tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46453250436733397132024-03-13T12:35:50.507-07:00The Waypost 316Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16753768238164197231noreply@blogger.comBlogger227125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4645325043673339713.post-50858090957315898762015-11-28T14:29:00.002-08:002015-11-28T14:29:58.134-08:00Irreconcilable Differences<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<br />
A convicting gem from the wise pen of <a href="http://www.challies.com/articles/the-puritans-john-owen" target="_blank">John Owen</a> in <i><a href="http://www.the-highway.com/Glory_chapter3.html" target="_blank">The Glory of Christ</a></i>:<br />
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It is to be feared that there are some who profess religion with an appearance of strictness who never separate themselves from all other occasions to meditate on Christ and His glory. Yet, with a strange inconsistency of apprehensions, they will profess that they desire nothing more than to behold His glory in heaven forever. But it is evident, even in the light of reason, that these things are irreconcilable. <b><i>It is impossible that he who never meditates with delight on the glory of Christ here in this world, who labors not to behold it by faith as it is revealed in the Scripture, should ever have any real gracious desire to behold it in heaven.</i></b> They may love and desire the fruition of their own imaginations; they cannot do so of the glory of Christ of which they are ignorant and with which they are unacquainted. It is, therefore, to be lamented that men can find time for, and have inclinations to think and meditate on, other things, which are earthly and vain; but have neither heart, nor inclination, nor leisure to meditate on this glorious object. What is the faith and love which such men profess? How will they find themselves deceived in the issue!</blockquote>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16753768238164197231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4645325043673339713.post-38578993671845099422015-06-26T11:20:00.000-07:002015-06-26T11:20:00.981-07:00A Sad Day for Our Nation, and a Significant One for the Church<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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These are fast-changing times. While there are many who just a couple of decades ago predicted that we as a nation would arrive at this day, no one could have foreseen just how quickly the ground would change beneath our feet. And though this is a day to reflect and to mourn for where the sexual revolution has taken us, it is not a day to abandon hope in the Gospel and run for the hills. We are missionaries, after all - all of us who have been regenerated by the Holy Spirit. We have a Savior and Victor who has given us a holy mandate - "go", "preach", "baptize", teach". The hour has come for us to revisit the Cross, remind ourselves of the content of the faith once delivered to the saints, and be equipped to proclaim Good News while we give an answer to those who ask why we would hold to such a strange and otherworldly position that God defines marriage as only between and man and a woman.</div>
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Church of God, pick up the armor that has been set before you. The Lord draws near. We have a Redeemer and His return is imminent. We have a Gospel that must be preached. And we have a family, the body of Christ, which is the safe haven for receiving the refugees of the sexual revolution.<br />
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Onward, brothers and sisters.<br />
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<i>Here are some articles and resources that I encourage you to read and use:</i><br />
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<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><a href="http://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/explainer-what-you-should-know-about-the-supreme-court-same-sex-marriage-ruling" target="_blank">What You Should Know About The Supreme Court’s Same-Sex Marriage Ruling</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/trevinwax/2015/06/26/top-10-quotes-from-the-dissenting-justices-on-same-sex-marriage/#comments" target="_blank">Top 10 Quotes From The Dissenting Justices On Same-Sex Marriage</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/same-sex-marriage-and-the-future" target="_blank">Same-Sex Marriage And The Future</a></li>
<li><a href="https://vimeo.com/126182034" target="_blank">How to Survive a Moral Revolution</a></li>
</ul>
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Helpful resources at "<a href="http://erlc.com/equip/same-sex-marriage" target="_blank">Equip</a>"<br />
...and learn about and support <a href="http://www.thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/justintaylor/2015/06/26/the-first-amendment-defense-act-a-new-bill-before-congress/" target="_blank">this</a>!<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16753768238164197231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4645325043673339713.post-50659607527005904622015-05-29T09:24:00.000-07:002015-05-29T09:24:06.214-07:00Why should I bless God?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Vzr8LspYWIk/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Vzr8LspYWIk?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>I should bless God because He has richly blessed me. This is the logic of Psalm 103 and my heart's song this morning. The song here "Down at the Cross" has lifted my soul in recent days. I can't wait for our congregation to sing this too! Bless the Lord!<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #363030; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 17.2800006866455px; line-height: 22.4640007019043px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bless the Lord, O My Soul
Of David.
Bless the LORD, O my soul,
and all that is within me,
bless his holy name!
Bless the LORD, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits,
who forgives all your iniquity,
who heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the pit,
who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
who satisfies you with good
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
(Psalm 103:1-5 ESV)</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16753768238164197231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4645325043673339713.post-42643928794977043662015-05-28T09:46:00.000-07:002015-05-28T09:46:02.978-07:00Lord, Take Me Deeper...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I was blessed to read this prayer from T<a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Valley-Vision-Collection-Devotions/dp/0851512283" target="_blank">he Valley of Vision</a> and to pray it from my soul to God this morning. How this accords with the cries of so many psalms! Have you settled for where you are spiritually? Should we not long for more? Should we not desire a deeper experience of the Lord, of the grace of repentance, of the power of His purifying presence?<br />
<br />
<b>THE DEEPS</b><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Lord Jesus,<br />Give me a deeper repentance,<br /> a horror of sin;<br /> a dread of its approach;<br />Help me chastely flee it,<br /> and jealously to resolve that my heart shall be thine alone.<br />Give me a deeper trust,<br /> that I may lose myself to find myself in thee,<br /> the ground of my rest,<br /> the spring of my being.<br />Give me a deeper knowledge of thyself<br /> as Saviour, Master, Lord, and King.<br />Give me deeper power in private prayer,<br /> more sweetness in thy Word,<br /> more steadfast grip on its truth.<br />Give me deeper holiness in speech, though, action,<br /> and let me not seek moral virtue apart from thee.<br />Plough deep in me, great Lord, heavenly Husbandman,<br /> that my being may be a tilled field,<br /> the roots of grace spreading far and wife,<br /> until thou alone art seen in me,<br /> thy beauty golden like summer harvest,<br /> thy fruitfulness as autumn plenty.<br />I have no Master but thee,<br /> no law but thy will,<br /> no delight but thyself,<br /> no wealth but that though givest,<br /> no good but that though blesset,<br /> no peace but that though bestowest.<br />I am nothing but that though makest me,<br />I have nothing but that I receive from thee,<br />I can be nothing but that grace adorns me.<br />Quarry me deep, Dear Lord,<br /> and then fill me to overflowing with living water.</blockquote>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16753768238164197231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4645325043673339713.post-61861701008796235262015-05-27T09:00:00.001-07:002015-05-27T09:00:45.622-07:00A Blessing Before Battle<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="https://www.gci.org/files/Men_fighting2_0.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://www.gci.org/files/Men_fighting2_0.jpeg" /></a>The Bible is a book for warriors. Not only do we hear of the exploits of the warrior, but we find that God's chosen servants were often warriors. David was a warrior-king-poet who spilled blood on the battlefield. Many of the psalms which bear his name are framed in the language of war from the perspective of the battle-hardened warrior.<br />
