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)

Welcome to the Story

Enjoy your Bible reading...


Justin Taylor Interviews Stephen Nichols: "Welcome to the Story" from Crossway on Vimeo.

Church membership

Church Membership

1. Membership Rolls are Biblical

   a. OT  Ps. 87:6; Ps. 69:28

   b. NT Ac 2:31; Ac 2:47; 1Tim. 5:9

   c. Heaven Luke 10:20; Phil. 4:3

2. The Father's Lordship is visibly expressed

3. Pastoral Oversight Ac. 20:28

4. Discipline Matt. 18:15-20; 1 Cor. 5

5. Church is the Bride of Christ  Matt. 25

6. Communion of Saints Ac. 5

Jesus + ?

Jesus + Nothing = Everything: Intro from Crossway on Vimeo.

Delivering a Demoniac

    They came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gerasenes. And when Jesus had stepped out of the boat, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit. He lived among the tombs. And no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain, for he had often been bound with shackles and chains, but he wrenched the chains apart, and he broke the shackles in pieces. No one had the strength to subdue him. Night and day among the tombs and on the mountains he was always crying out and cutting himself with stones. And when he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and fell down before him. And crying out with a loud voice, he said, “What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I adjure you by God, do not torment me.” For he was saying to him, “Come out of the man, you unclean spirit!” And Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” He replied, “My name is Legion, for we are many.” And he begged him earnestly not to send them out of the country. Now a great herd of pigs was feeding there on the hillside, and they begged him, saying, “Send us to the pigs; let us enter them.” So he gave them permission. And the unclean spirits came out and entered the pigs; and the herd, numbering about two thousand, rushed down the steep bank into the sea and drowned in the sea.
    The herdsmen fled and told it in the city and in the country. And people came to see what it was that had happened. And they came to Jesus and saw the demon-possessed man, the one who had had the legion, sitting there, clothed and in his right mind, and they were afraid. And those who had seen it described to them what had happened to the demon-possessed man and to the pigs. And they began to beg Jesus to depart from their region. As he was getting into the boat, the man who had been possessed with demons begged him that he might be with him. And he did not permit him but said to him, “Go home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” And he went away and began to proclaim in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him, and everyone marveled.
   
(Mark 5:1-20 ESV)

The Joy of Calvinism

This is going to be a good read...


Greg Forster on "The Joy of Calvinism" - An Interview by Justin Taylor from Crossway on Vimeo.

The Witness 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)

Trueman on Preaching & the Trinity pt.3

   

(HT: Justin Taylor)

Studies in Christology Week 10 - Christ's Return

Trueman on Preaching & the Trinity pt.2

AJM11 Carl Trueman Session 2 from The Proclamation Trust on Vimeo.



(HT: Justin Taylor)

Stilling the Storm - Mark 4:35-41

    On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”
(Mark 4:35-41 ESV)

Trueman on Preaching & the Trinity pt.1

AJM11 Carl Trueman Session 1 from The Proclamation Trust on Vimeo.


(HT: Justin Taylor)

A Little Biblical Archaeology

Fascinating...


Lecture with Dr. James Hoffmeier from Lanier Theological Library on Vimeo.


(HT: Justin Taylor)

Kindles, Books and Reading

Old books are like old friends. They love to be revisited. They stick around to give advice. They remind you of days gone by. Books, like friends, hang around. - Kevin DeYoung

Being a theological bibliophile I was attracted to Kevin DeYoung's post from which the above comment is taken.  No, there is nothing like holding that book in your hands and delving into the riches of it's pages. Nothing like it at all. If I have an earthly attachment to any possession it is my books. Some of those old books have been pulled off the shelf numerous times to remind me of the pleasures inside.  But unlike Kevin, my devotion is now split between books and the Kindle. I know it doesn't have the same appeal, the same feel, the same look or even the same smell. But it does have a convenience factor I can't deny. Its great to head off to worship or Bible study and have four translations of Scripture, the Hebrew OT, the Greek NT and dozens of other reference works all in one hand. And, let's not forget, these same works are usually less expensive than their real life counterparts. So, I'm not quite ready to throw away the virtual book for the actual book. I've found friends in both worlds and I think they'll both hang around for some time.

Complaining Lately?

Joe Thorn writes

In fact, your complaining about the small stuff is more dangerous than complaining about the big, because life is made up of the small stuff. Tragedies punctuate periods of your life, but it is the smaller inconveniences that make up the bulk of your existence, and this is what most people will see you handle. Those situations are the most obvious testing ground of your faith. If God’s grace is big enough for you to handle the big problems, why isn’t it enough for you to walk meekly though the smaller issues? (As quoted in Gospel Gripped by Matt Perry. Thanks guys!)

