Do you desire joy for yourself? Do you desire glory for yourself? Do you desire your own exaltation? Do you want to be great? Then, believe it or not, humility is your ticket. In fact, you should seek humility more than anybody!

This past Sunday I was blessed with the opportunity to preach at Grace Fellowship Church in Rexdale -- the church which planted us almost a year ago now -- and I had the challenge of preaching on humility. There is so much to say about a topic like this that I felt that I was barely scraping the surface. One of the places I wanted to go, but simply did not have time, was the whole area of the motivation for humility. I wanted to talk about that because biblical motivation for humility can be so counter-intuitive...

What Did Jesus Want?

In Philippians 2, the apostle Paul holds up Jesus as the paradigm of humility. He alone had equality with God, but didn't grasp on to it. Instead he was willing to come be mistreated, rejected, despised, beaten, and murdered, bearing the hatred of people and the just wrath of his Father. That is humility. A willingness to subject himself to whatever his Father has for him; he alone models perfect humility and contrition, he alone trembles at the word of his Father (Is 66.1-2).

So if we're to imitate Jesus it would be helpful to know what motivated Jesus, right? What moved him to go to the cross in all humility?

For one thing, he desired joy (Heb 12.1-2). He also desired glory (John 17.5). He also desired vindication and exaltation, in the view of people (John 17.24). He also wanted to be great (Mark 10.43-45). Not what you would expect to hear, right? And it begs the question...

Should I Want That Too?

The short answer is 'Absolutely!' The reason those things seem so wrong for us to desire is because we are so full of sin that we typically associate the desire for those things with whatever means we determine necessary to get joy, glory, exaltation, and greatness. We're typically so convinced that God doesn't want us to have those things that we ultimately want that we refuse to trust him to give them to us. We seek them by our own means.

But the essence of the message of Jesus is this: Trust God, he is for you. He will exalt those who are his... in the mean time, stop fretting about what other people think. Stop fighting for position here and now. Entrust yourself to God fully and be content with his providence. He will restore, confirm, strengthen and establish you (1 Pet 5.10). He will freely give you all things; nothing is too good for you (Rom 8.31-32)!

So What Should I Do?

So what is the New Testament message on the motivation for humility? Stop fighting for glory and honour here and now in your time and your way; embrace God's providence, and trust him to exalt you in his time and in his way (1 Pet 5.6-7).

Believe it or not, God wants your joy, vindication, and glory more than you do. He sent his Son to prove it. So stop contending for his supremacy and seek your exaltation through humility and service. He is for you more than you are.

Post from: Julian Freeman

What Should Motivate Humility?

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The Apostle Peter

This past Sunday at GFC we began a new series in the book of 1 Peter called 'A Holy People Living Wholly for God.' One of the themes that's immediately apparent in this letter is that of suffering. Peter is clearly writing to Christians whom he expects will undergo trials. The suffering for them, to this point, is not extreme or absolute. Rather, they are 'grieved by various trials.' Some are worse than others, all are different, none are fun.

Peter reminds them of their salvation (1 Pet 1.3-5) and tells them that in light of their salvation they can still rejoice despite undergoing hardship (1 Pet 1.6). Apart from their salvation itself (with a certain future hope of an inalienable, glorious inheritance), there are at least three reasons given by Peter why Christians can rejoice in their trials. Though many of our circumstances are different, all of his reasons still pertain to us today.

1. Whatever trials I have are necessary

These are Peter's words: 'In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved...'. In other words, you have not been grieved by anything that is not necessary. Peter began his letter by reminding them that they had become 'elect exiles ... according to the foreknowledge of God the Father' (1 Pet 1.1-2), indicating that all their sufferings in this life, like everything in their lives, had been ordained by their Father who loves them. Here the same holds true. Whatever a Christian suffers, it is necessary. God the Father does not discipline his children or call them to suffer on a whim. When he calls them to this it is necessary for their good, according to his wisdom.

So whatever you are suffering right now, here is one reason to have joy: God the Father, who loves you, deems it necessary. It is not meaningless, but full of purpose.

