Bryn MacPhail

I could name a plethora of reasons, or incentives, to follow Jesus Christ and to give Him priority. As I teach from the Scriptures Sunday by Sunday, part of what I am trying to do is to bring these incentives to bear upon the lives of those who have placed their faith in Christ. So much is gained when we gain Christ. The apostle Paul explains to the Christians in Ephesus that they have been blessed with “every spiritual blessing in Christ” (Ephesians 1:3). Throughout the New Testament these benefits are named for us—we gain forgiveness, we gain righteousness, we gain power to serve, power to resist temptation, and power to pray.

At the outset of his letter to the Colossians, Paul provides the people of Colossae with an expectation that their faithfulness will be accompanied by some practical blessings from God—they will receive from God strength, endurance, patience, and joyful gratitude (Colossians 1:11, 12; see also my earlier post on this). For some, this provides adequate motivation to make Christ and His priorities our main pursuit. But, I love the transition Paul makes—as if to further elevate our incentive to follow Christ. Paul transitions away from a list of benefits derived from following Jesus and begins to focus on the nature and work of Jesus.

I hear Paul answering the question, “Who is Jesus?”, by saying that Jesus is supreme (Colossians 1:18).

…for by Him all things were created: in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible…all things were created by Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. And He is the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything He might have supremacy (Colossians 1:16-18).

We make a mistake if we simply think of Jesus as Redeemer. He is Creator—all things owe their origin to Him.  He is Sustainer—all things “hold together” in Him. And Christ is the end for which everything in the Universe was made—not only was everything made by Him, but everything was also made for Him.

The New Testament is unequivocal on this point: Christ is The Supreme One. And while the benefits promised to me if I follow Christ are compelling, I regard Christ Himself to be the most compelling reason for me to follow Him. In other words, if Jesus Christ is supreme (in an objective sense), He ought to be supreme to me. Any benefits that may happen to accompany my following Jesus are, as they say, “gravy”.

I don’t want to pretend that I am an expert in treating Jesus as supreme in every aspect of my life—I’m not. But I will say this: I intend to spend the rest of my days attempting to appropriately respond to His supremacy.

If this is something that interests you, may I encourage you to listen to the message below, entitled, “The Supreme One”.

January 18 is a special date for me. On this date, twelve years ago, I was ordained to the Ministry of Word and Sacrament within the Presbyterian Church in Canada. This year, more than any of my other ordination anniversaries, I reflected on the kind of minister I’ve become. There are some areas where I am pleased with my growth and progress. But there are also areas where I lament my inability to push forward and improve.

God is gracious. I sense His carefulness as He reveals these areas where I still need much growth. And, to keep me from despair, He also provides moments of encouragement—often in subtle, but always in meaningful ways. I recognize that God is continually shaping me—using ‘the good’ and ‘the bad’ to help me become that which He intends for me (Romans 8:28; 2Corinthians 12:7-10).

As I reflect over the past twelve years, I note different emphases within my ministry. Early on, it was my passion for Reformed Theology—as expressed through the Reformer, John Calvin, the 17th Century Puritans, Jonathan Edwards and, in our day, through the likes of R.C. Sproul and James Montgomery Boice.

In 1999, I heard a sermon that has profoundly marked my messages and my ministry ever since. At the Moody Bible Institute Pastors’ Conference, John Piper delivered a message that was entitled, “Stop Serving Jesus!” (as though He needed us). As the result of this message, duty no longer drives my ministry efforts, delight does (recommended reading: “Desiring God” by John Piper).

In my early years at St. Giles Kingsway, the principle of “Contagious Christianity” (Bill Hybels) directed our evangelistic efforts. In recent years it was “Simple Church” by Thom Rainer & Eric Geiger that compelled me to tweak our ministry trajectory. The thesis of Simple Church is that less is more—simplicity of vision and programs helps congregations to preserve their vibrancy.

