Grateful To Be Redeemed

Thanks Be to God by Knox Chamblin

2009-03-22T21:08:00.000-07:00

I read an article in the March Tabletalk that really struck me with how wonderful the Lord's grace is and how good He has been to me. Dr. Chamblin captures some awesome points and opens up to some areas of sin he has struggled with and how graceful God has dealt with him.

In December 2008, I turned seventy-three. Invited by Tabletalk to address younger generations “on matters pertinent to the faith,” I thought of Psalm 71, the prayer of an elderly man. Says verse 18: “So even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might to another generation, your power to all those to come.” I seek to do so now.

Wisdom: “O God, from my youth you have taught me” (Ps. 71:17a). “So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom” (90:12). For an ancient Hebrew, heart had rational, emotional, and volitional dimensions. So one way to love God with all one’s heart was to love him with all one’s mind (Matt. 22:37). I urge you, whatever your calling, to commit yourself to the serious study of the Holy Scriptures. When I taught at Reformed Theological Seminary (RTS), reading an assigned exposition sometimes left me wondering: “If this student believes the Bible is God’s infallible Word, why has he expended so little effort to mine its treasures?” While writing a commentary on the gospel of Matthew in recent years, I was acutely aware of the need for both utter dependence on God and unrelenting discipline: these are like the two wings of an aircraft, both essential for flight (Jerry Bridges, The Discipline of Grace, chap. 8).

The crucial dimension of the heart is the will. Failure to do the truth shows that I have not grasped the truth (James 1:22; 1 John 3:18). Colossians 1:9–10 teaches that believers are given “spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord”; and that by “bearing fruit in every good work” they will be “increasing in the knowledge of God.” “All right knowledge of God is born of obedience” (John Calvin, Institutes, 1.6.2).

Warfare: “O God, be not far from me; O my God, make haste to help me!” (Ps. 71:12). Galatians 5:16–26 describes conflict between “the flesh” and “the Spirit.” “Flesh” here is not a part of the person, but the whole person viewed in a certain way — in rebellion against God. “The Spirit” is not the human spirit (which itself produces “works of the flesh”) but the Holy Spirit of God.

By means of the fifteen “works of the flesh” (vv. 19–21), sin (the power behind the flesh) assaults God’s people. The eight traits at the heart of the list — “enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy” — all spring from competitive pride, the foremost of the seven deadly sins (C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity, Book 3, chap. 8). Pride and its offspring rob me of love, joy, and peace (Gal. 5:22). I can now see that pride assailed me throughout my teaching career. At Belhaven College and at RTS, I always taught with people who were better at doing what I did best! In face of their superior gifts and attainments there was always the threat of jealousy, rivalry, and envy.

“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh” (v. 16). Over the years I have come to see that the nine qualities of 5:22–23 are weapons from the Spirit to combat the flesh. Especially potent against pride is love (Greek agapē) — love that “does not envy or boast” (1 Cor. 13:4), that esteems others more highly than oneself (Phil. 2:1–3). In the face of pride, the Spirit also granted me joy — in praying with colleagues, in valuing all that they taught me, in knowing them to be skilled comrades-in-arms against a common foe (Eph. 6:10–20), in recalling how they discouraged me from taking myself too seriously.

Worship: “My mouth is filled with your praise, and with your glory all the day” (Ps. 71:8). I give thanks to God the Father. He fashioned me in His own image, and surrounded me with the wonders of His creation. He has granted me seventy-three years of life. He disclosed the glory of His Son to me. He drew me out of darkness into light, out of death into life. When I willfully disobey, He disciplines me — as gently as possible, as sternly as necessary! I shudder to think what course my life would have taken had it not been for the heavenly Father’s patience, mercy, and love to His stubborn and wayward child.

I give thanks to God the Son. He loved me, and He went to the cross to save me from the sins that enslaved me, to crucify the record of guilt that the demonic powers used against me (Col. 2:13–15). He is my wisdom, my righteousness, my holiness and my redemption (1 Cor. 1:30). I now have a far more radical view of human wickedness and personal sin than before. For this very reason, I have a far more radical view of grace: what was long an important concept is now a preeminent reality.

I give thanks to God the Holy Spirit. He has enlightened me to understand the Bible and has enabled me to teach. He has armed me for battle against the flesh; and He has slowly been cultivating in my life such qualities as love, joy, peace, and patience. I well know my natural bent to selfishness, gloom, anxiety, and impatience; so when my heart is moved to love God or another person, I know the Holy Spirit has been at work.

For your own worship, I recommend a 30-day notebook. For each day, include (besides names of persons for whom to pray) a biblical psalm and a hymn of praise. You have a Bible. You may need a hymnbook: buy one, don’t take it from the church pew!

“My lips will shout for joy, when I sing praises to you; my soul also, which you have redeemed” (Ps. 71:23).

Dr. Knox Chamblin is professor emeritus of New Testament at Reformed Theological Seminary in Jackson, Mississippi.  In addition to teaching Sunday school, he also participates in conferences and foreign missions.

In order to promote the unity and growth of the body of Christ, Generation to Generation endeavors to provide the wisdom of elders to younger readers and convey what young Christians need to hear as they mature in the Christian faith.

ESV Study Bible Calfskin giveaway

2009-02-25T21:50:00.000-08:00

David Porter is giving away a ESV Study Bible in Calfskin at Boomer in the Pew Blog, check it out.

