This is a meditation I wrote a couple months ago (but never posted) after seeing a man try to shoot and kill another man right in front of my house from about 15 feet away. Miraculously, no one was hurt.
So what if you had no idea you were in the bullet's path. Dead is dead. "What might have been" became irrelevant the instant the trigger was pulled...
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This Sunday completes our series of looking to Jesus from the minor prophet Joel. Come prepared to meet with the Lord and with one another in prayer, Word, song, Lord's Supper, and fellowship.
Here are a few statements to help spur our thoughts for Sunday in Joel 2:28-3:21
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This Sunday completes our series of looking to Jesus from the minor prophet Joel. Come prepared to meet with the Lord and with one another in prayer, Word, song, Lord's Supper, and fellowship.
Here are a few statements to help spur our thoughts for Sunday in Joel 2:28-3:21
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The gospel demands to inform the way the believer understands everything.
Believing the gospel is different than thinking right thoughts about a few things. Believing in Jesus the Lord is to embrace the Lordship of Jesus over all of you. This, of course, includes the way you process an understanding of false beliefs and pagan worship practices.
* * *
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The gospel demands to inform the way the believer understands everything.
Believing the gospel is different than thinking right thoughts about a few things. Believing in Jesus the Lord is to embrace the Lordship of Jesus over all of you. This, of course, includes the way you process an understanding of false beliefs and pagan worship practices.
* * *
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Lord willing tomorrow morning we continue our short series in Joel worshipping Jesus in ch. 2:12-27. As you continuing preparing your hearts for tomorrow consider these three statements.
Tomorrow's People group we are praying for:
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Lord willing tomorrow morning we continue our short series in Joel worshipping Jesus in ch. 2:12-27. As you continuing preparing your hearts for tomorrow consider these three statements.
Tomorrow's People group we are praying for:
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Beginning this Sunday we are set to embark on a three sermon journey through the minor prophet Joel. I would encourage you from now until Sunday to read this short, yet profound Word of the Lord asking the Spirit to show you Jesus. Come ready for congregational prayer at 9a on Sunday!
The People Group we are praying for this Week:
This Sunday's Song Set:
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Beginning this Sunday we are set to embark on a three sermon journey through the minor prophet Joel. I would encourage you from now until Sunday to read this short, yet profound Word of the Lord asking the Spirit to show you Jesus. Come ready for congregational prayer at 9a on Sunday!
The People Group we are praying for this Week:
This Sunday's Song Set:
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Pray for inner-city Memphis! Here's a visual recap of this year's Urban Boy's Camp.
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Pray for inner-city Memphis! Here's a visual recap of this year's Urban Boy's Camp.
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Grace's squad is still ministering in Nigeria, and would love to be strongly supported by God in answer to your prayers. Carry them into your closet.
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Grace's squad is still ministering in Nigeria, and would love to be strongly supported by God in answer to your prayers. Carry them into your closet.
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This
was the verse God gave me for meditation while on vacation.
I needed Him through it more than I knew. I've merely had a foretaste of Christ's sweetness contained in it. I want to enjoy Him more by it.
Meditate and worship with me...
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This
was the verse God gave me for meditation while on vacation.
I needed Him through it more than I knew. I've merely had a foretaste of Christ's sweetness contained in it. I want to enjoy Him more by it.
Meditate and worship with me...
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The fam is
getting away for a few days for some R&R. Pray for us, as we will you.
Be sure to ready your souls for John 14 and John 16 the next two Sundays as Bryan and Jim preach on the Person and Work of the Holy Spirit. I believe these are important sermons for the church at this time in our life together. Come hungry...by feasting much on Jesus in those texts daily.
Lord willing Nathan will begin a three part series on Jesus in Joel the following Sunday. Three weeks from now...three chapters in Joel...three sermons...think the Lord might be trying to say something about a good place to hang out in the Word between now and then? Just sayin'.
See you soon, DV.
Jordan
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The fam is getting away for a few days for some R&R. Pray for us, as we will you.
Be sure to ready your souls for John 14 and John 16 the next two Sundays as Bryan and Jim preach on the Person and Work of the Holy Spirit. I believe these are important sermons for the church at this time in our life together. Come hungry...by feasting much on Jesus in those texts daily.
Lord willing Nathan will begin a three part series on Jesus in Joel the following Sunday. Three weeks from now...three chapters in Joel...three sermons...think the Lord might be trying to say something about a good place to hang out in the Word between now and then? Just sayin'.
See you soon, DV.
Jordan
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"Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD and whose trust is the LORD." Jeremiah 17:7
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"Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD and whose trust is the LORD." Jeremiah 17:7
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This Sunday marks the conclusion of our sermon series on Christ's supremacy in the Christian life. Our text was chosen as the last in the series because it is the apex -- both now and forevermore.
The greatest expression of God's love to us is to give us a greater view of Jesus. Having more of Him revealed to our souls is the great incentive for our loving obedience to all His commands. That's the message of John 14:21.
To prepare for Sunday:
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This Sunday marks the conclusion of our sermon series on Christ's supremacy in the Christian life. Our text was chosen as the last in the series because it is the apex -- both now and forevermore.
The greatest expression of God's love to us is to give us a greater view of Jesus. Having more of Him revealed to our souls is the great incentive for our loving obedience to all His commands. That's the message of John 14:21.
To prepare for Sunday:
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They're headed to the camp now. Here's your prayer list.
|
LEADERS |
CAMPERS |
| Kelly | Brittany |
| Brienne | Tanisha |
| Cassie | Brianna |
| Mallory | Shirley |
| Venchenza | Karlissia |
| Jamie | Kennedy |
| Shea |
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They're headed to the camp now. Here's your prayer list.
|
LEADERS |
CAMPERS |
| Kelly | Brittany |
| Brienne | Tanisha |
| Cassie | Brianna |
| Mallory | Shirley |
| Venchenza | Karlissia |
| Jamie | Kennedy |
| Shea |
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Big time domestic dispute across the street
from my house last night. Join us in praying for King Jesus to move
powerfully in the broken homes and people of this city. He is enough to
overcome every form of sin-wrought brokeness.
Remember that tonight the church is scheduled to walk and pray through this broken community. Let's flood these streets with big prayers and the powerful gospel.
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Big time domestic dispute across the street
from my house last night. Join us in praying for King Jesus to move
powerfully in the broken homes and people of this city. He is enough to
overcome every form of sin-wrought brokeness.
Remember that tonight the church is scheduled to walk and pray through this broken community. Let's flood these streets with big prayers and the powerful gospel.
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To prepare for Sunday, let the
text become your prayer.
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To prepare for Sunday, let the
text become your prayer.
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Is Jonathan Edwards right that some
will be happier than others in heaven? I believe so.
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Is Jonathan Edwards right that some
will be happier than others in heaven? I believe so.
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Pleasing Jesus requires preferring (wanting
) Him above all
else. If Christ is your highest preference, then the
constraining ambition of your life will be to please to Him in all
respects...on earth, or in heaven.
Ready your soul for Sunday by...
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Pleasing Jesus requires preferring (wanting) Him above all
else. If Christ is your highest preference, then the
constraining ambition of your life will be to please to Him in all
respects...on earth, or in heaven.
Ready your soul for Sunday by...
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The gospel is God's power to save us. As preacher's of old would say, the gospel is the power of God to save from the penalty, power, and one day, the presence of sin. After conversion, Christ gets more of us, not vice versa. He comes in, and He comes to reign as Lord, no negotiating.
In Matthew 5:46-47, King Jesus gives us a picture of His Lordship expressed in our lives. In short, we're to live like a sinner can't.
Any unregenerate man would say hello to those who greet them. There's more than social niceties to Christianity.
Anyone would be willing to extend love to those who had first extended love their way. But to sustain a lifetime of loving your enemy, and extending--with joy--grace to those who ridicule you. That's living like a sinner can't.
That's not possible with will-power. At least not in a way that is joyful to our inner man. But living upon Christ and His sufficiency, there's joy there. Oh, there's joy there. In Jesus and His enoughness.
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The gospel is God's power to save us. As preacher's of old would say, the gospel is the power of God to save from the penalty, power, and one day, the presence of sin. After conversion, Christ gets more of us, not vice versa. He comes in, and He comes to reign as Lord, no negotiating.
In Matthew 5:46-47, King Jesus gives us a picture of His Lordship expressed in our lives. In short, we're to live like a sinner can't.
Any unregenerate man would say hello to those who greet them. There's more than social niceties to Christianity.
Anyone would be willing to extend love to those who had first extended love their way. But to sustain a lifetime of loving your enemy, and extending--with joy--grace to those who ridicule you. That's living like a sinner can't.
That's not possible with will-power. At least not in a way that is joyful to our inner man. But living upon Christ and His sufficiency, there's joy there. Oh, there's joy there. In Jesus and His enoughness.
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"But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place. For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing; to the one an aroma from death to death, to the other an aroma from life to life And who is adequate for these things? For we are not like many, peddling the word of God, but as from sincerity, but as from God, we speak in Christ in the sight of God." 2 Corinthians 2:14-17
Sunday's text doesn't tell the Christian what he ought to be, but what he already is...
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"But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place. For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing; to the one an aroma from death to death, to the other an aroma from life to life And who is adequate for these things? For we are not like many, peddling the word of God, but as from sincerity, but as from God, we speak in Christ in the sight of God." 2 Corinthians 2:14-17
Sunday's text doesn't tell the Christian what he ought to be, but what he already is...
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When the Christian
encounters God in a text like Sunday's sermon text, Philippians
1:20-21, we're shaken to the core.
There's a difference in reading the verses, and encountering God as you reckon with what is said, and how your life squares with the truth contained therein.
"Is this true of me?", is the kind of question we ask. "Can I say, with God as my witness, that the one thing I want more than any other thing is 'Christ exalted in my body.'" And, not stopping there without adding, "whether by life or by death." In the privacy of our hearts, with God alone as our witness, can we with sober joy say, "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain!"
As a means of preparing your heart for tomorrow, I encourage you to linger in the presence of Jesus in Philippians 1, especially vv. 20-21.
God willing, tomorrow morning, we'll be holding up Jesus for all to see, and to delight in. Come ready to have Him "exalted in your body."
As you ready your soul, consider also...
9a Prayer Meeting - We'll be looking at Genesis 4-6, and highlighting what the text teaches us (1) about God, and (2) those He's pleased to dwell among.
Songs
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I felt compelled to share a bit of my
personal journal publically so others could join in praying with me.
Would you?
"I will lift up my eyes to the mountains; from where shall my help come? My help comes from the LORD, Who made heaven and earth" (Psalm 121:1-2).
Lord, I don't know how to respond. But I'm persuaded that You do. Please help.
What do I do? What does Grace Church do?
Lord, You know that most of our flock commutes in for Sunday services. Therefore most of the church members have their "own parishes" they are burdened for and are seeking to reach.
But, still, we meet in the heart of the city, on the edge of a neighborhood that is full of brokenness. I'm at a loss. I don't know what to do. Just this week...
- A twenty-something-year-old mom of four confessed to two of our pastors that she has been selling her body "to put her babies in pampers, and to try to keep them fed."
- I was given the name and phone number of a fifty-something year old lady, who, when I called, wept because her son was shot and killed last week and she has no money to bury him.
- A nine-year-old little girl choked back the tears as she explained the hopelessness of her home life.
- It appeared that multiple drug deals went down near my house.
- A ten-year-old neighbor told me she "had got saved" at a camp, but when I asked, had no idea Jesus rose from the dead.
- When asking about Matthew 5:48, my thirteen-year-old neighbor told me with blushing face he couldn't read.
This is only a sampling of the brokenness I've encountered, and the week isn't over. I'm at a loss, Lord Jesus. "Can these bones live?" "Lord, You know!"
Thank you for praying. Our help comes from the LORD, Who made heaven and earth!
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I felt compelled to share a bit of my
personal journal publically so others could join in praying with me.
Would you?
"I will lift up my eyes to the mountains; from where shall my help come? My help comes from the LORD, Who made heaven and earth" (Psalm 121:1-2).
Lord, I don't know how to respond. But I'm persuaded that You do. Please help.
What do I do? What does Grace Church do?
Lord, You know that most of our flock commutes in for Sunday services. Therefore most of the church members have their "own parishes" they are burdened for and are seeking to reach.
But, still, we meet in the heart of the city, on the edge of a neighborhood that is full of brokenness. I'm at a loss. I don't know what to do. Just this week...
- A twenty-something-year-old mom of four confessed to two of our pastors that she has been selling her body "to put her babies in pampers, and to try to keep them fed."
- I was given the name and phone number of a fifty-something year old lady, who, when I called, wept because her son was shot and killed last week and she has no money to bury him.
- A nine-year-old little girl choked back the tears as she explained the hopelessness of her home life.
- It appeared that multiple drug deals went down near my house.
- A ten-year-old neighbor told me she "had got saved" at a camp, but when I asked, had no idea Jesus rose from the dead.
- When asking about Matthew 5:48, my thirteen-year-old neighbor told me with blushing face he couldn't read.
This is only a sampling of the brokenness I've encountered, and the week isn't over. I'm at a loss, Lord Jesus. "Can these bones live?" "Lord, You know!"