This past year I read a book that I count among my top ten, in terms of its impact upon my life. “Crazy Love” by Francis Chan was written “for those who want more of Jesus”. A light goes on in my head. Yes, I still subscribe to Reformed Theology. Yes, the Supremacy of Jesus in all things remains central to my ministry. Contagious Christianity continues to provide a helpful track for evangelism. Simple Church remains a much needed model for ordering a ministry. But Francis Chan struck a particular chord in my conscience. The reason I enrolled in seminary, the reason I became a minister, is because I wanted more of Jesus…and I wanted others to have more of Him too.

Some might say that my ministry has evolved over the last twelve years, and there’s evidence of that. But I think it might be more accurate to say that it has come full circle. I’m back to  basics: wanting more of Jesus for myself and for the congregation I serve. As the hymn writer, Horatius Bonar, well puts it:

I came to Jesus and I drank of that life giving stream; my thirst was quenched, my soul revived, and now I live in Him.

I don’t need to visit cnn.com nearly as much as I used to since I came across these excellent blogs of Canadian missionaries serving in Haiti.

The Van der Mark’s blog - I worked at Muskoka Woods with Laurens Van der Mark in the early 1990s. Laurens’ wife, Cheryl, gives a detailed account of what they endured the hours immediately following the earthquake in her Jan. 19 post.

The Rumford’s blog - Grant Rumford is an advanced care paramedic who works along with the Van der Mark’s for Mission of Hope. Currently, Mission of Hope is coordinating with Feed The Children Canada (where Grant’s father is the President) to continue care and relief efforts.

Rachelle in Haiti - Rachelle is an associate director of an orphanage in Haiti and has been posting regularly since the earthquake. (It also appears Rachelle is from my hometown of Niagara Falls!).

Embracing Hope -  Diana Wiebe is a school teacher connected with Mission of Hope. Diana has also provided regular updates and inspiring insights since the earthquake hit Haiti.

As we remember the people of Haiti in our prayers, we give thanks to God for these faithful men and women who are providing relief, comfort, and HOPE.

As I called the people of St. Giles Kingsway to worship on Sunday, January 17, it was with these words from Psalm 71. This is my prayer for the people of Haiti:

²⁰ Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter,
you will restore my life again;
from the depths of the earth
you will again bring me up.

²¹ You will increase my honor
and comfort me once again.

I am very much a person of routine. I am most comfortable when everything stays the same. I like the status quo.

The status quo is often viewed as a negative thing, but surely there are occasions when the status quo is actually a good thing. For example, a sports team on a winning streak does not tinker with their lineup, they do not alter their strategy—they preserve the status quo because that’s what got them on the winning streak in the first place.

As much as I enjoy the status quo at times, I must admit that, as I read the New Testament, I see a constant push to go beyond the status quo.

On Sunday January 17, at St. Giles Kingsway and The Well, I began a message series based on the apostle Paul’s letter to the Colossians (The audio of the January 17 message is found at the end of this post). Almost from the outset of this letter I see Paul urging the Colossians to press forward. As he does this my attention is arrested by the fact that, for the Colossians, the status quo is a good thing. Paul notes that they have “faith in Christ” and commends them for “the love (they) have for all the saints” (Colossians 1:4).

In the case of the Colossians, the status quo is immensely positive. And yet, Paul sees room for growth. He sees areas in which the Colossians still need to mature and progress. Accordingly, Paul exhorts the Colossians beyond the status quo toward what they still need.

I’m challenged by that. I want to stay in my routine. I want to pause and enjoy all that the Lord has done for me and in me. But then I hear Paul saying, ‘God’s not done with you yet. You’re not yet at the finish line. You’re not sufficiently Christ-like. Keep going. Press on.’

Paul goes on to tell the Colossians what they need in 1:9—he’s praying for God to fill them with the knowledge of His will. But that’s not the end game. That’s not the destination. The destination is revealed in verse 10:

We pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please Him in every way.

What we need is a comprehensive knowledge of God and His ways because it increases our capacity to “please God in every way”.

