Mercy Swimming

Concerning Reality

2006-12-03T20:22:00.000-08:00

My good friend Keith Strahan has re-entered the blogosphere! This is a good thing for all of us because his insights and reflections are most helpful and educational.

Keith is studying at the University of Manchester. Here is a quick look at the premise of the blog:

This blog is dedicated to exposing the REALITY in which we all live by analyzing, debating, and contemplating: religion, culture, politics, current events, and civil society.

The point of this blog is to talk about and discuss reality and how things are. While I will use concepts and theoretical ideals, this by no means will take us away from our original goal, namely, to speak about the reality of religion, politics, war, and civil society that we currently experience; both at home (wherever that may be) and around the world.

I highly recommend this post as well on the Shia revival.

Learn and Enjoy!

Is Saul Among the Prophets?

2006-11-27T20:01:00.000-08:00

I encourage you to listen to this recent sermon preached by Jim Hamilton at Baptist Church of the Redeemer. It is such a joy to serve with Jim, and my familly and I are continually blessed by his labors from the pulpit.

Enjoy!

Reflections on the Providence of God

2006-11-27T19:55:00.000-08:00

I am so blessed to serve the people at Baptist Church of the Redeemer. Recently I had the honor of preaching a sermon that you can listen to here.

Thanks to Richard Fields for the hard work of putting this and other sermons online.

May we praise God when "He giveth and when He taketh away."

New Website at Redeemer!

2006-11-26T12:26:00.000-08:00

Thanks to the hard work of Chris Caldwell and others, Baptist Church of the Redeemer's new website is online. Check it out here. Let me know what you think.

Sermon on Hebrews 13:1-6

2006-11-16T14:22:00.000-08:00

I recently had the honor of preaching at my church over Hebrews 13:1-6. You can access it here.

Visit other sermons preached by Jim Hamilton at Redeemer here.

More Than Songs Available Online!

2006-11-16T12:32:00.000-08:00

Justin Johnston's new CD More Than Songs can now be accessed online at independentbands.com

You can read reviews here and here.

Enjoy!

The Latest from IX Marks

2006-11-13T18:11:00.000-08:00

Have you read the latest e-newsletter from Nine Marks Ministries? Check out some of these great articles:

The Glory of God in Salvation Through Judgment, by Jim Hamilton

Preaching and Biblical Theology 101, by Tom Schreiner

Where Is Your Story Written? by Michael Lawrence

ESPN’s Gameday to Broadcast from Aggieland

2006-11-03T12:44:00.000-08:00

O WHO???

C.J. Mahaney at Southern Seminary...in a Suit!

2006-10-31T17:07:00.000-08:00

C.J. Mahaney recently preached at chapel on the campus of Southern Seminary. This is a great display of the friendship between himself and Al Mohler, President of Southern. Mohler comments and reflects on C.J.'s visit here.

You can download C.J.'s messages here.

Enjoy!

HT: Justin Taylor, TFG Blog...

Is This About Jesus, or Just Sex?

2006-10-28T21:10:00.000-07:00

Now that I have your attention, read this interpretation of the Song of Songs by Jim Hamilton that was recently published in the fall issue of the Westminster Theological Journal. Can there be "Messianic Music" found in the Song of Songs?

Free Audio from the Northbrook Conference

2006-10-23T17:45:00.000-07:00

The audio from the Northbrook Conference is now available here for free!

HT: Eric Schumacher

Spurgeon on the Providence of God

2006-10-22T19:23:00.000-07:00

“I believe that every particle of dust that dances in the sunbeam does not move an atom more or less than God wishes – that every particle of spray that dashes against the steamboat has its orbit, as well as the sun in the heavens – that the chaff from the hand of the winnower is steered as the stars in their courses. The creeping of an aphid over the rosebud is as much fixed as the march of the devastating pestilence – the fall of . . . leaves from a poplar is as fully ordained as the tumbling of an avalanche.”

When Spurgeon was challenged that this is nothing but fatalism and stoicism, he replied,

“What is fate? Fate is this – Whatever is, must be. But there is a difference between that and Providence. Providence says, Whatever God ordains, must be; but the wisdom of God never ordains anything without a purpose. Everything in this world is working for some great end. Fate does not say that. . . . There is all the difference between fate and Providence that there is between a man with good eyes and a blind man.”

What A Mighty God We Serve!

HT: Desiring God

Northbrook Conference Recap

2006-10-16T15:29:00.000-07:00

Click here to get a recap on the Northbrook Conference.

HT: Coffee Swirls

Live Blogging from Iowa

2006-10-13T20:21:00.000-07:00

The afore mentioned live blogging from the Northbrook Conference is underway. Evidently the streaming audio is not working, although you can order an audio cd of Jim's talks.

Preparing for the Northbrook Conference

Building with Gold, Silver and Precious Stones

What is Indwelling: Old Testament Background

Day Two: First Thought

The Ministry of the Spirit in John, Part 1

HT: Coffee Swirls and Doug McHone

MORE THAN SONGS

2006-10-13T08:27:00.000-07:00

Justin Johnston is a friend and brother. He has worked very hard to release his first album: More Than Songs. My family has greatly enjoyed this cd and I highly recommend that you pick one up.

Justin is a gifted worship leader. His vision for ministry is simply to invest in the local church for the building of the kingdom. He truly believes the words he sings and seeks to lead people to Christ, not just sing cool songs. If you are looking for someone to lead worship for your retreat, conference or bible study I highly recommend this brother.

As of right now, the best way to get a copy of his new release would be to send an e-mail to justin@justinjohnston.org. As soon as the cd is available for purchase through the Internet, I will announce it!

May God's name be lifted high through this project. Enjoy!

Northbrook Conference--Blogging and Streaming

2006-10-12T07:57:00.000-07:00

Jim Hamilton is the keynote speaker at the Northbrook Conference in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Visit Jim's blog to find out about streaming audio and live blogging at the conference.

Hamilton's New Book is Now Available

2006-10-10T07:04:00.000-07:00

Jim Hamilton's new book, God's Indwelling Presence is now available on Amazon.com.

"As For Me and My House"

2006-10-01T13:34:00.000-07:00

As the title of this blog suggests, I view my life as an ocean of mercy supplied by God. There are many ways that I seek to let that mercy overflow, and the Lord is guiding our family through one more. My wife and I are going to start a new blog called As For Me and My House. We're not sure all that will be involved with it, but I do know that we will be posting testimonies and experiences that we have as a family.

Perhaps God may use something in our family's life to spur you on in your family. We do not hold ourselves up as having it all together. In fact, we clearly do not! Maybe you have something beneficial that you could post on our blog for other families to benefit from as well...We'd love to have your feedback.

We'll see where the Lord takes this.

Also, Mercy Swimming will be experiencing a "face lift" soon as well. Stay tuned for the new look.

May His name be high in our families and in our churches!

Young, Restless and Reformed

2006-09-26T07:33:00.000-07:00

This article, in Christianity Today is a great commentary on the upsurge of Reformed Theology in our day. I especially recommend it because of the one on one interview with Josh Harris, Senior Pastor at Covenant Life Church in Gaithersburg Maryland.

May God continue to humble us and reform us to His image!

HT: Michelle Abraham and Christianity Today

Us Four No More?

2006-09-22T05:38:00.000-07:00

Click on the picture to read Haykin's article.

HT: Michael Haykin, Reformation 21

Sovereign Grace Meets Reality TV?

2006-09-20T20:02:00.000-07:00

What if this were real? Could it be?? We are not far from this actually becoming a reality.

HT: Tim Challies

Books Every Seminary Graduate Should Have Read...

2006-09-19T18:27:00.000-07:00

Read this post by Jim Hamilton about books that should be read by seminary students and current pastors. How are you doing? I've got some work to do!

HT: JH

The State of Preaching Today

2006-09-13T09:57:00.000-07:00

Perhaps it is becoming more apparent that preaching in the Church today is lacking. How many people do you run into who are unsatisfied at their church? They may give different reasons (music is old, boring, not enough activities, people aren't friendly, to small, too big…), but I submit to you their dissatisfaction is rooted in a lack of the Word of God.

God's people are starving for His Word! Al Mohler recently blogged on this topic and I recommend that you read it here. He clearly articulates the ripples that result from a non-expositional, fluffy, ear tickling pulpit ministry.

May God revive our churches and our pulpits!

Nine Marks Informational Video

2006-09-12T19:37:00.000-07:00

Have you seen this video?

"The Atonement of Christ in the Desert"

2006-09-12T13:22:00.000-07:00

It is remarkable to observe the sacrificial system of the Old Covenant. The people were in exile and yet God continually dwelled within their midst (Deut. 23:14).

"Since the LORD your God walks in the midst of your camp to deliver you and to defeat your enemies before you, therefore your camp must be holy; and He must not see anything indecent among you or He will turn away from you."

The picture that is put before the people of Israel is un-mistakable. If anyone be unclean, he or she must go outside of the camp. In order to come back inside the camp, a sacrifice was required. (Hebrews 9:22--And according to the Law, one may almost say, all things are cleansed with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.)

Can you see the Gospel? Can you see the need to be holy before almighty God? Can you see the need for sacrifice? Can you see the need for Christ?

Jesus is our sacrifice! He is the Lamb of God...our spotless sacrifice that takes away our sins. He has atoned for the sins of God's people. Are you seeking to attain that righteousness in another way? Trust on Christ alone!

If you are interested in learning more about the atonement of Christ, make every effort to attend the Ligonier Conference this Saturday, in Sugar Land Texas.

All praise to the Lamb!

Busses, Theology, and the Atonement

2006-09-09T14:03:00.000-07:00

I can remember driving busses at Texas A&M University like it was yesterday. It was the most flexible job on campus and it paid well for part-time work. It was on those old, non-air conditioned busses that I was first introduced to R.C. Sproul and Ligonier Ministries. No, R.C. was not a passenger of mine in College Station, but I listened to "Renewing Your Mind" every day, at a pivotal time in my young Christian life.

Looking back, God was so gracious to provide such a sound teacher on the radio for me. Perhaps some of my passengers were not as excited about Sproul as I was, but nevertheless, they heard Him regularly on my bus.

Now, some seven years later, I am pleased to see Ligonier coming to the Houston/Sugar Land area for their 2006 Fall Conference Series, The Cross of Christ, Redemption Accomplished. The topic of the Atonement of Christ is often overlooked and many times labeled as controversial.

"All of history revolves around this event, so we must strive to understand its significance. This fall, join Drs. R.C. Sproul and Derek W.H. Thomas as they examine Christ’s work on the cross and remind us that it is the centerpiece of God’s redemption. Beginning with the man’s need for atonement, they will discuss the identity of those Jesus came to save, look at how He ransoms us from God’s curse, and answer common questions about the meaning of the crucifixion."

I would encourage you to make every effort to attend this conference!

May God clearly reveal His mercy through the work of His perfect, spotless Lamb!

God's Indwelling Presence

2006-08-11T20:41:00.000-07:00

I want to encourage you to pre-order Dr. Jim Hamilton's new book, God's Indwelling Presence. Jim is a friend, a scholar, professor and a pastor.

I have the privilege of serving with him at Baptist Church of the Redeemer and the more I get to know him, the more I am amazed at the passion God has given him.

Click on the cover to visit Amazon.com. To see Jim's upcoming schedule, click here.

May God continue to raise up faithful teachers for His Church!

I want to Go...

2006-07-20T13:43:00.000-07:00

I want to go to this conference, but I can't. If you can...GO!!! I'm praying that they will tape the sessions! Click here for a top 10 list of why to go.

10 Gospel Exhortations

2006-07-20T09:29:00.000-07:00

Oh the riches of God's Word! I am continually amazed at the depth and contemporary application of the Bible. In 1 Thessalonians 5:14-22 Paul gives a litany of commands for the people at Thessalonica. I compiled them into 10 exhortations for easy recollection. F.F. Bruce comments that Paul may have been seeking to provide material in this format for a catechism of some sort for the people to easily remember and study.

I label them "Gospel Exhortations" because I know how I respond to lists in Scripture. "Give me a list so that I can check off things and feel better." "Give me a list so that I can do things that will make God love me more." Often I feel like we confuse the order. The way we should (I think) respond to lists in Scripture is first to realize that we can't do these things. This initial reaction leaves us with a helpless feeling that hopefully leads us directly to the cross. Because of the cross, because of my redemption from slavery, because of grace, I can live and obey.

The opposite of Gospel Exhortations would be keeping the law, which we all know cannot be done. So, when you read this list, understand that this is on the other side of the cross and should not be a ladder that is climbed expecting to find self-earned righteousness at the top. Whatever we accomplish is because of God's progressive work of sanctification in our lives, not our own efforts.

In this blog I want to simply list the Scripture and the 10 points. Lord willing, I can go through and write 10 separate blogs on each point. We'll see...In the mean time, read over these exhortations and pray that the Holy Spirit would speak and that you would respond in faith.

And we urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with all men. 15 See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all men. 16 Rejoice always; 17 pray without ceasing; 18 in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 19 Do not quench the Spirit; 20 do not despise prophetic utterances. 21 But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; 22 abstain from every form of evil.
--1 Thessalonians 5:14-22 (NAS)

1. Admonish the Unruly (v.14)

2. Encourage the Fainthearted (v.14)

3. Help the Weak (v.14)

4. Be Patient with Everyone (v.14)

5. Don’t Repay Evil with Evil; Seek After What is Good for All (v.15)

6. Rejoice Always (v.16)

7. Pray without Ceasing (v.17)

8. In Everything, Give Thanks (v.18)

9. Do Not Quench the Spirit—by despising prophesy (v.19-20)

10. Examine Everything Carefully—by holding fast to the good, letting go of the evil (v.21-22)

Soulspeak, by Ross King

2006-07-14T08:38:00.000-07:00

If you follow Ross King you probably already know about his newest project Soul Speak. It is now available on independentbands.com. If you are new to Ross' music, I encourage you to pick up the new album and consider looking at his other work (click on music) as well. Ross is a true believer that puts down on paper and in the studio what is happening in his life. I appreciate his friendship and his Christ exalting music. Here is what he says about Soul Speak:

"Soulspeak is my newest worship project. I recorded it at The MixLab, my studio in College Station, TX. I like this record a lot, and I hope you will, too. The project includes 10 brand new songs, as well as 2 re-recordings and 2 covers. In my opinion, this is the best worship CD that I’ve ever done. I hope you enjoy it."

-Ross King

Ross also serves as a pastor at Community Church in College Station, TX.

Esteem Your Leaders and You Will Have Peace!

2006-07-12T12:31:00.000-07:00

I am continuing to enjoy teaching through Paul's first letter to the church at Thessalonica with the people at FBC Liberty on Wednesday nights. Tonight we will be looking together at 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13:

But we request of you, brethren, that you appreciate those who diligently labor among you, and have charge over you in the Lord and give you instruction, 13 and that you esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Live in peace with one another.

Paul’s main point in these verses: Appreciate and Esteem your pastors highly because of their work, and you will live in peace.

Verse 12: We request that you appreciate those who labor among you.

This implies that the people know their pastors and know what they do for them.
The work of a pastor/elder is summarized as the following: (one article three participles…meaning that one group of people do these three things)

a. Diligent Labor: this literally means working to the point of exhaustion.

b. Oversight of the Flock: literally standing over the flock and leading, guiding them along the path of righteousness.

c. Teaching / Instruction: Instructing in the truths of God’s Word.

