From One Degree To Another

True Love

2012-02-14T08:00:00.000-06:00

From Octavius Winslow's Morning Thoughts, Feb 14, out of 1 John 4:10.

"Herein is love!" as though John would say, "And nowhere else but here!" That God should punish the innocent for the guilty- that He should exact the blood of His Son to cancel the guilt of His rebels- that He should lay an infinite weight of wrath on His soul, in order to lay an infinite weight of love on ours- that He should sacrifice His life of priceless value for ours- worthless, forfeited, and doomed- that He should not only give His Son, but should bruise Him, put Him to grief, afflict Him, should make His soul an offering for sin- that the 'Lord of Glory' should become a 'man of sorrows', the Lord of Life should die, and the Heir of all things should be "as him that serves." Oh depth of love unfathomable! Oh height of love unsearchable! Oh length and breadth of love unmeasurable! Oh love of God, which passes knowledge!

Today, bask in the glow of a God who is crazy for you.

Weekend Recap - Church Health

2012-02-13T14:50:00.001-06:00

My sermon from 2/12/12AM entitled Church Health from Hebrews 10:23-25 is now online. The big idea was that the Gospel's full access should promote full living (that was Kent Hughes' thought). Specifically, because of the relationship we have with God through Jesus, we should hold relentless tight on the Gospel and be aggressive in showing love to others.

In the evening, we had Small Group and my group discussed our sinful tendencies toward envy, jealousy and other sins.

Hope you had a great Lord's Day.

Our Hope and Assurance

2012-02-08T13:36:00.001-06:00

This coming Lord's Day, we will be looking at the vision of a healthy church from Hebrews 10:23-25. v.23 urges us to hold on to our confession of Jesus for one big reason: The One who promised is faithful.

Writing on this, Ligon Duncan tells Christians to realize the brilliance of this: "You are a Christian. You are struggling with assurance. A dear friend and Christian comes to you to encourage you by turning you to the promises in the Word made to you. You say back to him, "Well, you see, that's my problem. I am having a hard time believing that God could be so good to make those promises to me." The author of Hebrews has already figured you out. He is saying, "Your confidence is not based ultimately on the promises that God has made to you, but the promises that God has made to Christ. Do you doubt them? Do you doubt the promises that God the Father has made to His Son? When God the Father promised to make Him a priest according to the order of Melchizedek forever and when God the Father promised His Son that He would give you into His hands, do you doubt that promise? You see, it is easy sometimes to doubt that God might be faithful to us. That is because our lack of faith. But you know, even when we are struggling with our own faith, we know enough about God to know that He is not going to break a promise to His Son."

Hope to see you this Sunday as we think about this faithful, promise-keeping God and the calling He's placed on our lives.

Desiring God Pastor's Conference...

2012-02-07T08:00:00.000-06:00

Now that all the conference audio/video is available for free online, here's another link to my recap of my time there:

Part 1 - visiting Bethlehem Baptist Church on Sunday AM
Part 2 - Doug Wilson Monday PM message on Father Hunger in the Home
Part 3 - Crawford Loritts and Darrin Patrick's messages
Part 4 - Piper's bio of Ryle and Wilson again on Father Hunger in the Church
Part 5 - Ramez Atallah on the Gospel in Egypt

Still feel really blessed by this opportunity. Hope my notes help capture some of this for you.

Weekend Recap - Draw Near

2012-02-06T13:40:00.000-06:00

My sermon from 2/5/12AM entitled Draw Near from Hebrews 10:19-22 is online. The sermon sought to revel in great Gospel truth. My aim was partly to unpack the access that we have to the Father because of Jesus. Far too many Christians live as if they are distanced from God somehow. God, though, according to this passage has brought us near through the finished work of Jesus Christ our Lord. The hymn Arise, My Soul Arise speaks of with "confidence I now draw nigh" and this is what is ours because of Christ.

Hope this sermon was a blessing to you.

Weekend Preview - Hebrews 10:19-22

2012-02-03T08:00:00.000-06:00

After being out of the pulpit last Sunday (but still being well served here at Crestview) we are back this Sunday and given some measure of application. From 1:1-10:18, the writer of Hebrews has been on a campaign to help root and ground us in the superiority of Christ, who He is and what He's done. Now, in Hebrews 10:19-22, our text for this coming, we will be reminded of these things again, but be pointed to application, specifically that we can come near to God Himself. Therefore, plan to join us as we corporately draw near and hear of His amazing work for us.

DGPC Recap - Part 5

2012-02-02T19:00:00.000-06:00

The conference ended yesterday morning with Ramez Atallah, secretary of the Bible society in Egypt. The DG Conference always ends with a missions emphasis so that we can be reminded that all we've gained in this conference is meant to be deployed in God's mission to bring all peoples into enjoyment of Himself. Here's my few tweets from this session. Ramez had a gripping story that roped me in and I was drawn to listen at times rather than get a note down. Here's my few tweets:

#dgpascon Ramez Atallah, secretary of Bible society in Egypt, is speaking now...

#dgpascon a Christian leader has to have vision, seeing things others don't see, and point people towards this

#dgpascon pastors must trust God's sovereignty

#dgpascon church in Egypt was planted by John Mark (who wrote the Gospel of Mark) who was martyred and used in spite of weakness

RT: Ramez Atallah: "When I came to understand the gospel for the first time, I knew that this was what my peopled needed." #dgpascon

After this session, we got on the road and returned home. I'm still processing all of these notes, as you can see, but feel really blessed by God to have gotten to enjoy this conference.

DGPC Recap - Part 4

2012-02-02T17:00:00.000-06:00

After lunch, Piper came and gave a biography on J.C. Ryle. This talk really helped show what manhood looked like in the life of a historical figure. Manhood requires courage. Here's my tweets:

#dgpascon time for @JohnPiper 's bio of JC Ryle #bringit

#dgpascon God has given Christianity a masculine flare

#dgpascon the masculine feel of Christianity is liable to serious misunderstanding and abuse.

#dgpascon 8 features of masculine ministry...1) masculine ministry puts men at head to take the first bullets of criticism

#dgpascon 2) masculine ministry seizes full-orbed doctrine, pressing it into life of people

#dgpascon Ryle took on jellyfish clergyman who lacked doctrinal nerve

#dgpascon 3) masculine ministry brings out rugged aspects of Christian life // sanctification is war!

#dgpascon 4) masculine ministry takes heavy, weighty things (like hell) and never shrinks back from the truth of it

#dgpascon 5) masculine ministry heralds the Scriptures with urgency and forcefulness

#dgpascon 6) masculine ministry welcomes cost of courageous leadership w/o grumbling & complaining for progress of church

#dgpascon 7) masculine ministry publicly & privately promote mobilizing people (women), fully engaging all people in ministry

#dgpascon 8) masculine ministry models caring for wife and children for the good of the church

There are moments as Piper was speaking that I was filled with praise to God for the faithful life of Ryle. But, deeper still, I recognized the calling upon my life requires courage and boldness as well.

After this session, we had a break for dinner, then, Doug Wilson returned for an evening session on Father Hunger and the Church. My tweets:

#dgpascon the Gospel means you are privileged to carry your sin around like David carried Goliath's head (in victory)

#dgpascon we need teachers, instructors & fathers but acknowledge we have One Mediator between God & man. Don't let them step in between.

#dgpascon role of fatherhood in church esv.to/1cor4:15-16 church & family are not plan a & plan b but plan a & plan a

#dgpascon we need fathers because we can only learn some things by imitation. God designed it this way.

#dgpascon our job as fathers is not to get them to live by the standard but to love the standard

#dgpascon we're scared by masculine piety

#dgpascon two kinds of authority: of office & of blessing, fruit of death and resurrection, taking responsibility

#dgpascon worship of God the Father fills checkbook: it fuels spiritual responsibility

#dgpascon when we call people to the Father ... We are calling people to be like Him

#dgpascon do you want traditional, godly fathers without God the Father? you are dreaming. We were made for this...

#dgpascon when you come to worship corporately, you come to a person (the Father),through Jesus, and are affected, battling unbelief

Again, Wilson brought great God-honoring, Gospel-filled truth. We need to raise the standard for manhood in the church and not apologize for it. God has made us for this. In fact, the power of the Holy Spirit magnifies Jesus because He brings us to the Father. This direction shows us what our lives were meant for: the glorify the Father. We reflect this reality in church life.

DGPC Recap - Part 3

2012-02-02T15:30:00.000-06:00

On Tuesday, we kicked off the morning with a sermon from Crawford Loritts entitled Lessons Learned from his father. My tweets:

#dgpc Crawford speaking about his human father's "signature over his soul" ending up in esv.to/gal5

#dgpascon greatness has to do with staying power...passing on integrity to another generation...not pop fads

#dgpascon manhood is not a private matter but public... Manhood is the desired destination we are meant to arrive in, a holy continuity

#dgpascon wanted to be like my father...not 4th member of Trinity. He wasn't perfect. He had integrity.

#dgpascon manhood is based on responsibility: being courageous, faithful, keeping promises

#dgpascon being father and husband means doing things we don't feel like doing to keep our responsibilities

RT: Every 28 days a woman is reminded of who she is. A man knows he's a man only when a key man tells him so. @CrawfordLoritts #dgpascon

#dgpascon a real man embraces responsibility

#dgpascon out of struggle comes strength: sacrifice for what's important

#dgpascon out of strength comes discipline: don't do what you feel like

#dgpascon out of discipline comes integrity: we should speak once // 3 things not tolerated: dishonesty, disobedience, disrespect

#dgpascon respect is incubator for honor

#dgpascon out of integrity comes inheritance: how people treat you should never define you, don't let people recruit u to insecurities/fears

#dgpascon "do right" - all we have to give to next generation is what we've become

#dgpascon don't minimize Spirit's work producing Christlike character in you esv.to/gal5:22-23

Crawford's talk was largely biographical, but really helped demonstrate what a life devoted to Biblical manhood looks like in flesh and blood. It was very helpful.

After Crawford, Darrin Patrick, lead pastor of The Journey Church in STL, spoke on Being and Building Men for the Local Mission. My tweets:

@darrinpatrick #dgpascon esv.to/Gal 5:16-6:2 scariest thing about being leader is when you lead, people follow

#dgpascon we produce and reproduce what we are @darrinpatrick

#dgpascon how do we build men as God is building us as men? Spiritual fruit = spiritual freedom = biblical masculinity

#dgpascon false teachers said Jesus + Law, Paul is writing Galatians to fight this, giving Biblical view of obeying, working from acceptance

#dgpascon botanical metaphor in esv.to/Gal5 is the most masculine thing in the Bible - explains how men change

#dgpascon struggle for holiness is sign of Spirit's presence... Fruit grows painfully and interdependently

#dgpascon don't measure you maturity by comparing yourself to others but by looking to Jesus

#dgpascon you can't legislate inner character esv.to/gal5:23 law can only deal with results not source ... Fruit is inward

#dgpascon only Spirit can do spiritual transformation not mere behavior modification.