I desperately want this. I want to be in a place where the orientation of my life is focused on pleasing God. I want His deal to trump my deal. I recognize that this is what I was created for—it’s what I was redeemed for. I realize that, in order to get to this destination—in order to grow—I need to say good-bye to the status quo.

Paudler is one of two children my wife and I sponsor through Compassion Canada. Paudler lives in Haiti.

It has been more than a week since the devastation began in Haiti as the result of a 7.0 earthquake. I continue to be stunned and saddened by the reports I’m hearing—tens of thousands, possibly over a hundred thousand perished from this disaster.

I gave it a few days before I emailed Compassion Canada to see if there was any news on Paudler. The reply I received was prompt, but sobering, “we do not have any news about specific sponsor children”. Five thousand Haitian children are sponsored through Compassion.

The coverage of this disaster in the media has been extensive, to say the least, on topics ranging from the history of Haiti, to the logistical challenges of dispersing aid, to the strategies for rebuilding, to the role of God and faith. And since I am not a historian, a medical expert, or an engineer, I will confine my comments to the latter subject.

God is not absent from this disaster. He is not a helpless bi-stander. Jesus reminds us of the constant care of our Heavenly Father when He asks, “Are not two sparrows sold for a cent? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father” (Matthew 10:29). The disaster in Haiti did not catch God by surprise.

What shall we conclude then? Many are asking, “Why Haiti?”, “Does God hate Haiti?”. Very few of the answers to these questions I have come across have been helpful. One answer in particular, from a well-known televangelist, was outrageously insensitive. But I did come across one article written by Albert Mohler Jr. that I found to be both theologically sound and hope-inspiring.

Mohler answers:

(if God) hated Haiti, there would be no missionaries there; there would be no aid streaming to the nation; there would be no rescue efforts—there would be no hope.

The earthquake in Haiti, like every other earthly disaster, reminds us that the creation is groaning under the weight of sin and the judgment of God. This is true for every cell in our bodies, even as it is for the crust of the earth at every point in the globe. The entire cosmos is awaiting the revelation of the glory of the coming Lord. Creation cries out for the hope of New Creation.

In other words, the earthquake reminds us that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is the only real hope. The cross of Christ declares that Jesus loves Haiti—and the Haitian people are the objects of His love. Christ would have us show the Haitian nation His love, and share His Gospel. In the midst of this unspeakable tragedy…Christ’s people must do everything we can to alleviate the suffering, bind up the wounded, and comfort the grieving.

In the words of one of the Canadian missionaries, working on the front lines of medical relief in Haiti, “now is the body of Christ’s time to shine.”

As we continue to pray for the Haitian people—as I continue to pray for my sponsor child, Paudler, I’m reminded to also pray for the myriad of Christian missionaries in Haiti who haven’t left their post, and who continue to provide assistance and relief for those in need.  To them I say, “Thank you for shining the light of Christ so brightly.”

A colleague friend of mine shared with me this morning his experience flying to Hawaii for a vacation. Shortly after refueling in Salt Lake City, Utah, the captain announced that he was turning the plane back.  One of the engines had stopped working and they needed to make an “emergency landing”.

In the minutes that followed there were additional announcements preparing the crew and passengers for what might be next. One of the announcements explained why they needed to brace themselves for what the captain described as a “hard landing”. My friend reported how this news caused the woman next to him to vomit.

Such an extreme physical reaction is not entirely surprising given the stress of the situation. We imagine what might have been going through the woman’s mind, “Is this it? Is this plane going to crash? Am I going to die in a few minutes?”

For many of us, the prospect of imminent death is not on our radar (no pun intended). But the plane you’re flying on loses an engine and that changes one’s perspective in a hurry.  The prospect of your impending demise surely evokes a variety of responses….You think of loved ones….Things you regret, things you left undone, surface in your mind….You deliberate over your contingency plans….You panic….You puke….You pray.

