Sermon Postscript for Mk 3:22-28 — Resources Spiritual Warfare

On Jan 7, 2024, I preached a sermon on Mark 3:22-28, where Jesus asserts that he has “bound the strongman” in order to “plunder his house.” In other words, Jesus is not only able to overcome Satan’s grip on souls, but is actively delivering the elect to salvation. What a joy!

The passage raises many questions about the nature of spiritual warfare and I’d like to suggest a few resources I’ve found helpful.

First, I highly recommend chapter 13, “Growth in Grace,” from Thoughts on Religious Experience, by the late and great Archibald Alexander. Archive.org offers the entire book for free in many formats. The whole volume is excellent, but that chapter in particular is a trove of insight about spiritual growth (and decline).

Second, I commend Precious Remedies Against Satan’s Devices by the puritan preacher Thomas Brooks. Truly worthwhile.

A third, more modern resource is a little-known but useful study called “Satan Cast Out” by Frederick Leahy. It’s one of the only studies in demonology from a Reformed perspective that I’m aware of. The author brings Scripture to bear on many strange and even outlandish reports that were being circulated among missionaries of the Scottish church.

Finally, if you want a very thorough treatment of spiritual warfare, look no further than William Gurnall’s massive treatise, The Christian in Complete Armor, which is a practical study of Ephesians 6.

Rev. Spotts' Sabbatical Half-Way Report

Greetings, brothers and sisters. Now that I’ve reached the halfway mark in my sabbatical—that went quick!—some of you might be wondering what I’ve been up to and what comes next? Let me summarize those things, but first express my gratitude for granting this unusual and fruitful season in ministry. It has been a great blessing to me as well as to my family.

Bear Canyon Lake

I began with a number of goals related to my roles as family man, pastor, and disciple. At the top of the list was to spend extended time with my boys who are now ages four and six. Besides more time playing on the splash pad at home, we went on two camping trips totaling a week. We worked on basic camping, fishing, and bushcraft skills. Then at night, I enjoyed peace and quiet to read, think, and pray.

Speaking of reading, I’ve read more in the past six weeks that I had in the previous three or four months, at least on subjects unrelated to my preaching. Some titles that stand out are Augustine’s Confessions and City of God, and J. C. Ryle’s excellent books, Old Paths and The Upper Room. Other titles were related to parenting, biblical history, the attributes of God, and the doctrine of man. It’s been a time of spiritual and intellectual feasting!

Since a portion of all that reading was audio-format, I was able to do some woodworking while listening. For the parsonage, I built a folding table and backsplash. I also built a box for serving communion to homebound people. Doing so reminded me that I am “less than a carpenter.”

Another major project has been on my radar ever since we received the Trinity Psalter Hymnal. Namely, to build a spreadsheet to help select songs for services. Basically, I went through all 800+ psalms and hymns and noted which songs fit different parts of the worship service, including which verses apply best. Moreover, I got input from the pianists and Rev. Smith to rated the overall “singability” every tune. No small feat! It was an undertaking, yes, but one which I trust will not only improve and streamline the selection of songs at PURC, but will be of value to pastors throughout the URC.

Lately, I’ve written broad outlines and begun research for my next five sermon series. It feels good to have a clear view of where we are headed!

One personal highlight occurred last week. I went on a four wheeling overnight trip with several men from the church up Harquahala mountain. We brought along telescopes and enjoyed the beauty of God’s creation, including good views of the Needle and Whirlpool galaxies as well as the great globular cluster of Hercules (M13). However, not all of God’s creation is equally beautiful, at least to me. I was reminded of this just before going to sleep on the ground. A centipede as long as my hand came crawling by. You won’t fault me for changing plans and sleeping atop Brett Danzeisen’s truck.

Finally, here are things coming up. Ashley and I will be taking the family to California to visit the grandparents. We will also be celebrating our 10th wedding anniversary on June 1! After that, I will be providing pulpit supply at a church in Idaho and conducting a wedding in Minnesota. Then I’ll be leading worship at the Cadet campout. We’ll probably attend worship at several local OPC and PCA churches here. As for ministry, I hope to prepare several recommended reading lists to share with the church (I get asked for these frequently) while continuing to plow through books, myself. God helping me, I wish above all to re-read the entire New Testament and invest a larger proportion of time in prayer and fasting than normal. 

