Alison and I attended the Resolved Conference (www.resolved.org) in Palm Springs, CA June 12 - 16, 2009. It was a great conference where about 4000 people attended, with the majority of them being college age. The theme of the Conference was SIN.
I'd like to summarize each speakers sermon and I'll start with the 1st speaker of the conference, Rick Holland. Rick is a pastor at Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, CA.
Session 1 - Rick Holland
Rick's topic for this sermon was that the Christian life is warfare. His main points were as follows:
-Spiritual life is warfare...the question is are you captive, called to fight or engaged in the fight?
-Christian life is warfare, it's a war against the flesh
-The enemy is you (me)
-How do we fight against ourselves?
-The more we are aware of our sin, the more we understand God's grace
-What is sin? Sin is anything that keeps us from perfect righteousness.
-What is sin the result of? It's not from our childhood, not from our family or friends - it comes from within us, by nature.
-3 rationales to fight against sin
1) Christian citizenship demands the fight
- we are sojourners, not of this world
2) Fleshly lusts provoke the fight
- our flesh wages war with our soul
- our fleshy lusts stay with us
- John Owen said that Satan has associates in our heart that knows our flesh and our weaknesses, we can choose to listen to them or we can take precautions to defeat them.
- John Owen said "Be killing sin, or it will be killing you"
3) Fruitful evangelism motivates the fight
- we must be serious about sin, in order to be effective in evangelism
He concluded by saying, "The greatest threat to my faith is me!"
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
MacArthur on Politics
(This is a very good article on a Pastor's role in political involvement. It can also apply to all Christians)
Why Does John Avoid Political Issues and Politics?
Matthew 28:18-20
by Grace to You
John MacArthur has never been known to avoid political issues. He's spoken out clearly to explain what the Bible says about some of the most politically charged issues of the day-abortion, war, government, homosexuality, women's roles, etc. Have you ever seen his interviews with Larry King on CNN? John has never avoided politically incorrect subjects; he's always spoken clearly about biblical truth, whether it's popular or not, whether the setting is "appropriate" or not, in season and out of season.
However, it is true that John doesn't involve himself in politics, at least compared to some contemporary evangelicals. He's committed to two things in his ministry: the church's mandate from Christ (Matt. 28:18-20) and his God-given priority as a pastor/teacher (Eph. 4:11-16). Since God left the church on earth to make disciples (not Democrats or Republicans), John believes the best way a pastor can spend his time, energy, and influence is by preaching God's Word. The proclamation of the gospel unleashes the power of God to produce the miracle of regeneration.
Apart from his commitment to those pastoral priorities, John has some further reservations about political involvement as a pastor.
First, political involvement requires time and energy from a pastor that should be spent on shepherding the flock of God. Life is short-there are only so many weeks, days, and hours-and a pastor must make every effort to redeem the time (Ps. 90:12; Eph. 5:16). He's a steward, charged by the Master for the administration of His truth, and he will give an account to the Lord of the church; and extensive political involvement is a distraction (1 Cor. 3:12-15; 4:1-5). He simply can't effectively shepherd his people when he's trying to be effective in politics. No one can serve two masters.
Second, effective politics requires co-belligerency to promote a common cause or resist a common enemy. When disparate groups take a similar position on an issue like abortion, it's in their political interest to rally together and unite their voices for greater influence. By its nature, co-belligerency involves compromises that dull the contrasts and accentuate the common ground. The spirit of co-belligerency is the opposite of what the Bible requires a pastor to be-a man of deep biblical conviction (Tit. 1:9). Men like that are disruptive to common political causes, especially among those who pervert or are indifferent to the gospel.
Third, political changes, at best, are only superficial and temporary. The reforms of one generation or administration are quickly undone by the reforms of the next. When a pastor spends very much of his time rallying his people for political causes, he keeps his attention-and the attention of his flock-fixed on the shifting sands, the changing winds, and the ebb and flow of the latest political trend. The gospel of Jesus Christ, however, is the bedrock of immutable truth, showing the way of eternal salvation. That's what all people need to be fixated on, pastor and congregation alike.
