Sunday, July 12, 2009

Sovereign Grace Bible Church

Jim Kang, Pastor-Teacher

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE SPIRIT-FILLED LIFE

Ephesians 5:18-21

INTRODUCTION

As a way of introduction, let me first begin this message by making some important grammatical observations, then followed by an interpretive issue, namely the two most popular interpretations. You will see shortly that how one interprets this text will have important theological implications and practical applications. With that in mind, let’s begin with grammatical observations.

Contextually speaking, from verse 15 to 21, there are two major commands: live wisely with your time (vv. 15-17) and be filled with the Spirit (vv. 18-21[1]). In regards to the command to be filled with the Spirit (v. 18b), it is immediately followed by five participles: 1) speaking, 2) singing, 3) praising, 4) giving thanks, and 5) submitting.

Now, here’s an interpretative issue. There are two major interpretations in regards to these participles with the command to be filled with the Spirit. One interpretation is to see these five participles as the means in which you can be filled with the Spirit. That is to say, to be filled with the Holy Spirit, one must speak, sing, praise, give thanks, and submit. Hence, these five participles are seen as the means or methods to be filled with the Spirit. And this is the normative view in charismatic or non-cessation churches, where people are exhorted to speak by unknown tongues, sing in tongues, praise in tongues, and give thanks in tongues.

One of the criticisms against that view is that “if the force of these participles are [sic] imperatival then it is possible that one might speak, sing, thank, and submit by sheer will and not necessarily with the Spirit’s power and control.”[2] That is to say, the problem with this view is that the emphasis or the focus is anthropocentric (man-centered), not theocentric (God-centered).

The other interpretation is to see these five participles not as the means, but as the results of being filled with the Holy Spirit. The major argument for this view is that Paul’s theology generally emphasizes on God as the initiator and God as the doer in the works of salvation, namely both justification and sanctification. And this is especially evident in his letter to Ephesians. Hence, these five participles are not the means to be filled with the Spirit, but results.[3] As you can see from the title of this message, you can understand which interpretation I hold to.

But before we examine the characteristics of the Spirit-filled life, I want to say a few words about the negative command that is given prior to the command to be filled with the Spirit, namely, do not get drunk with wine.

It is obvious what this verse does not say, namely, that drinking wine is wrong or sin. However, let me make a brief word about how you should use such Christian liberty. Since the focus of this message is not about drinking or not drinking, and also to save some time, let me raise a few guideline questions. And I would add that these guideline questions are applicable not only about drinking, but also other areas of our Christian liberty.

1. Is it permissible?

Is it legal? Obviously, if you are under 21, drinking alcohol is illegal. Is it permissible to drink and drive? Again, this is not only a moral issue, but also a legal issue. Also, are you allowed to watch that movie when you don’t have your parents or guardian present? Moreover, is it legal for you to possess or try illegal drugs? So, there are things that are clearly not permissible legally. One of the functions of the law is not to simply stop you from having fun, but to protect you and others in the public. Hence, we have to respect the law of the land (Romans 13).

2. Is it necessary?

If the answer is adamant yes, then you may have a bigger issue than drinking, because now the issue is about you being controlled, rather than you controlling. Again this principle is applicable not only about drinking wine but shopping, spending money, eating, etc.

• ^NAU 1 Corinthians 6:12 ¶ All things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything.

3. Will it offend fellow Christians?

Our freedom in Christ should stop where it begins to harm fellow Christians. In regards to eating food that was offered to idols, Paul said, “But take care that this liberty of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak” (1 Cor. 8:9). In addition he said:

• ^NAU 1 Corinthians 8:11 For through your knowledge he who is weak is ruined, the brother for whose sake Christ died. ¹² And so, by sinning against the brethren and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. ¹³ Therefore, if food causes my brother to stumble, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause my brother to stumble.

It is always better to offend the world than your fellow Christians. Or to say it negatively, it is worse to offend Christians or the church, the household of faith, than the world. One writer notes, “Drinking might make us more acceptable in some circles, but our lack of concern for fellow Christians would work against any positive witness we might give.”[4]

4. Will it harm Christian testimony?

Although there are some things that are not wrong in of themselves, but they may give a mixed or inconsistent message. For instance, though Scripture does not explicitly command “Thou shall not wear a mini skirt.” But what kind of message are you trying to convey by wearing a real short skirt and discussing about holiness? One of the most effective Christian testimonies is when there is consistency between the message and life.

Before we examine the characteristics of the Spirit-filled life, let me raise one question. What is the correlation between being drunk and being filled with the Spirit? In other words, why is this particular command given here? Why did Paul mention it?

The clue is the first word in verse 18, that is, and. What this implies is that verse 18 does not stand on its own. Rather, it is a continuation, namely from verse 15 to 17.

The correlation between being drunk and being filled with the Spirit is to point out its clear distinctions between the two. In other words, they are antithetical to each other. In fact, up to this point, Paul labors to point out several distinct contrasts. We can see this immediately from verse 15 to 17, namely the difference between foolish and wise.

We can go beyond the immediate context to verse 3 to 14. We find all sorts of distinct contrasts. For instance, the difference between holy and impurity, light and darkness, visible and invisible, awake and sleep, and alive and dead. We can even go beyond chapter 5 to the previous chapters. For instance, the difference between old and new, and put off and put on.

Similarly, the correlation between being drunk and being filled with the Spirit is to point out that they cannot coexist or mixed. Rather, Paul wants to clearly impress on his readers that the people who have been born-again or the spiritually regenerates do not habitually get drunk and be filled with the Spirit at the same time. Rather, these two are diametrically opposite.

With that in mind, let us now examine what type of life is the Spirit-filled life? From our text, there are four specific characteristics.

I. Speaking To One Another (v. 19a).

This particular verb is found only twice in the Gospels, namely in Matthew (10:20) and Mark (13:11), and both times it conveys the type of communication which the Holy Spirit will speak through you, with the proper words at the proper time and place. And please keep in mind that the Holy Spirit will speak to you with his word, namely Scripture, not with some “new” revelations of God or from God.

