Schaeffer on Preaching the Gospel in a PostChristian World

I am convinced that we today will not be able to speak out with confidence unless we understand that we need not be ashamed of the gospel and the answers it gives to men. If we do not have this confidences, men will feel our defensiveness, and it will not commend the gospel to them. It is just such intellectual defensiveness in preaching the gospel in the educated world that diminishes its effect. But Paul says, "I'm not ashamed when I stand on Mars Hill, because I have answers that the Greek philosopher does not have. I am not ashamed in the rough and tumble of the marketplace, because I know that the Bible is going to give me the true answers that men need and that nothing else gives."
Sadly enough, there is a kind of an anti-intellectualism among many Christians; spirituality is falsely pitted against intellectual comprehension as though they stood in a dichotomy. Such anti-intellectualism cuts away at the very heart of the Christian message. Of course there is a false intellectualism which does destroy the work of the Holy Spirit. But it does not arise when men wrestle honestly with honest questions and then see that the Bible has answers. This does not oppose true spirituality. So Paul writes, "I am not ashamed. I'm not ashamed of the gospel because it will answer the questions of men; it is the dunamis of God unto salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first, and also to the Greek."

The Plant Conference

PLANT! from Covenant Fellowship Church on Vimeo.

Pastor's Conference '10

Heidelberg Catechism (Live) from Sovereign Grace Ministries on Vimeo.

Lyrics

Verse 1

Yeah I'm on a mission like a couple spies, and that guys is the reason why I catechize. The good news we almost forgot I recognize, Heidelberg rediscovering the gospel prize. It's not scripture but the truth in it will mention he, introduction hide and seek the 16th century. Written in a time when your mind was the weaponry, this document is back into the populace shouts to Kevin D. Better than you think not as bad as you remember, purpose driven truth, from Frederick the elector. He would initiate, the 129 questions to illustrate truths like Christ propitiates. All in a document, whose purpose was to teach children, a guide for preachers, and confessions in a church building. And this is all fact The Heidelberg Cat has been around but now it's seem like it is coming back.

Hook

We believe in the cross, believe in his life,
We believe in his death, believe he's the Christ.
We believe that he rose from grave yes it is him
And we read the Heidelberg Catechism

We believe in the after life and we believe nothing's after Christ, so we stand our ground, cuz the truth's been around from the word to the Heidelberg.

Verse 2

Year of the Heidelberg resulting in renewed passion, and we could see it in our lives lights camera action. Let's take a gander and address a few questions from Heidelberg document then look at the answers. But before that make sure that, you know how it's broken down, in a Q & A format, a few sections. Suggestions how to read this not to sound promotional, but Kevin put it in his book to make it a devotional. Each question each answer has a bit of commentary, so the application of it is not some involuntary. Mystery, the history screams through rings true but I'll just leave that up to God, cuz that's between you. to believe, but to believe you gotta read you and then you meditate on all the truths that the Heidelberg will illustrate. What's that the catechism homey where you been the good news we almost forgot let's get it in!

Verse 3

From the word to the Heidelberg, we see that what's the comfort of life should come first. And in death that I with, body and soul but belong to the savior, commentary from me man, tell this to your neighbor. Moving on, how many things are necessary for thee, enjoying this comfort, to live and die happily? Three, my sin's misery, deliverance from sin, and gratitude for God is how the answer ends. Let's stretch it out the Lord's day 23 the grandaddy of them all, questions 59 and 60. What good does it do to believe in all this? In Christ I am right heir to the promise. Paraphrase, anyways I'm kinda limited I'm just trying to say a couple things my man Kevin did. On the Heidelberg, go and get you one, and by the way CJ homey this was fun.

Trinitarian Love

by Michael Lawrence in Biblical Theology in the Life of the Church pg 147

"For some of us, it is easy to think that God and his love must revolve around me and my problems, and we evaluate his love based on how we feel he's doing at loving us. But God's love was perfect before we ever arrived on the scene, and it will remain perfect long after we leave. The eternal and therefore prior love of the Father and the Son for each other reminds us that at the end of the day, life and love is not about me. Though the love of God for me is real, it is also derivative, an overflow of this most fundamental love within the Trinity itself."

