Making and Maturing

Disciples of Jesus

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Ryan serves as the Lead Pastor of Green Pond Bible Chapel in Rockaway, New Jersey. He is married with four children.
  • Leaves for Healing (On Neal Barlow’s Passing)

    Leaves for Healing (On Neal Barlow’s Passing)

    The leaves of the tree are for healing the nations, and there will no longer be any curse.

    -Revelation 22:2-3

    I hate the coronavirus. Many will die today from it, but today is the first day someone I know died. My brother in Christ Neal Barlow is at home with the Lord. Neal was our newest elder at Green Pond Bible Chapel. We are grieving the loss of our brother, and mourning with the entire Barlow family. We prayed for Neal to be healed in the short run, but the Lord has seen fit to heal him for eternity.

    Feeling the loss of Neal, I am angry at sin’s destructive effect on the world. Neal is the closest COVID-19 death to me by far, but I know that thousands are mourning lost loved ones and thousands more will in the days to come. If it wasn’t coronavirus it would be influenza, or heart disease, or cancer. Death is a stubborn reality in our world because of the curse of sin, and today it hurts.

    Even as we prayed for Neal to respond to treatment, we were aware that such healing would only be temporary. The healing he needed, and we need, is a permanent healing. This is the hope of the gospel: by faith in Jesus’ death and resurrection we are not only forgiven of our sins, but we are promised a physical existence with him in resurrected bodies.

    The New Jerusalem will be filled with those who have been eternally healed. I thought of the New Jerusalem—of the tree of life lining both sides of the river flowing from the throne of God. I thought of the leaves of the tree of life:

    The leaves of the tree are for healing the nations, and there will no longer be any curse.

    Neal’s spirit is at rest with the Lord until the resurrection. On that day there will no longer be any wicked viruses. No need for dialysis. No ventilators, no protective masks. The church, gathered from the nations, will be healed. There will no longer be any curse.

    On that day there won’t be any grieving families and friends, mourning the lack of vaccines. There won’t be frustrated doctors and nurses who lack the research, manpower, or equipment to provide relief. There will no longer be any curse.

    On that day there won’t be any finger pointing at politicians or media-spin. We won’t struggle with a self-centered survival instinct. There won’t be any mourning or depression. There will no longer be any curse.

    Neal became a follower of Christ as an adult. As he grew in his faith, his life transformed dramatically. I first met him back in 2011 when we moved to New Jersey. He had a dry, quick wit, and was good at making me laugh. Over time we recognized Neal’s heart for shepherding. He joined our shepherding team and just this January began serving as an elder. We will miss him as a shepherd, and as a friend.

    Neal was loving serving as an elder. He was recently reading Bible Doctrine by Wayne Grudem with some other elders and elders in training, and he commented on how much he was enjoying learning more about God. He has graduated. He no longer has to deal with a broken body. For Neal, as of today, there is no longer any curse.

  • Passion Week Readings in Matthew

    Passion Week Readings in Matthew

    This week we take time to focus on Jesus’ death and resurrection. At GPBC our Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday services will both focus on Matthew’s gospel—how Jesus’ death and resurrection is the launchpad for the mission of the church.

    As you’re preparing your heart this week, consider reading about Jesus’ week leading up to the cross each day from Matthew. Below you’ll find the verse break down and a few summary comments.

    Sunday/Monday— Matthew 21:1-17 || The Triumphal Entry, Cleansing of the Temple

    Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem was a highly public affair, with explicit acknowledgement by at least his followers from Galilee that he is the Son of David, the Messiah. The cry “Hosanna” means “please save,” and in this context is loaded with Messianic implication. Note that the people of Jerusalem were curious as to who he was.

    On Monday Jesus begins daily trips from Bethany on the Mount of Olives to the Temple. His first act is cleanseing the Temple from the money-changers. This is a declaration of all out war on the Jewish religious leadership in Jerusalem. Note how Matthew highlights the leaders’ unbelief.

    Tuesday Morning—Matthew 21:18-25:46 || The Fig Tree Withered, Jesus Teaches at the Temple, Discusses Times to Come

    Jesus’ cursing of the Fig Tree is a symbolic act picturing his rebuke of the corrupt Temple system and Jewish religious leaders. This launches into a long section where Jesus is teaching on the Temple Mount and the various groups of Jewish leaders confront him, seeking to assert their authority over him. They fail.

