Archive for January, 2009
Mr. President…
Friday, January 30th, 2009Evangelism Rollercoaster
Thursday, January 29th, 2009Is it just me, or does anyone else feel like your pursuit of the lost is like a roller coaster? What a tragedy that some days I care about lost souls perishing around me and the next day I pass by people headed for hell without a thought.
This roller coaster ride is in essence a reflection of my own grasp of the gospel and delight in God. This is yet another reason I need to daily feed on the gospel of Christ and the glories of God. I need God’s Spirit to awaken me to God’s mission to save the lost daily!
While this is the core of our problem, there are also strategic helps that can encourage us in our efforts towards evangelism. As I’ve thought lately about the challenge of being bold, winsome, and wise all at the same time, I’ve found the following resources helpful.
Questioning Evangelism by Randy Newman- audio message, article, book.
Conversational Apologetics- audio message by Michael Ramsden
The Heart of Evangelism by Jerram Barrs- audio sermons (page has numerous sermons by Barrs- note “on a mission of love” series), book
The Gospel and Personal Evangelism by Mark Dever- a shorter book but full of helpful stuff- we have this one as a Grace Group study option with a study guide. A series of Video clips on evangelism with Mark Dever is available at the Desiring God website (scroll down towards the bottom of the “video” tab)
The Gospel and Complaining
Tuesday, January 27th, 2009A little while back the following was posted over at The Blazing Center Blog.
O Lord, I am astonished at the difference
between my receivings and my deservings,
between the state I am now in and my past gracelessness
between the heaven I am bound for and the hell I merit
The Mover from Valley of Vision
Honest confession: I’ve been a complainer lately. My life has been somewhat – okay insanely – busy. Long papers to write, tricky Greek words to memorize, books to read – all wonderful things leaving me little time for anything else. I feel like I’m stumbling through a fog, just moving from one thing to the next.
And I’ve had a low-grade cold that won’t go away, like one of those people who doesn’t pick up certain social cues. I’ve been chomping on Zinc and guzzling “Airborne” but things still aren’t quite right.
It’s these kind of weeks that are ripe for complaining. I survey my life, look at the chaos around me, and feel like I deserve better. I deserve a peaceful life, good health, and a small bird sitting on my shoulder singing a happy tune (okay scratch that last one). Or do I?
Nothing kills complaining like a good dose of the gospel. When I consider the difference between what I really deserve and what I’ve received, I am astonished. Each morning I experience new mercies from God – I should be experiencing new judgments. God is my loving Father – he should be my judge. I am always getting much, much better than I deserve. The gospel leaves zero margin for complaining.
The next time you’re tempted to complain about your tyrannical boss, or bickering kids, or chronic illness, ponder the gospel. Let yourself be astonished at the difference between what you’ve received and what you deserve.
Sermon: Hebrews 6:4-8
Sunday, January 25th, 2009Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Work Week #1
Saturday, January 24th, 2009Thursday night we started the Equip class on Work and Vocation. We had a great time sharing the different jobs we’ve had over the years and talking about where we’ll be going with the class.
If you still want to jump in its not too late. I thought some of you, who aren’t able to come but would like to, might enjoy the resources we are using. Here’s what we’re going to be discussing this coming week.
The Spirituality of Work by Stan Reeves- gives an overview of a biblical and theological view of work.
Work by Tim Keller- an audio sermon in which Keller gives an overview of the biblical view of work.
Sermon: Hebrews 5:11-6:3
Saturday, January 24th, 2009Podcast: Play in new window | Download
The Case For Life Around the Web
Thursday, January 22nd, 2009Justin Taylor at Between Two Worlds did a post today on various pro-life posts/resources on the web.
John Piper, Lincoln’s Logic on Slavery Applied to Abortion
R.C. Spoul, Video series on abortion (streamed on the web for free)
Robert P. George, Our Struggle for the Soul of Our Nation
Ed Whelan, Senate Testimony on Roe v. Wade (2005)
Michael New, The Case for Pro-Life Optimism
Star Parker and Gary Bauer, A Dream Unfulfilled: Roe v. Wade has Played a Big Role in the Devastation of the African-American Community.
Jason French’s seven-minute “musical and picturesque portrayal of the God-wrought miracle of human life”:
Is the Cup Half Full or Half Empty?
Wednesday, January 21st, 2009As I continue to work my way through “A Gospel Primer” I continue to find rich food for my soul (buy it, read it, discuss it, meditate on it). One of the more recent sections I read gave a gospel-centered perspective on the proverbial optimist/pessimist question- “Is the glass half full or half empty?”
Viewing life’s blessings as water in a drinking cup, I know that I could discontentedly focus on the half of the cup that seems empty, or I could gratefully focus on the half that is full. Certainly, the latter approach is the better of the two, yet the gospel cultivates within me a richer gratitude than this.
The gospel reminds me first that what I actually deserve from God is a full cup churning with the torments of His wrath. This is cup that would be mine to drink if I were given what I deserve each day. With this understanding in mind, I see that to be handed a completely empty cup from God would be cause enough for infinite gratitude. If there were merely the tiniest drop of blessing contained in that otherwise empty cup, I should be blown away by the unbelievable kindness of God toward me. That God, in fact, has given me a cup that is full of ‘every spiritual blessing in Christ,’ and this without the slightest admixture of wrath, leaves me truly dumbfounded with inexpressible joy. As for my specific earthly circumstances of plenty or want, I can see them always as infinite improvements on the hell I deserve.