What did you expect?? by Paul Tripp pg 235

Grace gives your marriage a lifetime warranty. What this means is that God will give you everything you need to be what you are supposed to be and do what he has called you to do in your marriage. But you must do it. His grace enables, reconciles, restores, and repairs. His grace teaches you and changes you. His grace gives you what you need to ask forgiveness and to forgive. His grace empowers you to overlook minor offenses and target what is truly important. His grace helps you see with greater and greater wisdom. His grace gives you strength to continue when you feel like quitting. His grace gives you strength to resist temptation and to turn and do what is right. His grace rescues you from your obsession with self-love and welcomes you to joyous wok of loving another. His grace enables you to be good and angry at the same time. When grace works a commitment of God's kingdom and righteousness in your heart, you will be angry at what sin does to you, to those you love, and to the situations in which you live, and that anger will motivate you to be a tool of change. His grace causes you to be committed to giving grace. His grace is a marriage warranty, because it gives you what you need, but what you get is grace in motion.

What Does a Healthy Marriage Look Like?

I have had the opportunity to take a marriage counseling course with Winston Smith this semester. Here is quick video that entails some of what we have been learning.

1 Corinthian 4:3 "I don't even judge myself"

D.A. Carson explains "I don't even judge myself" from 1 Corinthians 4:3. He writes, "Christian leaders must prove faithful to the One who has assigned them their fundamental task (4:1-4)...Those who are servants of Christ, those who are entrusted with the secret things of God, do not see themselves winning popularity contests - not even within the church's borders. That is what Paul means when he says, 'I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court' (4:3). There is only one Person whose 'Well, done!" on the last day means anything. In comparison, the approval or diapproval of the church means nothing.
It is not even your own estimate of your service that is important. Feeling good about your ministry may have some limited utility somewhere, but surely it has no ultimate significance. You may think more highly of your service than God does; you may think less of your service than God does. But if you are constantly trying to please yourself, to make self-esteem your ultimate goal then you are forgetting whose servant your are, whom you must strive to please... What he (Paul) means is that his own judging of himself cannot possible have ultimate significance."

Let Mercy Limit Mercy

In Tim Keller's book Ministries of Mercy he writes,"Let mercy limit mercy...Sometimes we may have to say: 'Friend we are not withdrawing our mercy, just changing its form. We will continue to pray for you and visit you, and the minute you are willing to cooperate with us and make the changes that we believe are needed, we will resume our aid. Please realize that it is only out of love that we are doing this!' Let mercy limit mercy"
Recently I spoke with a woman whose son has had a severe struggle with substance abuse. In our short conversation it was evident that in relationship to her son she had let mercy limit mercy.
The exercise of such love or mercy is extremely difficult. In those moments we are often tempted to believe that we have made a condition for those who we are to love unconditionally. But we must remember that when mercy limits mercy there is no refusal to love nor conditions to our love but only wise extensions of that love.
We must remember that unconditional love is not the same as tending to one's every want. Unconditional love is doing everything that is necessary for the good of an individual. This often means that we withhold our resources and even involvement at the expense of their wants. In other words, we seek to love with discernment. Wise love knows when to provide and when to withhold for the good of another.
Wise extensions of love are often offensive to those who receive it. They react in such a way that can cause us to question the wisdom of our love for them. This can become emotionally draining. So what can harness my heart in these moments of limiting mercy with mercy?
Remembering God's love for me. The nature of God's love was such that it offended my pride for my greatest good. As an unbeliever, I looked for God to cater to my 'wants' and my 'wants' were wired to serve me. In essence I was the god of my life and he was to bow to me. However, God demonstrated his love in such a way that exposed my sin and provided the resource (i.e. the person and work of Christ) to rescue me from myself.
For us to extend wise love to others requires an understanding of God's wise love. God's love didn't serve or enable our selfish wants. It sought our best. So let the wise extension of our love to others be governed by God's wise extension of love to us.

Our Failures and God's Unfailing Love

In a recent blog post John Piper was quoted as saying, "When I am anxious that I may make shipwreck of faith and fall away from God, I battle unbelief with the promise, “He who began a good work in you will complete it unto the day of Christ” (Philippians 1:6). “He who calls you is faithful. He will do it” (1 Thessalonians 5:23). “He is able for all time to save those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them” (Hebrews 7:25)."

So what does it mean to 'fall away'? I assume that what Piper means by 'falling away' is to actively resist growth in the grace of sanctification through sins of omission or sins of commission. It certainly cannot be forensic in nature for that is not dependent upon our works but upon the sovereign declaration of God in Christ.

