Time Sensitive: Christless Christianity update

Hello friends,
Today is an important live webchat and the introduction of a book that is very timely. I have visited the Christian Bible Colleges and sat in on some classes. I have also visited the churches these colleges have planted. Either recently or in the past. Much of the preaching has departed from the Gospel and Christ Centered preaching for something that has been deemed "moralistic, therapeutic, deism. It is time to call all denominations, all congregations, all pastors, all Sunday school teachers, all bible study leaders, back to what Paul passed along to Timothy.

Paul's Charge to Timothy

2 Timothy 3:10-17

10You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, 11persecutions, sufferings—what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured. Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them. 12In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, 13while evil men and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, 15and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

2 Timothy 4:1-3 (NIV)

1In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: 2Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. 3For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.

What kind of preaching did Paul do?

1 Corinthians 2:1-4

1When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God.^[a] 2For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. 3I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. 4My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, 5so that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power.

A little bit about Paul's conversion and his being compelled to only preach what was given to him by God. This is what he was passing on to Timothy and to charge to Timothy to continue preaching the word even when everyone else is following what they think is the right way to go and they see such a "positive response" from the people. But, it isn't the Gospel, and it isn't Christ Centered. It is Christless Christianity.

This causes me to have a heavy heart at times, but I know that we are blessed that there are brothers in Christ out there that are contending for the faith. The same charge that was given to Timothy is what has been handed down throughout church history. And we are blessed to be a part of passing it on.

I will be watching this webcast today. I have posted a question to Mike Horton and I hope to see him answer. I'll let you know how it goes.

Grace and Peace,

Chris
www.Reform-Shire.blogspot.com
Coram Deo!!!

Dear Listeners and Supporters of the White Horse Inn, I'm writing you today because I want to give you the latest information regarding the launch of my new book Christless Christianity: The Alternative Gospel of the American Church. It's hard to believe October is already almost over, and the 50% off promotion will end this Friday, October 31st. For those of you who have already purchased this book and have told your friends and family, thank you so much. I hope you will be as excited as I am to learn that the books are already shipping, and according to Amazon's statistics this has been my best book launch yet! If you've been thinking about getting this book, then don't miss your chance to order it direct from Amazon at a good low price, or through our preferred partner for only $9.99! I'm hoping you'll agree; there has never been a better time to act. With your generous support of this book we can expose the problem of "Christless Christianity" and give this subject matter main stream attention. Now, as I wrote to you earlier this month the grand finale will be a live web chat with me on October 31st at 1:00 P.M. EASTERN hosted by The Washington Post. I thought that you would be interested to know that The Washington Post informed us that they have never received this many questions in advance, and they were "impressed!" One thing's for sure: based on the questions we have received thus far the web chat should prove to be interesting. I hope you will want to be a part of this. You can help make our first web event a success. Please take a moment now and post a question. If you would like, you can read the first chapter of the book here. How many times have you said to yourself "What else can I do to help?" Well, here's how! Encourage friends to visit www.christlesschristianity.org and buy the book at this special low price. Buy the book and/or the DVD lecture series for yourself, or give to friends. Visit the live web chat on October 31st and post questions Pray that the labors of White Horse Inn and Modern Reformation will bear much fruit for the Kingdom of God. This is all possible because of you - THANK YOU! Please continue to partner with White Horse Inn as we remain steadfast in our mission to inform and persuade Christians to embrace Reformation theology, effectively helping Christians to "know what they believe and why they believe it." Thank you for caring so very much. In Christ, Michael Horton

The OnStar Study Bible

For those who have a great sense of humor. My side aches from laughing while visiting a website called "The Sacred Sandwich". I also have this site listed on the side-bar.

Enjoy!!!

The OnStar Study Bible

Posted on 22 October 2008

Grace and Peace.... and Joy!
Chris
www.Reform-Shire.blogspot.com
Coram Deo!!!

DG Taste & See: The Strange Task of Witnessing About Light

A friend shared this with me, so I'm going to post it on the blog.  I'm grateful for the blessing of sharing the light and the preciousness of the Gospel message.  It is a treasure to be held up like a torch for everyone to see.  Our witness can be used by God to open their spiritual eyes.

Grace and Peace, 

Chris
www.Reform-Shire.blogspot.com
Coram Deo!!!

---

The Strange Task of Witnessing About Light

October 15, 2008
By John Piper

Read this article on our website.

