Quote - Charles Spurgeon
"I will not believe that thou hast tasted of the honey of the gospel if thou can eat it all to thyself" - Charles Spurgeon
Quote - Charles Spurgeon
"Faith and obedience are bound up in the same bundle. He that obeys God trusts God; and he that trusts God obeys God. He that is without faith is without works; and he that is without works is without faith." - Charles Spurgeon
In Christ: I am significant - Neil T. Anderson
The below is quoted from Neil T. Anderson's The Bondage Breaker (p.43-45) and is an extremely helpful summary of our identity in Christ.
I am significant:
In Christ...
- I am the salt and light of the earth (Matt. 5:13)
- I am a branch of the true vine, a channel of His life ( John 15:1,5)
- I have been chosen and appointed to bear fruit (John 15:16)
- I am a personal witness of Christ's (Acts 1:8 )
- I am God's temple (1 Cor. 3:16)
- I am a minister of reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:17-20)
- I am God's coworker (2 Cor. 6:1)
- I am seated with Christ in the heavenly realm (Eph. 2:6)
- I am God's workmanship (Eph 2:10)
- I may approach God with freedom and confidence (Eph. 3:12)
- I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Phil. 4:13)
In Christ: I am secure - Neil T. Anderson
The below is quoted from Neil T. Anderson's The Bondage Breaker (p.43-45) and is an extremely helpful summary of our identity in Christ.
In Christ...
In Christ...I am secure:
- I am free from condemnation (Rom. 8:1,2)
- I am assured that all things work together for good (Rom. 8:28)
- I am free from any condemning charges against met (Rom. 8:31-34)
- I cannot be separated from the love of God (Rom. 8:35-39)
- I have been established, anointed, and sealed by God (2 Cor. 1:21,22)
- I am hidden with Christ in God (Col. 3:3)
- I am confident that the good work that God has begun in me will be perfected (Phil. 1:6)
- I am a citizen of heaven (Phil. 3:20)
- I have not been given a spirit of fear but of power, love, and a sound mind (2 Tim. 1:7)
- I can find grace and mercy in time of need (Heb. 4:16)
- I am born of God and the evil one cannot touch me (1 John 5:18)
In Christ: I am accepted - Neil T. Anderson
The below is quoted from Neil T. Anderson's The Bondage Breaker (p.43-45) and is an extremely helpful summary of our identity in Christ.
I am accepted:
In Christ...
I am accepted:
- I am God's child (John 1:12)
- I am Christ's friend (John 15:15)
- I have been justified (Romans 5:1)
- I am united with the Lord and one with Him in spirit (1 Cor. 6:17)
- I have been bought with a price - I belong to God (1 Cor. 6:20)
- I am a member of Christ's body (1 Cor. 12:27)
- I am a saint (Eph. 1:1)
- I have been adopted as God's child (Eph. 1:5)
- I have direct access to God through the Holy Spirit (Eph. 2:18)
- I have been redeemed and forgiven of all my sins (Col. 1:14)
- I am complete in Christ (Col 2:10)
Demons - C.S. Lewis
"There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils [demons]. One is to disbelieve in their existence. The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them. They themselves are equally pleased by both errors, and hail a materialist or magician with the same delight." C.S. Lewis in The Screwtape Letters
Our Primary Duty - John Stott
“According to this commission, which is still addressed to us today, our primary duty is to be neither reformers of society nor healers of the sick, but rather preachers of the Gospel.” John Stott
The Great Commission - Part III" at The Congress on World Evangelism - Berlin, 1966
The Great Commission - Part III" at The Congress on World Evangelism - Berlin, 1966
The Holy Spirit - Billy Graham
"We are now living in a generation when nothing will break through the overwhelming power of Satan except the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit." Billy Graham
"Why the Berlin Congress?" at The World Congress on Evangelism, in Berlin, 1966
"Why the Berlin Congress?" at The World Congress on Evangelism, in Berlin, 1966
Turning Churches Inside Out
"We deeply regret that many of our congregations are inward-looking, organized for maintenance rather than mission, or preoccupied with church-based activities at the expense of witness. We determine to turn our churches inside out, so that they may engage in continuous outreach, until the Lord adds to them daily those who are being saved" - The Manila Manifesto (1989)
Lausanne II, Second International Congress on World Evangelization
Lausanne II, Second International Congress on World Evangelization
The Devil vs. The Church - John Stott
"The devil uses moral as well as intellectual weapons. If he cannot deceive the church into error, he will attempt to corrupt it with sin and worldliness...Not content with his attempts to introduce sin and error into the church, the devil also attacks the church from outside, seeking either by physical persecution or by restrictive legislation to hinder the church's work."
John Stott
The Lausanne Covenant: An Exposition and Commentary
John Stott
The Lausanne Covenant: An Exposition and Commentary
Miracles - Billy Graham
“Brethren, I do not believe that the day of miracles has passed. As long as the Holy Spirit abides and works on the earth, the Church's potential is the same as it was in apostolic days. The great Paraclete has not been withdrawn, and He still waits to work through those who are willing to meet His conditions of repentance, humility, and obedience.”
Billy Graham
Christ Crucified vs. Morality Preaching - David Brainerd
"I found that when my people were gripped by this great doctrine of Christ and Him crucified, I had no need to give them instructions about morality. I found that one followed as sure and inevitable fruit of the other."
David Brainerd, in the journal of his life and doings among the North American Indians.
Quoted by Billy Graham
David Brainerd, in the journal of his life and doings among the North American Indians.
Quoted by Billy Graham
Daily Walk & Evangelism - Billy Graham
"I am convinced that if each of us is living a Spirit-filled life, God will continually bring across our paths people in spiritual need that we can lead to Christ."
Billy Graham
"Why the Berlin Congress?", World Congress on Evangelism, Berlin, 1966
Billy Graham
"Why the Berlin Congress?", World Congress on Evangelism, Berlin, 1966
Effective Evangelism - Billy Graham
"The most effective method of evangelism is organizing the laity of the church to do the work of evangelism. The clergyman is not to do the work alone. He is to be like the foreman in a shop, or the coach of a team. The actual work is to be done primarily by the laity." Billy Graham
"Why the Berlin Congress?", World Congress on Evangelism, Berlin, 1966
"Why the Berlin Congress?", World Congress on Evangelism, Berlin, 1966
Satan - Billy Graham
"To Jesus and the apostles Satan was very real. He was called "the prince of this world," "the god of this age," and "the prince of the power of the air." The names used concerning him indicate something of his character and strategy. He was called "deceiver," "liar," "murderer," "accuser," "tempter," "destroyer," and many other such names. The Apostle Paul said he wanted to visit the church of Thessalonica "but Satan hindered us" (I Thessalonians 2:18). Thus the evangelist and the work of evangelism is opposed on every hand by tremendous spiritual forces."
"Satan's greatest strategy is deception. His most successful strategy has been to get modern theologians to deny his existence...If we ignore the existence of Satan or our ignorance of his devices, then we fall into his clever trap. However, we have the glorious promise that: 'Greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world.'"
Billy Graham
"Why the Berlin Congress?", World Congress on Evangelism, Berlin, 1966
"Satan's greatest strategy is deception. His most successful strategy has been to get modern theologians to deny his existence...If we ignore the existence of Satan or our ignorance of his devices, then we fall into his clever trap. However, we have the glorious promise that: 'Greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world.'"
Billy Graham
"Why the Berlin Congress?", World Congress on Evangelism, Berlin, 1966
The Feast That Never Ends (Exodus 13:3-10)
The Feast That Never Ends (Exodus 13:3-10) from Jonathan Carl on Vimeo.
The Feast That Never Ends (Exodus 13:3-10)
Northside Baptist Church (Elizabethtown, KY)
November 21, 2010
AUDIO ONLY
“Do not labor for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you.” John 6:27
“And they kept the Feast of Unleavened Bread seven days with joy, for the LORD had made them joyful…” Ezra 6:22a
1. _____________ your deliverer
“You shall tell your son on that day, ‘It is because of what the LORD did for me when I came out of Egypt.’ And it shall be to you as a sign on your hand and as a memorial between your eyes, that the law of the LORD may be in your mouth.” Exodus 13:8-9
2. _____________ in God’s strong hand
“for by a strong hand the Lord brought you out from this place.” Exodus 13:3
3. _____________the leaven
“Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy” Luke 12:1
“Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened.” 1 Corinthians 5:6-7
4. _____________ the Bread
“And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.’” Luke 22:19
“I am the bread of life. Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died… the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.” John 6:48-51
"What does a pastor do?" - John MacArthur
"So what does a pastor do? ...He makes the following commitments. I will warn my people of error. I will devote myself to the study of Scripture. I will avoid the influence of unholy teaching that sucks out my conviction. I will discipline myself in godliness. I will work hard. I will teach with divine authority. I will endeavor to be a model of spiritual virtue. I will maintain a thoroughly Biblical ministry. I will employ my spiritual gift and not neglect it. I will be passionate about this privileged work. I will let all see my growth in grace and persevere with endurance to complete the task that God gives me" John MacArthur in '12 Marks of Excellent Pastoral Ministry' (1 Timothy 4:6-16)
1 Timothy 4:6-16 (ESV) "6 If you put these things before the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have followed. 7 Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; 8 for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. 9 The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance. 10 For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe. 11 Command and teach these things. 12 Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. 13 Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. 14 Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you. 15 Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress. 16 Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers."
