What is the Gospel?

As some of you know, my Sunday school class has been studying the question: What is the Gospel according to the New Testament?

The book "A Price For a People: The Meaning of Christ's Death" by Tom Wells is very excellent. I would recommend this book highly. It's short (100+ pages) but it is excellent!

I have also started reading "Learning Evangelism From Jesus" by Jerram Barrs. Professor Barrs teaches at Covenant Theological Seminary here in Saint Louis.

In the future I plan on reviewing both books here.

SDG

Mark Driscoll

I am just shocked and appalled at MD's sermon on the Song of Solomon!!
It's so fowl and pornographic that I can't even quote anything from it.

I am actually even more shocked that the paper for the Missouri Baptist Convention actually quoted parts of his sermon in their newspaper. Not to make light of this gross error of exposition but from now on I think I'll just refer to MD as the Larry Flint of the Pulpit (yes it's that bad).

How a pastor who claims to be Reformed can preach that kind of filth and give that kind of interpretation of the Song of Solomon is just beyond me.

I believe that MD needs to pay a little more attention to the last verses of Revelation. I am just wondering how long God will let him get away with it. It is hurting the cause of Christ.

Grace & Peace

The Gospel Message

Well we continue to study the Gospel presentations in the New Testament.
All of them vary. When Jesus presented the Gospel it depended on the individual as to how he dealt with the person. It is pretty much the same with Peter and Paul.

If we compare the Gospel messages with the Gospel message of today it would seem that Jesus, Peter and Paul made a glaring omission. Where is the "God loves you" in their messages?

It seems that in today's message that is the first thing an unbeliever is told.
This admission actually presents some problems. How will a person be fully convicted of their sin? People need to see their sinfulness and that they need a Savior because of God's wrath against sin. The problem is that a lot of folks have heard that "God loves them" a lot in their lives. They have heard very little if at all about God's hatred of their sin and that they will be judged for it.

It's oh we are all basically good people. How could God send anyone to hell, He loves us?

We must go back to the real Gospel message.

Grace & Peace

Truth or No Truth?

It is said today that there are no truth claims and no absolutes.

I'll pass over the fact that such statements are in themselves absolute statements.

My concern is that these statements are made but yet no one really considers the implications of such statements.

Without truth there is no faith. Which leaves us all with no hope. There is then no purpose in life.

In this state society as a whole essentially breaks down. There is no reason for anything if there is no truth. If there is no truth then how can math, science or anything else mean anything?

Many people are running around in life with no hope and no purpose. It's actually quite easy to see this in people. They put their hope in all kind of things. Money, Fame, Position, Possessions

and it's all still emptiness.

God did not create us to live life without Truth or Hope!

Hebrews 11:1 says:

"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen."

The Truth is that man makes these statements so that mankind will not have to face it's own depravity. If the sinfulness and depravity is acknowledged then it becomes clear very quickly that mankind needs a remedy for it's sinfulness. Of course mankind only acknowledges it's sinfulness due to the working of the Holy Spirit. The Gospel then becomes something that is full of hope and purpose for each of our lives.

We must live our lives for God's Glory which is the real purpose of our lives as Christians.

SDG

John Newton

Well Bro. Bobby I have started reading John Newton. I have almost finished Vol 1 of the Biography on George Whitfield.

I love reading about these great men of God. It is clear that God chose John Newton. Newton enjoyed living in sin until God begin to deal with him. Which is how it is with all of us (some more than others as in Newton).

Grace and Peace

Effects of Television

I have taken a short break from reading about Whitfield. I am reading Why Johnny Can't Preach - The Media Have Shaped the Messengers by T. David Gordon. Wow you really need to run out and buy this one to read.

Here is some quotes related to my post title.

"Only by televised news; own silly standards could someone spend ten to fifteen minutes on a matter of public interest and consider this to be "in-depth" coverage. Nothing of public importance can be covered in ten minutes; few important matters can even be adequately introduced in ten minutes. A culture that reads can consider what is significant because reading takes time to apprehend. But a culture that is accustomed to commercial interruptions every six or seven minutes loses its ability to discuss significant matters because it has lost the patience necessary to consider them."

