http://www.newreformationministries.org/ en Copyright 2009 Thu, 02 Jul 2009 12:33:47 -0600 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/ http://www.rssboard.org/rss-specification July 2nd - Faith's Check Book by C. H. Spurgeon Refreshing Sleep So he giveth his beloved sleep. (Psalm 127:2) Ours is not a life of anxious care but of happy faith. Our heavenly Father will supply the wants of His own children, and He knoweth what we have need of before we ask Him. We may therefore go to our beds at the proper hour and not wear ourselves out by sitting up late to plot, and plan, and contrive. If we have learned to rely upon our God, we shall not lie awake with fear gnawing at our hearts; but we shall leave our care with the Lord, our meditation of Him shall be sweet, and He will give us refreshing sleep. To be the Lord's beloved is the highest possible honor, and he who has it may feel that ambition itself could desire no more, and therefore every selfish wish may go to sleep. What more is there even in heaven than the love of God? Rest, then, O soul, for thou hast all things. Yet we toss to and fro unless the Lord Himself gives us not only the reasons for rest but rest itself. Yea, He doth this. Jesus Himself is our peace, our rest, our all, On His bosom we sleep in perfect security, both in life and in death. Sprinkled afresh with pardoning blood, I lay me down to rest As in the embraces of my God, Or on my Saviour's breast. http://www.newreformationministries.org/2009/07/refreshing-sleep.php http://www.newreformationministries.org/2009/07/refreshing-sleep.php News & Updates Thu, 02 Jul 2009 12:33:47 -0600 July 1st - Faith's Check Book by C. H. Spurgeon God with Us God shall be with ye. (Genesis 48:21) Good old Jacob could no more be with Joseph, for his hour had come to die: but he left his son without anxiety, for he said with confidence, "God shall be with you." When our dearest relations or our most helpful friends are called home by death, we must console ourselves with the reflection that the Lord is not departed from us but lives for us and abides with us forever. If God be with us, we are in ennobling company, even though we are poor and despised. If God be with us, we have all-sufficient strength, for nothing can be too hard for the Lord. If God be with us, we are always safe, for none can harm those who walk under His shadow. Oh, what a joy we have here! Not only is God with us, but He will be with us. With us as individuals; with us as families; with us as churches. Is not the very name of Jesus, Immanuel--God with us? Is not this the best of all, that God is with us? Let us be bravely diligent and joyously hopeful. Our cause must prosper, the truth must win, for the Lord is with those who are with Him. All this day may this sweet word be enjoyed by every believer who turns to "faith's checkbook." No greater happiness is possible. http://www.newreformationministries.org/2009/07/july-1st-faiths-check-book-by-c-h-spurge.php http://www.newreformationministries.org/2009/07/july-1st-faiths-check-book-by-c-h-spurge.php News & Updates Wed, 01 Jul 2009 11:26:10 -0600 June 30th - Faith's Check Book by C. H. Spurgeon Nevertheless I will remember my covenant with thee in the days of thy youth, and I will establish unto thee an everlasting covenant. (Ezekiel 16:60) Notwithstanding our sins, the Lord is still faithful in His love to us. He looks back. See how He remembers those early days of ours when He took us into covenant with Himself, and we gave ourselves over to Him. Happy days those! The Lord does not twit us with them and charge us with being insincere. No, He looks rather to His covenant with us than to our covenant with Him. There was no hypocrisy in that sacred compact, on His part, at any rate. How gracious is the Lord thus to look back in love! He looks forward also. He is resolved that the covenant shall not fail. If me do not stand to it, He does. He solemnly declares, "I will establish unto thee an everlasting covenant." He has no mind to draw back from His promises. Blessed be His name, He sees the sacred seal, "the blood of the everlasting covenant," and He remembers our Surety, in whom He ratified that covenant, even His own dear Son; and therefore He rests in His covenant engagements. "He abideth faithful; he cannot deny himself." O Lord, lay this precious word upon my heart and help me to feed upon it all this day! http://www.newreformationministries.org/2009/07/june-30th-faiths-checkbook-by-c-h-spurge.php http://www.newreformationministries.org/2009/07/june-30th-faiths-checkbook-by-c-h-spurge.php News & Updates Wed, 01 Jul 2009 01:08:46 -0600 The Calvin Quincentenary is an international, interdenominational, and interdisciplinary commemoration of the life and work of John Calvin (b. 1509), which left such an indelible impression on the modern world. Climaxing with conferences in multiple locations in 2009, this celebration combines history, spirituality, and culture to recall appropriately the life and work of the Genevan Reformer. Esteemed leaders, scholars, and ministers will serve as your guides to learning about this influential man, his vibrant city, and the cultural, religious, political, and economic impact flowing from a movement. This multi-faceted approach seeks to introduce many people