Your Witness This Christmas

Ligon Duncan had a great post on the T4G blog. May Christ be made much of this Christmas.

Barriers to Sharing the Gospel

by lduncan

In Mark Dever’s The Gospel and Personal Evangelism, he helpfully identifies five things that keep us from sharing the Gospel with others. Here's my spin on these reasons from Mark's chapter on "Why Don't We Evangelize?"

1. Fear - of rejection, of offending 2. Ignorance - don’t know what to say, don’t know how to say it 3. Inexperience - haven’t seen it done, haven’t done it 4. Attitude - that’s just not me, leave it to the experts 5. Lack of true love - we don't really care about the lost and their eternal destiny

In response, Mark suggests that we do twelve things:

(1) Pray - for a desire to witness to Christ, and for the opportunities. (2) Plan - to witness (who, when, how). (3) Accept - you are a witness. (4) Understand - how God uses his witnesses. (5) Be Faithful - be more concerned to be faithful to God, than for people to like you. (6) Risk - something! - invite to a meeting; share a book; befriend someone. (7) Prepare - that’s what this course is all about. (8) Look - keep your eyes open for God’s opportunities. (9) Love - cultivate a genuine love for lost people. (10) Fear - God, rather than man. (11) Stop - and realize the logic of sovereignty - "God is sovereign, therefore I’m responsible." (12) Consider - the greatness of his love to you.

Get the book here. Or read it online, here.

We will be most effective in bearing witness to Christ if we cultivate: (1) a joyful fear of God; (2) a biblical knowledge of who we are in Christ and what the Gospel is; (3) fellowship with people who have a passion for the Gospel, and for showing and telling it; (4) a proper attitude toward the task - not a drudging "I have to share the Gospel" but a joyous "I get to be a part of God’s work of salvation;" (5) a genuine Gospel love for the lost, because of God’s Gospel love for us.

What is my role...?

C.J. Mahaney takes on a two part blog post series that touches on roles. I found it to be very thought provoking. The links are below:

• Roles (Part 1)
• Roles (part 2)

An Interview on Memorizing Scripture

For those of you who are interested and challenged to memorize scripture, Tim Challies interviews Ryan Ferguson, who has memorized entire books and extensive passages of Scripture. See the end of Tim's post for some video clips.

This is an area for me where I would love to see some major growth. That said I am not sure if I found this encouraging or discouraging.

Russel Moore: The Eschatology of Parenting

Russel Moore does a great job in his blog of addressing a practical perspective of end times.

Check his posting here: The Eschatology of Parenting

Disciplines of a Godly Man: Audio

For all you men that are going through the Disciplines of a Goldy Man book here is Kent Hughes, speaking at a recent men's retreat for Church of Christ the Redeemer in Spokane, Washington:

• Talk 1: The Importance of Discipline
• Talk 2: Disciplines of the Mind
• Talk 3: Disciplines and the Church

You can also read his book on the subject


Information courtesy of: Between Two Worlds

Is it ever going to stop?

Are You Busy?
by C.J. Mahaney 11/12/2008 10:27:00 AM

Lazy? Not me. I’m busy. Up early, up late. My schedule is filled from beginning to end. I love what I do and I love getting stuff done. I attack a daily to-do list with the same intensity I play basketball. Me lazy? I don’t think so!

Or at least I didn’t think so. That is, until I read about the difference between busyness and fruitfulness, and realized just how often my busyness was an expression of laziness, not diligence.

I forget now who first brought these points to my attention. But the realization that I could be simultaneously busy and lazy, that I could be a hectic sluggard, that my busyness was no immunity from laziness, became a life-altering and work-altering insight. What I learned is that:

• Busyness does not mean I am diligent
• Busyness does not mean I am faithful
• Busyness does not mean I am fruitful
  

Recognizing the sin of procrastination, and broadening the definition to include busyness, has made a significant alteration in my life. The sluggard can be busy—busy neglecting the most important work, and busy knocking out a to-do list filled with tasks of secondary importance.