Witnessing about light is a strange task if your aim is for people to see the light and believe in the light. Light illumines by itself. When you want someone to see a light, you don't witness about the light, but you hold up the light. If you have a torch in your hand, and you want someone to see the torch, you don't say, "This is a torch." You hold up the torch.

But John 1:7 says that John the Baptist "came as a witness, to bear witness about the light." So as strange as this task is, that was John's mission. And it is ours too.

So what do we learn about our task when it is described as witnessing to the light?

1. We learn that Christ, the Light of the world (John 8:12), shines not like a physical torch before the physical eye, but like a spiritual glory before the spiritual eye. This is why Jesus said, "Seeing they do not see" (Matthew 13:13). And it is why Paul prayed in Ephesians 1:18, that you would have "the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you." There is a seeing that we do with "the eyes of the heart," not merely with the eyes of the head.

2. We learn that the light of Christ, this spiritual glory which we see with the eyes of the heart, shines mainly through the gospel. That is, it shines mainly through the witness of human beings about what Jesus accomplished when he died and rose again. This is strange. Light shines through words. Paul says in 2 Corinthians 4:4-6,

The god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seein g the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. . . . God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

The glory of Christ is his light. This glory, Paul says, shines as "the light of the gospel." That means it shines through a witness. When we witness to what Christ achieved for us in dying, we are "witnessing about the light." That is how the light of Christ shines in this world. Deeds of love are crucial in this shining (Matthew 5:14-16). But deeds alone cannot witness effectually to the greatest glory of Christ, namely, his achievement on the cross. That light shines through the gospel in the mouths of witnesses.

3. We learn that people need to have the eyes of their hearts opened to see the light of Christ in the gospel. Jesus said to Paul when he sent him to witness to the light, "I am sending you to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins" (Acts 26:17-18).

God does this eye-opening work through human witnesses. Luke tells us that the way Lydia saw the light was that "the Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul" (Acts 16:14). Paul witnessed. God opened her heart. So Paul prays that this would happen: "I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that [you would have] the eyes of your hearts enlightened" (Ephesians 1:16-18). God's answer to that prayer is described in 2 Corinthians 4:6: "[God] has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ."

So we witness about the light, even though we know that people are blind to this light. But that does not daunt us, because we know that God's eye-opening power accompanies the witness about his Son.

4. We learn that the miracle of spiritual sight through the gospel happens when witnesses tell blind people to look at Christ and then describe what they will see when they look there. There is a mental analogy to this spiritual reality. Consider a typical optical illusion like this one:

Suppose someone only sees one picture in this illustration. They are "blind" to the other. Then you "witness" to them: "Look at this, there are two pictures: a girl's face and a man playing a saxophone. That very witness opens their eyes to both pictures.

It's only an analogy, because in the spir itual realm the process is not merely mental or natural. It is spiritual and supernatural. But we can get some idea of how it is possible to be spiritually blind and yet God can use a witness to open our eyes.

Therefore, don't let the strangeness of witnessing about light stop you. It is gloriously strange. It is strange in a way that gives us hope that we really can help the blind to see. It is strange in a way that will get all the glory for God—both in the gospel itself and in the way people see the glory of Christ in it.

Seeing and speaking about the Light with you,

Pastor John

---

The Gospel of Thy Grace Part A and B

Here is a wonderful presentation or message about the Gospel. I have been challenging our church about this for years and it is very refreshing and reaffirming to hear Alistair Begg stating the importance of preaching the Gospel on a regular basis. It is a mistake to assume that the Gospel message is basic, and only for presenting to non-believers when evangelizing those who are outside the church. But, the Gospel is for all people at all stages of faith. It is what brings people to faith and it is what keeps us examining ourselves to see if we are in the faith and motivates us to do good works and to reach out to our brothers. It also reminds us that the Good Samaritan in the parable about the Good Samaritan is Jesus Christ Himself. He is the only one who has ever loved their neighbor and has loved God with all His heart, soul, mind and strength. We are indeed saved by works... but not our works. It is the works of Christ, doing the will of the Father, and doing His will perfectly. Please listen to these two messages. And if you feel compelled listen to the next ones because they are good as well. Let me know what you think.