    In Matthew 24-25 Jesus is leaving the Temple Mount and takes time to prophesy that the temple will be destroyed. He is not only speaking of the Roman destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70, but also of the fact that his death and resurrection will fulfill the OT Law and thus remove the need for the sacrificial system. He then takes time to speak of his return and to warn the disciples to beware false Messiahs and rumors of wars. He prepares his followers for suffering and persecution. He focuses on the suddenness of his return, exhorting the disciples to be alert. He tells two parables to help the disciples understand the need for spiritual vigilance and investment in his kingdom work. He end this discussion with a focus on the judgment and a reminder that to care for the poor and needy is hallmark of his followers.

    Tuesday Evening—Matthew 26:1-16 || Jesus Speaks of His Crucifixion, Plot to Kill Jesus

    Jesus warns the disciples of his imminent crucifixion, even as the chief priests and elders were meeting to plan how to arrest and execute Jesus. Matthew records here the anointing of Jesus with perfume, although it had probably happened earlier. He places it here because Jesus describes it as his preparation for burial. In all of this note that Jesus is fully aware of the price he must pay to accomplish our redemption. What Judas views as a waste is actually the perfect use of such valuable perfume.

    Wednesday—Silent Day

    Thursday—Matthew 26:17-29 || The Passover/Last Supper

    Jesus and the disciples head to Jerusalem to observe the Passover. During the meal he focuses on his betrayal by Judas. Note how he purposefully refers to himself as the Son of Man. In this unique celebration of the Passover, Jesus gives new meaning to the unleavened bread and wine. He affirms that by his death he will establish the new covenant, the forgiveness of sins. Here we catch a glimpse of the larger Biblical narrative—Matthew wants us to see that Jesus’ death and resurrection deal with the problem in the universe since Genesis 3, sin.

    Thursday Night—Matthew 26:30-56 || In the Garden of Gethsemane

    Matthew’s account of Jesus’ arrest, death, and resurrection is filled with Old Testament quotations. Multiple times he will mention the fulfillment of Scripture in the events of the passion week. Matthew doesn’t want his readers to miss that Jesus is the Son of David, the Son of Abraham, who fulfills the Old Testament. On the way to the Garden of Gethsemane in the Kidron Valley, Jesus prophesies Peter’s denial. He and the other disciples protest, affirming their steadfast commitment to Jesus.

    Jesus’ affliction in the olive grove is evidence of the spiritual battle he was facing. To go to the cross was such a trial, bearing the weight of sinners was no small task. Yet Jesus conforms his will with the will of the Father, a reminder of absolute unity of the Godhead. The fact that the disciples are sleeping rather than praying shows they didn’t fully grasp the weight of the moment.

    As Jesus is betrayed and arrested, one of his disciples (Peter, but Matthew doesn’t identify him) draws his sword and goes into battle mode. But Jesus corrects him, healing the high priest’s representative. He affirms that his mission, including the fulifllment of the Scriptures, requires his betrayal. At this his disciples flee.

    Friday Early Morning—Matthew 26:57-75 || Trials Before Caiaphas & Sanhedrin, Peter’s Denial

    Jesus is lead to the high priest Caiaphas and other leaders for a kangaroo court. Jesus is silent facing false charges until Caiaphas asks him is he is the Messiah. Jesus quotes from Daniel 7, identifying himself as the Son of Man who will return with divine authority to judge. Jesus faces physical beatings while Peter denies being a follower. Don’t miss that Jesus’ identity and his suffering continue to fulfill Scripture. Peter’s failure, though tragic, also confirms Jesus’ prophetic words. In the end, Jesus stands alone as our rescuer.

    Friday/Saturday—Matthew 27:1-66 || Jesus Before Pilate, Condemnation, Crucifixion, Burial

    Judas regrets his decision to betray Jesus, but his regret is not repentance. His regret and hopelessness leads him to end his own life, again in fulfillment of OT Scriptures. Pilate, with hestitations, gives in to the desire of Sanhedrin to have Jesus crucified. Polling the crowd, Pilate is surprised that the people choose a known criminal to free rather than Jesus.

    Now headed to the cross, Jesus faces more intense beatings and persecution. They dress him up, crown of thorns and all, and mock his claim to be Israel’s king. On the way to the crucifixion site they commandeer Simon from North Africa to carry Jesus’ cross. Even the public insulted Jesus as they passed by, mocking him for claiming to be the Son of God. Note the poignant irony—they mock Jesus for not being what he was proving to be in his suffering: the Messiah.

    Darkness covered the land, and Jesus cries out by quoting Psalm 22. As he died the earth shook and two remarkable things happened: the curtain in the temple separating the holiest place from the rest of the temple was torn in two and many tombs were shook open and people were raised from the dead. The centurion managing the crucixion confessed that Jesus truly was the Son of God. Don’t miss the imagery here: Jesus’ death makes a way for us to be united with God, and his death is actually victory over death brining resurrection to life.

