July 23rd was the first Lord's Day gathering for Berean Reformed Baptist Fellowship. The Lord blessed us with a great service. We had 27 people in attendance. 12 of them were children under 7. We already have two more families who are supposed to come this week.
Both the worship service and the discipleship hour which followed were a great encouragement. I started preaching this week in the gospel of John. We got through the first two verses and saw already the deity of Jesus based on His eternal essence. Until we have a pianist, we are singing with an accompaniment cd. The Lord blessed us with a more than phenomenal deal on a portable PA system. This is actually working out great. A friend has let us borrow a data projector. We use this to place the words on the screen for worship and to teach during our discipleship hour.
Charly started off our discipleship hour with a lesson on the first question from the children's catechism, "Who made you?" Then he started taking us through our church constitution. We will do this long enough to teach the constitution and the articles of faith. At that point the people will know the church and whether they desire to join the fellowship. Then we will sign a covenant and become a church! The first order of business will be to recognize Charly and I as the pastors.
We are very encouraged as God continues to show His faithfulness.
One of the brothers in the fellowship has offered to make a pulpit from solid oak. I can't wait! This coming Lord's Day worship will be followed by a fellowship at our home. This is sure to be a great time.
Thank you all so much for your prayers and encouragement. I hope to continue updates here as we go along.
Praise God from whom all blessings flow!
Wednesday, July 26, 2006
Monday, July 10, 2006
Ok, ok, ok
Alright already!
I'll admit, I have been slack on the blog. Though I have kind of been waiting til there was something significant to report. I will give a bullet list of updates.
I'll admit, I have been slack on the blog. Though I have kind of been waiting til there was something significant to report. I will give a bullet list of updates.
- Still job searching
- Nikki got a job at Sonic
- I might get a job at Sonic (just kidding)
- The house is unpacked
- My study has been unpacked but as of today, organized!
- Charly (the other pastor) and I have written the constitution for Berean Reformed Baptist Church (BRBC).
- BRBC is now listed with the IRS.
- BRBC is now on the web at www.BRBChurch.com. (Under construction, but on the web)
- BRBC will begin meeting on Sunday mornings on July 23rd!
- I will begin preaching expositorily through John's gospel.
Thank you to all of you that have been faithful to pray for me, my family and BRBC.
I will do my best to keep the blog up to date.
Until next time,
RC
Tuesday, June 20, 2006
Settling In
Well, we have been in California for a week now and are beginning to experience some level of normality. The Lord has been completely faithful to us throughout the whole process. A heartfelt thank you to all of you who helped us load the moving truck. It is somewhat concerning when 18 of your church folks come over with such excitement to help you get out of the state.
Meetings are being had and plans are being made for Berean Reformed Baptist Church. It looks as if we will start towards the end of July. I am still looking for work and trying to help Dawn make our house a home. I covet your prayers.
Lord willing, I will return to blogging before too long. Until then,
RC
Meetings are being had and plans are being made for Berean Reformed Baptist Church. It looks as if we will start towards the end of July. I am still looking for work and trying to help Dawn make our house a home. I covet your prayers.
Lord willing, I will return to blogging before too long. Until then,
RC
Thursday, April 06, 2006
ARBCA 3
Well, the first portion of day 3 is over. I will be leaving first thing in the morning in order to make it back for the ECS golf tournament.
This mornings speaker was Dr. Fred Malone. He concluded his message on Justification. In one word, wow. Dr. Malone, as many of you know, is a man gifted by God for His church. I was a recipient of that gift this morning.
Dr. Malone asserted that justification by faith alone and the imputation of Christ's righteousness are being denied. They are being denied publicly at least by two men involved in the new perspective, Daniel Fuller and Norman Shepherd.
He reminded us that Justification is not the whole of the gospel but a part. It is vitally important but just a part of the salvation process. Everything we have is in Christ Jesus. Justification is the moment the sinner is admitted into a life with Christ.
Dr. Malone then began to lay out some biblical evidence for the imputed righteousness of Christ in justification.
First he looked at Peter's sermon at Pentecost. He preached justification by faith alone through Christ alone although he didn't use those words. The Jews understood the works of Abraham but that his FAITH was accredited to him as righteousness.
Next we went to Romans 5:12-19.
In verses 12-14 Paul focuses on the fact that death came to all men through Adam. The guilt of his sin was imputed to all man that would come after him.
Before Sinai, sin was in the world because the law was in the world. Adam's breaking of the law he was given was imputed, passed on. Even though those before Sinai did not sin in like manner of Adam, Adam's sin of law breaking and its guilt was imputed to them.
Verse 15-17. The gift of righteousness is the gift given in justification by faith alone through Christ alone.
Those who oppose this doctrine separate Christ's obedient act on the cross from his obedience in life. They separate His justification from his righteousness and by doing this they deny Him.
The essential righteousness of Christ because He is God is incommunicable to us. The righteousness of Christ given in justification is not the righteousness of His essence, but the righteousness of His sinless, obedient, human life.
"Oh how beautiful is the righteousness of Christ."
Why would anyone deny the imputation of the righteousness of Christ in justification?
Here Dr. Malone responds to the denial of Norman Shepherd. He says he (Shepherd) must deny these truths because they negate a works based justification and would open the Christian to antinomian living. So, in order to play God and prevent this, because God needs Shepherds help, he denies this foundational doctrine. Shepherd mixes justification and sanctification which musty remain separate. The result is a rejection of the preaching of the law of God to sinners in order to see their need of a redeemer. Italics mine.
In his (Shepherd's) mind, requiring obedience for salvation eliminates easy-believism in evangelism.
Next, Malone speaks on the covenant of works given to Adam.
The words covenant and works are not used in Genesis nor is the word covenant used in Hebrews in relation to Abraham. But there is no doubt that God covenanted with Adam through an oath and promise. Genesis 2:16-17 is clearly a covenant.
The covenant of obedience to God's given law was broken by Adam and thereafter guilt imputed to every person.
Adam had the right to eat of any other tree, including the tree of life, but he chose to eat of the tree of death.
There is a covenant of works and law in place today and we will receive wrath if we have no righteous Redeemer to fulfill that covenant.
The perfect obedience of Jesus who was born under the law of Adam and Moses made possible the appeasement of God's wrath towards those who are guilty of breaking these covenants.
Thank you Dr. Malone.
These notes do not come close to giving justice to the messages given. But I have ordered the cds from the assembly.
Praise God for our precious Savior whose righteousness is imputed in justification to us who believe by His grace!
This mornings speaker was Dr. Fred Malone. He concluded his message on Justification. In one word, wow. Dr. Malone, as many of you know, is a man gifted by God for His church. I was a recipient of that gift this morning.
Dr. Malone asserted that justification by faith alone and the imputation of Christ's righteousness are being denied. They are being denied publicly at least by two men involved in the new perspective, Daniel Fuller and Norman Shepherd.
He reminded us that Justification is not the whole of the gospel but a part. It is vitally important but just a part of the salvation process. Everything we have is in Christ Jesus. Justification is the moment the sinner is admitted into a life with Christ.
Dr. Malone then began to lay out some biblical evidence for the imputed righteousness of Christ in justification.
First he looked at Peter's sermon at Pentecost. He preached justification by faith alone through Christ alone although he didn't use those words. The Jews understood the works of Abraham but that his FAITH was accredited to him as righteousness.
Next we went to Romans 5:12-19.
In verses 12-14 Paul focuses on the fact that death came to all men through Adam. The guilt of his sin was imputed to all man that would come after him.
Before Sinai, sin was in the world because the law was in the world. Adam's breaking of the law he was given was imputed, passed on. Even though those before Sinai did not sin in like manner of Adam, Adam's sin of law breaking and its guilt was imputed to them.
Verse 15-17. The gift of righteousness is the gift given in justification by faith alone through Christ alone.
Those who oppose this doctrine separate Christ's obedient act on the cross from his obedience in life. They separate His justification from his righteousness and by doing this they deny Him.
The essential righteousness of Christ because He is God is incommunicable to us. The righteousness of Christ given in justification is not the righteousness of His essence, but the righteousness of His sinless, obedient, human life.
"Oh how beautiful is the righteousness of Christ."
Why would anyone deny the imputation of the righteousness of Christ in justification?
