Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Mark Driscoll: Woe to You, Christians...

This should be required viewing for all Christians.

September Book Giveaway Winner

Congratulations CPULLUM, you're the winner of the book giveaway for the month of September: Real Christianity.

Contact me with the address you would like the book mailed to and I'll send it as soon as possible.

Monday, September 29, 2008

Thoughts & Notes from the DG Conference

Sinclair Ferguson’s message on James 3:1-2
- Sinclair did an excellent job of covering this text well and of getting to the Gospel and to Jesus from this text. This was a spectacular message which concluded with a glimpse of Jesus keeping control of His tongue in Isaiah 53:7 “He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth.”

If beholding is becoming (as in 2 Cor. 3:18), then as I see Jesus keeping control of His mouth in midst of such intense affliction, I may be enabled, encouraged, and equipped to keep my control of my mouth in the midst affliction.


Mark Driscoll gave an intense and very powerful message entitled “How Sharp the Edge? Christ, Controversy, and Cutting Words.”

1) Christians are to Feed the Sheep

2) Christians are to Rebuke the Swine – the Habitually Unrepentant
The Bible is easily read in thought of others, and painfully read in light of self.
When you’re in the middle of a war you’ve got to bring out the big guns.

3) Christians are to Shoot the Wolves – False Teachers
With wolves you cannot be to severe. With the wounded sheep you cannot be too gentle.
With wolves you shoot & with the sheep you weep.
Jesus shoots the wolves.
Jesus & Anything Ruins Everything.
It’s Jesus & Nothing!
Some people will not fight over anything. Some people will fight over everything.
Some times the most loving thing you can do is destroy someone before they go to ultimate destruction (Paul handing someone over to Satan…)

4) Bark at the Dogs – Religious People
Should we use satire? Jesus did.
Repent of Religion.
“God commands all people every where to repent.”
They take themselves way too seriously and take God way to lightly.

5) Pray for the Shepherds
Because they need the wisdom to discern the Wolves from the Sheep.

Pray for the shepherds. Pray for them more than you criticize, e-mail, gossip, or blog about them. Pray that they would have a discerning mind to know who is a sheep.

Pray that they would have a thick skin. Pray that they would have a humorous outlook. That they would laugh at themselves, that they would have a tender heart toward Jesus and the sheep. That they wouldn’t be hammered, that they would keep a tender heart, that they would have a humble disposition, that when criticisms are true, they would repent. That they would look at a criticism for a kernel of truth to be sanctified by.

Pray that shepherds would have encouraging families, that their wife would endure all the criticism, backbiting, people who would use her to get influence, that she would remain close to Jesus and be a place of refreshment for her husband, that she would know her job is to keep her husband from despair—not by always agreeing with him but agreeing that she will always be for him.

Pray for his children as people take shots at his family. That his children would not go astray because critics love that.

Pray that one of the elders in the church is a good sniper. That he could spot people who are trying to take down the pastor. If the pastor tries to do it, it’s a lose-lose situation. Some of you elders here need to get in the middle.

Pray that the shepherds would have evangelistic devotion, that they would not just feed the sheep, but that they would love the lost. That they would not waste their time checking their ratings and overlook Paul’s admonition to do the work of an evangelist. That they wouldn’t be so buried in firefights that they can’t see more people become sheep.

Pray for the shepherds, that they would learn selective hearing, that they would listen to their elders, that they would invite into their lives good counsel. Not everything that is said is worth a hearing. Shepherds can become so hard-hearted that their ears are closed and they spend time justifying themselves when they shouldn’t. They need to know who to listen to, who to heed, and who to not to.

Pray for the young shepherds, that older shepherds would not shoot them like wolves and wouldn’t criticize them like dogs, but would encourage them like dads.


Paul Trip gave an excellent message on our use of words and whether they originate from our tiny selfish kingdom or God’s Magnificent Eternal Kingdom.

The very first words ever were spoken by God. Words themselves belong to God.

Words can either give life or they can bring death – you choose.

God help us never to consider talk as if it did not matter.

“When you think your problems come from external sources rather than internal (self) then you stop seeking God’s grace to change.”

“I am my greatest communication problem.”

Sin makes me obsessed with my needs, my wants, and my feelings.

I want. I want. I want. I want. I want. I want. I want. I want. (Me monster)

Love is willing self-sacrifice for the redeeming good of another that does not demand reciprocation.

(Paraphrase Summary) My words will either come from a heart of “this is my kingdom how dare you attempt to rule here” or “this is God’s Kingdom, and you are a fellow citizen of His Kingdom.”


John Piper’s message entitled, “Is there Christian Eloquence?” was an exposition of two texts: 1st Cor. 1:17 & 2:1

“No man can give the impression that he himself is clever and that Christ is mighty to save.” – James Denny (spelling?)

