Sunday, June 29, 2008
Quote for the day
"Christ will be master of the heart, and sin must be mortified. If your life is unholy your heart is unchanged; you are an unsaved person. If the Saviour has not sanctified you, renewed you, given you a hatred of sin and a love of holiness, the grace which does not make a man better than others is a worthless counterfeit. Christ saves his people, not in their sins, but from them. 'Without holiness no man shall see the Lord.' 'Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.' If not saved from sin, how shall we hope to be counted among his people. Lord, save me even now from all evil, and enable me to honor my Saviour." - Charles Spurgeon
The greatest mission field is...
According to Pastor Paul Washer the greatest mission field on the face of the earth is Southern Baptist Churches, because so many of the people in there have no godliness about them, no passion for Christ, no desire to know His Word, and so on and so forth... but they are secure because one time they prayed a prayer and asked Jesus to come into their life and not only that, they stay in church not because of Christ but because of the entertainment."
Friday, June 27, 2008
Problems with the "Purpose driven life"
How many people read the book, how many went through the 40 days of purpose and never once thought "is there a problem with this book? Dr. John MacArthur gives his pastoral and teaching insights into what the book says and more importantly what it doesn't say.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Book of Romans
This is a wordle for the book of Romans that was done by Yipeng. A Wordle is a toy for generating “word clouds” from text that you provide. The clouds give greater prominence to words that appear more frequently in the source text. You can find out more by going to this LINK.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Relaxing at the beach
I came down to the beach while Nancy was relaxing and reading a book. Sometimes it's not what you see at the beach that is so scary, but rather what you don't see. For some reason Nancy seemed a little "crabby".
When "crude" is considered comedy
From the sliceoflaodecia blogsite:
So when I see men like George Carlin who deliberately exposed children to filthy language and gutter talk about sex, it angers me. When I see Christian bloggers celebrating his life because they got a few cheap laughs out of him from some routine or other, it also angers me.
For the entire article just click on this LINK.
So when I see men like George Carlin who deliberately exposed children to filthy language and gutter talk about sex, it angers me. When I see Christian bloggers celebrating his life because they got a few cheap laughs out of him from some routine or other, it also angers me.
For the entire article just click on this LINK.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Time away
Blog will be a little slower than usual for the next few weeks. I am officially on vacation with family and will give some updates while on location. One of my favorites activities happens to be fishing on the inter-coastal waterway in Charleston, SC. Below I have posted some pictures of our day that started with casting for bait, traveling to various spots and catching whatever would bite.
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Devotion in Psalm 107
I think one of the most critical disciplines in the Christian life is to read through the Bible and have devotion time daily. Over the years I have been amazed at the number of people in the church who are so casual about this area of their lives. Whenever I have the opportunity to teach as I did this past year, almost without fail my first recommendation is read through the entire Bible. I have often wanted to survey the class but would estimate that less than 5% have actually read completely through the Bible. Earlier this month I received a phone call from someone who was a former member at the Shepherd's Church. This person said that they had listened to me for years exhort people just to read the Bible daily. Finally, over a year ago, they decided to just start reading each day but with an attitude of "is this really going to make a difference?" It has been incredible to watch what the Lord has done in this person's life over the past year. They have become so God-centered that it has radically changed their thoughts and actions in every area of life. It may be that God wants to do the same for you, so allow me to encourage you to get in the word so the word can get into you!
This morning I read and meditated on Psalm 107 in the New Living Translation. The Psalm starts out talking about the faithful love of the LORD. And the Psalm ends talking about the same thing. In the middle you can see the different types of people that the LORD redeems for Himself.
- In verse 4 are those who have wandered in the desert and are lost and homeless.
- In verse 10 are those who sat in darkness and deepest gloom who are miserable in prison
- In verse 17 are those who were fools in their rebellion and suffered for their sins
- In verse 23 are those who went off in ships plying the trade routes of the world
These represent all kinds of people in all kinds of circumstances in all kinds of places all over the world.
As you read this Psalm you will notice the response that each one of them has in their situation. "LORD, help me, I am in trouble." Just think about what that phrase means. This is a person that not only recognizes their pain, but now takes the necessary responsibility for it, and they upon the only Person who can solve their pain, the LORD Himself. Read and meditate carefully on the response of the LORD to one who genuinely cries out for help.
"He saved them from their distress"
"He saved them from their distress"
"He saved them from their distress"
"He saved them from their distress"
And finally would you notice their response to being saved.
"Praise the LORD for His great love"
"Praise the LORD for His great love"
"Praise the LORD for His great love"
"Praise the LORD for His great love"
Their praise was the result of the LORD saving them, and He save them based upon their crying out to Him, in the recognition of their pain. Are you in the desert of life today wandering around, have you been continuing to rebel against the God of this universe, are you in a job that has captured your delight and passion more than Christ Himself or are you imprisoned by the sin of something like pornography? Why not cry out to the LORD? If you do so He will save you from your distress and the results will be obvious because you will PRAISE Him for His great love!
This morning I read and meditated on Psalm 107 in the New Living Translation. The Psalm starts out talking about the faithful love of the LORD. And the Psalm ends talking about the same thing. In the middle you can see the different types of people that the LORD redeems for Himself.
- In verse 4 are those who have wandered in the desert and are lost and homeless.
- In verse 10 are those who sat in darkness and deepest gloom who are miserable in prison
- In verse 17 are those who were fools in their rebellion and suffered for their sins
- In verse 23 are those who went off in ships plying the trade routes of the world
These represent all kinds of people in all kinds of circumstances in all kinds of places all over the world.
As you read this Psalm you will notice the response that each one of them has in their situation. "LORD, help me, I am in trouble." Just think about what that phrase means. This is a person that not only recognizes their pain, but now takes the necessary responsibility for it, and they upon the only Person who can solve their pain, the LORD Himself. Read and meditate carefully on the response of the LORD to one who genuinely cries out for help.
"He saved them from their distress"
"He saved them from their distress"
"He saved them from their distress"
"He saved them from their distress"
And finally would you notice their response to being saved.
"Praise the LORD for His great love"
"Praise the LORD for His great love"
"Praise the LORD for His great love"
"Praise the LORD for His great love"
Their praise was the result of the LORD saving them, and He save them based upon their crying out to Him, in the recognition of their pain. Are you in the desert of life today wandering around, have you been continuing to rebel against the God of this universe, are you in a job that has captured your delight and passion more than Christ Himself or are you imprisoned by the sin of something like pornography? Why not cry out to the LORD? If you do so He will save you from your distress and the results will be obvious because you will PRAISE Him for His great love!
Quote for the day
“We could not take one step in the pursuit of holiness if God in His grace had not first delivered us from the dominion of sin and brought us into union with His risen Son. Salvation is by grace and sanctification is by grace.”
- Jerry Bridges, The Discipline of Grace (Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress, 1994), 73.
- Jerry Bridges, The Discipline of Grace (Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress, 1994), 73.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Quote for the day
From A.W. Tozer's book "The knowledge of the Holy" p. 20;
The scholar has a vitally important task to perform within a carefully prescribed precinct. His task is to guarantee the purity of the text, to get as close as possible to the Word as originally given. He may compare Scripture with Scripture until he has discovered the true meaning of the text. But right there his authority ends. He must never sit in judgment upon what is written. He dare not bring the meaning of the Word before the bar of his reason. He dare not commend or condemn the Word as reasonable or unreasonable, scientific or unscientific. After the meaning is discovered, that meaning judges him; never does he judge it!
The scholar has a vitally important task to perform within a carefully prescribed precinct. His task is to guarantee the purity of the text, to get as close as possible to the Word as originally given. He may compare Scripture with Scripture until he has discovered the true meaning of the text. But right there his authority ends. He must never sit in judgment upon what is written. He dare not bring the meaning of the Word before the bar of his reason. He dare not commend or condemn the Word as reasonable or unreasonable, scientific or unscientific. After the meaning is discovered, that meaning judges him; never does he judge it!
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Seeker-centered or God-centered?
From the Contend Earnestly blog site;
This past week I got another really lame flyer in the mail about how the Bible and the church is all about me and how I am destined for greatness. As I was throwing up, I noticed that on the back, under the late 30-something pastor in clothing from Abercrombie and Fitch, that this "church" had five guarantees to the visitor if they would come to their church. At some point I feel like these guys are used car salesmen, "What do I have to do to get you in our church today?" Funny, yet sad, one church in our area was handing out gas cards if they would just come to the church. Then, on my way to work the other day, I saw a huge sign on a Honda dealership promising free gas with a new car purchase.
This whole flyer never mentions the name of Jesus and the only time that they mention God is when they say, "Your kids will learn about God's love!" Yet they have the gall to name themselves with the name "Christian" in the title.
Here are the five guarantees of this "church":
1. A Casual & Relaxed Atmosphere!
2. The Music will be Contemporary!
3. The Kids Will Love it!
4. You are our Guest! You will be Welcomed and Accepted!
5. The Talk will be Positive & Encouraging!
Yes, they did actually put exclamation points at the end of each point like a guy with a bullhorn at the circus. This two page car ad, I mean church ad, had 18 exclamation points! Didn't they watch Seinfeld? Too many exclamation points is just overkill. But, look at what they are promising. They promise nothing about Jesus. They promise nothing about God. They promise what you would expect from a dinner and a show, not a church whose focus is on the blood of Christ and the redemption of a sinful people. When are we going to understand that the church is not about the glorification of people but of glorification of God? Plus, what if my kid hated it? What if someone doesn't say hello? What if the pastors talk isn't encouraging because I am looking for hope because my wife just got cancer? What if I don't like the Dove Award winners being sung in church? Not only are these guarantees completely people oriented but they are empty and cannot be guaranteed to everyone that gets this ad in the mail.
What had me thinking is, what would my church guarantee if we were to send out this type of postcard? What would your church guarantee if you were to send out this type of postcard? Here are my five guarantees to anyone who wants to visit our church:
1. God will be glorified
2. The Word of God will be preached
3. The proclamation of the Gospel will be heralded
4. You will know that you are a sinner in need of salvation
5. We will show you the hope found only in Christ
Every week that you come to our church these five will be shown in every area of our ministries. From Sunday school, to children's church, to worship in song, to worship in the word, to fellowship and to the corporate worship, these five are promised week in and week out.
Is this a casual and relaxed atmosphere? Sometimes. But, sometimes those who are in sin and hear about judgment might not be so relaxed until they here about the hope in Jesus. Is the music contemporary? Sometimes. More importantly our music is Christ focused and God honoring. Will your kids love it? I don't know. Probably depends on how you prepare them for worship on Sundays. Do you prepare your kid to be entertained the entire time? Then they probably won't like it. Do you prepare your child that the Lord's Day is about learning about Jesus? Then that will be accomplished. Are you our guest? Are you welcomed and accepted? Sure. Are we going to change our service to make it all about you? No, that is idolatry. Our church is about glorifying Christ, not the sinner. Will the talk be positive and encouraging? Maybe. Sometimes I walk out of our service wondering why Jesus loves me. I see my sin, see my struggles, but I am always encouraged because of the hope found in Christ.
I get frustrated everytime I get one of these in the mail that focuses so much on people instead of on God and Jesus Christ. The church is for the glory of Christ, not the glory of man. It disturbs me to see that these churches will do anything to get people to come in the doors. It also causes me to examine myself to make sure that I am doing everything that I can do to leave the doors of the church and proclaim the word of Christ to my neighbors and to encourage them to join us in worship.
This past week I got another really lame flyer in the mail about how the Bible and the church is all about me and how I am destined for greatness. As I was throwing up, I noticed that on the back, under the late 30-something pastor in clothing from Abercrombie and Fitch, that this "church" had five guarantees to the visitor if they would come to their church. At some point I feel like these guys are used car salesmen, "What do I have to do to get you in our church today?" Funny, yet sad, one church in our area was handing out gas cards if they would just come to the church. Then, on my way to work the other day, I saw a huge sign on a Honda dealership promising free gas with a new car purchase.
This whole flyer never mentions the name of Jesus and the only time that they mention God is when they say, "Your kids will learn about God's love!" Yet they have the gall to name themselves with the name "Christian" in the title.