#dgpascon God's growth is gradual. Spike it: esv.to/gal5:24 we are as loved and accepted by Father as Jesus is

#dgpascon crucify your flesh, kill it. Helpful to know what you're hunting. esv.to/gal5:16-18 under law = accept me b/c of this

#dgpascon key to killing flesh is physical flesh: you need some brosesv.to/gal6:1-3

#dgpascon fruit grows in environment of brotherhood. Men who are surgeons not butchers, cutting to heal carefully, setting fractures

After Darrin's session, my heart was super-encouraged by Gospel truth. My greatest need as a man is the Gospel. Darrin pointed us here and and while there is some work to pursue in obedience, the Gospel makes it possible and richly explored.

This wrapped up Tues AM.

DGPC Recap - Part 2

2012-02-02T12:53:00.002-06:00

On Monday, the conference got rolling with Doug Wilson, pastor of Christ Church in Moscow, ID, preaching. His sermon dealt with Leading the Home. My tweets were:

As parents, we want our children's hearts...so show them how to do it. God does this for us. #dgpc

When Jesus was baptized, His Father was there, made His presence known, identified with Him & expressed joy & delight in Him. #dgpc

Fathers need to have a fatherly pleasure over their children. #dgpc

God's generosity is showcased in John's Gospel. #dgpc

Calling God Father doesn't mean He's male but He's masculine. His masculity has been bestowed on us. #dgpc all fatherhood is from God

A family is a creation of God. God established this in the beginning. #dgpc

Earthly fathers are masculinity carriers. #dgpc maculinity is the glad assumption of responsibility

Like velvet covered brick, masculine toughness should lie underneath masculine tenderness #dgpc

Biblical headship is bleeding and joyful sacrifice. #dgpc men are called to provide and protect http://esv.to/gen2:15

RT: Doug Wilson: "If you want to preach the gospel to your wife and to your children, then die." #dgpascon

Fatherhood has a point beyond "begetting" : look at the Manual (the Bible) #dgpc

A father's authority is for building up. It's designed for giving and sacrificing for others. #dgpc it should be a gift to them.

#dgpc how can we be model without a model? By the Gospel, we can break out of fatherless tendencies by seeing the Father through Christ

#dgpc we are able to imitate what we hear about / read // in biographies of fathers of gr8 men, church, missions, etc.

RT: Doug Wilson: "In the gospel, the fatherless no longer are." #dgpascon

#dgpc fathers speak about God the Father constantly whether true or false

#dgpc children need fathers regardless of resistance ... Strict as God the Father is strict: holy and merciful

#dgpc back to Gospel: when you turn to God in repentance, don't believe He's like you, receiving you poorly, believe good news. You're loved

#dgpc we're are called to have homes of grace for all of our children

There are a few things I really appreciated in this session: 1) A clear defining of terms. 2) A Gospel centered focus. 3) the pressing to greater practice of fatherhood in homes. I really benefitted and was excited that we were rolling in this amazing theme of manhood.

DGPC Recap - Part 1

2012-02-02T12:45:00.001-06:00

As many of you know, I had the privilege this past week of attending the 2012 Desiring God Conference for Pastors. I will recap some of that experience here to collate my notes and help others who might be wondering what my benefits were from this investment.

My team (I traveled with a fellow elder and 2 younger guys) left on Saturday and arrived in Minneapolis on Saturday night. We got up Sunday morning and went to Bethlehem Baptist Church's North Campus to hear John Piper preach in the local church he pastors. It was an amazing sermon entitled Let's Be Rich Toward God. For this conference, I did a first and didn't furiously take hundreds of notes. But I grabbed relevant content that stuck with me and tweeted it. Here's my tweets from this sermon:

Come prayerfully to the Bible every day to see how supremely valuable Jesus is compared to all your temptations to idolatry. -@johnpiper

PhilAuxier Phil Auxier

don't be a damned fool; be rich toward God esv.to/Luke12.20-21

Piper really delivered in this message. Included in this was an autobiographical account of how he and Noel use their finances in decisive ways. As is usually the case, I left the service amazed at how God and Word-centered the leadership is.

We spent some time in the Mall of America before prepping Monday for the conference to begin.

Love Affair with God's Word

2012-01-31T08:00:00.000-06:00

Piper had a great post yesterday entitled Read Your Bible More and More. The post was very helpful in helping me see how intake of God's Word is not legalism. But I loved these quotes from J.C. Ryle's Practical Religion (p.136):

Do not think you are getting no good from the Bible, merely because you do not see that good day by day. The greatest effects are by no means those which make the most noise, and are most easily observed. The greatest effects are often silent, quiet, and hard to detect at the time they are being produced.

Think of the influence of the moon upon the earth, and of the air upon the human lungs. Remember how silently the dew falls, and how imperceptibly the grass grows. There may be far more doing than you think in your soul by your Bible-reading.

Today, go to God's Word and be very much affected..

Desiring God Pastor's Conference 2012 LIVE

2012-01-30T09:35:00.001-06:00

As I mentioned, I have the privilege of being up in Minneapolis, MN (where it is quite mild this particular winter) for the Desiring God Pastor's Conference. If you're not able to be here, the entire conference is available for free online as a live stream. Here's the info:

If you aren't able to make it Minneapolis this year for the conference, that doesn't mean you have to miss it. The entire conference will be live-streamed, for free. And this year in addition to English it will also be live-streamed in Spanish, Chinese and Russian.
Live-Stream Schedule (EST)
Monday
8:30 - 9:30 PM Doug Wilson- "Father Hunger" in Leading the Home
Tuesday
10:00 - 11:00 AMCrawford Loritts- Lessons on Biblical Manhood Learned from His Father
11:30 - 12:30 PMDarrin Patrick- Being and Building Men for the Local Mission
2:45 - 4:00 PMJohn Piper- Biographical sketch of J.C. Ryle
8:30 - 9:30 PM Doug Wilson- "Father Hunger" in Leading the Church
Wednesday
10:00 - 11:00 AMRamez Atallah- Pastoring with Vision, Creativity, and Courage in Hard Places
11:30 - 12:30 PM Speaker Panel- Doug Wilson, Darrin Patrick, Crawford Loritts, Ramez Atallah, John Piper
2:00 - 4:00 PM A Conversation with Doug Wilson and John Piper- The Supremacy of Christ in All of Life: The Pastor and His Worldview

Take advantage of this amazing opportunity and join me here.

Weekend Prep - DG Pastor's Conference

2012-01-28T11:00:00.000-06:00

Much of my time this past week and into this weekend has been devoted to preparing to be gone to the 2012 Desiring God Pastor's Conference. There are some amazing videos online talking about the scope of this conference and I am blessed to get to travel with another Elder and 2 younger guys. I'm hoping God gives us all a vision of what it means to be a man of God in ministry. Typically, they stream sessions live, so if this conference interests you, check back on the conference website for info. And, if you're reading this, would you please pray that God would begin a work of grace in the heart of all those who attend. He's the One responsible for any kind of lasting change. Thanks.

YouthFriends...(My Story)

2012-01-25T14:05:00.001-06:00

Last night, 1/24/12, I had an amazing opportunity to share my story of volunteering through YouthFriends. I thought I would post some of what I shared last night...

Most everyone wants to live lives that make a difference. We struggle though to know either where to begin or what to get involved with. I was in that place as a pastor about 15 months ago. I knew I needed to be involved in people's lives, but didn't know where to start.

It was at that time, that YouthFriends Director (at that time) Diane Caton came to a gathering of Hutchinson Area Pastors and spoke of the great needs we have in our community. There are numerous schools that have a large population on free and reduced lunch. There are especially needs for male role models in schools. Walking out of this meeting and hearing of that need, I signed up immediately.

After the brief training, I was eventually assigned by YouthFriends to be a WatchD.O.G. at Lincoln Elementary School. In my brief time there, I've noticed 3 benefits of serving as a volunteer:

1) Relationships. As a volunteer, I get to know the amazing people that serve in public education in our community. I get to interact with teachers and staff. This, coupled with the amazing staff at Communities That Care/YouthFriends positions me to succeed because I am related to people who believe in success. I also get to relate to students. I get to befriend and encourage children of all ages by serving in the school.

2) Change. As a volunteer, I get to a birds-eye view into change at these levels. I get to see students making progress. In the case of Lincoln, I have seen the entire culture of a school change in a short time (more a testimony to the people there not me).

3) Focus. Volunteering provides me to give a small amount of time to affect long term change. My small investments are like throwing money in an interest bearing account for a long time. The longer the investment, the richer the return. Serving children in elementary school may position me to be a part of something bigger down the road in their lives.

I closed by thanking the volunteers and urging people to share their story so that others can volunteer and know these rich benefits.

If you're not involved serving the community in some way, why not consider partnering with YouthFriends to make a difference.

Weekend Recap - Christ's Work Is Done

2012-01-23T09:49:00.001-06:00

My sermon from 1/22/12 entitled Christ's Finished Work from Hebrews 10:11-18 is online. In this sermon, I sought to provide listeners assurance, much like the author undoubtedly did for his original hearers, of the comfort and rest that are ours in Christ. Specifically, because of what Christ has done, we are wholly adequate to God and have forgiveness of our sins. That's something real and tangible that resonates with us today. I hope it's an encouragement to you this Monday morning as well.

In the evening, we gathered in small groups. What a blessing to experience community on the Lord's day. Hope you had a profitable day.

What Are You Thinking About During Lord's Supper?

2012-01-21T10:31:00.000-06:00

This was a provocative question Justin Taylor asked recently and he provided a helpful answer from J.I. Packer:

I don’t think we can ever say too much about the importance of an active exercise of mind and heart at the communion service. . . .

Holy Communion demands us of private preparation of heart before the Lord before we come to the table. We need to prepare ourselves for fellowship with Jesus Christ the Lord, who meets us in this ceremony. We should think of him both as the host of the communion table and as enthroned on the true Mount Zion referred to in Hebrews 12, the city of the living God where the glorified saints and the angels are.

The Lord from his throne catches us up by his Spirit and brings us into fellowship with himself there in glory. He certainly comes down to meet us here, but he then catches us up into fellowship with him and the great host of others who are eternally worshipping him there.