Although the bulk of the message was given to identify and clarify the problem/issue, the final answer to Piper’s title question is Yes.
Here are his 5 supporting points:

1. Eloquence—that is, artistic, surprising, provocative, or aesthetically pleasing language—may keep people awake and focused because they find it interesting for reasons they can’t articulate.

2. Eloquence may bring an adversarial mind into greater sympathy with the speaker.

3. Eloquence may have an awakening effect on a person’s heart and mind short of regeneration, but still important in awakening in them emotional sensitivity to beautiful things.

4. Certain kinds of eloquence (cadence, parallelism, meter, rhyme, assonance, consonance) may not only add interest, but also increase impact by helping the memory.

5. The beauty of eloquence can join with the beauty of truth and increase the power of your words.



Bob Kauflin gave a message on Music as a gift from God to serve the Word.

Singing Helps us to remember the Word.

If the teaching in your church was limited to the songs that you sing, how well taught would your church be?

Music is a language of emotion.

We ought to blend types of music and be willing to learn from them all.


Daniel Taylor gave a lengthy message on the theme of story in our lives.

“The best way to conceive of faith is a story in which you are a character.”

With all due respect to Mr. Taylor, this was a message that probably could have been covered in about 10 minutes, and probably should have been.


All of the messages from this conference are available to download for free in either audio or video format.

Friday, September 26, 2008

Gone to Minneapolis...

I won't be blogging for a few days as I'll be in Minneapolis at the Desiring God Conference.

You may be interested to check out Resurgence where Mike Anderson will be live blogging at this conference.

You may also be interested in a recent Resurgence blog post: Driscoll's Thoughts on Piper.

Thursday, September 25, 2008

Beholding the Glory of Christ

Our specific responsibility in the pursuit of holiness as seen in 2 Corinthians 3:18, then, is to behold the glory of the Lord as it is displayed in the gospel. The gospel is the "mirror" through which we now behold His beauty. One day we shall see Christ, not as in a mirror, but face to face. Then, "we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is" (I John 3:2). Until then we behold Him in the gospel. Therefore, we must "preach the gospel to ourselves every day."

To behold the glory of Christ in the gospel is a discipline. It is a habit we must develop by practice as we learn to preach the gospel to ourselves. As I have repeatedly said, although sanctification is the work of the Holy Spirit, it is a work in which He involves us... we will be looking at other disciplines that we must practice in the pursuit of holiness. But none is more important than the discipline of beholding the glory of Christ in the "mirror" of the gospel.

Jerry Bridges, The Discipline of Grace

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

The Subject of the Gospel...

It is the gospel that exhibits God's highest glory, which he chiefly designs to display before sinful men, even that glory of God that shineth in the face of Christ. It is the gospel that sets forth the glory of Christ, and by which the Holy Spirit himself is glorified; and it is it that will be honoured with the concomitant (accompanying) influence of the Holy Spirit...

If it should now be asked what is that special doctrine of the gospel, and, strictly speaking, the doctrine of faith? I shall answer briefly -

All revealed truth ought to be greatly valued, and received by faith, and, if properly used, may be subservient to the main subject and design of the gospel. But the special subject of the gospel is Christ; and preaching Christ, according to the light and direction of the Word of God, is preaching the gospel... To preach Christ the Savior and the Lord, is the sum of gospel-preaching.

- James Fraser, A Treatise on Sanctification (1774)

HT: The Discipline of Grace

Friday, September 19, 2008

Blind?

Which eyes are more blind?
The eyes which cannot behold the sun and the stars,
Or those which cannot behold Your glory?
The eyes that cannot see all the beauty of creation,
Or those that cannot see that You have created it?

Which eyes are more blind?
The eyes that will never look upon a father’s face,
Or those that will never look upon You as Father?
The eyes which cannot see a loved one,
Or those which cannot see how much we are loved by You?

Which eyes are more blind?
The eyes which cannot see to read,
Or those which cannot see that You are the Word that became flesh and dwelt among us?
The eyes that cannot see fresh bread, hot from the oven,
Or those that cannot see that man does not live by bread alone, but by every Word that comes from the mouth of the Lord?

Which eyes are more blind?
The eyes that do not see to find the way,
Or those that do not see that You are the Way, the Truth, and the Life?
The eyes which will never see the beauty of many pearls,
Or those which will never see that You are the pearl of greatest price?


- A. B. Seal
02-11-2006
Mission Trip to Honduras with Vision Outreach International

Thursday, September 18, 2008

Forget Not All of His Benefits

Psalm 103
103:1 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! 103:2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits,

The rest of this Psalm is an extended meditation by David as he purposefully recalls the benefits of the Lord. Here is his list:

- who forgives all your iniquity,

- who heals all your diseases,

- who redeems your life from the pit,

- who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,

- who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

- The LORD works righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed.