J. Gresham Machen: A Forgotten Libertarian

2009-02-18T19:19:00.000-08:00

What a great article from 1993 in The Freeman written by Daniel F. Walker about J. Gresham Machen's commitment to liberty as well as the historic Christian faith. I found this thanks to Contemporary Calvinist.

Meet J. Gresham Machen, a leading conservative Christian theologian who led the battle for historic Christianity early in this century.

Machen is often overlooked today, except by those familiar with the world of Reformed Protestant Theology. Such books of his as The Origins of Paul’s Religion and The Virgin Birth of Christ (“monuments to careful historical research and argumentation,” according to historian George Mars-den) are periodically reprinted, as is his classic Christianity and Liberalism, a defense of historic Christianity against theological unbelief. CONTINUE TO ARTICLE

Qualities of a good listener

2009-02-17T21:46:00.000-08:00

This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; James 1:19 (NASB95)

Here is a good post by Gavin Ortlund on the qualities of a good listener.
Link

J. Gresham Machen on Public Schools

2009-02-09T16:23:00.000-08:00

So I'm reading along in Christianity and Liberalism, by J. Gresham Machen last night and I come to a very interesting section in the introduction about the public schools in America. This is so profound and so prophetic and I just had to post it.

"A public school system if it means the providing of free education for those who desire it, is a noteworthy and beneficent achievement of modern times; but when once it becomes monopolistic it is the most perfect instrument of tyranny which has yet been devised. Freedom of thought in the middle ages was combated by the Inquisition, but the modern method is far more effective. Place the lives of children in their formative years, despite the convictions of their parents, under the intimate control of experts appointed by the state, force them to attend schools where the mind is filled with materialism of the day, and it is difficult to see how even the remnants of liberty can subsist."

Louis Berkhof on the Natures of Christ

2009-02-09T09:38:00.000-08:00

Our church has been studying the Heidelberg Catechism on Sunday evenings. This week while looking at Lord's Day 6 and the two natures of Christ I thought I would dig a little deeper and see what much greater minds than mine have written on this topic. Here is a quote from Louis Berkhof in his Systematic Theology book that I think is terrific.

"From the earliest times, and more particularly since the Council of Chalcedon, the Church confessed the doctrine of the two natures of Christ. The Council did not solve the problem presented by a person who was at once human and divine, but only sought to ward off some of the solutions which were offered and were clearly recognized as erroneous. And the Church accepted the doctrine of the two natures in one person, not because it had a complete understanding of the mystery, but because it clearly saw in it a mystery revealed by the Word of God. It was and remained ever since for the Church an article of faith, far beyond human comprehension."

Pg 315, Section B

A.W. Pink, God's Sovereign Election

2009-02-08T06:51:00.000-08:00

Here is the Grace Gem for today which is a wonderful explanation of election by A.W. Pink (1886-1952).

God's sovereign election

"Rebekah's children had one and the same father, our father Isaac. Yet, before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad--in order that God's purpose in election might stand: not by works, but by Him who calls--she was told, 'The older will serve the younger.' Just as it is written: 'Jacob I loved--but Esau I hated.'" Romans 9:10-13

Jacob supplies us with the clearest and most unmistakable illustration of God's sovereign election to be met with in all the Bible. The case of Jacob gives the most emphatic refutation to the theory that God's choice is dependent upon something in the creature--something either actual or foreseen--and shows that the eternal election of certain individuals unto salvation--is due to no worthiness in the subjects--but results solely from God's sovereign grace. The case of Jacob proves conclusively, that God's choice is . . .
entirely sovereign,
wholly gratuitous, and
based upon nothing but His own good pleasure.

The God of Scripture then, is the God who chooses one--and passes by another. He is the One who exercises and exhibits His own sovereign will. He is one who shows Himself to be the Most High God, ruling in heaven and earth and disposing of His creatures according to His own eternal purpose. He is the One who singles out the most unlikely and unworthy objects--to be fashioned into vessels of glory. Yet, He is the One who necessarily always acts in harmony with His own divine perfections.

Election is not as some have supposed--harsh and unjust--but is a most merciful provision on the part of God. Had He not from the beginning, chosen SOME to salvation--ALL would have perished! Had he not before the foundation of the world chosen certain ones to be conformed to the image of His Son--the death of Christ would have been in vain, so far as the human race is concerned!

Reduced to its simplest terms, ELECTION means that God chose me--before I chose Him. Our Lord said, "You have not chosen Me--but I have chosen you." (John 15:16) We love Him--because He first loved us. Election means that before I was born, yes, before the foundation of the world--I was chosen in Christ and predestined unto a place in God's family! Election means that we believed--because He made us willing in the day of His power. Election then,
strips the creature of all merit,
removes all ground of boasting,
strikes us helpless in the dust,
and ascribes all the glory to God!

How Much is $1.1 Trillion Dollars?

2009-02-06T08:05:00.000-08:00

Here is an excellent post by Amanda Shaw at First Things Blog detailing what $1.1 Trillion dollars can buy.

It’s 1.1 times ten to the twelfth power, or 1,100,000,000,000. To put that in perspective...

To put this further in perspective:

* The Marshall Plan cost $12.7 billion ($115.3 billion, adjusted for inflation)
* The space race cost $36.4 billion ($237 billion with inflation)
* The Korean War cost $54 billion ($454 billion with inflation)
* The New Deal cost $32 billion (estimated; $500 billion with inflation)
* The invasion of Iraq cost $551 billion ($597 billion with inflation)
* The Vietnam War cost $111 billion ($698 billion with inflation)

Continue to article.

