Dan Phillips at the Pyromaniacs blog tells why he loves C.H. Spurgeon: Spurgeon admits his neediness, but he does so that the reader may identify with him as he does so, and then immediately Spurgeon takes both himself and his reader to the Savior. Never does Spurgeon plead for pity; always does he speak so that the reader will hasten to the same Cross, the same grace, the same mercy, the same Savior, to whom Spurgeon himself keeps hastening with all his sorrows and needs and pain.
Read his entire article here.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
A tribute to Tom Schreiner from his son Patrick
A tribute to Tom Schreiner on his birthday anniverssary (April 24) from his son Patrick, who encourages imitation of his dad by telling three stories about 1) family devotion, 2) humility, and 3) loving wisdom. CBMW Editor's note: Tom Schreiner is a member of the Board of Reference for the Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood, serves as professor of New Testament at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, preaching elder at Clifton Baptist Church in Louisville, Ky., and most importantly, husband to Diane Schreiner and father of four.
(HT: Andy Naselli via Between Two Worlds)John Piper and Don Carson messages available
Desiring God Blog:
All the audio and video from The Pastor As Scholar and the Scholar As Pastor is now available.
All the audio and video from The Pastor As Scholar and the Scholar As Pastor is now available.
- Piper's message (audio, video, manuscript)
- Carson's message (audio, video, manuscript coming soon!)
- the discussion that followed (audio, video)
The Henry Center, who hosted the event, appreciates the generosity of sponsors BibleMesh, Moody Press, Crossway, Christian Focus, and Coffee Ambassadors who helped make it happen.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Woe to the wicked! But tell the righteous that it shall be well with them
Isaiah 3:8-11: For Jerusalem has stumbled, and Judah has fallen, because their speech and their deeds are against the Lord, defying his glorious presence. For the look on their faces bears witness against them; they proclaim their sin like Sodom; they do not hide it. Woe to them! For they have brought evil on themselves. Tell the righteous that it shall be well with them, for they shall eat the fruit of their deeds. Woe to the wicked! It shall be ill with him, for what his hands have dealt out shall be done to him.
While Isaiah 3:8-11 is specifically addressed to Jerusalem, to all of Judah, there are principles that may be applied to all cities, to all countries. Trust God and submit to his will and he will continue to supply sustaining grace and increasingly and ultimately his glorious presence.
Things may be bad around the world, but "tell the righteous that it shall be well with them, for they shall eat the fruit of their deeds."
1 Corinthians 15:58: Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.
While Isaiah 3:8-11 is specifically addressed to Jerusalem, to all of Judah, there are principles that may be applied to all cities, to all countries. Trust God and submit to his will and he will continue to supply sustaining grace and increasingly and ultimately his glorious presence.
Things may be bad around the world, but "tell the righteous that it shall be well with them, for they shall eat the fruit of their deeds."
1 Corinthians 15:58: Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.
The greatest example of God using evil to bring about wonderfully good things is the cross of Christ
“Another biblical principle is that through history we see how God uses evil to bring about wonderfully good things. The greatest example is the cross of Christ, what John Murray called the “arch-crime of history.” Those who crucified Jesus were wicked (Acts 2:23), but they did what they did by God’s “definite plan and foreknowledge.” And through this horrible event, God sent his wonderful saving grace upon all who believe. If God can bring the best out of the worst, we should believe that even the other horrible events of history, such as the Holocaust, 9/11, and the killing fields of Cambodia and Rwanda, will somehow lead to good in God’s plan. Romans 8:28 says as much. We don’t know how these evils will lead to good, so our faith is tried. But because of what he has done through the cross, we can trust God. We walk by faith, not by sight.”
[Frame, J. M. (2006). Salvation belongs to the Lord : An introduction to systematic theology (108). Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R Publishing.]
[Frame, J. M. (2006). Salvation belongs to the Lord : An introduction to systematic theology (108). Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R Publishing.]
We must know and embrace the full meaning of the cross
“The indomitable joy that carries the day in time of temptation and trial is rooted in the cross of Christ. If we would fight for joy and endure to the end in our struggle with sin, we must know and embrace the full meaning of the cross.
“If we would … rejoice in [Christ] as triumphantly as the first Christians did; we must learn, like them to repose our entire trust in him and to adopt the language of the apostle, “God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of Jesus Christ” [Galatians 6:14], “who of God is made unto us wisdom and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption” [1 Corinthians 1:30].”
[Piper, J. (2002). The roots of endurance : Invincible perseverance in the lives of John Newton, Charles Simeon, and William Wilberforce (157). Wheaton, Ill.: Crossway Books.]
“If we would … rejoice in [Christ] as triumphantly as the first Christians did; we must learn, like them to repose our entire trust in him and to adopt the language of the apostle, “God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of Jesus Christ” [Galatians 6:14], “who of God is made unto us wisdom and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption” [1 Corinthians 1:30].”
[Piper, J. (2002). The roots of endurance : Invincible perseverance in the lives of John Newton, Charles Simeon, and William Wilberforce (157). Wheaton, Ill.: Crossway Books.]
If 'perfect' angels could sin and fall, how do we know this won't happen to us sometime in eternity?
John Piper talks about the perseverance and preservation of the saints in eternity:
Read a transcript of the video here.
Read a transcript of the video here.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Bill Mounce: I exist to glorify God by being transformed
Bill Mounce: Why do I exist? What is my personal mission statement? “I exist to glorify God by being transformed.” Why do you exist? Why does your church exist?Read his explanation about how he wrestled with wording his mission statement here.
My personal (and Bethlehem Baptists Church's) mission statement: I exist to spread a passion for the supremacy of God in all things for the joy of all peoples through Jesus Christ. Read here for an explanation.
14 questions to ask when reading the Bible
Fourteen questions posted on The Blazing Center to help Bible readers find the "glory in the details" of every passage of scripture.
1. Who is the author of the passage?
2. Who were the recipients?
3. What is the historical background of the passage?
4. What is the outline/structure of the passage?
5. Are any words repeated? Any significance to the repetition?
6. Are there any unusual words in the passage that call for more exploration?
7. How does the passage fit into the surrounding paragraph? Chapter? Book?
8. Why did the author place the passage here and not somewhere else?
9. In one sentence, what is the main point of the passage?
10. How would the original audience have been affected by the passage?
11. How does this passage connect to the overall storyline of the Bible?
12. How does this passage reveal Jesus as savior?
13. How does God want this passage to function in my life?
14. What kind of response does this passage call for?
Can you think of other questions? If so, post them here.
1. Who is the author of the passage?
2. Who were the recipients?
3. What is the historical background of the passage?
4. What is the outline/structure of the passage?
5. Are any words repeated? Any significance to the repetition?
6. Are there any unusual words in the passage that call for more exploration?
7. How does the passage fit into the surrounding paragraph? Chapter? Book?
8. Why did the author place the passage here and not somewhere else?
9. In one sentence, what is the main point of the passage?
10. How would the original audience have been affected by the passage?
11. How does this passage connect to the overall storyline of the Bible?
12. How does this passage reveal Jesus as savior?
13. How does God want this passage to function in my life?
14. What kind of response does this passage call for?
Can you think of other questions? If so, post them here.
Crucified with Christ
“A believer is one who identifies with all that God affirms and condemns in Christ’s crucifixion. God affirms in Christ’s crucifixion the whole truth about Himself: His holiness, goodness, justice, mercy, and truth as revealed and demonstrated in His Son, Jesus. Equally, in the cross God condemns the lie: sin, deceit, and the idolatrous heart. He condemns my sinfulness as well as my specific sins.” - Alfred Poirier, “The Cross and Criticism,” The Journal of Biblical Counseling (Vol. 17, No. 3, Spring 1999), 18.
(HT: Of First Importance)
(HT: Of First Importance)
Why does Michael Patton (a Calvinist) go to an Arminian church?
Why does Michael Patton (a Calvinistic complementarian), who recently moved from Texas to Oklahoma, go to an Arminian, egalitarian church (Crossings Community Church in Oklahoma)?
"Grace and truth," said Patton in short. "The two most important elements in my hierarchy of looking for a church."
While Patton said there are many reasons, in a recent post at Parchment and Pen he highlights the three most important and then attempts to help people gain perspective in choosing a church.
Here are his three reasons:
1. Crossings teaches the Gospel and focuses on it.
2. Crossings teaches grace and does not divide over non-cardinal issues.
3. I am needed and used there.
Patton further adds:
Would it be better if they were Calvinists? Would it be better if they were Complementarians? Sure, as long as they kept the grace. But, if I have the choice, I will never trade perfect theology (or nearly so) for grace. Grace is the Gospel. When you lose that, where do you go? Stay in bed.
You will never find the perfect church … never! There is no perfect denomination. There is no perfect tradition. There is no perfect church and there never has been. Although (Stonebriar Community Church in Texas) was close, it was not that close.
I go to a church that is full of grace and truth. That is why I go to an Arminian church. If there were a Calvinistic church like Stonebriar that was full of grace and truth (and there are some), I might go there. But right now, I feel as if I am where God wants me to be.
Read Patton's entire article here, where he explains his three reasons.
"Grace and truth," said Patton in short. "The two most important elements in my hierarchy of looking for a church."
While Patton said there are many reasons, in a recent post at Parchment and Pen he highlights the three most important and then attempts to help people gain perspective in choosing a church.
Here are his three reasons:
1. Crossings teaches the Gospel and focuses on it.
2. Crossings teaches grace and does not divide over non-cardinal issues.
3. I am needed and used there.
Patton further adds:
Would it be better if they were Calvinists? Would it be better if they were Complementarians? Sure, as long as they kept the grace. But, if I have the choice, I will never trade perfect theology (or nearly so) for grace. Grace is the Gospel. When you lose that, where do you go? Stay in bed.
You will never find the perfect church … never! There is no perfect denomination. There is no perfect tradition. There is no perfect church and there never has been. Although (Stonebriar Community Church in Texas) was close, it was not that close.
I go to a church that is full of grace and truth. That is why I go to an Arminian church. If there were a Calvinistic church like Stonebriar that was full of grace and truth (and there are some), I might go there. But right now, I feel as if I am where God wants me to be.
