We Can’t Stop the Crash, But We Can Pick Up the Pieces

Barring a mighty work of God, we are facing a societal collapse of epic proportion. The church needs to stop bemoaning this collapse and start preparing to do spiritual disaster relief when it finally hits.

– Dave Miller, SBC Voices

Explaining the Universal Phenomenon of Religion

Have you ever wondered why there’s a universal phenomenon of religion? You can go anywhere on the globe and you’ll find evidence of cultic practices of sacrifice. Why is that? I suggest that it is because the original program and prescription for the worship of the living God was sacrifice.

– R.C. Sproul, Ligonier

How God Continues to Redeem His Bride

As we look at church discipline, we’re reminded God is continually bringing about redemption within his church while he advances his kingdom in the world. That’s why it’s so critical we see God’s discipline as a primary means by which he’s redeeming his bride and bringing glory to himself. The following definition may offer a sense of relief and direction as you try to navigate the chaos of ministry:

Church discipline is God’s ongoing, redeeming work through his living Word and people as they fight the good fight of faith together to exalt Christ and protect the purity of his bride.

– Robert Cheong, The Gospel Coalition Voices

This article is taken from Robert’s new book. Robert joined with me in pastoring a new church in Louisville in the 1990′s. He is a godly and wise leader in both church and home.

A Prayer of Intensified Longings for Jesus’ Return

King Jesus, through the years I’ve suffered through some horrible teaching about your second coming, most of which generated self-centered fear, gospel-less speculation, and political sensationalism. That’s hardly what you had in mind when you charged us to watch and wait for your return. But this morning, as I meditate on this passage, much of that theological rubbish and rubble is cleared away.

– Scotty Smith, Heavenward

Christ Instilled Passion for the Scriptures in His Followers

In this account, we see Jesus seeking one goal: to minister hope in the resurrection in the hearts of his downcast disciples by means of the Scripture. It is actually even more powerful an incident because they didn’t know it was Jesus. For then it was merely the truth he showed them in the Scriptures that caused their hearts to inflame with faith, joy, love and passion.

– Andrew Davis, FBC Durham

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It is one thing to believe in God; it is quite another to believe God. —RC Sproul

— Ligonier Ministries (@Ligonier) May 7, 2013

*** During my days of working in hotels, I often had the privilege of functioning as a concierge. I would direct people to the best restaurants and points of interest. This blog feature is my attempt to point Christians to some of the best articles online.

Facing the Truth

Jesus is making us into something. C. S. Lewis wrote that God is making us into “little Christs.” We all ache for the day when we’ll be free of our sins, our bad habits, our bitterness, the things about us that we think ugly or undesirable. But perhaps the road of sanctification will be an easier one when we recognize in ourselves the sin of self-consciousness, the sin of reputation management, the sin of lying to ourselves. To live our lives with a pretense of self-sufficiency, strength, and have-it-togetherness is to diminish the visible work of God’s grace.

– Andrew Peterson, The Rabbit Room

The Radical, Missional, but not-so-new Legalism

Michael Horton calls Christianity a “sit down” religion, not because our faith is not active, but because we have to sit down and receive before we have something to give others.  We are active, but it is because we’ve been given something.   So every Sunday we sit down in church to hear God’s word preached by God’s servants and to learn about our glorious inheritance.  Every Sabbath we turn our hearts towards the north star of God’s living and beautiful words because we are so prone to forget our inheritance and wander into the wilderness.  In our anxiety, we prefer to launch a new movement to assuage this restlessness that only the Father, speaking to us about His Son through the power of the Holy Spirit, can cure.

Mark Green, Out of the Horse’s Mouth

A Prayer for Resting in the Sovereignty and Goodness of God

Glorious Triune God, lately my attitude about politics in general, and the American political process in particular, has been a growing source of irritation and cynicism—a sure indication that I need the gospel to center me. This small portion of your Scripture confronts my bad attitude with your glory and grace; your might and mercy; your presence and your purposes. Nothing has greater power to convict me of my sin and help me regain perspective than your Word.