Here are the five guarantees of this "church":
1. A Casual & Relaxed Atmosphere!
2. The Music will be Contemporary!
3. The Kids Will Love it!
4. You are our Guest! You will be Welcomed and Accepted!
5. The Talk will be Positive & Encouraging!
Yes, they did actually put exclamation points at the end of each point like a guy with a bullhorn at the circus. This two page car ad, I mean church ad, had 18 exclamation points! Didn't they watch Seinfeld? Too many exclamation points is just overkill. But, look at what they are promising. They promise nothing about Jesus. They promise nothing about God. They promise what you would expect from a dinner and a show, not a church whose focus is on the blood of Christ and the redemption of a sinful people. When are we going to understand that the church is not about the glorification of people but of glorification of God? Plus, what if my kid hated it? What if someone doesn't say hello? What if the pastors talk isn't encouraging because I am looking for hope because my wife just got cancer? What if I don't like the Dove Award winners being sung in church? Not only are these guarantees completely people oriented but they are empty and cannot be guaranteed to everyone that gets this ad in the mail.
What had me thinking is, what would my church guarantee if we were to send out this type of postcard? What would your church guarantee if you were to send out this type of postcard? Here are my five guarantees to anyone who wants to visit our church:
1. God will be glorified
2. The Word of God will be preached
3. The proclamation of the Gospel will be heralded
4. You will know that you are a sinner in need of salvation
5. We will show you the hope found only in Christ
Every week that you come to our church these five will be shown in every area of our ministries. From Sunday school, to children's church, to worship in song, to worship in the word, to fellowship and to the corporate worship, these five are promised week in and week out.
Is this a casual and relaxed atmosphere? Sometimes. But, sometimes those who are in sin and hear about judgment might not be so relaxed until they here about the hope in Jesus. Is the music contemporary? Sometimes. More importantly our music is Christ focused and God honoring. Will your kids love it? I don't know. Probably depends on how you prepare them for worship on Sundays. Do you prepare your kid to be entertained the entire time? Then they probably won't like it. Do you prepare your child that the Lord's Day is about learning about Jesus? Then that will be accomplished. Are you our guest? Are you welcomed and accepted? Sure. Are we going to change our service to make it all about you? No, that is idolatry. Our church is about glorifying Christ, not the sinner. Will the talk be positive and encouraging? Maybe. Sometimes I walk out of our service wondering why Jesus loves me. I see my sin, see my struggles, but I am always encouraged because of the hope found in Christ.
I get frustrated everytime I get one of these in the mail that focuses so much on people instead of on God and Jesus Christ. The church is for the glory of Christ, not the glory of man. It disturbs me to see that these churches will do anything to get people to come in the doors. It also causes me to examine myself to make sure that I am doing everything that I can do to leave the doors of the church and proclaim the word of Christ to my neighbors and to encourage them to join us in worship.
Friday, June 13, 2008
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Truth, truth and nothing but the truth
Dr. John MacArthur writes:Biblical truth is objective. It is true by itself. It is true whether or not we feel it’s true. It is true whether or not it has been validated by someone’s experience. It is true because God says it is true. It is wholly true, and it is true down to the smallest jot and tittle. Psalm 119:160 says, “The entirety of Your word is truth, and every one of Your righteous judgments endures forever.”
That is the very starting point and the necessary foundation for a truly Christian world-view. Give up the ground of biblical truth, and whatever belief-system you have left is not worthy to be labeled Christian, even if it retains vestiges of Christian symbolism and terminology.
Many who would call themselves Christians today are in precisely that situation. They use the language and symbolism of Christianity, but their real source of authority is something besides Scripture. Some simply live by their feelings and shape their beliefs in accord with their own personal preferences. Others actually claim God speaks directly to them through voices, strong impressions, or vague feelings which they interpret as direct revelations from the Holy Spirit. Still others think of the Scriptures as an improvisational script, which they can modify or interpret any way they please. In any case, their lives and beliefs are ordered in accord with their own personal preferences.
But historic Christianity is based on the objective revelation of Scripture. That is why our first key word for describing the Christian world view is objectivity. Our faith is grounded in the conviction that God has spoken, and His Word is objective truth. What He has given us is absolute and unshakable — and it is the truth by which all other truth-claims are measured.
Meetings
If you have been in the business world or the world of ministry for a number of years, then your least favorite word is "meeting." Therefore I decided to post this photo that includes a bit of sarcasm.
Morning devotion
Since I have had the privilege of teaching the Bible my number one exhortation has been for people to read through the Bible. It continues to amaze me how many people in the church have not read through the entire Bible one time. For those of you who stop by this blog may I encourage you to take an informal poll of those who are your Christian brothers and sisters. Ask them, when the time is appropriate, as to whether or not they have read through the Bible. I think you will find that one of the problems that Christians encounter is a lack of understanding the whole Bible or the unity of the Bible. One of the key truths that has been so clear to me is the SOVEREIGNTY of God. In my morning devotion I was captivated in Psalm 65 with the SOVEREIGNTY of God in verses 3-11. I have listed from the New Living Translation the aspects of God's SOVEREIGNTY in this particular Psalm.
- God forgives sin
- God chooses those who come near to Him
- God is the hope of everyone on earth
- God formed the mountains by His power
- God quieted the raging oceans
- God takes care of the earth
- God ordered it so
- God drenches the plowed ground with rain
- God softens the earth with showers
- God crowns the year with bountiful harvest
Friends the center piece and chief priority in our life must be this SOVEREIGN God and not ourselves. You were hard wired to worship the greatness and magnificence of God Himself. Don't you understand that is why you love a sunset over the Atlantic Ocean, as you stand on the beach, and feel the cool breeze in your face as the water washes over your feet? It is for this brief moment in time that you are able to completely forget about yourself, and enjoy the glory of His creation. The sunset is but a pointer, foreshadowing or echo of the splendor, wonder and awesomeness of God Himself. Have you ever been to the mountains in the fall and see the glorious colors that radiate from all the trees? You pull over to the side of the road and look down into the valley. And again, for a brief moment in time you are completely captivated with the beauty of creation. You have once again been reminded that God alone is the One who can bring you to the point of completely forgetting about yourself and be absorbed by those things that declare the glory of God!
- God forgives sin
- God chooses those who come near to Him
- God is the hope of everyone on earth
- God formed the mountains by His power
- God quieted the raging oceans
- God takes care of the earth
- God ordered it so
- God drenches the plowed ground with rain
- God softens the earth with showers
- God crowns the year with bountiful harvest
Friends the center piece and chief priority in our life must be this SOVEREIGN God and not ourselves. You were hard wired to worship the greatness and magnificence of God Himself. Don't you understand that is why you love a sunset over the Atlantic Ocean, as you stand on the beach, and feel the cool breeze in your face as the water washes over your feet? It is for this brief moment in time that you are able to completely forget about yourself, and enjoy the glory of His creation. The sunset is but a pointer, foreshadowing or echo of the splendor, wonder and awesomeness of God Himself. Have you ever been to the mountains in the fall and see the glorious colors that radiate from all the trees? You pull over to the side of the road and look down into the valley. And again, for a brief moment in time you are completely captivated with the beauty of creation. You have once again been reminded that God alone is the One who can bring you to the point of completely forgetting about yourself and be absorbed by those things that declare the glory of God!
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
On the lighter side
A few years ago I was with Nancy in the emergency room from a problem that developed after her gall bladder surgery. This video takes me back to that time and is such a great description of what it is like to go to the emergency room.
Philippians 2:12-13
Here are some notes to our men's Bible study on Philippians 2:12-13. Again I am amazed how much theology there can be in two verses. Hope you enjoy these notes as a way to encourage you to study and to mine for these spiritual nuggets of gold.
We are asking some important questions as we come to this section of our study in Philippians.
Question #1 - What is man's role in regard to his own salvation? (Philippians 2:12)
Question #2 - What is God's role in regard to the salvation of man? (Philippians 2:13)
It may help to start with some verses to get our brains warmed up, so to speak.
Philippians 1:6 - "For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus."
When I have my devotion time it seems that a good bit of the time is spent asking questions to help my understanding. For example in the verse above I would ask the following question:
- Who is it that starts the work of salvation in my life and carries it all the way to completion? Answer: God Himself
1 Corinthians 15:10 - But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me did not prove vain; but I labored even more than all of them, yet not I, but the grace of God with me.
Galatians 2:20 - "I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me."
Hebrews 13:21 - "equip you in every good thing to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen."
1 Peter 4:11 - "Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen."
Hopefully in the verses above you are noticing the tension that exists between what you are to do and what God is to do. And though I think it is Biblically correct to call this a tension which exists between the free will of man and the sovereignty of God, one is primary and the other is secondary.
Let's go back into the Old Testament for some study on this subject. In learning "how to study" the Bible we should understand that the first 17 books of the Old Testament are considered to be historical narratives. When you come to the Bible you have 2 primary factors:
1. What God did
2. What God says about what God did
Also since we not that God in one of His attributes is immutable (unchangeable) then if we want to know what God is doing today all we need to do is see what God has already done. Therefore in this issue of man's responsibility and God's sovereignty all we need to do is take a visit back to the Old Testament.
The following verses will give you an idea about how God was sovereignly working in the lives of back then which means how He works today in our lives. At this point let me stop and address a very good point that was brought out by Kelly. Basically Kelly said that he can see how God works sovereignly in certain situations in the Old Testament but can we conclude that He is doing the same thing in "all" lives at "all" times. Kelly, I think that we must understand these texts from the standpoint that God is sovereign over all things all the time. And this is the very reason that He lets us know this through many illustrations in the Old and New Testament. For example:
2 Chronicles 30 - The context of this chapter is a declaration by King Hezekiah for the people of Israel, return to the LORD, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel. King Hezekiah even had his couriers go from town to town to announce this message. But we read that they were met with scorn and ridicule. However there were some that did not respond this way and read what the Bible says about them in 2 Chronicles 30:11-12 - "Nevertheless, some men of Asher, Manasseh and Zebulun humbled themselves and went to Jerusalem. Also in Judah the hand of God was on the people to give them unity of mind to carry out what the king and his officials had ordered, following the word of the LORD." (NIV)
However, some people from Asher, Manasseh, and Zebulun humbled themselves and went to Jerusalem
At the same time, God's hand was on the people in the land of Judah, giving them all one heart to obey the orders of the king and his officials, who were following the word of the Lord. (NLT)
Nevertheless some men of Asher, Manasseh and Zebulun humbled themselves and came to Jerusalem
The hand of God was also on Judah to give them one heart to do what the king and the princes commanded by the word of the LORD. (NASB)
Apparently there were some who humbled themselves before the word of God. And the reason giving for them is that God Himself gave them one heart that allowed them to do it.
Do you see the responsibility of man and the sovereignty of God in these verses?
Who is primary and who is secondary?
Do you remember Absalom the son of King David who rebelled? Absalom had an adviser whose name was Ahithophel. There was another adviser in 2 Samuel 17 that comes into the picture whose name is Hushai. In the story Absalom gets advice from Hushai and Ahithophel. The advice from Ahithopel is best but look at how God sovereignly works it out. In 2 Samuel 17:14 - Then Absalom and all the men of Israel said, "The counsel of Hushai the Archite is better than the counsel of Ahithophel." For the LORD had ordained to thwart the good counsel of Ahithophel, so that the LORD might bring calamity on Absalom. (NASB) Remember this is historic narrative, what God did then He is doing today!
In Genesis 20 we have the story of Abraham who brought Sarah to King Abimelech but told him that Sarah was his sister. It seems that King Abimelech found her very beautiful to the point of wanting to have sexual relations with her. But read in Genesis 20:6 the way that God sovereingly works this out.
Genesis 20:6 - Then God said to him in the dream, "Yes, I know that in the integrity of your heart you have done this, and I also kept you from sinning against Me; therefore I did not let you touch her"
Now go back to Philippians 2:12-13 and read it with the tension that exists between the free will of man and the sovereignty of God. Maybe it is best to understand the tension this way:
God is sovereign over everything and at all times in our life. He is sovereign over restraining us from sin and ordaining our sin and yet we as humans are fully responsibile to God for our actions because God in being sovereign over us never once does He violate our free will.
Guys, why must I understand something in order to consider it true for my life? The statement that is listed above is true and right from Scripture but in my finite mind I am unable to understand that infinite truth. It doesn't mean that it isn't true just because I can't understand it. At this point in God's sovereignty and man's responsibility I have to lean on mystery.