C.J. Mahaney on Michael Phelp's Bong picture

2009-02-05T09:13:00.001-08:00

Here is an excellent blog post form C.J. Mahaney about Michael Phelps.

Michael Phelp's Bong

By now most of you have seen the photograph of Olympic superstar swimmer Michael Phelps filling his giant lungs from a bong of marijuana. When the picture appeared in a British tabloid, Phelps acknowledged it was “youthful and inappropriate.”

Now there is no debate over whether the 23-year-old is gifted with athletic greatness. He is. And financially Phelps is set for life, his agent Peter Carlisle estimating his potential earnings will reach somewhere around $100 million.* Which I’m told would equal a stack of $100 bills 360 feet tall!

The photograph of Phelps reminds me of myself prior to conversion, a competitive swimmer (of slightly lesser skill), a sinner (of greater degree), held captive by sin, pursuing the fleeting pleasures of this world. And sadly, in my case, pursuing sin with passion.

So what was Phelps searching for in that bong pipe? What emptiness in his soul was he trying to satisfy?

Once again we are reminded that athletic gifting, championship trophies, gold medals, and million dollar endorsement deals cannot satisfy the soul.

Last year, in the wake of his third Super Bowl championship, disillusioned Patriots quarterback Tom Brady admitted on 60 Minutes,

Why do I have three Super Bowl rings and still think there’s something greater out there for me? I mean, maybe a lot of people would say, “Hey man, this is what is.” I reached my goal, my dream, my life. I think, “God, it’s got to be more than this.” I mean this isn’t, this can’t be, what it’s all cracked up to be.

I commend Brady for his honesty.

And no doubt some Pittsburgh Steelers players are beginning to have similar thoughts.

But in Phelps’s case, if you listen to the media (with the exception of my man Michael Wilbon of the Washington Post) you hear a common chorus of excuses like “Give Phelps a break, nothing he did was anything worse than happens in an average weekend at a typical college campus.”

But we are not talking about a typical American college student. Phelps is a rich superstar.

This is what I find so striking: A man whose chest has been covered with gold medals, has achieved international fame, showered with awards, and blessed with an incomprehensible amount of money, still feels compelled to press his face to a bong.

It was Augustine who said that the soul is restless until it finds its rest in God. So true. Only God can satisfy the soul. Only the gospel of Jesus Christ provides forgiveness of sin, and therefore it is here in this gospel that we find rest for our restless souls.

Study the unflattering picture of Michael Phelps to be reminded of the deceitfulness of sin and the superficiality of fame and money. But also study the picture to be reminded of the message of Christ and him crucified for restless sinners like you, and me, and Michael Phelps.

Voddie Baucham rephrases the question

2009-02-04T19:52:00.000-08:00

This is an excellent quote from a sermon by Voddie Baucham.

What is wrong with the world? There’s obviously something wrong with the world. It was the Father’s good will for all the fullness to dwell in him, and through him, and through him to reconcile all things to himself having made peace through the blood of his cross. Through him I say whether things on earth or things in heaven, and although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds. Stop, hostile in mind and engaged in evil deeds. What is wrong with the world? You are the crowning glory of the creation of God. You were created to live and bring glory and honor to the Lord Jesus Christ and instead you are hostile toward the one by whom and for whom you were created. That is what’s wrong with the world. God’s so powerful and so good how come bad stuff happens. Here’s how you ask that question. How on earth can a holy and righteous God know what I did and thought and said yesterday and not kill me in my sleep last night? Until you ask the question that way you don’t understand the issue. Until you ask the question that way, you believe the problem is out there. Until you ask the question that way, you believe there is somehow, some individuals who in and of themselves deserve something other than the wrath of almighty God. Until you ask the question that way, until you flip the script and ask the question this way and say why is it that we are here today, why has he not consumed and devoured each and every one of us. Why, why oh God does your judgment and your wrath tarry? When you ask it that way you understand the issue. When you ask it the other way you believe in the supremacy of man. You flip the question around you believe in the supremacy of Christ. The problem is I judge God based upon how well he carries out my agenda for the world. And as a result I want a god who is omnipotent but not sovereign, if I have a god who is omnipotent but not sovereign I can wield his power. But if my God is both omnipotent and sovereign I am at his mercy. What is wrong with the world? Me.

A Morning Prayer

2009-02-04T19:51:00.000-08:00

Here is a wonderful prayer by S.E. Pierce sent via Grace Gems back in Dec.

A Morning Prayer

(by S. E. Pierce, 1820)

We again draw near unto You, O Lord our God, beseeching You to grant us audience with Your Divine majesty. We appear before You in the name and Person, righteousness and sacrifice, intercession and advocacy of the holy and immaculate Lamb. At Your throne of grace, as the monuments of Your sacred mercy, we desire to extol and praise Your most holy name.

O Lord, we have nothing in ourselves--but sin. We are all impurity--to us belong shame and confusion of face. We are in the uttermost sense--lost, undone, sinful, guilty, and vile. We entreat You to behold us in Christ Jesus. View us in Him, O Lord.

O let our souls be under the mighty, all-constraining, all-conquering influence of Your everlasting love today. We beg You to keep us this day from sinning against You. Lord, we are in ourselves, and when left to ourselves--as unstable as water. O support us. O defend us. O be near unto us this day, and uphold us with the right hand of Your righteousness.

