Archive for February, 2008

Chinese Christianity Network TV

Thursday, February 28th, 2008

A pastor friend introduced this site to me.  Chinese Christianity Network TV. Has the latest Christian news, church and current events in Chinese with a Christian worldview.  It also includes streams various seminary/theological classes, including some courses taught by Dr. Samuel Ling and others.  For more information, check out the website.

Tags: , , , , , ,
Posted in video | No Comments »

Francis Schaeffer on reason apart from God’s revelation to us…

Thursday, February 28th, 2008

When people refuse God’s answer, they are living against the revelation of the universe and against the revelation of themselves.  They are denying the revelation of God in who they themselves are.  I am not saying that non-Christians do not live in the light of real existence.  I am saying that they do not have any answer for living in it.  I am not saying that they do not have moral motions, but they have no basis for them.  I am not saying that the person with a non-Christian system (even a radical system like Buddhism or Hinduism or the modern Western thinking of chance) does not know the object exists – the problem is that they have no system to explain the subject-object correlation.  As a matter of fact, this is their damnation, this is their tension, that they have to live in the light of their existence, the light of reality – the total reality in all these areas – and they do live there, and yet they have no sufficient explanation for any of these areas.  So, the wiser they are, the more honest they are, the more they feel that tension and that is their present damnation.

Tags: , , ,
Posted in meditations | No Comments »

Humble Orthodoxy

Tuesday, February 19th, 2008

Humble Orthodoxy – Joshua Harris teaches on 2 Timothy2:14-26.  Are you reacting to the previous generation or God’s approval? Do you try to prove yourself right or desire to turn people to Christ.  What does it mean to be a generation approved by God? Handle the word of truth rightly…

2 Timothy2:14-26 – Keep reminding them of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen.  Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.  Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly.  Their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, who have wandered away from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already taken place, and they destroy the faith of some.  Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.”

In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for noble purposes and some for ignoble.  If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.

Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.  Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels.  And the Lord’s servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.

Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in conference, culture, scripture | No Comments »

T4G Video

Friday, February 15th, 2008

Found this interaction between Ligon, Al, CJ, and Mark.  Four friends united with a singular passion together for the gospel.  Their interaction about SBC, PCA, and SovG.

Take a look at the video.

Tags:
Posted in church, conference | No Comments »

A Brief and Untechnical Statement of the Reformed Faith by Benjiman B. Warfield

Wednesday, February 13th, 2008

I believe that my one aim in life and death should be to glorify God and enjoy him forever; and that God teaches me how to glorify him in his holy Word, that is, the Bible, which he had given by the infallible inspiration of this Holy Spirit in order that I may certainly know what I am to believe concerning him and what duty he requires of me.

I believe that God is a Spirit, infinite, eternal and incomparable in all that he is; one God but three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, my Creator, my Redeemer, and my Sanctifier; in whose power and wisdom, righteousness, goodness and truth I may safely put my trust.

I believe that the heavens and the earth, and all that is in them, are the work of God hands; and that all that he has made he directs and governs in all their actions; so that they fulfill the end for which they were created, and I who trust in him shall not be put to shame but may rest securely in the protection of his almighty love.

I believe that God created man after his own image, in knowledge, righteousness and holiness, and entered into a covenant of life with him upon the sole condition of the obedience that was his due; so that it was by willfully sinning against God that man fell into the sin and misery in which I have been born.

I believe, that, being fallen in Adam, my first father, I am by nature a child of wrath, under the condemnation of God and corrupted in body and soul, prone to evil and liable to eternal death; from which dreadful state I cannot be delivered save through the unmerited grace of God my Savior.

I believe that God has not left the world to perish in its sin, but out of the great love wherewith he has loved it, has from all eternity graciously chosen unto himself a multitude which no man can number, to deliver them out of their sin and misery, and of them to build up again in the world his kingdom of righteousness; in which kingdom I may be assured I have my part, if I hold fast to Christ the Lord.

I believe that God has redeemed his people unto himself through Jesus Christ our Lord; who, though he was and ever continues to be the eternal Son of God, yet was born of a woman, born under the law, that he might redeem them that are under the law: I believe that he bore the penalty due to my sins in his own body on the tree, and fulfilled in his own person the obedience I owe to the righteousness of God, and now presents me to his Father as his purchased possession, to the praise of the glory of his grace forever; wherefore renouncing all merit of my own, I put all my trust only in the blood and righteousness of Jesus Christ my redeemer.

I believe that Jesus Christ my redeemer, who died for my offences was raised again for my justification, and ascended into the heavens, where he sits at the right hand of the Father Almighty, continually making intercession for his people, and governing the whole world as head over all things for his Church; so that I need fear no evil and may surely know that nothing can snatch me out of his hands and nothing can separate me from his love.

I believe that the redemption wrought by the Lord Jesus Christ is effectually applied to all his people by the Holy Spirit, who works faith in me and thereby unites me to Christ, renews me in the whole man after the image of God, and enables me more and more to die unto sin and to live unto righteousness; until, this gracious work having been completed in me, I shall be received into glory; in which great hope abiding, I must ever strive to perfect holiness in the fear of God.

