Sam Storms has a tremendous study of Romans 14 online here. Here are couple o' quotes:
Christian liberty may legitimately manifest itself in abstinence or asceticism. Christian liberty includes the right to abstain from otherwise legitimate pursuits if one is convinced in his/her own mind that such is the will of God for them personally. In other words, you may fully believe in the truth of Rom. 14:14a, yet choose to abstain anyway. Christian liberty does not include the right to insist that others likewise abstain simply because you do. Far less does it include the right to judge them as sub-spiritual for choosing a different course of action from you.
If someone says to me: "Your drinking of wine is sin," should I cease? To answer the question we must first determine if the one who protests is a weaker brother. As we have seen, by weaker brother Paul is thinking of someone who not only has a misconception of what is inherently right and wrong, clean and unclean, but is actually himself induced or led to perform the action in question because of your participation. Paul is thinking of someone who is led to violate his own conscience because he is either untaught or excessively timid and fearful. His concern over your reaction to his abstinence leads him to do what his conscience forbids. This must be emphasized, because the person who protests your expression of liberty may be a legalist. Legalists are in no danger of violating their conscience! They are not in the least tempted to engage in the activity in question. Their aim is not simply to refrain from a specified activity, but to persuade you to refrain as well, often through intimidation, shame, guilt, etc. --Sam Storms
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
We Have a Great Physician!
Sin is the sickness of the soul, in itself mortal and incurable, as to any power in heaven or earth but that of the Lord Jesus only. But he is the great, the infallible Physician.
Have we the privilege to know his name?
Have we been enabled to put ourselves into his hand?
We have then no more to do but to attend his prescriptions, to be satisfied with his methods, and to wait his time. It is lawful to wish we were well; it is natural to groan, being burdened: but still he must and will take his own course with us; and, however dissatisfied with ourselves, we ought still to be thankful that he has begun his work in us, and to believe that he will also make an end. Therefore while we mourn, we should likewise rejoice; we should encourage ourselves to expect all that he has promised; and we should limit our expectations by his promises. --John Newton
..
Have we the privilege to know his name?
Have we been enabled to put ourselves into his hand?
We have then no more to do but to attend his prescriptions, to be satisfied with his methods, and to wait his time. It is lawful to wish we were well; it is natural to groan, being burdened: but still he must and will take his own course with us; and, however dissatisfied with ourselves, we ought still to be thankful that he has begun his work in us, and to believe that he will also make an end. Therefore while we mourn, we should likewise rejoice; we should encourage ourselves to expect all that he has promised; and we should limit our expectations by his promises. --John Newton
..
"Believers find within themselves contrary urgings."
Boy, that is the understatement of the year!
J.I. Packer's helpful overview of Sanctification is, as usual, helpful. Here are a few excerpts:
"The concept is not of sin being totally eradicated (that is to claim too much) or merely counteracted (that is to say too little), but of a divinely wrought character change freeing us from sinful habits and forming in us Christlike affections, dispositions, and virtues."
"God's method of sanctification is neither activism (self-reliant activity) nor apathy (God-reliant passivity), but God-dependent effort (2 Cor. 7:1; Phil. 3:10-14; Heb. 12:14)."
"Believers find within themselves contrary urgings."
Read the whole thing
J.I. Packer's helpful overview of Sanctification is, as usual, helpful. Here are a few excerpts:
"The concept is not of sin being totally eradicated (that is to claim too much) or merely counteracted (that is to say too little), but of a divinely wrought character change freeing us from sinful habits and forming in us Christlike affections, dispositions, and virtues."
"God's method of sanctification is neither activism (self-reliant activity) nor apathy (God-reliant passivity), but God-dependent effort (2 Cor. 7:1; Phil. 3:10-14; Heb. 12:14)."
"Believers find within themselves contrary urgings."
Read the whole thing
Secure in Christ
Justified believers enjoy a blessing far greater than a periodic approach to God or an occasional audience with the king. We are privileged to live in the temple and in the palace ... Our relationship with God, into which justification has brought us, is not sporadic but continuous, not precarious but secure. We do not fall in and out of grace like courtiers who may find themselves in and out of favour with their sovereign, or politicians with the public. No, we *stand* in it, for that is the nature of grace. Nothing can separate us from God's love (Rom. 8:38f.).
--John stott
--John stott
Monday, September 29, 2008
Obsessive Compulsive ORDER
People get better by obsessing on Jesus and his love…not by obsessing on their own sin and disobedience. That's what the cross is about, to wit, a covering for sin. So that's not the issue anymore. Not only that, the imputation of Christ's righteousness to our account is a gift beyond measure assuring that God's anger will never be directed at us again. --Steve Brown
That is neither the ultimate nor the whole truth about us
“The knowledge of our union with Christ provides us with great dignity. As I look at myself I see failure, sin, sometimes shame and disgrace. But that is neither the ultimate nor the whole truth about me as a Christian. No! I am united to Christ, a joint heir of his riches, a child of God. Knowing this to be the real truth about me lends grace and power to my life.”
Sinclair Ferguson
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Asparagus
I hate asparagus.
Intellectually I know that it is a part of God's creation. Intellectually I'm persuaded that asparagus is NOT sinful. But... functionally I cannot stand to be in the presence of asparagus.
When I see it on a menu or on the table my stomach does a little flip and encourages my body to run from the room.
I am not tempted to eat asparagus. I could be walking through an asparagus festival and not be tempted. There could be asparagus from all over the world. They could be serving it in every manner possible: fried asparagus, steamed, BBQ, raw, boiled, broiled, sautéed, blanched, roasted and I would not be tempted.
There could be my friends from all over the world and every stage of my life and I would not be tempted.
I do not want it in box i do not want it with a fox... I do NOT like asparagus!
Dear ones, I am not the weaker brother and my aversion to asparagus does not come under the "stumbling block" principle of Romans 14.
Paul is describing the "destruction of a brother". That is much MUCH more serious than my personal preferences, aversions, and convictions. He's describing someone who thinks to eat asparagus is a sin and is being tempted to go against his conscience. Going against conscience is like pushing a small snowball down a hill... it gets bigger.
.... developing...
(I'm not sure that asparagus was in the garden pre-Fall. Some scholars think it might be one of the weeds that entered upon the arrival of Sin.)
(I refuse to watch Veggie Tales b/c one of the characters was an asparagus.)
Intellectually I know that it is a part of God's creation. Intellectually I'm persuaded that asparagus is NOT sinful. But... functionally I cannot stand to be in the presence of asparagus.
When I see it on a menu or on the table my stomach does a little flip and encourages my body to run from the room.
I am not tempted to eat asparagus. I could be walking through an asparagus festival and not be tempted. There could be asparagus from all over the world. They could be serving it in every manner possible: fried asparagus, steamed, BBQ, raw, boiled, broiled, sautéed, blanched, roasted and I would not be tempted.
There could be my friends from all over the world and every stage of my life and I would not be tempted.
I do not want it in box i do not want it with a fox... I do NOT like asparagus!
Dear ones, I am not the weaker brother and my aversion to asparagus does not come under the "stumbling block" principle of Romans 14.
Paul is describing the "destruction of a brother". That is much MUCH more serious than my personal preferences, aversions, and convictions. He's describing someone who thinks to eat asparagus is a sin and is being tempted to go against his conscience. Going against conscience is like pushing a small snowball down a hill... it gets bigger.
.... developing...
(I'm not sure that asparagus was in the garden pre-Fall. Some scholars think it might be one of the weeds that entered upon the arrival of Sin.)
(I refuse to watch Veggie Tales b/c one of the characters was an asparagus.)
Saturday, September 27, 2008
How Shall We Then Listen?
Packer, leaning on Baxter, on how question:
How are we to hear sermons as the Word of God and benefit from them in our ongoing relationship with God? In his Christian Directory (1673) Richard Baxter addresses this question in a way that is worth quoting at some length.
How are we to hear sermons as the Word of God and benefit from them in our ongoing relationship with God? In his Christian Directory (1673) Richard Baxter addresses this question in a way that is worth quoting at some length.
More hereDirections for . . . Understanding the Word which you Hear.
I. Read and meditate on the holy Scriptures much in private, and then you will be the better able to understand what is preached on it in public, and to try that doctrine, whether it be of God . . .
II. Live under the clearest, [most]distinct, convincing teaching that you possibly can procure . . . . Ignorant teachers . . . are unlike[ly] to make you men of understanding; as erroneous teachers are unlike[ly] to make you orthodox and sound.
III. Come not to hear with a careless heart, . . . but come with a sense of the unspeakable weight, necessity, and consequence of the holy word which you are to hear: and when you understand how much you are concerned in it, and truly love it, as the word of life, it will greatly help your understanding of every particular truth . . . .
IV. Suffer not vain thoughts or drowsy negligence to hinder your attention . . . be as earnest and diligent in attending and learning, as you would have the preacher be in teaching . . .
VIII. Meditate on what you hear when you come home . . .
VI. Inquire, where you doubt, of those that can resolve and teach you. It showeth a careless mind, and a contempt of the word of God, in most people . . . that never come to ask the resolution of one doubt . . . though they have pastors . . . that have ability, and leisure, and willingness to help them.
Sunday's Offering Song
1. No more, my God, I boast no more
Of all the duties I have done;
I quit the hopes I held before,
To trust the merits of Thy Son
Chorus: No more my God,
No more my God,
No more my God,
I boast no more.
