Donald Whitney has a helpful article available on his webiste on both reading and mediating on Scripture.  In essence he is addressing our tendency to simply get through the text withough really thinking about its meaning or application.  The result is often that we remember very little of what we have read and therefore benefit minimally from it.  While the article is short and simple its content has the potential to be quite helpful if we would apply it.

And he (Judas) went away and discussed with the chief priests and officers how he might betray Him to them. They were glad and agreed to give him money. So he consented, and began seeking a good opportunity to betray Him apart from the crowd.

How could a man who had spent three years with Jesus, who had seen Christ heal, teach, raise people from the dead, live day after day without ever uttering a false word or committing any sin — how could Judas after all of those experiences betray Jesus? How could he do anything but love Him and trust Him? The horror of a false disciple, of dead religion, is at the heart of this message. And the power of the gospel shines clearly through it. (Josh Winans preaching)

 

 Luke 22:1-6 [42:26m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Beginning this Sunday evening we will be meeting an hour earlier- at

5 pm

at Canyon View Community Center. 

Please make sure anyone who doesn’t check the website and might not be aware knows.

Thank you.

John Piper penned an article this week on How Christians Should Respond to Muslim Outrage at the Pope’s Regensburg Message About Violence and Reason.  I have taken a condensed form of the article from Justin Taylor’s site and pasted it below for your edification and thought.

1. Admit that the Christian church has often been too entangled with civil governments, with the result that violence has been endorsed by the church as a way of accomplishing religious, and not just civil, goals.

2. Make clear that the use of God-sanctioned violence between Israel and the nations in the Old Testament is no longer God’s will for his people.

3. Admit that there are many Muslims today who do not approve of violence in the spread of Islam.

4. Point out how Islam, in its most sacred writings and authoritative teachings, belittles Jesus Christ, not just occasionally in the news, but constantly by its dominant claims.

5. Point out that, in response to this constant defamation of Jesus Christ, there are no public threats or demands for apologies.

6. Do good to those who hate you—and, of course, those of other faiths who don’t hate you (Luke 6:27).

7. Seek to win others to saving faith in Jesus by persuading with words, not imposing with force.

8. Always be ready to die, but never to kill, for the sake of commending Jesus Christ as the Son of God who died for sinners and rose again as the Lord of the universe.

9. Pray for the salvation of all those who belittle Jesus Christ.

10. No matter the cost, continue to exalt and commend Jesus Christ as the great and only Savior that he is.

Tuesday nights find a number of parents desiring to be equiped and trained in doctrine and evangelism.  Parents, by definition have children.  This brings up the need for childcare on Tuesday nights for our Equip classes.  The time frame would be from 7-8:30.

If you are interested in serving in this way please let Josh or Tim know.

I recently came accross an article by Joshua Harris calling us to examine and evaluate our entertainment choices.  I have found this to be an area where excuses come easily and even standards I find beneficial often subtly disappear and fall out of use.  It can become easy to avoid standards and thoughtful intake of media in the name of avoiding legalism. However, having standards and being careful in our intake of media does not mean that we are seeking to earn God’s favor by our works (although it can).  Our goal is to pursue the honor and glory of our Savior in our day to day lives.  In light of this I recommend this article for your reading.

There wil be signs in sun and moon and stars, and dismay among the nations. Men fainting (expiring) from fear and the expectation of the things which are coming upon the world. Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory! But when you see these things begin to take place, straighten up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near. Be on guard, so that your hearts will not be weighted down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of life, and that day will not come on you suddenly like a trap.

How can we not heed the warnings and promises of Christ when faced with His power and glory and righteous wrath? Find your hope in Christ, that you may stand before the Son of Man when He comes in glory. That is the clear and powerful message of Luke 21:25-38, preached by Josh Winans, that demands a response from our souls.

 

 Luke 21:25-38 [46:04m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Ligon Duncan posted a quote by William Still (late Pastor of Gilcomston South Church, Aberdeen, Scotland) on the Together for the Gospel blog. As a parent of young parents I was reminded that the training and modeling I do now is, by God’s grace, preparation for the future of my children.   

“Every autumn I have a spate of letters from fond parents, teachers, guardians, and monitors, appealing to me to follow up on such and such a youngster who is away from home at college for the first time, and who has to be hunted, followed, shadowed, intercepted and driven to Christian meetings. I have scarcely ever known this desperate technique to work. I understand the panic of parents and guardians, but it is too late then to try high pressure tactics. Prayer, example and precept, in that order, are the means of bringing up children and young folk in the faith. Nor will high pressure tactics and brainwashing techniques avail when young folk have gone off on their own. Some young folk, alas, will have their fling and sow their wild oats, and come at last to heel, sadly, like the prodigal son. It is where Christians pathetically put their trust in external techniques and artificial stratagems that young folk go astray. Nothing takes the place of the realism of holy living and secret wrestling before God in prayer for our youngsters. We must commit them to God so utterly that we dare not interfere or tamper with their precious souls.”

May we as parents be faithful and diligent in our own pursuit of God, our modeling of Christlikeness, our instruction of our children, and our dependence on Him in prayer.

Growing up without a father is a tragic and yet far to common experience in today’s world.  For those of you who have experienced this (and those who haven’t) I would recommend reading and article by Thabiti M. Anyabwile.  In large part the article deals with his personal experiences, observations, and God’s grace in his life.  Because of the nature of it I won’t post any here but instead will point you to the article itself in its entirety.

On September 24th we will be having a baptism service in the morning in place of Grace Groups.  We will meet at the Peyrets (directions are upcoming). 

If you have been crucified with Christ and raised up with Him to new life and haven’t been baptized then now is the time to step forward in obedience.  Talk to your Grace Group leader about participating in this incredible privilege and proclaiming God’s gracious work in your life to the rest of the body.