TRUTH MATTERS- is very pleased to point you to this MUST hear message from Dr. John MacArthur, one of the few real preachers of the Word of God that our generation has been given:
Within the church . . . who are Satan's Al-Qaeda? What are their motives? Are spiritual terrorists out to destroy church doctrine at large . . . or might they be specifically targeting your faith and the faith of your family?
Here is PART ONE.
And:
They raise doubts about God's Word . . . undermine its authority . . . and create chaos that, left unchecked, destroys churches. I'm talking about false teachers . . . spiritual terrorists. How do you unmask these covert enemies of the church?
Here is PART TWO.
Saturday, May 12, 2007
Friday, May 11, 2007
THE GOD OF SCRIPTURE
I will worship toward Thy Holy Temple, and praise Thy Name for Thy lovingkindness and for Thy Truth: for Thou hast magnified Thy Word above all Thy Name... This is what the LORD says: “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But you said, ‘We will not walk in it.’ (Psalm 138:2; Jeremiah 6:16, KJV)
The Truth Of God Is Living And Active
It is quite common today to hear those caught up in the fantasies of new evangelicalism say things like, “Why do you constantly quote dead men?” The answer is really quite simple: These men are more alive than the “dead” men currently being followed absolutely nowehere by so many today. The fact is that there are so many leaders within what passes for Christianity today such as Rick Warren and Brian McLaren and Rob Bell and Erwin McManus who put far more emphasis on what other men now say than on what the LORD God Almighty Himself has already said.
Not so with men such as Charles Spurgeon, who is the author of the short devotion to follow. Godly men like Spurgeon lived the absolute Truth of the texts of Scripture with which I opened this piece. God has said He has magnified His Word–the inerrant and infallible texts of the Bible–to a place equal to His glorious and majestic, great and mighty Name. Study it out and you will quickly find that God’s Name means Who He is–His matchless character, power and completely sovereign authority. Our Lord tells us to walk in the old way; the good way, but “modern” evangelicalism insists, “We will not walk in it.”
O how tragic it is that the American Christian Church would rather settle instead for these pedantic peddlers of second-rate self-help books on “leadership” and the love of man than to follow our generous and merciful Christ. But this will never change the Truth that each morning the storm clouds grow darker over this pagan nation and that God is a righteous judge, a God Who expresses His wrath every day (Psalm 7:11). And what Spurgeon said below, a hundred fifty ago, is just as true for people today as it was when he first preached it:
Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. (Galatians 6:7-8, KJV)
And now we delare that the God of Holy Scripture is a God of inflexible justice; He is not the god whom some of you adore. You adore a god who calls your crimes peccadilloes [small mistakes] and little faults. Some of you worship a god who does not punish sin but who is so weakly merciful, and mercilessly weak, that he passes by transgressions and iniquity and never enacts punishment.
You believe in a god who, if a man sins, does not demand punishment for his offense. You think that a few good works of your own will pacify him, that he is so weak a ruler that a few good words uttered before him in prayer will win sufficient merit to reverse the sentence if indeed you think he ever passes a sentence at all.
Your god is no God; he is as much a false god as the god of the Greeks or of ancient Nineveh. The God of Scripture is One Who is inflexibly severe in justice and will by no means clear the guilty. The LORD is slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked (Nahum 1:3, KJV). The God of Scripture is a Ruler Who, when His subjects rebel, marks their crime and never forgives them until He has punished it, either upon them or upon their Substitute.
The Truth Of God Is Living And Active
It is quite common today to hear those caught up in the fantasies of new evangelicalism say things like, “Why do you constantly quote dead men?” The answer is really quite simple: These men are more alive than the “dead” men currently being followed absolutely nowehere by so many today. The fact is that there are so many leaders within what passes for Christianity today such as Rick Warren and Brian McLaren and Rob Bell and Erwin McManus who put far more emphasis on what other men now say than on what the LORD God Almighty Himself has already said.
Not so with men such as Charles Spurgeon, who is the author of the short devotion to follow. Godly men like Spurgeon lived the absolute Truth of the texts of Scripture with which I opened this piece. God has said He has magnified His Word–the inerrant and infallible texts of the Bible–to a place equal to His glorious and majestic, great and mighty Name. Study it out and you will quickly find that God’s Name means Who He is–His matchless character, power and completely sovereign authority. Our Lord tells us to walk in the old way; the good way, but “modern” evangelicalism insists, “We will not walk in it.”
O how tragic it is that the American Christian Church would rather settle instead for these pedantic peddlers of second-rate self-help books on “leadership” and the love of man than to follow our generous and merciful Christ. But this will never change the Truth that each morning the storm clouds grow darker over this pagan nation and that God is a righteous judge, a God Who expresses His wrath every day (Psalm 7:11). And what Spurgeon said below, a hundred fifty ago, is just as true for people today as it was when he first preached it:
Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. (Galatians 6:7-8, KJV)
And now we delare that the God of Holy Scripture is a God of inflexible justice; He is not the god whom some of you adore. You adore a god who calls your crimes peccadilloes [small mistakes] and little faults. Some of you worship a god who does not punish sin but who is so weakly merciful, and mercilessly weak, that he passes by transgressions and iniquity and never enacts punishment.
You believe in a god who, if a man sins, does not demand punishment for his offense. You think that a few good works of your own will pacify him, that he is so weak a ruler that a few good words uttered before him in prayer will win sufficient merit to reverse the sentence if indeed you think he ever passes a sentence at all.
Your god is no God; he is as much a false god as the god of the Greeks or of ancient Nineveh. The God of Scripture is One Who is inflexibly severe in justice and will by no means clear the guilty. The LORD is slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked (Nahum 1:3, KJV). The God of Scripture is a Ruler Who, when His subjects rebel, marks their crime and never forgives them until He has punished it, either upon them or upon their Substitute.
MORNING PRAYER
MORNING PRAYER
This day I one request of You;Fill in me what I lack.
O my Lord, my heart is Yours; And I don’t want it back…
This day I one request of You;Fill in me what I lack.
O my Lord, my heart is Yours; And I don’t want it back…
On the company we keep
We should take heed with whom we join in league and amity. Before we plant our affections, consider the persons what they are; if we see any signs of grace, then it is good; but if not there will be a rent. Throughout our whole life this ought to be our rule; we should labour in all company either to do good or receive good; and where we can neither do nor receive good we should avoid such acquaintance. Let men therefore consider and take heed how they stand in combination with any wicked persons. [Richard Sibbes]
Purpose-Driven Pornography: The Details Behind the Buzz By Chris Rosebrough
First off as I have said many times in the past being a Pastor is a calling not a job, A nd when we say we are someone's Pastor what we are saying is Iam there Shepherd I will look out for them and guid them. So when this post is read it is not meant to pick on Rick, But it is meant to wake those Pastor's up who are not taking there call seriously. Charles J Paul
When does a pastor become an accomplice to an egregious sin that is being committed by someone under his Pastoral care?
Answer: When the sin is public information and the pastor doesn’t follow through on his Biblical duty to discipline the person committing the sin.
Scripture is crystal clear about the church’s responsibility as it pertains to Christian brothers who are openly and unrepentantly committing egregious sins. 1 Corinthians 5:11-13 states:
But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one. 12 For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? 13 God judges those outside. “Purge the evil person from among you.”
According to the scriptures, we’re not even supposed to associate with a person who ‘bears the name of brother’ if that person is guilty of openly and unrepentantly committing such sins a sexual immorality, greed and idolatry. Scripture tells us to ‘purge the evil person from among us’.
Knowing that this is the scriptural standard for church discipline, the question I would like to know the answer to is, “Why hasn’t Rick Warren disciplined media mogul Rupert Murdoch for his proliferation and distribution of pornography?”
It is a well known fact that Rupert Murdoch has been publishing pornography for decades and that in the last year he’s expanded his porn distribution business in Europe.
Please consider this quote from London’s “The Business”
RUPERT Murdoch, the born-again Christian who chairs media giant News Corporation, has been secretly building a stable of wholly-owned pornographic channels for his BSkyB subsidiary. The Business has learnt that BSkyB now owns and operates its own pornographic channels – the 18+ Movies selection – after years of hosting third-party content only. (Online Source)
Please notice that “The Business” is not only telling us that Rupert Murdoch now owns and operates his own pornographic channels but that his actions are discrediting his claims to being a born-again Christian.
What does this have to do with Rick Warren?
Answer: Rick Warren on more than one occasion has openly admitted to being Rupert Murdoch’s pastor.
In the Sept 12, 2005 edition of the New Yorker Rick Warren said:
"I had dinner with Jack Welch last Sunday night," he said. "He came to church, and we had dinner. I've been kind of mentoring him on his spiritual journey. And he said to me, 'Rick, you are the biggest thinker I have ever met in my life. The only other person I know who thinks globally like you is Rupert Murdoch.' And I said, 'That's interesting. I'm Rupert's pastor! Rupert published my book!'" Then he tilted back his head and gave one of those big Rick Warren laughs.(Online Source)
As Murdoch’s pastor, doesn’t Rick Warren have a Biblical duty and obligation to discipline Murdoch for his open, unrepentant and repugnant sin of porn publishing and distribution?
Answer: Of course he does. (Unless the Bible doesn’t apply to Rick Warren). When Rick Warren became Murdoch's Pastor, he took on ALL the responsiblities that go with that office; these include discipleship, spiritual care, prayer, AND discipline.
Now, some of Warren's defenders may try to deflect blame away from Pastor Rick by giving him the benefit of the doubt and believing that Warren wasn’t aware of Rupert Murdoch’s porn empire. However, we know that is not the case because of an interview that Rick Warren did with Gwendolyn Driscoll of the Orange County Register in November of 2006. Here is what that article said:
Warren says he is pastor to Rupert Murdoch, whose News Corp. subsidiary publishes "The Purpose-Driven Life" but also publishes tabloid newspapers featuring topless women.
"I don't have to agree with 100 percent of what another person does in order to work with them on the 20 percent that we do agree on," Warren says.
That pragmatic attitude has paid off. Murdoch was among the first to support the PEACE plan, donating $2 million.(Online Source)
Notice that Driscoll pointed out the obvious contradiction that exists between Warren’s claim to being Murdoch’s pastor and the fact that Murdoch “publishes tabloid newspapers featuring topless women”.
But also notice that Rick’s answer completely dodges the REAL issue and does NOT address the contradiction. Warren said:
“I don't have to agree with 100 percent of what another person does in order to work with them on the 20 percent that we do agree on.”
But, “Working with a person” is a completely different issue than “pastoring a person”.
All of us work with people who have different religious beliefs than we do or have different moral values than we have. That is just part of the reality of the ‘working world’. But when it comes to our pastors we expect to share the same values and same morals that they do. In fact, I can’t imagine going to a church where I only shared 20 percent of the same beliefs as my pastor. One could easlily argue that if you disagreed with 80% of your pastor's beliefs you probably don't even share the same religion.
The fact remains, and still needs to be addressed that if Rick Warren is Murdoch’s pastor, why has he not done his Biblical duty and disciplined Murdoch for being one of the world's leading distributors of pornography?
Is it because Murdoch published "The Purpose Driven Life"?
Is it because Murdoch will be publishing Warren's newest book later this year?
Is it because Murdoch contributed $2 million dollars to Warren’s Global PEACE plan?
Or is it some other reason?
Either way, I think it is time for Christians to insist that Warren do his Biblical duty as Murdoch’s pastor and call him to repentance and insist that he dismantle his porn empire. If Murdoch refuses to repent then he should be put out of the church.
If Warren refuses to do his biblical duty then the church should discipline Warren for his role in allowing Murdoch to continue 'un-checked' in this monstrous sin.
**Update - When I attempted to contact Rick Warren to get clarification on this issue I was told by Warren's assitant that "Rupert Murdoch is not a member of Saddleback Church." I kindly reminded her that I was not saying that Murdoch attended Saddleback, but that Rick was claiming to be Murdoch's pastor. She said she was unable to comment any further on the matter and asked me to send Rick an email. She also said that I'd hear back from Rick in the next 2 weeks.
---
Click Here to read the press release that I sent out calling on Rick Warren to discipline Rupert Murdoch.
Click Here to listen to my interview on the Cross Talk Radio Program on this issue.
Click Here to read Rick Warren's own standards regarding Church Discipline.
Click Here for a pastor's perspective on this issue.
Click Here to find out 'just who I think I am to judge Rick Warren and Rupert Murdoch'.
When does a pastor become an accomplice to an egregious sin that is being committed by someone under his Pastoral care?
Answer: When the sin is public information and the pastor doesn’t follow through on his Biblical duty to discipline the person committing the sin.
Scripture is crystal clear about the church’s responsibility as it pertains to Christian brothers who are openly and unrepentantly committing egregious sins. 1 Corinthians 5:11-13 states:
But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one. 12 For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? 13 God judges those outside. “Purge the evil person from among you.”
According to the scriptures, we’re not even supposed to associate with a person who ‘bears the name of brother’ if that person is guilty of openly and unrepentantly committing such sins a sexual immorality, greed and idolatry. Scripture tells us to ‘purge the evil person from among us’.
Knowing that this is the scriptural standard for church discipline, the question I would like to know the answer to is, “Why hasn’t Rick Warren disciplined media mogul Rupert Murdoch for his proliferation and distribution of pornography?”
It is a well known fact that Rupert Murdoch has been publishing pornography for decades and that in the last year he’s expanded his porn distribution business in Europe.
Please consider this quote from London’s “The Business”
RUPERT Murdoch, the born-again Christian who chairs media giant News Corporation, has been secretly building a stable of wholly-owned pornographic channels for his BSkyB subsidiary. The Business has learnt that BSkyB now owns and operates its own pornographic channels – the 18+ Movies selection – after years of hosting third-party content only. (Online Source)
Please notice that “The Business” is not only telling us that Rupert Murdoch now owns and operates his own pornographic channels but that his actions are discrediting his claims to being a born-again Christian.
What does this have to do with Rick Warren?
Answer: Rick Warren on more than one occasion has openly admitted to being Rupert Murdoch’s pastor.
In the Sept 12, 2005 edition of the New Yorker Rick Warren said:
"I had dinner with Jack Welch last Sunday night," he said. "He came to church, and we had dinner. I've been kind of mentoring him on his spiritual journey. And he said to me, 'Rick, you are the biggest thinker I have ever met in my life. The only other person I know who thinks globally like you is Rupert Murdoch.' And I said, 'That's interesting. I'm Rupert's pastor! Rupert published my book!'" Then he tilted back his head and gave one of those big Rick Warren laughs.(Online Source)
As Murdoch’s pastor, doesn’t Rick Warren have a Biblical duty and obligation to discipline Murdoch for his open, unrepentant and repugnant sin of porn publishing and distribution?