Read Patton's entire article here, where he explains his three reasons.
John Piper on writing
“…In my English class [in 1963], the desire to read serious books and the desire to write serious essays and poems was born. This has never gone away. Writing has been an almost daily habit since then—in one form or another—notes, letters, journal entries, poems, ideas, reports, essays, and more. Writing became the lever of my thinking and the outlet of my feelings. If I didn't pull the lever, the wheel of thinking did not turn. It jerked and squeaked and halted. But once a pen was in hand, or a keyboard, the fog began to clear and the wheel of thought began to spin with clarity and insight.” -John Piper, “The Pastor As Scholar: A Personal Journey,” Chicago, April 23, 2009.
(HT: Miscellanies)
(HT: Miscellanies)
Monday, April 27, 2009
God's appointed day and an appropriate response
God has appointed a day when all that is contrary to him shall be wiped away and he alone shall be exalted.
Their land is filled with idols; they bow down to the work of their hands, to what their own fingers have made. ... The haughty looks of man shall be brought low, and the lofty pride of men shall be humbled, and the Lord alone will be exalted in that day. For the Lord of hosts has a day against all that is proud and lofty, against all that is lifted up—and it shall be brought low ... And the haughtiness of man shall be humbled, and the lofty pride of men shall be brought low, and the Lord alone will be exalted in that day. And the idols shall utterly pass away. (Isaiah 2:8, 11-12, 17-18)
How shall God's people respond?
Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ. (Philippians 3:8)
In the light of his return, what do we count loss for the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus? Any loss is light compared to the lovely loftiness of our Lord; may we focus on the glorious gain of God in Christ. John Piper: "He is not poor nor much enticed who loses everything but Christ."
Their land is filled with idols; they bow down to the work of their hands, to what their own fingers have made. ... The haughty looks of man shall be brought low, and the lofty pride of men shall be humbled, and the Lord alone will be exalted in that day. For the Lord of hosts has a day against all that is proud and lofty, against all that is lifted up—and it shall be brought low ... And the haughtiness of man shall be humbled, and the lofty pride of men shall be brought low, and the Lord alone will be exalted in that day. And the idols shall utterly pass away. (Isaiah 2:8, 11-12, 17-18)
How shall God's people respond?
Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ. (Philippians 3:8)
In the light of his return, what do we count loss for the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus? Any loss is light compared to the lovely loftiness of our Lord; may we focus on the glorious gain of God in Christ. John Piper: "He is not poor nor much enticed who loses everything but Christ."
New edition of Themelios available
The latest edition of Themelios (Volume 34, Issue 1 - April 2009) is available at The Gospel Coalition in three versions: 1) HTML, 2) iPaper, 3) PDF.TGC: Themelios is an international evangelical theological journal that expounds and defends the historic Christian faith. Its primary audience is theological students and pastors, though scholars read it as well. It was formerly a print journal operated by RTSF/UCCF in the UK, and it became a digital journal operated by The Gospel Coalition in 2008.
Volume 34 Overview:
- Editorial D.A. Carson
- Minority Report: A Lesson from Peter the Barber Carl Trueman
- The Embattled Bible: Four More Books Robert W. Yarbrough
- How Far Beyond Chicago? Assessing Recent Attempts to Reframe the Inerrancy Debate Jason S. Sexton
- Divine Retribution: A Forgotten Doctrine? Andrew Atherstone
- Calvinism and Missions: The Contested Relationship Revisited Kenneth J. Stewart
- Pastoral Pensées: Power in Preaching: Decide (1 Corinthians 2:1–5), Part 1 of 3 Raymond C. Ortlund Jr.
- Book Reviews
Logos pre-publication special: Logos is offering 99 issues of Themelios for the Logos digital library for $99.95. Check here for more information.
The Bible’s purpose
“The Bible’s purpose is not so much to show you how to live a good life. The Bible’s purpose is to show you how God’s grace breaks into your life against your will and saves you from the sin and brokenness otherwise you would never be able to overcome … religion is ‘if you obey, then you will be accepted’. But the Gospel is, ‘if you are absolutely accepted, and sure you’re accepted, only then will you ever begin to obey’. Those are two utterly different things. Every page of the Bible shows the difference.” - Timothy Keller
(HT: Of First Importance via Tim Keller Wiki)
(HT: Of First Importance via Tim Keller Wiki)
The power of 'the preached Word'
John Piper:
Here is Spurgeon’s tribute to the power of “the preached Word.”
It seems that God has indeed designed that the inspired Word of the Bible become uniquely powerful by passing through a Spirit-filled person on the way to make a dead heart live.
- Since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. (1 Corinthains 1:21)
Here is Spurgeon’s tribute to the power of “the preached Word.”
- Personally, I have to bless God for many good books…but my gratitude most of all is due to God, not for books, but for the preached Word—and that too addressed to me by a poor, uneducated man, a man who had never received any training for the ministry, and probably will never be heard of in this life, a man engaged in business, no doubt of a humble kind, during the week, but who had just enough of grace to say on the Sabbath, “Look unto Me, and be saved, all the ends of the earth.”
The books were good, but the man was better. The revealed Word awakened me, but it was the preached Word that saved me; and I must ever attach peculiar value to the hearing of the truth, for by it I received the joy and peace in which my soul delights.
Roger Nicole, 'New Testament Use of the Old Testament,'
Justin Taylor at Between Two Worlds:
Roger Nicole's classic 1958 essay, "New Testament Use of the Old Testament," is now available online for free in both PDF and iPaper.
Evangelicals have been doing great work on this issue in recent years--most significantly and famously the reference work, Commentary on the New Testament Use of the Old Testament (ed. Beale and Carson). ... Nicole's essay is also still worth reading, and serves as a helpful primer.
Read the rest of Taylor's comments and outline of Nicole's essay.
Roger Nicole's classic 1958 essay, "New Testament Use of the Old Testament," is now available online for free in both PDF and iPaper.
Evangelicals have been doing great work on this issue in recent years--most significantly and famously the reference work, Commentary on the New Testament Use of the Old Testament (ed. Beale and Carson). ... Nicole's essay is also still worth reading, and serves as a helpful primer.
Read the rest of Taylor's comments and outline of Nicole's essay.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Live now in the light of the promised future
O house of Jacob,come, let us walk in the light of the Lord. (Isaiah 2:5)
Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the Lord will arise upon you, and his glory will be seen upon you. (Isaiah 60:1-2)
Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. ... for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they [the sons of disobedience] do in secret. But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, “Awake, O sleeper,and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” (Ephesians 5:1-2, 9-14)
Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the Lord will arise upon you, and his glory will be seen upon you. (Isaiah 60:1-2)
Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. ... for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they [the sons of disobedience] do in secret. But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, “Awake, O sleeper,and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” (Ephesians 5:1-2, 9-14)
Are we really supposed to rest?
How Are We to Keep the Sabbath in Today's Society? Ligonier Ministries
R.C. Sproul:
Within the Christian church there are three leading options for answering (the question about keeping the Sabbath). Some Christians believe that the Sabbath was an Old Testament ordinance and has no application to the New Testament church. ...
For the most part, Christian people, while they may disagree as to what day is the Sabbath--the sixth or the seventh day and all that--and how we observe it, still maintain that the Sabbath is to be observed somehow in the Christian community. ...
This group of Christians who believe the Sabbath should be observed actually splits into two groups. One holds what we call the Continental view: Recreation is permitted on the Sabbath. The other holds the Puritan view: Recreation is forbidden on the Sabbath. I take the position that recreation is a legitimate form of rest on the Sabbath.
Read the entire article here.
R.C. Sproul:
Within the Christian church there are three leading options for answering (the question about keeping the Sabbath). Some Christians believe that the Sabbath was an Old Testament ordinance and has no application to the New Testament church. ...
For the most part, Christian people, while they may disagree as to what day is the Sabbath--the sixth or the seventh day and all that--and how we observe it, still maintain that the Sabbath is to be observed somehow in the Christian community. ...
This group of Christians who believe the Sabbath should be observed actually splits into two groups. One holds what we call the Continental view: Recreation is permitted on the Sabbath. The other holds the Puritan view: Recreation is forbidden on the Sabbath. I take the position that recreation is a legitimate form of rest on the Sabbath.
Read the entire article here.
Richard Baxter: Dying thoughts on Philippians 1:23
"My Lord, I have nothing to do in this World, but to seek and serve thee; I have nothing to do with a Heart and its affections, but to breathe after thee. I have nothing to do with my Tongue and Pen, but to speak to thee, and for thee, and to publish thy Glory and thy Will. What have I to do with all my Reputation, and Interest in my Friends, but to increase thy Church, and propagate thy holy Truth and Service? What have I to do with my remaining Time, even these last and languishing hours, but to look up unto thee, and wait for thy Grace, and thy Salvation?" (Source: The Christian History & Biography Newsletter, April 25, 2009)
A believer's last day is his best day
Leland Ryken, professor of English at Wheaton College, introduced on ChristianityHistory.net an excerpt from a funeral sermon by Thomas Brooks titled "A Believer's Last Day, His Best Day," which "sets death in its true perspective."
Here's the excerpt, which has some minor changes compared to the Banner of Truth print edition of volume 6 of the "Works of Thomas Brooks":
Death is a believer's coronation day and marriage day. (page 399)
Death is a change of our imperfect and incomplete enjoyments of God, for a more complete and perfect enjoyment of him. As no believer has a clear sight of God here, so no believer has a full and perfect sight of God here. In Job 26:14, how little a portion is heard of him—speaking of God—and of that is heard, ah how little a portion is understood! It is an excellent expression that Augustine has: "The glorious things of heaven are so many—that they exceed number; so precious—that they exceed estimation; so great—that they exceed measure!" Bernard says, "For Christ to be with Paul was the greatest security—but for Paul to be with Christ was the chief happiness!" … (page 397. The Augustine and Bernard quotes are taken from note 1 on the same page.)