Therefore even if we would fall away from God and make a shipwreck of faith (God forbid), these verses still remain true! For a "falling away from God" does not hinder one's position in Christ. God's intentions to save whether in justification, sanctification or glorification are not thwarted. He does not change in relation to our sinful blights. He remains the same. There remains mountains of mercy through the covenantal love of God purchased up by Christ.

For those who have made a shipwreck of faith God's love remains! They have not outrun his love, for nothing is able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord, not even our failures.

Shepherding

In Darrin Patrick's book Church Planter: The Man, The Mission, The Message he sites Richard Baxter describing the shepherding ministry and in so doing describes the character of all disciples who are making disciples. Baxter says,
"The whole of our ministry must be carried on in tender love to our people. We must let them see that nothing pleaseth us but what profiteth them; and that what doeth them good doeth us good; and that nothing troubleth us more than their hurt. We must feel toward our people, as a father toward his children; yea the tenderest love of a mother must not surpass. We must even travail in birth, till Christ be formed in them. They should see that we care for no outward thing, neither wealth, nor liberty, nor honour, nor life, in comparison of their salvation; but would even be content, with Moses, to have our names blotted out of the book of the living: rather than they should not be found in the Lamb's book of life."

This is not just hard, it is impossible! There is nothing apart from God's grace in Christ that could reorient our hearts from being thoroughtly captivated with self-interest to living outside of oneself for the good of other and for the glory God in Christ. Disciples who make disciples are in desperate need of God's reorienting grace.

"Do not fear weakness, illness, or a sense of being overwhelmed. The truth of the matter is that such experiences are often the occasions when God most greatly displays his power. As long as people are impressed by your powerful personality and impressives gifts, there is very little room for you to impress them with a crucified Savior."

- D.A. Carson from The Cross and Christian Ministry

A Great Man and a Simple Dwelling

I received a wonderful phone call last night. My grandmother called to wish us a happy anniversary. As she questioned how we were doing I began to hear some trouble in her voice and understandably so. My grandmother is a widow who is considering moving out of the house that our grandfather built with his own labor and sweat. They had lived there most of their 60-plus years of marriage. So many good things are wrapped up in the context of this home. God has flooded our family with blessings and so many of these blessings are attached to the setting of this home.



As I spoke with my grandmother I could feel her emotional strain in potentially being done with this house in which our family carries so many memories. I also began feeling the despair of saying 'goodbye' to God's good gifts of memories that are attached to a great man and his simple home.

But suddenly light was shed on the subject when God reminded us that these good gifts are a kind picture of the ultimate good Man and the dwelling that he has secured for us with his own labor, the shedding of his blood. It is not easy to let go of God's good gifts unless we trust that every good here is a foreshadow of the greater good that we will find when are face to face with him. Our dwelling with him will never pass. And there, constant attention will be given to thee great Man. For he has purchased up a family and secured a dwelling wherein our attention will be brought again and again, without a tinge monotony, to glories of our worthy Savior. With him there will be an eternity of glorious memories.

So what should we do until then? Anne Steele (1716-1778), in Dear Refuge of My Weary Soul provides some insight.

1. Dear refuge of my weary soul,
On Thee, when sorrows rise
On Thee, when waves of trouble roll,
My fainting hope relies
To Thee I tell each rising grief,
For Thou alone canst heal
Thy Word can bring a sweet relief,
For every pain I feel

2. But oh! When gloomy doubts prevail,
I fear to call Thee mine
The springs of comfort seem to fail,
And all my hopes decline
Yet gracious God, where shall I flee?
Thou art my only trust
And still my soul would cleave to Thee
Though prostrate in the dust

3. Hast Thou not bid me seek Thy face,
And shall I seek in vain?
And can the ear of sovereign grace,
Be deaf when I complain?
No still the ear of sovereign grace,
Attends the mourner’s prayer
Oh may I ever find access,
To breathe my sorrows there

4. Thy mercy seat is open still,
Here let my soul retreat
With humble hope attend Thy will,
And wait beneath Thy feet,
Thy mercy seat is open still,
Here let my soul retreat
With humble hope attend Thy will,
And wait beneath Thy feet

Acts 8:22 "Repent...that the intent of your heart may be forgiven."