I simply want to thank you again for being supportive of my family, ministry, and me personally. God knows it is far more than I deserve. By his grace I hope it returns back to you in joyful, effective service.

Gratefully,

Rev. Michael Spotts

The Sunday Reader — ed. Jan 25, 2023

Worthwhile articles, odds, and ends collected this week.

10 Absurdities of Atheism

A brief but cogent critique of the major weaknesses of atheistic belief.

When I Die Young (or Old)

A beautiful reflection on how the author hopes she and her those who knew her will respond to her passing.

The Economics of Abortion by Kevin DeYoung

We’ve all heard the claim, “abortion is not desirable, but it delivers many women (and aborted children) from a life of poverty.” DeYoung dismantles the argument. Here’s an excerpt,

The presence of widespread, legal, easily accessible abortion reinforces the narrative that men do not have control over their sexual appetites and that men should not be expected to fulfill their responsibilities as fathers. Far from empowering women, abortion empowers men to expect (if not outright demand) that sexual activity should be free from any consequences. This in turn disincentivizes men from considering marriage in the first place, which is the surest way to impoverish women. […] Overwhelmingly, abortions in America are procured by single women—85% of the women who had abortions in 2019 were unmarried. This may seem like a reason women need abortion access, but that argument fails to address the larger ways in which abortion cheapens sex, undermines marriage, and puts pressure on women to acquiesce to a male-centered perspective that views sexual intimacy as centered on physical gratification rather than ordered to family formation and child-rearing. If abortion looks like a socioeconomic “cure,” it is only first because it is a major component of the disease. And this is to say nothing of the lost economic activity that comes as a result of removing millions of potential American workers from the labor force and tax base.


Recommended book of the week:

The Ten Commandments by Thomas Watson (free online) is a great companion to our present section of the Heidelberg Catechism.

Can I recommend a translation besides the ESV? Yes!

A member wrote to me,

I have just started reading How To Read the Bible For All Its Worth. The book says that one of the best tools for studying the Bible is having several good translations. So I was wondering if you could provide me with a list of other good translations of the Bible besides the ESV.

Before recommending other Bible translations, let me share a bit of why you might want to use others as well as some important differences among them.

There are basically two ways of translating texts from one language into another. The first method, called "formal equivalence," attempts to represent the original text by rendering it word-for-word. While a noble goal, it sometimes leads to clunkiness or confusion, especially when relating cultural idioms. For instance, Exodus 32:10 literally says the Lord's “nose burned” against Israel. Surely, that meant something to ancient Hebrew people. But it may not not obvious to most modern Americans. Hint: it means God became angry.

On the other end of the spectrum, you have a method called "dynamic equivalence." This is where translators focus on communicating in the clearest way possible (what they think is) the author's meaning, even if that means a bit of paraphrasing or re-ordering some phrases. So, rather than saying, "the Lord's nose grew hot," they would just say, "the Lord became angry." Often, these paraphrases are helpful. But they can also obscure the instances where multiple interpretations are possible. The more dynamic the translation, the less the freedom the reader has to interpret the text.

To be clear, all translations of the Bible make use of both methods. We're really talking about which method one leans towards. 

My opinion is that the current gold standard for formal equivalence is the ESV. Others include the KJV/NKJV and Holman. An even more strict expression of formal equivalence is the NASB. Not an "easy reader" but it can yield some insights. On the other side, dynamic equivalence translations include the NIV, NLT, and, notoriously, the Message Bible. I don't recommend that last one except as fire kindling. 

Some translations try hard to be in the middle. For instance, the CSB. I'm not too familiar with it, but have appreciated it now and then. I think the Berean is also in that camp. I’ve benefited from it, too.

In general, I'd recommend having your main study Bible based on formal equivalence. Then use a dynamic equivalence translation for comparison, or when you want help understanding a text. Or just to freshen things up.

If I could only have three Bibles, I'd say:

1.) ESV

2.) NLT / NIV

3.) NASB 

Thankfully, I'm not so limited. When I want to compare translations, I often plug a verse into the free Bible Hub website and scroll through the list it generates.

