The following video is a short snippet of John Piper commenting on (or maybe I should say cursing) the prosperity gospel. It made me think of Galatians 1.

It’s hot out!! I say that as I sit in my air conditioned office nearly needing a sweatshirt to stay warm while the air is on and then immediatly sweating when it goes off. As the temperature rises, the amount of clothing that people, particularly women, wear decreases. Unfortunately this trend does not stop among church people. We all must ask ourselves, why do we wear what we wear?

Peter reminds women in 1 Peter 3 that beauty is best when it comes from the heart, the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God. Beauty is more internal than external. If you applied the time you spend on enhancing your outward appearance to your heart, would you look different? Now, does that mean that this becomes the standard or is there another way to think about dress and fashion in regards to our world. In other words, since the world abuses fashion by making it inappropriate do we simply abandon it altogether and seek to cover as much skin as possible? Or is it possible to be fashion conscious while upholding the principles of modesty found in the Bible? For example, the world has abused sexual intimacy. As believers our job is to show the world the beauty of sexual intimacy in its proper context as defined by God. Can we do the same with fashion?

I can’t really answer the question because I usually ask my wife to make sure I match and I shave my head so that I don’t have to comb my hair. I am ignorant in most things fashion. This blog series is very helpful for thinking through some of these issues. There are seven parts to the series so make sure you read them all(2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7). There are a couple of other posts under the category of modesty that are also excellent. Finally, on a very practical level here is an effort by these ladies to attempt to pursue biblical modesty and true beauty.

Women, please read this material and consider implementing those things you find biblically based. I will leave you with a short quote from this testimony.

I began to understand the heart and soul of modesty. Modesty is humility expressed in dress, a desire to serve others, neither promoting nor provoking sensuality or lust. It is rooted in a desire to lose any and all consideration of self and live hidden behind the cross of Christ. I became more and more aware that my dress was not an outward expression of the gospel, or humility. I began by aggressively examining my wardrobe.

MEN 

We desire to formally recognize and implement deacons in our body. Recognizing and affirming deacons has both a clear biblical precedent and is currently a strategic and urgent practical need.

During this process, it is essential that we hold to the qualifications outlined in 1 Timothy 3:8-13. We must ask not only does a man have the ability to perform deacon responsibilities but also does he have the spiritual character. The list is very demanding:   (more…)

By God’s grace the youth ministry meeting last night was an encouraging and exciting time as we thought through our future ministry to youth.  For those of you who missed the meeting here is a summary of what we covered.

For those of you who were there here are a couple of statements that will help refresh your memory.

(more…)

Over at Together for the Gospel Mark Dever recently wrote a post on faithfulness and relevance in ministry.  This is a difficult balance as we “seek to be all things to all men,” (1 Corinthians 9:20-22) while at the same time seeking to “guard what has been entrusted” to us (1 Timothy 6:20, see also 2 Timothy 3:14-4:4).  Dever’s observations and statements are helpful and thought-provoking. 

I think the most basic practical division among evangelical pastors today may be between those who pursue faithfulness and assume relevance and those who pursue relevance and assume faithfulness.

I  know I have found the above statement to be quite true in my expierence.

The middle of the spectrum is where each of us intends to be–the right balance, the perfect combination of utter faithfulness to the Gospel and piercing relevance in its presentation. 

and finally…

I remember taking a walk with Don Carson once, and Don remarking something to the effect that the first generation has the Gospel, the second generation assumes the Gospel, the third generation loses the Gospel.  I am concerned that too many people who have the Gospel are lazy with it, compassionless, and not sufficiently motivated to spread it.  I fear that this is me.  Pray for me and Capitol Hill Baptist Church in this.  On the other hand, there are those who in the name of evangelism, simply assume that everybody sufficiently understands the Gospel, and will alter everything to make the non-Christian feel more at home in their public services.  (WHO EVER SAID THAT MOST OF THE CHURCH’S EVANGELISM SHOULD BE DONE THROUGH OUR PUBLIC SERVICES?!)  They give themselves to pursue relevance thinking that THAT is their major challenge, assuming that holding on to the Gospel itself is comparatively easy.

Consider what you and I will do to the Gospel message in our churches if we continue to change the “presentation” of the Gospel until we begin to get a response.

Pursue faithfulness and relevance.  Know that the Gospel is always relevant.  NEVER assume the Gospel.