Here is the main argument to the sovereignty of God that I am describing in these notes. A person will say "OK Bert, if God is sovereign to the degree that you say then evangelism, discipling, prayer and giving are pointless because God is going to ultimately do whatever He decides and has willed to do." My answer to these people is simply this, the sovereignty of God does not make evangelism, discipleship and prayer pointless but rather it is the sovereignty of God that makes it possible! And according to Philippians 2:13 God's work and will are being accomplished in order that God Himself is pleased. The problem I run into most often are Christians who have a man-centered theology and not a God-centered theology. They think the love of God is God Himself making much of them, instead of understanding that God's love is God allowing them, at the cost of His Son, to make much of Him.
I also encourage you to study Philippians 2:13 from the standpoint of God's work and will and His good pleasure. If you remember yesterday morning we looked at John 4:34. The context is Jesus talking to the Samaritan woman at the well as He sent the disciples in town for some food. When they come back to deliver the food this is what they hear from the Lord Jesus - "Jesus said to them, "My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to accomplish His work." I have said before and I maintain that we read across Scripture and spend far too little time meditating on what we have read. As we discussed yesterday it is obvious from reading the Bible that God has a will. I would argue that God has two distinct wills, one that He reveals and the other that is secret. Let me simply make the point in this manner. Look at 1 Timothy 2:4 - God who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. And now just ask one question - are all men saved? The answer to that question is NO and we know that from experience that we can back up with many Bible verses. However at face value this verse looks to me that God doesn't do what He desire to do. If the verse says and it does that God desires all men to be saved and yet we know that all men aren't saved then how will you handle that apparent contradiction? It is handled first of all by reading your whole Bible in which you understand that God has two wills, one that He reveals to us through His word, and the other that is secret. If you are interested in more on the two wills of God then click on this LINK.
Let me give you an illustration about God's will that is close to home for all of us and may help you understand Philippians 2:13. Look carefully at your marriage and the relationship that you have with your wife. Now I could tell you to go to Ephesians 5 and read what may be the best instruction for us in the New Testament on marriage. Let's say that you get so excited about Ephesians 5 that you memorize it and then over the next 30 years you through the grace of God start living this out in your own marriage. But in doing so the marriage is still hard and it seems that your wife is still very difficult to live with in many of her ways. Here is my theology at work in the day to day of our lives:
1. You are only responsible to the revealed will of God, or to be obedient to the truth of Scripture
2. If God in His secret will wants the marriage to be difficult or vibrant and exciting then you can be sure that He is working that for your good.
However be careful to understand the difference in these two statements. Many times I talk to men who are not obedient to the revealed word of God and have difficult marriages. This in my Biblical opinion would be the consequence or discipline of God for disobedience to His word. Again my point is that you be obedient to the revealed will of God and then rest in the secret will of God to in His sovereignty do what every He thinks is best.
Now lets work on the last part of the verse and that is the pleasure of God. God ultimately does everything that He does for His own pleasure. If you go back to the questions I asked you in an earlier email, one of them was "who is uppermost in the affections of God?" and the answer to that question is God Himself. Here is another question, "what is the chief end of God?" the answer is to glorify Himself and enjoy Himself forever. So when you are at the back end of Philippians 2:13 I think one must conclude that the will and work God is doing in all the universe is for His good pleasure. Here are some other Scriptures that you may want to read and meditate on in this particular area.
Psalm 115:3 - But our God is in the heavens; He does whatever He pleases.
Psalm 135:6 - Whatever the LORD pleases, He does, In heaven and in earth, in the seas and in all deeps.
Job 42:2 - I know that You can do all things, And that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted.
Isaiah 43:13 - "Even from eternity I am He, And there is none who can deliver out of My hand; I act and who can reverse it?"
Hopefully you see in these verses that God is sovereign over all things and that includes His own pleasure. My question in writing this email is can we as Americans, who live in a culture of "if its to be its up to me" submit and yield totally to the sovereignty of God to do with us whatever He pleases? Yes you are to pray, evangelize, minister, fellowship, serve, study and disciple but in a way that it is God who is working and willing for His pleasure. Do you recognize the tension in this statement? Do you see who is primary and who is secondary? Do you understand your role? Do you understand God's role?
Well this is what, Lord willing, we are going to study and come to some conclusions about in our weekend retreat in August. There are three primary camps in the evangelical church today as to this important subject of God's sovereignty and man's responsibility. I very much think we need to know our Bibles and church history as it regards this critical area of our Christian lives. Guys, I really believe one of the keys to manifesting the glory of God in all that we say and do is tied to the understanding of these things. Hopefully and prayerfully the Lord will use this time together to open our eyes to see Him in a fresh way.
There are several things left to discuss in this verse but I will hold them for another email. As a heads up look at what Hebrews 11:6 tells us about God, "And without faith it is impossible to please Him..." So the pleasure of God is linked to faith, would that be a fair statement? You will never exhaust your Bible but I can guarantee that the Bible will exhaust you. Until next time, may the Lord continue to be gracious unto you as you thank Him, and praise Him and live to please Him in all things!
We are asking some important questions as we come to this section of our study in Philippians.
Question #1 - What is man's role in regard to his own salvation? (Philippians 2:12)
Question #2 - What is God's role in regard to the salvation of man? (Philippians 2:13)
It may help to start with some verses to get our brains warmed up, so to speak.
Philippians 1:6 - "For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus."
When I have my devotion time it seems that a good bit of the time is spent asking questions to help my understanding. For example in the verse above I would ask the following question:
- Who is it that starts the work of salvation in my life and carries it all the way to completion? Answer: God Himself
1 Corinthians 15:10 - But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me did not prove vain; but I labored even more than all of them, yet not I, but the grace of God with me.
Galatians 2:20 - "I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me."
Hebrews 13:21 - "equip you in every good thing to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen."
1 Peter 4:11 - "Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen."
Hopefully in the verses above you are noticing the tension that exists between what you are to do and what God is to do. And though I think it is Biblically correct to call this a tension which exists between the free will of man and the sovereignty of God, one is primary and the other is secondary.
Let's go back into the Old Testament for some study on this subject. In learning "how to study" the Bible we should understand that the first 17 books of the Old Testament are considered to be historical narratives. When you come to the Bible you have 2 primary factors:
1. What God did
2. What God says about what God did
Also since we not that God in one of His attributes is immutable (unchangeable) then if we want to know what God is doing today all we need to do is see what God has already done. Therefore in this issue of man's responsibility and God's sovereignty all we need to do is take a visit back to the Old Testament.
The following verses will give you an idea about how God was sovereignly working in the lives of back then which means how He works today in our lives. At this point let me stop and address a very good point that was brought out by Kelly. Basically Kelly said that he can see how God works sovereignly in certain situations in the Old Testament but can we conclude that He is doing the same thing in "all" lives at "all" times. Kelly, I think that we must understand these texts from the standpoint that God is sovereign over all things all the time. And this is the very reason that He lets us know this through many illustrations in the Old and New Testament. For example:
2 Chronicles 30 - The context of this chapter is a declaration by King Hezekiah for the people of Israel, return to the LORD, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel. King Hezekiah even had his couriers go from town to town to announce this message. But we read that they were met with scorn and ridicule. However there were some that did not respond this way and read what the Bible says about them in 2 Chronicles 30:11-12 - "Nevertheless, some men of Asher, Manasseh and Zebulun humbled themselves and went to Jerusalem. Also in Judah the hand of God was on the people to give them unity of mind to carry out what the king and his officials had ordered, following the word of the LORD." (NIV)
However, some people from Asher, Manasseh, and Zebulun humbled themselves and went to Jerusalem
At the same time, God's hand was on the people in the land of Judah, giving them all one heart to obey the orders of the king and his officials, who were following the word of the Lord. (NLT)
Nevertheless some men of Asher, Manasseh and Zebulun humbled themselves and came to Jerusalem
The hand of God was also on Judah to give them one heart to do what the king and the princes commanded by the word of the LORD. (NASB)
Apparently there were some who humbled themselves before the word of God. And the reason giving for them is that God Himself gave them one heart that allowed them to do it.
Do you see the responsibility of man and the sovereignty of God in these verses?
Who is primary and who is secondary?
Do you remember Absalom the son of King David who rebelled? Absalom had an adviser whose name was Ahithophel. There was another adviser in 2 Samuel 17 that comes into the picture whose name is Hushai. In the story Absalom gets advice from Hushai and Ahithophel. The advice from Ahithopel is best but look at how God sovereignly works it out. In 2 Samuel 17:14 - Then Absalom and all the men of Israel said, "The counsel of Hushai the Archite is better than the counsel of Ahithophel." For the LORD had ordained to thwart the good counsel of Ahithophel, so that the LORD might bring calamity on Absalom. (NASB) Remember this is historic narrative, what God did then He is doing today!
In Genesis 20 we have the story of Abraham who brought Sarah to King Abimelech but told him that Sarah was his sister. It seems that King Abimelech found her very beautiful to the point of wanting to have sexual relations with her. But read in Genesis 20:6 the way that God sovereingly works this out.
Genesis 20:6 - Then God said to him in the dream, "Yes, I know that in the integrity of your heart you have done this, and I also kept you from sinning against Me; therefore I did not let you touch her"
Now go back to Philippians 2:12-13 and read it with the tension that exists between the free will of man and the sovereignty of God. Maybe it is best to understand the tension this way:
God is sovereign over everything and at all times in our life. He is sovereign over restraining us from sin and ordaining our sin and yet we as humans are fully responsibile to God for our actions because God in being sovereign over us never once does He violate our free will.
Guys, why must I understand something in order to consider it true for my life? The statement that is listed above is true and right from Scripture but in my finite mind I am unable to understand that infinite truth. It doesn't mean that it isn't true just because I can't understand it. At this point in God's sovereignty and man's responsibility I have to lean on mystery.
Here is the main argument to the sovereignty of God that I am describing in these notes. A person will say "OK Bert, if God is sovereign to the degree that you say then evangelism, discipling, prayer and giving are pointless because God is going to ultimately do whatever He decides and has willed to do." My answer to these people is simply this, the sovereignty of God does not make evangelism, discipleship and prayer pointless but rather it is the sovereignty of God that makes it possible! And according to Philippians 2:13 God's work and will are being accomplished in order that God Himself is pleased. The problem I run into most often are Christians who have a man-centered theology and not a God-centered theology. They think the love of God is God Himself making much of them, instead of understanding that God's love is God allowing them, at the cost of His Son, to make much of Him.
I also encourage you to study Philippians 2:13 from the standpoint of God's work and will and His good pleasure. If you remember yesterday morning we looked at John 4:34. The context is Jesus talking to the Samaritan woman at the well as He sent the disciples in town for some food. When they come back to deliver the food this is what they hear from the Lord Jesus - "Jesus said to them, "My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to accomplish His work." I have said before and I maintain that we read across Scripture and spend far too little time meditating on what we have read. As we discussed yesterday it is obvious from reading the Bible that God has a will. I would argue that God has two distinct wills, one that He reveals and the other that is secret. Let me simply make the point in this manner. Look at 1 Timothy 2:4 - God who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. And now just ask one question - are all men saved? The answer to that question is NO and we know that from experience that we can back up with many Bible verses. However at face value this verse looks to me that God doesn't do what He desire to do. If the verse says and it does that God desires all men to be saved and yet we know that all men aren't saved then how will you handle that apparent contradiction? It is handled first of all by reading your whole Bible in which you understand that God has two wills, one that He reveals to us through His word, and the other that is secret. If you are interested in more on the two wills of God then click on this LINK.
Let me give you an illustration about God's will that is close to home for all of us and may help you understand Philippians 2:13. Look carefully at your marriage and the relationship that you have with your wife. Now I could tell you to go to Ephesians 5 and read what may be the best instruction for us in the New Testament on marriage. Let's say that you get so excited about Ephesians 5 that you memorize it and then over the next 30 years you through the grace of God start living this out in your own marriage. But in doing so the marriage is still hard and it seems that your wife is still very difficult to live with in many of her ways. Here is my theology at work in the day to day of our lives:
1. You are only responsible to the revealed will of God, or to be obedient to the truth of Scripture
2. If God in His secret will wants the marriage to be difficult or vibrant and exciting then you can be sure that He is working that for your good.