If this is you as it is so often me, let's repent of our complaining and start focusing on the Gospel, eh?

Studies in Christology Week 9

C.H. Spurgeon - The People's Preacher

If you haven't seen it yet, it's well worth watching...

Privately to His Own - Mark 4:33-34

    With many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it. He did not speak to them without a parable, but privately to his own disciples he explained everything.
(Mark 4:33-34 ESV)

Old Hymns

A thoughtful conversation...


Old Hymns for Our Day from The Gospel Coalition on Vimeo.

New Stuff at the Bookstore

Click over to the book store and see what's new. Many new books have been added. We appreciate your support & please let us know what you think and how we can serve you better.

Free Me From the Insanity of Sin

Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid. Prov. 12:1

The ear that listens to life-giving rebuke will dwell among the wise. Prov. 15:31

Heavenly Father, I’ll never tire of thanking you for the joy of calling you Father—Abba, Father. There’s no greater privilege; there’s no safer refuge; there’s no bigger honor… there’s no better address than to call your heart my home. It’s all of grace, from beginning to end, it’s all of grace.

Once I was separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in the true Israel, a foreigner to your promise-filled covenants, without hope and without you in the world. But through the work of Jesus, you brought me near—you made me one of your beloved children (Eph. 2:12-13). I worship, praise, and adore you, for such a rich standing in grace and such secure place in your family.

You are the most loving and engaged Father ever. It’s only because you love us as your children that you discipline us as you do (Heb. 12:4-11). All of your rebukes are “life-giving;” all of your discipline is soul delighting; all your reproofs are heart liberating. None of them are meant to be guilt inducing, shame producing, or contempt fueling. You humble your children, but you don’t humiliate us. You’re firm but never harsh.

On the cross Jesus exhausted the punishment we deserve. Now you incessantly delight in us—even when you confront expose immaturity and confront our irresponsibility. That’s why I’m a foolish man to play dodge ball with the convicting work of your Holy Spirit. You only purpose our freedom through the gospel. I’m a simpleton and stupid when I get defensive and try to make excuses for myself. What’s to defend? Indeed, “stupid” has nothing to do with my IQ, my SAT score, or my GPA from various schools. Stupid is what I am when I hate correction, despise your discipline, or run from your admonitions.

Father, I want to be at home among the wise—to dwell, fellowship and linger there. So whether you speak to me from your Word by the voice of your Spirit—or through my spouse, colleagues, children, or friends, I’ll trust you for a humble heart and submissive spirit. By the grace, truth, and power of the gospel, free me from the insanity of sin, that I live and be to the praise of the glory of your grace. So very Amen I pray in Jesus’ life-giving name. - Scotty Smith

Carson on Reading Scripture

Great stuff here...


Read the Bible Devotionally — and No Less Critically from Desiring God on Vimeo.

A Confession of Faith

Confession of Faith

We believe in God the Father, who delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son (Col 1:13).

We believe in God the Son, even Jesus, who commands us to repent “for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Mt 4:17).  His kingdom is a matter of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit (Rom 14:17) and it belongs even to children and those who receive it like a child (Lk 18:17f).

We believe in God the Holy Spirit, who blows where He wishes to give life for “unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God” (Jn 3:3).

We believe this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come (Mt 24:14).  People will come from east and west, and from north and south, and recline at table in the kingdom of God (Lk 13:29).  We rejoice in this, for “Blessed is everyone eats bread in the kingdom of God!” (Lk 14:15) 

- Rev. Scott R. Wright, Redeemer Church (PCA), Hudson, Ohio

Sealing of the Spirit - Ephesians 1:11-14

    In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.
   
(Ephesians 1:11-14 ESV)

A Confession of Sin

Confession of Sin

Our Father, we have sinned against you by indulging our fallen nature and failing to be diligent.  With shame we confess that we have not sought to preserve and increase our neighbor’s wealth, and have tried to enrich ourselves in selfish and sinful ways, especially at the expense of others.  We have been extravagant with ourselves and stingy with those in need.  All too often we have been wasteful of your good gifts, reckless with our own possessions, and uncontrolled in our spending.  We have acted on impulse and have not lived by principle.  As a result we have allowed material things to master our affections and we have fallen into idolatry.  Father, please forgive us for Jesus’ sake.  Amen.