2. Now, for the loss I bear His name,
What was my gain I count my loss;
My former pride I call my shame,
And nail my glory to His cross.
(Repeat chorus)
Bridge: Yes, and I must and will esteem
All things but loss for Jesus’ sake;
O may my soul be found in Him,
And of His righteousness partake!
Dares not appear before Thy throne;
But faith can answer Thy demands,
By pleading what my Lord has done.
Friday, September 26, 2008
Here is an extended meditation on The Weaker Brother of Romans 14, which includes these quotes:
"Paul had compassion for those who were weaker brothers."
"It is one thing to receive the weaker brother (Rom 14:1) and quite another to allow his weakness to be imposed upon others as law (v. 4)."
"Paul had compassion for those who were weaker brothers."
"It is one thing to receive the weaker brother (Rom 14:1) and quite another to allow his weakness to be imposed upon others as law (v. 4)."
Christian Liberty, screwed up
The end of Christian liberty is not to smoke or drink; liberty is given for the pursuit of holiness. Those who wave the banner of Christian liberty so that they might do whatever they might want to do have not understood the doctrine of Christian liberty at all. The point is not to drink or smoke or dance according to our whims, in the light of our own wisdom, but to do whatever we do before the Lord, with the increase of joy and holiness obvious to all. Our guide on how this is done is the Bible, and not our pet church traditions. And this is why the mature may drink wine to the glory of God, and the same cannot be applied to young (or old!) men who may be more concerned about looking cool than being holy. --Doug Wilson
Teach It To our Hearts
we are attempting to help you soak in the wonderful & liberating truths of the gospel in a different way this Fall.
We are, in the context of our normal worship, lifting up one doctrine per month and seeking to help you see & savor the riches of that particular aspect of the work of Christ.
Schedule is:
Sept: Justification Oct.: Sanctification Nov: Adoption
Sunday we will state this portion of the Heidelberg Cat. together as part of our celebration of God's glorious gift of Christ:How are you righteous before God?
A. Only by true faith in Jesus Christ.
Although my conscience accuses me
that I have grievously sinned
against all God's commandments,
have never kept any of them,
and am still inclined to all evil,
yet God,
without any merit of my own,
out of mere grace,
imputes
to
me
the perfect satisfaction,
righteousness,
and holiness
of
Christ.
He grants these to me as if
I had never had nor committed any sin,
and as if I myself had accomplished all the obedience
which Christ has rendered for me,
if only I accept this gift with a believing heart.
Here is Hberg with Scripture proofs
--
Stumbling Block
a possible Scenario:
Joey is trusting Christ alone for His salvation. He loves Gator football. He has no problem enjoying the games and pageantry (and recruiting trail!) as a recreation/hobby kind of thing. He usually doesn't neglect his responsibilities and lose himself in the Gators.
Sam is trusting Christ alone for His salvation. He loves Gator football. He struggles mightily with going headlong into it. He's missed being with his church family the last 3 Sundays in worship because that is when Sunshine replays the game. Sam has just informed Joey that he might drop his Community Group because it comes on during the Urban Meyer mid-week radio call-in show.
Dan is trusting Christ alone for His salvation. He thinks Gator football is mindless and chooses to abstain totally. Dan's hobby is fast cars and rolls his eyes whenever talk of Gator football comes up. In fact, because he knows Sam is starting to drift... Dan is wondering if maybe everybody at church should swear-off Gator football.
How should Joey relate to Sam? to Dan?
How should Joey relate to Gator football?
How should Dan related to Sam? to Joey?
... developing
Joey is trusting Christ alone for His salvation. He loves Gator football. He has no problem enjoying the games and pageantry (and recruiting trail!) as a recreation/hobby kind of thing. He usually doesn't neglect his responsibilities and lose himself in the Gators.
Sam is trusting Christ alone for His salvation. He loves Gator football. He struggles mightily with going headlong into it. He's missed being with his church family the last 3 Sundays in worship because that is when Sunshine replays the game. Sam has just informed Joey that he might drop his Community Group because it comes on during the Urban Meyer mid-week radio call-in show.
Dan is trusting Christ alone for His salvation. He thinks Gator football is mindless and chooses to abstain totally. Dan's hobby is fast cars and rolls his eyes whenever talk of Gator football comes up. In fact, because he knows Sam is starting to drift... Dan is wondering if maybe everybody at church should swear-off Gator football.
How should Joey relate to Sam? to Dan?
How should Joey relate to Gator football?
How should Dan related to Sam? to Joey?
... developing
Jesus, I Come to Thee
Out of my shameful failure and loss,
Jesus, I come; Jesus, I come.
Into the glorious gain of Thy cross,
Jesus, I come to Thee.
Out of earth’s sorrows into Thy balm,
Out of life’s storms and into Thy calm,
Out of distress into jubilant psalm,
Jesus, I come to Thee. --William Sleeper
Jesus, I come; Jesus, I come.
Into the glorious gain of Thy cross,
Jesus, I come to Thee.
Out of earth’s sorrows into Thy balm,
Out of life’s storms and into Thy calm,
Out of distress into jubilant psalm,
Jesus, I come to Thee. --William Sleeper
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Christ Chokes the Poison In our Concience
When I know that Christ is the one real sacrifice for my sins, that His work on my behalf has been accepted by God, that He is my heavenly Intercessor-then His blood is the antidote to the poison in the voices that echo in my conscience, condemning me for my many failures. Indeed, Christ's shed blood chokes them into silence! --Sinclair Ferguson
A Christian is Defined by Desire
Were I to define a Christian, or rather to describe him at large, I know no text I would choose sooner as a ground for the subject than Gal. v. 17. A Christian has noble aims, which distinguish him from the bulk of mankind. His leading principles, motives, and desires, are all supernatural and divine. ---John Newton
more here
more here
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Spurgeon this morning!
I spent about 24 hours with 3 other pastor friends in a retreat type setting... lots of laughs and wonderful discussions. This morning one of the guys read Spurgeon's Morning for today to us. How wonderful it was to hear. And as I listened... I prayed that you--Christ Community-- would know your acceptance with God.
"Accepted in the beloved."
- Ephesians 1:6
What a state of privilege! It includes our justification before God, but
the term "acceptance" in the Greek means more than that. It signifies that
we are the objects of divine complacence, nay, even of divine delight. How
marvellous that we, worms, mortals, sinners, should be the objects of
divine love! But it is only "in the beloved." Some Christians seem to be
accepted in their own experience, at least, that is their apprehension.
When their spirit is lively, and their hopes bright, they think God
accepts them, for they feel so high, so heavenly-minded, so drawn above
the earth! But when their souls cleave to the dust, they are the victims
of the fear that they are no longer accepted. If they could but see that
all their high joys do not exalt them, and all their low despondencies do
not really depress them in their Father's sight, but that they stand
accepted in One who never alters, in One who is always the beloved of God,
always perfect, always without spot or wrinkle, or any such thing, how
much happier they would be, and how much more they would honour the
Saviour! Rejoice then, believer, in this: thou art accepted "in the
beloved." Thou lookest within, and thou sayest, "There is nothing
acceptable here!" But look at Christ, and see if there is not everything
acceptable there. Thy sins trouble thee; but God has cast thy sins behind
his back, and thou art accepted in the Righteous One. Thou hast to fight
with corruption, and to wrestle with temptation, but thou art already
accepted in him who has overcome the powers of evil. The devil tempts
thee; be of good cheer, he cannot destroy thee, for thou art accepted in
him who has broken Satan's head. Know by full assurance thy glorious
standing.
Even glorified souls are not more accepted than thou art.
"Accepted in the beloved."
- Ephesians 1:6
What a state of privilege! It includes our justification before God, but
the term "acceptance" in the Greek means more than that. It signifies that
we are the objects of divine complacence, nay, even of divine delight. How
marvellous that we, worms, mortals, sinners, should be the objects of
divine love! But it is only "in the beloved." Some Christians seem to be
accepted in their own experience, at least, that is their apprehension.
When their spirit is lively, and their hopes bright, they think God
accepts them, for they feel so high, so heavenly-minded, so drawn above
the earth! But when their souls cleave to the dust, they are the victims
of the fear that they are no longer accepted. If they could but see that
all their high joys do not exalt them, and all their low despondencies do
not really depress them in their Father's sight, but that they stand
accepted in One who never alters, in One who is always the beloved of God,
always perfect, always without spot or wrinkle, or any such thing, how
much happier they would be, and how much more they would honour the
Saviour! Rejoice then, believer, in this: thou art accepted "in the
beloved." Thou lookest within, and thou sayest, "There is nothing
acceptable here!" But look at Christ, and see if there is not everything
acceptable there. Thy sins trouble thee; but God has cast thy sins behind
his back, and thou art accepted in the Righteous One. Thou hast to fight
with corruption, and to wrestle with temptation, but thou art already
accepted in him who has overcome the powers of evil. The devil tempts
thee; be of good cheer, he cannot destroy thee, for thou art accepted in
him who has broken Satan's head. Know by full assurance thy glorious
standing.
Even glorified souls are not more accepted than thou art.