Compare to Hebrews:

a. Hebrews 13:7 Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith.

b. Hebrews 13:17 Obey your leaders, and submit to them; for they keep watch over your souls, as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you.

c. NOTICE THE PLURALS!

Verse 13: Esteem Them (Pastors, Elders) Highly:

Verse 12: know your pastors…
13: Think rightly and lovingly of your pastor(s) {ESTEEM THEM HIGHLY} so that you will have peace!
Pastors are special servants of the Chief Shepherd:

o 1 Peter 5:1-4 So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: ² shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; ³ not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. ⁴ And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.

LIVE IN PEACE WITH ONE ANOTHER! (V. 13)

o This seems like an odd place for an exhortation on peace?

o He seems to be saying that when the elders (pastors) relate to the congregation in this way and the congregation submits to their leadership, peace is the result!

This needs to be on your mind when you call a new pastor…

1. Plurality of Leadership

2. Someone who exhibits these qualities: Able to teach the Word to the people…Able to oversee when people get out of the flock and lost in the woods…

3. Your response should be in appreciation and esteem! So, when you talk to you children about the pastor, you should make it a point to build them up…to other people in the congregation…build them up…when the opposite happens, the work of the church in hindered.

May function dictate status and not vice versa in the leadership of our churches!

A Transition of Trust

2006-07-06T08:06:00.000-07:00

If you are reading this blog, let me say thank you. Thank you for your patience over the past few months. I've been out of the blogosphere for many reasons. But, now, I'm back, and hopefully will be blogging more faithfully than before. The purpose of this blog (besides sprucing up the looks of Mercy Swimming) is to update many of you on God's recent work in the life of our family.

1. We are transitioning out of a 4 year ministry at The First Baptist Church of Liberty. My time at FBC has been God-ordained and extremely crucial to my spiritual welfare. I cannot even begin to note all of the changes in my life that God has wrought in my time at FBC. He has solidified a vision for ministry deep in my bones that I would have never expected 4 years ago. However, He has also confirmed that that vision is not the same as the current one here at FBC. I praise God for His mercy to me, my family and this church and I will miss these people greatly. They have been very supportive and helpful to me and a joy to pastor. Perhaps the greatest achievement that the Lord granted here at FBC was my relationship with Keith Strahan. Keith is one of the most special people that I know. It has been a joy to see him grow and minister at FBC. We have grown to be very close and I could not be more thankful for our friendship. I think of him as a son and a brother. He is a son in that I have been able to disciple and mentor him in many ways (although I have probably learned more from him than vise versa). He is a brother in that I know he would give his life for me or my family and I would do that same. It will be hard to see him leave for England in the fall, but it will also be sweet to see him flourish as God reveals His plans for this vessel of mercy. I'm so thankful for Alethia Ministries, (our internet interview ministry recently founded) which the Lord will hopefully prosper and use to minister to pastors and the saints across the Houston area and beyond!

2. God has not only given me a vision for ministry, but not without faithfully providing a people who are willing to come under that vision. God has opened a door for our family to serve at Baptist Church of the Redeemer (Redeemer for short) in Sugar Land, Texas. Through my relationship with Jim Hamilton and Billy Newhouse, God has prepared a perfect opportunity for a healthy, growing and God glorifying work in the Fort-Bend area. These two men have been such an encouragement to me through the past years! How merciful of the Savior to allow me to labor alongside two of my friends for the sake of the Gospel!
I cannot say enough about Jim Hamilton. He serves at Redeemer currently as Interim Pastor of Preaching. Dr. Hamilton's current full-time job is Assistant Professor of Biblical Studies at the Havard School for Theological Studies (SWBTS), in Houston. I have had the honor to sit in his classroom, pick his enormous brain, and learn from his commitment to the Messiah for 3 years! I never would have dreamed that the Savior would allow me to serve alongside of my mentor in the local Church. What an honor!
Billy Newhouse and I met four years ago or so in line to register at Southwestern. Through God's kind providence, we were in probably 90% of all classes together in our time at SWBTS. We have grown close and seen the Lord unite our vision for church and ministry that honors Him. Billy is by far the most humble human being that I know. That may change now that he is married to the beautiful Stephenie! Billy and Stephenie were married on Saturday, July 1st in one of the most moving and encouraging services that I have ever been apart of. They are so happy and right for one another. Alicia and I are so excited to see how God has brought them together and what His plans will be for the future! We will be serving alongside Billy and Stephenie at Redeemer as well. Billy has a heart for the local community and a love for the people at Redeemer and the community. So far you can see why I title this blog Mercy Swimming--it is all that I do--swim in the deep oceans of mercy that the Savior pours out every day! Thank you Jesus.

3. God has given me a desire, much through the example of Jim Hamilton, to teach. I was not sure how that part of my life would develop until about a month ago. The Lord has begun to open doors through friends at private schools for teaching opportunities. However, nothing seemed to fit my gifting and our situation, until the Lord opened the door at Fort Bend Baptist Academy . FBBA was expanding their Bible faculty and creating a position for an 11th grade Bible teacher. The course will focus on Hermeneutics (Bible Interpretation) for the first semester and Systematic Theology for the second semester. So, basically if I were going to design a school, class, location (in Sugar Land) this is what I would have come up with. God's oceans never run dry! I will begin teaching August 10th! Please pray for me that this transition would be a good one and that I could not smile for the first month. (Everyone says that is how you show the students that you are serious, but I like to smile!) We'll see!

I am so thankful for the Lord's provision in our lives. I must say that my life would be in shambles if it were not for the beautiful love of my life Alicia. She has been so supportive over the last semester at Seminary and through this summer. My wonderful children have been patient and obedient for their mom while Daddy has been busy. Alicia brightens up our house with her humor and smile. I'm so thankful for a helpmate to come home to who supports me, warts and all! The oceans just keep getting deeper and deeper.

I look forward to sailing them with you! Thanks again for reading!

Let the Name of God Be High in the Hearts of His People!

Repentance as a Gift

2006-06-12T09:47:00.000-07:00

I have written before about the tension in the Bible over God's supremacy over all things, and the responsibility of man to obey the commands of the Lord. Many times we see in the Bible that God commands us to do things that we are unable to do. My view is that this tension should not lead us to dismay or rebel against the Lord, but to depend upon Him more intently. We should say with Paul "from Him and through Him and to Him are all things."

Currently I am re-reading When I Don't Desire God, How to Fight for Joy, by John Piper. He pointed me to this truth yet again as it relates to repentance.

2 Timothy 2:24: And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, 25 correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, 26 and they may escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.

I understand Paul to be saying:
(1) These are the things the Lord's servant (a pastor) must do in order to bring about repentance among His people.

don't be quarrelsome
Be kind to everyone
be able to teach
endure evil with patience
correct your opponents with gentleness

(2) Then He says perhaps God will grant them repentance. This throw's a monkey wrench into the equation. Normally in an equation a + b = c. But Paul is saying a (the pastor's attitude and ability to faithfully teach) + b (the pastor's endurance of trials , evil and loving response to those teaching falsely) = NOTHING. You see, repentance comes from the Lord! Only when God grant's repentance do the people have knowledge of the truth and escape the snares of the devil.

Now, if pastors were to say "Why should I do a and b if God brings about repentance?” The answer gets at the heart of evangelism. "Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the words of Christ."--Rom. 10:17. Where does faith come from? Jesus said "the wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit."--John 3:8. Faith comes from God.

We share the Gospel and pray that God would open the hearts of our listeners. The same relationship exists between a hard heart and the command to repent. They are at a standstill until the Spirit of God pierces through and brings about life-giving change. Therefore, we must preach the Gospel and repentance and pray that God would bring it about.

He is sovereign; we are responsible. Result: "To Him is the glory forever, Amen!" (Rom. 11:36)

New Alethia Ministries Logo

2006-06-09T09:58:00.000-07:00

Passion and Gifting in the Preaching Ministry

2006-05-18T11:15:00.000-07:00

I was touched by all of the messages at the Together for the Gospel Conference. I particularly enjoyed C.J. Mahaney's message "Watch your Life and Doctrine." I enjoyed it for many reasons, but I want to share with you the most prominent one. My friend Jason Williams, pastor of New Beginnings Baptist Church in Dayton, Texas was in attendance. Jason is a wonderful pastor and an especially good preacher. His passion in the pulpit is worth modeling and his love for his people is genuine.

Jason is finishing up his undergraduate degree currently and has no plans to attend seminary. Often times he jokes with me about being his "master" and such. I wanted to point out a blog by Mark Dever comparing C.J. to the great Baptist preacher, John Bunyan. When I read it, I thought of my friend Jason. God has used him in many ways, most evidently in his gifting to preach the gospel. He is a "tinker" who can touch the hearts of those who hear his words. Continue to preach with passion, creativity and ferver, my brother!

If you would like to know more about Jason, visit his blog here, or his church website here.

R.C. Sproul on the Da Vinci Code

2006-05-10T08:29:00.000-07:00

I have been asked many times about Christian responses to Dan Brown's best selling book The Da Vinci Code. Recently Ligonier Ministries, the teaching ministry of R.C. Sproul has presented an article and inverview concerning the Da Vinci Code in light of the coming movie by Sony Pictures. I would strongly encourage that you read the entire May edition of Table Talk containing the article and listen to the interview with Dr. Sproul.

Click here for Windows Media.

Click here for Quicktime.

Click here to read why Chris Donato, Associate editor of Tabletalk, decided to pursure the interview.

May the truth be clear and the Saints be ready to give a response!

(HT: Ligonier Ministries)

Together For the Gospel Roundtable Discussion

2006-05-05T08:30:00.000-07:00

On April 26-28, in Louisville Kentucky I attended the most edifying conference of my life. Together for the Gospel was a refreshing, encouraging and convicting venture. At the very least, it is a sign that God is raising up a generation of pastors who are seeking to faithfully shepherd our churches. Many results from the conference are already being manisfested.

After the conference was over, Myself and some pastors, friends and fellow laborers sat down and discussed the impact of this conference, as well as the overall themes of each message. If you would like to tune in, visit the Alethia Ministries Weblog.

Also, you can view the final version of the TFG Affirmations and Denials. Can you sign your name to this document? Why or why not?

Swimming in Mercy to the Finish Line

2006-04-30T18:19:00.000-07:00

Praise God! He has been faithful to see me through 4 1/2 years at Seminary. I'm so thankful to my beautiful wife, Alicia for her amazing support. I am also thankful for the people at the First Baptist Church of Liberty for their patience, kindness and encouragement.

If you are interested in attending, the ceremony begins at 10:00 AM at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary's Havard School of Theological Studies, Saturday, May 6th. The address for the ceremony is Park Place Baptist Church, 4105 Broadway Street in Houston (see the map for details).

Click here for a preview.

Praise God for His mercy that is new every morning! See you Saturday!

Expositional Listening?

2006-04-19T09:24:00.000-07:00

If you are familiar with Mark Dever, or Nine Marks Ministries, you will know that he argues that "The first and most important mark of a healthy church is expositional preaching. Expositional preaching is not simply producing a verbal commentary on some passage of Scripture. Rather, expositional preaching is that preaching which takes for the main point of a sermon the point of a particular passage of Scripture.”

Thabiti Anyabwile is an elder at Capitol Hill Baptist Church, in Washington, D.C. and he has written an article entitled 9Marks of a Healthy Church MEMBER: Expositional LISTENING. I commend it to you. Perhaps you are stuggling with the importance of expositional preaching in your own congregation. Maybe you are involved in a church where the Bible is faithfully preached and you are looking for ways to enhance the role of Scripture in your weekly schedule. This article will help and encourage you to cultivate habits of expositional listening that will help you to "not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers , but to delight in the Law of the Lord day and night."

May God bless the reading, preaching, and listening of His inspired Word!

(HT: Nine Marks Ministries)

Hymn # 289--The Baptist Hymnal (1991)

2006-04-19T07:27:00.000-07:00

My Lord, I Did Not Choose You
Words: Josiah Conder, 1789-1855
Music: Anonymous
Tune: WHITFIELD

(First verse)

My Lord, I did not choose You, For that could never be;

My heart would still refuse You, Had You not chosen me.

You took the sin that stained me, You cleansed me, made me new;

Of old You have ordained me, That I should live in You.

(Second Verse)

Unless Your grace had called me And taught my op-'ning mind,

The world would have enthralled me, To heav'n-ly glories blind.

My heart knows none above You; For Your rich grace I thirst.

I know that if I love You, You must have loved me first.

PS--If anyone is familiar with this tune, I'd love to hear it.

Church Dress: An Act of Worship or Just an Act?

2006-04-14T09:29:00.000-07:00

Check out this blog by Billy Newhouse on Church Dress. Don't just read it, but think about it, comment on it and form your own stance on the issue. I'd like to know your stance by the way. I agree with Billy!

Chapel at SWBTS Havard Campus

2006-04-13T08:04:00.000-07:00

I would like to invite any of you who are able to attend the Chapel Service at SWBTS's Havard School on Monday, April 17th at 11:10 AM. Read all about it here. Dr. Jim Hamilton will not only be preaching but also leading the congregation in God-centered worship. I hope that you will make every effort to attend.

Click here for directions to the Havard School or phone the office at (713 ) 634-0011.

13 More Days!

2006-04-12T12:17:00.000-07:00

Jim Hamilton on the Gospel of Judas

2006-04-11T12:34:00.000-07:00

Listen to Dr. Hamilton's interview on the Gospel of Judas. Go to the last 10 minutes of the interview to hear Dr. Hamilton.

(HT: Denny Burk)

Daniel Akin on Divine Sovereignty and Human Responsibility

2006-04-11T11:32:00.000-07:00

Dr. Danny Akin, the President of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, has recently written well on the balance of Divine Sovereignty and Human Responsibility that should be pursued in Baptist life and beyond. You can read this well written article here. I think he is very fair and truthful on the issue and I encourage you to read and consider his thoughts. I would also like to hear what you think. I hope that I never seem like that person who is trying to “sub-vert” or disguise his beliefs. There is no point in dodging theological issues that make us nervous. May we be people that ask questions and seek the most biblical and Spirit-led answers. May God Conform our lives and mold our minds to be more like His Son!

Enjoy!

New Alethia Ministries Interview with Bro. Jerry Johnson

2006-04-07T12:23:00.000-07:00

Many young pastors would do well to listen to the sound advice of Jerry Johnson, Senior Pastor at The First Baptist Church of Liberty. Over these 25 years he has gained much insight into the local church and especially in some of the practical outworkings of pastoral ministry. This interveiw is also available at the Alethia Ministries Blog.

Hard copies of this interview will be available on Sunday April 16th at FBC Liberty, as Bro. Jerry preaches his last sermon as Sr. Pastor. A donation of $5 is suggested for each CD. If you can't make it to church on the 16th send a self addressed envelope to FBC Liberty, (Attention Alethia Ministries) P.O. Box 88, Liberty, TX 77575 (with your $5 enclosed...cash only please).

Enjoy "25 Years of Pastoral Ministry with Bro. Jerry Johnson" by clicking on this link.

Sermon: A Model for God-Centered Ministry

2006-04-05T08:50:00.000-07:00

On Sunday, March 26th, I had the honor of preaching at Grace Reformed Baptist Church. I have much respect for their pastor, Brad Baggett and am in debt to him for much of my ministry and theological perspective. You can listen to it here.