I can’t help but think that a person’s worldview will profoundly impact how you respond in such a situation. For some, death is the great enemy and the worst thing that could happen to a person. For others, death is the defeated enemy (see 1Corinthians 15:26, 55)—death is the transition point between this existence and the next. Convinced of this, the apostle Paul tells the Corinthians, “Stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labour in the Lord is not in vain” (1Corinthians 15:58).

As my colleague detailed his experience to me, I’m imagining him unmoved by the situation—not because he is naive, or reckless, but because he believes that death is not the ultimate end.

I think also of St. Francis of Assisi who was working in his garden when he was approached by a friend and asked what he would be doing if he knew this would be the last hour of his life. Without missing a beat, Francis answered, “I would finish my gardening.”

That response inspires me.

My colleague’s composure similarly impresses me.

I want that. I want to live in such a way as to not be startled by the prospect of death. To put it more crudely, I don’t want to be the person on the plane who is puking when an engine fails. I want to be the person praying—I want to be the one giving thanks for the life I’ve had, and for the life I will eternally enjoy in the presence of Christ my Saviour.

What do you think of when you hear the phrase “extreme Christianity”? Is that something you want to identify with? Would you like to be regarded as an “extreme Christian”?

The other day I did something that every good researcher would do in my situation, I Googled the phrase “extreme Christianity”. The search yielded an astounding 7.4 million hits! In my cursory survey of about a dozen of these pages I found some scary stuff. I came across some ministries, I was exposed to some theology, that I would not want to identify with. These ministries described themselves as “extreme” versions of Christianity.

But what does the word mean? One of the definitions I came across described extreme as “exceeding the ordinary, usual, or expected”. I think this is a helpful working definition for thinking about the nature of Christianity. Read just about any portion of the New Testament and you will see a great many things that “exceed the ordinary, usual, and expected”.

There is a sense then, in which we can say that Christianity is extreme.

This past Sunday, at St. Giles Kingsway and The Well, I delivered a message on this subject while looking at Acts chapter 2. Here we see at least 3 layers of extreme Christianity:

1. An Extreme Message - Peter identifies Jesus as the Messiah, as Lord, and as risen from the dead (Acts 2:22-36)

2. An Extreme Response - 3,000 people responded to Peter’s message that day by being baptized, and becoming numbered among the early Church (Acts 2:41)

3. An Extreme Lifestyle - the early Christians devoted themselves to God and to one another in radical ways (Acts 2:42-47)

Read Acts 2:42-47 in particular and you will see a level of devotion that massively exceeds the ordinary, usual, and expected. There is no sign of a casual Christianity here. What is modeled for us here is undoubtedly extreme—not the scary extreme that you can easily find a website for, but an extreme that is an appropriate response to the extreme love shown to us by Jesus.

I’m increasingly convinced that if my Christianity is predictable, if my worship of God is ordinary,  if my helpfulness to others is common, then I haven’t taken my devotion far enough.

I want to go after the Christianity that I see in the early Church. I want my faith in Christ, my commitment to worship, and my love for people to be extreme!

Interested? Have a listen to the audio below. Then, let’s commit to exceeding the ordinary together!

Have you ever heard the phrase, “If you aim at nothing you’ll hit it every time”? I have found this phrase to be particularly accurate when it comes to the area of spiritual progress. What I have discovered is that I will not grow spiritually unless I take specific aim at spiritual progress.

So here we are, two weeks into a new year and I’m determined that this year will be different. I refuse to coast, because I recognize that my drift is not toward Christ-likeness. I realize that if I am to grow in the likeness of my Saviour, I will need to aim for that. I will need to wrestle, fight, and pray for that amid the challenges of everyday life.

I take my cue here from the example of the apostle Paul, who explained to the Philippians,

One thing I do: Forgetting what lies behind, I strain toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:13, 14).

What is Paul aiming at here? I think that Paul is saying that while he has indeed gained Christ, he has not yet gained all that Christ intends for him. In other words, Paul is not Christ-like yet. Realizing this, Paul presses on toward it. His “goal” is Christ-likeness and, in heaven, the “prize” will be Christ-likeness. In the meantime, Paul’s going after it with great intentionality.