We are also to learn the divinely intended discipline of drawing assurance from the sacrament. We should be saying in our hearts, ‘as sure as I see and touch and taste this bread and this wine, so sure it is that Jesus Christ is not a fancy but a fact, that he is for real, and that he offers himself to be my Saviour, my Bread of Life, and my Guide to glory. He has left me this rite, this gesture, this token, this ritual action as a guarantee of this grace; He instituted it, and it is a sign of life-giving union with him, and I’m taking part in it, and thus I know that I am his and he is mine forever.’ That is the assurance that we should be drawing from our sharing in the Lord’s Supper every time we come to the table.

And then we must realize something of our togetherness in Christ with the rest of the congregation. . . . [We should reject the] strange perverse idea . . . that the Lord’s Supper is a flight of the alone to the Alone: it is my communion I come to make, not our communion in which I come to share. You can’t imagine a more radical denial of the Gospel than that.

The communion table must bring to us a deeper realization of our fellowship together. If I go into a church for a communion service where not too many folk are present, to me it is a matter of conscience to sit beside someone. This togetherness is part of what is involved in sharing in eucharistic worship in a way that edifies.

—J. I. Packer, “The Gospel and the Lord’s Supper,” in Serving the People of God, vol. 2 of Collected Shorter Writings of J. I. Packer (Carlisle: Paternoster, 1998), 49-50.

I don't know what you think about while the elements are being distributed, but tomorrow, as we take this as a church, let's practice looking to Jesus and see if this really doesn't enter us into communion with Him.

Weekend Preview - Hearts for God

2012-01-18T13:46:00.001-06:00

This coming Lord's Day (1/22/12AM), we plan to get into Hebrews 10:11-18 and see the difference that Christ's finished work has made in our lives. One big theme will be what new covenant promises are applied. Here Ligon Duncan says it so well:

So, what is at the heart of the New Covenant promises? A people whose hearts are hearts for God. They have His will written on them. They are being made holy. They are being sanctified. They are being conformed to the image of God. They are being formed in the image of Christ. This is the one thing that is promised in that prophecy. And the author of Hebrews is saying, "Look, when you look up and see Christ at the right hand of God, you know that promise has come to fruition in the lives of His people..."

Therefore, in light of this truth, let's come anticipating to revel in these things once again. We have a great God and Savior who has stewarded all the blessings of salvation for us and finished the work. He's seating waiting for the great and glorious day when He will reign forevermore. Come ready to praise your victorious Savior this coming Lord's Day.

Music Recommendations - Stephen Miller

2012-01-17T08:08:00.000-06:00

I love good music. I'm always checking out new music to find songs that can help our church corporately give praise to God. I was hooked by a recent recommendation on this album and have listened to it and agree it is worth your time.

Stephen Miller - God and Sinner Reconcile

Stephen leads music at Journey STL (yes, home town props). There are all kinds of Gospeliscious resources abounding in evangelicalism now. Praising God for the amazing mercy He's shown us in His Son has always been one of my favorite themes. Grab this project, then, and be encouraged. The project is available today on Itunes, Amazon or on Bandcamp. Enjoy.

Holiness Is Possible...

2012-01-16T10:20:00.002-06:00

It's amazing that most of our conversations about holiness begin with what needs to be done. For instance, someone comes and asks, how can I pursue holiness? The answer we give (in the church) is typically read your Bible, pray, enter community. And, while all of these things are worthwhile things in pursuing grace, I'm convinced we need to start by looking to the Gospel. My sermon from 1/15/12 was entitled Holiness Is Possible from Hebrews 10:1-10. I tried to show from God's Word that holiness is possible not in shrewd rule keeping, but in Christ and His once for all sacrifice for sinners. Hope you enjoy it.

Holiness Is Possible, Really!

2012-01-11T08:00:00.000-06:00

This coming Lord's Day, Lord willing of course, my Sunday AM sermon will be on Hebrews 10:1-10. I've entitled the message Holiness Is Possible. Seems like many think of holiness or sanctification as an elusive thing. It's more like a goal, but something that we don't know a real experience of. But, in this text of Scripture, we are told that we can have real hope for being holy and approaching a holy God because of Jesus Christ, our Lord. The old covenant spoke of limitations, but the good news is that we can be near God through Jesus. I hope you come ready to praise God for the joy and holiness that is yours in Christ.

Gospel Project, Chandler, David & Goliath

2012-01-10T08:00:00.000-06:00

Trevin Wax posted this video yesterday highlighting how to be Gospel-centered in looking at the Scriptures. This video is part of the promo for the Gospel Project and features Matt Chandler in a 3 minute clip on how to view a simple story like David and Goliath through Gospel Centered lenses. Enjoy.

Affliction, God's Word and Help

2012-01-09T09:23:00.001-06:00

My sermon from 1/8/12 entitled Affliction and God's Word from Psalm 34 is online. Each year, following Piper's model, I've found it helpful to start the year with a sermon related to prayer and kick off a Week of Prayer, then follow it up with a sermon related to God's Word. Yesterday, I wrapped up this brief 2 week excursion by preaching on how God's Word helps in affliction from Psalm 34. The big point was to taste and see God in His Word and He will lead you (through His Word) to fear Him and praise Him. Hope you have a good week feasting on God's Word.

Weekend Preview - Affliction and God's Word

2012-01-04T12:44:00.001-06:00

This coming Lord's day, we hope to be back in Psalm 34 to be shaped again to be a people of God's Word. I was asked by someone yesterday how Psalm 34 relates to the Word. So, here's my attempt at whetting your appetite:

In vv.1-3, we are told that the humble hear and are glad. What does afflicted or humble people here that gives them joy in the midst of their affliction? Well, on one level, we have to say that it is God's Word.

In vv.4-10, we are told to taste and see that God is good. Where do we do this? How do we know God is good? By simply looking at creation's marvel? Yes, but we don't stop there. It is in His Word that we know God is for us and not against us. We need the special revelation that comes from savoring Him in His Word.

Finally in vv.11-22, we are told to come and listen to learn the fear of the Lord. What are we listening to? The Word of God.

Quite simply, God's Word is what we need to hear and as we do, we'll be equipped for affliction when it comes (and it will). My hope this coming Lord's Day is to encourage you to go after God in His Word. Hope to see you there.

Praying to Our God

2012-01-02T11:19:00.001-06:00

My sermon, Praying To Our God, from Psalm 34 is online. This sermon, which served to kick off our church's Week of Prayer, sought to encourage us to be a people of prayer by showing that God gives joy, listens to our prayers and comes near to help us. We distributed our Week of Prayer devotionals and had an enjoyable morning looking heavenward for help. I trust you had a glorious Lord's Day kicking off the New Year.

Thinking About Next Year

2011-12-31T08:00:00.000-06:00

There are some amazing tools I use to think through goals and priorities for the coming year. Each December I try to think about what different priorities need to characterize my life and ministry. Some tools I use are:

Don Whitney's Questions to Ask At the Start of A New Year
Justin Buzzard's Monthly Day Away to Think and Pray
Mark Driscoll's Biblical Man Worksheet
Isaac Watts' Questions for a Pastor (Parts 1 and 2)

Use these tools to see your heart and make adjustments accordingly.

Weekend Preview - Scripture Memory

2011-12-30T08:00:00.000-06:00

Another exciting development beginning this coming Sunday is the 2012 Scripture Memory emphasis. For the coming year, our Elders have chosen to use the Topical Memory System verses from NavPress. We've incorporated this into weekly breakdowns and, as always, we will use the ESV rendering of the verses. Click here to access the 2012 Scripture Memory Page.

Weekend Preview - Psalm 34

2011-12-29T08:00:00.000-06:00

For the next couple of Sundays, Crestview will be looking at Psalm 34. This coming Lord's Day, in particular, we will be thinking about prayer in this Psalm. Those who cry to the Lord are heard. We are called to praise. There is so much for us. Over on Twitter, I've been tweeting meditations on these verses. I would encourage you to read this Psalm and think about what it means for your prayer life. If you are interested in some of our Week of Prayer resources, they are available here.

Weekend Recap - Jesus, Word in the Flesh

2011-12-28T13:42:00.001-06:00

My sermon from 12/25/11 from John 1:14 entitled Christmas Truth is online. In this talk, I tried to simply and helpfully point to how Jesus, both His coming to earth and displaying glory, as the true meaning of Christmas. Sorry that I was a little slow in getting it up and the link posted. We've been busy this week with holiday plans. Hope you have a great week looking to Jesus, the author and finisher of your faith.

He's Here

2011-12-24T08:00:00.000-06:00

Tonight at our church's Christmas Eve Carol & Candlelight Service (6-6:30PM), this video is shown from the Jesus Storybook Bible. I love incorporating something like this to help children visually see the amazing wonder of Christmas. Enjoy.

The Incarnation Video by Odd Thomas

2011-12-23T08:00:00.000-06:00

Great spoken word video by Odd Thomas entitled "The Incarnation". He gets it:

That's Christmas

2011-12-22T08:58:00.002-06:00

A great video to enjoy this holiday season is by St. Helen's Bishopgate entitled That's Christmas:

Weekend Preview - Word Became Flesh

2011-12-20T08:00:00.000-06:00

This coming Sunday is Christmas. My advent series through John's Gospel will culminate this Sunday as we look at John 1:14:

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Christmas is really about this truth. The Word, Jesus, became flesh like you and me and lived among us. He came and displayed glory and this glory was like glory from the Father: it was full of grace and truth.

This week, continue to marvel at God become a man and come this Lord's Day anticipating a sight of His glory as we unfold this amazing verse and wonder at the Incarnation.

Weekend Review - 12/18/11

2011-12-19T08:00:00.000-06:00

We enjoyed a great Lord's Day yesterday morning at Crestview. Our children sang to open our service, we sang great carols exalting our Savior, and had a great morning in John's Gospel. My sermon, Receiving Jesus, from John 1:11-13 sought to give 3 aspects of receiving Him. He's often missed by people, and He's received by believers, who are born of God.

In the evening, we gathered to watch Andrew Peterson's Behold the Lamb of God on DVD. This worshipful time helps us see how the Bible connects together to point to Jesus. All in all, it was a terrific day.

Receive Him!

2011-12-14T09:45:00.002-06:00

This coming Lord's Day, we plan to continue to work through John's Advent account and specifically hone in on John 1:11-13. In these verses, we are told something shocking on one level: Jesus' own people rejected Him. Humanly speaking, it is almost unfathomable that the Creator of all things could come to His people and they would reject Him, but that is precisely what happened. But, Jesus was received. He was received by those who believed in His name and lest those who believe start to puff themselves up in self-righteous thinking, John reminds those believers that it wasn't some magic decision they did of their own will, but it happened because they were born of God. This holiday season, have you received Jesus or rejected Him. Receive Him by believing in His name and in so doing prove that you are born of God.

