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Tradition vs. Truth
Dr. Buz McNutt from Matt. 15
Sunday, 10:30 a.m.
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Who is "The One True God"?
Sunday's, 9a.m.
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Hebrews with Ed Polley
Sunday's, 9a.m.
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Listen to Part one here.
Listen to Part two here.
Listen to Part three here.
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Blog
C.S. Lewis, The Four Loves, p. 121:
To love at all is to be vulnerable.
Love anything, and your heart will certainly be wrung and possibly broken.
If you want to make sure of keeping it intact, you must give your heart to no one, not even to an animal.
Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements; lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness.
But in that casket—safe, dark, motionless, airless—it will change.
It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable.
HT: Justin Taylor
Some penetrating questions from Timmy Brister:
1. If our church would cease to exist in our city, would it be noticed and missed?
5. Is our church known more for what we are against than what we are for?
8. If our members had 60 seconds to explain to an unbeliever what our church is like, what would you want them to say? How many do you think are saying that?
14. What will it take to reach those in our city who are far from God and have no access to the gospel?
16. How many people know and are discharging their spiritual gifts in active service and building up of the body of Christ?
read the rest here.
Important words for each of us from Josh Patterson at the Village Church.
All of my life I have wanted to be successful. The idea of success has driven me most of my days and the fear of not being successful has kept me on course as well. As I reflect on this, I find it interesting that not much has changed for me personally. I still desire success, but my definition of “success” has shifted drastically. Growing up in the thriving and prosperous suburb of Plano the mantra and allure of success was all around me.
Success equated to the various status symbols of the “American Dream”: expensive cars, expansive homes, exotic vacations and exclusive lives. The greater cultural system reinforced what most families modeled, and we were all competing for ways to get a slice of pie. The proverbial “Jones’” kept everyone running at breakneck speed and leaving carnage in our wake; people became a means to an end as “success” was the idol we chased. This is not isolated to Plano or the Dallas metroplex per se; rather, this ethos permeates the ghetto as much as Rodeo Drive. It is American to the core.
A biblically informed definition of success has almost nothing to do with the acquisition of material things or the achievement of personal comfort. Success for the believer is defined in relationship to Jesus Christ and His mission. Christ came to seek and save that which was lost; He calls a people unto Himself. We were once far off and have now been brought near through the blood of Christ. He creates a new humanity with transformed perspectives and ambitions.
The death and resurrection of Christ and the overall mission of God in the world now defines what success looks like for the believer and the Church. Simplistically, a believer’s desire for success should be in accordance with Romans 12:1-2. Do I look like the Savior? Have I been transformed by His grace to love radically, give generously, suffer willingly, walk humbly and engage missionally? Is the fruit of God’s Spirit evident in my heart: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22).
The hope in my life is that I would be successful, but success has been redefined as I have been transformed. Now, a prosperous life means an endowment of Christ-saturated thoughts, relationships and actions; not a certain tax bracket or health. Conformity to the image of Christ compels me rather than the creaturely comforts of a fading glory (2 Corinthians 5:14). The success I am now pursuing is not elusive; rather, it is eternally mine because it has been purchased by the sufficient blood of Christ and secured by the seal of the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:7,14). The “American Dream” is a cheap substitute compared to the rich treasure of knowing Christ (Philippians 3:7-10). The gospel reality awakens us to pleasures evermore and causes us to abandon our prior delusions of grandeur to readily accept the inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled and unfading, kept in heaven for those who believe. (1 Peter 1:3-5).
Can I really be called a “success” if I waste my life chasing the wind? Maybe, but then I would also have to be called a “fool” as well.
Encouragement to parents from John Starke.
 I am a father of three small children – two of which are old enough (2 and 4) to take part in evening devotions. Last night we read the story of the Passover in Exodus in The Big Picture Story Bible. Even though David Helm (author of Big Picture) does a superb job of telling the story for young hearts, while still preserving the deep truths, I often finish reading and think – They didn’t understand much of this story, much less its significance. I can, at times, have anxiety or display impatience in teaching my children to trust in the Gospel.
I once heard (sorry, I don’t remember where) that evangelism to children is like throwing rocks upon a frozen pond. Everyday you throw one rock after another, as they begin to pile on top of the ice. Nothing seems to penetrate the frozen surface. Until one day the sun comes out, the frozen surface melts, and all your rocks that you have thrown over the years sink to the floor of the pond.
How God works his sovereign goodness over my children’s salvation with my responsibility to faithfully teach them, I don’t know. His wisdom is unsearchable and his paths untraceable. Yet, may we, as parents, be faithful in giving our children categories to know God and understand his Gospel, so that when the warmth of God’s light shines upon their hearts, they will believe and rejoice with great joy!