Notice the singularity of Paul’s pursuit: “one thing I do”. This is his supreme priority. It’s his main thing.

I suspect that this is the fork in the road for many of us. We’re perhaps fond of the idea of growing in our likeness of Jesus Christ, but we’re not sure if we’re ready to make Him the main thing. For many, that seems too radical, too extreme. But clearly this is what Paul is commending.

One of the things I appreciate in Paul’s exhortation is the language of struggle. Making progress in Christ-likeness is not easy. It requires focus. It requires singular determination. It requires “strain”.

It’s possible that “strain” is the last thing you want to add to your sufficiently hectic life. But what if the result of this particular “strain” was your ability to more meaningfully navigate the challenges of life was enhanced?

Paul got it. Paul understood that he was not yet what he ought to be. He understood that he wasn’t yet what Christ had redeemed him to be (3:12). He also knew that the “prize” was worthy of the “strain”. To this end, Paul ran with purpose toward the goal set out for him.

With the onset of this new year, I’m viewing this as an opportunity to reboot my spiritual focus. I’m no longer willing to run in a hundred different directions with the faint hope of being productive. This year I want to run in a particular direction—I want to run with purpose toward Christ-likeness.

May I encourage you to pursue the same? Have a listen to “Running With Purpose”, delivered on December 27, 2009, at St. Giles Kingsway and The Well.

If we’re honest, I think most will agree that some gifts are better than others.

As a child, I recall that it did not take me long to figure out who was most likely to buy me new dress socks and who was going to buy me the assortment of Star Wars figures and Atari video games that I had been coveting for Christmas.

There were some gifts that I would enjoy regularly for years, and there were other gifts that I…well, I’ve probably said enough!

On one occasion when Jesus was teaching His followers about prayer, He used the analogy of gift-giving to make His point. Jesus’ instruction on this is massively encouraging. If you’ve ever imagined God to be a reluctant giver, if you’ve ever imagined prayer to be tantamount to twisting God’s arm to get what you want, Jesus sets us straight:

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you…Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask Him! (Matthew 7:7, 9-11)

I realize that there is a way to misinterpret what Jesus is teaching here. There is a way of looking at this and imagining that God is like a Divine vending machine, and if we push the correct buttons, that which we desire will be given to us. However, Jesus doesn’t promise that prayer is the means by where we acquire what we want. But rather, prayer is the means whereby we receive “good gifts” from God.

As much as I’d like to think that I always know what is best for me, I have to admit that I don’t. As a finite being, I have very little clue, for example, how my actions and circumstances intersect with those of other people. Because of my limited perspective, I am incapable of knowing what constitutes a “good gift” in every instance.

God, on the other hand, as the Holy and Sovereign ruler of the Universe is uniquely positioned to determine what is the best “gift” to give to me. What we have then in this passage is the assurance that God is eager to give us what is best for us. Luke’s version of this same account actually identifies one of the “good gifts”. In Luke 11:13 Jesus says, “How much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him.”

Here we see that God not only supplies His resources, but He also supplies Himself.

Have you ever asked God to give you His Spirit? And if you have asked God for this, do you realize that the Spirit of God is not something to be merely asked for once, but that the Spirit of God can be accessed and engaged daily?

I hear Jesus saying that the Holy Spirit can be accessed immediately, frequently, and for all eternity. What is required is simply that we “ask”, “seek”, and “knock”.

On Sunday December 13, at St. Giles Kingsway and The Well, I delivered a message on this passage. If you’re interested in hearing more about how receiving and regularly accessing the Spirit of Christ can transform our lives, then I encourage you to have a listen (audio below).

If you proceed to ask, seek, and knock on the door of the One who gives “good gifts”, I am confident that you will discover that the Spirit is what we need the most. I am confident that you will discern that the Holy Spirit is the best gift, from the Best Gift-Giver.