1 Timothy 4:6-16 (ESV) "6 If you put these things before the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have followed. 7 Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; 8 for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. 9 The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance. 10 For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe. 11 Command and teach these things. 12 Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. 13 Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. 14 Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you. 15 Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress. 16 Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers."
Quote - George Mueller
"God's plan is that there shall be none of self and all of Christ. The very people who are doing the most for God in saving souls, in mission work, in the care of orphans, are those who are working on short supplies of strength, of money, of talents, or advantages and are kept in a position of living by faith and taking from God, day by day, both physical and spiritual supplies." George Mueller
FOCUS: Not the event…the relationship. (Exodus 12:1-14)
FOCUS: Not the event…the relationship. (Exodus 12:1-14) from Jonathan Carl on Vimeo.
FOCUS: Not the event…the relationship.
(Exodus 12:1-14)
@ Magnolia Baptist Church (Magnolia, KY) on Novermber 14, 2010
AUDIO ONLY
1. We must FOCUS on our ________God, not the _____ situations.
Exodus 12:2 “This month shall be for you the beginning of months. It shall be the first month of the year for you.
ISRAEL: Slavery vs. A God who is faithful.
John 8:34 “Jesus answered them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin.”
US: Slaves to Sin vs. A God who loved us first.
John 8:36 “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”
1 John 4:10 “This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.”
2.We must FOCUS on the promise ____________, not on the __________ circumstances.
ISRAEL: The Exodus vs. A God who keeps His promises
US: Slaves to Righteousness vs. A God Who Saves
Romans 6:17-18 “17But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, 18and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness.”
Romans 10:13 “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful”
3. We must FOCUS on the source of _______, not the unknown _______.
Exodus 12:25 “And when you come to the land that the LORD will give you, as he has promised, you shall keep this service.”
ISRAEL: The Promised Land vs. The God Who Leads and Restores
Exodus 14:13,14 “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will work for you today…The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.”
Exodus 16:8 “your grumbling is not against us but against the Lord”
US: Heaven vs. The Passover Lamb
1 Corinthians 5:7b,8 “For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. Let us therefore celebrate the festival, not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.”
Luke 22:43 “And he said to him, "Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise."
Revelation 21:22-23 “And I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb. And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb.”
-Creation vs. The Creator
-Deliverance vs. The Deliverer
-Redemption vs. The Redeemer
-Saving vs. The Savior
-Provision vs. The Provider
-Health vs. The Healer
-Life vs. The Life-giver
-Crucifixion vs. The Crucified One
-Resurrection vs. The Resurrected One
Heb 9:22 “without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.”
Quote - David Lowes Watson
“North American congregations urgently need an inversion of their religious self-preoccupation and ecclesial self-indulgence… we find ourselves spending more time talking about evangelism than doing it – a sure sign of self-preoccupation” - David Lowes Watson
Quote - Martin Luther
"This is the mystery of the riches of divine grace for sinners, for by a wonderful exchange our sins are now not ours but Christ's, and Christ's righteousness is not Christ's, but ours." Martin Luther
International Missions Funding - Southern Baptists
Southern Baptists voluntarily contribute money from their churches through the Cooperative Program in order to fund missions across their state, nation, and world. Oftentimes the majority of the money remains within their state convention with the remainder being sent forward to various SBC entities. Thankfully many state conventions are currently voting to send more funds forward towards the SBC for national and international missions fundting.
The International Missions Board shares a resource HERE that allows you to see how much CP funds your state retains and how the SBC entities split the remainder.
How much does it cost to support a missionary?
• $43,845.86 a year
• $3,653.82 a month
• $843.19 a week
• $120.13 a day
• $5.01 an hour
• $.08 a minute
The Marks of New Life in Christ - Charles Spurgeon
"As this God-begotten spiritual life in men is a mystery, we shall speak to more practical effect if we dwell upon the signs following and accompanying it, for these are the things at which we must aim. ...conviction of sin...a simple faith in Jesus Christ...unfeigned repentance of sin...a real change of life...true prayer...a willingness to obey the Lord...A soul-winner can do nothing without God. He must cast himself on the Invisible, or be a laughing-stock to the devil, who regards with utter disdain all who think to subdue human nature with mere words and arguments."
Charles Spurgeon in The Soul Winner (19-24)
Charles Spurgeon in The Soul Winner (19-24)
Free Audiobook Download - Christianaudio.com
This month's free audiobook download from Christianaudio.com is John Piper's Don't Waste Your Life, helping you to consider and fulfill God's plan for your life!
Free Downloads on christianaudio - Audiobooks, MP3, M4B, iPhone Apps, Free Downloads!
Free Downloads on christianaudio - Audiobooks, MP3, M4B, iPhone Apps, Free Downloads!
Bible Verses - Marriage Roles - Husband & Wife
I think this is a helpful (not comprehensive) list of some of the Biblical roles of husbands and wives and the corresponding Scriptures.
There is a temptation for someone to use these against your spouse...but the Biblical guidance is to test yourself in your own role.
Matthew 7:3-4 "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye?"
How does the Bible describe the wife’s role in marriage?
There is a temptation for someone to use these against your spouse...but the Biblical guidance is to test yourself in your own role.
Matthew 7:3-4 "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye?"
How does the Bible describe the wife’s role in marriage?
- Helpmate (Genesis 2:18)
- Loving and gracious submission to the leadership of her husband (Ephesians 5:22, Colossians 3:18)
- Not strive or resist the leadership of her husband (Genesis 3:16, 1 Peter 3:1)
- Respect her husband (Ephesians 5:33)
- Diligent worker, whether at home or in the worklplace (Proverbs 31)
- Hospitable towards others and generous towards poor (Proverbs 31)
- Cares for children and household (Proverb 31)
- Meet sexual needs of husband (1 Corinthians 7)
- Be beautiful on the inside (1 Peter 3:4)
- Spiritual leader ( 1 Corinthians 11:3) towards glorifying God and unity with each other (one flesh)
- Not dictatorial or harsh (Colossians 3:19)
- Leading in a sacrificial way the way Christ loves the church (Ephesians 5:23)
- Provide - feed and care (Ephesians 5:29, Genesis 3:17-19)
- Protect - love their wives as their own bodies (Ephesians 5:28, 1 Peter 3:7)
- Praise your wife (Proverbs 31:28)
- Meet sexual needs of wife (1 Corinthians 7)
- Be considerate and respect your wife (1 Peter 3:7)
Quote - John MacArthur
"If we are truly born of God, we have a faith that cannot fail to overcome the world (1 John 5:4). We may sin (1 John 2:1) - we will sin- but the process of sanctification can never stall completely. God is at work in us (Phil. 2:13), and He will continue to perfect us until the day of Christ (Phil 1:6; 1 Thess. 5:23-24)." The Gospel According to Jesus by John MacArthur (p. 33)
Why We Should Memorize Scripture - John Piper
I love this short video of John Piper's reasons to memorize Scripture. It is a helpful reminder and an encouragement for us all to be more diligent in this task!
Memorizing Scripture....
Memorizing Scripture....
- makes meditation possible at times when you can't be reading the Bible and meditation is the pathway to deeper understanding.
- strengthens my faith because faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the Word of God and that happens when I am hearing the Word in my head.
- shapes the way I view the world by conforming my mind to God's viewpoint on everything.
- makes God's Word more readily accessible in overcoming temptation to sin because God's warnings and promises are the way we conquer the deceitful lies of the devil.
- guards my mind, making it easier to detect error and the world is filled with error because the god of this worldis a liar.
- enables me to hit the devil in the face with a force he cannot resist to protect myself and my family from his assaults.
- provides the strongest and sweetest words for ministering to others in need
- provides the matrix for fellowship with Jesus because He talks to me through His Word and nowhere else.
Carnal Christianity - B.B. Warfield's Response to Lewis Sperry Chafer
"'It is a grievous error to teach that a true believer in Christ can stop short in 'carnality.'"
"[Lewis Sperry] Chafer's characterization of the carnal man actually 'assigns to the lower class [of Christians] practically all the marks of the unregenerate man.'"
"He who believes in Jesus Christ is under grace, and his whole course, in its process and in its issue alike, is determined by grace, and therefore, having been predestined to be conformed to the image of God's Son, he is surely being conformed to that image, God Himself seeing to it that he is not only called and justified but also glorified. You may find Christians at every stage of this process, for it is a process through which all must pass; but you will find none who will not in God's own good time and way pass through every stage of it. There are not two kinds of Christians, although there are Christians at every conceivable stage of advancement..."
quoted from B.B. Warfield's "Review of Chafer" (p.326-327) in Christ the Lord: The Reformation and Lordship Salvation Edited by Michael S.Horton (p.161-162)
"[Lewis Sperry] Chafer's characterization of the carnal man actually 'assigns to the lower class [of Christians] practically all the marks of the unregenerate man.'"