The Gospel of Thy Grace Part A

Wednesday, October 08, 2008

The Bible tells us that all of Scripture has been given for teaching and correcting, but have you ever felt that some of it was not for you? The Gospel is one of these misunderstood elements. If you've thought that the Gospel is just for unbelievers, tune in for Truth For Life with Alistair Begg.

Series: The Enduring Word

1 Peter 1:25b










________________

The Gospel of Thy Grace Part B

Thursday, October 09, 2008

We've been studying a verse in 1 Peter that started with a pretty bleak picture: our lives are as ephemeral as grass. This study introduces us to the Word of God, which is eternal. Join us on Truth For Life with Alistair Begg as we meld these two elements into a rescue story that involves you.

_________________

Grace and Peace,
Chris Allen
Coram Deo!!!

Parks Family Update

Here is a man that travels all over the world where and when the need is greatest. 
I thought I would share one of the many emails that he sends to let us know where his is going and where he has been.  Sometimes, he will send urgent emails when he is in immediate danger or the people that he is trying to help are in danger.  This is a great servant and family to pray for and to support.

Grace and Peace,

 

Chris
www.Reform-Shire.blogspot.com
Coram Deo!!!

Here is a quick update from the Parks Family

I know I am overdue on a newsletter and will get one out as soon as...

 

Micah Garrison Dean Parks is an awesome baby!  He is now a 9 week old chubby little boy who loves to smile and lets out a laugh every now and then.  Sometimes when we hold him he has an amazing beautiful peaceful look that melts our hearts.  Sometimes he tries to talk and all of us just love it.  He only fusses when he is hurting or poopy…just like his dad.  I forgot how fast a new born grows!  All the other kids love Micah.  Carlos is great at stepping in and helping with Micah…watching him, holding him…we are still working on the changing diaper routine…Ilana and Josiah are always playing with Micah.

Carlos finished his first US soccer season.  He is enjoying and doing much better in school here in the US and at midterm had four A's and one B!

Ilana is in 2^nd grade and loves school and homework (go figure!  This is definitely not like here dad). 

Josiah is in kindergarten and says school is ok, its all the rules that crimp his style.  He is a very sharp kid…but he seems to have a driving need to put a Josiah touch to all things.  

Sheri is doing great and spends most of here time caring for kids and doing homework.

I spend my days resting and taking it easy…NOT.

 

For me: currently I am on my way to India where we are going to kick off our computer training center in Dumka and visit our agriculture project in Dhoker Jhara, both about 150 mile north of Calcutta.

I have attached an overview of the projects for you.  With these projects we will help many find freedom from the oppressions of poverty and help many know the truth that will bring true freedom to their lives.  Please take a minute to look at the project overview, see what we are doing and pray for the people of this region.

You may have heard of the persecution of Christian is India .  Much of it is happening around Orissa.  This is a horrific situation as believers are being beat and killed, their homes and property destroyed by radical Hindu mobs.  Please pray for these dear believers.  This is a very difficult and dangerous time for many.

 

Have you noticed how they world continues to grow in uncertainty, violence, and fear?  In fact we are feeling some of this at home with the financial mess, the political climate, wars, foreign armies on the move, and the prevalent threat of terrorism at home and abroad.  All this reminds me of the words of Jesus when he said, "Let not your hearts be troubled…"  and remembering the condition for non-troubledness?  "…You believe in God, believe also in me…"  I, as a follower of Jesus have no reason to live a life with a troubled heart.  There is a peace that is not like the world give, a peace that passes understanding, a peace rooted in faith in the eternal God who deeply knows and loves his children and has a plan for good and not for evil for us.  these things must be, no matter who is at fault our first step out of the blocks is to build our relationship with God before all else.  

 

If you want to know more about our projects and how you may be able to join with us drop me a note at Michael.Parks@ghni.org

We also ask that you prayerfully consider joining with us financially.  We have been blessed by many friends joining in to help us with the move and this has been a great help.  But the move and having a baby and school…takes its toll.  So if you would like to join with us financially please click this link DONATE  

 

More to come soon

God bless you

Mike

 

In the INN: "The Courage to be Protestant"

Considering this year's "Program" that my church is going through, and the sermons that are being preached subsequently with this year's program. This week on the White Horse Inn is a very timely and relevant radio program being presented. I would highly recommend that you listen. And ask yourself if what they say is true. Look back through history and see how much the church has changed through the different fads and phases. Look at Charles Finney, Hal Lindsey, Christian Right, Christian Coalition, Bill Hybels, Promise Keepers, Prayer of Jabez, Purpose Driven, Emergent / Emerging Church, and in our realm we now have a flavor of Emergent Church-isms.... Living a Life on Loan / Externally focused church. In other words "Deeds not Creeds".
All of these phases of the church have forgotten:
1) The Holiness of God
2) The Sovereignty of God
3) God's Judgment
4) God's Gospel
And many doctrines that tell us more about God and how He saves us through His Son.