Thank you for praying. Our help comes from the LORD, Who made heaven and earth!
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For more than a year
several men from Grace Church have been preaching regularly at Brickey's
prison in Arkansas.
There are many men in the prison who have repented of thier crimes against man, and against God, and are walking with Jesus. There are many more who have yet to come to Christ, but perhaps have been brought there by God to hear the gospel and be saved.
Please pray for Jeff, Joel, Joel, Bryan, Nathan S, Dave, and Jordan as we preach. One of us preaches almost every Sunday evening, or goes along with the preacher for prayer support. Pray also for the 1,600+ inmates who are able to choose to come to the services.
As we know from many examples in Scripture, God is often pleased to change the world starting in a prison cell. Joseph. Daniel. Paul. Jesus Himself spent His last night on earth in a cell.
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For more than a year
several men from Grace Church have been preaching regularly at Brickey's
prison in Arkansas.
There are many men in the prison who have repented of thier crimes against man, and against God, and are walking with Jesus. There are many more who have yet to come to Christ, but perhaps have been brought there by God to hear the gospel and be saved.
Please pray for Jeff, Joel, Joel, Bryan, Nathan S, Dave, and Jordan as we preach. One of us preaches almost every Sunday evening, or goes along with the preacher for prayer support. Pray also for the 1,600+ inmates who are able to choose to come to the services.
As we know from many examples in Scripture, God is often pleased to change the world starting in a prison cell. Joseph. Daniel. Paul. Jesus Himself spent His last night on earth in a cell.
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Uppermost in the Christian's interests is Christ Himself. We desire Jesus. The Christian loves that Jesus prayed that our salvation would eventually crescendo into our being with Him in heaven in order that we may see His glory (John 17:24).
To ready your soul for Sunday, I'd recommend:
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Uppermost in the Christian's interests is Christ Himself. We desire Jesus. The Christian loves that Jesus prayed that our salvation would eventually crescendo into our being with Him in heaven in order that we may see His glory (John 17:24).
To ready your soul for Sunday, I'd recommend:
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20 folks returned to Memphis today from Grace's third annual
Urban Boys Camp. Our 2010 theme was "Scripture Alone," and the main
sessions covered the content, authority, God, delimma, and good news of
Scripture.
Thank you for praying! God was delighted to hear and answer your cry. In summary...
Pictured:
Two
young men (Terry & Justin) understood and believed the gospel.
Others are being 
tilled up by the gospel, and are contemplating the truth of
Jesus. Perhaps several of them were converted too? Continue praying for
fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ.
Jesus changed 11 who changed the world. What could God do in Uptown with 13 who abandon themselves to Christ's Lordship? Let's pray believing!
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Sunday marks the beginning of a seven-part sermon series that will focus on the Christian's Greatest Treasure, the Lord Jesus.
Our first sermon in the series is titled, "Jesus: The Christian's Ardent Love." Fundamental to true faith is a love for Christ, Whom we haven't seen. But take heart Christian, one day very soon, we will see Him (1 Corinthians 13:12)!
Be warming your heart at the fire of God's Word as you ready your soul for the Lord's Day. Our text will be 1 Peter 1:1-9, particularly the opening phrase of verse 8: "...Though you have not seen HIm, you love Him..." Amen!
Sunday's prayer meeting will also mark the beginning of a journey of praying through Genesis as a congregation. This week, we'll focus on the opening two chapters. Marinate there as well, and come ready to seek the Lord's face together at 9a.
I appreciate your prayers. I beg you for them.
With love, in Christ,
John 3:30
Jordan
If you would also familiarize yourself with the songs we'll sing, that would be a great way you can serve the body of Christ. We are all helped when our brothers and sisters sing out!
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Sunday marks the beginning of a seven-part sermon series that will focus on the Christian's Greatest Treasure, the Lord Jesus.
Our first sermon in the series is titled, "Jesus: The Christian's Ardent Love." Fundamental to true faith is a love for Christ, Whom we haven't seen. But take heart Christian, one day very soon, we will see Him (1 Corinthians 13:12)!
Be warming your heart at the fire of God's Word as you ready your soul for the Lord's Day. Our text will be 1 Peter 1:1-9, particularly the opening phrase of verse 8: "...Though you have not seen HIm, you love Him..." Amen!
Sunday's prayer meeting will also mark the beginning of a journey of praying through Genesis as a congregation. This week, we'll focus on the opening two chapters. Marinate there as well, and come ready to seek the Lord's face together at 9a.
I appreciate your prayers. I beg you for them.
With love, in Christ,
John 3:30
Jordan
If you would also familiarize yourself with the songs we'll sing, that would be a great way you can serve the body of Christ. We are all helped when our brothers and sisters sing out!
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This Sunday, Lord willing, we will meet to consider the book of Ruth (yes, the whole book!). The book of Ruth is small in size, but is overflowing...
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Private Worship
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Private Worship
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Amidst us our Beloved stands,
And bids us view His pierced hands...
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Amidst us our Beloved stands,
And bids us view His pierced hands...
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A.M.B.E.R. (Adoption Magnifies the Beauty of Eternal Redemtion)
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We were exhorted Sunday to "put out every inch
of the sail" so that we might catch every gust of the wind of God's
Spirit as He moves among us.
Have you any folded, wadded,
un-hoisted sail to raise? The wind is blowing, raise your sails!
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We were exhorted Sunday to "put out every inch
of the sail" so that we might catch every gust of the wind of God's
Spirit as He moves among us.
Have you any folded, wadded,
un-hoisted sail to raise? The wind is blowing, raise your sails!
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(From email from John Snyder)
Jordan,
Here are some passages that might help the folks...
Filed under Grace Church and Jesus
(From email from John Snyder)
Jordan,
Here are some passages that might help the folks...
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"In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets." ~ Matthew 7:12 (NASB)
The Lord's instruction in this verse hinges on the second half of the statement...
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"In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets." ~ Matthew 7:12 (NASB)
The Lord's instruction in this verse hinges on the second half of the statement...
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For
needed background on why we've been led to take another direction and
have invited John Snyder to come preach for the next two weeks, see the previous post.
You are strongly encouraged to employ significant measures these days in seeking the Lord's face.
This should describe the norm this week.
As you do so, you will want to marinate carefully in the sermon texts.
The texts for Sunday are:
We will be looking together at those piercing Old Testament and a New Testament examples of God's extraordinary nearness, and the consequences of being ill-prepared.
Our only hope for any favorable meeting between ourselves and God is to be clothed in Jesus Christ. Run to the gospel! Look to Jesus!
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For
needed background on why we've been led to take another direction and
have invited John Snyder to come preach for the next two weeks, see the previous post.
You are strongly encouraged to employ significant measures these days in seeking the Lord's face.
This should describe the norm this week.
As you do so, you will want to marinate carefully in the sermon texts.
The texts for Sunday are:
We will be looking together at those piercing Old Testament and a New Testament examples of God's extraordinary nearness, and the consequences of being ill-prepared.
Our only hope for any favorable meeting between ourselves and God is to be clothed in Jesus Christ. Run to the gospel! Look to Jesus!
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Recently there have been several indications of God's unusually gracious dealings with the Grace Church family. As a result the elders sense the need to modify our original preaching plan for (at least) the next two Sunday's.
Instead of continuing our Hebrews' series, the elders have invited Pastor...
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This three minute video for this year's Resolved conference is money (bottom left of page). Watch it.
ht: suggsy
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This three minute video for this year's Resolved conference is money (bottom left of page). Watch it.
ht: suggsy
Filed under Jesus
If God spares our lives until Sunday, Grace Church plans to give our attention again to Hebrews 2:1-4. That means the same passage will be our focus for the fifth time in six weeks. Don't let our reason for our lingering in these verses be lost on you.
The warning in the text is as severe as any in the Bible. The command is as clear as any in the Bible. The incentive is as beautiful as any in the Bible.
The updated title for the sermon is, "So Great a Salvation."
Until then, steep your soul in Hebrews 2:1-4 while asking the Spirit to reveal Christ to you.
Pray that the Holy Spirit will be pleased to save sinners and sanctify saints.
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If God spares our lives until Sunday, Grace Church plans to give our attention again to Hebrews 2:1-4. That means the same passage will be our focus for the fifth time in six weeks. Don't let our reason for our lingering in these verses be lost on you.
The warning in the text is as severe as any in the Bible. The command is as clear as any in the Bible. The incentive is as beautiful as any in the Bible.
The updated title for the sermon is, "So Great a Salvation."
Until then, steep your soul in Hebrews 2:1-4 while asking the Spirit to reveal Christ to you.
Pray that the Holy Spirit will be pleased to save sinners and sanctify saints.
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Prayerless people are prideful people. Humility is demonstrated through dependence. Prayer is the means by which the Christian depends upon God.
The same can be said of churches...
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Prayerless people are prideful people. Humility is demonstrated through dependence. Prayer is the means by which the Christian depends upon God.
The same can be said of churches...
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John Newton, 1779, from Olney Hymns, vol. 1, hymn 89
What think you of Christ? is the test
To try both your state and your scheme;
You cannot be right in the rest,
Unless you think rightly of him.
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John Newton, 1779, from Olney Hymns, vol. 1, hymn 89
What think you of Christ? is the test
To try both your state and your scheme;
You cannot be right in the rest,
Unless you think rightly of him.
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Pray for the fulness of the Spirit's power among us tomorrow!
From Hebrews 2:3b-4:
As Hebrews 2:3 teaches, neglect this God-validated salvation and never escape.
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Pray for the fulness of the Spirit's power among us tomorrow!
From Hebrews 2:3b-4:
As Hebrews 2:3 teaches, neglect this God-validated salvation and never escape.
Filed under Grace Church and Jesus
Today, "Good Friday," is the memorial of Christ's loving sacrifice. Please, please, do not go to hell.
While He died on the cross, Jesus endured the wrath of God for your sin so that you would have Him as your God forever, escaping by His mercy alone the hell you deserve. That's the loving truth.
"God has had His own purposes in the creation of every man and every woman. God wants us to know the new birth from above. He wants us to know the meaning of salvation. He wants us to be filled with His Spirit. He wants us to know the meaning of worship. He wants us to reflect the glory of the One who has called us into His marvelous light.
If we fail in this respect, then it would have been better had we never been born!
After we are born from above, there is no turning back. We are responsible, we are accountable. How utterly tragic to be a barren fig tree, having the outward show of leaves and growth but never producing any fruit! How terrible to know that God intended us to mirror His beautiful light and to have to confess that we are shattered and useless, reflecting nothing!
Be sure we will be aware of our loss, my friend. We will be aware of it. The most startling and frightful thing about us as human beings is the eternal consciousness that God has given us. It is...an ability to feel. Hell would not be hell if it were not for the awareness God has given men and women. If humans were just to sleep through hell, hell certainly would not be hell." ~ A.W. Tozer, Whatever Happened to Worship, p. 99-100.
You can be saved today.
God is. And in His mercy, God is willing to save even someone as sinful and wretched as you. If you do not see yourself as rebellious sinner against God you cannot be saved.
Though you are His enemy, God purposed to save you, and gave His only Son to endure the wrath you deserved for sinning against Him. Jesus is this Son.
Jesus is God Himself. He died as a substitue for you. That means the crushing you deserve God instead exhausted upon Jesus as He was crucifed as a sacrifice in place of sinners. Do not feel sorry for Him. God planned it this way. Worship Jesus.
After dying and being buried, on the third day Christ's lifeless body was again filled with life and He rose from the dead. This is true even if all the world refused to believe so. Jesus is Lord.
Jesus' resurrection is God's sign and seal that Christ's sacrifice for sinners, like yourself, has been accepted by God as a full payment. In other words, God will save you if you will have Christ's sacrifice in place of your eternal damnation. Why wouldn't you have Christ?
This means you must believe that Jesus is God, and that in His death and resurrection, Jesus proved His ability to save you. In such belief, you must necessarily turn to God as your Lord and your most-desired Treasure. This, of course, requires turning away from sin, the ultimate form of sin being self-love. Until you are made willing to repent from yourself, you are not ready to be saved by Jesus. Salvation happens simultaneous with true repentance and belief in the gospel.
Will you take sides with God against yourself? Will you agree with God that you, even moreso than your sinful actions, are the biggest problem? Will you agree with God that there will be no salvation or eternal life for you if you will not believe in Christ as your righteousness, Lord, and Savior?
If you will have Christ as your Lord in this fashion, He will have you. He will save you. Do you believe? Trust Christ. Entrust yourself to Christ. All of yourself. Holding nothing back, cast yourself only on the Lord Jesus. You will never regret doing so.
If you will have Jesus as your Lord, there's no question that God will see to it that you make greater progress in love and obedience to Christ. An obvious fruit of such love will be submitting yourself to the authority of God's Word--the Bible. Obedience to God will surely yeild full involvement of yourself in helping God's people seek God and obey His Word. That, of course, means you should fully belong to a bible preaching church, not simply showing up and acting religious. No one is suggesting that all churchy people are truly saved. Indeed, many are not. But those who have Christ and embrace Him as more precious than life, will be eager to grow in Him with His people.