For those of you that are familiar with the NT should see that verse 19 looks familiar also from elsewhere, namely Colossians 3:16, which says:

• ^NAU Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

Paul then tells us how we are to speak to one another, namely in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs. Although there are different views as to what this means exactly, many do agree that Paul’s point is to speak to one another in manner of worship, namely instruction, edification, and exhortation.[5] That is to say, since psalms and hymns and spiritual songs convey certain truths about who God is and what he has done, especially, in relation to creation and redemption, speak to one another about such things.

Since Paul is making vivid contrasts throughout this Epistle, here too, in light of its context, Paul’s point is stop wasting your life and live unwise. But redeem the time and be Spirit-filled. And what that looks like is for God’s community of the redeemed to speak one another in this fashion.

Let me point out a few implications from all this. First, the emphasis here is on the corporate worship, not individual worship. The obvious clue is this phrase: “one another.” That is far from staying home on Sunday and “worshipping” on your own. The entire epistle of Ephesians has a repeated theological theme about what church is and what she is called to do. You are not a church if you are simply by yourself. So, to those who say that they don’t need to go to church, my question to them is what do you do with verse 19?

Another implication is that these manners of speaking to one another serves as a means to encourage and edify one another. In other words, the purpose of psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs is to encourage and edify one another, not entertainment. Since the only thing that encourage and edify our soul is God’s truths, psalms and hymns and spiritual songs have to be so saturated with biblical truths, such as who and what God is like, and what he has done. Let me hear and speak about God’s amazing saving grace, his absolute sovereignty, his thrice holy trinity, his omnipotence, his holiness and glory, and so on. Frankly, beholding some truths about God is truly assuring and uplifting, whereas, singing about man-centered things or glorifying man is not only depressing and frightening, but blaspheming.

II. Singing and Making Melody (v. 19b).

This is another result of being Spirit-filled. Whether a person can sing or carry a tune, the Spirit-filled individual is a singing Christian, because singing expresses his joyful and thankful heart. He knows the difference between having to sing and wanting to sing, but for him he wants to sing.

In addition to a hunger for God’s Word, one of the first evidences of a new life in Christ is a great desire to sing praises unto God. This is evident not only in the way he sings but also what he sings. In other words, not only the style is important but also the substance of music.

It is worth noting that biblically there is a close connection between the words “new” and “songs.” For instance:

• ^NAU Psalm 33:3 Sing to Him a new song;

• ^NAU Psalm 40:3 He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God;

• ^NAU Psalm 96:1 Sing to the LORD a new song;

And generally, singing a new song is connected to what God has done.

• ^NAU Psalm 98:1 A Psalm. O sing to the LORD a new song, For He has done wonderful things, His right hand and His holy arm have gained the victory for Him.

• ^NAU Revelation 5:9 And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are You to take the book and to break its seals; for You were slain, and purchased for God with Your blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation.

• ^NAU Revelation 14:3 And they sang a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders; and no one could learn the song except the one hundred and forty-four thousand who had been purchased from the earth.

Let me make a few more observations from the text. The fact that there are different genres of songs, namely psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, it is difficult to argue that only one genre of singing is superior. This does not mean that we would worship in punk-rock or hip-hop ways, but within the choices that are given it is difficult to argue that only one genre is better than the other two. I say this because there are churches that exclusively use psalms, or hymns only, or only the contemporary songs.

Another observation is to point out that music is one of the wonderful ways in which Christians serve and encourage one another and worship God together. And if you are wondering what type of psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs should be used, the answer is simple, namely anything that would exalt the tri-unity of the Godhead by certain emphasis on their character and their works in relation to creation, redemption, and consummation. All that is to say, the genre of the music or songs have to be Bible-saturated.

III. Giving Thanks (v. 20).

Notice the usage of the superlatives – “always giving thanks for all things.” That is not an exaggeration but a description of a person who is Spirit-filled. That clearly implies that the fundamental driving force or driving engine or the primary cause to sing is the attitude of thanksgiving. It is the overflowing thanksgiving heart that mouth exalts.

• ^NAU 1 Thessalonians 5:18 in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

IV. Submitting (v. 21).

There are two popular interpretations on what this word means. One is the popular evangelical view that refers to submission that is mutual. This point of mutual submission gets special attention and especially more emphasized when discussing about the relationship between husband and wife.

There is another interpretation that argues against the previous view because of the exegetical reason. First, the verb for subject or submit in Greek means to place one’s self under the authority of someone else, as in the military or any other organization that has a chain of command. It has clear emphasis on obedience and submission that is unilateral (one way), not bilateral (both ways). In fact, this particular verb is used only twice in the NT, here and 1 Peter 2:18, which speaks of the relationship between servants and their masters.

• ^NAU 1 Peter 2:18 ¶ Servants, be submissive to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and gentle, but also to those who are unreasonable.

It is unfortunate that the true meaning of this word has been watered-down because it is not politically, socially, and culturally accepted, especially, in a country where being independent is highly valued and being a rebel or challenging authority is viewed as one’s right and normative practice.

Also, if you would to examine this verse in light of its context, the meaning of submission is not that of mutual or bilateral, but unilateral. There is no bilateral submission between church and Christ (vv. 22-33). There is no bilateral or mutual submission between children and parents (6:1-4). There is no bilateral or mutual submission between slaves and masters (6:5-9).

The chief evidence of genuine spiritual conversion is obedience and submission. This is true of all Christians. And such obedience and submission is initially evident by one’s desire to be baptized, as a basic or baby-step obedience to Christ and his explicit command. The moment you became a Christian until you die is a life of obedience and submission. This is also true in all areas of leadership. Benjamin Franklin said, “He who cannot obey, cannot command.”

CONCLUSION

Let me conclude with two final thoughts. One, to say or describe someone as a Spirit-filled Christian is redundant. That is to say, there is no Christian who is not Spirit-filled. In Romans 8:9, Paul said, “But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him.”

Second, to live a Spirit-filled life is not another level of Christian life, as if there is a high level or low level but it is a normal Christian life.