Here Dr. Malone responds to the denial of Norman Shepherd. He says he (Shepherd) must deny these truths because they negate a works based justification and would open the Christian to antinomian living. So, in order to play God and prevent this, because God needs Shepherds help, he denies this foundational doctrine. Shepherd mixes justification and sanctification which musty remain separate. The result is a rejection of the preaching of the law of God to sinners in order to see their need of a redeemer. Italics mine.
In his (Shepherd's) mind, requiring obedience for salvation eliminates easy-believism in evangelism.
Next, Malone speaks on the covenant of works given to Adam.
The words covenant and works are not used in Genesis nor is the word covenant used in Hebrews in relation to Abraham. But there is no doubt that God covenanted with Adam through an oath and promise. Genesis 2:16-17 is clearly a covenant.
The covenant of obedience to God's given law was broken by Adam and thereafter guilt imputed to every person.
Adam had the right to eat of any other tree, including the tree of life, but he chose to eat of the tree of death.
There is a covenant of works and law in place today and we will receive wrath if we have no righteous Redeemer to fulfill that covenant.
The perfect obedience of Jesus who was born under the law of Adam and Moses made possible the appeasement of God's wrath towards those who are guilty of breaking these covenants.
Thank you Dr. Malone.
These notes do not come close to giving justice to the messages given. But I have ordered the cds from the assembly.
Praise God for our precious Savior whose righteousness is imputed in justification to us who believe by His grace!
Wednesday, April 05, 2006
ARBCA 2
ARBCA General Assembly 4.05.06
Last night we heard from Fred Malone on the doctrine of Justification. His primary text was Luke 18:9-14, the parable of the pharisee and the tax collector. As a note of background he mentioned that during the inner-testimonial period, the Jews developed unauthorized books falsely attributed to biblical writers as an attempt to give their writings authority. In these books, they taught a justification that comes from obedience to the law. It was this understanding of justification that plagued the pharisee in the given parable.
He stated that the two men in the parable had things in common as well as things which made them distinct.
1. What they shared in common
Last night we heard from Fred Malone on the doctrine of Justification. His primary text was Luke 18:9-14, the parable of the pharisee and the tax collector. As a note of background he mentioned that during the inner-testimonial period, the Jews developed unauthorized books falsely attributed to biblical writers as an attempt to give their writings authority. In these books, they taught a justification that comes from obedience to the law. It was this understanding of justification that plagued the pharisee in the given parable.
He stated that the two men in the parable had things in common as well as things which made them distinct.
1. What they shared in common
- They were both Jews
- They were both circumcise
- They were both sons of Adam
- They were both seeking justification from God
2. What made them different
- One stood in the temple near the holy of holies - he felt comfortable in God's presence
- The other stood far off
- One looked at the law and saw his righteous works
- The other looked at the law and saw condemnation
The pharisee had a wrong view of God's holiness. He did not understand that his hatred was murder in God's eyes. By judging the tax collector, he condemned himself by the law by his own self-righteousness.
Dr. Malone says that it is being asserted today that all of the covenants are of grace whereby we enter by grace but remain by obedience. They have redefined justification and grace. Those who create a justification by works, that is a justification that is not sure until the end and is not eternal from the beginning have perverted the gospel.
Even throughout the OT, justification was by faith alone.
- Abraham - he believed and it was accounted to him as righteousness
- Isaiah - Only in the Lord are righteousness and strength (Is. 45)
- Jeremiah - The Lord is our righteousness. This text does not just say the Lord is righteous, it says He is OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.
Malone said justification has to do with a sinner who believes in Jesus as the only savior of the world and then two things happen:
1. Sins are atoned for and washed away
2. Heart is covered with perfect righteousness of His character and love.
This morning's keynote speaker was Eric Freel, pastor of Redeemer Baptist Church in Macon, GA. He spoke on "Quitting."
He has two main points:
1. Jesus, our Lord had reason to quit
2. The reason Jesus, our Lord, did not quit.
1. Jesus, our Lord, had reason to quit.
a. rejection John 1:11
b. He knew the nature of man John 2:23-25
c. ignorance on the part of leadership John 3 (Nicodemus)
d. mans' fear of man John 7:12-15
e. abandonment John 6 - Starts with a huge crowd but ends with betrayal of the disciples.
f. murder plots - plots that were rooted in a genuine desire to kill Him.
2. The reason Jesus, our Lord, did not quit.
a. He was and is radically God-centered John 5:30
b. He had a clear view of His mission and the determination to accomplish it. John 4:34, 5:36
c. He experienced true gospel success John 1:12
This was a great message from a dear brother.
Later in the morning, there was a theological discussion on the topic of eldership. This was the first part of a three part discussion that will continue tomorrow.
The first question that was asked is, "Is the church in proper order with only one elder?"
Fred Malone was the first to respond. I was pleased with his answer as I had noticed a paragraph in the 1689 just before he stood to comment. His comment was rooted in the same text. He had just noticed it himself. It is found in chapter 26, paragraph 9. Speaking of the appointment of a men to eldership, it leads to, "with imposition of hands of the eldership of the church, if there be any before constituted therein."
Our forefathers most likely understood there would be situations we may find ourselves in. For example, a church is just getting started and has only one qualified for elder.
Dr. James Renihan added, "There is a difference between the being of the church and the well-being of the church." It is more important to have the gospel than the form. These men are all for plurality of elders and recognize not only the scriptural precedence but the importance for accountability. They, nor I , are willing to say a church is not a true church or under judgment if they find themselves in a season with only one pastor. That pastor does need, however, to set in place some good accountability and counsel for himself.
Dr. Renihan recommended three books on the subject after agreeing that Alexander Strauch's book on eldership is not only poor but worthy of avoiding.
The three books are:
1. "John Cotton on the Churches of New England" Specifically the section on the keys of the kingdom.
2. "Polity" - Mark Dever
3. "The Church Manual" - James M. Pendleton
The last part of this discussion had to do with the three marks of a true church. Dr. Renihan shared he does not give much attention to the "three marks" as they hail from the Dutch Presbyterians who claim we (reformed Baptist) are not a true church because we do not baptize infants.
He then went on to mention the lack of church discipline being the mark of a false church. He brought up the Corinthian church and mentioned they were not labeled an untrue church.
And there we ran out of time.
To be continued...
Tuesday, April 04, 2006
ARBCA 1
ARBCA 4.04.06
This morning's keynote speaker was Jon Hueni, pastor at Grace Fellowship Church in Bremen, Indiana. His focus was humility and repentance. This was a wonderful and convicting message. He said humility is recognizing who God is and who we are and the natural result will be repentance. He followed that by stating we will not be finished repenting until we are finished sinning.
Each group or class or type of people have peculiar sins that are specific to that group. That being the case, Reformed Baptist also have group specific sins and we need to repent. There are three things we need to do to repent: (Speaking to RB ministers)
1. Watch your life and doctrine closely. 1 Tim 4:16
This morning's keynote speaker was Jon Hueni, pastor at Grace Fellowship Church in Bremen, Indiana. His focus was humility and repentance. This was a wonderful and convicting message. He said humility is recognizing who God is and who we are and the natural result will be repentance. He followed that by stating we will not be finished repenting until we are finished sinning.
Each group or class or type of people have peculiar sins that are specific to that group. That being the case, Reformed Baptist also have group specific sins and we need to repent. There are three things we need to do to repent: (Speaking to RB ministers)
1. Watch your life and doctrine closely. 1 Tim 4:16
- Have we scrutinized our lives as closely as we have reading a book with false doctrine?
- Reformed Baptist flesh is not one bit more sanctified than Arminian flesh.
2. Shepherd the flock graciously. 2Tim 2:24
- Am I as full of grace as I am truth?
Pastor Hueni challenged us to consider the grace we have when we are the ones under attack. Are we gracious when confronting church members in sin? Have we considered that we have perhaps bigger logs in our eyes than they?
3. Evangelize the lost passionately.
- One of the charges against Calvinism is a lack of evangelism. In our defense, are we only pointing back to the evangelistic zeal of our forefathers like Calvin and Spurgeon? Do we have any zeal for the lost of our own? Do our efforts to evangelize the lost defend those charges or validate them?
Pastor Hueni's message was very relevant to today. I appreciated his strong exhortation.