– Scotty Smith, Heavenward

When Harsh Words Are Kind

We are all tempted to pursue our own glory, even in the work of the kingdom. When we recognize that familiar craving we need to deal severely with it. We must confess it (often to others, not just God), repent, and resist. Because, if left alone, it can develop into a spiritual cancer that can blind us to real glory, and may ultimately kill us.

– Jon Bloom, Desiring God

The Heresy of Perfectionism

Inevitably the error of perfectionism breeds one, or usually two, deadly delusions. To convince ourselves that we have achieved sinlessness, we must either suffer from a radical overestimation of our moral performance or we must seriously underestimate the requirements of God’s law.

– R.C. Sproul, Ligonier

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“The Bible’s central picture of gospel love is lost in same-sex marriage, just like it’s lost when a husband cheats on his wife.” Leeman

— Mark Dever (@MarkDever) May 10, 2013

*** During my days of working in hotels, I often had the privilege of functioning as a concierge. I would direct people to the best restaurants and points of interest. This blog feature is my attempt to point Christians to some of the best articles online.

Click on the image to read of how Christians in Syria are holding forth Christ as the only hope in this war-torn country. Pray for our brothers and sisters as they bear the name of Jesus.

Syria has seen more violence and bloodshed than many of us could ever imagine. The U.N. estimates that more than 70,000 people have died in the past two years of unrest. Buildings have collapsed after being bombed, it is unsafe for mothers to take their children outside in many areas and many families have been torn apart in this brutal war.

And yet the church remains in this place, which seemingly has no hope. A church that has united together, to be the shining light of Christ, in an area darkened with despair. Different churches with different denominational backgrounds have come together to reach out to those in their neighborhoods who need clothes, food, water and most importantly the Word of God.

Syrian Christians know that the only hope that they have for things to change in their country, is in Christ alone. So they have asked Christians from around the world to join with them in prayer tomorrow, May 11^th.

Emily F., Open Doors

When Mother’s Day Is Hard

This Mother’s Day may come as yet another reminder to women everywhere that they don’t have something they desire. Another year of miscarriages, infertility, or even waiting for a child through the adoption process. Whatever the unfulfilled desire, it tugs at your heart and plagues your mind.

– Trillia Newbell, The Gospel Coalition

Husbands, A Warning Against Bitterness

One of the great temptations a husband faces is to be bitter toward his wife. Bitterness and love are, in Colossians 3:19, opposite ends of the spectrum of how a husband might treat his wife.

– William Boekestein, Ligonier

What We Mean When We Say Amen

The word amen is not Christianese for “prayer over.” It means something much more beautiful and significant.

– Kevin DeYoung, DeYoung, Restless, and Reformed

Christ Proved the Resurrection by a Single Verb Tense in Scripture

Christ’s whole proof of the resurrection in this account amazingly rests on one single present tense verb.

– Andrew Davis, FBC Durham

10 Ways to Fight Like a Christian

1. Examine your heart.

This is a huge first step in any conflict. Even if you’ve been wronged, what does your emotional response say about your heart? Is it possible that malice, wrath, or bitterness have snuck in? These things are like alarm systems for your heart, pointing to idolatry, which is often a much bigger issue than whatever your spouse (or brother or friend or boss) has done to you.

– J.D. Greear

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It is God alone who can subdue and govern the unruly wills of sinful men (George Whitefield).

— Tabletalk Magazine (@Tabletalk) May 1, 2013

*** During my days of working in hotels, I often had the privilege of functioning as a concierge. I would direct people to the best restaurants and points of interest. This blog feature is my attempt to point Christians to some of the best articles online.

I am very disappointed in you, South Carolina.