Lord, we are full of sin; O lead us to the fountain opened for sin and impurity! We are all emptiness in ourselves. Lord, lead us to the fullness of Jesus for the supply of all our needs.

Blessed God and Father, do most graciously sympathize with us. Guide us with Your eye. O keep us near Yourself. Allow no iniquity to have dominion over us; save us from ourselves! Save us, O Lord, from our constitutional sins, tempers, and corruptions. O let them be kept under control, and subdued by the omnipotent power of Your grace.

We beseech You, O Holy Spirit, to bring our minds and hearts under the mighty power of all-conquering grace. O Lord, let not sin, nor Satan, prevail against us. We leave ourselves with You, Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit, to whom be glory forever. Amen.

John Newton on the Gospel Minister

2008-12-24T12:29:00.000-08:00

Here is a GREAT post from Thoughts On The Way blog.

“The message I would bear is Jesus Christ and him crucified and from the consideration of the great things he has done, to recommend and enforce Gospel holiness and Gospel love, and to take as little notice of our fierce contests, controversies and divisions as possible.

My desire is to lift up the banner of the Lord, and to draw the sword of the Spirit not against names, parties and opinions, but against the world, the flesh and the devil; and to invite poor perishing sinners not to espouse a system of my own or any man’s, but to fly to the Lord Jesus, the sure and only city of refuge and the ready, compassionate and all sufficient Saviour of those that trust in him.”

[Cited in Marylynn Rouse, “An important turn to my future life,” The John Newton Project Prayer Letter (October/November 2008), p.1].

Kingdom People Christmas Giveaway

2008-12-15T18:11:00.000-08:00

Trevin Wax at Kingdom People has a drawing for his top ten books of 2008 (plus an ESV Study Bible).

Check it out at:

Kingdom People

Saudi Arabia to Lead U.N. Faith Forum

2008-11-12T15:57:00.000-08:00

Talk about the blind leading the blind. Hopefully President Bush will change his mind and not attend this evil forum.

Obama & the Kingdom of God

2008-11-10T19:49:00.000-08:00

Here is a worthwhile blog post by Andrew Jackson.

Some Christians are convulsing as if the end of the world has come now that Obama is our president elect. Although I am not suggesting Christians should stick their heads in the sand, I do encourage us to implement the 10 biblical guidelines that I wrote during the presidential campaign, but are just as relevant for us after the election.

1 - Don’t equate the biblical Kingdom of God with any human political party or nation. We must maintain the distinctiveness between God’s Kingdom and the kingdoms of this world. We must never fuse the two. (John 18:36; Matthew 6:33).

2 - Don’t elevate a politician to a messianic status. Because of our celebrity and entertainment culture, people often falsely think a politician can single-handedly produce supernatural social results. We have one Lord, and we must resist any attempt to exalt politicians to unrealisitic heights. (Matthew 7:15; 1 Peter 3:15).

3 - Don’t just vote, but pray for the leaders of all political parties. Christians can be tempted to bless the politician of their choice, and curse his or her opponent. Remember, we must pray even for our enemies. (1 Timothy 2:1-2; Matthew 5:44).

4 - Don’t forget your ultimate security is in the unshakeable kingdom of God. Many Christians often elevate the outcome of presidential elections to an apocalyptic status. If our presidential candidate does not win, we begin to see it as if the world will end. In so doing, we express an unbelief in the active sovereignty of God over human affairs. (Hebrews 12:26-29).

5 - Don’t bring the polarization of partisan politics into the family of God. Every Christian has freedom of conscience before God, we must guard against allowing political perspectives to divide the church. (Romans 16:17, 1 Corinthians 1:11-12).

6 - Don’t demonize anyone. Every person has been created in the image of God, and Christians must not dehumanize any person, whether we agree with them politically or not. (Colossians 3:8, James 4:12).

7 - Don’t engage in angry confrontational arguments, instead present your political convictions through civil debate and rational dialogue. Confrontational arguments demonstrate an ugly pride that demeans Jesus Christ. (James 1:19-20, 2 Timothy 2:14).

8 - Don’t allow yourself to become so intertwined with one political party that you forfeit your independence. When you do, you lose your voice to speak and clarify biblical truth to all politicians and political parties. (1 Timothy 3:15, Romans 3:4).

9 - Don’t allow yourself to support attempts to divide races, male and female, rich and poor, or young and old. Partisan politics often divides society into specific voting blocks, and separates our society instead of uniting it. Christians should function as peacemakers and reconcilers in the public square, and resist every temptation to join the game of dividing people for political gain. (Matthew 5:9, 2 Corinthians 5:18-19).

10 - Don’t simply curse the darkness, instead, constructively engage in our world as perserving salt and illuminating light. The cultural and missional mandate of kingdom Christians is not to curse the darkness, but to light more candles of God’s truth, and to act for the common welfare of our nation by overcoming evil by doing good. (Matthew 5:13-16).

I am aware that the outcome of the 2008 presidential election could have significant, and even negative, consequences for people’s lives, but in the larger scheme of history, Obama is our president for four years, but God is in control and is our King forever!

Once Again an O.T. Prophet's writing sounds like it is referring to America

2008-08-05T20:38:00.000-07:00

Though they say, “As the Lord lives,” yet they swear falsely.
O Lord, do not your eyes look for truth? You have struck them down, but they felt no anguish; you have consumed them, but they refused to take correction. They have made their faces harder than rock; they have refused to repent.
~ Jeremiah 5:2-3 (ESV)

And now a CRef from the N.T. that also sounds like the church and so many people in America.

