The Glorious Ones

"As for the saints in the land, they are the glorious ones, in whom is all my delight." Psalm 16:3 (NIV)

Over the past month and a half I have been away from my office almost 14 days and I have been out of the King of Grace pulpit three Sundays. I am experiencing the "Rip Van Winkle" syndrome. Rip Van Winkle was away for 20 years (due to a very long nap) and returned home to find himself very confused and disconnected from the community and family once very familiar to him. I feel a bit like Rip some times after being away from home.

There is no better place to be in the whole world than around God’s precious people, particularly the ones you're called to as part of a local church family. They truly are the excellent ones. They are chosen ones so precious to God that he gave His Son for them. They are the regenerate ones, washed in the precious blood of Christ, counted righteous in the perfect God-man. They are the glorious ones who share in the Holy Spirit and eternal life. They are the ruling ones who will reign over all creation under Christ in the new heaven and earth. They are the lovely ones full of the love of Christ. They are my brothers and sisters and my friends. They are knit together with me by love into this local church body.

The rich and famous of this world have nothing on these folks. The leaders of the world don't compare to them. They are indeed God’s rich and famous. And to be around them is my amazing privilege.

I’m glad to be back home

My church family at a fireside gathering.

It's Only Just Begun

When the betrothed one is married to her beloved, the wedding day is not the end of it all; the putting on of the ring is the beginning, not the end. And so, when we believe in Jesus, we are saved, but we must not idly feel that "it is all done now." No, it has only begun. The life of dependence, the life of faith, the life of obedience, the life of love, the life of union has now begun, and it is to be continued forever.

Charles Spurgeon 1834-1892 via Jeff Haavisto

Gospel-Centered Parenting

I spoke at Grace Community Church this past Sunday. My good friend and overseeing pastor, Aron Osborne is the Senior Pastor of this church. They’ve invited me to share on “Parenting Teens: An Epic Adventure in Gospel-Centered Living”. This is certainly an area in which I have much to learn! I was glad to serve them by speaking on this topic. You can access the message here.

Preparing for this message brought fresh conviction on some areas I need to grow in as a parent. Peg and I have been discussing them and bringing some course corrections to our parenting. Thank God for fresh conviction and instruction from His word!

My preparation also made me aware that there are folks who are hungry for good gospel-centered parenting instruction and examples. So I put together a short list of resources. Please check them out and enjoy the life-changing fruit that God will give you as you depend on him in applying these truths!

God Bless,
Paul

1. Age of Opportunity – A Biblical Guide to Parenting Teens – Paul Tripp
2. Shepherding a Child’s Heart – Tedd Tripp
3. Parents, Teens, and Reasonable Expectations – Grant Layman
4. Gospel- Centered Parenting – CJ Mahaney
5. Gospel Centered Parenting on the Web – Numerous Resources Here!

Expulsive Power of a New Affection

Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world.

If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

1 John 2:15

"A moralist will be unsuccessful in trying to displace his love of the world by reviewing the ills of the world. Misplaced affections need to be replaced by the far greater power of the affection of the gospel."

Taken from the sermon The Expulsive Power of a New Affection by Thomas Chalmers 1780-1847 via Jeff Haavisto

Take a look at this excellent truth expounded in Thomas Chalmers sermon. Understanding this will change your pursuit of Christlikeness!

God Bless,
Paul

Together for the Gospel

Well, we had a fantastic week at Together for the Gospel 08. Thank God for this wonderful conference, the men who lead it and the 5000+ church leaders who participated in it.

Jeff Haavisto, Phil Lowther, Chris Knowles and I attended and were very encouraged by the excellent teaching, fantastic fellowship and wonderful corporate worship. We came back really jazzed. May God prosper us in these truths to give away what we received!

Bottom line lesson for me: By God's Grace Keep the Gospel Pure and It Will Keep Us for God, His People and His Purposes in love, joy and all the fruit of the Spirit.

Check out the messages here:

T4G 2008

Tuesday April 15 - Thursday April 17, 2008
Kentucky International Convention Center | Louisville, KY

Session I Ligon Duncan - Sound Doctrine – Essential to Faithful Pastoral Ministry | Play Now|Download

Session II Thabiti Anyabwile - Bearing the Image: Identity, the Work of Christ, and the Church | Play Now | Download

Session III John MacArthur - The Sinner Neither Able Nor Willing: The Doctrine of Absolute Inability | Play Now | Download

Session IV Mark Dever - Improving the Gospel: Exercises in Unbiblical Theology | Play Now | Download

Session V RC Sproul - The Curse Motif of the Atonement | Play Now | Download

Session VI Albert Mohler - Why Do They Hate It So? The Doctrine of Substitution | Play Now | Download

Session VII John Piper - How the Supremacy of Christ Creates Radical Christian Sacrifice | Play Now | Download

Session VIII CJ Mahaney - Sustaining a Pastor's Soul | Play Now | Download | |

The Insanity of Doubt

What I am telling you is that it easier for us humans to believe and trust in everything else than in the man Christ, who alone is all in all, and more difficult for us to rely on Him in whom and through whom we possess all things.