- He made known his ways to Moses, his acts to the people of Israel.

- The LORD is merciful and gracious,

- slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.

- He will not always chide, nor will he keep his anger forever.

- He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities.

- For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;

- as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us.

- As a father shows compassion to his children, so the LORD shows compassion to those who fear him.

- For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust.

- As for man, his days are like grass; he flourishes like a flower of the field; for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more. But the steadfast love of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him, and his righteousness to children's children, to those who keep his covenant and remember to do his commandments.

- The LORD has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all.

David ends this Psalm with an exhortation to the angels, to the servants of God, and even to himself to bless the Lord:

Bless the LORD, O you his angels, you mighty ones who do his word, obeying the voice of his word!
Bless the LORD, all his hosts, his ministers, who do his will!
Bless the LORD, all his works, in all places of his dominion.

Bless the LORD, O my soul!

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Helpful Highlights from Recent Reading

Here are some helpful highlights from my reading as of late in Jerry Bridges' The Discipline of Grace.

It is only the joy of hearing the gospel and being reminded that our sins are forgiven in Christ that will keep the demands of discipleship from becoming drudgery. It is only gratitude and love to God that comes from knowing that He no longer counts our sins against us (Romans 4:8) that provides the proper motive for responding to the claims of discipleship.
- pg. 21

We believers do need to be challenged to a life of committed discipleship, but that challenge needs to be based on the gospel, not on duty or guilt. Duty or guilt may motivate us for awhile, but only a sense of Christ's love for us will motivate us for a lifetime.

If the love of Christ for us is to be the motivating force for a life of discipleship, how then can we come to the place where we are acutely conscious of His love? The answer is, through the gospel. It is, of course, the Holy Spirit who pours out His love into our hearts (Romans 5:5), but He does this through the message of the gospel. The good news of the gospel is that Jesus paid for all our sins on the cross and that we are thereby forgiven. As we continually reflect upon that gospel, the Holy Spirit floods our hearts with a sense of God's love to us in Christ. And that sense of His love motivates us in a compelling way to live for Him.
- pg. 25-26

I am finding this book both timely and very helpful. It is simply amazing how easy it is to become focused upon things that are not central. Certainly there are many and diverse things which need to be attended to in our lives yet we need to avoid becoming side tracked by the doing of such things, even good things, to the neglect of regular reflections upon the gospel.

In all honesty I admit my heart was becoming a little disillusioned with some of these doings (which are good things, and which I enjoy). This book has been a needed reminder to keep my focus upon the main thing: Christ and His work at the cross to save sinners like me. How can one become disillusioned while considering the magnitude of how good this good news really is?

Monday, September 15, 2008

Wisdom and Encouragement from Wilberforce

We are called to fix our gaze on Jesus, the originator and the One who brings all things to completion, who endured the shame and suffering of the cross for the greater goal of the joy the Father offered (see Heb. 12:2). We look beyond the suffering of the cross to the glory Jesus now enjoys, having once again taken His place in the presence of the Father. There in His glory, His concern is ever for our progress in our relationship with Him. Hebrews even tells us that He always intercedes on our behalf before the Father (see 7:25). When we recall these truths, our hearts are refreshed and our spirits revived. When life is tough, we look beyond the seen to find our courage in the things that are unseen. When our faith is firm, danger, opposition and outright attack do not control our response. We live by faith. The worst the world throws at us can become the instrument by which, when the vessel is broken, the fragrant aroma of Christ is released. It is amazing that it is often in the darkest moments of our lives that the light of Christ shines the brightest.

Of course, it is all too rare that these are our actual responses to the difficulties life in a fallen world brings our way. Too often, it is the emotions of grief and confusion that surface during these times. Our response feels like a failure to reveal Christ and His reality in our lives.

When this happens, don't linger too long in your self-pity. Instead, get back in the action by getting on with God's business. Keep a close watch on your heart. Don't get entangled in immorality. Do the next indicated thing God seems to be leading you to do. Attempt to be an imitator of Christ in your behavior. His goal was always to do the will of the Father. Yours should be the same. Do justice. Show mercy. Be about the Father's business. Guard against the attacks of the enemy. Live like those who are eagerly waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Take inventory of how you are using your time, talents, and resources. Live like you love Jesus! Do it with more gusto than the people of this age pursue fame, fortune, and power.

- William Wilberforce, Real Christianity

Sunday, September 14, 2008

Missions Moravian Style

"May the Lamb that was slain receive the reward of His suffering."

HT:RO

Recommended Reading

Check out Irish Calvinist with some thoughtful reflections on evangelism.