"He who believes in Jesus Christ is under grace, and his whole course, in its process and in its issue alike, is determined by grace, and therefore, having been predestined to be conformed to the image of God's Son, he is surely being conformed to that image, God Himself seeing to it that he is not only called and justified but also glorified. You may find Christians at every stage of this process, for it is a process through which all must pass; but you will find none who will not in God's own good time and way pass through every stage of it. There are not two kinds of Christians, although there are Christians at every conceivable stage of advancement..."
quoted from B.B. Warfield's "Review of Chafer" (p.326-327) in Christ the Lord: The Reformation and Lordship Salvation Edited by Michael S.Horton (p.161-162)
Quote - Jerry Bridges
"It is time for us Christians to face up to our responsibility for holiness. Too often we say we are 'defeated' by this or that sin. No, we are not defeated; we are simply disobedient! It might be well if we stopped using the terms 'victory' and 'defeat' to describe our progress in holiness. Rather we should use the terms 'obedience' and 'disobedience.' When I say I am defeated by some sin, I am unconsciously slipping out from under my responsibility. I am saying something outside me has defeated me. But when I say I am disobedient, that places the responsibility for sin squarely on me..." -The Pursuit of Holiness by Jerry Bridges (p.84-85)
Missions Statistic
This is a sad and discouraging statistic, but motivates me towards mobilizing our churches towards greater faithfulness, integrity, and sacrificial giving....
"Less than 6% of global Christian giving goes to support world missions, with outreach, evangelism, and translation work among non-Christians attracting the least money. 'The average church member donating his $2.75 a week, gives out of this only $0.15 to support Christian foreign missions.' In fact, the annual total amount of church money embezzled is $16 billion, more than the $15 billion spent on foreign missions.'"
The Great Commission: Evangelicals and the History of World Missions edited by Martin Klauber & Scott Manetsch (p.127)
May we be people who demonstrate by our giving and spending that we care more about the unsaved than we do about ourselves.
"Less than 6% of global Christian giving goes to support world missions, with outreach, evangelism, and translation work among non-Christians attracting the least money. 'The average church member donating his $2.75 a week, gives out of this only $0.15 to support Christian foreign missions.' In fact, the annual total amount of church money embezzled is $16 billion, more than the $15 billion spent on foreign missions.'"
The Great Commission: Evangelicals and the History of World Missions edited by Martin Klauber & Scott Manetsch (p.127)
May we be people who demonstrate by our giving and spending that we care more about the unsaved than we do about ourselves.
John Piper - Suffering, God, & Life's Purpose
Here is a short but helpful interview with John Piper at the Third Lausanne Conference on World Evangelization going on in Cape Town, South Africa. In this interview he addresses the connections between:
Psalm 16:11 "You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand."
John 15:8,11 "This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples...I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete."
- Evangelism (alleviating eternal suffering) & Social Action (alleviating temporal suffering)
- Theology (thinking about God) & Doxology (affections about God)
- Purpose of Life & Idolatrous Joys
Psalm 16:11 "You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand."
John 15:8,11 "This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples...I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete."
Peacemaking - Apology and Confession
Peacemaker Ministries shares great wisdom (with some humor!) at their blog post today on apology and confession...
I love the 7 A's of Confession...helpful, challenging, and best of all...biblical!
"As God opens your eyes to see how you have sinned against others, he simultaneously offers you a way to find freedom from your past wrongs. It is called confession. Many people have never experienced this freedom because they have never learned how to confess their wrongs honestly and unconditionally. Instead, they use words like these: "I'm sorry if I hurt you." "Let's just forget the past." "I suppose I could have done a better job." "I guess it's not all your fault." These token statements rarely trigger genuine forgiveness and reconciliation. If you really want to make peace, ask God to help you breathe grace by humbly and thoroughly admitting your wrongs. One way to do this is to use the Seven A's."
1.Address everyone involved (All those whom you affected)
2.Avoid if, but, and maybe (Do not try to excuse your wrongs)
3.Admit specifically (Both attitudes and actions)
4.Acknowledge the hurt (Express sorrow for hurting someone)
5.Accept the consequences (Such as making restitution)
6.Alter your behavior (Change your attitudes and actions)
7.Ask for forgiveness
"Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? [4 ] Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? [5 ] You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye." (Matthew 7:3-5 ESV)
"If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. [9 ] If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."(1 John 1:8-9 ESV)
"Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy." (Proverbs 28:13 ESV)
May we be men and women of God who confess and forsake our sins!
I love the 7 A's of Confession...helpful, challenging, and best of all...biblical!
"As God opens your eyes to see how you have sinned against others, he simultaneously offers you a way to find freedom from your past wrongs. It is called confession. Many people have never experienced this freedom because they have never learned how to confess their wrongs honestly and unconditionally. Instead, they use words like these: "I'm sorry if I hurt you." "Let's just forget the past." "I suppose I could have done a better job." "I guess it's not all your fault." These token statements rarely trigger genuine forgiveness and reconciliation. If you really want to make peace, ask God to help you breathe grace by humbly and thoroughly admitting your wrongs. One way to do this is to use the Seven A's."
1.Address everyone involved (All those whom you affected)
2.Avoid if, but, and maybe (Do not try to excuse your wrongs)
3.Admit specifically (Both attitudes and actions)
4.Acknowledge the hurt (Express sorrow for hurting someone)
5.Accept the consequences (Such as making restitution)
6.Alter your behavior (Change your attitudes and actions)
7.Ask for forgiveness
"Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? [4 ] Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? [5 ] You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye." (Matthew 7:3-5 ESV)
"If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. [9 ] If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."(1 John 1:8-9 ESV)
"Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy." (Proverbs 28:13 ESV)
May we be men and women of God who confess and forsake our sins!
Quote - John Newton
"Their [legalists'] experience seems to lead them to talk of themselves, of the change that is wrought in them, and the much that depends upon their own watchfulness and striving. We likewise would be thankful if we could perceive a change wrought in us by the power of grace; we desire to be found watching. But whenever our hopes are most alive, it is less from a view of imperfect beginnings of grace in our hearts than from an apprehension of him who is our all in all. His person, his love, his sufferings, his intercession, compassion, fulness and faithfulness - these are our delightful themes, which leave us little leisure, when in our best frames, to speak of ourselves." - John Newton
Quote - John Newton
"Satan labours to drive unstable souls from one extreme to another, and has too often succeeded. Wearied with vain endeavors to keep the law, that they might obtain life by it [legalism], and afterwards taking up with a notion of the Gospel devoid of power [antinomianism], they have at length despised that obedience that is the honour of the Christian, and essentially belongs to his character, and have abused the grace of God to licentiousness. But we have not so learned Christ." John Newton
God's Call - Pastoral Wisdom on the Ministry Call
John Bisagno – Letters to Timothy - Read Charles Spurgeon’s “How to Know the Call of the Ministry” in Lectures to My Students…summarizes the five main points that influenced him
1. Desire – “There was a time when I was passionate about the music ministry, but simultaneously that passion began to fade and a new passion to preach begins to grow. I wanted it more than anything else, and I knew it to be the call of God. He will put the desire in the sincere heart to do what he wants done…if you can do anything else but preach, by all means, don’t preach. But if the passion burns, then you must preach. If it is your all-consuming, magnificent obsession, then do it.” (34-35)
2. Ability – “This is not to say you will be the greatest orator….God gives us some natural abilities and gifts to do what he wants us to do…If you have the ability to organize your thoughts and express them, let alone some special skills in communication, and this is reinforced with a passion to sue them, then the call of God is indicated.” (35)
3. Opportunity – “Where God leaves us to serve and gifts us to serve, he provides opportunity to serve. Open and closed doors are important in reading the hand of God in our lives…God will open the door for you to do what he wants you to do. A closed door is usually an indication of wrong timing or a detour.” (35)
4. Blessing – “There should be some degree of visible affirmation of your ministry as you pursue it.” (35-36)
5. The Opinion of Others – “Discuss your decision with those in whom you have great spiritual confidence. Ask their advice; seek their counsel. Let them hear your heart, and listen to them.” (36)
“Find God’s tailor-made will for you and do it…Don’t be deterred. If God has called you, God will use you…don’t drift from your call. Better to be on a side street in Calcutta in the will of God than in the White House in Washington, D.C., out of his will. If you’re called to be a servant of the king, don’t stoop to be president. The body of Christ has many parts and many different kinds of folks, and the toes are just as important as the hands.” (38)
Curtis C. Thomas – Practical Wisdom for Pastors: Words of encouragement and counsel for a lifetime of ministry (21)
1. “Does the man reach out for the work?”
2. “Is he qualified biblically?”
3. “Does he possess the gifts necessary to fulfill the functions?”
4. “Do the elders and the church think he is gifted and morally qualified?”
5. “Are his life and doctrine sound?”
6. “Will he live as an example before the flock?”