— Frank Gantz (@fgantz) May 8, 2013

This was my tweet when I learned that South Carolina had elected Mark Sanford to Congress. Sanford is the former governor who resigned two years ago for disappearing into South America with his mistress. Not only was he guilty of infidelity but also of financial issues and of leaving the state without a chief executive. He confessed that he had “made a mistake.”

After winning election, Sanford invoked the teachings of Christianity. Specifically he spoke of forgiveness and of being resurrected. Ross Douthat of the New York Times offers a commentary on Sanford’s use of biblical teaching for his own benefit. Douthat writes it better than I could, so I will turn it over to him. Be sure to click on the link to read the full article. Consider reading Douthat on a regular basis.

Because of course when Jesus told his disciples to forgive sinners seven times seven times, what he really meant was that they should affirm people in whatever they’ve done and want to do and then return them to high office as swiftly as possible. And when he raised Lazarus from the dead, it was likewise a sign that no political ambition need ever be set aside or abandoned, no matter how the politician in question has failed the public trust. For that matter, who can forget the famous gospel passage where John the Baptist officiated at King Herod’s second marriage, and then encouraged the Roman government to give Herod a few new titles and honors? I’m surprised Sanford didn’t reference that one!

via Mark Sanford’s God – NYTimes.com.

It seems to me that the two current points of interest in evangelical Christianity are “the gospel” and adoption. Can anybody really count the number of books which have been published on the gospel in the past few years? One of the most recent organizations and conferences is called, The Gospel Coalition.

Perhaps not as many books on adoption have been written as have been on the gospel. Yet the implications of the gospel have unleashed couples across the country to welcome into their homes children who are without parents.

I applaud both of these topics of interest. If we err on the gospel, then we have nothing to offer. If we cannot be concerned about fatherless children, then what can we care about?

I am old enough to recall other focal points. During my formative Christian years, a strong emphasis on revival and awakening existed. I miss those days.

For the sake of discussion, we will speak of revival as that which happens in the church. Awakening is that which happens in society. The church finds a newness of life in Christ (revival). Society is transformed as people are converted and God changes their ways (awakening). Surely, we are still in need of these happenings. Probably, it should be argued that we are more in need of them.

I fondly recall gathering with folks. We would fall on our knees and cry out to God that he would do a mighty work in his church and in the world. This happened in churches. It happened in conferences. It happened when buddies got together. It happened on college campuses.

I know. I know. These points of emphasis can be abused. Extremes can occur. But since when does extremism or distortion mean that we abandon that which is valid and true?

Oh that you would rend the heavens and come down,
that the mountains might quake at your presence
– Isaiah 64:1 (ESV)

Till on that cross as Jesus died

The wrath of God was satisfied

– In Christ Alone by Keith Getty and Stuart Townsend

In my opinion, In Christ Alone is the best modern day hymn. It is rich in theological truth with a melodious tune. I listen to it often at home and become excited when I see that we are going to sing it together as a church during a worship service.

If you have not heard it, last year I posted a video of Kristyn Getty singing it during a worship service in San Diego. Listen carefully to the lyrics.

The quote at the beginning of this article is from the song. It is also the part of the song that caused a committee for a new Presbyterian hymnal to reject the inclusion of In Christ Alone.

This hymnal committee liked the song with the line about the wrath of God replaced by “The love of God was magnified.” I appreciate that the song writers were not willing to trade the lines.

Surely the love of God was magnified by the death of Jesus on the cross. But so much more happened with the crucifixion. Indeed, the wrath of God was poured out in full upon Jesus. Jesus had prayed the night before his death about this “cup” which he had to drink. The only way we could experience the love of God was if Jesus took this wrath full force.

Our modern sensibilities are often offended by the concept of a God of wrath. But you cannot have a holy God without wrath. We should quit trying to recreate God in our own image and worship God as he is.

On a lighter note, are we surprised that a denomination still appoints a hymnal committee? I love hymnals and have one that I use at home, but many churches are now hymnal-less.

HT: Debating Hymns