Christmas with Capital "C"

2011-12-13T08:57:00.000-06:00

It seems that with all the church's preoccupation with keeping "Christ" in Christmas (which is a good thing) we can be dangerously close to missing Him ourselves. I could agree more than with what Jared Wilson recently wrote in a post entitled This Christmas, Don't Let Jesus Distract You from Jesus. He writes:

There is a great danger this Christmas season of missing the point. And I'm not referring simply to idolatrous consumption and materialism. I'm talking about Christmas religiosity. It is very easy around this time to set up our Nativity scenes, host our Christmas pageants and cantatas, read the Christmas story with our families, attend church every time the door is open, and insist to ourselves and others that Jesus is the reason for the season, and yet not see Jesus. With the eyes of our heart, I mean.

I suppose there is something about indulging in the religious Christmas routine that lulls us into thinking we are dwelling in Christ when we are really just set to seasonal autopilot, going through the festive and sentimental motions. Meanwhile the real person Jesus the Christ goes neglected in favor of his plastic, paper, and video representations. Don't get distracted from Jesus by "Jesus." This year, plead with the Spirit to interrupt your nice Christmas with the power of Jesus' gospel.

I wonder if we aren't guilty of missing the True Light of this season ourselves? So how about it? Will you "plead with the Spirit to interrupt your nice Christmas with the power of Jesus' gospel"? Do this and see if this doesn't end up being a Christmas you'll always remember.

Weekend Recap - 12/11/11

2011-12-12T10:50:00.001-06:00

After fighting off the flu all day Saturday, God seemed to smile upon me and I was able to fulfill all my "pastoral duties" on Sunday. So, the sermon from 12/11/11AM is now online. It was entitled True Light from John 1:9-10. Specifically, it focused on how Jesus the True Light of the world entered the world, demanded a response and was rejected by the world. I think this gives us confidence in taking our witness to the world and encouragement in awing the Savior this holiday season.

All the items up for affirmation at our church's Annual Meeting passed as well, which means we are bringing David Lansdowne back on as a lay elder and Cameron Wood will enjoy his first term as a deacon. The 2012 Budget was also affirmed. Exciting stuff.

In the PM we had one small group to unite them all (meaning all the small groups came together at church) for a holiday party. We enjoyed fun, fellowship and food.

Hope you had a great Lord's day and continue to awe your Savior this holiday season.

Pujols, My Heart & The Gospel

2011-12-08T16:04:00.001-06:00

Well, you have probably heard the news that caused my heart to sink this AM: Albert Pujols would be signed by Angels of Anaheim in a 10 year $250 million some odd contract. My first thoughts were ones of frustration. After my friends Scott Lamb and Tim Ellsworth wrote Pujols: More Than The Game, I've really worked hard to say that Pujols wasn't like the other money-hungry guys. He uses the money God gives him in good ways to bless others. I was bummed that the focus was on the contract and amount of money "he deserved" etc.

But, as I noticed the response by so many on Facebook and other places, especially Christian people, I realized that this was another opportunity from God to look at my own heart, cravings and desires and see what God might want to teach me. You see, I naturally default to thinking that I am more righteous than Albert because I would never be about the contract, or so I think. Yet, undergoing feedback and evaluation by my elders each year and wanting more money for the services I give (and fighting against sinful cravings like greed more and more) I know that I can be guilty of greed just as easily. It is an expression of self-righteousness to conclude and even boast, "Thank God, I'm not like Albert Pujols selling out for more money." Rather, I should confess, "God be merciful to me, the sinner." Even if this is true (and most of us aren't close enough to the situation to know Albert's heart), I know that my heart's exalting itself is a sinful response.

Then, there's the issue of putting faith in man. I loved watching Albert play the game. When he messed with Brad Lidge's head a few years back hitting that homer off Lidge that is still probably flying, I went running through the house screaming. I love the Cardinals. I love winning World Championships and Albert's been a huge part of this. However, I have to be careful I'm not ascribing to Pujols worship and praise even trust only deserved for Jesus. This is my heart's problem.

So, today has proven a good opportunity to grow in grace for me. Maybe like me, you could grow through this, too. Therefore, today, lift up your eyes to the hills where your help comes from. Not a maneuver at baseball's winter meetings, but from the Lord who made heaven and earth.

True Light - Weekend Preview 12/11/11

2011-12-06T08:00:00.000-06:00

This coming Lord's Day, 12/11, we hope to continue our movement toward Christmas by celebrating Advent Week #3. Our text will be John 1:9-10, which speaks of Jesus being the true light and one who must be responded to. What do you think of Jesus? Who do you say that He is?

I think Charles Simeon said it best when he asked these two questions about Jesus the True Light:
1) What light have you received from the Lord Jesus Christ?
2) How far are you reflecting this light to those around you?

Think on this and come expecting God to be glorified in our corporate worship this coming Lord's Day.

Weekend Recap - 12/4/11

2011-12-05T10:46:00.001-06:00

My sermon from 12/4/11 entitled Word in Creation from John 1:3-5 is now online. I love it when God turns the light on and I experienced a most amazing thing in delivering this sermon. It was almost as if while I was delivering it its truth became more clear and I was moved to see it in deeper and richer ways. I praise God for moments like this. It is truly very humbling to see God move in such amazing ways.

The sermon itself sought to show just how God got messy when He came to earth. Specifically, we saw that we were made by the Word (and, as a result made for Him). We also saw that He is the source of life and His life-giving work can't be stopped.

In the evening, my small group met and we discussed the Respectable Sin of Anger. Very convicting and helpful discussion. What a full Lord's Day. I trust and hope that yours was a blessing as well.

Weekend Preview - Word & Creation

2011-12-01T08:00:00.000-06:00

This coming Lord's Day, 12/4, we hope to return to John 1:3-5 and pick up where we left off last week. Last week, we saw in John 1:1-2 that the Eternal Word is God and has existed in a personal relationship to the Father forever. This week, though, we transition to see how this Word came near to us. Specifically, if He was there in creation, how does He relate us. The sermon will unfold how Jesus is related to creation as Creator, Life-Giver and Evil-Conquering Head.

There's a reason that Revelation 3:14 announces that the message to that church was from "The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God's creation." We all owe our existence to Christ. We truly live to the degree that we function in this reality. Come hungry this Sunday to see the greatness of Jesus Christ, the Word, as He relates to His creation.

Gospel Balance & Growth

2011-11-30T10:06:00.001-06:00

I've been one of those Gospel-Centered guys for a few years now, meaning that I see Jesus on every page of the Bible and believe that the Gospel is the message of first importance. I'm preached hard against the cold, lifeless and sometimes dead religious works that many do simply out of duty. When my work on earth is done, I want the greatness of Jesus and not something else to be the motto of all that I was about.

Therefore, I was greatly helped recently by a post on the Biblical Counseling Coalition by Stuart Scott. The post is entitled Gaining A Balanced Picture on God's Counsel. Trying to summarize an article that is so excellent is very difficult. But, what I would say is, if you've ever wondered how being Gospel-centered helps inform your living out the Christian life or if you've ever felt a tension in being about the Gospel and "disciplining your life for the purpose of godliness," then this article is for you. I can't recommend it highly enough. There's a MS Word version and a PDF available.

I hope it helps you as much as it did me.

Advent Resources A Plenty...

2011-11-29T08:00:00.000-06:00

...from the Village Church.

First off, they release an amazing Advent Guide to help your worship as a person and family.

But they also released a video explaining what Christmas is all about:

Weekend Recap - 11/27/11

2011-11-28T12:00:00.001-06:00

My sermon, The Word, from John 1:1-2 is online. The sermon sought to show how Jesus, the Word became flesh, has always existed in personal relationship to the Father and is God. It was a message that should give good theological support structure to those amazing promises we love about how God will never leave us or forsake us. I hope it was encouraging.

In the evening, our church gathered to Hang the Greens. Always a good time of fellowship and service, we enjoyed time with other people in the church.

Sunday Preview - 11/27/11

2011-11-25T08:00:00.000-06:00

This coming Lord's Day, we will jumping into John 1:1-2 and seeing 3 truths about Jesus. In prepping this sermon, I was remembering how well-served we have been through Athanasius. Here's some background articles on him and a link to the Athanasian Creed. We come this Sunday to worship Jesus, fully God and fully man, born to save us from our sins. Come ready to look heavenward.

Happy Thanksgiving

2011-11-24T08:00:00.000-06:00

Today, remember all that God's done for you in His Son and thank GOD for His indescribable gift.

Gospel Centeredness For The Rest of Us...

2011-11-23T17:07:00.001-06:00

Many of you know that I've been hugely affected by all things Gospel. I love the Gospel. It is the message of first importance to me. I want to be a Gospel man. I want it to be continually shaping and forming me. I've often preached against having a disciplined quiet time as a means for being accepted in God's sight, which has probably left my loving congregation scratching their heads wondering, "Well, then, why even discipline yourself for godliness...?" Therefore, it was with great joy that I found this article by Stuart Scott this week.

It's entitled Gaining a Balanced Picture on God’s Counsel.

In this article, he balances the struggle we have to engage the heart or discipline ourselves and shows how important the Gospel foundation and its proper application can prove in the discussion. I would highly commend this article as a great means to help us in thinking toward a more Biblical way in all things Gospel-centered. Enjoy.

Weekend Recap - Gratitude...

2011-11-21T10:43:00.001-06:00

My sermon from 11/20/11AM entitled On Faith & Gratitude from Luke 17:11-19 is now online. I know it was risky to preach on Gospel heart change on Thanksgiving week, but this passage seems to bring home the truth of what faith is and what it produces.

I would love for you to go deeper and noticed this post this AM by Paul Tautges entitled The Attitude of Gratitude: A Bible Study Suggestion. It might be a wonderful devotional on the AM of Thanksgiving Day.

In the evening our church gathered and celebrated all that God's done for us this past year. Hope you had a great Lord's Day as well.

Hope for the Grieving...

2011-11-19T14:33:00.001-06:00

I've had a busy few weeks with a couple of dear ladies passing on to glory and being privileged to serve the families. Thinking about some of what I've said and will say in the coming week I was encouraged by these verses from Isaiah 43:

But now thus says the LORD, he who created you, "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. ² When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. ³For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.

Truly God is good. Knowing that He is near us is sometimes all that sustains us in these times. Jesus promised us that He is the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Him, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in Him shall never die (John 11:25-26). Today, no matter where you are, rest in this truth and find comfort from the heart of heaven.