Charles Spurgeon, Lectures to My Students, “The Call to Ministry”
1. “an intense, all-absorbing desire for the work…this desire must be a thoughtful one…the desire I have spoken of must be thoroughly disinterested…[no] other motive than the glory of God and the good of souls…[a desire] that continues with us, a passion which bears the test of trial” (27-28)
2. “aptness to teach and some measure of the other qualities needful for the office of a public instructor…mere ability to edify, and aptness to teach, is not enough; there must be other talents to complete the pastoral character. Sound judgment and solid experience must instruct you; gentle manners and loving affections must sway you; firmness and courage must be manifest; and tenderness and sympathy must not be lacking…Gifts administrative in ruling well…be fitted to lead, prepared to endure, and able to perservere…read carefully the qualifications of a bishop, given in 1 Tim. iii. 2-7 and in Titus i. 6-9” (28-31)
3. “must see a measure of conversion-work going on under his efforts…if the Lord gives you no zeal for souls…avoid the pulpit as your heart’s peace and your future salvation” (31-32)
4. “your preaching should be acceptable to the people of God…none of you can be pastors without the loving consent of the flock…the sheep will know the God-sent shepherd” (32-33)
John Newton’s letter to a friend on the call to ministry:
1. “A warm and earnest desire to be employed in this service…[not] from a selfish principle…[but] from the Spirit of God”
2. “some competent sufficiency as to gifts, knowledge, and utterance”
3. “a gradual train of circumstances pointing out the means, the time, the place, of actually entering upon the work”
1. Desire – “There was a time when I was passionate about the music ministry, but simultaneously that passion began to fade and a new passion to preach begins to grow. I wanted it more than anything else, and I knew it to be the call of God. He will put the desire in the sincere heart to do what he wants done…if you can do anything else but preach, by all means, don’t preach. But if the passion burns, then you must preach. If it is your all-consuming, magnificent obsession, then do it.” (34-35)
2. Ability – “This is not to say you will be the greatest orator….God gives us some natural abilities and gifts to do what he wants us to do…If you have the ability to organize your thoughts and express them, let alone some special skills in communication, and this is reinforced with a passion to sue them, then the call of God is indicated.” (35)
3. Opportunity – “Where God leaves us to serve and gifts us to serve, he provides opportunity to serve. Open and closed doors are important in reading the hand of God in our lives…God will open the door for you to do what he wants you to do. A closed door is usually an indication of wrong timing or a detour.” (35)
4. Blessing – “There should be some degree of visible affirmation of your ministry as you pursue it.” (35-36)
5. The Opinion of Others – “Discuss your decision with those in whom you have great spiritual confidence. Ask their advice; seek their counsel. Let them hear your heart, and listen to them.” (36)
“Find God’s tailor-made will for you and do it…Don’t be deterred. If God has called you, God will use you…don’t drift from your call. Better to be on a side street in Calcutta in the will of God than in the White House in Washington, D.C., out of his will. If you’re called to be a servant of the king, don’t stoop to be president. The body of Christ has many parts and many different kinds of folks, and the toes are just as important as the hands.” (38)
Curtis C. Thomas – Practical Wisdom for Pastors: Words of encouragement and counsel for a lifetime of ministry (21)
1. “Does the man reach out for the work?”
2. “Is he qualified biblically?”
3. “Does he possess the gifts necessary to fulfill the functions?”
4. “Do the elders and the church think he is gifted and morally qualified?”
5. “Are his life and doctrine sound?”
6. “Will he live as an example before the flock?”
Charles Spurgeon, Lectures to My Students, “The Call to Ministry”
1. “an intense, all-absorbing desire for the work…this desire must be a thoughtful one…the desire I have spoken of must be thoroughly disinterested…[no] other motive than the glory of God and the good of souls…[a desire] that continues with us, a passion which bears the test of trial” (27-28)
2. “aptness to teach and some measure of the other qualities needful for the office of a public instructor…mere ability to edify, and aptness to teach, is not enough; there must be other talents to complete the pastoral character. Sound judgment and solid experience must instruct you; gentle manners and loving affections must sway you; firmness and courage must be manifest; and tenderness and sympathy must not be lacking…Gifts administrative in ruling well…be fitted to lead, prepared to endure, and able to perservere…read carefully the qualifications of a bishop, given in 1 Tim. iii. 2-7 and in Titus i. 6-9” (28-31)
3. “must see a measure of conversion-work going on under his efforts…if the Lord gives you no zeal for souls…avoid the pulpit as your heart’s peace and your future salvation” (31-32)
4. “your preaching should be acceptable to the people of God…none of you can be pastors without the loving consent of the flock…the sheep will know the God-sent shepherd” (32-33)
John Newton’s letter to a friend on the call to ministry:
1. “A warm and earnest desire to be employed in this service…[not] from a selfish principle…[but] from the Spirit of God”
2. “some competent sufficiency as to gifts, knowledge, and utterance”
3. “a gradual train of circumstances pointing out the means, the time, the place, of actually entering upon the work”
God's Call - Specific Ministry Calls in the Bible
When we think about one's 'call' in Christian ministry, it is important to evaluate it in light of Scripture. Here are some examples and general truths that might be helpful in considering God's Ministry Call.
Satan – Beware the False Call of Satan
o Adam & Eve – “Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, 'You must not eat from any tree in the garden'?" Genesis 3:1
o False Prophets - “Behold, I am against those who prophesy lying dreams, declares the LORD, and who tell them and lead my people astray by their lies and their recklessness, when I did not send them or charge them. So they do not profit this people at all, declares the LORD.” Jeremiah 23:32
o False Teachers – “they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.” 2 Timothy 4:3b,4
o Anti-Christ – “Who is the liar? It is the man who denies that Jesus is the Christ. Such a man is the antichrist—he denies the Father and the Son.” 1 John 2:22
Abraham – Step Away from the Familiar when Called
o “Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you.” Genesis 12:1
Moses – Don’t Make Excuses when God Calls
o “Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say” Exodus 4:12
Aaron – Don’t Call Yourself
o “No one takes this honor upon himself; he must be called by God, just as Aaron was” Hebrews 5:4
Isaiah – Be Willing to Answer God’s Call without Qualifications
o “Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘Here am I. Send me!’” Isaiah 6:8
Jonah – Don’t Run Away from God’s Call
o “But Jonah ran away from the LORD and headed for Tarshish” Jonah 1:3
Jeremiah – Go to Whomever and Speak Whatever God Calls You To Do
o “I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations….Do not say, 'I am only a youth'; for to all to whom I send you, you shall go, and whatever I command you, you shall speak. 8 Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, declares the LORD…Behold, I have put my words in your mouth.’" Jeremiah 1:5-9
Ezekiel – Follow even when God’s Call is Difficult
o “he said to me, ‘Son of man, I send you to the people of Israel, to nations of rebels, who have rebelled against me” Ezekiel 2:3
Disciples Chosen – God’s Call Means He Chose You & Appointed You to Bear Fruit
o “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last.” John 15:16
Sending of the Twelve – Answer God’s Dangerous Call
o “If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that home or town… I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.” Matthew 10:14, 16
Peter – Do Not Doubt God’s Call
o “’Lord, if it's you,’ Peter replied, ‘tell me to come to you on the water.’ ’Come,’ he said… Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. ‘You of little faith,’ he said, ‘why did you doubt?’“ Matthew 14:28,29a,31
Jesus to the Cross – God’s Call is for God’s Will
o “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done” Luke 22:42
o “offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will” – Romans 12:1-2
Disciples Sent – God’s Call involves Great Power and Distance
o “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” Acts 1:8
Christ’s Ambassadors – God’s Call is for Us to be Messengers
o “We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God.” 2 Corinthians 5:20
Paul & Barnabas – Be Willing to Part Godly Company in Order to Follow God’s Will
o “They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord.” Acts 15:39,40
Paul – God’s Call Often Involves Unplanned Situations and Unfinished Work
o “23But now that there is no more place for me to work in these regions, and since I have been longing for many years to see you, I plan to do so when I go to Spain.” Romans 15:23,24a
Elder/Shepherd/Pastor/Overseer/Bishop – God’s Call has Standards
o “2Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect. 5(If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God's church?) 6He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. 7He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil's trap.” 1 Timothy 3:2-7 (also Titus 1:6-9)
Satan – Beware the False Call of Satan
o Adam & Eve – “Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, 'You must not eat from any tree in the garden'?" Genesis 3:1
o False Prophets - “Behold, I am against those who prophesy lying dreams, declares the LORD, and who tell them and lead my people astray by their lies and their recklessness, when I did not send them or charge them. So they do not profit this people at all, declares the LORD.” Jeremiah 23:32
o False Teachers – “they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.” 2 Timothy 4:3b,4
o Anti-Christ – “Who is the liar? It is the man who denies that Jesus is the Christ. Such a man is the antichrist—he denies the Father and the Son.” 1 John 2:22
Abraham – Step Away from the Familiar when Called
o “Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you.” Genesis 12:1
Moses – Don’t Make Excuses when God Calls
o “Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say” Exodus 4:12
Aaron – Don’t Call Yourself
o “No one takes this honor upon himself; he must be called by God, just as Aaron was” Hebrews 5:4
Isaiah – Be Willing to Answer God’s Call without Qualifications
o “Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘Here am I. Send me!’” Isaiah 6:8
Jonah – Don’t Run Away from God’s Call
o “But Jonah ran away from the LORD and headed for Tarshish” Jonah 1:3
Jeremiah – Go to Whomever and Speak Whatever God Calls You To Do
