Happy Reformation Day!

Luther, Zwingli, and Calvin

The Protestant Reformation was a movement in Europe that began with Martin Luther's activities in 1517 and ended with the Peace of Westphalia in 1648.[1] The movement began as an attempt to reform the Catholic Church and led to the fracturing of Christendom. Many western Christians were troubled by what they saw as false doctrines and malpractices within the Church, particularly involving the teaching and sale of indulgences. Another major contention was the practice of buying and selling church positions (simony) and the tremendous corruption found at the time within the Church's hierarchy. This corruption was systemic at the time, even reaching the position of the Pope.[2]
On 31 October 1517, in Saxony (in what is now Germany), Martin Luther nailed his Ninety-Five Theses to the door of the Wittenberg Castle Church, which served as a pin board for university-related announcements. These were points for debate that criticized the Church and the Pope. The most controversial points centered on the practice of selling indulgences and the Church's policy on purgatory. Luther's spiritual predecessors were men such as John Wycliffe and John Hus. Other reformers, such as Ulrich Zwingli and John Calvin, soon followed Luther's lead. Church beliefs and practices under attack by Protestant reformers included purgatory, particular judgment, devotion to Mary, the intercession of the saints, most of the sacraments, and the authority of the Pope.
The most important Protestant groups to emerge directly from the reformation were the Lutherans, the Reformed/Calvinists/Presbyterians, the Anabaptists, and the Anglicans. Subsequent Protestant denominations generally trace their roots back to the initial Reformation traditions. It also accelerated the Catholic or Counter Reformation within the Roman Catholic Church.
The Protestant Reformation is also referred to as the "Protestant Revolution", "Protestant Revolt", and, in Germany, the "Lutheran Reformation". (From Wikipedia)

Liturgical Musings With a 7 Year Old

I found this over at the blog called Date-Dabitur. Although, I would not agree with all the implications here, I found the conversation thought provoking.

CONVERSATIONS WITH NATHAN
By David Chilton

Note: This conversation, or a reasonably close version of it, took place one recent Sunday evening as my seven-year-old son Nathan and I visited an evangelical church for a special service. Although it actually took place in several stages (ending late that evening at home), for literary purposes I have reconstructed the conversation as if it all took place during the service. I confess that a good portion of it did go on then, as I tried to explain evangelical worship to an impressionable youngster.

Nathan: Papa, this sure is a funny liturgy.

Papa: Well, it isn’t exactly a liturgy. They don’t believe in liturgy at this church.

Nathan: How can you not believe in liturgy? Isn’t a liturgy just what you do in church?

Papa: Yes. But what I mean is that they don’t believe in having the service written down in advance.

Nathan: Why not?

Papa: They think that if they read something that’s written down, they won’t really mean it.

Nathan: But all they have to do is think about what it means, and agree with it, and then they’ll mean it, won’t they?

Papa: Sure. But they don’t believe that.

Nathan: But somebody around here must believe it, because we all sang from the same hymnbook. Don’t they mean it when they sing the hymns?

Papa: Sure they do. But they think prayers are different.

Nathan: You mean that they can agree with a song that they read, but they don’t know how to agree with a prayer that they read?

Papa: Something like that.

Nathan: Then why don’t they just memorize the prayers?

Papa: Because they think they wouldn’t mean those, either.

Nathan: Can they memorize songs and mean them?

Papa: Sure. But they think music is different. You can read or memorize a song and still mean it. But if you read or memorize words without music, you won’t mean them.

Nathan: So they don’t memorize Bible verses?

Papa: Of course they do.

Nathan: But they don’t mean them?

Papa: Yes, they do.

Nathan: Without music?

Papa: Sure.

Nathan: How?

Papa: Can we change the subject?

Nathan: OK. Why didn’t we confess our sins when we began the service?

Papa: This church doesn’t believe in it.

Nathan: WHAT?!

Papa: Shhh. Keep your voice down. I mean they don’t think the Church needs to do it.

Nathan: Don’t we need to be forgiven?

Papa: Sure. They just don’t think it should happen in Church.

Nathan: What about the Creed? Why didn’t we say the Creed?

Papa: Well, partly because it’s liturgical. They think they won’t mean it if they say it.

Nathan: We could sing it.

Papa: They don’t know how.

Nathan: Oh — they haven’t been Christians very long, huh? Let’s teach it to them.