Weekend Preview - Faith/Gratitude

2011-11-15T08:00:00.000-06:00

This coming Lord's Day, we plan to move to a Thanksgiving emphasis and I hope to preach from Luke 17:11-19. We know the story. 10 lepers are healed but only one returns to give thanks. I want to marinade in this passage Sunday so that we can see how faith and gratitude work together.

Here's Bridges commenting in Respectable Sins on this, which led me to go after this text again:

We read this story (Luke 17:11-19) and we think, "How could those nine men be so ungrateful as to not even turn back and say a word of thanks to Jesus?" And yet far too many of us are guilty of the same sin of unthankfulness.

Maybe this is you (I know I'm included). Let's embrace God's Word for the means of grace it is, receive the Holy Spirit's ministry of exalting Christ and let our faith demonstrate gratitude, to the glory of God.

Weekend Recap - Jesus is Better

2011-11-14T08:00:00.000-06:00

My sermon overviewing Hebrews 1-9 from 11/13/11 entitled Jesus Is Better is now online. This sermon sought to point to the big picture of the first nine chapters and, having shown that, be used to inspire us to persevere. We should be wowed by Jesus so that lives are changed.

In the evening, we continued looking at Respectable Sins by Bridges. Really helped by that book.

Weekend Preview - Hebrews 1-9

2011-11-08T07:30:00.000-06:00

This coming Lord's Day, 11/13, we hope to gather and review what we've seen in Hebrews 1-9. (We plan to get into a message for Thanksgiving and John 1 during Advent.) I love doing these overview messages every so often so that people don't lose sight of the big picture in the minutiae of verse by verse exposition. Related to this big picture, I found this post by Tony Reinke (and this picture) very helpful.

This picture shows how verses in the OT relate to the NT. We have an amazing God, who has given us His Word for good and helpful reasons to point to His grandeur and glory.

Weekend Recap - Christ's Better Sacrifice

2011-11-07T08:28:00.002-06:00

Enjoyed another amazing Lord's Day with the dear people at Crestview. I'm so humbled to get to be their pastor. My sermon, Christ's Better Sacrifice, from Hebrews 9:23-28 is now online. The thrust of the message was that Christ's sacrifice purified better than the old way since it was in God's presence once for all and anticipated His return. It was really amazing truth to ground us both for today and our future. We have amazing confidence in relating to God because of what Jesus has done and this changes everything.

In the evening, my small group continued studying Jerry Bridges Respectable Sins talking about selfishness and our lack of self control. Again, great fellowship as our group was transparent with one another and really helped point each other to the Gospel. What a full weekend, yet so full of grace.

Hope your Lord's Day went well.

Book Review - Gospel Wakefulness

2011-11-02T10:36:00.000-05:00

I've had a huge appreciation for author Jared Wilson ever since his book Your Jesus Is Too Safe: Outgrowing a Drive-Thru, Feel-Good Savior came out a few years ago. This, coupled with the tweets and blogposts that drip Gospel gold, meant that when I received his latest book, Gospel Wakefulness I knew I would be in a for a huge treat.

In recent days, certain places in evangelicalism have seen a growth in all things Gospel-centered. Conferences that attract large numbers of pastors center on the basic message of the Gospel. And, while many understand (rightly) that the Gospel is for those who don't have a relationship with God, the Gospel is so much more. The Gospel is the message the church most desperately needs. In many ways, Gospel Wakefulness tells Wilson's story: how he went from serving in Bible belt churches to being captured by this central message of Christianity. The result has been a profound effect in both his life and ministry.

As Wilson weaves this book together under the heading of Gospel Wakefulness, he helps you and I realize that OUR greatest need is the Gospel. He opens the book defining what he means by Gospel Wakefulness, then unpacks how this relates to themes like humility, brokenness, worship, spirituality, sanctification and even depression. He applies it both individually and corporately. This truth is meant both for today and for our future.

Time and again in reading this book my heart was crying out, "Yes!" In many ways, Gospel Wakefulness is my story and yours. I heartily commend this. I wish I could get this in the hands of every person I know. What makes this book pack the wallop that it does is not Wilson's words, make no mistake about it. It's that his words point to the truth of first importance: the Gospel itself. Read and see if Gospel Wakefulness doesn't come alive in your life as well.

Weekend Preview - Perfect Sacrifice

2011-11-01T07:30:00.000-05:00

As we think about approaching God in corporate worship this coming Lord's Day, 11/6/11, we will be looking at Hebrews 9:23-28 (read this if you can carve out time this week). This passage brings together many of the big themes we've found in these first nine chapters. Specifically, we will again see the temporal nature of earth and the eternal work done in heaven by Jesus. It is quite staggering really. One truth that stands out is at the end:

"Just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for Him" (Hebrews 9:27-28).

You've maybe heard it said that Jesus came the first time to save, but next time He's coming as King. This is clearly taught in our passage for Sunday. Come expecting to worship your Savior and King this Lord's Day.

Weekend Recap - Haggler / Prayer

2011-10-31T15:46:00.002-05:00

We enjoyed an amazing Lord's Day yesterday. My sermon from Hebrews 9:15-22 entitled The Haggler (New Covenant Mediator) is online. The sermon sought to show the amazing nature of Jesus' help for those who stand to inherit promises under the new covenant and how this was only obtained through His spilling blood in death. We also celebrated the Lord's Supper in the AM. What a rich time of fellowship.

In the evening, as it was a 5th Sunday, we gathered for corporate prayer. We realize that nothing happens of eternal consequence without God moving. We prayed for needs and upcoming events in our church's life. What a blessed Lord's day. I'm still full from it.

Gospel and Nothing Else...

2011-10-28T08:00:00.000-05:00

Have you ever heard anyone talking about the good news of salvation found in Jesus alone, how God has done everything to save us and gotten nervous. Maybe you're a believer and think, yeah, but I still have to do this or that and it's all about my life, now right? This objection comes often in circles where grace exists. A few years ago, D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones predicted as much:

There is no better test as to whether a man is really preaching the New Testament gospel of salvation than this, that some people might misunderstand it and misinterpret it to mean that it really amounts to this, that because you are saved by grace alone it does not matter at all what you do; you can go on sinning as much as you like because it will redound all the more to the glory of grace. That is very good test of gospel preaching. If my preaching and presentation of the gospel of salvation does not expose it to that misunderstanding, then it is not the gospel. (from his exposition of Romans 6)

Undoubtedly, we are not to continue in sin that grace may abound. However, this underestimates the power of the Gospel to change. You are not the person you once were. You are a new creation. The old has passed away, the new has come. Today, rest in the amazing Gospel of grace. God has chosen to save you apart from anything you do. Faith is merely tapping into that reality.

Weekend Preview - Hebrews 9:15-22

2011-10-27T15:31:00.002-05:00

This coming Sunday, we hope to return to Hebrews 9:15-22 and look at our New Covenant Mediator Jesus. There are lots of tremendous truths in this passage. We'll see what Jesus did as our Mediator, why death was necessary and (closely) related why all this blood? Oh, there will be blood. Just read the text and see. Blood cleanses and without the shedding of blood there's no forgiveness of sins.

As I thought about this text and what Jesus has done to reconcile to God, I've realize how futile my own efforts at achieving righteousness fall short. I need a Savior like this. Come and see God's plan through Jesus, our Mediator this Sunday.

We plan to gather back in the evening for corporate prayer.

Weekend Recap - 10/23/11 with Dan Dumas

2011-10-24T10:48:00.001-05:00

We had a great weekend at Crestview with Dan Dumas visiting. I was really impacted by the book he co-wrote with Randy Stinson entitled Guide to Biblical Manhood. Having heard Dan unpack what the purpose of the book was a few times this weekend, I would say it is a tremendously helpful, practical book on fleshing out what manhood looks like according to the Bible. Upon reading that, I knew I needed to get Dan here around our men and yesterday was our day.

During the SS hour, Dan preached from James 1:19-25 a message entitled God's Mudroom for Worship. God has given us His Word as basic functioning for life. Specifically, this passage calls us to hear and heed God's Word by application.

In the AM Worship Service, Dan preached from Job 1 a message entitled Spiritual Ruggedness. This message really unpacked how Job could be a point where he worshipped after suffering hit and his anchor proved to be a Sovereign, Immovable God.

Finally, in the PM, Dan preached from 1 Kings 2:1-9 on the DNA of Biblical Manhood. Seizing upon David's deathbed charge to Solomon, Dan gave rich application to the men to Fear God, Tremble His Word, Be Tough As Nails, Do Hard Things First, and simply Act Like Men.

All is all, my soul was very nourished and refreshed. Weaknesses were exposed in both my life and leadership. Many applications need to be pursued as a result of this weekend. I hope your Lord's Day was profitable as well.

Relationships & Eternity...

2011-10-19T15:17:00.000-05:00

I'm reading Paul Tripp's latest book, Forever, and today was privileged to read a chapter entitled Forever and Your Relationships. Read this amazing excerpt unpacking how forever reminds us of where we are living:

Most if not all relationships will go through times of difficulty and stress. A good relationship, then, is a humble and needy relationship in which both parties admit that they haven't arrived and are not perfect. They are approachable, willing to listen to the concerns of the other, willing to admit and face their shortcomings. They do not give way to thinking that they are mature and the other person is not. A good relationship doesn't get stuck in a cycle of expectation, disappointment, criticism, and punishment. It doesn't give way to the hopelessness that often grips relationships when change doesn't seem to be happening. A good relationship is good because each person is patient and understanding. Each seeks to encourage the other to grow while resisting laying unrealistic burdens on the shoulders of the other person.

And Tripp's point of pursuing this is that

"Forever tells us that all relationships exist in a world that is broken in need of redemption."

Might it be that one reason your relationships are so frustrating and not "good" is that you are not viewing them in the light of eternity which is screaming to us that one day God will make all things new. We are in process. Therefore, be patient with your spouse and those you relate to. God's not finished the work of sanctification in you or them yet.

Weekend Preview for 10/23/11

2011-10-18T08:00:00.000-05:00

We anticipate a great weekend at church this weekend. First off, on Saturday, October 22nd, our Ladies have a Prayer Retreat. Always a great time for them.

I'm really excited, though, for Sunday when we have Dan Dumas from Southern Seminary and author of Guide to Biblical Manhood in to speak. He will preach in the morning and speak, specifically, to our men at the Men & Boys Chili Feed, Sunday night at 6PM.

The Gospel changes everything, especially how you act as a male and female in the unique hardwiring God created for you. Come this weekend expecting this glorious Gospel to be on full display as we flesh out what being a man and woman is all about.