However be careful to understand the difference in these two statements. Many times I talk to men who are not obedient to the revealed word of God and have difficult marriages. This in my Biblical opinion would be the consequence or discipline of God for disobedience to His word. Again my point is that you be obedient to the revealed will of God and then rest in the secret will of God to in His sovereignty do what every He thinks is best.
Now lets work on the last part of the verse and that is the pleasure of God. God ultimately does everything that He does for His own pleasure. If you go back to the questions I asked you in an earlier email, one of them was "who is uppermost in the affections of God?" and the answer to that question is God Himself. Here is another question, "what is the chief end of God?" the answer is to glorify Himself and enjoy Himself forever. So when you are at the back end of Philippians 2:13 I think one must conclude that the will and work God is doing in all the universe is for His good pleasure. Here are some other Scriptures that you may want to read and meditate on in this particular area.
Psalm 115:3 - But our God is in the heavens; He does whatever He pleases.
Psalm 135:6 - Whatever the LORD pleases, He does, In heaven and in earth, in the seas and in all deeps.
Job 42:2 - I know that You can do all things, And that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted.
Isaiah 43:13 - "Even from eternity I am He, And there is none who can deliver out of My hand; I act and who can reverse it?"
Hopefully you see in these verses that God is sovereign over all things and that includes His own pleasure. My question in writing this email is can we as Americans, who live in a culture of "if its to be its up to me" submit and yield totally to the sovereignty of God to do with us whatever He pleases? Yes you are to pray, evangelize, minister, fellowship, serve, study and disciple but in a way that it is God who is working and willing for His pleasure. Do you recognize the tension in this statement? Do you see who is primary and who is secondary? Do you understand your role? Do you understand God's role?
Well this is what, Lord willing, we are going to study and come to some conclusions about in our weekend retreat in August. There are three primary camps in the evangelical church today as to this important subject of God's sovereignty and man's responsibility. I very much think we need to know our Bibles and church history as it regards this critical area of our Christian lives. Guys, I really believe one of the keys to manifesting the glory of God in all that we say and do is tied to the understanding of these things. Hopefully and prayerfully the Lord will use this time together to open our eyes to see Him in a fresh way.
There are several things left to discuss in this verse but I will hold them for another email. As a heads up look at what Hebrews 11:6 tells us about God, "And without faith it is impossible to please Him..." So the pleasure of God is linked to faith, would that be a fair statement? You will never exhaust your Bible but I can guarantee that the Bible will exhaust you. Until next time, may the Lord continue to be gracious unto you as you thank Him, and praise Him and live to please Him in all things!
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Preaching in a Post-Modern Culture
Here are a couple of articles by Dr. John MacArthur regarding what he thinks about preaching in a post-modern culture. Dr. MacArthur is a solid exegetical teacher of God's word and has been the senior pastor at Grace Community for almost 40 years. Check out these articles:
Preaching and Post-modernism - Part 1
Preaching and Post-modernism - Part 2
Preaching and Post-modernism - Part 1
Preaching and Post-modernism - Part 2
China:We don't want help from Christians
Here is an article that gives some insight to China's response toward the Christians who are trying to provide relief after the earthquake.
Bigger, Stronger and Faster
Welcome the the 21st American Culture. Where you can have what you want, and when you want it! In other words instant or almost instant gratification is no problem from a better looking body to an overnight package.
In this video you will see a documentary as to the problem with steroids. But folks, steroids is not the problem, it is only the symptom of the problem. Sin is the real problem. As A.W. Tozer stated years ago "when a person comes to a right belief in God, then it will solve ten-thousand temporal problems. If you watch this video don't restrict your understanding just to the steroid abuse problem that prevails in modern day sports. Be reminded of our pornography problems, abortion, homosexuality, divorce, adultery, murder and we could go on and on with what has become mainstream in our everyday news. Again when I see a trailer like this one I am reminded of the drastic effects of the fall. It beckons me to be ever thankful to the Lord Jesus for grace, grace, amazing grace!
In this video you will see a documentary as to the problem with steroids. But folks, steroids is not the problem, it is only the symptom of the problem. Sin is the real problem. As A.W. Tozer stated years ago "when a person comes to a right belief in God, then it will solve ten-thousand temporal problems. If you watch this video don't restrict your understanding just to the steroid abuse problem that prevails in modern day sports. Be reminded of our pornography problems, abortion, homosexuality, divorce, adultery, murder and we could go on and on with what has become mainstream in our everyday news. Again when I see a trailer like this one I am reminded of the drastic effects of the fall. It beckons me to be ever thankful to the Lord Jesus for grace, grace, amazing grace!
A Romans 1:18-32 Culture
Study: One-Fourth Of NYC Residents Have Herpes
Rates Of Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, And Infectious Syphilis Are Also Higher Than The National Average
NEW YORK (CBS) ― Now might be the time for New Yorkers to take advantage of the free condom campaign the city promotes. A new study by the city's Health Department found more than a quarter of adult residents are infected with the herpes virus.
According to the study, 26 percent of city residents have the virus that causes genital herpes, an incurable sexually-transmitted infection that can cause painful genital sores and can double a person's risk for HIV.
Nationally, 19 percent of the population has the infection, according to the department.
More specifically, the study showed that the rate is higher among women than men – 36 percent compared to 19 percent – and was higher among blacks than whites – 49 percent versus 14 percent, respectively.
It also found the rate was higher among gay men than heterosexual men – 32 percent compared to 18 percent.
"Genital herpes alone will not cause serious problems for most people," said Dr. Julia Schillinger, Director of Surveillance for the Health Department's Bureau of STD Prevention and Control and lead author of the study. "But some people will have painful genital sores and the infection fosters the spread of HIV. We advise New Yorkers to protect themselves and others. Using condoms consistently will help you avoid getting or spreading genital herpes."
The data come from the city's Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, which used door-to-door interviews and in-person medical exams to assess the health of New Yorkers on a variety of measures, from diabetes to depression, according to the department.
The study was the city's first measurement of those infected with the virus. Herpes is not the only STD above the national rate in New York City. Rates of Chlamydia, gonorrhea, and infectious syphilis were also higher than the national rate.
Rates Of Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, And Infectious Syphilis Are Also Higher Than The National Average
NEW YORK (CBS) ― Now might be the time for New Yorkers to take advantage of the free condom campaign the city promotes. A new study by the city's Health Department found more than a quarter of adult residents are infected with the herpes virus.
According to the study, 26 percent of city residents have the virus that causes genital herpes, an incurable sexually-transmitted infection that can cause painful genital sores and can double a person's risk for HIV.
Nationally, 19 percent of the population has the infection, according to the department.
More specifically, the study showed that the rate is higher among women than men – 36 percent compared to 19 percent – and was higher among blacks than whites – 49 percent versus 14 percent, respectively.
It also found the rate was higher among gay men than heterosexual men – 32 percent compared to 18 percent.
"Genital herpes alone will not cause serious problems for most people," said Dr. Julia Schillinger, Director of Surveillance for the Health Department's Bureau of STD Prevention and Control and lead author of the study. "But some people will have painful genital sores and the infection fosters the spread of HIV. We advise New Yorkers to protect themselves and others. Using condoms consistently will help you avoid getting or spreading genital herpes."
The data come from the city's Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, which used door-to-door interviews and in-person medical exams to assess the health of New Yorkers on a variety of measures, from diabetes to depression, according to the department.
The study was the city's first measurement of those infected with the virus. Herpes is not the only STD above the national rate in New York City. Rates of Chlamydia, gonorrhea, and infectious syphilis were also higher than the national rate.
7 Reasons NOT to ask Jesus in your heart
Pastor Dennis M. Rokser, of Duluth Bible Church in Duluth, Minnesota writes:
1) “Don’t ask Jesus into your heart because…it is never found in the Bible.”
2) “Don’t ask Jesus into your heart because…it is not how someone is saved.”
3) “Don’t ask Jesus into your heart because…it requires no understanding of the Gospel of Grace to do it.”
4) “Don’t ask Jesus into your heart because…it confuses the means of salvation with the results of salvation.”
5) “Don’t ask Jesus into your heart because…it either results in no assurance of salvation or brings a false assurance to people.”
6) “Don’t ask Jesus into your heart because…Revelation 3:20 does not teach it.”
7) “Don’t ask Jesus into your heart because…it does not clarify the condition of salvation, it confuses it--especially with children.
For his entire booklet on this subject simply click on this LINK and download.
1) “Don’t ask Jesus into your heart because…it is never found in the Bible.”
2) “Don’t ask Jesus into your heart because…it is not how someone is saved.”
3) “Don’t ask Jesus into your heart because…it requires no understanding of the Gospel of Grace to do it.”
4) “Don’t ask Jesus into your heart because…it confuses the means of salvation with the results of salvation.”
5) “Don’t ask Jesus into your heart because…it either results in no assurance of salvation or brings a false assurance to people.”
6) “Don’t ask Jesus into your heart because…Revelation 3:20 does not teach it.”
7) “Don’t ask Jesus into your heart because…it does not clarify the condition of salvation, it confuses it--especially with children.
For his entire booklet on this subject simply click on this LINK and download.
Cold Play "Viva La Vida"
If you watch any TV then you have seen this itunes ad with Cold Play. I happened to listen to the whole song and read the lyrics - very interesting I must say! Well here it is the song and lyrics. |
Lyrics
Lyrics
Monday, June 9, 2008
Cruise ship vs. Battleship
What type of ship best describes the church where you attend. Check out this video at Ignitemedia.com that gives preview of these two kinds of ships.
From the archives...
This is one of the sweetest audio clips I have ever come across. By now you have probably heard it but just had to include it on my blog site.
"The Sky Angel Cowboy! Since posting this audio it has taken on a life of its own. People are forwarding it all over the world. Some corrections… We originally said Logan was 12. He actually turned 13 in August, so we don’t want to deprive him of such a big birthday. Logan listens to us (89.3 KSBJ which broadcasts from Houston, TX) on Sky Angel because he lives on a ranch in a very small town in Nebraska. He called us distraught because he had to take down a calf. His words have wisdom beyond his years".
Listen to what Logan had to say…
"The Sky Angel Cowboy! Since posting this audio it has taken on a life of its own. People are forwarding it all over the world. Some corrections… We originally said Logan was 12. He actually turned 13 in August, so we don’t want to deprive him of such a big birthday. Logan listens to us (89.3 KSBJ which broadcasts from Houston, TX) on Sky Angel because he lives on a ranch in a very small town in Nebraska. He called us distraught because he had to take down a calf. His words have wisdom beyond his years".
Listen to what Logan had to say…
A reminder - The ESV study Bible is coming!
Pastor Mark Driscoll from Mars Hill Church in Seattle recently wrote about what he thought of this new study Bible after he got the opportunity to thumb through an early copy. You can read his thoughts here.
To find out more about it you can check the ESV Study Bible website which goes live today.
To find out more about it you can check the ESV Study Bible website which goes live today.
Ignorance is not bliss
I have a saying after years of teaching the Bible. People have a right to be ignorant of the Bible and they practice that right daily.
A few years ago a Christian friend while receiving counsel from a former mentor gave me this counsel "rest in God." When they delivered this bit of wisdom it was as if they had just come down from Mount Sinai. Of course I don't disagree with rest in God but that is not the end all of the Christian life. In the last few months another Christian friend was encouraged by an older Christian to get a subsequent work of the Holy Spirit through the speaking in tongues. So put these two extraordinary pieces of Biblical insight together and you have the fullest attainment of the Christian life by resting in God as you speak in tongues. Both of these Christians were very sincere but unfortunately both of them were sincerely wrong. By this I mean wrong in making these conclusive type statements about "HOW" we are to live the Christian life. These prescriptions for Christian living come from ignorance and apathy toward the entire Bible. Do you remember the "Prayer of Jabez" era in the church? How about the 40 days to a purpose driven life?
Maybe one of the best descriptions we have, as to living the Christian life, can be summarized in Philippians 2:12-13 - "So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure." If we study these verses in depth in will produce in us a seeing and savoring of God that is based on His word and not on our ignorance.