I pray that--because of belonging to the risen Lord Jesus Christ through faith--you will not despise for eternity the day you were born.
Contact us if you would like to talk to a pastor about God's good news of salvation. We would be delighted.
Filed under Grace Church and Jesus
Today, "Good Friday," is the memorial of Christ's loving sacrifice. Please, please, do not go to hell.
While He died on the cross, Jesus endured the wrath of God for your sin so that you would have Him as your God forever, escaping by His mercy alone the hell you deserve. That's the loving truth.
"God has had His own purposes in the creation of every man and every woman. God wants us to know the new birth from above. He wants us to know the meaning of salvation. He wants us to be filled with His Spirit. He wants us to know the meaning of worship. He wants us to reflect the glory of the One who has called us into His marvelous light.
If we fail in this respect, then it would have been better had we never been born!
After we are born from above, there is no turning back. We are responsible, we are accountable. How utterly tragic to be a barren fig tree, having the outward show of leaves and growth but never producing any fruit! How terrible to know that God intended us to mirror His beautiful light and to have to confess that we are shattered and useless, reflecting nothing!
Be sure we will be aware of our loss, my friend. We will be aware of it. The most startling and frightful thing about us as human beings is the eternal consciousness that God has given us. It is...an ability to feel. Hell would not be hell if it were not for the awareness God has given men and women. If humans were just to sleep through hell, hell certainly would not be hell." ~ A.W. Tozer, Whatever Happened to Worship, p. 99-100.
You can be saved today.
God is. And in His mercy, God is willing to save even someone as sinful and wretched as you. If you do not see yourself as rebellious sinner against God you cannot be saved.
Though you are His enemy, God purposed to save you, and gave His only Son to endure the wrath you deserved for sinning against Him. Jesus is this Son.
Jesus is God Himself. He died as a substitue for you. That means the crushing you deserve God instead exhausted upon Jesus as He was crucifed as a sacrifice in place of sinners. Do not feel sorry for Him. God planned it this way. Worship Jesus.
After dying and being buried, on the third day Christ's lifeless body was again filled with life and He rose from the dead. This is true even if all the world refused to believe so. Jesus is Lord.
Jesus' resurrection is God's sign and seal that Christ's sacrifice for sinners, like yourself, has been accepted by God as a full payment. In other words, God will save you if you will have Christ's sacrifice in place of your eternal damnation. Why wouldn't you have Christ?
This means you must believe that Jesus is God, and that in His death and resurrection, Jesus proved His ability to save you. In such belief, you must necessarily turn to God as your Lord and your most-desired Treasure. This, of course, requires turning away from sin, the ultimate form of sin being self-love. Until you are made willing to repent from yourself, you are not ready to be saved by Jesus. Salvation happens simultaneous with true repentance and belief in the gospel.
Will you take sides with God against yourself? Will you agree with God that you, even moreso than your sinful actions, are the biggest problem? Will you agree with God that there will be no salvation or eternal life for you if you will not believe in Christ as your righteousness, Lord, and Savior?
If you will have Christ as your Lord in this fashion, He will have you. He will save you. Do you believe? Trust Christ. Entrust yourself to Christ. All of yourself. Holding nothing back, cast yourself only on the Lord Jesus. You will never regret doing so.
If you will have Jesus as your Lord, there's no question that God will see to it that you make greater progress in love and obedience to Christ. An obvious fruit of such love will be submitting yourself to the authority of God's Word--the Bible. Obedience to God will surely yeild full involvement of yourself in helping God's people seek God and obey His Word. That, of course, means you should fully belong to a bible preaching church, not simply showing up and acting religious. No one is suggesting that all churchy people are truly saved. Indeed, many are not. But those who have Christ and embrace Him as more precious than life, will be eager to grow in Him with His people.
I pray that--because of belonging to the risen Lord Jesus Christ through faith--you will not despise for eternity the day you were born.
Contact us if you would like to talk to a pastor about God's good news of salvation. We would be delighted.
Filed under Grace Church and Jesus
Click here for a one-page PDF guide.
Filed under Grace Church and Jesus
Click here for a one-page PDF guide.
Filed under Grace Church and Jesus
“He who hath not being from another, cannot but be always what He is: God is the first Being, and independent Being; He was not produced of Himself, or of any other, but by nature always hath been, and, therefore, cannot by Himself, or by any other, be changed from what He is in His own nature. That which is not may as well assume to itself a being, as he who hath and is all being, have the least change from what He is.” Steven Charnock, The Existence of God, 319
Heb. 1:11-12; 7:16; 13:8; Mal. 3:6
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Heb. 1:11-12; 7:16; 13:8; Mal. 3:6
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Write one this week. Drop it someplace. Write another the next. Give it to someone. Write another, mail it to a friend. Write another...
HT: Irish Calvinist; PS: The link has several tracts the blog author put together. Thanks for the link Jim Suggs!
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Write one this week. Drop it someplace. Write another the next. Give it to someone. Write another, mail it to a friend. Write another...
HT: Irish Calvinist; PS: The link has several tracts the blog author put together. Thanks for the link Jim Suggs!
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Through discipleship I was taught not to have a "quiet time."
Rather, Clyde pressed upon me to set as a daily goal to "spend time with God." There is a difference. I'm so glad someone loved me enough to help me see the difference, and to repent of my self-made "quiet time" efforts...
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Through discipleship I was taught not to have a "quiet time."
Rather, Clyde pressed upon me to set as a daily goal to "spend time with God." There is a difference. I'm so glad someone loved me enough to help me see the difference, and to repent of my self-made "quiet time" efforts...
Filed under Grace Church and Jesus
The next three weeks we intend to use Heb. 2:3 as a launching pad for more intently gazing upon Christ and His cross. This week, we hope to peer into this from Romans 5:6-11. May God help us to marvel at the demonstration of His love for His children in the death and resurrection of His Son Jesus Christ. Consider these statements from Romans 5 as means to stir your heart:
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The next three weeks we intend to use Heb. 2:3 as a launching pad for more intently gazing upon Christ and His cross. This week, we hope to peer into this from Romans 5:6-11. May God help us to marvel at the demonstration of His love for His children in the death and resurrection of His Son Jesus Christ. Consider these statements from Romans 5 as means to stir your heart:
Filed under Grace Church and Jesus
Grace Church has God-given friends and ministry partners in Nigeria. We've been there four times in three years. Please join us in prayer for this unstable nation in turmoil (spiritually and physically).
A sobering sentence from the video:
"During nearly ten years of violence between the two groups [Christian & Muslim], in which thousands of people have died, not one person has ever been held accountable, let alone convicted."
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Grace Church has God-given friends and ministry partners in Nigeria. We've been there four times in three years. Please join us in prayer for this unstable nation in turmoil (spiritually and physically).
A sobering sentence from the video:
"During nearly ten years of violence between the two groups [Christian & Muslim], in which thousands of people have died, not one person has ever been held accountable, let alone convicted."
Filed under Jesus
Sunday's text is a litmus test for the soul.
For this reason we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away from it.- Hebrews 2:1
Will the Spirit prove His indwelling presence in our lives by compelling us to give heed to the gospel, or will we be content to drift away from Christ to our own destruction?
As a means of preparing your heart to gather tomorrow with God's people, consider embracing the following:
Filed under Grace Church and Jesus
Sunday's text is a litmus test for the soul.
For this reason we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away from it.- Hebrews 2:1
Will the Spirit prove His indwelling presence in our lives by compelling us to give heed to the gospel, or will we be content to drift away from Christ to our own destruction?
As a means of preparing your heart to gather tomorrow with God's people, consider embracing the following:
Filed under Grace Church and Jesus
I've been intending to write a post on church-planting via discipleship as Christ's call to world-evangelization. Instead, I'll share an article that says the things I was intending to say, only better than I could.
Church models aside, this is the passion of my heart. Pray that I
will never become weary of 1-on-1 discipleship. Pray the same for
yourself! Matthew 28:18-20!
Multiplication Growth
The period from the death of Christ until the end of the first century was the most fruitful in the history of the church. During these few decades, Christianity...
Filed under Grace Church and Jesus
I've been intending to write a post on church-planting via discipleship as Christ's call to world-evangelization. Instead, I'll share an article that says the things I was intending to say, only better than I could.
Church models aside, this is the passion of my heart. Pray that I
will never become weary of 1-on-1 discipleship. Pray the same for
yourself! Matthew 28:18-20!
Multiplication Growth
The period from the death of Christ until the end of the first century was the most fruitful in the history of the church. During these few decades, Christianity...
Filed under Grace Church and Jesus
For your own good, I encourage you to etch out 38 minutes and 43 seconds in the very near future and treat yourself to this help.
Filed under Jesus
For your own good, I encourage you to etch out 38 minutes and 43 seconds in the very near future and treat yourself to this help.
Filed under Jesus
Pray. Ask the Lord to bring several unconverted friends' names to your heart. Pray earnestly for their salvation.
Invite your friend(s) to come to church with you at least one Sunday between March and May. Preferrably more than that.
The preaching pastors are committing to the body to be seeking the Lord's face to preach as clearly and simply the whole gospel each Sunday, including the bible's instruction for how one must respond. Pray for us!
When you invite your friend to church, arrange also to host him/her/them for lunch the Sunday they attend.
Invite a fellow Grace member/family to join you for lunch to help with meal preparations, build a new relationship, pray, and to help commend Christ during the lunch conversation. Don't let living far away stop you from being involved. Talk to someone else in the body, and figure it out together.
Launching from the morning's sermon, or however you can get there, turn the conversation toward the gospel. Explain God's Jesus-centered saving truth. Welcome questions and dialogue. Lovingly call for repentance and faith. Seek to arrange 4 to 5 times in the next 2-3 months to read the gospel of Mark (independently) and talk about it (together).
Repeat the entire process until God says stop (i.e. When you get to heaven).
Filed under Grace Church and Jesus
Pray. Ask the Lord to bring several unconverted friends' names to your heart. Pray earnestly for their salvation.
Invite your friend(s) to come to church with you at least one Sunday between March and May. Preferrably more than that.
The preaching pastors are committing to the body to be seeking the Lord's face to preach as clearly and simply the whole gospel each Sunday, including the bible's instruction for how one must respond. Pray for us!
When you invite your friend to church, arrange also to host him/her/them for lunch the Sunday they attend.
Invite a fellow Grace member/family to join you for lunch to help with meal preparations, build a new relationship, pray, and to help commend Christ during the lunch conversation. Don't let living far away stop you from being involved. Talk to someone else in the body, and figure it out together.
Launching from the morning's sermon, or however you can get there, turn the conversation toward the gospel. Explain God's Jesus-centered saving truth. Welcome questions and dialogue. Lovingly call for repentance and faith. Seek to arrange 4 to 5 times in the next 2-3 months to read the gospel of Mark (independently) and talk about it (together).
Repeat the entire process until God says stop (i.e. When you get to heaven).
Filed under Grace Church and Jesus
Peter Jeffery quoting Spurgeon in Bitesize Theology,
Nothing will so enlarge the intellect, nothing so magnify the whole soul of man, as a devout, earnest, continued investigation of the great suject of the Deity. Would you lose your sorrow? Would you drown your cares? Then go, plunge yourself in the Godheads's deepest sea; be lost in his immensity; and you shall come forth as from a couch of rest, refreshed and invigorated. I know nothing which can so comfort the soul; so calm the swelling billows of sorrow and grief; so speak peace to the winds of trial, as a devout musing upon the subject of the Godhead.
Filed under Grace Church and Jesus
Peter Jeffery quoting Spurgeon in Bitesize Theology,
Nothing will so enlarge the intellect, nothing so magnify the whole soul of man, as a devout, earnest, continued investigation of the great suject of the Deity. Would you lose your sorrow? Would you drown your cares? Then go, plunge yourself in the Godheads's deepest sea; be lost in his immensity; and you shall come forth as from a couch of rest, refreshed and invigorated. I know nothing which can so comfort the soul; so calm the swelling billows of sorrow and grief; so speak peace to the winds of trial, as a devout musing upon the subject of the Godhead.
Filed under Grace Church and Jesus
"My soul, wait in silence for God only..." - Psalm 62:5.
Filed under Grace Church and Jesus
"My soul, wait in silence for God only..." - Psalm 62:5.
Filed under Grace Church and Jesus
If the Lord wills, Christ's immutability will be our theme this coming Sunday at Grace.
That's because God the Father gives us a window into His own delight into the Immutability of God the Son in Hebrews 1:10-12. Marinate your soul...
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“Let us mark…how Christ indicates that when His joy abides in us our joy is full (John 15:11).
Joy depends much less on what we have, than on what we are. You may give me this and that, and everything that can be thought of, yet in my soul there be no wave of joy.
But change me inwardly; make me like Jesus; let me, like Him, hate wickedness and love righteousness with the whole force of my nature; let me abide, like Him, in the Father’s love; let my heart, like His, flow over with loving feelings on every side; let me, like Him, delight in doing God’s will, and in finishing, day by day, the work given me to do; let me, like Him, live in expectation of the glory that is to be revealed when He appears with His holy angels, when His redeemed are all gathered from east and from the west, from the north and from the south; then shall not my joy be pure, deep, and real? Shall my joy not even now be unspeakable and full of glory?”