- Rev. Scott R. Wright, Redeemer Church (PCA), Hudson, Ohio 

The Knowledge of Him - Ephesians 1:15-23

 

Sunday Evening Sermon

Understanding Sabellianism or Oneness vs. Trinity part II

Last time we looked at Sabellianism (or, as some know it today, the Oneness view), it's definition and errors through the eyes and pen of B.B. Warfield. Today, let's have a closer inspection of the Trinity from the late Robert Shaw. From his exposition on chapter 2 of the Westminster Confession dealing with the Trinity, he wrote

Before proceeding to establish the doctrine, we must explain the terms employed. The word Godhead signifies the divine nature. This is a scriptural term.–Rom. i. 20; Col. ii. 9. In the Scriptures, and, agreeably to them, in our Confession, Godhead denotes that infinite, eternal, and unchangeable nature, or essence, which is not peculiar to the Father, or the Son, or the Holy Ghost, but common to all the three. The distinction in the Godhead is characterised by the word person. ...When we say that there are three persons in the Godhead, the word person signifies a distinction which we do not pretend to explain, but which does not intrench upon the unity of essence."

There are many passages in the Old Testament which prove a plurality of persons in the Godhead, such as those passages in which one divine person is introduced as speaking of or to another. To these we can only refer.–Gen. i. 26, iii. 22, xi. 7; Ps. xiv. 6, 7, cx. 1; Isa. vi. 8. All these texts plainly point out a plurality of persons in the Godhead. But it is evident from Scripture, not only that there is a plurality, but also that there is a Trinity, or only three persons in the Godhead. This is plain from Isa. lxi. 1, where our Divine Redeemer thus speaks: The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me," &c.

In the New Testament he finds that in, Lord's baptism we have a plain intimation of the mystery of the Trinity.–Matt. iii. 16, 17. The Father, by an audible voice from heaven, bears testimony to the incarnate Redeemer; the Son, in human nature, is baptised by John; and the Holy Spirit: descends upon him in a visible manner. Hence the primitive Christians used to say to any who doubted the truth of this doctrine, "Go to Jordan, and there you will see the Trinity." Plainer still is this truth from the form of words appointed to be used in Christian baptism,–"Baptising them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost." - Matt. xvi. 19. To baptise in the name of one, is to baptise by his authority, and dedicate to his service. This is competent only to a divine person. Now, if the Father, in whose name we are baptised, be a person, so must the Son, and the Holy Ghost, for we are baptised in their name, as well as in the name of the Father. The apostolic benediction furnishes another proof of a Trinity: "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all."–2 Cor. xiii. 14. "This is evidently a prayer, which it would be impiety and idolatry to address to any other but God. Yet three persons are distinctly addressed, and consequently are recognised as possessed of divine perfections; as knowing our wants, and hearing our requests, and able to do what we ask; as the fountain of all the blessedness implied in the terms, grace, love, and communion." We have a most explicit testimony to this doctrine, 1 John. v. 7, "There are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost, and these three are one."

And here, Shaw addresses the crux of the matter

Nor is the doctrine of the Trinity a mere-speculation. On the contrary, to use the language of Dr Dick, "without the knowledge of this doctrine it is impossible to understand the grandest of the works of God–redemption,–in which the three persons act distinct and conspicuous parts. We are called to contemplate the love of the Father, the condescension of the Son, and the gracious operations of the Spirit. Redemption is not the work of a solitary agent, but of three, all concurring in the salvation of our perishing race. Hence we owe gratitude to each of the persons of the Godhead distinctly, and are bound to give to each the glory to which he is entitled. We are baptised in their name, and consecrated to their service; and our prayers are addressed not to God absolutely considered, but to the Father, through the Son, and by the assistance of the Holy Ghost. It appears, therefore, that the Christian system of duty is founded upon this doctrine, and that without the belief of it there can be no acceptable religion. So far is it from being useless, that it is the very foundation of practical piety." Shaw, Robert; Charles River Editors; Hetherington, WM M. (2011-09-11). The Reformed Faith: An Exposition of the Westminster Confession of Faith (Kindle Locations 1076-1125). Unknown. Kindle Edition.

Therefore, in it's relation to redemption, a critical knowledge and acceptance of the doctrine of the Trinity is paramount. This is why the the Elephant Room discussion between Driscoll and Jakes has drawn so much attention and rightfully so. If Jakes espouses something other than the doctrine of the Trinity as found in the Westminster Confession and explained briefly above (manifestations vs. persons), he is not preaching the true Gospel of Christ found in the Scriptures and misleading a great many souls astray.