"To illustrate this principle ... I decided a couple of years ago to attempt to begin to understand the Vietnam conflict and its effects on our nation. So I decided, as an introduction, to read about five books. ... So I read those five books and believe that I got a general, basic orientation on a matter in our history that few of us could understand very clearly while we were going through it. Anyone who reads normally assumes that you need to read a minimum of three to five books just to get a general introduction to a subject. But the time I spent in my little five book introduction to this matter would have translated to the longest television documentary Ken Burns has ever done! As a medium reading cultivates a patient lengthy attention span, whereas television as a medium is impatient. One is therefore suited to what is significant; the other merely to what is insignificant."

Pastor what was the name of that book you had? How to Read a Book? I think I need to read it to ensure that I am reading as I should!

Grace & Peace

True Ministers

I have been reading the biography of George Whitfield.

I have also been thinking a lot about his time versus our time in history.

It's time to say something controversial: we need to make sure that the ministers of the faith are truly saved as best we can.

The bible says we will know the good from the bad by the fruit produced!! There seems to be a bit of bad fruit in our pulpits today. Just hear what is being proclaimed from some of the pulpits today! Why are we not preaching Christ and Him crucified and raised from the dead? You know the Gospel that God calls His ministers to preach? Spurgeon and Whitfield thought that you could never preach too much about Christ.

Christ must surely be grieved by what is being proclaimed!

I thank God that He has also provided us with a number of Very faithful ministers who proclaim the truth in season and out of season.

May God call even more faithful ministers to tend His sheep!! (as well as preach to the Lost)

SDG

Ann Coulter article about George Tiller (late-term abortionist)

She drives some very bad people, nuts. But when Ann Coulter is good, she's very, very good. And in 49 million to 5, she's very very good!

Check it out!

Calvin's Institutes

As some of you know I have been reading through Calvin's Institutes this year. So here is a good quote from the Institutes.

"God has divided his law into two parts, which contain the whole of righteousness,  as to assign the first part to those duties of religion which particularly concern the worship of his majesty; the second, to the duties of love that have to do with men.

Surely the first foundation of righteousness is the worship of God. When this is overthrown, all the remaining parts of righteousness, like the pieces of a shattered and fallen building, are mangled and scattered. What kind of righteousness will you call it not to harass men with theft and plundering, if through impious sacrilege you at the same time deprive God's majesty of it's glory? Or that you do not defile your body with fornication, if with your blasphemies you profane God's most holy name? Or that you do not slay a man, if you strive to kill and quench the remembrance of God? It is vain to cry up righteousness without religion. This is as unreasonable as to display a mutilated, decapitated body as something beautiful. Not only is religion the chief part but the very soul, whereby the whole breathes and thrives. And apart from the fear of God men do not preserve equity and love among themselves. Therefore we call the worship of God the beginning and foundation of righteousness. When it is removed, whatever equity, continence, or temperance men practice among themselves is in God's sight empty and worthless."

Grace & Peace

Back in the routine

Well I'm starting to get settled here in St. Louis. I've moved into my apartment and am slowly but surely getting my stuff put up.

I am also getting back into my reading again. I'm finishing up the first volume about George Whitefield. I'm also reading Bavinck's first volume of Reformed Theology.

I have discovered that Covenant Theological Seminary in located here. They also have courses online that can be taken for free. I have driven by it several times. 

I am starting to really like it here!

Pastor, I have downloaded your latest mp3's from church. I will be listening to them soon. 

I'll begin my search for a new church home the next Lord's day.

Grace & Peace

P.S. the Lord willing I'll be coming back down to Nashville on June 6th. (To hopefully pick up the rest of my stuff.)

My First Week

I don't really know where to begin. Through everything the Lord has been there each and every step of the way. I have been absolutely humbled by everything that the Lord is taking care of!