---

[1] In these four verses, there are eight verbs – out of which seven are participles with imperative sense: 1) do not be drunk, 2) be filled, 3) speaking, 4) singing, 5) making melody, 6) giving thanks, and 7) submitting.

[2] Harold W. Hoehner, Ephesians: An Exegetical Commentary (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2004), 706.

[3] According to the study notes regarding this verse, the NET Bible states the following:

It seems out of Paul’s character to reduce the filling of the Spirit to a formula of some kind. To the extent that this is true, it is unlikely then that the author is here stating the means for being filled by the Spirit. Because it is in keeping with Pauline theology and has good grammatical support, it is better to take the participles as indicating certain results of being filled with the Spirit.

[4] John MacArthur, Ephesians (Chicago: Moody Press, 1986), 243.

[5] Peter T. O’Brien, The Letters to the Ephesians, PNTC (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1999), 395.

decree.

Most simply, any command or order given by a human ruler for the sake of carrying out the task of governing or leading. From a theological perspective God’s decrees are God’s eternal, all-encompassing plans for creation. After the Reformation certain Calvinist theologians engaged in debates over the logical order of God’s eternal decrees. The four decrees usually discussed included the decree to create, the decree to allow the Fall into sin, the decree to elect those who would receive salvation and the decree to damn the nonelect (Pocket Dictionary of Theological Terms, 35-36).

Because we desire to have a distraction-free service, please turn off all pagers and cell-phones. Also, we do not pass offering plate during the service, but our offering basket is located on the entry table for your giving. Thank you.

Sunday, July 12, 2009

9:30 AM

Rev. Jim Kang, Pastor-Teacher

Announcements

Call to Worship

• Leviticus 21:21-23

Songs/Hymns ……………………………………………… Tony Biggar

• God of Wonders
• Beautiful One
• Blessed Assurance
• Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)

Scripture Reading

• Romans 2

Sermon** ……………………………………………………. Rev. Jim Kang       

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE SPIRIT-FILLED LIFE

Ephesians 5:18-21

Hymn

• Spirit of the Living God

Recite VOW

Benediction

• Romans 15:13

**This sermon can be heard again or download for free at www.sovereigngracebiblechurch.org. You can also read its transcript at www.sgbc.wordpress.com.

**************************************************************************************

Your responsibility, by God’s enabling, is to constantly apply the divine truths you have heard (Philippians 2:12-13; 1 Timothy 4:7-9; James 1:22-27). As you meditate on this message, ask yourself these questions:

• How does God want my beliefs/actions to change?
• How can I accomplish this change?
• What is the first step toward bringing about this change?

************************************************************************************************

VOW (Verse of the Week)

^NAU Galatians 6:4 But each one must examine his own work, and then he will have reason for boasting in regard to himself alone, and not in regard to another. ⁵ For each one will bear his own load.

**************************************************************************************************

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Foundations of Faith II – will begin on July 12, as our summer series, during the Equipping Hour. If you do not have the workbook, you can purchase the new edition (by Moody Publishers) from me. The cost is $10. Also, for this class there are two required readings: Found: God’s Will by John MacArthur and Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God by J.I. Packer. You need to purchase them on your own.

Leadership Meeting this Tuesday evening at 7, here at the campus.

Summer Baptism is scheduled for Sunday, August 16^th at Leutholds.

Welcome new members to SGBC. The following people have been affirmed and added to our membership: Berwyn and Cherri Brucks, Christy Nerby, David Holzer, Dean Holzer, and Todd Labrensz.

Book-Table Coming Soon: We are in the process of revamping our Book Table ministry to better serve you. In the near future you can purchase many of the sound books directly from us.

Birthdays/Anniversary for July 2009:

• Grace Holthaus’s birthday (7/10)
• John Calvin’s birthday (7/10) – celebrating his 500 years!
• Jodi’s birthday (7/11)
• Sherri’s birthday (7/31)

***************************************************************************************

Theological Word of the Week

decree.

Due to the limited space, visit our church’s blog at www.sgbc.wordpress.com for its definition.

WORDS OF WISDOM ON YOUR WALK

Ephesians 5:15-17

INTRODUCTION

As a way of introduction, let me just say that we are about to deal with a Bible text that is obviously simple, yet utterly profound. I think you would agree that that is the nature of the Bible. The simplicity of Scripture is so accessible that even a child can understand it, yet it is utterly deep to drown an elephant. As a person who gets paid to observe and study this sacred text almost every day, I can assure you that such experience is weekly for me. Once again, I stand before you this morning simply humbled by the power of God’s word that it had on me during the week; and once again, I have the privilege to deliver this life-transforming word to you.

In addition to pointing out that we are about to deal with a text that is so simple, yet utterly profound, I also want to say that it is very practical. Paul’s letter to Ephesians is not only amazingly theological, but also amazingly practical. For all of us at Sovereign Grace that love all the Bible-enriched doctrines, we need to keep in mind that knowing theology is not the final goal for Christians. As much as we love doctrines and how they are so precious to us, they are not the end. Rather, they are the means to an end, namely holy living, a life that is separated from sins and consecrated to God. Or to borrow Paul’s own words from the previous section, that is, separated from the works of darkness to the fruit of the light.

We cannot merely look at the Bible as a systematic theology or as an academic subject. Without a doubt, the Bible needs to be studied and it needs to be studied hard with every ounce of our being. But the Bible also needs to be obeyed, especially, its explicit commands. And this morning we come face to face with some of those explicit commands.

Let me make two exegetical observations from our text. First, all the verbs (four to be exact) in these three verses are in the present tense. In other words, these are not future or past suggestions, but something that needs to be done right now. Second, all four verbs are imperatives and they are: 1) be careful, 2) making the most, 3) do not be foolish, and 4) understand. In other words, these are not future commands, but commands that need to be obeyed right at this moment. When there is negligence or willful disobedience – that is when it becomes a sin issue.

For those of you that want to treasure God and his word above all, I encourage you to take heed to this message. My sermon points come straight out of those four imperatives of this text. But before we look at each of those practical commands, I want to first draw your attention to the basis or the foundation in which these four commands stand. In other words, each of these commands cannot stand on its own if there is no foundation.