Answer: Of course he does. (Unless the Bible doesn’t apply to Rick Warren). When Rick Warren became Murdoch's Pastor, he took on ALL the responsiblities that go with that office; these include discipleship, spiritual care, prayer, AND discipline.
Now, some of Warren's defenders may try to deflect blame away from Pastor Rick by giving him the benefit of the doubt and believing that Warren wasn’t aware of Rupert Murdoch’s porn empire. However, we know that is not the case because of an interview that Rick Warren did with Gwendolyn Driscoll of the Orange County Register in November of 2006. Here is what that article said:
Warren says he is pastor to Rupert Murdoch, whose News Corp. subsidiary publishes "The Purpose-Driven Life" but also publishes tabloid newspapers featuring topless women.
"I don't have to agree with 100 percent of what another person does in order to work with them on the 20 percent that we do agree on," Warren says.
That pragmatic attitude has paid off. Murdoch was among the first to support the PEACE plan, donating $2 million.(Online Source)
Notice that Driscoll pointed out the obvious contradiction that exists between Warren’s claim to being Murdoch’s pastor and the fact that Murdoch “publishes tabloid newspapers featuring topless women”.
But also notice that Rick’s answer completely dodges the REAL issue and does NOT address the contradiction. Warren said:
“I don't have to agree with 100 percent of what another person does in order to work with them on the 20 percent that we do agree on.”
But, “Working with a person” is a completely different issue than “pastoring a person”.
All of us work with people who have different religious beliefs than we do or have different moral values than we have. That is just part of the reality of the ‘working world’. But when it comes to our pastors we expect to share the same values and same morals that they do. In fact, I can’t imagine going to a church where I only shared 20 percent of the same beliefs as my pastor. One could easlily argue that if you disagreed with 80% of your pastor's beliefs you probably don't even share the same religion.
The fact remains, and still needs to be addressed that if Rick Warren is Murdoch’s pastor, why has he not done his Biblical duty and disciplined Murdoch for being one of the world's leading distributors of pornography?
Is it because Murdoch published "The Purpose Driven Life"?
Is it because Murdoch will be publishing Warren's newest book later this year?
Is it because Murdoch contributed $2 million dollars to Warren’s Global PEACE plan?
Or is it some other reason?
Either way, I think it is time for Christians to insist that Warren do his Biblical duty as Murdoch’s pastor and call him to repentance and insist that he dismantle his porn empire. If Murdoch refuses to repent then he should be put out of the church.
If Warren refuses to do his biblical duty then the church should discipline Warren for his role in allowing Murdoch to continue 'un-checked' in this monstrous sin.
**Update - When I attempted to contact Rick Warren to get clarification on this issue I was told by Warren's assitant that "Rupert Murdoch is not a member of Saddleback Church." I kindly reminded her that I was not saying that Murdoch attended Saddleback, but that Rick was claiming to be Murdoch's pastor. She said she was unable to comment any further on the matter and asked me to send Rick an email. She also said that I'd hear back from Rick in the next 2 weeks.
---
Click Here to read the press release that I sent out calling on Rick Warren to discipline Rupert Murdoch.
Click Here to listen to my interview on the Cross Talk Radio Program on this issue.
Click Here to read Rick Warren's own standards regarding Church Discipline.
Click Here for a pastor's perspective on this issue.
Click Here to find out 'just who I think I am to judge Rick Warren and Rupert Murdoch'.
Thursday, May 10, 2007
Remember the Widow's Offering
“I tell you the truth,” he said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others.” Luke 21:3
Several years ago when I visited my hometown, my former grade-school principal stopped by to talk. He told me that he recalled seeing my mother walk through town at times to bring something to a needy family. When I expressed my surprise because my family could hardly make ends meet, he said, “I know. She gave out of her poverty.”
In almost every church you can meet people like the widow in Luke 21, who, according to the Lord Jesus, give out of their poverty. Some of them have hardly enough for themselves, but it never occurs to them not to give. No public buildings will ever be named in their honor, but Jesus says they may well be giving more than people who donate thousands or millions of dollars out of their wealth.
Some believers will never lead worship, chair a committee, or pray in public. But many faithfully pray each day for the needs of other people, send cards, make visits, and do other helpful things. Few are ever acknowledged or recognized—except by the Lord. He sees people like the widow who, while giving out of her poverty, gave more than others. And someday the Lord will commend them before those of us who often get recognized because we are in the limelight now. All of us are called to give according to what we’ve been given.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for the many believers who give out of their poverty. Bless them, O Lord, and help us all to give generously for your sake, knowing your great love for us. Amen.
Several years ago when I visited my hometown, my former grade-school principal stopped by to talk. He told me that he recalled seeing my mother walk through town at times to bring something to a needy family. When I expressed my surprise because my family could hardly make ends meet, he said, “I know. She gave out of her poverty.”
In almost every church you can meet people like the widow in Luke 21, who, according to the Lord Jesus, give out of their poverty. Some of them have hardly enough for themselves, but it never occurs to them not to give. No public buildings will ever be named in their honor, but Jesus says they may well be giving more than people who donate thousands or millions of dollars out of their wealth.
Some believers will never lead worship, chair a committee, or pray in public. But many faithfully pray each day for the needs of other people, send cards, make visits, and do other helpful things. Few are ever acknowledged or recognized—except by the Lord. He sees people like the widow who, while giving out of her poverty, gave more than others. And someday the Lord will commend them before those of us who often get recognized because we are in the limelight now. All of us are called to give according to what we’ve been given.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for the many believers who give out of their poverty. Bless them, O Lord, and help us all to give generously for your sake, knowing your great love for us. Amen.
Spiderman 3 "Bible Study"?!
Those pesky Bible stories sure can be dry, boring and irrelevant. Unbelievers now-a-days prefer the stories in popular movies over the dusty tales of Holy Writ. Isn’t there some way that we can teach 'spirituality' without having to bore people by actually opening the Bible?
Answer: Absolutely! From one of America’s most liberal seminaries, the one that has been teaching its students to ‘de-mythologize the Bible using ‘higher criticism’ for the last 4 decades, comes a “Bible Study” guide that will allow progressive and hip pastors to teach about God’s Word without actually having to open the Bible. This new ‘Bible Study’ is sooooo kewl that it allows pastors to plumb the spiritual depths of that new fountain of spiritual truth, Spiderman 3. (We bet you didn’t even know that Spiderman 3 was a Christian allegory. That’s okay. Neither did we.)
If you take the time to download and read the Spiderman 3 Bible Study Guide, you'll find it is REALLY lite on the scriptures but heavy on 'behavior modification' and the Spiderman 3 story line. Oh, and Jesus isn't mentioned even once in this "Bible Study". (Even Spiderman is a sinner who needs Jesus' mercy and forgiveness). It's as if those folks at Fuller believe that any story can teach us how to be spiritual. It doesn't matter if it is in the Bible or even if the story is true. (That's the problem with the liberals at Fuller, they don't actually believe the Bible is historically accurate.)
One of our problems today is we feel we know longer need expository Bible teaching. Maybe we should just do 'spiritual' movie reviews every sunday at church instead of having a sermon.
If this is what the church has come to, we think it's time to dust off that old 'Titanic Bible Study' because it sure looks like the Christian church is about to sink into the depths.
Answer: Absolutely! From one of America’s most liberal seminaries, the one that has been teaching its students to ‘de-mythologize the Bible using ‘higher criticism’ for the last 4 decades, comes a “Bible Study” guide that will allow progressive and hip pastors to teach about God’s Word without actually having to open the Bible. This new ‘Bible Study’ is sooooo kewl that it allows pastors to plumb the spiritual depths of that new fountain of spiritual truth, Spiderman 3. (We bet you didn’t even know that Spiderman 3 was a Christian allegory. That’s okay. Neither did we.)
If you take the time to download and read the Spiderman 3 Bible Study Guide, you'll find it is REALLY lite on the scriptures but heavy on 'behavior modification' and the Spiderman 3 story line. Oh, and Jesus isn't mentioned even once in this "Bible Study". (Even Spiderman is a sinner who needs Jesus' mercy and forgiveness). It's as if those folks at Fuller believe that any story can teach us how to be spiritual. It doesn't matter if it is in the Bible or even if the story is true. (That's the problem with the liberals at Fuller, they don't actually believe the Bible is historically accurate.)
One of our problems today is we feel we know longer need expository Bible teaching. Maybe we should just do 'spiritual' movie reviews every sunday at church instead of having a sermon.
If this is what the church has come to, we think it's time to dust off that old 'Titanic Bible Study' because it sure looks like the Christian church is about to sink into the depths.
You see this is why I see that God has opened the door for TRUTH MATTERS a ministry to bring the Truth of God's Word to the world and stand with the Churches and Pastor's who are out thier day after day preaching the Truth.
You see we are fighting for Certainty in an Age of Deception.
ETS president converts to Roman Catholicism
ETS president converts to Roman CatholicismCarl R Trueman, Porfessor of Historical Theology and Church History, offers some reflections on this dramatic development in the American evangelical world. Click here to read.
setting the word of God before us
He doth not bid us take a taste of all sins and vanities, as Solomon did, to try them: for they are tried already; but that we should set the Word of God always before us like a rule, and believe nothing but that which it teacheth, love nothing but that which it prescribeth, hate nothing but that which it forbideth, do nothing but that which it commandeth, and then we try all things by the Word. [Henry Smith]
Shaking it for Jesus - Saddleback Style Part 2
This is why we must stop and say the TRUTH DOES MATTER TO ME when you view this ask yourself, Who is getting all the glory,Look at the suroundings and ask yourself is this more like a rock club then a place and time set aside to WORSHIP IN SPIRIT AND IN TRUTH A HOLY GOD.
The song is called "We are the dancing generation".http://www.alittleleaven.com/2007/05/shaking_it_for_.html
This exhibit simply poses the question if this equals 'deep worship'?
Again I say to the church goer seek after true bible based worship and true exposit preaching.
And to the Pastor's I say say to you again, go to the Lord and He will show you in His Word the look and feel of His church, stop giving the people what the world gives them and give them the Word of God.
Remember TRUTH DOES MATTER
The song is called "We are the dancing generation".http://www.alittleleaven.com/2007/05/shaking_it_for_.html
This exhibit simply poses the question if this equals 'deep worship'?
Again I say to the church goer seek after true bible based worship and true exposit preaching.
And to the Pastor's I say say to you again, go to the Lord and He will show you in His Word the look and feel of His church, stop giving the people what the world gives them and give them the Word of God.
Remember TRUTH DOES MATTER
Wednesday, May 09, 2007
UPDATE ON BRIAN BIVENS
We have great news!! To make a long story short Brian does not have a blood clot in his lung. The doctor decided to perform another cat scan and more tests on his blood on Monday and no blood clot appeared. He still has pressure in his chest and is getting rest this week. The end diagnosis was uncertain as some doctors say it may have been a couple of little blood clots that caused the pain and/or pleurisy (inflammation around the lining of the lungs-a virus that will go away after a week or so). We thank God that this is no longer a life threatening situation and continue to pray for a speedy recovery. Thank you all for your support and prayers. Stephanie Bivens
The OTHER Ten Commandments....... This is why we must be alert.......
"pastor" Paula White's "bible" has got to be one of the most original "bibles" on the planet.
In her "bible" the way to live the life God intended for you is through the "10 Commandments of Health and Wellness".
Gosh, we've been living with the mistaken notion that the way you lived the life God intended was by obeying the 10 commandments found in Exodus 20; you know, the ones that tell us to love God, honor our parents, don’t steal, don’t lie, don’t commit adultery and covet.
Come to think of it... we actually like "pastor" Paula's 10 commandments better. Her “god” is a lot easier to please than the God of the Old Testament. Paula’s “god” wants us to exercise and eat right so that we can have more energy and feel good about our appearance. And did we mention that her "god" wants us to be rich and prosperous? Her “god” is so kewl.
In fact, we bet that the “10 Commandments of Health and Wellness” could be posted in every public school in the nation without offending a single atheist or member of the ACLU.
In her "bible" the way to live the life God intended for you is through the "10 Commandments of Health and Wellness".
Gosh, we've been living with the mistaken notion that the way you lived the life God intended was by obeying the 10 commandments found in Exodus 20; you know, the ones that tell us to love God, honor our parents, don’t steal, don’t lie, don’t commit adultery and covet.
Come to think of it... we actually like "pastor" Paula's 10 commandments better. Her “god” is a lot easier to please than the God of the Old Testament. Paula’s “god” wants us to exercise and eat right so that we can have more energy and feel good about our appearance. And did we mention that her "god" wants us to be rich and prosperous? Her “god” is so kewl.
In fact, we bet that the “10 Commandments of Health and Wellness” could be posted in every public school in the nation without offending a single atheist or member of the ACLU.
REMEMBER THE TRUTH OF GOD'S WORD DOES MATTER, AND WE DO NOT NEED TO PLAY WITH IT OR PUT OUR OWN SPIN TO IT...........
A PLEE TO PASTOR'S.............. JUST PREACH THE WORD.........PREACH THE WORD..........
PCRT Wrap-Up By Rick Phillips
We had a great year for our thirty-fourth annual Philadelphia Conference on Reformed Theology, for which we give thanks to God. The conference theme, The Word: Above All Earthly Powers, was supported by simply tremendous preaching. I would like to especially thank our friends R. C. Sproul, Jerry Bridges, Don Carson, and Ken Jones, who ministered the truth with great power. They were all wonderful companions in our travels and we all were richly blessed by renewed fellowship with them. Also, Alliance stalwarts Lig Duncan, Phil Ryken, and Mark Dever made their typically outstanding contributions. We even had Carl Trueman give a seminar (or was it Rodney Trotter -- I haven't heard Carl yet because I was giving a seminar at the time, but I look forward to the cds). My thanks to all our speakers, to all who attended this year's great conferences, and to our tremendous staff at the Alliance. My special thanks goes to the Lord, who met with us in power through His mighty Word.Now we get ready for next year's conference: "Precious Blood: The Atoning Work of Christ," meeting in Sacramento, Atlanta, Grand Rapids, and Philadelphia. See you there!
Huh?! God Wants Me to be Rich?
We are not sure what Bible translation "Pastor" Paula White is reading from. (Come to think of it, we're not even sure which 'god' she's referring to) But the Bible we've been reading from warns us about what it would be like in the last days.