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Psalm 20 also bears David's name, and it concerns battle. Yet this psalm is different in that it is a blessing that was most likely prayed and spoken over the troops before they marched out and met the enemy. Reading it today called up images in my mind of ancient warriors arrayed for battle, armor glistening in the morning light, swords and bows at the ready.<br />
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It is a reminder that the battle is the Lord's and that success in the fight, for them as it is for us, is dependent upon the Lord and the Lord alone. As you read it, think of the Lord praying this over you.<br /><br /><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1 May the Lord answer you in the day of trouble!<br /> May the name of the God of Jacob protect you!<br />2 May he send you help from the sanctuary<br /> and give you support from Zion!<br />3 May he remember all your offerings<br /> and regard with favor your burnt sacrifices!Selah<br /><br />4 May he grant you your heart's desire<br /> and fulfill all your plans!<br />5 May we shout for joy over your salvation,<br /> and in the name of our God set up our banners!<br /> May the Lord fulfill all your petitions!</span><br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />6 Now I know that the Lord saves his anointed;<br /> he will answer him from his holy heaven<br /> with the saving might of his right hand.<br />7 Some trust in chariots and some in horses,<br /> but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.<br />8 They collapse and fall,<br /> but we rise and stand upright.<br /><br />9 <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null"></a>O Lord, save the king!<br /> May he answer us when we call.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16753768238164197231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4645325043673339713.post-80103036475695949132015-05-12T12:57:00.000-07:002015-05-12T12:57:13.958-07:00My Interviews with Isaac Shaw<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cEB3p_dVJi8/VVJZjQYt66I/AAAAAAAAoDY/DjOG-ez1nYU/s1600/eabbd35d70bf597544b90d55cdf78bc6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="251" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cEB3p_dVJi8/VVJZjQYt66I/AAAAAAAAoDY/DjOG-ez1nYU/s400/eabbd35d70bf597544b90d55cdf78bc6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Isaac Shaw is a friend and a partner in ministry whom we have been supporting for the last eight years. I have enjoyed the incredible privilege and opportunity to visit north India and see the work which God is doing there to advance the Gospel. It is beyond remarkable. In the spirit of our partnership, I sat down with Isaac to record several conversations and then to make them available so folks here could begin to understand the hows and whys of this unique ministry. You will be challenged and encouraged as you listen in! For more info, visit delhibible.org or dbip.org.<br />
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<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">
<ol style="text-align: left;">
<li><a href="https://soundcloud.com/joshua-matteson-2/why-north-india" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Why North India?</a></li>
<li><a href="https://soundcloud.com/joshua-matteson-2/what-is-delhi-bible-institute" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">What is Delhi Bible Institute?</a></li>
<li><a href="https://soundcloud.com/joshua-matteson-2/how-can-churches-partner-with-dbi" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">How can churches partner with DBI?</a></li>
<li><a href="https://soundcloud.com/joshua-matteson-2/dbi-and-the-gospel-coalition" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">What is the connection between DBI and The Gospel Coalition?</a></li>
<li><a href="https://soundcloud.com/joshua-matteson-2/hinduism-101-for-evangelicals" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Hinduism 101 for Evangelicals</a></li>
</ol>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16753768238164197231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4645325043673339713.post-17533400872041181152014-05-14T10:01:00.001-07:002014-05-14T10:01:06.349-07:00John Wesley’s Example of Giving - Blog - Eternal Perspective Ministries<a href="http://www.epm.org/blog/2014/May/14/john-wesley-giving">John Wesley’s Example of Giving - Blog - Eternal Perspective Ministries</a>: <br /><br />
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<a href="https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/pengoopmcjnbflcjbmoeodbmoflcgjlk" style="font-size: 13px;">'via Blog this'</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16753768238164197231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4645325043673339713.post-78836251664271682952014-03-01T15:55:00.001-08:002014-03-01T15:55:37.710-08:00Free Narrated Version of Pilgrim’s Progress for Kids<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Check out this film version of <i>Dangerous Journey: The Story of Pilgrim’s Progress</i>, using the book’s artwork and a narration:<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16753768238164197231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4645325043673339713.post-26060883165109394382014-01-16T06:33:00.001-08:002014-01-16T06:33:53.904-08:00The Most Dangerous Places in the World to be a Christian<a href="http://www.radical.net/secretchurch/blog/?p=3452">Secret Church Blog » Blog Archive » New World Watch List</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16753768238164197231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4645325043673339713.post-11179630951999300732013-12-24T07:00:00.000-08:002013-12-24T07:00:03.936-08:00Hail Lord Jesus Christ!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://pastorchrisowens.files.wordpress.com/2013/12/nativity.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="356" src="http://pastorchrisowens.files.wordpress.com/2013/12/nativity.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>A Meditation on the Incarnation of Christ</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">by Thomas à Kempis (1380-1471)</span><br />
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Hail, Lord Jesus Christ, King of the holy angels,<br />
Whom all the powers<br />
of Heaven obey,<br />
Whom the cherubim and seraphim<br />
adore, praise, and bless for ever and ever.<br />
<br />
Hail, Lord Jesus Christ,<br />
True Messiah and Saint of Saints,<br />
sent from the citadel of the Father into this world,<br />
Whom all the holy ones from the beginning awaited,<br />
Whom the Patriarchs<br />
with great longing<br />
desired to behold,<br />
Whose coming the prophets<br />
with divers heraldings<br />
chanted.<br />
<br />
Hail, Lord Jesus Christ,<br />
Creator and Redeemer of the Human Race,<br />
Whom the apostles and evangelists<br />
preached to the world,<br />
and taught to be the true Son of God<br />
incarnate for us,<br />
slain and risen from the dead;<br />
and, resplendent with glorious signs and wonders,<br />
they planted the holy Church throughout the world.<br />
<br />
Hail, Lord Jesus Christ,<br />
Most Mighty Warrior,<br />
and Most Faithful Helper of the Saints,<br />
Whom the noble martyrs,<br />
despising the pleasures of this world,<br />
despising also the sufferings of their own body,<br />
have followed in the agony of the blessed Passion,<br />
and, for the witness of faith,<br />
with constancy have given themselves up to death.<br />
<br />
Hail, Lord Jesus Christ,<br />
Supreme Priest and True Pontiff,<br />
and Eternal Shepherd,<br />
Whom priests and Levites, doctors and confessors<br />
have glorified by their life, knowledge and virtues,<br />
Whom monks and hermits,<br />
going through a hard and straitened life,<br />
have loved with whole-souled devotedness.<br />
<br />
Hail, Lord Jesus Christ,<br />
Spouse of virgins,<br />
Comfort of Widows,<br />
Hope of Orphans,<br />
Refuge of the Destitute,<br />
Relief of the Sorrowful,<br />
Eternal Salvation of Believers,<br />
and Most Wide Gate to all them that come to Thee,<br />
Whom,<br />
with a special beauty of chastity,<br />
an innumerable band of virgins follow,<br />
bearing the spotless halo of their integrity.<br />
<br />
Hail, Lord Jesus Christ,<br />
Light of the World, Fount of Life,<br />
Paradise of the Soul,<br />
Joy of the Heart,<br />
Giver of Grace,<br />
Restorer of Innocence,<br />
in Whom are hidden<br />
all the treasures of the wisdom and knowledge of God,<br />
Whom to know is to live,<br />
Whom to serve is to reign,<br />
Whom once to have seen is to have learnt all things,<br />
on Whom the angels long to gaze,<br />
and are sated gazing with ever fresh desire.<br />
<br />
To Thee be praise,<br />
to Thee glory,<br />
to Thee giving of thanks,<br />