o “I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations….Do not say, 'I am only a youth'; for to all to whom I send you, you shall go, and whatever I command you, you shall speak. 8 Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, declares the LORD…Behold, I have put my words in your mouth.’" Jeremiah 1:5-9
Ezekiel – Follow even when God’s Call is Difficult
o “he said to me, ‘Son of man, I send you to the people of Israel, to nations of rebels, who have rebelled against me” Ezekiel 2:3
Disciples Chosen – God’s Call Means He Chose You & Appointed You to Bear Fruit
o “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last.” John 15:16
Sending of the Twelve – Answer God’s Dangerous Call
o “If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that home or town… I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.” Matthew 10:14, 16
Peter – Do Not Doubt God’s Call
o “’Lord, if it's you,’ Peter replied, ‘tell me to come to you on the water.’ ’Come,’ he said… Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. ‘You of little faith,’ he said, ‘why did you doubt?’“ Matthew 14:28,29a,31
Jesus to the Cross – God’s Call is for God’s Will
o “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done” Luke 22:42
o “offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will” – Romans 12:1-2
Disciples Sent – God’s Call involves Great Power and Distance
o “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” Acts 1:8
Christ’s Ambassadors – God’s Call is for Us to be Messengers
o “We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God.” 2 Corinthians 5:20
Paul & Barnabas – Be Willing to Part Godly Company in Order to Follow God’s Will
o “They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord.” Acts 15:39,40
Paul – God’s Call Often Involves Unplanned Situations and Unfinished Work
o “23But now that there is no more place for me to work in these regions, and since I have been longing for many years to see you, I plan to do so when I go to Spain.” Romans 15:23,24a
Elder/Shepherd/Pastor/Overseer/Bishop – God’s Call has Standards
o “2Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect. 5(If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God's church?) 6He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. 7He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil's trap.” 1 Timothy 3:2-7 (also Titus 1:6-9)
Christian Leadership Quotes
"The authority by which the Christian leader leads is not power but love, not force but example, not coercion but reasoned persuasion. Leaders have power, but power is safe only in the hands of those who humble themselves to serve." - John Stott
"The Church is the one institution that exists for those outside it." - William Tyndale
"Truth demands confrontation; loving confrontation, but confrontation nevertheless." -Francis Schaeffer
"It is a contradiction to be a true Christian and not humble." - Richard Baxter
"I believe that in the end the truth will conquer." - John Wycliffe
"The true man of God is heartsick, grieved at the worldliness of the Church...grieved at the toleration of sin in the Church, grieved at the prayerlessness in the Church. He is disturbed that the corporate prayer of the Church no longer pulls down the strongholds of the devil." -Leonard Ravenhill
"Oh, young man, character is worth more than money, character is worth more than anything else in this wide world." - D.L. Moody
"Let us never put confidence in man, or in any sanctity of position, office, or dress. If apostleship did not make Judas a saint, neither will position, office, nor dress make thee a saint." -Johann Ferus
"Once in seven years I burn all my sermons; for it is a shame, if I cannot write better sermons now than I did seven years ago." - John Wesley
"If you look for truth, you may find comfort in the end; if you look for comfort you will not get either comfort or truth..." - C.S. Lewis
"Character is not made in a crisis, it is only exhibited." - Robert Freeman
"A bad man is worse when he pretends to be a saint." - Francis Bacon
"Whatever subject I preach, I do not stop until I reach the Savior, the Lord Jesus, for in Him are all things." - Charles Spurgeon
"With their doctrine they build, and with their lives they destroy." - Augustine
"If you plan to build a tall house of virtues, you must first lay deep foundations of humility." -Augustine
"We are building many splendid churches in this country, but we are not providing leaders to run them. I would rather have a wooden church with a splendid parson than a splendid church with a wooden parson" - Samuel Smith Drury
"What a man says and what a man is must stand together." -Maltbie Davenport Babcock
"The highest and most profitable lesson is the true knowledge and lowly esteem of ourselves." Thomas A' Kempis
"Men show their character in nothing more clearly than by what they think laughable." -Johann Wolfgang Goethe
"Truth in humble dress meets with few admirers." -Edward Stillingfleet
"As a matter of honor, one man owes it to another to manifest the truth." -Thomas Aquinas
"Character is always lost when a high ideal is sacrificied on the altar of conformity and popularity." - Charles Spurgeon
"Wherever we see the Word of God purely preached and heard, there a church of God exists, even if it swarms with many faults." -John Calvin
"I spent twenty years of my life trying to recruit people out of local churches and into missions structures so that they could be involved in fulfilling God's global mission. Now I have another idea. Let's take God's global mission and put it right in the middle of the local church!" - George Miley
"Hypocrisy desires to seem good rather than to be so; honesty desires to be good rather than seem so." -Athur Warwick
"the pulpit is never to be the ladder by which ambition is to climb" - Charles Spurgeon
http://www.christianquotes.org/
"The Church is the one institution that exists for those outside it." - William Tyndale
"Truth demands confrontation; loving confrontation, but confrontation nevertheless." -Francis Schaeffer
"It is a contradiction to be a true Christian and not humble." - Richard Baxter
"I believe that in the end the truth will conquer." - John Wycliffe
"The true man of God is heartsick, grieved at the worldliness of the Church...grieved at the toleration of sin in the Church, grieved at the prayerlessness in the Church. He is disturbed that the corporate prayer of the Church no longer pulls down the strongholds of the devil." -Leonard Ravenhill
"Oh, young man, character is worth more than money, character is worth more than anything else in this wide world." - D.L. Moody
"Let us never put confidence in man, or in any sanctity of position, office, or dress. If apostleship did not make Judas a saint, neither will position, office, nor dress make thee a saint." -Johann Ferus
"Once in seven years I burn all my sermons; for it is a shame, if I cannot write better sermons now than I did seven years ago." - John Wesley
"If you look for truth, you may find comfort in the end; if you look for comfort you will not get either comfort or truth..." - C.S. Lewis
"Character is not made in a crisis, it is only exhibited." - Robert Freeman
"A bad man is worse when he pretends to be a saint." - Francis Bacon
"Whatever subject I preach, I do not stop until I reach the Savior, the Lord Jesus, for in Him are all things." - Charles Spurgeon
"With their doctrine they build, and with their lives they destroy." - Augustine
"If you plan to build a tall house of virtues, you must first lay deep foundations of humility." -Augustine
"We are building many splendid churches in this country, but we are not providing leaders to run them. I would rather have a wooden church with a splendid parson than a splendid church with a wooden parson" - Samuel Smith Drury
"What a man says and what a man is must stand together." -Maltbie Davenport Babcock
"The highest and most profitable lesson is the true knowledge and lowly esteem of ourselves." Thomas A' Kempis
"Men show their character in nothing more clearly than by what they think laughable." -Johann Wolfgang Goethe
"Truth in humble dress meets with few admirers." -Edward Stillingfleet
"As a matter of honor, one man owes it to another to manifest the truth." -Thomas Aquinas
"Character is always lost when a high ideal is sacrificied on the altar of conformity and popularity." - Charles Spurgeon
"Wherever we see the Word of God purely preached and heard, there a church of God exists, even if it swarms with many faults." -John Calvin
"I spent twenty years of my life trying to recruit people out of local churches and into missions structures so that they could be involved in fulfilling God's global mission. Now I have another idea. Let's take God's global mission and put it right in the middle of the local church!" - George Miley
"Hypocrisy desires to seem good rather than to be so; honesty desires to be good rather than seem so." -Athur Warwick
"the pulpit is never to be the ladder by which ambition is to climb" - Charles Spurgeon
http://www.christianquotes.org/
Bible Fellowship ( Sunday School ) Teacher Tips #8 - Information vs. Application
Bible Fellowship ( Sunday School ) Teacher Tips # 8 - Information vs. Application from Jonathan Carl on Vimeo.
James 1:22-25 " 22But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. 24For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. 25But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing."
Quote - Athanasius
"The Bible is a book wholly inspired by God from beginning to end." - Athanasius, 367 A.D.
"God's Open Call" - Ministry and Pastoral Calling
I love Kevin Smith's sermon on "God's Open Call" at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. This is a tough, cutting, biblical explanation of a minister's call. It is helpful for anyone in or considering entering into ministry.
Quote - Martin Luther
“You should not believe your conscience and your feelings more than the word which the Lord who receives sinners preaches to you.” - Martin Luther
HT: Dr. Al Mohler
HT: Dr. Al Mohler
President G.W. Bush addresses Church Workers
A great short video from President G.W. Bush to encourage service within the church....
Also from President G.W.:
HT: Darryl Wilson
Also from President G.W.:
- a video on Small Groups
- a video on Children's Workers
HT: Darryl Wilson
Quote - Bruce Demarest
"It is significant that Jesus spoke more about the sorrows of hell than of the joys of heaven."
Bruce Demarest - The Cross and Salvation p. 30
Bruce Demarest - The Cross and Salvation p. 30
Quote - Ronald Reagan
"I've noticed that everybody that is for abortion has already been born."
Ronald Reagan, quoted in New York Times, September 22, 1980
HT: Angie Carl
Ronald Reagan, quoted in New York Times, September 22, 1980
HT: Angie Carl
Humility
Embeded below and linked HERE is a great video interview by James MacDonald of C.J. Mahaney titled "Grace Through the Humble to the Humble" (available through The Gospel Coalition).
Cohabitation Statistics - The Consequences
In "Together Too Soon" in World Magazine, author Mike McManus presents some saddening statistics concerning the growing trend of cohabitation.
Hebrews 13:4 "Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous."