Fourth, political involvement can easily confuse the message of the church. Many unbelievers are totally confused by the testimony of the visible church. It's easy to excuse them for thinking the cause of Christ is about passing conservative legislation or championing social causes. The message of the church is that sinners can be reconciled to a holy God (2 Cor. 5:20-21). God has sent His beloved Son to redeem fallen, broken, condemned, and dying people, to turn His enemies into His friends, to adopt and love ragged, throw-away children and receive them into His kingdom. Political involvement undermines and confuses that clear and winsome message.
Fifth, political engagement often turns the church's mission field into the enemy. Political campaigns make this abundantly clear. Fueled by a righteous cause, each side wages war with the carnal weapons of this age, and each side demonizes the other, employing the sharpest (and sometimes the nastiest) rhetoric. That's not the mandate for the church. Instead, "Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person" (ESV). Those people out there may be the worst of sinners-you know, activist types-but such were some of you. And yet, God washed you, sanctified you, and justified you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and the Spirit of God (1 Cor. 6:9-11). The world may be the enemy of God, as you once were (Eph. 2:1-3), but they need to be reconciled to God, as you have been (Eph. 2:4-10). The world is our mission field.
It's not that it's wrong for a Christian to be involved in the political process. Christians in democratic countries have the opportunity to vote, and there are a number of God-fearing Christians throughout the world whom God has chosen to have political careers. But it is wrong for churches and pastors to lose sight of Christ's mandate in Matthew 28:18-20 and stray from the full-time work of making disciples. That's a mandate and a mission that John MacArthur, along with many other faithful pastors, takes very seriously.
For more information on the subject of Christians and politics, you might consider picking up a copy of Why Government Can't Save You, by John MacArthur
Why Does John Avoid Political Issues and Politics?
Matthew 28:18-20
by Grace to You
John MacArthur has never been known to avoid political issues. He's spoken out clearly to explain what the Bible says about some of the most politically charged issues of the day-abortion, war, government, homosexuality, women's roles, etc. Have you ever seen his interviews with Larry King on CNN? John has never avoided politically incorrect subjects; he's always spoken clearly about biblical truth, whether it's popular or not, whether the setting is "appropriate" or not, in season and out of season.
However, it is true that John doesn't involve himself in politics, at least compared to some contemporary evangelicals. He's committed to two things in his ministry: the church's mandate from Christ (Matt. 28:18-20) and his God-given priority as a pastor/teacher (Eph. 4:11-16). Since God left the church on earth to make disciples (not Democrats or Republicans), John believes the best way a pastor can spend his time, energy, and influence is by preaching God's Word. The proclamation of the gospel unleashes the power of God to produce the miracle of regeneration.
Apart from his commitment to those pastoral priorities, John has some further reservations about political involvement as a pastor.
First, political involvement requires time and energy from a pastor that should be spent on shepherding the flock of God. Life is short-there are only so many weeks, days, and hours-and a pastor must make every effort to redeem the time (Ps. 90:12; Eph. 5:16). He's a steward, charged by the Master for the administration of His truth, and he will give an account to the Lord of the church; and extensive political involvement is a distraction (1 Cor. 3:12-15; 4:1-5). He simply can't effectively shepherd his people when he's trying to be effective in politics. No one can serve two masters.
Second, effective politics requires co-belligerency to promote a common cause or resist a common enemy. When disparate groups take a similar position on an issue like abortion, it's in their political interest to rally together and unite their voices for greater influence. By its nature, co-belligerency involves compromises that dull the contrasts and accentuate the common ground. The spirit of co-belligerency is the opposite of what the Bible requires a pastor to be-a man of deep biblical conviction (Tit. 1:9). Men like that are disruptive to common political causes, especially among those who pervert or are indifferent to the gospel.