They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work.
~ Titus 1:16 (ESV)

Surprised by Calamity

2008-06-29T17:24:00.000-07:00

When a calamity happens to an unbeliever they should not at all be surprised, and they have no right to blame God because they are enemies of God. The unbeliever actually should be surprised that the calamity didn't happen sooner or that they didn't die in their sleep last night.
When a calamity happens to a believer it is to teach them perseverance and to grow their character and have them hope in the love of God. See Romans 5:3-5
GT

Romans 5:3-5
3 And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; 4 and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; 5 and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. (NASB95)

A Great Example of "Election" by Pastor Marc Driscoll

2008-06-29T13:29:00.000-07:00

"Four Walls Do Not Make A Home" J.R. Miller

2008-06-12T06:51:00.000-07:00

This is a tremendous exhortation to parents about what their home should be for the family. This is from today's Grace Gems email and is excerpted from an 1882 book by J.R. Miller titled "Home Making".

Four walls do not make a home--though it is a palace filled with all the elegances which wealth can buy! The home-life itself is more important than the house and its adornments. By the home-life, is meant the happy art of living together in tender love. We enter some homes, and they are full of sweetness--as fields of summer flowers are full of fragrance. All is order, beauty, gentleness and peace. We enter other homes, where we find jarring, selfishness, harshness and disorder. This difference is not accidental. They are influences at work in each home, which yield just the result we see in each. No home-life can ever be better than the life of those who make it.

Homes are the real schools in which men and women are trained--and fathers and mothers are the real teachers and builders of life!

Sadly, the goal which most parents have for their home--is to have as good and showy a house as they can afford, furnished in as rich a style as their means will warrant, and then to live in it as comfortably as they are able, without too much exertion or self-denial.

But the true idea of a Christian home, is that it is a place for spiritual growth. It is a place for the parents themselves to grow--to grow into beauty of character, to grow in spiritual refinement, in knowledge, in strength, in wisdom, in patience, gentleness, kindliness, and all the Christian graces and virtues. It is a place for children to grow--to grow into physical vigor and health, and to be trained in all that shall make them true and noble men and women.

A true home is set up and all its life ordered--for the definite purpose of training, building up and sending our human lives fashioned into Christlike symmetry, filled with lofty impulses and aspirations, governed by principles of rectitude and honor, and fitted to enter upon the duties and struggles of life with spiritual wisdom and strength.

Exceprt #2 from "The Reason for God" by Timothy Keller

2008-05-29T17:16:00.000-07:00

The Difference of Grace
There is then, a great gulf between the understanding that God accepts us because our efforts and the understanding that God accepts us because of what Jesus has done. Religion operates on the principle "I obey--therefore I am accepted by God." But the operating principle of the gospel is "I am accepted by God through what Christ has done--therefore I obey." Two people living their lives on the basis of these two different principles may sit next to each other in the church pew. They both pray, give money generously, and are loyal to their family and church, trying to live decent lives. However they do so out of two radically different spiritual identities, and the result is two radically different kind of lives.
~ Timothy Keller from pages 179-180

A Wolf in Sheep's Clothing

2008-05-27T19:48:00.000-07:00

Here is the link to an EXCELLENT post called "A Wolf in Sheep's Clothing" on Voddie Baucham's Blog about Barack Obama.

Ignorant formal Christianity

2008-05-21T17:53:00.000-07:00

Here is a great segment of J.C. Ryle's 1895 sermon, "What Is Needed?" and they didn't even have television yet.
I am convinced that one of our grave defects today, is a most serious diminishing of the good old custom of private reading of the Bible. Between the growth of Christian periodicals and books, I have a strong impression that Bibles are not read as much and as carefully as they were two hundred years ago. I am well aware that there are more Bibles in Great Britain at this moment, than there ever were since the world began! There is more Bible-buying and Bible-selling, more Bible-printing and Bible-distributing, than there ever was! But all this time, I fear we are in danger of forgetting--that to have the Bible is one thing--and to read it privately ourselves quite another! I am afraid that the Bible of many a man and woman in Great Britain is never read at all. In one house, it lies in a corner--as stiff, cold, glossy and fresh as it was, when it came from the bookseller's shop! In another house, it lies on a table, with its owner's name written in it--a silent witness against him day after day! In another house, it lies on some high shelf, neglected and dusty--to be brought down only on grand occasions, such as a birth in the family--like a heathen idol at its yearly festival. In another house, it lies deep down at the bottom of some box or drawer, among the things not wanted, and is never dragged forth into the light of day--until the arrival of sickness, or death! These things are sad and solemn. But they are true. I am afraid that many in Great Britain who do read the Bible--yet do not read it aright. One man looks over a chapter on Sunday evening--but that is all. Another reads a chapter every day at family prayers--but that is all. A third goes a step further, and hastily reads a verse or two in private every morning, before he goes out of his house. A fourth goes further still, and reads as much as a chapter or two every day, though he does it in a great hurry, and omits reading it on the smallest inconvenience. But each and every one of these men does what he does--in a heartless, scrambling, formal kind of way. He does it coldly, as a duty. He does not do it with appetite and pleasure. He is glad when the task is over. And when the book is shut--he forgets it all! This is a sad picture. But in multitudes of cases--oh, how true! But why do I think all this? What makes me speak so confidently? Listen to me a few moments, and I will lay before you some evidence. Neglect of the Bible, is like disease of the body--it shows itself in the face of a man's conduct. It tells its own tale. It cannot be hidden. I fear that many neglect the Bible--because of the enormous ignorance of true religion which everywhere prevails. There are thousands of professing Christians in this country, who know literally nothing about the Gospel. They could not give you the slightest account of its distinctive doctrines. They have no more idea of the true meaning of conversion, grace, faith, justification, and sanctification--than of so many words and names written in Arabic! And can I suppose that such people search the Scriptures? I cannot suppose it. I do not believe they do! I fear that many neglect the Bible--because of the utter indifference with which they regard false doctrine--as if it did not signify much, and was all the same thing in the long run--whether one was a Roman Catholic, or a Socinian, or a Mormonite, or a Deist, or an Agnostic. And can I suppose that such people search the Scriptures? I cannot suppose it. I do not believe they do! I fear that many neglect the Bible--because of the readiness with which they receive false teaching. They are led astray by the first false prophet they meet with, who "comes in sheep's clothing," and has a pleasant voice, a nice manner, and a gift of eloquent speech! They swallow all that he says without inquiry, and believe him as implicitly as papists believe the Pope! And can I suppose that such people search the Scriptures? I cannot suppose it. I do not believe they do! I declare my firm conviction, that an idle neglect of the Bible is one cause of the ignorant formal Christianity which is so widely prevalent in these latter days! Brethren! We are drifting, drifting, drifting--and what the end will be--no man can tell.
~J.C. Ryle