Papa: Let’s not.

Nathan: Why not?

Papa: Because they won’t want to do it anyway. Because it’s liturgical.

Nathan: Why are they so afraid of liturgy? We could explain that it isn’t hard to mean it when you say it.

Papa: But they won’t want to do it anyway. They want to be different every week.

Nathan: Really? Different every week?

Papa: Yes.

Nathan: What do they do differently? Do they sometimes take the offering at the end of the service instead of in the middle?

Papa: No. That’s always at the same time.

Nathan: Do they sometimes have the preaching at the beginning?

Papa: No, that’s at the same time too.

Nathan: Then what do they do that’s different?

Papa: They sing different songs.

Nathan: So does our church.

Papa: Well, it really comes down to the fact that they don’t have prayers and responses for the congregation to read.

Nathan: Why not?

Papa: They think that reading prayers and responses keeps people from worshiping.

Nathan: Really? What do they think the people should do instead?

Papa: Just sit there and do nothing.

Nathan: That’s worship? Doesn’t it get boring?

Papa: Not if the elders keep things exciting enough on the stage.

Nathan: Elders? What elders? You mean those men up there on the platform are elders?

Papa: Sort of. But they don’t always call them that.

Nathan: Why aren’t they wearing robes and collars so you know what they are?

Papa: They say elders shouldn’t wear special clothes.

Nathan: Why not?

Papa: They think that there’s nothing special about clothing.

Nathan: Policemen and soldiers and judges wear special clothes.

Papa: Well, they think clothing isn’t special for elders. They think elders should look like everybody else.

Nathan: Then why is that elder wearing a maroon suit with a blue shirt, a green tie, and a white belt?

Papa: Well, it’s still a suit. The point is, he can wear anything he wants.

Nathan: You mean an elder could wear a robe and a collar if he wanted?

Papa: No. He can wear anything but a robe and a collar.

Nathan: So they do think clothing is special!

Papa: Well. . . .

Nathan: There! Someone did it again!

Papa: Did what?

Nathan: He said “Amen.” See? That’s why this place needs a liturgy book. Half the people don’t know when to say things.

Papa: I told you. They don’t do a liturgy here.

Nathan: Some people do. Hear that? Somebody just did it again. If we had a book, we could all say it together. That would keep some people from getting it wrong and saying it while somebody else is talking.

Papa: But Nathan, I’m telling you. There’s no liturgy. People just say “Amen” whenever they feel like it.

Nathan: WHAT? Where does the Bible say to do that?

Papa: It doesn’t.

Nathan: Then why do they do it? Aren’t they afraid?

Papa: Why should they be afraid?

Nathan: Because it’s a vow, a covenant promise. Doesn’t it mean that we agree with God, and that if we don’t keep this promise we are asking God to destroy us? Isn’t it even a special covenant name for Jesus?

Papa: Sure. But they don’t know that. They think it means something else.

Nathan: What do they think “Amen” means?

Papa: They think it means “I feel good.”

Nathan: Look at that!

Papa: What?

Nathan: There are people raising their hands!

Papa: So?

Nathan: In our church, the elders raise their hands to God when they pray. But in this church, everybody else does it, whenever they feel like it. And they make up their own liturgy as they go along. You know what I think?

Papa: What?

Nathan: I think that in this church everybody is an elder — except the elders.

Papa: That may be the best description I’ve heard yet.

Nathan: You know, Pa, those elders are tricking us.

Papa: How’s that?

Nathan: They really do have a liturgy for their prayers. They keep saying the same thing over and over again.

Papa: Really?

Nathan: Sure. I don’t know what they mean, but there are two special words they keep using in all their prayers.

Papa: What words?

Nathan: Well, the first one is “just.” They keep saying it. “Lord we just thank you for just being so just special.” Stuff like that. They must have it written down, because they all do it.

Papa: What’s the other word?

Nathan: It’s not really a word. It’s a special sound, like a little clucking noise: “Tsk.”

Papa: What?

Nathan: Tsk. Tsk.

Papa: What are you talking about?

Nathan: Listen. It goes like this: “Lord, tsk, we just, tsk, we just, tsk, we want to, tsk, thank you, tsk, Lord, for, tsk, for just, tsk, being just so, tsk, special, tsk.” Right?

Papa: OK, quiet down and listen to the special music.

Nathan: Wait. What’s that guy doing? He looks weird.