I preached on 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12, continuing my sermon series entitled "A Church on the Brink." You can access notes from my previous sermon here, here and here.

May God cause our lives to orbit around the "blazing center" of His glory!

Wayne Grudem on the Filling of the Holy Spirit

2006-03-22T14:54:00.000-08:00

Visit Justin Taylor's blog to listen to Wayne Grudem speak on this often dodged doctrine. Click here!

Texas A&M 66, Syracuse 58!

2006-03-17T12:54:00.000-08:00

Well folks, March Maddness is upon us! Acie Law scored 23 points, including a dozen in the final 2:25, and helped the 12th-seeded (how ironic!) Aggies upset fifth-seeded Syracuse 66-58 Thursday night in the Atlanta Regional! Acie Law scored 14 points in the final eight minutes, almost single-handily delivering Texas A&M into the second round. He finished 7-of-17 from the field and had seven rebounds and five assists.

In the NCAA tournament for the first time since 1987, the Aggies advanced to face fourth-seeded LSU on Saturday in Jacksonville. The Tigers beat Iona earlier Thursday.

Gig em!
(T:Aggie Athletics.com)

A Testimony of Expiation

2006-03-17T08:37:00.000-08:00

According to Webster's, Expiation is making amends or reparation for wrongs; to atone; to pay the penalty of ; suffer for...This is obviously crucial for Christians to understand as we meditate on the work of Christ. I have written (in 2003) a testimony of expiation here. Feel free to use it if you have need. This is a testimony of a biblical character, but when you begin to read it, try to put yourself in his/her shoes/sandals...(let me know when you figure out who the character is...)

Also, allow the characterization to enter into your soul by applying these feelings expereinced by our character to your own life. I'd enjoy your feedback...

MAY THE CROSS BE HIGH IN OUR HEARTS!

"Arrested" For M.D.A.

2006-03-13T09:13:00.000-08:00

I will be participating in the Muscular Distrophy Association's annual "Lock UP" this year. Click here for more information on the "Lock UP." If you would like to graciously donate to my "bail money," visit my Personal MDA Website and donate online, or give me a call.

There is no pressure to donate…I’m not real big on asking for money, but this is for a good cause and I’d like to give a good run at the goal of $1,200 (set by MDA). If you would like to donate, I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks for your time.

Aggies are In!

2006-03-13T08:17:00.000-08:00

The Texas A&M men's basketball team will face Syracuse on Thursday, March 16 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, the selection committee announced Sunday! The Aggies earned a No. 12 seed in the Atlanta regional and will travel to Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Jacksonville, Fla. for first- and second-round action. The Ags will meet 5th-seeded Syracuse in the first round on Thursday at approximately 8:40 p.m. (CST).

The berth marks A&M's seventh trip to the NCAA Tournament and first since 1987. The Aggies' best showings were trips to the Sweet Sixteen in 1969 and 1980. Other NCAA appearances in school history were 1951, 1954 and 1975.

Texas A&M enters the tournament with a 21-8 overall record. The Aggies finished 10-6 and in fourth place in the Big 12, marking its most victories in league play and highest finish in the conference since the Big 12's inception in the 1996-97 season.

Don't miss the Ags on Thursday night! Gig em!

(T: Aggie Athltics.com)

The Sufficiency of Scripture

2006-03-03T09:47:00.000-08:00

I have recently revised a paper that I wrote last semester on the Sufficiency of Scripture. You can access it here. Let me know what you think. I am convinced that the Bible has so much life-giving nourishment for our souls and churches; yet we can neglect to seek it's counsel.

I think the danger of falling into a "dead orthodoxy" is of course still looming on the horizon, but that is not what this paper argues for. I am convinced that the Holy Spirit works through the Word of God to save sinners. I know that the Bible does not save us. We cannot be saved apart from God's effectual call. Amazingly, God has ordained that that call come through the foolishness of preaching!

May God save souls through the right preaching of His Word!

Swimming in Mercy @ Reed Arena!

2006-03-02T07:41:00.000-08:00

Click on A.C. and watch the video on the Aggie Athletics website. Gig em!

A Church on the Brink: Influence and Imitation

2006-03-01T07:20:00.000-08:00

This is the final observation that I took from chapter 1 of 1 Thessalonians. Enjoy!

III. Healthy Churches Imitate Christ and Influence Others (Verses 6-10)

They imitated the missionaries and Christ in 2 major ways:
1st—they gladly endured persecution for the sake of the Gospel (6,7) {Jason was one example of this}
2nd—they shared the gospel with others (8)

From the beginning they functioned as a missionary church!

Verse 9—Their reputation was spreading as a people who had been greatly changed
They had turned from idols to the living God! There was an observable change!

Verse 10—the chapter ends on another note of hope:

Wait on Jesus!—this has implications for holy living...What would you do this afternoon if you knew Jesus was coming back tomorrow?

Paul connects this in his evangelism: Acts 17:31 because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead."

Hope for believers: rescued from wrath to come by Jesus!

Judgment is Sure for those who reject Christ! (Have you thought of yourself as one who rejects Christ?)

God’s wrath is personal! Romans 2:16 on the day when, according to my gospel, God will judge the secrets of men through Christ Jesus

A Church on the Brink: God's Election Made Sure

2006-02-24T09:20:00.000-08:00

This is a continuation of the sermon I preached on Sunday, February 19 at FBC Liberty. This sermon is the first of a series on 1 and 2 Thessalonians. Enjoy...

II. Healthy Churches Produce Changed Lives. (Verses 4-5)
*2 major ways the missionaries identify regeneration:

1st--The people have responded to the Gospel! Their salvation was not in word alone! It was accompanied with the power of the Holy Spirit!
o Their lives matched their message…
o This was not because of fancy preaching! (verse 5)---you know what kind of men we proved to be!
1 Corinthians 2:4 And my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 that your faith should not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God.
How do you characterize a good sermon? Funny jokes? Brevity? Or are you hungering for someone to teach the Word of God to you?

o 2nd--The report given by Timothy (3:6) of their faith and love…They were people who were living changed lives!

o Other signs of the elect:
Colossians 3:12 And so, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. 14 And beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.
Why do we have problems with unity in churches? Many of the people in the pews are not SAVED!

*Election takes place before the foundations of the world—Ephesians 1:4-- just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him. In love

*It’s purpose is to produce people who are like Christ—Romans 8:29-- For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the first-born among many brethren;

*Divine Election is a theme of the Thessalonian Epistles:
o 1 Thessalonians 5:9 For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,

o 2 Thessalonians 2:13 But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth.
o Compare with verses 11 and 12-- And for this reason God will send upon them a deluding influence so that they might believe what is false, in order that they all may be judged who did not believe the truth, but took pleasure in wickedness.

*Note—Verse 4—The people are elected by God…Verse 9—YOU turned to God from your idols!

*THE BIBLE TEACHES DIVINE SOVEREINGTY AND HUMAN RESPONSIBILITY…TOGETHER…

Next point coming soon!

New Sermon Series: A Church on the Brink...

2006-02-23T08:04:00.000-08:00

I am beginning a new series of sermons at my church called A Church on the Brink. This series is a study of 1 and 2 Thessalonians. The major theme in 1 and 2 Thess. is the second coming of Christ (parousia). Many of the people in this church were converted from pagan religions and were now being tempted to return to their old ways by Jews who were skeptical of Paul, Silvanus (Silas) and Timothy. Many of the people had apparently misunderstood the teaching of these missionaries on their initial visit, (that was interrupted and cut short) recorded in Acts 17:1-9. Many were quitting their jobs and depending on the labor of others as a result of the immanent return of Christ. Paul writes, among other reasons, to correct this misunderstanding and to remind the people of some of the practical implications of the Gospel that should be played out in their lives. In way of application, I presented the material as characteristics of a healthy church. I get this from 1 Thess. 3:6 when Timothy's report of the church is being made known--"your faith and love have been reported. "My main points for verses 1-3 are listed below:

Three Evidences of God's Work in the Thessalonian Church

Verse 1: Salutation: the authors of the letter are revealed: order is probably important.
--Paul--we know...
--Silvanus: this is simply the Latin name for Silas...went with Paul and Barnabas to Antioch to deliver the decision of the Jerusalem counsel; chosen by Paul to be his associate on the second missionary journey.
--Timothy: The son of a Greek father and devout Jewish mother, he was a relative newcomer to the Christian mission. Paul and Silas had drafted him into the ministry roughly a year earlier ins Lystra (Acts 16:1).
--Both had been instrumental in helping Paul in evangelism in Corinth.

I. Healthy Churches only function through the work of the Holy Spirit. (Verses 2-3)

The missionaries are rejoicing in the fact that the church is bearing fruit!

Their work of faith--This is an interesting use of faith here; it gives the impression that their faith has been made evident through their works! The ministries that were carried out by the church were based in faith (worked by the Holy Spirit)

Galatians 5:6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but faith working through love.
James 2:18 But someone may well say, "You have faith, and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works."

Their labor of love--this gives forth an image of the people working in the process of knowing Christ and loving each other. (This is a labor intensive, long term endeavor that takes place in the local church!) Could be a reference to their welcome of the missionaries (v.9)

Their steadfastness of hope--This is definitely an eschatological hope--a hope for the 2nd coming of Christ; a restoration of all things! HOPE for the escape of coming wrath!

Colossians 1:27 to whom God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

I'll post the next two points soon.

May God write and apply His Word to our hearts!

New Blog: Reformation Theology

2006-02-15T17:11:00.000-08:00

Check out this blog! Just click on the cool picture!

Book Review: Blue Like Jazz

2006-02-15T14:57:00.000-08:00

Honestly, I don't have alot of time to read books that I WANT to read. I'm in seminary and that means I read books that I HAVE to read. Sometimes these two types of books intertwine and sometimes they don't. I have not read Blue Like Jazz, but Shane Walker reviewed the book on the Nine Marks site and it might be worth a glance to you. Just click on reveiws and you will find it. Have you read it? What do you think? I am interested to read it, but it will have to be after May 6th!

Smutty Billboards; Our Responsibility

2006-02-09T08:29:00.000-08:00

Dr. Jim Hamilton has recently blogged about something that I hope you will investigate. Basically, he is speaking out against all the filth that is pasted across the city of Houston on billboards. I hope you will read his blog and the letter that he has written to various parties concerning this issue.

Perhaps you could e-mail or write one of these advertisers expressing your concern as well!

Ross King: "I'm Done!"

2006-02-03T12:48:00.000-08:00

Perhaps you are familiar with the music of Ross King. Perhaps you are not. The thing that I want to point you to is the person who is Ross King. The great thing is that there is really not much difference. He is a true brother in Christ and a very wise man. He is not two different people (on stage, at church, at home, across the table). The truth that he speaks in his music and in his writing comes out in his regular conversation as well. Usually all of my conversations with Ross have built me up. I want to direct you to his website and ask that you click on the WRITINGS portion. Read his latest entry entitled "The Freedom to Be Done."

Let me know what you think. I have been refreshed and convicted by these thoughts on the freedom that we all have in Christ. I am admittedly on the beginning of that journey to live in freedom. I'm thankful for people like Ross who use the Scriptures to guide us on our way. I need to "be done" with so much in my life. May the Lord give me the strength to live as a free man!

NOTE:
When he refers to his church, he is referring to Community Church in College Station, TX. He pastors there with Scot Stolz. These two men are seeking to build biblical community and I am fascinated with the way God has opened their eyes to the beauty of the Church. They are really fun to have lunch with too! You need to get in touch with them and pick their brains. I know that I'm going to be doing that a lot in the near future.

Ross, thanks again for the thoughts!

C.J. and Carolyn Mahaney on Marriage and Romance

2006-02-02T13:40:00.000-08:00

Just in time to prepare for Valentine's Day, the FamilyLife Today radio show is presenting two programs this week titled "Romance Basics for Men and Women," featuring C.J. and Carolyn Mahaney. On Thursday, February 2, FamilyLife Today is excerpting a recent message from C.J. about how a man should romance his wife. The next day, FamilyLife presents an excerpt from a message Carolyn gave on how a wife should romance her husband. To find out when the programs will air on a station near you—or to listen to the programs online—visit the FamilyLife website.

(Thanks to Sovereign Grace Ministries)

Post-Modern Stop Signs?

2006-02-01T11:08:00.000-08:00

Many say that the majority of Americans today embrace a post-modern worldview. To give a definition and brief history:

The Post-Modern period can be classified from 1950 to the present.

The central Figure Friedrich Nietzsche (pictured here)

The starting point is knowledge over and above reality.

Logic is not employed in this worldveiw. (by logic I mean the science and study of reason)

Values are determined by the person...

There is No objective truth

For example, proponents of this view are not after the authorial intent of the writers of the biblical literature, but simply what the writing means to them!

There is No objective morality

A Pragmatic Theory of truth is employed. (This simply means that what works, for the individual, is therefore true.)
Science is minimized and weight is given to the community to decide truth.
The general rule in interpretation of material that claims objective truth (the Bible) is Suspicion .

Now, to the stop signs. My question is...why do people, who espouse a post-modern worldview stop at stop signs? Do you know any post-moderns who decide whether the red octagon with white capital letters reading STOP is meaning stop to them, or some alternate meaning of "stop" which would mean something different? Of course not! Stop signs are a universal symbol that convey a very specific truth. There is no room for interpretation. Truth is truth!

Or what about post-modern doctors? Imagine a surgeon saying to his patient "The MRI shows cancerous tumors, but I think you are going to be just fine!" Does this change the fact that tumors exist in the person? Absolutely not! The doctor is clearly placing his opinion over and above the objective truth of the MRI machine.

I say this to prove that the post-modern mindset is simply a ploy to avoid the clear, objective truth found in the Bible. No one really would use this "logic" in any other area of life, would they? So, be careful the next time you hear someone say..."well, to me God is like....or to me this verse means..." There is truth and there is falsehood. Jesus prayed in John 17:17..."Father, sanctify them in the truth, your word is truth!" Truth is objective and it is only found in the Word of God through the ministry of the Holy Spirit.

Remember that the next time you stop at a stop sign!

Alethia Ministries: Vision and Introduction

2006-01-27T11:48:00.000-08:00

The 1st audio post for Alethia ministries is now accessible here. I hope that you will come with us on this journey to seek and to know God's truth. May we all grow in grace and knowledge of the truth!

Mohler on Darfur

2006-01-26T08:52:00.000-08:00

Al Molher has written on the genocide in Darfur here. His final point is that awareness is the first step in taking action. As followers of Christ, we must act! Read, think and pray. What can be done? How long can we stand by and watch this happen? If things continue the way they are, 100,000 people could be dying every month!

Also check out this blog previously posted on Mercy Swimming by Keith Strahan.

Introducing Alethia Ministries

2006-01-21T10:22:00.000-08:00

Alethia = Truth

The time has come! For some time now, the idea of beginning a ministry geared toward the building up of the local church has been brewing in my heart. Now, through the providence of God, we have the resources to begin Alethia Ministries. When I say we, I mean my good friend Keith Strahan and myself. We are hoping that this will be the beginning of something special for many years to come.

Our goal is to provide resources for pastors, church leaders, and church-going believers that will glorify God and enhance Kingdom ministry. The main resource that this site will provide will be interviews with pastors, church leaders, deacons, elders, 'worship leaders' and more. If you are familiar with 9 marks ministries, then you will understand where we got the idea. May God help us rightly divide the word of truth and always seek to build up His bride!

