Thursday, April 30, 2009

Waking Up To Tozer

"It is important that we trace our benefits back to their source and express our thanks to the One from whom all blessings flow, rather than merely to feel a vague stirring of gratefulness that results in nothing real. I once lived with a fine old couple, neither of whom was a Christian, and I was impressed with the profound sense of gratitude they felt for everything they possessed. When the winter winds moaned through the trees and made the old house tremble, the old man would smile and say, Ah! How good it is to have a warm place to sleep on a night like this. And the mother would often speak of her large family, now grown and scattered: How grateful I am that they are all healthy and all mentally sound. I am so thankful. Their gratitude was genuine. Of that there could be no trace of a doubt, but I often wondered who was the recipient of it. Whom were they thanking? They never said.

The irreligious world has its own way of reacting. When things break fortunately for a businessman, an athlete or a politician he will slap his hands together and shout, Great! Wonderful! He is thanking someone; but whom?

It could be that the old couple of whom I speak were actually meaning to express their thankfulness to God, and that the modern man who shouts his pleasure at his lot in life secretly feels his indebtedness to God; the trouble is that they were and are ashamed to direct their gratitude pointedly to One with whom they are not acquainted. They flee like Adam and hide among the trees of the garden rather than face up to the God they know they have offended. Fear of being thought queer sometimes leads people to express religious ideas in generalities instead of in concrete terms."

"speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father;" ~ Ephesians 5.19-20

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

I Love My Wife!

To all of you (family, friends, former church members) who keep up with this blog.....I wanted to say something. I Love My Wife!

I know that I can't say it enough, but God really did bless me with a Christ-centered woman.

There were many things in the early days of our marriage that I didn't know about her and that I could only learn them by being married to her, for almost 11 years now. And I'm sure there will be more to love and appreciate as God would be pleased to give us a lifetime together. But I love my wife...

I love, her love for God. I cannot get over how much Christ has captured her heart. She is in a constant season of relating everything in life to Christ. I literally mean everything. She is so consumed with looking at creation, history, culture, and even math that is centered somehow around Christ. Christ has done and continues to do a wonderful work of grace in her life, by keeping her tethered to Him. She loves Jesus!

I love her mind. She is a humble, but brilliant thinker when it comes to the scriptures. This is actually what drew me to her when we first met. I had met men who were well learned in the scriptures, but for some reason the list of ladies was lacking. So when God sent Stephanie my way, I immediately recognized her love for God's Word and biblical theology. God constantly uses her to sharpen me and keep my walk with God fresh! She loves to study the Bible in order to know God better. She is always eager to talk with someone about the Doctrines of the faith (and for some reason, this always takes place at Wal-Mart). She is eager for sound doctrine and loves a good conversation with people who may be lacking in their understanding of biblical theology. She has a good passion for people to understand the true Gospel. She loves the Bible!

I love the way she loves our children. Now I know moms love their children, but mainly I'm talking about 'the way' she loves our children. I have never seen a person who loves her children the way Stephanie loves our kids. She is constantly talking about God, the Bible, Sin, and the Cross with them. She is so affectionate with them. It's impossible to count the hugs and kisses every day or even in an hour for that matter that she gives out....and we have 5 kids so she's given out a bunch! But it shows in the way that our children love her back. Her heart is definitely towards our children and our children's hearts are definitely towards her. She is cultivating a safe haven for our children that is centered around Christ and is driven by expressing and displaying love to each other. She loves our children!

I love, her love for the people in our church. She has been through a lot in her short time in ministry, as a minister's wife. But God has really done a beautiful work of grace and forgiveness in her life toward others. And because of this work of God, she is able to love the folks at NLC with a genuine Godward love. She longs for this church to be a body where we are consumed with the love of Christ and prays to that end for each of us. She longs to see people come to saving faith in Christ through this ministry. She loves to share the gospel and engage people with the love and mercy of God. She loves to see the children laughing and playing together at church or Life Group. She longs for the day when God will do a sweet work of salvation in each of their lives. She loves New Life Church!

I love the way she loves me. I guess this is a bit narcissistic of me, but I'm thankful to God for all that He has made her to be, for me! She is truly my helpmate. She makes me a better pastor. She gives good counsel when I need it and she makes sure that I'm laboring hard for Christ and His Church. When I think that I've failed miserably or messed up royally, God uses her to bring me so much encouragement and peace during the stormy times. She is definitely a means of God's grace to me.

And because of her love for the scriptures, I can lean to her at times for insight on a certain verse or passage of scripture as I prep for sermons. She is truly ready in season and out of season to give an account for the hope that is in her. She loves her husband!

I love my wife!

And I am so thankful to God that He put her in my life!

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Al Mohler On The 'Swine Flu'

I listened to Al Mohler's radio program today and a large part of his show focused in on the current 'swine flu' that has been causing rapid global attention. Some quick facts:

There have been cases reported in Russia, Europe, Mexico and U.S.

There is currently 159 deaths related to the swine flu in Mexico. The Average age is 14.

There is reported about 113 cases of the swine flu world-wide (outside of Mexico).

In the U.S. there have been 64 cases reported.

How many people die from influenza a year in the U.S.? There are 36,000 deaths directly related to influenza, but mostly among the older generation. So to have the average age in Mexico be around 14 may be somewhat alarming.

The reason why I think Al Mohler is really bringing this to the forefront now is not because he is attempting to scare people crazy. He wants Christians to prepare themselves on how they are going to respond if this gets any larger or if it 'hits home'.

So, what do you do if this becomes an epidemic or worse a pandemic? Do you stay home? Do you cut off everyone? Do you begin to look at family, friends, neighbors, as potential threats? What do you say tomorrow when your neighbor asks you, 'what do you think about this 'swine flu'? What do you say when your kids ask you about it? Relatives?

We have been somewhat protected in America with our technology and modern medicine. But this is not something that is new to the church, the body of Christ. The church throughout the ages have long been engaged with such trials. All kinds of viruses, plagues, and epidemics.

Martin Luther said, that if one would leave his neighbors in a time of of their illness, simply because of fear of contagion, then you would leave Christ or His mother laid low by illness....he went on to say that everybody that would be glad to be of service and help for Christ or to his mother and yet they would leave their neighbor....he said, that if you do not wish to care, to serve your neighbor, you can be sure that if Christ lay there instead you would not do so either and you would let him die there. Those are nothing but illusions on your part which puff you up with vain pride, namely, that you would really serve Christ if He were there in person. Those are nothing but lies. Whoever wants to serve Christ in person would surely serve his neighbor as well.

So one of the big questions and issues back in the plague era was, does a priest stay with the community? Does a pastor stay with his church in a time of great trial? Do you go in to minister to someone and care for their soul, if you know that you're likely to get the disease?

Why 33 Years?