What's your theological worldview?

2008-05-15T19:34:00.000-07:00

Check out where your theoligical worldview rates by taking the quiz at QuizFarm. My results are above.

Except from "The Reason For God" by Timothy Keller

2008-05-08T08:09:00.000-07:00

"If you have a God great and transcendent enough to be mad at because he hasn't stopped evil and suffering in the world, then you have (at the same moment) a God great and transcendent enough to have good reasons for allowing it to continue that you can't know. Indeed, you can't have it both ways."
~ Timothy Keller

Don't Waste Your Pulpit

2008-05-06T20:26:00.000-07:00

The best way to waste your pulpit is to preach your own thoughts instead of preaching God’s thoughts. I think pastors are fascinated by trends and fascinated by what the latest sociologist and the latest psychologists and the latest advertising scheme and latest computer and latest media are saying, and they think that’ll be interesting, that’ll be interesting. It is interesting, but it is what people can find out anywhere. What people won’t find out anywhere else except in the pulpit is what does God have to say.

~ John Piper

God Has Two Hedges

2008-05-06T19:09:00.000-07:00

God is never better to us—than when the creature is most bitter to us!

Thus God dealt with Israel, "She said, 'I will go after my lovers, who give me my food and my water, my wool and my linen, my oil and my drink.' Therefore I will hedge up her path with thorns; I will wall her in—so that she cannot find her way. She will chase after her lovers but not catch them; she will look for them but not find them. Then she will say, 'I will go back to my husband as at first, for then I was better off than now.'" Hosea 2:6-8.

God has two hedges which the Scripture takes notice of:

1. The hedge of his protection, which you read of Job 1:10, "Haven't You placed a hedge around him, his household, and everything he owns?"
2. The hedge of affliction, which you read of here: "I will hedge up her path with thorns."

Now the Lord make use of both these hedges:

The hedge of protection—is to keep His people from danger.
The hedge of affliction—is to stop His people from wandering.

The hedge of protection—is to keep them in God's way.
The hedge of affliction—is to keep them out of sin's way.

The hedge of protection—is to keep them from suffering.
The hedge of affliction—is to keep then from sinning,
and to put them upon returning to God.

So it was with Israel here—when God had hedged up her way, that she could not find her paths, nor overtake her lovers—then she cries out, "I will go back to my husband as at first, for then I was better off than now!"

It is a great mercy for God to wean a soul from the world; for it never suffers greater—than when it forsakes God to live upon the creature! "Those who cling to lying vanities—turn their backs on all God's mercies!" Jonah 2:8. It is forsaking the living fountain—to quench our thirst from a broken cistern! Jeremiah 2:13.

When the Lord weans a soul from the world—He embitters the world to the soul; either by some affliction, or by some disappointment in the creature—which makes the soul look out for the more pure and lasting satisfactions, which are in Christ.

Matthew Mead, 1661

Walter Martin Quote

2008-05-03T21:12:00.000-07:00

"Controversy for the sake of controversy is sin; controversy for the sake of truth is a divine command!"
~ Dr. Walter Martin

Dr. John MacArthur "Truth War" Quote #2

2008-05-03T09:55:00.000-07:00

Bible teaching, even in the best of venues today, has been deliberately dumbed-down, made as broad and as shallow as possible,oversimplified, adapted to the lowest common denominator-- and then tailored to appeal to people with short attention spans. Sermons are almost always brief, simplistic, overlaid with as many references to pop culture as possible, and laden with anecdotes and illustrations. (Jokes and funny stories drawn from personal experiences are favored over cross-references and analogies borrowed from Scripture itself.) Typical sermons are heavily weighted in favor of man-centered issues (such as personal relationships, successful living, self-esteem, how-to lists, and so on)-- to the exclusion of the many Christ-exalting doctrinal themes of Scripture.