    Jesus’ burial shows the mourning and commitment of some of his disciples. The next day Pilate is alerted to Jesus’ claim to rise on the third day. Thus the Sanhedrin place guards at the tomb, to prevent any tampering with the body by Jesus’ followers.

    Sunday—Matthew 28:1-15 || The Resurrection

    Sunday morning there is another earthquake and Jesus rose from the dead. An angel rolled the large stone blocking the entrance to the tomb. He instructs the ladies who came to attend to Jesus’ body to inform the disciples he had risen. This is our hope—Jesus conquered sins and death, by faith in him we are confident of the forgiveness of our sins and look forward to our resurrection to eternal life.

  • Pray Like This

    Pray Like This

    “Therefore, you should pray like this:  Our Father in heaven, your name be honored as holy.  Your kingdom come.  Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.  Give us today our daily bread.  And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And do not bring us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.” 

    -Matthew 6:9-13

    As we continue to face the immense trial caused by the coronavirus, we need to pray.  I’ve spoken to family members of those battling the virus for their lives.  I’ve prayed with nurses who are absolutely exhausted.  Many have lost their jobs–at the bare minimum for a few months.  I know in our families we’re seeing more conflict as we’re adjusting to new normals.  Our federal and state governments are scrambling to figure out what to do and how to do it.  We need to pray.

    Who better to lead us in prayer than Jesus himself?  Using Matthew 6:9-13 as a model, here are some suggested prayer requests for these remarkable times:

    “Our Father in heaven, your name be honored as holy.”  Pray for God’s glory and majesty to be put on display in the midst of this crisis.  Pray that God’s beauty, love, provision, and mercy would be apparent to all.  Pray that people would turn to him for hope. Pray that people would recognize how great God is, even in the midst of suffering.

    “Your kingdom come.  Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”  Pray for the advancement of God’s kingdom during this time.  Pray that the church would grow, and that the lives of believers would be a shining light as we live out God’s will on earth.  Pray for unbelievers to repent of their sins and put their faith in Jesus for salvation.

    “Give us today our daily bread.”  Pray for the healing of people suffering with the coronavirus.  Pray for the provision of medical supplies to hospitals.  Pray for the protection of the medical professionals serving on the front lines.  Pray for emotional strength and endurance for nurses and doctors as they deal with so much stress.  Pray for the provision of finances and new jobs for those who have lost jobs.  Pray for wisdom for our governments on all levels.

    “And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.”  Pray for an attitude of grace for everyone as we face these difficult times.  Pray for believers to show the love and mercy of God by being quick to forgive when we are wronged.  Pray for families and workplaces to have an environment of grace rather than conflict. Pray that we wouldn’t be self-centered, focusing only on our own needs.

    “And do not bring us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.”  Pray for a keen eye towards temptation, especially new kinds of temptation given our extraordinary circumstances.  Pray that we would repent of sin and disobedience wherever we see it, and that we would walk by faith.  Pray that Satan’s attempts to deceive would fail.  Praise God for our ultimate deliverance from Satan through the death and resurrection of Jesus.  

    Let’s intercede on behalf of our suffering world during this time.  God is merciful, let’s seek mercy from him.

  • Embracing Mortality

    Embracing Mortality

    Coronavirus might kill you. But it’s not the only thing that might kill you. Influenza might kill you. Cancer might kill you. A heart attack might kill you. A brain aneurism might kill you. A car accident might kill you. You might die being trampled by a mob trying to buy toilet paper. However it happens, should the Lord tarry, you’ll die of something.

    The coronavirus panic has exposed our immaturity surrounding mortality. We live in a culture largely isolated from death (in the real world). We don’t like thinking about physical death, especially our own. But we are poorer for this, and one possible benefit of this virus craze is we’re being forced to meditate on our demise.

    Consider Jonathan Edwards’ resolution made in 1722 at age 18,

    Resolved, to think much on all occasions of my own dying, and of the common circumstances which attend death.

    Edwards recognized this would help him keep his focus on what matters most on a daily basis.

    Before the industrial revolution and advances in modern medicine people in western cultures couldn’t avoid death. The plague had wiped out at least 75 million people in the 14th century, possibly as many as 200 million. In Siena, Italy a partially finished expansion to their cathedral stands as a stubborn reminder that death is always a looming threat. But today in the United States the sick head to hospitals, out of sight, until they are moved to hospice care, often outside the home. We know death happens, but we don’t like to be near it.

    Our culture-wide hysteria over COVID-19 is more than just about a particular virus. We are afraid to die, and are going to great lengths to try and avoid death. I’m not saying we don’t need a wise and timely response to this virus. I’m saying we’re reacting because of something else—in a materialistic culture, to die is to lose everything.