Monday, September 22, 2008
No Curtain There
These are words that grabbed me this morning (while using the kneelers at QofPeace)
In this most Holy Place
He's made a sacred space
For those who will enter in
And trust to cry out to Him;
You'll find no curtain there,
No reason left for fear;
There's perfect freedom here
To weep every unwept tear. --Michael Card
In this most Holy Place
He's made a sacred space
For those who will enter in
And trust to cry out to Him;
You'll find no curtain there,
No reason left for fear;
There's perfect freedom here
To weep every unwept tear. --Michael Card
Sunday, September 21, 2008
She Must.... and SHALL
Mercy Speaks by Jesus' Blood
1. Mercy speaks by Jesus’ blood;
Hear and sing, ye sons of God;
Justice satisfied indeed;
Christ has full atonement made.
2. Jesus’ blood speaks loud and sweet;
Here all Deity can meet,
And, without a jarring voice,
Welcome Zion to rejoice,
Welcome Zion to rejoice.
Chorus: “All her debts were cast on Me,
And she must and shall go free.
All her debts were cast on Me,
And she must and shall go free.”
3. Peace of conscience, peace with God,
We obtain through Jesus’ blood;
Jesus’ blood speaks solid rest;
We believe, and we are blest.
We believe, and we are blest.
(Repeat chorus)
Bridge: Should the law against her roar,
Jesus’ blood still speaks with power,
“All her debts were cast on Me,
And she must and shall go free.
She must and shall go free.”
(Repeat chorus twice)
Tag: “And she must and shall go free,
And she must and shall go free,
And she must and shall go free.”
©2002 Niphon Music (ASCAP) /
Same Old dress Music, Inc. (ASCAP).
Saturday, September 20, 2008
quotes on liberty
"Is it more wrong to allow what God prohibits, or to prohibit what God allows?"
--Bryan Chapell, online here
(his page 120 looks golden)
“When, in an effort to ‘err on the side of caution,’ we forbid what God allows, then we actually break the commandment against creating other gods. We put ourselves in God’s position when we forbid what we cannot prove God prohibits. Before we use our positions to control others’ lives and decisions, we had best be very sure of our biblical grounds for doing so.” --Bryan Chapell, Holiness by Grace, p.120
--Bryan Chapell, online here
(his page 120 looks golden)
don’t teach me about politics and government
just tell me who to vote for
don’t teach me about truth and beauty
just label my music
don’t teach me how to live like a free man
just give me a new law -- derek webb, hear the song here
“When, in an effort to ‘err on the side of caution,’ we forbid what God allows, then we actually break the commandment against creating other gods. We put ourselves in God’s position when we forbid what we cannot prove God prohibits. Before we use our positions to control others’ lives and decisions, we had best be very sure of our biblical grounds for doing so.” --Bryan Chapell, Holiness by Grace, p.120
My Neighbor Has One Law-Giver... t'ain't me!
Growing up in Mississippi there was a conjunction that many rising from less civilized cultures don't understand. It is actually a double conjunction, come to think of it
'T'ain't
Def: It is not. Derives from the phrase "It ain't"..... T'ain't
'tain't or tain't (t
nt)
; for it does belongs not to you to prescribe to him (your neighbor) what to do and what not to do, nor is it necessary for him to live according to your law." --John Calvin, on Romans 14
more on the importance of liberty of conscience from John Calvin:
...we are not bound before God to any observance of external things which are in themselves indifferent, ("adiafora") but that we are now at full liberty either to use or omit them. The knowledge of this liberty is very necessary to us; where it is wanting our consciences will have no rest, there will be no end of superstition. In the present day many think us absurd in raising a question as to the free eating of flesh, the free use of dress and holidays, and similar frivolous trifles, as they think them; but they are of more importance than is commonly supposed. For when once the conscience is entangled in the net, it enters a long and inextricable labyrinth, from which it is afterwards most difficult to escape. When a man begins to doubt whether it is lawful for him to use linen for sheets, shirts, napkins, and handkerchiefs, he will not long be secure as to hemp, and will at last have doubts as to tow; for he will revolve in his mind whether he cannot sup without napkins, or dispense with handkerchiefs. Should he deem a daintier food unlawful, he will afterwards feel uneasy for using loafbread and common eatables, because he will think that his body might possibly be supported on a still meaner food. If he hesitates as to a more genial wine, he will scarcely drink the worst with a good conscience; at last he will not dare to touch water if more than usually sweet and pure. In fine, he will come to this, that he will deem it criminal to trample on a straw lying in his way. For it is no trivial dispute that is here commenced, the point in debate being, whether the use of this thing or that is in accordance with the divine will, which ought to take precedence of all our acts and counsels. Here some must by despair be hurried into an abyss, while others, despising God and casting off his fear, will not be able to make a way for themselves without ruin. When men are involved in such doubts whatever be the direction in which they turn, every thing they see must offend their conscience. --John Calvin
and just to make sure he calls BOTH sides of our heart--the legalist & the licentious-- to repentance
It is, however, to be carefully observed, that Christian liberty is in all its parts a spiritual matter, the whole force of which consists in giving peace to trembling consciences, whether they are anxious and disquieted as to the forgiveness of sins, or as to whether their imperfect works, polluted by the infirmities of the flesh, are pleasing to God, or are perplexed as to the use of things indifferent. It is, therefore, perversely interpreted by those who use it as a cloak for their lusts, that they may licentiously abuse the good gifts of God, or who think there is no liberty unless it is used in the presence of men, and, accordingly, in using it pay no regard to their weak brethren. Under this head, the sins of the present age are more numerous. For there is scarcely any one whose means allow him to live sumptuously, who does not delight in feasting, and dress, and the luxurious grandeur of his house, who wishes not to surpass his neighbor in every kind of delicacy, and does not plume himself amazingly on his splendor. And all these things are defended under the pretext of Christian liberty. They say they are things indifferent: I admit it, provided they are used indifferently. But when they are too eagerly longed for, when they are proudly boasted of, when they are indulged in luxurious profusion, things which otherwise were in themselves lawful are certainly defiled by these vices.
here is extended stuff from Calvin on liberty of conscience
'T'ain't
Def: It is not. Derives from the phrase "It ain't"..... T'ain't
'tain't or tain't (t
nt) Nonstandard
Contraction of it ain't.
OK... this could go on forever... the point here is that people have one Lawgiver and Judge and that is God alone. He must rule my neighbor's conscience (and mine!).
OK... this could go on forever... the point here is that people have one Lawgiver and Judge and that is God alone. He must rule my neighbor's conscience (and mine!).
; for it does belongs not to you to prescribe to him (your neighbor) what to do and what not to do, nor is it necessary for him to live according to your law." --John Calvin, on Romans 14
more on the importance of liberty of conscience from John Calvin:
...we are not bound before God to any observance of external things which are in themselves indifferent, ("adiafora") but that we are now at full liberty either to use or omit them. The knowledge of this liberty is very necessary to us; where it is wanting our consciences will have no rest, there will be no end of superstition. In the present day many think us absurd in raising a question as to the free eating of flesh, the free use of dress and holidays, and similar frivolous trifles, as they think them; but they are of more importance than is commonly supposed. For when once the conscience is entangled in the net, it enters a long and inextricable labyrinth, from which it is afterwards most difficult to escape. When a man begins to doubt whether it is lawful for him to use linen for sheets, shirts, napkins, and handkerchiefs, he will not long be secure as to hemp, and will at last have doubts as to tow; for he will revolve in his mind whether he cannot sup without napkins, or dispense with handkerchiefs. Should he deem a daintier food unlawful, he will afterwards feel uneasy for using loafbread and common eatables, because he will think that his body might possibly be supported on a still meaner food. If he hesitates as to a more genial wine, he will scarcely drink the worst with a good conscience; at last he will not dare to touch water if more than usually sweet and pure. In fine, he will come to this, that he will deem it criminal to trample on a straw lying in his way. For it is no trivial dispute that is here commenced, the point in debate being, whether the use of this thing or that is in accordance with the divine will, which ought to take precedence of all our acts and counsels. Here some must by despair be hurried into an abyss, while others, despising God and casting off his fear, will not be able to make a way for themselves without ruin. When men are involved in such doubts whatever be the direction in which they turn, every thing they see must offend their conscience. --John Calvin
and just to make sure he calls BOTH sides of our heart--the legalist & the licentious-- to repentance
It is, however, to be carefully observed, that Christian liberty is in all its parts a spiritual matter, the whole force of which consists in giving peace to trembling consciences, whether they are anxious and disquieted as to the forgiveness of sins, or as to whether their imperfect works, polluted by the infirmities of the flesh, are pleasing to God, or are perplexed as to the use of things indifferent. It is, therefore, perversely interpreted by those who use it as a cloak for their lusts, that they may licentiously abuse the good gifts of God, or who think there is no liberty unless it is used in the presence of men, and, accordingly, in using it pay no regard to their weak brethren. Under this head, the sins of the present age are more numerous. For there is scarcely any one whose means allow him to live sumptuously, who does not delight in feasting, and dress, and the luxurious grandeur of his house, who wishes not to surpass his neighbor in every kind of delicacy, and does not plume himself amazingly on his splendor. And all these things are defended under the pretext of Christian liberty. They say they are things indifferent: I admit it, provided they are used indifferently. But when they are too eagerly longed for, when they are proudly boasted of, when they are indulged in luxurious profusion, things which otherwise were in themselves lawful are certainly defiled by these vices.
here is extended stuff from Calvin on liberty of conscience
Richard Baxter's "A Christian Directory"
I have a borrow-able copy of this huge tome, which was highlighted in y'days Wstminster email.
