Let Us Love and Sing and Wonder

From 1 Cor. 6:11, 20; Rev. 1:5

1. Let us love and sing and wonder

Let us praise the Savior’s name

He has hushed the law’s loud thunder

He has quenched Mount Sinai’s flame

He has washed us with His blood

He has washed us with His blood

He has washed us with His blood

He has brought us nigh to God

2. Let us love the Lord Who bought us

Pitied us when enemies

Called us by His grace and taught us

Gave us ears and gave us eyes

He has washed us with His blood

He has washed us with His blood

He has washed us with His blood

He presents our souls to God

3. Let us sing though fierce temptation

Threatens hard to bear us down

For the Lord, our strong salvation,

Holds in view the conqu’ror’s crown

He, Who washed us with His blood,

He, Who washed us with His blood,

He, Who washed us with His blood,

Soon will bring us home to God

4. Let us wonder grace and justice

Join and point to mercy’s store

When through grace in Christ our trust is

Justice smiles and asks no more

He Who washed us with His blood

He Who washed us with His blood

He Who washed us with His blood

Has secured our way to God

5. Let us praise and join the chorus

Of the saints enthroned on high

Here they trusted Him before us

Now their praises fill the sky

Thou hast washed us with Thy blood

Thou hast washed us with Thy blood

Thou hast washed us with Thy blood

Thou art worthy Lamb of God

©2001 Laura Taylor Music.

HT: iGraceMusic

Why We Love The Church

What is a Person?

By Ian Galloway

Not to kill is prescriptive in Scripture. Starkly, it is jealousy and murder that rise up between the first children born (Gen 4). Following the flood, it is clearly established that God’s judgment for taking the life of another is death (Gen 9:6). God’s reasoning is very profound. It is the very nature and being of man as made in the image of God that causes the death sentence.

Whoever sheds the blood of man,
by man shall his blood be shed;
for in the image of God
has God made man. (Gen 9.6)

Under Moses, further conditions are clarified whereby death is also the penalty, e.g. adultery, slavery, cursing parents (Ex 21:12-17). But this is God’s just decree, not an arbitrary decision to take another’s life. Not to murder is established in the very core of human obligation under the old covenant 
(Ex 20:13). Unintentionality in murder finds a place of refuge (Ex 21:13). But for premeditated scheming there is no mercy.

To read more, click the link below to download the PDF.

What Is A Person

Rebellion or Submission

When you’re first saved, you usually experience a period of extraordinary freedom and seem to be able to get away with almost anything. You experience amazing answers to prayer, and even when you’ve done some questionable things, somehow God lets you off the hook. Then God says, ‘All right, time for the next phase.’ At this point you demonstrate by your reaction whether you’ve really learned to submit to him. Will you resist God-ordained restrictions or will you patiently submit and trust Him.

Dynamite-Packed Bible

"You Christians look after a document containing enough dynamite to blow all civilization to pieces, turn the world upside down and bring peace to a battle-torn planet. But you treat it as though it is nothing more than a piece of literature." - Mohandas Gandhi

Sad, but so true.

The Early Church Pattern for Evangelism

In Acts 5:12-42 Luke reveals the early church's pattern of evangelism.

An Analysis of the Church's Growth

Rapid growth

From its inception the church grew rapidly. Acts 2:41 says that on the Day of Pentecost "there were added unto them about three thousand souls." Acts 2:47 says, "The Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved." In Acts 4:4 we discover that "the number of the men [Gk., an[ma]er, "adult male"] was about five thousand." Acts 5:14 says, "Believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women." In Acts 6:7 Luke records that "the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly." Acts 8:6 notes that in response to Philip's ministry "the people with one accord gave heed." Acts 9:31 says, "Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, were multiplied." In Acts 11:21 Luke says that "a great number believed," and verse 24 reiterates that "many people were added to the Lord." The church was growing so quickly that within weeks, thousands had joined. Believers were actively evangelizing--the church was reaching the world.

Real growth

That tremendous growth continued, although being a Christian back then wasn't easy. The price was high, the demands were extreme, and total commitment was essential. But after having counted the cost, many were still coming to Christ. There's nothing wrong with tremendous growth if it's the result of evangelism--that's the only kind of growth that is real. Those Christians wanted to win others to Jesus Christ, and empowered by the Holy Spirit, they did. Their only motive was God's glory, so the Holy Spirit magnified their work. Later in Acts when Paul and Barnabas reported the conversion of Gentiles, "they caused great joy unto all the brethren" (15:3). There's nothing more exciting to the people of God than being used by God to draw others to Himself.

Regular growth

Today some would suggest that when a church reaches 600, 1,400, or 2,000 it should stop reaching out. The early church in Jerusalem had 3,000 the first day--and had just begun! It's tragic for a church to become satisfied with its growth. Regardless of how many believers there are, there need to be more. Those who know Christ can't be content just to attend their churches, feast on the Word, and excuse themselves from reaching others, thinking there are so many here already. Everything we learn should make us more effective in winning others to Christ because evangelism is our mission.

The Annals of the Church's Growth

In Acts 1 we see our Lord equipping the future church, as it still remained in the womb of God's promise. Then in chapter 2 the church was born. Immediately it began to grow and was nurtured in "the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers" (2:42). Naturally with growth came opposition, and its infant muscles were tested. But it became stronger as a result. The church's task was simple: to reach the world. And it was totally committed to it. In chapter 4 they prayed, "Lord, behold their threatenings; and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word, by stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child, Jesus. And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness" (vv. 29-31). These members of the early church were committed to evangelism.