with the Father and the Holy Ghost<br />
for ever and ever.<br />
Amen.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16753768238164197231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4645325043673339713.post-47609336990238091132013-09-25T12:29:00.001-07:002013-09-25T12:29:27.064-07:00Our Glorious Shout of Triumph - Justification by Faith"<i>Just, and the justifier of him which believeth</i>."—Romans 3:26.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xnoqW3i2SaE/TekNwWMuLqI/AAAAAAAAAH8/3bLI4O3ijTo/s1600/imputation.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="249" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xnoqW3i2SaE/TekNwWMuLqI/AAAAAAAAAH8/3bLI4O3ijTo/s320/imputation.gif" width="320" /></a></div>BEING justified by faith, we have peace with God. Conscience accuses no longer. Judgment now decides for the sinner instead of against him. Memory looks back upon past sins, with deep sorrow for the sin, but yet with no dread of any penalty to come; for Christ has paid the debt of His people to the last jot and tittle, and received the divine receipt; and unless God can be so unjust as to demand double payment for one debt, no soul for whom Jesus died as a substitute can ever be cast into hell. It seems to be one of the very principles of our enlightened nature to believe that God is just; we feel that it must be so, and this gives us our terror at first; but is it not marvellous that this very same belief that God is just, becomes afterwards the pillar of our confidence and peace! If God be just, I, a sinner, alone and without a substitute, must be punished; but Jesus stands in my stead and is punished for me; and now, if God be just, I, a sinner, standing in Christ, can never be punished. God must change His nature before one soul, for whom Jesus was a substitute, can ever by any possibility suffer the lash of the law. Therefore, Jesus having taken the place of the believer—having rendered a full equivalent to divine wrath for all that His people ought to have suffered as the result of sin, the believer can shout with glorious triumph, "Who shall lay anything to the charge of God's elect?" Not God, for He hath justified; not Christ, for He hath died, "yea rather hath risen again." My hope lives not because I am not a sinner, but because I am a sinner for whom Christ died; my trust is not that I am holy, but that being unholy, He is my righteousness. My faith rests not upon what I am, or shall be, or feel, or know, but in what Christ is, in what He has done, and in what He is now doing for me. On the lion of justice the fair maid of hope rides like a queen.<br />
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<a href="http://www.spurgeon.org/morn_eve/this_morning.cgi">Meditation for This Morning by C. H. Spurgeon</a><br />
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<a href="https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/pengoopmcjnbflcjbmoeodbmoflcgjlk" style="font-size: 13px;">'via Blog this'</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16753768238164197231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4645325043673339713.post-24595399275084054302013-09-20T11:00:00.001-07:002013-09-20T11:00:37.898-07:00Have You Read the Most Revolutionary "Preface" Ever Written?<a href="http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/justintaylor/files/2010/10/Luther-posting-95-theses.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="209" src="http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/justintaylor/files/2010/10/Luther-posting-95-theses.jpg" width="320" /></a>I consider Luther's preface the most revolutionary "preface" ever written in the history of Christianity. It was a refreshing and thrilling joy to read again. I encourage you to read it: <a href="http://www.newreformationpress.com/blog/nrp-freebies/martin-luthers-preface-to-his-commentary-on-galatians/">Martin Luther’s Preface to His Commentary on Galatians</a><br />
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<a href="https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/pengoopmcjnbflcjbmoeodbmoflcgjlk" style="font-size: 13px;">'via Blog this'</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16753768238164197231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4645325043673339713.post-43507083521181266522013-09-17T09:55:00.000-07:002013-09-17T09:55:04.304-07:00Beware! Prosperity Gospel 101<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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This past Sunday, I spoke from Gal. 1:6-12 on the nature and danger of adjusted Gospels. I named a few of the current popular Prosperity Gospel teachers like TD Jakes, Joyce Meyer, and Joel Osteen. I did not name them in order to "bash" them or those who follow them. My genuine concern was to point out that what they are teaching is not the biblical Gospel "once for all delivered to the saints" (Jude 1:3). False teaching is dangerous and it is the responsibility of the shepherd to point out what it is and where it is coming from to the church (Matt. 7:15; cp. Act 20:28-30; 2 Pet. 2:1; 1 John 4:1). I had requests from a few folks after the service who shared the same concern and asked for more information. Watch the video I have posted here. John Piper does a great job explaining why this is dangerous teaching. Below are a few articles I would absolutely recommend in order to get a better understanding on what Prosperity Gospel is and what these teachers are teaching:<br />
<br />
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><a href="http://www.equip.org/perspectives/the-prosperity-gospel-can-we-have-whatever-we-say/">The
Prosperity Gospel: Can We Have Whatever We Say?</a> <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><a href="http://www.equip.org/articles/the-teachings-of-joyce-meyer/">The Teachings
of Joyce Meyer - Christian Research Institute</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><a href="http://wscal.edu/resource-center/resource/doesnt-god-want-us-to-be-happy">Doesn't
God Want Us to be Happy?</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><a href="http://wscal.edu/resource-center/resource/suffering-and-a-theology-of-glory">Suffering
and a Theology of Glory</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><a href="http://wscal.edu/resource-center/resource/what-ever-happened-to-sin">What
Ever Happened to Sin?</a> <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/pastor-rick-henderson/osteen-meyer-prosperity-gospel_b_3790384.html">The
False Promise of the Prosperity Gospel: Why I Called Out Joel Osteen and Joyce
Meyer</a><o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16753768238164197231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4645325043673339713.post-45957092530090921902013-09-13T06:00:00.000-07:002013-09-13T06:00:07.962-07:00Where is the Gospel in the Scripture?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i>Looking to find "the Gospel" in the Scripture? The following may help:</i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">A.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;"> </span></span></b><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Look at the Word “Gospel”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->1.<span style="font-size: 7pt;"> </span><!--[endif]-->The
<i>euangellion</i> of the Greek world was “a
technical term for ‘news of victory’. The messenger appears, raises his right
hand in greeting and calls out with a loud voice: “<span style="font-family: Bwgrkl; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Caire… nikwmen</span>”. By his appearance it is
already known that he brings good news. His face shines, his spear is decked
with laurel, his head is crowned, he swings a branch of palms, joy fills the
city.” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->2.<span style="font-size: 7pt;"> </span><!--[endif]-->Noun:
used 73x in the Greek NT (cf. Gal. 1:7); in every instance the meaning refers
to the finished work of Christ in redemption.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->3.<span style="font-size: 7pt;"> </span><!--[endif]-->Verb:
used 54x in the Greek NT (cf. Gal. 1:8); always in the sense of bringing or
proclaiming good news<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">B.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;"> </span></span></b><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Look in a Verse ("Nutshell" Form)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-list: l3 level3 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->1.<span style="font-size: 7pt;"> </span><!--[endif]-->In
a chapter: 1 Cor. 15<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-list: l3 level3 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->2.<span style="font-size: 7pt;"> </span><!--[endif]-->In
a verse: in similar fashion to Gal. 1:4-5, it is in “nutshell” form throughout
both the Old and New Testaments: <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l3 level4 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->a)<span style="font-size: 7pt;"> </span><!--[endif]-->Isa.