Furthermore, the foundation in which these four practical commands stand is uniquely Christian. To say this in another way, if the foundation is not uniquely Christian, then these four commands become mere moral suggestions at best. I can assure you that many religions of the world can give you moral suggestions that are good and practical. In fact, I heard many atheists and non-Christians give some good talks on all these four practical commands that we will be studying this morning. They are smart, articulate, intelligent, and even religious individuals. But what sets them apart from what you are about to hear is the difference of foundation, namely it is uniquely Christian.

So, what is so christianly about the foundation in which these commands stand? The clue is the first word in verse 15 – therefore. This clearly implies that our text does not stand on its own, but directly links to the previous section. In other words, what determines our text is its context, beginning with its immediate context.

Let me show you from verse 14. Here’s the reason or the basis why you are commanded to be careful how you walk, making the most of your time, not to be foolish, and to understand what the will of the Lord is – because you are not dead and because you are not asleep. And to move beyond verse 14, namely from verses 3 to 13, here is another reason – because you are not of the darkness, but now you are in the Light!

There is also another reason, namely verse 2 – because Christ also loved you and gave himself up for you, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma! These are the reasons that make these commands uniquely Christian. These are not mere moral imperatives, but theological imperatives that are deeply rooted in Christology and soteriology. With that in mind as the basis for this morning’s message, let me point out four practical commands that we need to obey, for God’s glory and for our good.

I. Look Carefully in How You Walk (v. 15).

The verb for “be careful” in Greek literally means “look carefully.” In the NT the word “careful” is used in reference to searching diligently (Matt. 2:8), investigating everything carefully (Luke 1:3), speaking and teaching accurately (Acts 18:25), or having a full awareness (1 Thes. 5:2). Hence, what Paul is implying here is that there are people in the church who are not very careful or who do not see things very carefully. In other words, they have problems with perception. It can be a biblical perception, a theological perception, a pastoral perception, or an ethical perception, or all the above. They have ears but cannot hear; they have eyes but cannot see.

We are, by nature, people who do not examine things carefully. If this is true in the natural sense, how much more is that true in the spiritual sense? We rush in our observations, interpretations and judgments, and yet we wonder why we are in such and such condition.

Even at this very point, we need to carefully raise a question, that is, in what we need to be careful of? That is a very important question to ask.

According to the text, we are commanded to be careful how you walk. Notice it doesn’t say, be careful when you walk or where you walk or who you walk with. That is because, first of all, when is already given. Christians do not simply walk (which is a metaphor for how you conduct your life) only on certain days of the week, but all the time. Also, the word how encompasses the entire where, what, how, when, and with whom. In other words, how refers to wisdom. In fact, that is why Paul says, not as unwise men but as wise.

At this point, let me counsel you with a few words about wisdom. You cannot equate wisdom with intelligence, knowledge, ability, or academic degrees. A person may have all those but not be wise.

The Bible speaks of two types of people, namely wise and foolish. This is especially evident in the Proverbs. Since we are given a negative command, that is, not to be unwise men, let me describe some characteristics of unwise/foolish individuals.

• Emotionally-driven, rather than rationally-driven.

Scripture gives various examples of foolish people that are generally driven by feelings, rather than reasons. I can think of one example in the Parable of the Sower. In reference to the seed that fell on the rocky places, Jesus said:

The one on whom seed was sown on the rocky places, this is the man who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no firm root in himself, but is only temporary, and when affliction or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he falls away (Matt. 13:20-21).

Martyn Lloyd-Jones gives his observation on this type of people:

There are so many people who are governed entirely by their feelings and they do not want to use their minds and their brains. Even in a religious service they just want happiness and enjoyment. They want to have a good time, as they call it, to get excited, to work themselves up by singing hymns and songs and choruses, and to keep on repeating and repeating until they are in a state of mental intoxication. They do not want to be made to think. Life is hard enough as it is, they say, without having to struggle with this thought and that, so let us have more singing and less preaching and so on. Feelings! Just a riot of enjoyment – that is a foolish person.[1]

• Driven by discontentment.

Another way to say this will be driven by desire to have more and more. They say, I must have what I like, and what I like is right. They have appetites that cannot be satisfied, whether it is power, pleasures, or material things.

In his book A Call to Spiritual Reformation, D.A. Carson writes, “If the things I value are taken away, is my joy in the Lord undiminished? Or am I so tied to my dreams that the destruction of my dreams means I am destroyed as well?”[2]

• Driven by zeal that is without knowledge.

A person may have passionate zeal and sincerity, and be sincerely wrong! Paul referring to his fellow Jews in Romans 10:2 said, “For I testify about them that they have a zeal for God, but not in accordance with knowledge.”

• Driven by impatience.

This is a common characteristic of every child, isn’t it? He wants things at once. He doesn’t like to hear the words like wait, no, or later. He wants things now. Although this is true of every child, it should not be of every Christian. And because unwise are impatient, they often do not consider consequences.

• Driven by only one perception, while missing the whole point.

This is what narrow-minded means in a negative way. A fool only sees one thing at a time, while being blinded to everything else. It’s like a person who sees only one particular doctrine and forgets to see the whole picture. It’s like being so caught up with a particular text that he forgets about the whole context. It’s like being so enamored by one particular tree while missing the whole forest. This is what we call a problem with perception.

Those five characteristics are helpful descriptions for us to put off, since they are what foolish or unwise person looks like. If so, then what is a wise person looks like? And this leads to our second command.

II. Redeeming the Time (v. 16).

I don’t like the translation in NAS. To say, “Making the most of your time,” it wrongly implies as if time belongs to you. The literal rendering of this in Greek is: you all redeeming the time. There is no implication that you own time. Rather, like everything else in life, time is a gift from God.

In fact, there are four things that God providentially gave all of us – people, place, time, and resources. And you know what? We all are responsible to God for how and what we did with them.

• ^NAU 2 Corinthians 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.