I was very encouraged today by the role of prayer in the ARBCA General Assembly. Prayer played a major rule in today's agenda. After the morning message, we went into a 20 minute season of prayer with the focus being repentance. Some of the prayers seem to be genuine repentance as it concerned a lack of love for the lost. I was convicted and edified.
Pastors from the various member churches come forward to give ministry reports. After a five minute report, a volunteer from the floor offers prayer specifically for that pastor and church. Wow!
Each year ARBCA has a circular letter written by an elected pastor on an elected topic. This year's letter was written by Matthew Brennan from Ireland and the title was, "The Doctrine of the Holy Spirit in the Second London Baptist Confession." Again, a strong exhortation to the attending pastors concerning our dependence on the spirit for ministry and preaching.
Fellowship here is wonderful. I had lunch today with Sam Waldron and Richard Barcellos. These men were great encouragement to me. They are both very down to earth, easy to talk to, fun-loving guys. I was pleased to discover Richard enjoys "cutting the fool" as much as I do. (For my readers in CA, that means joking around).
Tonight we will hear from Fred Malone on the doctrine of Justification. Lord willing, I will post again tomorrow afternoon.
Monday, April 03, 2006
ARBCA
Here you go Russ.
I just arrived at the Hampton Inn. I will be attending the ARBCA General Assembly. ARBCA is the Association of Reformed Baptist Churches of America. I will try to keep you posted on the daily messages. The theme of the conference is Justification by Faith and the keynote speaker is Fred Malone. Stay posted for daily updates (Lord willing.)
I just arrived at the Hampton Inn. I will be attending the ARBCA General Assembly. ARBCA is the Association of Reformed Baptist Churches of America. I will try to keep you posted on the daily messages. The theme of the conference is Justification by Faith and the keynote speaker is Fred Malone. Stay posted for daily updates (Lord willing.)
Wednesday, March 08, 2006
Modesty
Check out this position paper on Modesty. This church has taken an official position on modesty. Ought the church do this?
I think so.
http://www.cverc.org/PositionPaper_Modesty.pdf
I think so.
http://www.cverc.org/PositionPaper_Modesty.pdf
Wednesday, March 01, 2006
Going Home
I recently announced that I would be moving my family back to California. There I have been asked by a close friend to help start and pastor a new church plant. This is something I can look back and see that God has been preparing me for for quite a while. The place we are moving to is smack dab in the middle of our families. While it is difficult to say good-bye to so many wonderful families here in Georgia, we are excited about this new work the Lord has for us.
Please pray for my family as we are basically moving into the role of missionaries. I will need to find a full-time secular job to provide for my family. We are also searching for housing. Pray that God would prepare the hearts of the people He has for this new work. We will be moving the second week of June.
Some have asked me about this new church. This will be a Reformed Baptist church. We will also focus on family integration. I have pasted below the paper we have been presenting to interested families in California. This is not a completed work but simply a running tab on our ideas and convictions for what the church should look like. The points are in no particular order.
For those of you in California who are reading this post and are interested in joining this group of believers or have more questions, please email me at rcole@effinghamchristian.org.
Here it is:
Thoughts on Church
* Family Integrated- This means that the church emphasizes the worship and learning of the entire family of God together (parents and their children, the elderly, singles, widows, widowers, etc.) rather than age segregated children’s church during worship and age segregated Sunday school. Deut. 6:5-9
*Patriarchal Emphasis/ Marriage Roles- The church will have an emphasis on the biblical teaching of the husband being the spiritual head if his household. Men will be encouraged to be lovers of their wives and children. Men will be encouraged to be diligent students of scripture, be leading their wives in the learning of God’s word, and be responsible for the teaching of God’s word to the children that God has placed under them. It is the belief of the church that if men are faithfully fulfilling their role as leader, both by teaching and being an example, children will effectively grow in the Lord. There will be regular meetings among the heads of households to grow in doctrine, leadership, and accountability in order to encourage men to fulfill their role.
The church will emphasize the fulfillment of the biblical roles of husbands and wives as taught in Holy Scripture, recognizing that God instituted marriage and roles and men and women are to strive to fulfill those roles, through the power of the Holy Spirit, in order to have a blessed house. Ephesians 5:22-33
As we recognize our role as the Church as it relates to orphans and widows, we will minister to the orphans and widows the Lord graces us with. We count it a privilege to minister to women and children who have been affected with the death and/or abandonment of the head of the household. We recognize that it is only the grace of God which keeps us from the same predicament. Furthermore, we recognize that the sin which led to this predicament is no worse than our own yet perhaps more visible.
*Ministry- The patriarchal and family growth of the church emphasis negates the need for Sunday programs and/or midweek programs for children. Rather children should spend time with their families learning from their parents. Ministry opportunities should be filled by saints who see needs and are willing and ready to be used in that particular area. While midweek youth and children’s programs will not exist, the pastors may choose from time to time to offer additional worship gatherings during the week. For example, a time for general question and answer.
* Worship- Worship would be based on the regulative principle, simply meaning that if Holy Scripture does not prescribe the element then it shall be avoided. Worship will be viewed as the church’s one opportunity to worship God corporately as a body of believers. It will be based on the sole purpose of bringing glory to God for His gracious act of redeeming the souls of undeserving people. Worship will be pure, authentic, and reverent, understanding that God inhabits the praise of His people, and therefore should be viewed as something that is pleasing to our Lord. Worshiping, as a body, on the Lord's Day should be a time of sweet communion with God, where His word is faithfully and accurately taught, Jesus is glorified, and true fellowship takes place, believers with God and believers with other believers. (Acts 2:42)
*Music- The category of a song (hymn, praise song, etc.) doesn’t automatically make it more holy than another song. Each song that is sung should be doctrinally accurate, and helpful in the praising and glorifying of God. Thus each song will be examined by the elders of the church in areas of being doctrinally correct, etc. A pastor/elder will lead in music.
*Sunday School- Sunday School will consist of a short teaching, by an elder, on a subject of the elders’choosing as He/they see fit for the body. A discussion on the discourse that was just presented by the pastor will be led by the pastor and will be an interactive time including all members present (children to adults). The pastor will have sent the sermon text, as well as key questions, that will be addressed in the coming sermon for families to discuss during family devotions in order to prepare for worship on the Lord’s Day. These questions, as well as other points made in the discourse, will be discussed by the congregation. The point of this format is to have direct access to the pastor as a congregation so all members may be further edified by clarifying and getting a clearer understanding of the discourse. Children will be encouraged and given a chance to participate in the discussion.
*Government- The church will be governed by a plurality of elders, with power being equally given among the elders. Each elder will be responsible for the shepherding of families in the church. Consequently every family in the church will have an elder that is encouraging their spiritual growth as a family. New elders will be approved and ordained by the elders of the church. New elders will meet the qualifications listed in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1.
*Fellowship/Hospitality- This church views fellowship and hospitality in high regard. The family of God should fellowship with one another frequently. This builds strong relationships within the body that is helpful in spiritual growth. Monthly potlucks after Sunday service will encourage fellowship, as well as families opening up their homes to fellowship and practice Godly hospitality. Acts 2:42-47
*Mentoring- Older men and women will be encouraged to fill their biblical roles of helping the younger men and women in their quest to live a life that is honoring to the Lord. Titus 2
*Covenantal- This church will be covenantal in its view of God’s plan to save His people. It is the belief of the church that God has one elect people that he chose from before the foundation of the earth (Eph 1; Gal 3). These people are all saved in the exact same manner, an effectual call by God in where the individual responds to the Holy Spirit in a response of repentance and commitment to God and His word. God has lovingly and graciously chosen for Himself, before the foundation of the earth, a people to be His, based upon His own purpose. God is very clear in His word that He has always had a remnant throughout history, and this remnant He will call, from many tribes and tongues, until Christ’s glorious return. We recognize that because the natural man does not and cannot understand the things of God and because the natural man’s mind is hostile to God and cannot please God, that God alone can enable man to respond to the calling of the Holy Spirit. (1 Cor.2; Rom. 3 and 8; John 6; Eph.2)
*Sacraments- The sacrament of baptism will be practiced as clearly stated in scripture, mainly as prescribed in (Acts 2:41) Those who are part of the New Covenant as stated in (Jeremiah 31), specifically those who have repented of their sin trusting in the finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of their sin, are to be baptized, immersed in water, as a sign of the seal of the Holy Spirit which indwells them as a result of God’s calling. The sacrament of the Lord’s Supper or Holy Communion will be practiced as prescribed in Holy Scripture and described in the LBC. It is an ordinance instituted by Christ as a remembrance of His death which purchased us from damnation and brought us into fellowship with the Father. This sacrament will be practiced on a weekly basis and will be the culmination of the worship service. It is to be practiced only by those who are in the New Covenant, as described above, and who are not living in consistent, unrepentant rebellion toward God in any area of their life. Taking the elements in this case will bring judgment upon the soul who makes light of the bread and body of the Lord, as described in (1 Corinthians 11). These two sacraments, when administered and/or taken properly, will serve as a means for Man to be reminded of God’s grace to His people and of our proper reverence for Christ.