53: 5: <i>He was pierced for our
transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought
us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l3 level4 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->b)<span style="font-size: 7pt;"> </span><!--[endif]-->1
John 4: 10: <i>This is love: not that we
loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for
our sins.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">C.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;">
</span></span></b><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Look in a Book (like Romans)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-list: l2 level3 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->1.<span style="font-size: 7pt;"> </span><!--[endif]-->As
a whole: Paul’s presentation of a systematic theology of the Gospel. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-list: l2 level3 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->2.<span style="font-size: 7pt;"> </span><!--[endif]-->Divisions:
chapters 1-5 gospel salvation; 6-8 gospel sanctification; 9-11
gospel-implications for Jews and Greeks; 12-16 gospel-reality in community and
in the world<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">D.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;"> </span></span></b><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Look in All of Scripture!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->1.<span style="font-size: 7pt;"> </span><!--[endif]-->The
Heart of the Bible: Dave Harvey: “The Gospel is the heart of the Bible.
Everything in Scripture is either preparation for the Gospel, presentation of
the Gospel, or participation in the Gospel.” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-list: l1 level3 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->2.<span style="font-size: 7pt;"> </span><!--[endif]-->The
Purpose of Scripture: Mike Bullmore: “While Scripture itself is not the gospel,
all Scripture is related to the gospel, and the gospel is Scripture’s reason
for being. The gospel is the Bible’s main and unifying message.” (see Rom. 15:4;
cp. 1 Pet. 1:10-12; Gal. 3:21-26)<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16753768238164197231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4645325043673339713.post-4244327782793526742013-09-12T06:00:00.000-07:002013-09-12T06:00:10.845-07:00What happens when we move the Gospel from the center?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="http://static.flickr.com/87/263451305_f997b58b4d_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="162" src="http://static.flickr.com/87/263451305_f997b58b4d_b.jpg" width="200" /></a>What happens when we move the Gospel from the center? In 1996, D.A. Carson authored an insightful chapter entitled "The Biblical Gospel" in the book <i>For Such a Time as This: Perspectives on</i><br />
<i>Evangelicalism, Past, Present and Future</i>. I encourage you to read the chapter <a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/hdi7oyjcfektc37/1996_biblical_gospel.pdf" target="_blank">here</a>! In the chapter, he explains what the Gospel is and what threatens our championing of it in our day. He explains what happens when we fall prey to "displacing the primacy of the gospel":<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
A litany of devices designed to make us more spiritual or mature or productive or emotionally whole threatens to relegate the gospel to irrelevance, or at least to the realm of the boring and the primitive. The gospel may introduce you to the church, as it were, but from that point on assorted counseling techniques and therapy sessions will change your life and make you happy and fruitful. The gospel may help you make some sort of decision for God, but ‘rebirthing’ techniques—in which in silent meditation you imagine Jesus catching you as you are born from your mother’s womb, imagine him hugging you and holding you—will generate a wonderful cathartic experience that will make you feel whole again, especially if you have been abused in the past. The gospel may enable you to be right with God, but if you really want to pursue<br />
spirituality you must find a spiritual director, or practise asceticism, or discipline yourself with journalling, or spend two weeks in silence in a Trappist monastery...</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
This is a time for Christians to return to the basics, the comprehensive basics, and quietly affirm with Paul, ‘I am not ashamed of the gospel [p. 85] because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith”’ (Romans 1:16–17).</blockquote>
-- D. A. Carson. “The Biblical Gospel.” Pages 84-85 in <i>For Such a Time as This: Perspectives on</i><br />
<i>Evangelicalism, Past, Present and Future</i>. Edited by Steve Brady and Harold Rowdon.<br />
London: Evangelical Alliance, 1996.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16753768238164197231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4645325043673339713.post-32675321498308005492013-09-11T06:00:00.000-07:002013-09-11T06:00:07.020-07:00Why must Christians be continually educated in the Gospel? Part 3<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Today I conclude my series of posts from <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Grounded-Gospel-Building-Believers-Old-Fashioned/dp/080106838X" target="_blank">Grounded in the Gospel: Building Believers the Old-Fashioned Way</a></i> by J.I. Packer and Gary Parrett with Part 3, letters Q-Z [read <a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4645325043673339713#editor/target=post;postID=3724407059856123589;onPublishedMenu=allposts;onClosedMenu=allposts;postNum=2;src=postname" target="_blank">Part 1</a> and <a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4645325043673339713#editor/target=post;postID=8832025434046576915;onPublishedMenu=allposts;onClosedMenu=allposts;postNum=1;src=postname" target="_blank">Part 2</a>]:<br />
<div>
<br />
<b><i>Q— Quickening</i></b> Though by nature we were dead in our trespasses and sins and were objects of God’s wrath, God quickened us— made us alive with Christ— through his love and grace (Eph. 2: 1– 5). This God did, and still does, as we believe the Gospel, putting our faith in Jesus Christ. Lutheran theology especially emphasizes the notion that the Gospel is God’s quickening word, spoken to us in infinite mercy. We need to hear this word continually for our own sakes and to speak it faithfully to others.<br />
<b><i>R— Righteousness</i></b> In the Gospel “a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last” (Rom. 1: 17). Paul’s argument in the letter to the Romans is deep and complex, but we submit that the Gospel reveals God’s righteousness in at least these two ways. First, it is a declaration that God himself is just and righteous, for the Gospel teaches that in Christ our sins have been fully propitiated as a basis for his forgiving of us (Rom. 3: 24– 26; 1 John 1: 9; 2: 2). Then, second, through the Gospel God declares us righteous as we put our faith in Christ Jesus. Thus in the Gospel God demonstrates “his own justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus” (Rom. 3: 26). It is truly vital beyond words that we faithfully preach and teach this Gospel.<br />
<b><i>S— Salvation </i></b>Intricately related to the above is the whole wonder of salvation. Scripture is quite clear that the Gospel “is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes” (Rom. 1: 16). As we have already noted, this is not a truth pertaining only to evangelism. The Gospel saves those who believe, from first to last, through and through. It includes all the wondrous doctrines of our great salvation, including election, regeneration, justification, sanctification, glorification, and much more. For this reason alone, the Gospel must remain central in all the ministries of the church.<br />