Papa: Shhh. He’s just singing.

Nathan: Yeah, but he’s shaking all over the place. He looks like he’s going to fall down.

Papa: Well, that’s the way the “special music” singers do it in this church. He’s just trying to rock to the beat.

Nathan: Why? It looks dumb.

Papa: Let’s figure it out. Why do we have a choir in our church? What do you think they’re doing there?

Nathan: It’s part of our worship. They help us worship God.

Papa: OK. Now, why do you think this church has people sing?

Nathan: Well, I guess they’re trying to worship too. But it seems more like they’re trying to look like they’re on television.

Papa: Sort of like MTV?

Nathan: Not that bad. It just looks like they want people to notice them instead of praying. Unless — Do you think maybe he’s just kind of sick?

Papa: We’ll talk about it later. It’s time for communion now.

Nathan: What’s this?

Papa: Shhh! It’s bread.

Nathan: Come on, Pa. What is it really?

Papa: It’s bread, honest. It’s a little, tiny cube of bread.

Nathan: Looks like a piece of cracker to me.

Papa: Well, sure. It is a piece of cracker.

Nathan: Should we give them some money so they can afford bread?

Papa: They can afford it. But they want to do it this way.

Nathan: Why would anybody want to eat this? Do they like the taste?

Papa: Probably not.

Nathan: Then why would they eat something they don’t enjoy — especially at Communion? We’re supposed to be happy when we eat with God.

Papa: Be quiet. It’s time to drink the cup.

Nathan: OK. Yuck! What is this stuff?

Papa: Um, it’s. . . .

Nathan: Tastes like grape-flavored Kool-Aid.

Papa: Grape juice, probably.

Nathan: Doesn’t taste very good. Did they forget to buy some wine?

Papa: No. They don’t drink wine here.

Nathan: WHAT?!

Papa: SHHH!

Nathan: Why don’t they drink wine?

Papa: They don’t believe in it. They think it’s wrong.

Nathan: But it tastes good.

Papa: Well, tasting good isn’t everything.

Nathan: But God made it for us to drink, especially at Communion. It makes us happy, and it makes God happy too.

Papa: That’s right.

Nathan: Does the Bible say it’s wrong?

Papa: No.

Nathan: Then why do they say it is? And why do they drink this yucky juice? And eat those crummy little cracker pieces? No wonder they’re so sad!

Papa: What?

Nathan: Well, look at them. Look how sad they all are. They don’t look like they’re enjoying this, do they?

Papa: Well, no. . . .

Nathan: Well, they aren’t enjoying it a bit. But didn’t you tell me that Communion is a special dinner with Jesus?

Papa: Yes.

Nathan: And when we come to Communion, the whole Church is coming up to heaven, right?

Papa: Right.

Nathan: And when we go to heaven to be with Jesus and have dinner with Him, we’re supposed to be happy, aren’t we?

Papa: Sure.

Nathan: Well, why aren’t these people happy? Do they think heaven is a sad place to be?

Papa: I think they’re sad because they’re thinking about their sins.

Nathan: But they’ve been forgiven, and now they’re in heaven! They’re supposed to be thinking about Jesus!

Papa: Oh, they’re thinking of Him, too. They’re sad because they’re thinking about Him dying on the cross.

Nathan: But He’s not dying anymore. The whole reason we’re doing this is that He came alive, right?

Papa: Right.

Nathan: Well, I don’t think they could be sad about Jesus. I think they’re sad ’cause they had to eat those icky crackers and drink that dumb old Kool-Aid.

Papa: Grape juice.

Nathan: Kool-Aid. Hey, Papa. Why are those people looking at me funny?

Papa: Um . . . it’s because you took Communion.

Nathan: So? Everybody else did.

Papa: Not the kids.

Nathan: Why not?

Papa: Because they aren’t allowed to.

Nathan: WHAT?!

Papa: SHHH! They only let grownups take Communion at this church.

Nathan: Why? If you’ve been baptized you can take Communion, right? Even babies can take Communion, because Jesus feeds them, too. Children need Communion as much as grownups.

Papa: But these children haven’t been baptized.

Nathan: WHAT?!

Papa: Shhh. It’s true.

Nathan: Why don’t they want their children to come into the Covenant?

Papa: Well, they do. They just don’t believe that children can be Christians until they get older.

Nathan: That’s dumb. God can make anybody a Christian.