to one of the most important thinkers in history. Visit the website and [Click Here](http://www.calvin500.org) http://www.newreformationministries.org/2009/06/calvin-500-the-calvin-quincentenary-3.php http://www.newreformationministries.org/2009/06/calvin-500-the-calvin-quincentenary-3.php News & Updates Wed, 24 Jun 2009 10:54:53 -0600 Question: Where do you place the importance of preaching in the grand scheme of church life? > I place the preaching of the Word of God in the very center place in the life of the church. To be sure, the Scripture certainly assigns the pulpit this primary role. Preaching is what was primary in the public ministry of Jesus Christ (Mark 1:14-15, 38-39). Contained in the Great Commission is the primacy of preaching, specifically, preaching repentance (Luke 24:47) and teaching all that Christ taught (Matthew 28:20). When the church was birthed on the day of Pentecost, it was the result of the preaching of Peter (Acts 2:14-40). Further, preaching and teaching the Word immediately became the primary ministry in the first church in Jerusalem (Acts 2:42). "The apostles' teaching" is listed first for a reason. In addition, the missionary journeys of the apostle Paul reveal that preaching was central in his extended ministry (Acts 13-19). Moreover, the pastoral epistles assign preaching the place of first importance (1 Timothy 4:13), and it was Paul's dying charge to Timothy (2 Timothy 4:2). Finally, ministering the Word is what Christ assigned to the pastors of the seven churches of Asia Minor (Revelation 2-3). They were messengers of the divine revelation entrusted to them to those congregations. From all these passages, it is clear that the primary responsibility of the church is to minister this Word, for it is "the pillar and support of the truth" (1 Timothy 3:15). ]]> http://www.newreformationministries.org/2009/06/q-a-with-dr-lawson-1.php http://www.newreformationministries.org/2009/06/q-a-with-dr-lawson-1.php News & Updates q&a Wed, 17 Jun 2009 08:06:28 -0600 the Resolved Conference Youtube Channel, you'll find some video already up from Resolved. One thing that may be of particular interest would be a very brief, informal conversation between Dr. Lawson and Rick Holland, one of the pastors at Grace Community Church and the organizer of the Resolved Conference. In their conversation, Rick asks Steve about the importance of studying church history, as well as what theologians of days gone by have had the biggest impact on him. Be sure to check it out on Youtube.]]> http://www.newreformationministries.org/2009/06/resolved-video-on-youtube.php http://www.newreformationministries.org/2009/06/resolved-video-on-youtube.php News & Updates church history Resolved Conference Rick Holland Steve Lawson Youtube Mon, 15 Jun 2009 09:28:52 -0600 Resolved.org. The schedule of speakers is below. All times are West Coast. Be sure to hop online and check out the sessions! Friday, June 12 8pm - Session 1, Rick Holland Saturday, June 13 11am - Session 2, Steve Lawson 5pm - Session 3, C.J. Mahaney 7pm - Session 4, Enfield Concert Sunday, June 14 11am - Session 5, Steve Lawson 5pm - Session 6, John MacArthur 7pm - Session 7, John Piper Monday, June 15 9am - Session 8, Rick Holland 11am - Session 9, John MacArthur 5pm - Session 10, C.J. Mahaney 7pm - Session 11, John Piper ]]> http://www.newreformationministries.org/2009/06/resolved-conference-live-feed.php http://www.newreformationministries.org/2009/06/resolved-conference-live-feed.php News & Updates live feed Resolved Conference Fri, 12 Jun 2009 13:06:06 -0600 "And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place," This means God was, and is, very intentional about our lives. He placed us where we are. He placed us in our jobs, neighborhoods, schools, community groups, and coffee shops on purpose. Our lives are not random accidents, but rather, are purposely designed by a sovereign God. That said, we need to be living gospel-centered lives in front of the audience that God has given us. We want to interact with those that God has "determined" we be around in hopes that they will see Christ in our lives, hear us speak of what He has done, and be drawn to Him. So we need to introduce ourselves and our Savior to those around us. And then we must continue to reintroduce them to Jesus and His gospel. Our adherence to this command boils down to simple obedience. Matthew 28:18-20 says: > "18 And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." Living in obedience to the Lord will require us to live our lives as if on a mission, because, well, we're on one. Or at least we're supposed to be. The Great Commission is the foundation of the mission, and as believers, we're called to obey His command and live accordingly. John 14 tells us that those who truly love God will obey Him. They'll keep His commandments. There's not much wiggle room here. If you love the Lord--if you truly love the Lord--you'll obey Him. Thankfully, God graciously provided His Spirit to us so that we can become more and more like Christ. It's this sanctification, this progressive work of the Spirit, that enables us to obey Him appropriately. So as we seek to honor God and become more like Jesus, we need to see the importance of obeying His simple commands. Taking the gospel to the