<b><i>T— Theology </i></b>We saw above that both our doctrines and our manner of living must be in alignment with the Gospel. While errant theological thinking on a variety of issues can lead us to a twisted Gospel it is more to the present point to state that an errant Gospel can unleash a host of heresies. It is worth noting that Satan is a competent theologian with great skill in confusing and misleading with regard to God’s truth. We will explore this all further in the next chapter.<br />
<b><i>U— Unity </i></b>A clear Gospel focus in our preaching and teaching has the potential to contribute to the unity of the church. In the latter half of the twentieth century one frequently seen example of this was the evangelistic campaigns of Billy Graham, which typically featured the cooperation of a great diversity of congregations and denominations. At the beginning of this century new movements are afoot for the sake of the Gospel that aim to be both evangelical and ecumenical. We never seem to achieve perfect consensus here because we need to constantly wrestle with variant details of conviction and, of course, with all kinds of intellectual spin-offs of our fallenness. But magnifying the Gospel as our central point of reference can help us keep a variety of lesser concerns in proper perspective (Phil. 1: 18).<br />
<b><i>V— Vision</i></b> Keeping our minds focused on the Gospel can help us align our hearts to God’s own heart. We so easily fall into pettiness and needless division when we are not prizing the things God prizes. Jesus endured the cross and its shame because of the joy set before him (Heb. 12: 2), a joy which we take to refer to the fact that through suffering and death he would bring many children to glory (Heb. 2: 10– 18). Paul likewise endured all manner of things for the sake of the Gospel and in the furtherance of its saving ministry (1 Cor. 9: 23; Phil. 1: 12– 13; 2 Tim. 1: 11– 12). A clear vision of the goal imparts great fortitude in struggling toward it and great forbearance in the face of distractions from it.<br />
<b><i>W— Worship</i></b> We must continually teach and learn the Gospel because there is simply nothing else that evokes worship and adoration as the Gospel does. A quick survey of the hymnody of the church through the past twenty centuries makes this clear. The best hymns— ancient and contemporary— which have shown themselves to have staying power have always been Gospel-obsessed. God is glorified, Christ is exalted, and the cross and Christ’s atoning work are central. The same is true of the other key elements of Christian worship— our preaching, our confessions, our prayers, our sacraments. Take away the Gospel and Christian worship simply ceases. A sampling from the thousands of Gospel-centered hymns of the church will make the point:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Not the labor of my hands can fulfill Thy law’s demands;<br />Could my zeal no respite know, could my tears forever flow,<br />All for sin could not atone; Thou must save, and Thou alone.<br />Naked, come to Thee for dress; helpless, look to Thee for grace;<br />Foul, I to the fountain fly; wash me, Savior, or I die.<br />Nothing in my hand I bring, simply to Thy cross I cling;</span></blockquote>
Further comment, we think, is needless. The Gospel as sung in hymns like this moves us endlessly to wonder and adore.<br />
<br />
<b><i>X— Xenophilia </i></b>The actual Greek word we have in mind here is philoxenia, which literally means “love of strangers, foreigners, aliens.” Our coinage, if such it be, means exactly the same. 33 In our English New Testaments, philoxenia is rendered as “hospitality” (Rom. 12: 13; 1 Peter 4: 9) and “to show hospitality to strangers” (Heb. 13: 2). Such love of strangers is a required attribute of church leaders (1 Tim. 3: 2). In the final judgment Jesus will either commend or condemn based upon whether or not people have welcomed “the least of these” (and thus welcomed Christ himself; Matt. 25: 35, 43). Jesus is the great model for philoxenia, as is indicated in the Gospel narratives as well as in the whole wonder of his incarnation and passion. Indeed, we were not merely strangers to him; we were God’s enemies when he died for us (Rom. 5: 8). In declaring such love, the Gospel also calls us to imitate it (1 John 4: 10– 11).<br />
<br />
<b><i>Y— Yielding </i></b>The Gospel must be continually set forth before church members because it is in view of God’s mercy that we are provoked to yield our lives fully to God as living sacrifices (Rom. 6: 13; 12: 1). It is the kindness of God displayed in the Gospel that leads us to repentance (Rom. 2: 4) so that we no longer live for ourselves but for him who died for us and was raised again (2 Cor. 5: 15).<br />
<br />
<i><b>Z— Zeal </b></i>May God stir both our own hearts and the hearts of those we are called to serve with an authentic zeal for the Gospel, and for the Christ of the Gospel. We have seen how fully this marked Paul’s life. We could certainly say the same of Jesus, whose first public words were a call to repent and believe the Gospel (Mark 1: 15) and whose entire ministry was Gospel. All that Jesus said and did and was, in life and in death, was a display of God’s Good News for humanity. In all the ways we have addressed throughout this chapter and more, may we and our readers never be lacking in zeal but keep our spiritual fervor as we serve the Lord (Rom. 12: 11) in and through this glorious Gospel, the Good News of Christ.</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16753768238164197231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4645325043673339713.post-88320254340465769152013-09-10T06:00:00.000-07:002013-09-10T06:00:07.830-07:00Why must Christians be continually educated in the Gospel? Part 2<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I continue my series of posts from <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Grounded-Gospel-Building-Believers-Old-Fashioned/dp/080106838X" target="_blank">Grounded in the Gospel: Building Believers the Old-Fashioned Way</a></i> by J.I. Packer and Gary Parrett with Part 2, letters I-P [read <a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4645325043673339713#editor/target=post;postID=3724407059856123589;onPublishedMenu=allposts;onClosedMenu=allposts;postNum=2;src=postname" target="_blank">Part 1</a>]:<br />
<b><i><br /></i></b>
<b><i>I— Intimacy </i></b>Through the Gospel we are invited into a living relationship with the living God. In the love proclaimed at the heart of the Gospel God has adopted us into his family. “How great is the love the Father has lavished on us that we should be called the children of God, and that is what we are” (1 John 3: 1). The Holy Spirit empowers us to believe the Good News and is sent into our hearts, enabling us to cry, “Abba, Father” (Gal. 4: 6). Rehearsing the Gospel in our worship, teaching, preaching, fellowship, and service helps us to nurture and celebrate this unfathomably intimate relationship.<br />
<b><i>J— Jealousy</i></b> We learn and teach the Gospel because we are called to be jealous for those we serve. The apostle Paul declared to the Corinthian believers, “I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. I promised you to one husband, to Christ, so that I might present you as a pure virgin to him” (2 Cor. 11: 2). If we think jealousy is unbecoming in the apostle, we should remember that God himself is a jealous God (Exod. 20: 5). True love that is covenant based is properly jealous concerning the parties in that covenant. We must keep the true Gospel before the eyes of those whom we teach and serve so that they will avoid what Paul feared for the Corinthians— that is, that they should “be deceived by the serpent’s cunning” and “somehow be led astray from [a] sincere and pure devotion to Christ” (2 Cor. 11: 3). Deeper acquaintance with the true Gospel will help believers recognize and reject the preaching of “another Jesus” and “a different Gospel” (2 Cor. 11: 4).<br />