Weekend Recap - Better Sacrifice (2)

2011-10-17T11:36:00.001-05:00

My sermon from 10/16/11AM entitled Better Sacrifice (2) from Hebrews 9:11-14 is now online. We don't like people claiming to be the best. When it comes to Jesus, as C.S. Lewis famously said, "He's either a liar (not the best acting as if He is), lunatic (acting like He's out of His mind) or Lord (He is the best)." The stakes could be any higher for the writer of Hebrews. Jesus is the best. He is the Lord. And, He's proven that His work is way better than Old Testament sacrifices and law keeping by giving His own blood to secure freedom from sin and a pure conscience. This sermon unpacks these types of truths. Hope it's a blessing to you.

Weekend Preview - More on Jesus

2011-10-11T08:00:00.000-05:00

This coming Lord's Day, we hope to complete the thought we began in Hebrews 9:1-10 by looking at Hebrews 9:11-14 and how Jesus' sacrifice is a better sacrifice. Think of it, under the old covenant, the conscience of the worshipper was never made perfect, but in Christ, we have secured an eternal redemption and have pure consciences from dead works to serve the living God. There is truly reason to praise. Hope you can enjoy God's work for you in the Gospel this week.

You Need Community...Really...You Do...

2011-10-10T14:20:00.000-05:00

I was privileged to get a copy of Brad House's book Community, the latest in the RE:LIT series. House serves as a pastor at Mars Hill Church, Seattle, where he oversees community groups for the multi-site church. For me, a good book is built on the basics of God's Word and filled with practicality, or what the foundational truth from God's Word should look like fleshed out.

The tension in a book on a particular facet of ministry is that while a broad cross section of evangelicalism may agree that something is important and even rooted in God's Word, we may disagree on its practice. I thought House did a great job of helping us see that what Mars Hill Church has chosen to do, how it has come out of Biblical conviction, but isn't meant to be replicated by every church. We are responsible, however, to flesh out community in our midst and this is the real strength of the book.

In Part 1, the foundation (or as he calls them, Building Blocks For Life) is unpacked. This lays some biblical footings for how the book will flesh itself out in the later chapters. Why do we need community? How did God create us for this and other truths.

Part 2, health plan, helps to lead us in a positive direction by helping us see the different facts of community that need to be considered. How should groups function, how often should they meet, where should they meet, what should they do? Are you getting a feel for the practical side yet?

Part 3, treatment, gives us ways to effect change in our groups. In other words, I'm given practical tools in this section to go about changing things from the way we've always done them. This includes not only changing the past, but equipping leaders for the future.

Positives in this book include getting a great feel for what the Bible says about community, how those are fleshed out in a local church taking those commands seriously, humility in communicating what has been pursued, stories of how pursuing this has helped, as well as what I've already mentioned: practical things.

Negatives for me were that it is a longer read. At times I felt the book drag. This might have been my fatigue or the time of life when I'm reading this (3 kids under 5), but as I pressed through, it proved to be time well spent.

House has definitely thought deeply about this issue. And if community is something you would like help in applying or tweaking in your particular ministry, then this book would be a book worthy of your time and investment.

Weekend Recap - Better Sacrifice (1)

2011-10-10T08:00:00.000-05:00

My sermon from 10/9/11AM entitled Better Sacrifice (1) from Hebrews 9:1-10 is now online. The sermon really unpacked the bad news on the limitations that were in place for the OT worshipper. There wasn't access to God, but barriers and even the priests work was continual and dealt with outward realities. We need words like this occasionally to see the brightness of the Gospel.

I saw a good summary of my sermon on Google+ in a quote from John Bunyan:

"Run, John, run, the law commands but gives us neither feet nor hands;
Far better news the Gospel brings: it bids us fly and gives us wings."

Hope you have a great week standing in awe of what God has provided for you to draw near to Himself through His Son.

What Up G?

2011-10-08T12:56:00.000-05:00

I stumbled across the 4 Gs this week, again, (truths that set you free)...Here's a listing of them:

1. God is great – so we don’t have to be in control

2. God is glorious – so we don’t have to fear others

3. God is good – so we don’t have to look elsewhere

4. God is gracious – so we don’t have to prove ourselves

The deal is, we have our eyes on so many other things (than God Himself) that we are discouraged, frustrated, feeling weak and powerless and not very much changed by the Gospel. However, if we can look to God and turn from our way (that whole repentance piece), we can find that the Gospel is, indeed, the power of God unto salvation for everyone who believes (that's peeps like you and me). So, today, if you're not feeling quite changed by these things, lift up your eyes to where your help comes: the Lord who made heaven and earth.

Paul Tripp on Marriage

2011-10-06T08:00:00.000-05:00

I've used Paul Tripp's What Did You Expect? to walk with people in pre-marital, marriage enrichment, or marriage class about 5 times since it came out and continue to commend it.

As he begins in session 1 of this, he says "A marriage of unity, understanding, and love is not rooted in romance; it is rooted in worship." As you think about your relationship, how is worship affecting you? We must put our identity over our activity (to quote Tripp again). We won't honor God in our marriages until we honor God in our marriages. He must be supreme.

Today, look at what your heart is revealing as the true source of worship and see if this isn't just part of what God is seeking to change in you.

2 Gospel Centered Peeps...

2011-10-05T08:00:00.000-05:00

There are 2 guys I consistently am blessed by on the web. When they write it is good, Gospel-centered, application oriented truth that helps me. I would commend their work to you...

Tim Brister - maybe check out his Gospel Alphabet series

Jared Wilson - his posts are insightful and full of grace

Happy Reading.

Weekend Preview - Walk Through The Tabernacle...

2011-10-04T08:00:00.000-05:00

This coming Sunday, we will be examining Hebrews 9:1-10 in the AM service. The writer of the book of Hebrews wants his readers to be exhorted to keep on keeping on when it comes to their faith. To give them the kind of foundation he needs to, he presses on them the superiority of Jesus in every realm of religious life they've known. And in Hebrews 9:1-10, he walks them through the tabernacle and the ministry that took place there so that when they get down to Hebrews 9:11-14, Jesus will shine bright and beautiful. God has crafted the storyline of the Bible in particular colors so that they pop. Join us this Sunday as we look deep to see Jesus lifted high.

Better Ministry - For Real!

2011-10-03T13:09:00.000-05:00

My sermon from 10/2/11AM is online. The sermon was entitled Better Ministry and was out of Hebrews 8:6-13. This section of Scripture, which included the longest quote of the OT in the NT, pointed us to the ways in which Jesus' ministry was better than the old covenant way of relating to God, since it was built on relationship and offered forgiveness for sins.

I trust it will help you to rest in the final work of Jesus alone for your sanity, but deeper, for your relating to God.

Weekend Preview - Better Covenant...

2011-09-27T08:00:00.000-05:00

This coming Lord's day, we plan to look at Hebrews 8:6-13. It is an amazing picture of seeing just how beautiful our relationship with God through Christ looks. Here's a couple of gems from Pete O'Brien:

So Jesus' role as mediator is not in a strict sense that of an arbiter or intermediary of a bilateral agreement. The terms of the covenant are not in dispute or up for discussion, so that Jesus has to act as a mediator by bringing the two parties together to hammer out an agreement. He is an agent, or delegate invested with divine authority in God's settlement, which Jesus realizes and guarantees. (p.292)

One benefit of the new covenant is that we know God and again, O'Brien writes:

To know God is to recognize Him, to trust Him, and to obey Him. (p.300)

I hope to see you this coming Lord's day as we relish in these and other glorious truths so that Christ is seen as the glorious Savior that He is.

Weekend Recap - Heaven Is For Real

2011-09-26T09:16:00.001-05:00

Yes, my sermon from 9/25/11AM entitled In Heaven from Hebrews 8:1-5 is now online and yes, it did talk about the reality of heaven. It seems the writer of Hebrews is bent on encouraging our perseverance, so he urges us to consider our present in light of eternity, or, specifically, in light of the reality wherein Christ serves. I hope the sermon was encouraging.

In the evening, my small group looked at the lack of gratitude we exhibit in the church and sought to fought that in the Gospel. I need to update my Facebook status accordingly: "God, thank you for the gift of Facebook and how it allows me to stay in touch with so many friends. Thank you also for the trials that come when they change things, knowing that you are working on my character through it." Something like this should be our heart in everything.

New Gospel Resource: The6c

2011-09-22T16:14:00.001-05:00

Found this site upon the recommendation of another person. It's called the6c.

Here's an introduction:

Enjoy!

Your Marriage Needs the Gospel...

2011-09-22T10:30:00.000-05:00

Great post here on how the Gospel is what we need:

Only the gospel will usher us past the hatred and confusion to this truth. Only the cross will appear as the real solution to such deep confusion and sin. It tells the adulterer what’s truly wrong and the broken spouse how forgiveness is even possible. Every other wisdom stops short of it and fumbles around with symptoms lying around on the surface. Grace makes a family out of a disaster.

You see when you are tempted to be a selfish person in marriage, the Gospel speaks something loud and different and, in the midst of that, gives hope. Hoping you'll run there for all your marital needs...

Links Related to Parentingology

2011-09-21T10:19:00.001-05:00

I was helped by each of these links recently when JT linked to them:

Soren Gordhamer, 5 Lessons for Parenting in the Digital Age

Technology no longer has boundaries
Know when to cut it off
The difference between preference and addiction
Focus on technology that truly connects us to our kids
Model the balance

Reb Bradley, Homeschool Blindspots

Having Self-Centered Dreams
Raising Family as an Idol
Emphasizing Outward Form
Tending to Judge
Depending on Formulas
Over-Dependence on Authority and Control
Over-Reliance Upon Sheltering
Not Passing On a Pure Faith
Not Cultivating a Loving Relationship With Our Children

Kevin DeYoung, Children and Secondhand Stress

Quoting Bryan Caplan: “Secondhand stress is one of kids’ leading grievances.”

Weekend Preview - Heaven IS for Real...

2011-09-20T08:00:00.000-05:00

Yes, the title of this post was meant to bait you in...

I know many of you have probably read Heaven Is For Real or experienced something like that and thought, "It was so encouraging to read something like this." Actually, when we say something like this it communicates for more than we may intend. The story told in that book is an experience of someone and we somehow feel as if that experience helps cement reality.

The Bible, though, is as real as any best-seller ever was. And, this coming Lord's Day, we will be looking at how Heaven Is For Real in Hebrews 8:1-5. You see, our salvation is a sure and final thing because Jesus didn't perform His ministry in an earthly tent...No! Jesus went to heaven where the real tabernacle was and ministered on our behalf there. That is reality. Heaven is for real and Jesus really ministered there and because He did, our lives will never be the same. I hope this coming Sunday you rest in Jesus as your reality.