The Truth War, page 166

The Unsaved Man's Motto

2008-05-03T09:50:00.000-07:00

There is a proud heart in every natural man. There was much pride in Adam's sin—and there is much of it in all Adam's sons. Pride is a radical sin, and from hence arises this over-inflated opinion of a man's spiritual state and condition.

"The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself:
God, I thank you that I am not like other men—
robbers, evildoers, adulterers." Luke 18:11

This is the unsaved man's motto. A proud man has an eye to see his beauty—but not his deformity. He sees his abilities—but not his spots. He sees his seeming righteousness—but not his real wretchedness.

It must be a work of grace—which must show a man the lack of grace. The haughty eye looks upward—but the humble eye looks downward, and therefore this is
the believer's motto, "I am the least of saints—and the greatest of sinners!"

"But the tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, 'O God, be merciful
to me, for I am a sinner!' I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God!" Luke 18:13-14

Matthew Mead, 1661

Dr. John MacArthur "Truth War" Quote #1

2008-04-28T15:21:00.000-07:00

"Furthermore, in the promotion of his dishonesty, Satan employs every agent he can dupe into being a shill for him-- demons, unbelievers, and (most effectively) people who are in some way actually associated with the truth, or (even worse) who merely pretend to be agents of the truth and agents of light."
The Truth War page 40

Rick Phillips on Sabbath keeping

2008-04-28T09:29:00.000-07:00

Rick Phillips has a very good blog post on Sabbath keeping.
You can link to it here, on the Reformation 21 website.
GT

Spiritual Conviction

2008-04-26T06:57:00.000-07:00

Spiritual conviction is an essential part of sound conversion.
True conversion begins in convictions—and true convictions
end in conversion. Until the sinner is convinced of sin—he
can never be converted from sin. Christ's coming was as a
Savior to die for sinners. The Spirit's coming is to convince
us of sin—that we may close with Christ as our Savior. So
long as sin is unseen—Christ will be unsought. "Those who
are whole need not the physician—but those who are sick."
~Matthew Mead, 1661

Better Worship Through Theology

2008-04-25T07:22:00.000-07:00

This quote from N.T. Wright in his book Simply Christian is excellent.

"One of the main reasons that theology (trying to think straight about who God is) matters is that we are called to love God with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength. It matters that we learn more about who God is so that we can praise him more appropriately."

~N.T. Wright, Simply Christian pg 148

D.L. Moody Quote

2008-04-23T20:56:00.000-07:00

"Look at the 6th verse of the 4th chapter of Philippians. "Be careful for nothing, but in everything" - mark that - "by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God." He doesn't say He will answer all, but He says, "And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Jesus Christ."
~D.L. Moody

Augustine Quote

2008-04-22T17:26:00.000-07:00

What an awesome from Augustine I heard John Piper quote on his God is the Gospel audio series.
"For he loves Thee too little who loves anything together with Thee, which he loves not for Thy sake."
~ Augustine

John Piper Quote

2008-04-21T20:10:00.000-07:00

"God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him"
- John Piper
I really liked this quote from the audio I've been listening to of the 2006 seminar, "God is the Gospel"

John Adams HBO mini series

2008-04-21T18:09:00.001-07:00

My wife and I finished watching the HBO mini series John Adams last night. It was as powerful a drama as I can remember seeing on television in many years. It was based on the 2002 Pulitzer Prize winning biography John Adams, by David McCullough. Paul Giamatti should win an Emmy for his portrayal of Patriot and second President of the U.S. John Adams.
The John Adams quote at the end of the seventh and final episode was quite meaningful to me and one all Americans should know.
"Posterity, you will never know how much it cost the present generation to preserve your freedom. I hope you will make good use of it. If you do not, I shall repent in heaven that ever I took half the pains to preserve it."
- John Adams

The Sunday Confession: Heidelberg Catechism Q & A #60

2008-04-06T16:42:00.000-07:00

Today I would like to post a catechism Q & A and continue doing a new one each Sunday.
The post for today comes from The Heidelberg Catechism, with Scripture references included.

Question 60. How are thou righteous before God?

Answer: Only by a true faith in Jesus Christ; (a) so that, though my conscience accuse me, that I have grossly transgressed all the commandments of God, and kept none of them, (b) and am still inclined to all evil; (c) notwithstanding, God, without any merit of mine, (d) but only of mere grace, (e) grants and imputes to me, (f) the perfect satisfaction, (g) righteousness and holiness of Christ; (h) even so, as if I never had had, nor committed any sin: yea, as if I had fully accomplished all that obedience which Christ has accomplished for me; (i) inasmuch as I embrace such benefit with a believing heart. (j)

(a) Rom.3:21-25, Rom.3:28, Rom.5:2, Gal.2:16, Eph.2:8-9, Philip.3:9 (b) Rom.3:9 (c) Rom.7:23 (d) Tit.3:5, Deut.9:6, Ezek.36:22 (e) Rom.3:24, Eph.2:8 (f) Rom.4:4-5, 2 Cor.5:19 (g) 1 John 2:2 (h) 1 John 2:1 (i) 2 Cor.5:21 (j) Rom.3:22, John 3:18

What a great thing to know that ONLY by faith, God's grace, and Christ's imputed righteousness can any person EVER be Righteous before God.

