Ignatius: The Ultimate Youth Pastor

Wisdom On Family Matters

Are You Truly Reformed?

Well it’s been a long time.  But my wife and I get to go back to the now infamous (often the subject of much joking amongst my Pastor friends), and world renowned, Spurgeon Suite at the Honeymoon Mansion in New Albany, Indiana.  It’s hard to believe but there is actually a Bed and Breakfast suite that is named after the famous Charles Haddon Spurgeon.  The suite is over 800 square feet and has two seperate rooms.  One room is the bedroom (with a portrait of Spurgeon looking over you) and the other is a really cool Jacuzzi Room.  If you live in the area and are a Pastor, then there’s a 2 for 1 deal on Sunday and Monday nights!  My wife and I really enjoy Bed and Breakfasts and this is by far the best! 

If it makes you feel better–just cover the portrait of Spurgeon with a towel…..

A Skeptics Take On Jesus

As Christians, how do we respond to the skeptics objections to the Christian faith? In this video, we see some of the most common objections showcased.

Video link found here

Mark Driscoll: Jesus Vs. Religion

Gospel Coalition 2009 Audio/Video

The audio/video from the 2009 Gospel Coalition conference is now available (audio/video link here).  The above video is the first part of a 6 part video series that features John Piper, Tim Keller, and Don Carson discussing various issues related to the Gospel.

Book of Philippians Study

I’ve been studying through Paul’s Epistle to the Philippians. I have been blown away by Paul’s focus and passion on getting the Gospel message out. He’s willing to be imprisoned because he feels that that has advanced the Gospel. He’s willing for his enemies to prosper in their Gospel ministries, because he feels that is advancing the Gospel. In other words–Paul is a slave to the Gospel. He is bound to it and his life exists, only for it’s proclamation.  Very convicting and inspiring!

Here’s a great summation of the book from Roy Ortlund:

A recent study in Philippians prompted me to wonder, what if this one brief book were our only available Bible? How much would we have to believe and live off of? At least this:

• He who began a good work in us will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ (1:6);
• We are all partakers of grace together (1:7);
• We will be pure and blameless for the day of Christ (1:10);
• Human opposition, far from defeating the gospel, is serving to advance the joyous spread of the gospel (1:12-18);
• Should life be lost, Christ is gained (1:21);
• Temporary survival is gospel opportunity (1:22);
• To depart and be with Christ is far better than this life (1:23);
• The further we go with Christ, the more joy we experience (1:25);
• The gospel of Christ is an uplifting power (1:27);
• Opposition to gospel witness presages the doom of the opponents and the glorious destiny of the faithful (1:28);
• It is a God-given privilege to suffer for the sake of Christ (1:29);
• Union with Christ brings encouragement, comfort from love, participation in the Spirit, affection and sympathy (2:1);
• Christ Jesus himself is living proof that the arrogance of this world is doomed and that gospel humility is the path of great reward (2:6-9);
• Jesus is King, and he will have every rational creature in the universe know it and own it, to the greater glory of God the Father (2:10-11);
• We do not need even an apostle always present to lead us by the hand; God himself is deeply at work in us (2:12-13);
• Knowing Christ Jesus the Lord redefines all trophies of self-exaltation as “rubbish,” for he gives true righteousness and participation in his death and resurrection; he is so superior to all things in this world that, whatever path we may take into the resurrection of the dead, the price to be paid is small (3:7-11);
• In conversion, Christ Jesus takes eternal possession of us (3:12);
• The call of God in Christ Jesus offers a prize far beyond this world, worthy of our all (3:14);
• To whatever extent we struggle to grasp the upward call, God will reveal all that we need revealed (3:15);
• To settle for the rewards of this world is to make oneself an enemy of the cross of Christ and to make a god of one’s earthly appetites, which is the path of destruction and the reversal of a truly human life (3:18-19);
• We who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh also find our citizenship in heaven, from which we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will raise our “vile” (KJV) bodies into his immortal glory by his power over all things (3:3, 20-21);
• Our names are written in the book of life (4:3);
• The Lord is at hand (4:5);
• God receives our prayers and sends his overruling peace to guard our hearts when the circumstances of life would have us frantic (4:6-7);
• As we follow the apostolic example of lovely heavenly-mindedness, we experience the presence of the God of peace (4:8-9);
• Christ strengthens us to accept with contentment whatever life may bring (4:11-13);
• When we support the ministry of the gospel, the fruit increases to our own credit (4:17);
• God receives our gospel partnership as a sacrifice pleasing to himself (4:18);
• God is committed to our own needs with all his riches in glory in Christ Jesus (4:19);
• In it all, God will get glory for himself forever and ever (4:20);
• And in the meantime, the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ will steadfastly be with our spirit (4:23).