Weekend Recap - Suffering...

2011-09-19T13:57:00.001-05:00

We enjoyed a blessed Lord's Day yesterday on so many levels.

My good friend, Brad Russell, was here preaching from 1 Peter 1:3-9 a message entitled Perspective in Suffering. Many of us, when facing suffering, act as if some strange thing is happening to us. But, the Bible is clear about how we can remain grounded in the midst of it. I appreciated Brad opening his life to us and giving us solid anchors to latch onto in the midst of the storm. The perspective we have in suffering leads to perseverance based on the Prize we have in the glorious Gospel of Christ.

In the evening, our rain moved on and the temp cooled off and we enjoyed a great night of fellowship at our church picnic. Fun stuff. Nothing like unhurried fellowship, tossing the football around and watching the joy on the children's faces as they played together. What a rich time.

Hope you had a blessed Lord's day and enter this week refreshed.

Some Links as we near the weekend...

2011-09-15T09:58:00.001-05:00

First off, Mark Driscoll has a new webpage...and answers a FAQ on his view of alcohol.Tim Keller was critiqued on something he said nearly 3 years ago on the exclusivity of Christ but responded with Gospel-infused grace and clarified his words.Josh Hamilton hit a grand slam last night, which means free carpet and flooring evidently.Both Crestview Bible Church and our children's ministry, CrestviewKids, have Facebook pages. How about a like?Have a great weekend.

Weekend Preview - My Good Friend

2011-09-13T08:00:00.000-05:00

One of my best friends, Brad Russell, will be preaching for me this coming Lord's day. Brad is pastor at Old Powhatan Baptist Church in Powhatan, VA. As you continue to think about God and His greatness extended to us through Christ, anticipate blessings from Him as we worship this coming Lord's Day. Reminder, too, in the evening, we will be having our church pic-a-nic at Herman Bunte Park here in Hutch at 6PM. Please bring a main dish, chair and side or dessert.Have a great week.

Weekend Recap - Simply the Best

2011-09-12T08:00:00.000-05:00

My sermon from 9/11/11 is online. It was from Hebrews 7:20-28 and entitled Simply The Best. God had engraven on our hearts a desire to live for ultimate realities. This is why we tune in to finales of reality shows and championship contests in sporting events. We love the know the best. And, in the case of Jesus, we have one who is the best. There are no denying His amazing qualifications based on what we've seen in Hebrews. I hope this message urges you to look to Christ.

Marriage is Important and Good...

2011-09-08T10:30:00.000-05:00

Here's a couple of marriage links...First off, Trevin Wax highlights an article on the Marginalization of Marriage in Middle America:

At the collective level, the retreat from marriage has played a noteworthy role in fueling the growth in family income inequality and child poverty that has beset the nation since the 1970s. For all these reasons, then, the institution of marriage has been an important pillar of the American Dream, and the erosion of marriage in Middle America is one reason the dream is increasingly out of reach for men, women, and children from moderately-educated homes.

So...marriage is important to the fabric of society. Another great link I came across yesterday was a video Justin Taylor linked to on the good gift of marriage. Watch and be blessed. Today, I don't know the state of your marriage or your marital status. Whatever the case, though, know that marriage is important to society and it also is a huge blessing from the Lord. May you walk in this blessing.

Community...

2011-09-07T16:04:00.002-05:00

...you need it...and the Gospel can help:

Weekend Preview - High Priest Wrap

2011-09-06T10:48:00.000-05:00

This coming Lord's Day, Lord willing, we will gather for worship. New Sunday School classes begin for adults at 9AM (Ron on Genesis and Conor leading R.C. Sproul's Holiness of God study). In the evening, we will meet in small groups and continue to work through Bridges' book, Respectable Sins.

In the AM, the sermon will wrap up Hebrews 7:20-28 and really leave Melchizedek in the rear view, establishing the supremacy of Jesus. I can't do much better than quote what this soaring passage says about Jesus:

For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this once for all when he offered up himself. For the law appoints men in their weakness as high priests, but the word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son who has been made perfect forever.

Join me, then, this coming Lord's day as we celebrate the supremacy of Jesus.

Help the Children...

2011-09-06T08:47:00.001-05:00

Here's my opinion piece in today's Hutch News...

Volunteer for the kids
Tuesday, September 6, 2011 01:38:29 AM

We have returned to school, and again I'm filled with gratefulness for the service that the many teachers, administrators and support staff give to our children and students through our schools. And as we return to school, it's a great time to give some time yourself to make our community strong. In the 1800s, Alexis de Tocqueville wrote that "the greatness of America lies not in being more enlightened than any other nation, but rather in her ability to repair her faults." Many of us long for our children and grandchildren to have the same (or better) opportunity that we've had in our great country. One way that you can help in this is by volunteering in our schools. Many organizations give you this chance. I'm happy to be among the 500 volunteers serving through YouthFriends. We serve 2,000 Reno County students annually. YouthFriends connects volunteers to do things like have lunch with a student, help with reading or academic tutoring, share an interest or a hobby or simply listen. They tailor your time to serve the needs of the students. We are all grateful for the impact our schools have on our children. Why not step out and make a difference yourself and together we can make our community a better place, one relationship at a time?

PHIL AUXIER
Hutchinson

Weekend Recap - Better Priest

2011-09-05T10:48:00.001-05:00

Well, Sunday is complete and Monday Labor Day holiday has begun. We had a great morning yesterday singing about Jesus' finished work, fellowshipping together and looking at Hebrews 7:11-19 in a sermon entitled A Better Priest. The sermon sought to show reasons why Jesus is a better high priest than the old order of Aaronic priests. It was pretty compelling that because of the power of Jesus' indestructible life and the better hope He gives in our drawing near to God that He is better hands down.

I hope your Lord's day was rich and rewarding as you sought the Lord. Blessings to you this week.

Fight With the Gospel...

2011-09-03T08:00:00.000-05:00

Having talked TGINL, and seen the Gospel enemies of self-righteousness, persistent guilt and self-reliance, I thought I'd wrap up this short series with a call to fight with the Gospel. Again, I'm leaning on Jerry Bridges. After urging us to begin our day by preaching the Gospel to ourselves, he urges us to add a Daily Declaration of Dependence:

I recognize my absolute lack of power and ability.
I redirect my dependence to the supremely reliable power of the Holy Spirit.
I reject my tendency to self-reliance: "You are God, and I am not."

And Bridges continues:

With our dependence on the righteousness of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit renewed we proclaim to God, "We are your servants." We work hard in the strength He provides, not to earn merit but to glorify and enjoy Him.

That really is what life is all about. Today, will you declare your dependence on God through His Gospel and in so doing set your feet on a path to glorify and enjoy Him, forever?

Some Links for Friday, 9/2/11

2011-09-02T08:00:00.000-05:00

A couple of helpful things from the web this week:

I know many of you are aware of the Gospel-centered buzz in certain parts of evangelicalism. I would summarize this "movement" as seeing the Gospel not merely for lost people but also for believers. One writer I love to read on this is Jared Wilson. Interacting with him this week on Twitter I asked how he came to be so Gospel-centered and while part of his story is found in his forthcoming book, Gospel Wakefulness, at the end of a recent sermon he gave is a short testimony of his life. Parts of it sound like my story and many other friends I have spoken with. I commend it to you not only for the testimony, but also for the exegetical gold mine he uncovers in Hebrews 1:2-3. Here's the video:

Another helpful thing this week was at the Biblical Counseling Coaltion, which recently opened up a portion of their website with many helpful resources. If there is a particular issue you are seeking out godly wisdom on, this might be a good place to dig in to...

Blessings to you and enjoy the weekend.

Marriage is About Time, Love and Tenderness...

2011-09-01T10:11:00.001-05:00

Yes, Michael Bolton sang a song, "Time, Love and Tenderness", No, that's not necessarily what I'm talking about...

However, what I am talking about as I try to say something encouraging to married peeps is this...

Your marriage takes time. If you're a newlywed, you need time to deepen in your relationship with this person you now live with. If you're blessed with children, your marriage will start to be a time of juggling all the demands of the children and still prioritizing the primary relationship you have with your spouse. And, in my case, with a child in school now, I'm finding I need to do much better in strategizing to have time with my wife. Marriage takes time. I know you who have been married for a longer time would testify that time spent together is time well spent.

Marriage is also about love. Remember what the Bible presses upon us, especially in the LOVE chapter (said in Barry White's voice), is that love is not so much what we say as much as how we live. Many people claim to love their spouse but then, through their actions say exactly the opposite. Jesus said that great love was laying down your life for your friends. Love means dying to selfish desire. And it is in this thinking of the other person above yourself that love thrives and grows.

Marriage is also about tenderness, meaning that we act towards our spouse in ways that are appropriate for the moment. I picture tenderness as carefully engaging my spouse in ways that are appropriate for the moment. I don't neglect what kind of day she's had. I don't ignore what she needs. I try not to be blind to what she needs. Tenderness means that my heart of compassion is for her.

So, today, think of ways that you can take time, express love and be tender towards your spouse. It just might change your married life.

Weekend Preview - Jesus Is A Better Priest

2011-08-30T07:00:00.000-05:00

Maybe you've heard of the game 5 steps to Kevin Bacon, which traces a journey of movies starring Bacon back to any actor in Hollywood. Well, this Sunday, Lord-willing, we are going to be looking at some steps that get back to Jesus and how He is a better priest that what is found in the Levitical law. The passage we intend to look at is Hebrews 7:11-19. The progression of steps are highlighted by William Lane in his book on Hebrews:

(11-12) - prophecy about a new priesthood demonstrated the old was insufficient(13-14) - prophecy of Psalm 110:4 was Jesus coming to be our High Priest(15-17) - the new priest is superior in quality to Levitical priests(18-19) - Levitical priesthood and old Law was set aside by a new and better hope based on superior quality of high priest

Now, with all of these parts of the book of Hebrews, we need to expend some mental energy to understand the argument, but, as we do, we will find that the picture it gives us of our Lord and Savior is a resplendently brilliant one. Therefore, come expecting God to move through His Word to glorify the Son, our Better High Priest.

Weekend Recap - Pointer and Small Groups...