2 Timothy 3:1-2 & 5: But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. 2 For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money...swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God... 5 having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.
It would appear that "Pastor" Paula has been ordained in the Church of Money Love rather than the church of Jesus of Nazareth. This is why I say the TRUTH MATTERS be carefull what you seek after you may just get it.
1 Timothy 2:11: A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. 12 I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she must be silent.
1 Timothy 2:11: A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. 12 I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she must be silent.
Remember God's Faithful People
“Well done . . . ! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things.” Matt. 25:21
One evening when I met with some people from a group of small churches in a rural area, I couldn’t help being impressed by the faithfulness of God’s people. The people who came were volunteers, some of them from churches that were struggling to keep going. There was little opportunity for growth because of limited resources and remote locations.
But these people did not come for recognition. They were not looking to be thanked. They came because they love the Lord and his church. They came because they are faithful to the God who has always been faithful to them. And someday these faithful members will hear the words “Well done, good and faithful servants! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things.”
Let me invite you to gather with God’s church this coming Sunday. Take a good look around at your fellow worshipers, and thank God for the willing people who give of their time, talents, and resources. If you are part of a growing congregation, remember to pray for smaller churches that faithfully continue to serve their Lord wherever he has placed them. And if sometimes you feel like giving up because no one seems to notice, remember that God does notice—and someday you too will hear the words “Well done . . . !”
PRAYER
Father, thank you for the many people in your church who serve faithfully. Encourage them with your promises, and help us all to build your church for Jesus’ sake. Amen.
One evening when I met with some people from a group of small churches in a rural area, I couldn’t help being impressed by the faithfulness of God’s people. The people who came were volunteers, some of them from churches that were struggling to keep going. There was little opportunity for growth because of limited resources and remote locations.
But these people did not come for recognition. They were not looking to be thanked. They came because they love the Lord and his church. They came because they are faithful to the God who has always been faithful to them. And someday these faithful members will hear the words “Well done, good and faithful servants! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things.”
Let me invite you to gather with God’s church this coming Sunday. Take a good look around at your fellow worshipers, and thank God for the willing people who give of their time, talents, and resources. If you are part of a growing congregation, remember to pray for smaller churches that faithfully continue to serve their Lord wherever he has placed them. And if sometimes you feel like giving up because no one seems to notice, remember that God does notice—and someday you too will hear the words “Well done . . . !”
PRAYER
Father, thank you for the many people in your church who serve faithfully. Encourage them with your promises, and help us all to build your church for Jesus’ sake. Amen.
Tuesday, May 08, 2007
The False Gospel of 'Gay Affirmation'
Jesus Metropolitan Community Church in Indianapolis, Indiana has posted a bunch of controversial billboards like the one that you see on the left all over their town.
In each and every case, the billboard mis-quotes or mis-uses scripture in order to convey the message that being gay is ‘okay with Jesus’.
This is truly sad and tragic because the Bible clearly teaches that Jesus loves homosexuals. He loves them so much that he died on the cross to pay the penalty for their sins; just like he died to pay for the sins of heterosexuals.
Scripture is so clear on this.
1 Cor. 6:9 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, 10 nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.
Notice how diverse and inclusive this list is. It says that sexual immorality, adultery, theft, greed drunkenness AND homosexuality are sins that bar people from the Kingdom of God.
This verse nails heterosexuals and homosexuals alike.
But, Jesus loves all of us too much to leave us in our sins. So HE tenaciously fought to keep all of us from having to face his judgement by dying on the cross for all of us.
1 Cor. 15:1 Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, 2 and by which you are being saved... 3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures...
1 Pet 3:18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God,
John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.
The gospel of the Christian church is not that Jesus affirms homosexuals in their sin, but rather that Jesus died to pay the penalty for the sins of all homosexuals.
This is the real good news that we should be sharing with homosexuals. These billboards present a cheap and phony gospel that cannot save a single person, straight or gay from the fires of hell.
The Christian message to homosexuals is the same as the message to heterosexuals: Repent and Believe the Gospel.
Congratulations to Hughes Oliphant Old By Rick Phillips
With the great volume of new books these days, there are few truly significant publishing events. The sixth volume of Hughes Oliphant Old's The Reading and Preaching of the Scriptures in the Worship of the Christian Church, released in February, is surely one. This is a colossal endeavor of great value to the whole church. I had the privilege of ministering to Dr. Old and his family during my years at Tenth Presbyterian Church. He is a true Christian gentleman and scholar. While this is no light read (it's not a difficult read, though), the value of this history of preaching far exceeds that of today's typical how-to handbook. Thanks to Derek for his insightful review. I would point out, as well, that without saying so in so many words, Dr. Old develops a strong case for expository preaching as that approach most highly correlated with the Spirit's mighty blessing of God's Word. He traces a tradition of expository preaching that goes right back to the apostles and even to the ministry of our Lord himself.
The Lover of Pleasure
Whoever loves pleasure will be a poor man;he who loves wine and oil will not be rich.Proverbs 21:17
This would seem to be a proverb supporting the ascetic, stoic life. Its emphasis, however, not contrasting pleasure with stoicism, but warning about a life devoted to physical pleasure. In such a pursuit the individual loses common sense. He thinks only of today and does not prepare for tomorrow, thus ending up in poverty. He slacks off from work and stops working altogether. The person who lives for the weekend or the happy hour is not giving due attention to his labors which he devalues.Indeed, the irony of the lover of pleasure is that he misses out on what is truly pleasurable. True pleasure is found in doing what is meaningful and in taking delight in what is of greater value. And the real poverty that awaits the lover of physical pleasure is that he becomes impoverished spiritually. Nothing is more tragic than to look back over one's life and realize it was a wasted life.Love pleasure, but love the pleasure of pleasing your Lord by doing his will. Love the pleasure that comes from knowing the love of the Lord, from knowing his majesty, from exploring his character and his work. Such a pursuit only enriches you whatever may happen physically. Better yet, such a pursuit leads you into eternal pleasure
This would seem to be a proverb supporting the ascetic, stoic life. Its emphasis, however, not contrasting pleasure with stoicism, but warning about a life devoted to physical pleasure. In such a pursuit the individual loses common sense. He thinks only of today and does not prepare for tomorrow, thus ending up in poverty. He slacks off from work and stops working altogether. The person who lives for the weekend or the happy hour is not giving due attention to his labors which he devalues.Indeed, the irony of the lover of pleasure is that he misses out on what is truly pleasurable. True pleasure is found in doing what is meaningful and in taking delight in what is of greater value. And the real poverty that awaits the lover of physical pleasure is that he becomes impoverished spiritually. Nothing is more tragic than to look back over one's life and realize it was a wasted life.Love pleasure, but love the pleasure of pleasing your Lord by doing his will. Love the pleasure that comes from knowing the love of the Lord, from knowing his majesty, from exploring his character and his work. Such a pursuit only enriches you whatever may happen physically. Better yet, such a pursuit leads you into eternal pleasure
Setting the Word of God before us
He doth not bid us take a taste of all sins and vanities, as Solomon did, to try them: for they are tried already; but that we should set the Word of God always before us like a rule, and believe nothing but that which it teacheth, love nothing but that which it prescribeth, hate nothing but that which it forbideth, do nothing but that which it commandeth, and then we try all things by the Word. [Henry Smith]
Monday, May 07, 2007
KNOWING CHRIST BY John Macarthur
The apostle Paul perfectly expresses the most earnest desire of every true follower of Christ: “That I may know him” (Phil. 3:10).
“Knowing Christ,” in the Pauline sense is not the sort of mystical relationship many people imagine. Paul wasn’t longing for some secret knowledge of Christ beyond what is revealed in Scripture. He wasn’t asking that private messages from Christ be whispered into his ear.
In fact, the knowledge of Christ Paul sought was anything but mystical. What he longed to know was the power of Christ’s resurrection, the fellowship of His sufferings, and conformity to His death.
We err greatly if we think of intimacy with Christ as some lofty level of mysterious, feelings-based communion with the Divine—as if it involved some knowledge of God that goes beyond what Scripture has revealed. That idea is the very heart of the gnostic heresy. It has nothing in common with true Christianity.
Just what do we mean, then, when we speak of intimacy with Christ? How can we pursue knowing Christ the way Paul had in mind in Philippians 3:10? Scripture suggests at least five aspects of true intimacy with Christ:
The Intimacy of Faith
Notice what prompts Paul’s comment about knowing Christ in Philippians 3:10. He had already spent several verses describing his life before Christ (4-6). He cited all the spiritual advantages he enjoyed as a Pharisaic Jew. But then he declared that he had discarded all those spiritual advantages for Christ’s sake: “What things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ” (vv. 7-8).
As a Pharisee, Paul had sought to earn God’s favor by legal obedience. But he came to realize that the law sets a standard he could never meet. And so he scrapped all his own works of righteousness as if they were filthy rags (cf. Isa. 64:6). This does not mean that he ceased doing good works, of course, but that he gave up trusting in those works for his salvation. Instead, he put all his faith in Christ—and was clothed in Christ’s perfect righteousness instead of his own imperfect works.
This is the doctrine known as justification by faith. Scripture teaches that our sins were imputed to Christ, and He paid the full penalty for them in His death. Now Christ’s own righteousness is imputed to us, and we receive the full merit of it. Without this reality we could enjoy no relationship whatsoever with a holy God.
Moreover, justification by faith—because it means we are clothed in Christ’s own righteousness—establishes the most intimate imaginable relationship between the believer and his Lord. It is an inviolable spiritual union. That’s why Paul often described believers as those who are “in Christ.”
In other words, all true intimacy with Christ has its basis in faith. In fact, no relationship with Him whatsoever is possible apart from faith (Heb. 1:1). As the apostle Peter points out, we love Him by faith, even though we have not seen Him (1 Pet. 1:8).
The Intimacy of True Worship
In Hosea 6:6 the Lord says, “I delight in loyalty rather than sacrifice, and in the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.”
That verse means we should not imagine that worship consists of rote acts of religious ritual—like sacrifices, burnt offerings, and other ceremonies. Instead, we need to realize that real worship is grounded in the true knowledge of God.
If we want God to delight in our worship, we must think rightly about Him. The very essence of idolatry consists in wrong thoughts about God. And conversely, true knowledge of God means knowing Him as He is revealed in Scripture.
To put it another way, sound doctrine, not liturgy and ritual, is the litmus test of whether our worship is acceptable.
Right thinking about God is therefore essential to true intimacy with Him. Anyone who would know Him intimately must know what He has revealed about Himself. And again, this does not mean we should seek some mystical knowledge about God. All we can know with any certainty about God is what is revealed in Scripture. Those who would know the true God in the true way must therefore seek to be thoroughly familiar with His Word.
The Intimacy of Prayer
Jesus himself taught us to seek intimacy with God through private prayer. Prayer is where the worshiper pours out his heart to God. And Jesus Himself stressed the importance of private prayer: “when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret” (Matt. 6:6).
He was confronting the practice of the Pharisees, who loved to pray publicly, for show. Jesus was not teaching that prayers should never be offered publicly, for there are obviously times when Scripture calls us to corporate prayer.
But the true Christian seeking intimacy with God will pray most often, and most fervently, in private. The true audience of all our prayers is God Himself. And if we understood what an incomprehensible privilege it is to be invited to come boldly before His throne of grace, we would surely spend more time there, pouring out our most intimate thoughts, fears, desires, and expressions of love to Him.
The Intimacy of Obedience
Jesus said to the disciples, “Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you” (Jn. 15:14). Thus Christ Himself made obedience to Him an absolute requirement for true spiritual intimacy.
Let no one claim intimacy with Christ whose life is marked by disobedience rather than submission to Him. Those who refuse to obey Christ as Lord cannot claim to know Him as a friend. Scripture plainly declares that He is Lord of all (Acts 10:36), and He is therefore entitled to demand our allegiance to His Lordship.
As a matter of fact, those who withhold that allegiance are His enemies, not His intimates (cf. Jas. 4:4). That’s why true intimacy with Him is utterly impossible without unconditional surrender to His divine authority.
Again, this takes the matter of intimacy with Christ out of the realm of the mystical and defines it in terms that are intensely practical.
The Intimacy of Suffering
Returning to Philippians 3:10, we note once again what kind of intimacy with Christ Paul was seeking: “That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death.”
Of course, we easily understand why Paul wanted a share in the power of Christ’s resurrection. But why did the apostle desire to know the fellowship of Christ’s sufferings and be conformed to His death?
We can be certain that Paul had no perverse love of pain and suffering. Elsewhere he testified how he repeatedly besought the Lord to deliver him from a “messenger of Satan” that was like a thorn under his skin (2 Cor. 12:7).
In the midst of that experience Paul discovered that God’s grace is sufficient to see us through all our sufferings. Moreover, God’s strength is made perfect in our weakness (v. 9).
God gives a special measure of grace to those whom He calls to endure suffering. In a familiar passage in the Beatitudes, Jesus said this about suffering:
Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you (Matt. 5:10-12).
There is a special blessedness known only to those who suffer for Christ’s sake. Those who would desire true intimacy with Him must be willing to endure what He endured.
Add all those things together to get the full picture: True intimacy with Christ involves suffering, obedience, much prayer, a good knowledge of God’s Word, and a life of faith.
Notice that those are not advanced skills for second-level Christians. They are the most elementary issues of the Christian life. That underscores the truth that intimacy with Christ is not some sort of mystical secret. It is the whole point of our life in Christ. Indeed, it is the chief end for which we were created: to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.
“Knowing Christ,” in the Pauline sense is not the sort of mystical relationship many people imagine. Paul wasn’t longing for some secret knowledge of Christ beyond what is revealed in Scripture. He wasn’t asking that private messages from Christ be whispered into his ear.
In fact, the knowledge of Christ Paul sought was anything but mystical. What he longed to know was the power of Christ’s resurrection, the fellowship of His sufferings, and conformity to His death.
We err greatly if we think of intimacy with Christ as some lofty level of mysterious, feelings-based communion with the Divine—as if it involved some knowledge of God that goes beyond what Scripture has revealed. That idea is the very heart of the gnostic heresy. It has nothing in common with true Christianity.
Just what do we mean, then, when we speak of intimacy with Christ? How can we pursue knowing Christ the way Paul had in mind in Philippians 3:10? Scripture suggests at least five aspects of true intimacy with Christ:
The Intimacy of Faith
Notice what prompts Paul’s comment about knowing Christ in Philippians 3:10. He had already spent several verses describing his life before Christ (4-6). He cited all the spiritual advantages he enjoyed as a Pharisaic Jew. But then he declared that he had discarded all those spiritual advantages for Christ’s sake: “What things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ” (vv. 7-8).