William Garden Blaikie’s, The Inner Life of our Lord, 97-98.
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“Let us mark…how Christ indicates that when His joy abides in us our joy is full (John 15:11).
Joy depends much less on what we have, than on what we are. You may give me this and that, and everything that can be thought of, yet in my soul there be no wave of joy.
But change me inwardly; make me like Jesus; let me, like Him, hate wickedness and love righteousness with the whole force of my nature; let me abide, like Him, in the Father’s love; let my heart, like His, flow over with loving feelings on every side; let me, like Him, delight in doing God’s will, and in finishing, day by day, the work given me to do; let me, like Him, live in expectation of the glory that is to be revealed when He appears with His holy angels, when His redeemed are all gathered from east and from the west, from the north and from the south; then shall not my joy be pure, deep, and real? Shall my joy not even now be unspeakable and full of glory?”
William Garden Blaikie’s, The Inner Life of our Lord, 97-98.
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When the vantage point of our prayer is lined up with Christ's worth, we will quickly find more expectation in our praying and true transformation in our lives.
Prayer can be empty, and often is, but it doesn't have to be. We should expect our Father's...
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When the vantage point of our prayer is lined up with Christ's worth, we will quickly find more expectation in our praying and true transformation in our lives.
Prayer can be empty, and often is, but it doesn't have to be. We should expect our Father's...
Filed under Jesus
“The lighter forms of joy, when they involve no sin, need not be banished from our life—bodily recreation, social mirth, lively books and lively conversation. But their place will be secondary; the great fountain will be Christ’s fountain. Nay, we will be jealous over ourselves with godly jealousy, lest we so drink of lighter joys of life as to spoil our relish for the deeper river that makes glad the city of our God.” - William Garden Blaikie, Glimpses of the Inner Life of our Lord, 98.
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“The lighter forms of joy, when they involve no sin, need not be banished from our life—bodily recreation, social mirth, lively books and lively conversation. But their place will be secondary; the great fountain will be Christ’s fountain. Nay, we will be jealous over ourselves with godly jealousy, lest we so drink of lighter joys of life as to spoil our relish for the deeper river that makes glad the city of our God.” - William Garden Blaikie, Glimpses of the Inner Life of our Lord, 98.
Filed under Jesus
Long-term Haiti relief plan in place
Filed under Jesus
Long-term Haiti relief plan in place
Filed under Jesus
As you ready your soul to join God's
people in worship, I encourage you to marinate in our sermon text,
Hebrews 1:7-9. As you're in those verses, ask the Holy Spirit to work
powerfully among us for true conversions and Christian growth.
Reckon with four God things said about Jesus in these verses...
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As you ready your soul to join God's
people in worship, I encourage you to marinate in our sermon text,
Hebrews 1:7-9. As you're in those verses, ask the Holy Spirit to work
powerfully among us for true conversions and Christian growth.
Reckon with four God things said about Jesus in these verses...
Filed under Grace Church and Jesus
The answer is "All too easily."
We are professional sinners. All of us. We will use anything and everything as a means of avoiding God.
Would the words "fresh encounter" accurately describe your current fellowship with Jesus? Notice, the question isn't...
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So, which is it? Is the Christian dead or alive? It depends. The Bible says we are both.
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I pass along this illustration from Ray Ortlund Jr's guidebook on modern revival, When God Comes to Church,
with the ambition of provoking all who will read it to seek to apprehend
more of Christ. Or, as the Apostle Paul said...
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I pass along this illustration from Ray Ortlund Jr's guidebook on modern revival, When God Comes to Church,
with the ambition of provoking all who will read it to seek to apprehend
more of Christ. Or, as the Apostle Paul said...
Filed under Grace Church and Jesus
In an inexplicable way, God's incomprehensible truth "makes sense" to the Christian. This is not to suggest that anyone, other than God, fully grasps His revelation.
Think, for one example, of the fact that every Christian "understands" and believes in the Trinity!?!
Before labelling me a heretic for the post's title, reckon with...
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In an inexplicable way, God's incomprehensible truth "makes sense" to the Christian. This is not to suggest that anyone, other than God, fully grasps His revelation.
Think, for one example, of the fact that every Christian "understands" and believes in the Trinity!?!
Before labelling me a heretic for the post's title, reckon with...
Filed under Jesus
God the Father commanded all of the angels to direct their worship toward Jesus during His incarnation. That's the sum of Hebrews 1:6, and it has profound implications for our understanding of Jesus, and it must inform our response to Him. Are you a worshipper of Jesus Christ?
I believe that God created man to join the angels in the ceaseless worship of Jesus. If you belong to Christ, you will one day soon be welcomed into that very experience, the glories of which will never end.
The gospel is inexhaustible. We are saved by Jesus and instantaneously granted the ability to appropriately worship the Triune and only God forever.
That's a snapshot of where we're headed on Sunday.
The best means I can think of to prepare your soul for being under God's Word with the people of Grace this Sunday is to worship Jesus now.
See you Sunday, Lord willing, Phil. 3:3 (look it up)
Jordan
Filed under Grace Church and Jesus
God the Father commanded all of the angels to direct their worship toward Jesus during His incarnation. That's the sum of Hebrews 1:6, and it has profound implications for our understanding of Jesus, and it must inform our response to Him. Are you a worshipper of Jesus Christ?
I believe that God created man to join the angels in the ceaseless worship of Jesus. If you belong to Christ, you will one day soon be welcomed into that very experience, the glories of which will never end.
The gospel is inexhaustible. We are saved by Jesus and instantaneously granted the ability to appropriately worship the Triune and only God forever.
That's a snapshot of where we're headed on Sunday.
The best means I can think of to prepare your soul for being under God's Word with the people of Grace this Sunday is to worship Jesus now.
See you Sunday, Lord willing, Phil. 3:3 (look it up)
Jordan
Filed under Grace Church and Jesus
Tracy and I are registered and ready. Hope you can make it, too.
Registration Deadline: This Thursday, February 4!
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Tracy and I are registered and ready. Hope you can make it, too.
Registration Deadline: This Thursday, February 4!
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Jubilee is the next church set to spawn from the TCT vision of Bethlehem Baptist Church. You can click here to listen, read, or watch John Piper and John Erickson (Pastor, Jubilee) tagteam to explain the vision. In his segment, Piper includes a brief history of Bethlehem's 185 years of church planting, including Grace Church.
Pray for Jubilee. Pray for many more churches to emerge in the days ahead!
Filed under Grace Church and Jesus
Jubilee is the next church set to spawn from the TCT vision of Bethlehem Baptist Church. You can click here to listen, read, or watch John Piper and John Erickson (Pastor, Jubilee) tagteam to explain the vision. In his segment, Piper includes a brief history of Bethlehem's 185 years of church planting, including Grace Church.
Pray for Jubilee. Pray for many more churches to emerge in the days ahead!
Filed under Grace Church and Jesus
"If God were your Father, you would love Me." ~ Jesus Christ (John 8:42).
Filed under Grace Church and Jesus
"If God were your Father, you would love Me." ~ Jesus Christ (John 8:42).
Filed under Grace Church and Jesus
Be praying for our guest preacher, Bro. Steve Smith, and all who will attend Grace this coming Sunday. Steve is my father-in-law, and to the little people who live under my roof, he's better known as "Pawpaw."
Steve wouldn't want me to publish this, but he doesn't even know how to turn on the internet, so I'm safe :).
Steve is the most godly man I know. I've watched him for the past 17 years...
Filed under Grace Church and Jesus
Be praying for our guest preacher, Bro. Steve Smith, and all who will attend Grace this coming Sunday. Steve is my father-in-law, and to the little people who live under my roof, he's better known as "Pawpaw."
Steve wouldn't want me to publish this, but he doesn't even know how to turn on the internet, so I'm safe :).
Steve is the most godly man I know. I've watched him for the past 17 years...
Filed under Grace Church and Jesus
Tomorrow another Christian event will happen. What will be the effect 100 years from now? A revived people of God? I pray so.
In our day of churchy program-driven fluff, I found the Tennessee Baptist Convention's e-invitation for "Heart-Cry for Revival" very refreshing!
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Tomorrow another Christian event will happen. What will be the effect 100 years from now? A revived people of God? I pray so.
In our day of churchy program-driven fluff, I found the Tennessee Baptist Convention's e-invitation for "Heart-Cry for Revival" very refreshing!
Filed under Jesus
Sunday I preached on the theme that He Who is Christ's Father is
also the Father of all who come to Him through Christ. Astonishing
reality! Oh to live more in its light!
In clear connection, a dear sister in our congregation sent Spurgeon's entry from today's Morning & Evening as a further application of this truth. Amen! I couldn't help but post it here for you all. Enjoy!
Morning, January 26
Matthew 6:26 - "Your heavenly Father"
God's people are doubly His children, they are His offspring by creation, and they are His sons by adoption in Christ. Hence they are privileged to call Him, "Our Father which art in heaven." Father! Oh, what precious...
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Those were Ray Ortlund's dad's dying words to him.
Related: I've heard so many pastors talk about committing church infidelity because, "ministry became a mistress."
I'm sure that your pastor is very susceptible to that same sin. Pray for him today. Encourage him to have consistent time with his family. Expect it. Settle for nothing less. Thank you for praying just that for me, as well as the other pastors of Grace Church!
Yes, Mr. Orlund, Jesus is everthing!
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Those were Ray Ortlund's dad's dying words to him.
Related: I've heard so many pastors talk about committing church infidelity because, "ministry became a mistress."
I'm sure that your pastor is very susceptible to that same sin. Pray for him today. Encourage him to have consistent time with his family. Expect it. Settle for nothing less. Thank you for praying just that for me, as well as the other pastors of Grace Church!
Yes, Mr. Orlund, Jesus is everthing!
Filed under Jesus
Dear Christian (who hasn't felt God draw near in a long time),
Can you remember what it used to be like? Do you reminisce of a day gone by when God's manifest presence was the atmosphere in which you lived? What's changed?
Have we moved beyond the intitial passion to taste God through His Word and beyond a fervency in prayer because we've gotten more sophisiticated in our idea of godliness? If so...
Filed under Grace Church and Jesus
Dear Christian (who hasn't felt God draw near in a long time),
Can you remember what it used to be like? Do you reminisce of a day gone by when God's manifest presence was the atmosphere in which you lived? What's changed?
Have we moved beyond the intitial passion to taste God through His Word and beyond a fervency in prayer because we've gotten more sophisiticated in our idea of godliness? If so...
Filed under Grace Church and Jesus
I'm gearing up to preach on the theme of intercessory prayer tonight for my final meeting with Worden Baptist. I was encouraged and exhorted when I came across Spurgeon's counsel via today's timely First Importance post:
"Nothing pleases our Lord better than to see his promises put in circulation; [God] loves to see his children bring them up to him, and say, Lord, do as thou hast said. We glorify God when we plead his promises." - Charles Spurgeon, Morning & Evening, January 15
Would you plead one or more of God's promises for those of us who will gather tonight?
Filed under Grace Church and Jesus
I'm gearing up to preach on the theme of intercessory prayer tonight for my final meeting with Worden Baptist. I was encouraged and exhorted when I came across Spurgeon's counsel via today's timely First Importance post:
"Nothing pleases our Lord better than to see his promises put in circulation; [God] loves to see his children bring them up to him, and say, Lord, do as thou hast said. We glorify God when we plead his promises." - Charles Spurgeon, Morning & Evening, January 15
Would you plead one or more of God's promises for those of us who will gather tonight?
Filed under Grace Church and Jesus
As I've been preaching away this week I've emphasized that Christians must strive to know God on the basis of His revelation of Himself, rather than according to our own imaginations.
As a result, an excellent question came via email from one of the listeners regarding where to look to find such texts. I thought others might want to treat themselves to the richest of fare by mining and meditating on similar texts. If so, here's my reply:
Dear __________,
Excellent question! I'm encouraged that you thought to ask.
You may have been able to track down many of God's Self-descriptions in Scripture using a quick concordance search, or some means of online search? Oftentimes, though, this will exclude many other important references (Because the verse may not include our search words; "Thus saith the LORD", etc)...
Filed under Jesus
As I've been preaching away this week I've emphasized that Christians must strive to know God on the basis of His revelation of Himself, rather than according to our own imaginations.
As a result, an excellent question came via email from one of the listeners regarding where to look to find such texts. I thought others might want to treat themselves to the richest of fare by mining and meditating on similar texts. If so, here's my reply:
Dear __________,
Excellent question! I'm encouraged that you thought to ask.
You may have been able to track down many of God's Self-descriptions in Scripture using a quick concordance search, or some means of online search? Oftentimes, though, this will exclude many other important references (Because the verse may not include our search words; "Thus saith the LORD", etc)...
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Pray for God to speak to you. Then, take 2 minutes to watch this video that should shape the rest of your life.
ht:tc
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Pray for God to speak to you. Then, take 2 minutes to watch this video that should shape the rest of your life.
ht:tc
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Would you please say a brief prayer right now over those who will be part
of the special meetings I've been invited to preach this week at Worden
Baptist Church in Bald Knob, AR? In particular, would you pray the
words of Psalm 85:6:
Will You not Yourself revive us again,
That Your people may rejoice in You?