Does that even faze you? What do you think about the thought of standing before God and being accountable? I am terrified with this biblical reality, because I am so guilty for wasting so much of what God has entrusted to me. And my goal and prayer is that I don’t repeat these past sins of mine presently. If so, then I haven’t really repented from those past sins (not mere mistakes).

In his famous Resolutions, Jonathan Edwards wrote seventy resolutions when he was just nineteen! I’m going to cite about ten resolutions that relate directly to redeeming the time.

• Resolution #5: Resolved, never to lose one moment of time; but improve it the most profitable way I possibly can.

• #6: Resolved, to live with all my might, while I do live.

• #7: Resolved, never to do anything that I should be afraid to do if it were the last hour of my life.

• #9: Resolved, to think much on all occasions of my own dying, and of the common circumstances which attend death.

• #17: Resolved, that I will live so as I shall wish I had done when I come to die.

• #18: Resolved, to live so at all times as I think is best in my devout frames, and when I have clearest notions of the things of the gospel and another world.

• #30: Resolved, to strive to my upmost every week to be brought higher in religion, and to a higher exercise of grace, than I was the week before.

• #37: Resolved, to inquire every night, as  I am going to bed, wherein I have been negligent, what sin I have committed, and wherein I have denied myself; also to inquire so at the end of every week, month, and year.

• #43: Resolved, never henceforward till I die, to act as if I were any way my own, but to act entirely and altogether as God’s.

• #52: I frequently hear persons in old age say how they would live if they were to live their lives over again. Resolved, that I will live just so as I can think I shall wish I had done, supposing I live to old age.[3]

And who can forget John Piper’s book Don’t Waste Your Life, a theme that is so appropriate for all Christians. Let me read just one line from that book:

We waste our lives when we do not pray and think and dream and plan and work toward magnifying God in all spheres of life. God created us for this: to live our lives in a way that makes him look more like the greatness and the beauty and the infinite worth that he really is.[4]

III. Do Not Be Foolish (v. 17a).

Paul is so concerned for the church that is foolish (the verb is in the present tense, as in already established presently as foolish) that he mentions this warning twice just within these three verses (vv. 15b and 17a). The emphatic repetitions within short verses are considered something to pay close attention to, as in this text. Hence, this warning is very important.

Do not be foolish. That’s a biblical idiom for don’t behave like unbelievers. For instance:

• ^NAU Psalm 14:1 The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.”

• ^NAU Romans 1:21 For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. ²² Professing to be wise, they became fools,

• ^NAU 1 Corinthians 2:14 ¶ But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised.

Since fools are consumed with themselves and satisfied by their own perception, they have little regard for authorities, especially, God’s authorities. According to John MacArthur:

Sin is that which is against God, and since the fool does not recognize God, he does not recognize sin. The spiritually self-sufficient fool makes his own rules and justifies his own behavior, and in doing so he refuses to acknowledge sin and its consequences.[5]

When I hear those words, my mind immediately goes to Proverbs 1:7, which reads, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; Fools despise wisdom and instruction.”

IV. Understand the Lord’s Will (v. 17b).

To use Paul’s own analogy of put off and put on, we see the most vivid point here. We put off being foolish but we don’t stop at that, but we immediate put on the intentional effort to understand what the will of the Lord is.

In this letter Paul repeatedly points out the importance of God’s will (cf. 1:1, 5, 9, 11; 5:17; 6:6-7). That’s seven times just in this short letter!

Notice Paul does not say read the Lord’s will. He doesn’t say sing about it. He doesn’t even say pray about it. Rather, understand what the will of the Lord is. The verb for understand does not mean in a mere classroom knowledge or academic intelligence. It is one thing to say you own some knowledge, but it is quite another when certain knowledge owns you. That is to say, you are possessed by knowledge or that you have a deep understanding in life-transforming truths. That is the meaning here.

Such knowledge does not simply stay within you. Rather, it overflows from you to others. It is contagious. You say you love the Lord, but how so? Is it a type that merely stays within you or does it overflow from you to others? How can you say that the Bible is life-transforming when only certain area of your life has some changes while other areas or the majority of your life is untouched? Do you really understand what the will of the Lord is? That is why we are commanded to comprehend or have some insights to what God’s will is.

CONCLUSION

The Greek word for time in verse 16 is not chronos, which refers to the clock time. Rather, Paul uses the word kairos, which refers to the fixed season. The point is your time already has been fixed by God. You may know when you were born, but you do not know when your time would expire. And because you do not know when your time is up, the word of God commands and warns for you to redeem your fixed time.

Your time is ticking. At this time you are living on the borrowed time. That is why I cannot help but to keep reiterate the point, don’t waste your life! That is why I cannot help but to echo verse 14: wake up!

• ^NAU Romans 13:11 ¶ Do this, knowing the time, that it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep; for now salvation is nearer to us than when we believed.

---

[1] D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Darkness and Light: An Exposition of Ephesians 4:17-5:17 (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1995), 428.

[2] D.A. Carson, A Call to Spiritual Reformation (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2006), 142.

[3] Jonathan Edwards, Jonathan Edwards’ Resolutions, edited by Stephen J. Nichols (Phillipsburg: P&R Publishing, 2001), 17-26.

[4] John Piper, Don’t Waste Your Life (Wheaton: Crossway Books, 2003), 32.

[5] John MacArthur, Ephesians (Chicago: Moody Press, 1986), 216.

call (general, special, effectual).

The act by which God extends to humans an invitation to enter into a saving relationship. The idea of a “general” call arises from scriptural texts that suggest that God’s invitation goes out to all peoples through the testimony of general revelation, that is, as present in God’s handiwork and providential care for creation. The “special” call refers to the Spirit of God working specifically in the heart of an individual as the preaching of the gospel provides the person with an opportunity to exercise faith in Christ. Finally, the “effectual” call refers to the Spirit’s application of grace such that an individual receives forgiveness of sin and eternal life (Pocket Dictionary of Theological Terms, 22-23).

Because we desire to have a distraction-free service, please turn off all pagers and cell-phones. Also, we do not pass offering plate during the service, but our offering basket is located on the entry table for your giving. Thank you.