Reflections on the Inauguration
Tuesday, January 20th, 2009Erik over at the Irish Calvinist posted the following 5 reasons he is thankful during the inauguration.
- A finger in the eye to evangelicals: When George Bush became president many professing Christians looked at him as if he was some sort of lower-case ‘m’ messiah who would usher in the religious right’s agenda. Too often it felt like evangelicals were content with their king and forgot to long for the King. Obama comes in and the left is treating him just like the right did Bush 8 years ago. So I am thankful for the way in which this day exposes with vivid clarity the folly of imputing men and earthly governments with the type of hope, reverence, excitement and dare I say, worship, that is reserved for Christ alone.
- More Occassion to pray: This kind of goes with the first point. There are many issues that are on the hot plate now, not the least of them the issue of the life of the unborn. Now the burden seems heavier to pray and pray harder for the killing to stop. We (me!) might have been a little laxed before as we looked to men who professed to have the same views as ours to bring about such radical change. Furthermore, I am forced by virtue of the fact that I know this president and his staff need Christians to pray for him (I know this was the case before but it wasn’t in such bold font–call this immaturity on my part). I need to pray and keep praying for the president in light of 1 Timothy 2 that word of God might continue to be proclaimed freely in this country.
- The Racial Progress: This is obviously a major emphasis today. I dare say it cannot be overstated. Within the lifetime of many of the folks watching this inauguration an african-american could not have even been served a meal in public, much less receive the oath of president of the country! This represents great progress for our country in the area of racism. As this is more in line with God’s revealed will I am thankful.
- The Peaceful Transition of Power: As I watched the ceremony I was reminded afresh of the abundant grace of God in allowing this country to not have violence in the street as the power is wrestled from the current leader. Instead we have our outgoing president sitting respectfully, smiling, and affirming our new leader. This is a cause for thanksgiving.
- A Fresh and Vivid Reminder to Long for the King: All of these leaders and occassions are vivid reminders for Christians to anticipate and long for the coming King who is called wonderful (Is. 9.6). All of the noble ideals and grand plans pale in comparison to the treading down of all unrighteousness, the visible reign of the righteous One, the swelling emotional and theologically driven worship that will abound when the gloriously wonderful one will finally and gloriously reign. All current ceremonies serve to illicit a temporary smile that bids all to anticipate the returning King who’s government will have no end to its increase and no rival in its glory.
Praying for Your Elders
Monday, January 19th, 2009Some of the comments Pat made yesterday made me think of a post I’d read recently on how to pray for your pastor. It was posted over at the Together for the Gospel blog by Ligon Duncan.
Because I have a congregation that loves me more than I deserve, I am often asked by them: “how can I pray for you?” I’ve tried to put some thought into how I answer that question. So, maybe these ideas will help you pray for your pastor, or tell others how they can pray for you.
Pray -
1. That [your pastor] would know and love the living God, would have a saving interest in Christ, being purchased by His blood, and thus would be bound to the Lord by the indissoluble bond of the Holy Spirit.
2. That [your pastor] would know, embrace and ever more deeply understand the Gospel and be shaped by it in life and ministry.
3. That [your pastor] would be useful servant of the Lord, that he would know and love God’s word, God’s people, and God’s kingdom; that he would be used to build it up and so that it prevails even against Hell’s gates.
4. That [your pastor] would study, practice and teach the Word of the Lord, by the grace of the Holy Spirit.
5. That [your pastor] would love to pray, because he loves to commune with his God, and that he would be a man of prayer, characteristically.
6. That [your pastor] would be ever dependent upon and filled with the Spirit; and that he would possess true Spiritual wisdom.
7. That [your pastor] would be holy unto the Lord. That his tongue and heart would be wholly God’s.
8. That [your pastor] would be kept from pride, and especially spiritual pride. That the Lord himself would be gracious to slay pride in him, and that your pastor would endeavor to always be putting pride to death, by the grace of the Holy Spirit.
9. That God would give [your pastor] guidance as to where to focus his efforts in ministry.
10. That He would protect [your pastor] from himself, from the enemy of his soul, and from all earthly enemies.
11. That no decision which [your pastor] ever makes or desire that [your pastor] ever pursues would restrict his ability to pour his whole soul into the Gospel ministry.
12.That many would be converted and many built up under [your pastor]’s ministry, to God’s glory alone.
13. That the Lord would bless [your pastor]’s wife, [. . . ], with holiness and happiness, Gospel assurance and Gospel rest.
14. That God would make [your pastor] a decent husband and father.
15. That [your pastor] would be a good friend to his wife, and love her self-sacrificially,
16. That [your pastor] would be a good daddy to his children. That they would love God, their parents and the church.
17. That [your pastor] would be a testimony in the home so that his wife might be able to respect him when he is in the pulpit, and so that [your pastor] will be able to feed her soul, along with the rest of the congregation.