Stay tuned for our first interview, which will describe our vision and purpose in more detail.

New Together for the Gospel Blog

2006-01-19T08:14:00.000-08:00

Visit the New Together for the Gospel Blog!

Few conferences have been as anticipated as Together for the Gospel (especially for those that run in my circles). It has been deemed the "dream conference" due to the contemporary heroes of the faith that will be teaching: John Piper, R.C. Sproul, John Macarthur. The conference will be hosted by the new and upcoming figure heads of conservative Christianity: Al Mohler, Mark Dever, Ligon Duncan, and C.J. Mahaney. (shown in picture) Click here for all speaker information and ministry links. You get bonus points if you can tell me who is in the portrait behind these four guys. (this is just a cheap ploy to get a comment...)

If you are a pastor, seminary student, or layperson in the church you need to make the trip to Louisville KY on April 26-28! I hope to see you there...bring extra money for books!

Album Review: Derek Webb's Mockingbird

2006-01-18T08:05:00.000-08:00

Derek Webb's music is difficult to label. In fact, the whole process of labeling, stereotyping, and oversimplification are topics addressed in depth in his new album Mockingbird. I know that many of those who read this blog are familiar with Derek's previous work, but if you are not, click here and here.

I know a few of folks that have listened to this CD and totally dropped off the D-Webb bandwagon. Part of that comes from an interview conducted some time ago by Challies.com. Part of this anti-Webb sentiment also comes out of Derek's clear criticism of the war, Christian legalism, and social issues such as our neglect of the poor in this country and the death penalty. Still want to get the CD?

In "A King and a Kingdom," Webb describes two major lies: one being "if you eat from this tree you will not surely die, and the other being that Jesus Christ was a white middle class republican...and if you want to be saved you have to learn to be like Him." Yes, he just got our attention...and we all know that shock-value is one of Derek Webb's specialties.

I have greatly enjoyed this album and I recommend that you buy it, listen to it and think! One of His ideas is that we (American Christians) would rather have our religion, politics and social views handed to us in a nice pretty box after we walk the isle, instead of forming our own opinions based on biblical convictions. So, if nothing else this CD will make you evaluate your position on the issues we are dealing with today. Personally, I have greatly benefited from it, and hope that you will enjoy it as well!

More Pictures of Caleb

2006-01-16T09:27:00.000-08:00

Caleb is Here!

2006-01-16T08:42:00.000-08:00

Caleb Bryant Cardwell was born on Thursday, January 12th, at 12:15 PM. He was 8lbs and 15 oz. (1 oz. lighter than his big brother), and 20 inches long. Alicia and the baby are doing wonderfully. I wanted to share with you some of our first pictures of this special day. You can click here to visit Caleb's First Photo site and you can leave comments as well.

I want to thank all of you who have prayed for Caleb and Alicia. Your prayers have been heard by the all-sovereign Father. He has given us a deep, massive ocean of mercy to live in and we are completely undeserving. Praise be to God!

It's 2006, Baby!

2006-01-04T09:46:00.000-08:00

For some reason I am having a hard time thinking past January 12th. The reason is that my beautiful wife, Alicia is scheduled to give birth to our 3rd Child (either Caleb or Addelyn) Lord Willing...yes it's going to be a surprise! Caraline wants a girl and Brayton wants a "broder."

We greatly appreciate your prayers and will post pictures and updates as soon as possible. Alicia will be undergoing a C-Section at noon on Thursday in Beaumont.

I am so amazed at the ways God bestows His mercies. My life is an ocean!

Happy New Year!...Go Horns?

Advent Candle 3: Mercy

2005-12-22T11:57:00.000-08:00

We lit our 3rd advent candle in celebration of God's mercy to us in Christ Jesus. In Luke 1, mercy is definitely a theme that continues to shine through...these were my thoughts to our family...

1. God's Mercy is upon those who fear Him. (Luke 1:50)
And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. (quoted from Psalm 103:17)

His use of Mary, a humble girl to accomplish this amazing act displays the pouring out of His mercy upon those who are unable to boast in their own characteristics. This conception was rooted in God's mercy, and Mary was His vessel.

2. He has chosen Israel because of His mercy. (Luke 1:54)
He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy...

Here Mary recounts all that God has done for his chosen people (he has scattered those who were proud in the thoughts of their heart, He has brought down rulers from their thrones and has exalted those who were humble, He has filled the hungry with good things, and sent away the rich empty handed; and the culmination of that mercy is the conception of Jesus. Mary has become theotokos the God-bearer.

3. He showed mercy in causing Elizabeth to conceive and give birth to John. (Luke 1:58)
And her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her.

She was barren! The mercy of God caused her to become pregnant and give birth to the forerunner of the Gospel! MERCY PREVAILS!
We shouldseparateerate this act of God from all others! Mom's, teach your daughters that babies come from God...they are not accidents, suprises, or even planned events. They are sheer acts of God's mercy.

4. He showed mercy in Christ to our fathers by remembering His promise. (Luke 1:72) to show the mercy promised to our fathers and to remember his holy covenant...

God keeps His promises. This is very helpful for children to see. We looked back at Genesis 12:3 and reflected on the promises God is keeping for us in Jesus. Over and over in Genesis we see "your descendant will be blessed or the world will be blessed through your seed." That seed (singular by the way) is Jesus!

5. He showed mercy in bringing sinners from death to life in Christ. (Luke 1:78)
because of the tender mercy of our God, whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high...

Verse 78 is referring to the prophesy of John the Baptist by Zacharia. He will be the prophet of the Most High, he will go before the Lord to prepare His ways, to give to His people the knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of their sins. Mercy! Mercy! Mercy!
This is all because of the tender mercy of our God who lets the sun shine upon our faces each day. This sun shine especially reminds us of those who are in spiritual darkness who are brought into light and life through Christ (verse 79).

I read Mighty Mercy, by John Piper. (probably not the best for a 2 year old, but my 7 year old caught on to some crucial words in the rhyming scheme.)

After this, we all took turns lighting the previous candles and the "mercy candle." We then sang "O Come all Ye Faithful"

Merry Christmas!

The Importance of Biblical Church Leadership

2005-12-21T07:52:00.000-08:00

It is so clear to me that leadership in the local church is vital to it's health and witness to the outside world. When I say leadership, I do not mean dynamic "styles" of communication, or "people skills." I am not referring to politicking or "working a room." I am referring to the biblical model of a plurality of elders that is rooted deeply in the New Testament.

One example of the fruits of this "leadership model" is found in a recent incident involving the elders at Bethlehem Baptist Church (John Piper's church) and those at Clifton Baptist Church in Louisville KY (Tom Schreiner, teaching elder). Many of you were aware of the proposal of the elders at BBC to allow membership to those who had been baptized as infants. This letter from the elders at Clifton is a response to that proposal that grew out of a conversation at ETS this year. I encourage you to to read it, if nothing else to be reminded of the importance of baptism and the effects of "waffling" (as the letter describes) on this issue.

(to view, right click and 'save target as')

Download: Proposal and Response to the Elders of Bethlehem Baptist Church From The Elders Of Clifton Baptist Church

I want to observe that in this situation, the letter from the elders at Clifton has no binding authority on the course of action for the leadership at BBC. However, what an example of New Testament polity in action. To observe one body of believers, so caring for another body to lovingly disagree and seek to persuade them for the glorification of God is encouraging and inspiring. Perhaps you have not seen a practical implication of the fruit of this form of leadership until now. This type of thing is beneficial for Baptists to see who might be unfamiliar with this type of leadership.

May God make us biblical in all that we do, so that he receives glory and the church receives power!

New Married Life Link

2005-12-14T12:28:00.000-08:00

Hey all you feisty married folks out there! I'm putting a link to a blog that will interest you. Covenant Life Church in Gaithersburg Maryland is the home of C.J. Mahaney, one of my pastoral role models. He is no longer the senior pastor at CLC, as he has recently passed that role over to Joshua Harris. C.J. and his wife Carolyn are amazing people. They have a wonderful family and much wisdom on marriage and family matters. Check out the Sovereign Grace Store for books by C.J., Carolyn, and Joshua.

This blog is an outgrowth of the married ministry of Covenant Life Church and it seems very informative and creative. Lots of good ideas for date nights and well informed, theological advice on marriage and family. I'll be listing it on my links section as Married Life Blog.

Guys--check out the blogs on Date Nights!

..."he preached the gospel to the people"...

2005-12-12T13:06:00.000-08:00

Luke 3:18--So, with many other exhortations he preached the gospel to the people.

Our family will be looking through the eyes of John the Baptist this week as we continue to prepare for the "coming" or Advent of Christmas. Last week we celebrated the hope and expectation (see below) that the people under the Old Covenant held onto dearly. We also are hoping this Christmas season that Jesus will return soon!

This week we will be studying 4 major passages dealing with the role of John the Baptist in preparing the world for King Jesus.

The Birth of John Foretold: Luke 1:5-25.
The birth of John: Luke 1:57-66.
Zacharia's Prophecy: Luke 1:67-80.
John Preaches and Prepares for the Messiah: Luke 3:1-20.

Poem: John the Baptist, by John Piper.

Spoken Hymn: How Beautiful the Mystery.

It seems very interesting to me to read Luke 3:18 quoted above. It says that John preached the gospel to the people! What gospel was he preaching? Jesus was just beginning his ministry...in fact he had yet to be baptized! Is this referring to John's message of repentance? Some might argue this, but the Greek word here is the word meaning "good news." This exact form was is used by Luke in Acts 8:40 speaking of Phillip in Azotus "preaching the gospel" in the towns. It is also used by Luke in Acts 17:18 when Paul is described as "preaching Jesus and the resurrection."

So, the question is, what gospel is John preaching here? There has not been a cross yet! My point is that John (who is the last Old Testament Prophet) is preaching the gospel according to the Old Testament. He is using all of the Scriptures, as Jesus said in Luke 24:27, to explain that the Christ is coming. He knows that God has promised to redeem His people, thus people must repent and trust in the Messiah to come. That Messiah is the reason that we are indwelt by the Holy Spirit today, if we are believers. That Messiah is the fully God, fully man, to be acknowledged in two natures, Savior of the world!

If John could confidently proclaim the Gospel on his side of this cross, what is keeping us from proclaiming it on this side of the cross? May this Christmas be a time of celebration, proclamation and exaltation in the One true King!

The Bible in Worship

2005-12-11T15:11:00.000-08:00

My friend and professor Dr. Jim Hamilton is the interim pastor for preaching at the Baptist Church of the Redeemer, in Sugarland, Texas. He has graciously posted a sample of their order of worship on his blog and I wanted to share it with you. This shows the beauty of a mixture of Scripture and prayer that balances out very nicely. Also, read his blog entitled Shakespearean Worship and the Emergent Church. This helped me to see the common denominator between these two approaches. Enjoy!

Advent at the Cardwell's Home

2005-12-09T12:05:00.000-08:00

I'm by no means putting my family forward as model for celebrating the birth of our Savior. We are far from having it all together. For example, it's December 5th and I've yet to lead our first Advent family time. Better late than never I always say. We have a short history of starting late, so ideally all the preparation for this celebration should be done in early November.

Let me first say that there are many routes you can take with your family to celebrate Advent. Advent is from the Latin adventus meaning "coming." This would be the main theme of Advent; celebrating the coming of the Son into the world. The method for doing that will need to be worked out in your family. Here is basically what we do:

My beautiful wife has arranged an Advent Wreath with different symbols that are important to our family. Traditionally the advent wreath symbolizes the eternality of God (the circle) and his endless mercy. The green of the wreath symbolizes the hope that we have in God; the newness of life with the Son. The candles (five of them) symbolize the light of Jesus coming into the world. Don't put too much emphasis on colors here..we have one maroon, three green and one white. I know that these are not the traditional colors, but that's ok with me. The first candle (maroon) symbolizes hope and expectation for us this year. The three green candles will represent different aspects of the coming and life of Christ (also I will use characters from the Bible to illustrate from a different angle). The white candle is the Candle of Christ, lit on Christmas day (or eve).

The wreath sits on our dining room table with the candles in the middle, with the white candle being in the very center. Each week of the Christmas season, we gather around the table, light the particular candle, read Scripture, sing and I will teach the lesson for that week.

I will try to put my notes from each week on the blog to give a taste of what this family time looks like. If you already spend time together as a family in worship each week, this is no big deal. However, if you do not regularly worship with your family, this is a great way to begin!

Our first candle will represent HOPE. We will begin by reading John Piper's poem, Christmas Candle.

This draws attention to the anticipation of the coming of a Messiah that weaves its way throughout the Old Testament into the New. The entire Bible is focused on the coming of the Messiah, beginning in Genesis 3:15--

13 Then the LORD God said to the woman, "What is this that you have done?" The woman said, "The serpent deceived me, and I ate." 14 The LORD God said to the serpent, "Because you have done this, cursed are you above all livestock and above all beasts of the field; on your belly you shall go, and dust you shall eat all the days of your life. 15 I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel." (emphasis mine)

It seems that from the fall God's judgment was clothed in hope for his people. The seed of the Woman promised here is partially fulfilled through Noah, Moses and David, but ultimately comes to pass in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! He CRUSHED the head of the serpent when the work of the cross was completed.

The people of the Old Testament were patiently waiting and hoping for this Messiah! Of course this hope was realized through the birth of a baby in Bethlehemam in a stable. He grew to be a man and was crucified for our sins. That hope should also be stirred in us as we prepare for the 2nd coming of Jesus!

I hope to close our time each week by singing a hymn. One that I really enjoyed was by Eric Schumacher entitled How Beautiful the Mystery.

May God bless your time with your family this Christmas.

From Geneva to Nashville?

2005-12-08T12:48:00.000-08:00

The soteriological (doctrine of salvation) debate still ranks as a "hot button" issue in many churches, seminaries and living rooms in my immediate context. Living in Southern Baptist circles, the topic can bring about frustration and cold responses. My hope is that this blog will help to bridge the gap between what we now see as "the Baptist Church" and the Historical Baptist Church which was rooted in Reformed Theology.

Tom Ascol, a southern Baptist scholar and pastor of the Grace Baptist Church in Cape Coral, Florida has written on the relationship in an article that you can find here.

This is a lengthly article, but I encourage you to grab some popcorn or a beverage and enjoy it. It might take you about 30 minutes or so. (It will be worth it!) Hopefully no one will need to read from this point on, but I will summarize the article for those who are "paragraph-handicapped."

Ascol begins to set the stage by asking the question: What Hath Geneva To Do with Nashville? Of course Geneva would be the place of ministry and study of John Calvin and Nashville referring to the headquarters of the SBC. This brief historical overview begins with the Protestant Reformation. He outlines the 5 Distinctive "solas" referred to by the Reformers: (quoting from his article)

1. Sola Scriptura: Scripture Alone
The Reformers taught that the Scripture alone is the final authority for what we must believe and how we must live. This view sounds commonplace to us today, but it was radical in the sixteenth century. For centuries the Roman Catholic Church had asserted its authority over against that of the Bible. The authority of the Pope, tradition, and councils were all regarded as authorities along with the Bible. Against that view, the Reformers asserted sola Scriptura: the Bible, and the Bible alone, is our only infallible source of authority for faith and practice.