Creeds and Confessions

2008-04-05T09:29:00.000-07:00

I have been very blessed by Ligonier Ministries Tabletalk devotional magazine. This month's topic is the great Reformed confessions and creeds of the historic Christian church. I highly recommend reading this month's issue which gives some great facts about the authors, purpose and history of the confessions. I also highly recommend a subscription to Tabletalk. I find it a good tool for daily devotions and learning a theological topic each month.
I began reading the P.C.U.S.A. Book of Confessions a while back to prepare myself to possibly join a P.C.U.S.A. church. I found that The Heidelberg Catechism (HC) was my favorite confession in the book. It is not that I do not like the other confessions, I do like them and agree with most of what is contained in them. I love the idea that a catechism was commissioned by Frederick III for the purpose of educating the laity. The purpose was to educate "according to the pure and consistent doctrine of the holy gospel". Oh how I wish and pray that the majority of churches will return to such a wonderful method of Christian education. We should use these great creeds and confessions along side the Bible to educate Christ's people.
GT

Muslims Now Outnumber Catholics

2008-04-02T19:42:00.000-07:00

I just finished reading a short article in this week's KHouse eNews brief which says that Muslims now outnumber Catholics in the world. The Muslims growth rate in many European countries is faster than that of the native population.
It would be good for all Christians to spend some time educating themselves about the Islamic religion. Here is a great resource available from Ligonier Ministries I am currently reading. The book is The Dark Side of Islam, written by R.C. Sproul and Abdul Saleeb. This book is a quick read and gives the reader a good, basic understanding of the main differences between Islam and Christianity.
GT

A Nation Abandoned

2008-04-02T08:29:00.000-07:00

I just finished listening to a sermon by Dr. John MacArthur given at the National Day of Prayer Breakfast, titled, "A Nation Abandoned by God". It can be accessed here in two parts from the Grace To You broadcasts of Oct 18-19, 2007.
Dr. MacArthur draws the conclusion that God has abandoned America using the text of Romans 1:18-32. This country has indeed hurled itself head first right into extreme depravity and it seems eventually must fall like virtually every other power throughout history, if repentance is not granted.
I highly recommend listening to this and following along in the book of Romans.
GT

When "another gospel" kills.

2008-03-29T20:41:00.001-07:00

Right here in the small town in Oregon (outside of Portland) where I live, a 16 month old child died due to a lack of basic medical care. Her parents belong to a local church that practices faith healing to the point of refusing medical treatment. This church had a story done about abuses which led to the deaths of other children in 1999 by 20/20. Here is link to the article from the Portland newspaper, The Oregonian about the current death.
Last night the local Fox TV affiliate reported that the young parents have now been arrested and are being charged with second degree manslaughter and second degree criminal mistreatment (article). The saddest part of this story is that the state medical examiner says the child's condition was treatable with antibiotics.
Please pray that these parents find the true gospel and healing from this tragedy.
GT

Redeemed, First Post

2008-03-29T09:05:00.000-07:00

This is my first post and thought I would start by saying how incredibly blessed I am to be redeemed by Jesus Christ.
Here is the Merriam Webster English definition of word "redeem":

re•deem \ri-ˈdēm\ vt

1 a : to buy back : repurchase

b : to get or win back

2 : to free from what distresses or harms: as

a : to free from captivity by payment of ransom

b : to extricate from or help to overcome something detrimental

c : to release from blame or debt : clear

d : to free from the consequences of sin

3 : to change for the better : reform

4 : repair, restore

5 a : to free from a lien by payment of an amount secured thereby

b (1) : to remove the obligation of by payment 〈the U.S. Treasury redeems savings bonds on demand〉

(2) : to exchange for something of value 〈redeem trading stamps〉

c : to make good : fulfill

6 a : to atone for : expiate 〈redeem an error〉

b (1) : to offset the bad effect of

(2) : to make worthwhile : retrieve syn see rescue — re•deem•able \-ˈdē-mə-bəl\ adj

How beautiful a word to be used as one of the many that go into the gospel message of the New testament to explain how God has saved us from our sins through Christ, His Son. The worship song by the late Keith Green from 1982, "There is a Redeemer" has always been one of my favorites and still brings tears to my eyes, tears of gratitude to God for providing me a Redeemer.

Almost anyone who has been a Christian for some time is familiar with Romans 3:23, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Continue on further in this chapter of the great book of Romans and you will see the glory of redemption.

Romans 3:24-26 (NASB95)
24 being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus;
25 whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed;
26 for the demonstration, I say, of His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

Robertson's Word Pictures of the New Testament gives a wonderful commentary on verse 24.

"Through the redemption (dia thß apolutrwsewß). A releasing by ransom (apo, lutrwsiß from lutrow and that from lutron, ransom). God did not set men right out of hand with nothing done about men's sins. We have the words of Jesus that he came to give his life a ransom (lutron) for many (Mark 10:45; Matthew 20:28). Lutron is common in the papyri as the purchase-money in freeing slaves (Deissmann, Light from the Ancient East, pp. 327f.). That is in Christ Jesus (th en Cristwi Ihsou). There can be no mistake about this redemption."

There is a lot to digest here but it says so much about our salvation. I remember first learning what the word propitiation meant when I was a new Christian and I was so amazed. Anyway hopefully these few verses will be a blessing to you as you think about your redemption in Christ Jesus.
I hope to provide tidbit of solid, Biblical, and current information on my blog, as well as links to some of the many awesome resources that have been such a blessing to me.
God bless you and remember, "There is a Redeemer, Jesus, God's own Son!"
GT