Grace and Peace,

Chris
www.Reform-Shire.blogspot.com
Coram Deo!!!

	WEEK OF OCTOBER 5, 2008	Send this to a friend

Join us for the 2008 series "Christless Christianity" The Courage to be Protestant Listen Now: "The Courage to be Protestant" RELATED ARTICLES The Skinny God by David Wells Whose Orthodoxy? by Michael Horton This Unique Moment by by David Wells 50% off Pre-Order Special! Act now and be the first to receive Mike Horton's newest book to be released by Baker on October 31st. We are pleased to announce a special promotion for Christless Christianity: The Alternative Gospel of the American Church. The 1/2 off promotion starts October 1st and runs through October 31st . White Horse Inn is placing both 1/4-page color-print and on-line flash ads in 10 major newspapers across the country: Atlanta Journal, Boston Globe, Chicago Sun Times, Dallas Morning News, Los Angeles Times, Philadelphia Inquirer, San Francisco Chronicle, Seattle Times Company, and Wall Street Journal. The grand finale will be a live web chat with Mike Horton on October 31st 10:00 A.M. PST, 1:00 P.M. EST hosted by the Washington Post. Read Kim Riddlebarger's Blog

Send this to a friend

About Us | Radio Stations | Previous Programs | Receive a free MR and WHI CD
White Horse Inn | 1725 Bear Valley Parkway | Escondido, CA 92027 | (800) 890-7556
www.whitehorseinn.org	www.modernreformation.org

To unsubscribe/change profile: click here

To subscribe: click here

Our address: 1725 Bear Valley Parkway
Escondido, California 92027

---

Email list management powered by Listcast

--
Posted By CalvinNo5 - Chris Allen to Reform-Shire at 10/06/2008 09:00:00 PM

THE MARK OF A MAN OF GOD

If you get that chance to listen to Sinclair Ferguson you will truly be blessed. He is a wonderful preacher, teacher, Scottsman. Below is a posting by Steve Camp.

Grace and Peace,

Chris

---

THE MARK OF A MAN OF GOD
...reverence, maturity, wisdom, faithfulness, truthfulness, the fear of the Lord, honor, and discipline

My lips will pour forth praise,

for you teach me your statutes.

My tongue will sing of your word,

for all your commandments are right.

-Psalm 119:171-172

Sinclair Ferguson spoke at the Desiring God Conference last evening and was brilliant. His message was entitled, "The Tongue, the Bridle, and the Blessing: An Exposition of James 3:1-12."

(Click Here to Listen)

He was Christ-exalting; God-glorifying; and Spirit-empowering. He preached not as one consumed with self-promotion or trying to appeal to an audience. But he preached to an Audience of One as a man who trembled at God's Word and as a tried and tested servant of the Lord Jesus Christ from behind the sacred desk.

He was thoroughly biblical, theological, doctrinal, expositional, exegetical and practical. He spoke with authority; he spoke with grace, but wielding the double-edge Sword of the Spirit with the skill of a surgeon's scalpel and not the recklessness of a machete. He did not frustrate grace, insult the Lord, turn the truth of God into lascivious comedy, contextualize the message, succumb to cultural pragmatics, or introduce demeaning ribald speech marked by the ordure of depravity to communicate these great truths of the Bible.

But with dignity, grace. and truth, he brought honor to the Lord, glory to His gospel, and reverence to His Word.

May his tribe increase.

How I thank the Lord for this faithful soldier, disciplined athlete and hard-working farmer of the faith (2 Tim. 2:3-6). Clearly, this is a man approved unto God, a workman unashamed, who cuts straight the word of truth (2 Tim. 2:15).

The bar has been set beloved; and it is set very high.

Here is Sinclair's resolutions on the taming of the tongue taken from the book of James. They are powerful, convicting, humbling and encouraging. May they stir your heart as they have mine this very hour.