* Evangelism- The church will recognize and obey the great commission taught by Jesus Christ, namely the taking of the gospel into the world. Matthew 28:19-20
* Church Discipline- The church will submit to the biblical process of church discipline as found in Matthew 18. We will do this as our commitment to our brothers and sister in Christ in order to maintain the purity of Christ’s bride. We recognize that the goal in each and every step of church discipline is the restoration of the believer first to God and then to the local body.
* Accountability- Accountability is first and foremost done by the Holy Spirit in the life of every individual believer. Through clear expository preaching of the word of God, the Holy Spirit will lead in teaching, reproof, correction, and training in righteousness (2 Tim. 3:16). The responsibility of every believer is to respond to the spoken word of God, through the help of the Holy Spirit, in acts of obedience. We also recognize that as we live together in a dead and decaying world that is passing away along with its lusts (1 John 2:17), we are striving to offer our bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is our reasonable act of worship. This is done by not being conformed to the pattern of the world (Romans 12:1-2). We are instructed to make no provision for the lusts of the flesh but to put on the righteousness of Christ (Romans 13:14). The Lord has commanded us as brothers and sisters in Him to hold one another accountable to this standard as our part in our sanctification, becoming more like Christ. At the point of our water baptism we declared to the Church that we were going to count the cost and follow Christ. The Church is to hold us to that declaration. While it should grieve us to see one another in sin, we should be willing to lovingly confront one another and encourage them to repent and follow Christ. This is done only after we have acknowledged the wretchedness of our own sin, confessed and repented ourselves. At the same time, accountability is much more than the confrontation of sin. Confrontation is accountability gone bad. Accountability is an open invitation and expectation from one believer to another to sharpen one another as iron sharpens iron (Proverbs 27:17). Way before confrontation there ought to be confession. We are to confess our sins one to another and share the forgiveness of Christ as we remember and celebrate our own forgiveness. An acknowledgement of one’s own sin and a willingness to confront another’s is what will lead to revival in the Church. Again, it begins only when I see the sin of others and wish that mine were so pretty.
* Summary- This church will exist solely to glorify our God by obeying His word in every aspect of our lives. Godly accountability will be emphasized (men to men/ women to women), realizing that Godly people need the love, encouragement, and admonishment of others in order to be reminded of our purpose on this earth. We recognize that since salvation is of God ALONE, a love of God and His word and a humility of spirit should be a goal of every person in God’s universal church including this one. In short we exist solely to bring God glory for He alone deserves that glory, in that He sent His Son to purchase His people from the ultimate consequence of their sin by shedding His spotless blood upon a cross and rising from the grave. Hallelujah, He lives forevermore!
LBC- London Baptist Confession (1689)
Please pray for my family as we are basically moving into the role of missionaries. I will need to find a full-time secular job to provide for my family. We are also searching for housing. Pray that God would prepare the hearts of the people He has for this new work. We will be moving the second week of June.
Some have asked me about this new church. This will be a Reformed Baptist church. We will also focus on family integration. I have pasted below the paper we have been presenting to interested families in California. This is not a completed work but simply a running tab on our ideas and convictions for what the church should look like. The points are in no particular order.
For those of you in California who are reading this post and are interested in joining this group of believers or have more questions, please email me at rcole@effinghamchristian.org.
Here it is:
Thoughts on Church
* Family Integrated- This means that the church emphasizes the worship and learning of the entire family of God together (parents and their children, the elderly, singles, widows, widowers, etc.) rather than age segregated children’s church during worship and age segregated Sunday school. Deut. 6:5-9
*Patriarchal Emphasis/ Marriage Roles- The church will have an emphasis on the biblical teaching of the husband being the spiritual head if his household. Men will be encouraged to be lovers of their wives and children. Men will be encouraged to be diligent students of scripture, be leading their wives in the learning of God’s word, and be responsible for the teaching of God’s word to the children that God has placed under them. It is the belief of the church that if men are faithfully fulfilling their role as leader, both by teaching and being an example, children will effectively grow in the Lord. There will be regular meetings among the heads of households to grow in doctrine, leadership, and accountability in order to encourage men to fulfill their role.
The church will emphasize the fulfillment of the biblical roles of husbands and wives as taught in Holy Scripture, recognizing that God instituted marriage and roles and men and women are to strive to fulfill those roles, through the power of the Holy Spirit, in order to have a blessed house. Ephesians 5:22-33
As we recognize our role as the Church as it relates to orphans and widows, we will minister to the orphans and widows the Lord graces us with. We count it a privilege to minister to women and children who have been affected with the death and/or abandonment of the head of the household. We recognize that it is only the grace of God which keeps us from the same predicament. Furthermore, we recognize that the sin which led to this predicament is no worse than our own yet perhaps more visible.
*Ministry- The patriarchal and family growth of the church emphasis negates the need for Sunday programs and/or midweek programs for children. Rather children should spend time with their families learning from their parents. Ministry opportunities should be filled by saints who see needs and are willing and ready to be used in that particular area. While midweek youth and children’s programs will not exist, the pastors may choose from time to time to offer additional worship gatherings during the week. For example, a time for general question and answer.
* Worship- Worship would be based on the regulative principle, simply meaning that if Holy Scripture does not prescribe the element then it shall be avoided. Worship will be viewed as the church’s one opportunity to worship God corporately as a body of believers. It will be based on the sole purpose of bringing glory to God for His gracious act of redeeming the souls of undeserving people. Worship will be pure, authentic, and reverent, understanding that God inhabits the praise of His people, and therefore should be viewed as something that is pleasing to our Lord. Worshiping, as a body, on the Lord's Day should be a time of sweet communion with God, where His word is faithfully and accurately taught, Jesus is glorified, and true fellowship takes place, believers with God and believers with other believers. (Acts 2:42)
*Music- The category of a song (hymn, praise song, etc.) doesn’t automatically make it more holy than another song. Each song that is sung should be doctrinally accurate, and helpful in the praising and glorifying of God. Thus each song will be examined by the elders of the church in areas of being doctrinally correct, etc. A pastor/elder will lead in music.
*Sunday School- Sunday School will consist of a short teaching, by an elder, on a subject of the elders’choosing as He/they see fit for the body. A discussion on the discourse that was just presented by the pastor will be led by the pastor and will be an interactive time including all members present (children to adults). The pastor will have sent the sermon text, as well as key questions, that will be addressed in the coming sermon for families to discuss during family devotions in order to prepare for worship on the Lord’s Day. These questions, as well as other points made in the discourse, will be discussed by the congregation. The point of this format is to have direct access to the pastor as a congregation so all members may be further edified by clarifying and getting a clearer understanding of the discourse. Children will be encouraged and given a chance to participate in the discussion.
*Government- The church will be governed by a plurality of elders, with power being equally given among the elders. Each elder will be responsible for the shepherding of families in the church. Consequently every family in the church will have an elder that is encouraging their spiritual growth as a family. New elders will be approved and ordained by the elders of the church. New elders will meet the qualifications listed in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1.