Taken from the sermon that Martin Luther preached on the fourth Sunday in Advent 1532 from my friend Jeff Haavisto

A Reader's Hebrew Bible

Zondervan has come out with a Readers Hebrew Bible. I plan to get one asap. Check out this post from Justin Taylor on this:

Here's some more information (and an offer at the end):

Ideal for Hebrew students and pastors, A Reader’s Hebrew Bible saves time and effort in studying the Hebrew Old Testament. By eliminating the need to look up definitions, the footnotes allow the user to read the Hebrew and Aramaic text more quickly, focusing on parsing and grammatical issues. A Reader’s Hebrew Bible offers the following features:

• Complete text of the Hebrew and Aramaic Bible using the Leningrad Codex (minus critical apparatus)
• Shaded Hebrew names that occur less than 100 times
• Footnoted definitions of all Hebrew words occurring 100 times or less (twenty-five or less for Aramaic words)
• Context-specific glosses
• Stem-specific glossed definitions for verb forms (Qal, Piel, Hiphil, and so forth)
• Ketib/Qere readings both noted in the text and differentiated appropriately
• Marker ribbon

Featuring a handsome Italian Duo-Tone™ binding, A Reader’s Hebrew Bible is a practical, attractive, and surprisingly affordable resource.

Page Count: 1680

Size: 7.2 wide x 9.9 high x 2.1 deep in. | 183 wide x 251 high x deep 53 mm
Weight: 3.26 lb | 1477 gms

Available: March, 2008
Publisher: Zondervan

To see some sample pages, click here.

And here's an offer from Zondervan for readers of this blog: they will send a complimentary copy ($49.99 retail) to the first five people who (1) post a link to the Amazon page for A Reader's Hebrew Bible, (2) agree to write a blog review about the book after receiving it, and (3) email chris (dot) fann (at) zondervan (dot) com.

How Do New Englanders Come to Christ?

Check out this information via the Baptist Convention of New England and VNE:

Vision New England has recently conducted a study on how people come to faith in Christ in New England.

Pastors were contacted for names of recent adult converts in their congregations. About 200 recent converts were contacted and agreed to a ten minute questionnaire. These people had all been Christians for two years or less. This study has much interesting data for reaching New Englanders for Christ.* Here are the top twelve discoveries that were made through the study.

1. The Power of Relationships: 71% of the respondents said that a caring Christian was the most important factor in their coming to faith in Christ.

2. Conversion Process: 86% said they came to faith in Christ over a period of time. 32% took several months to a year, and 54% took several years. Only 14% responded to a one time presentation of the gospel.

3. God is Reaching All Generations with the Gospel: all age groups were represented in the survey: GenY - 21%; GenX - 36%; Boomers - 34%; Seniors - 9%.

4. A Major Disconnect: 80% of New England churches say evangelism is one of their top three priorities, yet only 2% of churches show ongoing adult conversions.

5. Church Service: going to church (63%) is second only to personal relationships in the process of conversion. This is especially true in smaller churches. 49% said meeting with the pastor was key; 45% said a class for adults was a strong factor; and 43% said coming to church with a need or a crisis was the turning point for them.

6. Alpha's New England Impact: 28% of new converts said they were reached through the Alpha course. This Bible study course has had a tremendous impact in New England.

7. Effectiveness of Classic Approaches: Only 14% of converts came to faith in a one time gospel presentation approach. It seems that "confrontational evangelism" approaches are not as effective in New England as "relational evangelsm."

8. Educational and Economic Factors: these do not seem to be a factor. People from all economic and educational levels are coming to Christ.

9. Church Involvement of Converts: 77% of new converts report attending church at least four times a month. Only 23% say they attend less than four times a month.

10. Mercy Ministries Help Hurting Find Christ: a life crisis softens the hearts of the lost and opens them to the gospel. Church ministries to hurting people help them come to Christ.

11. The Pastor's Role is Critical: a church will not develop a culture of reaching out to the lost without the pastor's leadership. He leads the way in developing personal relationships and by providing an example.

12. Spiritual Seekers: a group of respondents indicated that they were simply searching for something. This group represents all demographic levels. Even if a person has had a negative experience with church, he/she may be open to a friendship that will enhance his/her spiritual search.

*You are encouraged to purchase the full study from Vision New England by calling 978-929-9800, or by e-mailing info@VisionNewEngland.orgThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . The cost is $10.00.