As a Pharisee, Paul had sought to earn God’s favor by legal obedience. But he came to realize that the law sets a standard he could never meet. And so he scrapped all his own works of righteousness as if they were filthy rags (cf. Isa. 64:6). This does not mean that he ceased doing good works, of course, but that he gave up trusting in those works for his salvation. Instead, he put all his faith in Christ—and was clothed in Christ’s perfect righteousness instead of his own imperfect works.
This is the doctrine known as justification by faith. Scripture teaches that our sins were imputed to Christ, and He paid the full penalty for them in His death. Now Christ’s own righteousness is imputed to us, and we receive the full merit of it. Without this reality we could enjoy no relationship whatsoever with a holy God.
Moreover, justification by faith—because it means we are clothed in Christ’s own righteousness—establishes the most intimate imaginable relationship between the believer and his Lord. It is an inviolable spiritual union. That’s why Paul often described believers as those who are “in Christ.”
In other words, all true intimacy with Christ has its basis in faith. In fact, no relationship with Him whatsoever is possible apart from faith (Heb. 1:1). As the apostle Peter points out, we love Him by faith, even though we have not seen Him (1 Pet. 1:8).
The Intimacy of True Worship
In Hosea 6:6 the Lord says, “I delight in loyalty rather than sacrifice, and in the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.”
That verse means we should not imagine that worship consists of rote acts of religious ritual—like sacrifices, burnt offerings, and other ceremonies. Instead, we need to realize that real worship is grounded in the true knowledge of God.
If we want God to delight in our worship, we must think rightly about Him. The very essence of idolatry consists in wrong thoughts about God. And conversely, true knowledge of God means knowing Him as He is revealed in Scripture.
To put it another way, sound doctrine, not liturgy and ritual, is the litmus test of whether our worship is acceptable.
Right thinking about God is therefore essential to true intimacy with Him. Anyone who would know Him intimately must know what He has revealed about Himself. And again, this does not mean we should seek some mystical knowledge about God. All we can know with any certainty about God is what is revealed in Scripture. Those who would know the true God in the true way must therefore seek to be thoroughly familiar with His Word.
The Intimacy of Prayer
Jesus himself taught us to seek intimacy with God through private prayer. Prayer is where the worshiper pours out his heart to God. And Jesus Himself stressed the importance of private prayer: “when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret” (Matt. 6:6).
He was confronting the practice of the Pharisees, who loved to pray publicly, for show. Jesus was not teaching that prayers should never be offered publicly, for there are obviously times when Scripture calls us to corporate prayer.
But the true Christian seeking intimacy with God will pray most often, and most fervently, in private. The true audience of all our prayers is God Himself. And if we understood what an incomprehensible privilege it is to be invited to come boldly before His throne of grace, we would surely spend more time there, pouring out our most intimate thoughts, fears, desires, and expressions of love to Him.
The Intimacy of Obedience
Jesus said to the disciples, “Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you” (Jn. 15:14). Thus Christ Himself made obedience to Him an absolute requirement for true spiritual intimacy.
Let no one claim intimacy with Christ whose life is marked by disobedience rather than submission to Him. Those who refuse to obey Christ as Lord cannot claim to know Him as a friend. Scripture plainly declares that He is Lord of all (Acts 10:36), and He is therefore entitled to demand our allegiance to His Lordship.
As a matter of fact, those who withhold that allegiance are His enemies, not His intimates (cf. Jas. 4:4). That’s why true intimacy with Him is utterly impossible without unconditional surrender to His divine authority.
Again, this takes the matter of intimacy with Christ out of the realm of the mystical and defines it in terms that are intensely practical.
The Intimacy of Suffering
Returning to Philippians 3:10, we note once again what kind of intimacy with Christ Paul was seeking: “That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death.”
Of course, we easily understand why Paul wanted a share in the power of Christ’s resurrection. But why did the apostle desire to know the fellowship of Christ’s sufferings and be conformed to His death?
We can be certain that Paul had no perverse love of pain and suffering. Elsewhere he testified how he repeatedly besought the Lord to deliver him from a “messenger of Satan” that was like a thorn under his skin (2 Cor. 12:7).
In the midst of that experience Paul discovered that God’s grace is sufficient to see us through all our sufferings. Moreover, God’s strength is made perfect in our weakness (v. 9).
God gives a special measure of grace to those whom He calls to endure suffering. In a familiar passage in the Beatitudes, Jesus said this about suffering:
Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you (Matt. 5:10-12).
There is a special blessedness known only to those who suffer for Christ’s sake. Those who would desire true intimacy with Him must be willing to endure what He endured.
Add all those things together to get the full picture: True intimacy with Christ involves suffering, obedience, much prayer, a good knowledge of God’s Word, and a life of faith.
Notice that those are not advanced skills for second-level Christians. They are the most elementary issues of the Christian life. That underscores the truth that intimacy with Christ is not some sort of mystical secret. It is the whole point of our life in Christ. Indeed, it is the chief end for which we were created: to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.
The Truth no matter the cost
Solomon bids us (Prov 23:23) to buy the truth, but doth not tell us what it must cost, because we must get it though it be never so dear. We must love it both shining and scorching. Every parcel of truth is precious as the filings of gold; we must either live with it, or die for it. [Thomas Brooks ]
Shaking it for Jesus - Saddleback Style
This is what happens when the TRUTH of God's Word does not MATTER any more.
Lets get back to the Power that can only be found in the Preaching of His Word.
If we can sit back and see things like this take place in our churches and say nothing, then to that person I say to you the TRUTH not only does not MATTER to you but it is also not in you.
To the Pastor's I say take the for sale sign off the pulpit, give the people what they need not what they want, you are called to preach the Word not entertain them.
This is a video of a Saddleback Worship Concert.
There are teenage girls doing dance moves that include Pelvic Thrusts.
Is this really worship to the one true God of the Bible or is this worship to one of those pagan sex gods? You be the judge?http://www.alittleleaven.com/2007/03/shaking_it_for__1.html
Lets get back to the Power that can only be found in the Preaching of His Word.
If we can sit back and see things like this take place in our churches and say nothing, then to that person I say to you the TRUTH not only does not MATTER to you but it is also not in you.
To the Pastor's I say take the for sale sign off the pulpit, give the people what they need not what they want, you are called to preach the Word not entertain them.
This is a video of a Saddleback Worship Concert.
There are teenage girls doing dance moves that include Pelvic Thrusts.
Is this really worship to the one true God of the Bible or is this worship to one of those pagan sex gods? You be the judge?http://www.alittleleaven.com/2007/03/shaking_it_for__1.html
Instant Sermons, Just Add Money
Pastors now-a-days are busy people. Between working up the latest marketing campaign, teaching the girls in the praise band the newest kewl dance steps, cruising on their Harleys and blogging about their favorite singers on American Idol, they don’t have time to actually read the Bible and prepare a sermon.
But, thanks to Rick Warren and Bill Hybels, busy pastors no longer have to sacrifice precious ‘me time’ crafting the perfect Sunday message.
As this video demonstrates you can have the perfect sermon or sermon series complete with hand picked mood music delivered to your computer in just seconds.
That’s right, busy pastor, put your church on autopilot, kick back, relax and let Warren and Hybels do the flying.http://www.alittleleaven.com/2007/03/instant_sermons.html
But, thanks to Rick Warren and Bill Hybels, busy pastors no longer have to sacrifice precious ‘me time’ crafting the perfect Sunday message.
As this video demonstrates you can have the perfect sermon or sermon series complete with hand picked mood music delivered to your computer in just seconds.
That’s right, busy pastor, put your church on autopilot, kick back, relax and let Warren and Hybels do the flying.http://www.alittleleaven.com/2007/03/instant_sermons.html
THE EXTRAORDINARY MOTHER By John Macarthur
In honor of Mother’s Day (coming this Sunday), we will be running articles adapted from John’s new book The Extraordinary Mother, a beautiful giftbook that highlights the lives of thirteen different Bible moms.
*****
Eve (the mother of all living) must have been a creature of unsurpassed beauty. She was the crown and the pinnacle of God’s amazing creative work, the last living thing to be called into existence — actually fashioned directly by the Creator’s own hand in a way that showed particular care and attention to detail. Adam was refined dirt; Eve was a glorious refinement of humanity itself. She was Adam’s necessary partner who finally made his existence complete — and whose own existence finally signaled the completion of all creation.
Eve’s creation reminds us of several crucial truths about womanhood in general. It speaks of Eve’s fundamental equality with Adam. The woman was “taken out of man” (Genesis 2:23). She was of exactly the same essence as Adam. She was in no way an inferior character, but she was his spiritual counterpart, his intellectual coequal, and in every sense his perfect mate and companion. Her creation also reminds us of the essential unity that is ideal in every marriage relationship, and it illustrates how deep and meaningful the marriage of husband and wife is to be. It is not merely a physical union, but a union of heart and soul as well. The intimacy of her relationship with her husband is rooted in the fact that she was literally taken from his side.
Eve’s creation also contains some important biblical lessons about the divinely designed role of women. Although Eve was spiritually and intellectually Adam’s peer; although they were both of one essence and therefore equals in their standing before God and in their rank above the other creatures; there was nonetheless a clear distinction in their earthly roles. Adam was designed to be a father, provider, protector, and leader. Eve was designed to be a mother, comforter, nurturer, and helper.
After creation and before the fall, Adam and Eve were partners and companions, fellow-laboeres in the garden. God dealt with Adam as head of the human race, and Eve was accountable to her husband. This was true paradise, and they constituted a perfect microcosm of the human race as God designed it to be.
But then it was all ruined by sin. Genesis 3 records the temptation and fall of both Eve and her husband, and the subsequent curse they received. The severity of the curse must have shattered Eve’s heart, but God’s judgment was not entirely harsh and hopeless. There was a good deal of grace, even in the curse. Although their relationship would now have tensions that did not exist in Eden, Eve remained Adam’s partner. She retained her role as a wife, and she would still be the mother of all living (Gen. 3:20).
The promise that Eve would still bear children mitigated every other aspect of the curse. That one simple expectation contained a ray of hope for the whole human race. There was a hint in the curse itself that one of Eve’s own offspring would ultimately overthrow evil and dispel all the darkness of sin (Gen. 3:15).
Christ, who was uniquely “born of a woman” (Galatians 4:4) – being born of a virgin, and God in human form — literally fulfilled God’s promise: that the Seed of the woman would crush the serpent’s head. As a result, heaven will be eternally filled with Eve’s redeemed offspring, and they will be forever occupied in celebrating the work of her victorious Seed.
*****
Eve (the mother of all living) must have been a creature of unsurpassed beauty. She was the crown and the pinnacle of God’s amazing creative work, the last living thing to be called into existence — actually fashioned directly by the Creator’s own hand in a way that showed particular care and attention to detail. Adam was refined dirt; Eve was a glorious refinement of humanity itself. She was Adam’s necessary partner who finally made his existence complete — and whose own existence finally signaled the completion of all creation.
Eve’s creation reminds us of several crucial truths about womanhood in general. It speaks of Eve’s fundamental equality with Adam. The woman was “taken out of man” (Genesis 2:23). She was of exactly the same essence as Adam. She was in no way an inferior character, but she was his spiritual counterpart, his intellectual coequal, and in every sense his perfect mate and companion. Her creation also reminds us of the essential unity that is ideal in every marriage relationship, and it illustrates how deep and meaningful the marriage of husband and wife is to be. It is not merely a physical union, but a union of heart and soul as well. The intimacy of her relationship with her husband is rooted in the fact that she was literally taken from his side.
Eve’s creation also contains some important biblical lessons about the divinely designed role of women. Although Eve was spiritually and intellectually Adam’s peer; although they were both of one essence and therefore equals in their standing before God and in their rank above the other creatures; there was nonetheless a clear distinction in their earthly roles. Adam was designed to be a father, provider, protector, and leader. Eve was designed to be a mother, comforter, nurturer, and helper.
After creation and before the fall, Adam and Eve were partners and companions, fellow-laboeres in the garden. God dealt with Adam as head of the human race, and Eve was accountable to her husband. This was true paradise, and they constituted a perfect microcosm of the human race as God designed it to be.
But then it was all ruined by sin. Genesis 3 records the temptation and fall of both Eve and her husband, and the subsequent curse they received. The severity of the curse must have shattered Eve’s heart, but God’s judgment was not entirely harsh and hopeless. There was a good deal of grace, even in the curse. Although their relationship would now have tensions that did not exist in Eden, Eve remained Adam’s partner. She retained her role as a wife, and she would still be the mother of all living (Gen. 3:20).
The promise that Eve would still bear children mitigated every other aspect of the curse. That one simple expectation contained a ray of hope for the whole human race. There was a hint in the curse itself that one of Eve’s own offspring would ultimately overthrow evil and dispel all the darkness of sin (Gen. 3:15).
Christ, who was uniquely “born of a woman” (Galatians 4:4) – being born of a virgin, and God in human form — literally fulfilled God’s promise: that the Seed of the woman would crush the serpent’s head. As a result, heaven will be eternally filled with Eve’s redeemed offspring, and they will be forever occupied in celebrating the work of her victorious Seed.
Remember to Repent
“O Lord, God of heaven . . . . I confess the sins we . . . have committed against you.” Nehemiah 1:5-6
Nehemiah was on a mission to help his people, and he knew he had to ask forgiveness for the people’s sins if the mission was going to succeed. Before praying for God’s guidance and protection, he asked for God’s forgiveness. He knew why God’s people had been sent into captivity. He understood why things were not going right after they had returned. There was unconfessed sin that had created a barrier between God and the people and had kept them from experiencing God’s blessings.
As Nehemiah prayed, he also included himself. The people’s sins were his sins. He could have simply pointed his finger and blamed others. It was tempting to look back and list the sins of past generations.
For us, it’s also tempting to point to the sins of believers who have gone before us. But when we talk about repenting, we need to include ourselves. True repentance involves all of us—individuals and churches.
God’s great faithfulness gives us the courage to face our sins. There’s the sin of silence when we should have spoken; there’s the sin of speaking when we should have kept quiet. There’s the sin of not extending grace to people who were desperate for a glimpse of it. There’s the sin of pursuing our own agenda instead of serving God and trying to do his will.
We need to ask God to bring us to repentance.
PRAYER
“O Lord, God of heaven,” we confess the sins we have committed against you. Please forgive us for Jesus’ sake and renew us to be your people. In your name we pray. Amen.