2. Sola Gratia: Grace Alone
How can a sinful man become right with a holy God? That is always the most important religious question. It was the question that plagued Luther's conscience and nearly drove him insane before he was converted. Rome had developed a very elaborate system in response to that question. Rome's answer involved human works and merit--a sinner must perform sufficiently well before God if he would receive the blessing of salvation.
But through the study of the Scriptures the Reformers rediscovered that salvation is the gracious gift of God. Man contributes nothing to it. It is only by the sheer, absolute grace of God. Bible words like election and predestination, which magnify the grace of God in salvation, were rediscovered, having been largely forgotten or drained of their meaning by the mainstream of medieval Roman Catholic teachers.(2)

3. Sola Fide: Faith Alone
The Reformers taught that the means whereby a sinner is graciously justified before God is faith--not faith plus merit or faith plus works--but faith alone. Luther discovered that the Bible teaches that the sinner must place his trust in Jesus Christ in order to gain a right standing before God. Through faith alone the righteousness of Jesus Christ is imputed to the one who believes.

4. Solo Christo: Christ Alone
The Reformation rejected Rome's requirement that common church members put their faith implicitly in the church's teachings. Instead, they argued, Jesus Christ alone is the proper object of faith. He is to be trusted for salvation--not priests, popes, councils, or traditions.

5. Soli Deo Gloria: The Glory of God Alone
In one sense the Reformation can be seen as a rediscovery of God--a reawakening to the greatness and grandeur of the God of the Bible. It is God, not man, who belongs at the center of our thoughts and view of the world. And it is God's glory alone that is to occupy first place in our motivations and desires as His children. He created us and the world for Himself, and He redeemed us for Himself. Our purpose is to glorify Him.

Ascol says "Certainly there are other truths which would need to be discussed in a thorough consideration of reformation theology, but these themes summarize the essence of Reformed thought. It is obvious that the Reformers did not invent these teachings. They simply rediscovered them in the Bible and brought them out into the light for all of God's people to experience. Baptists have been greatly influenced by these Reformed themes."

He goes on to speak of the caricatures made of John Calvin and the misunderstandings most people have of what "Calvinism" truly is. He points out rightly that he was not a man to completely model ministry and theology after. When people say that they are Calvinists, they do not mean that they want to imitate John Calvin in all aspects of ministry. They are referring to the affirmation of the doctrines of grace, outlined well in Ascol's article. These articles were put into articulation after the Synod of Dort in 1618 and 1619. This meeting of the Dutch reformed church was intended to review the 5 points of Arminianism which are summarized as follows:

1. God elects or does not elect on the basis of foreseen faith or unbelief.

2. Christ died for every man, although only believers are saved.

3. Man is not so corrupted by sin that he cannot savingly believe the gospel when it is put before him.

4. God's saving grace may be resisted.

5. Those who are in Christ may or may not fall finally away.

The five points of Calvinism respond to these points with biblical retort: (from the article)

1. Election is the unchangeable purpose of God whereby, before the foundation of the world, He, out of mere grace and according to His sovereign good pleasure, chose certain persons to be redeemed by Christ.

2. The death of Christ is "of infinite worth and value, abundantly sufficient to expiate the sins of the whole world" (Article III). The saving efficacy of that death extends only to the elect because "it was the will of God that Christ by the blood of the cross, whereby he confirmed the new covenant, should effectually redeem out of every people, tribe, nation and language all those, and those only, who were from eternity chosen to salvation and given to him by the Father" (Article VIII).

3. Though man was originally created upright, because of the Fall, "all men are conceived in sin, by nature children of wrath, incapable of any saving good, prone to evil, dead in sin, and in bondage thereto; and, without the regenerating grace of the Holy Spirit, they are neither able nor willing to return to God" (Article III).

4. Those whom God chose from eternity in Christ, He calls effectually in time and "confers upon them faith and repentance, rescues them from the power of darkness, and translates them into the kingdom of his own dear Son" (Article X). God does this by causing the gospel to be externally preached to them and powerfully illuminating their minds by His Holy Spirit, so that they may rightly understand and discern the things of the Spirit of God. By the Spirit's work of regeneration He pervades the inmost recesses of a man; He opens the closed heart and softens the hardened heart and infuses new qualities into the will, which, though heretofore dead, He quickens (Article XI).

5. Those whom God effectually calls do not totally fall from faith and grace. Though they may temporarily fall into backslidings, they will persevere to the end and be saved.

Ascol continues to helpfully distinguish "hyper-Calvinism" from regular or strict Calvinism. (Most people that I meet who are against "calvinism" are against "hyper-calvinism." Here is a hymn written and sung at a hyper-calvinistic church of the time: (remember--this is heresy!)

We are the Lord's elected few,
Let all the rest be damned.
There's room enough in hell for you,
We'll not have heaven crammed!

Then Ascol brings the reader through the emergence of the modern Baptists in England, the general Baptists (believed in a "general understanding of the atonement") and the particular Baptists (believed in a "particular understanding of the atonement"), and other significant beginnings in the church of America. You will also find a good summary of the roles of the Sandy Creek, Philadelphia and Charleston Associations and their respective confessions.

Basically, the thesis of Ascol is "Southern Baptists come from Reformation stock." He argues this thesis well, and I encourage you to read his treatment of the issue.

A Dog That Returns to His Own Vomit

2005-11-18T10:15:00.000-08:00

Is there a better description of a fool? Proverbs 26:11 --"Like a dog that returns to its vomit Is a fool who repeats his folly."

2 Peter 2 deals with the rise of false prophets among the scattered Christians (diaspora) throughout the Roman world. Basically, in the first 3 verses Peter describes the influence these false teachers can have on Christians and even the truth.

They secretly introduce destructive heresies
They deny their creator
They bring swift destruction upon themselves
They malign the truth for the followers of this sensuality
They will exploit you with their greed through false words

Peter then describes the certainty of their destruction in verses 4-8 by remembering God's just acts in the past.

God did not spare angels when they sinned. (By implication how much more will he punish humans in their sin?)
God did not spare the ancient world, but destroyed it by the flood saving only Noah and his family.
God did not spare Sodom and Gomorrah, but turned it to ashes as an example to those who would live ungodly lives in the future.

Peter seems to be setting the groundwork for his statement in verse 9: "then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from temptation and to keep the unrighteous under punishment for the day of judgment. 10, and especially those who indulge the flesh in its corrupt desires and despise authority."

Now lets get to the whole vomit thing--Peter is reminding the people that God is ABLE to keep them from temptation and from false teaching. The implication here is that the people are not trusting in God's faithfulness to rightly judge and rule.

This is a big problem because, in verse 20, the people are described as knowing the Lord Jesus as Savior, but they are again being entangled and in fact overcome by sin. Peter says in 21 that it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness at all than to know it and turn away from it. This is like a dog throwing up on the sidewalk and coming back in fifteen minutes and licking it up (verse 22)! He also compares it to a pig getting washed off and then jumping back in a pile of manure.

I don't know about you, but Peter has adequately described my daily life. You see, I have the knowledge of my sin and of my need for Christ. However, so many times I prefer my own vomit to the cool, nourishing fountain of life that never runs dry. Weird huh? Of course I mean my own ideas, plans, desires (my vomit) as opposed to feasting on the all sufficient Savior and gulping down the water of the Word. This really puts a new spin on putting the trivial things in my life before eternal things.

May God give us eyes to see His beauty and a thirst for the clean water of the Word!

What Does It Mean To Be Blessed?

2005-11-11T09:30:00.000-08:00

The answer to the question posed in the title is found in Psalm 32.

Psalm 32 (NAS)

A Psalm of David. A Maskil.

How blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, Whose sin is covered! 2 How blessed is the man to whom the LORD does not impute iniquity, And in whose spirit there is no deceit! 3 When I kept silent about my sin, my body wasted away Through my groaning all day long. 4 For day and night Thy hand was heavy upon me; My vitality was drained away as with the fever heat of summer. Selah.

5 I acknowledged my sin to Thee, And my iniquity I did not hide; I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD"; And Thou didst forgive the guilt of my sin. Selah.

6 Therefore, let everyone who is godly pray to Thee in a time when Thou mayest be found; Surely in a flood of great waters they shall not reach him. 7 Thou art my hiding place; Thou dost preserve me from trouble; Thou dost surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah.

8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you. 9 Do not be as the horse or as the mule which have no understanding, Whose trappings include bit and bridle to hold them in check, Otherwise they will not come near to you. 10 Many are the sorrows of the wicked; But he who trusts in the LORD, lovingkindness shall surround him. 11 Be glad in the LORD and rejoice, you righteous ones, And shout for joy, all you who are upright in heart.

One of the biggest challenges for pastors, in my opinion, is to show people their true needs. Perhaps you are aware of the concept of "felt needs." These are the things in life that we feel or think we cannot do without. These are the answers to the question: "How has God blessed you?" I'm suggesting that our answer to that question should be David's answer: "God has blessed me by forgiving my sins and not imputing iniquity to my account." Is this how we think of blessing? Our greatest needs are not comfort or even health. We are in need because we are by nature children of wrath, enemies of God. Our state before God is comparable with someone who is tied down on a railroad track, with the train fast approaching. The most important thing to that person is not their material possessions, position or realm of influence. Are we in a different situation than this poor soul on the tracks? Jesus not only untied our bounds, but he voluntarily laid down in our place and was crushed violently by the oncoming train. Does that change your priorities? How are you blessed?

Continue to read this Psalm and notice how the blessed man is guided:

Out of the peril of sin and the anger of God (verses 1,2)
Enduring the "heavy hand" of God to bring about repentance (3,4)
In the forgiveness of sin and the pardon of guilt. (5,6)
To pray to this fountain of life, while He may be found. (6)
In the way he or she should go, through the wise counsel of the Lord (8,9)
In the surrounding of lovingkindness (10)
In the all surpassing joy that is only found in Jesus! (11)

Though the Mountains Quake; God is our Stronghold

2005-10-14T09:50:00.000-07:00

The shock of 25,000 people being crushed by a 7.6 scale earthquake in South-eastern Asia is mind-boggeling...or is it? Has it set in for you that 2 million people in the areas of Pakistan, Islamabad, Afghanistan, and the Northwest frontier are homeless after this massive earth blast? I know that for me, numbers on a screen will never have the comparable affect of experiencing first hand a tragedy of this magnitude. However, today we have access to many of the personal stories experienced by survivors that are simply astonishing. I commend to you a time of reading and praying through these stories.

Your response to this type of thing depends greatly on your view of God. This morning I prayed through Psalm 46 and the Lord reminded me of 4 things: (the text of Psalm 46 will be posted at the end of this blog)

1. We should behold this tragedy as a work of the Lord. (verse 8). We know from other passages in Scripture that God is in control of all nature (including natural disasters) and calamity.

Isaiah 29:6 From the LORD of hosts you will be punished with thunder and earthquake and loud noise, With whirlwind and tempest and the flame of a consuming fire.
Job 31:23 "For calamity from God is a terror to me, And because of His majesty I can do nothing.
Isaiah 45:7 The One forming light and creating darkness, Causing well-being and creating calamity; I am the LORD who does all these.

2. God is our strength and our Refuge; A very present (or abundantly available) help in trouble.

During these times of tragedy, when the earth caves in and the mountains tumble (verses 2,3) we DO have a rock to hold onto! God is ruling over nature and we can be secure in His perfect wisdom.

3. We should cease striving and know that God is God and He will be exalted!

Cease Striving: stop trying to rescue God from His sovereignty.
Cease Striving: stop trying to manage our own lives in such a way that produces self-sufficiency
Cease Striving: stop trying to promote ourselves. We must join in the greatest task on earth, namely exalting God with all of our lives!
Cease Striving: stop worrying. God is God.

4. Finally, what is our response?

We should not fear abandonment by God (verse 2).
Whe should fear God! (He has the ability to melt the earth with His voice!) (verse6).

We should repent! Anytime we encounter God's majestic power, we should be reminded of Jesus' words in Luke 13:3,5 when He was answering the question about people being killed when a giant tower fell on them. He responed with a question and then a statement (both will serve us well as we seek to respond to this calamity):
Question: "Or do you suppose that those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them were worse culprits than all the men who live in Jerusalem?
Statement: "I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish."

(NAS) Psalm 46

For the choir director. A Psalm of the sons of Korah, set to Alamoth. A Song.

God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, And though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea; 3 Though its waters roar and foam, Though the mountains quake at its swelling pride. Selah. 4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, The holy dwelling places of the Most High. 5 God is in the midst of her, she will not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns. 6 The nations made an uproar, the kingdoms tottered; He raised His voice, the earth melted. 7 The LORD of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our stronghold. Selah. 8 Come, behold the works of the LORD, Who has wrought desolations in the earth. 9 He makes wars to cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two; He burns the chariots with fire. 10 "Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." 11 The LORD of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our stronghold. Selah.

Soli Deo Gloria!

The Question of God's Sovereignty

2005-10-07T09:05:00.000-07:00

I cannot say how many times I have been asked about God's control over all things (sovereignty). I truly believe that the Bible puts forth a majestic sovereign Lord. The following is a response to a friend's honest question about this doctrine. Perhaps you have wondering the same...

Question:

"If God predestines everything, and he knows that some people he creates will NEVER do any good, never become Christians, and never get into heaven, then why does he even bother to make them and set out this entire life for them?"

Let’s first establish that God does predestine all things from Scripture:

Ephesians 1:1-10

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints who are in Ephesus, and are faithful in Christ Jesus: 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, 4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, 8 which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight 9 making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ 10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.

Now we can work from the fact that God does predestine all things. So, our question has become “Since God predestines all things, how does he find fault in human beings?"

This question is not a silly question, but it must be approached will all humility and submission. The problem comes when we begin to question God’s purposes with an attitude of rebellion…like “if God does things this way, then I won’t have anything to do with him…or God is unfair in predestining some to eternal life and others to eternal death.”

Scripture: Romans 9:14--I say it’s a good question because the Apostle Paul asks the same question in Romans 9:14...What shall we say then? Is there injustice on God's part?

Answer: By no means!

Paul has just explained that God chose Jacob instead of Esau before they were born or did anything good or evil. Now, listen to Paul’s argument for the righteousness of God, found in the next verse:

15 For he says to Moses, "I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion."

So, the reason that this is not an unrighteous act (God predestining all things) is because of who He is and who we are. He shows mercy on whom He will…He is not obligated to show mercy to anyone. In fact there are only two categories in salvation that we can speak of…those who receive mercy and those who receive justice. NO ONE RECIEVES INJUSTICE. It is completely just and right for people to spend eternity in hell…because they have offended and spit on the glory of an eternal God!
Next Argument from Paul: This result in God being sovereign in salvation is total dependence on His grace, not our works or efforts…
16 So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy.
17 For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, "For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth." 18 So then he has mercy on whomever he wills, and he hardens whomever he wills.

Now, this is HUGE…God not only mercies some people, by opening their hearts to the Gospel…but He also hardens others so they will be judged. This is the Word of God….I did not write this. (I would have never written this by the way!) We must submit to God's Word!

Paul’s next question…probably yours too: So, why are we responsible for what we do?

19 You will say to me then, "Why does he still find fault? For who can resist his will?"
This seems to be a logical question, but we must clothe it entirely with humility…some do not and for those Paul answers in the next verse…
Paul’s answer: Who are you to question God?
20 But who are you, O man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, "Why have you made me like this?" 21 Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for honored use and another for dishonorable use?
In other words, God knows how to make clay (people) for his glory better than we do…Are we questioning the almighty on His wise and powerful plans for His own glorification? WHO ARE WE TO QUESTION GOD?