They were committed not only to evangelism, but also to each other. Acts 4:32-37 stresses that there was unity and sharing. That text describes two essentials for effective evangelism: individuals proclaiming the Word and a collective unity. Jesus emphasized the importance of unity when He prayed that His followers might be one so the world would believe that the Father sent the Son (John 17:21). In John 13:35 He tells His disciples, "By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another." So their evangelism flowed naturally from personal communication and collective unity. But at that point Satan struck. In chapter 5 a great sin, which threatened to be a blight on the church, surfaced. Ananias and Sapphira lied to the Holy Spirit in an effort to be considered spiritual. God disciplined them before the whole church by taking their lives, illustrating the severity of sin in the church. Thus God immediately cut out the cancer that had crept into the church. So when we get to verse 12, the church is pure again, and evangelism is ready to flourish.

HT: John MacArthur

If Swearing is Helpful, Should I Do It?

By Heather Koerner

According to a new study by British researchers, using obscene words can actually help reduce pain.

Time reports that psychologists from Keele University performed an experiment where college students were asked to stick their hands into buckets of ice water and endure the pain for several minutes. One group was allowed to repeat a curse word of their choice. The other group had to repeat a control word -- "such as that which might be used to describe a table."

The result?

"... swearing not only allowed students to withstand the discomfort longer, but also reduced their perception of pain intensity. Curse words, the study found, help you cope."
The scientists suggest that perhaps swearing triggers the body's fight-or-flight response and that it results from a "very primitive reflex that evolved in animals" (like a dog's yelp when his tail is stepped on).

Interesting. I get the dog-yelp analogy (though, admittedly, I don't get why they automatically assume the yelps "evolved"). When I stub a toe or knock my hip on a table, I certainly have an immediate urge to let out a yell. But "Oooowwwwwww, that really, really, really hurt" seems to work just fine.

I've birthed two children without anesthetic. Not a superhuman feat, I grant you, but I will put it up there with putting your hand in an ice bucket. And while being forced to repeat descriptive words about a table while laboring would have probably highly annoyed me, I don't recall feeling a primordial need to swear.

But let's just say, for argument's sake, that it did help. That swearing did absolutely and definitively reduce pain. Even then, should believers do it?

The Bible is full of directives and principles about our speech. We're to honor the name of our Lord. James reminds us that a believer should "keep a tight rein on his tongue." And praising God and cursing men with the same tongue? "My brothers, this should not be!" We're told not to let unwholesome talk come out of our mouths.

So, can cussing ever qualify as wholesome talk? Because "cuss" words differ from country to country, does that mean that they are "only words"?

In the Time article, Steven Pinker, a Harvard psychologist, recommends that we not overuse swear words in our speech or writing. "That's not because I'm a prude, but because it blunts [swear words] of their power when you do need them. You should save them for just the right occasions."

For believers, are there any right occasions?

HT: Boundless Line

Download John Piper's Latest Book for Free

John Piper's new book, Filling Up The Afflictions of Christ, is now available for download. Get it for free! And you can listen to an interview with Piper about his new book here.

John Piper's new book, Filling Up The Afflictions of Christ, is now available for download. Get it for free! And you can listen to an interview with Piper about his new book here.

HT: Desiring God

Discipleship Begins in the Home

It is time for us to step back and rethink the importance and value of the home.

What good is it if you make disciples of your neighbors and co-workers yet neglect to disciple your own family? This is what Paul meant when he said, “If a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of the church of God?” (1 Timothy 3:5). This Scripture is not just for pastor, but is also applicable for all Christian parents. The reality is we are not doing a good job at discipleship in the home. Statistics show that between 70 and 88 percent of Christian teens will leave the church by their second year in college.

Disciple Your Children

The call to “make disciples” begin in our homes first. As parents, it is our spiritual responsibility to disciple and teach our faith to our children. Family and children are a gift from God. As Christian parents, we want to raise our children to grow up to love Jesus and know the Bible. It is important for children to begin learning about God and the Bible at home. Faith is not just something that we do once a week, but should be a part of our daily lives.

It is not the churches or schools responsibility to raise our kids. Too often, I think we think that church is more like a baby-sitting service to watch our kids for a few hours a week. While church is important, the Bible tells us that the home is primary place of learning the Bible and moral instruction.

In Deuteronomy 6:4-9, we read:

You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates."

You can and should teach your children basic Christian beliefs and to memorize Scripture. This can be both fun and educational. You can use short scriptures to learn with your children. As you continue to learn the Scriptures, you can use longer passages such as the Ten Commandants and 23rd Psalm for when you and your children feel ready to go deeper. You can also use a short Family Catechism with question and answers for you discuss that will help basic Christian doctrine with your children. Lastly, there are many family prayers and songs that can be used at various times of the day to help you disciple your family.

Some Practical Ideas

Here are a few practical ideas that may help you disciple your children.

1. Find a good children's bible, such as My First Bible, The Adventure Bible for Young readers, ESV Children's Bible.
2. Have a daily time for family worship (morning, afternoon, evening)
3. Remember to have fun with your children while learning the bible.
4. Keep the time brief to hold the child's attention.
5. Recite the verse several times a day in your child's presence so it becomes familiar to them.
6. You can make flash cards with Scripture on one side and the book, chapter, and verse on the other.
7. Put the verse to music or rhythm. Your child will enjoy singing and clapping their hands.
8. Think of fun activities to make the verse fun and easy to remember. Be creative.
9. Reward your child when he/she has accurately memorized a verse. Rewards could include small treats or prizes, a trip to the dollar store, or special time with mom or dad.
10. Telling them you are proud of them and having them recite it to someone else like a grandparent or teacher.