He is everywhere. The Lord has truly blessed this process.

Within the next week or so my new apartment will pretty much have all of the furniture that it needs (all of it will have been given to me). It's just too numerous to mention all of the big and little things He is providing.

My mother has even been surprised about all that has happened. It is clear to the both of us that I am right where He wants me to be at this time. I am looking forward to see what He has in store for me here in the future.

I will be moving into my apartment tomorrow. I will hopefully post some more over this  holiday weekend.

I hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday.

SDG!!!

St. Louis

Well I made it with no problems. I only stopped twice to stretch my legs.

I drove right by the Arch coming into town yesterday. The Football Stadium is just straight past the Arch. 

At the moment I am staying in West St. Louis.

I also found my apartment and looked at the outside of it. It looks to be in a pretty good area too.

The Lord has truly lead and provided!!

I am in a Starbucks as I compose this (imagine that!!). Thanks, Tom and Donna for the Starbucks card!

Tomorrow I'll start my new job in Columbia, IL.

I need to look for a bed for my apartment today since I start moving in on Wednesday.

I also need to look for some other things too.

I will miss my brothers and sisters today but, I will be thinking about and praying for you!!

Randy, Tom and Donna I couldn't have left yesterday without all of your help!

Oops, I didn't mean to leave out Bobby and William!!

Grace and Peace,

David

My Top 6 Books

Here are 6 books that I have read that I believe would benefit everyone who would take the time to read them. (Besides the bible being the first book you should be reading!)

1. The Reason for God by Tim Keller (Everybody should have a copy)

2. God's Greater Glory by Bruce Ware (Excellent Theology here)

3. Christless Chrisitanity by Michael Horton

4. Living for God's Glory by Joel Beeke

5. John Calvin - A Heart for Devotion Doctrine & Doxology - Edited by Burt Parsons 

6. The Old Evangelicalism by Iain Murry (This is the Real Gospel)

If your shy about reading theology then skip #2, but it would well be worth your time in trying to read it!!

These are all very excellent books. For the exception of books #1 & #2 the rest could be in any order.

The Reason for God not only deserves to be read but reread many times. It's just that good!

I have read many excellent books but these are the best of the best!!

Here is a quote by Erasmus:

“When I get a little money I buy books; and if any is left I buy food and clothes”

:-)

David

Columbia, IL

Well as much as I hate to say this I am going to be moving to Columbia, IL.
I have found a job there. This saddens me very much since I love my church RBC very much (and all the brothers and sisters that are members)!

But, my blog is not going away. I also know that you are aware that I'll still be reading as much as always. So you will be able to keep up with me here.

I will really miss our discussions during lunch on Sundays!!
Lord willing I'll be at church this Sunday and that will be one of my last.

David

Observation

As most mornings, I drive by the Church of Unity. They have a message board at the street.

This morning it said "Live in the abundance of God".

We have to be so careful about things such as this. This could mean almost anything now days.
We all do live in the abundance of God each and everyday. Seeing the church who had this sign, I do not believe this is what they meant.

This is more of the Joel Osteen type of encouragement. The "God wants everyone of His children to prosper" mantra.

I just wished that they would truly understand what living in God's abundance means. We all deserve death and eternal judgment. Mankind lives each day by God's grace and mercy.

Just some brief thoughts for this morning.

David

Heart Corruptions

O God, may Thy Spirit speak in me that I may speak to thee. I have no merit, let the merit of Jesus stand for me. I am undeserving, but I look to Thy tender mercy. I am full of infirmities, wants, sin; Thou art full of grace.

I confess my sin, my frequent sin, my wilful sin; all my powers of body and soul are defiled: a fountain of pollution is deep within my nature. There are chambers of foul images within my being; I have gone from one odious room to another, walked in a no-man's-land of dangerous imaginations, pried into the secrets of my fallen nature.