Third, political changes, at best, are only superficial and temporary. The reforms of one generation or administration are quickly undone by the reforms of the next. When a pastor spends very much of his time rallying his people for political causes, he keeps his attention-and the attention of his flock-fixed on the shifting sands, the changing winds, and the ebb and flow of the latest political trend. The gospel of Jesus Christ, however, is the bedrock of immutable truth, showing the way of eternal salvation. That's what all people need to be fixated on, pastor and congregation alike.
Fourth, political involvement can easily confuse the message of the church. Many unbelievers are totally confused by the testimony of the visible church. It's easy to excuse them for thinking the cause of Christ is about passing conservative legislation or championing social causes. The message of the church is that sinners can be reconciled to a holy God (2 Cor. 5:20-21). God has sent His beloved Son to redeem fallen, broken, condemned, and dying people, to turn His enemies into His friends, to adopt and love ragged, throw-away children and receive them into His kingdom. Political involvement undermines and confuses that clear and winsome message.
Fifth, political engagement often turns the church's mission field into the enemy. Political campaigns make this abundantly clear. Fueled by a righteous cause, each side wages war with the carnal weapons of this age, and each side demonizes the other, employing the sharpest (and sometimes the nastiest) rhetoric. That's not the mandate for the church. Instead, "Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person" (ESV). Those people out there may be the worst of sinners-you know, activist types-but such were some of you. And yet, God washed you, sanctified you, and justified you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and the Spirit of God (1 Cor. 6:9-11). The world may be the enemy of God, as you once were (Eph. 2:1-3), but they need to be reconciled to God, as you have been (Eph. 2:4-10). The world is our mission field.
It's not that it's wrong for a Christian to be involved in the political process. Christians in democratic countries have the opportunity to vote, and there are a number of God-fearing Christians throughout the world whom God has chosen to have political careers. But it is wrong for churches and pastors to lose sight of Christ's mandate in Matthew 28:18-20 and stray from the full-time work of making disciples. That's a mandate and a mission that John MacArthur, along with many other faithful pastors, takes very seriously.
For more information on the subject of Christians and politics, you might consider picking up a copy of Why Government Can't Save You, by John MacArthur
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Wartime Lifestyle
About 3 years ago I began reading a book by John Piper called "Don't Waste Your Life." I starting reading it and got to about the 4th chapter, then I quit. A few months later I saw it on my bookshelf and decided to pick it up to read. Once again, I got to about the 4th chapter and I quit.
I'm really not sure why I had so much trouble getting into this book. It seems ironic that a book that is supposed to tell me how not to waste my life was getting put on the back burner so I could pursue other things in my life.
Fortunately my church is getting ready to start a video series on Sunday nights on "The Blazing Center" an 8-session group teaching series by John Piper on the Soul-satisfying Supremacy of God in All Things. Also, my wife and I are going to the Resolved Conference (http://www.resolved.org/) in Palm Springs later this week where John Piper will be one of the featured speakers. So, with so much Piper's teaching facing me in the near future, I thought it was a good time to pick back up the "Don't Waste Your Life" book for a third time.
This time, the third time was the charm.
I've not yet finished the book, but I'm well on my way. I just completed the 7th chapter and it was superb. This is a challenging book. The main argument is to warn you not to get caught up in a life that counts for nothing. But to live and die boasting in the cross of Christ and making the glory of God your singular passion.
In chapter 7 titled, "Living to Prove He is More Precious Than Life", Piper challenges the reader to:
"make sacrifical life choices rooted in the assurance that magnifying Christ through generosity and mercy is more satisfying than selfishness. If we walk away from risk to keep ourselves safe and solvent, we will waste our lives. This chapter is about the kind of lifestyle that may keep that from happening."