Nehemiah was on a mission to help his people, and he knew he had to ask forgiveness for the people’s sins if the mission was going to succeed. Before praying for God’s guidance and protection, he asked for God’s forgiveness. He knew why God’s people had been sent into captivity. He understood why things were not going right after they had returned. There was unconfessed sin that had created a barrier between God and the people and had kept them from experiencing God’s blessings.
As Nehemiah prayed, he also included himself. The people’s sins were his sins. He could have simply pointed his finger and blamed others. It was tempting to look back and list the sins of past generations.
For us, it’s also tempting to point to the sins of believers who have gone before us. But when we talk about repenting, we need to include ourselves. True repentance involves all of us—individuals and churches.
God’s great faithfulness gives us the courage to face our sins. There’s the sin of silence when we should have spoken; there’s the sin of speaking when we should have kept quiet. There’s the sin of not extending grace to people who were desperate for a glimpse of it. There’s the sin of pursuing our own agenda instead of serving God and trying to do his will.
We need to ask God to bring us to repentance.
PRAYER
“O Lord, God of heaven,” we confess the sins we have committed against you. Please forgive us for Jesus’ sake and renew us to be your people. In your name we pray. Amen.
The Importance of Catechisms
"Do not think the catechism is a little thing to be read hastily and cast aside. Although I am a doctor, I have to do just as a child and say word for word every morning and whenever I have time the Lord's Prayer and the Ten Commandments, the Creed and Psalms. I have to do it every day and yet, I cannot stand as I would. But these smart folks in one reading want to be doctors of doctors. Therefore I beg thee wise saints to be persuaded that they are not such a great doctor as they think. To be occupied with God's Word helps against the world, the flesh and the Devil, and all bad thoughts. This is the true holy water with which to excorcise the Devil." [Martin Luther]
Sunday, May 06, 2007
DOES TRUTH MATTER ?
YES
The truth of God's Word does matter, it is my joy to launch TRUTH MATTERS a ministry dedicated to the truth of God's Word. It has been my dream to see a modern day reformation take place in the 21st century, I believe that TRUTH MATTERS will be the launching pad for that Dream to come True all to the Glory of God. www.phillycommunitychurch.org
The truth of God's Word does matter, it is my joy to launch TRUTH MATTERS a ministry dedicated to the truth of God's Word. It has been my dream to see a modern day reformation take place in the 21st century, I believe that TRUTH MATTERS will be the launching pad for that Dream to come True all to the Glory of God. www.phillycommunitychurch.org
The Word is God's voice not mans
It seems that there were some among the Thessalonians, as there must be amongst us, which did forsake all religion because the preachers did not agree, or because the lives of professors gave some offense; therefore Paul sheweth, that there is no cause why they should mislike the word for the preacher, or why they should despise religion for the professor, because the word and the religion are not theirs which teach it, and profess it, but God's. [Henry Smith]
LET'S GET BACK TO PREACHING THE WORD....
Exegeting the Latest Movie Themes
THIS IS JUST ONE SAD EXAMPLE OF WHAT IS BEING DONE FROM PULPITS ALL AROUND THE U.S.
IT'S TIME FOR US WHO TRULY LOVE GOD'S WORD TO STAND UP AND SAY THE TRUTH IS WHAT MATTERS......... AND THAT TRUTH CAN ONLY COME FROM THE PREACHING OF GOD'S WORD.............
Apparently preaching from the Bible and faithfully delivering God's message and doctrines is sooooo boring and passe that we need to supplement it with 'other' more 'relevant' things like the latest themes coming out of Hollywood.
Apparently, that is the case at Southhills Church of Corona, California. Their proudly Purpose-Driven Pastor made the decision to preach an entire series on “The Pursuit of Happyness”. He even plagiarized the movie’s artwork for this sermon series.
God's Faithfulness
Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed . . . . Great is your faithfulness. Lam. 3:22-23
While traveling through the United States and Canada to help congregations prepare for their denomination’s 150th anniversary, I was often asked two questions from fellow church members: “Aren’t we patting ourselves on the back when we celebrate an anniversary like this? And should we really be celebrating when so much in our history should not have happened?”
The answer to these questions is that the church doesn’t celebrate its own accomplishments or achievements. Christ’s church celebrates the faithfulness of God, who, despite our sin and shortcomings, is willing to use ordinary believers. Great is God’s faithfulness!
In Jeremiah’s day, things were really grim for God’s people. They were taken into captivity because of their sins. Life was more difficult than most of us can imagine. The people’s sins were many, and the nation was in ruins. It would have been easy to give up. But Jeremiah wrote, “Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is [God’s] faithfulness.”
There are many sins of which the church must repent. But through it all, our God remains faithful. And whatever has been accomplished for good is only because of the Lord’s great faithfulness.
PRAYER
“Great is thy faithfulness! Morning by morning new mercies I see; all I have needed thy hand hath provided. Great is thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!” In Jesus’ name, Amen.
While traveling through the United States and Canada to help congregations prepare for their denomination’s 150th anniversary, I was often asked two questions from fellow church members: “Aren’t we patting ourselves on the back when we celebrate an anniversary like this? And should we really be celebrating when so much in our history should not have happened?”
The answer to these questions is that the church doesn’t celebrate its own accomplishments or achievements. Christ’s church celebrates the faithfulness of God, who, despite our sin and shortcomings, is willing to use ordinary believers. Great is God’s faithfulness!
In Jeremiah’s day, things were really grim for God’s people. They were taken into captivity because of their sins. Life was more difficult than most of us can imagine. The people’s sins were many, and the nation was in ruins. It would have been easy to give up. But Jeremiah wrote, “Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is [God’s] faithfulness.”
There are many sins of which the church must repent. But through it all, our God remains faithful. And whatever has been accomplished for good is only because of the Lord’s great faithfulness.
PRAYER
“Great is thy faithfulness! Morning by morning new mercies I see; all I have needed thy hand hath provided. Great is thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!” In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Saturday, May 05, 2007
Rick Warren’s Top 5 List of the Things Jesus Did While He Was on The Earth
Time for another pop-quiz. Here is the assignment:
List the top 5 things that Jesus did while He was here on Earth on a piece of paper.
Question: Did Jesus’ death on the cross for the sins of the world and his resurrection make it on to your top 5 list?
You are probably saying, “Duh! Of course they did. Those are the most important things that Jesus did here on Earth.”
We at A Little Leaven would agree with you.
Believe it or not, Rick Warren was recently interviewed on a ‘spiritual’ website called beliefnet.com and during his interview he listed the 5 things that Jesus did when He was on Earth and Jesus' death and resurrection DID NOT make Warren's list. Here are the things that Warren listed.
“It's the five things Jesus did when he was here on earth.
The first thing he did was he planted a church.
The second thing he did was equip leaders. He spent three years training these disciples.
The third thing he did was he cared for the poor. In fact, in his very first sermon, he says, "I am here to preach the good news to the poor.” He cared for the poor.
Fourth, he healed the sick. One-third of his ministry was a health ministry.
The fifth thing is he taught. Particularly he cared about the next generation.”
Click Here to Hear this List in Warren’s Own Voice.
How on earth could Rick Warren, a CHRISTIAN PASTOR miss Jesus' death and resurrection?
Apparently Pastor Warren missed the memo that the Holy Spirit sent us through the Apostle Paul. Here's what the memo said.
1 Corinthians 1:22 For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, 24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
Well, let's be fair.
The interview on beliefnet.com was about Warren's 'Second Reformation'. (That's Warren's own personal reformation of Deeds NOT Creeds.)
We admit that Jesus' death and resurrection sure do sound creedal and mentioning them in an interview about Warren's Second Reformation would probably confuse people.
But here is something to think about... since Warren isn't willing to affirm Jesus' death and resurrection as part of his Second Reformation we probably shouldn't even call it a 'Christian' Reformation. No movement that is truly Christian would ever consciously omit Christ's death and resurrection, would it?
Click Here to read Warren's beliefnet.com interview.
List the top 5 things that Jesus did while He was here on Earth on a piece of paper.
Question: Did Jesus’ death on the cross for the sins of the world and his resurrection make it on to your top 5 list?
You are probably saying, “Duh! Of course they did. Those are the most important things that Jesus did here on Earth.”
We at A Little Leaven would agree with you.
Believe it or not, Rick Warren was recently interviewed on a ‘spiritual’ website called beliefnet.com and during his interview he listed the 5 things that Jesus did when He was on Earth and Jesus' death and resurrection DID NOT make Warren's list. Here are the things that Warren listed.
“It's the five things Jesus did when he was here on earth.
The first thing he did was he planted a church.
The second thing he did was equip leaders. He spent three years training these disciples.
The third thing he did was he cared for the poor. In fact, in his very first sermon, he says, "I am here to preach the good news to the poor.” He cared for the poor.
Fourth, he healed the sick. One-third of his ministry was a health ministry.
The fifth thing is he taught. Particularly he cared about the next generation.”
Click Here to Hear this List in Warren’s Own Voice.
How on earth could Rick Warren, a CHRISTIAN PASTOR miss Jesus' death and resurrection?
Apparently Pastor Warren missed the memo that the Holy Spirit sent us through the Apostle Paul. Here's what the memo said.
1 Corinthians 1:22 For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, 24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
Well, let's be fair.
The interview on beliefnet.com was about Warren's 'Second Reformation'. (That's Warren's own personal reformation of Deeds NOT Creeds.)
We admit that Jesus' death and resurrection sure do sound creedal and mentioning them in an interview about Warren's Second Reformation would probably confuse people.
But here is something to think about... since Warren isn't willing to affirm Jesus' death and resurrection as part of his Second Reformation we probably shouldn't even call it a 'Christian' Reformation. No movement that is truly Christian would ever consciously omit Christ's death and resurrection, would it?
Click Here to read Warren's beliefnet.com interview.
JOEL OSTEN SAID WHAT ?
On the “interesting” side of things, how can you go wrong with a video clip of Joel Osteen preaching with clever subtitles added? Listen and Read subtitles, it's about time we stand up and say the whole TRUTH MATTERS, remember it's not our word we are preaching it is God's so let's get it right.
The best kind of sermon
Seek not so much to have thy ear tickled as thy understanding enlightened. The painful bee passeth by roses and violets and sits upon thyme; so shouldest thou rather choose to feed on plain and wholesome doctrine, though hot and biting, than on the quirks and flowers of man's invention. In a word, learn evermore to judge that sermon best, though plain, whereby thou understandest. [Nehemiah Rogers]
Peaceful Stupidity
Many love to walk in a very careless, unwise profession. So long as they can hold out in the performance of outward duties, they are very regardless of the greatest evangelical privileges, - of those things which are the marrow of divine promises, - all real endeavours of a vital communion with Christ. Such are spiritual peace, refreshing consolations, ineffable joys, and the blessed composure of assurance. Without some taste and experience of these things, profession is heartless, lifeless, useless; and religion itself a dead carcass without an animating soul. The peace which some enjoy is a mere stupidity. They judge not these things to be real which are the substance of Christ's present reward; and a renunciation whereof would deprive the church of its principal supportments and encouragements in all its sufferings. It is a great evidence of the power of unbelief, when we can satisfy ourselves without an experience in our own hearts of the great things, in this kind of joy, peace, consolation, assurance, that are promised in the Gospel. For how can it be supposed that we do indeed believe the promises of things future, - namely, of heaven, immortality, and glory, the faith whereof is the foundation of all religion, - when we do not believe the promises of the present reward in these spiritual privileges? And how shall we be thought to believe them, when we do not endeavour after an experience of the things themselves in our own souls, but are even contented without them? But herein men deceive themselves. They would very desirously have evangelical joy, peace, and assurance, to countenance them in their evil frames and careless walking And some have attempted to reconcile these things, unto the ruin of their souls. But it will not be. Without the diligent exercise of the grace of obedience, we shall never enjoy the grace of consolation.[John Owen]
Sustained by Grace
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:9
About a year ago I stopped by a local hospital to visit with a friend. Only a few days earlier she and her family had been told that her cancer had returned and that she would have only four to six months to live.
When I walked into her room, I caught a glimpse of Paul’s meaning when he teaches that God’s grace is sufficient. My friend could have been angry and upset. Instead, she told me that when the family first received the news, she opened her Bible, and it came open to Psalm 13:5-6, which she had underlined some years earlier: “I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing to the Lord, for he has been good to me.” She said that when she read those verses she literally felt the peace of God flood her entire body.
How is that possible? How could she say in one of her weakest moments, “I will sing to the Lord, for he has been good to me?” How can you praise God when there seems to be nothing left?
The answer is found in 2 Corinthians 12:9, where God reminds Paul that his grace is sufficient. God’s grace never fails. This doesn’t mean we never cry or feel pain or go through tough times. It doesn’t mean we try to accept everything with a smile. But because of God’s grace we are able to go on, for even in weakness we experience his power.
PRAYER
Lord, we ask that you will give your grace to everyone who needs it in a special way today. Help us to trust in you. Fill us with your peace, we pray. For Jesus’ sake, Amen.
About a year ago I stopped by a local hospital to visit with a friend. Only a few days earlier she and her family had been told that her cancer had returned and that she would have only four to six months to live.
When I walked into her room, I caught a glimpse of Paul’s meaning when he teaches that God’s grace is sufficient. My friend could have been angry and upset. Instead, she told me that when the family first received the news, she opened her Bible, and it came open to Psalm 13:5-6, which she had underlined some years earlier: “I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing to the Lord, for he has been good to me.” She said that when she read those verses she literally felt the peace of God flood her entire body.
How is that possible? How could she say in one of her weakest moments, “I will sing to the Lord, for he has been good to me?” How can you praise God when there seems to be nothing left?
The answer is found in 2 Corinthians 12:9, where God reminds Paul that his grace is sufficient. God’s grace never fails. This doesn’t mean we never cry or feel pain or go through tough times. It doesn’t mean we try to accept everything with a smile. But because of God’s grace we are able to go on, for even in weakness we experience his power.
PRAYER
Lord, we ask that you will give your grace to everyone who needs it in a special way today. Help us to trust in you. Fill us with your peace, we pray. For Jesus’ sake, Amen.
Friday, May 04, 2007
Trueman's "Theology for All" Lectures
The following lectures were delivered in September 2006 by Carl Trueman at the Theology for All Conference in the UK:
Theology and Everyday Life: The Reformation and Beyond
Contemporary Challenges to Theology and Church Life
What should a theological church look like?
Q&A
Theology and Everyday Life: The Reformation and Beyond
Contemporary Challenges to Theology and Church Life
What should a theological church look like?