- "The average cohabitation last 18 months"
- "Only 30% [of cohabitations] 'transitioned into marriage'"
- "the 70% of couples who separate after living together experience a 'premarital divorce,' which can be as painful as a real divorce"
- "Marriages that are preceded by living together have 50% higher disruption rates than marriages without premarital cohabitation"
- "those who cohabited even only for one month displayed poorer communication and problem solving skills than those who had not lived together first"
- "the majority of non-marital births (52%) occurred within cohabiting unions...13 million single-parent families cost taxpayers $20,000 per family in 2004, a total of $260 billion. Half of that total comes from unwed births to cohabiting moms"
Hebrews 13:4 "Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous."
The Gospel Coalition - Interview with Francis Chan
What's Next for Francis Chan? A Conversation with Mark Driscoll and Joshua Harris from Ben Peays on Vimeo.
The Gospel Coalition Council members Mark Driscoll and Joshua Harris ask Francis Chan why he stepped down as senior pastor of Cornerstone Church in Simi Valley, California, and what he plans to do next.
Quote - Edward Griffin
"For your own sake, and your children's sake, cherish and revere him whom you have chosen to be your pastor. Already he loves you; and he will soon love you as ‘bone of his bone, and flesh of his flesh.' It will be equally your duty and your interest to make his labors as pleasant to him as possible. Do not demand too much. Do not require visits too frequent. Should he spend, in this way, half of the time which some demand, he must wholly neglect his studies, if not sink early under the burden. Do not report to him all the unkind things which may be said against him; nor frequently, in his presence, allude to opposition, if opposition should arise. Though he is a minister of Christ, consider that he has the feelings of a man."
Edward Griffin, "A Tearful Farewell from a Faithful Pastor," 1809
HT: Jamie Dunlop at 9 Marks Ministries
Edward Griffin, "A Tearful Farewell from a Faithful Pastor," 1809
HT: Jamie Dunlop at 9 Marks Ministries
Missions Statistic
"Out of the global increase of 77,000 affiliated Christians every day, 70,000 (or 91%) can be found in Africa, Asia, or Latin America." --David Barrett, "Missiometrics 2008"
HT: Dr. George Martin, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
HT: Dr. George Martin, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
Quote - Dr. Chuck Lawless
"More than 80 percent of the churches on this continent are plateaued or declining. Despite having more than 350,000 churches, the United States is now one of the top four lost nations in the world" - Dr. Chuck Lawless in "Becoming a Great Commission Church"
Motivational Bible Verses - For Evangelism
These Bible verses motivate and inspire me in my Christian walk...especially when it comes to evangelism!
1 Peter 2:4-5,9-12 “As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him— 5you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ…9But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 10Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. 11Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. 12Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.”
Romans 12:1-2 “1Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. 2Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
Matthew 25:21,23 "His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'”
Luke 10:2,16 “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field….He who listens to you listens to me; he who rejects you rejects me; but he who rejects me rejects him who sent me.”
1 Corinthians 9:24b-27 “Run in such a way as to get the prize. 25Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 26Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. 27No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.”
1 Peter 3:14-15 “14But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. "Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened." 15But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect”
2 Timothy 4:6-7 “6For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. 7I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith”
Mark 4:20 “Others, like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop—thirty, sixty or even a hundred times what was sown”
Matthew 13:23 “But the one who received the seed that fell on good soil is the man who hears the word and understands it. He produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”
1 Peter 2:4-5,9-12 “As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him— 5you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ…9But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 10Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. 11Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. 12Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.”
Romans 12:1-2 “1Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. 2Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
Matthew 25:21,23 "His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'”
Luke 10:2,16 “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field….He who listens to you listens to me; he who rejects you rejects me; but he who rejects me rejects him who sent me.”
1 Corinthians 9:24b-27 “Run in such a way as to get the prize. 25Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 26Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. 27No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.”
1 Peter 3:14-15 “14But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. "Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened." 15But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect”
2 Timothy 4:6-7 “6For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. 7I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith”
Mark 4:20 “Others, like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop—thirty, sixty or even a hundred times what was sown”
Matthew 13:23 “But the one who received the seed that fell on good soil is the man who hears the word and understands it. He produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”
Top 5 Research Tips & Tricks
I took a research class a few weeks ago and had several people asking for me to share some lessons learned (some of which I wish I learned 10 years ago!). Some of this is tailored towards seminary-type research but the same principles apply no matter the discipline...hope it helps!
Lesson # 1 - Citation/Reference Management Software
• These programs will help you pull bibliography information off of library search engines or online bookstores (Amazon through Zotero). They then store this info so when you make a citation they can generate endnotes, footnotes, and bibliographies in the format/style you need.
• FREE – http://www.zotero.org/ , www.tinyurl.com/zoterosummary
• PC Purchase – http://www.endnote.com/ , http://www.refworks.com/ (note: some of these work on Macs as well)
• Mac Purchase – Sente (http://www.thirdstreetsoftware.com/ ) , Bookends ( http://www.sonnysoftware.com/ )
• Wikipedia Comparison
Lesson # 2 – Meet with your Librarian
• Ask your librarian to help you. Schedule an appointment with them. Often they can direct you to specialized dictionaries, encyclopedias, etc. that might be a good starting point for your paper. They can also assist you with searching their catalog or in borrowing resources from other libraries.
• Residents of Kentucky can check out from any public library (i.e. UK, UL) in Kentucky with a KY Driver’s License.
Lesson # 3 – Online Library Resources
• Invest some time online in searching your library’s website. Often you will find things prior to your library trip that can save you valuable time. Depending on your school’s library, you may be able to find entire journal articles, book texts, and dissertations that you can read and search from the comfort of your own home.
• My library has a great explanation online of how to do quality research
• Free online books catalog
Lesson # 4 – Google Books & Scholar
• Google has done an incredible job, despite lots of opposition and legal troubles, at scanning and uploading tons of articles and books. You can search against the text, and if you do it well (see lesson # 5), can find exactly what you are looking for. If you search for a particular book and keep scrolling beyond it on the search page, you will also see citations of other works to it…which then provides you other relevant works applicable to your paper topic.
• Google books & Google scholar
• Google search - “google limiters”
Lesson # 5 – Searches – Boolean & Subject
• Use Library of Congress subject headings to search for works (sometimes easily found on online searches of your website...if not, ask your librarian)
• Use Boolean logic to search online and within your library’s search engine
Some other Boolean tips:
• Boolean search: AND OR NOT (all caps)
AND = + (plus sign)
AND = & (ampersand)
OR = | (pipe sign)
NOT = ~ (tilde)
( ) – multiple searches simultaneously, nesting
" " – exact phrase
without quotes assumes ("word" AND "word")
• e.g. (dictionary OR encyclopedia) AND (ecclesiology OR sanctification)
Truncation:
o Instead of “mentoring” -> “mentor*”
o All words with “mentor” as root will show
Proximity Searching – use % plus a number (sometimes use ‘NEAR’ plus a number)
o Family %3 Discipleship (words w/in 3 words of each other)
# symbol can be used to find variant spellings, eg. arch#eology will find both archaeology and archeology.
Examples:
o (“Spiritual Warfare” AND evangelism AND missions)
o (“Spiritual Warfare” AND evangel* AND mission*)
o (“Spiritual Warfare” AND (evangelism OR missions))
o ((“Spiritual Warfare” AND (evangelism OR missions)) NOT (charismatic OR Pentecostal)
o ((evangelism %4 missions %4 “church growth”) AND (“Spiritual Warfare”))
o ((missions OR evangelism) AND (demonology))
o ((missions OR evangelism) AND (supernatural))
Lesson # 1 - Citation/Reference Management Software
• These programs will help you pull bibliography information off of library search engines or online bookstores (Amazon through Zotero). They then store this info so when you make a citation they can generate endnotes, footnotes, and bibliographies in the format/style you need.
• FREE – http://www.zotero.org/ , www.tinyurl.com/zoterosummary
• PC Purchase – http://www.endnote.com/ , http://www.refworks.com/ (note: some of these work on Macs as well)
• Mac Purchase – Sente (http://www.thirdstreetsoftware.com/ ) , Bookends ( http://www.sonnysoftware.com/ )
• Wikipedia Comparison
Lesson # 2 – Meet with your Librarian
• Ask your librarian to help you. Schedule an appointment with them. Often they can direct you to specialized dictionaries, encyclopedias, etc. that might be a good starting point for your paper. They can also assist you with searching their catalog or in borrowing resources from other libraries.
• Residents of Kentucky can check out from any public library (i.e. UK, UL) in Kentucky with a KY Driver’s License.
Lesson # 3 – Online Library Resources
• Invest some time online in searching your library’s website. Often you will find things prior to your library trip that can save you valuable time. Depending on your school’s library, you may be able to find entire journal articles, book texts, and dissertations that you can read and search from the comfort of your own home.
• My library has a great explanation online of how to do quality research
• Free online books catalog
Lesson # 4 – Google Books & Scholar
• Google has done an incredible job, despite lots of opposition and legal troubles, at scanning and uploading tons of articles and books. You can search against the text, and if you do it well (see lesson # 5), can find exactly what you are looking for. If you search for a particular book and keep scrolling beyond it on the search page, you will also see citations of other works to it…which then provides you other relevant works applicable to your paper topic.