Sunday, July 5, 2009

9:30 AM

Rev. Jim Kang, Pastor-Teacher

Announcements

Call to Worship

• Leviticus 10:1-3

Songs/Hymns ……………………………………………… Tony Biggar

• I Love Your Grace
• Before There Was Time
• Holy Is The Lord
• It Is Well

Scripture Reading

• Romans 1

Sermon** ……………………………………………………. Rev. Jim Kang       

WORDS OF WISDOM ON YOUR WALK

Ephesians 5:15-17

Hymn

• I Need Thee Every Hour

Recite VOW

Benediction

• Psalm 31:23-24

**This sermon can be heard again or download for free at www.sovereigngracebiblechurch.org. You can also read its transcript at www.sgbc.wordpress.com.

**************************************************************************************

Your responsibility, by God’s enabling, is to constantly apply the divine truths you have heard (Philippians 2:12-13; 1 Timothy 4:7-9; James 1:22-27). As you meditate on this message, ask yourself these questions:

• How does God want my beliefs/actions to change?
• How can I accomplish this change?
• What is the first step toward bringing about this change?

************************************************************************************************

VOW (Verse of the Week)

^NAU 1 Corinthians 15:58 ¶ Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.

**************************************************************************************************

ANNOUNCEMENTS

“The Scholar as a Pastor”- the presentation by Dr. D.A. Carson will be shown during the Equipping Hour today and next Lord’s Day.

Men’s Fellowship – Saturday, July 11^th at Kangs at 7 AM. We’ll be discussing the last chapter and the appendix of Mark Dever’s The Nine Marks of a Healthy Church.

Foundations of Faith II – will begin on July 12, as our summer series, during the Equipping Hour. If you do not have the workbook, you can purchase the new edition (by Moody Publishers) from me. The cost is $10. Also, for this class there are two required readings: Found: God’s Will by John MacArthur and Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God by J.I. Packer. You need to purchase them on your own.

Book-Table Coming Soon: We are in the process of revamping our Book Table ministry to better serve you. In the near future you can purchase many of the sound books directly from us.

Summer Baptism is coming up. If you have not been baptized since your conversion, you are urged to do so as obedience to Christ (cf. Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 2:38). For more info, please contact the pastor.

Birthdays/Anniversary for July 2009:

• Grace Holthaus’s birthday (7/10)
• John Calvin’s birthday (7/10) – celebrating his 500 years!
• Jodi’s birthday (7/11)
• Sherri’s birthday (7/31)

baptismal regeneration.

The belief that water baptism effects the saving work of the Holy Spirit in washing away original sin. In Roman Catholicism baptism (usually of infants) is understood to confer grace upon the individual, whether or not faith is present. In Lutheran theology baptism must be accompanied by faith, whether the faith of the individual or of the parents, to be effective in washing away sin. Other Protestants reject baptismal regeneration, arguing that it contradicts the concept of justification by grace alone through faith alone (Pocket Dictionary of Theological Terms, 19).

Stu (as he is also called) is another Minnesotan member of SGBC. He married his high school sweetheart (Rochelle) and they both have three wonderful children. Some of his spiritual gifts include mercy, hospitality, helps, and giving. Since the inception he graciously served in our leadership, taught one of our Generations of Grace classes, and helped out in Kids For Christ program. He loves the Lord, his wife, their children, and his ice cream (in that order). In fact, there is a speculation that the only industry that has not been hit by the recession is ice cream – because of Stu.

On a serious note, he was recently asked with the following questions:

1. What has been the biggest memorable moment for you at SGBC?
2. In what ways is SGBC helping you and/or your family?
3. What do you like about SGBC?
4. Why should others come to SGBC?

His reply is as follows:

1. Some of my most memorable moments are the first day we met as Sovereign Grace Bible Church, as well as the first baptismal service.
2. SGBC has helped me understand that there is a Biblical order and reason for everything done within a church and its practices.  I have learned that the Word of God is the final authority for life and church.
3. I am thankful for the solid biblical preaching and teaching of God’s Word.  The whole counsel of God is preached and expected to be obeyed.  True fellowship is fellowship centered around the truth of God’s Word and we have experienced that here at SGBC.
4. People that are interested in growing in their biblical knowledge and faith are invited to come and check us out.  Our church is dedicated to the exposition of God’s Word, the glory of God, and being biblical in how we do church.

COMMANDS FOR GOD’S CHILDREN – PART 2

Ephesians 5:3-14

INTRODUCTION

From the onset of chapter 5 we have examined two commands for God’s children to obey. They are: be imitators (v. 1) and walk in love (v. 2). We now come to the third command, namely be holy (vv. 3-14).

III. Be Holy (vv. 3-14)

Since the third command covers such a big section (twelve verses to be exact), let me divide this into three smaller sections: 1) the cast offs (vv. 3-4), 2) the certainty (v. 5), and 3) the commands (vv. 6-14).

A. The cast offs (vv. 3-4).

Up to this point, the first two commands have been positive, namely “be imitators of God” and “walk in love.” However, contrarily to the first two commands, now the third one is negative. That is why verse 3 begins with the contrast – “but.”

The point is what Paul is about to describe is contrarily to a normal Christian life. The first two commands describe a good picture of what Christians or God’s children look like, namely they are imitators of God and walk in love. That’s a normal Christian life. But now, Paul is about to point out a list of abnormal and antithetical behavior and lifestyle that are inconsistent to Christians.

All the list of sins that are mentioned from verses 3 to 5 (six to be exact) have one thing in common: they are all related to sexual sins. The list begins with immorality. Unfortunately, I don’t like that translation in NAS, because it has too broad of the meaning. However, the Greek word hints its meaning and the word is porneia, where we get pornography or pornographic from. Hence, the word does not refer to just any immorality but sexual immorality or as KJV and NKJ render it “fornication.”

In the classical Greek literature the word porneia is used to refer to prostitution or homosexuality.[1] In the NT, the word is used to refer to having sexual relationship outside of marriage (Matt. 5:32) in which the word also refers to incest (1 Cor. 5). Hence, porneia means all sorts of aberrant sexual conduct outside of God-ordained marriage bed.