A few years ago a Christian friend while receiving counsel from a former mentor gave me this counsel "rest in God." When they delivered this bit of wisdom it was as if they had just come down from Mount Sinai. Of course I don't disagree with rest in God but that is not the end all of the Christian life. In the last few months another Christian friend was encouraged by an older Christian to get a subsequent work of the Holy Spirit through the speaking in tongues. So put these two extraordinary pieces of Biblical insight together and you have the fullest attainment of the Christian life by resting in God as you speak in tongues. Both of these Christians were very sincere but unfortunately both of them were sincerely wrong. By this I mean wrong in making these conclusive type statements about "HOW" we are to live the Christian life. These prescriptions for Christian living come from ignorance and apathy toward the entire Bible. Do you remember the "Prayer of Jabez" era in the church? How about the 40 days to a purpose driven life?
Maybe one of the best descriptions we have, as to living the Christian life, can be summarized in Philippians 2:12-13 - "So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure." If we study these verses in depth in will produce in us a seeing and savoring of God that is based on His word and not on our ignorance.
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Be Alert! - Be Alert! - Be Alert!
From the Time 2 Change Churches blogsite:
As natural disasters continue to occur prophesy is being fulfilled.
Tornadoes, floods, freak winter ice storms, wildfires, and public violence throughout the U.S. all kept disaster responders busy in 2007. And with recovery still ongoing in many areas, opportunities abound for volunteers to sign on to help.
"We can always use volunteers," said a spokesman with Appalachia Habitat for Humanity, echoing a familiar refrain among community and faith-based disaster response organizations.
While many disasters have faded from the headlines, the need for volunteers continues, according to responding organizations. Volunteers continue to be needed along the Gulf Coast to help in the ongoing recovery from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, as well as in response to catastrophes from New York to California (a list of volunteer opportunities can be found at www.disastervolunteers.org).
Few U.S. disasters captured and riveted the nation's attention in 2007, unlike in 2005 when Katrina and Rita decimated the Gulf Coast. Worldwide it was a record year with at least 950 major disasters recorded.
In fact, the U.S. got off relatively easily during the 2007 Atlantic hurricane season, with only one storm, Hurricane Humberto, making landfall in Texas in September. The Category 1 hurricane formed from a tropical depression within 18 hours.
Other countries, including Mexico, Honduras, Jamaica and Nicaragua, didn't fare as well during hurricane season. Mexico and Jamaica were battered by Hurricane Dean; Nicaragua and Honduras were pounded by Hurricane Felix. Both Felix and Dean were top-level Category 5 hurricanes; it was the first time that two Category 5 storms made landfall in the same season.
Despite the lack of hurricane activity in the U.S., there were still numerous disasters from coast to coast, ranging from widespread drought in the Southeast to devastating wildfires in Southern California. The drought was among Time magazine's top 10 natural disaster stories for 2007.
Near the end of 2007, there were 63 major federal disaster declarations issued nationwide, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency. That number could change as some requests were still coming in – such as for December ice storm damage in the Midwest – and some were pending.
The number of declarations for 2007 was up from 52 one year earlier and from 48 in 2005, FEMA said.
A total of 32 states, stretching from Maine to California, received major federal disaster declarations, freeing up federal assistance for recovery efforts. Some states, hit multiple times by various catastrophes, received more than one disaster declaration during the year.
Among disasters which occurred in the U.S. in 2007:
- Wildfires: Nearly two dozen wildfires raged across Southern California in October, burning more than 500,000 acres from Santa Barbara County to the Mexican border, destroying nearly 2,000 homes and leaving 12 people dead. Insured losses were put at $1.9 billion. Numerous organizations, including those under the umbrella of Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster in San Diego were aiding in the recovery.
The Southern California wildfires, fueled by fierce Santa Ana winds, came about four months after the Angora wildfire destroyed more than 250 homes in the Lake Tahoe area.
- Tornadoes: A powerful EF-5 tornado leveled the small town of Greensburg, Kan., on May 4. The twister left a path of destruction 22 miles long, destroying about 90 percent of the rural community. The storm killed 10 people in Greensburg and two others outside the town. Rebuilding is under way and is being spearheaded by the South Central Kansas Tornado Recovery Organization.
Other tornadoes during the year caused extensive damage throughout the U.S. Among them: an EF-4 twister Aug. 26 which damaged about 90 percent of the homes of Northwood, N.D., a swarm of tornadoes on March 1 that ripped through the Southeast, causing widespread damage in both Americus, Ga., and in Enterprise, Ala., where nine people were killed including eight students at the local high school, and an Oct. 20 twister that tore through the Indiana town of Nappanee, damaging or destroying about 250 homes and businesses.
Another twister, this one in the Missouri town of Caruthersville on April 2, destroyed about half of the community. Two months earlier, on Feb. 2, twisters ravaged parts of Lake, Volusia, Sumter and Seminole counties in Florida, leaving 20 people dead and destroying nearly 1,000 homes.
There was also an extraordinary tornado in August that hit, of all places, Brooklyn, N.Y. The EF-2 twister, with winds of 110 mph to 135 mph, affected about 200 families.
– Floods: Back-to-back storms in early December in the Pacific Northwest caused massive flooding in coastal Washington and Oregon. Hundreds of homes were damaged or destroyed and the storm was blamed for at least seven deaths in the two states. Damages could run into the billions of dollars, according to Washington Gov. Christine Gregoire.
Flooding earlier in the year affected much of the central U.S., including Ohio, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas and South Dakota. In some cases, homes were so badly damaged that they had to be torn down. Recovery efforts are taking places in many of the affected areas.
- Bridge collapse: A bridge over the Mississippi River in Minneapolis collapsed during the evening rush hour Aug. 1, plunging vehicles and motorists into the water. Thirteen people were killed and about 100 others were injured.
- Public violence: Thirty-two people at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Va., were shot and killed in an April 16 rampage by a 23-year-old student. The gunman, Seung-Hui Cho, shot and killed himself. It was believed to be the worst mass shooting in U.S. history.
- Mine cave-in: A mine collapse Aug. 6 at the Crandall Canyon coal mine in Utah trapped six miners. Three rescuers died 10 days later in another mine collapse in an unsuccessful efforts to reach the trapped men. The bodies of the six miners are entombed in the mine, which has since been closed; the cause of the collapse remains a matter of debate. Investigations are ongoing into the disaster.
As devastating as the events were in America, they paled in comparison to disasters which struck elsewhere in the world during the year.
Top among them was Cyclone Sidr which hit Bangladesh in November, killing at least 3,000 people and leaving hundreds of thousands homeless.
Flooding from July to September across Southeast Asia, described as the worst in decades, left more than 3,200 people dead and displaced at least 25 million.
A 7.7-magnitude earthquake in Peru in August killed more than 500 people, injured 1,000 and left some 175,000 homeless.
Worldwide, economic losses from natural disasters during the year were at least $75 billion, according to reinsurer Munich Re. That figure was up 50 percent over the previous year but fell far below the $220 billion reported in 2005, a figure driven up by Hurricane Katrina.
The German-based company said 950 natural disasters were recorded worldwide in 2007 - the most since 1974 when it began keeping records - and that the number was expected to increase. There were 850 natural disasters in 2006, Munich Re said.
"All the facts indicate that losses caused by weather-related natural catastrophes will continue to rise," board member Torsten Jeworrek said in a statement. "The trend in respect of weather extremes shows that climate change is already taking effect and that more such extremes are to be expected in the future. We should not be misled by the absence of megacatastrophes in 2007."
P.S. in 2008 - Cyclone Nargis in Myanmar killed at least 80,000, with 560,000 still missing, and 2 to 3 million left homeless.
The China Earthquake that killed 70,000 and left 15 million people homeless
As natural disasters continue to occur prophesy is being fulfilled.
Tornadoes, floods, freak winter ice storms, wildfires, and public violence throughout the U.S. all kept disaster responders busy in 2007. And with recovery still ongoing in many areas, opportunities abound for volunteers to sign on to help.
"We can always use volunteers," said a spokesman with Appalachia Habitat for Humanity, echoing a familiar refrain among community and faith-based disaster response organizations.
While many disasters have faded from the headlines, the need for volunteers continues, according to responding organizations. Volunteers continue to be needed along the Gulf Coast to help in the ongoing recovery from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, as well as in response to catastrophes from New York to California (a list of volunteer opportunities can be found at www.disastervolunteers.org).
Few U.S. disasters captured and riveted the nation's attention in 2007, unlike in 2005 when Katrina and Rita decimated the Gulf Coast. Worldwide it was a record year with at least 950 major disasters recorded.
In fact, the U.S. got off relatively easily during the 2007 Atlantic hurricane season, with only one storm, Hurricane Humberto, making landfall in Texas in September. The Category 1 hurricane formed from a tropical depression within 18 hours.
Other countries, including Mexico, Honduras, Jamaica and Nicaragua, didn't fare as well during hurricane season. Mexico and Jamaica were battered by Hurricane Dean; Nicaragua and Honduras were pounded by Hurricane Felix. Both Felix and Dean were top-level Category 5 hurricanes; it was the first time that two Category 5 storms made landfall in the same season.
Despite the lack of hurricane activity in the U.S., there were still numerous disasters from coast to coast, ranging from widespread drought in the Southeast to devastating wildfires in Southern California. The drought was among Time magazine's top 10 natural disaster stories for 2007.
Near the end of 2007, there were 63 major federal disaster declarations issued nationwide, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency. That number could change as some requests were still coming in – such as for December ice storm damage in the Midwest – and some were pending.
The number of declarations for 2007 was up from 52 one year earlier and from 48 in 2005, FEMA said.
A total of 32 states, stretching from Maine to California, received major federal disaster declarations, freeing up federal assistance for recovery efforts. Some states, hit multiple times by various catastrophes, received more than one disaster declaration during the year.
Among disasters which occurred in the U.S. in 2007:
- Wildfires: Nearly two dozen wildfires raged across Southern California in October, burning more than 500,000 acres from Santa Barbara County to the Mexican border, destroying nearly 2,000 homes and leaving 12 people dead. Insured losses were put at $1.9 billion. Numerous organizations, including those under the umbrella of Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster in San Diego were aiding in the recovery.
The Southern California wildfires, fueled by fierce Santa Ana winds, came about four months after the Angora wildfire destroyed more than 250 homes in the Lake Tahoe area.
- Tornadoes: A powerful EF-5 tornado leveled the small town of Greensburg, Kan., on May 4. The twister left a path of destruction 22 miles long, destroying about 90 percent of the rural community. The storm killed 10 people in Greensburg and two others outside the town. Rebuilding is under way and is being spearheaded by the South Central Kansas Tornado Recovery Organization.
Other tornadoes during the year caused extensive damage throughout the U.S. Among them: an EF-4 twister Aug. 26 which damaged about 90 percent of the homes of Northwood, N.D., a swarm of tornadoes on March 1 that ripped through the Southeast, causing widespread damage in both Americus, Ga., and in Enterprise, Ala., where nine people were killed including eight students at the local high school, and an Oct. 20 twister that tore through the Indiana town of Nappanee, damaging or destroying about 250 homes and businesses.
Another twister, this one in the Missouri town of Caruthersville on April 2, destroyed about half of the community. Two months earlier, on Feb. 2, twisters ravaged parts of Lake, Volusia, Sumter and Seminole counties in Florida, leaving 20 people dead and destroying nearly 1,000 homes.
There was also an extraordinary tornado in August that hit, of all places, Brooklyn, N.Y. The EF-2 twister, with winds of 110 mph to 135 mph, affected about 200 families.
– Floods: Back-to-back storms in early December in the Pacific Northwest caused massive flooding in coastal Washington and Oregon. Hundreds of homes were damaged or destroyed and the storm was blamed for at least seven deaths in the two states. Damages could run into the billions of dollars, according to Washington Gov. Christine Gregoire.
Flooding earlier in the year affected much of the central U.S., including Ohio, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas and South Dakota. In some cases, homes were so badly damaged that they had to be torn down. Recovery efforts are taking places in many of the affected areas.
- Bridge collapse: A bridge over the Mississippi River in Minneapolis collapsed during the evening rush hour Aug. 1, plunging vehicles and motorists into the water. Thirteen people were killed and about 100 others were injured.