world is one of those commands. Consider the words of Richard Baxter, as cited by I.D.E. Thomas's A Puritan Golden Treasury: > "Oh, if you have the hearts of Christians or of men in you, let them yearn towards your poor ignorant, ungodly neighbours. Alas, there is but a step betwixt them and death and hell; many hundred diseases are waiting ready to seize on them, and if they die unregenerate, they are lost forever. > Have you hearts of rock, that cannot pity men in such a case as this? If you believe not the Word of God, and the danger of sinners, why are you Christians yourselves? If you do believe it, why do you not bestir yourself to the helping of others? Do you not care who is damned, so you be saved? If so, you have sufficient cause to pity yourselves, for it is a frame of spirit utterly inconsistent with grace. . . . > Dost thou live close by them, or meet them in the streets, or labour with them, or travel with them, or sit and talk with them, and say nothing to them of their souls, or the life to come? If their houses were on fire, thou wouldst run and help them; and wilt thou not help them when their souls are almost at the fire of hell?" ******* By Matt Monge ]]> http://www.newreformationministries.org/2009/06/the-great-omission.php http://www.newreformationministries.org/2009/06/the-great-omission.php News & Updates Christ evangelism God gospel Great Commission Jesus Thu, 11 Jun 2009 07:30:19 -0600 perfect--perfect in His character, words, and deeds. Of all His divine attributes, holiness is the one that most uniquely describes Him. In reality, it summarizes all His other attributes. So, no matter how other people may characterize Him, let us affirm His utter, absolute, perfect, infinite holiness. To perceive Him in any other way is to take the first step toward idolatry and worshiping a god of our own making. And a man-centered god, created in our own image and less than absolutely holy, is no god at all. God is wholly, wholly holy! ******* Excerpt taken from Made in Our Image, by Steven Lawson.]]> http://www.newreformationministries.org/2009/06/first-impression-lasting-impression.php http://www.newreformationministries.org/2009/06/first-impression-lasting-impression.php News & Updates First Impression God holy Lasting Impression Made in Our Image Tue, 09 Jun 2009 08:05:05 -0600 By Matt Monge ]]> http://www.newreformationministries.org/2009/06/sanctification-the-gospel-and-change.php http://www.newreformationministries.org/2009/06/sanctification-the-gospel-and-change.php News & Updates change Christ church Cross gospel Fri, 05 Jun 2009 07:14:31 -0600 eternal. Rising above the confines of time, it reaches back to eternity past and stretches forward to eternity future. Before time began, before we ever could have loved Him, God initiated His love for us. "He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world," Paul wrote, "that we should be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself" (Ephesians 1:4-5). According to this passage, God's love for us welled up before the creation of the world. "I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have drawn you with lovingkindness," He said through the prophet Jeremiah (Jeremiah 31:3). Before God created heaven and earth, He loved us in Christ and set His heart upon us. Furthermore, God's love will endure throughout eternity future. Even in the ages to come, nothing will hinder the flow of God's perfect love toward us in Christ. Far different from the world's kind of love, which is fickle and frail, God's love remains steadfast and stable forever. No fewer than twenty-six times in Psalm 136, once in each verse, the psalmist wrote, "His lovingkindness is everlasting." While the everlasting nature of His love is hard to comprehend, it is not hard to appreciate and enjoy. God's deep, abiding love for us, His people, will never be exhausted. His lovingkindness, the psalmist exulted, is everlasting! ******* Excerpt taken from Made in Our Image.]]> http://www.newreformationministries.org/2009/06/love-that-transcends-time.php http://www.newreformationministries.org/2009/06/love-that-transcends-time.php News & Updates God love Made in Our Image Thu, 04 Jun 2009 08:42:23 -0600 Made in Our Image, by Steven Lawson. ]]> http://www.newreformationministries.org/2009/06/gods-glory-uppermost-in-christs-mind.php http://www.newreformationministries.org/2009/06/gods-glory-uppermost-in-christs-mind.php News & Updates Christ Cross glorifying God glory God Jesus Made in Our Image Tue, 02 Jun 2009 07:54:42 -0600 Question: What do you think is the doctrine that is most foundational for the church of today to be solid on in order to be a healthy church? > I believe that the most foundational truth for the church today, as well as in any generation, is the sovereignty and holiness of God. As one's view of God goes, so goes the entire church. A high view of God inevitably leads to high and holy living. But a low view of God leads unmistakably to low living. A towering view of God in which He is seen in His unrivaled sovereignty and absolute holiness has the most dramatic and profound effect upon the church. Such a vision of God inspires transcendent worship, induces godly living, empowers tireless service, deepens spiritual fellowship, imparts supernatural joy, breathes