I just finished reading R.C. Sproul's book The Truth Of The Cross and there's no doubt that there is a plethora of topics/statements that I could quote or discuss, but I would like to highlight just one that really reminded me of the gloriousness of the incarnation of Christ.

Have you ever thought, 'why did Jesus have to live 33 years on earth? Could He have not just come at age 33 and at once be taken to be crucified? What is so significant about Jesus living 33 years in this world, instead of making His atoning work and instant act upon His 'arrival' to this world? Sproul gives an excellent answer to those that would ever have such a thought...

"We must see that the righteousness of Christ that is transferred to us is the righteousness He achieved by living under the Law for thirty-three years without
once sinning. Jesus had to live a life of obedience before His death could mean anything. He had to acquire, if you will, merit at the bar of justice. Without His life of sinless obedience, Jesus' atonement would have had no value at all. We need to see the crucial significance of this truth; we need to see that not only did Jesus die for us, He lived for us."

Aren't you absolutely humbled at what Jesus Christ has achieved and accomplished for Christians? How can we ever, even for a moment, think that we can grow and sort of get passed the gospel? Listen, He didn't just die for your sins, so that you could escape eternity in Hell. He lived a life of perfect righteousness for you, so that you could enter eternity in Heaven. And this is possible because you are now justified for His righteousness has been transferred to you. Wow!

So the next time you are asked, 'what did Jesus do for you?' Make sure you give the full accomplishment....He died for me and He lived for me. He both pardoned my sin and gave me His righteousness, therefore I'm justified!

"But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life." ~ Romans 5.8-10

Good Thinking Often Requires Making Good Distinctions

Justin Taylor writes in a review on The Love of Wisdom: A Christian Introduction to Philosophy by Spiegal and Cowan.

"Do you believe in civil disobedience--and if so, under what circumstances?

Spiegel and Cowan first provide a general definition: "Civil disobedience is generally defined as conscientious, public, and nonviolent resistance to unjust public laws or policies." Fair enough. But "unjust" in what sense? This is where some helpful distinctions can come into play:

First, some legal systems are unjust because they require evil. . .

Second, some legal systems are unjust because they promote evil. . .

Third, a legal system may be unjust because it permits evil. . .

Finally, a legal system may be unjust because it prohibits good acts. . .

In other words, someone might ask you if you believe in "civil disobedience," but it helps to know what form of injustice requires disobedience--is it when the government prescribes evil, promotes evil, permits evil, or prohibits the good?

Cowan and Spiegel then point out that "for Christians, only one category is noncontroversial: disobeying laws of the first variety where evil actions are mandated." But this then raises another distinction:

Passive civil disobedience involves a refusal to do what the law requires.

Active civil disobedience involves doing what the law prohibits.

So the point of this post is not necessarily "civil disobedience," but rather the importance of thinking carefully and distinguishing judiciously."

The reason why I post this is because it seems to me that this issue may become more of a reality in our lifetime (and no I'm not an alarmist), to which we must discern, between passive disobedience to evil mandated laws or a civil disobedience against laws that prohibit righteousness to God. The Apostles Peter and John say it well concerning the proclamation of the gospel...

"But Peter and John answered and said to them, 'Whether it is right in the sight of God to give heed to you rather than to God, you be the judge; for we cannot stop speaking what we have seen and heard." ~Acts 4.19-20

Monday, April 27, 2009

The Free Will Of The Wind

"The Wind has a will of His own.

We don't control the Wind of God's Spirit. He gives the new birth as he pleases. His will is decisive, not ours. For sure, our will moves when we receive the new birth—it moves toward the crucified Christ. But the decisive Mover is the Spirit. He gets the credit for our new birth.

The free will of the Wind is threatening to those who would be captain of their own souls. But to those who know they are desperate, dead in sin, and utterly unable to save themselves, this truth can be thrilling."

~David Mathis

(HT: Desiring God Blog)

The Saving Substitute

Sproul says, in Chapter five of The Truth of the Cross, that Jesus lived vicariously through us as a substitute, dieing in our place, for our sin.

"Jesus acts as the Substitute, taking our place at the bar of God's justice....which means that when He offered an atonement, it was not to satisfy God's justice for His own sins, but for the sins of others. He stepped into the role of the Substitute, representing His people. He didn't lay down His life for Himself; He laid it down for His sheep. He is our ultimate Substitute."

"A substitute has appeared in space and time, appointed by God Himself, to bear the weight and the burden of our transgressions, to make expiation for our guilt, and to propitiate the wrath of God on our behalf. This is the gospel. Therefore, if you take away the substitutionary atonement, you empty the cross of its meaning and drain all the significance out of the passion of our Lord Himself. If you do that, you take away Christianity itself."
All I can say is that the more I preach, the more I become enamored with the gospel. It simply cannot escape the sermon, no matter what I'm preaching. It all comes full circle to the atoning work of Christ for my life. The gospel is not getting old, it's becoming more and more alive to me than ever before!

I think that I'm more grateful and excited about the Gospel today, than the day I was saved (19 years ago). For those who have long since embraced the gospel as well, this is my hope in reminding you, to look to Christ evermore!

"Therefore, I will always be ready to remind you of these things, even though you already know them, and have been established in the truth which is present with you. I consider it right, as long as I am in this earthly dwelling, to stir you up by way of reminder"
~2 Peter 1.12-13

God, Even Our Own God

"It is strange how little use we make of the spiritual blessings which God gives us, but it is stranger still how little use we make of God Himself. Though He is "our own God," we apply ourselves but little to Him, and ask but little of Him.

How seldom do we ask counsel at the hands of the Lord! How often do we go about our business, without seeking His guidance! In our troubles how constantly do we strive to bear our burdens ourselves, instead of casting them upon the Lord, that He may sustain us!

It is our own fault if we make not free with the riches of our God.

Learn the divine skill of making God all things to thee. He can supply thee with all, or, better still, He can be to thee instead of all. Let me urge thee, then, to make use of thy God. Make use of Him in prayer. Go to Him often, because He is thy God. O, wilt thou fail to use so great a privilege?

Fly to Him, tell Him all thy wants. Use Him constantly by faith at all times."

-C.H. Spurgeon

The Size Of The Soul

"How utterly grateful we should be that when we sinned and fell away from grace in the beginning, God did not act like us. Our eternal hope lies in the fact that at that tragic hour God acted like Himself. His conduct sprang out of His own holy nature and led Him to send His only begotten Son to die for the very ones who had been guilty of such an awful affront to His Person. For this the redeemed shall sing forever, Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain (Revelation 5:12)."

-A.W. Tozer

What's The Bible's Purpose?