I believe that God requires of me, under the gospel, first of all, that , out of a true sense of my sin and misery and apprehension of his mercy in Christ, I should turn with grief and hatred away from sin and receive and rest upon Jesus Christ alone for salvation; that, so being united to him, I may receive pardon for my sins and be accepted as righteous in God’s sight only for the righteousness of Christ imputed to me and received by faith alone; and thus and thus only do I believe I may be received into the number and have a right to all the privileges of the sons of God.

I believe that, having been pardoned and accepted for Christ’s sake , it is further required of me that I walk in the Spirit whom he has purchased for me, and by whom love is shed abroad in my heart; fulfilling the obedience I owe to Christ my King; faithfully performing all the duties laid upon me by the holy law of God my heavenly Father; and ever reflecting in my life and conduct, the perfect example that has been set me by Christ Jesus my Leader, who has died for me and granted to me his Holy Spirit just that I may do the good works which God has afore prepared that I should walk in them.

I believe that God has established his Church in the world and endowed it with the ministry of the Word and the holy ordinances of Baptism, the Lord’s Supper and Prayer; in order that through these as means, the riches of his grace in the gospel may be made known to the world, and, by the blessing of Christ and the working of his Spirit in them that by faith receive them, the benefits of redemption may be communicated to his people; wherefore also it is required of me that I attend on these means of grace with diligence, preparation, and prayer, so that through them I may be instructed and strengthened in faith, and in holiness of life and in love; and that I use my best endeavors to carry this gospel and convey these means of grace to the whole world.

I believe that as Jesus Christ has once come in grace, so also is he to come a second time in glory, to judge the world in righteousness and assign to each his eternal award; an I believe that if I die in Christ, my soul shall be at death made perfect in holiness and go home to the Lord; and when he shall return to his majesty I shall be raised in glory and made perfectly blesses in the full enjoyment of God to all eternity: encouraged by which blessed hope it is required of me willingly to take my part in suffering hardship here as a good soldier of Christ Jesus, being assured that if I die with him I shall also live with him, if I endure, I shall also reign with him. And to Him, my Redeemer, with the Father, and the Holy Spirit, Three Persons, one God, be glory forever, world without end, Amen, and Amen.

Tags: ,
Posted in reformed theology | No Comments »

Southern Presbyterian Review

Tuesday, February 12th, 2008

PCA Historical Center has a record of publications from the 1800s to today.  Some of the periodicals are scanned and are still quite an enjoyable read.  Others are long and tedious.  If you have time to sift around, there’s a wealth of information.  One of the periodicals I ran across is the Southern Presbyterian Review.  They have quite a list of articles that they were able to scan. 

Go and pick up an article to read.

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in books | No Comments »

Repentance

Monday, February 11th, 2008

Been thinking a lot about repentance lately. 

What is repentance?  “By [repentance] a sinner, out of the sight and sense not only of the danger, but also of the filthiness and odiousness of his sins, as contrary to the holy nature and righteous law of God; and upon the apprehension of his mercy in Christ to such as are penitent, so grieves for, and hates his sins, as to turn from them all unto God, purposing and endeavoring to walk with him in all the ways of his commandments. . . yet [repentance] is of such necessity to all sinners, that none may expect pardon without it. As there is no sin so small that it deserves damnation; so there is no sin so great that it can bring damnation upon those who truly repent. Men ought not to content themselves with a general repentance, but it is every man’s duty to endeavor to repent of his particular sins, particularly” (Westminster Confession of Faith, chapter XV, sections II, III, IV).

Tags: , ,
Posted in meditations | No Comments »

Together for the Gospel…

Tuesday, February 5th, 2008

The latest conference from the Sovereign Grace ministries

TOGETHER FOR THE GOSPEL by CJ MAHANEY

Related: Download the full audio message here.

Tags:
Posted in church, meditations | No Comments »

The Tree

Friday, February 1st, 2008

Been thinking lately through various issues of ministry.  One analogy comes from a tree that fell down in our church yard.  The tree has probably been 20-30 years old or even older judging from the diameter of the trunk.  But after a recent storm, it was blown over revealing a hollow interior.  In the span of years or even decades the rotting on the inside of the tree weakened it so much that it would not be able to withstand a wind storm and was uprooted.

From the outside, the tree looked fine.  It was still growing, the roots were still getting nutrients, but the decay on the inside of the tree was hidden from view.  It was only after a mighty storm did it reveal the true nature of the tree.

And so it is with the Christian life and even ministry.  Sin, no matter how small, if not dealt with immediately, will continue to linger and linger, creating a cancer that when fully grown will be destructive.  Bitterness, unforgiveness, secret lusts, love of money, infidelity, etc… all start off as small sins.  In the end, though, is always death.  If not dealt with, these small roots will grow into something so destructive, that nothing can stop, except the saving grace of Jesus Christ. 

So a lesson from the rotting, hollow tree.  The tree not only died, when it fell down, it broke down on the neighboring property and even damaged other things.  Sin is not just a personal issue, it has repercussions that will affect many around.

Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. See what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what concern, what readiness to see justice done. At every point you have proved yourselves to be innocent in this matter. So even though I wrote to you, it was not on account of the one who did the wrong or of the injured party, but rather that before God you could see for yourselves how devoted to us you are. By all this we are encouraged. – 2 Cor. 7:10-13

but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.  – James 1:14-15

Tags: , ,
Posted in example, scripture | No Comments »