Redeemer's New Website

Hey, check out the new website for Redeemer Church (PCA). You can keep up on events, schedules our calender, & listen and download sermons and classes. Its all available to view. Also, check out our page for info on this Summer's VBS. 

While your surfin' the net have a look at our Facebook page and "like" us, too.

Writing and Ministry: Reaching the Next Generation

Cool beans...

Writing and Ministry: Reaching the Next Generation from Westminster Theological Seminary on Vimeo.

Thanks to WTS for posting!

Church Discipline

    “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”
    (Matthew 18:15-20 ESV)

The Widow's Mite - Mark 12:41-44

    And he sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums. And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny. And he called his disciples to him and said to them, “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on. (Mark 12:41-44 ESV)

Interview with Liam Goligher

Interesting comments from Liam Goligher...





Thanks WTS Online for sharing.

Doctrine of the Holy Spirit Week 11

The Leading of the Spirit
   
So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.
    (Romans 8:12-17 ESV)

My flesh and my heart may fail...

    My flesh and my heart may fail,
        but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
(Psalm 73:26 ESV)

 

This verse offers no end of comfort and many of us come to it often. Concerning this passage John Calvin rightly states

I am rather disposed to think that there is here a contrast between the failing which David felt in himself and the strength with which he was divinely supplied; as if he had said, Separated from God I am nothing, and all that I attempt to do ends in nothing; but when I come to him, I find an abundant supply of strength. It is highly necessary for us to consider what we are without God; for no man will cast himself wholly upon God, but he who feels himself in a fainting condition, and who despairs of the sufficiency of his own powers. We will seek nothing from God but what we are conscious of wanting in ourselves. Indeed, all men confess this, and the greater part think that all which is necessary is that God should aid our infirmities, or afford us succor when we have not the means of adequately relieving ourselves. But the confession of David is far more ample than this when he lays, so to speak, his own nothingness before God. He, therefore, very properly adds, that God is his portion.

John Calvin (2009-06-03). Commentary on Psalms - Volume 3 - Enhanced Version (Calvin's Commentaries) (Kindle Locations 2502-2509). Christian Classics Ethereal Library. Kindle Edition.

Three Duties - Colossians 4:16-18

    And when this letter has been read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and see that you also read the letter from Laodicea. And say to Archippus, “See that you fulfill the ministry that you have received in the Lord.”
    I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.
(Colossians 4:16-18 ESV)

The Scribes Conceit - Mark 12:38-40

    And in his teaching he said, “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes and like greetings in the marketplaces and have the best seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at feasts, who devour widows' houses and for a pretense make long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.”
(Mark 12:38-40 ESV)

Doctrine of the Holy Spirit Week 10

The Guarantee of the Spirit

    For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling, if indeed by putting it on we may not be found naked. For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened—not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.
    (2 Corinthians 5:1-5 ESV)

Richard Gaffin on Sanctification & Justification

Sanctification Is Our Work Of Gratitude For God's Work Of Justification, Right? (Richard Gaffin; CCEF) from Desiring God on Vimeo.

Five More Friends - Colossians 4:12-15

    Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God. For I bear him witness that he has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and in Hierapolis. Luke the beloved physician greets you, as does Demas. Give my greetings to the brothers at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house.
    (Colossians 4:12-15 ESV)

What Do You Think of Christ? - Mark 12:35-37

   And as Jesus taught in the temple, he said, “How can the scribes say that the Christ is the son of David? David himself, in the Holy Spirit, declared,
    “‘The Lord said to my Lord,
    “Sit at my right hand,
        until I put your enemies under your feet.”’
    David himself calls him Lord. So how is he his son?” And the great throng heard him gladly.
(Mark 12:35-37 ESV)

    The LORD says to my Lord:
        “Sit at my right hand,
    until I make your enemies your footstool.”
    The LORD sends forth from Zion
        your mighty scepter.
        Rule in the midst of your enemies!
    Your people will offer themselves freely
        on the day of your power,
        in holy garments;
    from the womb of the morning,
        the dew of your youth will be yours.
    The LORD has sworn
        and will not change his mind,
    “You are a priest forever
        after the order of Melchizedek.”
    The Lord is at your right hand;
        he will shatter kings on the day of his wrath.
    He will execute judgment among the nations,
        filling them with corpses;
    he will shatter chiefs
        over the wide earth.
    He will drink from the brook by the way;
        therefore he will lift up his head.
(Psalm 110 ESV)

Richard Gaffin on "New Creation"

A good explanation in just 6 minutes...