In Samaria was a man named Simon. Before being converted Simon was a magician. As a believer he was amazed by the works of the apostles who performed miracles via the power of the Holy Spirit. When Simon saw that the giving of the Spirit was obtained through the laying on of hands, he sought to pay the apostles so that they might lay hands on him and give him the Holy Spirit.
Peter responded with harsh rebuke even to the point of commanding Simon to repent of the intent of his heart. Simon's reasoning evaded the significance of the cross. For the Holy Spirit to be given is for God to be on the move. And we know God does not move nor can he be manipulated according to the worthless pennies of this world.
Herein Peter tells Simon to repent! Even if the intent of his heart was exercised in ignorance, repentance is still require.
At times we assume that sin should only be repented of if we act upon it or dwell upon the thoughts or desires of it. However, how often have we been convicted and we right it off as being 'not a big deal'? As God brings sinful motives to mind it is our responsibility to make much of that grace by turning to Christ with those heart intentions so that we might find forgiveness and cleansing from those sins which often stifle our relationship with God.
Run to Christ to be freed even from the intentions of your hearts.

"So there was much joy in that city!"

Acts 8:1-8 is an ironic sequence of events. It begins with Saul approving the execution of Stephen and it continues with the persectution of the church of Jerusalem which caused the scattering of believers into the regions of Judea nad Samaria. One of the scattered believers was Philip. He entered into the city of Samaria proclaiming Christ and performing signs. These signs consisted of casting out unclean spirits and healing. This is to assume that the evil One had a foothold over this city. However, as the proclamation of Christ came and the power of Christ was demonstrated among them there was much joy! Jesus provided deliverance physically and spiritually which resulted in much joy. Ironically, what began with persecution, ended in a joyful city!

While living here in Philadelphia there has been several, recent instances where God is showing me that this city lacks true joy. This lack of joy is the result of physical and spiritual bondage. There is addiction, fear, confusion, hurt, abuse, brokeness, uncleanness etc. The foothold of the evil One is great. However, God has 'disarmed the rulers and authoritites and has put them to open shame by triumphing over them in Christ' (Col. 2:15) I am constantly being stirred to see authority of God demonstrated in this city in such a way that we openly see the healing, restoration and joy birth out of a new found hope in Jesus! Progressively Philadelphia is becoming a city of 'much joy'. Be expecting God to do big things!

Cultivate Humility - Part 2

by Ryan Townsend

"God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble."James 4:6

Here's more great stuff to read slowly and prayerfully from Stuart Scott's From Pride to Humility:

A list of 24 manifestations of what Christ exalting humility should produce in your life.

1. Recognizing and trusting God’s character (Psalm 119:66)
2. Seeing yourself as having no right to question or judge an Almighty and Perfect God (Psalm 145:17; Romans 9:19-23)
3. Focusing on Christ (Philippians 1:21; Hebrews 12:1-2)
4. Biblical praying and a great deal of it (1 Thessalonians 5:17; 1 Timothy 2:1-2)
5. Being overwhelmed with God’s undeserved grace and goodness (Psalm 116:12-19)
6. Thankfulness and gratitude in general towards others (1 Thess. 5:18)
7. Being gentle and patient (Colossians 3:12-14)
8. Seeing yourself as no better than others (Romans 12:16; Ephesians 3:8)
9. Having an accurate view of your gifts and abilities (Romans 12:3)
10. Being a good listener (James 1:19; Philippians 2:3-4)
11. Talking about others only if it is good or for their good (Proverbs 11:13)
12. Being gladly submissive and obedient to those in authority (Rom. 12:1-2, 13:1-2)
13. Preferring others over yourself (Romans 12:10)
14. Being thankful for criticism or reproof (Proverbs 9:8, 27:5-6)
15. Having a teachable spirit (Proverbs 9:9)
16. Seeking always to build up others (Ephesians 4:29)
17. Serving (Galatians 5:13)
18. A quickness in admitting when you are wrong (Proverbs 29:23)
19. A quickness in granting and asking for forgiveness (Colossians 3:12-14)
20. Repenting of sin as a way of life (Colossians 3:1-14; 1 Timothy 4:7-9)
21. Minimizing others’ sins or shortcomings in comparison to one’s own (Matthew 7:3-4)
22. Being genuinely glad for others (Romans 12:15)
23. Being honest and open about who you are and the areas in which you need growth (Philippians 3:12-14; Galatians 6:2)
24. Possessing close relationships (Acts 20:31-38)

Cultivate Humility - Part 1

(from http://blog.9marks.org/2010/01/cultivate-humility-part-1.html)
by Ryan Townsend

"God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble."James 4:6

In his booklet From Pride to Humility, Stuart Scott has compiled an insightful list of 30 biblical indicators as to whether pride is resident in our hearts. Read these slowly and prayerfully.