By God’s grace may we follow this exhortation both as a church and as individuals.  Feel free to share thoughts on how these two issues are practically balanced and brought to work together for God’s glory.

The Elders of SGF are leaving late this afternoon for two nights to pray, plan, strategize, and discuss issues vital to the future of this body. 

We ask that you as a body would serve us by praying for God to grant us wisdom, insight, unity, humility,  faithfulness, and grace during this time.  Pray that we would feel the weight of our responsibility (Acts 20:28-30, 1 Timothy 4:15-16, Hebrews 13:17, 1 Peter 5:1-4) and that we would respond in dependence on God’s grace and the working of the Holy Spirit.  Pray that God would cause our love for this flock to increase more and more and that we would be diligent in watching over the souls God has entrusted to our care. 

Relating to this issue here is a solid and encouraging message by C.J. Mahaney on the relation of the congregation and leadership.  You can download it for free or listen to it online. 

We as elders thank you already for how, in the short life of this body, you have exemplified submission and teachability.  God’s grace is evident and active in the family of God here at SGF.

Sunday June 4th is the launch date for Grace Groups here at Sovereign Grace Fellowship. Each group will meet Sunday evenings from 6-8 at various homes throughout the greater Auburn area. These home small groups will be the primary avenue for fellowship, discipleship, service and many other aspects of our church life here at SGF.

We are desiring and asking for maximum involvement and participation in these groups believing that they are strategic and crucial for the development, growth and maturing of each individual and the body as a whole. More details will be coming soon but for now be sure to set aside this night on your calendar.

FYI- I will be ordering children’s cirriculum this week from Desiring God.  Thought I’d post links for what we will be doing for preschool and k-3rd grade.  Feel free to share any thoughts you have.

This article by Pastor Scott Thomas comes across obviously biased but worth reflecting on. What description best defines what we should be about? Here is the entire article. If you go there, take the test after the description of each church.

The Missional Church:

1. Sent by God as missionaries in their own culture (Mt. 4:19).
2. Exists to take Christ to the lost: Go to the world (Mt. 28:18-20).
3. Members are personally engaged in their communities (Acts 16:20; 17:6).
4. Submerged into its culture like Christ (Luke 7:34).
5. Main focus is training and equipping others to be missionaries (Eph. 4:11-16).
6. Dependent upon Holy Spirit to use individuals as agents for evangelizing (Acts 1:8).
7. Develops relationships with the lost on purpose (Matt. 5:13-16).
8. Relationships are the means to influence others in their journey toward Christ (John 15:12-17; 1 John 4:19-21).
9. The goal is to help others find Jesus in their own way and timing (1 Cor. 9:20-23).
10. Participants are affected in every way through a calling by God to be an agent for the gospel (Acts 4:13, 31-35).
11. Faith is practiced in community - groups of people together (Acts 2:42-45; Phil. 1:27).
12. Worship is unpredictable, spontaneous, Spirit-directed and messy (John 4:23-24).

The Evangelical Church:

1. Has a program of missions alongside numerous activities of the church.
2. Exists as a place for the lost to find Christ: Come to the Church.
3. Members are supportive of mission efforts.
4. Separated from its culture as a holy quest.
5. Main focus is supporting mission works - mainly overseas.
6. Dependent upon altar call and big events as its main tool for evangelization.
7. Knows a few lost people and prays for their salvation.
8. Uses marketing techniques & business principles to draw people to a corporate gathering.
9. The goal is to produce salvation results.
10. Participants conform to man-made standards through guilt and pressure. Change is through self-will, not Spirit.
11. Faith is practiced at the church building during prescribed gathering times.
12. Worship is structured, predictable and orderly.

The Institutional Church:

1. Sends money to missionaries in foreign countries if it is convenient.
2. Exists for the members of the church: Join the Church.
3. Members expect pastors to bring in the lost and unchurched.
4. Has become a sub-culture of Christians living in a parallel universe.
5. Main focus is supporting church activities to attract new families.
6. Dependent upon pastors and staff to evangelize the lost.
7. Stays away from the lost; has very few dealings with those outside the church.
8. Uses tradition, denomination and family ties to attract and keep members.
9. The goal is to increase attendance.
10. Participants compartmentalize their religion and their lives - generally facades of religious adherence.
11. Faith is a routine activity that is private and personal.
12. Worship is ritualistic.