*Fellowship/Hospitality- This church views fellowship and hospitality in high regard. The family of God should fellowship with one another frequently. This builds strong relationships within the body that is helpful in spiritual growth. Monthly potlucks after Sunday service will encourage fellowship, as well as families opening up their homes to fellowship and practice Godly hospitality. Acts 2:42-47
*Mentoring- Older men and women will be encouraged to fill their biblical roles of helping the younger men and women in their quest to live a life that is honoring to the Lord. Titus 2
*Covenantal- This church will be covenantal in its view of God’s plan to save His people. It is the belief of the church that God has one elect people that he chose from before the foundation of the earth (Eph 1; Gal 3). These people are all saved in the exact same manner, an effectual call by God in where the individual responds to the Holy Spirit in a response of repentance and commitment to God and His word. God has lovingly and graciously chosen for Himself, before the foundation of the earth, a people to be His, based upon His own purpose. God is very clear in His word that He has always had a remnant throughout history, and this remnant He will call, from many tribes and tongues, until Christ’s glorious return. We recognize that because the natural man does not and cannot understand the things of God and because the natural man’s mind is hostile to God and cannot please God, that God alone can enable man to respond to the calling of the Holy Spirit. (1 Cor.2; Rom. 3 and 8; John 6; Eph.2)
*Sacraments- The sacrament of baptism will be practiced as clearly stated in scripture, mainly as prescribed in (Acts 2:41) Those who are part of the New Covenant as stated in (Jeremiah 31), specifically those who have repented of their sin trusting in the finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of their sin, are to be baptized, immersed in water, as a sign of the seal of the Holy Spirit which indwells them as a result of God’s calling. The sacrament of the Lord’s Supper or Holy Communion will be practiced as prescribed in Holy Scripture and described in the LBC. It is an ordinance instituted by Christ as a remembrance of His death which purchased us from damnation and brought us into fellowship with the Father. This sacrament will be practiced on a weekly basis and will be the culmination of the worship service. It is to be practiced only by those who are in the New Covenant, as described above, and who are not living in consistent, unrepentant rebellion toward God in any area of their life. Taking the elements in this case will bring judgment upon the soul who makes light of the bread and body of the Lord, as described in (1 Corinthians 11). These two sacraments, when administered and/or taken properly, will serve as a means for Man to be reminded of God’s grace to His people and of our proper reverence for Christ.
* Evangelism- The church will recognize and obey the great commission taught by Jesus Christ, namely the taking of the gospel into the world. Matthew 28:19-20
* Church Discipline- The church will submit to the biblical process of church discipline as found in Matthew 18. We will do this as our commitment to our brothers and sister in Christ in order to maintain the purity of Christ’s bride. We recognize that the goal in each and every step of church discipline is the restoration of the believer first to God and then to the local body.
* Accountability- Accountability is first and foremost done by the Holy Spirit in the life of every individual believer. Through clear expository preaching of the word of God, the Holy Spirit will lead in teaching, reproof, correction, and training in righteousness (2 Tim. 3:16). The responsibility of every believer is to respond to the spoken word of God, through the help of the Holy Spirit, in acts of obedience. We also recognize that as we live together in a dead and decaying world that is passing away along with its lusts (1 John 2:17), we are striving to offer our bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is our reasonable act of worship. This is done by not being conformed to the pattern of the world (Romans 12:1-2). We are instructed to make no provision for the lusts of the flesh but to put on the righteousness of Christ (Romans 13:14). The Lord has commanded us as brothers and sisters in Him to hold one another accountable to this standard as our part in our sanctification, becoming more like Christ. At the point of our water baptism we declared to the Church that we were going to count the cost and follow Christ. The Church is to hold us to that declaration. While it should grieve us to see one another in sin, we should be willing to lovingly confront one another and encourage them to repent and follow Christ. This is done only after we have acknowledged the wretchedness of our own sin, confessed and repented ourselves. At the same time, accountability is much more than the confrontation of sin. Confrontation is accountability gone bad. Accountability is an open invitation and expectation from one believer to another to sharpen one another as iron sharpens iron (Proverbs 27:17). Way before confrontation there ought to be confession. We are to confess our sins one to another and share the forgiveness of Christ as we remember and celebrate our own forgiveness. An acknowledgement of one’s own sin and a willingness to confront another’s is what will lead to revival in the Church. Again, it begins only when I see the sin of others and wish that mine were so pretty.
* Summary- This church will exist solely to glorify our God by obeying His word in every aspect of our lives. Godly accountability will be emphasized (men to men/ women to women), realizing that Godly people need the love, encouragement, and admonishment of others in order to be reminded of our purpose on this earth. We recognize that since salvation is of God ALONE, a love of God and His word and a humility of spirit should be a goal of every person in God’s universal church including this one. In short we exist solely to bring God glory for He alone deserves that glory, in that He sent His Son to purchase His people from the ultimate consequence of their sin by shedding His spotless blood upon a cross and rising from the grave. Hallelujah, He lives forevermore!
LBC- London Baptist Confession (1689)
Friday, January 27, 2006
Is the Safety On?
A friend of mine showed me his firearm recently. My first question was, “Is the safety on?” Why this question? I had a respect for the weapon. Not too many of us would grab a loaded gun and toss it around and handle it flippantly. Why not? We would be scared of shooting someone, especially ourselves. In the same manner, we would not pick up a soldier’s sword and proceed to flip it through the air swinging aimlessly this way and that. Most of us could not even pick it up with one hand much less wave it around. Yet when it comes to the Sword of the Spirit, we toss it around, playing with it blindfolded as if it were a plastic toy unable to do any damage. Have we forgotten Hebrews 4:12:
For the Word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. (emphasis mine)
The ironic part is that this is done mostly by those of us who profess to understand the weapon that it is. We get into doctrinal and theological debates with one another, proudly tossing back and forth passages from Holy Scripture like juggling clowns in the circus. The only difference is that the clowns are using plastic batons. But that is just the beginning of the discussion. As the debate proceeds we move from the harmless juggling of plastic batons to the throwing of darts. We spout out Bible verses confidently not only missing the mark, but often not even hitting the board. This might not be too bad if it were the Dart of the Spirit.
So what is the answer? Humility. Humility recognizes there is only one Master Swordsman. His name is Jesus. If our name is not Jesus Christ, we ought to approach the Sword a little more cautiously. Do not presume to know how to handle the instrument flawlessly. Do not take the weapon out of its context. Spouting out verses in a heated debate suggests a lack of respect and reverence for the Word.
Most of us would not appreciate a surgeon who says, “Toss me the scalpel.” Most surgeons use a pen to first mark the exact spot of the incision. They proceed with a still and steady hand, understanding that the slightest bump or shake could mean the difference between life and death. If only the Word were but a scalpel. It’s not. Praise God! It is living and active! He used it to perform life and death surgery on our heart!
Let us remember the power of the weapon we hold in our hands. Let us not presume to have mastered its use. Let us approach it with humility and respect. It is too heavy for but one man to both hold and direct its path. Every time we open our mouths to speak its context, let us tread slowly lest we hurt ourselves or those around us. Let us do our best to present ourselves to God as “one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).
Remember what your parents taught you, never run with sharp objects in your hands. You may fall and get hurt!
In His Grace.
For the Word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. (emphasis mine)
The ironic part is that this is done mostly by those of us who profess to understand the weapon that it is. We get into doctrinal and theological debates with one another, proudly tossing back and forth passages from Holy Scripture like juggling clowns in the circus. The only difference is that the clowns are using plastic batons. But that is just the beginning of the discussion. As the debate proceeds we move from the harmless juggling of plastic batons to the throwing of darts. We spout out Bible verses confidently not only missing the mark, but often not even hitting the board. This might not be too bad if it were the Dart of the Spirit.
So what is the answer? Humility. Humility recognizes there is only one Master Swordsman. His name is Jesus. If our name is not Jesus Christ, we ought to approach the Sword a little more cautiously. Do not presume to know how to handle the instrument flawlessly. Do not take the weapon out of its context. Spouting out verses in a heated debate suggests a lack of respect and reverence for the Word.
Most of us would not appreciate a surgeon who says, “Toss me the scalpel.” Most surgeons use a pen to first mark the exact spot of the incision. They proceed with a still and steady hand, understanding that the slightest bump or shake could mean the difference between life and death. If only the Word were but a scalpel. It’s not. Praise God! It is living and active! He used it to perform life and death surgery on our heart!
Let us remember the power of the weapon we hold in our hands. Let us not presume to have mastered its use. Let us approach it with humility and respect. It is too heavy for but one man to both hold and direct its path. Every time we open our mouths to speak its context, let us tread slowly lest we hurt ourselves or those around us. Let us do our best to present ourselves to God as “one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).
