Two things I'm thankful for... a sturdy pulpit...
And effective illustrations...
And effective illustrations...
Ministry, leadership, discipleship, the local church and the deep riches of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Tuesday Mornings with Augustine
Matthew 5:16
To Reveal God
Whoever wants others to see their good works so that God, who gave them their good works, may be glorified, their light truly shines before others…. These people don’t do good to be seen, but so that God may be revealed through them….
The Apostle Paul said, “Please all men in all things.” But he didn’t stop there, as if pleasing others was his goal. Otherwise he would have said wrongly, “If I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.” Instead, he immediately added why he pleased others. “Not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.”
So then, he didn’t please others for his own profit or fear of not serving Christ, but at the same time he did please others for their salvation’s sake so that he would be a faithful servant of Christ. For him it was enough for God to know His conscience and for others to have something to imitate in him.
Readings taken from Day by Day with the Early Church Fathers
To Reveal God
Whoever wants others to see their good works so that God, who gave them their good works, may be glorified, their light truly shines before others…. These people don’t do good to be seen, but so that God may be revealed through them….
The Apostle Paul said, “Please all men in all things.” But he didn’t stop there, as if pleasing others was his goal. Otherwise he would have said wrongly, “If I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.” Instead, he immediately added why he pleased others. “Not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.”
So then, he didn’t please others for his own profit or fear of not serving Christ, but at the same time he did please others for their salvation’s sake so that he would be a faithful servant of Christ. For him it was enough for God to know His conscience and for others to have something to imitate in him.
Readings taken from Day by Day with the Early Church Fathers
Monday, February 2, 2009
What is Deep Riches?
Welcome to one more extension of The Banner. Make no mistake about it, I am not a theologian—I don’t even play one on TV. Even though I am not a theologian, I realize that everyone has a theology. My desire is to hone mine while at the same time stimulating the thoughts of anyone who happens to read these postings.
Understand that these postings are based on my current, incomplete understanding of Biblical teaching. As a finite, fallible man, thanks to the continual blessing and illumination of the Holy Spirit, my understanding of Scripture will grow. As a result, my dogma likely may shift. By God’s grace, any dogmatic modification will be fueled by increased scriptural illumination rather than personal circumstance.
With that understood—enjoy Deep Riches (Romans 11:33-36)
Understand that these postings are based on my current, incomplete understanding of Biblical teaching. As a finite, fallible man, thanks to the continual blessing and illumination of the Holy Spirit, my understanding of Scripture will grow. As a result, my dogma likely may shift. By God’s grace, any dogmatic modification will be fueled by increased scriptural illumination rather than personal circumstance.
With that understood—enjoy Deep Riches (Romans 11:33-36)
Ex Libris: Lost and Found
I've posted the reasons why I'm not intending to read Lost and Found: The Younger Unchurched and the Churches that Reach Them
over on Ex Libris. I've also included a link to a more favorable review. Enjoy!
over on Ex Libris. I've also included a link to a more favorable review. Enjoy!Imagine
Here's the ad that NBC refused to allow the nation to see during the Super Bowl.
Much more powerful than all those inane Budweiser commercials, wouldn't you say?
Much more powerful than all those inane Budweiser commercials, wouldn't you say?
Ex Libris: Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life
Donald Whitney has written a wonderful book on Christian living called, Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life
.
I’ve reviewed it over on Ex Libris.
.I’ve reviewed it over on Ex Libris.
Martyrs Monday
Acts 9:11
When the Public Security Bureau officer entered the Chinese prison cell, Sister Wong moved away. This heartless man had arrested and persecuted many Christians, and only days earlier had beaten her as he interrogated her.
“Please, Sister Wong, my sister is very ill. She has lost all feeling in her legs. Will you come and pray for her?” Was this the same man who had confiscated hundreds of Bibles and Christian books from her? Now he was asking for prayer? Truly God must have gotten his attention.
Days earlier, as the officer had questioned and abused Sister Wong he received a phone call that his mother had been hit by a car. When he told his mother what he’d been doing, she told him that his harassment of Christians caused her accident. The officer deemed the warning mere superstition.
The next day, he resumed questioning Sister Wong but got another message that his brother had been injured in an accident. The brother also blamed the officer’s attacks on Christians for the family’s misfortune. But when his sister became ill, he asked Sister Wong for prayers.
Sister Wong saw the opportunity she’d been praying for, the chance to witness to her persecutors. God healed the sister, and through Sister Wong’s actions, he changed the officer’s heart. The officer returned all the Bibles that were confiscated and now supports the church.
Most people are strangely drawn to prayer—especially in times of hurt and pain. Barriers against anything remotely religious are dismantled piece by piece when someone requests or receives prayer. Rare is the person who will refuse a no-strings-attached offer for prayer. “I’m praying for you” can be the most powerful words a believer speaks to a non-believer. Why? Prayer is God’s agent of change. It gets results. Sometimes it changes circumstances. Sometimes it reverses decisions. Most often it changes those who are touched by prayer. The Bible says the first recorded action after the conversion of the former Christian persecutor, Saul of Tarsus, was prayer. Who knows the role prayer will play in the conversion of the “Sauls” throughout the world who are presently bent on Christianity’s destruction?