- Public violence: Thirty-two people at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Va., were shot and killed in an April 16 rampage by a 23-year-old student. The gunman, Seung-Hui Cho, shot and killed himself. It was believed to be the worst mass shooting in U.S. history.
- Mine cave-in: A mine collapse Aug. 6 at the Crandall Canyon coal mine in Utah trapped six miners. Three rescuers died 10 days later in another mine collapse in an unsuccessful efforts to reach the trapped men. The bodies of the six miners are entombed in the mine, which has since been closed; the cause of the collapse remains a matter of debate. Investigations are ongoing into the disaster.
As devastating as the events were in America, they paled in comparison to disasters which struck elsewhere in the world during the year.
Top among them was Cyclone Sidr which hit Bangladesh in November, killing at least 3,000 people and leaving hundreds of thousands homeless.
Flooding from July to September across Southeast Asia, described as the worst in decades, left more than 3,200 people dead and displaced at least 25 million.
A 7.7-magnitude earthquake in Peru in August killed more than 500 people, injured 1,000 and left some 175,000 homeless.
Worldwide, economic losses from natural disasters during the year were at least $75 billion, according to reinsurer Munich Re. That figure was up 50 percent over the previous year but fell far below the $220 billion reported in 2005, a figure driven up by Hurricane Katrina.
The German-based company said 950 natural disasters were recorded worldwide in 2007 - the most since 1974 when it began keeping records - and that the number was expected to increase. There were 850 natural disasters in 2006, Munich Re said.
"All the facts indicate that losses caused by weather-related natural catastrophes will continue to rise," board member Torsten Jeworrek said in a statement. "The trend in respect of weather extremes shows that climate change is already taking effect and that more such extremes are to be expected in the future. We should not be misled by the absence of megacatastrophes in 2007."
P.S. in 2008 - Cyclone Nargis in Myanmar killed at least 80,000, with 560,000 still missing, and 2 to 3 million left homeless.
The China Earthquake that killed 70,000 and left 15 million people homeless
We are living in "Bizzaro" Land
Can you believe this new restroom bill that was passed in Colorado? Chuck Colson writes:
"Last week, Colorado’s legislature passed—and Gov. Bill Ritter signed—a law that will open all public accommodations, including public restrooms, to anyone who wants to use them. That means men may use a women’s restroom, and women may enter men’s rooms. The rationale for Senate Bill 200 is that transgenders should be able to use the restroom they feel most comfortable using. Apparently, it is not important if others feel uncomfortable having their privacy violated every time they use public facilities.
The lack of privacy is not the only problem. Nobody is going to ask a man if he is trangendered before allowing him into the ladies’ room. This means any man—including a child molester—could simply follow a little girl into the privacy of a public restroom. And, if a man decided to expose himself to a young girl there, who is she going to complain to? After all, restrooms, by definition, are places where one exposes the private parts of one’s body."
"Last week, Colorado’s legislature passed—and Gov. Bill Ritter signed—a law that will open all public accommodations, including public restrooms, to anyone who wants to use them. That means men may use a women’s restroom, and women may enter men’s rooms. The rationale for Senate Bill 200 is that transgenders should be able to use the restroom they feel most comfortable using. Apparently, it is not important if others feel uncomfortable having their privacy violated every time they use public facilities.
The lack of privacy is not the only problem. Nobody is going to ask a man if he is trangendered before allowing him into the ladies’ room. This means any man—including a child molester—could simply follow a little girl into the privacy of a public restroom. And, if a man decided to expose himself to a young girl there, who is she going to complain to? After all, restrooms, by definition, are places where one exposes the private parts of one’s body."
Quote for the day
"The greatest sorrow, the greatest burden, the greatest unkindness that you as a believer can lay on the Father is not to believe that He loves you." - John Owen
The godly
My morning devotion included Psalm 37 in the New Living Translation. I noticed that the term "godly" appears 13 times in this particular Psalm. So I have listed those things said about "the godly" in Psalm 37. (Pastor B's paraphrase)
- The wicked plot against the godly (verse 12)
- It is better to be godly and have little than be evil and possess much (verse 16)
- The godly are generous givers (verse 21)
- The steps of the godly are directed by the LORD (verse 23)
- The godly are never forsaken by the LORD (verse 25)
- The godly give generous loans to others (verse 26)
- The LORD will never abandon the godly (verse 28)
- The godly will inherit the land and will live forever (verse 29)
- The godly offer good counsel, because they fill their hearts with the word of God (verse 30)
- Those who are evil spy on the godly (verse 32)
- The LORD will never condemn the godly (verse 33)
- The LORD saves the godly, He is their fortress, He rescues them from the wicked and He saves them (verses39-40)
In studying the above you get a description of:
- God's role
- the godly person's role
- the evil person's role
This is how I have a morning devotion. First I prepare my heart by confessing known sin and asking passionately for the Lord to make His word come alive in my heart and mind. Second I read the section of Scripture with a prayerful heart. Third I go back through and make a few notes that usually include what God is saying to me and what I am saying back to God. Even though I may not write all of this down, this is the kind of meditation I do as I have a quiet time during the morning. Hope this encourages you to spend time in God's word!
- The wicked plot against the godly (verse 12)
- It is better to be godly and have little than be evil and possess much (verse 16)
- The godly are generous givers (verse 21)
- The steps of the godly are directed by the LORD (verse 23)
- The godly are never forsaken by the LORD (verse 25)
- The godly give generous loans to others (verse 26)
- The LORD will never abandon the godly (verse 28)
- The godly will inherit the land and will live forever (verse 29)
- The godly offer good counsel, because they fill their hearts with the word of God (verse 30)
- Those who are evil spy on the godly (verse 32)
- The LORD will never condemn the godly (verse 33)
- The LORD saves the godly, He is their fortress, He rescues them from the wicked and He saves them (verses39-40)
In studying the above you get a description of:
- God's role
- the godly person's role
- the evil person's role
This is how I have a morning devotion. First I prepare my heart by confessing known sin and asking passionately for the Lord to make His word come alive in my heart and mind. Second I read the section of Scripture with a prayerful heart. Third I go back through and make a few notes that usually include what God is saying to me and what I am saying back to God. Even though I may not write all of this down, this is the kind of meditation I do as I have a quiet time during the morning. Hope this encourages you to spend time in God's word!
Saturday, June 7, 2008
Friday, June 6, 2008
Quote for the day
“If you preach the law as the Bible really does, or the gospel as it’s really meant to be proclaimed, you will empty the Compaq Center.” (where Joel Osteen preaches)
- Dr. Michael Horton
- Dr. Michael Horton
15 magnificent truths about the Lord Jesus
- In Him we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins
- He is the image of the invisible God
- He is the first born of all creation
- By Him all things were created
- Through Him all things were created
- For Him all things were created
- He is before all things
- And in Him all things hold together
- He is the head of the church
- He is the beginning
- He is the first born of the dead
- In everything He is preeminent
- In Him the fullness of God dwells
- He reconciles all things to Himself
- He makes peace by the blood of His cross
from Colossians 1:14-20
Thursday, June 5, 2008
What is the gospel?
John Piper explains it this way:
1) A plan - "in accordance with the Scriptures" (v.3). All of the most important details of the last days of Jesus were written down hundreds of years before in the Old Testament. Jesus' sacrifice for our sins was not an afterthought. (1 Corinthians 15:1-5)
2) An event in history (v.3-5) - If Christ did not physically come and die then there is no gospel. Anybody who tries to make the gospel simply an inspirational story is nullifying it. (1 Corinthians 15:1-5)
3) An accomplishment through the event: Christ died for our sins. (1 Peter 2:24, 2 Cor 5:21, Rom 8:3, Isaiah 53:6, Phil 2:8)
Jesus died to demonstrate God's righteousness because he had passed over former sins (Romans 3:25). But nobody in America has this problem. Nobody wakes up with an all-consummig problem with why God can be so good to them when they don't deserve it.
The most difficult problem in the universe is not the problem of evil but the problem of grace. Unless Christ died for sinners, there is no just way for God to treat them well for eternity. Christ's death is the only way for God to remain both just and loving.
4) A free offer received by faith, not works. If the gospel was a gift given to those who first obeyed God, it would be no gospel at all.
5) An applicaton of what he accomplished to my personal life. When we believe the gospel we get forgiveness, justification, reconciliation, adoption, sanctification, and God himself. God is the gospel.
But there's a problem. We can't believe. We're totally depraved, remember? That's why the new covenent, promised in the Old Testament and enacted through Jesus' blood, is so precious. Not only does it offer forgiveness of sins, it also gives us faith to belive it. It is not a conditional covenant. It creates what it commands. (Jeremiah 31:13, 32:40; Ezekiel 11:19, 36)
6) An eternal and infinitely happy future enjoying the glory of God.
1) A plan - "in accordance with the Scriptures" (v.3). All of the most important details of the last days of Jesus were written down hundreds of years before in the Old Testament. Jesus' sacrifice for our sins was not an afterthought. (1 Corinthians 15:1-5)
2) An event in history (v.3-5) - If Christ did not physically come and die then there is no gospel. Anybody who tries to make the gospel simply an inspirational story is nullifying it. (1 Corinthians 15:1-5)
3) An accomplishment through the event: Christ died for our sins. (1 Peter 2:24, 2 Cor 5:21, Rom 8:3, Isaiah 53:6, Phil 2:8)
Jesus died to demonstrate God's righteousness because he had passed over former sins (Romans 3:25). But nobody in America has this problem. Nobody wakes up with an all-consummig problem with why God can be so good to them when they don't deserve it.
The most difficult problem in the universe is not the problem of evil but the problem of grace. Unless Christ died for sinners, there is no just way for God to treat them well for eternity. Christ's death is the only way for God to remain both just and loving.
4) A free offer received by faith, not works. If the gospel was a gift given to those who first obeyed God, it would be no gospel at all.
5) An applicaton of what he accomplished to my personal life. When we believe the gospel we get forgiveness, justification, reconciliation, adoption, sanctification, and God himself. God is the gospel.
But there's a problem. We can't believe. We're totally depraved, remember? That's why the new covenent, promised in the Old Testament and enacted through Jesus' blood, is so precious. Not only does it offer forgiveness of sins, it also gives us faith to belive it. It is not a conditional covenant. It creates what it commands. (Jeremiah 31:13, 32:40; Ezekiel 11:19, 36)
6) An eternal and infinitely happy future enjoying the glory of God.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Principles for Bible reading
7 Questions to Ask Every Passage
1. Who is the author and who is his audience?
2. Why is the author writing and what is his burden for his audience?
3. How does this verse connect to the rest of the chapter and the book the whole storyline of the Bible?
4. What does the language of the passage highlight and draw attention to?
(e.g., parallels, word pictures, speciļ¬c details, repetitive words/phrases)
5. What does this reveal about the nature of God and the nature of mankind?
6. How does this passage reveal our need for a Savior and God's disposition to provide a Savior?
7. What response or action does this passage call for?
1. Who is the author and who is his audience?
2. Why is the author writing and what is his burden for his audience?
3. How does this verse connect to the rest of the chapter and the book the whole storyline of the Bible?
4. What does the language of the passage highlight and draw attention to?
(e.g., parallels, word pictures, speciļ¬c details, repetitive words/phrases)
5. What does this reveal about the nature of God and the nature of mankind?
6. How does this passage reveal our need for a Savior and God's disposition to provide a Savior?
7. What response or action does this passage call for?
New sod and REGENERATION
I took a picture of our yard and specifically the place where the grass is dead. As I was thinking about replacing this area of the yard with sod I was reminded of the doctrine of "regeneration". The grass is dead which means it has no life on its own. I could go down there all day and give a motivational speech and tell the grass something like this "grow, grow, grow, you can do it." But no matter if I preached, danced, sang or shouted the grass can't do anything because it is dead. This is just like you and me, in our unregenerated state, before the Holy Spirit acted on our hearts in order that we would REPENT and BELIEVE in the Lord Jesus. It amazes me the number of Christians that don't understand the word dead in Ephesians 2:1-"And you were dead in your trespasses and sins". This means no matter who, how, where or what was presented to you in terms of the gospel of Jesus Christ you were unable to hear, see or understand. But now look at the promise in Ezekiel 36:26-27 and what God says that He does to those whom He chooses for Himself.Ezek. 36:26 “Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.