Please pray also for their pastor, Bro. Jerry Goodwin, who went to the Emergency Room around 1:30 this morning with extreme nausea, and was diagnosed with vertigo. He was advised by his doctors to remain home for rest the remainder of the week. As a pastor myself, I know it will be doubly burdening for Jerry to miss worshipping the LORD with the congregation he so dearly loves and serves.
Thank you,
Jordan
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Would you please say a brief prayer right now over those who will be part
of the special meetings I've been invited to preach this week at Worden
Baptist Church in Bald Knob, AR? In particular, would you pray the
words of Psalm 85:6:
Will You not Yourself revive us again,
That Your people may rejoice in You?
Please pray also for their pastor, Bro. Jerry Goodwin, who went to the Emergency Room around 1:30 this morning with extreme nausea, and was diagnosed with vertigo. He was advised by his doctors to remain home for rest the remainder of the week. As a pastor myself, I know it will be doubly burdening for Jerry to miss worshipping the LORD with the congregation he so dearly loves and serves.
Thank you,
Jordan
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Every person's lineage reaches back to our first parents, Adam and Eve.
Every person has been thoroughly infected with Adam's sin. Therefore, apart from Christ, we are at enmity with God and with one another.
In mercy, God sent the perfect Man to redeem sinful men. "For there is one God, and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus" (1 Timothy 2:5).
Before us stands the fixed future reality that heaven will be populated with men and women who have been redeemed by the blood of Jesus. God will save His people and will fulfill all of His promises to them through Jesus, including eternal life. The heavenly population will be comprised of all types of men. Not men that are fundamentally different than one another -- for we are all human, and we are all sinful. But men from every corner of God's earth -- those from every "tribe, tongue, people, and nation" (Revelation 5:9).
In heaven what began to dawn at Pentecost will be fully consummated. The curse of Babel will be wholly reversed. Man will have God as his everlasting treasure, not through his own self-effort, but through the gospel condesencion of our Loving God applied immediately to every inhabitant by the Holy Spirit.
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Every person's lineage reaches back to our first parents, Adam and Eve.
Every person has been thoroughly infected with Adam's sin. Therefore, apart from Christ, we are at enmity with God and with one another.
In mercy, God sent the perfect Man to redeem sinful men. "For there is one God, and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus" (1 Timothy 2:5).
Before us stands the fixed future reality that heaven will be populated with men and women who have been redeemed by the blood of Jesus. God will save His people and will fulfill all of His promises to them through Jesus, including eternal life. The heavenly population will be comprised of all types of men. Not men that are fundamentally different than one another -- for we are all human, and we are all sinful. But men from every corner of God's earth -- those from every "tribe, tongue, people, and nation" (Revelation 5:9).
In heaven what began to dawn at Pentecost will be fully consummated. The curse of Babel will be wholly reversed. Man will have God as his everlasting treasure, not through his own self-effort, but through the gospel condesencion of our Loving God applied immediately to every inhabitant by the Holy Spirit.
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Pray for an opportunity to commend Him Whom you cherish. Take it when God provides (which often means seeking to make the opportunity happen).
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Pray for an opportunity to commend Him Whom you cherish. Take it when God provides (which often means seeking to make the opportunity happen).
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Lord willing tomorrow morning we will spend our time together in 1 Corinthians 1 honing in more specifically in verses 17-25. So often when Pauls letters to the Corinthians are mentioned people immediately think of a church with serious issues. Although Paul does address numerous issues in these Holy Spirit inspired scriptures, he preceedes the words of teaching, rebuking, and correcting with a crystal clear picture of what he was sent to do--preach Christ and Him crucified.
As a means to help prepare our hearts for tomorrow consider this outline:
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Lord willing tomorrow morning we will spend our time together in 1 Corinthians 1 honing in more specifically in verses 17-25. So often when Pauls letters to the Corinthians are mentioned people immediately think of a church with serious issues. Although Paul does address numerous issues in these Holy Spirit inspired scriptures, he preceedes the words of teaching, rebuking, and correcting with a crystal clear picture of what he was sent to do--preach Christ and Him crucified.
As a means to help prepare our hearts for tomorrow consider this outline:
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Another fantastic Christmas poem from Kurt Strassner!
Excerpt from the conclusion:
So learn the truth of Bet It’s not the food that’s on your plate; Nor if your body’s strong and whole. The bread of God is for your soul!
hl’em’s gate.
Thanks brother!
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Another fantastic Christmas poem from Kurt Strassner!
Excerpt from the conclusion:
So learn the truth of Bet It’s not the food that’s on your plate; Nor if your body’s strong and whole. The bread of God is for your soul!hl’em’s gate.
Thanks brother!
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Hebrews 1:5 quotes Psalm 2:7 to make the point that Jesus (not angels) is the Son of God.
Because of the author's quotation, our primary text this coming Lord's Day will be the second Psalm. I highly encourage you to steep your soul in this magnificent chapter!
John Calvin summed up Psalm 2 this way:
"Let this, therefore, be held as a settled point, that all who do not submit themselves to the authority of Christ make war against God."
Suffice it to say that fighting against God is a very very bad idea.
To join God's side, one must "Kiss the Son", and "take refuge in Him" (Psalm 2:12). Be doing that and your heart will be warm for worship this Sunday, and beyond.
~ Jordan
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Hebrews 1:5 quotes Psalm 2:7 to make the point that Jesus (not angels) is the Son of God.
Because of the author's quotation, our primary text this coming Lord's Day will be the second Psalm. I highly encourage you to steep your soul in this magnificent chapter!
John Calvin summed up Psalm 2 this way:
"Let this, therefore, be held as a settled point, that all who do not submit themselves to the authority of Christ make war against God."
Suffice it to say that fighting against God is a very very bad idea.
To join God's side, one must "Kiss the Son", and "take refuge in Him" (Psalm 2:12). Be doing that and your heart will be warm for worship this Sunday, and beyond.
~ Jordan
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There's only one human who has never been ashamed of God. His Name is Jesus.
Hebrews 2:12 tells us that Psalm 22:22 applies to Jesus, Who, on the cross, sang God's praise in the midst of the people. There was never a more unashamed expression of love to God as was given by Christ in His dying hour.
The video below reminded me of Christ's shamlessness to live at all times for the glory of God in any and every circumstance. Oh that we would become more like Christ in that respect! (The message gets stronger at 3:33).
ht: keith blessing
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There's only one human who has never been ashamed of God. His Name is Jesus.
Hebrews 2:12 tells us that Psalm 22:22 applies to Jesus, Who, on the cross, sang God's praise in the midst of the people. There was never a more unashamed expression of love to God as was given by Christ in His dying hour.
The video below reminded me of Christ's shamlessness to live at all times for the glory of God in any and every circumstance. Oh that we would become more like Christ in that respect! (The message gets stronger at 3:33).
ht: keith blessing
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REVELATION 5:5-6
As our annual Christmas gift from church...
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The title to the post is the final line of this very short video. Hebrews 1:3 teaches that Jesus upholds everything seen in this video (and all else) by the word of His power. Take two minutes to watch and be humbled.
HT:tc
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The title to the post is the final line of this very short video. Hebrews 1:3 teaches that Jesus upholds everything seen in this video (and all else) by the word of His power. Take two minutes to watch and be humbled.
HT:tc
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On the opening page of Grace Church's latest Prayer Directory, the elders ask the following question:
"What might God do in and through our little flock if we were to faithfully intercede for one another?"
Our high-expectation follows...
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On the opening page of Grace Church's latest Prayer Directory, the elders ask the following question:
"What might God do in and through our little flock if we were to faithfully intercede for one another?"
Our high-expectation follows...
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Little cupids perched on the mantel seem to be a far cry from the awesome angelic beings of Scripture.
Consider the prominence and power attributed to angels in God's order:
We could generate a very long list from Scripture citing the angels' prominence and power. But...
The main point of Hebrews 1:4-14 is that Jesus is superior to every angel in every way, and even, all of them combined!
See you Sunday, Lord willing
Jordan
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Little cupids perched on the mantel seem to be a far cry from the awesome angelic beings of Scripture.
Consider the prominence and power attributed to angels in God's order:
We could generate a very long list from Scripture citing the angels' prominence and power. But...
The main point of Hebrews 1:4-14 is that Jesus is superior to every angel in every way, and even, all of them combined!
See you Sunday, Lord willing
Jordan
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Looks like the GC blog wasn't high enough profile for our friend. You can read the Commercial Appeal cover article here.
Excerpt:
"...Admitting he is addicted to crack...
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"This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only True God, and Jesus Christ Whom You have sent." - John 17:3
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"This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only True God, and Jesus Christ Whom You have sent." - John 17:3
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Why is there a picture of Boggle in the worship-prep post?
There were 33, 34, 36, 37, 38. Let me explain.
Round One: Last summer my family was on vacation in St. Louis...
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Why is there a picture of Boggle in the worship-prep post?
There were 33, 34, 36, 37, 38. Let me explain.
Round One: Last summer my family was on vacation in St. Louis...
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Who knew? Looks as if Justin was willing to write the prelude to this week's "worship prep" post for us. Justin's advice is simple, and when applied with worship and prayer, life-changing.
Here's his chart from Hebrews 1:1-2a:
God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son
| Who? | God | God |
| What? | spoke | spoke |
| When? | long ago | in these last days |
| How? | at many times, in many ways | (in one decisive way)* |
| To whom? | our fathers
[OT patriarchs] |
us
[New Covenant people] |
| By whom? | the prophets | his Son |
So, take a look already!
Now see if you can find all 37 unique descriptions of Jesus in chapter one!
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Who knew? Looks as if Justin was willing to write the prelude to this week's "worship prep" post for us. Justin's advice is simple, and when applied with worship and prayer, life-changing.
Here's his chart from Hebrews 1:1-2a:
God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son
| Who? | God | God |
| What? | spoke | spoke |
| When? | long ago | in these last days |
| How? | at many times, in many ways | (in one decisive way)* |
| To whom? | our fathers
[OT patriarchs] |
us
[New Covenant people] |
| By whom? | the prophets | his Son |
So, take a look already!
Now see if you can find all 37 unique descriptions of Jesus in chapter one!
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No one does missions perfectly. But that's no excuse to refrain from supporting the work of those who are imperfectly making an attempt.
A Personal Challenge
Unless you can develop and execute a better plan between now and this Christmas to accomplish the following list, I want to strongly encourage you to pray about how sacrifically the Lord would have you support global missions through the Lottie Moon Christmas offering. Here's a sampling of where the funds will go (100% of the LM offering goes toward the work of cross-cultural missions)
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No one does missions perfectly. But that's no excuse to refrain from supporting the work of those who are imperfectly making an attempt.
A Personal Challenge
Unless you can develop and execute a better plan between now and this Christmas to accomplish the following list, I want to strongly encourage you to pray about how sacrifically the Lord would have you support global missions through the Lottie Moon Christmas offering. Here's a sampling of where the funds will go (100% of the LM offering goes toward the work of cross-cultural missions)
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I've been preparing a series of short posts on Grace's newest international missions partnership -- this time, India. (I haven't forgotten that I still owe a Nigeria update too! Stay tuned).
First, though, it seems helpful to me to re-introduce Grace's vision for local and global missions.
Although this post is more lengthy than most, I hope our church members will read it with care, prayer, and a heart for engagement in healthy discussion that will sharpen our understanding and heighten our involvement in God's glorious work.
Because of the teaching of the New Testament, Grace's primary "spreading" efforts for our city and for the unreached world are one
and the same. That is, our goal is to see local churches strengthened,
and new churches planted...
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Lord willing, this coming Sunday Grace Church will be focusing on the truth that "Jesus made purification for sins" (Hebrews 1:3).
In his systematic theology, Wayne Grudem has some helpful questions for application regarding Christ's atoning work. Enjoy, and proceed with care...
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Lord willing, this coming Sunday Grace Church will be focusing on the truth that "Jesus made purification for sins" (Hebrews 1:3).
In his systematic theology, Wayne Grudem has some helpful questions for application regarding Christ's atoning work. Enjoy, and proceed with care...
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A true update to come soon, but for now, on behalf of the team, I want to express thanks for all who faithfully prayed for us while we were in India.
The Lord Jesus is powerfully at work in this country which boasts 1/5 of the world's people!
John 3:30, Jordan
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A true update to come soon, but for now, on behalf of the team, I want to express thanks for all who faithfully prayed for us while we were in India.
The Lord Jesus is powerfully at work in this country which boasts 1/5 of the world's people!
John 3:30, Jordan
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The comme
rcialism of Christmas is already upon us. Don't be hypnotized.
The shiny things on the shelves in the store aisles, or online, will be carefully wrapped in the package of necessity. "You need this. He needs that. She should have those...
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In the physical sense, it's only obvious that being hungry proves the
existence of our appetite. Hunger is your appetite's voice. And it will call out until its desires are met.
It's similar but not exactly the same in the spiritual sense.
Physically, when we are hungry, we satisfy our appetite by eating until we no longer hunger. We eat to get full so that our appetite is turned from hunger to satisfaction.
That's not how it works for the Christian's spiritual appetite.