<b><i>K— Knowledge</i></b> We continually learn the Gospel, even as believers, because the Gospel is the revelation of the knowledge and wisdom of God. Though the message of Christ crucified seems foolish to many in this age, “to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ [is] the power of God and the wisdom of God” (1 Cor. 1: 23– 24). The Gospel is “a message of wisdom among the mature” (1 Cor. 2: 6), a message that is “God’s secret wisdom” that has been hidden for ages (1 Cor. 2: 7). But “God has revealed it to us by his Spirit” (1 Cor. 2: 10). “‘ Who has known the mind of the Lord that he would instruct him?’ But we have the mind of Christ” (1 Cor. 2: 16). Would we grow in the knowledge of God’s wisdom? Would we grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ? Then let us remain steadfast in the Gospel.<br />
<b><i>L— Love </i></b>The Gospel is the revelation of God’s abounding love: “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom. 5: 8). We do well to immerse ourselves and the saints we serve in that Good News. The sacrament of the Lord’s Supper, for example, is an ongoing, multisensory reminder of Christ crucified (1 Cor. 11: 26). God’s Gospel love also calls forth love as response. The Lord’s Supper both declares God’s love and demands that we love one another in turn (1 Cor. 11: 27). John, “the beloved apostle,” makes these truths very clear. “This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another” (1 John 4: 10– 11). And again he writes, “We love because he first loved us” (1 John 4: 19). Would we see love grow in the hearts of God’s people and reach to their neighbors— both saints and sinners? Then we must school them continuously in the Gospel of love.<br />
<b><i>M— Mission </i></b>And why must we continually learn and teach the Gospel? We do so that we may not lose sight of the great work that God is doing in our day. God is actively engaged in the wondrous work of reconciling all things to himself. It was for this that the Son of God came forth. “God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself” (2 Cor. 5: 19). And this work continues in and through us, the body of Christ, gathered and dispersed throughout the world today. The very work for which the Father sent the Son, the Son has now sent his church to continue (Matt. 28: 18– 20; John 20: 21). And he promises to be with us always. Being in his presence must be taken as seriously as doing the work of true mission, for mission can only have power and a cutting edge when Christ is indwelling us and we him.<br />
<b><i>N— Narrative</i></b> We must ever study the Gospel because it is the apex and summary of the great narrative of God’s redemptive activity in the world. As we saw in chapter 4, it is into this Story that we have been called. In an age when many deny the existence of a single metanarrative that applies to all persons it is more critical than ever that we know the biblical narrative and tell it faithfully to others, asking God to convince hearers as we do so that this is their Story as well.<br />
<b><i>O— Obedience </i></b>The Gospel calls forth obedience (Rom. 1: 5) in at least three ways. First, we must obey the Gospel by believing and receiving this Good News (John 6: 29). Second, the faith that saves works itself out in obedient living by God’s empowering grace (Phil. 2: 12– 13). Third, we are to obey Jesus’s command to bring this Gospel to the nations (Matt. 28: 18– 20). In our ministries of teaching and formation these calls to obey the Gospel must be clear and unequivocal.<br />
<b><i>P— Passion</i></b> Passion comes from the Latin <i>passio</i>, meaning “suffering.” We celebrate each year the passion of our Lord when we attend to the historic remembrance of Holy Week. Likewise, whenever we partake of the Lord’s Supper together we “proclaim the Lord’s death till he comes.” It is given to us not only to believe in Christ the Suffering Servant but also to suffer for him ourselves (Phil. 1: 29). Paul saw his own suffering for the Gospel and for the building up of the church as an active participation in the afflictions of Christ (Col. 1: 24; Phil. 3: 10– 11). We must be forthright in teaching our congregants, by word and by example, that this is part of our calling as well.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16753768238164197231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4645325043673339713.post-37244070598561235892013-09-09T06:00:00.000-07:002013-09-09T06:00:04.351-07:00Why must Christians continually be educated in the Gospel?, Part 1<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Luther wrote that the Gospel:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"is also the principal article of all Christian doctrine, wherein the knowledge of all godliness consisteth. Most necessary it is, therefore, that we should know this article well, teach it unto others, and beat it into their heads continually." - St. Paul’s Epistle to the Galatians (Smith, English & Co. 1860), p. 206.</blockquote>
But why do we need it "beat into" our heads continually? I came across this list in <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Grounded-Gospel-Building-Believers-Old-Fashioned/dp/080106838X" target="_blank">Grounded in the Gospel: Building Believers the Old-Fashioned Way</a></i> by J.I. Packer and Gary Parrett. They wanted to answer the question of why Christians need to be continually educated in the Gospel. They expressed their answer in a very creative and helpful way. For us as Christians, the Gospel isthe entire alphabet of the Christian life, the A to Z, rather than just the ABC's of the Christian life. Here is Part 1, or letters A-H:<br />
<br />
<b><i>A— Alignment</i></b> We must continually teach and learn the Gospel because it is to be the “plumb line” for our doctrine and our living. We are to measure all our teaching to ensure that it is in line with— that is, conformed to— the glorious Gospel of God (1 Tim. 1: 11). If our teaching about God, humanity, sin, salvation, the church, last things, and whatever other doctrines we may teach do not accord with the Gospel then they must be rejected. Likewise, our way of living must conform to the sound doctrines that flow from the Gospel. If, like Peter and Barnabas, we begin to act in ways that are “not in keeping with the truth of the Gospel” (Gal. 2: 14), may God raise up for us a Paul-like brother or sister to confront us and correct us.<br />
<b><i>B— Belief </i></b>We must continually teach and learn the Gospel because even Christians struggle to truly believe God’s Good News. The message of the cross is both countercultural and counterintuitive. To the world it is foolishness and weakness. To our flesh it is simply too good to be true. And Satan, the devil— that accuser of the brethren— continually speaks a contradictory word to our hearts. He accuses us before God as surely as he accused Joshua the high priest (Zech. 3: 1). Hearing all this we, with full knowledge of our failings, struggle to believe the truth of the Gospel. To believe it at an appropriately deep level, with an appropriate appreciation of all that it presupposes and implies, is a lifelong task. We must hear it again and again and ask God to seal its truth in our hearts. “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” (Mark 9: 24).<br />
<b><i>C— Contextualization</i></b> Paul was determined to “become all things to all people” for the sake of the Gospel (1 Cor. 9: 19– 23). He knew that the Gospel could and should take on different cultural forms in different cultural settings. Yet when we export the Gospel to others, we may be guilty of confusing it with our own cultural trappings. For example, we know that some missionaries have been guilty of imposing their Western cultural forms on those to whom they carried the Gospel. Though this error could be conscious and express cultural imperialism, it is more often unconscious and reflects a lack of discernment about which aspects of our own Christianity are truly Gospel-driven and transcultural, and which are culturally driven and therefore variable. To help us avoid such an error, it is critical that we continually study the heart of the Gospel so that we may better distinguish the treasure we bear from the jars of clay in which we bear it (2 Cor. 4: 7).<br />