• Google books & Google scholar
• Google search - “google limiters”
Lesson # 5 – Searches – Boolean & Subject
• Use Library of Congress subject headings to search for works (sometimes easily found on online searches of your website...if not, ask your librarian)
• Use Boolean logic to search online and within your library’s search engine
Some other Boolean tips:
• Boolean search: AND OR NOT (all caps)
AND = + (plus sign)
AND = & (ampersand)
OR = | (pipe sign)
NOT = ~ (tilde)
( ) – multiple searches simultaneously, nesting
" " – exact phrase
without quotes assumes ("word" AND "word")
• e.g. (dictionary OR encyclopedia) AND (ecclesiology OR sanctification)
Truncation:
o Instead of “mentoring” -> “mentor*”
o All words with “mentor” as root will show
Proximity Searching – use % plus a number (sometimes use ‘NEAR’ plus a number)
o Family %3 Discipleship (words w/in 3 words of each other)
# symbol can be used to find variant spellings, eg. arch#eology will find both archaeology and archeology.
Examples:
o (“Spiritual Warfare” AND evangelism AND missions)
o (“Spiritual Warfare” AND evangel* AND mission*)
o (“Spiritual Warfare” AND (evangelism OR missions))
o ((“Spiritual Warfare” AND (evangelism OR missions)) NOT (charismatic OR Pentecostal)
o ((evangelism %4 missions %4 “church growth”) AND (“Spiritual Warfare”))
o ((missions OR evangelism) AND (demonology))
o ((missions OR evangelism) AND (supernatural))
GREAT Bible Fellowship ( Sunday School ) Leader Tips & Reminders
This is an excellent training video of "the Largest Sunday School training event EVER" that all teachers (of all ages) and leaders will want to watch. It is a wonderful investment of your time to watch this entire conference (around two hours)!
Great Expectations LIVE from LifeWay Productions on Vimeo.
Your class can have even greater impact on your church, in your community, and in the lives of its members when you raise your expectations and enlarge your thinking. “Great Expectations: Live” will help you do that. This event will be inspirational and is designed to help you build a God empowered, focused, and connected Sunday School class.
Based on David Francis’ book, Great Expectations, the training is intended for Sunday School teachers ranging from pre-school to adults, Sunday School directors, class leaders, and church staff.
Great Expectations LIVE from LifeWay Productions on Vimeo.
Your class can have even greater impact on your church, in your community, and in the lives of its members when you raise your expectations and enlarge your thinking. “Great Expectations: Live” will help you do that. This event will be inspirational and is designed to help you build a God empowered, focused, and connected Sunday School class.
Based on David Francis’ book, Great Expectations, the training is intended for Sunday School teachers ranging from pre-school to adults, Sunday School directors, class leaders, and church staff.
Bible Fellowship ( Sunday School ) Teacher Tips #7 - Ambassadors for Christ
Bible Fellowship ( Sunday School ) Teacher Tips #7 - Ambassadors for Christ from Jonathan Carl on Vimeo.
2 Corinthians 5:11-21 “11Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others. But what we are is known to God, and I hope it is known also to your conscience. 12 We are not commending ourselves to you again but giving you cause to boast about us, so that you may be able to answer those who boast about outward appearance and not about what is in the heart. 13For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. 14For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; 15and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.
16From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. 17Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 18All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 19that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. 20Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”
Quote - D.A. Carson
"People do not drift toward holiness. Apart from grace-driven effort, people do not gravitate toward godliness, prayer, obedience to Scripture, faith, and delight in the Lord. We drift toward compromise and call it tolerance; we drift toward disobedience and call it freedom; we drift toward superstition and call it faith. We cherish the indiscipline of lost self-control and call it relaxation; we slouch toward prayerlessness and delude ourselves into thinking we have escaped legalism; we slide toward godlessness and convince ourselves we have been liberated." - D.A. Carson
HT: The Village Church
HT: The Village Church
Twilight: A Helpful Christian Response - A Mom's Perspective
Mary Kassian has written on her blog a helpful response to the latest Twilight movie...'Shedding Some Light on Twilight'
Here are her concerns regarding the relationship modeled by Bella & Edward...
1. Bad Boy Attraction
2. Shared Dark Secrets
3. “Us” versus “Them” Mentality
4. Isolation and Seclusion
5. Mismatched Interests and Values
6. Neediness and Obsession
7. Rationalization and Justification
8. Failure to Seek & Heed Input
Here are her concerns regarding the relationship modeled by Bella & Edward...
1. Bad Boy Attraction
2. Shared Dark Secrets
3. “Us” versus “Them” Mentality
4. Isolation and Seclusion
5. Mismatched Interests and Values
6. Neediness and Obsession
7. Rationalization and Justification
8. Failure to Seek & Heed Input
Quote - A.W. Tozer
"Few are they who by faith touch Him; multitudes are they who throng about Him." - A.W. Tozer
Women & Ministry - Great Resources from 9marks.org
Women and ministry is a sensitive topic in today's church and whenever I find a biblical and helpful resource on the topic, I like to share it due to help others consider the biblical guidance on these issues.
Here are two well-written articles on women and ministry from http://www.9marks.org/ (a website on biblical guidance for churches). If you've ever struggled with or gotten riled up about this topic, I'd encourage you to read the below articles and the Scriptures they reference.
Titus 2:3-5 "Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, 4and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, 5to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled"
1 Timothy 2:12-14 " I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet. 13For Adam was formed first, then Eve 14and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor.
2 Timothy 1:5 "I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well."
Genesis 2:18 "Then the LORD God said, "It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him."
Here are two well-written articles on women and ministry from http://www.9marks.org/ (a website on biblical guidance for churches). If you've ever struggled with or gotten riled up about this topic, I'd encourage you to read the below articles and the Scriptures they reference.
- 'How Pastors Can Equip Women for Ministry' by Bob Johnson
- 'May Women Serve as Pastors?' by Thomas Schreiner
- PASTORING WOMEN: UNDERSTANDING AND HONORING DISTINCTNESS
- WOMEN’S MINISTRY IN THE LOCAL CHURCH
- RESOURCES FOR TODAY’S BIBLICAL WOMEN
Titus 2:3-5 "Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, 4and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, 5to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled"
1 Timothy 2:12-14 " I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet. 13For Adam was formed first, then Eve 14and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor.
2 Timothy 1:5 "I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well."
Genesis 2:18 "Then the LORD God said, "It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him."
Bible Fellowship (Sunday School) Teacher Tips #6 - Christian Websites & Online Bible Resources
Bible Fellowship ( Sunday School ) Teacher Tips #6 - Christian Websites & Online Bible Resources from Jonathan Carl on Vimeo.
Here are my top 5 online, free Bible Study Resources:
http://www.gotquestions.org/ – Answers over 195,000 tough bible questions
http://www.biblegateway.com/ – A great way to compare translations or search for keywords in the Bible
http://www.4truth.net/ – An SBC website on interfaith, evangelism & apologetic resources
http://www.biblestudytools.com/ – FREE intralinear and parallel Bibles, commentaries, dictionaries, concordances, enyclopedias, lexicons, histories, and more!
http://www.bibleplaces.com/ – Amazing photos and descriptions of Bible places (some free, more extensive collections for sale)
Can There Be A Christian Nation? - Dr. Michael Youssef
I recommend reading a succinct and helpful article by Dr. Michael Youssef that answers the question, 'Can There Be a Christian Nation?'
Some excerpts:
Some excerpts:
- "A country, or even a culture, cannot be Christian — only individuals can be Christians. However, when people speak of America's Christian heritage, they often are referring to the moral character of our nation which is reflected in its laws and ordinances — both of which bear the distinct markings of Christianity."
- "the moral character of a nation, as expressed in its policies and laws, can evoke God's response"
- "After September 11, our nation appeared to go through a soul-searching process...and superficially, the nation appeared to enter into a spiritual revival...But that repentance was cheap and short-lived. It was merely a reaction emanating from fear."
- "Our economic woes and national disasters, as well as our nation's security, will only be healed and protected when we get our relationship with God on the right track. Our personal cleansing, repentance, and intercession can determine our country's future."
The Pursuit of God - A.W. Tozer - FREE Audio Book (July 2010)
You can get your copy of A.W.Tozer's The Pursuit of God: The Human Thirst for the Divine for FREE as an audiobook download during July 2010 at http://christianaudio.com/free
Quote - D.L. Moody
"Oh, young man, character is worth more than money, character is worth more than anything else in this wide world." D.L. Moody
Sola Scriptura - 2 Timothy 3:10-17
Sola Scriptura - 2 Timothy 3:10-17 - 21SEP08 from Jonathan Carl on Vimeo.
Sola Scriptura - Scripture Alone
@ Severns Valley Baptist Church in Elizabethtown, KY
21SEP08
Solus Christus - Christ Alone
Sola Gratia - Grace Alone
Sola Fide - Faith Alone
Soli Deo Gloria - The Glory of God Alone
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17
Sola Scriptura – KNOW & TRUST!
BE….
•IN AWE – of God’s perfect, inspired, infallible, inerrant Word.
•CONVICTED – of our sinful and pathetic treatment and use of it
•DETERMINED – to change our handling of the Word of God to His glory and our joy
•THE CHURCH – established with a FIRM foundation!
Sola Scriptura – USE IT! (2 Timothy 3:10-17)
1) ______________for suffering
•Expect, Endure, & Enjoy!