Faith and Joy

Just as Abraham. in pure and strong faith, laughed for joy, so too, Mary and Joseph marveled, not from unbelief but with mighty faith and uncommon understanding. That is the unique nature of faith, that the firmer one believes, the more one marvels and the happier one is. In contrast, when faith is absent, there is neither joy nor enthusiasm.

Martin Luther from a sermon preached on the first Sunday after Christmas in 1531from Jeff Haavisto, King of Grace Church

Promises for a Repentant Sinner

The repenting sinner can go to God with boldness in prayer and look upon him not as a judge, but as a father. He is "born of God" and is heir to a kingdom (Luke 6:20). He is encircled with promises. He no sooner shakes the tree of the promise but some fruit falls.

Taken from the book The Doctrine of Repentance by Thomas Watson 1668 from Jeff Haavisto, King of Grace Church

Those That Live with a Broken Heart

I have heard of people dying of a broken heart, but I always bless God when I meet those that live with a broken heart, because it is written, "A broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise" (Psalms 51:17).

If you have that broken heart within you, beloved, Christ came to cure you; and He will do it, for He never came in vain. "He shall not fail nor be discouraged" (Isaiah 42:4).

With sovereign power, anointed from on high, He watches for the worst cases. Heart disease, incurable by man, is His speciality! His gospel touches the root of the soul's illness, the mischief that dwells in that place from which all the issues of life spring Prov. 4:23).

Taken from the book God Loves You by Charles Spurgeon 1834-1892 from Jeff Haavisto, King of Grace Church

Be Often Among the Godly

Be often among the godly. They are the salt of the earth, and will help to season you. Their counsel may direct, their prayers may enliven you. Such holy sparks may be thrown into your breasts as may kindle devotion in you. It is good to be among the saints to learn the trade of godliness: "He that walketh with wise men shall be wise"(Prov 13:20).

Taken from the book The Godly Man’s Picture by Thomas Watson 1666 from Jeff Haavisto, King of Grace Church

Checkmate!

The following is an excerpt from Derek Tidball's 'The Message of the Cross' appropriate for Easter week. Enjoy!

Jeremiah Wright tells about a group of tourists who visit a London gallery and view a painting entitled 'Checkmate.' In it, Faust's king is held in checkmate by Mephistopheles. The group continue their tour of the gallery without noticing that they left one of their number behind. This man paces back and forth in front of the picture. Two corridors later the peace of the gallery is shattered as they hear their forgotten companion cry, 'It's a lie! It's a lie! The king has another move!' The masn was a Russian international chess champion and could see the move others had failed to notice. Wright comments, 'And the same thing is true when it comes to the King of kings. The King always has another move.'
That was certainly true when the King of kings died on the cross. His next move, his resurrection, vindicated him; and a further move will follow when one day he comes on the clouds of heaven so that all may see his final vindication.[1]

Our King has checkmated sin, death and Satan and won the game for all his people!

Happy Resurrection Day!

---

[1] Derek Tidball, “The Message of the Cross”, Inter-Varsity Press, 2001, p. 144

Here is a great resource for growing in loving the lost and proclaiming Christ boldly!



We will be starting this course in our small groups this month!

Thanks Proclaim Course friends!!

A Plea to Be Bold

Thom Rainer's book, "The Unchurched Next Door" addresses our need to be unashamed of the gospel and to build bridges of genuine friendship. Check out this plea to be unashamed from a recent convert.(see my previous post to understand the U4 designation.)

Hey Thom, I just finished reading the material on the U4’s. Boy, could I identify with those people. I was probably aU4 just about five years ago. I never was antagonistic toward the church and Christians, but I was resistant to anyone trying to convert me.

I look back on those years, and the best way I can describe it was that it was a time of fog. I didn’t think or see much clearly in those days. Most of the time religious matters were not at the top of my agenda, but they were kind of hanging in my conscience. I guess the Holy Spirit was trying to get my attention.

The most amazing thing about that period is that I can’t recall one person over several years who ever said anything to me about Jesus or even the church. I had Christian neighbors who never opened their mouths. I had Christian coworkers just two offices down from mine. Never a word from them.

Looking back now, I think I would have welcomed a word from a Christian. I didn’t know it at the time, but I was hurting deep inside. And I probably would have put on some act of bravado to let people know I didn’t need God as a crutch. But I still would have loved to have heard something from a Christian.

I guess I moved to a more neutral position, what you call a U3, after watching a Billy Graham crusade on television. I bet if someone invited me to church then I would have gone. You know the rest of the story. I finally visited a dynamic church in town and became even more receptive to the gospel. Finally someone from the church asked me to lunch. Mike, who is now my best friend, shared with me how to accept Christ. A few months later I did pray to receive Christ.