“The Bible’s purpose is not so much to show you how to live a good life. The Bible’s purpose is to show you how God’s grace breaks into your life against your will and saves you from the sin and brokenness otherwise you would never be able to overcome… religion is ‘if you obey, then you will be accepted’. But the Gospel is, ‘if you are absolutely accepted, and sure you’re accepted, only then will you ever begin to obey’. Those are two utterly different things. Every page of the Bible shows the difference.”

- Timothy Keller

(HT: Of First Importance)

Sunday, April 26, 2009

Take Heed How You Hear!

Years ago I read this list of 'practical preparations' for hearing God's Word on Sunday mornings by John Piper. Each individual who enters a sanctuary, in order to receive God's Word, should seriously consider this list below.

Just the other day Denny Burk posted this list on his site and it reminded me that NLC needs to consider this list as you prepare to listen to God's Word on Sunday mornings. You can read the brief commentary for each point here.

1. Pray that God would give you a good and honest heart.

2. Meditate on the Word of God.

3. Purify your mind by turning away from worldly entertainment.

4. Trust in the truth that you already have.

5. Rest long enough Saturday night to be alert and hopeful Sunday morning.

6. Forebear one another Sunday morning without grumbling and criticism.

7. Be meek and teachable when you come.

8. Be still as you enter the room and focus your mind’s attention and heart’s affection on God.

9. Think earnestly about what is sung and prayed and preached.

10. Desire the Truth of God’s Word more than you desire riches or food.

As you read through these I am hoping that you take them seriously enough to apply them. At least start with 2-3 of them this Sunday. Make it known to your family, if need be, that you are attempting to implement something 'new' in your Sunday morning worship preparation. Challenge one another to remain steadfast in your pursuit of God by making yourself ready for the reading of the scriptures, the singing of the scriptures, the preaching of the scriptures and most importantly the application of the scriptures.

Let us earnestly seek Christ together on Sunday mornings in this way. You may even have a couple of your own practices that you would like to share with us, please do so by leaving us a comment.

For this is the Lord's Day, let us rejoice and be glad in it!

(HT: Denny Burk)

Saturday, April 25, 2009

Spurgeon--Yet He Wants Books!

I read this entry from Justin Taylor's blog, which I'm sure will be posted on many a blogs real soon!

I'm praying for multiplied time...I'm praying for multiplied reading...and for multiplied discipline in order to read the multiplied books!
______________________________________

In Ligon Duncan's TGC address he assumed (as I would have) that most of the audience already knew Spurgeon's sermon on 2 Timothy 4:13 where Paul asks Timothy to bring him his books/parchments. But most had never heard of this sermon. Here's a section from it:



We do not know what the books were about, and we can only form some guess as to what the parchments were. Paul had a few books which were left, perhaps wrapped up in the cloak, and Timothy was to be careful to bring them. Even an apostle must read. . . . A man who comes up into the pulpit, professes to take his text on the spot, and talks any quantity of nonsense, is the idol of many. If he will speak without premeditation, or pretend to do so, and never produce what they call a dish of dead men's brains—oh! that is the preacher. How rebuked are they by the apostle!

He is inspired, and yet he wants books!

He has been preaching at least for thirty years, and yet he wants books!

He had seen the Lord, and yet he wants books!

He had had a wider experience than most men, and yet he wants books!

He had been caught up into the third heaven, and had heard things which it was unlawful for a men to utter, yet he wants books!

He had written the major part of the New Testament, and yet he wants books!

The apostle says to Timothy and so he says to every preacher, "Give thyself unto reading." The man who never reads will never be read; he who never quotes will never be quoted. He who will not use the thoughts of other men's brains, proves that he has no brains of his own.

Brethren, what is true of ministers is true of all our people. You need to read. Renounce as much as you will all light literature, but study as much as possible sound theological works, especially the Puritanical writers, and expositions of the Bible. We are quite persuaded that the very best way for you to be spending your leisure, is to be either reading or praying. You may get much instruction from books which afterwards you may use as a true weapon in your Lord and Master's service.

Paul cries, "Bring the books"—join in the cry.

(HT: Justin Taylor)

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Building With Gold, Silver And Precious Stones

I came across this article tonight that I thought went really well with the discussion in our Life Group time this evening. How will we build on the foundation of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 3.10-15)? This article addresses our responsibility as parents and I thought this would be encouraging to you as parents.

Practical Gospel Parenting

Christian parenting basically consists of two things: modeling and teaching the gospel. These two things, when combined together, are a powerful means of making our children “wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus” (2 Tim. 3:15). C.J. Mahaney first showed me this truth from these two sermons I would highly recommend.

So, what does practical gospel parenting look like in the Wolter home? Here’s a few things we do–keeping in mind we fail often! But, by the grace of God, we keep growing as parents.

Modeling — What are your children observing?

Seeing God in everything – we try to see God throughout the day and point our kids to Him (e.g. as we take a walk, we remind our children of God’s beautiful creation; as we watch a TV show or movie we try to talk about how it either supports or goes against a biblical worldview of life)

Praying at all times — we try to stop and pray throughout the day, thanking God and acknowledging our need for God (i.e. trying not to make prayer just a dinner table experience!)

Admitting our sins — many times I have messed up and needed to go and ask my girls to forgive me for my sin (this inevitably creates another opportunity for me to let them know how much “daddy” needs Jesus too)

Inviting others into our home — this has gotten somewhat more difficult with three kids, but Jaime and I want to model for our kids an atmosphere of love and openness to others


Teaching — What are your children learning?

To Begin the Day — I usually get up and get the girls breakfast (Jaime does so much, I try to serve her in this way — plus I’m a morning person and she’s not!). During breakfast, I read from a couple different devotional materials (Big Book of Questions and Answers by Sinclair Ferguson and A Faith to Grow On by John MacArthur) and we talk about them. It only takes about 5 minutes, but it’s one way I start the day teaching them about the gospel.

Sometimes at Supper – Although we’re less consistent with this routine, we’ve found that it’s fun to pray for someone (i.e. missionary friends we support) by having one of our kids take a picture off the fridge and pray for that person before we eat. After we eat, sometimes I’ll pull out My First Book of Questions by Carine MacKenzie and “quiz” the girls for fun.

To End the Day — Nearly every night we try to read from The Jesus Story Book Bible by Sally Lloyd Jones and pray with our girls. I also give them a blessing as I run my hand through their hair and smile over them. If I forget, they always remind me!

Listening to Music as we drive — Jaime likes to put in CD’s for the girls to listen to. Our girls really like Seeds!

Reading Good Books Together — There are so many books I could mention here. I’ll just mention two: Big Thoughts for Little Thinkers by Joey Allen, and The Priest With Dirty Clothes by R.C. Sproul.

These are some practical ideas we have tried to implement in modeling and teaching the gospel to our children. But above all, Jaime and I try to pray for our children on a daily basis. We know that God is the only one who can extend grace to our children to save them and sanctify them just as He has with us.