<b><i>D— Depth </i></b>As we noted earlier, we do not move from the milk of the Gospel to the meat of something else, but from the milk of the Gospel to the meat of the Gospel. Even Paul, concluding his exposition of the Gospel and preparing to move on to its implications for life, closes his argument in awe and wonder: “Oh, the depths of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments and his paths beyond tracing out!” (Rom. 11: 33). The wonder of how deep and powerful the Gospel is— especially as it works its way into believing hearts— is well articulated in this Puritan prayer:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">BLESSED Lord JESUS,<br />No human mind could conceive or invent the Gospel.<br />Acting in eternal grace, thou art both its messenger and its message,<br /> lived out on earth through infinite compassion,<br /> applying thy life to insult, injury, death,<br /> that I might be redeemed, ransomed, freed.<br />Blessed be thou, O Father, for contriving this way,<br />Eternal thanks to thee, O Lamb of God, for opening this way,<br />Praise to thee, O Holy Spirit,<br /> for applying this way to my heart.<br />Glorious Trinity, impress the Gospel on my soul,<br /> until its virtue diffuses through every faculty;<br />Let it be heard, acknowledged, professed, felt. </span></blockquote>
<b><i>E— Evangelism </i></b>The Gospel is food for believers. But it is also the only saving medicine for those who have not yet believed. And we are compelled by the love of Christ to declare this Good News to all people. St. Francis of Assisi told his friars not to preach unless they had permission to do so. But, he added, “Let all the brothers, however, preach by their deeds.” Francis’s words have often been paraphrased along these lines: “Preach the Gospel always; use words when necessary.” The fact is that words are necessary, every time. We are always witnesses to the Gospel (Acts 1: 8) and, as witnesses, we shall be called upon to testify. When we are, we must be sure to get the message of the Gospel right for there are many counterfeit “Gospels” in the world.<br />
<b><i>F— Fidelity </i></b>Faithfulness to the true Gospel calls for ongoing study and obedience. It calls as well for watchfulness, lest false Gospels be introduced. The battle against counterfeit Gospels has always been part of church life. Even in the first century Paul battled against such, as did Peter and Jude and John. Like Paul we must be resolved that we will tolerate no other “Gospel,” even if it comes from a heavenly angel or springs from our own imperfectly sanctified hearts, and we should expect the same fidelity from those with whom and to whom we minister (Gal. 1: 6– 9). Only a constant learning and reviewing of the Gospel can ensure that we will be astute enough to separate the chaff from the wheat.<br />
<b><i>G— Grace </i></b>We need to continually learn and teach the Gospel because Gospel-centricity assures and propels us toward grace-centricity. When we swerve from the Gospel we lapse into either antinomianism30 or legalism. Neither can offer the true beauty or savor of Christ. To be in the presence of individuals or congregations who are not grace-centered is enervating and exasperating. Let us then learn and relearn the glorious Gospel that we may ever stand fast in the true grace of God (1 Peter 5: 12) and may indeed “grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forevermore. Amen” (2 Peter 3: 18).<br />
<b><i>H— Hope </i></b>We focus on the Gospel also because it is the source of our hope. In face of the brokenness that fills the world around us and rises up within our own hearts, what hope do we have? Apart from the Gospel we have none. But in the Gospel is a great and steadfast hope, and from this hope spring forth faith and love sufficient for each day (Col. 1: 5). Diminished “Gospels” may promote, on the one hand, easy believism or, on the other hand, may put the burden of salvation back on human shoulders rather than locating and leaving it in the hand of God. These deviations can offer no certain hope. The glorious Gospel is a blessed hope indeed (Titus 2: 13), an anchor for the soul (Heb. 6: 19). Christ in us is the hope of glory (Col. 1: 27). This is the hope held out in the Gospel (Col. 1: 23). With such a hope fixed within our hearts— based upon the certainty that God has made us his children and the confidence that we will be with Christ and like him forever— we long for and labor toward becoming more like him even now (1 John 3: 1– 3).<br />
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16753768238164197231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4645325043673339713.post-17072266785805769932013-09-06T08:55:00.000-07:002013-09-06T08:55:07.066-07:00Twenty-One Life-Altering Reasons Why the Gospel Changes Everything [from Gal. 1:1-5]<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: inherit;">Gal. 1:1 Paul, an apostle-- not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead-- 2 and all the brothers who are with me, To the churches of Galatia: 3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, 4 who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, 5 to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The following is a list gave in the opening sermon of a series through Galatians. The aim of this was to show that the Gospel-far wider and deeper than we often consider it is-is the central and most important of the Bible:<br />
<br />
<ol style="text-align: left;">
<li><i>Paul, an apostle-- not from men nor through man but through Jesus</i> The Gospel means that God has spoken. He has a message for us and has appointed messengers to deliver that message</li>
<li><i>Jesus Christ </i>The Gospel means that the OT finds its meaning and fulfillment in the NT. Jesus Christ is Israel’s Messiah thus fulfilling OT Scripture.</li>
<li><i>Jesus Christ and God the Father</i> The Gospel means that the triune God saves. God has fully revealed His true nature as a Triune being in and through the message of the Gospel.</li>
<li><i>who raised him from the dead </i>The Gospel means that Easter matters. The Resurrection has changed everything.</li>
<li><i>and all the brothers who are with me</i> The Gospel means that the Son has left behind a family.</li>
<li>To the churches of Galatia The Gospel means that churches are intentional creations and witnesses to the Gospel in the world.</li>
<li><i>Grace to you and peace from God </i>The Gospel means that we can know real grace and peace from God and we can share it with others.</li>
<li><i>Jesus Christ, who gave himself </i>The Gospel means that Christ willingly and voluntarily came.</li>
<li><i>Jesus Christ, who gave himself</i> The Gospel means that Christmas matters. Christ the God-Man was incarnated. Christ personally showed up.</li>
<li><i>for our sins</i> The Gospel means that on the cross God died for His enemies.</li>
<li><i>for our sins </i>The Gospel means that on the cross God died to satisfy the wrath of God against sin.</li>
<li><i>Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins </i>The Gospel means that Jesus is the second Adam and has established a new humanity.</li>
<li><i>to deliver us </i>The Gospel means that His death was purposeful and planned.</li>
<li><i>to deliver us</i> The Gospel means that our sin had doomed us all and we needed rescue. </li>
<li><i>to deliver us</i> The Gospel means that we could not save ourselves. What was needed to accomplish our salvation required no contribution on our part (monergistic not synergistic). </li>
<li><i>to deliver us from the present evil age </i>The Gospel means that God hasn’t changed the world yet, but that change coming.</li>