Papa: Well, I mean that they don’t think He will make their children Christians. Until they get older.

Nathan: But Jesus wants little children to come to Him. Even babies. He said so, didn’t He?

Papa: Yes.

Nathan: Look. These people have families, right? Don’t they feed their babies? They don’t make their kids sit in a corner and wait till they’re grownups before they can eat. So why shouldn’t God feed His children, too? It must be sad for the kids to watch the rest of the family eating without them.

Papa: But they don’t think their children really are God’s children.

Nathan: But they teach their children to pray, don’t they?

Papa: Sure.

Nathan: Who do they pray to?

Papa: “Whom.” Objective case. And don’t end your sentences with prepositions unless you have to.

Nathan: Do their kids call God “Father”? Like in the Lord’s Prayer? Wait a minute. You aren’t going to tell me they don’t believe in the Lord’s Prayer, are you?

Papa: Sure, they believe in it. And many of them teach it to their children.

Nathan: Well then. If they teach their children to say “Our Father,” then that means they think their children are God’s children, too. Right?

Papa: Uh . . . sort of. But –

Nathan: But they don’t baptize them into Jesus. So how can they be God’s children unless they’re in the Covenant?

Papa: Right. That’s why they don’t give them Communion.

Nathan: Is this as confusing to them as it is to me?

Papa: It might be if they thought about it much.

Nathan: Well, how are their kids supposed to become Christians, if their parents don’t bring them to be baptized?

Papa: When they get older, they’re supposed to make up their own minds.

Nathan: About whether or not to obey God? That’s pretty dumb. Do they have to wait till they’re older to decide if they want to obey their parents, too?

Papa: Not usually. But they want their children to wait until they’re old enough to love God.

Nathan: But I love God. I always have. And the Bible says that people can know God even when they’re in their mama’s tummy, doesn’t it?

Papa: Well, these people think you have to wait until you are older and smarter, so that you understand what it’s all about.

Nathan: You mean you can’t have dinner with Jesus until you understand what it means?

Papa: That’s the idea.

Nathan: Papa, do grownups understand everything about what Communion means?

Papa: Some people probably think they do.

Nathan: I don’t think these people understand much about it. If they did, they’d bring their children into the Covenant and let them have dinner in heaven with them. And anyway, how are the kids supposed to learn what it means without doing it? That’s like trying to get nutrition from reading a recipe, instead of eating the food!

Papa: Not bad. I’ll have to remember that one.

Nathan: OK, so how can a kid get Communion in this church?

Papa: Well, when he gets older — say, around twelve or so — he asks Jesus into his heart.

Nathan: Papa, don’t be silly. This is serious.

Papa: I’m not being silly. They tell you to ask Jesus to come into your heart.

Nathan: I’ve never heard that. Is that in the Bible?

Papa: No. But they think it is. It’s just an expression someone made up that means becoming a Christian. They also call it “receiving Christ,” which is a little more Biblical.

Nathan: But Jesus is in heaven. And we receive Him every Sunday — every time we eat His body and drink His blood.

Papa: Uh, keep your voice down, willya? They don’t talk like that around here.

Nathan: But Jesus talked like that.

Papa: I know. But they don’t know that.

Nathan: Let’s tell them.

Papa: Let’s not, OK? Not right now.

Nathan: All right. Let’s get back to how kids can become Christians and have Communion. When they get older they ask Jesus “into their hearts,” right? So do they just go ahead and do it when they get to be twelve?

Papa: Not exactly. The grownups have to be sure the kids really mean it.

Nathan: How can they know that?

Papa: The kids have to cry when they do it.

Nathan: Cry? Real tears? How do they make themselves cry?

Papa: Well, some churches spend lots of time practicing. But, basically, they just have a preacher get up and tell real sad stories, so sad that they make people cry. So then the kids cry, and they walk up to the front of the church and ask Jesus to come into their hearts. Sometimes this happens during the summer. The kids go to a special camp where they listen to people preach at
them. Then, on the last night, they all stand around a campfire and –

Nathan: And listen to scary stories?

Papa: No. Sad stories.

Nathan: Aw, shoot.

Papa: Then they cry, and throw little twigs on the fire, and ask Jesus into their hearts.

Nathan: Why do they throw twigs on the fire? Do they think they have to do that to come into the Covenant?

Papa: They think that’s how you have to do it if you’re in the mountains. It’s part of their Summer Camp Liturgy. But if you’re home you don’t need to.