11. Pray with your children every day at meals and before they go to bed at night.

HT: Winfield Bevins

I Might Be A Christian Liberal

I knew that post title would get your attention. Okay, I know that for most of you who read this blog even uttering the word "liberal" may cause you to break out in a rash, and you know my perspective: politics + Christianity = but I would like to introduce you to a new friend (if I may be so bold Colin) and to his recently published a book, A Heaven-Backed Rebellion: Uncovering the Political Vision of Christian Liberals. I haven't read the book yet (my copy is on the way), hence "I might be a Christian liberal," so allow me to share with you what one reviewer commented about Colin's book:

I knew that post title would get your attention. Okay, I know that for most of you who read this blog even uttering the word "liberal" may cause you to break out in a rash, and you know my perspective: Politics + Christianity = Politics, but I would like to introduce you to a new friend (if I may be so bold Colin) and to his recently published book, A Heaven-Backed Rebellion: Uncovering the Political Vision of Christian Liberals. I haven't read the book yet (my copy is on the way), hence "I might be a Christian liberal," so allow me to share with you what one reviewer commented about Colin's book:

"As equally devout as he is disillusioned with the politics of the Religious Right and the Secular Left, Colin Kerr comprehensively explores an emerging political philosophy that firmly roots itself in Scripture and in the example of the early Church. By way of unadorned reason, scripture, and the occasional irreverent observation, Kerr builds the contrarian's case that theologically conservative Christians should actually be political liberals while the typically Christo-phobic Left must reinstall an explicitly Christ-centered engine to the progressive movement. For anyone still around with an open heart, A Heaven-Backed Rebellion churns out a strikingly original, uniquely clear, and surprisingly humorous approach to holistic Biblical politics that seeks to reclaim even the very term of liberal for Christ."

Better yet, here's Colin himself explaining why he wrote the book and what qualifies him to speak to this topic:

So check out the book and Colin's blog God's Eclectic, if for no other reason than to hear from someone who may hold a different perspective than your own.

HT: God's Eclectic

Finding God's Will

By JD Greear

God promises to guide us if we'll do these 3 things:

(1) TREASURE GOD'S WORDS: 2:1 "My son, if you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you"

If you will give yourself to know God’s words, and "seek (them) like silver and search for (them) as for hidden treasures…In ch. 4 Solomon said, “in whatever you get, get insight…”!

In other words, if someone came to you tonight and said, “I’ll pay off all your bills, including your mortgage; load up your IRA; give you a lifetime allowance for vacations, any car you like; a beach home… or I can make you wise.” Take wisdom! Think about that for a few minutes.

This is one of the reasons we really want you to develop a habit of Bible reading in this series... We are providing a daily Proverbs companion for you here, one for every day of the series. It's a great way to begin the discipline of Bible reading!

(2) SEEK GOOD COUNSEL: 2:2 "and make your ear attentive to wisdom and incline your heart to understanding"

A lot of times other people can see things in our lives we cannot see, and we need to be open to them speaking into our lives. People sometimes come to me, as their pastor, and confess to me colossally idiotic things they have done, and that they are now suffering for... and I’m like, “Did you ask anybody about this before you did it? Because anyone with an IQ the piece of toast could have seen this coming.” They say, "But I prayed about it." Great. Glad you prayed. But you should have been open to the counsel of others.

God gave us the fellowship of a church, in part, so that others could see into and speak into our lives. This is one reason we encourage you, so strongly, to be in a small group. If you're not in a place where others can see into your life and in a position to make comments, there's no telling what nearsighted mistakes we'll make.

High school students... This is why you need to listen to your parents. You only see the here and now, but they see the future! You might be like, “They know what’s best for the future? But look at how they’re dressed. That can’t be wisdom…” Yes, they may not know how to dress. But in many areas of life they have wisdom. So listen to them!

(3) CALL OUT FOR INSIGHT: 2:3 "...yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding… 9 Then you will understand righteousness and justice and equity, every good path…11 discretion will watch over you, understanding will guard you."

HT: JD Greear

Youth Who Reject the Faith: Some Very Preliminary Results

I am beginning a study for my dissertation focused on understanding the perspectives held by youth who have grown up in the church and have either rejected the Christian faith or have considered rejecting the faith. I have only obtained a small handful of surveys thus far (in fact, I could really use your help locating teens to participate in my study so please contact me if you think you can give me a hand. It's an online survey initially, but I would like to interview youth over the phone who indicate that they have rejected the Christian faith), but the results have been interesting, although not shocking.

Here are some very preliminary insights:

(1) Youth overwhelmingly believe that the church is too political, largely ignores the needs and interests of young people, displays an attitude of discrimination toward those who hold opposing world views, and typically offers a shallow worship experience.

(2) Youth who have rejected the Christian faith, or who have considered rejecting the faith, indicate that witnessing or experiencing hypocrites in the church and an unloving attitude toward those who hold opposing world views as top reasons for making their decision to denounce Christianity.

(3) Most youth (remember, these are kids who have grown up in the church):

a. Do not read their Bibles

b. Do not have parents who read their Bibles

c. Do not look forward to attending church

d. Do not believe that their pastors have a genuine interest in them

e. Do not believe that Jesus is the only way to heaven

f. Do not believe that Hell really exists

h. Believe that sin is a social invention used to control people's behavior

g. Believe that Satan is a metaphorical representation of real evil in the world

i. Believe that the church is rooted more in rituals than in worship

These are just a few of the preliminary results I have collected thus far. Again, I can't say that I am surprised by these reports, although the fact that most churched youth feel that their pastors aren't really interested in them is, at least for me, a difficult finding. As a pastor to youth myself, I know without question that teenagers have an acute ability to sniff out adults who are disingenuous in their interactions with them, but I hadn't anticipated that the majority of churched youth would believe that their own pastors aren't interested in really knowing them.

Again, if you think you can help me connect my survey with teenagers, particularly churched teenagers, and especially those who you think have either rejected Christianity or have considered rejecting Christianity, please contact me.