The latter part of the question is answered in the next verse: “…why does he bother to make them?”

22 What if God, desiring to show his wrath and to make known his power, has endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, 23 in order to make known the riches of his glory for vessels of mercy, which he has prepared beforehand for glory- 24 even us whom he has called, not from the Jews only but also from the Gentiles?
So breaking it down…
Is God just in making vessels of wrath (humans destined for hell)? Answer yes… (v.22)
Why does He do it? Answer: in order to make known the riches of His mercy to people who are being saved. (v.23)

This doctrine of the sovereignty of God does not take away our responsibility for our actions. We are still called to trust in Christ by faith! Human Responsibility and Divine Sovereignty create a tension that we must not try to undue. We must simply believe it and worship God! We should also be motivated to share the Gospel with people and pray that God would open their hearts, and not harden them!

May we have a robust view of God and His glorious Gospel!

Hurricane Rita: A Gift and a Reminder

2005-09-30T14:45:00.000-07:00

Well, I'm assuming that like me, many of you (in the Houston and Beaumont area) are scurrying back to your homes after a period of evacuation. I hope that you find your homes in tact and your family (church and immediate) safe. I wanted to briefly share with you why I'm thanking God for Hurricane Rita.

Rita was a gift: Yes, I'm using this for some "shock-value," but I sincerely believe that God blesses us through this and other "natural disasters." Personally I have been shown how easily my faith can be shaken. Let's review shall we...I left my house late Wednesday night and spent a week in someone else's home. That's basically my hurricane story. However, this was all it took to break my devotional routine. I became much more interested in Fox News than the passages I'm currently reading in Judges and 1 Corinthians. I became much more aware of my dependence upon electricity (is that really an excuse not to study the Bible?) I let much of my seminary work build up because I was too busy "being a refugee or evacuee (whichever you prefer)." I began to see compromise settling into my thoughts and dealings with my children. Rita was a gift in that it forced me to see my utter dependence upon God. Rita revealed worldliness that had crept into my life. I'm thankful for God's good gifts.
Rita was a Reminder: Rita (and Katrina) reminded us that God is the Supreme Ruler of all things. We can spend years and multiple millions of dollars planning for disasters and still be utterly venerable to God's power and terrible sovereignty. I was personally reminded that we are only sustained by the prayers of our Savior. We all deserve to have our homes destroyed and lives ruined. God is gracious beyond belief, especially when He reminds us of our frailty and His unwavering strength during times like this. Rita was a reminder to me that we should spend our labors on eternal matters and be freed to release our grip from material things. Rita was a reminder that our hope should not be in FEMA or the President (although I'm not bashing them like much of the country), but in God's mighty right hand, that is solely able to deliver His people.

What has God taught you through this time?

May God continue to lead us to repent and believe!

The Forms of the Word of God

2005-09-16T11:21:00.000-07:00

A group of men in my church are seeking to know God through His Word on Thursday mornings. We are beginning our study with the Doctrine of the Word of God. God’s Word appears to us in 4 Major Ways:

1. “The Word of God” as a Person: Jesus Christ.
a. These are the only times the Bible uses this phrase to speak of Jesus:

i. Revelation 19:13 And He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood; and His name is called The Word of God.

ii. John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. We see this is Jesus in verse 14…the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.”

iii. (possibly) 1 John 1:1 What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we beheld and our hands handled, concerning the Word of Life--

b. Jesus does appear to have unique status in the Trinity of communicating the will of God and expressing the character of God for us.

2. “The Word of God” as Speech by God

a. God’s Decrees—a word of God that causes something to happen.

i. Genesis 1:3 Then God said, "Let there be light"; and there was light.

ii. Psalm 33:6 By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, And by the breath of His mouth all their host.

iii. (not only creation, but God’s Word sustains us as well) Hebrews 1:3 And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power…

b. God’s Word of Personal Address—God often speaks directly to people in the Bible

i. To Adam: Genesis 2:16-17 And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, "From any tree of the garden you may eat freely; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die." (God also spoke to Adam after he and Eve had sinned…interesting that He addresses Adam, not Eve.)

ii. The giving of the 10 commandments: Exodus 20:1-3 Then God spoke all these words, saying, 2 "I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. 3 "You shall have no other gods before Me.”
iii. At Jesus’ Baptism: Matthew 3:17 and behold, a voice out of the heavens, saying, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased."

iv. Notes: Yes, these are God’s very words…spoken directly from God…however, they are also human words in that they are spoken in ordinary human language that is understandable. This does not limit their value or integrity in any way…they are still the Words of God. (i.e. just because the human language is imperfect does not mean that God’s communication through the human language is in error.)

3. “The Word of God” as Speech through the mouth of human beings.

i. This represents God speaking through prophets in the Bible. Remember, although these are still spoken by human lips, they are God’s Words, not corrupted by their human vessels…for example:

1. Deuteronomy 18:18-20 'I will raise up a prophet from among their countrymen like you, and I will put My words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I command him. 19 'And it shall come about that whoever will not listen to My words which he shall speak in My name, I Myself will require it of him. 20 'But the prophet who shall speak a word presumptuously in My name which I have not commanded him to speak, or which he shall speak in the name of other gods, that prophet shall die.'

2. Jeremiah 1:7 But the LORD said to me, "Do not say, 'I am a youth,' Because everywhere I send you, you shall go, And all that I command you, you shall speak.
a. See also: Ex. 4:12, Num. 22:38, 1 Sam. 15:3, 18, 23, 1 Kings 20:36, 2 Chron. 20:20, Isa. 30:12-14…

3. Anyone who claimed to be speaking a message from the Lord and was not was severely punished…Ezek. 13:1-7…)

a. Thus God’s words spoken through human lips were considered to be just as authoritative and true as God’s words of personal address. To disobey the prophets of God was to disobey God himself.

4. “The Word of God” in written form (the Bible)

a. The first record of God’s Word coming in written form: Exodus 31:18 And when He had finished speaking with him upon Mount Sinai, He gave Moses the two tablets of the testimony, tablets of stone, written by the finger of God.

b. Deuteronomy 31:9-13…And Moses wrote this law…This writing of Moses was then deposited by the side of the ark of the covenant: (Deuteronomy 31:24-26)

c. Further additions were made to this book of God’s words:

i. Joshua 24:26 And Joshua wrote these words in the book of the law of God; and he took a large stone and set it up there under the oak that was by the sanctuary of the LORD.

ii. Isaiah 30:8 Now go, write it on a tablet before them And inscribe it on a scroll, That it may serve in the time to come As a witness forever. (cf. Jer. 30:2, 36:2-4, 27-31; 51:60)

iii. In the New Testament, we have God’s Words are still being added to by His people…1 Corinthians 14:37 If anyone thinks he is a prophet or spiritual, let him recognize that the things which I write to you are the Lord's commandment. Peter 3:2 that you should remember the words spoken beforehand by the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior spoken by your apostles.

d. Benefits from a written form of the Bible: We are blessed!

i. There is a much more accurate preservation of God’s Word than through oral tradition, word of mouth…

ii. There is an opportunity for repeated and prolonged study of these Words, without time restraints or limits…

iii. God’s Words are accessible to many more people than they are when preserved merely through memory and oral repetition.

iv. Have you taken for granted the gift of reading and comprehension? Do you rejoice when your children learn to read, so that they can read the Scriptures? We are so blessed!

e. Our basis for the study of Theology now comes through the Bible

i. We do not have Jesus around to imitate anymore, we must study his life in the Bible.

ii. God rarely speaks audibly in Scripture, and we would say even more so today. We are on shaky ground to seek God’s Word from this source. (Feelings are included here…opening your Bible blindly and pointing your finger…)

iii. God’s words spoken through human lips ceased to be given when the New Testament Canon was closed. (stay tuned for next week!) We do not believe God is unable to speak today, just that He will never do so in contradiction with His Word.

*It is most profitable for us to spend our time studying God’s words as written in the Bible. How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers! 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. (Psalm 1:1-2)

*It is the Word of God in the form of written Scripture that is “God-breathed” and “useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness” (2 Tim. 3:16)

Questions for Application

1. Do you think you would pay more attention if God spoke to you from heaven or through the voice of a living prophet than if he spoke to you from the written words of Scripture? Would you believe or obey such words more readily than you do Scripture? Do you think your present level of response to God’s Word is appropriate? What positive steps can you take to improve your obedience to God’s Word?

2. When you think about the many ways in which God speaks and the frequency with which God communicates with his creatures through these means, what conclusions might you draw concerning the nature of God and the things that bring delight to him?

An illustration of Eternity

2005-09-08T12:41:00.000-07:00

This morning, a friend of mine handed me a book (A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, James Joyce, Text, Criticism and Notes, Edited by Chester G. Anderson) and said there was a wonderful illustration of eternity that I might find useful. He was right...and I quote...

"Try to imagine the awful meaning of this (eternity). You have often seen the sand on the seashore. How fine are its tiny grains! And how many of those tiny little grains go to make up the small handfull which a child grasps in its play. Now imagine a mountain of that sand, a million miles high, reaching from the earth to the farthest heavens, and a million miles broad, extending to the remotest space, and a million miles in thickness: and imagine such an enormous mass of countless particles of sand multiplied as often as there are leaves in the forest, drops of water in the mighty ocean, feathers on birds, scales on fish, hairs on animals, atoms in the vast expanse of the air: and imagine that at the end of every million years a little bird came to that mountain and carried away in its beak a tiny grain of that sand. How many millions upon millions of centuries would pass before that bird had carried away even a square foot of that mountain, how many eons upon eons of ages before it had carried away all. Yet at the end of that immense stretch of time not even one instant of eternity could be said to have ended."

"At the end of all those billions and trillions of years eternity would have scarcely begun. And if that mountain rose again after it had been all carried away and if the bird came again and carried it all away again grain by grain: and if it so rose and sank as many times as there are stars in the sky, atoms in the air, drops of water in the sea, leaves on the trees, feathers upon birds, scales upon fish, hairs upon animals, at the end of all those innumerable risings and sinkings of that immeasurably vast mountain not one single instant of eternity could be said to have ended; even then, at the end of such a period, after that eon of time the mere thought of which makes our very brain reel dizzily, eternity would have scarcely begun."

Eternity is real...May God give us a sober mind when we consider our soul's destination for eternity!

Thanks Rick!

25 MORE Observations from Luke 24:25-27

2005-09-02T13:10:00.000-07:00

1. God's purpose throughout the Bible is consistent. (He is the God of the O.T. and of the N.T.) If our sermon from the Old Testament text could be preached at a Jewish Synagogue without any mention of Christ, we are dead wrong.

2. Jesus took TIME to teach men the things of God, so should we. Many times in the "evangelical" world today, the idea is to do what works instead of what's right (Derek Webb). We have to understand that change comes through the faithful, patient teaching of God's Word by gifted, called men of God. There is no shortcut to godliness.

3. There is a positive correlation between foolishness, unbelief and ignorance of God's Word. Jesus shows us that foolish men do not believe God's Word, therefore they do not understand the things of God. People who are unregenerate (unconverted) cannot understand God's Word. (1 Cor. 2:14--"But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised." (NAS, emphasis mine)

4. Jesus is the promised Messiah. (Verse 26) This seems self-explanatory, but I will briefly elaborate. Jesus, in verse 26, after the resurrection is again punctuating God's plan in redemption. He is who He said He was, and He is who the prophets had foretold. This would have carried much weight with Jewish people...and it should with us (gentiles) as well.

5. Jesus models the placement of suffering before the enjoyment of glory (heaven). Suffering will happen in this world. People will betray us, we will be wronged, we will get cancer, we will lose children and parents, we will fail. Suffering can be endured by focusing on the One who is in control of all suffering, and realizing that this life is only temporary. We too have a "joy set before us," namely the beautiful, excellent Christ Jesus.

6. We should teach the Bible in an orderly fashion. (This might be a stretch, but stay with me...) Jesus begins with Moses (I think this means the book of Genesis) and then, the prophets. He explains "big truths" from the Bible. It sounds a little like Jesus is doing Systematic Theology with these two men. He does not read (or quote) these books of the Bible, but he harvests great truths (in a way that can be understood by these men) from the Scripture and mercifully teaches them. Pastors, we should make the big truths of the Bible accessible to our people in this way as well.

7. The main purpose for teaching our children (and adults) how to read is to know God through His Word. Are you thankful that you were taught to read? Do you know how much of a blessing it is to be able to read the Bible? How many people throughout the years and today have died never learning to read the Bible in English or in their native language? Remember "everyone who has, more shall be given and he will have an abundance; but from the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away." Matthew 25:29. How are we stewarding our abilities for the Kingdom of God? The master is on His way home to settle accounts!

8. We must never underestimate the depth of God's Word. This exercise has shown me that we can gaze on the Bible for hours, days, weeks, months, and years and NEVER fully plumb the depths of this inspired Word. These men on the road were settling for a nominal value of the Bible. If you are still in the "shallow end" of the God's pool, realize that you are not in a pool, but in a never ending, raging ocean that can never be fully navigated! Let's spend our lives in the deep waters, so that when we fall, we do not injure ourselves on the sharp rocks of doubt and ignorance.

9. The Bible is Inerrant. We see in verse 25 that God inspired the prophets to speak His Word. If the prophets are acting as God's mouth-peice, can the Bible be trusted? Do you have this conviction?

10. The Bible is Sufficient. The Bible is God's Holy, inspired inerrant Word, then why don't we read it, pray it, sing it, preach it and see it in worship services? The answer is that we believe our pragmatic acrostics and success formulas are better! Is the power of the Bible limited? May it never be! We should wholeheartedly give our lives to knowing and delighting in All the Scriptures in church and in the home! These men were not trusting in the sufficiency of Scripture to lead them to the truth. Are you?

11. Suffering does NOT signify the absence of God. (In fact it seems to be just the opposite) Jesus says that it was necessary for Him to suffer. Apparently God made it necesssary. Who else could place necessity upon Jesus? We should take heed of this fact when we suffer. God is testing, not leaving. God is pruning, not cutting. God is loving, not forgetting. God is good, not evil. God is aware of all, not ignorant of our situation. If we cannot rest in God in suffering, where do we turn? These men did not understand this...do you?

12. If it was necessary for Christ to suffer, how much more are we likely to suffer on this earth? We are deceiving ourselves if we think we will make it through this life without suffering. The only question is..."Do you have a Rock to cling to or not?"

13. Jesus is a Sympathetic Savior. Hebrews 2:17,18 "Therefore, He had to be made like the brethren in all things, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid who are tempted." (NAS, emphasis mine) Jesus sympathizes with these men. He knows our needs and can related to living in this world. He will come to your aid!

14. Jesus is an excellent Savior because He interacts with men. This is where Christianity gets strange. We not only can know the Sovereign God of the universe, but we can interact with this Christ. Have you noticed that their is a conversation going on? Jesus is allowing these men to speak, and He is interacting with their thoughts and words. Can you come up with another "god" that is as majestic as Yahweh and yet humble enough to have a conversation with sinful humans? Our God is AMAZING.

15. Jesus is a merciful savior because He illuminates the hearts of men. The hearts of these men were darkened and their countenance was low. Jesus illuminates their hearts hearts and minds, and shows them wonderful things from His Law! Are you praying for illumination when you read the Scriptures?