Nathan: Then do they get Communion?

Papa: No. They usually have to wait, and go through a class to learn what it means to be a Christian.

Nathan: Wait. What have they been doing while growing up? Haven’t they already had plenty of classes? Does a kid ever get Communion around here?

Papa: Sure, eventually. After he gets out of the class he can have it whenever everybody else does.

Nathan: Every Sunday.

Papa: No. Every month or so.

Nathan: Why not every Sunday? Don’t they go to church every Sunday?

Papa: Yes. But they don’t have Communion every Sunday.

Nathan: But what do they do, if they don’t have Communion? Isn’t that why we go to Church — so we can go to heaven and have dinner in Jesus’ House?

Papa: Well, they sing songs and listen to a sermon.

Nathan: But that’s part of the Liturgy of Communion. Communion is what the Church service is all about, isn’t it? We’re supposed to worship God, and then He feeds us with His food. Why do they go to church? Don’t they go to meet God?

Papa: Sure. But they think they meet him by just listening to a sermon and getting excited about what the preacher says, if he’s interesting enough to listen to. If he isn’t a good speaker, then they think they haven’t met with God.

Nathan: Look. Don’t these people know that Communion makes them strong for living the rest of the week? How is anyone supposed to go without food for a month and still have any energy to do his work?

Papa: Well, they think that if they have Communion every week it won’t seem special.

Nathan: It doesn’t seem like it’s very special to them anyway. I think it would be lots more special if they had it every week and gave it to their children. Maybe then even the grownups
would understand what it means.

Papa: You’re probably right.

Nathan: Wait a minute, Papa. I think I just figured out the real reason why they don’t have Communion very often.

Papa: Why’s that?

Nathan: ‘Cause it’s crackers and Kool-Aid.

Neil Young Heart of Gold

There's a strange kind of beauty here, both both raw and tender. Neil is no great singer, but his voice conveys such emotion that what comes from his mouth is great! You cannot fake the foo!

Ligonier Pastor's Conference

Joel Beeke on the Target Audience

Targets are the minds and souls of our hearers. We are to aim a killing blow to unbelief. We aim at the conscience with the law and the gospel.

1st John 2:12-14

12 I am writing to you, little children,because your sins are forgiven for his name's sake.13 I am writing to you, fathers,because you know him who is from the beginning.I am writing to you, young men,because you have overcome the evil one.I write to you, children,because you know the Father.14 I write to you, fathers,because you know him who is from the beginning.I write to you, young men,because you are strong,and the word of God abides in you,and you have overcome the evil one.

I. Preaching Must Be Applicatory- It is riveting truth that matches the text. Power and not just mere form. Good preaching is incomplete without application. We preach to people. Preaching to people is the MAIN thing about preaching.

II. Preaching Must Be Discriminatory- We must distinguish that there are both believers and unbelievers in the midst of the congregation. Good preaching will open the doors of the Kingdom to believers but shuts the door to unbelievers.

A. A line of demarcation

B. This line is a marking between wheat and tares, (we must recognize there are counterfeit Christians). People must be able to examine their heart through the Scriptures.

C. Regard different individuality amongst Christians. (babes and adults, little children, young men, old men).

III. The Pew Cannot Control the Pulpit. (not the other way around) We all need the same gospel. Just bring it! [It is important to remember to shoot the arrow and not the audience].

IV. Types of People Who You Will Preach To

A. Growing Believers- How do we preach to different maturity levels?

1. little children- those not yet deeply engaged in spiritual warfare. They need to hear clear teaching. Need to learn to walk by faith consistently.

2. Young men- those more acquainted with Scriptures. They labor in prayer, but lack maturity. They think very highly of their own spiritual insights. They must be stripped of "self." Humble them to live more fully in Christ.

3. Fathers in the Faith (Acts 21) The word dwells richly in them. But they loose excitement. They have a tendency to grow stagnant.

We need all three of these diverse elements in the body. Every group has strengths and weaknesses. All of this group are believers.

B. Backsliders- Abusers of the gospel. Must be preached against. The congregation must be told what backsliding is. These people lack a love for the gospel, preaching and others.

C. Those locked in spiritual bondage- these are those who are locked in spiritual bondage. Preach the gospel fully and freely, proclaiming the richness. They must be told, if they cannot proclaim God as their father, go to God and proclaim your fatherless condition. Teach people to call on God as father. Make use of Christ to know the father.