Makes me wonder, how much more is there in this Bible which I hardly know?

From Christ is Deeper Still Blog

Metal Monk

Jesus Sightings

Civility in the Church

Another great program on the White Horse Inn show.  The subject is Civility in the Church and you can go and download it here for free.  Really good stuff!!

Spurgeon Devotional

“Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.” — Matthew 5:9

This is the seventh of the beatitudes: and seven was the number of perfection among the Hebrews. It may be that the Saviour placed the peacemaker the seventh upon the list because he most nearly approaches the perfect man in Christ Jesus. He who would have perfect blessedness, so far as it can be enjoyed on earth, must attain to this seventh benediction, and become a peacemaker. There is a significance also in the position of the text. The verse which precedes it speaks of the blessedness of “the pure in heart: for they shall see God.” It is well to understand that we are to be “first pure, then peaceable.” Our peaceableness is never to be a compact with sin, or toleration of evil. We must set our faces like flints against everything which is contrary to God and His holiness: purity being in our souls a settled matter, we can go on to peaceableness. Not less does the verse that follows seem to have been put there on purpose. However peaceable we may be in this world, yet we shall be misrepresented and misunderstood: and no marvel, for even the Prince of Peace, by His very peacefulness, brought fire upon the earth. He Himself, though He loved mankind, and did no ill, was “despised and rejected of men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.” Lest, therefore, the peaceable in heart should be surprised when they meet with enemies, it is added in the following verse, “Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Thus, the peacemakers are not only pronounced to be blessed, but they are compassed about with blessings. Lord, give us grace to climb to this seventh beatitude! Purify our minds that we may be “first pure, then peaceable,” and fortify our souls, that our peaceableness may not lead us into cowardice and despair, when for Thy sake we are persecuted.

Taken From Morning and Evening Devotional by Spurgeon

Hudson River Landing with Audio–Great!!

Spurgeon Devotional

“Shew me wherefore thou contendest with me.” — Job 10:2

Perhaps, O tried soul, the Lord is doing this to develop thy graces. There are some of thy graces which would never be discovered if it were not for thy trials. Dost thou not know that thy faith never looks so grand in summer weather as it does in winter? Love is too often like a glow-worm, showing but little light except it be in the midst of surrounding darkness. Hope itself is like a star–not to be seen in the sunshine of prosperity, and only to be discovered in the night of adversity. Afflictions are often the black foils in which God doth set the jewels of His children’s graces, to make them shine the better. It was but a little while ago that on thy knees thou wast saying, “Lord, I fear I have no faith: let me know that I have faith.” Was not this really, though perhaps unconsciously, praying for trials?–for how canst thou know that thou hast faith until thy faith is exercised? Depend upon it, God often sends us trials that our graces may be discovered, and that we may be certified of their existence. Besides, it is not merely discovery, real growth in grace is the result of sanctified trials. God often takes away our comforts and our privileges in order to make us better Christians. He trains His soldiers, not in tents of ease and luxury, but by turning them out and using them to forced marches and hard service. He makes them ford through streams, and swim through rivers, and climb mountains, and walk many a long mile with heavy knapsacks of sorrow on their backs. Well, Christian, may not this account for the troubles through which thou art passing? Is not the Lord bringing out your graces, and making them grow? Is not this the reason why He is contending with you?

“Trials make the promise sweet;
Trials give new life to prayer;
Trials bring me to His feet,
Lay me low, and keep me there.”

C.H. Spurgeon Devotional Found Here

Rick Joyner Morningstar Madness

Dr. Bruce Ware’s Sermons Online

We had the privilege of having Dr. Bruce Ware join us for worship, last Sunday, at The Point Community Church.  Dr. Ware taught on two subjects, “God-Esteem vs. Self-Esteem” and “The Doctrine of the Trinity.”  You can go and listen to both here (link here).