The Lord bless your studies.

Sermon Postscript: Should the Bread of Communion be Unleavened?

“Which kind of bread should we use?”

It is sometimes asked whether it is acceptable to use leavened bread. After all, Jesus served Passover bread which was unleavened. Moreover, it is argued, leaven is sometimes a symbol of pride (1 Cor 5:6; Gal 5:9). While people occasionally take a hard stance, the consensus among Reformed theologians and pastors is that it is ultimately indifferent. John Calvin states, “Whether the bread is leavened or unleavened, the wine red or white—it makes no difference. These things are indifferent, and left at the church’s discretion.” Similarly, Herman Bavink writes in his Reformed Dogmatics,

It is immaterial whether the bread is made of wheat, rye or barley and whether the wine is red or white; Whether the bread is leavened or unleavened; and whether the wine is unmixed, or mixed with water. In none of these points has Christ specifically laid down or prescribed anything. The Reformed did not even hesitate to say that in the event bread or wine were definitely lacking, another food and drink, say rice or nutritious food, could be used as sign in the Lord’s Supper. This is not to say, however, that any arbitrary departure from the institution of Christ is permissible.

The primary elements are a plain, staple grain, since this signifies the basis of daily human nourishment, and a drink produced from the vine, since it represents the celebration and satisfaction made possible by Christ’s outpoured blood. I might go further and say that it is more appropriate to use red than white wine, simply to reference blood. Likewise, unleavened bread is preferable insofar as it highlights the humility of Christ and our redemptive history. Nevertheless, these are peccadilloes that should not prevent anyone from communing with a good conscience.

For a more detailed summary of the historical and theological development of this perspective, see the article, “Does Scripture Demand the Use of Unleavened Bread in the Supper,” by John S. Hammett.

My favorite book on the the sacrament of communion is The Mystery of the Lord’s Supper: Sermons by Robert Bruce. Let me know if you’d like to borrow my copy.

How to Read the Bible Well

A member asks,

In your sermon yesterday evening, you mentioned taking a couple hours a month to learn to read the Bible well. Are there any specific resources you would recommend?

I’d recommend a three pronged approach.

Read Good Books about Reading the Great Book

If there's one book I'd recommend, it’s What's in the Bible by R. C. Sproul. A similar volume is Reading the Bible For All It's Worth by Gordon Fee. Both books introduce and summarize key doctrines, events, and approaches related to Scripture.

Watch Videos About the Bible Books

There's a helpful, free video series online called the Bible Project. As far as I know, the creators aren't Reformed, so we might not agree 100% with all they say. But for use by well-grounded adults, I'd say it's an excellent resource for getting the gist of different biblical books. Here's a sample covering the book of Philemon.

Most Importantly: Read Biblical Books Multiple Times

Many people try to read the Bible straight through and come up confused. There is so much ground to cover that by the time you finish—if indeed you ever finish!—you may hardly remember the earlier portions. I suggest picking one biblical book from each of the major genres. Then read them through at least 5-10 times (don’t worry how long it will take). This process surfaces and cements key ideas, as well as familiarizes you with the structures and idioms of that genre. I’ve used this method extensively to great benefit. For instance:

  • OT Narrative — Genesis

  • OT Prophets — Isaiah

  • OT Poetry — Psalms

  • NT Narrative — Matthew

  • NT Epistles — Romans or Ephesians

 Listening to an audio version is a fine way to do this, too. I've listened to Romans probably hundreds of times.

To do this properly, of course, it is crucial that you begin and end your studies asking the Holy Spirit to guide and enlighten you to the truth, guard you from error, and drive you toward the obedience of faith.

I hope some of these are helpful to you!

Preaching Postscript for May 15, 2022

AM Sermon — “Profiting from the Proverbs” (Prov 1:1-6)

I mentioned how the literary structure of Proverbs can be broken down in different ways. One common approach is to divide the book into seven parts:

  1. v.1-6 — “Preamble” i.e., Purpose Statement

  2. 1:7–Chapter 9 — Discourses on the Nature of Wisdom & Folly

  3. Prov 10-22 — First Section of Solomonic Wisdom

  4. Prov 22-24 — Assorted Sayings of the Wise

  5. 25-29 — Second Section of Solomonic Wisdom

  6. Prov 30-31 — Sayings of Agur & Lemuel

  7. Prov 31 — Poem to the Virtuous Woman

For a full introduction to the structures and themes of Proverbs, I suggest:

One or two good commentaries on Proverbs are a must. From beginner-level to more advanced, I recommend:

  • Proverbs: Wisdom that Works by Ray Ortlund, Jr. — lots of application. I ordered a copy for the church which should be here in the next two weeks.