In Christ = New Creation (Richard Gaffin; CCEF) from Desiring God on Vimeo.

    Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. 

The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
    (2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV)

Five Friends

Acknowledge those who are faithful.

    Tychicus will tell you all about my activities. He is a beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord. I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are and that he may encourage your hearts, and with him Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you of everything that has taken place here.
    Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, and Mark the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you have received instructions—if he comes to you, welcome him), and Jesus who is called Justus. These are the only men of the circumcision among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me. Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God. For I bear him witness that he has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and in Hierapolis.
    (Colossians 4:7-13 ESV)

Redeemer Church's website has a new look. Check it out here.

Not Far But Not In - Mark 12:28-34

How far are you from the Kingdom of God?

    And one of the scribes came up and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, asked him, “Which commandment is the most important of all?” Jesus answered, “The most important is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” And the scribe said to him, “You are right, Teacher. You have truly said that he is one, and there is no other besides him. And to love him with all the heart and with all the understanding and with all the strength, and to love one's neighbor as oneself, is much more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.” And when Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And after that no one dared to ask him any more questions.
(Mark 12:28-34 ESV)

Check out Redeemer Church's new website here.

Doctrine of the Holy Spirit Week 9

    So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.
    (Romans 8:12-17 ESV)

Check out Redeemer Church's updated website here.

Do Cities Really Matter?

Justin Buzzard, Stephen Um and Jon Dennis discuss why cities matter and the books they wrote on this important issue.

D.A. Carson's endorsement of Why Cities Matter:

“Recent years have witnessed a torrent of books on urbanization and on urban ministry. Many of these are specialist sociological studies; others are ‘how to’ manuals so comprehensive that the Spirit of God could walk out and we’d never miss him. What has been lacking is a short, reasonably comprehensive, impassioned, and simply written survey of the trends and issues, combined with unwavering commitment to the eternal gospel and a transparent love for the city. Whether or not you agree with all its details, this book supplies what has been lacking. Written by two younger pastors on opposite sides of the country who share their devotion to Christ and their years of fruitful ministry, this book is neither sociology nor manual (though it has some features of both), but a clarion call to Christians to look at cities with fresh eyes and cry, ‘Give me this mountain!’”
—D. A. Carson, Research Professor of New Testament, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School

You can find their books here and here.

Toward Outsiders

    Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.
(Colossians 4:5-6 ESV)

Doctrine of the Holy Spirit Week 8

    I write these things to you about those who are trying to deceive you. But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him.
(1 John 2:26-27 ESV)

Trueman, Witmer, Poythress and Beale Discuss their Books

As I'm always about books, here's a few videos with authors Carl Trueman, Tim Witmer, Greg Beale and Vern Poythress discussing their books. Always good stuff from Westminster Theological Seminary.

A New Testament Biblical Theology, Handbook on the NT use of the OT from Westminster Theological Seminary on Vimeo.

Inerrancy and Worldview, Inerrancy and the Gospels from Westminster Theological Seminary on Vimeo.

 Creedal Imperative from Westminster Theological Seminary on Vimeo.

The Shepherd Leader at Home from Westminster Theological Seminary on Vimeo.