D. Unsaved- Stir them up to holy jealously. Make them feel empty apart from Christ. Encourage them to flee to Christ. Tell them there is no where to go for joy other than Christ. Aim this kind of preaching to the condition of the heart. Show them who they are. Warn them against self-deceit, [they may think they are on their way to heaven]. Something is a wrong with a person who can go a week without reading the Bible and not be bothered by that. But we must not preach easy-believism, but don't swing the pendulum towards the gnostic thought of a "super-christian" who has a secret knowledge.

E. Indifferent Unbelievers- Strong sermons about fleeing from the wrath to come. People will warn you about being a hell and damnation preacher. Don't fear! Jesus was that kind of preacher. Of course you might not preach this way every Sunday, but with enough frequency the indifferent unbeliever will be convicted. Preach emptiness apart from Christ. Proclaim the immensity and infinity of the love of Christ. Preach strongly as a dying man to dying men. Warn him while you can!

What about those who are hopeless? Those who think they've sinned too much? Tell them God is in the business of saving and choosing the worst of the lot, the small rather than the large. There are no hopeless cases with God. If God saved Adam, who plunged the who human race into sin, he can save you! He give his best, (his only Son), for the worse, (a sinner like you)!

Errors to avoid:

1. There are more targets than those mentioned.

2. It is hard to determine who is in what category, (the important thing is to recognize all these targets are there in someway shape or form and preach to that end). There are all kinds of hearers. But never, NEVER address people from the pulpit who need to be addressed privately.

Ligonier Pastor's Conference

Steve Lawson on the Eclipse of God

"What comes to mind when we think about God is the most important thing about us."-- A.W. Tozer

A high view of God leads to high living. Low views of God lead to low living. One of the greatest struggle in our hour of life is that the glory of God is eclipsed.

We have theological problems in the church. ie. ECT, Arminianism, Open Theism, Health/Wealth Gospel. In reality God's glory is not diminished, but these things have obscured his glory. Low theology leads to low doxology.

Faithful Bible exposition has been replaced with entertainment. God's glory has been obscured by our pattern of worship.

Our methodology is extremely pragmatic. ie. Purpose Driven Church. (see page 219). This is very different than what we find in Acts 16 when the Lord is the one who opened the heart of Lydia.

The eclipse of God is killing us! We must come back to a God-centered pulpit. God-centered evangelism and a God-centered ministry. Man can build a booming church but only God can build a church.

Psalm 93

The Lord reigns; he is robed in majesty;the Lord is robed; he has put on strength as his belt.Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved. Your throne is established from of old;you are from everlasting.
The floods have lifted up, O Lord,the floods have lifted up their voice;the floods lift up their roaring. Mightier than the thunders of many waters,mightier than the waves of the sea,the Lord on high is mighty!
Your decrees are very trustworthy;holiness befits your house,O Lord, forevermore.

I. The Sovereign Rule of God vs. 1-2 The most fundamental truth of all is "God Is/He reigns!" This is a clear statement of God.

A. He reign is exclusive

B. His reign is constant.

C. He reigns actively

D. He reigns irresistibly.

E. He reigns majestically.

F. He reigns powerfully.

G. He reigns immutably

H. He reigns eternally

II. The sinful rebellion of man vs. 3-4 Notice that the waves have been "lifted-up" three different ways/times. What is this flood? Ocean represents chaos/disorder of mankind. There is unrest against God. Man is at an uproar against God. "Sin will always make you stupid." God is greater than these waves. Psalm 2: 1-7

III. The sure salvation of God vs. 5 God will honor his word. God mediates his sovereign rule on earth through his word. It is his word to his people. Church is not a democracy. It is theocratic. God tells it like it is. His word is a faithful and true witness. God's word will forever come to pass. His word is living and active. The word produces holiness. (separation from sin) Holiness is produced by the faithful exposition of God's word. People can only grow through the truth of the word. It sanctifies. What will be the lasting effect? An eternal ministry. If you want to do ministry. If you want to do ministry that has an eternal impact..., preach the word. Wood, hay and stubble burns. God's precious stones are purified.

The greatest issue facing a church is not who is on the outside, or who is on the inside, but who is seated on the throne? This is our view of God.

God-centered is God driven.