Friday, September 19, 2008
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Groaning in Romans 8
Our groans express both present pain and future longing. Some Christians, however, grin too much (they seem to have no place in their theology for pain) and groan too little.
--John Stott, more here
--John Stott, more here
The Heart of the Gospel
Elyse Fitzpatrick in an interview (re: Because He Loves Me): “Simply put, I think that this is the most important book I’ve written because I’m finally writing about the One who is preeminent, Jesus Christ. I feel like much of my life has been spent pursuing godliness and encouraging others to do so while leaving Jesus behind. Not that I didn’t love him, just that I didn’t see how relevant he is to everything in my daily life.
“I can’t imagine ever writing on anything else again because once you’ve reached the pinnacle of God’s work in the world, what else is there to say? I’ve spent a good part of a year confining my thinking and reading (when not being silly or reading fiction!) to one topic: God’s love for us in Christ, and it’s transformed my heart. I can see how it’s been so easy for me to gloss over God’s love and move on to my responsibility, and I can see how deeply wrong that is.God loves us in Christ!
God
loves
us
in
Christ
God
loves
us
in
Christ
Best 5 minutes on 4 letter words i've seen...
I love Paul Tripp. He speaks and writes Scripture truths in a fresh way. I've linked here many times to his meditations on Psalm 51 which are so Christ-filled and grace-giving and make me desire holiness & wholeness. Well, now he gives a hilarious and thought-provoking recounting of a talk he had with his children years ago.
Take the Mess That Your Life Is... take it to God
In a sermon on Hannah's Prayer, Tim Keller says of Hannah (and recommends to us) :
"She decided :
to reject the cultural hope offered her
to reject the psychological hope offered her
to reject the cultural hope
to reject the "husband" hope
and instead...
She is going to take the big mess that her life is and take it to God and process it in prayer and resolve it there... IN HIS PRESENCE WITH HIM! She gets healed there after years of suffering.
Only God can turn a heart that experiences a life of roaring agony into a heart of peace.
--Tim Keller, in sermon titled "The Prayer for David" (slightly altered by RP to capture the difference between verbal & written)
this is at 16:00 mark
"She decided :
to reject the cultural hope offered her
to reject the psychological hope offered her
to reject the cultural hope
to reject the "husband" hope
and instead...
She is going to take the big mess that her life is and take it to God and process it in prayer and resolve it there... IN HIS PRESENCE WITH HIM! She gets healed there after years of suffering.
Only God can turn a heart that experiences a life of roaring agony into a heart of peace.
--Tim Keller, in sermon titled "The Prayer for David" (slightly altered by RP to capture the difference between verbal & written)
this is at 16:00 mark
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Watch it twice if need be
This is a 2 and a half minute explanation of an important portion of JUSTIFICATION, namely the imputed righteousness of Christ. Sinclair Ferguson is one of my favorite preacher/teachers... and the Scottish accent is awesome.
Why watch it twice, or 4 times... because nothing is more important than knowing that you can approach the throne of grace... ALWAYS... because you have Christ's righteousness. You really do.
Why watch it twice, or 4 times... because nothing is more important than knowing that you can approach the throne of grace... ALWAYS... because you have Christ's righteousness. You really do.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
He ever lives above, for you to intercede
Arise, my soul, arise; shake off thy guilty fears;
The bleeding sacrifice in my behalf appears:
Before the throne my surety stands,
Before the throne my surety stands,
My name is written on His hands.
He ever lives above, for me to intercede;
His all redeeming love, His precious blood, to plead:
His blood atoned for Adam's race,
His blood atoned for Adam's race,
And sprinkles now the throne of grace. --Charles Wesley
In addition to what Jesus is in Himself, there is the encouragement to repair to Him growing out of the covenant relations He sustains to His people. Apart from His ever-loving heart, kindly disposition, and sympathizing nature, Jesus is your Brother, your Friend, your Goel, next of kin. As a Brother, He knows the need of His brethren in adversity; as a Friend, He showeth Himself friendly; and as next of kin, He has redeemed your soul, and bought back your lapsed inheritance. Nay, more, He is your Advocate in heaven, your Intercessor at the right hand of God, your Representative, having ascended up on high to take possession of heaven on your behalf, and to prepare a place for you. Upon His heart He wears your name—a precious pearl in the priestly breastplate. And there is not a moment of time, nor an event of life, nor a circumstance of daily history, nor a mental or spiritual emotion, in which you are not borne upon the love, and remembered in the ceaseless intercession of Christ. --Octavius Winslow
Before the throne of God above
I have a strong and perfect plea.
A great high Priest whose Name is Love
Who ever lives and pleads for me.
My name is graven on His hands,
My name is written on His heart.
I know that while in heaven He stands
No tongue can bid me thence depart.
When Satan tempts me to despair
And tells me of the guilt within,
Upward I look and see Him there
Who made an end of 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.
Behold Him there the risen Lamb,
My perfect spotless righteousness,
The great unchangeable I am,
King of glory and of grace,
One in Himself I cannot die.
My soul is purchased by His blood,
My life is hid with Christ on high,
With Christ my Savior and my God!
-Charitie Bancroft, 1863
The bleeding sacrifice in my behalf appears:
Before the throne my surety stands,
Before the throne my surety stands,
My name is written on His hands.
He ever lives above, for me to intercede;
His all redeeming love, His precious blood, to plead:
His blood atoned for Adam's race,
His blood atoned for Adam's race,
And sprinkles now the throne of grace. --Charles Wesley
In addition to what Jesus is in Himself, there is the encouragement to repair to Him growing out of the covenant relations He sustains to His people. Apart from His ever-loving heart, kindly disposition, and sympathizing nature, Jesus is your Brother, your Friend, your Goel, next of kin. As a Brother, He knows the need of His brethren in adversity; as a Friend, He showeth Himself friendly; and as next of kin, He has redeemed your soul, and bought back your lapsed inheritance. Nay, more, He is your Advocate in heaven, your Intercessor at the right hand of God, your Representative, having ascended up on high to take possession of heaven on your behalf, and to prepare a place for you. Upon His heart He wears your name—a precious pearl in the priestly breastplate. And there is not a moment of time, nor an event of life, nor a circumstance of daily history, nor a mental or spiritual emotion, in which you are not borne upon the love, and remembered in the ceaseless intercession of Christ. --Octavius Winslow
Before the throne of God above
I have a strong and perfect plea.
A great high Priest whose Name is Love
Who ever lives and pleads for me.
My name is graven on His hands,
My name is written on His heart.
I know that while in heaven He stands
No tongue can bid me thence depart.
When Satan tempts me to despair
And tells me of the guilt within,
Upward I look and see Him there
Who made an end of 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.
Behold Him there the risen Lamb,
My perfect spotless righteousness,
The great unchangeable I am,
King of glory and of grace,
One in Himself I cannot die.
My soul is purchased by His blood,
My life is hid with Christ on high,
With Christ my Savior and my God!
-Charitie Bancroft, 1863
Our Divine Warrior Fights for Us... His People!
Monday, September 15, 2008
A Puritan Prayer
Thy Word is full of promises,
flowers of sweet fragrance,
fruit of refreshing flavor... when culled by faith.
May I be made rich in its riches,
be strong in its power,
be happy in its joy,
abide in its sweetness,
feast on its preciousness,
draw vigor from its manna.
Lord, increase my faith.
--Valley of Vision, Faith & The World
flowers of sweet fragrance,
fruit of refreshing flavor... when culled by faith.
May I be made rich in its riches,
be strong in its power,
be happy in its joy,
abide in its sweetness,
feast on its preciousness,
draw vigor from its manna.
Lord, increase my faith.
--Valley of Vision, Faith & The World
He Fights Against Evil For Us
The Lord is a warrior
The Lord is mighty in battle
The Lord is a warrior
The Lord of hosts is He
My Lord is a fortress
He is a Sun and a Shield
The Lord is a Deliverer
To those who put their trust in Him
He gives strength unto His people
He guards His own with His Right Hand
The Angel of the Lord camps around the ones who fear Him
And delivers them --Caedmon's call ???
The Lord is mighty in battle
The Lord is a warrior
The Lord of hosts is He
My Lord is a fortress
He is a Sun and a Shield
The Lord is a Deliverer
To those who put their trust in Him
He gives strength unto His people
He guards His own with His Right Hand
The Angel of the Lord camps around the ones who fear Him
And delivers them --Caedmon's call ???
Streams of Living Water
Here consecrated water flows
To quench my thirst of sin
Here the fair tree of knowledge grows,
No danger dwells within.
(Watts & McCracken again!) read the whole hymn, Laden with Guilt & Full of Fears
To quench my thirst of sin
Here the fair tree of knowledge grows,
No danger dwells within.
(Watts & McCracken again!) read the whole hymn, Laden with Guilt & Full of Fears
What is your "Best Obedience"
i have been looking and listening and lingering on songs that teach & celebrate justification.... because we are trying to exalt the justifying work of our Triune God during September worship (and oh by the way, my weary heart needs it!)
Today I was moved by an Isaac Watts hymn (that the majician Sandra McCracken redid) called I Boast No More. It contains this image:
The best obedience of my hands
Dares not appear before Thy throne
And one of the questions that help me know the answer to this emerges:
"How do i know when i am beginning to "GET" justification?" How will i know if it is impacting me?