Remember what your parents taught you, never run with sharp objects in your hands. You may fall and get hurt!
In His Grace.
Wednesday, January 25, 2006
Together for the Gospel
Check out Together for the Gospel. This is a conference to be held in April. There are a few of us going. They have an interesting blog going on their web site.
Thursday, January 05, 2006
Reformed? So What?!
Total depravity.
Unconditional election.
Limited atonement.
Irresistible grace.
Perseverance/Preservation of the saints.
All true yet all meaningless as simple words on paper or spoken from a pulpit. Give me a $50 gas card and I'll be grateful. But if I don't have a car to put the gas in, it is pointless. The same is true for sound doctrine. Receiving sound doctrine is vitally important. Receiving the correct blood is also important but if the heart is not beating, it’s a waste of blood. If the sound doctrine is not lived out, it has no purpose. Sound doctrine in a dead life is dead doctrine.
There are a lot of us in reformed circles who have fallen prey to this travesty. We know what we believe but we don’t believe what we know. It has not caused change in our life making us conformed more to the image of Jesus Christ. If I really believe a parachute will save my life from the jump I’m about to make, I will do more than just hold it and show it off on the way down; I am going to strap it on my back as tight as I can stand it. And so the question is, do I live like God is sovereign? Do I live like my very life depends on the grace of God? Is my excitement in the content of the Truth of God or in the idea that I can explain it? Unfortunately for many, our excitement is in the idea that we actually know the truth more than the next guy. We actually hold the correct key that opens the mansion. The problem will be when we are not allowed up to the door. What will keep us from approaching? Our pride. Correct doctrine does not leave room for pride. A pastor’s teaching may sound right on and be absolutely correct interpretation but if it is taught with pride, it is false doctrine. If we really believe what we say we believe, then we ought to be the most humble people who ever walked the face of the earth!
A new favorite passage of mine is 1 Peter 3:15.
… always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you…
Anyone who is reformed should love this verse! This is why we study so hard and practice defending our doctrine in the mirror.
Again, the problem is that we do what I have just done. We leave off what comes before and after it. The beginning of verse 15 says, “but sanctify Christ as Lord in you hearts…”
The end says, “yet with gentleness and reverence.”
The greater context tells us the point of the passage. We are not being exhorted to be closet Christians and when someone knocks on the door to crack it open and whisper, “There’s a Christian in here.” This passage is not suggesting or even implying any form of passive Christianity. Nor is it suggesting or implying a “proud that I know more than you” Christianity. What this passage is DEMANDING is a life that is out-rightly, blatantly, unashamedly being lived for Christ and his glory. A life that is being offered as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God as a reasonable act of worship. A life lived righteously in the face of the world that tells us to live for ourselves. And when the world confronts us, which it will if we are living this way, we will be forced to give a defense for turning our back on the world’s system. I don’t care if you can explain predestination if you don’t live like you are.
Don’t love doctrine more than you love people.
As you come to doctrinal conclusions and make them your own, if you are right, it’s not because you figured it out!
Person 1:
Do you love Jesus?
Yes.
Do you live Jesus?
Yes.
Are you reformed?
What’s that mean?
Let’s talk.
Person 2:
Do you love Jesus?
Duh.
Do you live Jesus?
I can tell you who He is.
Do you live Jesus?
I can tell you why He came to earth?
Do you live Jesus?
I can tell you who He died for.
Do you live Jesus?
Not really because I’m depraved. That’s the T in TULIP. Totally depra…
Do you live Jesus?
No but I’m reformed.
Reformed? So what?!!
Unconditional election.
Limited atonement.
Irresistible grace.
Perseverance/Preservation of the saints.
All true yet all meaningless as simple words on paper or spoken from a pulpit. Give me a $50 gas card and I'll be grateful. But if I don't have a car to put the gas in, it is pointless. The same is true for sound doctrine. Receiving sound doctrine is vitally important. Receiving the correct blood is also important but if the heart is not beating, it’s a waste of blood. If the sound doctrine is not lived out, it has no purpose. Sound doctrine in a dead life is dead doctrine.
There are a lot of us in reformed circles who have fallen prey to this travesty. We know what we believe but we don’t believe what we know. It has not caused change in our life making us conformed more to the image of Jesus Christ. If I really believe a parachute will save my life from the jump I’m about to make, I will do more than just hold it and show it off on the way down; I am going to strap it on my back as tight as I can stand it. And so the question is, do I live like God is sovereign? Do I live like my very life depends on the grace of God? Is my excitement in the content of the Truth of God or in the idea that I can explain it? Unfortunately for many, our excitement is in the idea that we actually know the truth more than the next guy. We actually hold the correct key that opens the mansion. The problem will be when we are not allowed up to the door. What will keep us from approaching? Our pride. Correct doctrine does not leave room for pride. A pastor’s teaching may sound right on and be absolutely correct interpretation but if it is taught with pride, it is false doctrine. If we really believe what we say we believe, then we ought to be the most humble people who ever walked the face of the earth!
A new favorite passage of mine is 1 Peter 3:15.
… always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you…
Anyone who is reformed should love this verse! This is why we study so hard and practice defending our doctrine in the mirror.
Again, the problem is that we do what I have just done. We leave off what comes before and after it. The beginning of verse 15 says, “but sanctify Christ as Lord in you hearts…”
The end says, “yet with gentleness and reverence.”
The greater context tells us the point of the passage. We are not being exhorted to be closet Christians and when someone knocks on the door to crack it open and whisper, “There’s a Christian in here.” This passage is not suggesting or even implying any form of passive Christianity. Nor is it suggesting or implying a “proud that I know more than you” Christianity. What this passage is DEMANDING is a life that is out-rightly, blatantly, unashamedly being lived for Christ and his glory. A life that is being offered as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God as a reasonable act of worship. A life lived righteously in the face of the world that tells us to live for ourselves. And when the world confronts us, which it will if we are living this way, we will be forced to give a defense for turning our back on the world’s system. I don’t care if you can explain predestination if you don’t live like you are.
Don’t love doctrine more than you love people.
As you come to doctrinal conclusions and make them your own, if you are right, it’s not because you figured it out!
Person 1:
Do you love Jesus?
Yes.
Do you live Jesus?
Yes.
Are you reformed?
What’s that mean?
Let’s talk.
Person 2:
Do you love Jesus?
Duh.
Do you live Jesus?
I can tell you who He is.
Do you live Jesus?
I can tell you why He came to earth?
Do you live Jesus?
I can tell you who He died for.
Do you live Jesus?
Not really because I’m depraved. That’s the T in TULIP. Totally depra…
Do you live Jesus?
No but I’m reformed.
Reformed? So what?!!
Thursday, December 08, 2005
Survival of the Foulest
Was Darwin right? Is the theory of evolution consistent with Scripture? An emphatic, NO! But… was Darwin on to something that is consistent with Scripture? Perhaps. Every movie plot deals with the tension between two ideas: right vs. wrong, good vs. evil, strong vs. weak. Why is this the focus of Hollywood? Because Hollywood strives to produce films with which people can relate. Like it or not, Hollywood is an accurate representation of our society. And like it or not, what we have seen in our society is the survival of the strongest. What makes the strongest strong? It is what is embraced by the majority of people. It is in this basic idea that Darwin was correct. Were my ancestors next-door neighbors to Sponge Bob? No way! While evolution is one of the most foolish concepts a depraved mind has ever conceived, that is not the focus of this article.
I will present three pieces of evidence that suggest a more accurate concept is the, “Survival of the Foulest.”
1. Television Ratings. Take a moment sometime to visit http://www.parentstv.org/. What you will see will astound you, maybe. There you will find explicit descriptions of the shows you friends, family, and perhaps even yourself dedicate hours of your life to watching. Why do we watch it night after night, week after week? Because it is entertaining to us. Which means we take pleasure in what we see. Back to my point, which shows receive the best ratings (the most people watching)? The shows that are able to show the most disgusting, raunchy, most immorally sexual, most foul scenes are the ones people prefer. We, as a culture, take pleasure in adultery. We take pleasure in sexual immorality. We take pleasure in murder. Basically, take a jog through the Ten Commandments and the rest of Scripture and you will find that everything that disgusts our holy God brings us pleasure. It is in the success of prime time television we see The Survival of the Foulest.