Later in the chapter, Piper uses the term "wartime lifestyle." He explains why:
"Sometimes I use the phrase "wartime lifestyle" or "wartime mind-set." The phrase is helpful - but also lopsided. For me it is mainly helpful. It tells me that there is a war going on in the world between Christ and Satan, truth and falsehood, belief and unbelief. It tells me that there are weapons to be funded and used, but that these weapons are not swords or guns or bombs but the Gospel and prayer and self-sacrificing love (2 Corinthians 10:3-5) And it tells me that the stakes of this conflict are higher than any other war in history; they are eternal and infinite: heaven or hell, eternal joy or eternal torment (Matthew 25:46).
I need to hear this message again and again, because I drift into a peacetime mind-set as certainly as rain falls down and flames go up. I am wired by nature to love the same toys that the world loves. I start to fit in. I start to love what others love. I start to call earth "home." Before you know it, I am calling luxuries "needs" and using my money just the way unbelievers do. I begin to forget the war. I don't think much about people perishing. Missions and unreached peoples drop out of my mind. I stop dreaming about the triumphs of grace. I sink into a secular mindset that looks first to what man can do, not what God can do. It is a terrible sickness. And I thank God for those who have forced me again and again toward a wartime mind-set."
This is an excellent book and one that I highly recommend.
I'm really not sure why I had so much trouble getting into this book. It seems ironic that a book that is supposed to tell me how not to waste my life was getting put on the back burner so I could pursue other things in my life.
Fortunately my church is getting ready to start a video series on Sunday nights on "The Blazing Center" an 8-session group teaching series by John Piper on the Soul-satisfying Supremacy of God in All Things. Also, my wife and I are going to the Resolved Conference (http://www.resolved.org/) in Palm Springs later this week where John Piper will be one of the featured speakers. So, with so much Piper's teaching facing me in the near future, I thought it was a good time to pick back up the "Don't Waste Your Life" book for a third time.
This time, the third time was the charm.
I've not yet finished the book, but I'm well on my way. I just completed the 7th chapter and it was superb. This is a challenging book. The main argument is to warn you not to get caught up in a life that counts for nothing. But to live and die boasting in the cross of Christ and making the glory of God your singular passion.
In chapter 7 titled, "Living to Prove He is More Precious Than Life", Piper challenges the reader to:
"make sacrifical life choices rooted in the assurance that magnifying Christ through generosity and mercy is more satisfying than selfishness. If we walk away from risk to keep ourselves safe and solvent, we will waste our lives. This chapter is about the kind of lifestyle that may keep that from happening."
Later in the chapter, Piper uses the term "wartime lifestyle." He explains why:
"Sometimes I use the phrase "wartime lifestyle" or "wartime mind-set." The phrase is helpful - but also lopsided. For me it is mainly helpful. It tells me that there is a war going on in the world between Christ and Satan, truth and falsehood, belief and unbelief. It tells me that there are weapons to be funded and used, but that these weapons are not swords or guns or bombs but the Gospel and prayer and self-sacrificing love (2 Corinthians 10:3-5) And it tells me that the stakes of this conflict are higher than any other war in history; they are eternal and infinite: heaven or hell, eternal joy or eternal torment (Matthew 25:46).
I need to hear this message again and again, because I drift into a peacetime mind-set as certainly as rain falls down and flames go up. I am wired by nature to love the same toys that the world loves. I start to fit in. I start to love what others love. I start to call earth "home." Before you know it, I am calling luxuries "needs" and using my money just the way unbelievers do. I begin to forget the war. I don't think much about people perishing. Missions and unreached peoples drop out of my mind. I stop dreaming about the triumphs of grace. I sink into a secular mindset that looks first to what man can do, not what God can do. It is a terrible sickness. And I thank God for those who have forced me again and again toward a wartime mind-set."
This is an excellent book and one that I highly recommend.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
God's Will and Man's Will
The relationship between the doctrine of election and the understanding of man’s free will has been debated for hundreds of years (if not longer). Here, Charles Spurgeon handles the tension extremely well. It’s perhaps the best teaching I’ve heard on the differing viewpoints and how we are to handle the seeming paradox we find in Scripture.
http://www.spurgeon.org/sermons/0442.htm
http://www.spurgeon.org/sermons/0442.htm
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Supplementing Our Faith
In his second epistle, Peter talks about a certain blindness that affects believers. It’s not a total blindness, but it is a crippling blindness. The Bible describes it as being similar to severe nearsightedness (2 Peter 1:9).