"The secret of Calvin's ministry was that no one had a more profound view of God than Calvin."--BB Warfield

William Tyndale

"Euagelio (that we cal gospel) is a greke worde, and signyfyth good, mery, glad and joyfull tydings, and maketh a mannes hert glad, and maketh hym synge, daunce and leepe for joye." - William Tyndale

Quotes I Like

"Your own winning literary style must begin with interesting ideas in your head. Find a subject you care about and which in your heart feel others should care about.It is this genuine caring, and not your games with language, which will be the most compelling and seductive element in your style." --Kurt Vonnegut

Golf in Hobbiton

I played golf over the weekend at a certain place that looked curiously like a small town in the western part of Middle Earth. Can you tell from the pictures, which is which?

Now if I can only learn to swing a golf club like Orcrist the Goblin Cleaver, I'll be doing all right!

The New Covenant

Notes from Pastor David's sermon on Hebrews 9:1-10

Introduction: This text has a practical application because it is about worship. Something we are all engaged in.

The established norm is not the ultimate reality. Galileo was a man who pushed through the established norm with conflicting, yet truthful observations of reality.

The verses in our text read something like a parable. This real life situation teaches a spiritual truth. The more we learn about the Tabernacle, the more we understand Jesus.

The Eastern gate is significant. Why? Scripture uses many illustrations of the "East." Adam and Eve were cast out East of the Garden of Eden. Cain was driven East. David was driven East. When the glory of the Lord departed the temple in the Old Testament, He departed by way of the Eastern gate. Judah camped by the Eastern gate.

I. Verses 1-7

A significant theme of the Tabernacle is God communicating to us, "I am with you." But God also says, through the illustration of the Tabernacle, "I am inaccessible."

The alter represented death, (a sacrifice).

The laver represented cleanliness, (removal of sin).

The lamp burned continuously, (God is the light of the world).

The table of show bread, (provision of sustenance for God's people).

The incense represented the prayers of God's people, (God hears).

The curtain blocked entrance into the Most Holy Place, (the inapproachability of God).

The Ark of the Covenant contained the Law, golden vessel of manna, and Aaron's budding rod. These items may represent means of grace in the church, law=word, manna=sacraments, buddding rod=discipleship.

The Tabernacle and the items it contained were physical representations of Christ.

II. Verses 8-10

Physical barriers were representative of the spiritual barriers that existed between God and his people. The real barrier is an unloving heart and a guilt ridden conscience so seared because of evil it cannot approach it's Holy Maker.

Because Jesus never sinned he has a pure conscience. He teaches us to worship. That is why Christ is the only way to God.

Conclusion:

What would it take to be right with God? The Hebrews were tempted to think more sacrifices would do it. More bread on the table of show bread, more priests, etc. But what would it take for us to be right with God? Only the blood of Jesus can atone for sin. Anything else is an adding to the perfect sacrifice that has already been made by the perfect priest.

Just Remember I Love You

Lorien told me this almost made her cry, so I just had to post it. This is dedicated to her. Be encouraged!

America-Tin Man

A double shot of America!

Back when making music was more important than making money!

America-Ventura Highway

An acoustic tour de force! (Just imagine what they would sound like if they were playing with Taylors)

Wolf Shall Dwell With the Lamb...

These pictures are real. I verified them at Snopes. Evidently the polar bear had a full tummy!


"The wolf shall dwell with the lamb,and the leopard shall lie down with the young goat,and the calf and the lion and the fattened calf together;and a little child shall lead them. The cow and the bear shall graze;their young shall lie down together;and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. The nursing child shall play over the hole of the cobra,and the weaned child shall put his hand on the adder's den. They shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain;for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea." -Isaiah 11:6-9


(on a side note, I believe these verses present a good case for Postmillenialism)

The New Covenant

Sermon Notes from Pastor David on Hebrews 8:6-13

Introduction:

The no fault divorce originated in the USSR. Communism had sought to break the back of the authority of the church. It has since crept into the US by way of California.

God hates divorce. But he divorced Israel due to her marital unfaithfulness. She broke God's law and effectively removed herself from the covenant and the husbandry of God.