When Jesus said, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied," (Mt. 5:6) He was not showing that we should momentarily nibble on God's provision for us in the gospel until we no longer sense our need for righteousness. Jesus is showing that the evidence that we are hungry is that we are being satisfied. This satisfaction comes through feasting upon Christ.
Spiritual satisfaction, unlike physical, comes as we are hungry and thirsty for righteousness...
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In the physical sense, it's only obvious that being hungry proves the
existence of our appetite. Hunger is your appetite's voice. And it will call out until its desires are met.
It's similar but not exactly the same in the spiritual sense.
Physically, when we are hungry, we satisfy our appetite by eating until we no longer hunger. We eat to get full so that our appetite is turned from hunger to satisfaction.
That's not how it works for the Christian's spiritual appetite.
When Jesus said, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied," (Mt. 5:6) He was not showing that we should momentarily nibble on God's provision for us in the gospel until we no longer sense our need for righteousness. Jesus is showing that the evidence that we are hungry is that we are being satisfied. This satisfaction comes through feasting upon Christ.
Spiritual satisfaction, unlike physical, comes as we are hungry and thirsty for righteousness...
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Dear Anxious Inquirer after salvation,
Please read Charles Spurgeon's testimony carefully. I will be reading it to Grace Church this morning.
Sincerely, in Jesus, John 3:30
Jordan Thomas
Personally, I have to bless God for many good books; I thank Him for Dr. Doddridge's Rise and Progress of Religion in the Soul; for Baxter's Call to the Unconverted; for Alleine's Alarm to Sinners; and for James's Anxious Enquirer; but my gratitude most of all is due to God, not for books, but for the preached Word,-and that too addressed to me by a poor, uneducated man, a man who had never received any training for the ministry, and probably will never be heard of in this life, a man engaged in business, no doubt of a humble kind, during the week, but who had just enough of grace to say on the Sabbath, "Look unto Me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth."
The books were good, but the man was better...
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To man, Jesus is the visible invisible God -- "He is the radiance of God's glory" (Hebrews 1:3). To God, Jesus is exact holiness of heart -- "He is the exact represenation of God's nature" (Hebrews 1:3).
That's where we're headed in Sunday's sermon. Contained in these two truths are the foundation of all that matters and all that truly helps.
Pray with all your might that God would meet us and work powerfully among us this coming Lord's Day. Here's the best way you can be preparing your heart:
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As a compliment to our journey through Hebrews, I'm sharing a few of Clyde's poems from time to time that fit with the truths we're contemplating on Sunday's (Here's the first one I shared).
Here's the second installment, which has been posted a few times previously. Make it your prayer. Enjoy!
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As a compliment to our journey through Hebrews, I'm sharing a few of Clyde's poems from time to time that fit with the truths we're contemplating on Sunday's (Here's the first one I shared).
Here's the second installment, which has been posted a few times previously. Make it your prayer. Enjoy!
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If you are hungering to delve more into seeing Jesus in all the Scriptures, the passages below would be a great place to begin spending time in meditation/memory.
As you think and pray over what these texts have to say about Jesus being revealed in all of Scripture, you will want to branch out into cross-references...until you have included every verse in the Bible.
What other texts come to mind?
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If you are hungering to delve more into seeing Jesus in all the Scriptures, the passages below would be a great place to begin spending time in meditation/memory.
As you think and pray over what these texts have to say about Jesus being revealed in all of Scripture, you will want to branch out into cross-references...until you have included every verse in the Bible.
What other texts come to mind?
Filed under Grace Church and Jesus
One of the most precious promises in all of Scripture is found in John 14:21. Jesus speaking:
"He who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me; and he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will disclose Myself to him."
Looking to Jesus is the Christian's chief duty, and also his highest delight. Better still, Jesus is more ready to make Himself known than anyone is to find Him.
In the verse Christ gives two conditions which lead to one consequence, which is ultimately rewarded by the fulfillment of three magnificent promises...
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One Person perfectly
communicates God to man. One Person will rightfully inherit all things. One Person sufficiently represents man before God. And all three
perfectly meet in One Person. His Name is Jesus!
That's the main message of the opening three verses of Hebrews, and will be our theme this Sunday at Grace.
Warm your heart in His presence by meditating on Who He is, and thanking Him for what He has done.
See you Sunday, Lord willing.
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One Person perfectly
communicates God to man. One Person will rightfully inherit all things. One Person sufficiently represents man before God. And all three
perfectly meet in One Person. His Name is Jesus!
That's the main message of the opening three verses of Hebrews, and will be our theme this Sunday at Grace.
Warm your heart in His presence by meditating on Who He is, and thanking Him for what He has done.
See you Sunday, Lord willing.
Filed under Grace Church and Jesus
Having considered several worthy options, the elders have agreed that this year's Christmas sermon from yesteryear will once again come from the pulpit of Jonathan Edwards, a message entitled, The Excellency of Christ...
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Having considered several worthy options, the elders have agreed that this year's Christmas sermon from yesteryear will once again come from the pulpit of Jonathan Edwards, a message entitled, The Excellency of Christ...
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My father in the faith & discipler, Clyde Cranford, was riddled with serious illnesses, especially the last ten years of his life. His struggle became a blessing to many in a variety of ways. How so?
When Clyde couldn't sleep because of physical discomfort, he would lie awake and pray, and think, and sometimes write. In his final year on earth, really in a matter of a few months, he wrote a collection of poems that he titled, In the Night Watches, because that's when they came to him.
As
a compliment to our journey through Hebrews, I'll share a few of
Clyde's poems from time to time that are fitting with the things we're
contemplating. Here's the first. Enjoy!
Filed under Grace Church and Jesus
My father in the faith & discipler, Clyde Cranford, was riddled with serious illnesses, especially the last ten years of his life. His struggle became a blessing to many in a variety of ways. How so?
When Clyde couldn't sleep because of physical discomfort, he would lie awake and pray, and think, and sometimes write. In his final year on earth, really in a matter of a few months, he wrote a collection of poems that he titled, In the Night Watches, because that's when they came to him.
As
a compliment to our journey through Hebrews, I'll share a few of
Clyde's poems from time to time that are fitting with the things we're
contemplating. Here's the first. Enjoy!
Filed under Grace Church and Jesus
For this community outreach event! 
Filed under Grace Church and Jesus
For this community outreach event!
Filed under Grace Church and Jesus
I absolutely love telling my kids that I love them, and do so several
dozen times per day (easily!), never having to make conscious effort to
remind myself to express this love.
Recently I was analyzing why it is that I gush out my expressions of love so often on my children, and deeper, why I seem to get so much joy out of it (you start doing that weird sort of thing about six weeks deep in a sabbatical when you can't digest another line of another commentary).
At the root, our expressions of love toward those we love is owing to the fact that it gives us great joy for them to know that we love them, and therefore it brings us great joy to remind them often of this love. We want them to know they are loved. Then we want them to know it again. Then, once more. Then, a few more times...
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The plan is to overview the message of Hebrews this Sunday. In short that would be, "Look to Jesus."
As a heart primer for Sunday, I would like to encoruage you to consider (maybe write down) what it would practically look like to heed that counsel. Meaning, what is the fleshing-out of "look to Christ"?
When it comes to marital challenges...
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The plan is to overview the message of Hebrews this Sunday. In short that would be, "Look to Jesus."
As a heart primer for Sunday, I would like to encoruage you to consider (maybe write down) what it would practically look like to heed that counsel. Meaning, what is the fleshing-out of "look to Christ"?
When it comes to marital challenges...
Filed under Grace Church and Jesus
Benson Comissioning Service
October, 4 at 6:00PM
Bridges
You
Jesus deserves all of the worship from every Eastern European
Come be part of this special occasion with the Grace family!
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Benson Comissioning Service
October, 4 at 6:00PM
Bridges
You
Jesus deserves all of the worship from every Eastern European
Come be part of this special occasion with the Grace family!
Filed under Grace Church and Jesus
Beginning around 7p tonight (Sunday) and spanning roughly the next 25 hours many orthodox Jews will begin celebrating Yom Kippur--the Day of Atonement. It was on this day of Atonement, which happened each year, where the Old Testament High Priest would enter into the holy of holies and atone for the sins of the nation. Many will spend the next day fasting and spending time in synagogues hoping to be absolved from their sin. What is burdensome is that for many orthodox Jews the next day is not much more than a cleaning of the slate--a doing business with God because of how bad they've lived since the last celebratory fast. For many of these orthodox Jews the next day provides nothing more than a fresh start to continue living the same way they've always been living until the next Yom Kippur celebration.
This however, is not so with the Messianic Jew...
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Welcome back to Colossians. Originally I was slated to preach Colossians 4 on April 26th, but due to getting sick a few days prior to Sunday I was unable to preach. The Lord aptly supplied His herald of truth for Grace that Sunday by way of Pastor Jim. Now, five months and two sermon series later--we're back!
In the past couple of weeks I've been re-reading and meditating upon Colossians and thinking about the personal benefit to my soul this book has been and I've come to realize that in "completing" Colossians tomorrow I'm really only that much closer to being ready to "really" preach through this book. Colossians is rich and loaded with Christ.
So, for tomorrow I would encourage you to.....
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As a little "'bout to be slow on the blog for a while" gift, here's two videos I shot yesterday at my house.
In the video with Robert, there's some obvious "leading the witness" going on as you'll see, but the L O N G talk we had beforehand was anything but coerced, and Robert repeatedly nailed the gospel! He was reluctant to speak to the camera, and finally obliged after a lot of pleading from me. I told him many would be blessed as a result. You're proof.
As for Caleb...well...just doesn't get much better than that! Looks like Grace finally found a Pastor for Worship! Enjoy!! And please pray for us!
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As a little "'bout to be slow on the blog for a while" gift, here's two videos I shot yesterday at my house.
In the video with Robert, there's some obvious "leading the witness" going on as you'll see, but the L O N G talk we had beforehand was anything but coerced, and Robert repeatedly nailed the gospel! He was reluctant to speak to the camera, and finally obliged after a lot of pleading from me. I told him many would be blessed as a result. You're proof.
As for Caleb...well...just doesn't get much better than that! Looks like Grace finally found a Pastor for Worship! Enjoy!! And please pray for us!
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Lord willing, our good friend Anthony Mathenia (twitter, blog)
will be preaching at Grace the next two Sunday's, and will be covering
the entire book of James. His sermons are divided up as the book
naturally lends itself to division:
Steep your soul in the text daily (takes about 15 minutes to read the entire epistle), and pray fervently for God to speak to you, and all who will gather with Grace.
Also, please pray diligently, moment by moment throughout each day, without ceasing, for two church-impacting trips taking place during the next two weeks:
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Lord willing, our good friend Anthony Mathenia (twitter, blog)
will be preaching at Grace the next two Sunday's, and will be covering
the entire book of James. His sermons are divided up as the book
naturally lends itself to division:
Steep your soul in the text daily (takes about 15 minutes to read the entire epistle), and pray fervently for God to speak to you, and all who will gather with Grace.
Also, please pray diligently, moment by moment throughout each day, without ceasing, for two church-impacting trips taking place during the next two weeks:
Filed under Grace Church and Jesus
I've had several people ask me about the quote from John MacArthur (on justification), I cited in last week's sermon. Since we will, Lord willing...
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I've had several people ask me about the quote from John MacArthur (on justification), I cited in last week's sermon. Since we will, Lord willing...
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Richard Owen Roberts will be at Bellevue Baptist Church this Wednesday at 6:30p and will be preaching at Christ Church in New Albany this Fri.-Sun. Friday and Saturday will be at 6:30p; Sunday 11a. You can hear some of his sermons here or you can read articles here.
I would encourage you to attend any of these services that you are able to attend.
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Richard Owen Roberts will be at Bellevue Baptist Church this Wednesday at 6:30p and will be preaching at Christ Church in New Albany this Fri.-Sun. Friday and Saturday will be at 6:30p; Sunday 11a. You can hear some of his sermons here or you can read articles here.
I would encourage you to attend any of these services that you are able to attend.
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Yesterday was a top seven day in my life. Or, to use the golf scoring system, it was a top-three day! The order goes like this:
The reason I'm publicly gloating over our daughter's birth...
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We're told in Hebrews 1:9 that God the Father spoke in Psalm 45:6-7 of the Lord Jesus saying, "Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated lawlessness."
Two tremendous affirmations are made by God the Father in this statement concerning Jesus...
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Many thanks to the person who was willing to share this story of God's saving grace:
Amazing...God's providence, that is.
I was having an imaginary conversation with an imaginary unbeliever on my 30-minute commute to work today with hopes that I might be better prepared to testify of the real Christ to a real person someday.
My story goes like this...
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When co-teaching a series of lectures with Edmond Clowney on Christ-Centered hermeneutics, Tim Keller put God's one way of salvation well; "While there are many ways to Jesus, there is only one way to God."
Jesus is God. And He is the only way to a saving relationship with God the Father (John 14:6). The Lord's endless creativity is seen in the manifold ways He draws people to Jesus, so that they can then be brought safely to God.
We would love to hear your testimony of how you came to trust Jesus as Lord and Savior. Wherever you are in the world, "refresh our hearts in Christ."