(HT: Life2gether)

Monday, April 20, 2009

Of The Imitation Of Christ

"If you wish to learn and appreciate something worth while, then love to be unknown and considered as nothing. Truly to know and despise self is the best and most perfect counsel. To think of oneself as nothing, and always to think well and highly of others is the best and most perfect wisdom. Wherefore, if you see another sin openly or commit a serious crime, do not consider yourself better, for you do not know how long you can remain in good estate. All men are frail, but you must admit that none is more frail than yourself."

--Thomas a 'Kempis---'Of The Imitation Of Christ'

Sunday, April 19, 2009

The Truth Of The Cross--R.C. Sproul

Last year I received a copy of R.C. Sproul's book The Truth of The Cross, along with another 15 or so books, at the Together for the Gospel Conference in Louisville, Kentucky. I started reading it a couple of days ago. I've always loved listening to Sproul as he teaches during his famous, chalk in hand, lectures.

This work is really rich with meaning and depth on the atoning work of Christ. One thing that really gripped me was his illustration on how far the ramifications of our sin reaches. Sproul says, "Sin is cosmic treason."

"We rarely take time to think through the ramifications of our sin. We fail to realize that in even the slightest sins we commit, such as little white lies and other peccadilloes, we are violating the law of the Creator of the universe. In the smallest sin we defy God's right to rule and to reign over His creation. Instead, we seek to usurp for ourselves the authority and the power that belong properly to God. Even the slightest sin does violence to His holiness, to His glory, and to His righteousness. Every sin, no matter how seemingly insignificant, is truly an act of treason against the cosmic King."

I'm grieved to admit this, but I often find myself rather quickly responding to such a statement saying, "amen". I've recently come to do some soul searching, examining or just a plain spiritual heart check on my life when I hear such a statement, rather than just shout a quick 'amen'. I believe it to be a better practice by meditating on the significant reach for my sin and to quickly go to the cross where it has been paid in full, because it no longer condemns me, but has already been condemned in the cross of Christ.

This kind of practice is something that I have to coach myself to do. It doesn't come natural for me. What seems to come more natural to me is a quick 'amen' response, because I wholeheartedly embrace such a theological claim. But meditation on this doctrinal truth, I believe, is a much better practice that produces a response that ushers a much more resolved 'hallelujah amen' for the atoning work of Christ on my life!

Shielded By Jesus Christ

“God’s wrath is his righteousness reacting against unrighteousness; it shows itself in retributive justice. But Jesus Christ has shielded us from the nightmare of retributive justice by becoming our representative substitute, in obedience to His Father’s will, and receiving the wages of our sin in our place.”

- J.I. Packer, In My Place Condemned He Stood

HT: Of First Importance

Saturday, April 18, 2009

Sermon Prep

I used to hear from my other pastor friends that their sermon prep was always a sweet time of sanctification and drawing near to God. Since I often heard this, I've sort of been craving that while I was a staff pastor. Not that my own devotion and study times were not rich with sanctification and drawing near to God, but there did seem to be a much more significant depth where God was taking my 'brother pastors' during their sermon prep time.

As a new pastor, I'm going on my second week of sermon prep and I'm definitely feeling the gravity of preaching God's Word to a congregation that is consistently watching and observing my life. At least I hope they are watching. I do want to be someone that they can imitate in their faith b/c I'm imitating Christ (1 Corinthians 11.1).

But I was in my sermon prep this evening closing out on 1 Cor.
3.10-17
, when I was laboring over verses 14 & 15....

"If any man's work which he has built upon it remains, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work is burned up, he shall suffer loss; but he himself shall be saved, yet so as through fire."

Now as a new pastor starting a new church, I've been quick to think that my building/laboring on the foundation of Christ has been, well, with 'good materials'. But tonight it was as if God just really dropped the significance of this ministry on my heart once again. Driving me to evaluate my own motives and service. He was causing me to evaluate my own efforts with my wife and children in order to make sure that I'm building a solid structure in their lives upon the foundation of Christ with the Word of Christ.

I absolutely desire to build beautiful structures for God. Ones that will not burn up when the testing of fire comes, but will stand strong and secure, because their foundation is on Christ and their structure has been built with the best of materials such as the biblical doctrine of the Trinity, the doctrines of Grace, the doctrine of Christ's Church, the doctrine of the second coming of Christ, etc. I must evaluate myself constantly in these areas b/c...

"It is easy to fool ourselves into thinking that anything we do in the Lord's name is in His service, just as long as we are sincere, hardworking, and well meaning. But what looks to us like gold may turn out to be straw, because we have not judged our materials by the standards of God's Word--pure motives, holy conduct, and selfless service." John MacArthur

So let us not be deceived, but to build well with the best of materials from God's Word, building as a master builder would on Jesus Christ!

Thursday, April 16, 2009

Six Biblical Guidlines For Loving Each Other Amid Differences

I ran across this list of Guidelines from Piper via Justin Taylor. Everyone at NLC needs to work these into their relationships in our church, especially since we are transitioning from learning about NLC to actually implementing the strategies of our ministries. Even though this was directed to the staff at Bethlehem, nevertheless it is very applicable to our core group of members at NLC. Let's embrace these and let's practice these for the health of our church and our testimony before God and Eads!

"Some excellent counsel from Piper to the pastoral staff at Bethlehem.

1. Let’s avoid gossiping.

2. Let’s identify evidences of grace in each other and speak them to each other and about each other.

3. Let’s speak criticism directly to each other if we feel the need to speak to others about it.

4. Let’s look for, and assume, the best motive in the other’s viewpoint, especially when we disagree.

5. Let's think often of the magnificent things we hold in common.

6. Let’s be more amazed that we are forgiven than that we are right. And in that way, let’s shape our relationships by the gospel.

Read the whole thing for biblical support and explanation."

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Jesus Wants The Rose

DevotionalChristian.com

I found this fairly new site today and thought you might like to check it out. It is filled with just about every significant devotional out there.

Check it out for yourself and tell me what you think.