What is Wisdom?

a. Definitions:

• “Wisdom is the art of living skillfully in whatever actual conditions we find ourselves.”—Eugene Peterson

• “Wisdom is the right use of knowledge.”—Charles Spurgeon

• “[Wisdom] is practical know-how in the hard realities of living with others before God in the world He has created.”—John Kitchen

b. Proverbs teaches us wisdom by piling up synonyms about how we learn wisdom. The following definitions are adapted from Proverbs: A Mentor Commentary by John Kitchen:

• Instruction: Can also be translated “discipline”—the idea is education through correction. Receiving instruction about what we got wrong.


• Discernment: The ability to look at two things and see what God sees, to tell the difference between what is good and what is evil. 


• Understanding: Implies not only discernment but the ability to understand why one option is God’s preference. 


• Prudence: A Spirit-born cleverness that understands the trend of events and inherent dangers, and avoids the pitfalls of life. 


• Knowledge: More than possessing information, it is a knowing that is deeply personal and experiential.


• Discretion: Avoiding harm brought on by foolishly proceeding with ill-advised plans.

HT: Joshua Harris

The Harmful Effects of Pornography

1. Harm to the Soul
2. Harm to Personal Morality and Chastity
3. Harm to Public Morality
4. Harm to Marriage
5. Harm of Violence Toward Women
6. Harm of Degradation of Women
7. Harm to Children
8. Harm of stimulations resulting in Rape
9. Harm of Contracting AIDS and other Venereal Diseases in Peep Show Booths and Spreading the Same to the Public
10. Harm to Performers in the production of porno films and videos
11. Harm to Performers in Nude Dancing Establishments
12. Harm to innocent persons criminally assaulted and murdered by those stimulated by porn, including serial murderers

HT: Paul J. McGeady

Do You Smile at Sin?

And they sewed fig - leaves together. What I lately said, that they had not been brought either by true shame or by serious fear to repentance, is now more manifest. They sew together for themselves girdles of leaves. For what end? That they may keep God at a distance, as by an invincible barrier! Their sense of evil, therefore, was only confused, and combined with dulness, as is wont to be the case in unquiet sleep. There is none of us who does not smile at their folly, since, certainly, it was ridiculous to place such a covering before the eyes of God. In the meanwhile, we are all infected with the same disease; for, indeed, we tremble, and are covered with shame at the first compunctions of conscience; but self-indulgence soon steals in, and induces us to resort to vain trifles, as if it were an easy thing to delude God. Therefore unless conscience be more closely pressed there is no shadow of excuse too faint and fleeting to obtain our acquiescence; and even if there be no pretext whatever, we still make pleasures for ourselves, and, by an oblivion of three days’ duration, we imagine that we are well covered. In short, the cold and faint knowledge of sin, which is inherent in the minds of men, is here described by Moses, in order that they may be rendered inexcusable.

HT: Calvin's Commentaries, Vol. 1

What Story Defines You?

History is God’s Story. It’s a beautiful story of God loving people and people rebelling against God. It’s also a story of God calling humanity back to himself. God sent Jesus to teach us His will for us. Jesus called this teaching the Kingdom of God. Life in God’s Kingdom is life where God reigns as King.

The Jews of Jesus’ day were anxiously awaiting the Kingdom of God. They were living under the oppression of the Roman Empire. They were waiting for God to send a deliverer, a Messiah that would overthrow their Roman oppressors and restore them back as God’s Kingdom on Earth. What they didn’t realize is that God was up to something new. He would be bringing a new kingdom to earth. This Kingdom would be open to everyone, regardless of their nationality, class or gender. It would be open to Jews and non-Jews alike. It was a kingdom that was not confined to a nation, it was open to the whole world.

As Jesus taught about God’s kingdom people listened eagerly, but they all had their own pre-conceived notions as to what the Kingdom was and how it would come. It’s important to understand the viewpoints (or framing stories) that the people of Jesus’ day held. Trying to read and understand Jesus without understanding the world that He lived in would be like trying to understand the Gettysburg Address with no knowledge of the Civil War. It wouldn’t make sense and we wouldn’t really understand it’s meaning.

The framing stories that people lived in then (and also now) can be understood as follows:

Everyone is looking for peace and security but they have different ways of going about it.

1. The Domination Story. The only way for peace and security to come is for us to be in control. The Roman Empire operated under the Domination Story. They believed that they were bringing Pax Romana, or the Peace of Rome. This peace worked well for those in charge but was not so great for others.

2. The Revolution/Revenge Story. We do not like being dominated. Peace and security will only come when we depose our occupiers. We must get revenge on them for what they have done to us. Many people in Jesus day were part of this story. They were called Zealots. They believed that God’s Kingdom would come if the people would only rise up and revolt. Around AD 70 they lead a revolt against Rome and were crushed, Jerusalem was destroyed and the nation of Israel ceased to exist for nearly 1900 years.

3. The Purification Story. The Pharisees propagated this story. They believed that the real problem was the sinners in Israel. If everyone would just become holier then God would rescue them. They like to “scapegoat” certain people groups and blame them for all of societies ills.

4. The Victimization Story. These people get their identity by being victims. The Galilean farming peasants that Jesus taught were part of this group. They were very much into getting sympathy for the ways that their rights were being trampled on by their Roman Oppressors and Jewish neighbors who financially exploited them. (Victims are real and people do get exploited, but it becomes a problem when the way that you relate to the world is always seeing yourself as a victim.)

5. The Isolation Story. In Jesus’ days there were a group of Jews called the Essenes who withdrew from society and formed their own community in the desert. They were waiting for God to come and destroy their oppressors and rescue them.

6. The Accumulation Story. The Herodians were a good example of this. They knew they couldn’t beat the system, so they would just work the system. They decided to acquire as much as they could and basically looked out for themselves. They would not make and “waves” and encouraged people to not resist Rome.