2. Whatever trials I have are for proving my faith

Sometimes we are tempted to think that my sufferings are intended to break us. Nothing could be further from the truth, though. Peter says your trials are 'so that the tested genuineness of your faith' may be seen (1 Pet 1.7). When God ordains trials in your life, they are not to break you, but to prove to you and to all onlookers that your faith is genuine. The trials are just the fire which refines your faith and makes it more pure. As your faith is purified it becomes even purer, more enduring, more precious.

So whatever you are suffering right now, you can remember this: even in the trials, God is proving and purifying your faith which is the very thing which guarantees your inheritance (1 Pet 1.4-5). Through trials our living hope grows stronger thus giving us even more joy.

3. Trials will result in praise, glory, and honour

The tested genuineness of our faith (while something to find joy in) is not an end in and of itself. Rather, our tested and proven faith has a result: praise, glory and honour (1 Pet 1.7).

Have you ever stopped to ask yourself to whom the praise and glory and honour go? Our gut instinct is obviously to respond that all praise and glory and honour go to God alone. But I think Peter is getting at something different here. Compare these other texts:

For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God. (Rom 2.28-29)

Therefore do not pronounce judgement before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his commendation from God. (1 Cor 4.5)

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. (James 1.12)

And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. (1 Pet 5.4)

Isn't that mind-blowing? Somehow in the wisdom of God it pleases him to crown us for our genuine faith, even though our faith is only upheld by his power (1 Pet 1.5).

So if there was ever a reason to rejoice in trials, here it is: When my faith is proven genuine it will result in praise and glory and honour from God! Can you imagine anything better than that? Can you imagine anything more joy-filled and humbling than that?

A joy greater than circumstances

Of course none of these things make suffering easy. The trials themselves are never joyful, nor are we specifically to find joy in the circumstances of the trial (as if we delight in pain). But we do have joy in this transcendent reality: the trials are necessary because our all-wise heavenly Father has ordained them for the proving of our faith, that we might receive praise and glory and honour from him. And of course, as we receive it, we will reflect all of it back to him as the one who upheld our faith by his power.

Our joy is not found in the trials, it is found in a hope and a future that is greater than our trials. God is working all things for our good.

Post from: Julian Freeman

Three Reasons to Have Joy in Trials

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CJ pointed out that James doesn't assume that just because we're cheerful, we'll allow our cheerfulness to show. What a shame! If we are cheerful, we are actually instructed here to 'sing praise.' That is, if you are cheerful, let others know! Let your outer demeanour match your inner joy.

As he went on to note, too often, like the lepers in Luke 17, we simply receive gifts, enjoy them, and move on like a spoiled child at a birthday party. I need to hear this. If God has given me gifts that make me happy, I need to let my happiness show. It will give him glory, and my joy will invite others to participate in my joy with me.

Has God been gracious to you today? Have you received from him better than you deserve? Has his grace cheered you today? Then sing! Let others know! Give him glory. Let your cheerfulness be seen!

Post from: Julian Freeman

Are You Cheerful?

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That kind of a claim is either loving and kind (if true) or arrogant and insane (if untrue). The question the Pharisees faced on that fateful Sabbath is the same question we face today: Who is this man Jesus?

As usual, stream or download below.

05 - Mark 2:23 - 3:6 - The Messiah They Never Imagined - Julian Freeman - GFC - February 13, 2011

Post from: Julian Freeman

The Messiah They Never Imagined

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As with the others, use the player below to stream, or right-click and 'save as...' on the link to download the mp3.

03 - Mark 1 21-45 - The Powerful Mercy of God on Display - Julian Freeman - GFC - January 30, 2011

Post from: Julian Freeman

Sermon from Week 3

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Here is the file for week 4, Mark 2:1-22. Use the player or right click on the link below to download.

04 - Mark 2 1-22 - The Man with the Power to Make All Things New - Julian -Freeman - GFC - January 23, 2011

Post from: Julian Freeman

Sermon for Week 4

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Rarely, if ever, in my study for preaching have I been so floored by the wisdom and the plan of God as he puts the gospel of Jesus into action. Rarely, if ever, have I seen the deity of Jesus so supremely and transparently evident as in this section of Scripture.