• James 1:5 To ask God for wisdom to speak and with a single mind
  
• James 1:9-10 To boast only in exaltation in Christ, & humiliation in world
  
• James 1:13 To set a watch over my mouth
  
• James 1:19 To be constantly quick to hear, slow to speak
  
• James 2:1-4 To learn the gospel way of speaking to poor and the rich
  
• James 2:12 To speak always in the consciousness of the final judgment
  
• James 2:16 To never stand on anyone's face with my words
  
• James 3:14 To never claim as reality something I do not experience
  
• James 4:1 To resist quarrelsome words in order to mortify a quarrelsome heart
  
• James 4:11 To never speak evil of another
  
• James 4:13 To never boast in what I will accomplish
  
• James 4:15 To always speak as one subject to the providences of God
  
• James 5:9 To never grumble, knowing that the Judge is at the door
  
• James 5:12 To never allow anything but total integrity in my speech
  
• James 5:13 To speak to God in prayer whenever I suffer
  
• James 5:14 To sing praises to God whenever I am cheerful
  
• James 5:14 To ask for the prayers of others when I am sick
  
• James 5:15 To confess it freely whenever I have failed
  
• James 5:15 To pray with and for one another when I am together with others
  
• James 5:19 To speak words of restoration when I see another wander
  

His unworthy servant in His unfailing love,

Steve

Psalm 145:21

Chris
http://www.reform-shire.blogspot.com/
Coram Deo!!!

Please Be Patient - Under Construction

Hello my Reform-Shire friends. I've been having problems with my postings not appearing for everyone on their computers so to some people it may look like I've been a real slacker and have not been posting for a very long time. So, I've re-formatted my blog. So you may notice a few things different and a few things missing. So, I hope to tweak it as I go, and continue to post as well. Thanks for putting up with these changes. Please do me a favor and if you see a new post leave a short comment ("comments" are an improved feature as well... I hope) even if it is to say hi and to let me know that you can view that posting. Thank you very much and God Bless. Grace and Peace,

Chris
www.Reform-Shire.blogspot.com
Coram Deo!!!

Christless Christianity - Michael Horton

Christians have always had their differences, but never in church history have there been so many statistics indicating that many Christians today are practicing what can only be described as "Christless Christianity."

Christless Christianity guides the reader to a greater understanding of a big problem within the American religious setting, namely the creeping fog of countless sermons in churches across the country that focus on moralistic concerns and personal transformation rather than the theology of the cross.

Michael Horton's analysis of the contemporary church points believers back to the power of a gospel that should never be assumed.

Living a Life on Loan: Finding Grace at the Intersections

When you go to a baseball game you might hear something like:
"PROGRAMS... GET YER PROGRAMS HERE!!!"

Now when you go to a Pastor / Teacher conference you might hear this:
"PROGRAMS... GET YER PROGRAMS HERE!!!"

Well that's exactly what you've got here. Another program. Below is a review that I did just based on the author's and co-author's own assessments or synopsis of their book. I have only been through some of the lessons offered to my students, but I've seen and heard enough to get the sense of this "PROGRAM"

And pretty soon our church is going to take a Sunday and suspend the normal day of worship that belongs to God and employ a tactic that is supposed to help us as a congregation "reach out" to those outside the church. Talk about another tactic that is just another distraction to keep us from preaching the Gospel that is already rarely preached in the first place.

Anyone wanna talk about spiritual warfare???
THIS IS SPIRITUAL WARFARE!!!
God have mercy on us and our flock for letting this wolf sneak in without even a challenge.
Please pray for me and my church, and help me to see what eternal good can come out of this mess.

Living a Life on Loan: Finding Grace at the Intersections
by Rick RusawEdition: Hardcover