Well, think of something you've done or resisted doing. Seriously, what do people bring up to celebrate your spirituality? "You led that person to Christ".... "you are such a person of prayer"... "you reached out to me in love when I was hurting"... "you are always there when we need somebody"... "you are so bold in your evangelism"... "you helped me understand theology, even justification".... etc etc
Well... can you say, with Watts
"I would never consider bringing that with me when I stand before God."
If Christ is liberating you with the glorious news that HE IS YOUR RIGHTEOUSNESS and in Him you are GLORIOUSLY COMPLETE... you'll be free to know and feel:
The best obedience of my hands
Dares not appear before Thy throne
Whole song here
.
Today I was moved by an Isaac Watts hymn (that the majician Sandra McCracken redid) called I Boast No More. It contains this image:
The best obedience of my hands
Dares not appear before Thy throne
And one of the questions that help me know the answer to this emerges:
"How do i know when i am beginning to "GET" justification?" How will i know if it is impacting me?
Well, think of something you've done or resisted doing. Seriously, what do people bring up to celebrate your spirituality? "You led that person to Christ".... "you are such a person of prayer"... "you reached out to me in love when I was hurting"... "you are always there when we need somebody"... "you are so bold in your evangelism"... "you helped me understand theology, even justification".... etc etc
Well... can you say, with Watts
"I would never consider bringing that with me when I stand before God."
If Christ is liberating you with the glorious news that HE IS YOUR RIGHTEOUSNESS and in Him you are GLORIOUSLY COMPLETE... you'll be free to know and feel:
The best obedience of my hands
Dares not appear before Thy throne
Whole song here
.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Friday, September 12, 2008
( by Preaching he means on sunday by a preacher to a crowd or tuesday by a normal Christian to a friend... and--i think--the way we talk to our children about being right with God! )
The true preaching of the gospel of salvation by grace alone always leads to the possibility of this charge being brought against it. 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. If my preaching and presentation of the gospel of salvation does not expose it to that misunderstanding, then it is not the gospel. Let me show you what I mean.
If a man preaches justification by works, no one would ever raise this question. If a man’s preaching is, ‘If you want to be Christians, and if you want to go to heaven, you must stop committing sins, you must take up good works, and if you do so regularly and constantly, and do not fail to keep on at it, you will make yourselves Christians, you will reconcile yourselves to God and you will go to heaven’. Obviously a man who preaches in that strain would never be liable to this misunderstanding. Nobody would say to such a man, ‘Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?’, because the man’s whole emphasis is just this, that if you go on sinning you are certain to be damned, and only if you stop sinning can you save yourselves. So that misunderstanding could never arise . . . . . .
Nobody has ever brought this charge against the Church of Rome, but it was brought frequently against Martin Luther; indeed that was precisely what the Church of Rome said about the preaching of Martin Luther. They said, ‘This man who was a priest has changed the doctrine in order to justify his own marriage and his own lust’, and so on. ‘This man’, they said, ‘is an antinomian; and that is heresy.’ That is the very charge they brought against him. It was also brought George Whitfield two hundred years ago. It is the charge that formal dead Christianity – if there is such a thing – has always brought against this startling, staggering message, that God ‘justifies the ungodly’ . . .
That is my comment and it is a very important comment for preachers. I would say to all preachers: If your preaching of salvation has not been misunderstood in that way, then you had better examine your sermons again, and you had better make sure that you are really preaching the salvation that is offered in the New Testament to the ungodly, the sinner, to those who are dead in trespasses and sins, to those who are enemies of God. There is this kind of dangerous element about the true presentation of the doctrine of salvation.
This is from Lloyd-Jones commentary on Romans 6, pp 8-9, and was quoted by Chuck Swindoll in his book The Grace Awakening, pp. 39-40.
The true preaching of the gospel of salvation by grace alone always leads to the possibility of this charge being brought against it. 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. If my preaching and presentation of the gospel of salvation does not expose it to that misunderstanding, then it is not the gospel. Let me show you what I mean.
If a man preaches justification by works, no one would ever raise this question. If a man’s preaching is, ‘If you want to be Christians, and if you want to go to heaven, you must stop committing sins, you must take up good works, and if you do so regularly and constantly, and do not fail to keep on at it, you will make yourselves Christians, you will reconcile yourselves to God and you will go to heaven’. Obviously a man who preaches in that strain would never be liable to this misunderstanding. Nobody would say to such a man, ‘Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?’, because the man’s whole emphasis is just this, that if you go on sinning you are certain to be damned, and only if you stop sinning can you save yourselves. So that misunderstanding could never arise . . . . . .
Nobody has ever brought this charge against the Church of Rome, but it was brought frequently against Martin Luther; indeed that was precisely what the Church of Rome said about the preaching of Martin Luther. They said, ‘This man who was a priest has changed the doctrine in order to justify his own marriage and his own lust’, and so on. ‘This man’, they said, ‘is an antinomian; and that is heresy.’ That is the very charge they brought against him. It was also brought George Whitfield two hundred years ago. It is the charge that formal dead Christianity – if there is such a thing – has always brought against this startling, staggering message, that God ‘justifies the ungodly’ . . .
That is my comment and it is a very important comment for preachers. I would say to all preachers: If your preaching of salvation has not been misunderstood in that way, then you had better examine your sermons again, and you had better make sure that you are really preaching the salvation that is offered in the New Testament to the ungodly, the sinner, to those who are dead in trespasses and sins, to those who are enemies of God. There is this kind of dangerous element about the true presentation of the doctrine of salvation.
This is from Lloyd-Jones commentary on Romans 6, pp 8-9, and was quoted by Chuck Swindoll in his book The Grace Awakening, pp. 39-40.
Sunday Vows When We Ordain Deacons
Vows of Deacons
1. Do you believe the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, as
originally given, to be the inerrant Word of God, the only
infallible rule of faith and practice?
2. Do you sincerely receive and adopt the Confession of Faith and
the Catechisms of this Church, as containing the system of
doctrine taught in the Holy Scriptures; and do you further
promise that if at any time you find yourself out of accord with
any of the fundamentals of this system of doctrine, you will, on
your own initiative, make known to your Session the change
which has taken place in your views since the assumption of this
ordination vow?
3. Do you approve of the form of government and discipline of the
Presbyterian Church in America, in conformity with the general
principles of biblical polity?
4. Do you accept the office of deacon, as the case
in this church, and promise faithfully to perform all the
duties thereof, and to endeavor by the grace of God to adorn the
profession of the Gospel in your life, and to set a worthy example
before the Church of which God has made you an officer?
5. Do you promise subjection to your brethren in the Lord?
6. Do you promise to strive for the purity, peace, unity and
e dification of the Church?
Vows of Congregation:
Do you, the members of this church, acknowledge and
receive this brother as a or deacon, and do you
promise to yield him all that honor, encouragement and
obedience in the Lord to which his office, according to the Word
of God and the Constitution of this Church, entitles him?
1. Do you believe the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, as
originally given, to be the inerrant Word of God, the only
infallible rule of faith and practice?
2. Do you sincerely receive and adopt the Confession of Faith and
the Catechisms of this Church, as containing the system of
doctrine taught in the Holy Scriptures; and do you further
promise that if at any time you find yourself out of accord with
any of the fundamentals of this system of doctrine, you will, on
your own initiative, make known to your Session the change
which has taken place in your views since the assumption of this
ordination vow?
3. Do you approve of the form of government and discipline of the
Presbyterian Church in America, in conformity with the general
principles of biblical polity?
4. Do you accept the office of deacon, as the case
in this church, and promise faithfully to perform all the
duties thereof, and to endeavor by the grace of God to adorn the
profession of the Gospel in your life, and to set a worthy example
before the Church of which God has made you an officer?
5. Do you promise subjection to your brethren in the Lord?
6. Do you promise to strive for the purity, peace, unity and
e dification of the Church?
Vows of Congregation:
Do you, the members of this church, acknowledge and
receive this brother as a or deacon, and do you
promise to yield him all that honor, encouragement and
obedience in the Lord to which his office, according to the Word
of God and the Constitution of this Church, entitles him?
Heidelberg Catechism on Justification
60. Q. How are you righteous before God?
A. Only by true faith in Jesus Christ.[1] Although my conscience accuses me that I have grievously sinned against all God's commandments, have never kept any of them,[2] and am still inclined to all evil,[3] yet God, without any merit of my own,[4] out of mere grace,[5] imputes to me the perfect satisfaction, righteousness, and holiness of Christ.[6] He grants these to me as if I had never had nor committed any sin, and as if I myself had accomplished all the obedience which Christ has rendered for me,[7] if only I accept this gift with a believing heart.[8]
[1] Rom. 3:21-28; Gal. 2:16; Eph. 2:8, 9; Phil. 3:8-11. [2] Rom. 3:9, 10. [3] Rom. 7:23. [4] Deut. 9:6; Ezek. 36:22; Tit. 3:4, 5. [5] Rom. 3:24; Eph. 2:8. [6] Rom. 4:3-5; II Cor. 5:17-19; I John 2:1, 2. [7] Rom. 4:24, 25; II Cor. 5:21. [8] John 3:18; Acts 16:30, 31; Rom. 3:22.