What an amazing blessing to be able to study the Word and the teach it week-by-week! I'm so thankful for the blessing I received this week in the study--I only pray that some of that over-flowed in blessing the people.

Anyway, while we're currently figuring out website and hosting issues, I'll continue to post the sermons online here. You can stream or download below.

02 - Mark 1 1-20 - The Prophesied Preacher of a Gospel That Changes Everything - Julian Freeman - GFC - January 23, 2011

Post from: Julian Freeman

The Beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ

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Yesterday, we were glad to begin a new chapter in that story as we began just one more small church, designed to preach the Jesus who divides by calling all to himself.  As far as the world is concerned, our work is insignificant. But from the perspective of a gospel-believer, the building up of the church through local assemblies all around the world is profound evidence that Jesus is living and working and using his authority to do what he said -- he is building his church (Matt 16.18; Matt 28.18-20). What a great reason to praise God!

Our first morning service was a joyous occasion, clearly the result and fruit of much prayer offered by many friends and family. I had word from people from Australia to Victoria, BC, to right here in Toronto that we were being prayed for. God heard and God worked. Thank you for praying!

We were blessed to have Nick and Alicia leading us as we worshipped in song. Bill and Nabil gave thanks to God for establishing this church and prayed prayers of dedication for us. By God's grace I was able to preach an overview of the message of the gospel of Mark asking, 'Who Is This Man Jesus?' and then speaking of where God will take us as we study his word together.

All in all there were about 40 souls (including children) gathered in the living room / dining room of this Toronto home. Most of those were core, committed people. Some of those were visitors. All of us were eager to be together to delight in God for the glory of God, and for the good of all people. As the Lord gives growth, we'll give him thanks! And as the Lord gives grace, we'll continue to grow in our delight in him so that he'll be honoured through our little part in this amazing story of Jesus building his church and conquering in the world.

May he continue to do great things in us and through us, all to his glory!

-------

Update: You can stream or download the audio from the sermon below.

(Mark - 01 - Who Is This Man Jesus - January 16, 2011)

Post from: Julian Freeman

Our First Sunday!

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When we were planning the conference and we first invited Mike Bullmore to come I thought to myself 'A lot of people probably won't know who Mike Bullmore is. So how can we fix that?'

One step we took was to ask a few friends for recommendations and endorsements of Mike. We asked last year's conference speaker, Mark Dever, along with pastor Joshua Harris and professor, speaker, and leader of the Gospel Coalition, Don Carson. Here's what each of them had to say about we should listen carefully to Mike Bullmore:

Don Carson said: "Mike Bullmore is not as well known as some because he has written relatively little -- but he is one of the most engaging, penetrating, insightful preachers I know. Moreover, the quality of his mentoring of young men in the church he serves is simply stellar."

Joshua Harris wrote: "Mike Bullmore is one of the best kept secrets in the larger body of Christ today. He is a masterful, passionate, precise teacher of God’s word. I’ve described him as a cross between John Piper and CJ Mahaney. And I can’t think of a higher compliment to pay a preacher."

Mark Dever told us: "Mike Bullmore is a pastor who has both been instrumental in beginning a new congregation, and has faithfully pastored a congregation for years. He's not only taught preaching in the classroom, but he's mentored young preachers and pastors for years. I'm excited that pastors in Toronto will get the opportunity to enjoy Mike's humble wisdom and his careful, encouraging preaching."

To all that I simply say, that is why I can't wait to learn from Mike Bullmore! Make sure you register now if you haven't yet!

Post from: Julian Freeman

Why I Can’t Wait to Learn from Mike Bullmore

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That being said, yesterday was an exception--God blessed the preaching of his word in remarkable ways so that it came with great with even more conviction and clarity than normal.

If you are married, ever intend on being married, want to know more about gospel-centred marriage, or know someone who is married, I cannot recommend enough that you listen to this sermon on gospel-centred marriage. You will be convicted and your soul will be blessed and encouraged as you think about how Christ's glory displayed in the gospel is the reason and power for marriage.

Post from: Julian Freeman

A Must-Hear Sermon

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