When death shall give the fatal stroke, there shall be an exchange of earth—for heaven; of imperfect enjoyments—for perfect enjoyments of God; then the soul shall be swallowed up with a full enjoyment of God; no corner of the soul shall be left empty—but all shall be filled up with the fullness of God. Here in this present world, they receive grace—but in heaven they shall receive glory. God keeps the best wine until last; the best of God, Christ, and heaven—is beyond this present world. Here we have but some sips, some tastes of God; fullness is reserved for the glorious state. He who sees most of God here on earth, sees but his back parts; his face is a jewel of that splendor and glory, which no eye can behold but a glorified eye. (page 397)
The best of Christians are able to take in but little of God; their hearts are like the widow's vessel, which could receive but a little oil. Sin, the world, and creatures do take up so much room in the best hearts, that God gives out himself little by little, as parents give sweets to their children. But in heaven God will communicate himself fully at once to the soul! Grace shall then be swallowed up of glory! … (page 397)
Death is another Moses: it delivers believers out of bondage, and from making bricks in Egypt. It is a day or year of jubilee to a gracious spirit—the year wherein he goes out free from all those cruel taskmasters which it had long groaned under … . Death is a believer's coronation-day, it is his marriage-day. It is a rest from sin, a rest from sorrow, a rest from afflictions and temptations, etc. Death to a believer is an entrance into Abraham's bosom, into paradise, into the "New Jerusalem," into the joy of his Lord … . (page 399-400)
Christians! what is your whole life—but a day to fit for the hour of death? What is your great business in this world—but to prepare and fit for the eternal world? It was a sad speech of Caesar Borgia, who being on his deathbed said, "When I lived, I provided for everything but death! Now I must die, and am unprovided to die." Ah, Christians! you have need every day to pray with Moses, "Lord, teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts to wisdom," Psalm 90:12 … . (page 405)
See that Christ be your Lord and Master, … and then your dying-day shall be to you as the day of harvest to the farmer, as the day of deliverance to the prisoner, as the day of coronation to the king, and as the day of marriage to the bride. Your dying-day shall be a day of triumph and exaltation, a day of freedom and consolation, a day of rest and satisfaction! (page 407)
ChristianHistory.net editorial note: The text of Thomas Brooks' sermon is readily available online here. In the six-volume Works of Thomas Brooks, published by Banner of Truth Trust, the sermon appears in volume 6 (pages 339-408). You can learn more about the English Puritans and the American Puritans by visiting our archives.
CrossCore note: The sermon "A Believer's Last Day is His Best Day" may be found on pages 394 through 408 in volume 6 of the "Works of Thomas Brooks." Text in the excerpt may, as noted in parentheses above, be found on volume 6 pages 397, 399, 400, 405, and 407.
For more information about Thomas Brooks (1608-1680), visit here.
Here's the excerpt, which has some minor changes compared to the Banner of Truth print edition of volume 6 of the "Works of Thomas Brooks":
Death is a believer's coronation day and marriage day. (page 399)
Death is a change of our imperfect and incomplete enjoyments of God, for a more complete and perfect enjoyment of him. As no believer has a clear sight of God here, so no believer has a full and perfect sight of God here. In Job 26:14, how little a portion is heard of him—speaking of God—and of that is heard, ah how little a portion is understood! It is an excellent expression that Augustine has: "The glorious things of heaven are so many—that they exceed number; so precious—that they exceed estimation; so great—that they exceed measure!" Bernard says, "For Christ to be with Paul was the greatest security—but for Paul to be with Christ was the chief happiness!" … (page 397. The Augustine and Bernard quotes are taken from note 1 on the same page.)
When death shall give the fatal stroke, there shall be an exchange of earth—for heaven; of imperfect enjoyments—for perfect enjoyments of God; then the soul shall be swallowed up with a full enjoyment of God; no corner of the soul shall be left empty—but all shall be filled up with the fullness of God. Here in this present world, they receive grace—but in heaven they shall receive glory. God keeps the best wine until last; the best of God, Christ, and heaven—is beyond this present world. Here we have but some sips, some tastes of God; fullness is reserved for the glorious state. He who sees most of God here on earth, sees but his back parts; his face is a jewel of that splendor and glory, which no eye can behold but a glorified eye. (page 397)
The best of Christians are able to take in but little of God; their hearts are like the widow's vessel, which could receive but a little oil. Sin, the world, and creatures do take up so much room in the best hearts, that God gives out himself little by little, as parents give sweets to their children. But in heaven God will communicate himself fully at once to the soul! Grace shall then be swallowed up of glory! … (page 397)
Death is another Moses: it delivers believers out of bondage, and from making bricks in Egypt. It is a day or year of jubilee to a gracious spirit—the year wherein he goes out free from all those cruel taskmasters which it had long groaned under … . Death is a believer's coronation-day, it is his marriage-day. It is a rest from sin, a rest from sorrow, a rest from afflictions and temptations, etc. Death to a believer is an entrance into Abraham's bosom, into paradise, into the "New Jerusalem," into the joy of his Lord … . (page 399-400)
Christians! what is your whole life—but a day to fit for the hour of death? What is your great business in this world—but to prepare and fit for the eternal world? It was a sad speech of Caesar Borgia, who being on his deathbed said, "When I lived, I provided for everything but death! Now I must die, and am unprovided to die." Ah, Christians! you have need every day to pray with Moses, "Lord, teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts to wisdom," Psalm 90:12 … . (page 405)
See that Christ be your Lord and Master, … and then your dying-day shall be to you as the day of harvest to the farmer, as the day of deliverance to the prisoner, as the day of coronation to the king, and as the day of marriage to the bride. Your dying-day shall be a day of triumph and exaltation, a day of freedom and consolation, a day of rest and satisfaction! (page 407)
ChristianHistory.net editorial note: The text of Thomas Brooks' sermon is readily available online here. In the six-volume Works of Thomas Brooks, published by Banner of Truth Trust, the sermon appears in volume 6 (pages 339-408). You can learn more about the English Puritans and the American Puritans by visiting our archives.
CrossCore note: The sermon "A Believer's Last Day is His Best Day" may be found on pages 394 through 408 in volume 6 of the "Works of Thomas Brooks." Text in the excerpt may, as noted in parentheses above, be found on volume 6 pages 397, 399, 400, 405, and 407.
For more information about Thomas Brooks (1608-1680), visit here.
Savor the cross first as the basis of justification before (experiencing) its purchased power for sanctification
“Nothing was more important for John Newton, Charles Simeon, and William Wilberforce than the centrality of the cross as the root of endurance. They did exactly what Hebrews 12:1-2 calls us to do: “Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross.” They endured … looking to Jesus … who endured the cross.
“But oh how jealous they were—as I am jealous—that we embrace the cross of Christ first and decisively as the ground of our acceptance with God, through faith alone, before we experience the cross as the price and inspiration of our own labors to endure in the battle for justice in the world. That is, they were careful to savor the cross first as the basis of justification before they experienced its purchased power for sanctification. Before the power of endurance came the pardon of guilt. Before the blood-bought enabling of righteous living came the free gift of perfect righteousness credited to our account because of Christ alone through faith alone.”
[Piper, J. (2002). The roots of endurance : Invincible perseverance in the lives of John Newton, Charles Simeon, and William Wilberforce (29). Wheaton, Ill.: Crossway Books.]
“But oh how jealous they were—as I am jealous—that we embrace the cross of Christ first and decisively as the ground of our acceptance with God, through faith alone, before we experience the cross as the price and inspiration of our own labors to endure in the battle for justice in the world. That is, they were careful to savor the cross first as the basis of justification before they experienced its purchased power for sanctification. Before the power of endurance came the pardon of guilt. Before the blood-bought enabling of righteous living came the free gift of perfect righteousness credited to our account because of Christ alone through faith alone.”
[Piper, J. (2002). The roots of endurance : Invincible perseverance in the lives of John Newton, Charles Simeon, and William Wilberforce (29). Wheaton, Ill.: Crossway Books.]
Saturday, April 25, 2009
The Great God
Here's a prayer titled "The Great God" from "Valley of Vision: A collection of Puritan Prayers & Devotions" edited by Arthur Bennett (pages 8-9):
O FOUNTAIN OF ALL GOOD,
Destroy in me every lofty thought,
Break pride to pieces and scatter it
to the winds,
Annihilate each clinging shred of
self-righteousness,
Implant in me true lowliness of spirit,
Abase me to self-loathing and self-abhorrence,
Open in me a fount of penitential tears,
Break me, then bind me up;
Thus will my heart be a prepared dwelling
for my God;
Then can the Father take up his abode in me,
Then can the blessed Jesus come with healing
in his touch,
Then can the Holy Spirit descend in
sanctifying grace;
O Holy Trinity, three Persons and one God,
inhabit me, a temple consecrated to thy glory.
When thou art present, evil cannot abide;
In thy fellowship is fullness of joy,
Beneath thy smile is peace of conscience,
By thy side no fears disturb,
no apprehensions banish rest of mind,
With thee my heart shall bloom with fragrance;
Make me meet, through repentance,
for thine indwelling.
Nothing exceeds thy power,
Nothing is too great for thee to do,
Nothing too good for thee to give.
Infinite is thy might, boundless thy love,
limitless thy grace, glorious thy saving name.
Let angels sing for
sinners repenting,
prodigals restored,
backsliders reclaimed,
Satan's captives released,
blind eyes opened,
broken hearts bound up,
the despondent cheered,
the self-righteous stripped,
the formalist driven from a refuge of lies,
the ignorant enlightened,
and saints built up in their holy faith.
I ask great things of a great God.
O FOUNTAIN OF ALL GOOD,
Destroy in me every lofty thought,
Break pride to pieces and scatter it
to the winds,
Annihilate each clinging shred of
self-righteousness,
Implant in me true lowliness of spirit,
Abase me to self-loathing and self-abhorrence,
Open in me a fount of penitential tears,
Break me, then bind me up;
Thus will my heart be a prepared dwelling
for my God;
Then can the Father take up his abode in me,
Then can the blessed Jesus come with healing
in his touch,
Then can the Holy Spirit descend in
sanctifying grace;
O Holy Trinity, three Persons and one God,
inhabit me, a temple consecrated to thy glory.