Distraction from Christ
By Chris Allen

This book has many facets of it that are compelling and motivating. However, I can get this sort of thing outside of the Christian Church. The Mormons do these things recommended by this book and they do it very, very well. My main concern about a book like this is that it really doesn't lend to us a focus on Christ but a focus on the world around us. This external focus of the church is just a distraction for the church as a whole and it is not found in the bible except if you were to stretch bible verses out of context. The people of the church will do the things this book suggests when the church commits itself to preaching the Word of God pointing to Christ and Him Crucified. This is what motivates believers to love those outside of the church and to share what we believe and why we believe it. This book is making the Gospel of Christ easier to swallow. If they like us maybe they'll like our Jesus. But, the Bible says: 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 Christ the Wisdom and Power of God 18For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19For it is written: "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate."[a] 20Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. 22Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, 23but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength.
So, we are called to preach Christ and Him crucified, and people will either reject this as foolishness or they will stumble over it. Or God's Grace will penetrate their hearts and they will be humbled by this message and they will cry out to God... "Have mercy on me a sinner"
I believe that Rick Rusaw and those who read it are truly genuine in their pursuit of reaching out to those outside of the church and I commend them for their desire to reach out. I just think this is mis-guided and I don't see this pattern in the Bible and I see it as a distraction for the Church from Christ and what Paul always said... I only preach Christ and Him crucified. So if you want to go and intentionally reach out to those around you in your community, you can do that through many organizations as a citizen of your country. But, as a citizen of Heaven and the body of Christ reach out with love and share the Gospel message for all of us are sinners and fall short of the Glory of God.
Grace and Peace to you all.

Chris Allen
Coram Deo!!!

Faith That Works

Here is a devotional offered by Truth for Life. The ministry of Alistair Begg. A wonderful Pastor and Teacher.
This is a good message on today's broadcast about "Faith that Works".

Grace and Peace,
Chris
www.Reform-Shire.blogspot.com
Coram Deo!!!

today's devotional September 24, 2008 "I slept, but my heart was awake." - Song of Solomon 5:2 "Paradoxes abound in Christian experience, and here is one: The spouse was asleep, and yet she was awake. The only one who can read the believer's riddle is he who has lived through this experience. The two points in this evening's text are: a mournful sleepiness and a hopeful wakefulness. 'I slept.' Through sin that dwells in us we may become lax in holy duties, lazy in religious exercises, dull in spiritual joys, and completely indolent and careless. This is a shameful state for one in whom the quickening Spirit dwells; and it is dangerous in the highest degree." read more >
today's broadcast: "Do What It Says! Part B" Faith That Works listen now >
Share With A Friend | Visit truthforlife.org | Subscribe | Unsubscribe

Cultural Faith: Is It Real?

Faith.  The gift of God that comes through Grace, because of Christ we are saved by God from God. 
Is salvation based upon our decision, or do we decide because we are already saved?  We have nothing to boast about. 

(Ephesians 2:8-10)  8For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9not by works, so that no one can boast. 10For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Sola Fide, Sola Gratia, Solus Christos, Sola Scriptura, Sola Deo Gloria!

Faith Alone, Grace Alone, Christ Alone Scripture Alone, All the Glory to God Alone!
Grace and Peace,

 

Chris
www.Reform-Shire.blogspot.com
Coram Deo!!!

Sorry for the tiny text below.  I tried to fix it but now I'm on my way to catch a plane.  G&P.

