Here are a couple more videos from the upcoming Desiring God conference.

Paul Tripp on How Sin Affects the Transparent Use of Words

Mark Driscoll on the Bible’s Use of Harsh Language

Here are a couple of quotes from the blog Of First Importance.

“Jesus shocked the established authorities by being a friend to all—not only to the destitute and hungry, but also to those rich extortioners, the tax-collectors, whom all decent people ostracized … The shocking thing was not that he sided with the poor against the rich but that he met everyone equally with the same unlimited mercy and the same unconditioned demand for total loyalty.

If we look at the end of his earthly ministry, at the cross, it is clear that Jesus was rejected by all—rich and poor, rulers and people—alike. Before the cross of Jesus there are no innocent parties. The cross is not for some and against others. It is the place where all are guilty and all are forgiven.”

—Lesslie Newbigin, The Gospel in a Pluralist Society (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1989), 151

“Does anyone truly understand the message of the cross apart from brokenness, contrition, repentance, and faith? To repeat rather mechanically the nature of the transaction that Christians think took place at Golgotha is one thing; to look at God and his holiness, and people and their sin, from the perspective of the cross, is life-changing.”

- D. A. Carson, The Cross and Christian Ministry (Grand Rapids, Mi.: Baker Books, 2003), 64.

Here are a couple more videos from Paul Tripp. Enjoy!

God’s Role in the Words We Speak-

Owning Our Words-

Although abortion is probably something that we only think about occasionally, it is always on the heart of God. Here is a reminder of how serious abortion is, how hard we should be praying, and how active we should be for the sake of the unborn.

The quote is from John Piper and was posted by Justin Taylor of Between Two Worlds,

Abortion is about God, the Creator of the universe, the Giver and Sustainer of all life, the Judge of the living and the dead, the Father of our Lord, Jesus Christ, and the Redeemer and Forgiver of all who trust him. Abortion is about God.

To leave God out of the picture of abortion is to trivialize it. All things are trivial without God. God is the ultimate reality over the universe. All other reality is derivative and dependent and has no ultimate meaning at all without reference to God the ultimate reality. In him we live and move and have our being. If we leave him out of account, we know nothing of any lasting significance about ourselves or the world. (From the sermon, “Where Does Child Killing Come From?” available at Desiring God)

Here are a couple more video clips from Bob Kauflin. This is must see (hear) stuff as we learn as a congregation how to worship God in song together. It makes me thankful for the men God has given us to lead us in this way.

The Importance of Singing Truth-

Truth and Music-

I have referenced this idea before but I thought this quote from the blog “Take Your Vitamin Z” was a helpful reminder of the way the gospel should be joyfully overflowing from out lives.

“Mission begins with a kind of explosion of joy. The news that the rejected and crucified Jesus is alive is something that cannot possibly be suppressed. It must be told. Who could be silent about such a fact? The mission of the Church in the pages of the New Testament is like the fallout from a vast explosion, a radioactive fallout which is not lethal but life-giving.”

– Lesslie Newbigin, The Gospel in a Pluralist Society

Here are a couple more videos from the Desiring God website for their upcoming conference.

Paul Tripp- on, Does God Care About Every Word We Speak?-

Paul Tripp on, The Life and Death Power of Words-

A consistent theme in my conversations with people in our church is the incredible busyness of life. For many of us the start of school, soccer season and other activities that traditionally begin this time of year only increase this sense of overload.

A while back I came across the following excerpt from Philip Ryken on the Reformation21 site. It’s no magic pill but I think he has some helpful thoughts.

So how should we deal with the inescapable overload of life in the twenty-first century? I may not be the most qualified person to speak on this subject but allow me to make three simple suggestions.

First, whatever else you do, make time for communion with Christ. Remember what Jesus said to Martha, that only “one thing is necessary” (Luke 10:42)- that is, to be with Jesus, listening to what he says and talking with him about what we need. It is only when we allow God to minister to us through Bible study and prayer that the rest of life makes any sense at all.

Second, embrace the limitation of your finitude. Rather than feeling anxious and distressed about everything you’re not getting done, or always complaining that you need more time, take satisfaction in the many daily reminders that you are not God. You are not all-powerful, all-present, and all knowing. Only God is. So when the overload confronts you with your limitations, be reminded that you are only a creature who needs to rest in your Savior’s care (see Matthew 6:25-34, 11:28-30).

Third, choose wisely. The hardest choices in life are not the choices between the good things and the bad things. When it comes to discriminating the good from the bad, most Christians find it relatively easy to tell the difference. No, the hard choices are the ones between the good things and the best things. To make these decisions we need the wisdom of the Holy Spirit, who works through Scripture, through circumstances, through counsel, and through our conscience to help us “discern what is best” (Phil. 1:10; NIV).

In order to carry out God’s calling for your life, you will have to learn to say “no.” Many good things in life- many wholesome entertainments, many useful ministry opportunities, and many God-given pleasures- get in the way of God’s calling and therefore must be declined. Late last fall, I took a short trip to a beautiful golf resort in Florida. I taught, but to my disappoointment, did not golf. Not that there is anything wrong with a round of golf. In fact, from what I saw in the brochure, its such a beautiful course that it almost seemed wrong not to play it. It’s just that if I had stayed to do that, I would have gotten back too late on Saturday night to be a good husband to my wife, a good father to my children, or a good pastor to this congregation.

What choices will you make this week and in the weeks to come? Will you make the time to be with Christ? Will you embrace the limitations of your finitude, resting in the infinite grace of your God? And will you have the wisdom to make the right choices when you have to say “yes” to some good things and “No” to others?

This last Sunday we completed our study of the Attributes of God in Grace Groups.  What a great study!  It was great to enjoy fellowship around the perfections of our Father.

This next week we will start a three week study of our vision statement here at ASGF- Gospel Embracing, Gospel Saturated, Gospel Sent.  Each week will take you to a different passage of Scripture to examine the biblical basis for our vision.

You can download the ASGF Vision Study Guide here.  Enjoy!