When thou art present, evil cannot abide;
In thy fellowship is fullness of joy,
Beneath thy smile is peace of conscience,
By thy side no fears disturb,
no apprehensions banish rest of mind,
With thee my heart shall bloom with fragrance;
Make me meet, through repentance,
for thine indwelling.
Nothing exceeds thy power,
Nothing is too great for thee to do,
Nothing too good for thee to give.
Infinite is thy might, boundless thy love,
limitless thy grace, glorious thy saving name.
Let angels sing for
sinners repenting,
prodigals restored,
backsliders reclaimed,
Satan's captives released,
blind eyes opened,
broken hearts bound up,
the despondent cheered,
the self-righteous stripped,
the formalist driven from a refuge of lies,
the ignorant enlightened,
and saints built up in their holy faith.
I ask great things of a great God.
Ligon Duncan on 'How the Pastorals Help Us Avoid Two Huge Errors'
Between Two Worlds: Ligon Duncan on How the Pastorals Help Us Avoid Two Huge Errors:
I want to take to heart this exhortation from Ligon Duncan's TGC message:
I want to take to heart this exhortation from Ligon Duncan's TGC message:
- If you take one thing home from this conference let it be a determination and commitment to read, re-read, live in, and live and minister out of the Pastorals (1 and 2 Timothy and Titus).
I was especially helped by his section on how Paul's material in these letters helps us to avoid two errors from opposite sides of the spectrum:
- One of the reasons that it is hugely important that we let the Pastorals influence our mode of ministry and the shape of our church life is that two huge errors have bedeviled the Western church for closing in on two hundred years now.
- The first error says that the message must be changed if we are going to reach our culture.
- The second error says that our methods are the key to reaching the culture and our methods are not essentially related to our message.
- The first error is the error of classical liberalism.
- The second error is that of modern evangelicalism.
- The first error says: The church can’t be built unless the message is changed.
- The second error says: The church can’t be built unless our methods are changed.
But the Bible teaches that God will build his church, that he has given us Gospel message and Gospel means, and the Pastorals shows us how our methods flow out of and are connected to that message and those means.
Does this mean that all creativity in ministry is bad? No! There is no such thing as an “unsituated” or “uncontextualized” ministry. We are all situated.
Traditionalists and Progressives both make mistakes in this area.
- Traditionalists tend to assume culture and unwittingly impose their cultural assumptions.
- Progressives tend to adopt culture and unwittingly impose their cultural adoptions.
But we [should] want neither an ossified traditionalism nor a faddish progressivism. Our contextualization must be consistent with our theology or we will subvert our own message.
Free audio and video from The Gospel Coalition Conference
Between Two Worlds: Free Audio and Video from The Gospel Coalition Conference:
The audio and video from The Gospel Coalition conference are now available online for free. Most of them are expositions of 2 Timothy:
The audio and video from The Gospel Coalition conference are now available online for free. Most of them are expositions of 2 Timothy:
- Tim Keller, "The Grand Demythologizer: The Gospel and Idolatry" (Acts 19:21-41)
- John Piper, "Feed the Flame of God’s Gift: Unashamed Courage in the Gospel" (2 Timothy 1:1-12)
- Phil Ryken, "The Pattern of Sound Words" (2 Timothy 1:13-2:13)
- Mark Driscoll, "Rightly Dividing the Word of Truth" (2 Timothy 2:14-26)
- K. Edward Copeland, "Shadowlands: Pitfalls and Parodies of Gospel-Centered Ministry" (2 Timothy 3:1-9)
- Bryan Chapell, "Preach the Word!" (2 Timothy 3:10-4:5)
- Ajith Fernando, "Gospel-Faithful Mission in the New Christendom"
Panel Discussion: Tim Keller, John Piper, Ligon Duncan and Crawford Loritts (chair: Stephen Um) - Ligon Duncan, "Finishing Well" (2 Timothy 4:6-22)
- Don Carson, "That By All Means I Might Win Some': Faithfulness and Flexibility in Gospel Proclamation" (1 Corinthians 9:19-23)
Top 5 commentaries on the book of James
Top 5 Commentaries on the Book of James according to Ligonier Ministries (Keith Mathison)
Ligonier Ministries:
The book of James is possibly the earliest writing found in the New Testament canon. It was likely written after Paul began to bring the Gospel to the Gentiles but before he and James met at the Jerusalem Council (cf. Acts 15). In short, the book of James was likely written sometime in the early to mid 40s. Traditionally, the epistle has been attributed to James the brother of Jesus, and a strong case can be made for this traditional view. The letter was likely written in Jerusalem by James and sent to Jewish Christians who had been scattered because of the persecution that arose over Stephen (cf. Acts 11:19). There are a number of helpful commentaries on the Book of James, and the following are five of the best.
1. Douglas Moo -- The Letter of James (Pillar New Testament Commentary, 2000).
2. Peter H. Davids -- The Epistle of James (New International Greek Testament Commentary, 1982).
3. Thomas Manton -- James (Geneva Series Commentaries, 1968).
4. Craig L. Blomberg and Mariam J. Kamell -- James (Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament, 2008).
5. J.A. Motyer -- The Message of James (The Bible Speaks Today, 1985).
Runners Up: Works by Daniel Doriani, James Adamson, Sophie Laws, Ralph Martin, Luke Timothy Johnson, Ben Witherington, and George Guthrie.
Read the entire post, which includes comments on each recommended commentary, here.
Ligonier Ministries:
The book of James is possibly the earliest writing found in the New Testament canon. It was likely written after Paul began to bring the Gospel to the Gentiles but before he and James met at the Jerusalem Council (cf. Acts 15). In short, the book of James was likely written sometime in the early to mid 40s. Traditionally, the epistle has been attributed to James the brother of Jesus, and a strong case can be made for this traditional view. The letter was likely written in Jerusalem by James and sent to Jewish Christians who had been scattered because of the persecution that arose over Stephen (cf. Acts 11:19). There are a number of helpful commentaries on the Book of James, and the following are five of the best.
1. Douglas Moo -- The Letter of James (Pillar New Testament Commentary, 2000).
2. Peter H. Davids -- The Epistle of James (New International Greek Testament Commentary, 1982).
3. Thomas Manton -- James (Geneva Series Commentaries, 1968).
4. Craig L. Blomberg and Mariam J. Kamell -- James (Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament, 2008).
5. J.A. Motyer -- The Message of James (The Bible Speaks Today, 1985).
Runners Up: Works by Daniel Doriani, James Adamson, Sophie Laws, Ralph Martin, Luke Timothy Johnson, Ben Witherington, and George Guthrie.
Read the entire post, which includes comments on each recommended commentary, here.
James 3: A Story
Here's a short film by Desiring God that was part of the Desiring God 2008 National Conference:
From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. (James 3:10)
For a high definition version of the film above or messages from the Desiring God 2008 National Conference, visit the Desiring God 2008 National Conference podcast or the Desiring God 2008 National Conference Web page.
Here's a list of 2008 National Conference messages:
- The Tongue, the Bridle, and the Blessing: An Exposition of James 3:1-12
Sinclair Ferguson - Panel Discussion - Piper, Driscoll, and Ferguson
Various speakers - Words of Wonder: What Happens When We Sing?
Bob Kauflin - How Sharp the Edge? Christ, Controversy, and Cutting Words
Mark Driscoll - The Life-Shaping Power of Story: God’s and Ours
Dan Taylor - Discussion - Piper, Tripp, Kauflin, and Taylor
Various speakers - War of Words: Getting to the Heart for God's Sake
Paul Tripp - Is There Christian Eloquence? Clear Words and the Wonder of the Cross
John Piper - James 3: A Story
DG staff short film
Friday, April 24, 2009
C.J. Mahaney interviews Mark Altrogge
C. J. Mahaney interviews Mark Altrogge, senior pastor of Sovereign Grace Church of Indiana, Pennsylvania, and one of my favorite living songwriters:I'm not sure how many songs Mark Altrogge has written, but a songwriter search of his name using the Sovereign Grace Ministries Song Database will result in 104 items. I highly encourage everyone to listen (and read the lyrics) to Mark Altrogge's songs, as well as the other music offered at SovereignGraceMusic.org.
Thanks Mark for the music and your service to Christ's church. I'm glad you didn't pursue your "dream" of becoming a professional athlete.
Should you start a blog?
Susan Gunelius wrote a "10 Question Quiz to Learn What Kind of Blogger You Can Be" on About.com to help people determine if blogging is for them. Below are the questions, which should be answered with one of the following: A) Yes or Always, B) Kind of or Sometimes, or C) No or Never.
1. Do you like to write?
2. Can you write? Can you write coherently and be somewhat grammatically correct?
3. Do you like to share your thoughts often and with anyone who will listen?
4. Do you enjoy socializing online?
5. Are you comfortable using the Internet and learning new technology?
6. Are you self-motivated and self-disciplined?
7. Can you fit blogging into your schedule consistently?
8. Are you prepared for people to disagree with you (and sometimes in nasty ways)?
9. Are you ready for the behind the scenes work blogging entails? This includes blog maintenance, moderating comments, responding to emails, and so on.
10. Do you like to read?
The Results
Calculate your score using the system below:
1. Do you like to write?
2. Can you write? Can you write coherently and be somewhat grammatically correct?
3. Do you like to share your thoughts often and with anyone who will listen?
4. Do you enjoy socializing online?
5. Are you comfortable using the Internet and learning new technology?
6. Are you self-motivated and self-disciplined?
7. Can you fit blogging into your schedule consistently?
8. Are you prepared for people to disagree with you (and sometimes in nasty ways)?
9. Are you ready for the behind the scenes work blogging entails? This includes blog maintenance, moderating comments, responding to emails, and so on.
10. Do you like to read?
The Results
Calculate your score using the system below:
- "A" responses = 3 points each
- "B" responses = 2 points each
- "C" responses = 1 point each
Add up your points and use the scale below to learn what type of blogger you can be right now.