When considering our schedules, we have endless options. But there are a few clear priorities and projects, derived from my God-assigned roles, that should occupy the majority of my time during a given week. And there are a thousand tasks of secondary importance that tempt us to devote a disproportionate amount of time to completing an endless to-do list. And if we are lazy, we will neglect the important for the urgent.

Our Savior understood priorities. Although his public ministry was shorter than one presidential term, within that time he completed all the works give to him by the Father.

The Father evidently called him to heal a limited number of people from disease, raise a limited number of bodies from the dead, and preach a limited number of sermons. As Jesus stared into the cup of God’s wrath, he looked back on his life work as complete because he understood the calling of the Father. He was not called to heal everyone, raise everyone, preach copious sermons, or write volumes of books.

While we must always be extra careful when comparing our responsibilities with Christ’s messianic priorities, in the incarnation he entered into the limitations of human life on this earth.

So join me over the next few days as we discover the root and nature of laziness, so that we might devote ourselves to biblical priorities and join our Savior in one day praying to the Father, “I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do” (John 17:4, ESV).

Read the whole thing, and keep watching C.J.'s blog for more teaching on this important topic.

America Has Chosen a President

Al Mohler offers some post election wisdom that is definitely worth reading.

Here is the link: click me

I am very grateful that we have wise leaders like Al Mohler out there to help keep our thoughts in perspective.

John Piper

As many of you know John Piper is the lead pastor for preaching and teaching at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis Minnesota. He is also someone I was taught under for over 7 years and greatly respect. Pastor John has decided to follow in Pastor Chad's footsteps :) and teach through the book of John. I wonder who will get through it first?

Here is the link "In the Beginning Was the Word"

Email Management 101

Here is a great post by Justin Taylor:

How to Get Your Email Inbox to Zero Every Day

As many of you know this is no small task.

God and Sports

"Between Two Worlds" blog had the following posting that I thought everyone might enjoy:

What hath God to do with sports?

Here are two resources to help you answer that question:

Last Sunday C.J. Mahaney preached a sermon at Covenant Life, called Don't Waste Your Sports. (If you don't think John Owen has anything to teach us on how to glorify God while watching sports--well, you'd be wrong!)

And Stephen Altrogge's new book, Game Day for the Glory of God: A Guide for Athletes, Fans, and Wannabes, has now been published. It's a short but insightful guide on these issues.

Bread of Life

John 6:35-51 - "Bread of Life" (click the link to listen)
08/24/2008
Sermon by Pastor Chad DeGraff



This sermon made me think that I should do a review on what is TULIP (or the Five Points of Calvinism).

Total Depravity (also known as Total Inability and Original Sin)
Unconditional Election
Limited Atonement (also known as Particular Atonement)
Irresistible Grace
Perseverance of the Saints (also known as Once Saved Always Saved)

Calvin's take

R.C. Sproul's Latest Book - Now Available

Dr. R.C. Sproul is well-known as a first-rate theologian. With Five Things Every Christian Needs To Grow, he has penned a book that is meaty and rich, while digestible by any layman, and particularly well suited to a newer believer. A good friend Alex Chediak had the privilege of proof-reading this short book and highly recommend it.

John 6:25-34 - "Our Desire To Be Satisfied" (click the link to listen)
08/17/2008
Sermon by Pastor Chad DeGraff

Look deep into the heart of the people in this text.

The common theme throughout the text that defines these people is that they are a people who make demands of Jesus Christ. These continued demands unveil where their heart is at. These people were focused on what Christ could do for them in the physical now.

Q:Why did these people need to see more miracles, when they know of the amazing works that Christ had already done?

Notice in v31 how the people try to use scripture against Christ.

God is not about successfully fulfilling our earthly desires.

What is your true bread? Is it v33?