Now when you begin to really understand these viewpoints and the people that held them, a lot of Jesus’ teachings take on new meanings. Jesus was not advocating any of these stories. He was teaching them a new way to live and relate to each other and the world as a whole. He taught them of God in a new way and taught them how God wanted them to live. In Jesus’ story, God is the hero and His will and love are supreme. Jesus was not so much advocating or denouncing these groups as much as He was teaching ANOTHER option. Sometimes he would sound similar to them sometimes opposing them. Sometimes he would make one group angry, sometimes ALL of them would be angry at Him. (He had the ability to make common enemies agree on one thing: disliking Him!) He was adamant that the kingdom of God was not found in theses viewpoints nor would it come by their means. If Jesus rejected these means then we must identify them as false avenues to peace and security. They are lies from the Kingdom of Darkness, the opposite of the Kingdom of Light. Notice this interaction between Jesus and some Pharisees.

Luke 17:20-21 (NIV)
Once, having been asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, “The kingdom of God does not come with your careful observation, [21] nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is within you.”

Jesus is pointing out that if it is an observable method, a way that you think it will come, it will not come that way. The kingdom begins within you.

HT: New Life Church

Dealing with Habitual Sin

By John MacArthur

Take your Bible and turn back to Hebrews, chapter 12. As you know, this is a great and monumental Scripture; there is much here to be considered. In the brief time that we have as we anticipate sharing in the Lord's Table, I want to focus only on one phrase, just one phrase of great import--and that phrase is found in verse one. It says, "The sin which so easily entangles us."

I want to see if we can't talk about dealing with entangling sin. It is the nature of man, even the nature of a believer, to be easily entangled in sin. It happens so easily, and frankly there are certain sins which more easily entangle each of us than other ones. Each of us, in our own lives, have certain propensities for specific kinds of sins. It can be because we have in the past life cultivated habits of sin which now plague us even after our salvation. It could be because in our spiritual weakness even after becoming Christians we continued to develop habits of certain types of sin; certain specific sins that now we find more easily than others do entangle us.

It is true of every Christian that we have certain sins that easily capture us, but it is also true in general that sin easily entangles us. Not all sins are what we could call our personal entangling sins or our personal besetting sins: our personal habitual sins; the sins which we commit and then confess, and then commit again, and then confess, and then commit again, and then confess, and go on that way in our lives. Some sins fall under this category, but in general all sin seems to have sway with us. And maybe it will help you to understand why that is true if I just give you three very simple points about sin.

Episcopal Church moves to mainstream gays and lesbians

The Episcopal Church has moved decisively closer to full acceptance of gay men and lesbians, taking steps toward recognizing same-sex marriage and gay bishops.

Gene Robinson is the Episcopal Church's first -- and so far only -- openly gay bishop.

A key committee voted overwhelmingly Monday to start putting together blessings to be used in same-sex marriages, the church's official newspaper reported.

Separately, the House of Bishops voted by a wide margin to allow gays and lesbians to become bishops, Episcopal Life reported.

Both measures must be approved by the church's General Convention before taking effect, but expert Mark Silk said there is "little reason" to think the changes will not "sail through."

"They basically decided to move forward on all fronts with regularizing the status of gays and lesbians within the church," said Silk, director of the Leonard E. Greenberg Center for the Study of Religion in Public Life at Trinity College in Connecticut.

The Episcopal Church created controversy in 2003 with its decision to ordain Gene Robinson, who is openly gay, as a bishop. The move raised the possibility of a split within the worldwide Anglican Church, the third-largest Christian denomination with about 70 million members around the world.

The Episcopal Church -- the U.S. branch of the Anglican Church -- has not ordained another openly gay bishop since Robinson.

"The decision has been to kind of chill out on a bunch of things," Silk told CNN.

But Monday's vote ends what had been, in effect, a moratorium, he said.

It was the Episcopal Church saying that "this wasn't an anomaly when we elected Gene Robinson. We affirm that partnered gay people do have callings [to be clergy] and we have to recognize them.

"It is bringing the church's position in line with the civil society's," Silk said.

Should the church's position be line with civil society's? Or should the church's position be line with the Bible?

HT: CNN

How to Kill Sin

John Owen once preached, based on Romans 8:13, "Be killing sin or [sin] will be killing you." Romans 8:13 urges us to put be putting sin to death by the Spirit - "If by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live" - and what is the instrument of death wielded by the Spirit? The answer is given in Ephesians 6:17 - "the sword of the Spirit, the word of God."

So now, what would be helpful to know in order to experience what Romans 8:13 is calling for? Four questions help us to answer so that we can be about this crucial duty of killing sin.

1. What are "the deeds of the body" when Paul says, "If by the Spirit you kill the deeds of the body, you will live"? Surely not all the deeds of the body are to be killed. The body is supposed to be an instrument of righteousness. So what are the deeds of the body that are to be killed?
2. What does killing them mean? Do they have life that we should take away? What will killing them involve?
3. What does "by the Spirit" mean? The Spirit is himself God. He is not a lifeless instrument in our hands to wield as we wish. The very thought of having the Spirit in my hand gives me the shivers of disrespect. I am in his hand, aren't I? Not he in mine. He is the power, not me. How am I to understand this killing of sin "by the Spirit"?
4. Does this threat of death mean that I can lose my salvation? Verse 13a: "If you are living according to the flesh, you must die." This is spoken to the whole church at Rome. And death here is eternal death and judgment. We know that, because everyone - whether you live according to the flesh or not - dies a physical death. So the death this verse warns about is something more, something that happens only to some and not to others. So the question remains: can we die eternally if we have justified by faith? If so what becomes of our assurance, and if not why does Paul threaten us all with death if we live according to the flesh and tell us to be about the business of killing sin?

HT: Desiring God

Does our ability to act morally depend on who we worship?

By John Piper

Yes. If we don't value God for who he really is then our behavior, which is intended to be the fruit of our valuing of God, is going to reflect that skewed understanding of God.

The very essence of morality is not the deed that we're doing—such as helping somebody change a tire on a cold winter night or not stealing—but the essence of morality is the mindset out of which the deed is growing. It is the deed together with the mindset.