- 25+ points = Power Blogger: You already have what it takes to be a highly successful blogger!
- 16-24 points = Casual Blogger: You have what it takes to be a good blogger and grow a comfortable following.
- 0-15 points = Hobby Blogger: You would enjoy writing a blog, but if you want to take it to a higher level of success, you need to retool your lifestyle, likes and dislikes to more closely match the profile of a Power Blogger.
Here are some other blog resources at About.com:
Starting a Blog
More About Starting a Blog
Creating a Blog
Thursday, April 23, 2009
The Puritan Study
Tony Reinke: The Puritan Study was born out of two convictions. First, the faithful Puritan preachers offer much biblical wisdom to the 21st century. Secondly, the church always struggles to remain faithful to the expositional ministry of the Word. Without advocating an exposition that overlooks the insights of previous generations, nor placing an improper emphasis on Puritan literature over Scripture, the church needs to think about how we can complement our expositions of Scripture with the great Puritan literature. This conviction pushed me to rethink my own use of the Puritans and to re-build a Puritan library specifically suited for expositional preaching.
The pastor as scholar
David Mathis: John Piper was in Chicago this evening. He spoke at Park Community Church alongside Don Carson at an event hosted by the Henry Center called The Pastor As Scholar and the Scholar as Pastor. John's address was mainly autobiographical and titled "The Pastor As Scholar: A Personal Journey."
Here's the manuscript. Audio and video are forthcoming.
Here's the manuscript. Audio and video are forthcoming.
How can bloggers steward the teaching of the young, old, and the dead?
Tony Reinke offers some sound advice on blog stewardship.
His concluding advice:
FIRST STEPS TO BLOG STEWARDSHIP…
So you may be asking: Where do I go from here? Three steps.
1. Identify your passions. What do you love to do, love to read, love to talk about? These are your passions. Blog about them.
2. Research. Sink yourself in books, sermons, lectures, websites, blogs, magazines, journals—whatever will educate you about your passions. The deeper you go, the more effective your stewardship. Become a disciplined reader. If you are not a disciplined reader, you will likely not go deep, and you will not blog very long or very well. Discipline yourself and research deeply.
3. Share. In your research, identify content that you find most helpful and share it. Develop creative ways to communicate and share content online. [Undeveloped theme: Cross platform conversions of content].
If you do this well, you will not need to find an audience—they will find you.
Identify your passions, research, and share. This is to contribute as a “blog steward.”
Read his entire post here.
His concluding advice:
FIRST STEPS TO BLOG STEWARDSHIP…
So you may be asking: Where do I go from here? Three steps.
1. Identify your passions. What do you love to do, love to read, love to talk about? These are your passions. Blog about them.
2. Research. Sink yourself in books, sermons, lectures, websites, blogs, magazines, journals—whatever will educate you about your passions. The deeper you go, the more effective your stewardship. Become a disciplined reader. If you are not a disciplined reader, you will likely not go deep, and you will not blog very long or very well. Discipline yourself and research deeply.
3. Share. In your research, identify content that you find most helpful and share it. Develop creative ways to communicate and share content online. [Undeveloped theme: Cross platform conversions of content].
If you do this well, you will not need to find an audience—they will find you.
Identify your passions, research, and share. This is to contribute as a “blog steward.”
Read his entire post here.
The Gospel Coalition according to Tim Challies
Tim Challies attended The Gospel Coalition Conference to "primarily to discover what The Gospel Coalition (TGC) is and why you and I should care about it."
He writes about why The Gospel Coalition exists, clarifies what it is and is not, and discusses its theological foundation.
His last two graphs:
So TGC exists, at least in part, to create and to foster a network of Christians (and a network of networks of Christians) who are committed to the gospel and are committed to working with other believers to further the gospel. They seek to do this on a regional level, a national level and even an international level.
And now I have a few more i’s to dot and a few more t’s to cross. In my next article I will tell you about how you, no matter who you are (Christian or not, Reformed or not, Pastor or not, etc, etc) can participate and whether or not, at least as far as I can determine, you should participate.
Read his entire post here.
He writes about why The Gospel Coalition exists, clarifies what it is and is not, and discusses its theological foundation.
His last two graphs:
So TGC exists, at least in part, to create and to foster a network of Christians (and a network of networks of Christians) who are committed to the gospel and are committed to working with other believers to further the gospel. They seek to do this on a regional level, a national level and even an international level.
And now I have a few more i’s to dot and a few more t’s to cross. In my next article I will tell you about how you, no matter who you are (Christian or not, Reformed or not, Pastor or not, etc, etc) can participate and whether or not, at least as far as I can determine, you should participate.
Read his entire post here.
Sovereign Grace Ministries Pastors Conference audio now available
From the Sovereign Grace Ministries blog:
Audio and PDFs from the 2009 Sovereign Grace Ministries Pastors Conference (April 6-8) are now available for download. Here is a list of the conference messages:
General Sessions
Audio and PDFs from the 2009 Sovereign Grace Ministries Pastors Conference (April 6-8) are now available for download. Here is a list of the conference messages:
General Sessions
- The Pastor’s Charge, Part 1 (C.J. Mahaney)
- The Pastor’s Teaching (Jeff Purswell)
- The Pastor’s Mission (Dave Harvey)
- The Pastor’s Legacy (Jared Mellinger)
- The Pastor’s Charge, Part 2 (C.J. Mahaney)
Seminars for Men
- The Pastor and Christian Liberty (Craig Cabaniss)
- The Pastor and College Ministry: Compelling Reasons to Take the Gospel to the Campus (Bill Kittrell)
- The Pastor and His Community: How the Gospel Informs Our Mission beyond the Church (Mark Dever)
- The Pastor and His Older Children: The Possibilities and Perils of Parenting Teens (Bob Kauflin)
- The Pastor and Preaching: How to Start a Sermon, End a Sermon, and Prepare the Middle of a Sermon (Mike Bullmore)
- The Pastor and Small-Group Leaders (Jim Donohue)
- The Pastor and the Counseling Process (Andy Farmer)
- The Pastor and the Priority of Plurality (Dave Harvey)
- The Pastor and the Spirit: An Exposition of 1 Corinthians 12–14 (Jeff Purswell)
- The Pastor and Titus 2 (Aron Osborne)
- The Pastor and Youth Ministry: The Priority of Teaching for Parents and Teens (Steve Whitacre)
Seminars for Women
- The Pastor’s Wife and Culture: What Feminism Has Done to Femininity (Carolyn McCulley)
- The Pastor’s Wife and Ministry Opportunities: Five Great Deals She Won’t Want to Miss (Carolyn Mahaney)
Visit the Pastors Conference page to download the audio recordings and all available PDFs.
(HT: Tony Reinke )
Printable reader's guide from Monergism
A link to "A Monergism Books Readers Guide to the Christian Life (.pdf)" was provided in an earlier post, but it's worth posting again since the Monergism's intent is for folks to print and share it.
From Monergism Books: Please help us spread the word about Monergism Books by printing these two-sided guides and and then distributing them to friends and/or by placing them on your church book table. This is a guide of books we think would richly benefit everyone who reads them and are ranked by level and genre. Since the space is limited on the paper don't be surprised if one of your favorite books is not on the list. This guide simply gives direction as well as helps encourage people to get started in some good reading. A Monergism Books Readers Guide to the Christian Life was designed to be folded into 3 columns. Instructions: 1) print several copies of page 1 on the first side of the paper 2) turn the printed pages over and print the page 2 on the back. Fold into 1/3s. Thanks in advance for your help.
From Monergism Books: Please help us spread the word about Monergism Books by printing these two-sided guides and and then distributing them to friends and/or by placing them on your church book table. This is a guide of books we think would richly benefit everyone who reads them and are ranked by level and genre. Since the space is limited on the paper don't be surprised if one of your favorite books is not on the list. This guide simply gives direction as well as helps encourage people to get started in some good reading. A Monergism Books Readers Guide to the Christian Life was designed to be folded into 3 columns. Instructions: 1) print several copies of page 1 on the first side of the paper 2) turn the printed pages over and print the page 2 on the back. Fold into 1/3s. Thanks in advance for your help.
John Piper's poems on Job (DG Illustrated Edition)
"He is not poor nor much enticed who loses everything but Christ. ... Beware the thought that all is vain. In time God's wisdom will be plain."
Job lost everything: his wealth, his health, and his ten children. All swept away in one satanic storm. Reduced to a heap of flesh, ashes, and tears—rebuked by friends and jeered by strangers—righteous Job wrestled over the purpose and presence of God in the midst of unbearable pain.
With moving illustrations by Christopher Koelle, John Piper unfolds the story of Job in beautiful, compassionate poetry and revels in God's sovereign and surprisingly joyful purposes in allowing exquisite suffering in the lives of his saints. An uplifting book, especially for those experiencing great suffering and loss.
Buy the book here.
Read, or listen to John Piper read this book:
Part 1: O God, Have Mercy On My Seed
Part 2: That I Should Bear This Pain, Not You
Part 3: O Spare Me Now, My Friends, Your Packages of God
Part 4: Unkindly Has He Kindly Shown Me...God
Visit the Web site: jobthebook.com
John Stott on self-forgetfulness
John Piper :
The abundance of audio and video recordings of preaching today tempts pastors to listen to themselves and look at themselves. One might improve a few things that way. But in general it’s a bad idea. John Stott explains why (Between Two Worlds, page 272):
If you look at yourself in the mirror, and listen to yourself on tape, or do both simultaneously on videotape, I fear you may find that you continue to look at yourself and listen to yourself when you are in the pulpit. In that case you will condemn yourself to the cramping bondage of preoccupation with yourself just at the time when, in the pulpit, it is essential to cultivate self-forgetfulness through a growing awareness of the God for whom and the people to whom you are speaking.
I know actors make use of glass and tape, but preachers are not actors, nor is the pulpit at a stage. So beware! It may be more valuable to ask a friend to be candid with you about your voice and mannerisms, especially if they need correction. An Indian proverb says “He who has a good friend needs no mirror.” Then you can be yourself and forget yourself.