2. Fashion Trends. Why is it we are paying more and more for less and less? I’m not talking about the quality of the fabric. I’m talking about the amount of fabric. Clothing that is popular is that which shows the most flesh. The goal is to be as naked as possible without being legally nude. Before too long, there will be no such thing. I don’t think I need to belabor this point with my readers. The point is simply this: It is in fashion trends that we see The Survival of the Foulest.
3. The Church. What? Did he say the church? Yes, he did. What is the number one way to grow a local church? Adulterate the Word of God. Make people comfortable in their sin. Get them in church without them knowing they’re in church. Get them to say a prayer without them knowing they are talking to a holy, holy, holy God who detests their sin and is ready to pour out His wrath upon it. Tell them God loves them just as they are. Unfortunately, when they try to enter the Wedding Feast “as they are” they will realize that is not acceptable. The Lord Himself clothes us with the garment required to enter the Feast. He clothes us with the righteousness of Christ because we have none of our own.
So unfortunately, in a day when the Church should be standing in the face of a lost and dying culture, it has become the clearest evidence of The Survival of the Foulest.
I will present three pieces of evidence that suggest a more accurate concept is the, “Survival of the Foulest.”
1. Television Ratings. Take a moment sometime to visit http://www.parentstv.org/. What you will see will astound you, maybe. There you will find explicit descriptions of the shows you friends, family, and perhaps even yourself dedicate hours of your life to watching. Why do we watch it night after night, week after week? Because it is entertaining to us. Which means we take pleasure in what we see. Back to my point, which shows receive the best ratings (the most people watching)? The shows that are able to show the most disgusting, raunchy, most immorally sexual, most foul scenes are the ones people prefer. We, as a culture, take pleasure in adultery. We take pleasure in sexual immorality. We take pleasure in murder. Basically, take a jog through the Ten Commandments and the rest of Scripture and you will find that everything that disgusts our holy God brings us pleasure. It is in the success of prime time television we see The Survival of the Foulest.
2. Fashion Trends. Why is it we are paying more and more for less and less? I’m not talking about the quality of the fabric. I’m talking about the amount of fabric. Clothing that is popular is that which shows the most flesh. The goal is to be as naked as possible without being legally nude. Before too long, there will be no such thing. I don’t think I need to belabor this point with my readers. The point is simply this: It is in fashion trends that we see The Survival of the Foulest.
3. The Church. What? Did he say the church? Yes, he did. What is the number one way to grow a local church? Adulterate the Word of God. Make people comfortable in their sin. Get them in church without them knowing they’re in church. Get them to say a prayer without them knowing they are talking to a holy, holy, holy God who detests their sin and is ready to pour out His wrath upon it. Tell them God loves them just as they are. Unfortunately, when they try to enter the Wedding Feast “as they are” they will realize that is not acceptable. The Lord Himself clothes us with the garment required to enter the Feast. He clothes us with the righteousness of Christ because we have none of our own.
So unfortunately, in a day when the Church should be standing in the face of a lost and dying culture, it has become the clearest evidence of The Survival of the Foulest.
Wednesday, November 02, 2005
Take it to Heart
Last Saturday, one of our church members, Randall Payne, was shot in a hunting accident and he did not survive. Randy loved the Lord and is now worshipping Him 24/7. Actually, Randy is no longer experiencing 24/7. He is now in that eternal state of worshipping His Creator. Some would say that scripture says, "to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord." It is true for the believer that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord, but that's not what the scriptures say. 2 Corinthians 5:8 says, "we are of good courage, I say, and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord." Do you see the difference? Not only is the principle of being in the Lord's presence instantly true, it is preferred. Randy is where he prefers to be.
So, what do we do now? First we must attend the funeral, the house of mourning. Read Ecclesiastes 7:2 "It is better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting, because that is the end of every man, and the living take it to heart." (emphasis mine) The Lord says a funeral is better time spent than a party. Why? Because we will all, one day, be the guest of honor at a funeral. We will all, one day, be the one to be mourned. Attending a funeral brings this fact to the front of the mind. One considers his life and his relationship with the Lord or whether there is a Lord. A funeral forces us to step back from the temporary and focus, if only for an hour, on the eternal.
Why is this important? Because we do not know when our eternity will begin. Randy was 42 years old. He was doing something he loved to do, hunt. He had all intentions of returning home to his wife and seven children.
And then...the accident. Or was it an accident? Let us look a little further down in Ecclesiastes to 7:13-14, "Consider the work of God, For who is able to straighten what He has bent? In the day of prosperity be happy, But in the day of adversity consider - God has made the one as well as the other so that man will not discover anything that will be after him."
God makes our good days. And God, yes God, makes our bad days. Yes, God makes our bad days. A wise man once said, "God does not make accidents, He makes appointments." How true. Read the last part of the last passage again. "So that man will not discover anything that will be after him."
Inside of the purpose of God's own glory, God created us for a relationship with Himself. That relationship is based on faith, trust, and obedience. If we knew events that were to come and were able to prepare for them, what need would we have for faith, trust and obedience? We are totally, one hundred percent dependent on the Lord for every breath and every need. And that is how He intended it to be. And so as our appointments unfold, let us run to Him, our rock and our refuge. He is the all sovereign, all powerful, omniscient, merciful, gracious, loving, ruler of the universe. Where else will we find our every need? He is in control of all things and all things are in His control.
This grievous event took us by surprise, but it was no accident. Believer, rest assured God does not make accidents. He filled His appointment book before the foundation of the world. And every name has its own time.
Randy was prepared for his appointment. Are you?
So, what do we do now? First we must attend the funeral, the house of mourning. Read Ecclesiastes 7:2 "It is better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting, because that is the end of every man, and the living take it to heart." (emphasis mine) The Lord says a funeral is better time spent than a party. Why? Because we will all, one day, be the guest of honor at a funeral. We will all, one day, be the one to be mourned. Attending a funeral brings this fact to the front of the mind. One considers his life and his relationship with the Lord or whether there is a Lord. A funeral forces us to step back from the temporary and focus, if only for an hour, on the eternal.
Why is this important? Because we do not know when our eternity will begin. Randy was 42 years old. He was doing something he loved to do, hunt. He had all intentions of returning home to his wife and seven children.
And then...the accident. Or was it an accident? Let us look a little further down in Ecclesiastes to 7:13-14, "Consider the work of God, For who is able to straighten what He has bent? In the day of prosperity be happy, But in the day of adversity consider - God has made the one as well as the other so that man will not discover anything that will be after him."
God makes our good days. And God, yes God, makes our bad days. Yes, God makes our bad days. A wise man once said, "God does not make accidents, He makes appointments." How true. Read the last part of the last passage again. "So that man will not discover anything that will be after him."
Inside of the purpose of God's own glory, God created us for a relationship with Himself. That relationship is based on faith, trust, and obedience. If we knew events that were to come and were able to prepare for them, what need would we have for faith, trust and obedience? We are totally, one hundred percent dependent on the Lord for every breath and every need. And that is how He intended it to be. And so as our appointments unfold, let us run to Him, our rock and our refuge. He is the all sovereign, all powerful, omniscient, merciful, gracious, loving, ruler of the universe. Where else will we find our every need? He is in control of all things and all things are in His control.
This grievous event took us by surprise, but it was no accident. Believer, rest assured God does not make accidents. He filled His appointment book before the foundation of the world. And every name has its own time.
Randy was prepared for his appointment. Are you?
Tuesday, October 18, 2005
Galatians 1:6-7
I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel; which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ.