Readings taken from
Extreme Devotion: The Voice of the Martyrs
When the Public Security Bureau officer entered the Chinese prison cell, Sister Wong moved away. This heartless man had arrested and persecuted many Christians, and only days earlier had beaten her as he interrogated her.
“Please, Sister Wong, my sister is very ill. She has lost all feeling in her legs. Will you come and pray for her?” Was this the same man who had confiscated hundreds of Bibles and Christian books from her? Now he was asking for prayer? Truly God must have gotten his attention.
Days earlier, as the officer had questioned and abused Sister Wong he received a phone call that his mother had been hit by a car. When he told his mother what he’d been doing, she told him that his harassment of Christians caused her accident. The officer deemed the warning mere superstition.
The next day, he resumed questioning Sister Wong but got another message that his brother had been injured in an accident. The brother also blamed the officer’s attacks on Christians for the family’s misfortune. But when his sister became ill, he asked Sister Wong for prayers.
Sister Wong saw the opportunity she’d been praying for, the chance to witness to her persecutors. God healed the sister, and through Sister Wong’s actions, he changed the officer’s heart. The officer returned all the Bibles that were confiscated and now supports the church.
Most people are strangely drawn to prayer—especially in times of hurt and pain. Barriers against anything remotely religious are dismantled piece by piece when someone requests or receives prayer. Rare is the person who will refuse a no-strings-attached offer for prayer. “I’m praying for you” can be the most powerful words a believer speaks to a non-believer. Why? Prayer is God’s agent of change. It gets results. Sometimes it changes circumstances. Sometimes it reverses decisions. Most often it changes those who are touched by prayer. The Bible says the first recorded action after the conversion of the former Christian persecutor, Saul of Tarsus, was prayer. Who knows the role prayer will play in the conversion of the “Sauls” throughout the world who are presently bent on Christianity’s destruction?
Readings taken from
Extreme Devotion: The Voice of the Martyrs
Sunday, February 1, 2009
It Was Good To Be In the House of the Lord
What an exciting time this morning was in the life of Brushfork Baptist Church! A few weeks ago, our Youth Director, Wes Lambert publicly professed the Lord’s call on his life as a minister of the Gospel. The Lord has not yet called him to a specific ministry position, so rather than ordain him, we licensed him. It was a wonderful service as he faithfully preached 1 Samuel 17 to us. Of course, I had to preach a little bit too from 2 Timothy 2:1-7. Then, as Wes knelt before the Lord’s Table, the ordained men of the church gathered around, laid hands on him and prayed. It was truly a joyous occasion! This video slideshow captures some of the highlights.
What... Me Bitter?
For those who know me, you understand that I am a diehard NFL fan. We’re not talking about a “just-watch-the-big-game” kind of fan. I don’t watch the Super Bowl for the commercials and I didn’t know about Janet Jackson’s “malfunction” until the next day. Halftime and commercials are for accomplishing all the things a true fan would never do during the game—like talk, or breathe very much.
So, you might ask, knowing the kind of fan I am, why have I not mentioned the Super Bowl until now? Well, if the truth must be told, the unthinkable has happened. I have lost interest.
What could make me lose interest in the game I love?
1. A defense that makes a sieve look stingy
2. Seven running backs on injured reserve
3. The leading rusher for the last few games of the season was selling cell-phones through mid-season
4. Losing a 3 game division lead with 3 games to go
5. Phyllis Rivers
6. Firing a Hall of Fame coach
7. Hiring a 16-year old coach
Actually, now that confession has been made, conviction is setting in. It’s not that I have lost interest—I am bitter… a deeply bitter Denver Broncos fan. I think the only cure to my bitterness is to lay it out in the open and expose it to its cause. Therefore, for the sake of ridding my heart of the bitter root that has crept in, I must watch the game. And the Pro Bowl. And the combine. And the draft (both days). Maybe I’ll be better by the time preseason rolls around.
Go Cards (and take the Steelers with you)!
So, you might ask, knowing the kind of fan I am, why have I not mentioned the Super Bowl until now? Well, if the truth must be told, the unthinkable has happened. I have lost interest.
What could make me lose interest in the game I love?
1. A defense that makes a sieve look stingy
2. Seven running backs on injured reserve
3. The leading rusher for the last few games of the season was selling cell-phones through mid-season
4. Losing a 3 game division lead with 3 games to go
5. Phyllis Rivers
6. Firing a Hall of Fame coach
7. Hiring a 16-year old coach
Actually, now that confession has been made, conviction is setting in. It’s not that I have lost interest—I am bitter… a deeply bitter Denver Broncos fan. I think the only cure to my bitterness is to lay it out in the open and expose it to its cause. Therefore, for the sake of ridding my heart of the bitter root that has crept in, I must watch the game. And the Pro Bowl. And the combine. And the draft (both days). Maybe I’ll be better by the time preseason rolls around.
Go Cards (and take the Steelers with you)!
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