abundant life, and motivates global outreach. The church will never rise any higher than her lofty view of God. Question: Where do you think the monergism vs. synergism debate falls on this scale? can you elaborate? > I agree with Charles Spurgeon, who once noted that days of revival in the church are marked by, among other things, the preaching on the doctrine of regeneration. Our understanding of monergistic regeneration is absolutely essential for a holy and healthy church. Even having a converted church is at stake. The debate between monergism and synergism is nothing more, nothing less, than the controversy between a God-centered world view and a man-centered paradigm. Monergism teaches that 'salvation is of the Lord,' entirely and exclusively. Synergism fabricates that 'salvation is of God and man.' In this latter view, man becomes his own co-savior, and this robs God of His glory. A monergistic view of regeneration dusts off the high ground of soteriology and gives the church a firm place to stand and serve. ******* Taken from an interview with Monergism.com's J.W. Hendryx.]]> http://www.newreformationministries.org/2009/06/qa-with-dr-lawson-3.php http://www.newreformationministries.org/2009/06/qa-with-dr-lawson-3.php News & Updates interview mongerism Q&A Mon, 01 Jun 2009 08:00:49 -0600 never conducted my own life in that way. I say this with a great deal of sarcasm.) As a result of a series of events, I was about to get on the phone with this young man. As I grabbed my phone and began to make my way toward the other end of the house, my wife sweetly and lovingly said, "Matt, who's the biggest sinner you know?" Boom. And that's one of the many reasons I love my wife. She was right, and that was exactly what I needed to hear at that moment to put things in their proper perspective. And then so much of what the Lord has taught me over the past few years came flooding back into my mind with a vengeance. With just the posing of that question, theology was unpacked and brought to bear on my heart. You see, all the things that angered me about this kid were, and often are, true of me to some degree. For years and years and years, I'd wasted my life in selfishness, outright rebellion, and pride. Yet a gracious God was so merciful and patient with me, and instead of letting me continue to run from Him for the rest of my life, He kindly and lovingly waited and worked. This served to remind me of a couple things, and my hope is that others could profit from the reminders as well. First, who are we to decide who has had ample time and opportunity to get their life straightened out and who has not? Not one of us is the sovereign Lord of heaven. And frankly, if the Lord had held you or me to the same standard that I would have held this young man to, you and I would have long ago been left for dead, spiritually speaking. With a sovereign and omnipotent God, there is no lost cause. There is no one beyond the reach of His powerful and gracious gospel. Second, as long as we have breath, we must be willing to battle for the hearts, minds, and souls of others. We must preach and teach the gracious gospel of Christ and bring it to bear on people's hearts and minds. It's through His truth that the Spirit works, breaking wills and bringing individuals to repentance. The gospel must inform who we are, what we do, and how we minister to others. We must fight for their hearts, showing them the glorious gospel of grace, of which we have already been recipients. We must be tireless. We must be willing to be vulnerable, hurt, disappointed, and overwhelmed. We must be willing to get down into the trenches and engage. We must be willing to get dirty, grimy, and even bloody in this quest. Ministry, as a dear friend of mine says, is messy. It gets on your shirt. The fight is on. ******* By Matt Monge]]> http://www.newreformationministries.org/2009/05/whos-the-biggest-sinner-you-know.php http://www.newreformationministries.org/2009/05/whos-the-biggest-sinner-you-know.php News & Updates God gospel grace ministry patience sin sinner Fri, 29 May 2009 07:31:00 -0600 eternal life. As its very name suggests, the Cross provides that which has eternal value. Eternal life is a quality of life in which the God of eternity comes to dwell within us through our faith in Christ. The apostle recorded these words of Christ: "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life" (John 5:24). The Cross means we will live with God--forever! Jesus said, "I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me shall live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me shall never die" (John 11:25-26). All who believe in Christ will live with God forever, praising the Lord Jesus as God's Lamb who purchased our salvation. In heaven, the apostle John saw "a Lamb standing, as if slain" (Revelation 5:6), occupying the center place of worship, adored by saints and angels alike. What a glorious picture of eternity! ******* Excerpt taken from Made in Our Image, by Steven Lawson.]]> http://www.newreformationministries.org/2009/05/from-eternity-to-eternity.php http://www.newreformationministries.org/2009/05/from-eternity-to-eternity.php News & Updates Cross eternality of God From Eternity to Eternity God Jesus Made in Our Image Thu, 28 May 2009 07:51:46 -0600