61. Q. Why do you say that you are righteous only by faith?
A. Not that I am acceptable to God on account of the worthiness of my faith, for only the satisfaction, righteousness, and holiness of Christ is my righteousness before God.[1] I can receive this righteousness and make it mine my own by faith only.[2]
[1] I Cor. 1:30, 31; 2:2. [2] Rom. 10:10; I John 5:10-12.
62. Q. But why can our good works not be our righteousness before God, or at least a part of it?
A. Because the righteousness which can stand before God's judgment must be absolutely perfect and in complete agreement with the law of God,[1] whereas even our best works in this life are all imperfect and defiled with sin.[2]
[1] Deut. 27:26; Gal. 3:10. [2] Is. 64:6.
63. Q. But do our good works earn nothing, even though God promises to reward them in this life and the next?
A. This reward is not earned[1]; it is a gift of grace.[2]
[1] Matt. 5:12; Heb. 11:6. [2] Luke 17:10; II Tim. 4:7, 8.
A. Only by true faith in Jesus Christ.[1] Although my conscience accuses me that I have grievously sinned against all God's commandments, have never kept any of them,[2] and am still inclined to all evil,[3] yet God, without any merit of my own,[4] out of mere grace,[5] imputes to me the perfect satisfaction, righteousness, and holiness of Christ.[6] He grants these to me as if I had never had nor committed any sin, and as if I myself had accomplished all the obedience which Christ has rendered for me,[7] if only I accept this gift with a believing heart.[8]
[1] Rom. 3:21-28; Gal. 2:16; Eph. 2:8, 9; Phil. 3:8-11. [2] Rom. 3:9, 10. [3] Rom. 7:23. [4] Deut. 9:6; Ezek. 36:22; Tit. 3:4, 5. [5] Rom. 3:24; Eph. 2:8. [6] Rom. 4:3-5; II Cor. 5:17-19; I John 2:1, 2. [7] Rom. 4:24, 25; II Cor. 5:21. [8] John 3:18; Acts 16:30, 31; Rom. 3:22.
61. Q. Why do you say that you are righteous only by faith?
A. Not that I am acceptable to God on account of the worthiness of my faith, for only the satisfaction, righteousness, and holiness of Christ is my righteousness before God.[1] I can receive this righteousness and make it mine my own by faith only.[2]
[1] I Cor. 1:30, 31; 2:2. [2] Rom. 10:10; I John 5:10-12.
62. Q. But why can our good works not be our righteousness before God, or at least a part of it?
A. Because the righteousness which can stand before God's judgment must be absolutely perfect and in complete agreement with the law of God,[1] whereas even our best works in this life are all imperfect and defiled with sin.[2]
[1] Deut. 27:26; Gal. 3:10. [2] Is. 64:6.
63. Q. But do our good works earn nothing, even though God promises to reward them in this life and the next?
A. This reward is not earned[1]; it is a gift of grace.[2]
[1] Matt. 5:12; Heb. 11:6. [2] Luke 17:10; II Tim. 4:7, 8.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Sunday will be a hot one, wear whatever
Sunday when we meet at our property for worship at 10am, feel free to dress comfortably.
A Great Day
CBS has announced as expected that Florida-Tennessee will be a 3:30 p.m. game on the network.
This means that your Saturday September 20 could look like this:
8:00am til noon.... mission to Gainesville... serve with our church family at locations around town
3:30 watch game
Tuesday, September 09, 2008
“If we took Grace too seriously especially the doctrine of election it would undermine our only basis for pursuing a holy life, fear of punishment and hope of rewards.”- John Wesley
“but isn’t that [to the Wesley quote above] a selfish motivation for the Christian life? That has always been the fear, “Too much grace it will throw a wrench in the whole process of Christian growth.” But the scriptures insist that a legalistic view of the Christian life is what leads us right back to fear and bondage. Since the law, though good in it of itself could never give us the power to perform what it commands; the gospel not only reconciles us to God in the first place. It’s the only fuel we have to keep us going in the process of sanctification. Therefore gratitude not fear of punishment or hope of reward is the only proper basis for pursuing a holy and God glorifying existence. Folks, if our salvation depended on us for one moment even in the slightest degree, we would eventually either become self-righteous, pretending that we were actually pulling it off, or we would despair of ever knowing whether God really accepted us. How could we possibly love God and serve our neighbor freely if we were still caught up in the saving of our own skin.”- The Intro to Guilt, Grace, Gratitude on the White Horse Inn
Benedictine Monks
When I'm in the middle of lots of noise and want to find a cave in which to pray... the chanting of monks gets me there...
Larry Crabb:
My brother, Bill, died in a plane crash eight years ago, and I had cancer two years ago. Both of those events made me realize that in the core of my soul, there’s a profound loneliness. When you’re hurting as bad as I did over Bill’s death, and you’re as scared as I was when I heard the word cancer thrown at me by the doctor [even though my wonderful wife, two sons, and very
close friends were incredibly involved with me in both tragedies], there’s a part of the soul no other person can touch—even the best person in the world just can’t touch a part of it. In the loneliness of that suffering, I became aware that God is not a doctor, but he’s a person, and that I don’t know him very well. Both of those events led me to say that at the core of my soul, something is wrong and something is missing that psychology can’t touch. It’s got to be God.
My brother, Bill, died in a plane crash eight years ago, and I had cancer two years ago. Both of those events made me realize that in the core of my soul, there’s a profound loneliness. When you’re hurting as bad as I did over Bill’s death, and you’re as scared as I was when I heard the word cancer thrown at me by the doctor [even though my wonderful wife, two sons, and very
close friends were incredibly involved with me in both tragedies], there’s a part of the soul no other person can touch—even the best person in the world just can’t touch a part of it. In the loneliness of that suffering, I became aware that God is not a doctor, but he’s a person, and that I don’t know him very well. Both of those events led me to say that at the core of my soul, something is wrong and something is missing that psychology can’t touch. It’s got to be God.
At the same time true, we are justified and we are sinners
“When I get honest, I admit I am a bundle of paradoxes. I believe and I doubt, I hope and get discouraged, I love and I hate, I feel bad about feeling good, I feel guilty about not feeling guilty. I am trusting and suspicious. I am honest and I still play games. Aristotle said I am a rational animal; I say I am an angel with an incredible capacity for beer.”
Brennan Manning
.... and Heidelberg #56....
Q. What do you believe concerning the forgiveness of sins?
Brennan Manning
.... and Heidelberg #56....
Q. What do you believe concerning the forgiveness of sins?
A. I believe that God, because of Christ's satisfaction, will no more remember my sins,[1] nor my sinful nature, against which I have to struggle all my life,[2] but He will graciously grant me the righteousness of Christ, that I may never come into condemnation. [3]
[1] Ps. 103:3, 4, 10, 12; Mic. 7:18, 19; II Cor. 5:18-21; I John 1:7; 2:2.
[2] Rom. 7:21-25.
[3] John 3:17, 18; 5:24; Rom. 8:1, 2.
Herald Article
Article in Miami Herald quotes the pastor we know in Haiti
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/americas/haiti/story/677941.html
excerpt:
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/americas/haiti/story/677941.html
excerpt:
After assessing the damage and handing out spaghetti to hungry storm victims, Charles Amicy knew he had to somehow get his family back to safety in Port-au-Prince.
But phone lines were dead and cellphone service spotty.
So they started walking.
Barefoot, with only the clothes on their backs, Amicy led his family up the hills, away from the water, on a four-mile walk to a main road. There, they were picked up and driven to the city.
Even after all the devastation and heartache among Haitians, Amicy's spirit remains unfaltering.
''We will rebuild,'' he said. ``I don't know how, but I know that God will help us.''
(RP: and we will keep you updated on our role in helping them rebuild)
Monday, September 08, 2008
Communion & Union
John Owen, (following the Scriptures), maintains an essential distinction between union and communion.
Believers are united to Christ (married to Him) in God by the Holy Spirit. This union is a unilateral action by God, in which those who were dead are made alive, those who lived in darkness begin to see the light, and those who were enslaved to sin are set free to be loved and to love. When one speaks of union, it must be clear that the human person is merely receptive, being the object of God's gracious action. This is the state and condition of all true saints.
Communion with God is distinct from union.
Those who are united to Christ are called to respond to God's loving embrace. While union with Christ is something that does not ebb & flow, one's experience of communion with Christ can fluctuate. This is an important theological and experiential distinction, for it protects the biblical truth that we are saved by radical and free divine grace.
--Kelly Kapic in introduction to John Owen's 1657 work "Communion With the Triune God"
Believers are united to Christ (married to Him) in God by the Holy Spirit. This union is a unilateral action by God, in which those who were dead are made alive, those who lived in darkness begin to see the light, and those who were enslaved to sin are set free to be loved and to love. When one speaks of union, it must be clear that the human person is merely receptive, being the object of God's gracious action. This is the state and condition of all true saints.
Communion with God is distinct from union.
Those who are united to Christ are called to respond to God's loving embrace. While union with Christ is something that does not ebb & flow, one's experience of communion with Christ can fluctuate. This is an important theological and experiential distinction, for it protects the biblical truth that we are saved by radical and free divine grace.
--Kelly Kapic in introduction to John Owen's 1657 work "Communion With the Triune God"
Justification!
