(An Adaptation of Acts 20:20-32)

You yourselves know how I have lived among you all from the first day that I began ministering here until now, serving the Lord, I pray, with humility and even with tears at times, and with trials that came to me and us all through the varied issues of life and ministry; and you know how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching at nearly every opportunity I was given, testifying to all of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.

 And now, I am going to plant a new church in Wentzville, constrained by the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in His Word that in that city many afflictions and joys await me. But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.  And I ask you to hold me accountable, encourage me, and pray for me in this.  

And now, behold, I know not which of you among whom I have been proclaiming the Word will see my face again. Therefore I testify to you this day that believe I am innocent of the blood of all of you, for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God.

Dad and Paul, please give diligent, careful attention to yourselves and to all this flock, of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for this church of God, which He obtained with His own blood. You know that after my departure fierce wolves will continue to try to come in among you, not sparing this flock; and from among this very body will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. Therefore be alert, remembering that for at least six years now I, only by the grace of God, did not cease to admonish everyone with all sincerity and passion, seeking to be radically Biblical in all things.

And now I commend you all to God and to the Word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are saved and being saved: I go from here with both sad and sweet tears, in blissful peace, in sincere love, and in solid hope! Yet, I will always be fighting this fight with you, even if it is on a slightly different battle field not too far from here.   I will always be thankful of the years of growth and grace while in TCSC.  I will always be praying this prayer for you.  And one day, I will be with you all (I pray) forever enjoying OUR Savior together with you!  I love you all.  To God alone be all the glory both here and now and wherever we go from here forever!  Amen.

In Sincere Love and Serious Truth,

Jason Myers

It is the familiar story of Jesus visiting at the house of Martha and her sister Mary.  While Jesus is teaching, Mary sits at his feet and listens as her sister, Martha, is busy serving.  Martha is bothered by her sister’s actions and tells Jesus to correct Mary.  Instead, Martha receives gentle correction and Mary receives praise.

I used to give up on this short story so quickly.  I never quite understood why Martha was corrected for serving.  When I read these few verses today one word caught my attention, and God used it to bring me some clarity on what he told Martha that day.

Verse 40 says, “But Martha was distracted with much serving.”  Martha is serving Jesus and people, but her service was distracting her from the most important thing, listening to Jesus’ teaching.

Martha appeals to Jesus for her sister’s help, but instead receives a gentle rebuke.  “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary.  Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”

I can imagine Jesus speaking softly to Martha and lovingly correcting her thinking.  Like a father to a daughter Jesus disciplines Martha in order to produce the “peaceful fruit of righteousness” in her life.

As I read this I wonder how often I let service distract me from “the good portion, which will not be taken away.”  And when I am distracted, can I hear the voice of Jesus saying, “Anna, Anna, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary”?  And when Jesus corrects or disciplines me do I understand it as love?  Do you?

“For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.”  Heb. 12:6

O Come, O Come Emmanuel paints a good picture of Israel longing for a promised Redeemer.  Each verse speaks of God’s people needing a savior:

“ransom captive Israel”
“free thine own from Satan’s tyranny”
“from depths of hell thy people save”

And in between each verse the chorus exclaims with hope the promise of God to send that savior:

“Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.”

Israel longed for a savior and God promised one.  In Isaiah 7, God tells the king of Judah “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”  Immanuel means God is with us.  God’s promised savior was to be with his people.

In Matthew and Luke we can read about the birth of that promised savior, of Immanuel, God with us.

The verses of this song remind me of my need and longing for a savior.  I’m reminded of my need to be ransomed from the captivity of sin and to be saved from the depths of hell.  Then the chorus comes, and I can celebrate knowing that Jesus did come and he has saved me.  And on December 25 I can celebrate the birth of Jesus, the promised savior.  And I can celebrate the faithfulness of God, who promised a savior and fulfilled that promise in Jesus.

Pay attention to the lyrics of the Christmas songs you hear this season and you will hear of the great love God has for you.

Struggling with this too,

Pastor-Elder JasonM.

“Restoring the Family” – Part 2 of 2 from Saint Louis FamilyCamp on Vimeo.

The doctrine of God’s sovereignty is an anchor for the troubled soul, a hope for the praying heart, a stability for fragile faith, a confidence in pursuing the lost, a guarantee of Christ’s atonement, a high mystery to keep us humble, and a solid ground for all praise. And oh so much more. O Lord, turn this truth for the triumph of your saving and sanctifying grace.

To read the rest of this article for what would lead Dr. John Piper to say such a statement about why the doctrine of the sovereignty of God matters, click here.

1. Q. What is your only comfort in life and death?  

A. That I am not my own,[1] but belong with body and soul, both in life and in death,[2] to my faithful Saviour Jesus Christ.[3] He has fully paid for all my sins with His precious blood[4], and has set me free from all the power of the devil.[5] He also preserves me in such a way[6] that without the will of my heavenly Father not a hair can fall from my head;[7] indeed, all things must work together for my salvation.[8] Therefore, by His Holy Spirit He also assures me of eternal life[9] and makes me heartily willing and ready from now on to live for Him.[10]

[1] I Cor. 6:19, 20 [2] Rom. 14:7-9. [3] I Cor. 3:23; Tit. 2:14. [4] I Pet. 1:18, 19; I John 1:7; 2:2. [5] John 8:34-36; Heb. 2:14, 15; I John 3:8. [6] John 6:39, 40; 10:27-30; II Thess. 3:3; I Pet. 1:5. [7] Matt. 10:29-31; Luke 21:16-18. [8] Rom. 8:28. [9] Rom. 8:15, 16; II Cor. 1:21, 22; 5:5; Eph. 1:13, 14. [10] Rom. 8:14.

Question #1 of  the Heidelberg Catechism