DevotionalChristian.com

If The World Were A Village Of 100 People

"Sometimes I need to get out of the little bubble of my life and remember the reality of the big world I live in. Statistics like these from Family Care Foundation help to do just that:

If we could reduce the world’s population to a village of precisely 100 people, with all existing human ratios remaining the same, the demographics would look something like this:

The village would have 60 Asians, 14 Africans, 12 Europeans, 8 Latin Americans, 5 from the USA and Canada, and 1 from the South Pacific

- 51 would be male, 49 would be female
- 82 would be non-white; 18 white
- 67 would be non-Christian; 33 would be Christian
- 80 would live in substandard housing
- 67 would be unable to read
- 50 would be malnourished and 1 dying of starvation
- 33 would be without access to a safe water supply
- 39 would lack access to improved sanitation
- 24 would not have any electricity
- 7 people would have access to the Internet
- 1 would have a college education
- 1 would have HIV
- 2 would be near birth; 1 near death
- 5 would control 32% of the world’s wealth; all 5 are US citizens
- 33 would be receiving/living on only 3% of the income of the village

HT: Life2gether

Monday, April 13, 2009

Living In A Community Of Faith

"Have you ever wondered why some Christians grow and some don’t? Have you ever been discouraged or confused in your own relationship with God? Have you ever wondered if other people go through the things you go through as a Christian? Have you ever longed for someone who you could share your personal struggles and questions of faith with? If someone asked you what the key to personal growth and change was what would you say it is? Could it be that you’re a Christian but you’re missing an essential piece of the life God called you to.

Real satisfaction of heart, real growth and change, real effectiveness and purpose is possible! When most Christians think about growing in their faith, they sometimes leave out one of the most important means that God has provided; our friendships! God unites us to Christ but also places us within a community of faith where we influence one another in profound ways.

~ Paul Tripp

HT: Life2gether

Sunday, April 12, 2009

We Don't Preach Ourselves, But Christ Jesus As Lord

The Implications Of This Must Not Be Evaded

"Has the word propitiation any place in your Christianity? In the faith of the New Testament it is central. The love of God 1 John 4:8-10, the taking of human form by the Son Heb. 2:17, the meaning of the cross Rom. 3:21-26, Christ's heavenly intercession 1 John 2:1-2, the way of salvation--all are to be explained in terms of it, as the passages quoted show, and any explanation from which the thought of propitiation is missing will be incomplete, and indeed actually misleading, by New Testament standards.

In saying this, we swim against the stream of much modern teaching and condemn at a stroke the views of a great number of distinguished church leaders today, but we cannot help that. Paul wrote, "Even if we or an angel from heaven"--let alone a minister, a bishop, college lecturer, university professor, or noted author--"should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned! ("accursed" KJV and RSV; "outcast" NEB; "damned" Phillips--Gal. 1:8). And a gospel without propitiation at its heart is another gospel than that which Paul preached. The implications of this must not be evaded."

~ J.I. Packer, from "The Heart of the Gospel" in Knowing God

HT: Between Two Worlds

Alive To God

“The atoning death of Christ, and that alone, has presented sinners as righteous in God’s sight; the Lord Jesus has paid the full penalty of their sins, and clothed them with His perfect righteousness before the judgment seat of God.

But Christ has done for Christians even far more than that. He has given to them not only a new and right relation to God, but a new life in God’s presence for evermore. He has saved them from the power as well as from the guilt of sin.

The New Testament does not end with the death of Christ; it does not end with the triumphant words of Jesus on the Cross, ‘It is finished.’ The death was followed by the resurrection, and the resurrection like the death was for our sakes.

Jesus rose from the dead into a new life of glory and power, and into that life He brings those for whom He died. The Christian, on the basis of Christ’s redeeming work, not only has died unto sin, but also lives unto God.”

—J. Gresham Machen, Christianity & Liberalism

HT: Of First Importance

Praise God!

We had our very first service today....on this Resurrection Sunday! I would like to first thank God for His faithfulness and kindness to us. We are definitely not entitled to serve and to have this kind of minitry.

This morning we were able to have a time of scripture reading, install our core group as members of New Life Church, a sermon over 2 Corinthians 4.1-6 (preaching Jesus Christ as Lord over NLC) and worship by observing the Lord's Supper. We had 39 in attendance this morning which was awesome.

God has been guiding our family to be a part of this new plant now for almost 2 years and we have been meeting with our core group for 8 months. We will now meet as a core group of members for 6-8 weeks on Sunday mornings and Wednesday nights and then make ourselves known to our community with intentional ways for honoring Christ and reaching out to the people in this area of Eads, Tn.

Please continue to pray for our Pastor's Council and our new church as we smooth out any rough edges that come up over the next couple of months.

Thank you to all of you who have been keeping our family and New Life Church before our Heavenly Father.

Praise God!
Pastor Keith

Friday, April 10, 2009

New Life Church -- Our First Sunday!

I would ask that you pray for our church. This Sunday, April 12th on Resurrection Sunday, will be our very first corporate worship time together. We are very excited about God establishing His church in Eads, TN.

My wife and I have been anticipating this day now, for about 2 years. It's been a long and fruitful process. God has blessed us with several families who love Jesus and love His Church. They are as committed to New Life Church as we are and that is truly a means of God's grace. We purposed in our hearts for this church to not be about Keith or Stephanie Blessing, but to be Christ's Church where we are His servants to His people (2 Corinthians 4.5).

Please pray that God will manifest His glory and wisdom (Ephesians 3.10) through New Life Church in Eads. Pray that the Holy Spirit will go before us and breathe new life into dead souls (Titus 3.5-6). Pray that the preaching of God's Word will bring about faith and repentance in people's lives (Romans 10.17). Pray that the banner of Christ's glory will always fly high at New Life Church and throughout Eads (1 Peter 4.11).

Thank you for your prayers!
Pastor Keith

Good Friday

"Christ saw us ruined by the fall, a world of poor, lost, ship-wrecked sinners. He saw and He pitied us; and in compliance with the everlasting counsels of the Eternal Trinity, He came down to the world, to suffer in our stead, and to save us.

He did not sit in heaven pitying us from a distance: He did not stand upon the shore and see the wreck, and behold poor drowning sinners struggling in vain to get to shore. He plunged into the waters Himself: He came off to the wreck and took part with us in our weakness and infirmity becoming a man to save our souls.

As man, He bore our sins and carried our transgressions; as man, He endured all that men can endure, and went through everything in man’s experience, sin only excepted; as man He lived; as man He went to the cross; as man He died. As man He shed His blood, in order that He might save us, poor shipwrecked sinners, and establish a communication between earth and heaven! As man He became a curse for us, in order that He might bridge the gulf, and make a way by which you and I might draw near to God with boldness, and have access to God without fear."

—J.C. Ryle, Old Paths

from: of first importance

Day 13 -- The Cross He Bore

Well today we end The Cross He Bore with the imagery of outer darkness. Leahy takes us once again to the cross where at this time the sun begins to loose it's brightness behind the dreadful clouds of the Father's wrath being poured out on His Son. It's at this time that the Redeemer is experiencing my hell and your hell if you've been redeemed by Him. So why the darkness of the clouds? Why the removing of the outer light?