If the mindset has its roots in a flawed perception of God then the God who is being reflected through the deed is going to be poorly reflected. I believe the reason we tend to think that morality is not affected by a flawed view of God is because we don't understand the essence of morality as being the mindset, the motive, and the display of God.

This is why I have a problem with talking about a "Judeo-Christian ethic". If you say "Judeo" and you mean Jews who do not believe in Jesus Christ but hold to the Ten Commandments, then you're introducing a flaw into worship which is utterly profound.

The New Testament is written to say that those who do not honor the Son do not honor the Father. So the concept of a Judeo-Christian ethic as the goal to which people ought to aim is profoundly mistaken, because ethics has to grow out of a true view of God. And to reject Jesus Christ is to have an absolutely flawed view of God. Therefore the ethic of morality that flows from this kind of flawed view of God is going to be flawed, even if some of the behavior is the same.

The point of ethics is not merely the shell of the behavior, but it is the inner convictions of the mind, the disposition of the heart, and the goal of what we're displaying. If Jesus Christ is omitted from that then I don't think we have Christian ethics or morality.

One Pure and Holy Passion

Give me one pure and holy passion
Give me one magnificent obsession
Give me one glorious ambition for my life
To know and follow hard after You.

To know and follow hard after You
To grow as Your disciple in the truth.
This world is empty, pale and poor
Compared to knowing You my Lord
Lead me on, and I will run after You,
Lead me on, and I will run after You.

Words & music by Mark Altrogge
1992 Dayspring Music, Inc./PDI Praise/BMI

5 Dangers from Thoughts for Young Men

By J.C. Ryle

Pride
"Young men, take to heart the Scriptures just quoted. Do not be too confident in your own judgment. Stop being so sure that you are always right, and others wrong. Don't trust your own opinion, when you find it contrary to that of older men, and especially to that of your own parents. Age gives experience, and therefore deserves respect. "

Love of Pleasure
"Youth is the time when our passions are strongest—and like unruly children, cry most loudly for indulgence. Youth is the time when we have generally our most health and strength: death seems far away, and to enjoy ourselves in this life seems to be everything... "I serve lusts and pleasures:" that is the true answer many a young man should give, if asked, "Whose Servant are you?"

Thoughtlessness

"Not thinking is one simple reason why thousands of souls are thrown away forever into the Lake of Fire. Men will not consider, will not look ahead, will not look around them, will not reflect on the end of their present course, and the sure consequences of their present days, and wake up to find they are damned for a lack of thinking. Young men, none are in more danger of this than yourselves. You know little of the perils around you, and so you are careless how you walk. You hate the trouble of serious, quiet thinking, and so you make wrong decisions and bring upon yourselves much sorrow."



Contempt of Religion
"This also is one of your special dangers. I always observe that none pay so little outward respect to Christianity as young men. None take so little part in our services, when they are present at them—use Bibles so little—sing so little—listen to preaching so little. None are so generally absent at prayer meetings, Bible Studies, and all other weekday helps to the soul. Young men seem to think they do not need these things—they may be good for women and old men, but not for them. They appear ashamed of seeming to care about their souls: one would almost fancy they considered it a disgrace to go to heaven at all. "

Fear of Man's Opinion
"The fear of man" will indeed "prove to be a snare" (Proverbs 29:25). It is terrible to observe the power which it has over most minds, and especially over the minds of the young. Few seem to have any opinions of their own, or to think for themselves. Like dead fish, they go with the stream and tide: what others think is right, they think is right; and what others call wrong, they call wrong too. There are not many original thinkers in the world. Most men are like sheep, they follow a leader. If it was the fashion of the day to be Roman Catholics, they would be Roman Catholics, if it was to be Islamic, they would be Islamic. They dread the idea of going against the current of the times. In a word, the opinion of the day becomes their religion, their creed, their Bible, and their God."

HT: The Resurgence

A Patriot for God

So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. (John 8:36)

To most people, it's just a bunch of scribbled lines on an old piece of parchment under a glass case in a museum. That's why the majority of Americans have never stopped and pondered what actually happened to the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence. Sad - because they are the brave souls who paved the way for the United States of America to become the great nation it is today.

Just for the record, these men didn't get to enjoy the freedoms we do. Five signers were captured by the British as traitors, and tortured before they died. Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned. Two lost their sons serving in the Revolutionary Army; another had two sons captured. Nine of the 56 fought and died from wounds or hardships of the Revolutionary War. They signed and they pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor. What kind of men were they?



Twenty-four were lawyers and jurists. Eleven were merchants, nine were farmers and large plantation owners; men of means, well educated. But they signed the Declaration of Independence knowing full well that the penalty would be death if they were captured.

Carter Braxton of Virginia, a wealthy planter and trader, saw his ships swept from the seas by the British Navy. He sold his home and properties to pay his debts, and died in rags. Thomas McKeam was so hounded by the British that he was forced to move his family almost constantly. He served in the Congress without pay, and his family was kept in hiding. His possessions were taken from him, and poverty was his reward.

Vandals or soldiers looted the properties of Dillery, Hall, Clymer, Walton, Gwinnett, Heyward, Ruttledge, and Middleton. At the battle of Yorktown, Thomas Nelson Jr, noted that the British General Cornwallis had taken over the Nelson home for his headquarters. He quietly urged General George Washington to open fire. The home was destroyed, and Nelson died bankrupt.

Francis Lewis had his home and properties destroyed. The enemy jailed his wife, and she died within a few months. John Hart was driven from his wife's bedside as she was dying. Their 13 children fled for their lives. His fields and his gristmill were laid to waste. For more than a year he lived in forests and caves, returning home to find his wife dead and his children vanished. A few weeks later he died from exhaustion and a broken heart. Norris and Livingston suffered similar fates.