2) _____________ who you follow
•What is their teaching and life rooted in?
•Who is your Paul?
3) ______________ faithfully
•“Imitate Me”
•Who is your Timothy?
"The Word of God well understood and religiously obeyed is the shortest route to spiritual perfection. And we must not select a few favorite passages to the exclusion of others. Nothing less than a whole Bible can make a whole Christian." A.W. Tozer
A Worship-FULL Life - Isaiah 6:1-8
A Worship-FULL Life - Isaiah 6:1-8 - 25NOV07 from Jonathan Carl on Vimeo.
A Worship-FULL Life
November 25, 2007 @ Severns Valley Baptist Church
Isaiah 6:1-8
The Purpose of Life = To ___________God
__________________ God’s Holiness (v.1-4)
•"Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty;the whole earth is full of his glory." Isaiah 6:3
•“men are without excuse.” Romans 1:20
___________________ the Depths of our Depravity (v.5)
•“Woe to me!" I cried. "I am ruined!” Isaiah 6:5
•“Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought” Romans 12:3
•“There is none righteous, not even one.” Romans 3:10
_______________ Christ’s Atoning Work in our Lives (v.6-7)
•“your iniquity is taken away and your sin is forgiven” Isaiah 6:6
•“righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe” Romans 3:22
•“there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” Romans 8:1
_______________ in Obedient Service and Living (v.8)
•“Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I. Send me!" Isaiah 6:8
•“I am not ashamed of the gospel” Romans 1:6
•“faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead” James 2:17
Love of God → Obedience → Love of Others → Share & Proclaim
The Missional Church - Acts
The Missional Church - Acts - 19MAY10 from Jonathan Carl on Vimeo.
The Missional Church…
AUDIO ONLY
@ Severns Valley Baptist Church (Elizabethtown, KY)
19MAY10
1) IS NOT focused on its human ___________ or ___________ .
“And they prayed and said, ‘You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen…’” (Acts 1:24-25)
“But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out…” (Acts 5:19)
2) IS NOT dependent on human___________ or ___________ .
“Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus” (Acts 4:13)
“Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men, of like nature with you, and we bring you good news” (Acts 14:15)
3) IS centered on ___________ – Jesus’ life, death, & resurrection
“you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead” (Acts 3:15)
“And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12)
4) IS empowered by the ___________
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)
“if this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them.” (Acts 5:38-39)
5) IS ___________ , ___________ & ___________
“And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ. (Acts 5:42)
“All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer” (Acts 1:14)
“And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.” (Acts 2:47)
6) IS ___________ and ___________
“While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.’" (Acts 7:59)
“He (Herod) had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword. (Acts 12:2)
“when they had called in the apostles, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name” (Acts 5:40-41)
“For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.” (Acts 9:16)
As the Acts 29 Church – I must….
1)___________ to God - James 4:7-8 & Ephesians 6:10-20
2) ___________ the Holy Spirit to work– Ephesians 4:22-30
3)___________ eternal opportunities – 1 Timothy 4:8 James 5:19-20
“if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14)
THE CHURCH: Family vs. Restaurant - Servants vs. Consumers
This is one of the best teachings and analogies I've heard about the role of Christians in the church. Pastor Mark Driscoll's below video exhorts us to view the church as a servant in a family and not a consumer in a restaurant. His description towards the end of a 'church whiner' is something all church leaders have dealt with and grieve at.
I am so thankful and blessed by the many church servants I know and pray that their selfless example contagiously spreads into the lives of all Christians they come into contact with.
Mark 10:45 "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many"
Philippians 2:14-15 "14Do everything without complaining or arguing, 15so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe"
I am so thankful and blessed by the many church servants I know and pray that their selfless example contagiously spreads into the lives of all Christians they come into contact with.
Mark 10:45 "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many"
Philippians 2:14-15 "14Do everything without complaining or arguing, 15so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe"
Wake Up & Trust God - Matthew 26:36-46
Wake Up & Trust God - Matthew 26:36-46 - Spring 2009 from Jonathan Carl on Vimeo.
Wake Up & Trust God!!
@ The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (class in video) and at Stithton Baptist Church (Radcliff, KY)
Matthew 26:36-46
1. Do not neglect God’s _______________
Look at Jesus!
Look at the Disciples!
2. God desires our _______________
Look at Jesus!
Look at the Disciples!
3. Christ _____________ for us
Look at Jesus!
Look at the Disciples!
4. God’s will must become _____________
Look at Jesus!
Look at the Disciples!
Bible Fellowship ( Sunday School ) Teacher Tips #5 - Pride vs. Humility
Bible Fellowship ( Sunday School ) Teacher Tips #5 - Pride vs. Humility from Jonathan Carl on Vimeo.
Pride vs. Humility
Go to http://www.biblegateway.com/keyword/?search=proud&version1=47&searchtype=all&limit=none&wholewordsonly=no
1 Corinthians 3:5-9 “5What then is Apollos? What is Paul?) Servants through whom you believed, as the Lord assigned to each. 6I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. 7So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. 8He who plants and he who waters are one, and each will receive his wages according to his labor. 9For we are God’s fellow workers. You are God’s field, God’s building.”
Romans 12:3 “ 3For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.”
Jeremiah 9:23-24 “23Thus says the LORD: "Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, 24but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the LORD."
Philippians 2:3-4 “Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.”
Christ Crucified - 1COR 1:10-2:5
Christ Crucified - 1COR 1:10-2:5 from Jonathan Carl on Vimeo.
The Pride of Life or the Power of God
1 Corinthians 1:10-2:5 (ESV)
@ The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (class in video) & @ Cecilia Baptist Church (Cecilia, KY)
Spring 2009
Our identity as a church, as followers of Christ, and as sharers of Christ must be rooted in Christ Crucified.
1. Christ Crucified: ____________ the Church (1 COR 1:10-17)
2. Christ Crucified: ____________ Personal Pride (1 COR 1:18-31)
3. Christ Crucified: ____________ all Ministry & Preaching (1 COR 2:1-5)
Bible Fellowship ( Sunday School ) Teacher Tips #4 - Milk vs. Solid Food
Bible Fellowship ( Sunday School ) Teacher Tips #4 - Milk vs. Solid Food from Jonathan Carl on Vimeo.
Hebrews 5:11-14 "11About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. 12For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, 13for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. 14But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil."
Spiritual Warfare Bible Verses - #6
1 Peter 5:8-9 “8Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings”
1 John 1:9 “9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
1 John 4
1 John 4:2-4 “2This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, 3but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world. 4You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.”
1 John 4:6,10-15 “6We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit[a] of truth and the spirit of falsehood…. 10This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. 13We know that we live in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. 14And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. 15If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God.
1 John 4:19-20 “18There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. 19We love because he first loved us.”
1 John 5:18 “18We know that everyone who has been born of God does not keep on sinning, but he who was born of God protects him, and the evil one does not touch him.”
2 John 9 & 10 “Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. 10If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting, 11for whoever greets him takes part in his wicked works.”
Revelation 12:10-12 10Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: "Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ. For the accuser of our brothers, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down. 11They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death. 12Therefore rejoice, you heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has gone down to you! He is filled with fury, because he knows that his time is short."
Revelation 20 “1And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key to the Abyss and holding in his hand a great chain. 2He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years. 3He threw him into the Abyss, and locked and sealed it over him, to keep him from deceiving the nations anymore until the thousand years were ended. After that, he must be set free for a short time. 4I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony for Jesus and because of the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or his image and had not received his mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years. 5(The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended.) This is the first resurrection. 6Blessed and holy are those who have part in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years. 7When the thousand years are over, Satan will be released from his prison 8and will go out to deceive the nations in the four corners of the earth—Gog and Magog—to gather them for battle. In number they are like the sand on the seashore. 9They marched across the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of God's people, the city he loves. But fire came down from heaven and devoured them. 10And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever.”
1 John 1:9 “9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
1 John 4
1 John 4:2-4 “2This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, 3but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world. 4You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.”
1 John 4:6,10-15 “6We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit[a] of truth and the spirit of falsehood…. 10This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. 13We know that we live in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. 14And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. 15If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God.
1 John 4:19-20 “18There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. 19We love because he first loved us.”
1 John 5:18 “18We know that everyone who has been born of God does not keep on sinning, but he who was born of God protects him, and the evil one does not touch him.”
2 John 9 & 10 “Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. 10If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting, 11for whoever greets him takes part in his wicked works.”
Revelation 12:10-12 10Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: "Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ. For the accuser of our brothers, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down. 11They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death. 12Therefore rejoice, you heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has gone down to you! He is filled with fury, because he knows that his time is short."
Revelation 20 “1And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key to the Abyss and holding in his hand a great chain. 2He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years. 3He threw him into the Abyss, and locked and sealed it over him, to keep him from deceiving the nations anymore until the thousand years were ended. After that, he must be set free for a short time. 4I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony for Jesus and because of the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or his image and had not received his mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years. 5(The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended.) This is the first resurrection. 6Blessed and holy are those who have part in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years. 7When the thousand years are over, Satan will be released from his prison 8and will go out to deceive the nations in the four corners of the earth—Gog and Magog—to gather them for battle. In number they are like the sand on the seashore. 9They marched across the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of God's people, the city he loves. But fire came down from heaven and devoured them. 10And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever.”
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