The Sadducees

    And Sadducees came to him, who say that there is no resurrection. And they asked him a question, saying, “Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man's brother dies and leaves a wife, but leaves no child, the man must take the widow and raise up offspring for his brother. There were seven brothers; the first took a wife, and when he died left no offspring. And the second took her, and died, leaving no offspring. And the third likewise. And the seven left no offspring. Last of all the woman also died. In the resurrection, when they rise again, whose wife will she be? For the seven had her as wife.”
    Jesus said to them, “Is this not the reason you are wrong, because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God? For when they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven. And as for the dead being raised, have you not read in the book of Moses, in the passage about the bush, how God spoke to him, saying, ‘I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? He is not God of the dead, but of the living. You are quite wrong. (Mark 12:18-27 ESV)

Doctrine of the Holy Spirit Week 7

    He [the Holy Spirit] will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you.
(John 16:14 ESV)

Specific Prayer

    At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison—that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.
(Colossians 4:3-4 ESV)

Taxes & Caesar

    And they sent to him some of the Pharisees and some of the Herodians, to trap him in his talk. And they came and said to him, “Teacher, we know that you are true and do not care about anyone's opinion. For you are not swayed by appearances, but truly teach the way of God. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not? Should we pay them, or should we not?” But, knowing their hypocrisy, he said to them, “Why put me to the test? Bring me a denarius and let me look at it.” And they brought one. And he said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?” They said to him, “Caesar's.” Jesus said to them, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.” And they marveled at him.
    (Mark 12:13-17 ESV)

General Prayer - Colossians 4:2

    Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.
(Colossians 4:2 ESV)

Doctrine of the Holy Spirit Week 6

    For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe...   
(Ephesians 1:15-19 ESV)

Christ in the Old Testament

Many of us really miss the point of the Old Testament. Its not a bunch of moralistic stories that can be repeated week after week to our kids in Sunday school. The point is Christ. The OT looks forward to Christ as we today look back. Scott Redd provides an excellent look into the nature of this issue. In part he states

The OT witness to Christ is as rich and varied as are all of the functions he performs. When evangelicals talk about Christ in the Old Testament, they tend to look for images, patterns, or outright anticipations of Christ's work of substitutionary atonement. Of course, Christ's work as once-and-for-all sacrifice is central to the Christian hope for salvation, but it only gets at part of the distinct and lordly character and work of the Son of God himself.
In fact, the New Testament claims that Christ fulfills the Old Testament in many ways. Just to name a few, Christ is:

• Old Testament covenant Lord (John 8:58; see also kurios as title for Christ)
• Sovereign eschatological king (Rev. 21:22)
• Key actor in creation (John 1:1-5 [Genesis 1])
• True Israel (Matt. 2:15 [Hos 11:1]; John 15:1-17)
• The temple of God (John 2:19-21)
• Restorer from exile (Matt 3:3 [Isa. 40:3; Mar 1:3; Luke 3:4; John 1:23])
• Final and authoritative prophet (Heb 1:2)
• Heir to the world (Heb 1:2; Ps 2:8)
• Sustainer of his people in wilderness (1 Cor 10:4 [Exod. 17:6])
• Foundation of human salvation (Acts 4:11 [Ps. 118:22])
• Wisdom teacher par excellence (Matt 12:42 [Luke 11:31])
• The very wisdom of God (1 Cor 1:23

Read the entire article and delve into the richness in Scripture that points to the Gospel.

The Wicked Tenants - Mark 12:1-12

   

 And he began to speak to them in parables. “A man planted a vineyard and put a fence around it and dug a pit for the winepress and built a tower, and leased it to tenants and went into another country. When the season came, he sent a servant to the tenants to get from them some of the fruit of the vineyard. And they took him and beat him and sent him away empty-handed. Again he sent to them another servant, and they struck him on the head and treated him shamefully. And he sent another, and him they killed. And so with many others: some they beat, and some they killed. He had still one other, a beloved son. Finally he sent him to them, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’ But those tenants said to one another, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’ And they took him and killed him and threw him out of the vineyard. What will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy the tenants and give the vineyard to others. Have you not read this Scripture:
    “‘The stone that the builders rejected
        has become the cornerstone;
    this was the Lord's doing,
        and it is marvelous in our eyes’?”
    And they were seeking to arrest him but feared the people, for they perceived that he had told the parable against them. So they left him and went away.
    (Mark 12:1-12 ESV)

Nancy Guthrie on the Book of Ruth

The three books she mentions at the outset of her lecture can be purchased here and here.