. Ask that the Lord would use the text of Scripture to reveal the depths of your sin, the heights of His glory, the lengths to which Christ went to provide a way of salvation, and the eternity of the hope you have in Him.
A truth that is impacting me
And some began to spit on him and to cover his face and to strike him, saying to him, “Prophesy!” And the guards received him with blows.
And the soldiers led him away inside the palace (that is, the governor’s headquarters),[b] and they called together the whole battalion.[c] 17 And they clothed him in a purple cloak, and twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on him. 18 And they began to salute him, “Hail, King of the Jews!”
And those who passed by derided him, wagging their heads and saying, “Aha! You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, 30 save yourself, and come down from the cross!” 31 So also the chief priests with the scribes mocked him to one another, saying, “He saved others; he cannot save himself. 32 Let the Christ, the King of Israel, come down now from the cross that we may see and believe.” Those who were crucified with him also reviled him.
For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.
Mark 14:65, 15:16-18, 15:29-32, 1 Peter 2:21-24 ESV, emphasis added
I recently finished reading through the Gospel of Mark and the last few chapters really impacted me this time through. What stood out to me in particular is how everyone around Jesus mocked Him before and during His crucifixion. The religious leaders mocked Him, the Roman guards mocked Him, the people who witnessed His crucifixion mocked Him, and even those who were being crucified next to Jesus mocked Him.
Did Jesus deserve this ridicule? These insults? This humiliation? No, not in the slightest: He was bearing it to deliver His people from their sins. Think about the times in your life you have been made fun of. Personally, when I feel mocked, I get angry very quickly and immediately want to retaliate. Yet Jesus, when He was reviled, did not respond in such a way. He was silent and 1 Peter says He entrusted Himself to the God who judges justly.
Two thoughts came to my mind after meditating on these passages:
- What love Jesus has for me to silently bear all that undeserved humiliation! He deserved none of it, yet He willingly and lovingly took it so that I might “die to sin and live to righteousness.”
- Is there any better example of patience or trust in the Lord than Jesus? Everyone around Him, Jews & Gentiles, leaders & common people, disrespected Him in every way. Yet what was His response? He silently trusted the Ultimate Judge.
I love how Scripture not only interprets Scripture; Scripture also applies Scripture. 1 Peter 2 explicitly states that Jesus’ behavior in suffering is worthy of the Church’s imitation. So let us reflect the love and patience of our Lord, knowing that there is no suffering, insult, or annoyance we can endure that compares with what Jesus endured for our souls’ sake.
This post is part of an ongoing series “This, That, & the Other.” For other tools I have created to aid you in Bible Study and Church life, visit the “Tools” page. If you found this post helpful, share it below and subscribe to get resources like this delivered into your inbox. Follow The Average Churchman on Instagram to get more curated resources.