Q&A
True and False Religion
Whenever religion revives remarkably, till we have learned well to distinguish between true and false religion, between saving affections and experiences, and those manifold fair shows, and glistering appearances, by which they are counterfeited; the consequences of which, when they are not distinguished, are often inexpressibly dreadful. By this means, the devil gratifies himself, by bringing it to pass, that that should be offered to God, by multitudes, under a notion of a pleasing acceptable service to him, that is indeed above all things abominable to him. By this means he deceives great multitudes about the state of their souls; making them think they are something, when they are nothing; and so eternally undoes them; and not only so, but establishes many in a strong confidence of their eminent holiness, who are in God's sight some of the vilest of hypocrites. By this means, he many ways damps and wounds religion in the hearts of the saints, obscures and deforms it by corrupt mixtures, causes their religious affections woefully to degenerate, and sometimes, for a considerable time, to be like the manna that bred worms and stank; and dreadfully ensnares and confounds the minds of others of the saints and brings them into great difficulties and temptation, and entangles them in a wilderness, out of which they can by no means extricate themselves. By this means, Satan mightily encourages the hearts of open enemies of religion, and strengthens their hands, and fills them with weapons, and makes strong their fortresses; when, at the same time, religion and the church of God lie exposed to them, as a city without walls. By this means, he brings it to pass, that men work wickedness under a notion of doing God service, and so sin without restraint, yea with earnest forwardness and zeal, any with all their might. By this means he brings in even the friends of religion, insensibly to themselves, to do the work of enemies, by destroying religion in a far more effectual manner than open enemies can do, under a notion of advancing it. By this means the devil scatters the flock of Christ, and sets them one against another, and that with great heat of spirit, under a nation of zeal for God; and religion, by degrees degenerates into vain jangling; and during the strife, Satan leads both parties far out of the right way, driving each to great extremes, one on the right hand, and the other on the left, according as he finds they are most inclined, or most easily moved and swayed, till the right path in the middle is almost wholly neglected. [Johnathan Edwards]
PUBLIC,PRIVATE, OR HOME - SCHOOL ?
Many Christian families struggle in determining what’s best for their children’s education. Here are just a few thoughts, by way of introduction, to this important issue.
The greatest pitfalls of public education are the humanistic philosophies taught at the expense of biblical truth, ungodly teachers and classmates seeking to influence our children, and the absence of spiritual or moral considerations within the educational process. However, those problems aren’t isolated to the public-school setting (as evidenced by just a few minutes of television-watching).
Within most of our neighborhoods—and even in some Christian schools—there are influences that tear at our desired spiritual standards. Christian schools, for instance, can sometimes be hotbeds for hypocrisy (when everyone claims to be “Christian”) and legalism (when an overemphasis is put on external moral standards).
Also, some Christian schools lack the quality and depth of education that public schools can offer—and that can apply even to the basics. Of course, that’s not always the case, even when the neighboring public school looks bigger and more impressive than the local Christian school. Many times the students of Christian schools have significantly higher scores in nationally standardized tests than do their counterparts in public schools. To make an accurate evaluation you’ll need to make inquiries about the curricula, programs, teacher training, and comparative test results of each school.
Is it wrong to put your children in a public school? Not necessarily. Is it right to put your children only in Christian schools—or home-school them? Not necessarily. It is a decision that must be made on a case-by-case basis, using biblical principles and prayerful wisdom to make a God-honoring choice. It involves knowing the Word, knowing the schools in your area, and knowing each of your children.
Remember that the ultimate responsibility for the proper education of your children rests upon you—the parents—not the school or the church (Deuteronomy 6:6-7; Ephesians 6:4). Those two institutions are vital to a child’s overall development, but standards, convictions, and moral strength should be implemented at home. Not everything is necessarily good or high quality because it is called “Christian,” nor is everything bad just because it is under the umbrella of public education. Parents need to be especially wise and discerning in that important area.
If high-quality Christian education is available and affordable, that’s usually preferable. However, carefully evaluate all the factors and options of your situation. Seek God’s will earnestly (Ephesians 5:17) and couple that with strong, biblical parenting (Ephesians 6:1-4; Colossians 3:20-21).
For an in-depth discussion of the pros and cons of public, private, and home-schooling please see the extended notes by Carey Hardy on this topic. (If you decide to comment, please read Carey’s notes first.) We also recommend the helpful series on home-schooling by Tim Challies (Part 1 and Part 2).
The greatest pitfalls of public education are the humanistic philosophies taught at the expense of biblical truth, ungodly teachers and classmates seeking to influence our children, and the absence of spiritual or moral considerations within the educational process. However, those problems aren’t isolated to the public-school setting (as evidenced by just a few minutes of television-watching).
Within most of our neighborhoods—and even in some Christian schools—there are influences that tear at our desired spiritual standards. Christian schools, for instance, can sometimes be hotbeds for hypocrisy (when everyone claims to be “Christian”) and legalism (when an overemphasis is put on external moral standards).
Also, some Christian schools lack the quality and depth of education that public schools can offer—and that can apply even to the basics. Of course, that’s not always the case, even when the neighboring public school looks bigger and more impressive than the local Christian school. Many times the students of Christian schools have significantly higher scores in nationally standardized tests than do their counterparts in public schools. To make an accurate evaluation you’ll need to make inquiries about the curricula, programs, teacher training, and comparative test results of each school.
Is it wrong to put your children in a public school? Not necessarily. Is it right to put your children only in Christian schools—or home-school them? Not necessarily. It is a decision that must be made on a case-by-case basis, using biblical principles and prayerful wisdom to make a God-honoring choice. It involves knowing the Word, knowing the schools in your area, and knowing each of your children.
Remember that the ultimate responsibility for the proper education of your children rests upon you—the parents—not the school or the church (Deuteronomy 6:6-7; Ephesians 6:4). Those two institutions are vital to a child’s overall development, but standards, convictions, and moral strength should be implemented at home. Not everything is necessarily good or high quality because it is called “Christian,” nor is everything bad just because it is under the umbrella of public education. Parents need to be especially wise and discerning in that important area.
If high-quality Christian education is available and affordable, that’s usually preferable. However, carefully evaluate all the factors and options of your situation. Seek God’s will earnestly (Ephesians 5:17) and couple that with strong, biblical parenting (Ephesians 6:1-4; Colossians 3:20-21).
For an in-depth discussion of the pros and cons of public, private, and home-schooling please see the extended notes by Carey Hardy on this topic. (If you decide to comment, please read Carey’s notes first.) We also recommend the helpful series on home-schooling by Tim Challies (Part 1 and Part 2).
Thursday, May 03, 2007
The blood of the martyrs
These things which I set before you are not those which I have meditated with myself and my shady nook. But those which the invincible martyrs of God realized amid gibbets and flames and ravenous beasts. Had not their courage been not sweated, they would in an instant have been perfidiously abjured the eternal truth which they intrepidly sealed with their blood. They did not set us an example of constancy in asserting the truth, that we should now dessert it when handed down to us so signed and sealed, but they taught us the art by which, trusting in the Divine protection we stand invincible by all powers of death, hell, the world, and Satan. [John Calvin]
Saved by Grace!
By grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God . . . . Ephesians 2:8
One Sunday morning after I had preached on “God’s Amazing Grace,” an elderly visitor came up to me, shook my hand, and whispered, “That is the story of my life: God’s amazing grace.”
Of course! God’s grace is the central theme in the personal story of every Christian. God’s grace is the story of generations past and present. Our lives in Christ begin and end with grace. That’s why Philip Yancey calls God’s grace “the last best word.” Says Paul, “It is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.”
Grace calls us to gratitude. When we remember God’s goodness, we cannot help thanking God for his amazing grace. When we look back and reflect on God’s grace through every generation, we cannot help celebrating. God’s grace also calls us to humility: “Nothing in my hand I bring.”
Grace gives us the confidence of knowing that because God can save us, his grace can reach anyone anywhere. And because God refuses to let us go, we are eternally held.
Once we have understood what it means to be saved by grace, we are ready to become reflectors of God’s grace in our personal lives and in our churches.
PRAYER
Dear God, thank you for your amazing grace. Please help us to become reflectors of your grace in this world, showing your love to everyone, including our enemies. In Jesus, Amen.
One Sunday morning after I had preached on “God’s Amazing Grace,” an elderly visitor came up to me, shook my hand, and whispered, “That is the story of my life: God’s amazing grace.”
Of course! God’s grace is the central theme in the personal story of every Christian. God’s grace is the story of generations past and present. Our lives in Christ begin and end with grace. That’s why Philip Yancey calls God’s grace “the last best word.” Says Paul, “It is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.”
Grace calls us to gratitude. When we remember God’s goodness, we cannot help thanking God for his amazing grace. When we look back and reflect on God’s grace through every generation, we cannot help celebrating. God’s grace also calls us to humility: “Nothing in my hand I bring.”
Grace gives us the confidence of knowing that because God can save us, his grace can reach anyone anywhere. And because God refuses to let us go, we are eternally held.
Once we have understood what it means to be saved by grace, we are ready to become reflectors of God’s grace in our personal lives and in our churches.
PRAYER
Dear God, thank you for your amazing grace. Please help us to become reflectors of your grace in this world, showing your love to everyone, including our enemies. In Jesus, Amen.
MUST WE KEEP THE SABBATH ?
Are the Sabbath laws binding on Christians today?
We believe the Old Testament regulations governing Sabbath observances are ceremonial, not moral, aspects of the law. As such, they are no longer in force, but have passed away along with the sacrificial system, the Levitical priesthood, and all other aspects of Moses’ law that prefigured Christ.
Here are the reasons we hold this view:
In Colossians 2:16-17, Paul explicitly refers to the Sabbath as a shadow of Christ, which is no longer binding since the substance (Christ) has come. It is quite clear in those verses that the weekly Sabbath is included, with the phrase “a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day” refering to the annual, monthly, and weekly holy days of the Jewish calendar (cf. 1 Chronicles 23:31; 2 Chronicles 2:4; 31:3; Ezekiel 45:17; Hosea 2:11).
The Sabbath was the sign to Israel of the Mosaic Covenant (Exodus 31:16-17; Ezekiel 20:12; Nehemiah 9:14). Since we are now under the New Covenant (Hebrews 8:7-13), we are no longer required to observe the sign of the Mosaic Covenant.
The New Testament never commands Christians to observe the Sabbath. On the other hand, each of the other nine commandments are reiterated in the New Testament.
In our only glimpse of an early church worship service in the New Testament, the church met on the first day of the week (Acts 20:7).
Nowhere in the Old Testament are the Gentile nations commanded to observe the Sabbath or condemned for failing to do so. That is strange if Sabbath observance were meant to be an eternal moral principle.
There is no evidence in the Bible of anyone keeping the Sabbath before the time of Moses, nor are there any commands in the Bible to keep the Sabbath before the giving of the law at Mt. Sinai.
When the Apostles met at the Jerusalem council (Acts 15), they did not impose Sabbath keeping on the Gentile believers.
The apostle Paul warned the Gentiles about many different sins in his epistles, but breaking the Sabbath was never one of them.
In Galatians 4:10-11, Paul rebukes the Galatians for thinking God expected them to observe special days (including the Sabbath).
In Romans 14:5, Paul forbids those who observe the Sabbath (these were no doubt Jewish believers) to condemn those who do not (Gentile believers).
The early church fathers, from Ignatius to Augustine, taught that the Old Testament Sabbath had been abolished and that the first day of the week (Sunday) was the day when Christians should meet for worship (contrary to the claim of many seventh-day sabbatarians who claim that Sunday worship was not instituted until the fourth century).
Sunday has not replaced Saturday as the Sabbath. Rather the Lord’s Day is a time when believers gather to commemorate His resurrection, which occurred on the first day of the week. Every day to the believer is one of Sabbath rest, since we have ceased from our spiritual labor and are resting in the salvation of the Lord (Hebrews 4:9-11).
So while we still follow the pattern of designating one day of the week a day for the Lord’s people to gather in worship, we do not refer to this as “the Sabbath.”
John Calvin took a similar position. He wrote,
There were three reasons for giving this [fourth] commandment: First, with the seventh day of rest the Lord wished to give to the people of Israel an image of spiritual rest, whereby believers must cease from their own works in order to let the Lord work in them. Secondly, he wished that there be an established day in which believers might assemble in order to hear his Law and worship him. Thirdly, he willed that one day of rest be granted to servants and to those who live under the power of others so that they might have a relaxation from their labor. The latter, however, is rather an inferred than a principal reason.
As to the first reason, there is no doubt that it ceased in Christ; because he is the truth by the presence of which all images vanish. He is the reality at whose advent all shadows are abandoned. Hence St. Paul (Col. 2:17) that the sabbath has been a shadow of a reality yet to be. And he declares elsewhere its truth when in the letter to the Romans, ch. 6:8, he teaches us that we are buried with Christ in order that by his death we may die to the corruption of our flesh. And this is not done in one day, but during all the course of our life, until altogether dead in our own selves, we may be filled with the life of God. Hence, superstitious observance of days must remain far from Christians.
The two last reasons, however, must not be numbered among the shadows of old. Rather, they are equally valid for all ages. Hence, though the sabbath is abrogated, it so happens among us that we still convene on certain days in order to hear the word of God, to break the [mystic] bread of the Supper, and to offer public prayers; and, moreover, in order that some relaxation from their toil be given to servants and workingmen. As our human weakness does not allow such assemblies to meet every day, the day observed by the Jews has been taken away (as a good device for eliminating superstition) and another day has been destined to this use. This was necessary for securing and maintaining order and peace in the Church.
As the truth therefore was given to the Jews under a figure, so to us on the contrary truth is shown without shadows in order, first of all, that we meditate all our life on a perpetual sabbath from our works so that the Lord may operate in us by his spirit; secondly, in order that we observe the legitimate order of the Church for listening to the word of God, for admin-istering the sacraments, and for public prayers; thirdly, in order that we do not oppress inhumanly with work those who are subject to us. [From Instruction in Faith, Calvin’s own 1537 digest of the Institutes, sec. 8, “The Law of the Lord”].
Wednesday, May 02, 2007
Interview with Dr. Steven J. Lawson
We hope this interview with pastor and author Dr. Steven J. Lawson will encourage you as much as it did us:
Ligonier Ministries: Please tell us about your call to the ministry.