"....for all the adulteries of that faithless one, Israel, I had sent her away with a decree of divorce. Yet her treacherous sister Judah did not fear, but she too went and played the whore." Jeremiah 3:8

The Mosaic or old covenant consisted of the moral law (10 commandments), civil law and the ceremonial law. It was a shadow of the redemption which would find it's ultimate fulfillment in the new covenant which has better promises. The old covenant pointed to the coming of Christ. The old covenant did not have the power to regenerate. The law has power to reveal a heart of stone, but does not have the power to change a heart of stone into a heart of flesh capable of loving God.

I. People: Nothing More

The recipients of the letter to the Hebrews were tempted to go back to the old covenant. But their problem was the old covenant had now become obsolete. The old covenant found it's fulfillment in the coming of Christ. As 21st Cent. Christians we may not face the temptation of going back to the Jewish ceremonial law. It has never been something that was part of our culture, however we are tempted to go back to the things that order our lives other than Christ. We are tempted to place things like money, health, reputation, etc., as priorities rather than delighting in Christ and his finished work of redemption, (the new covenant). We cannot make it apart from the strength of the Holy Spirit. Our flesh is weak. We would desert Christ in a heartbeat just like the Old Testament Israelites if it were not for God's grace. I am thankful the new covenant is not conditional upon man's performance. All of the "good" in me has been tapped and I have been found wanting. We CANNOT save ourselves. If it could, the old covenant would have shown it. Rather where the old covenant does succeed is it shows we cannot save ourselves.

II. God: Nothing Less

Only God can change a heart. Only He can make a heart of stone into a heart of flesh. Regeneration must be entirely monergistic in order for grace to be grace. It is nothing less than all grace. Here is how the Bible describes it:

"For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord:I will put my laws into their minds,and write them on their hearts,and I will be their God,and they shall be my people." Hebrews 8:10

This is regeneration. Jesus told Nicodemus in John 3 that a man must be born again. The wind blows where it will and you cannot control it. It's the same with the Spirit. Salvation belongs to the Lord. It is nothing less than the work of God's spirit that performs this operation. The new covenant is not just promises, it is a bold statement and God himself will see that those promises are fulfilled. It will happen.

The new covenant is nothing less than being drawn into a living and active relationship with the Trinity. The new covenant was not God's plan B. From eternity past the Father purposed to redeem a people to praise him. Jesus died to accomplish this. The great exchange takes place through the effective application of the Holy Spirit. Jesus takes (took) our sin upon himself and in turn we receive his righteousness. The transaction takes place because we are united to him by faith.

III. Grace: Nothing But

We might be tempted to resist the idea of all these things happening by grace alone. But this is entirely what the new covenant is about: Jesus doing for us what we could not do ourselves. Our works, not done by faith and for the glory of Christ are worthless. The old covenant proved this. If it were possible to be saved by works then at least a few would have been able to do it.

The new covenant fulfills what was only hinted at in the old covenant. If we can use the example of the old covenant as the moon and the new covenant as the sun, we may see the moon, high in the sky fade into the blinding light of the rising sun. Why? Because the sun is superior. It is the source whereas the moon is but a reflection of the real thing.

Conclusion:

The new covenant gives us confidence in the grace of God whereby we can say, "I am forgiven, therefore I can forgive." This impacts all of life. It impacts the relationships we have with spouses, children, friends and even enemies. It frees us to love and extend grace ourselves.

Gary Newman Cars

Just goes to show nerds can rock-n-roll too! I still believe this is one of the SCARIEST music videos of all time.

Turn it up!

Henry V- St.Crispin's Speech

...then will he strip his sleeve and show his scars and say, "these wounds I had on Crispin's Day."

Fat Boys with Stick 'Em

The Human Beat Box was brilliant!

More Than Just Five Points

Euclid's Elements and a Geometric Applet

I have developed an interest in Euclidean geometry. I must confess I know very little about it, however I find it thrilling and I desire to learn more.

In the process of studying Euclid's Elements, I came across this handy, dandy little toy called a geometry applet. Click here if you want to examine it. [Warning: it's addictive, but I have not figured out why!] It is a rather cool little device.

The Sign Says it All

One of My Heroes

Here is one of my heroes looking outside the door of his cabin which he built with his own two hands. His name is Dick Proenneke. I hope to say more about him at a later time, but for now I thought you might enjoy this picture of him. Look at the door. He cut the wood from a log with a handsaw. Also take note of the wooden hinges. He made those himself too. Obviously, they were not bought from Home Depot. You could not buy hinges like that from Home Depot or Lowe's even if you wanted too!

Mississippi Fred McDowell - John Henry