The abundance of audio and video recordings of preaching today tempts pastors to listen to themselves and look at themselves. One might improve a few things that way. But in general it’s a bad idea. John Stott explains why (Between Two Worlds, page 272):
If you look at yourself in the mirror, and listen to yourself on tape, or do both simultaneously on videotape, I fear you may find that you continue to look at yourself and listen to yourself when you are in the pulpit. In that case you will condemn yourself to the cramping bondage of preoccupation with yourself just at the time when, in the pulpit, it is essential to cultivate self-forgetfulness through a growing awareness of the God for whom and the people to whom you are speaking.
I know actors make use of glass and tape, but preachers are not actors, nor is the pulpit at a stage. So beware! It may be more valuable to ask a friend to be candid with you about your voice and mannerisms, especially if they need correction. An Indian proverb says “He who has a good friend needs no mirror.” Then you can be yourself and forget yourself.
Cursed be all that learning that is contrary to the cross of Christ
The first president of Princeton University, the Rev. Jonathan Dickinson, stated:
Cursed be all that learning that is contrary to the cross of Christ.
[Federer, W. J. (2001). Great Quotations : A Collection of Passages, Phrases, and Quotations Influencing Early and Modern World History Referenced according to their Sources in Literature, Memoirs, Letters, Governmental Documents, Speeches, Charters, Court Decisions and Constitutions. St. Louis, MO: AmeriSearch.]
Cursed be all that learning that is contrary to the cross of Christ.
[Federer, W. J. (2001). Great Quotations : A Collection of Passages, Phrases, and Quotations Influencing Early and Modern World History Referenced according to their Sources in Literature, Memoirs, Letters, Governmental Documents, Speeches, Charters, Court Decisions and Constitutions. St. Louis, MO: AmeriSearch.]
Recommended reading for doing apologetics in your home
Dr. Doug Geivett, professor of philosophy at Talbot School of Theology, recommends the following books on critical thinking, logic, apologetics, and evangelism to parents in his lecture “Apologetics in Your Home.”
- Isaac Watts, The Improvement of the Mind
- Isaac Watts, Logic: The Right Use of Reason in the Inquiry After Truth
- D. J. McInerny, Being Logical: A Guide to Good Thinking
- Tracy Bowell and Gary Kemp, Critical Thinking: A Concise Guide
- Colin Allen and Michael Hand, Logic Primer
- J. Budziszewski, Ask Me Anything: Provocative Answers for College Students
- J. Budziszewski, Ask Me Anything 2: More Provocative Answers for College Students
- John Dewey, How We Think
- Norman Geisler and David Geisler, Conversational Evangelism: How to Listen and Speak So You Can Be Heard
- Mortimer Adler: How to Read a Book
- William Howard Armstrong: Study Is Hard Work
- A.G. Sertillanges: The Intellectual Life.
Read his entire post here.
(HT: Cloud of Witnesses)
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
The cross of Christ: man's only glory or final stumbling block
Scottish theologian and New Testament scholar James Denney:
“the cross of Christ is man’s only glory, or it is his final stumbling block” (The Atonement and the Modern Mind, p. 3.).
[Henry, C. F. H. (1999). God, revelation, and authority. Originally published: Waco, Tex. : Word Books, c1976-c1983. (6:334). Wheaton, Ill.: Crossway Books.]
“the cross of Christ is man’s only glory, or it is his final stumbling block” (The Atonement and the Modern Mind, p. 3.).
[Henry, C. F. H. (1999). God, revelation, and authority. Originally published: Waco, Tex. : Word Books, c1976-c1983. (6:334). Wheaton, Ill.: Crossway Books.]
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
The acid test of God-centeredness
“The acid test of biblical God-centeredness — and faithfulness to the gospel — is this: Do you feel more loved because God makes much of you, or because, at the cost of his Son, he enables you to enjoy making much of him forever? Does your happiness hang on seeing the cross of Christ as a witness to your worth, or as a way to enjoy God’s worth forever? Is God’s glory in Christ the foundation of your gladness?”
[Piper, J. (2005). God is the Gospel : Meditations on God's love as the gift of himself (11). Wheaton, Ill.: Crossway Books.]
[Piper, J. (2005). God is the Gospel : Meditations on God's love as the gift of himself (11). Wheaton, Ill.: Crossway Books.]
Monday, April 20, 2009
How are your 'quite times' with God?
Do you love or loathe "quiet times"? Do you even have quiet times with God? Some people may base their daily "rightness" with God on whether they have quiet times.
Tim Challies discusses the good, the bad, and the grace of quiet times at Challies.com. His concluding exhortation:
So do not allow quiet time to become performance. View it as a chance to grow in grace. Begin with an expression of your dependency upon God’s grace, and end with an affirmation of His grace. Acknowledge that you have no right to approach God directly, but can approach Him only through the work of His Son. Focus on the gospel as the message of grace that both saves and sustains. And allow quiet time to become a gift of worship you present to God, and a gift of grace you receive from Him.
Read the entire post here.
Tim Challies discusses the good, the bad, and the grace of quiet times at Challies.com. His concluding exhortation:
So do not allow quiet time to become performance. View it as a chance to grow in grace. Begin with an expression of your dependency upon God’s grace, and end with an affirmation of His grace. Acknowledge that you have no right to approach God directly, but can approach Him only through the work of His Son. Focus on the gospel as the message of grace that both saves and sustains. And allow quiet time to become a gift of worship you present to God, and a gift of grace you receive from Him.
Read the entire post here.
Successful evangelism: Proclaiming the message that God tells us
Jonah may not have been the model prophet or enthusiastic evangelist, but the message he preached was successful. What is successful evangelism? Proclaiming the message that God tells us and trusting him for the results.
Then the word of the Lord came to Jonah the second time, saying, “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it the message that I tell you.” So Jonah arose and went to Nineveh, according to the word of the Lord. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly great city, three days' journey in breadth. Jonah began to go into the city, going a day's journey. And he called out, “Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!” And the people of Nineveh believed God. They called for a fast and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them to the least of them. (Jonah 3:1-5)
For a longer answer, read the article by Tim Challies here.
Then the word of the Lord came to Jonah the second time, saying, “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it the message that I tell you.” So Jonah arose and went to Nineveh, according to the word of the Lord. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly great city, three days' journey in breadth. Jonah began to go into the city, going a day's journey. And he called out, “Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!” And the people of Nineveh believed God. They called for a fast and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them to the least of them. (Jonah 3:1-5)For a longer answer, read the article by Tim Challies here.
Spiegel: Ten Lessons from Great Christian Minds
Between Two Worlds: Spiegel: Ten Lessons from Great Christian Minds
From philosophy professor James Spiegel:
From philosophy professor James Spiegel:
- Augustine (5th century): Remember that you are a citizen of another kingdom.
- Martin Luther (16th century): Expect politicians to be corrupt.
- Thomas Aquinas (13th century): God has made himself known in nature.
- John Calvin (16th century): God is sovereign over all, including our suffering.
- Jonathan Edwards (18th century): God is beautiful, and all beauty is divine.
- Thomas a’Kempis (15th century): Practice self-denial with a passion.
- John Wesley (18th century): Be disciplined and make the best use of your time.
- Fyodor Dostoevsky (19th century): God’s grace can reach anyone.
- Dietrich Bonhoeffer (20th century): Beware of cheap grace.
- Alvin Plantinga (21st century): Moral virtue is crucial for intellectual health.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Saturday, April 18, 2009
J.C. Ryle: Cry to God for Mercy
J.C. Ryle:
It is useless to say you cannot pray till you have faith and a new heart, and that you must sit still and wait for them. This is to add sin to sin. It is bad enough to be unconverted and going to hell. It is even worse to say, "I know it, but will not cry for mercy." This is a kind of argument for which there is not warrant in scripture. "Call ye upon the Lord," saith Isaiah, "while He is near" (Isa. 55:6). "Take with you words, and turn unto the Lord," says Hosea (Hos. 14:2). "Repent and pray," says Peter to Simon Magus (Acts 8:22). If you want faith and a new heart, go and cry to the Lord for them. The very attempt to pray has often been the quickening of a dead soul. – J.C. Ryle, A Call to Prayer, pg. 22
Read all of J.C. Ryle's "A Call to Prayer" online here.
(HT: Joshua Harris)
It is useless to say you cannot pray till you have faith and a new heart, and that you must sit still and wait for them. This is to add sin to sin. It is bad enough to be unconverted and going to hell. It is even worse to say, "I know it, but will not cry for mercy." This is a kind of argument for which there is not warrant in scripture. "Call ye upon the Lord," saith Isaiah, "while He is near" (Isa. 55:6). "Take with you words, and turn unto the Lord," says Hosea (Hos. 14:2). "Repent and pray," says Peter to Simon Magus (Acts 8:22). If you want faith and a new heart, go and cry to the Lord for them. The very attempt to pray has often been the quickening of a dead soul. – J.C. Ryle, A Call to Prayer, pg. 22
Read all of J.C. Ryle's "A Call to Prayer" online here.
(HT: Joshua Harris)
God the Source of All Good
Here's a prayer titled "God the Source of All Good" from "Valley of Vision: A collection of Puritan Prayers & Devotions" edited by Arthur Bennett (pages 6-7):
O LORD GOD, WHO INHABITEST ETERNITY,
The heavens declare thy glory,
The earth thy riches,
The universe is thy temple;
Thy presence fills immensity,
Yet thou hast of they pleasure created life,
and communicated happiness;
Thou hast made me what I am, and given me
what I have;
In thee I live and move and have my being;
Thy providence has set the bounds of my habitation,
and wisely administers all my affairs.
I thank thee for thy riches to me in Jesus,
for the unclouded revelation of him in thy Word,
where I behold his Person, character, grace, glory,
humiliation, sufferings, death, and resurrection;
Give me to feel a need of his continual saviourhood,
and cry with Job, 'I am vile',
with Peter, 'I perish',
with the publican, 'Be merciful to me, a sinner'.
Subdue in me the love of sin,
Let me know the need of renovation as well as
of forgiveness,
in order to serve and enjoy thee for ever.