<li><i>to deliver us from the present evil age </i>The Gospel means that sanctification is the outcome of justification – not the other way around. In other words, He saved us in order to change us. Whereas religion demands you change yourself enough in order to be saved.</li>
<li><i>according to the will of our God</i> The Gospel means that God’s ultimate motivation is found in His will and desires – not ours.</li>
<li><i>our God and Father </i>The Gospel means that God desires a Fatherly relationship with those whom He has saved.</li>
<li><i>to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen</i>. The Gospel means that God saved us ultimately to further His own glory – not ours.</li>
<li><i>to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.</i> The Gospel means that worship is the natural and proper response to knowing and experiencing its truth.</li>
</ol>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16753768238164197231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4645325043673339713.post-27204737210445361332013-08-23T08:21:00.000-07:002013-08-23T08:21:12.630-07:00"Make Us Your Handiwork": A Prayer of Irenaeus<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<i>Irenaeus was a second century church leader who had been discipled by Polycarp. He lived in Gaul (modern day France) and served as the bishop of the prominent city of Lyons. Of his writing that survive, the most well-known is his Against Heresies which is aimed at defending the Christian faith from the Gnostic heresy. For the Eastern Orthodox Church, today, August 23 is a feast day commemorating Irenaeus' life and influence. The following is a prayer excerpted from that great work:</i></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
1<br />God, Our Maker,<br />we do not make you, but You make us.<br />Since we are your workmanship, we await your hand,<br />which creates everything in due time.<br />We offer to you our hearts<br />in a soft and tractable state,<br />and will preserve the forms<br />in which you, our Creator, have fashioned us,<br />keeping moisture in ourselves,<br />lest, by becoming hardened,<br />we lose the impressions of your fingers.<br />2<br />But by preserving this framework<br />we shall ascend to that which is perfect,<br />for the moist clay which is in us<br />is hidden there by your workmanship.<br />Your hand fashioned our substance;<br />You will cover us over within and without<br />with pure gold and silver,<br />and you will adorn us to such a degree,<br />that even you our King<br />will have pleasure in our beauty.<br />3<br />But if we, being obstinately hardened,<br />reject the operation of your skill,<br />and show ourselves ungrateful towards you,<br />we will at once lose both your workmanship and life.<br />For to create is an attribute of your goodness,<br />but to be created is an attribute of human nature.<br />If then, we will deliver up to you what is yours,<br />that is, faith towards you<br />and subjection,<br />we will receive your handiwork,<br />and shall be perfect works of yours.</blockquote>
<div style="text-align: right;">
from <i><a href="http://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/anf01.ix.i.html" target="_blank">Against Heresies</a> [c. 180]</i></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16753768238164197231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4645325043673339713.post-42395989313782334752013-07-31T09:08:00.001-07:002013-07-31T09:08:12.031-07:00God is the OceanH/T <a href="http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/gospeldrivenchurch/2013/07/31/the-fountain-the-ocean/" target="_blank">Jared Wilson</a>:<br />
<div style="background-color: white; color: #40464b; font-family: Georgia, 'Trebuchet MS', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 13px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br />
</div><blockquote class="tr_bq"><a href="http://khongthe.com/wallpapers/nature/the-beauty-of-ocean-55746.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://khongthe.com/wallpapers/nature/the-beauty-of-ocean-55746.jpg" width="320" /></a>“To go to heaven, fully to enjoy God, is <em style="margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">infinitely</em> better than the most pleasant accommodations here. Fathers and mothers, husbands, wives or children or the company of earthly friends are but shadows; but the enjoyment of God is the substance. These are but the scattered beams; but God is the sun. These are but the streams; but God is the fountain. These are but drops; but God is the ocean.”<br />
<strong style="margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">– Jonathan Edwards, <em style="margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">The Works of Jonathan Edwards</em>(Edinburgh, 1979), II:244.</strong></blockquote><br />
<a href="https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/pengoopmcjnbflcjbmoeodbmoflcgjlk" style="font-size: 13px;">'via Blog this'</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16753768238164197231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4645325043673339713.post-25016845254544241932013-07-05T10:38:00.001-07:002013-07-05T10:38:48.716-07:00Things Are Going to Get Sticky<a href="http://www.firstthings.com/blogs/leithart/2013/07/02/a-call-to-martyrdom/">A Call to Martyrdom » Peter Leithart | A First Things Blog</a>: "Many churches have already capitulated to the Zeitgeist, and many others will. Some Christians and some churches won’t be up to the challenge. For those who heed Paul’s admonition not to be conformed to the pattern of this world, things are going to get sticky." Here is <a href="http://www.christianpost.com/news/american-evangelist-arrested-in-london-for-preaching-homosexuality-is-a-sin-99420/">one </a>example.<br />
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<a href="https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/pengoopmcjnbflcjbmoeodbmoflcgjlk" style="font-size: 13px;">'via Blog this'</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16753768238164197231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4645325043673339713.post-27109514938439530742013-04-10T16:03:00.001-07:002013-04-10T16:03:04.328-07:00What Faith Isn’t and Is | 9Marks<a href="http://www.9marks.org/blog/what-faith-isn%E2%80%99t-and?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+9marks%2Fblog+%289Marks+Blog%3A+Building+Healthy+Churches+%29">What Faith Isn’t and Is | 9Marks</a>: <br />
<br />
<a href="https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/pengoopmcjnbflcjbmoeodbmoflcgjlk" style="font-size: 13px;">'via Blog this'</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16753768238164197231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4645325043673339713.post-87621461932060222392013-03-28T15:10:00.001-07:002013-03-28T15:10:18.789-07:00Introverts Can Share the Gospel Too - and Stay Introverts!<a href="http://www.gospelcentereddiscipleship.com/the-introverted-evangelist/">The Introverted Evangelist - Gospel Centered Discipleship | ResourcesGospel Centered Discipleship | Resources to Make, Mature, & Multiply disciples of Jesus</a>: <br />
<br />
<a href="https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/pengoopmcjnbflcjbmoeodbmoflcgjlk" style="font-size: 13px;">'via Blog this'</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16753768238164197231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4645325043673339713.post-62639514214251156632013-03-20T16:37:00.001-07:002013-03-20T16:37:24.062-07:00Ten Big, Daily Reminders - Desiring God<a href="http://www.desiringgod.org/blog/posts/ten-big-daily-reminders?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+DGBlog+%28Desiring+God+Blog%29&utm_content=Google+Feedfetcher">Ten Big, Daily Reminders - Desiring God</a>: <br />
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<a href="https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/pengoopmcjnbflcjbmoeodbmoflcgjlk" style="font-size: 13px;">'via Blog this'</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16753768238164197231noreply@blogger.com0