New Article from Pulpit Magazine

Cultural Faith: Is It Real? Posted: 12 Sep 2008 02:11 AM CDT (By Lee Duncan) * Lee serves as the Director of Educational Partnerships at The Master's College.  Every four years the United States goes through the democratic, sometimes painful, election process to select a new president. Television and radio ads inundate the electorate with every conceivable spin that promotes certain candidates while denigrating others. Many Americans stop answering their phones at home because they cannot take any more pre-recorded sales pitches. Every day we hear news reports, read articles, or receive mail about everything from foreign policies to economic policies to educational reform ideas — all with the theme of how to bring "change" to America. In recent elections there has been a much greater emphasis on the personal faith of the candidates, including how often they attend church, who is their pastor, what they think about God, and how their faith might influence their leadership and decision-making. A new kind of politically correct version of faith is emerging among many candidates and it prompts a question: is it real faith? Not that long ago "faith" was a word that described a particular set of doctrinal beliefs that identified a person's convictions that affected their lives and decisions. People would claim a certain denomination or doctrinal view as "their faith," determined by allegiance to some written authority or church teaching. Even though not everyone agreed what source was the ultimate authority, at least most people agreed that an outside source was needed as a basis of truth.  That is no longer the case in America. Today the term faith is used to say that a person believes in something of their own choosing; it does not rely on an external source but each creates his own truth. Political candidates can stand up and say they have faith without having to submit to the authority of God or Scripture; their faith is their own and frankly, they tell us, it is none of our business what specifically they believe because is it personal.  This is not genuine faith, it is a cultural faith.  Our modern American culture has changed faith into a personal, nebulous, changing, and relative expression of spirituality. Political candidates stand up and say, "I have faith and it is personal." From the position of an outsider, one might conclude that almost every candidate is a Christian who is committed to God. However, after further review, their faith is often nothing more than an admission that they believe in something that they don't want to talk about.  Unfortunately, that seems enough for the average citizen because to most Americans religion is personal and we certainly don't want to pry! Modern Americans are willing to accept that one who has faith is religious, regardless of what that faith entails. In reality, to state that you have faith today simply means that you consider yourself a spiritual person and that you have the right to believe whatever you choose. Faith is without accountability. Biblical faith is something altogether different; it is based on an outside authoritative source that identifies that truth comes from God and is totally consistent with His Word, the Bible. The essence of the word "faith" is that it is a belief or trust in a higher power. Faith is a moral and spiritual quality of fidelity to God and confidence in His Word. "Faith is not simply the assent of the intellect to revealed truth; it is the practical submission of the entire man to the guidance and control of such truth" (Unger, 1957, p. 341). "Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God" (Rom. 10:17).  Faith is based on evidence that we can't see (Heb. 11:1) and is a gift from God. God grants faith and then sustains faith through His eternal power. True faith submits to the Word of God; it is God's view that we follow, His Word that we obey, and His will that we seek.  Political candidates, and yes, most Americans, see faith as something that is individual and that allows every person to believe whatever he or she thinks is right. All they have to do is say, "I have faith," or "I am a person of faith," and they are excused from explaining what they believe and by what authority they make claims to truth. Politicians say that God's Word is informative, it is comforting, it is motivating, it is inspiring, but never will you hear one of them say, "It is authoritative." Americans like their faith the way they define it and don't want to be confined to a set of writings that has been handed down through the centuries. This is how political candidates can claim to be Christians but promote views that absolutely disagree with the Bible. They have faith all right, but not a biblical faith. Their faith is of their own making and there is no outside authority to which they must submit. It is a convenient faith, an easy faith, but ultimately, a coward's faith because they never have to be accountable for what they believe. Cultural faith is taking over America, but it is not genuine saving faith. Salvation is through Jesus Christ alone (John 14:6), God is the only source of truth (John 17:17), and God's Word is His inspired message to mankind (2 Tim. 3:16-17).  Unless faith is connected to these truths, then it is not faith at all.

You are subscribed to email updates from Pulpit Magazine To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now.	Email Delivery powered by FeedBurner
Inbox too full? Subscribe to the feed version of Pulpit Magazine in a feed reader.
If you prefer to unsubscribe via postal mail, write to: Pulpit Magazine, c/o FeedBurner, 20 W Kinzie, 9th Floor, Chicago IL USA 60610

Is Divine Election Unfair?

God's Divine Sovereignty is something that... depending whether it is accepted or not affects how a church is run.  It affects, worship, evangelism, tithing, teaching, the church's view of the covenants, and the church's view of eschatology, view of prayer, and the power of God's Word being preached and proclaimed and many other areas.  It is often stated in church  that we believe in God's sovereignty but in practice we sure don't show it.  And our American legacy of Charles Finney and a Pelagian view(emphasis on the decision of the believer as being sovereign), has us embracing all kinds of programs and things that are distractions from the sovereignty of God. 

 

Chris
www.Reform-Shire.blogspot.com
Coram Deo!!!