Steven Lawson: By the sovereign grace of God, I was called into the ministry when I was twenty-four years old. During my college years, I started a high school ministry, and I began to teach the Bible on a weekly basis. At that time, God also opened up opportunities for me to preach in various churches, which had a powerful effect of stirring up my heart to serve Him. After graduating from college, the strong preaching of my pastor, Dr. Adrian Rogers, was another powerful force in my life. It was then that God placed a burning desire within me to proclaim His Word. I suddenly had to preach. At this point, I knew God had called me into His ministry.
LM: What men, living or not, have influenced you most in your ministry?
SL: Among men who are living, those who have most shaped my ministry are Drs. R. C. Sproul and John MacArthur. While in seminary, Dr. Sproul was my most impactful professor, and he influenced me in a profound way. Subsequently, Dr. MacArthur has deeply forged my approach to expository preaching, and has shaped my own personal life. Of those men not living, several have especially moved me, most notably, the bold preaching of Charles Spurgeon, the relentless drive of George Whitefield, the fearless courage of Martin Luther, and the unwavering discipline of John Calvin.
LM: If you could communicate one thing to the average Christian today, what would it be?
SL: What I want most for every Christian is that they know who God is. This generation suffers from a low view of God. His glory has been obscured. I want to help correct this, and exhort believers to developing a transcendent view of God. The Lord is so much more holy and sovereign and righteous than we can imagine. I desperately want believers to know that it is only by His supreme mercy that He has saved us for Himself. Only then can they grow stronger in the grace and knowledge of Christ. Moreover, we must know that God is the architect of an eternal plan for us, and He is ushering forward His purposes on a grand scale by building up our faith and radically changing our lives.
LM: Why did you decide to write Foundations of Grace?
SL: As a pastor, I started meeting every Friday morning at six o’clock with a group of men in our church to teach them the doctrines of grace. Starting with the book of Genesis, I taught through the entire Bible, addressing virtually every verse that speaks to the doctrines of grace, until concluding with the book of Revelation. Each week, I wrote a detailed handout for our men, which became the basis for the book. During that time, I saw God revolutionize their lives, as well as my own. I felt strongly that these truths deserved, and even demanded, a larger audience.
LM: What is so important about the doctrines of grace?
SL: The effects of the doctrines of grace are vast in their influence upon the life of the believer. Ligon Duncan wrote an endorsement for Foundations of Grace, and he said it best. The doctrines of grace, Dr. Duncan wrote, are “joy-giving, life-changing, Christ-exalting, God-glorifying, missions-motivating, evangelism-encouraging, discipleship-promoting, soul-transforming, heart-animating, and life-altering.”
LM: Please tell us about your new book, The Expository Genius of John Calvin.
SL: My new book, The Expository Genius of John Calvin, is about the profound and prolific preaching of the great Genevan reformer. It gives an overview of his life, a survey of the distinctive features of his pulpit, and a challenge to follow his example. Calvin’s commentaries have long been admired, but unfortunately, his sermons have been often neglected. This present hour screams for more expositors, and I am convinced that examining Calvin’s preaching will be impactful in seeing raised up a new wave of biblical preachers. His expositions are full of energy, and life, and passion. I believe there is much to learn from the preaching of this supremely gifted man.
Dr. Steven J. Lawson is the senior pastor of Christ Fellowship Baptist Church in Mobile, Alabama. Dr. Lawson serves on the board of directors of The Master's College and Seminary and the ministerial board for Reformed Theological Seminary, and teaches with Dr. John MacArthur at the Expositor's Institute.
Ligonier Ministries: Please tell us about your call to the ministry.
Steven Lawson: By the sovereign grace of God, I was called into the ministry when I was twenty-four years old. During my college years, I started a high school ministry, and I began to teach the Bible on a weekly basis. At that time, God also opened up opportunities for me to preach in various churches, which had a powerful effect of stirring up my heart to serve Him. After graduating from college, the strong preaching of my pastor, Dr. Adrian Rogers, was another powerful force in my life. It was then that God placed a burning desire within me to proclaim His Word. I suddenly had to preach. At this point, I knew God had called me into His ministry.
LM: What men, living or not, have influenced you most in your ministry?
SL: Among men who are living, those who have most shaped my ministry are Drs. R. C. Sproul and John MacArthur. While in seminary, Dr. Sproul was my most impactful professor, and he influenced me in a profound way. Subsequently, Dr. MacArthur has deeply forged my approach to expository preaching, and has shaped my own personal life. Of those men not living, several have especially moved me, most notably, the bold preaching of Charles Spurgeon, the relentless drive of George Whitefield, the fearless courage of Martin Luther, and the unwavering discipline of John Calvin.
LM: If you could communicate one thing to the average Christian today, what would it be?
SL: What I want most for every Christian is that they know who God is. This generation suffers from a low view of God. His glory has been obscured. I want to help correct this, and exhort believers to developing a transcendent view of God. The Lord is so much more holy and sovereign and righteous than we can imagine. I desperately want believers to know that it is only by His supreme mercy that He has saved us for Himself. Only then can they grow stronger in the grace and knowledge of Christ. Moreover, we must know that God is the architect of an eternal plan for us, and He is ushering forward His purposes on a grand scale by building up our faith and radically changing our lives.
LM: Why did you decide to write Foundations of Grace?
SL: As a pastor, I started meeting every Friday morning at six o’clock with a group of men in our church to teach them the doctrines of grace. Starting with the book of Genesis, I taught through the entire Bible, addressing virtually every verse that speaks to the doctrines of grace, until concluding with the book of Revelation. Each week, I wrote a detailed handout for our men, which became the basis for the book. During that time, I saw God revolutionize their lives, as well as my own. I felt strongly that these truths deserved, and even demanded, a larger audience.
LM: What is so important about the doctrines of grace?
SL: The effects of the doctrines of grace are vast in their influence upon the life of the believer. Ligon Duncan wrote an endorsement for Foundations of Grace, and he said it best. The doctrines of grace, Dr. Duncan wrote, are “joy-giving, life-changing, Christ-exalting, God-glorifying, missions-motivating, evangelism-encouraging, discipleship-promoting, soul-transforming, heart-animating, and life-altering.”
LM: Please tell us about your new book, The Expository Genius of John Calvin.
SL: My new book, The Expository Genius of John Calvin, is about the profound and prolific preaching of the great Genevan reformer. It gives an overview of his life, a survey of the distinctive features of his pulpit, and a challenge to follow his example. Calvin’s commentaries have long been admired, but unfortunately, his sermons have been often neglected. This present hour screams for more expositors, and I am convinced that examining Calvin’s preaching will be impactful in seeing raised up a new wave of biblical preachers. His expositions are full of energy, and life, and passion. I believe there is much to learn from the preaching of this supremely gifted man.
Dr. Steven J. Lawson is the senior pastor of Christ Fellowship Baptist Church in Mobile, Alabama. Dr. Lawson serves on the board of directors of The Master's College and Seminary and the ministerial board for Reformed Theological Seminary, and teaches with Dr. John MacArthur at the Expositor's Institute.
Man's lack of true understanding
Man with all his shrewdness is as stupid about understanding by himself the mysteries of God, as an ass is incapable of understanding musical harmony. [John Calvin]
Episcopal Church Hits New Low By Rodney Trotter
I hear a rumour that disgraced former New Jersey Governor, Jim McGreevey, who left office in a gay scandal, is pursuing ordination in the episcopal church. As if ordaining practising homosexuals wasn't bad enough, ECUSA now stoops to the new low of ordaining someone with the moral qualities which make them electable as New Jersey's governor. Rodder's astrologer (as recommended by Philip Melanchthon) predicts another of those non-splitting splits within the communion that allows everything to change while remaining always and ever the same
Q&A WITH DR. RC. SPROUL
What should Christians think about evolution?
There is no single view of evolution out there. We make one distinction, for example, between macroevolution and microevolution. Macroevolution claims that all of life evolved fortuitously from a single cell—one little pulsating cell of life made up of amino acids and RNA and DNA and all of that, and then through chance, explosions, or whatever, there were mutations. First, a lower, simplistic form of life came about, and then from that came more complex things, and we all emerged, as it were, from the slime, through oozing, into our present humanity. That’s the radical view of evolution that sees life occurring as sort of a cosmic accident. This view of evolution—the one I hear discussed publicly so often in the secular world—is unmitigated nonsense and will be totally rejected by the secular scientific community within the next generation. My objections to it are not so much theological as they are rational and logical. I mean, the doctrine of macroevolution is one of the most unsubstantiated myths that I’ve ever seen perpetuated in an academic environment. But there are other varieties much less radical that simply indicate that there is a change, a progression involving different directions among various species that we can even track historically. The kind of evolution of the latter sort is of no consequence with respect to biblical Christianity. The big issue is with the former view, and this is the basic question: Is man in his origin the product of a purposive act of divine intelligence, or is man a cosmic accident? In other words, am I a creature of dignity or a creature of cosmic insignificance? That’s a pretty heavy issue because if I just sort of popped into being or emerged from the slime and I’m destined for annihilation, I can only fantasize that somehow in between those two poles of origin and destiny I have meaning and significance and dignity. But that’s wishful thinking of the worst sort. Obviously if I come from nothing and go to nothing, I am nothing under any objective analysis. A Christian cannot believe that he is a cosmic accident and at the same time believe in the sovereign God and the creator God. To be a Christian is to affirm not only Christ the Redeemer but God the Creator. And we have to affirm both. Let me say, too, before we drop this question, that some of the biggest objections I have toward this more radical view of evolution are not the theological problems, as serious as they are, but rational problems. I think that it is not only bad theology, it’s bad science. All Christians, Jews, and Muslims historically have made it a central article of affirmation that this world and all the people in it are the result of a divine act of creation. As far as Christianity is concerned, if there’s no creation, then there’s nothing to redeem.
There is no single view of evolution out there. We make one distinction, for example, between macroevolution and microevolution. Macroevolution claims that all of life evolved fortuitously from a single cell—one little pulsating cell of life made up of amino acids and RNA and DNA and all of that, and then through chance, explosions, or whatever, there were mutations. First, a lower, simplistic form of life came about, and then from that came more complex things, and we all emerged, as it were, from the slime, through oozing, into our present humanity. That’s the radical view of evolution that sees life occurring as sort of a cosmic accident. This view of evolution—the one I hear discussed publicly so often in the secular world—is unmitigated nonsense and will be totally rejected by the secular scientific community within the next generation. My objections to it are not so much theological as they are rational and logical. I mean, the doctrine of macroevolution is one of the most unsubstantiated myths that I’ve ever seen perpetuated in an academic environment. But there are other varieties much less radical that simply indicate that there is a change, a progression involving different directions among various species that we can even track historically. The kind of evolution of the latter sort is of no consequence with respect to biblical Christianity. The big issue is with the former view, and this is the basic question: Is man in his origin the product of a purposive act of divine intelligence, or is man a cosmic accident? In other words, am I a creature of dignity or a creature of cosmic insignificance? That’s a pretty heavy issue because if I just sort of popped into being or emerged from the slime and I’m destined for annihilation, I can only fantasize that somehow in between those two poles of origin and destiny I have meaning and significance and dignity. But that’s wishful thinking of the worst sort. Obviously if I come from nothing and go to nothing, I am nothing under any objective analysis. A Christian cannot believe that he is a cosmic accident and at the same time believe in the sovereign God and the creator God. To be a Christian is to affirm not only Christ the Redeemer but God the Creator. And we have to affirm both. Let me say, too, before we drop this question, that some of the biggest objections I have toward this more radical view of evolution are not the theological problems, as serious as they are, but rational problems. I think that it is not only bad theology, it’s bad science. All Christians, Jews, and Muslims historically have made it a central article of affirmation that this world and all the people in it are the result of a divine act of creation. As far as Christianity is concerned, if there’s no creation, then there’s nothing to redeem.
Risk Management By Philip Ryken
We live in a risky world, and it is important to know what kinds of risks we should and shouldn’t take, as well as what kinds of risks we should and shouldn’t worry about.
It is characteristic of human beings to worry about some things much more than we should. Many of our fears are not entirely rational. To give just one common example, based on statistical facts, people are much more likely to die in a car accident than they are to die in a plane crash. Driving a car is thousands of times riskier than riding in an airplane. But many people are far more anxious about riding in an airplane. Our fears are not always proportional to genuine risk.
This seems to be especially true in America, which has become a nation of worriers. We are living in an anxious age. One obvious place to see this is the family, where over-sheltering parents worry obsessively about their children’s health and safety. This is the generation of the rubber-cushioned playground and the sanitizing gel that (believe it or not) one third of American parents send with their children to school. Psychologist Hara Marano believes that as a result we are creating “a nation of wimps.” Marano writes, “Parents are going to ludicrous lengths to take the bumps out of life for their children. However, parental hyper-concern has the net effect of making kids more fragile; that may be why they’re breaking down in record numbers” [“A Nation of Wimps,” Psychology Today (November/December), 2004].
I much prefer the approach one pediatrician took when he looked at a young boy’s minor cuts and bruises. “Good,” he said, “I’d be worried if you didn’t have some scabs on your knees and elbows; a boy like you ought to be going out and having a few adventures!”
Many of the fears that parents have are small ones. But at the other end of the spectrum are the big fears. Consider, for example, the risk of nuclear terrorism. If you want a good scare, just read the article that Graham Allison wrote last fall for the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, in which he argues that a nuclear attack on American soil is more likely than not in the coming decade. Consider that Al Qaeda has already declared the acquisition of nuclear weapons to be a religious duty. Allison’s descriptions of what could happen are terrifying, both in terms of how easy it might be for a terrorist to detonate a nuclear explosion and how catastrophic the results would be. Entire cities could be vaporized instantly, and the ensuing panic would sweep around the globe [Graham Allison, “The ongoing failure of imagination” (September/October, 2006), pp. 36-41].
How serious is the risk of a nuclear 9/11, and how do we live with it? And how do we live with all the risks that lie somewhere between falling down on the playground and a nuclear holocaust?
Let me share three principles for managing risk. First, there is the faith principle. The Bible tells us not to worry about things outside our control, but to trust God for them. We believe in a sovereign God who is working all things for his glory and the good of his people (see Rom. 8:28). Even the worst evils in the world cannot overthrow his dominion or counteract his plan. The things that seem like risks to us are all certainties to God. And the way we exercise our trust in God is by taking our anxiety-causing risks to him in prayer. “Do not be anxious about anything,” the Scripture says, “but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God” (Phil. 4:6).
Second, there is the prudence principle. We have a responsibility before God not to engage in risky behavior that foolishly threatens our ability to glorify God and love other people, either in the short or long term. We should never allow God’s sovereignty to become an excuse for our folly. For example, the dangers associated with sexual immorality and chemical experimentation make those activities wrong in themselves.