    The Christian view of death is very different:

    Physical death is an unavoidable consequence of sin. In Genesis 3:19 God tells Adam and Eve “For you are dust, and you will return to dust.” Spoiler alert, in God’s plan of redemption he purposed not to spare believers physical death, but instead to offer the sure hope of the resurrection (more on that below).

    God is sovereign over the time and circumstances of our death. Civil war general Stonewall Jackson, a committed Christian, once answered a question from one of his officers about how he could be so fearless in battle. Jackson answered,

    Captain, my religious belief teaches me to feel as safe in battle as in bed. God has fixed the time for my death. I do not concern myself about that, but always to be ready, no matter when it may overtake me.

    Physical death is not the end of our existence. In Colossians 1:18 Paul describes Jesus as “the firstborn from the dead” because Jesus’ resurrection is the pattern by which believers will be raised to life. Physical resurrection and an eternal, physical existence is our destiny in Christ.

    Forgiveness of sins and redemption are urgent matters of eternal significance. The author of Hebrews acknowledges in passing that “it is appointed for people to die once—and after this, judgment” (Heb. 9:27). For this reason, our urgent mission isn’t to extend our lives, but to make and mature disciples of Jesus. Paul also affirms the priority of the spiritual over the physical in 2 Cor. 4:18, “So we do not focus on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”

    Consider the example of those faith-driven gospel pioneers of the 18th and 19th centuries who braved unknown perils and almost certain premature deaths to deliver the gospel to distant lands. David Brainerd famously died young having spent some of his most fruitful years in ministry to native Americans in New Jersey. He wrote, “My soul longs to feel itself more of a pilgrim and stranger here below; that nothing may divert me from pressing through the lonely desert, till I arrive at my Father’s house.”

    Those who have gone before us would urge us to walk by faith, not to let hysteria drown out the calling of Christ in our lives. Indeed, we have a great cloud of witnesses urging us to run with endurance (Heb. 12:1). Are we running from death, or for Christ?

    Christians need not fear death. We can stand tall, look death in the face, and say, “You have no authority here unless granted by the Father.” Christians need not panic over a virus or any other life-threatening crisis. When worry, fear, and anxiety beset us we can respond with prayerful dependence on God.

    Embrace your mortality. Death is coming for you, under God’s sovereign hand. For the Christian today is the day to say with Paul,

    To live is Christ, to die is gain.

    Philippians 1:21
  • GPBC Update Mar. 16- May 10

    GPBC Update Mar. 16- May 10

    GPBC Family,

    The government has asked that no group over 10 people meet at least for the next 8 weeks. As you can imagine, this will drastically change our church community interaction over the next 2 months. We intend on complying with the government’s request as a way to love others. In this case, that means sacrificing our corporate gathering for the next few months. But our mission to glorify God by making and maturing disciples of Jesus goes on. Here’s our plan:

    1. We will livestream the Sunday service in its usual format and time for 3 reasons: 1) it will help us all maintain a dedicated time of worship, 2) we all need a steady diet of humbling ourselves under God and His Word, and 3) it will be an encouragement for church body (we’re all still out here).  Pastor Jesse will be working up a set of instructions to let you know how to get the livestream on your smart TV. 
    2. Good Friday and Easter services will be offered via livestream in the same manner.
    3. We will additionally livestream a Wed. pm Bible study (hopefully with some interaction via technology).  The topic of the study will be how we can continue to “be the church” even though we can’t gather. 
    4. We will focus as a church family on caring for one another and the community, with an emphasis on care groups staying connected (even if only digitally), and shepherding lists.  Look for your shepherd to stay in contact. Also if you are aware of any needs, please let us know as soon as possible so we can provide help (email sarah@greenpondbible.org).
    5. Care groups will determine individually whether or not to meet, although most have more than 10 people.  We are working on how to facilitate meeting via technology rather than in person.
    6. Kingdom Kids training will be postponed.  Josh will work on making videos for the training to be used in the future.
    7. Wed. PM youth and kids ministries, Wed. AM Bible studies, as well as Sunday school and ABF will be canceled during this time.  Josh and the youth staff will work on some creative ways to keep ministering to the youth.

    Don’t forget that our financial commitment to the advancement of the gospel remains unwavering. Our normal operating expenses and missions support aren’t taking a break, so please strive for faithfulness in your giving. As of now the church office remains open, or you can give online here.

    Of course, should the government remove this suggested limiting of gathering we would immediately go back to life as usual. Please pray that the threat would abate quickly, for mercy for medical professionals on the front lines, and for God’s wisdom as we seek to live out the gospel in these remarkable days.

    Carry one another’s burdens; in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

    Galatians 6:2