.gif) As is the case of any theological discussion, we must define our terms. Moreover, the denotation of words can and does fluctuate depending on the context in which they are used. Yesterday I was asked, "What does it mean to be Reformed?"
To one person it may mean nothing more than an attempt to describe what they are not, i.e. a part of the Roman Catholic Church. For it was theologians and church leaders like Martin Luther, John Calvin, and Ulrich Zwingli who broke from the church at Rome and with their commitment to return to the teaching and preaching of the Bible, committed themselves to bring reform to the church. For another student of the Word, being Reformed may define a specific view of soteriology, that is the doctrine of salvation. Others may choose to explain what they mean by Reformed via the Five Solas, sola scriptura, sola fide, sola gratia, solus Christus, soli Deo gloria (Scripture alone, faith alone, grace alone, Christ alone, the glory of God alone). Finally, some people may isolate the discussion to one particular area of doctrine like predestination, election, or God's foreknowledge.
When I speak of Reformed theology it includes all of the above and much more. Reformed theology is an all-encompassing world view. That is, it is the lens through which I see every area of life. Nevertheless, for the purpose of a brief Blog (speaking of which, I have no clue what the definition of blog is) to be Reformed means to honor and submit to the sovereignty of God in all things. He has created all things, sustains all things, and "accomplishes all things according to the counsel of His will" (cf. Col.1 and Eph. 1). As one of America's greatest theologians reminds us, all things includes His sovereign grace in our eternal salvation.
Let us, therefore, labour to submit to the sovereignty of God. God insists, that his sovereignty be acknowledged by us, and that even in this great matter, a matter which so nearly and infinitely concerns us, as our own eternal salvation. This is the stumbling-block on which thousands fall and perish; and if we go on contending with God about his sovereignty, it will be our eternal ruin. It is absolutely necessary that we should submit to God, as our absolute sovereign, and the sovereign over our souls; as one who may have mercy on whom he will have mercy, and harden whom he will.
- Jonathan Edwards, God's Sovereignty In The Salvation Of Men
For further reading see:
Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology, (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1994).
Richard Belcher, Journey in Grace, (Columbia, SC: Richberry Press).
Timothy George, Theology of the Reformers, (Nashville, TN: Broadman Press, 1988).
Your thoughts and comments are welcomed at drbuz@firstboynton.com
Dr. Buz
Matt Chandler is the teaching pastor at the Village Church in Dallas, Texas. He preaches from the Bible with authority, in a tone that tells his listeners how much he cares about their souls. Matt was recently diagnosed with brain cancer. Please take the time to read this Associated Press article, and see how people throughout the world are being pointed to Christ through Chandler’s story.
“You turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God.” 1 Thessalonians 1:9
You and I are not integrated, unified, whole persons. Our hearts are multi-divided. There is a board room in every heart. Big table. Leather chairs. Coffee. Bottled water. Whiteboard. A committee sits around the table. There is the social self, the private self, the work self, the sexual self, the recreational self, the religious self, and others. The committee is arguing and debating and voting. Constantly agitated and upset. Rarely can they come to a unanimous, wholehearted decision. We tell ourselves we’re this way because we’re so busy with so many responsibilities. The truth is, we’re just divided, unfocused, hesitant, unfree.
That kind of person can “accept Jesus” in either of two ways. One way is to invite him onto the committee. Give him a vote too. But then he becomes just one more complication. The other way to “accept Jesus” is to say to him, “My life isn’t working. Please come in and fire my committee, every last one of them. I hand myself over to you. Please run my whole life for me.” That is not complication; that is salvation.
“Accepting Jesus” is not just adding Jesus. It is also subtracting the idols.
HT: Ray Ortlund
timely and powerful post from Ray Ortlund via Thabiti Anyabwile.
How to wreck your church in three weeks
Week One: Walk into church today and think about how long you’ve been a member, how much you’ve sacrificed, how under-appreciated you are. Take note of every way you’re dissatisfied with your church now. Take note of every person who displeases you.
Meet for coffee this week with another member and “share your heart.” Discuss how your church is changing, how you are being left out. Ask your friend who else in the church has “concerns.” Agree together that you must “pray about it.”
Week Two: Send an email to a few other “concerned” members. Inform them that a groundswell of grievance is surfacing in your church. Problems have gone unaddressed for too long. Ask them to keep the matter to themselves “for the sake of the body.”
As complaints come in, form them into a petition to demand an accounting from the leaders of the church. Circulate the petition quietly. Gathering support will be easy. Even happy members can be used if you appeal to their sense of fairness – that your side deserves a hearing. Be sure to proceed in a way that conforms to your church constitution, so that your petition is procedurally correct.