This is a significant statement and what Christ is saying here is quite bold. That one needs to have the true bread (insert Christ here) in order to have true spiritual life. Wow that is not like the manna that they received under Moses.

These people where not getting it though...there statements continued to try to get Christ to fulfill their immediate physical concerns.

Q: How does our life compare to these people? Is our quest for satisfaction in this world?

The great news of the gospel is that we can be freed from this because we can say all we need is Christ and it is all there.

Q: Are you coming to church to get your physical needs met? Or are you coming serve, worship, learn and to give thanks?

Let us (Riverside) serve, worship, etc in a way that says thank you and make it be our joy, our delight.


Calvin's take

-John Piper also covered this in a sermon titled "Do Not Labor for the Food Which Parishes". It is good and greatly supports Pastor DeGraff's sermon.

"Fighting for Faith with God's Word"

An encouraging message (Click here to listen) by John Piper

Fighting for Faith with God’s Word. Drawing upon 1 Timothy 6:12, 1 Corinthians 9:26, and 2 Timothy 4:7 and the call to fight the fight of faith, Piper issued 5 observations and clarifications regarding the fight of faith and 2 practical ways of implementing these observations.

1. Sanctification isn’t always progressive, it can be regressive.

“I used to think that the life of faith was a more or less straight line at a diagonal from total lostness to perfection...I’m 62 now and I’ve scraped that vision.”

“The fight is a mortal fight to the death. Never get to a point where you say, ‘I have fought valiantly for thirty years, I’m going to coast now.’ You won’t! You’ll go backwards.”

2. The fight for faith is a fight for joy.

“Saving faith includes as part of it (not all of it), a treasuring of Christ, a being satisfied in Christ, a delighting in Christ.”

“Conversion is stumbling upon the treasure who is Christ, King Christ, and treasuring him.”

The gospel has at least 5 components:
1) Gospel is Event: Christ died
2) Gospel is Accomplishment: Christ died for our sins
3) Gospel is a Free Offer
4) Gospel is Applied: Though faith, by the Holy Spirit, the gospel gets applied to individual sinners
5) Gospel is Treasuring: Why you want to be forgiven is because you want God--you want your sins taken away so that you can treasure God

“Believing the gospel in its fullness means treasuring God through Christ.”

3. Joy in Christ is not the opposite of suffering.

4. We fight for faith not to get God to be 100% for us, but because he is 100% for us.

“This one is so hard to live by because of the devil, our flesh, and the whole legalistic scheme of our Universe.”

“You cannot make any progress in the Christian life until you believe that God is 100% on your side, not just 99% on your side.”

“If you believe that God is withholding from you, withholding being fully on your side, you don’t understand justification.”

5. The fight for faith is a fight to see Christ.

“What happened in the new birth is that the eyes of the heart were illumined so that the cross ceased to be foolish.”

Practical Implementation #1: Major in your life on the Word of God.

Practical Implementation #2: There are two ways to major you life on the Word of God: 1) a disciplined way and 2) a spontaneous way.

The notes are courtesy of Roshon who blogged the conference.

Why Are You Seeking Jesus?

John 6:22-27 - "Why Are You Seeking Jesus?" (click the link to listen)
08/10/2008
Sermon by Pastor Chad DeGraff

Here are some thoughts and notes from this weeks sermon:

In this text the people a re seeking Jesus because he benefits their worldly desires. A means to their physical ends.

Q: How does this apply to you?

In verse 25 the people ask Jesus "when did you get here?". These people traveled all the way over to Capernaum. However they went over there for the wrong reason. Pastor Chad then went onto challenge the congregation to be careful on to who you look up to or follow for just may be going in the wrong direction.

Pastor Chad ask this questions regarding Jesus response to their question: What is going on with Jesus' answer?

Here are his three responses:

1. It is good that they are seeking heaven though their actions were for selfish desires only. Are we coming to the Lord for things or for selfish reasons? The Church and the body is not for ourselves and it is not a support group. The church is for those seeking the Lord.
   
