The Intent of Gospel Redemption

No, it is not December. Nor is today’s post part of any Christmas pageant, yet Luke 2:14 (ESV) reads

            “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

The new creation that has been created within us by the power of God is equal to the intention of the gospel itself. The purpose of the new creation is to promote and develop holiness in the believer. It is through holiness that we are able to honor God in the way that He is worthy. This is the first and premier lesson taught to us by the gospel.

          “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.” (Titus 2:11-14, ESV)

The purpose of God in creating a new creation in the soul of man is for the glory of God. Regeneration changes everything for a man. Not only does it change his disposition, his character, and his eternal destiny, regeneration changes the sole reason for the existence of a redeemed man.

Therefore, our redemption is not only in anticipation of future bliss, but it designed that we would live to God. We are called to live according to the intent and purpose of our gospel redemption.

It's Time to Play - Name that Heretic!

Do You Know, Your Heretics?

I lived from AD 250 (256)  until AD 336. I lived in Alexandria, Egypt. I served as a presbyter in a church in Alexandria.

I developed the “teaching” that the Christ was not truly divine but was actually a created being. I reasoned that God was so unique in the fact that He alone is self-existent and immutable. I taught that the Son was not self-existent and therefore could not be God. As a result the Son, or Jesus Christ must have been a created being. I was opposed to Trinitarian teaching.

Who am I? 

Do you know your heretics?

It' is time to play - name that heretic!

How High Is Your Esteem of God?

When we believe that we ought to be satisfied, rather than God glorified, we set God below ourselves, imagine that He should submit His own honor to our advantage; we make ourselves more glorious than God, as though we were not made for Him, but He made for us; this is to have a very low esteem of the majesty of God.

--Stephen Charnock

(1628-1680)

How Do You Choose A Church?

People ask me all the time what makes a good church? What they are really asking is what criteria should they utilize when they are trying to determine if a particular church body is a good choice or not. The unfortunate truth is that most people do not know how to choose a "good" church. Most people choose a church for the wrong reasons. The seven most popular "wrong" reasons that people choose a church are:

• Location
• Availability of "pet" or favorite ministries (Music, choir, children's, youth, men, and/or women)
• Interesting or entertaining preacher/speaker
• Affirms personal values, cultural distinctions, or social-political-or economic 
• Low or no pressure for personal involvement or accountability
• Family history of involvement
• Size (large to hide in or provide pet ministries or small for various reasons)

Most of us do desire a church that is easy to get to, has ministries that appeal to us, is not boring, and positively affirms what we believe, doesn't apply much pressure, and/or where family has had a history. However, these are not the criteria that one should use as a guideline for joining and or supporting a local church. Many of the cults and liberal denominations can possess some or all of these distinctions.

So, how does one choose a church? What criteria should you use when making such an important decision? Let me share seven specific criteria with you that I think describes a good solid church. First, let me say, I did not put these in any particular order of importance. Second, criteria number three (3) is more of a personal opinion than an actual Scriptural principle.

1. Is the church Elder ruled? (Shepherds lead the flock not vice-a-versa)

2. Is there a proper balance of hymns, Psalms, and biblically spiritual songs?

3. Is the church Family Integrated? (Does entire family worship together)

4. Does the church understand, properly teach, and live out the Doctrines of Grace?

5. Is the church committed to biblical discipleship as a means of growth and perpetuation?

6. Are the values of the church built on and transmitted through the grid of Acts 2:42-47?

7. Is the church committed to expositional and applicational teaching of the Word of God?

The Complete Works of Stephen Charnock

They're finally here!

The complete works (Five volume set) of Stephen Charnock have arrived via the USPS!

Stephen Charnock was born in London in 1628. Charnock studied at Emmanuel College in Cambridge. It was here at college he was actually converted to Christ. He began preaching at Southwark. Charnock continues his studies at Oxford where he became first a Fellow of New College and then Senior Proctor.

Charnock served in Ireland as a chaplain to Governor Henry Cromwell and became a very popular preacher. Charnock returned to London in 1660 where he spent time in study and ministering privately until 1675. It was at this time that Charnock began a shared pastorate with Thomas Watson at Crosby Hall, Bishopsgate. Charnock died at 52 years old in 1680.

The quote:  "It is a sad thing to be Christians at supper, heathens in our shops, and devils in our closets." (In case you can't or have difficulty reading it.)