"it mercifully concealed Christ when he experienced his darkest moment on the cross. No human eye must see him then. This darkness coincided with Christ's descent into hell. Now he felt the unmitigated wrath of a holy God against sin. That darkness was a symbol of God's wrath. Hendriksen says that God's wrath was 'burning itself out in the heart of Jesus', adding, 'Hell came to Calvary that day, and the Saviour descended into it and bore its horrors in our stead.' In that hour of blackness He had nothing, nothing but the guilt of sin of all those for whom He died."

No exaggeration here....this chapter caught me off guard. I know I read it a year ago, but this chapter slipped my memory. I mean, other than this book, I can't tell you the last time I heard a sermon or even a study for that matter dealing with the darkness of this moment. The details that Leahy brings forth in this chapter cut to the heart.

"A great deal has been revealed: substitution, conflict with the evil one, reconciliation and more--God's holiness, justice and love. But how much of any of these can the human mind grasp? Is not Calvary a place veiled in darkness, even as God himself dwells in thick darkness, a place so holy and so awful that the wisest thing to do is to remove one's shoes and bow in penitent, grateful silence?"

WOW! AMAZING!

I hope you all encountered the gospel over the last 13 days for the first time all over again. I hope that you will meditate on the Redeemer's sufferings. I hope that you will share with others about His sufferings for sinners. My great hope is that you love Jesus more now then you did 13 days ago and your affections for Him have increased greatly.

Thank you for taking this journey with me. I hope it is one that you will remember for ever, but that you will take once again next year at this time....passion week!

"He is the true light and those who follow him 'will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." ~ 1 Peter 2.9 & John 8.12

When I Survey The Wondrous Cross

Thursday, April 9, 2009

Day 12 -- The Cross He Bore

"And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left." ~ Luke 23.33

"It must be remembered, however, that he died as he had lived, in the midst of sinners. 'His position symbolically set forth the significance of His death."

One of the the highlights out of today's reading is when Leahy discusses how even though it is important for us to look to the actual physical suffering that Christ endured for His people, the single most important issue that we must dwell and meditate on is His spiritual suffering that He endured for us.

"the emphasis is not on the physical aspect of Christ's sufferings. Great as the physical agony of Christ undoubtedly was, it is unlikely that on the cross he suffered more in this sense than did those crucified with him. His physical agony was as nothing in comparison to his spiritual suffering. That is why the Gospels direct our attention to what the Lord endured as our sin-bearer."

Once again we are confronted with the providence and sovereignty of God in this moment. For it was between these two thieves that Christ knew that it was the Father's will to be there in their midst, hanging between Heaven and Earth.

So who really had the best angle on the cross? Who was it that should have clearly understood the significance of the Lamb of God being sacrificed as an atonement for sin? Would there be one that clearly should have looked to Christ in that moment, knowing that it should have been him hanging there?

"Barabbas had a wonderful angle on the cross; he could point to the middle cross and say, "There would I have been, if He had not been put in my place."

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Day 11 -- The Cross He Bore

"And they offered him wine mixed with myrrh; but he did not take it." ~ Mark 15.23

We're made aware in today's reading that there are two cups that have been offered to Christ. There is the one we have read and discussed already, God's cup. Now we learn of another cup, Satan's cup. One would bring the wrath of Almighty God striking Christ for the sin of His people. The other cup would bring ease from the burden of the first cup.

The Father's cup, full of wrath. Satan's cup, full of a mixed potion for diluting the Father's cup. Would Christ gladly drink from both cups? Would He sip away from Satan's cup to ease the pain and torment from the Father?

"Not only would the Saviour drink the cup of divine wrath, with its steadily increasing bitterness, but also, in terms of his suffering, he would drink no other cup, nor would he accept any admixture. He would drink the cup that the Father had given him unmixed. Not a solitary drop of any other potion must blend with that prepared by the Father. That cup must be kept pure. He must drink it as it was poured out by God. Only thus could he drink it to the glory of God and only thus could he drink it savingly for his people. God's cup of wrath is essentially unmixed, that is undiluted. Dilute the cup with a single extraneous drop and it is no longer the cup of God's wrath. For that matter, add one foreign ingredient to the cup of God's mercy and it ceases to be such. God's wrath and God's mercy alike are unmixed."

Day 10 -- The Cross He Bore

Due to sermon prep, I'm a day behind in my reading, but today I will catch up.

Today's reading takes us down the via dolorosa where Christ carries the weight of the cross on his back, down this street all the way through the gates to the outside of the city and onto the hill of Golgatha. It is at this place where He will be nailed to the cross and suffer the wrath of God for the sin of His people. Its shame and reproach He will bare.

"To be thus hanged on a tree was considered the greatest possible disgrace and the most shameful end for any man, being publicly proclaimed to be under God's curse."

He was driven outside the city, in the same manner as the Old Testament scapegoat was driven outside of the camp. Not only as a sacrifice, but also as a reminder of the removal of sin.

"So Christ in his own person and work actually offered himself as a sacrifice for the sins of his people, sins that the Father had laid on him, thereby removing them for ever out of sight, but the cost was incalculable, the burden crushing and the curse as bitter as hell."

So He was cast out onto unholy ground. He was cast out into the place that was considered to be the filth and scum of the earth. But it's here on this unholy ground that Christ would actually sanctify and consecrate His people. It's here on this unholy ground that He would make the holiest of all offerings. It is here where the greatest sacrifice was offered to God for the greatest of sinners--you and me!

"So Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through his own blood. Therefore let us go to him outside the camp, and bear the reproach for him."
~ Hebrews 13.12-13

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

More Full Of Grace Than I Of Sin

from Of First Importance

“Only by seeing our sin do we come to see the need for and wonder of grace. But exposing sin is not the same thing as unveiling and applying grace. We must be familiar with and exponents of its multifaceted power, and know how to apply it to a variety of spiritual conditions. Truth to tell, exposing sin is easier than applying grace; for, alas, we are more intimate with the former than we sometimes are with the latter. Therein lies our weakness.”

- Sinclair Ferguson, as quoted in an interview with CJ Mahaney

Monday, April 6, 2009

Day 9 -- The Cross He Bore

Today the physical abuse and scorn increases against Christ with one object that has transcended the last two thousand years.....the crown of thorns.

"Then came Jesus forth, wearing the crown of thorns." ~ John 19.5

By putting this 'crown of thorns' on Christ, it was an aggravated attempt to make Jesus look like a fool. It was an attempt for mockery. It was a complete effort to make the King of Kings look like nothing more than a stupid, crazed lunatic who would be here one day and gone tomorrow. He would become 'non-existent'.

So is there any deeper significance within the meaning of the crown of thorns, other than just an attempt at mockery? Is there a greater purpose that stands behind just a few thorns intertwined together to make Jesus look like a complete idiot?