Ah! believer, it is safer always for you to be led of the Spirit into gospel liberty than to wear legal fetters. Judge yourself at what Christ is rather than at what you are.
Satan will try to mar your peace by reminding you of your sinfulness and
imperfections: you can only meet his accusations by faithfully adhering to the gospel and refusing to wear the yoke of bondage. --Spurgeon, Saturday Evening Sept 6
Satan will try to mar your peace by reminding you of your sinfulness and
imperfections: you can only meet his accusations by faithfully adhering to the gospel and refusing to wear the yoke of bondage. --Spurgeon, Saturday Evening Sept 6
Please Pray for and Grieve With Haitian Loss
Friends, Christ Community has sent 2 different teams to Haiti in recent years. In the spring we sent about 15 people. I just received an email with pictures of the damage that Ike did to the ministry site where our people have served.
consider praying Psalm 88 on behalf of our grieving family there
But I, O Lord, cry to you;
in the morning my prayer comes before you.
O Lord, why do you cast my soul away?
Why do you hide your face from me?
Afflicted and close to death from my youth up,
I suffer your terrors; I am helpless.
Your wrath has swept over me;
your dreadful assaults destroy me.
They surround me like a flood all day long;
they close in on me together.
You have caused my beloved and my friend to shun me;
my companions have become darkness.
--see the whole Psalm here
consider praying Psalm 88 on behalf of our grieving family there
But I, O Lord, cry to you;
in the morning my prayer comes before you.
O Lord, why do you cast my soul away?
Why do you hide your face from me?
Afflicted and close to death from my youth up,
I suffer your terrors; I am helpless.
Your wrath has swept over me;
your dreadful assaults destroy me.
They surround me like a flood all day long;
they close in on me together.
You have caused my beloved and my friend to shun me;
my companions have become darkness.
--see the whole Psalm here
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How God SHOWS His Love
Remember Romans y'day? This is how God SHOWS us His love, that Christ died for us.
And what an impact that has on us!
So much as we see of the love of God,
so much shall we delight in Him, and no more.
-- John Owen
And what an impact that has on us!
So much as we see of the love of God,
so much shall we delight in Him, and no more.
-- John Owen
grieve and pray
-------this is an email regarding the Haiti mission we sent a team to serve earlier this year.... please pray for the Haitians and for our people who left parts of their heart in Haiti..... grieve with those who grieve......
Dear Friends,
Dear Friends,
Charles has been able to contact a few people this morning following Hurricane Ike's pass to the north of Haiti. We can only thank God that they received no serious winds, but the water damage is horrendous. Charles and his family spent the night on the roof of their house.
- as I am writing, there are eight feet of water in the compound
- the church walls collapsed
- all of his vehicles were washed down the river
- several church families lost children in the flood
- the generators are covered with water
In Light of the Storms of Ike and the Storms of Life
Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take;
The clouds ye so much dread
Are big with mercy and shall break
In blessings on your head.
Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
But trust Him for His grace;
Behind a frowning providence
He hides a smiling face.
His purposes will ripen fast,
Unfolding every hour;
The bud may have a bitter taste,
But sweet will be the flower.
Blind unbelief is sure to err
And scan His work in vain;
God is His own interpreter,
And He will make it plain.
Friday, September 05, 2008
Jesus is The Way, Go Toward Him Immediately!
“I feel, when I have sinned, an immediate reluctance to go to Christ. I am ashamed to go. I feel as if it would do no good to go, as if it were making Christ a minister of sin, to go straight from the swine-trough to the best robe, and a thousand other excuses; but I am persuaded they are all lies, direct from hell.
John argues the opposite way: ‘If any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father.’ I am sure there is neither peace nor safety from deeper sin, but in going directly to the Lord Jesus Christ. This is God’s way of peace and holiness. It is folly to the world and the beclouded heart, but it is the way.”
—Robert Murray M’Cheyne
A Prayer from John Calvin
“Almighty God, You set before our eyes the many evils by which we have provoked Your anger against us. And yet, You give us the hope of pardon if we repent. Grant us a teachable spirit that, with becoming meekness, we may pay attention to Your warnings, but not so as to despair of the mercy offered us, but seek it through Your Son, as He has once for all made peace with You by shedding His blood. So cleanse us also by Your Spirit from all our pollutions until, at last, we stand spotless before You in that day when Christ shall appear for the salvation of all His people. Amen.”
I loved this professor i had
One of my (and Lammers & Matthews) profs at covenant seminary was David Clyde Jones. I'm not sure of age but seemed to me like a dude who was in his 30's during the late 60's and 70's. I seem to remember some pictures of him with long hair and some seriously groovy clothes, doing a wedding ceremony in Forest Park.
One quick memory... a student raised his hand and said, "Professor I have a question but I don't want to open up a whole can of worms here." To communicate 'I'm up for it' Jones promptly said, "Bon appetite!!"
So... Jones article on Christian freedom is so good. Here's excerpt:
For Calvin also Christian freedom was a matter of intense pastoral concern. "Its whole force consists in quieting frightened consciences before God. . .that are perhaps disturbed and troubled over forgiveness of sins, or anxious whether unfinished works, corrupted by the faults of our flesh, are pleasing to God, or tormented about the use of things indifferent." The doctrine of justification is the answer to the first problem, the doctrine of adoption the answer to the second, and the doctrine of creation the answer to the third.
One quick memory... a student raised his hand and said, "Professor I have a question but I don't want to open up a whole can of worms here." To communicate 'I'm up for it' Jones promptly said, "Bon appetite!!"
So... Jones article on Christian freedom is so good. Here's excerpt:
For Calvin also Christian freedom was a matter of intense pastoral concern. "Its whole force consists in quieting frightened consciences before God. . .that are perhaps disturbed and troubled over forgiveness of sins, or anxious whether unfinished works, corrupted by the faults of our flesh, are pleasing to God, or tormented about the use of things indifferent." The doctrine of justification is the answer to the first problem, the doctrine of adoption the answer to the second, and the doctrine of creation the answer to the third.
So comforting to the broken; so frustrating to the Proud
There is nothing in us or done by us at any stage of our earthly development because of which we are acceptable to God. We must always be accepted for Christ's sake or we cannot ever be accepted at all. This is not true of us only "when we believe," it is just as true after we have believed. It will continue to be true as long as we live . . . . It is always, on Christ's blood and righteousness alone that we can rest. There is never anything that we are or have or do that can take His place or that take a place along with Him. We are always unworthy, and all that we have or do of good is always of pure grace. --BB Warfield
(and oh by the way, I've got brokenness AND pride in this heart of mine)
(and oh by the way, I've got brokenness AND pride in this heart of mine)
Motive Motive Motive
THIS is why gospel Christianity is frustrating to legalists and to the legalist within ME... namely that the heart, the WHY behind what we do or don't do... is what matters.
Paul: Neither circumcision or uncircumcision matters.... the only thing that matters is FAITH, expressing itself in love.
Quote: "We must remember that abstinence per se is not weakness. The decisive factor is one's motive for abstention. To abstain for non-religious reasons does NOT make one weak.
What, then, constitutes strength? The strong, quite simply, are those who correctly perceive the truth of 1 Tim. 4:4-5 and Rom. 14:14a. Paul was strong (cf. 15:1). The strong are those who, by reason of their knowledge of God and grace, enjoy the full range of Christian liberty without being condemned in their conscience. --Sam Storms
What does "weak" faith look like in Romans 14?
Romans 14 speaks of a "weaker" brother/sister...
"If we are trying to picture a weaker brother or sister, we must not envisage a vulnerable Christian easily overcome by temptation, but a sensitive Christian full of indecision and scruples. What the weak lack is not strength of self-control but liberty of conscience." == John Stott
"If we are trying to picture a weaker brother or sister, we must not envisage a vulnerable Christian easily overcome by temptation, but a sensitive Christian full of indecision and scruples. What the weak lack is not strength of self-control but liberty of conscience." == John Stott
Thursday, September 04, 2008
Drilling it in your head
we are going to attempt to help you soak in the wonderful & liberating truths of the gospel in a different way this Fall.
We will, in the context of our normal worship, lift up one doctrine per month and seek to help you see & savor the riches of that particular aspect of the work of Christ.
Schedule is:
Sept: Justification Oct.: Sanctification Nov: Adoption
here is food for thought (FYI, #33 will be a unison reading Sunday in the midst of our singing songs of celebration)
Question 32: What benefits do they that are effectually called partake of in this life?
Answer: They that are effectually called do in this life partake of justification, adoption, and sanctification, and the several benefits which in this life do either accompany or flow from them.
Question 33: What is justification?
Answer: Justification is an act of God's free grace, wherein he pardoneth all our sins, and accepteth us as righteous in his sight, only for the righteousness of Christ imputed to us, and received by faith alone.
Question 34: What is adoption?
Answer: Adoption is an act of God's free grace, whereby we are received into the number, and have a right to all the privileges, of the sons of God.
Question 35: What is sanctification?
Answer: Sanctification is the work of God's free grace, whereby we are renewed in the whole man after the image of God, and are enabled more and more to die unto sin, and live unto righteousness.
Question 36: What are the benefits which in this life do accompany or flow from justification, adoption, and sanctification?
Answer: The benefits which in this life do accompany or flow from justification, adoption, and sanctification, are, assurance of God's love, peace of conscience, joy in the Holy Ghost, increase of grace, and perseverance therein to the end.