I come to thee in the all-prevailing name of Jesus,
with nothing of my own plead,
no works, no worthiness, no promises.
I am often straying,
often knowingly opposing thy authority,
often abusing thy goodness;
Much of my guilt arises from my religious privileges
my low estimation of them,
my failure to use them to my advantage,
But I am not careless of thy favour or regardless of
thy glory;
Impress me deeply with a sense of thine
omnipresence, that thou art about my path,
my ways, my lying down, my end.
O LORD GOD, WHO INHABITEST ETERNITY,
The heavens declare thy glory,
The earth thy riches,
The universe is thy temple;
Thy presence fills immensity,
Yet thou hast of they pleasure created life,
and communicated happiness;
Thou hast made me what I am, and given me
what I have;
In thee I live and move and have my being;
Thy providence has set the bounds of my habitation,
and wisely administers all my affairs.
I thank thee for thy riches to me in Jesus,
for the unclouded revelation of him in thy Word,
where I behold his Person, character, grace, glory,
humiliation, sufferings, death, and resurrection;
Give me to feel a need of his continual saviourhood,
and cry with Job, 'I am vile',
with Peter, 'I perish',
with the publican, 'Be merciful to me, a sinner'.
Subdue in me the love of sin,
Let me know the need of renovation as well as
of forgiveness,
in order to serve and enjoy thee for ever.
I come to thee in the all-prevailing name of Jesus,
with nothing of my own plead,
no works, no worthiness, no promises.
I am often straying,
often knowingly opposing thy authority,
often abusing thy goodness;
Much of my guilt arises from my religious privileges
my low estimation of them,
my failure to use them to my advantage,
But I am not careless of thy favour or regardless of
thy glory;
Impress me deeply with a sense of thine
omnipresence, that thou art about my path,
my ways, my lying down, my end.
What are the best books? Consult the lists
There are many reasons I like book or reading lists. One reason is that lists sometimes introduce people to books they may not have otherwise known about. Another reason is that sometimes people making the lists spend a lot of effort boiling the limitless possibilities down to several books they think are essential reading for particular readers. That means, readers may consider the list makers' opinions as they rethink their own reading priorities.
The list could go on and on about why I like lists, but I'll just provide links below to several lists or articles worth reviewing and sharing. Note that the book recommendations have been made for specific readers or topics (e.g., children, young adults, students, pastors, scholars, most influential in evangelicalism, etc.).
Why read the best books?
It is not the reading of many books which is necessary to make one wise, but the well-reading of a few, could they be sure to be the best. —Richard Baxter
Few are sufficiently sensible of the importance of that economy in reading which selects, almost exclusively, the very first order of books. Why should a man, except for some special reason, read an inferior book at the very time he might be reading one of the highest order? —John Foster
We should accustom the mind to keep the best company by introducing it only to the best books. —Sydney Smith
The man who does not read good books has no advantage over the man who can’t read them. —Mark Twain
Read the great books! That is worth repeating: Read the great books! . . . You should bear in mind why they were written: great books were written to show a great God and a great Christ to the people of God. You must never be tricked into reading lesser books about great subjects when you are perfectly capable of reading great books about great subjects! —Sinclair Ferguson
(HT: Justin Taylor and Discerning Reader)
The list could go on and on about why I like lists, but I'll just provide links below to several lists or articles worth reviewing and sharing. Note that the book recommendations have been made for specific readers or topics (e.g., children, young adults, students, pastors, scholars, most influential in evangelicalism, etc.).
- 2 books list for instructing and discipling young kids (Justin Taylor)
- 3 books for children list by (Justin Taylor)
- 20 Books to Read in Your 20s (Justin Buzzard)
- Believing-the-Bible Book List (Desiring God)
- BestCommentaries.com
- Books Every Seminary Graduate Should Have Read (Jim Hamilton)
- Books That Have Influenced Me Most (John Piper)
- Building a New Testament Exegesis Library
- Cross-Centered Books list (C.J. Mahaney)
- Denver Seminary Annotated Old Testament Bibliography
- Denver Seminary New Testament Exegesis Bibliography
- Essential books on preaching (Kevin Cawley)
- Expert Reading Lists (Discerning Reader)
- Ligonier Ministries Recommended Reading List
- Most Influential Books for Tom Ascol
- Most Influential Books for Alex Chediak
- Most Influential Books for Bob DeWaay
- Most Influential Books for John MacArthur
- Most Influential Books for Russell Moore
- Most Influential Books for R.C. Sproul
- Most Influential Books for Sam Waldron
- R.C.'s Resource Recommendations (R.C. Sproul)
- Reader's Guide for the Christian Life (Monergism.com)
- Reading lists for pastors and laymen (9 Marks)
- ReformedBooks.net
- Reformed Theological Seminary Reading List
- Reformed Theological Seminary Reading List (extended)
- Top 5 books (J.I. Packer)
- Top 10 books (Jim Hamilton)
- Top 10 books (C. J. Mahaney)
- Top 10 books (Philip Ryken)
- Top 10 books (Ligon Duncan)
- Top 10 books (Sam Storms)
- Top 10 books (Erik Thoennes)
- Top 10 books on Piety, Sanctification, Spiritual Growth (John Hendryx)
- Top 10 books on Personal Piety (Joe Thorn)
- What are some books that Desiring God recommends?
- What commentaries does Desiring God recommend?
Why read the best books?
It is not the reading of many books which is necessary to make one wise, but the well-reading of a few, could they be sure to be the best. —Richard Baxter
Few are sufficiently sensible of the importance of that economy in reading which selects, almost exclusively, the very first order of books. Why should a man, except for some special reason, read an inferior book at the very time he might be reading one of the highest order? —John Foster
We should accustom the mind to keep the best company by introducing it only to the best books. —Sydney Smith
The man who does not read good books has no advantage over the man who can’t read them. —Mark Twain
Read the great books! That is worth repeating: Read the great books! . . . You should bear in mind why they were written: great books were written to show a great God and a great Christ to the people of God. You must never be tricked into reading lesser books about great subjects when you are perfectly capable of reading great books about great subjects! —Sinclair Ferguson
(HT: Justin Taylor and Discerning Reader)
Friday, April 17, 2009
The heart of the Gospel: redeeming love and retributive justice
“Redeeming love and retributive justice joined hands, so to speak, at Calvary, for there God showed Himself to be ‘just, and the justifer of him who hath faith in Jesus’.
"Do you understand this? If you do, you are now seeing to the very heart of the Christian gospel. No version of that message goes deeper than that which declares man’s root problem before God to be his sin, which evokes wrath, and God’s basic provision for man to be propitiation, which out of wrath brings peace.”
- J.I. Packer, In My Place Condemned He Stood (Wheaton, Ill.: Crossway Books, 2008), 41.
(HT: Of First Importance)
"Do you understand this? If you do, you are now seeing to the very heart of the Christian gospel. No version of that message goes deeper than that which declares man’s root problem before God to be his sin, which evokes wrath, and God’s basic provision for man to be propitiation, which out of wrath brings peace.”
- J.I. Packer, In My Place Condemned He Stood (Wheaton, Ill.: Crossway Books, 2008), 41.
(HT: Of First Importance)
Don't Waste Your Life Tour 09
Desiring God announced its partnership with Reach Records for Don't Waste Your Life Tour 09.
Check out DWYL Tour 09 for details and promotional videos.
Also check out the following music video for LeCrae's single "Don't Waste Your Life" from his Rebel album:
Check out DWYL Tour 09 for details and promotional videos.
Also check out the following music video for LeCrae's single "Don't Waste Your Life" from his Rebel album:
The heavens declare the glory of God
The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. (Psalm 19:1)
PSR B1509-58: Pulsar shows its hands
NGC 7293: 
What is the Gospel?
Dr. R.C. Sproul answers the question, "What is the Gospel?":
"There is no greater message to be heard than that which we call the Gospel. But as important as that is, it is often given to massive distortions or over simplifications. People think they’re preaching the Gospel to you when they tell you, 'you can have a purpose to your life', or that 'you can have meaning to your life', or that 'you can have a personal relationship with Jesus.' All of those things are true, and they’re all important, but they don’t get to the heart of the Gospel.
"The Gospel is called the 'good news' because it addresses the most serious problem that you and I have as human beings, and that problem is simply this: God is holy and He is just, and I’m not. And at the end of my life, I’m going to stand before a just and holy God, and I’ll be judged. And I’ll be judged either on the basis of my own righteousness – or lack of it – or the righteousness of another. The good news of the Gospel is that Jesus lived a life of perfect righteousness, of perfect obedience to God, not for His own well being but for His people. He has done for me what I couldn't possibly do for myself. But not only has He lived that life of perfect obedience, He offered Himself as a perfect sacrifice to satisfy the justice and the righteousness of God.
"The great misconception in our day is this: that God isn't concerned to protect His own integrity. He’s a kind of wishy-washy deity, who just waves a wand of forgiveness over everybody. No. For God to forgive you is a very costly matter. It cost the sacrifice of His own Son. So valuable was that sacrifice that God pronounced it valuable by raising Him from the dead – so that Christ died for us, He was raised for our justification. So the Gospel is something objective. It is the message of who Jesus is and what He did. And it also has a subjective dimension. How are the benefits of Jesus subjectively appropriated to us? How do I get it? The Bible makes it clear that we are justified not by our works, not by our efforts, not by our deeds, but by faith – and by faith alone. The only way you can receive the benefit of Christ’s life and death is by putting your trust in Him – and in Him alone. You do that, you’re declared just by God, you’re adopted into His family, you’re forgiven of all of your sins, and you have begun your pilgrimage for eternity."
"There is no greater message to be heard than that which we call the Gospel. But as important as that is, it is often given to massive distortions or over simplifications. People think they’re preaching the Gospel to you when they tell you, 'you can have a purpose to your life', or that 'you can have meaning to your life', or that 'you can have a personal relationship with Jesus.' All of those things are true, and they’re all important, but they don’t get to the heart of the Gospel.
