The similar phrase 'Worldly Christianity' is one used by Bonhoeffer. It's J Gresham Machen that I want to line up most closely with. See his Christianity and culture here. Having done commentaries on Proverbs (Heavenly Wisdom) and Song of Songs (Heavenly Love), a matching title for Ecclesiastes would be Heavenly Worldliness. For my stance on worldliness, see 3 posts here.

Lord's Day and Christmas Day 24 and 25 December 2017


Grabbing a moment to write up this morning and yesterday. On Christmas Eve we looked at the wisemen again - specifically Matthew 2:2 and 2:11. That went okay although I had a long quotation from Robert Godfrey on worship in the evening that could have been cut down. We had a good attendance. Our Hungarian family was back after some weeks missing. Four Polish Catholics from Krakow with limited English appeared. At least we sang Infant holy (translated from Polish). Family visitors and others present including  a student who I had been told might come to us.
We had a good time this morning too with lots of people present. We sang three carols and I preached on John 3:16, a great Christmas text. I finished (taking a hint from Sinclair Ferguson) by saying

"We hear a lot about Santa Claus or Father Christmas at this time of the year. Now you understand how it works with Santa. If you go to see him he is only interested in one thing – Have you been good? If you've been good – okay but if not …. He has two lists – naughty and nice and if you're not on the nice list you get no presents. How does the song put it?

He's making a list and checking it twice Gonna find out who's naughty and nice
Santa Claus is comin' to town He sees you when you're sleepin'
He knows when you're a wake He knows if you've been bad or good
So be good for goodness sake Oh! You better watch out, you better not cry
Better not pout, I'm telling you why Santa Claus is comin' to town

The truth is we have all been bad and none of us deserve the presents we get but God is very gracious and he says clearly whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. Believe it. It's true."

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