Finally, there is the calling principle. There is a certain amount of risk associated with almost anything we do. So how do we know when there is a risk we ought to take, or allow people who are under our care to take? We know in part by asking what our calling is. As a parent, it is not my calling to protect my children from all harm, but rather to protect them from life and soul destroying harm, while at the same time teaching them to trust in God through life’s difficulties and dangers. There is no way for them to learn all the lessons God has for them to learn without taking some risks in life.
We should think the same way about the risks that we need to face for ourselves. Some of the risks we face are professional or financial or medical. Others are relational, like the risk we take when we share our faith or tell people how much we love them. Or they may relate to something we are thinking about attempting in Christian service—something that might be dangerous, like going to a particular mission field, or something we know could fail, like starting a new project in ministry. There are no guarantees in life. So should we risk it or not?
The answer depends on what God is calling us to do. Some of the most important things we can ever do in life—from the little things like riding a bike to the big things like asking for someone’s hand in marriage, or planting a church, or undergoing life-saving treatment—require us to step out in faith. When we are faithful in following God’s call, it always turns out to be worth the risk.
It is characteristic of human beings to worry about some things much more than we should. Many of our fears are not entirely rational. To give just one common example, based on statistical facts, people are much more likely to die in a car accident than they are to die in a plane crash. Driving a car is thousands of times riskier than riding in an airplane. But many people are far more anxious about riding in an airplane. Our fears are not always proportional to genuine risk.
This seems to be especially true in America, which has become a nation of worriers. We are living in an anxious age. One obvious place to see this is the family, where over-sheltering parents worry obsessively about their children’s health and safety. This is the generation of the rubber-cushioned playground and the sanitizing gel that (believe it or not) one third of American parents send with their children to school. Psychologist Hara Marano believes that as a result we are creating “a nation of wimps.” Marano writes, “Parents are going to ludicrous lengths to take the bumps out of life for their children. However, parental hyper-concern has the net effect of making kids more fragile; that may be why they’re breaking down in record numbers” [“A Nation of Wimps,” Psychology Today (November/December), 2004].
I much prefer the approach one pediatrician took when he looked at a young boy’s minor cuts and bruises. “Good,” he said, “I’d be worried if you didn’t have some scabs on your knees and elbows; a boy like you ought to be going out and having a few adventures!”
Many of the fears that parents have are small ones. But at the other end of the spectrum are the big fears. Consider, for example, the risk of nuclear terrorism. If you want a good scare, just read the article that Graham Allison wrote last fall for the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, in which he argues that a nuclear attack on American soil is more likely than not in the coming decade. Consider that Al Qaeda has already declared the acquisition of nuclear weapons to be a religious duty. Allison’s descriptions of what could happen are terrifying, both in terms of how easy it might be for a terrorist to detonate a nuclear explosion and how catastrophic the results would be. Entire cities could be vaporized instantly, and the ensuing panic would sweep around the globe [Graham Allison, “The ongoing failure of imagination” (September/October, 2006), pp. 36-41].
How serious is the risk of a nuclear 9/11, and how do we live with it? And how do we live with all the risks that lie somewhere between falling down on the playground and a nuclear holocaust?
Let me share three principles for managing risk. First, there is the faith principle. The Bible tells us not to worry about things outside our control, but to trust God for them. We believe in a sovereign God who is working all things for his glory and the good of his people (see Rom. 8:28). Even the worst evils in the world cannot overthrow his dominion or counteract his plan. The things that seem like risks to us are all certainties to God. And the way we exercise our trust in God is by taking our anxiety-causing risks to him in prayer. “Do not be anxious about anything,” the Scripture says, “but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God” (Phil. 4:6).
Second, there is the prudence principle. We have a responsibility before God not to engage in risky behavior that foolishly threatens our ability to glorify God and love other people, either in the short or long term. We should never allow God’s sovereignty to become an excuse for our folly. For example, the dangers associated with sexual immorality and chemical experimentation make those activities wrong in themselves.
Finally, there is the calling principle. There is a certain amount of risk associated with almost anything we do. So how do we know when there is a risk we ought to take, or allow people who are under our care to take? We know in part by asking what our calling is. As a parent, it is not my calling to protect my children from all harm, but rather to protect them from life and soul destroying harm, while at the same time teaching them to trust in God through life’s difficulties and dangers. There is no way for them to learn all the lessons God has for them to learn without taking some risks in life.
We should think the same way about the risks that we need to face for ourselves. Some of the risks we face are professional or financial or medical. Others are relational, like the risk we take when we share our faith or tell people how much we love them. Or they may relate to something we are thinking about attempting in Christian service—something that might be dangerous, like going to a particular mission field, or something we know could fail, like starting a new project in ministry. There are no guarantees in life. So should we risk it or not?
The answer depends on what God is calling us to do. Some of the most important things we can ever do in life—from the little things like riding a bike to the big things like asking for someone’s hand in marriage, or planting a church, or undergoing life-saving treatment—require us to step out in faith. When we are faithful in following God’s call, it always turns out to be worth the risk.
Remember Why You Are!
Declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 1 Peter 2:9
It’s easy to forget why we are the people we are and why we are here. Regularly we need to ask ourselves some questions like these:
• What is the purpose of my life?
• Why has God placed me where I am?
• Why has God placed me in this school, in this job, or in this community?
• Why are we living where we are?
• Why is our church located in this city or in that suburb or in a rural area?
The early Christians must have wondered about these things often. After God had called them out of darkness, they must have wondered why they had to spend their lives as strangers scattered throughout the Roman Empire (see 1 Peter 1:1-2). What was the purpose of it all?
In our Scripture for today the apostle Peter gives the answer to that question. The key reason why God calls us out of the shadows into his wonderful light is that “we may declare [God’s] praises.”
God did not call us to be his children so that we could take up space. He did not call us to a life of leisure. God called us for his glory. Someone said, “We were made by God and for God—and until we understand that, life will never make sense.” Wherever you find yourself today, ask God to show you how to declare his praises.
PRAYER
Lord, help us to declare your praises wherever you have placed us. Help us to see your purpose for our lives, and make us faithful in our calling. For Jesus’ sake, Amen.
It’s easy to forget why we are the people we are and why we are here. Regularly we need to ask ourselves some questions like these:
• What is the purpose of my life?
• Why has God placed me where I am?
• Why has God placed me in this school, in this job, or in this community?
• Why are we living where we are?
• Why is our church located in this city or in that suburb or in a rural area?
The early Christians must have wondered about these things often. After God had called them out of darkness, they must have wondered why they had to spend their lives as strangers scattered throughout the Roman Empire (see 1 Peter 1:1-2). What was the purpose of it all?
In our Scripture for today the apostle Peter gives the answer to that question. The key reason why God calls us out of the shadows into his wonderful light is that “we may declare [God’s] praises.”
God did not call us to be his children so that we could take up space. He did not call us to a life of leisure. God called us for his glory. Someone said, “We were made by God and for God—and until we understand that, life will never make sense.” Wherever you find yourself today, ask God to show you how to declare his praises.
PRAYER
Lord, help us to declare your praises wherever you have placed us. Help us to see your purpose for our lives, and make us faithful in our calling. For Jesus’ sake, Amen.
Tuesday, May 01, 2007
9Marks Newsletter on Preaching
The latest 9Marks newsletter--devoted to preaching--is now online. In my opinion, this is one of the most helpful resources for pastors being produced today.
EUTHANASIA AND THE CHRISTIAN
Key Definitions
Euthanasia consists of any act or deliberate omission taken by oneself and/or others with the specific intention of causing the death of a person and actually causing that death. It is believed by proponents of euthanasia that the death being caused is for the good of the person who is being killed.
“Active euthanasia” consists of the effort of a person to cause his own death or the death of another. With active euthanasia, the medical cause of death is not disease or injury, but rather the act taken to cause death.
“Passive euthanasia” is the withholding, withdrawal or refusal of available medical treatment that could clearly enable a person to live significantly longer. The intent of passive euthanasia is to cause a person’s death at a time when death is not imminent.
“Letting die” (which is distinct from euthanasia) consists of the withholding or withdrawing of all life-prolonging and life-sustaining medications and technologies from a terminally or irreversibly ill patient with whom death is imminent even with treatment. The intention of “letting die” is not to choose or intend death but to enhance the well-being of the patient by avoiding useless prolonging of the dying process.
The difference between “letting die” and “passive euthanasia,” then, is this: With “passive euthanasia,” death is not imminent and medical treatment could clearly enable a person to live significantly longer, but with “letting die” the patient’s death is imminent even with treatment (i.e., medical technologies can no longer prevent death). Whereas the former seeks to cause a person’s death, the latter seeks to enhance the well-being of the patient by avoiding the prolongation of the dying process.
(Note: These definitions are from Keith H. Essex, “Euthanasia,” The Master’s Seminary Journal 11/2 (2000): 191-212.)
Biblical Response
Death is inevitable and its timing ultimately rests in the hand of God (Deut. 32:39; 1 Sam. 2:6; Heb. 9:27). Life is a gift from God, and everyone has an obligation to value his own life and the life of others regardless of the circumstances.
Because Scripture prohibits murder and suicide (Gen. 9:6; Exod. 20:13; Deut. 5:17), euthanasia is never an acceptable option for the believer. In addition to violating the prohibition of suicide, the act of killing oneself is the ultimate expression of selfishness.
In the case that the patient is irreversibly terminal and death is imminent regardless of the treatment provided, it is acceptable for the patient or—if the patient is unconscious—a legally authorized third party (e.g., a spouse or family member) to choose to withhold any of the following forms of treatment:
- life-sustaining medication- life-sustaining, medically-administered nourishment- life-sustaining support systems
In other words, although Scripture forbids all forms of euthanasia, we believe that “letting die” is an acceptable option in the circumstances described above.
You and your loved ones may want to consider creating a living will that indicates your wishes regarding medical treatment in order to guide medical personnel in a situation when you are unable to make decisions or choose treatment options.
Euthanasia consists of any act or deliberate omission taken by oneself and/or others with the specific intention of causing the death of a person and actually causing that death. It is believed by proponents of euthanasia that the death being caused is for the good of the person who is being killed.
“Active euthanasia” consists of the effort of a person to cause his own death or the death of another. With active euthanasia, the medical cause of death is not disease or injury, but rather the act taken to cause death.
“Passive euthanasia” is the withholding, withdrawal or refusal of available medical treatment that could clearly enable a person to live significantly longer. The intent of passive euthanasia is to cause a person’s death at a time when death is not imminent.
“Letting die” (which is distinct from euthanasia) consists of the withholding or withdrawing of all life-prolonging and life-sustaining medications and technologies from a terminally or irreversibly ill patient with whom death is imminent even with treatment. The intention of “letting die” is not to choose or intend death but to enhance the well-being of the patient by avoiding useless prolonging of the dying process.
The difference between “letting die” and “passive euthanasia,” then, is this: With “passive euthanasia,” death is not imminent and medical treatment could clearly enable a person to live significantly longer, but with “letting die” the patient’s death is imminent even with treatment (i.e., medical technologies can no longer prevent death). Whereas the former seeks to cause a person’s death, the latter seeks to enhance the well-being of the patient by avoiding the prolongation of the dying process.
(Note: These definitions are from Keith H. Essex, “Euthanasia,” The Master’s Seminary Journal 11/2 (2000): 191-212.)
Biblical Response
Death is inevitable and its timing ultimately rests in the hand of God (Deut. 32:39; 1 Sam. 2:6; Heb. 9:27). Life is a gift from God, and everyone has an obligation to value his own life and the life of others regardless of the circumstances.
Because Scripture prohibits murder and suicide (Gen. 9:6; Exod. 20:13; Deut. 5:17), euthanasia is never an acceptable option for the believer. In addition to violating the prohibition of suicide, the act of killing oneself is the ultimate expression of selfishness.
In the case that the patient is irreversibly terminal and death is imminent regardless of the treatment provided, it is acceptable for the patient or—if the patient is unconscious—a legally authorized third party (e.g., a spouse or family member) to choose to withhold any of the following forms of treatment:
- life-sustaining medication- life-sustaining, medically-administered nourishment- life-sustaining support systems
In other words, although Scripture forbids all forms of euthanasia, we believe that “letting die” is an acceptable option in the circumstances described above.
You and your loved ones may want to consider creating a living will that indicates your wishes regarding medical treatment in order to guide medical personnel in a situation when you are unable to make decisions or choose treatment options.
Remember Who You Are!
You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God . . . . 1 Peter 2:9
Fifty years ago, when I left my home in the Netherlands to come to the United States, an elder from my church stopped by to wish me well. He shook my hand, looked me in the eyes, and said, “Don’t ever forget where you came from.” It was his way of telling me never to forget my parents who struggled to make ends meet, and, more important, what they had taught me about the Lord.
In our Scripture for today the apostle Peter is saying the same thing. Peter wants his readers to remember where they came from and who they have become: God called them “out of darkness into his wonderful light” to be “a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God.” By remembering these foundational facts, they would always have reason to celebrate God’s grace and faithfulness.
Remember who you are by remembering where you came from.
Of course, there may be some things we would rather not remember. Maybe there are some things we wish had never happened. Some things in our past may have been too painful or embarrassing.
But as we look back on where we have been and we see where God’s grace has brought us, we can celebrate God’s grace through every generation!
PRAYER
Father in heaven, thank you for calling us “out of darkness into [your] wonderful light.” Help us remember who we are and what we have become, by your grace. In Jesus, Amen.
Fifty years ago, when I left my home in the Netherlands to come to the United States, an elder from my church stopped by to wish me well. He shook my hand, looked me in the eyes, and said, “Don’t ever forget where you came from.” It was his way of telling me never to forget my parents who struggled to make ends meet, and, more important, what they had taught me about the Lord.
In our Scripture for today the apostle Peter is saying the same thing. Peter wants his readers to remember where they came from and who they have become: God called them “out of darkness into his wonderful light” to be “a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God.” By remembering these foundational facts, they would always have reason to celebrate God’s grace and faithfulness.
Remember who you are by remembering where you came from.
Of course, there may be some things we would rather not remember. Maybe there are some things we wish had never happened. Some things in our past may have been too painful or embarrassing.
But as we look back on where we have been and we see where God’s grace has brought us, we can celebrate God’s grace through every generation!
PRAYER
Father in heaven, thank you for calling us “out of darkness into [your] wonderful light.” Help us remember who we are and what we have become, by your grace. In Jesus, Amen.
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