2. They focused on material things. We as a people are far to easily pleased by things of this world. Material things are needed and are good and do serve their purpose. God knows that and He will give you what you need. Don't allow these things or your quest for material goods dethrone God. Stay focused on the giver not the gifts.
3. They did not seek Christ with their whole heart. How is your walk? Is it strong in time os desperation? What peril has God put you through? How did you react?

What causes you great pain in your life?
-Look at that pain and think, what God has done for your/us through it.
-God knows that what you need most is Him. This is why he gave us his only son.

This song came to mind: "How deep the Father's Love for us"

Stuart Townend

Lyrics:

How deep the Father's love for us, How vast beyond all measure That He should give His only Son To make a wretch His treasure How great the pain of searing loss, The Father turns His face away As wounds which mar the chosen One, Bring many sons to glory Behold the Man upon a cross, My sin upon His shoulders Ashamed I hear my mocking voice, Call out among the scoffers It was my sin that held Him there Until it was accomplished His dying breath has brought me life I know that it is finished I will not boast in anything No gifts, no power, no wisdom But I will boast in Jesus Christ His death and resurrection Why should I gain from His reward? I cannot give an answer But this I know with all my heart His wounds have paid my ransom (REPEAT)

Calvin's Take

Jesus Walks On Water

John 6:16-21 - "Jesus walks on water" (click the link to listen)
08/03/2008
Sermon by Pastor Chad DeGraff

Here are some thoughts and notes from this weeks sermon:

-John's gospel is chronologically written after th other gospels.

Q: While the apostles were out in the middle of the sea (as directed by Christ) do you think they thought about Christ and what he was doing?

It is worth noting that this event was directly after the miracle where Jesus fed the 5000. Where Christ takes the physically impossible and supernaturally provides food for everyone out of virtually nothing.

Pastor DeGraff asked the following questions and followed with answers here is the summary:

Q1: What do these verses say about Christ?
A1: Christ will not leave his people.
A1: Chris presence alone is cause for immediate relief in my circumstances.
Q2: What does it tell us about us or the disciples?
A2: Christ will command you to go into difficult circumstances.
A2: He is with us (Matt 10:20, Matt 28:20)
A2: As His disciples He will get you where you need to go

This series of events goes back to the physical body limitations and our dependence on the almighty miraculous working hand of Jesus Christ.

In v20 as he was approaching the boats Jesus says "It is I; do not be afraid" the disciples reaction was that they were glad. Here are some other points were Christ claims his presence.
-John 8:58-59 In this verse he was not so gladly welcomed as the reaction the people had was to stone him.
- John 18:5 In this verse all bowed down when he claimed that he was Jesus.



Calvin's take

The Sufficiency of Jesus Christ in Feeding 5000

John 6:1-15 - The Sufficiency of Jesus Christ in Feeding 5000
07/27/2008
Pastor DeGraff

Here are some thoughts and notes from Pastor Chad's sermon:

The purpose in asking Phillip "How do we feed these people?" is that it is a test. Physical problem with spiritual ramifications. V7 is Phillip response "there is not enough". Phillip is up against the impossible physical request. He has been brought to the point where his physical resources will not suffice. The point of this is to show that it is not you or Phillip that can achieve the impossible but Christ. Until this is recognized you are useless to Christ kingdom. .

When are you seeking God? When we are not going to the Lord we are saying that we can do it essentially on our own and that we do not need God.

Sufficiency of Christ is all we need. Below are to links by John Piper and John MacArthur.


What is the "Health and Wealth" or prosperity gospel?
John Piper discusses the heresy involved in this Gospel.



Calvin's take

Jesus Authority: A Matter of Life and Death

John 5:24-29 - "Jesus Authority: A Matter of Life and Death"
07/12/2008



Calvin's take