Our faith is central to our salvation. But the Bible challenges us to go beyond our faith and supplement it with certain qualities. Possessing these qualities leads us to an effective and fruitful Christian life. However, lacking these qualities leads to us forgetting that we have been cleansed from sin. (2 Peter 1:8-9)
What are these qualities? (2 Peter 1:5-7)
Virtue
Knowledge
Self-Control
Steadfastness
Godliness
Brotherly affection
Love
Why should we supplement our faith with them?
We should supplement our faith with these qualities, because through His divine power, Jesus has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness. Christ has granted to us His promises so that we may become partakers of the divine nature escaping the corruption in the world due to sin. (2 Peter 1:3-4)
What are the effects of not using these qualities?
The effects on our life when we don’t supplement our faith with these qualities are dangerous. We become so nearsighted that we are blind and we forget that we were cleansed from our former sins. We continue to live as if we are sinners and we are not a blessing to others.
What are the effects of using these qualities?
The effects on our life when we supplement our faith with these wonderful qualities are remarkable. They make us effective and fruitful in our ministry. They allow us to make our calling and election sure, and the Bible says we will never fall. We will have a richly provided way into the Kingdom.
Our faith is central to our salvation. But the Bible challenges us to go beyond our faith and supplement it with certain qualities. Possessing these qualities leads us to an effective and fruitful Christian life. However, lacking these qualities leads to us forgetting that we have been cleansed from sin. (2 Peter 1:8-9)
What are these qualities? (2 Peter 1:5-7)
Virtue
Knowledge
Self-Control
Steadfastness
Godliness
Brotherly affection
Love
Why should we supplement our faith with them?
We should supplement our faith with these qualities, because through His divine power, Jesus has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness. Christ has granted to us His promises so that we may become partakers of the divine nature escaping the corruption in the world due to sin. (2 Peter 1:3-4)
What are the effects of not using these qualities?
The effects on our life when we don’t supplement our faith with these qualities are dangerous. We become so nearsighted that we are blind and we forget that we were cleansed from our former sins. We continue to live as if we are sinners and we are not a blessing to others.
What are the effects of using these qualities?
The effects on our life when we supplement our faith with these wonderful qualities are remarkable. They make us effective and fruitful in our ministry. They allow us to make our calling and election sure, and the Bible says we will never fall. We will have a richly provided way into the Kingdom.
Monday, September 29, 2008
Justification
The doctrine of justification helps us to understand how God declares our sins forgiven. A right understanding of justification is absolutely critical to the whole Christian faith. Scripture tells us that we are justified by faith:
"knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified." (Galatians 2:16)
(The following is an excerpt of an article by John Stevenson on Justification)
But what exactly does it mean to be "justified". The term "justify" is taken from the Greek root word "righteous." This gives us a clue as to its meaning. It has to do with righteousness. It describes the act of declaring that a person or thing is righteous.
The act of justification does not MAKE a person righteous. It is merely a declaration that he IS righteous. But how can God declare a man to be righteous when that man is really a guilty sinner? The answer can only be found in the imputation of righteousness.
"For He made Him who know no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him" (2 Corinthians 5:21)
In this single verse, Paul pictures two different aspects of the work of Christ on our behalf.
1) The Imputation of our sins upon Christ - Our sins were put to His account. He was credited wth our sins. The sinless Son of God was judged as though He had committed all of the sins which have ever taken place throughout the entire history of mankind.
2) The Imputation of Christ's Righteousness Toward Us - Just as our sins were put to His account while He was on the cross, so in the same way, the righteousness of Christ is put to our account when we believe in Him.