The next on the list is impurity (literally in Greek, all impurity). This does not merely mean being dirty, but reference to a sexual impurity. The third on the list is greed (or covetousness). Again, it does not mean mere financial greed or covetousness but that of sexual covetousness.

According to Scripture, any of those three specific behaviors should not be named to describe any professing Christian. Paul adds at the end of verse 3 that such action, behavior, or description is not proper among saints. You should note that all the verbs in verse 3 are in the present tense. That means, all the professing Christians at this present time should not be described or known to be engaged in those things presently or at this very moment. That is a very important observation to point out here.

The next three on the list are also related to sexual sins, namely filthiness (or indecency or sexually obscene), silly talk (that is sexually related), and coarse jesting. These last three on the list that are sexually related also have something else in common: they all have to do with communication. In other words, in your conversations these things, Paul says, are not fitting or proper.

Now, the end of verse 4 may seem strange, because why is “but rather giving of thanks” in the context of sexual sins? I believe this particular exhortation is addressed to both singles and married folks. For singles, don’t be impatient with your sexual desire by going against God’s will. If you are not married, you cannot be engaged in any sexual activity with someone else or with yourself.

And even if you are not physically committing the act, how is your thought life? It is because you can be guilty of adultery without the actual act. Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount that “everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matt. 5:28). There is an undeniable association between lust with pornography and masturbation.

People often say (even some prominent pastors) that if you have problems with lust as a single, find a mate and get married, because that would solve your problem. Now, is that a sound advice? I don’t think so. Marriage does not automatically solve lusting problems. In fact, it can get you into deeper problems, because now, it not only damages you but also your spouse and your children more likely would become the victims of your lust. A classic case in point: just look at what’s happening to Mark Sanford, the governor of South Carolina and his family, which is the most talked about sex scandal of today that is getting both national and international media coverage.

All that is to say, the key to sexual sins is contentment. For singles, be content and be thankful that you are single at this time. This is where God has you to work on your sexual purity. And if you are a single, have accountability with one of the leaders at church.

Also for married folks, be content and be thankful for the spouse that God gave you. Scripture says, “Godliness with contentment is a great gain” (1 Tim. 6:6). Let me give you some thoughts to ponder.

• When there is contentment, there is no coveting. No contentment, there is coveting.

• The secret of contentment is the realization that life is a gift, not a right (author unknown).

• If you cannot get what you like, why not try to like what you’ve got? (author unknown).

• Contentment makes poor men rich; discontentment makes rich men poor (Benjamin Franklin).

All that is to say, to be holy means you have to cast off these specific sexually related sins. To be holy means you have to be above reproach. Your reputation and character must not be stained with sexual sins. Also, to be holy means you have to say no to certain choices.

Biblically, some of the great men in the Bible have fallen greatly due to sexual sins (e.g., Samson, David, and Solomon). And some of the great men in our day have fallen due to sexual sins (e.g. politicians). Have you noticed how many politicians have been in the news recently because of their sexual sins? Don’t ignore what God is revealing. It is his warning to you and me.

For the sake of clarification, let me say that the real problem is not sex. When you hear the term “sexual sins,” I don’t want you to think that sex is immoral, sinful, or wrong. In fact, the Bible teaches that the marriage bed is undefiled (Heb. 13:4). So, the problem is not sex. The real problem is lust. Whether a person is married or not, the problem everyone struggles is lust, namely lust for power and/or lust for pleasure that is outside of God’s explicit commands. Even the ministers are not immune to this. I believe that the greatest means that Satan effectively uses to keep God’s people enslaved is through pornography and sexual sins. So please take heed to what God is saying through his word. Plea to God for his mercy and grace to help you cast off these things.

B. The Certainty (v. 5).

Here I’m referring to the certainty of God’s holiness. The message that is so clear here is that God is so holy that he would not tolerate sinners who reject God’s word. The popular saying that God hates sin but loves sinner does not fly here. To such nonsense, the message here is God would not tolerate any sinner because of God’s absolute holiness. And Paul specifically qualifies a type of sinner, namely one who engages in sexually immoral lifestyle. And the negative promise of God that is given here is that those who engage in such sins that have been mentioned will not enter the kingdom of Christ and God. The message here is clear, namely there is undividable connection between salvation and sexual sins. God’s summation for everyone who engages in all sorts of sexual sins can be qualified into one description: idolater.

C. The Commands (vv. 6-14).

The last section deals with several commands that are associated for you to be holy. In Greek text there are seven imperatives in these nine verses! Some are repetition, while others can be combined into one thought. Hence, for the sake of organization, let me point out five specific commands that are associated for you to be holy.

1. 1. Don’t be deceived (v. 6).

Don’t be deceived by your own deceived self, by others, and by Satan. Such deception comes in the form of empty words, which are expressions of non-biblical thoughts, such as, belittling this very warning about sexual sins (e.g. 5:5). Another type of deception can be a belittlement of the very idea about the wrath of God – as in “has God said?”

• ^NAU Galatians 6:7 ¶ Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. ⁸ For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.

Don’t be deceived by the empty words in light of God’s command to be holy.

1. 2. Walk as children of light (v. 8).

Notice the repeated usage of this metaphor between light and darkness (5:8-14). To be holy, you need to walk as children of light.

1. 3. Try to learn what is pleasing/acceptable to the Lord (v. 10).

The same verb refers to discerning, examining, proving, or testing. To be holy, you need to learn what pleases the Lord or what is acceptable to the Lord. For Christian singles that are in relationship, the question should not be, “How far can I go in touching and kissing?” Rather, the real question is, “How much are we pleasing to the Lord with and in this relationship?”

1. 4. Don’t associate with professing Christians that are disobedient (vv. 7 and 11).