But do hear what I am saying. I had to go to a church before someone talked to me one-on-one! For the first 42 years of my life, on one witnessed to me or invited me to church. I pray that I will never make that mistake. You know, the mistake of keeping my mouth shut. No, it’s more than a mistake, it’s a sin.

Thom, I pray that your next book will be used of god to open some mouths that are sinfully shut. If I had to depend on most Christians in America for hearing the good news, I guess I would still be hell bound. Please let your readers know that most of the unchurched people out there would welcome a word from a Christian. Please tell them before it’s too late.

May God fill us with love for Christ and others that overcomes our fear! God grant us your boldness and wisdom to share!

Afraid of the Unchurched?

Thom Rainer has written a number of very helpful and encouraging books. One that is impacting my life is "The Unchurched Next Door". In this book Thom categorizes unchurched folks in five categories, U1-U5, depending on their receptivity to things of Christ. They conducted 306 interviews with folks from diverse backgrounds. Here is the breakdown:

Level	Attitude Towards Christianity	Percentage
U5	"Antagonistic"	5%
U4	"Resistant"	21%
U3	"Neutral"	36%
U2	"Friendly"	27%
U1	"Very Friendly"	11%

One key result was that of all the folks interviewed 82% said they would visit church if a friend invited them. Wow! I often see it the other way around, thinking 82% of folks would refuse to be my friend anymore if I invited them to church. Have you ever thought that way? I think we need help!

Christ and Culture

I listened to a message by Tim Keller entitled "Being the Church in Our Culture." I was very blessed and encouraged by Tim's understanding and heart to be the church and influence the culture for the kingdom of God. Drawing from Matthew 5:16 he urged us to be fully engaged in our culture modeling the life of Christ and his kingdom through our vocations, gifts, friendships and entire lifestyle. Certainly we are called to do this for the glory of Christ, for our joy in Him and for the good of the church. But living under the King in all aspects of life and culture also has a profound evangelistic effect. Check out Dr. Keller's quote:

"Non Christians need to see Christians who so inhabit their city and so inhabit their neighborhood and so inhabit their profession so that by looking at them they have a picture of what they would be like if they were Christians. ..... They want to see people who are smart as they are, as saavy as they are and yet different, really different, a lot happier, a lot more thoughtful, a lot less selfish, see, they've got to see themselves and yet not see themselves. In other words the Christian church has got to be a dynamic counter culture, it's got to be an alternate city, it's got to show the rest of the city what they would look like if Jesus were Lord." - Tim Keller

May we so live by the gospel and so appeal to the lost that they see in us what it looks like to be a follower of Christ in their world and are compelled to follow too!

The Wine of Joy in Jesus

We are looking at Jesus' miracle at Cana of turning water into wine this Sunday. It made me think of the wonderful inheritance we have in him. All who belong to Christ partake of the wine of joy he supplies! Check out Sarah Edwards account of such joy during a wonderful season in her life. Remember, right now it is even better for Sarah than she experienced during that time! The same and better is in store for all of us in Christ! See you at the great wedding feast!

"The word of one of Mr. Watt's Hosannas powerfully affected me; and in the course of the conversation, I uttered them as the real language of my heart with great earnestness and emotion. 'Hosanna to King David's Son, Who reigns on a superior throne.' And while I was uttering the words, my mind was so deeply impressed with the love of Christ and a sense of His immediate presence that I could with difficulty refrain from rising from my seat and leaping for joy. I continued to enjoy this intense and lively and refreshing sense of divine things, accompanied with strong emotions for nearly an hour; after which, I experienced a delightful calm and peace and rest in God until I retired for the night; and during the night, both waking and sleeping, I had joyful views of divine things, and a complacent rest of soul in God. " [1]

[1] excerpt from Dwight, Sereno. The Works of President Edwards: With a Memoir of His Life. Vol. I. New York: G. & C. & H. Carvill. 1830. 171-186. also see "Memoirs of Eminently Pious Women of Britain and America" by David Francis Bacon, p. 313 available at google books.

The Center of Our Orbit

Let us aim at greater simplicity in our own personal religion. Let Christ and His person be the sun of our system, and let the main desire of our souls be to live the life of faith in Him, and daily know Him better. This was St. Paul's Christianity. "To me to live is Christ." (Phillipians 1:21).

Taken from the book Expository Thoughts on the Gospels by J.C. Ryle 1856

A great quote. Thanks Jeff! May we keep the Son at the center of all other orbits! Often heresy or distorted Christianity is merely shifting the center from Christ himself to some aspect of doctrine that is mean to point to Christ not itself.

Study the Word!

Study therefore, oh, study the Scriptures much, for thus the Lord will pour wine and oil into your bleeding wounds, and in due time you will say as David did, "In the multitude of my thoughts, O Lord, thy comforts have comforted my soul," (Psalms 94:19).

Taken from the book A Lifting Up For The Downcast by William Bridge 1649