Let us know through the comments how you came to faith in Jesus. Since our comments have to be moderated due to heavy spam, we'll pull out your story after you submit it and post it here on the blog.
Perhaps your story of coming to Jesus for salvation will be one of God's "many ways" to bring someone else to Jesus, and to a saving relationship with Himself!
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"You shall call His name Jesus because He will save His people from their sins." - Matthew 1:21
As you prepare your heart for worship tomorrow through the preached Word of God, ask yourself three questions from this verse:
Pray with all your heart that people will be converted tomorrow under the preaching of the gospel! Pray that your heart, and the hearts of all who will gather with us, will be "fertile soil" for the Word and will of God to be received with much joy.
See you tomorrow morning, Lord willing.
jt
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What about falling 50 feet from a rope when you are 17 years old and
breaking your back? How can you then say, "In the very accident, [God]
was showing me His very kindness and care."
What about "taking a spill" many times after that because of your partial paralysis and trying to "get back up" in a way that will show to those who watch that you believe, "...even that, I consider to be part of God's love to me."
Watch Mark Talbot's short video...
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On the Day of Pentecost Peter stood before thousands of folks from all over the place and preached that David wrote Psalm 16, "Because he was looking forward to the resurrection of the Christ" (cf. Acts 2:31).
Lord willing, in this coming Sunday's sermon we will be seeking to peer into Christ's glory in, through, and during the life and writings of David. I covet your prayers. And I look forward to worshipping with you!
See you Sunday!
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Summer is a great time for many. What will this summer be remembered for when you look back?
Imagine: Even if you had big plans to enjoy a long-anticipated vacation, nothing would be greater than someone introducing you to Jesus for the first time. That would make for the greatest summer ever!
You'll be able to come up with plenty of ideas to commend Christ. Here's a few simple thoughts that come to mind that may get your juices flowing. More, it may lead to your great joy of being able to lead someone to faith in Jesus this summer!
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That would be a great (and telling) goal for all of us. Justin Taylor wrote:
"...wouldn't it be great if those who knew us best could honestly say, "It is so easy to edify him. It doesn't take much. It doesn't need to be the best sermon ever preached or the most excellent song ever composed or the most powerful book ever written or the most theologically eloquent statement ever uttered. Just the simplest truth was enough to refresh his heart in Christ."
Read the rest of his post.
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That's how the people of Grace Church have defined our reason for existence. This video expresses the truth well. Watch it!
HT: DG
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In one week's time, I attended two Christian concerts. I think that doubles my life-long total.
Last Friday, several Grace folks took 15 inner-city boys to the Don't Waste Your Life tour concert, and last night I joined another crew of Grace Church-ers at the Shane and Shane concert.
Needless to say, they were very differnt approaches, but both pointed clearly to the Jesus of the Bible.
I guess you can tell which picture is from which concert?...
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Admittedly, I often feel that being busy equals being productive. Biblically, the exact opposite is often the case.
Those who know me know that I'm a "do-er." I like "getting things done." I even read a book by that title last year! So when I'm home in bed due to sickness, I
often feel that I'm "wasting time." But the Lord has His ways of
slowing us down, and reorienting us on something more important.
While I've been home (literally "still" for hours on end), the Lord has been reminding me of my neglect to pray diligently that the unreached peoples of the world would know of God's glory and saving power through Jesus Christ. To be honest, I've been sorely unfaithful in intercession for the nations (The bible calls prayerlessness "sin"!)...
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That's the title of Voddie Baucham's sermon that I read yesterday morning. It is an excellent call to every believer whether single or married. Highly recommended! Here's the PDF when you have time to read it yourself.
As I read, I rejoiced over God's kindness to Grace Church. Though we're a small congregation, we've been blessed with many children. Oh that He will grant us the grace to be faithful with our calling to evangelize and disciple them well!
Here's a few quotes to whet your appetite!
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Abraham lived roughly 2000 years before Jesus was born in Bethlehem. Yet, according to Jesus, Abraham saw Christ's day, and upon seeing Him, was glad. How so? Because, "before Abraham was born," Jesus IS...
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Now that Grace Church has walked through the first four parts of our current nine-part series titled, "Toward a Christ-Centered Theology of the Bible," I thought it might be helpful to give a brief word of review to help us all know where we've been, and to peek forward to where we're heading.
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Christmas and Easter are easily the two most popular dates in the Christian Church. Tommorrow represents another important, but far lesser known date - Ascension Sunday.
Christ ascension is important to our salvation because He, "...will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven." Christians are looking for the physical, bodily, return of Jesus Christ!
Jesus ascended to heaven 40 days after His resurrection from the dead, which means He would have ascended on a Thursday. Throughout history though, since churches have met on the Lord's Day, they've celebrated Christ's ascension the following Sunday, which this year, is tomorrow.
Think about the significance of Christ's ascension in the following verses...
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Immediately after Sunday's sermon, Jim Suggs and I were talking about the immutability of Christ's divine nature.
One truth that landed on us heavily is the good news that we can be saved because Jesus is God, and therefore He doesn't change! See Malachi 3:6 compared with Hebrews 13:7. Amen!
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Eternally significant things have happened in prison--like the writing
of books of the Bible (Colossians, Ephesians, Philippians, Philemon)!
Although the biblical canon is complete, God is still doing great things in prisons across the world...
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Lord willing, this Sunday Grace Church will be considering the many ways the Bible reveals Christ from eternity past.
I hope you will be able to join us, and will prepare your heart to encounter Jesus in the Scriptures...
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My parents, Roger and Jamie, boarded a plane bound for Ecuador this past Saturday. From Monday till the upcoming Monday they will primarily spend their time in one village--a village they visited on a previous trip. During their time in this village they will have to approach the president of this particular village requesting to stay their along with having the opportunity to live among the people for teaching and fellowship. Their prayerful hope is to spend this time among the Quichua teaching the gospel. According to a conversation my mom overheard there is no church and no current gospel influence among the Quichua in this village. Here is a recent update that I just received:
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An important truth to realize is that Jesus believes the entire Bible is about Jesus (e.g. Luke 24).
In order to get a grasp on the Bible, we must see it as one Book. As we see the Bible as one book with One Author, we find its unifying theme. His Name is Jesus!
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Please pray for those who are planning to go this weekend. There's still a few spots left if you are interested. If so, let us know. Here's your prayer list...
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We invite you to join the people of Grace this week as we walk with Christ to the cross.
Each day you will find selected readings on this guide that show the events that happened in Christ's life during the week leading up to His crucifixion and resurrection.
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Thank you ladies for allowing me to walk with you through our Lord's Sermon on the Mount for this year's retreat. Thank you to all who prayed. Christ is King.
Pastor Jordan
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"Readers can gain the 'full advantage from the gospel' only when they 'connect it with the ancient promises.'" - John Calvin (The Sermon on the Mount Through the Centuries, p. 142).
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"Scripture interprets scripture!"
"If one looks more closely at the way he works, it becomes clear that his interpretation is driven by a kind of interior guidance system powered by the Scriptures. A key to Augustine's exegesis is to be found...in the maxim Scriptura scripturam interpretat. He never proposes an interpretation of a biblical text without citing another biblical text. That means, of course, that by our standards Augustine is cavalier about historical setting, literary context, or social world--the topics that excercise contemporary biblical scholars. He reads the Bible as a single book and what one scriptural writer says, whether in the Old Testament or the New Testament, is fair game for interpreting what occurs in another part of the Scriptures." (The Sermon on the Mount Through the Centuries, p. 56)
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***Set your clocks forward one hour on Saturday night so that you don't show up for service thinking it is time for prayer or for service and wonder why I'm already in (v6) of Colossians 2:1-15***
This Sunday, Lord willing, we will spend our time together worshipping Christ in Colossians 2:1-15. Here is a snapshot of things Paul says about Jesus in our text.
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I've recently began re-reading sections of Courtney Anderson's book, To the Golden Shore in preparation for a series of sermons on Missions I will be preaching in a few weeks for a Student Ministries Disciple Now in Ohio. To the Golden Shore is an account of the life and missionary efforts of Adoniram Judson--the first American Missionary to Burma. To set this quote up, which comes towards the end of the book, Judson has returned to America and travels around to various churches preaching. Judson was one of the more brilliant minds in his day and people were fascinated that he would spend his life among a pagan people preaching Christ and translating the Bible in the Burmese language. So when he arrived back in the states (which, according to his letters, was never his intention when he got on the boat to head to India) you can imagine how the Northeast was buzzing to hear from Judson about his missionary efforts.
"Although the day was rainy, the church had become crowded with people who had learned he [Adoniram Judson] would have something to say......
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Last week we looked at Colossians 1:24 where Paul tells the young church at Colossae '"Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I do my share on behalf of His body, which is the church, in filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions."
Read this story and pray for those--who like Paul had not seen the people at Colossae face to face, as they share in the sufferings of Christ.
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We've added the "First Week" reminder to our monthly events tab. Let's be faithful to commend Him Whom we cherish!
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"Pour out Your wrath on the heathen that do not acknowledge You--and on the families that do not call upon Your name!" Jeremiah 10:25
We wonder how many of our readers have seriously pondered these awe-inspiring words! Observe what fearful threatenings are pronounced against those who disregard family worship! How unspeakably solemn to find that prayerless families are here coupled with the heathen, who do not acknowledge the Lord.
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Sunday afternoon our small group took up a specific prayer request for each other. Namely, that we would pray that each one of us would take advantage of the opportunity to share the entire gospel with an unconverted person before our group cycle ends in May. Oh to see many people born again in the next few months!
Would you join us in praying this for each person in each Grace Group?
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This Sunday, Lord willing we will be worshipping the preeminence of Christ in reconciliation from Colossians 1:19-23. I encourage you to prepare your hearts with these statements about Christ:
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I asked the team members if they would put into writing our mission trip to Nigeria and some things the Lord did in their heart while there and since we've returned. Kelly is currently in the hospital suffering from a disease related to our trip. Kelly has mentioned that she looks forward to returning to Nigeria soon, Lord willing becasue she now understands to some degree ways the Nigerians are suffering. Pray for her! May the Lamb who was slain before the foundation of the world receive His reward for His suffering. This is what Kelly Rodgers had to say:
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We're all touched by pain. No exceptions. Often the wounds are deep. Sometimes the challenges we face will substantially alter the course of our life. Even for those who are "less buffeted" by trials, one of the inescapable consequences of living in a fallen world is unavoidable collision with hurt.
When the trials come, how do you respond? I've been helped by two recent examples the Lord has put before my eyes.
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Last week prior to beginning the Colossians series I encouraged the children in a few ways (most of which are already doing this) in hopes that they would listen to the sermon when they sit in "big Church" (as a child this is what I called church with the adults). One of these ways was to count every time you heard Christ mentioned and then report to me after the sermon was over.
This week, Lenarious, a young boy from our surrounding neighborhood attended Grace. He didn't come with anyone, he just came! Evidently Kirk B. encouraged him with this because as soon as the sermon concluded he came straight to me and said "200. You mentioned Christ 200 hundred times today". I then asked him if there was anything that stuck out during the sermon today, to which he replied "Christ".
Will you join us in praying....
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I closed this mornings sermon from Colossians 1:13-18 wth this quote from Charles Simeon:
'Are you not ashamed that this adorable Saviour has held so low a place in your esteem, that even the most contemptible things that can be imagined have had a preeminence above him? There is not a base lust which has not more power to sway you, than love to him, or zeal for his glory. There is not a vanity which you have not more desired, nor an object whom you have not more feared, nor a device you have not more relied upon, than he. Would you not have thought it impossible, that a Being so glorious in Himself, and so gracious unto you, should ever be so despised by you, as he has been? O! humble yourselves before him; and now set yourselves with all diligence to honor and to glorify his name. Let it no longer be a doubt, either in your own minds or in the minds of any that behold you, who has the preeminence in your souls. Give yourselves wholly to him; live altogether for him: let your daily and hourly inquiry be, "Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?" In short, endeavour to begin the life of heaven whilst you are yet upon earth. When once you are there, "you will follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth." Follow him now: follow the footsteps which he trod on earth: follow him, in your affections, to the highest heavens: and look forward to the time when he, who has ascended as your Forerunner, shall come again to take you to himself, and "seat you with him upon his throne, as he sitteth on his Father's throne."
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Take a moment to read Samuel Rutherford on Christ-the Altogether Lovely. I took this quote from this book. It appears there has recently been a reprint.
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Our text this Sunday is Colossians 1:13-18 entitled the preeminence of Christ. Here is our outline for the sermon:
May the Lord use His Word to prepare your hearts to worship Him. A couple of prayer suggestions:
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I am currently re-reading Horatius Bonar's book Words to Winner's of Souls. Live upon the Christ mentioned in this paragraph:
'The one true goal or resting place where doubt and weariness, the stings of a pricking conscience, and the longings of an unsatisfied soul would all be quieted, is Christ Himself. Not the church, but Christ. Not doctrine, but Christ. Not forms, but Christ. Not ceremonies, but Christ; Christ the God-man, giving His life for ours; sealing the everlasting covenant, and making peace for us through the blood of His cross; Christ the divine storehouse of all light and truth, 'In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge (Colossians 2:3); Christ the infinite vessel, filled with the Holy Spirit, the Enlightener, the Teacher, the Quickener, the Comforter, so that "of his fullness we have all received, and grace for grace" (John 1:16) This, this alone is the vexed soul's refuge, its rock to build on, its home to abide in till the great tempter be bound and every conflict ended in victory.'