I am utterly ashamed that I am what I am in myself; I have no green shoot in me nor fruit, but thorns and thistles; I am a fading leaf that the wind drives away; I live bare and barren as a winter tree, unprofitable, fit to be hewn down and burnt. Lord, dost Thou have mercy on me?

Thou hast struck a heavy blow at my pride, at the false god of self, and I lie in pieces before Thee. But Thou hast given me another master and lord, Thy Son, Jesus, and now my heart is turned towards holiness, my life speeds as an arrow from a bow towards complete obedience to Thee. Help me in all my doings to put down sin and to humble pride. Save me from the love of the world and the pride of life, from everything that is natural to fallen man, and let Christ's nature be seen in me day by day. Grant me grace to bear Thy will without repining, and delight to be not only chiselled, squared, or fashioned, but separated from the old rock where I have been embedded so long, and lifted from the quarry to the upper air, where I may be built in Christ for ever.

Taken from The Valley of Vision: A Collection of Puritan Prayers & Devotions, edited by Arthur Bennett

My Pastor

This post is in the same vein that was a post on TeamPyro earlier this week. I think it will be good to mention it here.

Most of my christian brothers read all the time. We read Piper, MacArthur, Pink, Spurgeon, Edwards, Manton etc... We even listen to their sermons (the one's that are still alive at least).

While this is good, it can also be bad. We must always realize that these men are NOT our local Pastor's. They don't love us like our own Pastor's love us. They are not with us when we hurt or when we rejoice. They also correct and exhort us when we need it. That is something the above men cannot do on a personal level.

Pastor Steven and I seem to be on the same wave length most of the time. I marvel how God does that. I'm not the only one he serves.

Pastor Steven know that I Love You my brother!! I pray for you each week.
If the Lord is directing me to move to another city, know that I will miss you and all of my fellow brothers and sisters!

David

1599 Geneva Bible

Many of you who are my friends know that I have been reading through Calvin's Institutes this year. This year celebrates the 500th birthday of John Calvin.

I recently got a copy of the 1599 Geneva Bible - Calvin Legacy Edition by Tolle Lege Press. They have fixed the spelling to be more like own own spelling. (Olde is Old, Newe is New etc...)
In the back of this bible there is also a Glossary defining older words that are used. The bible itself does not have the Apocrypha in it. This bible comes with a CD that contains PDF's of the 1599 Geneva Bible, the Apocrypha and Metrical Psalms.

I am impressed with this reprint of the Geneva bible. It reads very similar to the KJV.

I have learned some things about the Geneva bible that I did not know.

The Geneva bible is the bible the Puritans used. The Puritans did not like the KJV bible. This was surely due to the fact the Geneva bible was suppressed by Monarchs. King James in particular did not like the Geneva bible. He said it was subversive.

As a result the KJV was more Anglican oriented. The Geneva bible was strictly Protestant and had the hands of Calvin all over it.

Calvin believed in a more democratic form of Government. He also wanted the Church to be separate from the State (the State ran the churches). King James was the head of the Church of England.

So those are the high points so far.

Grace and Peace

Newsweek -- The End of Christian America

Please read Dr. Mohlers Blog.

http://www.albertmohler.com/blog.php

It talks about the Newsweek article. He was interviewed for the article as well.

How can one be saved?

There is NO greater question than this in life! What is true salvation? How does one know that they are saved?

You would think with these questions being as critical as they are we would have an abundance of books on Christian bookshelves that answer this question (as best as possible that is).

I have seven such books (I know of a few others). That is all, less than a dozen! How can this be?

Is it no wonder that true salvation is no longer preached from our pulpits?

We are more concerned about our fragile self-esteem than where we will spend eternity!!
Mankind is truly prideful and worships himself as god.

^18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, ^19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. ^20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, ^21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. ^22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, ^23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.^24 Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, ^25 who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

NKJV Romans 1:18-25

May God correct our preaching that we may again Preach true salvation from our Pulpits and may God be truly glorified by it!!