Tripp doesn’t merely describe our fallen world and our experience in it, but he describes how we might live productively in this fallen world.  Living productively in this fallen world means that we must first recognize that it is a broken world, and not only that, we must constantly remember that we live in a fallen world.  As Christians, we often forget that we live in a fallen world, and Tripp calls this “location amnesia.”  Here’s how Tripp describes it:

“We are confronted every day with the sights and sounds of a world in distress – our world.  These things should assault our eyes and ears.  Instead, they have become the familiar background and ambient noise of our daily lives.  They have become so ‘normal’ that we simply no longer hear and no longer see.  The result? We no longer pay attention.  I think that many of us live in a permanent state of location amnesia.  We have forgotten where we live.  Lose sight of the fact that we live in a broken-down house where nothing works quite right, and it sets you up for all kinds of trouble.”[1]

The Bible is God’s kind reminder to us that we live in a broken and sin-filled world.  It not only describes where we live, but what God is doing and will do to make all things new.  Knowing what our world is really like and remembering where we really live focuses our vision on what ministry in this broken world should look like.  Ministry in this broken world should point men, women, and children to the One who was sent to “bind up the brokenhearted.”[2] It is my prayer that the Lord would give us grace to do that today as we live and minister to others who are broken in this broken-world.

[2] Isaiah 61:1

Speaker: Mike Law Jr.

Series: Joshua

Location: Grace Baptist Church of Arlington

…look up in adoration.
…look back in commemoration.
…look forward in anticipation.
…look outward in proclamation.
…look inward in examination.
…look around in consideration.

Sanchez explains what he means by each of these statements over at the Gospel Coalition Blog. I’d encourage you to read all of his reflections on this topic.

But no matter how many people we know well in the congregation, we will certainly come across brothers and sisters about whom we know virtually nothing specific concerning their circumstances.  We may be tempted to skip that person because we “don’t know what to pray for.”  In such a circumstance, we have a great opportunity to pray the Bible.

One great way to do that is to pray through the passage of scripture you have read in your quiet time that day.  Or you could pray through the portion of the Word your pastor is going to preach for the coming Lord’s Day (or perhaps what he just preached).

If you are struggling with that, then here are a few passages of scripture that you can plug and pray:

Colossians 1:9-12:

⁹And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, ¹⁰so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. ¹¹ May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, ¹² giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.

Philippians 1:9-11:

⁹And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, ¹⁰so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, ¹¹filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

2 Thessalonians 1:11-13

¹¹To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, ¹²so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Take comfort that these prayers were prayed by the Apostle Paul on behalf of people, in many cases, he knew very well.  Moreover, these words are inspired by the Holy Spirit to instruct us.  In fact, you may want to include them alongside the more specific prayers you pray for those you know well.

Speaker: Shane Walker

Series: Matthew

Location: Grace Baptist Church of Arlington

The museum of grace is richer than that of nature. A heart broken on account of sin is a far greater wonder than the rarest fossil, whatever it may tell of ancient floods of the sea or convulsions of the land. An eye that glistens with the tears of penitence is a greater marvel than the cataract of Niagara, or the fountains of the Nile. Faith that humbly links itself to Christ has in it as great a beauty as the rainbow, and the confidence which looks alone to Jesus, and so irradiates the soul, is as much an object for admiration as is the sun when he shineth in his strength. Talk not of the pyramids, the Colossus, the golden house of Nero, or the temple of Ephesus, for the living temple of God’s church is fairer far. Let others glory in the marvels they have seen but be it mine to say unto my Lord, “I will praise thee, for thou hast done wonderful things…” (From a sermon entitled “A Blessed Wonder,” delivered June 12, 1870).

HT: Nick

“A true Christian will strive to do his duty in whatever station or position he finds himself, and to do it well. Whether statesman, or merchant, or banker, or lawyer, or doctor, or tradesman, or farmer, he will try to do his work so that no one can find occasion for fault in him. But he will not allow it to get between him and Christ. If he finds his business beginning to eat up his Sundays, his Bible-reading, his private prayer time, and to bring clouds between him and heaven, he will say, “Stand back! There is a limit. This is as far as you can go, and no further. I cannot sell my soul for position, fame, or gold.” Like Daniel, he will make time for communion with God, whatever the cost may be. He will deny himself anything rather than lose his Bible-reading and his prayers. In all this he will find he stands almost alone. Many will laugh at him, and tell him they get along just fine without being so strict and particular. He will not listen. He will resolutely hold the world at arms length, whatever present loss or sacrifice it may seem to entail. He will choose rather to be less rich and prosperous in this world, than not to prosper about his soul.” (J.C. Ryle, Practical Religion, “The World,” [Carlisle, PA: Banner of Truth, 1998], 297, 298).

Dr. Ryle, you are certainly right.  Dear Lord, increase our love for your Son.

HT: Erik

Speaker: Mike Law Jr.

Series: Joshua

Location: Grace Baptist Church of Arlington

Paul Tripp from Crossway on Vimeo.

On Sunday I pointed out that fear of man often seeks control, personal gain, and comfort.  Fear of man is quite simple, it is allowing our fear or awe of others to govern our decisions and actions.  Fear of man can happen anywhere.  It can happen in our workplaces, our small groups, our accountability relationships, our homes, in conversations with our parents, or with our friends at school.  We’re apt to think that fear of man is one of the more harmless sins, but in reality it is pretty harmful both to ourselves and to others, for it is nothing short of attempting to control others and their behavior toward us.

Fear of man shows that we ultimately want to sit on the heavenly throne.  It reveals that we don’t trust God’s providence.  We don’t like that God has placed us in a particular situation, circumstance, or around particular people.  We’re uncomfortable by people or circumstances, so we want to fix things by manipulating the people around us.  We want protection or pleasure.  The truth is what we really need is to trust in God’s protection and to take pleasure in him.

This coming Sunday, we’ll begin studying the book of Joshua, and I’m struck by how appropriate the Lord’s words to Joshua are concerning the fear of man.  The Lord instructs Joshua to lead Israel into the land, but more than that, he tells him to be strong and courageous (not to fear those in the land!).  Why should Joshua be strong and courageous?  Because the Lord is with him!  Dear Christian, take comfort from God’s presence with you today as you battle fear of man, wherever you are.  Remember the Lord is with you he will never leave you or forsake you (Joshua 1:5).  God is your protection and therefore you should take pleasure and delight in him. Fear him!