No One Spoke Like Him
Here is the video from the latest sermon preached at New Covenant Presbyterian Church. The text was John 7:28-53.
Differing Spiritual Temperaments
This past year, I have been preaching a sermon series through the gospel of John. One of the things that I have been struck with is the way in which Jesus interacts with various disciples having differing spiritual temperaments and personalities. Not all the disciples are in the same place or have the same fervor. Some are more timid. Others are more outwardly zealous. Still other show a warm tenderness and affection for Christ that differs from the way in which others do so. This is not meant to downplay the call to spiritual maturity and growth in grace. It is, however, to recognize that we are called to be patient with one another and not to treat one another monolithically with regard to spiritual temperament or maturity. ...
The Water and the Blood
It is altogether possible that John is, at one and the same time, defending the reality of the death of Jesus and His true humanity, as well as positing that the blood and water point to the two-fold benefit of justification and sanctification. It is also possible that John had the redemptive-historical fulfillment of the water from the stricken rock in view when he included these details. At least, with Augustus Toplady, we can sing with joyful hearts, "Rock of Ages, cleft for me, Let me hide myself in Thee; Let the water and the blood, From Thy riven side which flowed, Be of sin the double cure, Save me from its guilt and power." ...
For Everything There is a Season
Learning to embrace the seasons of life that God brings us into is vital if we are going to be useful in this world. We often find it to be difficult because we enjoying doing the things we love. We far too often find our comfort in productivity, accomplishment, creativity, and influence. However, we are meant to find contentment in what God has for us. ...
Ligonier Theological Study Guides
About two years ago, the editorial team at Ligonier began writing a series of theological study pages on numerous subjects and themes. Some of those pages are now available online. More will be released in the near future. Each page provides a short systematic theological treatment, in keeping with a Reformed theological approach, of a particular subject–together with links embedded to other Ligonier material on various related quotations from pertinent theologians....
A Week Like No Other
While Jesus' sufferings certainly included the mocking, reproach, rejection and violence of fallen men, the greatest sufferings that He endured were the sufferings of the guilt, shame, corruption and power of sin imputed to Him which led Him under the holy justice and wrath of God. This is what made the last week of Jesus' life--leading up to His glorious resurrection--a week like no other. It was, in fact, the hardest week that any man has ever endured. ...
Serving from the Shadows
In whatever ministry in which we are engaged, we must examine our heart motivation. On Judgment Day, our popularity or public accolades will not matter one iota. Rather, what will matter is how faithfully and diligently we sought to use the gifts God has given us for His glory and the edification of His people. What a difference it would make if we all sought to serve from the shadows before ever-watching eye of God, rather than to serve for reputation or the praise of men. May our God give us the grace to be willing to do all our service from the shadows....
Worthy of Worship
Jesus was no less worthy of worship in his state of humiliation as he is now is in his state of exaltation. We worship the one person of the Son of God, who is both God and man. We now worship the Man, Christ Jesus, who is seated on the throne of God, the only Mediator between God and man–even as we will for all of eternity....
The Church: Its Meaning, Members, and Means
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones once made the following important observation: “If we do not understand the…doctrine of the Church, there is a sense in which all its appeals and exhortations and indicatives will be quite meaningless to us.” Far too many professing Christians seek doctrinal truths or practical applications of the truths of Scripture for their own personal use without recognizing the fact that God has first and foremost revealed everything in Scripture to the Church collectively considered....
Conscience Binding, Media Ecology, and Theological Controversy
In all that we do, God calls us to seek the Scriptures for guiding directives for what we may or may not write online. Scripture and Scripture alone should bind our consciences. This is especially so with regard to what God requires of us in our stewardship of the internet. If we engage others online, we should do so acknowledging the many dangers that we will have to navigate. We should be slow to listen to the loudest voices, as they are often driven by impulsive zeal and an inflated sense of self-importance. In many cases, those who call others to arms online have, as Newton noted, a self-righteous spirit. Many wrongly confuse “a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal" (1 Corinthians 13:1) with courageous boldness. If we do engage in controversy, let us consider our opponent, consider the public, and consider ourselves. In doing so, we will better represent the truth of God to those within and outside the walls of the church....
Are Christians Totally Depraved?
Reflecting on the doctrine of total depravity in the Calvinistic backronym TULIP, John Gerstner stated, “Total depravity is our one original contribution to TULIP. We are the dirty soil in which God plants His flower, and from our filth, produces a thing of divine beauty.” To see your need for the redeeming grace of God, you must first come to terms with the teaching of Scripture about what you are by nature—pervasively corrupt and evil....
Christ was before all things, So Enjoy it!
John 8:58 Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am." It is great for the believer to know that they serve a Christ who has no beginning and will have no end. Boasting in this Christ gives the believer certainty and surety that their Savior is supreme over all things. Christ was before all things. This is hard for the finite mind to understa...
Keep ReadingSiouxlands Presbytery and the Federal Vision
The Aquilla Report has recently posted a brief description of the very serious issues going on in the Siouxlands Presbytery. You can read it here. Please pray that the Lord will intervene and give the men of that Presbytery wisdom and forthrightness to deal with those found guilty, at the committee level, of teaching doctrines contrary to the doctrinal standards of the PCA...
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The Feast of Tabernacles was that final feast of the year for Israel--six months after they Passover--in which they were to commemorate Israel's dwelling in tents in the wilderness after their redemption from Egypt. They were to remember God's faithfulness in providing for them during the days of their pilgrimage in the desert. Every year until Christ's death, Israel was t...
Keep ReadingJoel Beeke Interview on the Puritans
We recently interviewed Dr. Joel Beeke, President of Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary, on Christ the Center with regard to his book Meet the Puritans. You can listen to the interview here. There is a special offer around 30 minutes into the interview....
Keep ReadingAbraham and Rahab in James 2
Jerry Bilkes, Professor of New Testament and Biblical Theology at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary, made the observation that Abraham and Rahab are singled out in James 2--as examples of those who had saving faith--for at least two reasons. First, Abraham was a man and Rahab was a woman. In Christ Jesus, there is neither male nor female. Second, Abraham was a Jew and ...
Keep ReadingMay The Lamb Bring This Unity!
John Owen wrote: I confess I would rather, much rather, spend all my time and days in making up and healing the breaches and schisms that are amongst Christians than one hour in justifying our divisions even therein wherein, on the one side, they are capable of a fair defense. But who is sufficient for such an attempt? The closing of differences amongst Christians is like ...
Keep ReadingEnjoy the Truth that is in Christ
John 8:31-32 So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, "If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." John 14:6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." The believer can boast in the fact that the character of Christ is truth; ...
Keep ReadingMay Christ Be Everything To Us
Martin Bucer wrote these passionate words about the great satisfaction that is to be found in the Lord Jesus Christ alone: " . . . Christ our Lord alone is the One who is, gives, and performs for us everything which we can desire for our true advantage, happiness, and honour." " . . . all gain, all enjoyment, all honour apart from Christ is poison and death, but . . . in C...
Keep ReadingUpcoming Conferences
Ligonier Winter Conference (January 22-23, 2010) Desiring God Pastors Conference (February 1-3, 2010) The Nature and Sufficiency of Scripture (Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary - March 9-11) Ligonier West Coast Conference (March 26-27, 2010) Together for the Gospel (April 13-15, 2010) Scottish Reformed Conference (May 8, 2010) Banner of Truth Minister's Confere...
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