Panel Discussion with Mortification of Spin and Kent Hughes

Very good stuff here...

2014 Preaching Conference: Panel Discussion with Mortification of Spin and Kent Hughes from Westminster Theological Seminary on Vimeo.

Being filled with the Spirit and being filled with God’s Word

    And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, 

to the breaking of bread and the prayers.
(Acts 2:42 ESV)

Are we hungry for God's Word? Are we eager to get to Sunday services or are we eager for Sunday services to be over. Are we struggling to understand the Word being taught or are we thinking about the Sunday afternoon football game? Is the Spirit reigning in our hearts or is it the world? Kent Hughes sheds some light on what was happening with the newborn Christians in Acts chapter 2:

“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching . . .” Note carefully that this verse literally says, “They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching.” It is very important that we note this term “continually devoting” because it governs the other characteristics of the church where the Spirit reigns. It denotes a steadfast and single-minded devotion to a certain course of action.

...These new Christians, under the reign of the Holy Spirit, were hungry for God’s Word. They could not get enough of it. Being filled with the Spirit and being filled with God’s Word go together.

The backbone of a healthy Christian life is teaching. Peter says, “Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation” (1 Peter 2:2). Teaching was the milk of the early church under the direction of the Holy Spirit. The example of an energetic nursing baby is a fitting example for us to pursue, even if we have already moved on to steak. Young believers must make sure they are feeding on the teaching of God’s Word. There is much confusion today about the essential matters of our faith. In a non-reading, experience-oriented culture, solid Bible teaching is sometimes hard to find. Believers should beware of churches or Christian fellowships where the people do not carry their Bibles. Read your Bible. Mark it up. Each of us must make sure that sometime, somewhere in our week we are being taught. 

When the Spirit reigns, God’s people continually devote themselves to the study of his Word.

Hughes, R. Kent (2010-03-10). Acts: The Church Afire (Preaching the Word) (Kindle Locations 779-786). Good News Publishers/Crossway Books. Kindle Edition.

As the Sabbath  approaches this week we must ask ourselves, is the Spirit reigning in my heart or the world? Am I anxious for Sunday worship or am I just going through the motions as I'm expected to? Let us seriously consider what is at stake every time we miss the opportunity to be fed God's Word.

Kent Hughes Audio

R. Kent Hughes, author of one of the most outstanding books ever written for men, Disciplines of a Godly Man, recently spoke in Spokane, Washington and we have the privilege of hearing the recordings. I highly recommend his book and these talks to you. Discipline does not come naturally to us and Scripture expects it of us so these are worth a listen. He has some very timely and convicting comments on bible reading and reading in general as well as about church attendance and commitment. Listen to part 1, part 2 and part 3. Listen, be blessed and be encouraged.

Meditation

One of my favorite books is Disciplines of a Godly Man by R. Kent Hughes. From time to time I pull it off the shelf and and read a chapter. This week I re-read chapter 7, Discipline of Devotion. This work is not an in depth theological study rather it is a book full of information to improve our daily walk. This chapter is no different. Under the header of Meditation Hughes explains Psalm 1:2, When the Psalmist speaks of meditating on the Law of God day and night (Psalm 1:2), he uses a word which means "to mutter." This word is used to describe the murmurings of kings in Psalm 2:1, and for the chattering of doves in Is. 59:11. In fact, St. Augustine translated Psalm 1:2, "On his law he chatters day and night." Meditation is intrinsically verbal. This means the Psalmist memorized God's Word - for one cannot continually mutter the Scripture without memorizing it, and vice versa. OK, this has not ever been my standard method of memorizing or meditating on Scripture but I'm willing to give it a shot. So if you see me talking to myself, don't interrupt - I'm meditating.

For most of us, meditation is difficult. Hughes uses Scripture to explain the benefits of meditation:

Revival -"The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul" (Psalm 19:7).

Wisdom - "The statues of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple" (Psalm 19:7); "Oh how I love your law! I meditate on it day long. Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, for they are ever with me" (Psalm 119:97, 98).

Increases in our faith - "Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ" (Romans 10:17).

Hughes continues, The discipline of meditation is a must. Moses told Israel as he finished the "Song of Moses": Take to heart all the words I have solemnly declared to you this day...They are not just words for you - they are your life" (De. 32:46, 47).