For a more thorough review if this issue, check out this post at the Gospel Coalition. And, if someone is still saying, "What's the big deal?," take a look at this.

Studies in Christology Week 7

In this study we begin to focus on Christ's exaltation, specifically the resurrection. 

Understanding Sabellianism or Oneness vs. Trinity

In light of all the FB talk on Jakes, Driscoll and the Elephant Room recently, perhaps it would be helpful to have a look at the Oneness vs. Trinity controversy which is also known as Sabellianism. Keeping in mind how this effects our view of the Trinity and why should we care, let's see what B.B. Warfield had to say

...On the other side the party of Sabellianism was at work, so called after a certain Sabellius who lived in Rome at the beginning of the third century. Sabellius held that Father, Son, and Holy Spirit were but three names for one and the same God — a God who had made Himself known thus successively as His revelation progressed in various forms and manifestations. In the form of the Father, accordingly, God was operative as Creator and Lawgiver. Thereupon He worked as Redeemer in the form of the Son. And He now works in the form of the Holy Spirit as the Re-creator of the church. 
While Arianism tries to maintain the oneness of God, by placing Son and Spirit outside the Divine being and reducing these to the level of creatures, Sabellianism tries to arrive at the same end by robbing the three persons of the Godhead of their independence. This it does by metamorphosing the persons into three successive modes of revelation of the same Divine Being. In the first tendency the Jewish, deistic, rationalistic mode of thinking comes to expression rather characteristically, and in the second the idea of Pagan pantheism and mysticism. The moment the church set about giving itself a fairly clear account of the truth which was later stated in the confession of the Trinity of God, these two other tendencies arose alongside at the right and left, and they accompany the confession of the church to this day. Always and again the church and each one of its members must be on guard against doing injustice on the one hand to the oneness of the Divine Being, and on the other to the three Persons within that Being. The oneness may not be sacrificed to the diversity, nor the diversity to the oneness. To maintain both in their inseparable connection and in their pure relationship, not only theoretically but also in practical life, is the calling of all believers. 
In order to satisfy this requirement, the Christian church and Christian theology in the early period made use of various words and expressions which cannot be found literally in the Holy Scriptures. The church began to speak of the essence of God and of three persons in that essence of being. It spoke of the triune and the trinitarian,or of essential and personal characteristics, of the eternal generation of the Son and of the proceeding of the Holy Spirit from the Father and from the Son, and the like. 
There is no reason at all why the church and the Christian theology should not use such terms and modes of expression. For the Holy Scripture was not given to the church by God to be thoughtlessly repeated but to be understood in all its fulness and riches, and to be restated in its own language in order that in this way it might proclaim the mighty works of God. Moreover, such terms and expressions are necessary in order to maintain the truth of Scripture over against its opponents and to secure it against misunderstanding and error. And history has taught throughout the centuries that a lighthearted disapproval and rejection of these names and modes of expression leads to various departures from the confession. 
At the same time, we should, in the use of these terms, always remember that they are of human origin and therefore limited, defective, fallible. The church fathers always acknowledged this. For example, they held that the term persons which was used to designate the three ways of existence in the Divine Being did not do justice to the truth in the matter but served as an aid towards maintaining the truth and cutting off error. The word was chosen, not because it was accurate in every respect, but because no other and better was to be found. In this matter again the word is far behind the thought, and the thought is far behind the actuality. Although we cannot preserve the actuality in any but this inadequate form, we may never forget that it is the reality itself and not the word that counts. In the dispensation of glory other and better expressions will certainly be laid upon our lips (emphasis mine). Bavinck, Herman; Hendryx, John (2011-11-01). Herman Bavinck: Selected Shorter Works (Kindle Locations 2062-2072). Monergism Books. Kindle Edition.

So we see here that Jakes' "manifestations" appears to be just another way of purporting three modes or rather three successive modes of the Diving Being (hence the other term, modalism). The Trinity, as we commonly accept it, is an historic belief set forth in early church councils and best stated by the Westminster Confession II. 3

In the unity of the Godhead there be three persons, of one substance, power, and eternity: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost: the Father is of none, neither begotten, not proceeding; the Son is eternally begotten of the Father; the Holy Ghost eternally proceeding from the Father and the Son.

So we have clear language here in the Confession as just what and how the Trinity is understood and accepted. We'll look more at this next time.

Indecent Exposure

Ought to be good...


Celebrity Pastor: Indecent Exposure? from Together for the Gospel (T4G) on Vimeo.