Monday, September 8, 2008

Trouble?

John 16:33b (NIV)
In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.

Troubled? Considering Jesus' words in John 16:33 we ought not be surprised. Yet in the midst of this troubling statement there is tremendous hope.

In contemplating this verse lately it occurred to me that Jesus graced this troublesome verse with great hope that may remain uncovered with a surface reading of the text. The huge hope that has struck me profoundly as of late is this; Jesus said the trouble would be "in this world." Simply put, the trouble we may face during our sojourn is limited to here.

There awaits for us a home eternally free from trouble, pain, persecution, hopelessness, anxiety, and turmoil. Jesus has promised He will prepare a place for us, and He will keep His word! This great new creation will exist free from the effects of sin and the fall, as it has been designed to do. Remember, He is able to do exceedingly and abundantly more than we could ever ask or imagine.

I also find much help in Jesus' followup phrase, "I have overcome the world." No we're not Jesus, but as Del's great message from a few weeks ago reminded us, Jesus comes to live in us and to empower us to live as He did. The great quandary with the hardship and trouble in this life is not why must we endure this, but rather why would He endure this, when He did not have to?

Take heart! Our great King has dealt the final blow to death and hell. He has brought restoration to those devastated by the fall. Indeed He has overcome and has, "led captivity captive and gave gifts to men." The greatest of all of these gifts given to men was the gift of Himself, that we might glorify Him by enjoying Him forever.

Friday, September 5, 2008

Sacrifice?

For my own part, I have never ceased to rejoice that God has appointed me to such an office. People talk of the sacrifice I have made in spending so much of my life in Africa. Can that be called a sacrifice which is simply paid back as a small part of a great debt owing to our God, which we can never repay? Is that a sacrifice which brings its own blest reward in healthful activity, the consciousness of doing good, peace of mind, and a bright hope of a glorious destiny hereafter? Away with the word in such a view, and with such a thought! It is emphatically no sacrifice. Say rather it is a privilege. Anxiety, sickness, suffering, or danger, now and then, with a foregoing of the common conveniences and charities of this life, may make us pause, and cause the spirit to waver, and the soul to sink; but let this be only for a moment. All these are nothing when compared with the glory which shall be revealed in and for us. I never made a sacrifice.
- David Livingstone, pioneer missionary to Africa, December 1857

Tuesday, September 2, 2008

Christ-Centeredness

Christ is the central figure and the central focus of the Scriptures from Genesis to Revelation. He ought also to be the central figure and the central focus of our lives. To live otherwise and to call oneself a Christian is to be a living contradiction.

John the Baptist said it well, (John 3:30) "He must increase but I must decrease."

He must become increasingly more central in every area of my life, but I must become increasingly more peripheral in every area of my life.

Christ-Centeredness in life causes us to behold the glory of Christ, and in so doing to be changed into His likeness in ever-increasing degrees of glory. (2 Corinthians 3:18)

Christ-Centeredness in marriage enables husbands to love their wives as Christ has loved the church, and enables wives to submit to their husbands as unto the Lord. (Ephesians 5:22-26)

Christ-Centeredness in relationships enables us to love each other as Christ has loved us. (John 13:34)

Christ-Centeredness in the workplace enables us to do everything in the name of the Lord. (Colossians 3:17)

Christ-Centeredness in joy enables us to be completely filled with the very joy of Christ Himself, and in so doing to become increasingly freed from the poisonous pleasures of this world. (John 15:11)

Christ-Centeredness = Unbreakable Joy (Psalm 73:25, 27:4, 1 Peter 1:8-9)

Monday, September 1, 2008

Book Giveaway for September

As a few of the previous posts might indicate the book chosen for the September Book Giveaway is William Wilberforce's Real Christianity.

To qualify for the Book Giveaway just leave a comment on this blog post and at the end of the month I'll draw names from a hat to determine the winner.

Two Hundred Years Ago...

"To place the glory of anything over the glory of God is idolatry. When the supreme love of the heart is directed toward anything other than God, idolatry has taken place. Whatever draws our heart from Him, engrosses our minds or holds the number one spot in our affections is an idol. Only God is to be the object of our supreme worship."

"The Spirit is our helper. Our inability is our greatest asset; it creates a humility that becomes dependent on God's grace working in us...
It is virtually impossible to get to the place where you recognize your need for the Spirit and depend upon His working when you have created a safe religiosity that is perfectly manageable by means of your own abilities."

"True faith is something that so pervades our lives that it affects everything we do."

- William Wilberforce, Real Christianity


Real Christianity is a paraphrase in Modern English of William Wilberforce's work originally published in 1797 under the title "A Practical View of the Prevailing Religious System of Professed Christians in the Higher and Middle Classes in This Country, Contrasted with Real Christianity."