"The Gospel is called the 'good news' because it addresses the most serious problem that you and I have as human beings, and that problem is simply this: God is holy and He is just, and I’m not. And at the end of my life, I’m going to stand before a just and holy God, and I’ll be judged. And I’ll be judged either on the basis of my own righteousness – or lack of it – or the righteousness of another. The good news of the Gospel is that Jesus lived a life of perfect righteousness, of perfect obedience to God, not for His own well being but for His people. He has done for me what I couldn't possibly do for myself. But not only has He lived that life of perfect obedience, He offered Himself as a perfect sacrifice to satisfy the justice and the righteousness of God.
"The great misconception in our day is this: that God isn't concerned to protect His own integrity. He’s a kind of wishy-washy deity, who just waves a wand of forgiveness over everybody. No. For God to forgive you is a very costly matter. It cost the sacrifice of His own Son. So valuable was that sacrifice that God pronounced it valuable by raising Him from the dead – so that Christ died for us, He was raised for our justification. So the Gospel is something objective. It is the message of who Jesus is and what He did. And it also has a subjective dimension. How are the benefits of Jesus subjectively appropriated to us? How do I get it? The Bible makes it clear that we are justified not by our works, not by our efforts, not by our deeds, but by faith – and by faith alone. The only way you can receive the benefit of Christ’s life and death is by putting your trust in Him – and in Him alone. You do that, you’re declared just by God, you’re adopted into His family, you’re forgiven of all of your sins, and you have begun your pilgrimage for eternity."
Is God everywhere?
Michael Patton:
Most people’s understanding of God’s omnipresence is a belief that God is everywhere. But I don’t think this does justice to the Christian theistic worldview as it implies that God’s ontological presence (his essence) is everywhere. ...
Here is what I believe to be a better definition of God’s omnipresence:
“God is Everywhere.”
“Everywhere is in God’s immediate presence.”
Read his entire post on the Parchment and Pen blog.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Consider the odiousness of sin in light of the cross of Christ
Thomas Brooks:
... in the sufferings of Christ, as in a gospel-glass, you may see the odious nature of sin, and accordingly learn to hate it, arm against it, turn from it, and subdue it. Sin never appears so odious as when we behold it in the red glass of Christ's sufferings. ... Can we look upon sin as the occasion of all Christ's sufferings, can we look upon sin as that which made Christ a curse, and that made him forsaken of his Father, and that made him live such a miserable life, and that brought him to die such a shameful, painful, and cruel death, and our hearts not rise against it? Shall our sins be grievous unto Christ, and shall they not be odious unto us? shall he die for our sins, and shall not we die to our sins? did not he therefore suffer for sin, that we might cease from sin? did not he 'bear our sins in his own body on the tree, that we being dead to sin, should live to righteousness'?
... Suppose a man should come to a table, and there should be a knife laid as his trencher, and it should be told him, This is the very knife that cut the throat of your child or father; if this person should use this knife as any other knife, would not every one say, Surely this man had but very little love to his father or his child, who can use this bloody knife as any other knife.
So when you meet with any temptation to sin, oh, then say, This is the very knife that cut the throat of Jesus Christ, and pierced his sides, that was the cause of his sufferings, and that made Christ to be a curse; and accordingly let your hearts rise against it. Ah, how well doth it become Christians to look upon sin as that accursed thing that made Christ a curse, and accordingly to abhor it!
... Look upon the tree on which Christ was crucified, remember his cross, and the pains he suffered thereon, and the seeming sweetness that is in sin will quickly vanish. When you are solicited to sin, cast your eye upon Christ's cross, remember his astonishing sufferings for sin, and it will soon grow distasteful to your souls; for how can that choose but be hateful to us, if we seriously consider how hurtful it was to Jesus Christ?
(From "The Golden Key to Open Hidden Treasures" in Works of Thomas Brooks, Vol. 5, pages 205-207)
... in the sufferings of Christ, as in a gospel-glass, you may see the odious nature of sin, and accordingly learn to hate it, arm against it, turn from it, and subdue it. Sin never appears so odious as when we behold it in the red glass of Christ's sufferings. ... Can we look upon sin as the occasion of all Christ's sufferings, can we look upon sin as that which made Christ a curse, and that made him forsaken of his Father, and that made him live such a miserable life, and that brought him to die such a shameful, painful, and cruel death, and our hearts not rise against it? Shall our sins be grievous unto Christ, and shall they not be odious unto us? shall he die for our sins, and shall not we die to our sins? did not he therefore suffer for sin, that we might cease from sin? did not he 'bear our sins in his own body on the tree, that we being dead to sin, should live to righteousness'?
... Suppose a man should come to a table, and there should be a knife laid as his trencher, and it should be told him, This is the very knife that cut the throat of your child or father; if this person should use this knife as any other knife, would not every one say, Surely this man had but very little love to his father or his child, who can use this bloody knife as any other knife.
So when you meet with any temptation to sin, oh, then say, This is the very knife that cut the throat of Jesus Christ, and pierced his sides, that was the cause of his sufferings, and that made Christ to be a curse; and accordingly let your hearts rise against it. Ah, how well doth it become Christians to look upon sin as that accursed thing that made Christ a curse, and accordingly to abhor it!
... Look upon the tree on which Christ was crucified, remember his cross, and the pains he suffered thereon, and the seeming sweetness that is in sin will quickly vanish. When you are solicited to sin, cast your eye upon Christ's cross, remember his astonishing sufferings for sin, and it will soon grow distasteful to your souls; for how can that choose but be hateful to us, if we seriously consider how hurtful it was to Jesus Christ?
(From "The Golden Key to Open Hidden Treasures" in Works of Thomas Brooks, Vol. 5, pages 205-207)
Shaping our relationships by the gospel
John Piper focused on "Six Biblical Guidelines for Loving Each Other Amid Differences" listed below with the Bethlehem Baptist Church's pastoral staff at BBC's annual pastors and wives two-and-a-half day retreat the week after Easter 2009. It's wise counsel for us all.
1. Let’s avoid gossiping.
2. Let’s identify evidences of grace in each other and speak them to each other and about each other.
3. Let’s speak criticism directly to each other if we feel the need to speak to others about it.
4. Let’s look for, and assume, the best motive in the other’s viewpoint, especially when we disagree.
5. Think often of the magnificent things we hold in common.
6. Let’s be more amazed that we are forgiven than that we are right. And in that way, let’s shape our relationships by the gospel.
Read Piper's entire post here.
1. Let’s avoid gossiping.
2. Let’s identify evidences of grace in each other and speak them to each other and about each other.
3. Let’s speak criticism directly to each other if we feel the need to speak to others about it.
4. Let’s look for, and assume, the best motive in the other’s viewpoint, especially when we disagree.
5. Think often of the magnificent things we hold in common.
6. Let’s be more amazed that we are forgiven than that we are right. And in that way, let’s shape our relationships by the gospel.
Read Piper's entire post here.
What was the most obscene event in human history?
“God provides a way of redemption for us that is not limited to an intellectual elite, but is so crass, so crude, that the primitive person can comprehend it, and, at the same time, so sublime that it brings consternation to the most brilliant theologians. But I particularly like the second word, obscene. It is a most appropriate word because the cross of Christ was the most obscene event in human history. Jesus Christ became an obscenity. The moment that he was on the cross, the sin of the world was imputed to him like it was to the back of the scapegoat. The obscenity of the murderer, the obscenity of the prostitute, the obscenity of the kidnapper, the obscenity of the slanderer, the obscenity of all those sins, as they violate people in this world, were at one moment, focused on one man. Once Christ embraced that, he himself became the incarnation of sin, the absolute paragon of obscenity.
“It is an obscene symbol that we display to the world, the symbol of the cross. There is a sense in which Christ on the cross was the most filthy and grotesque person in the history of the world. In and of himself he was a lamb without blemish—sinless, perfect, and majestic. But by imputation, all of the ugliness of human violence was concentrated on his person.”
[Sproul, R. (1996, c1991). Following Christ. Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.]
“It is an obscene symbol that we display to the world, the symbol of the cross. There is a sense in which Christ on the cross was the most filthy and grotesque person in the history of the world. In and of himself he was a lamb without blemish—sinless, perfect, and majestic. But by imputation, all of the ugliness of human violence was concentrated on his person.”
[Sproul, R. (1996, c1991). Following Christ. Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.]
What's the connection between education and exultation?
“The source of exultation in the cross of Christ is education about the cross of Christ.”
[Piper, J. (2003). Don't waste your life (54). Wheaton, Ill.: Crossway Books.]
[Piper, J. (2003). Don't waste your life (54). Wheaton, Ill.: Crossway Books.]
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
All exultation should be in the cross of Christ
"All exultation in anything else should be exultation in the cross. If you exult in the hope of glory, you should be exulting in the cross of Christ. If you exult in tribulation because tribulation works hope, you should be exulting in the cross of Christ. If you exult in your weaknesses, or in the people of God, you should be exulting in the cross of Christ.
“Why is this the case? Because for redeemed sinners, every good thing—indeed every bad thing that God turns for good—was obtained for us by the cross of Christ. Apart from the death of Christ, sinners get nothing but judgment. Apart from the cross of Christ, there is only condemnation. Therefore everything that you enjoy in Christ—as a Christian, as a person who trusts Christ—is owing to the death of Christ. And all your rejoicing in all things should therefore be a rejoicing in the cross where all your blessings were purchased for you at the cost of the death of the Son of God, Jesus Christ.”
[Piper, J. (2003). Don't waste your life (51). Wheaton, Ill.: Crossway Books.]
“Why is this the case? Because for redeemed sinners, every good thing—indeed every bad thing that God turns for good—was obtained for us by the cross of Christ. Apart from the death of Christ, sinners get nothing but judgment. Apart from the cross of Christ, there is only condemnation. Therefore everything that you enjoy in Christ—as a Christian, as a person who trusts Christ—is owing to the death of Christ. And all your rejoicing in all things should therefore be a rejoicing in the cross where all your blessings were purchased for you at the cost of the death of the Son of God, Jesus Christ.”
[Piper, J. (2003). Don't waste your life (51). Wheaton, Ill.: Crossway Books.]
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