What is the significance of this imputation of Christ's righteousness to our account? If I have been declared by God to be righteous, then God is now free to bless me with every spiritual blessing. For God to accept sinful man as he is and to fellowship with him in this condition would be for God to accept and fellowship with SIN. It would make God a sinner. It is for this reason that God formed a plan which would save man and at the same time would satisfy the righteousness of God.
This certainly does not cover all of the teachings on justification, but hopefully it will at least be helpful as an introduction to this wonderful doctrine.
"knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified." (Galatians 2:16)
(The following is an excerpt of an article by John Stevenson on Justification)
But what exactly does it mean to be "justified". The term "justify" is taken from the Greek root word "righteous." This gives us a clue as to its meaning. It has to do with righteousness. It describes the act of declaring that a person or thing is righteous.
The act of justification does not MAKE a person righteous. It is merely a declaration that he IS righteous. But how can God declare a man to be righteous when that man is really a guilty sinner? The answer can only be found in the imputation of righteousness.
"For He made Him who know no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him" (2 Corinthians 5:21)
In this single verse, Paul pictures two different aspects of the work of Christ on our behalf.
1) The Imputation of our sins upon Christ - Our sins were put to His account. He was credited wth our sins. The sinless Son of God was judged as though He had committed all of the sins which have ever taken place throughout the entire history of mankind.
2) The Imputation of Christ's Righteousness Toward Us - Just as our sins were put to His account while He was on the cross, so in the same way, the righteousness of Christ is put to our account when we believe in Him.
What is the significance of this imputation of Christ's righteousness to our account? If I have been declared by God to be righteous, then God is now free to bless me with every spiritual blessing. For God to accept sinful man as he is and to fellowship with him in this condition would be for God to accept and fellowship with SIN. It would make God a sinner. It is for this reason that God formed a plan which would save man and at the same time would satisfy the righteousness of God.
This certainly does not cover all of the teachings on justification, but hopefully it will at least be helpful as an introduction to this wonderful doctrine.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Welcome
Welcome to Word Stands Forever. The purpose of this blog is to share what God is showing me through His Word and in the life and teachings of others in order to grow in the faith. One aspect of growing in the faith is to understand and meditate on the rich doctrinal truths that are found in Scripture and how those truths are lived out in the Christian faith.
John MacArthur talks about the importance of Bible study and doctrine:
"Doctrine is not the exclusive domain of seminary professors. All true Christians must be concerned with understanding sound doctrine. It is the disciplining of discerning and digesting what God is saying to us in His Word so we can live lives that glorify Him. Doctrine forms the belief system that controls and compels behavior. What could be more practical-or more important? God's truth is revealed in His Word, and it is there we must ultimately go to settle any doctrinal issue."
(The Gospel According to the Apostles)
I will also discuss various aspects of the Christian faith that I find challenging. Some may come from a sermon, others from a book or blog, or perhaps a conversation with a friend or stranger. Occurrences that help lead me to a deeper understanding of God as revealed in the Bible and that challenge me to live a more obedient life.
The name of this blog comes from Isaiah 40:8, which states, “The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever.” (NKJV).
John MacArthur talks about the importance of Bible study and doctrine:
"Doctrine is not the exclusive domain of seminary professors. All true Christians must be concerned with understanding sound doctrine. It is the disciplining of discerning and digesting what God is saying to us in His Word so we can live lives that glorify Him. Doctrine forms the belief system that controls and compels behavior. What could be more practical-or more important? God's truth is revealed in His Word, and it is there we must ultimately go to settle any doctrinal issue."
(The Gospel According to the Apostles)
I will also discuss various aspects of the Christian faith that I find challenging. Some may come from a sermon, others from a book or blog, or perhaps a conversation with a friend or stranger. Occurrences that help lead me to a deeper understanding of God as revealed in the Bible and that challenge me to live a more obedient life.
The name of this blog comes from Isaiah 40:8, which states, “The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever.” (NKJV).
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