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The sermons from this year's Christian Life Conference at Second Presbyterian in Memphis were a spiritual banquet.
I was especially helped by two of Sinclair Ferguson's messages:
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Watch at least the first 10 minutes or so of this John Piper video. Please.
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D.A. Carson on the wrath of God:
“To speak faithfully of the wrath of God, very often what we most urgently need are tears. A few years ago on a radio talk show with a large audience in Chicago, the host asked several guests to discuss whether anyone could be saved apart from Jesus. Three pooh-poohed the idea in graphic terms. The fourth was a Jewish-Christian believer on the faculty of Moody Bible Institute. His ethnic background was known by everyone there, so when it was his turn to speak, the host baited him by asking him if he thought his fellow Jews could be saved apart from Christ. This Christian brother began to weep, and then to sob quietly, uncontrollably. After a minute or two, the host said that he had never heard a more compelling reason to become a Christian. So we teach the wrath of God, for faithfulness to Scripture demands it; and we follow Jesus and learn to weep over the city.”
(From: D. A. Carson, “The Wrath of God,” in Engaging the Doctrine of God, ed. Bruce McCormack, (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2008), 63.)
May God increase our tears, love, and action for the lost and hurting!
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Update from Kurt (read the whole thing)
Hello everyone,
I apologize for being so long in updating you. As you read on, you will discover why we have had limited internet access. For you PRBCers (Kurt's church) ... here is an email with four points.
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This Sunday evening from 4:30-6p at Bridges we will be having a Grace Party.
January 22, 2009 marks the first year anniversary of the death of Amber Mathenia. We have asked her mother, Laura Donovan, and her sister April Sawyer (also my wife) if they would be willing to give testimony about the kindness of the Lord that has been lavishing upon them in the past year in Christ.....
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Many bloggers have listed their top 10 reads from 2008. I even won one person's stack!
Instead of listing 10 and no one actually reading them, I thought I would list my favorite one from last year. If only one of you will find it and read it, I would feel that this post is worth the time it took to type it!
For an endorsement that carries much more weight than mine, Jonathan Edwards had this to say about the book that had the most impact on my life in 2008:
"...it is much better than any other book in the world."
That's coming from a guy who wrote 60,000 pages!!
Go find this book. And read it. The Soli Deo Gloria printing is only 114 pages with big font and average margins. You can read this book!
A Treatise On Regeneration - by, Peter Van Mastrict.
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“One of the gravest perils which besets the ministry is a restless scattering of energies over an amazing multiplicity of interests which leaves no margin of time and of strength for receptive and absorbing communion with God.”
- Andrew Bonar
HT: Gospel Reminders (A fantastic blog to bookmark, RSS, or whatever you do to intentionally make the internet a weapon for serving your soul!)
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Read Ray Ortlund's "Going Into 2009 List" of thankfulness and concern.
HT: Justin Taylor
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Grace's new church card will be available at church beginning tomorrow. Prepare your hearts to meet Christ in Colossians!
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Advent - Peace from Harvest Bible Chapel on Vimeo
.
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Here's an excerpt from Kurt's annual Christmas poem that he writes for his church. This poem is entitled, "The Day I Leapt for Someone Else."
“I’m not the Christ; I am not He.”
So let my voice drown in the sea
Of waves that crash upon His shore;
Of Christward praise forever more.
I publish this from east to west:
"He must increase, I must be less."
Worship as you read the whole thing!
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During Advent I've been reading Isaac Ambrose's section on the Incarnation of Christ in his insightful work, Looking Unto Jesus.
Below are just a few nuggets from the absolutely loaded pages! Some are
quotes, some are summaries of Ambrose's thoughts.
Enjoy!!
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Make the time to watch them all!
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After seeing the previous post, my good friend and a fellow pastor, Cody McNutt, in Louisville, KY sent a link to this video:
Hey Cody and Sally... congrats on the arrival of little Laine!
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Watch this video. Pay careful attention after the 2:20 mark...
In case you are planning to skip this short video, first swallow this quote from it:
"...I've always said I don't respect people who don't prosyletize. I don't respect that at all. If you believe that there's a heaven and hell, and people could be going to hell, or not getting eternal life, or whatever... And you think that it's not really worth telling them [about Jesus] because it would make it socially awkward... how much do you have to hate somebody to not prosyletize? How much do you have to hate somebody to believe that everlasting life is possible, and not tell them that?"
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Thanks for posting the great hymn from Horatius Bonar! Here's another great one from Frank Houghton concerning Christ's Incarnation that has been swirling in my heart since it appeared before me in the advent devotional guide I repped a while back:
Thou who wast rich beyond all splendour,
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Nathan Sawyer emailed today asking if I would post the prayer I led in the service yesterday after we sang, "O Come Let us Adore Him." Here 'tis:
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I
am scheduled to speak Saturday night, and would appreciate your prayers
beforehand (or afterward, that the Word would bear much fruit). Thank you!
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This Sunday Lord willing, we will be looking at Acts 20:17-28. The main thrust of the sermon though is this phrase...
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Family traditions are great. Even little things "the way we always do it" can make for sweet memories generation after generation. If you don't already have a tradition for family devotions in your home during Advent season, let me encourage you to begin this year.
The resource I'm linking below is the one our family is following this season. It is a ready-made guide for this year's Advent season. Those who are more creative than me might have fun crafting your own guide. Be intentional. Be Christward. Be worshippers. Be joyful. Behold the One, the Son, of God.
How will you display that Christ is King in your heart and your home during this season?
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During morning devotions today, Andrew gave two insightful responses to the chatechism.
The first answer is cute. The second answer is correct!
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2 Corinthians 2:14 (NASB)
Praying with you that our Thanksgiving will be Godward and that Christ's aroma will rise from us in "every place."
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Black Friday is a product of, and contributing factor towards, Christless American consumerism. The Advent Conspiracy is an attempt to fight the cultural sin that sweeps away millions into into its ocean of stupid debt. Join the conspiracy!
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Some people say big things about things are actually small. They overexaggerate. But then, sometimes, people don't overexaggerate. They are spot-on. Like when Tozer said in The Knowledge of the Holy, "Every man's greatest need is a greater view of God." That's true. That's not wow-factor talk. Nothing is more important than God. Nothing is more needed than knowing Him through Christ.
That lead me to suggest a great Christmas gift. Samuel Rutherford's The Loveliness of Christ. Get it. Give it away. It's not a 'normal book'. It can be read in about 1 hour.
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“The cost for the recipient of God’s grace is nothing - and no price could be higher for arrogant people to pay.”
- Dan Allender, as quoted in Gospel Transformation
HT: FI
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Continue praying fervently for the Nigeria mission team. Remember that tonight (Tuesday) they will begin sleeping in the "bush" (three nights). This, I trust, will be tremendously profitable in the advance of meaningful partnerships and the expanse of the gospel.
Please
pray also for today's TCT Network meeting that I'm a part of in
Minneapolis. This meeting (all day yesterday and today) has been
devoted to dreaming, planning, and praying through the Lord's
intentions to use us to become a church planting movement. So far today
we've heard visions from planters aiming at planting reproducing
churches in St. Paul, San Deigo, and South Africa (and reaching into
the pre-modern portions of the African Continent).
Oh Lord, let the nations rejoice and be glad in Jesus!
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"This is Nathan Sawyer...we have arrived in Nigeria and are awaiting our luggage...not sure how much we will be able to communicate...thx for your prayers."
Amen. May Jesus be embraced by, and advanced through, the team!
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The Nigeria mission team leaves tomorrow evening (Friday) and is scheduled to return next Sunday, November 23.
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Check out all five parts...again and again! (start at the bottom and work up)
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The sufficiency of the God-Man, Jesus Christ, is the theme of the current meetings at Grace, and He is the theme song of all who know Him as Lord. From the far-reaching corners of the expanse of galaxies, to the intricate detials of sub-atomic particles, Christ sustains everything, and everyone, by the word of His power.
Oh my soul, can He not fill you with His limitless sufficiency?
If you are in the Memphis area, I hope you will join us Wednesday evening at 6:30PM at Bridges for the final (application) sermon in the series, "The Majesty & Glory of Jesus Christ."
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Ligon Duncan will be at Riveroaks Presbyterian Church in Memphis
Saturday-Sunday, November 8-9 as the guest speaker for their
Reformation Conference. I strongly urge you to attend!!
It looks like the two Saturday sessions will be at 5:00PM & 7:00PM
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Please join the countless army now praying for my good friend, Scott Attebery, who will be burying his wife, Jill, today (details here). Scott is continuing well, by the grace of God. Today will be especially tough for him.
The church Scott serves as pastor, Wyatt Baptist in El Dorado, has asked that I come back this weekend to preach Sunday morning. I covet your prayers as I prepare to do so.
O DEATH WHERE IS THY STING
A quote from Edward Payson's, Legacy of a Legend."The power of death, the last enemy, is destroyed, as it respects all who believe in Christ. Instead of being the jailer of hell and the grave, he is now, as it respects Christ's people, the porter of paradise. All he can now do is to cause them to sleep in Jesus, release their immortal spirits from the fetters which bind them to earth, and deposit their weary bodies in the tomb, as a place of rest, till Christ comes at the last day, to raise them incorruptible, glorious and immortal; and reunite them to their souls in a state of perfect, never-ending felicity."
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Derek Webb has stated the point well in his song, 'A King & A Kingdom.' Even calling the notion 'one of the two greatest lies I've ever heard' (The greatest being, 'If you eat this fruit, you will not surely die').
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Here's some news and updates about the this Sunday's Community Reformation Service that I received today via email.
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The cross and resurrection of Jesus are the focal events of the entire Bible (and history of the world!). God has always had this great expression of His glory and our good in mind.
Lord willing, this Sunday at Grace we will look deep into the heart of God through the lens of Mark 15. There, if our eyes are opened, we will see love that surpasses knowledge. Pray that we will know this unknowable love.
"Here is love, vast as the ocean; lovingkindness as a flood. That the Prince of Life, our ransom; shed for us His precious blood."
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Just read the sermon text (several times)...
The parrallel accounts would be helpful too:
See you Sunday, Lord willing.
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Our commission as Christians is to commend Jesus--the One we cherish--to the entire world. So...
It is my privilege to be this evening's guest speaker at a local Perspectives course. I covet your prayers. My assigned topic and the corresponding key qustions are:
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We at Grace have come to love the truth that...
God's primary methodolgy for the global glorification of His Name, the edification and equipping of His saints, and the evangelization of the lost is the establishment of more Christ-exalting churches.
So pray for church planters. Pray for more of them to be thrust out into the harvest of the world.
Pray also for four specific church planters: Nathan, Joey, Justin, and Drew. They are in preparations to be sent out two by two from North Wake Church to the Washington D.C. area and to Tampa, FL. I have the joy of spending today with them in hopes of encouraging them in their great work.
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"This chapter begins that part of Mark's Gospel, which describes our Lord's sufferings and death. Hitherto we have chiefly seen our Savior as our prophet and teacher. We have now to see Him as our High Priest. Hitherto we have had to consider His miracles and sayings. We have now to consider His vicarious sacrifice on the cross."
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I read the First Importance Blog almost everyday. It has been a great jolt from a brother or sister that aids my looking unto Jesus. Today's quote is a powerful summary of what Mark's gospel has been saying to Grace Church this entire year.
"Salvation is not a detached gift of God in some gracious and miraculous way bestowed upon man. Salvation is Christ, and to experience salvation is to experience Christ. It is not the experience of something, but of someone.
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Watch John Piper answser this question. Be sure to watch the end of the answer...which is a simple explanation of the great end of the gospel = GOD!
Click here to see the short video.
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Ever heard of Peter Van Mastricht? Me either. Until a few weeks ago.
Van Mastricht wrote a work called, A Treatise on Regeneration, which Jonathan Edwards--the greatest theologian America has ever produced--praised by saying, "...take [Van] Mastrict for divinity in general, docrine, practice, and controvery, or as a universal system of divinity, and it is much better than Turretin or any other book in the world, excepting the Bible, in my opinion." (Jonathan Edwards to Joseph Bellamy, Jan. 15, 1746/47).
If you're wondering, that would be a pretty high compliment coming from a guy who is not the least bit interested in flattering people.
Filed under Jesus
Just as the worst part of any sin is what might have been had we obeyed, so the worst part of being spiritually hard of hearing is what glories we might have seen in Christ had we had receptive hearing to the gospel.
Filed under Jesus
Grace's summer Burning Heart groups have been a joy for everyone involved. Most groups have recently
completed their reading & discussion of Andrew Murray's, Humility.
As part of the Summer of Spreading Christ, I've asked one of Grace's members to point our blog readers to Jesus by sharing a few thoughts about the impact that Murray's book is having on his life. Our prayer is that the following thoughts will stir you to seek Jesus--The Humblest of All.
Filed under Grace Church and Jesus
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