"If we are to receive the crown of life, Christ must receive the crown of thorns. In the crown of his deity alone, Christ could only say to a dying thief, 'Be thou accursed'; but in the crown of thorns he can say, 'This day shalt thou be with me in Paradise.' In the crown of his deity alone, he can only say to a Magdalene or a publican, 'Depart from me'; but in the crown of thorns he can say, 'Go in peace, your sins are forgiven you.'"

"Behold the man", cried Pilate. To the natural eye all it would see is a bloodied, swollen faced, ripped apart human being, that was deserving of every bit of suffering for his arrogant blasphemies.

But with the eye of faith we:


"can see the wonder of God's grace in such circumstances. And lo, as we look, the shame is gone; it is lifted off Him.....His outflashing glory has scorched away every speck of disgrace, and tipped the crown of thorns with a hundred points of flaming brightness. The brow that once wore the cruel crown of thorns is now adorned with the diadem of the universe, for all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Christ."
With the eye of faith we don't glance and turn away, but we engage in 'beholding this man'! We long to behold the Christ! With every ounce of being within us we anticipate the day when we see our Christ face to face and then fall in worship before Him!

And with the eye and heart of faith we shout just as loud as the prophet John,

"Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!"
~ John 1.29

Sunday, April 5, 2009

Thank You Lord! Thank You Grace Church!

Our Church, New Life Church, is preparing to have our very first service this Sunday, Resurrection Sunday. One thing though....we don't have a single chair. I know it's not always a given, but we have been seeking Christ and praying for Him to provide us some chairs. Tonight I just received an email from Pastor Bryan Smith over at Grace Church and they are going to allow us to borrow some of their chairs they have in storage.

We are praising God tonight for using Grace Church to be a means of His grace to us!

Day 8 -- The Cross He Bore

I would like to highlight four quotes that righteously leave me speechless this evening...

"These religious leaders, gathered in fiendish glee around Christ....they spat in his face, a symbol of defiance among the Jews. They struck him repeatedly with their fists, among the Jews a token of utter contempt. His face was soon bruised and swollen by the rain of heavy blows. 'His appearance was so marred, beyond human semblance, and his form beyond that of the children of mankind' (Isaiah 52.14). This does not mean that he appears to be more disfigured than other men, but that his disfigurement was so great that he no longer appeared as a man."

"Now the bulls and lions and dogs mentioned in the twenty-second Psalm close in on him, snarling and snapping in uncontrolled fury. O my soul, what a sight is this! As with tear-dimmed eyes we look on this terrible scene--do we?--we behold with wordless wonder the matchless love and infinite condescension of the one who came to seek and to save the lost."

"Many hands were raised against him, both human and demonic, but Christ knew that there was one hand above all others that smote him. And as he bore our sins that hand did not spare him. 'It was the will of the LORD to bruise him; he has put him to grief...' (Isaiah53.10)."

"In every case He suffered for us, never for Himself'; and he adds, 'Not one throb of pain did He feel, not one pang of sorrow did He experience, not one sigh of anguish did He heave, not one tear of grief did He shed for Himself. If not one of His sufferings was personal, it follows that they were all substitutionary."

Walking With Christ To The Cross

Pastor Jordan Thomas over at Grace Church, here in Memphis, has posted on his blog an excellent guide of selected Scripture readings that reveal all the events of the passion week preceding Christ's crucifixion and resurrection.

Election And The Gospel

I read another great quote from one of my favorite blogs....Of First Importance!

“Let no one say . . . that the doctrine of election by the sovereign will and mercy of God, mysterious as it is, makes either evangelism or faith unnecessary. The opposite is the case. It is only because of God’s gracious will to save that evangelism has any hope of success and faith becomes possible. The preaching of the gospel is the very means that God has appointed by which he delivers from blindness and bondage those whom he chose in Christ before the foundation of the world, sets them free to believe in Jesus, and so causes his will to be done.”

- John R. W. Stott, The Message of Ephesians, 48.

Saturday, April 4, 2009

Day 7 -- The Cross He Bore

Today's chapter is pretty straight forward. Of all the chapters so far, the events in chapter seven were the most familiar to me. Nevertheless, the significance behind this event in chapter seven, of sentencing Christ to death, definitely heightens the emotions even more toward Christ.

"Then the high priest tore his robes, and said, 'He has uttered blasphemy. What further witnesses do we need? You have now heard his blasphemy. What is your judgment?' They answered, 'He deserves death.' ~ Matthew 26.65-66

"The Jews saw the Nazarene as an arrogant impostor, robbing God of his glory by claiming divine prerogatives and even going so far as to claim equality with God. They simply saw him as a self-confessed fraud and a dangerous upstart."

So naturally, to these 'law abiding leaders', He "deserves" death.

In John 18.14 Caiaphas proclaims to the people something absolutely remarkable....

"Now Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jews that it was expedient for one man to die on behalf of the people."

Fearing the response of the Romans, because of the popular following of Christ, Caiaphas made this statement without knowing that there was an incredible truth to its claim. The truth is, one Man must die on behalf of the people. But this is no prophet of God. This remarkable statement made by a despicable human being, actually spoke truth of the very act that was soon to take place.

"Ultimately two voices have spoken in that courtroom, the voice of God and the voice of Satan: both said, 'One for all.' But there is fundamental disagreement between them. God speaks in terms of redemptive substitution, substitutionary atonement; Caiaphas, who is Satan's tool as much as Judas, speaks in terms of elimination. God would have his Son die for his people so that they might live; Caiaphas would have Christ die in order to be rid of him..."

"Thus predestination and human responsibility meet as Christ is condemned."


"this Man, delivered up by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put Him to death." ~ Acts 2.23

From The Life2gether Blog

I read this article the other day on the Life2gether blog that joined Peter's question on forgiveness with parent's displaying the gospel by practicing confession and forgiveness with our spouses and children....good article! Can you remember how many times we are to forgive each other?
_________________________________

"I had the opportunity to preach at my church this past Sunday on the subject of forgiveness out of Matthew 18. In this passage Peter asks Jesus how often do I forgive my brother when he sins against me, and Jesus makes the shocking statement that there is no limits. Then Jesus shares a parable of an explanation of how this type of forgiveness is possible in the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant.

On reflecting on this passage as a parent, I am reminded of what so many authors say, that parenting is not only teaching our children the gospel but also demonstrating and modeling the gospel to our children. How often do we confess our sin to our children and ask for their forgiveness? How often do they see us repenting of sin to our spouse and in our prayers? How have they seen you forgive your spouse and others who have hurt you? These are all opportunities for us to demonstrate the gospel in front of our children.

I came across this video of the CBS morning show’s interview of the wife of Fred Winters which is a real life example of how growth in the gospel empowers us to forgive our enemies. Not only is this mom having impact on others, but her demonstrating forgiveness is impacting her two daughters also."