Week Three: When the growing moral fervor, ill-defined but powerful, reaches critical mass, confront the elders with your demands. Inform them of all the woundedness in the church, which leaves you with no choice but to put your petition forward. Inform them that, for the sake of reconciliation, the concerns of the body must be satisfied.
Whatever happens from this point on, you have won. You have changed the subject in your church from gospel advance to your own grievances. To some degree, you will get your way. Your church will need three or four years for recovery. But at any future time, you can do it all again. It only takes three weeks.
Just one question. Even if you are being wronged, “Why not rather suffer wrong?” (1 Corinthians 6:7)
Words for each of us from Pastor Juan Sanchez.
“No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it” (1 Corinthians 10:13, ESV).
In 1 Corinthians 10:6-11, the apostle Paul reminds the new covenant church not to crave evil. Paul recalls Israel’s past sinful cravings which led to idolatry as an example and a warning that those who persist in sin will not inherit the kingdom of God (1 Corinthians 10:5; see also 6:9-10). Yet for some of us, recalling the past is not enough to keep us from sin. The battle with sin can be such an overwhelming struggle at times because we underestimate how sin operates. This is why understanding the nature of sin is so important. If we are to endure temptation and overcome sin, we must understand that sin is deceptive, divisive and destructive.
Sin is deceptive in a variety of ways. Satan deceives us into thinking that what we are doing is not sin (1 Corinthians 10:12). Isn’t this precisely what took place in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3)? Also, Satan’s schemes are so deceptive that once we are involved in sin, we begin to believe there is no way out, but this is not what the Bible teaches. The Bible teaches that the temptations we face are common to everyone (1 Corinthians 10:13), and because Jesus understands our temptations (Hebrews 4:14-16), we can go to Him for help in our time of need, for God is faithful and provides a way of escape, so we can endure the temptation (1 Corinthians 10:13).
Sin is divisive in that it separates us from God (1 John 1:1) and from each other (1 Corinthians 10:17). The prodigal son in Luke 15 understood that when he sinned, he sinned against God first, then against his father. This is the very perspective we must have. When we choose to sin, we sin against God, disrupting our fellowship with him; we sin against those affected by our sin, hurting them; and we sin against the church, affecting our fellowship with one another.
Sin is destructive. We see everyday how sin destroys people’s lives. Even for believers, after we have experienced the wonderful forgiveness God offers, the consequences of sin still linger. David’s life testifies to this fact (2 Samuel 11-24). Learning from our past and understanding the nature of sin are helpful defensive strategies against temptation and sin; however, glorifying God in everything (1 Corinthians 10:31) is the most important aspect of Christian living. When our life is consumed by a passion for God’s glory, we will delight in Him and nothing else will do. You see, the Christian life is not about a list of don’ts; it’s about a gift given to us in which we are to delight: Jesus Christ, the beloved Son. When we get to the point in our lives that Christ satisfies our every longing, then the things of this world will loosen their hold on us. This is what brings glory to God. As John Piper says, “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.” May Christ satisfy us all!
God has given us His Spirit as the firstfruits of the life to come in the resurrection. When Christ comes, we will receive the harvest- the fullness of life from God's Spirit. But God has already given us His Spirit as a firstfruits, a foretaste, an initial experience of that future heavenly life.
Has the realization gripped you that the very life of heaven itself dwells within you here and now ? Did you ever know that ? I am afraid we live most of our life in terms of promise. We often sing of the future, and so we ought to sing. Our Gospel is a Gospel of glorious promise and hope. Yes, the best, the glorious best is yet to be. And yet we are not to live alone for the future. The future has already begun. The Age to Come has reached into this Age; the Kingdom of God has come unto you. The eternal life which belongs to tomorrow is here today. The fellowship which we shall know when we see Him face to face is already ours, in part but in reality. The transforming life of the Spirit of God which will one day transform our bodies has come to indwell us and to transform our characters and personalities.
This is what eternal life means. This is what it means to be saved. It means to go about every day in this present evil Age living the life of heaven. It means that every local fellowship of God's people who have shared this life should live together and worship and serve together as those who enjoy a foretaste of heaven here on earth. This is what the fellowship of a Christian church ought to be. May God help us to live the life of the Age to Come in the midst of an evil Age. God has already brought us into fellowship with Himself. This is the promise, the downpayment, the earnest, the Holy Spirit dwelling in us, the life of the Age to Come. This is the Gospel of the Kingdom. This is the life of the Age to Come.
George Eldon Ladd , The Gospel of the Kingdom pg 77-78.
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