This 4th of July we get together with family and friends, and enjoy the time off from work. But I would suggest taking a few moments to reflect and thank God for the astonishing sacrifices that were made so that we could enjoy freedom. As well, take some time to reflect on the One who made the ultimate sacrifice to acquire for us freedom from sin and death. Jesus was the ultimate revolutionary who bought our freedom from a life of chasing ridiculous things like money, fame, and power. The gospel is our declaration of independence, and we should have the same attitude as the men who signed the Declaration of Independence:

"For the support of this declaration, with firm reliance on the protection of the divine providence, we mutually pledge to each other, our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor."

Let this holiday remind you that we have been set free from a life of slavery to Satan, now we can proclaim the message of true spiritual independence to our friends and family. Dedicate yourself to being a patriot for God, then watch the spiritual fireworks begin!

Questions:

1. Do you remember your spiritual "independence day"? Are you still as passionate about God as you were then?

2. What difference has your freedom in Christ made in your life?

3. Is there someone in your life who hasn't heard about the message of ultimate liberty: the gospel?

HT: Dare2Share

Happy 4th of July

God of our Fathers (National Hymn)

God of our fathers, whose almighty hand
Leads forth in beauty all the starry band
Of shining worlds in splendor through the skies
Our grateful songs before Thy throne arise.

Thy love divine hath led us in the past,
In this free land by Thee our lot is cast,
Be Thou our Ruler, Guardian, Guide and Stay,
Thy Word our law, Thy paths our chosen way.

From war’s alarms, from deadly pestilence,
Be Thy strong arm our ever sure defense;
Thy true religion in our hearts increase,
Thy bounteous goodness nourish us in peace.

Refresh Thy people on their toilsome way,
Lead us from night to never ending day;
Fill all our lives with love and grace divine,
And glory, laud, and praise be ever Thine.

Daniel C. Roberts, lyrics, 1876
George W. Warren, melody, 1892

A nation chosen of God is blessed. Psalms 33:12

Moralism vs. Christ-Centered Exposition

By Tim Keller

We have said that you must preach the gospel every week--to edify and grow Christians and to convert non-Christians. But if that is the case, you cannot simply 'instruct in Biblical principles.' You have to 'get to Jesus' every week.

For example, look at the story of David and Goliath. What is the meaning of that narrative for us? Without reference to Christ, the story may be (usually is!) preached as: "The bigger they come, the harder they'll fall, if you just go into your battles with faith in the Lord. You may not be real big and powerful in yourself, but with God on your side, you can overcome giants." But as soon as we ask: "how is David foreshadowing the work of his greater Son"? We begin to see the same features of the story in a different light. The story is telling us that the Israelites can not go up against Goliath. They can't do it. They need a substitute. When David goes in on their behalf, he is not a full-grown man, but a vulnerable and weak figure, a mere boy. He goes virtually as a sacrificial lamb. But God uses his apparent weakness as the means to destroy the giant, and David becomes Israel's champion-redeemer, so that his victory will be imputed to them. They get all the fruit of having fought the battle themselves.



This is a fundamentally different meaning than the one that arises from the non-Christocentric reading. There is, in the end, only two ways to read the Bible: is it basically about me or basically about Jesus? In other words, is it basically about what I must do, or basically about what he has done? If I read David and Goliath as basically giving me an example, then the story is really about me. I must summons up the faith and courage to fight the giants in my life. But if I read David and Goliath as basically showing me salvation through Jesus, then the story is really about him. Until I see that Jesus fought the real giants (sin, law, death) for me, I will never have the courage to be able to fight ordinary giants in life (suffering, disappointment, failure, criticism, hardship). For example how can I ever fight the "giant" of failure, unless I have a deep security that God will not abandon me? If I see David as my example, the story will never help me fight the failure/giant. But if I see David/Jesus as my substitute, whose victory is imputed to me, then I can stand before the failure/giant. As another example, how can I ever fight the "giant" of persecution or criticism? Unless I can see him forgiving me on the cross, I won't be able to forgive others. Unless I see him as forgiving me for falling asleep on him (Matt.27:45) I won't be able to stay awake for him.

In the Old Testament we are continually told that our good works are not enough, that God has made a provision. This provision is pointed to at every place in the Old Testament. We see it in the clothes God makes Adam and Even in Genesis, to the promises made to Abraham and the patriarchs, to the Tabernacle and the whole sacrificial system, to the innumerable references to a Messiah, a suffering servant, and so on. Therefore, to say that the Bible is about Christ is to say that the main theme of the Bible is the gospel--Salvation is of the Lord (Jonah 2:9).

So reading the Old Testament Christocentrically is not just a "additional" dimension. It is not something you can just tack on - to the end of a study and sermon. ("Oh, and by the way, this also points us to Christ".) Rather, the Christocentric reading provides a fundamentally different application and meaning to the text. Without relating it to Christ, the story of Abraham and Isaac means: "You must be willing to even kill your own son for him." Without relating it to Christ, the story of Jacob wrestling with the angel means: "You have to wrestle with God, even when he is inexplicable-even when he is crippling you. You must never give up." These 'morals-of-the-story' are crushing because they essentially are read as being about us and what we must do.

A Basic Outline for Christ-Centered, Gospel-Motivated Sermons

The following may actually be four points in a presentation, or they may be treated very quickly as the last point of a sermon. But more generally, this is a foundational outline for the basic moral reasoning and argument that lies at the heart of the application.

The Plot winds up: WHAT YOU MUST DO.
"This is what you have to do! Here is what the text/narrative tells us that we must do or what we must be."

The Plot thickens: WHY YOU CAN'T DO IT.
"But you can't do it! Here are all the reasons that you will never become like this just by trying very hard."

The Plot resolves: HOW HE DID IT.
"But there's One who did. Perfectly. Wholly. Jesus the---. He has done this for us, in our place."