Wednesday, September 03, 2008
Subject to None and Servant of All
Martin Luther:
"On Christian Freedom"
(1520)
A Christian is the most free lord of all, and subject to none; a Christian is the most dutiful servant of all, and subject to every one.
Although these statements appear contradictory, yet, when they are found to agree together, they will do excellently for my purpose. They are both the statements of Paul himself, who says, "Though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself a servant unto all" (I Cor. ix. 19), and "Owe no man anything but to love one another" (Rom. xiii. 8). Now love is by its own nature dutiful and obedient to the beloved object. Thus even Christ, though Lord of all things, was yet made of a woman; made under the law; at once free and a servant; at once in the form of God and in the form of a servant.
"On Christian Freedom"
(1520)
A Christian is the most free lord of all, and subject to none; a Christian is the most dutiful servant of all, and subject to every one.
Although these statements appear contradictory, yet, when they are found to agree together, they will do excellently for my purpose. They are both the statements of Paul himself, who says, "Though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself a servant unto all" (I Cor. ix. 19), and "Owe no man anything but to love one another" (Rom. xiii. 8). Now love is by its own nature dutiful and obedient to the beloved object. Thus even Christ, though Lord of all things, was yet made of a woman; made under the law; at once free and a servant; at once in the form of God and in the form of a servant.
Romans 14... one of the key passages on Christian Liberty
As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions. One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables. Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him. Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand.
One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. The one who observes the day, observes it in honor of the Lord. The one who eats, eats in honor of the Lord, since he gives thanks to God, while the one who abstains, abstains in honor of the Lord and gives thanks to God. For none of us lives to himself, and none of us dies to himself. For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord's. For to this end Christ died and lived again, that he might be Lord both of the dead and of the living.
Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God; for it is written,
“As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me,
and every tongue shall confess to God.”
So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.
Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother. I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself, but it is unclean for anyone who thinks it unclean. For if your brother is grieved by what you eat, you are no longer walking in love. By what you eat, do not destroy the one for whom Christ died. So do not let what you regard as good be spoken of as evil. For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Whoever thus serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men. So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.
Now, question is--and this is where rubber meets road, i think--- is does the BOLD above mean: Don't do anything that anybody thinks is sinful. Well ????
Romans 8 is about Our Security in Christ
In handling the topic of the Holy Spirit...the apostle relates it to his other overarching theme in the chapter, namely the absolute security of the children of God. According to Charles Hodge, ‘the whole chapter is a series of arguments, most beautifully arranged, in support of this one point’. And Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones agrees with him. ‘I make bold to assert that the great theme of chapter 8 is not sanctification...The great theme is the security of the Christian.’
--John Stott
--John Stott
The Open Hands of Faith.... and the riches they receive!
Justification (its source God and his grace, its ground Christ and his cross, and its means faith alone, altogether apart from works) is the heart of the gospel and unique to Christianity.
No other system, ideology or religion proclaims a free forgiveness and a new life to those who have done nothing to deserve it but a lot to deserve judgment instead. On the contrary, all other systems teach some form of self-salvation through good works of religion, righteousness or philanthropy Christianity, by contrast, is not in its essence a religion at all; it is a gospel, the gospel, good news that God's grace has turned away his wrath, that God's Son has died our death and borne our judgment, that God has mercy on the undeserving, and that there is nothing left for us to do, or even contribute. Faith's only function is to receive what grace offers. --John Stott
No other system, ideology or religion proclaims a free forgiveness and a new life to those who have done nothing to deserve it but a lot to deserve judgment instead. On the contrary, all other systems teach some form of self-salvation through good works of religion, righteousness or philanthropy Christianity, by contrast, is not in its essence a religion at all; it is a gospel, the gospel, good news that God's grace has turned away his wrath, that God's Son has died our death and borne our judgment, that God has mercy on the undeserving, and that there is nothing left for us to do, or even contribute. Faith's only function is to receive what grace offers. --John Stott
Christ Has Freed Us For Freedom
“The New Testament sees salvation in Christ as liberation and the Christian life as one of liberty – Christ has freed us for freedom…First, Christians have been set free from the law as a system of salvation. Being justified by faith in Christ, they are no longer under god’s law, but under his grace….they live in this world by being forgiven. Second, Christians have been set free from sin’s domination. They have been supernaturally regenerated and made alive to God through union with Christ in his death and risen life, and this means that the deepest desire of their heart now is to serve God by practicing righteousness. Being changed in heart…they ‘serve in the new way of the Spirit.’ Third, Christians have been set free from the superstition that treats matter and physical pleasure as intrinsically evil. Against this idea, Paul insists that Christians are free to enjoy as God’s good gifts all created things and the pleasures that they yield, provided only that we do not transgress the moral law in our enjoyment or hinder our own spiritual well-being or that of others.”
--JI Packer:
“Concise Theology”: selected passages from pgs. 172-174
--JI Packer:
“Concise Theology”: selected passages from pgs. 172-174
Christian Liberty
OK.... so as we come to the Lord's Table sunday we are scheduled to finish the two-week series I'm doing on "Live at Peace"...
Last week we talked about
1. all the forces that are constantly working against folks being at peace (husband/wife; parent/child; neighbor/neighbor; room-dog/room-dog; church member/church member)
2. how colossians 3 describes living at peace
3. where we find the power for forgiving & forbearing each other... in JESUS!
We are His: a.) chosen ones b.) holy ones c.) beloved ones
Now, part II will be a simple unpacking of how do we live at peace despite the fact that we may find ourselves having different convictions on certain things. More will be posted this week. For now, you might want to browse the article by a Mississippi State graduate named Jeremy Higgins: Did Jesus Smoke?
Last week we talked about
1. all the forces that are constantly working against folks being at peace (husband/wife; parent/child; neighbor/neighbor; room-dog/room-dog; church member/church member)
2. how colossians 3 describes living at peace
3. where we find the power for forgiving & forbearing each other... in JESUS!
We are His: a.) chosen ones b.) holy ones c.) beloved ones
Now, part II will be a simple unpacking of how do we live at peace despite the fact that we may find ourselves having different convictions on certain things. More will be posted this week. For now, you might want to browse the article by a Mississippi State graduate named Jeremy Higgins: Did Jesus Smoke?
Tuesday, September 02, 2008
Gospel-Motivated Love
“When my mind is fixed on the gospel, I have ample stimulation to show God’s love to other people. For I am always willing to show love to others when I am freshly mindful of the love that God has shown me. Also, the gospel gives me the wherewithal to give forgiving grace to those who have wronged me, for it reminds me daily of the forgiving grace that God is showing me.
Doing good and showing love to those who have wronged me is always the opposite of what my sinful flesh wants me to do. Nonetheless, when I remind myself of my sins against God and of His forgiveness and generous grace toward me, I give the gospel an opportunity to reshape my perspective and to put me in a frame of mind wherein I actually desire to give this same grace to those who have wronged me.”
- Milton Vincent, A Gospel Primer for Christians (2008), 24-25.
I Want to Want Thee
"O God, I have tasted Thy goodnes, and it has both satisfied me and made me thristy for more. I am painfully conscious of my need for futher grace. I am ashamed of my lack of desire. O God, the Triune God, I want to want Thee; I long to be filled with longing; I thirst to be made thirsty still."
-AW Tozer, The Pursuit of God.
-AW Tozer, The Pursuit of God.
Justification and sanctification
Justification describes the position of acceptance with God which he gives us when we trust in Christ as our Saviour. It is a legal term, borrowed from the lawcourts, and its opposite is condemnation. To justify is to acquit, to declare an accused person to be just, not guilty. So the divine judge, because his Son has borne our condemnation, justifies us, pronouncing us righteous in his sight. 'Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus' (Rom. 8:1). Sanctification, on the other hand, describes the process by which justified Christians are changed into the likeness of Christ. When God justifies us, he *declares* us righteous through Christ's death for us; when he sanctifies us, he *makes* us righteous through the power of his Holy Spirit within us. Justification concerns our outward status of acceptance with God; sanctification concerns our inward growth in holiness of character. Further, whereas our justification is sudden and complete, so that we shall never be more justified than we were on the day of our conversion, our sanctification is gradual and incomplete. It takes a few moments only in court for a judge to pronounce his verdict and for the accused to be acquitted; it takes a lifetime even to approach Christlikeness. --John Stott
Monday, September 01, 2008
Women Bible Study Starts NOW !!!
Morning Meeting:
9:15 am to 11 am at the home of Paige French.
9:15 am to 11 am at the home of Paige French.
Conact Paige French with questions: 352.332.4486
Contact Tara Galagher if you need childcare: 352.337.1468 or JTGallagher95@hotmail.com .
This group meets every week. Childcare is offered.
9143 SW 31st place
Contact Tara Galagher if you need childcare: 352.337.1468 or JTGallagher95@hotmail.com .
This group meets every week. Childcare is offered.
9143 SW 31st place
Gainesville, Fl. 32608
Evening Meeting:
7 pm to 9 pm at the home of Rebecca Gilbertson.
Contact Rebecca Gilbertson: 502.545.3582
Evening Meeting:
7 pm to 9 pm at the home of Rebecca Gilbertson.
Contact Rebecca Gilbertson: 502.545.3582
This group meets every other week. Childcare is not offered.
9917 SW 77th Court
Gainesville, Fl. 32608
For more info
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