New Article from Pulpit Magazine

Is Divine Election Unfair? Posted: 02 Sep 2008 02:47 AM CDT (By John MacArthur) In spite of the clarity with which Scripture addresses this topic, many professing Christians today struggle in their acceptance of God's sovereignty — especially when it comes to His electing work in salvation. Their most common protest, of course, is that the doctrine of election is unfair. But such an objection stems from a human idea of fairness, rather than the objective, divine understanding of true justice. In order to appropriately address the issue of election, we must set aside all human considerations and focus instead on the nature of God and His righteous standard. Divine justice is where the discussion must begin. What is Divine justice? Simply stated, it is an essential attribute of God whereby He infinitely, perfectly, and independently does exactly what He wants to do when and how He wants to do it. Because He is the standard of justice, by very definition, then whatever He does is inherently just. As William Perkins said, many years ago, "We must not think that God doeth a thing because it is good and right, but rather is the thing good and right because God willeth it and worketh it." Therefore God defines for us what justice is, because He is by nature just and righteous, and what He does reflects that nature. His own free will and nothing else is behind His justice. This means that whatever He wills, is just; and it is just, not because of any external standard of justice, but simply because He wills it. Because the justice of God is an outflow of His character, it is not subject to fallen human assumptions of what justice should be. The Creator owes nothing to the creature, not even what He is graciously pleased to give. God does not act out of obligation and compulsion, but out of His own independent prerogative. That is what it means to be God. And because He is God, His freely determined actions are intrinsically right and perfect. To say that election is unfair is not only inaccurate, it fails to recognize the very essence of true fairness. That which is fair, and right, and just is that which God wills to do. Thus, if God wills to choose those whom He would save, it is inherently fair for Him to do so. We cannot impose our own ideas of fairness onto our understanding of God's working. Instead, we must go to the Scriptures to see how God Himself, in His perfect righteousness, decides to act.

You are subscribed to email updates from Pulpit Magazine To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now.	Email Delivery powered by FeedBurner
Inbox too full? Subscribe to the feed version of Pulpit Magazine in a feed reader.
If you prefer to unsubscribe via postal mail, write to: Pulpit Magazine, c/o FeedBurner, 20 W Kinzie, 9th Floor, Chicago IL USA 60610

Intentional Living?

Grace and Style

This is Grace Community Church's position on musical style of worship. Sometimes our preferences whether tradition or contemporary get in the way of True Worship. We come to church to hear from God, through Word and Sacrament. The word either preached or sung. Rod Rosenbladt from the WHI said that "even if the Pastor blows it in His sermon, we should still be able to hear about Christ and Him crucified during the Liturgy." This means that if the Pastor doesn't preach what he is supposed to the rest of the service ought to point us to Christ and Him Crucified and that our sins are forgiven. Especially during the Lord's Supper and Baptism. Also, don't forget that Jesus said that Mary was doing the right thing just sitting there listening to her Lord, while Martha was busy doing things that Martha thought were the right things to be doing. I think our churches are always trying to do the Martha thing when we should be doing the Mary thing. "Don't just do something... sit there!!" (Rosenbladt)

Grace and Peace,

Chris
www.Reform-Shire.blogspot.com
Coram Deo!!!

New Article from Pulpit Magazine

Grace and Style Posted: 15 Aug 2008 02:01 AM CDT What is Grace Church's view on musical style in the church? The Bible does not prescribe a particular style of music as being solely acceptable to God, nor does it condemn any particular styles. But it does contain principles that we can apply to any situation and ascertain what course of action will please God. When it comes to choices about what style to use in the church, we should apply the principle of appropriateness. At Grace Church, our Sunday worship services contain musical styles that are appropriate for all ages ‑‑ we try to be careful not to distract anyone present by using music that could be considered controversial in any way. But in our youth meetings and events at The Master's College, more contemporary styles are often played or sung. We require the lyrics in the latter to be doctrinally sound and clearly understandable. Some churches and Christian schools teach that any music with a drumbeat or electric guitar is worldly and sinful. We do not do so at Grace Church because the Bible tells us "not to exceed what is written" (1 Corinthians 4:6). We cannot add to the Scripture without subtracting from its effectiveness in our lives. If we elevate personal preference and man-made tradition to the level of God's Word (Mark 7:6-15), we risk entangling people in the bondage of legalism and diverting them from the true issues of sanctification (Romans 14:17). Here are five questions you can ask when evaluating music: 1. What is the lyrical content of the song? Are the words true? Are they biblically accurate? 2. Does the way in which the lyrics are presented cheapen the message? 3. Does the song make you conscious of the Lord, and draw you to Him, or does it distract from true worship? 4. Do the musical style and performance promote and facilitate a worshipful atmosphere? Or do they somehow undermine the truth and purity of the lyrical content? 5. Is the life‑style of the musician honoring to God?

You are subscribed to email updates from Pulpit Magazine To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now.	Email Delivery powered by FeedBurner
Inbox too full? Subscribe to the feed version of Pulpit Magazine in a feed reader.
If you prefer to unsubscribe via postal mail, write to: Pulpit Magazine, c/o FeedBurner, 20 W Kinzie, 9th Floor, Chicago IL USA 60610