16. Jesus knows how much time we devote to the Bible. Don't lie to yourself and say "I go to seminary, or I preach and teach regularlly, so I don't need to meditate and linger over God's Word the way most people do." That is a lie, and your ministry will suffer. Jesus knows how much time we spend seeking Him out in the Scriptures. We all need to repent of not searching for Christ in all the Scriptures.

17. If Jesus rebukes the ignorance of these men, how much more will He rebuke those who do not cherish His Word, as we possess the entire canon of Scripture? We need not deceive ourselves into thinking that Jesus understands our lack of commitment to the Scriptures. He does not say to these men "I know you guys are busy and hard workers." He rebukes them as fools. What is awaiting us on the Last Day, as we have been given so much opportunity to know and preach the Word of God?

18. People who profess to God and yet are ignorant of the Scriptures must be called to repentance. We should not stand by as people who are professing believers cast shadows on our churches and on Christ. We must call people to repent of their carnal lifestyles and trust in Christ. Too many churches have unregenerate people serving as leaders and even deacons. Jesus did not hesitate to rebuke these men and seek restoration. We should follow His example.

19. It is foolish not to believe the Gospel. One text on this, but it is self-explanatory: Romans 12:1--"Therefore I urge brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your acceptable (or reasonable) service of worship."

20. Jesus does not sympathize with doubt. I don't think we should be too comfortable with our doubt of Christ. We should ask for Christ's help, but not think that He understands and is ok with our lack of faith. We should have faith, and not be double minded: "But let him ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways." James 1:6-8 (NAS)

21. Disciples of Jesus should know Jesus. No explanation needed...(Matthew 7:21)

22. "And He said to them"... God seeks to be known by His creatures. Jesus had no obligation to explain these things to these two men. He shows that God is the pursuer, and we cannot pursue God until we are illuminated. God did not have to walk through the Garden asking "Adam, where are you?" He was reaching out in mercy. That mercy is available if you will trust in Christ.

23. Jesus preaches a sermon from the Old Testament concerning Himself. This is not a mysterious message from God. It has already been revealed through the Scriptures. It is interesting that Jesus resorts to teaching these men. Too often preaching today gets reduced to flashy, sharp, polished public speaking. If teaching "all things concerning Jesus" does not happen in a sermon, it was not a sermon.

24. All revelation must be tested and tried against Scripture. Everything that these men saw should have been placed beside the Bible. If Jesus first goes to the shouldn't we? The were more amazed by Jesus because of God's grace that allowed them to see Him in the Bible!

25. We should not spend our time waiting for signs and wonders, but seeking to know God (by the ministry of the Holy Spirit) through His Word. The signs and wonders have occured. Jesus died on the cross. God's wrath for the elect has been satisfied. Now, we should not looking for signs, but we should become signs ourselves pointing people to the all sufficient, all satisfying Christ revealed to us in the Bible.

25 Observations on Luke 24:25-27

2005-08-25T08:30:00.000-07:00

1. Ignorance of the Scriptures produces a confused picture of Jesus Christ. (The men were saddened because of the death of Christ when they should have been praising God that the Messiah had come and been raised from the dead!)
2. Sincerity does not take the place of truth. (These men seemed to be sincere in their love for Jesus, but they are rebuked as fools because they were unable to perceive Christ in the Old Testament.)
3. We should see Christ when we read and preach the Prophets. (Jesus interprets the prophets to be ultimately about Him…why should our sermons from this genre of Scripture be any different?)
4. From the Old Testament we see that it was necessary for Christ to suffer and die…this suffering is to precede His glorification. (Jesus says that it was necessary for this suffering to happen; as if these men should have been expecting it. The only way they could have know would have been to perceive it from the Scriptures…Isaiah 52,53)
5. We should preach the whole counsel of God. (This means that we are not limited to preaching from the New Testament or Paul’s Epistles. We can preach the Gospel from Obadiah, Jeremiah and Leviticus. After all Jesus showed them the things concerning Him in all of the Scriptures…We must preach all of God’s Word to God’s people).
6. The death of Christ was not a surprise in God’s redemptive plan…it was and is necessary. (The emphasis here is different from 4 because I am pointing out the necessity of Christ’s death on the cross in order to be the true Messiah; as opposed to the lack of knowledge on the part of the two men).
7. According to Jesus, there is a right way and a wrong way to understand the Old Testament. (He had to interpret the Old Testament correctly for these two men; this speaks to Biblical interpretation today…)
8. Jesus must indeed be bodily resurrected to be walking (7 miles) and talking with these men. (Those against the bodily resurrection would try to explain this as a vision by the two men…seems far-fetched to me.)
9. Explanation of Scripture is vital to our understanding of Scripture. (This should happen in every sermon…we should take seriously the interpretation of the Bible).
10. Even amidst the recent events (death, burial and resurrection of Christ) these men were unbelieving. (How much more are we immersed in a society of unbelief thousands of years removed from these events? We must give ourselves to God’s revelation: His Word)
11. Jesus not only accuses the men of ignorance of the Scriptures, but a lack of belief in what Moses and the prophets have spoken. (Knowledge does not necessarily produce belief…the men were lacking in faith).
12. There are no “obscure” or “insignificant” portions of Scripture. (We should speak about hard texts as those that are yet to be made clear to us; but we must never communicate unimportance, as some today have because Christ says that “all of the Scriptures are concerning Him”).
13. Logically, if we want to know Christ more, we should be involved in a church with a preaching ministry that “explains the things concerning Him in all the Scriptures.” (Christians are not gifted with the knowledge of Christ in all Scripture at salvation. We must sit under expositional preaching year after year and pray that the Holy Spirit would revel Christ to us.)
14. If we are called to teach God’s people, we should teach them “the things concerning Him in all the Scriptures.” (i.e. Regular, faithful, expositional preaching as opposed to the latest fads, what happened to us that week, clever stories that make others think or our own ideas of how life should work...)
15. Jesus expects those who read the Scriptures to know the things of God. (We are not merely reading so that we don’t feel guilty; we are reading to learn about the things of God. Therefore we should not “check off” Bible reading each day, but meditate on the text until we see Christ).
16. We should see Christ when we read and preach the Pentateuch. (Jesus shows these men Himself in the writings of Moses! This puts a whole new light on Leviticus and Numbers…we are searching for Christ in the pages of the Pentateuch).
17. Experiences do not produce a lasting faith. We must interpret the experiences that we have through the lenses of Scripture. (The men totally misunderstood the concept of Jesus’ coming UNTIL their minds were open to the Scriptures. They had the experience of the events in Jerusalem at the time…but not the knowledge that comes from the Scriptures…through the grace of Jesus Himself.)
18. The ultimate purpose of all Scripture is to clearly and effectively point to Christ. (When we use Scripture for other reasons we deviate from its fundamental purpose.)
19. Jesus points the men to Scripture before revealing Himself. (Jesus could have solved the whole issue by simply revealing who He was at the beginning of this walk. He does not…verse 16 tells us that their eyes were prevented from seeing Him. In other words, we do not need to be on the road to Emmaus to have Jesus revealed to us…He can be found in our Bibles).
20. Without divine intervention, we cannot understand the Scriptures. (No, we don’t all need to walk with Jesus down the block to be saved, but we do need Jesus to open our minds to the Word of God. Without divine intervention, we will come away from the Bible empty handed.)
21. The heart is a more significant weapon than the mind in Biblical Hermeneutics. (Jesus does call the men foolish, but he exposes their heart’s slowness of belief as a reason for confusion. We must come to the Bible and say “I’m going to believe every word…and I’m going to pray to see Christ in every word”…if we don’t we will be fools as well.)
22. God has revealed Himself through a book. (We cannot know God unless we know the book. He does not seem to have sympathy with ignorance. He expects His people to be saturated with His written revelation. There is no way to get around reading the Bible to know God more. Therefore, reading should be upheld as one of the greatest gifts to have been bestowed upon human beings. God revealed Himself in a manner in which we can understand and even communicate with Him!)
23. Jesus has mercy on foolish and unbelieving people. (Jesus was not obligated to walk with these men and open their minds. He obviously was not limited to roads for travel…he could walk through walls and appear and disappear at will. He showed unparalleled mercy to these men, instead of leaving them in their confusion. This should be our prayer…that Christ would not leave us in confusion, but illuminate our minds to His Word.)
24. We cannot claim to know Christ if we are ignorant of His Word. (These two men are in fact talking to Jesus and they don’t even know it. People who claim to be Christians that cannot articulate the gospel or the things of Christ found in the Scriptures are foolish. Jesus could walk right by them on the road home and they might not even know it.)
25. If Jesus Himself says that the Old Testament is Messianic, we too should view it and read it as a Messianic Document. (We must never sever the links between the O.T. and Messiah Jesus. To do so, is to take God away from the Old Testament…)

God is Sovereign Therefore We MUST Pray!

2005-08-16T12:00:00.000-07:00

The Bible is so different in describing God's ways than we have come to think of Him. If you have a healthy view of God's sovereignty in all things, then you may have struggled with the purpose of prayer. After all, if God is ultimately ruling over everything from sparrows falling to tsunami's crashing and killing, why should we pray? I often get similar questions in response to evangelism and missions as well when talking to people who have yet to see this God who decrees ALL things that come to pass (1 Chronicles 29:11-15).

I believe that the Bible upholds the sovereignty of God in all things alongside the responsibility of man. There are many texts to illustrate this beautiful tension that was described by Spurgeon as a train (the sovereignty of God) running on its tracks (the responsibility of man). Daniel chapter 9 not only sets this truth forth most plainly, but it also models for us how to pray in light of God's ruling and decreeing all things from the foundations of the world (Acts 4:27-28).

Jeremiah had prophesied desolations to reek havoc upon Jerusalem (Jer. 25:11, 12, 29:10) for seventy years. Daniel was reading in "the books" and discovered this truth. Apparently he realized that the seventy years was coming to an end (interpreters differ on the date of the 70 years). The reaction of Daniel seems to point to a realization of the imminent fulfillment of God's promise.

Daniel's response is absolutely AMAZING! I imagine my own response after seeing a human hand (without arm or body) write on a wall (chapter 5) and being delivered from the mouth of hungry lions (chapter 6). "Hey, God is in control; He has made a promise; He will fulfill it; I'm just going to watch Sportscenter." Daniel's reaction was somewhat different. Verse 3: "Then I turned my face to the Lord God, seeking him by prayer and pleas for mercy with fasting and sackcloth and ashes."

Daniel's prayer in chapter 9 shows many of us our faults in our own prayers. He confesses his sins and the sins of his people ("we have sinned and done wrong and acted wickedly and rebelled, turning aside from your commandments and rules; we have not listened to your servants and prophets, open shame belongs to us because of the treachery we have committed towards you; we have sinned against you.")

Notice that Daniel does not question God's providence or become angry with this calamity and suffering brought upon his people. He boldly proclaims that they are being justly punished (verse 11) and the reason for the punishment is their own rebellion. And in the midst of the calamity, the people did not entreat the Lord (verse 13). Because of this lack of faith, the Lord has "kept ready the calamity and has brought it upon us. (verse 14)" Who does Daniel attribute this calamity to? He does not say that this is a normal part of life. He directly attributes credit to God. He is not corrected or rebuked in any way for this (nor was Job) bold statement. Perhaps you read that and say "well, that was in the Old Testament, or God had a good reason." We must stop trying to rescue God from bad decision making! He is infinitely wise in all that He does. Daniel understood this..."According to all your righteous acts." He has just finished talking about severe calamity brought about by God and now He calls that calamity a righteous act!

So, it is safe to say that Daniel is praying in a God-Centered way. However, he does not simply proclaim the promises of God, he now prays that those promises would come to pass! "O Lord...let your anger and your wrath turn away from your city Jerusalem...Now therefore, O God, listen to the prayer of your servant and to his pleas for mercy, and for your own sake, O Lord. (verse16,17)" This is an amazing statement for many reasons. Daniel knows that God's promises are decreed to be fulfilled and yet he still prays for them to come to pass. Daniel also, like Moses appeals to God's name as a huge motivation for the answering of these prayers.

Daniel is pleading with the Lord for mercy, not on account of his righteousness (verse 18) but because of the MERCY of God! Daniel realized that God was not obligated to answer prayers, so he centered His prayers around God's passion for His own Name! "O my God, because your city and your people are called by your name" (verse 19, emphasis mine). In other words the real power in Daniel's prayer was rooted in God's power!

Thus, God answers Daniel through a visit from the angel Gabriel. Gabriel says that "at the beginning of your pleas for mercy a word went out, and I have come to tell you that you are greatly loved"(verse 22). It seems that God's pre-ordained providences for Jerusalem were set into motion by Daniels prayers! We must never think that prayer is insignificant. We must pray as if people's eternal souls hung in the balance (they do!). God is sovereign, we are responsible to pray.

Much more could be said about why we should pray. In the coming blogs, I will be discussing some of these reasons.

May God give us the faith to pray in such a powerful way.

*This blog was inspired by a message preached by Ligon Duncan at the 2005 Ligonier National Conference. You can purchase all the conference messages at www.ligonier.org

Book Recommendation: Polity, Mark Dever

2005-08-12T12:02:00.000-07:00

Before you close your eyes and click to another website, let me ask you a question. Why do we get so excited about what the Bible has to say about women in ministry, homosexuality, adultery, divorce, and yet when we begin to speak of church government and church life, pragmatism takes precedent over the Scriptures? Why do we claim that clear teachings of church discipline are outdated and untransferable to church life today? Historically Baptists not only practiced these things, but considered churches that did not to be in sin. What happened to get us to this point? Why do our church roles boast of people that we have never seen nor heard from in years?

Perhaps one way for you to answer some of these questions would to be to read Polity, Biblical Arguments on How to Conduct Church Life, edited by Mark Dever (senior pastor at Capitol Hill Baptist Church in Washington D.C.). Another suggestion I have for you is to research the history of the church. Jim Hamilton has written a web-log entitled Elders in Baptist Churches that provides some interesting historical data that points to the use of Elders in Baptist Churches (access his blog on my links section). However, the best advice I can give you is to search the Scriptures. A jumping off place for this search can be the pastoral epistles.

The first three chapters are introductory essays by Mark Dever, Greg Wills and Al Mohler. The remainder of the book contains copies of historical Baptist documents that clearly show Baptists were committed to the following: (only a sampling)

Church Discipline
Meaningful Church Membership
The Use of Church Covenants and Confessions
The ordinances of the Church (Baptism and the Lord's Supper)
The High Role of the Pastor as preacher, teacher and shepherd.
The officers of the Church--pastors (elders) and deacons

These documents help you see how pastors dealt with particular discipline issues in their churches. If you are confused about the polity of your church, this book is a good one. May we trust God to make His bride holy and without spot or wrinkle.

Blogging Because of Grace

2005-08-09T11:59:00.000-07:00

Let me first say that it is great to be back from vacation. My family and I had a wonderful time, and God was and is astonishingly faithful. I want to talk about what I learned on vacation (from my boy Augustine) but first I need to speak to an issue dealing with my heart. This is the warning that God has placed in my heart: Matthew 6:1-- "Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven."