The Plot winds down: HOW, THROUGH HIM, YOU CAN DO IT.
"Our failure to do it is due to our functional rejection of what he did. Remembering him frees our heart so we can change like this..."

Discussion

a) In every text of the Scripture there is somehow a moral principle. It may grow out of because of what it shows us about the character of God or Christ, or out of either the good or bad example of characters in the text, or because of explicit commands, promises, and warnings. This moral principle must be distilled clearly.

b) But then a crisis is created in the hearers as the preacher shows that his moral principle creates insurmountable problems. The sermon shows how this practical and moral obligation is impossible to meet. The hearers are led to a seemingly dead end.

c) Then a hidden door opens and light comes in. The sermon moves both into worship and into Christ-application when it shows how only Jesus Christ has fulfilled this. If the text is a narrative, you can show how Christ is the ultimate example of a particular character. If the text is didactic, you can show how Christ is the ultimate embodiment of the principle.

d) Finally, we show how our inability to live as we ought stems from our rejection of Christ as the Way, Truth, and Life (or whatever the theme is). The sermon points out how to repent and rejoice in Christ in such a way that we can live as we ought.

HT: Redeemer

My Precious Savior Gave His All

My precious Savior gave His all-

His body, heart, and soul,
To rescue me from Adam’s fall
And recreate me whole.
He left His majesty behind-
The King became a slave!
No earthly comforts did He find
But sought instead the grave.

His hands, though pierced by enemies
Stretched out in selfless love,
His body, fixed to Calv’ry’s tree,
Now pleads for me above.
Though Jesus’ heart was crushed with grief,
Weighed down with all my sin,
He clung to this, His sure relief-
That joy He soon would win.

His soul was left abandoned there
When on the cross He died
But rose again, His life to share,
My sin and guilt to hide.
What Jesus gave for sinners’ sake
I cannot comprehend;
But this I know- it served to make
This enemy His friend.

Cultivating a Culture of Missions in a Small Church

By Tom Ascol

Pastor, have you ever thought to yourself, "My church is so small, we cannot do much for missions, especially overseas missions"?

If so, I have news for you. Small churches are not exempt from the work of missions, nor should they want to be.

My church, Grace Baptist, does not have all of the resources often associated with congregations heavily vested in missions. But, by God's grace, here's how we have become increasingly committed to advancing the cause of Christ around the world:




1) EXPOSITORY PREACHING

Scripture, of course, is filled with instruction to believers and churches about God's plan and our responsibility to spread the good news of salvation in Christ to the ends of the earth. As our congregation saw this repeatedly through expositional study of Scripture, we moved beyond theoretical agreement into thoughtful, practical engagement.

2) INTENTIONAL PRAYING

Next our congregation began to "pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest" (Luke 10:2). In the pastoral prayers during our worship gatherings, in our regular prayer meetings, and in smaller group settings, we began to pray this way. He has answered those prayers by calling some of our most faithful, gifted members to engage some of the most unreached peoples of the world.

3) FOCUSED STUDYING

Two books became instrumental in our church's pilgrimage into practical missions involvement. The first is Patrick Johnstone's Operation World. For more than a decade we have incorporated statistical and spiritual information on nations gleaned from this book into our weekly announcements and pastoral prayers. This has sensitized our members to people and places that we would otherwise ignore.

Also, one of the best things we ever did was to teach through John Piper's Let the Nations be Glad in our adult Sunday School. The vision of God's glory being magnified in the joy of yet-unreached people groups captured many of our members. It remains a favorite in the church.

4) PERSONAL CONNECTIONS

Finally, our missions efforts began to practically take off through providential meetings and personal connections. One Southern Baptist missionary just back from four years in Afghanistan visited our church and told us first-hand accounts which made a lasting impact on our church: prisoners who starved to death due to his team's lack of funds to feed them; believers converting from Islam who were put to death or simply disappeared; and so forth.

This personal connection led us to adopt the unreached people group (UPG) in Central Asia that this missionary was targeting. We started learning about them, praying for them, and pledging resources to help reach them with the gospel. Ultimately God led us to send one of our deacons and his family to join the full-time work of those already working there.

Once our own members were living among our UPG, our interest in the work of the gospel in that part of the world increased significantly. Our prayers became more personal and fervent. Our giving became more meaningful and sacrificial. And our rejoicing was deeper and sweeter when a church was eventually established by God's grace among new converts from that people group.

Over the years we have sent four missionary units (three families and one single adult) to live in hard places to make Christ known. We have adopted another Muslim UPG in Central Asia and have rejoiced in the birth of another church.

A MISSIONS CULTURE

Through expositional preaching, prayer, and special study, God has cultivated a "missions culture" within our church. In addition to what I have already written, we do several specific activities to help promote that culture:

* We regularly schedule trustworthy missionaries to visit and tell about their work. We try to encourage them and give them gifts, especially good books.
* We get to know missionaries (sometimes by asking discerning friends), publicize their needs, and systematically pray for them.
* We give space for maps and displays of mission activities in our facilities.
* We remember the birthdays and anniversaries of missionaries and send thoughtful notes and gifts to them.
* We enlist members to correspond with missionaries.
* We encourage church members to read good missionary books, including biographies.
* We train and send members on short-term trips to assist overseas workers with special projects or simply to serve and encourage them. God used short-term trips to confirm his call in the lives of each of the missionaries we've sent out.
* We work to increase the amount of money the church designates for missions.

None of these things may seem very significant on their own. But collectively they can encourage a church to develop a global perspective concerning the advance of the gospel. Not only that, they are the kinds of things any church can do, regardless of its size or resources. A church with this kind of atmosphere can become a great breeding ground for the next generation of international missionaries.

Tom Ascol is the senior pastor of Grace Baptist Church in Cape Coral, Florida.

HT: 9Marks