The first subject, verb and direct object we see in this passage is you (subject), are deserting (verb), and Him (direct object). (I've been working with my daughter on English). This is quite an accusation being delivered to the Galatians. He is calling them deserters. This is the same Greek word (metathemi) used to describe military desertion. It means to transfer one-self, change sides or parties, turn away from someone. They have deserted Christ and they have done it not long at all after Paul left from delivering the gospel to them. Paul says he is amazed. He wonders. He is at a loss for words at how quickly and hastily they have turned away. And they have not just turned away from the correct gospel, they have turned away from Christ Himself! Wow! When we distort the gospel we do not just have incorrect doctrine; we are deserting Christ! Any time there is a turning away, there is a turning to. When they(or we) turned away from Christ, they were turning away from His grace. They turned to a different gospel. The "gospel" being spoken of is a "gospel" of law. As mentioned in earlier notes (vv.3-5), Judaizers were teaching people they must obey the law in order to be saved. As Paul mentions, this is not really even a "gospel." Why? Gospel, by definition, is "good news." What is so "good news" about having to do the impossible to be saved? Besides, that would not be "being saved." That would be "saving ourselves."
Although they turned away quickly, Paul does not fail to mention they were troubled, or disturbed, in the process. Was the Holy Spirit convicting and they ignored Him? Or is he saying there was dissension in the church as a result? I don't know.
What I do know is that these perverts (the Judaizers) were doing this willfully! The Greek word for "want to" or "would" distort means, "to will, wish, desire, implying active volition and purpose." Why do I call them perverts? That's what they were doing. They were committing spiritual adultery; turning from from a grace relationship with Christ to an obedience relationship with the law. They were perverting the gospel of Jesus Christ.
A couple of interesting notes from these verses:
1. Paul is speaking to believers. We know this from his greeting and from his comment in verse six, "Him who called you." He is speaking to the called. Let us preach the gospel, the real gospel, to ourselves daily. Let us not be deceived into the idea that we can earn our salvation through our obedience, lest He call us deserters!
2. How can we know when we are turning away? When we turn away from Christ (the person) we almost always turn to an idea, such as obedience or good deeds. Let us always keep the focus of our faith on the person of Christ!
The first subject, verb and direct object we see in this passage is you (subject), are deserting (verb), and Him (direct object). (I've been working with my daughter on English). This is quite an accusation being delivered to the Galatians. He is calling them deserters. This is the same Greek word (metathemi) used to describe military desertion. It means to transfer one-self, change sides or parties, turn away from someone. They have deserted Christ and they have done it not long at all after Paul left from delivering the gospel to them. Paul says he is amazed. He wonders. He is at a loss for words at how quickly and hastily they have turned away. And they have not just turned away from the correct gospel, they have turned away from Christ Himself! Wow! When we distort the gospel we do not just have incorrect doctrine; we are deserting Christ! Any time there is a turning away, there is a turning to. When they(or we) turned away from Christ, they were turning away from His grace. They turned to a different gospel. The "gospel" being spoken of is a "gospel" of law. As mentioned in earlier notes (vv.3-5), Judaizers were teaching people they must obey the law in order to be saved. As Paul mentions, this is not really even a "gospel." Why? Gospel, by definition, is "good news." What is so "good news" about having to do the impossible to be saved? Besides, that would not be "being saved." That would be "saving ourselves."
Although they turned away quickly, Paul does not fail to mention they were troubled, or disturbed, in the process. Was the Holy Spirit convicting and they ignored Him? Or is he saying there was dissension in the church as a result? I don't know.
What I do know is that these perverts (the Judaizers) were doing this willfully! The Greek word for "want to" or "would" distort means, "to will, wish, desire, implying active volition and purpose." Why do I call them perverts? That's what they were doing. They were committing spiritual adultery; turning from from a grace relationship with Christ to an obedience relationship with the law. They were perverting the gospel of Jesus Christ.
A couple of interesting notes from these verses:
1. Paul is speaking to believers. We know this from his greeting and from his comment in verse six, "Him who called you." He is speaking to the called. Let us preach the gospel, the real gospel, to ourselves daily. Let us not be deceived into the idea that we can earn our salvation through our obedience, lest He call us deserters!
2. How can we know when we are turning away? When we turn away from Christ (the person) we almost always turn to an idea, such as obedience or good deeds. Let us always keep the focus of our faith on the person of Christ!
Friday, October 07, 2005
Heaven's Gates Update
A couple of weeks ago I had a great lunch with Pastor Bob Rogers of Rincon FBC. We talked briefly about the Heaven's Gates and Hell's Flames drama. Pastor Bob assured me that there were more hands up than I was able to see from my position in the room. I assured him I would make that right on my blog.
For the complete post on this drama see my post dated Wednesday, August 31 titled, "Hell's Flames at Heaven's Gates?
For the complete post on this drama see my post dated Wednesday, August 31 titled, "Hell's Flames at Heaven's Gates?
Tuesday, October 04, 2005
Back From Gulfport
Last week a group of eight people (3 from Ephesus) went to Gulfport, Mississippi to help with hurricane relief. The group went as representatives of Effingham CARES. Once we arrived, we met up with the Effingham CARES missionary there in Gulfport. Rick Thomas and his wife Wanda have parked there RV in the parking lot of Cross Point Church where several other church groups from around the country arrive weekly to help out. Each week a new team from Effingham meets up with the Thomas' to minister to the people in Gulfport. The Effingham CARES team has adopted a community in order to build relationships with the people there. This was such a blessing to me and the rest of the team. Of particular interest, was Ms. Mamie. Ms. Mamie is an 83 year-old woman who rode out the storm in her weathered down home.
In addition to Ms. Mamie's home we cleared trees from several other homes and helped to clean and repair the neighborhood church being used as a distribution center. The folks at Victory Temple Worshp Center were a tremendous blessing to us. Isn't amazing when you go to serve others and leave knowing in your heart that you were the most blessed?
On Friday we hosted a neighborhood block party where we served over 100 hamburgers and hotdogs to residents of that community. We had several opportunities to share the gospel.
Some of us had the opportunity to travel to the most devastated area. Wow. While in Gulfport, I had my camera bag stolen out of the church van. I have been so frustrated about that. I don't care about the bag. I had the camera around my neck. But my jump drive was in the bag and is probably now in a dumpster somewhere. On that jumpdrive were about 100 family pictures and several important files. None of them able to be replaced. And then I remembered what I saw along the Gulf Coast. Many got away with only the clothes on their backs. Several did not get away. Those who did returned to see their homes completely gone. Nothing left but the cement slab. Surely in those homes were more than hundreds of family pictures. Gone. Yes, even pictures that last from generation to generation are temporary. It is at these times it is sweet to have the Spirit testify withour spirit that we are children of God and that is eternal.
Consider Psalm 148:7-8:
Praise the Lord from the earth, sea monsters and all deeps; Fire and hail, snow and clouds; Stormy wind, fulfilling His word.
Thursday, September 15, 2005
Ditto:Good Idea
Russ has a link to a great article from Joe Thorn over at Words of Grace Blog . Anyone who blogs needs to read this article. Let us all constantly remind one another of our responsibility to only speak that which is edifying and useful for building up one another. This does not mean we cannot critique and challenge. It simply means if we do it without love in a way that honors our Lord, it is not only useless, it is sin.
Robert
Robert
Friday, September 09, 2005
Who CARES?
This is concerning the same subject as my previous post so I had to think of a new name! Effingham CARES had its first meeting yesterday. The time spent was very productive. We were joined by Dr. Rick Thomas. Rick is a member at Grace Community Church and is a servant of the Lord. Rick will leave tomorrow, Saturday, September 10, for Gulfport, Mississippi. There he will set up camp where he and his wife will remain for at least a month and a half. Rick will be the on-site coordinator/director for the missions teams coming from Effingham. This is where we come in. We need missions teams. This, ideally, will be a one-week commitment. We would leave on Saturday morning and return the following Saturday. If anyone is interested, please let me know ASAP. We will be announcing this at church on Sunday. Let's go serve Christ in Mississippi. More info will soon be available at www.effinghamcares.org.
Tuesday, September 06, 2005
Effingham CARES
I attended a lunch meeting today at Rincon First Baptist. Pastor Bob Rogers gracefully hosted a wonderful time of fellowship. Effingham pastors and church representatives gathered to discuss how the believers in Effingham County can come together to serve the hurricane victims in the name of Jesus Christ. Over an hour and a half the Lord blessed as we shared information and ideas. The outcome is a new organization called Effingham CARES (Christians Actively Responding to Emergency Situations). I now serve as chairman alongside a few other men who will lead this effort. We will be providing centralized giving stations as well as putting together teams of people to go serve on location. We will soon have a web site ready for viewing. Stay posted, as I will give any information updates on my blog.
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