Last night we continued in our study of the book of Joshua and read the story in which Achan took some of the "devoted things" and brought God's judgment on the nation at Ai.  We spent some time dealing with the fact that the whole nation and then Achan's family were punished for his sin.  We saw that this counting of one member's sin against the whole group is called "corporate solidarity" by many theologians.  The whole group is, in some way, guilty of the sin of the one member.

What I also said, and would like to modify, is that between the Old and New Covenants the boundaries of corporate solidarity have shifted.  So, we are no longer reckoned as being covenantally joined, and therefore in corporate solidarity, with our physical families.  It is no longer based upon birth.  Under the New Covenant we are either in corporate solidarity with Adam or with Christ.

As I left the sanctuary Sunday night, though, a thought occurred to me.  Saying that the boundaries have "shifted" between the Old and New Covenant like this makes it sound as if I am saying that people under the Old Covenant were not reckoned as "in Adam" or "in Christ."  I don't want to say that.  In every period of human history, under every dispensation of God, all people are counted as joined to Adam or joined to Christ.  In light of that, it may have been better for me to say that under the New Covenant God no longer establishes corporate solidarity on the basis of physical lineage but he maintains the covenant relationships that we share with Adam and Christ.  Adam has always been the head of all fallen humanity.  Christ has always been the head of all of redeemed humanity.

I hope this clarifies rather than confuses.

As I worked my way through the text of Exodus 33:18-34:8 on Sunday Morning I tried to discern distinct truths about God that I saw revealed in our passage.  So we talked about God being a revealing God,  a creating God, a loving God, a holy God, a sovereign God, and a glorious God.  But with each of these attributes of God we only scratched the surface.  We didn't talk, for instance, about God's love for himself, the love that exists between Father, Son, and Spirit.  We didn't talk about that mainly because in the text God's love is an outward flowing love.  He forgives us and his covenant love is a love directed toward us in the passage.  But still, I would argue that the foundation of God's love for human beings, who are made in his image, is his love for himself.  Consider what Jesus says in John 15:9, "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love."  Jesus love for us is analogous to the Father's love for him.  But which came first?  The Father's love for the Son, of course.  Or, as Jesus says in John 17:4, "Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world."  So, the next time that you reflect upon God's incredible love for you, pause and reflect upon the fact that his love for us is grounded in the love that he has for his own Son.

PS.  I suppose that I could have discerned and therefore brought out this aspect of God's love for his people by pointing to Moses' appeal to God's concern for his own name in chapter 32 as he prays for God not to destroy Israel for her sin.  Certainly, there we see God's forgiveness grounded in his commitment to bring glory and honor to himself.  What are your thought's?  Can you think of any other passages in Scripture that show us that God's first love is directed toward the other Persons of the Trinity?

This Sunday we will be turning our attention from rightly preaching God's Word to having a right understanding of God that comes from God's Word.  We'll look at what God revealed about himself to Moses in Exodus 33-34, in response to Moses' request, "Please show me your glory."  I pray that we will all see the glory of God revealed in his Word this week and be transformed by it.  Ultimately, I want us to respond in the same way that Moses did, "And Moses quickly bowed his head toward the earth and worshiped," (Exodus 34:8).  That's why we study the Scriptures.  That's why we pursue the study of theology.  The more we learn about God, the greater our capacity to praise him becomes.  I hope you'll join me this Sunday to exalt in the glory of God in the face in Christ.

What do you want to see in a church?  Do you want strong children’s programs?  How about a vibrant, growing student ministry?  Or perhaps you’re more interested in the praise and worship of the church.  Do you want to feel like your alive and drawn into the presence of God by praise music?  Or do you expect worship to be a time of great reverence and simple devotion?  Could it be evangelism that’s the key for you?  Maybe you prefer in-depth teaching in the worship services.  You’re looking to be challenged by the truth and to learn new things form God’s Word.  Or maybe you want a preacher who will really connect with you and your friends – make you feel as if he’s a lot like you and understands your world and your struggles.

None of these things are necessarily bad.  Every preacher should bring depth to the pulpit, but he also needs to connect with those to whom he preachers.  And the Gospel should always be clearly presented in every sermon, but without the service becoming and evangelistic rally.  Of course, music is important as well.  And there is a place for both celebratory praise and quiet reverence when we gather together.  And the church must never neglect younger generations.  We need to reach out to them and disciple them effectively.  All of these things are important.

However, too many people approach church the same way that they approach a trip to the mall.  They will browse through different stores and find what suits them; they’ll find a church that “fits” them.  But in doing that – and in focusing on any one of the things mentioned above, we miss what really matters.  What matters more than whether the church meets my needs or expectations is whether the church is healthy.  We need to see, not the things we want, but the things that God says make for a healthy, vibrant church.

That’s why we’re beginning a new study this Sunday called “Signs of Life.”   We want to know the priorities that God has set for the church.  We want to know what distinguishes healthy churches from unhealthy churches.  Therefore, we will spend the next eight weeks looking at a few distinguishing marks of healthy churches, such as a commitment to expository preaching, the need for a biblical understanding of the Gospel, for a biblical approach to evangelism and discipleship, and for a biblical model of leadership in the church, among others.

We, as pastors, refuse to sit still as we wait for God to bring another pastor to our church.  We want our church to be biblical and healthy, vibrant and growing.  Be here each Sunday as we turn to God’s Word to better understand the heartbeat of a healthy church.