  • Proverbs: a Shorter Commentary by Bruce Waltke — more technical, still good application.

  • Proverbs by Charles Bridges (Banner) — the language is a bit antiquated but its full of treasure!

Finally, in terms of daily devotions, you might enjoy a stand-alone edition of the Book of Proverbs. I use this one regularly:

PM Sermon — David’s Desire for Zion

Here’s a 4-minute video on YouTube portraying the capture of Jerusalem in David’s time.

Sermon Postscripts for Feb 27, 2022

AM Service — “Picture God’s People as an Embassy” (2Cor 5:10-21)

I mentioned the famous ancient Letter to Diognetus (c. 130-180AD). It beautifully describes how Christians live as ambassadors in the world and is easily among my favorite passages from the church fathers. Here is an excerpt:

"Christians are indistinguishable from other men either by nationality, language or customs. They do not inhabit separate cities of their own, or speak a strange dialect, or follow some outlandish way of life. Their teaching is not based upon reveries inspired by the curiosity of men. Unlike some other people, they champion no purely human doctrine. With regard to dress, food and manner of life in general, they follow the customs of whatever city they happen to be living in, whether it is Greek or foreign.

And yet there is something extraordinary about their lives. They live in their own countries as though they were only passing through. They play their full role as citizens, but labor under all the disabilities of aliens. Any country can be their homeland, but for them their homeland, wherever it may be, is a foreign country. Like others, they marry and have children, but they do not expose them. They share their meals, but not their wives.

They live in the flesh, but they are not governed by the desires of the flesh. They pass their days upon earth, but they are citizens of heaven. Obedient to the laws, they yet live on a level that transcends the law. Christians love all men, but all men persecute them. Condemned because they are not understood, they are put to death, but raised to life again. They live in poverty, but enrich many; they are totally destitute, but possess an abundance of everything. They suffer dishonor, but that is their glory. They are defamed, but vindicated. A blessing is their answer to abuse, deference their response to insult. For the good they do they receive the punishment of malefactors, but even then they, rejoice, as though receiving the gift of life. They are attacked by the Jews as aliens, they are persecuted by the Greeks, yet no one can explain the reason for this hatred.

To speak in general terms, we may say that the Christian is to the world what the soul is to the body. As the soul is present in every part of the body, while remaining distinct from it, so Christians are found in all the cities of the world, but cannot be identified with the world. As the visible body contains the invisible soul, so Christians are seen living in the world, but their religious life remains unseen. The body hates the soul and wars against it, not because of any injury the soul has done it, but because of the restriction the soul places on its pleasures. Similarly, the world hates the Christians, not because they have done it any wrong, but because they are opposed to its enjoyments.

Christians love those who hate them just as the soul loves the body and all its members despite the body's hatred. It is by the soul, enclosed within the body, that the body is held together, and similarly, it is by the Christians, detained in the world as in a prison, that the world is held together. The soul, though immortal, has a mortal dwelling place; and Christians also live for a time amidst perishable things, while awaiting the freedom from change and decay that will be theirs in heaven. As the soul benefits from the deprivation of food and drink, so Christians flourish under persecution. Such is the Christian’s lofty and divinely appointed function, from which he is not permitted to excuse himself."

From a letter to Diognetus (Nn. 5-6; Funk, 397-401)

It is worth reading in full.

PM Service — “Parables of Priceless Treasure” (Mt 13:44-46)

Also, in the PM service, I mentioned the conversion of Justin Martyr. The account is treated well in Robert Wilken’s book, The Spirit of Early Christian Thought. But it is also summarized by a fellow Reformed pastor, Herman Hanko, in chapter 2 of his book (free online) Portraits of Faithful Saints.