I am going to suspend all my current reading, other than the bible, until I have finished this five volume, 2800 page works. I have decided to begin reading Volume three (3) and then move into Volumes four (4) and five (5) since they include a number of discourses. Charnock begins volume three (3) with four (4) chapters on regeneration. This is a topic which has captured my mind and thinking for the last several months. After completing the nineteen (19) chapters in volume five (5) I will read volumes one (1) and two (2) which deal with the "existence and attributes of God."

Top Ten Television/Movie Truths? #8

Periodically I am listing my version of a David Letterman’s “Top Ten List” for the most profound, however worldly, truths or quotes from a television show or movie. These truths are certainly nothing to shape or guide your world view. I just find them profound in and of themselves. I do not endorse these as programs or movies that have any redeeming qualities and you must use discretion if you choose to watch any of them. I just find certain lines fascinating for various reasons.

# 10 – “Cat-Heaven is a wonderful place, but you don’t get there if you are euthanized.” (Angela Martin, “The Office, Season 4 – Episode 1)

# 9 – “There are over six billion people in the world…sometimes all you need is one.” (From a narration in One Tree Hill, Season Three – Episode 2)

Number Eight profound Top Ten Television/Movie Truth:

When Jenny and Forrest are walking up the dirt road towards Jenny’s childhood home, she becomes overwhelmed by the memories of the past.

As the memories of her alcoholic father and the sexual abuse she endured by him floods her mind, the bitter anger and hurt explodes. At first she threw her shoes which she had been carrying at the broken down relic that use to be her home.

She then began to pick up rocks and throw them at the house with all of the strength that her fury could muster. She continued to throw rocks at those memories until she fell to the ground in exhaustion and tears.

Forest stood silently by watching her vent her anger and her hurt. As Forest watched her throw her final rock and collapse into a pitiful crying heap, he sat down beside her and quietly commented:

# 8 – “Sometimes there just ain’t enough rocks.” (Forrest Gump in the movie Forest Gump)

Book Review: George Whitefield, Vol. 2

Title:  George Whitefield, Vol. 2

Author:  Arnold Dallimore

First Copy Right:  1970

Type of Book:  Hardback

General Subject:  Biographical

Price:  $29.57

ISBN:  978-0-85151-026-2

The purpose of Volume Two is to trace the period of 1741-1770. This period covers the doctrinal conflict of Whitefield with the Wesleys and the serious division within the Methodist rank and file. This volume also includes Whitefield’s marriage and death of his son in infancy.

The theme and thesis remain the same in this volume as it was in volume one. Dallimore continues to develop both his theme and thesis by his in depth narration of the salient events in the life of Whitefield in a chronological order. Dallimore is a master story teller and relates these events in Whitefield’s life in such a way that holds the attention of the reader.

Again, Volume Two is an extremely interesting book, painstakingly researched, and accurately presented. Volume Two is just as important as Volume One was. Volume Two completes the life and ministry of this great man of God. It is just as complementative to Volume One as Eve was to Adam.

In Volume One Dallimore recorded for us the beginnings of doctrinal differences between Wesley (John) and Whitefield. Volume Two opens with the actual differences that brought about the controversy and the separation. Volume two continues with the story of the ministry of Whitefield in England, Scotland, and New England.

Another topic with Dallimore handles with care and detail is the event known as “The Great Awakening.” Dallimore details the effect of the “awakening,” the problems that developed from it, and the general attitude of those contemporary with the revival.

The value of Volume Two lies in the summary Dallimore gives of the inner man of George Whitefield. Dallimore entitles this summary and final chapter, “The Measure of the Man.” Dallimore has not been content with just telling us the outward actions of Whitefield, but he wants us to know him through his motives, aims, and desires. This gives the reader a healthy look into the heart and soul of this man. Dallimore is not afraid to share with us the faults of Whitefield. As Dallimore summarizes Whitefield it is not just a one sided summary of all of his good points and accomplishments.

Dallimore includes in this summary of Whitefield the question of “What is Whitefield’s place upon the field of history? Dallimore supplies three well thought out answers to this question.

Volume Two includes an extensive bibliography and index. It also contains footnotes throughout the entire volume.

George Whitefield is a massive two volume, 1135 page biography of one of the greatest men of God to have ever lived. Dallimore has done an excellent job in trying to define, describe, and develop this great man of God. I highly recommend this biography to any true student of the word, of mankind, of God, and of the work of God in the awakening of dead sinners to the newness of life.