Ezek. 36:27 “I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances.
When a person is dead they have a heart of stone. Do you see the illustration and the point? They are hard and cold toward the Lord and His ways. But when God Himself places within them a heart of flesh that beats for Jesus, they go from death to life. Now back to the illustration of my yard today. The sod that is going down is like the heart of flesh. And it is replacing the dead grass which is like a heart of stone.
But as that sod is placed on the ground life will be in the grass where before there was death. Again there are so many reminders every day regarding the wonderful doctrines of God I thank Him for this one today for my life. Finally look the concluding thoughts from Eph. 2:4-5"
But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us,
even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved).
Why does God choose to regenerate some? Because of His great mercy.
How does God do this? Grace, grace, amazing grace!
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
God's sovereignty in marriage
ATTENTION MEN - ATTENTION MEN - ATTENTION MEN
I urge each man to listen carefully to this message from Paul Washer about God's sovereignty in marriage. It also contains some powerful teaching about the man's role and responsibility as the God ordained leader of the family. May I encourage you to listen and send this blog article to your married friends.
I urge each man to listen carefully to this message from Paul Washer about God's sovereignty in marriage. It also contains some powerful teaching about the man's role and responsibility as the God ordained leader of the family. May I encourage you to listen and send this blog article to your married friends.
Monday, June 2, 2008
Man registration classes
These classes are on a first come first serve basis so sign up now:
Class 1
How To Fill Up The Ice Cube Trays--Step by Step, with Slide Presentation.
Meets 4 weeks, Monday and Wednesday for 2 hours beginning at 7:00 PM.
Class 2
The Toilet Paper Roll--Does It Change Itself?
Round Table Discussion.
Meets 2 weeks, Saturday 12:00 for 2 hours.
Class 3
Is It Possible To "Tinkle" Using The Technique Of Lifting The Seat and Avoiding
The Floor, Walls and Nearby Bathtub?--Group Practice.
Meets 4 weeks, Saturday 10:00 PM for 2 hours.
Class 4
Fundamental Differences Between The Laundry Hamper and The Floor--Pictures and
Explanatory Graphics.
Meets Saturdays at 2:00 PM for 3 weeks.
Class 5
Dinner Dishes--Can They Levitate and Fly Into The Kitchen Sink?
Examples on Video.
Meets 4 weeks, Tuesday and Thursday for 2 hours beginning at 7:00 PM
Class 6
Loss Of Identity--Losing The Remote To Your Significant Other.
Help Line Support and Support Groups.
Meets 4 Weeks, Friday and Sunday 7:00 PM
Class 7
Learning How To Find Things--Starting With Looking In The Right Places And Not
Turning The House Upside Down While Screaming.
Open Forum
Monday at 8:00 PM, 2 hours.
Class 8
Health Watch--Bringing Her Flowers Is Not Harmful To Your Health.
Graphics and Audio Tapes.
Three nights; Monday, Wednesday, Friday at 7:00 PM for 2 hours.
Class 9
Real Men Ask For Directions When Lost--Real Life Testimonials.
Tuesdays at 6:00 PM Location to be determined
Class 10
Is it Genetically Impossible To Sit Quietly While She Parallel Parks?
Driving Simulations.
4 weeks, Saturday's noon, 2 hours.
Class 11
Learning to Live--Basic Differences Between Mother and Wife.
Online Classes and role-playing
Tuesdays at 7:00 PM, location to be determined
Class 12
How to be the Ideal Shopping Companion
Relaxation Exercises, Meditation, and Breathing Techniques.
Meets 4 weeks, Tuesday and Thursday for 2 hours beginning at 7:00 PM.
Class 13
How to Fight Cerebral Atrophy--Remembering Birthdays, Anniversaries, and Other
Important Dates and Calling When You're Going To Be Late.
Cerebral Shock Therapy Sessions and Full Lobotomies Offered.
Three nights; Monday, Wednesday, Friday at 7:00 PM for 2 hours.
Class 14
The Stove/Oven--What It Is and How It Is Used.
Live Demonstration.
Tuesdays at 6 :00 PM, location to be determined.
Upon completion of any of the above courses, diplomas will be issued to the
survivors.
Class 1
How To Fill Up The Ice Cube Trays--Step by Step, with Slide Presentation.
Meets 4 weeks, Monday and Wednesday for 2 hours beginning at 7:00 PM.
Class 2
The Toilet Paper Roll--Does It Change Itself?
Round Table Discussion.
Meets 2 weeks, Saturday 12:00 for 2 hours.
Class 3
Is It Possible To "Tinkle" Using The Technique Of Lifting The Seat and Avoiding
The Floor, Walls and Nearby Bathtub?--Group Practice.
Meets 4 weeks, Saturday 10:00 PM for 2 hours.
Class 4
Fundamental Differences Between The Laundry Hamper and The Floor--Pictures and
Explanatory Graphics.
Meets Saturdays at 2:00 PM for 3 weeks.
Class 5
Dinner Dishes--Can They Levitate and Fly Into The Kitchen Sink?
Examples on Video.
Meets 4 weeks, Tuesday and Thursday for 2 hours beginning at 7:00 PM
Class 6
Loss Of Identity--Losing The Remote To Your Significant Other.
Help Line Support and Support Groups.
Meets 4 Weeks, Friday and Sunday 7:00 PM
Class 7
Learning How To Find Things--Starting With Looking In The Right Places And Not
Turning The House Upside Down While Screaming.
Open Forum
Monday at 8:00 PM, 2 hours.
Class 8
Health Watch--Bringing Her Flowers Is Not Harmful To Your Health.
Graphics and Audio Tapes.
Three nights; Monday, Wednesday, Friday at 7:00 PM for 2 hours.
Class 9
Real Men Ask For Directions When Lost--Real Life Testimonials.
Tuesdays at 6:00 PM Location to be determined
Class 10
Is it Genetically Impossible To Sit Quietly While She Parallel Parks?
Driving Simulations.
4 weeks, Saturday's noon, 2 hours.
Class 11
Learning to Live--Basic Differences Between Mother and Wife.
Online Classes and role-playing
Tuesdays at 7:00 PM, location to be determined
Class 12
How to be the Ideal Shopping Companion
Relaxation Exercises, Meditation, and Breathing Techniques.
Meets 4 weeks, Tuesday and Thursday for 2 hours beginning at 7:00 PM.
Class 13
How to Fight Cerebral Atrophy--Remembering Birthdays, Anniversaries, and Other
Important Dates and Calling When You're Going To Be Late.
Cerebral Shock Therapy Sessions and Full Lobotomies Offered.
Three nights; Monday, Wednesday, Friday at 7:00 PM for 2 hours.
Class 14
The Stove/Oven--What It Is and How It Is Used.
Live Demonstration.
Tuesdays at 6 :00 PM, location to be determined.
Upon completion of any of the above courses, diplomas will be issued to the
survivors.
Study in Philippians
We have a great men's Bible study. Occasionally I share some of the notes on this blog site that I write to the guys as we study. Here is a recent note in regard to our study of Philippians Chapter 2:12-13. Hope you enjoy!
Hey guys,
We have arrived at Philippians 2:12-13:
Phil. 2:12 ¶ So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling;
Phil. 2:13 for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.
Last week we discussed that the key question to ask when we come to these verses is:
What is the believer's role in sanctification and what is God's role in sanctification?
And from last week we discussed:
It may be best described as follows:
1. The Christian is working out their life in Christ
2. And God is working in them
People over the years have thought that it means:
- work for you salvation
- work at your salvation
- work up your salvation
But we know that salvation is not by works but rather it is by faith.
Eph. 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;
Eph. 2:9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.
What does Paul mean when he says "work out" your own salvation.
This is a verb that is present tense and in the imperative mood. The Greek word for "work out" means to bring something to fulfillment, fullness or completion. Now put all this together, we are to continually be acting this way and God has given this to us as a command. So we have a command for sustained effort and diligence in working out what has been already planted within us.
The ancient Roman scholar Straybo (spelling?) who lived approximately 60 years prior to Christ wrote using this particular word "work out". Supposedly the Romans had silver mines located in Spain and he referred to the Romans as "working out" the mines. In other words the Romans were extracting from what was within and bringing it to the outside.
Therefore the Christian is to mine from their life all that God has deposited in this matter of salvation. As we mentioned yesterday this seems to be an indicator of a true Christian from a professing Christian, in that the fruit manifested on the outside is good because of what has been planted on the inside. (Matthew 7:17-18)
Christians are committed to working out their salvation to the point where what is on the inside (Christ in you the hope of glory) is manifested to others on the outside.
Questions for your consideration in the working out of your salvation:
How much on a weekly basis are you reading and studying the word of God?
Over 5 hours
3-5 hours
1-3 hours
less than 1 hour per week
Right now I am focused on the first half of this verse that is talking about YOU working out your own salvation. Keep in mind that when we talk of the word salvation it means:
Past
Present
Future
But I am specifically talking about the present day to day living of your Christian life.
Guys I have conducted surveys in small group in regard to personal Bible reading and study. Do you know what might own survey statistics indicate? Most people spend less than 1 hour per week on reading and study time. Now between the two genders who do you think graded out higher? Well if you guess women you would be right. But who is supposed to be leading the family spiritually? Yes, the answer to that question is the men. Now do you see the dilemma that we are facing as Christians in America? Because the men are so busy providing lifestyle for their families, they have very little meaningful Bible reading, study and prayer time. Is this what Paul meant in Philippians 2:12 when he says "work out your on salvation." Do you think he meant whenever you can squeeze God into your active lifestyle then read a couple of verses, pray a quick prayer say Amen and then go live your life?
Let me give you an illustration that is close to home for all of us. Phil Clark recently went through a painful process in regard to identity theft. Phil, do you remember the priority that this occupied in your life over the weeks to follow? How many phone calls, emails, travel miles and personal hours you spent to get this problem resolved in your life? I remember talking to you on the phone at one point and you said that it had basically consumed your whole week. Now just move that illustration from what happened to Phil into the lives of most Christians that live in America. And what has happened to them is the precious theft of God Himself, and His word that has been stolen from them due to culture and desire for lifestyle. But unfortunately it doesn't keep us up at night, nor are we devoting our time, effort and energy toward being sure that it isn't stolen from us. We just gradually get into a casual, luke warm relationship with Christ. Guys if we really knew what was at stake here from the standpoint of eternity, then Phil's identity theft would look like a grain of sand compared to the Rockie Mountains. And Phil please know that I am in no way minimizing what happened to you in this particular situation. My point is that something much more important is at stake than our credit rating and it is our spiritual rating with King Jesus!
Will we be as diligent, serious, all consumed, passionate and intensely focused on His word and His will for our lives as we are other things? Is the Lord Jesus getting center stage in your life or is He pushed off to the side while you get on with the other important things in your life? Fellows please listen to me on this, Christ is not to be part of your life, He is your life!
Here are 5 questions to ask as you read and study the Bible in the working out of your salvation:
1. What is God saying to me? This is such a critical part of Bible meditation. As you prepare your heart by confessing any known sin and then ask God by His Spirit to guide and reveal truth to you, get into the habit of just listening. Do you remember the words of our Lord Jesus in Matthew 13:13 - "and while hearing they do not hear." Jesus was talking to those with hard hearts. Maybe it would be good to evaluate what you are hearing in your quiet time with Jesus. If you aren't hearing what He is saying then check your heart.
2. What am I saying to God? I find this to be especially helpful to me when I come across hard verses that command me to do things I don't want to do. Nancy and I got into an intense Christian discussion on Saturday night. Oh by the way, Christian discussion is code word for an argument or a fight but doesn't discussion sound so much better? Anyway, I did my usual move of defending and deflecting back onto Nancy that she was in fact the problem and not me. I threw a couple of hand grenades and shortly thereafter we brought out the scud missiles When we attended church together on Sunday the message was on "How do you handle your anger?" The text preached on was from Ephesians 4:26-27 "BE ANGRY, AND yet DO NOT SIN; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not give the devil an opportunity." Can you imagine what I said to God after the previous night with Nancy? Yes, Lord once again your word convicts me and I have gotten angry to the point where I did sin. Please forgive me and work in me to be the kind of husband that will love Nancy like you love me. Yes, God was talking clearly to me but it is important to examine what we are saying back to God.