So, I think there is a fine line for me to walk in the remaining time I spend on this blog. Let me state a few things about how I'm dealing with this verse...First, I want you to know that I have probably NEVER had an original thought. Everything that I have learned about Theology, ecclesiology, and life in general has been revealed to be by God the Holy Spirit. I have also stood on the shoulders of great men like Spurgeon, Edwards, Burrows, Packer, Piper, Sproul, MacArthur, Mahaney, Dever, Grudem, Lewis, Augustine, Stott and many others. I don't want to deceive you into thinking that I have somehow come up with these things on my own. I do have a prideful tendency to want things to have my name on them...so that I can get credit...I have learned from books written by people smarter than I, articles by people who really know what they are doing...all of which has been "spoon-fed" to me by God Himself. So, how can I boast?

Next, but not in juxtaposition, I am a pastor. That means that I care for and watch over the souls of people. I do not have a "job." I do not "work" at a church. Therefore, my life is now and will always be transparent before my people. How can I Shepherd the flock of God and not take care of my own family? As you may know, transparency is scary...Because I have many faults as a father and husband. Therefore, the thing that I am modeling for people is not necessarily "how to do family worship" or "how to love my wife and kids" or "how to approach parenting as a preparation for judgment day for my children." (I do model all those things and practice them and you should too) foremost, however I must model a broken, helpless, needy, fallen, man who is utterly dependent upon God for every breath that I take. I am to model someone who is "happy" in Jesus. Someone who delights in God's law and meditates on it day and night. I am also to model a motivation of joy and not duty. A getting from God and not giving to Him. What can we possibly give to the God of the universe? We give Him glory by needing, wanting, desiring and taking pleasure in Him.

So, maybe that explains (in part) my inadequacy and the reason that I am blogging and pastoring. So, let me say that I do have a tendency to brag about these righteous acts in my life. Basically pride can be defined as contending for the Supremacy of God. I do that! I do it every day, to my shame. If it were not for the prayers of Jesus and the perservering work of God in my life, I would have committed apostasy long ago! Praise be to God that I am a believer today!

In closing, I want to remind myself and everyone reading that if we do "acts of righteousness" in front of people, we are in danger of sucking away God's glory. And we will get a reward, but it will be short-lived and forever punished. My goal in this blog, in my ministry is to point people to Jesus, not to Travis. My goal is to remind all of us that if we are breathing today it is because Jesus told our hearts to beat! Swim in mercy, do not drown yourself in the prideful waters of self-reliance and boastful religious contests. I'm going to close now with the words from a hymn that my church sang on Sunday: May God bless you with the knowledge of your utter dependence upon Him; and then the hope of more grace to sustain us until He comes!

Grace Greater than Our Sin

Text: Julia H. Johnston

Music: Daniel B. Towner

Marvelous grace of our loving Lord, Grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt;

Yonder on Calvary's mount outpoured, There where the blood of the Lamb was spilt

Sin and despair, like the sea waves cold, Threaten the soul with infinite loss;

Grace that is greater, yes grace untold, Points to the refuge, the mighty cross

Dark is the stain that we cannot hide--What can a Vail to wash it away?

Look! There is flowing a crimson tide; Whiter than snow you may be today.

Marvelous, infinite, matchless grace, Freely bestowed on all who believe!

You that are longing to see His face, Will you this moment His grace receive?

Refrain: Grace, grace, God's grace, Grace that will pardon and cleanse within!

Grace, grace, God's grace, Grace that is greater than all our sin!

My Prayer for a God-centered Vacation

2005-07-26T11:54:00.000-07:00

I am about to leave for a vacation with my family for a week. I am excited for many reasons. I will be able to spend some much needed time playing and loving on my beautiful children and wife! I am also praying for something amazing to happen while we are away...namely to be drawn together in the joy of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

I am praying, and hope that you would pray, that our vacation would not just be a time of relaxation and fun! (although we do plan on relaxing and having lots of fun)! I am praying for spiritual revival in my family. I'm praying that our devotion times would be spirit-filled (in the hotel room). I am praying that my children would become more aware of the power of Jesus; I'm praying that we could be revitalized before we trudge through a fall semester that may prove to be draining and demanding.

I guess my point is that vacations can be good and they can be bad. Believe me, I have taken bad vacations! Times when all we do is sleep late and gorge ourselves on food and watch 20 movies that have nothing to do with widening our souls (to fit a gigantic Christ inside)! Good vacations are like times when armies stop and regroup. They need to refuel, and receive more supplies for the coming war. (WE ARE IN WAR EVERY DAY...that war does not stop on vacation by the way). The battle plan needs to be re-visited. Everyone needs to get back onto the same page. Everyone needs to be reacquainted with their general, and have new confidence breathed into their lungs! The Bible is our blue print and our general is a joy giving, satisfying Christ.

One way that I am praying to be reacquainted with the joy-giver is to spend a week with Saint Augustine. What an amazing man! I'm going to be reading a small book entitled Augustine on Prayer, by Thomas A. Hand. Let me just read you a few excerpts from the life of this joy seeking man of God.

"To aim at the happy life, to wish for the happy life, to covet the happy life, to seek it and follow after it, is, I think, the business of all men."

"But to know where to find this thing desired of all; that is disputed among them, that divides them."

Augustine could never be satisfied with a little happiness now and then, "like splashes of color against the drab background of daily drudgery." Fleeting pleasures could never satisfy his questing soul!

The only satisfaction for Augustine (and for you and me) could be found in God. He articulates in this way: "From all this it will readily occur to anyone that the happiness which an intelligent being desires as its legitimate object is the result of a combination of two things: namely that it enjoy the Immutable Good, which is God, without interruption; and that it know with a certainty that it is exempt alike from doubt as from error, that it shall abide in that enjoyment forever."

So, we are not going on a vacation because it quenches the thirst of our souls (many people do). We are retreating to be replenished by the being that can satisfy our souls. May God be at the forefront of our vacations and our daily activities, and may we not waste ourselves on fleeting pleasures. We were made to stand against a glorious Christ and be dwarfed by beauty and majesty! That is true pleasure and enjoyment...and it glorifies God! Have a wonderful week!

Tickling Ears; Deceiving Thousands

2005-07-20T11:32:00.000-07:00

2 Timothy 4:3,4--"For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires; and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths."

Joel Osteen is not the first public teacher to fulfill Paul's prophecy in his letter to Timothy. However, since I minister in the Houston area, I want to publicly address this ministry for the sake of the people in my church and all who will read this blog (probably 3 people).

If you missed the interview with Larry King, I would encourage you to check out the transcript at: http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0506/20/lkl.01.html

Now, I also want to mention that apparently Osteen received a lot of flack for the way that he dodged clear questions by Larry King. So, he apologized to everyone who was offended...Check out his apology here: http://www.joelosteen.com/site/PageServer?pagename=LarryKingLetter

The main issue in the apology was Joel's squirming around Jesus as the only way to heaven. When plainly asked if Jews and Hindus and others who don't trust Christ would be saved, he said that "I don't know." This is called universalism and it means that all roads, religions and practices can lead to heaven. It is heresy!

Some of you reading this may not be familiar with the reasons that I am warning people of Joel Osteen. Let me list a few: (by the way, he did not apologize for these in the above letter)

He does not preach the Gospel! He spends his entire sermons on self-help tips and throws some Scripture in at the end...Followed by an invitation to "accept" Christ. This obviously leads people to false assurance of salvation and a misunderstanding of the nature of grace.
He does not mention sin. (that's a big problem when you are a minister of the Gospel and the Gospel is about God's restoration of a people who are SINFUL by nature). The Bible is clear that the wages of sin are death. Not to discuss this is to deny the authority of Scripture and pervert the Word of God. He claims that he does not want to condemn people so he avoids sin. 1 John 1:8 "If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us."
He takes no stance on abortion and same-sex marriage from the pulpit. See his reasoning on this in the interview. Basically he says that he interprets the Bible literally and that it is the inerrant Word of God. But--he does not mention abortion and same-sex marriage because they are political issues. (What does this say about his view of God's Word? Public opinion trumps Romans 1?)
He teaches a health and wealth prosperity gospel. In other words, the main goal of Christianity is to be blessed physically. (See article for more)
He has a following of thousands! Thousands of people (57,000 + opening weekend) are attending Lakewood, thousands of people pack out arena's across the country at his conferences and thousands more watch by television.

So my warning to you is not to be deceived by this false teacher. Do do say he is a "good preacher" with weak theology. Do not say that he is a "positive preacher" and I listen to him for a lift. Beware! This easy gospel is trapping thousands. Don't trade "feeling good" for the truth. Perhaps I will write a review of the interview with Larry King in a coming blog, but for now, be warned! Test everything that you hear (including this article) and hold on to the good (1 John 4:1).

Darfur Awareness

2005-07-15T11:43:00.000-07:00

As Americans we tend to become caloused to happenings in other parts of the world (myself included). The newest addition to our staff, Keith Strahan, is raising awareness for an area in the Sudan called Darfur. The following is an article that he wrote for the local newspaper.

Keith writes: "I wrote this article in hopes to raise awareness of happenings around the world. In this particular case of Darfur, a region of Sudan, I felt that it was necessary to gain the attention of people close to me. This article is not to diminish the other atrocities of our modern age, but to bring one forth in hopes that we as a people will dig and read to spawn a desire to bring the Gospel to lost and dying peoples."

Over the past couple of months a situation that is taking place on the continent of Africa has caught my heart and attention. Many of you may be aware and are actively seeking help; some are aware but don’t know how to help; some are aware and don’t want to help; but for the most part we are ignorant of what is going on in Darfur. Darfur is a region of Sudan that is nestled in the West bordering Chad. If you do not know of the situation and the necessity for urgent action, let me give you an idea of what is going on.

It’s genocide. The Arab Janjaweed militias, backed by the Government of Sudan, have bombed and burnt the black Muslim population of Darfur from their homes. They've destroyed their crops and poisoned their water supplies. Now they're preventing life-saving food and medicine from reaching them. The American Heritage Dictionary defines genocide as the systematic extermination of an entire national, racial, political, or ethnic group. The Sudanese government, along with the Janjaweeds, is specifically targeting this group of people. The claim by the rebels is that the government is favoring these Arabs over the Africans. So this is a government sponsored assault on a people group based on race.

Why isn’t anyone calling it genocide? Well, over 130 countries, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and most other European Union countries have signed an International Convention committing themselves to act to prevent genocide anywhere in the world. That’s why no government wants to call Darfur genocide. If any country does then the cost of that would be a joint effort to stop it. And with our country’s dealings elsewhere in the world and with French and Chinese oil ties in Sudan, many countries are reluctant to involve themselves. So, sadly it is left on the civilians to act and encourage our governments to see this horror and do something about it. Sad thing is, most see, and their foreign policy and political alliances cause them to turn their heads. Even American cable stations coverage of this conflict are far and few between. The only really reliable sources are from international news services such as the UK’s BBC and Reuters, the international equivalent of the Associated Press.

I’m not sure where your political philosophy of American interventionism lies, but I urge you to take time and consider. Over 1,000 people are dying every day. Over 400,000 have already died or are passed saving; the death toll could reach over 1 million. Time is not an ally. Disease and quite possibly military operations could increase this death toll more rapidly. I urge you to study and act. Read about this conflict and decide for yourself if these atrocities are worth your thought and action. Here is my fear, the same as from Hotel Rwanda, that “[You’ll] hear this, say ‘Oh, my God that’s terrible!’ then go back to eating [your] dinners.”

The only way now, without government help, to help prevent this, or at best alleviate some pain and suffering, will be to join up with some humanitarian efforts, particularly that of the Red Cross. Visit websites, like savedarfur.org, talk to me, call and e-mail your local representative and the President. But most of all, pray for these people, that this will give us an opening to share the Gospel of Christ. For that is the ultimate end.

Regards,
A. Keith Strahan

Treasures in Deuteronomy

2005-07-11T14:13:00.000-07:00

"The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our sons forever, that we may observe all the words of this law." Deuteronomy 29:29 (NAS)

Most people that I talk to cringe when they see the sermon text to be found in the book of Deuteronomy. Many 1-year bible plans have been thwarted by this "daunting" book. The thing that I notice about these comments is that they are based on a very cursory knowledge of this wonderful masterpiece. So, before we go on, if you are one of the "Deuto-haters" out there, let this be a summons back to the Bible. After all, Paul was right when he said "For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope." Romans 15:4 (emphasis mine).

It sounds like there is something very important for us in the book of Deuteronomy! What could it be? What could be so foundational that our perseverance and encouragement (and our hope of being saved) rest on these words of Moses? Allow me to list only a few:

We see who this glorious and majestic God is... He is a God that can turn an eleven day journey into a 40 year fiasco! (Duet. 1:2,3) He is a God that gives life and takes it away (Deut. 1:10; 2:14,15); He is a God who appoints the victories of rulers and armies and their demise (Deut. 2:9,12,24 ); He is a God who passionately burns against the wicked (2:34; 3:6; 9:14 etc.) He is a God that wants people to to have the heart to obey (Deut. 5:29); He is also the God that gives people the heart to obey (Deut. 29:4); He is a God that chooses who will be saved, not based on their merit, but on His love and electing grace (Deut.7; 9:6,7)!
We see how we should relate to this majestic God of the universe...

Dads should teach their families the fear of Yahweh and all His ways so that they might love Him fully. (1:17, 6:2)
We should worship this God! (7; 33:29)
We should obey the LORD by faith! (8:6, 11)
We should fear hell! (32:22)
We should learn to feed on manna from heaven (8:3)
We should not put our God to the test. (6:16)
We should not have any gods before Yahweh. (wow, the whole book!)
We should leave room for God's wrath (32:41,42)
We should bring the Gospel to all the nations and rejoice in our great salvation! (32:43)

Finally, Dueteronomy 29:29 carves out our task. Namely to leave the secret things to the Lord, but to pour our lives out gulping down those things that have been revealed to us! We must read God's Word to know God! May we (my church, Baptists everywhere, and all Christians) be a people who delight in God's Word!

I hope you find as much pleasure as I did in reading Deuteronomy. Read it over and over and over and over! Enjoy!

Why Blog?

2005-07-08T11:37:00.000-07:00

I'd like to lay out a few main ideas that I have for this blog and make it clear why I am following the "blog-trend." First, let me start with the title for this blog...I feel that it describes the existence of every human on the face of this earth. So, I hope that it serves as a reminder that we do not walk, talk, breathe, make plans, play golf, go to a job, go to church, read our bibles, or even pray apart from God's sovereign hand. So may people be awakened to God's goodness in their lives!

My prayer is for a God-centered world view, and I don't want that to sound like a Piper quote. I really desire for people to know the majesty of our God. Too many times we settle for a god that is weak and blind. By God's mercy may we be transformed! We swim in mercy! Romans 12:1-2 is my prayer for the people in my church and for anyone who might gaze on these words. But notice that we are transformed and not conformed to the world BY THE MERCIES OF GOD.

My life, as I'm sure is yours, is a story of mercy swimming. I will in future posts reflect on the goodness of God in my life. He has interrupted, hardened, blessed, taken away and made alive...Praise be to God! I want to encourage anyone who reads this blog to also be aware of a few others worth reading. First, I would like to heartily recommend Jim Hamilton's blog. Dr. Hamilton is a great man. He has taught me much about the majesty of God and the worthiness of spending our lives studying to know Him. I will also say that Billy Newhouse has been a great encouragement to me, especially to blog...He is a great friend and a humble man of God.

May God continually provide us with oceans of mercy to swim in!