One of the chief characteristics of Christian holiness is obedience and submission to God’s word. It can be argued that the main command in this text is a call to separate oneself and not to participate or share in their sin. Twice in this section such command is given (vv. 7 and 11). Paul’s argument is that there is no fellowship between the disobedient and obedient, dark and light. Up to this point, as you recall, there has been repeated emphasis on unity, fellowship, and oneness. But now, this is a command to be separated, because there is no fellowship, unity, and oneness between obedient and disobedient (cf. 2 Cor. 6:1-4, 6-7a, 14-18; 1 Cor. 5:1-13; Rom. 1:32).

Let me raise an important question from verse 6: when does the wrath of God come? That is a very important question to answer because this leads to other important implications.

I know that you know that our theology teaches that there awaits a future judgment of God. And there are many overwhelming textual evidences in the Bible. But I am not asking the question from other places in the Bible, but right here in this text. It’s amazing how many times we overlook and miss what God is trying to tell us, because of our pre-understanding that we bring to the text.

Notice the verb tenses. The two verbs in this verse are all in present tense. All the English translations correctly have it “the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.” The text does not say “the wrath of God shall come but comes”!

So, when does the wrath of God come? Based on this text, it is now, not later! It is in the present time, not the future!

My next question is: how is it now? To simply put, when you sin, your conscience is disturbed, convicted, and even condemned. That’s part of God’s judgment. Jesus referring to the present ministry of the Holy Spirit said, “When He comes, will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment” (John 16:8).

What generally happens when a person sees another person feels guilty? Generally, a typical action is to say to that person, “It’s OK; don’t worry about it; it’s no big deal” or whatever to minimize the situation.

Do you wander why there is warning about not to partner and associate with the people who are disobedient? By so doing, you may give the same message of “It’s OK; don’t worry; it’s no big deal” or to minimize the seriousness of their sin. According to John MacArthur:

No Christian will be sinless in this present life, but it is dangerously deceptive for Christians to offer assurance of salvation to a professing believer whose life is characterized by persistent sin and who shows no shame for that sin or hunger for the holy and pure things of God. They are headed for wrath (2:2), and believers must not partner in any of their wickedness (v. 7).[2]

1. 5. Expose them (vv. 11b-14).

When I say “them,” I mean those professing Christians that are disobedient and unrepentant. This is another Pauline distinction. How many times do we read about Paul naming names to expose who they are and what they’ve done? For instance:

• ^NAU 1 Timothy 1:19 keeping faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and suffered shipwreck in regard to their faith. ²⁰ Among these are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan, so that they will be taught not to blaspheme.

• ^NAU 2 Timothy 1:15 ¶ You are aware of the fact that all who are in Asia turned away from me, among whom are Phygelus and Hermogenes.

• ^NAU 2 Timothy 2:15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth. ¹⁶ But avoid worldly and empty chatter, for it will lead to further ungodliness, ¹⁷ and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, ¹⁸ men who have gone astray from the truth saying that the resurrection has already taken place, and they upset the faith of some.

• ^NAU 2 Timothy 4:13 When you come bring the cloak which I left at Troas with Carpus, and the books, especially the parchments. ¹⁴ Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm; the Lord will repay him according to his deeds. ¹⁵ Be on guard against him yourself, for he vigorously opposed our teaching.

According to one Bible commentator, “The Christian’s responsibility does not stop with his own rejection of evil. He is also responsible for exposing and opposing darkness wherever it is found, especially when it is found in the church.”[3]

---

[1] Harold W. Hoehner, Ephesians: An Exegetical Commentary (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2004), 652.

[2] John MacArthur, The MacArthur Bible Commentary (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2006), 1698.

[3] Ibid., 1699.

Because we desire to have a distraction-free service, please turn off all pagers and cell-phones. Also, we do not pass offering plate during the service, but our offering basket is located on the entry table for your giving. Thank you.

Sunday, June 28, 2009

9:30 AM

Rev. Jim Kang, Pastor-Teacher

Announcements

Call to Worship

• Leviticus 9:1-7

Songs/Hymns ……………………………………………… Todd Holthaus

• Give Thanks
• Be Glorified (In My Life Lord)
• Above All

Scripture Reading

• Jude

Sermon** ……………………………………………………. Rev. Jim Kang       

COMMANDS FOR GOD’S CHILDREN – PART 2

Ephesians 5:3-14

Hymn

• Take My Life and Let It Be

Recite VOW

Benediction

• Romans 15:5-6

**This sermon can be heard again or download for free at www.sovereigngracebiblechurch.org. You can also read its transcript at www.sgbc.wordpress.com.

**************************************************************************************

Your responsibility, by God’s enabling, is to constantly apply the divine truths you have heard (Philippians 2:12-13; 1 Timothy 4:7-9; James 1:22-27). As you meditate on this message, ask yourself these questions:

• How does God want my beliefs/actions to change?
• How can I accomplish this change?
• What is the first step toward bringing about this change?

************************************************************************************************

VOW (Verse of the Week)

^NAU 1 Corinthians 15:1 ¶ Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand, ² by which also you are saved, if you hold fast the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain. ³ ¶ For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,

**************************************************************************************************

ANNOUNCEMENTS

“The Scholar as a Pastor”- the presentation by Dr. D.A. Carson will be shown during the Equipping Hour today and next Lord’s Day.

Men’s Fellowship – Saturday, July 11^th at Kangs at 7 AM. We’ll be discussing the last chapter and the appendix of Mark Dever’s The Nine Marks of a Healthy Church.

Foundations of Faith II – will begin on July 12, as our summer series, during the Equipping Hour. If you do not have the workbook, you can purchase the new edition (by Moody Publishers) from me. The cost is $10. Also, for this class there are two required readings: Found: God’s Will by John MacArthur and Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God by J.I. Packer. You need to purchase them on your own.

Book-Table Coming Soon: We are in the process of revamping our Book Table ministry to better serve you. In the near future you can purchase many of the sound books directly from us.

Summer Baptism is coming up. If you have not been baptized since your conversion, you are urged to do so as obedience to Christ (cf. Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 2:38). For more info, please contact the pastor.

Birthdays/Anniversary for July 2009:

• Grace Holthaus’s birthday (7/10)
• John Calvin’s birthday (7/10) – celebrating his 500 years!
• Jody’s birthday (7/11)
• Sherri’s birthday (7/31