3. What verses do I need to memorize or study in more detail?
I don't need to give more information about the importance of Bible memory. But let me make this one suggestion. When you come across a promise that speaks loudly to you then memorize it. For example Philippians 1:6 is a verse that we need to have in our memory quiver - "For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus." Isn't this a wonderful promise? What God demands from you He freely gives to you! For example He demands obedience, holiness and service from you but it is God Himself who is the One effecting all that in you. Actually this is a principle that we will study more next week when we come to Philippians 2:13.
4. What principles apply to my life right now? We are on a principle at the moment of working out our salvation. Therefore since this is a principle that applies to my life and the life of other Christians how is this happening. Guys this may be a good time to discuss how you are working out your salvation in terms of:
- Bible study
- Prayer
- Financial giving
- Serving consistent with your spiritual gift
Each of you have full time jobs that require much time and energy. So how are you able to devote yourselves to these critical principles of the Christian life?
5. What truths that we are studying on a weekly basis are you sharing with others in your sphere of influence? Guys you could take these five questions and sit down with your wives or email you kids and challenge them to take a serious look at their Christian lives.
During the week, who do you talk to, who do you share spiritual truth with, are you on the phone, emailing or doing so a breakfast, lunch or dinner? These are not truths that we are just trying to learn but in learning we want to live them out in a way that Christ is demonstrated as great. Guys you could spend months working on Philippians 2:12-13 with those in your family.
The bottom line of our study time this morning is this question:
Are you working out your own salvation?
Guys, please ask yourself this and search your heart for an honest answer and then do this go and ask your wives. This person closest to you will be the one who can tell you best as to how you are working out your salvation. Obviously each of us have blind spots but others around us can look at our lives objectively. After you ask your wife then go to your kids. I would like to be with you this morning to ask "how do you think they will respond" and then to be there to find out "how they actually do respond." But guys this is where the rubber meets the road in the Christian life.
I have a recent example of a couple that Nancy and I have known for years. They have been in church and if you talked to them about their Christian faith they would have all the right answers and Bible verses. But when you get behind the doors of the home you see something much different. There is anger, resentment, pride and ongoing sin issues to the point that I don't see a working out of salvation. If you think I am judging them understand the Lord Jesus Himself told us to be fruit inspectors. If the fruit is not good then this means that the tree is bad. Please don't forget the words of the Lord Jesus in Matthew 7:21-23
"Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter.
"Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?'
"And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.'
Do you need a greater motivation than the above verses to have you consider what Paul is saying in Philippians 2:12 and that is "work out your own salvation."
Blessings,
Hey guys,
We have arrived at Philippians 2:12-13:
Phil. 2:12 ¶ So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling;
Phil. 2:13 for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.
Last week we discussed that the key question to ask when we come to these verses is:
What is the believer's role in sanctification and what is God's role in sanctification?
And from last week we discussed:
It may be best described as follows:
1. The Christian is working out their life in Christ
2. And God is working in them
People over the years have thought that it means:
- work for you salvation
- work at your salvation
- work up your salvation
But we know that salvation is not by works but rather it is by faith.
Eph. 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;
Eph. 2:9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.
What does Paul mean when he says "work out" your own salvation.
This is a verb that is present tense and in the imperative mood. The Greek word for "work out" means to bring something to fulfillment, fullness or completion. Now put all this together, we are to continually be acting this way and God has given this to us as a command. So we have a command for sustained effort and diligence in working out what has been already planted within us.
The ancient Roman scholar Straybo (spelling?) who lived approximately 60 years prior to Christ wrote using this particular word "work out". Supposedly the Romans had silver mines located in Spain and he referred to the Romans as "working out" the mines. In other words the Romans were extracting from what was within and bringing it to the outside.
Therefore the Christian is to mine from their life all that God has deposited in this matter of salvation. As we mentioned yesterday this seems to be an indicator of a true Christian from a professing Christian, in that the fruit manifested on the outside is good because of what has been planted on the inside. (Matthew 7:17-18)
Christians are committed to working out their salvation to the point where what is on the inside (Christ in you the hope of glory) is manifested to others on the outside.
Questions for your consideration in the working out of your salvation:
How much on a weekly basis are you reading and studying the word of God?
Over 5 hours
3-5 hours
1-3 hours
less than 1 hour per week
Right now I am focused on the first half of this verse that is talking about YOU working out your own salvation. Keep in mind that when we talk of the word salvation it means:
Past
Present
Future
But I am specifically talking about the present day to day living of your Christian life.
Guys I have conducted surveys in small group in regard to personal Bible reading and study. Do you know what might own survey statistics indicate? Most people spend less than 1 hour per week on reading and study time. Now between the two genders who do you think graded out higher? Well if you guess women you would be right. But who is supposed to be leading the family spiritually? Yes, the answer to that question is the men. Now do you see the dilemma that we are facing as Christians in America? Because the men are so busy providing lifestyle for their families, they have very little meaningful Bible reading, study and prayer time. Is this what Paul meant in Philippians 2:12 when he says "work out your on salvation." Do you think he meant whenever you can squeeze God into your active lifestyle then read a couple of verses, pray a quick prayer say Amen and then go live your life?
Let me give you an illustration that is close to home for all of us. Phil Clark recently went through a painful process in regard to identity theft. Phil, do you remember the priority that this occupied in your life over the weeks to follow? How many phone calls, emails, travel miles and personal hours you spent to get this problem resolved in your life? I remember talking to you on the phone at one point and you said that it had basically consumed your whole week. Now just move that illustration from what happened to Phil into the lives of most Christians that live in America. And what has happened to them is the precious theft of God Himself, and His word that has been stolen from them due to culture and desire for lifestyle. But unfortunately it doesn't keep us up at night, nor are we devoting our time, effort and energy toward being sure that it isn't stolen from us. We just gradually get into a casual, luke warm relationship with Christ. Guys if we really knew what was at stake here from the standpoint of eternity, then Phil's identity theft would look like a grain of sand compared to the Rockie Mountains. And Phil please know that I am in no way minimizing what happened to you in this particular situation. My point is that something much more important is at stake than our credit rating and it is our spiritual rating with King Jesus!
Will we be as diligent, serious, all consumed, passionate and intensely focused on His word and His will for our lives as we are other things? Is the Lord Jesus getting center stage in your life or is He pushed off to the side while you get on with the other important things in your life? Fellows please listen to me on this, Christ is not to be part of your life, He is your life!
Here are 5 questions to ask as you read and study the Bible in the working out of your salvation:
1. What is God saying to me? This is such a critical part of Bible meditation. As you prepare your heart by confessing any known sin and then ask God by His Spirit to guide and reveal truth to you, get into the habit of just listening. Do you remember the words of our Lord Jesus in Matthew 13:13 - "and while hearing they do not hear." Jesus was talking to those with hard hearts. Maybe it would be good to evaluate what you are hearing in your quiet time with Jesus. If you aren't hearing what He is saying then check your heart.
2. What am I saying to God? I find this to be especially helpful to me when I come across hard verses that command me to do things I don't want to do. Nancy and I got into an intense Christian discussion on Saturday night. Oh by the way, Christian discussion is code word for an argument or a fight but doesn't discussion sound so much better? Anyway, I did my usual move of defending and deflecting back onto Nancy that she was in fact the problem and not me. I threw a couple of hand grenades and shortly thereafter we brought out the scud missiles When we attended church together on Sunday the message was on "How do you handle your anger?" The text preached on was from Ephesians 4:26-27 "BE ANGRY, AND yet DO NOT SIN; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not give the devil an opportunity." Can you imagine what I said to God after the previous night with Nancy? Yes, Lord once again your word convicts me and I have gotten angry to the point where I did sin. Please forgive me and work in me to be the kind of husband that will love Nancy like you love me. Yes, God was talking clearly to me but it is important to examine what we are saying back to God.
3. What verses do I need to memorize or study in more detail?
I don't need to give more information about the importance of Bible memory. But let me make this one suggestion. When you come across a promise that speaks loudly to you then memorize it. For example Philippians 1:6 is a verse that we need to have in our memory quiver - "For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus." Isn't this a wonderful promise? What God demands from you He freely gives to you! For example He demands obedience, holiness and service from you but it is God Himself who is the One effecting all that in you. Actually this is a principle that we will study more next week when we come to Philippians 2:13.
4. What principles apply to my life right now? We are on a principle at the moment of working out our salvation. Therefore since this is a principle that applies to my life and the life of other Christians how is this happening. Guys this may be a good time to discuss how you are working out your salvation in terms of:
- Bible study
- Prayer
- Financial giving
- Serving consistent with your spiritual gift
Each of you have full time jobs that require much time and energy. So how are you able to devote yourselves to these critical principles of the Christian life?
5. What truths that we are studying on a weekly basis are you sharing with others in your sphere of influence? Guys you could take these five questions and sit down with your wives or email you kids and challenge them to take a serious look at their Christian lives.
During the week, who do you talk to, who do you share spiritual truth with, are you on the phone, emailing or doing so a breakfast, lunch or dinner? These are not truths that we are just trying to learn but in learning we want to live them out in a way that Christ is demonstrated as great. Guys you could spend months working on Philippians 2:12-13 with those in your family.
The bottom line of our study time this morning is this question:
Are you working out your own salvation?
Guys, please ask yourself this and search your heart for an honest answer and then do this go and ask your wives. This person closest to you will be the one who can tell you best as to how you are working out your salvation. Obviously each of us have blind spots but others around us can look at our lives objectively. After you ask your wife then go to your kids. I would like to be with you this morning to ask "how do you think they will respond" and then to be there to find out "how they actually do respond." But guys this is where the rubber meets the road in the Christian life.
I have a recent example of a couple that Nancy and I have known for years. They have been in church and if you talked to them about their Christian faith they would have all the right answers and Bible verses. But when you get behind the doors of the home you see something much different. There is anger, resentment, pride and ongoing sin issues to the point that I don't see a working out of salvation. If you think I am judging them understand the Lord Jesus Himself told us to be fruit inspectors. If the fruit is not good then this means that the tree is bad. Please don't forget the words of the Lord Jesus in Matthew 7:21-23
"Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter.
"Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?'
"And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.'
Do you need a greater motivation than the above verses to have you consider what Paul is saying in Philippians 2:12 and that is "work out your own salvation."
Blessings,
The book of Job
In my Bible reading plan for the year I have just completed the book of Job. For those of you who would like a quick overview of how to read this book I am including this audio clip by Dr. John Piper.
Sunday, June 1, 2008
Never, Never, Never Give Up!
"Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save!" (Isaiah 59:1)
"Let us learn never to despair of the salvation of anyone—as long as he lives. Fathers ought never to despair of prodigal sons. Mothers ought never to despair of self-willed, headstrong daughters. Husbands should never despair of wives, nor wives of husbands. There is nothing impossible with God. The arm of grace is very long, and can reach those who seem very far off. Let us pray on, and hope on, for others—however unlikely their salvation may appear to be at present. The Holy Spirit can change any heart! The blood of Christ can cleanse away any sin! We shall see many in heaven, whom we never expected to see there.Grimshaw, the famous pastor of Yorkshire, when he died, left his only son unconverted, careless, thoughtless, and indifferent to true religion. The day came when the young man’s heart was changed, and he walked in the steps of his holy father. And when he lay upon his deathbed, one of his last words was, "What will my old father say—when he sees me in heaven!" —J. C. Ryle (1816-1900)
"Let us learn never to despair of the salvation of anyone—as long as he lives. Fathers ought never to despair of prodigal sons. Mothers ought never to despair of self-willed, headstrong daughters. Husbands should never despair of wives, nor wives of husbands. There is nothing impossible with God. The arm of grace is very long, and can reach those who seem very far off. Let us pray on, and hope on, for others—however unlikely their salvation may appear to be at present. The Holy Spirit can change any heart! The blood of Christ can cleanse away any sin! We shall see many in heaven, whom we never expected to see there.Grimshaw, the famous pastor of Yorkshire, when he died, left his only son unconverted, careless, thoughtless, and indifferent to true religion. The day came when the young man’s heart was changed, and he walked in the steps of his holy father. And when he lay upon his deathbed, one of his last words was, "What will my old father say—when he sees me in heaven!" —J. C. Ryle (1816-1900)