2011-08-29T09:54:00.000-05:00

Happy Monday everyone. Hope you all are doing well as we get off and running on another week. I thought we had a tremendous Lord's Day yesterday. God was so gracious to move and act in many ways and I continue to stand in awe of what we are learning about Him (and Jesus) through the book of Hebrews. Yesterday's sermon, Pointer, from Hebrews 7:1-10 tried to hop on a trajectory or course that pointed us to Jesus as the main theme of the Bible. As I mentioned in the introduction, I wanted to dazzle everyone with Jesus' character and superiority. I hope you found yourself delighting in Him.In the evening, we had great time in small groups, continuing to work our way through Jerry Bridges book Respectable Sins. My group looked, specifically, at the chapter on Anxiety, Worry and Frustration, which proved to be very fruitful for good Gospel application. Hope you have a blessed week!

Gospel Enemy: Self-Reliance...

2011-08-27T11:51:00.000-05:00

For the past few weeks, we've looked at what TGINL is, and sought to seek out whether or not we are guilty of Gospel Enemy 1, Self-Righteousness, and Gospel Enemy 2, Persistent Guilt. Today, I want to help you flee a huge Gospel enemy, Self-Reliance. Again, I'm leaning on Jerry Bridges work:

Self-reliance toward God is a dependence on our own power, not the power of the Holy Spirit.

Here's some questions to expose this:

How many times in the past twenty-four hours have we done anything with conscious dependence on the power of the Holy Spirit? How many of our job issues, family matters, leisure pursuits, daily routines, or even our spiritual disciplines have we conducted with an attitude of self-reliance, not God-reliance?

If this is true for you, repent of your self-reliance and choose to lean on God for everything. This will help you see the beauty of the Gospel and rest in all that God has done, freeing you from yourself.

Some Good Questions for You And Your Spouse

2011-08-24T06:00:00.000-05:00

A few years back I found these questions by Merrit Anderson and applied them for fruitful communication in the home:

Here are a few potential grace-directing questions that you can ask yourself and your spouse when the temptation to stay sin-focused wants to linger around for too long:

What does the good news of the gospel have to say about your sin or trial? About the result and effects of Christ’s sacrifice for your sin? (Rom 5:6-8; 8:1)

What does the gospel seek to remind you about God’s plans for you? (Rom 8:28-29; Phil 1:6)

What does the gospel seek to tell us about practical help for right now so that change is possible? (Rom 6:22; Heb 4:15-16)

Questions like these are helpful in at least two ways:

First, these questions are good for encouraging your spouse to see and live in the mercy and grace of the gospel.

Second, these questions can provide clear indicators of where you can care for your spouse, if he or she is struggling to live in the good of the gospel.

The challenge for us is to not stay sin-focused. The reality is that we will sin against one another. We won't be perfect. We will always be progressing to do better. By allowing the grace of the Gospel to flavor our lives with the nourishing streams of forgiveness, we will fight bitter spirits and wicked tempers and, in the end, foster community in the home that is centered in Christ: who He is and what He's done for us. I hope you are encouraged to live in this way.

Weekend Preview - Melchizedek...

2011-08-23T06:00:00.000-05:00

This coming Lord's Day, we hope to start unpacking who this Melchizedek guy is and the significance he has for our understanding Jesus as our Great High Priest. I love what William Lane says about this chapter:

The value of Hebrews is that certain aspects of Jesus' high priestly ministry are set forth and developed for the first time in a manner which enables us to understand the significance of describing Jesus as priest, or high priest. In fact the heart of the sermon, which extends from Hebrews 7:1-10:18, is devoted to clarifying the high priestly office of Jesus.

Most Christians would affirm the three-fold offices of Jesus: prophet, priest and king. In the person of Melchizedek, we get a picture of the priestly king work of Jesus. For that reason alone, I hope you are encouraged to come and sink in the truth that God has for us in Hebrews 7. And this coming Lord's day, as we look at Hebrews 7:1-10, I hope your heart wells up in praise for God's good revelation to you.

Weekend Recap - Hoping in Promises

2011-08-22T06:00:00.000-05:00

My sermon from 8/21/11 entitled Promise from Hebrews 6:13-20 is online. It was a great morning for us to see the hope that is ours in Christ. The picture of Christ being our anchor for today and having our security tied to His work for us in the holy place behind the veil was pretty stunning. I hope the reality of this helps you live this week.

In the evening, we had an encouraging report from our Immanuel Mission Team (they traveled to Arizona from July 31-August 7. Here's the video from the Team:

All in all, we had a tremendous and amazing Lord's Day and I hope you were blessed as well.

Gospel Enemy: Persistent Guilt

2011-08-19T09:00:00.000-05:00

For the past few weeks, on Fridays, I've posted something related to the Gospel. 2 weeks ago, I wrote on the TGINL (Thank God I'm Not Like) phenomenon that can easily sweep into our souls. Last week, we looked at questions to see self-righteousness, since it is a Gospel-enemy.

Today, I again want to direct your attention to some questions, this time looking at what Jerry Bridges calls Persistent Guilt. Here are the questions that help diagnose this:

1) Are you painfully preoccupied with a particular habitual sin?2) Are you discouraged or depressed by your failure to measure up?3) Do you frequently experience anxiety that something's about to go wrong?4) Does it appear God can use others but not you?5) Is there something in your past you just can't seem to get over?6) Do you fear that your past will come back to haunt you?7) Do your difficult circumstances seem like God's judgment for your sin?8) Do you steer clear of intimate relationships or small-group discussion?9) When you sin, do you get a vague sense that somehow there'll be a price to pay?10) Do you seldom think of the cross. (from pp.56-57)

And, then, Bridges masterfully turns us to cross:

Only the life and death of Christ offers a legitimate path to freedom from a guilty conscience--legitimate because it was a real, lived-in-the-flesh, finished righteousness, applied to us, forever.

If you sense guilt may be nagging you, look to Jesus. As the song says, "When Satan tempts me to despair, and tells me of the guilt within, upward and look and see Him there, who made an end of the all my sin. Because the sinless Savior died, my sinful soul is counted free, for God the just is satisfied, to look on Him and pardon me." Look to Jesus and know freedom from persistent guilt.

Links on How Community Can Be Build In the Local Church...

2011-08-18T13:55:00.001-05:00

a friend recommended I look at some of these and I found others this week.

Harvest Bible Chapel's Culture of Community

Grace Fellowship Church's Culture of Community

Sojourn Church's Foundations for One Anothers

Other Churches to Consider

Tim Brister's Meditations on Grace Saturated Community

These are each great links over an issue that I'm thinking about a lot in these days. I hope you find them helpful.

Assessing the Damage

2011-08-17T09:00:00.000-05:00

It's sad to admit, but for many, marriage includes a lot of damage from the past. A recent statement released spoke of the damage that happens in marriages because of sin. Here's the summary:

The Fall introduced distortions inot the relationships between men and women.- In the home, the husband's loving, humble headship tends to be replaced by domination or passivity; the wife's intelligent, willing submission tends to be replaced by usurpation or servility.- In the church, sin inclines men toward a worldly love of power or an abdication of spiritual responsibility, and inclines women to resist limitations on their roles or to neglect the use of their gifts in appropriate ministries.

Therefore, today, won't you ask God to change your heart through the amazing message of the Gospel. It's there that you can find hurt for your past that affects your present and future.

Weekend Preview - Assurance in Promise of God

2011-08-16T09:00:00.004-05:00

This coming Lord's Day, we hope to look at Hebrews 6:13-20. This passage picks up where 5:10 left off, prepping us for the amazing truth we will consider in chapter 7. You might remember, though, that a firm issue was dealt with in 5:11-6:12 -- spiritual immaturity. In response to this, in 6:9-12, the writer gives them encouragement about what he sees in their lives. In Hebrews 6:13-20, then, we see:

What the writer is concerned to show is (1) the solemnity of God's promises; (2) His unchangeable character and, therefore, (3) the absolute certainty of His Word. This is really an explanation of the basis of the Christian's full assurance of hope. Having given these stern warnings, now he is going to explain on what basis a Christian may rightly have full assurance of the hope of the Lord Jesus Christ. (quote by Donald Guthrie)

I hope you will pray for this in your life this week and find it as we unearth God's Word this coming Lord's day.

Weekend Recap - Confidence

2011-08-15T10:34:00.002-05:00

Another weekend is in the books and we had a great one. I was coming off a 3 day/2 night retreat with our elders. We discussed 2012, future leaders, future plans, current visions and strategies and how we can be more effective in serving Crestview. Very good stuff.

On Sunday AM, my sermon Confidence came from Hebrews 6:9-12. The writer of Hebrews wrote to encourage these he had called out as spiritually immature by encouraging them to have confidence for the future based on how they lived today, not based on something in the past. Hope would be found as they rested in God's promises and continued to trust Christ. I hope the sermon was encouraging to you. It said much about encouragement, serving others and assurance of salvation.

In the evening, our church met in small groups. We continue to discuss Jerry Bridges book Respectable Sins. My group discussed ungodliness. We thought about ways that we can repent of this by centering more on God throughout our daily lives.

It was a full day and weekend and we're off on another one. Blessings to you as you seek to honor God in it.

Self Righteousness - Gospel Enemy...

2011-08-12T09:00:00.004-05:00

Last Friday I posted on TGINL, and how we tend to minimize the Gospel by being self-righteous. I get it. It's hard to recognize and see how self-righteous we've become. We all tend to give ourselves very favorable ratings in what's right. I was greatly helped then, this week, when I read over these questions again from Jerry Bridges' Bookends of the Christian Life.

When you analyze your Christian walk:1) Do you tend to live by a list of dos and don'ts?2) Is it difficult for you to respect those whose standards aren't as high as yours?3) Do you assume that practicing spiritual disciplines should result in God's blessing?4) Do you feel you're better than most other people?5) Has it been a long time since you identified a sin and repented of it?6) Do you resent it when others point out your "spiritual blind spots"?7) Do you readily recognize the sins of others but not your own?8) Do you have the sense that God owes you a good life?9) Do you get angry when difficulties and suffering come into your life?10) Do you seldom think of the cross?

Bridges concludes:

If you found yourself answering yes to at least half of these questions, it's likely you're living under the stronghold of self-righteousness toward God. You need to see this for what it really is -- a hideous enemy disguised as a satisfying glory. It will let you down and leave you hanging. Its satisfaction is as short-lived as an ice cube in the blazing sun; its glory has all the appeal of a well-dressed corpse. And at the end of the day this fact remains: no amount of personal performance will ever gain the approval of a holy God. (pp.49-50)

The remedy is to repent of our self-righteousness by depending on the finished work of Jesus Christ. We need to truth of the Gospel to saturate us in such a way that our living is informed by the Gospel, not by our self-righteous, religious performance. Run to Jesus today, He's your refuge and crushed your self-righteousness on the cross and through His resurrection.