1. Complaining against or passing judgment on God (Numbers 14:1-4, 9, 11; Romans 9:20)
2. A lack of gratitude (2 Chronicles 32:25)
3. Anger (Proverbs 28:25; Matthew 20:1-16)
4. Seeing yourself as better than others (Luke 7:36-50)
5. Having an inflated view of your importance, gifts and abilities (Acts 12:21-23)
6. Being focused on the lack of your gifts and abilities (1 Cor. 12:14-25)
7. Perfectionism (Matthew 23:24-28)
8. Talking too much (Proverbs 10:19)
9. Talking too much about yourself (Proverbs 27:2; Galatians 6:3)
10. Seeking independence or control (1 Corinthians 1:10-13; Ephesians 5:21)
11. Being consumed with what others think (Galatians 1:10)
12. Being devastated or angered by criticism (Proverbs 13:1)
13. Being unteachable (Proverbs 19:20; John 9:13-34)
14. Being sarcastic, hurtful, degrading, talking down to them(Proverbs 12:18, 24)
15. A lack of service (Galatians 5:13, Ephesians 2:10)
16. A lack of compassion (Matthew 5:7, 18:23-35)
17. Being defensive or blame-shifting (Genesis 3:12-13; Proverbs 12:1)
18. A lack of admitting when you are wrong (Proverbs 10:17)
19. A lack of asking forgiveness (Matthew 5:23-24)
20. A lack of biblical prayer (Luke 18:10-14)
21. Resisting authority or being disrespectful (1 Peter 2:13-17)
22. Voicing preferences or opinions when not asked (Philippians 2:1-4)
23. Minimizing your own sin and shortcomings (Matthew 7:3-5)
24. Maximizing others’ sin and shortcomings (Matthew 7:3-5; Luke 18:9-14)
25. Being impatient or irritable with others (Ephesians 4:31-32)
26. Being jealous or envious (1 Corinthians 13:4)
27. Using others (Matthew 7:12; Philippians 2:3-4)
28. Being deceitful by covering up sins, faults, and mistakes (Proverbs 11:3; 28:13)
29. Using attention-getting tactics (1 Peter 3:3,4)
30. Not having close relationships (Proverbs 18:1-2; Hebrews 10:24-25)

Augustine on Free Will

"Free will is more destroyed than establised by its defenders." (Augustine, in In Evangelium Johannis tractatus tract. 81)

John Calvin expounds, "Those who invests us with more than we possess only add sacrilege to our ruin. For when we are taught to contend in our own strength, what more is done than to lift us up, and then leave us to lean on a reed which immediately gives way? Indeed, our strength is exaggerated when it is compared to a reed. All that foolish men invent and prattle on this subject is mere smoke..."

The Groaning of Creation

I've just finished watching several videos from recent earthquake in Haiti. Initially my heart goes out to the people but my second response is 'God, why?'.

"...those eighteen on whom the tower of Siloam fell and killed them: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish." Luke 13:4-5

"For creation was subjected to futility, not willingly but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage of decay and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for the adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies." Romans 8:20-23

Amidst devastation God calls us to a 'greater reality' with radical introspection. In Luke 13:4-5, Christ dismantles our natural propensity to judge the situations ourselves.Our responsibility is to consider our own end trusting in God "...who made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, that they should seek God, in the hope that they might feel their way toward him and find him." Furthermore, our responsibility is to pray that God might open the eyes of others to see their need for Jesus. And finally, our responsibility is to proclaim through word and deed the salvation of Jesus that has been afforded to this fallen world.

Also, amidst devastation God calls us to a 'greater reality' with radical extro-spection. In Romans 8:20-23 God shows us the larger storyline of creation wherein he has given it up to its own fallen state. The inherent result is devastation, but it is not devastation that is without hope. Rather, the central purpose of creation 'groaning' is so that we ourselves would groan in hope for another creation. We graciously receive a foretaste of this hope as Spirit-indwelt believers. Our hope is for a new creation but our hope is in Jesus who through his life, death and resurrection provides the redemption or the deliverance of creation from its fallen state. A new creation has been purchased through his blood for the glory of our Father, and the good of his people. Wait in hope!
(Matt Marek/American Red Cross/AP Photo)