Day 6 -- The Cross He Bore

Caiaphas is getting more and more ticked off with Jesus. First he tried to muster up some big time liars to accuse Christ of things that were untrue. Now he's confronting Him, by just accusing Christ himself. Now that there is no one to bring accusations against Christ, Caiaphas is beginning to look more and more like the fool he is, so with his last straw, Caiaphas resorts to holding Christ under an oath (do you see anything wrong with that????) and says,

"And the high priest said to Him, 'I adjure You by the living God, that You tell us whether You are the Christ, the Son of God." ~ Matthew 26.63

And NOW Jesus breaks His silence and says,

"You have said it yourself; nevertheless I tell you, hereafter you shall see The Son Of Man sitting at the right hand of Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven." ~ Matthew 26.64

"He saw beyond the cross and the resurrection to his glorious return as judge and he saw his enthronement at God's right hand. Never had the members of the Sanhedrin heard a proclamation so majestic as that which fell on their ears when Christ declared his Messiahship and warned of his second advent. But unbelief and prejudice blinded them to the truth."

Friday, April 3, 2009

Praise God....Our First Baptisms!

Well this week has truly been an amazing week for Christ and His church--New Life Church. Of course Wednesday night we constituted as a church....Praise God! And tonight we had our very first baptismal service.

One of the couples in our church, Eric and Andrea Anderson, were baptized tonight at Mullins Station Baptist Church. Mullins Station is one of our sponsoring churches and Pastor John Allen was present to celebrate with our new little church tonight.

Both Eric and Andrea shared their testimonies of their conversion, their 'new life' in Christ and their desire to get their baptism on the right side of their conversion. It was a powerful picture of God's sovereign grace and seeing the gospel in full display tonight in this couple's life. It truly was a beautiful picture of seeing their union to Christ and their union to His Church through their public profession of faith in the waters of baptism!

Thank you God for blessing Your people tonight!

Praise God from Whom all blessings flow!

Day 5 -- The Cross He Bore

Day five discusses the silence of the lamb. The silence of the one who faced a religious court that was 'hell bent' on seeing Christ be put to death. The questions and the interrogations came, but the Redeemer remained silent. No defense or reason to the claims that were being falsely made against Him.

"What took place in the Sanhedrin that day was more a plot than a trial. The overwhelming majority of those present had but one aim, the death of Christ. To achieve this they trampled on justice and morality."
So why did the Redeemer remain silent when accusations came flying in from almost everywhere? I mean surely He could have just said the accusations were false or explain what He meant by some of His teachings on His death and resurrection.

"God does not unfold his mysteries to the wicked. The meaning will become apparent in due course. He will not cast his pearls before swine, rather he will leave it to his judges to execute their high office before God. In this he did justice to them and at the same time condemned them."
So we gaze upon the Redeemer standing before a corrupted court seeking to destroy the very One who created them. Seeking to put to death the One that voluntarily gave of Himself to be bound, captured and now put through a trial that is short of anything that is remotely just. So He stands in silence.

"Because of his sublime and sovereign silence, he has earned the right to speak eternally. His silence was an act of mighty obedience to his Father's will. Calvin says, 'He is now our advocate before God, always having His mouth open.'"
"My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous;" ~ 1 John 2.1

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

From The Truth Of The Cross -- R.C. Sproul

"The prevailing doctrine of justification today is not justification by faith alone. It's not even justification by good works or by a combination of faith and works. The prevailing notion of justification in Western culture today is 'justification by death'. It's assumed that all one has to do to be received into the everlasting arms of God--is to die."

This is our fight with the gospel.

I was talking with a good buddy of mine in Dallas this afternoon and he told me that he had lunch the other day with a gentleman (late 40's) who was not a Christian. He said that he tried to start a conversation with him centered around the gospel and he realized that this man had absolutely no idea about Christianity (that's not the surprise). My friend realized that this man was not even remotely concerned with asking questions regarding eternity or his soul for that matter. He said that the thought never really crossed his mind (ok, whatever....Ecclesiastes 3.11), and wasn't really interested in talking about it any further.

So this is really our fight with the gospel. This is our context that we find ourselves in each and every day that we walk into this world. I'm no 'culture expert' and I know the cool thing to do today is to study culture, but I think understanding the pervading culture is not so much understood based upon what area of the world you live in, as much as it is in your mind. The culture is mental.

"And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds," ~ Colossians 1.21
And everyone at one time or another has been hostile to the gospel and even blinded to the gospel for that matter, whether you live on the East Coast, West Coast or the Mid-South.

"in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving, that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God." ~ 2 Corinthians 4.4
So of course Sproul is right to conclude, in his observation, that people have come to resolve that eternity is rightfully theirs simply by dying. Because they have died, that gives them the right to enjoy Christ and all of heaven for eternity.

This is why we must engage people with the true gospel of Justification by faith alone. We are obviously aware that people do not have the answer, the truth. But they're not even asking any questions either.

"There is none who understands, There is none who seeks for God" ~ Romans 3.11
So let's engage people with the gospel questions. Let's engage them by asking them penetrating questions about God. About Scripture. About Sin. About Jesus! Let's at least make people think about these things concerning God, sin, justification and faith by asking them the questions that they themselves need to be asking.

"I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth." ~ 1 Corinthians 3.6

Praise God!

Tonight at our Core Group Meeting for New Life Church....we unanimously affirmed our church's constitution.

Praise God....He is faithful to build His church!

Day 4 -- The Cross He Bore

The scene is slowly changing. We have just spent precious time examining the intimate details of the submission of Christ, to His Father and His 'cup' of wrath, in Gethsemane. Now we are entering into the moment where Luke in His gospel says, "This is your hour and the power of darkness" (Luke 22.53). It is at this moment, a predetermined hour, that the enemy is given freedom and access to the Redeemer.

"Christ met his captors at the entrance of the garden. How easily he could have escaped arrest! But in the spirit of voluntary self-surrender he met his enemies."

Every single event, episode and detail throughout redemption history has brought us to this place, to this time and for this purpose--the gospel!

"The hour of Christ's arrest, trial and crucifixion was determined in the counsels of the Godhead from all eternity. Clearly, Christ saw his captivity in terms of God's sovereign schedule."

"But all this has taken place that the Scriptures of the prophets may be fulfilled." ~ Matthew 26.56

As Christ said, "the hour has come and now remains" we are seeing Christ being arrested, bound and taken into captivity from the very ones that He Himself may one day "set free" not from a civil prison, but from the prison of darkness and brought into His Kingdom of righteousness.

"Yet as he prayed in the very shadow of the cross, Christ saw his death as the means to true glory, and he saw his own glory closely connected with that of his Father. Indeed they merged into one. The garden was empty again, this lonely garden that time-wise is situated mid-way between Eden and a greater garden than Eden that is so beautifully described in Revelation 22, and where flows forever 'the river of the water of life'."