Author Archives: Stephen Rodgers

Tag Team – Podcasts (Wrap Up)

by Stephen Rodgers

So I guess it falls to me to wrap this all up. We hope that this has been helpful for some of you; if nothing else, you’ve gotten a little insight into the listening habits of Richard, Cesar, and myself.

What you might not have realized is that we did a little polling behind the scenes to make sure that we didn’t repeat ourselves and wind up recommending the same podcasts over and over again. And truth be told, there was very little overlap with a couple of exceptions:

  • Every single one of us recommended The Briefing with Al Mohler.
  • 2 out of 3 recommended The Dividing Line with James White.

So, if you’re unsure where to begin, those seem like crowd favorites. And there’s always the LBC Sermon Archive as well.

Other than that, here’s a handy table of the podcasts that we discussed. If you’d like to see more “Tag Team” articles, then let us know. (We’ve got a few ideas, but we’d like to hear how we could be of help to you as well).

Happy listening!

Podcast Host Frequency Overview
The Briefing Al Mohler Daily Current Events
The Dividing Line James White Tues / Thurs Varies
5 Minutes in Church History Stephen Nichols Weekly Church History
Christ the Center Reformed Forum Weekly Varies
Ask Pastor John John Piper Daily Q&A
White Horse Inn Michael Horton Weekly Varies
Stand to Reason Greg Koukl Weekly Apologetics
9Marks 9Marks Monthly Pastoral Issues
CCEF Various Not Updating Biblical Counseling

FOF #11: Evangelism and the Believer

“But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.” (1 Peter 3:15)

by Pastor Patrick Cho

Growing up in church I remember whenever the pastor announced the morning’s sermon was going to be about evangelism, my heart would sink a little. The truth is that a message on evangelism is almost always convicting because of how much more faithful most believers could be in their witness. Sadly, there aren’t too many Christians who would say they have a problem with evangelizing too much. Most often it’s the other way around and the average Christian knows they should be telling others about the good news of Jesus more.

The Great Commission of Matthew 28:18-20 is probably the most fundamental passage we could turn to in regards to Christ’s command to take the gospel to the ends of the earth. It could be said that there is a form of the Great Commission in all four of the gospels and the book of Acts (Matt. 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16; Luke 24:46-47; John 20:21; Acts 1:8), but the Matthew passage gives the most detail. Jesus issues the command with His full authority (v. 18), so it is imperative that His followers understand and heed His words. The main command of the Great Commission is to “make disciples,” and this is supported by three participles: going, baptizing, and teaching.

Discipleship is a great word to describe the Christian life. It is about following Jesus. Being a Christian in the everyday, ordinary, normal sense means submitting to the Jesus Christ as Lord and following Him wherever He might lead. The command to make disciples essentially means that every believer should seek to reproduce themselves. As followers of Christ, our responsibility to help others know likewise how to follow Him.

“Going” is necessary if we are going to make disciples of all nations and we are going to be His witnesses to the ends of the earth (cf. Acts 1:8). It doesn’t necessarily mean that every believer must pack up and go (though obviously some must go and surely all must be willing to go if the Lord so leads). It does necessitate, however, that no Christian is exempt from this command. The participle implies that wherever a believer goes or finds himself, he is to live in obedience to this Commission. In other words, there is no place where the Great Commission doesn’t apply. A Christian can never rightly say, “Well, I just can’t devote myself to evangelism and missions right now.” Whether you are a student or working, single or married, young or old, busy or free, you are called to make disciples of Christ.

“Baptizing” refers to the ordinance of immersing people as a picture of their new life in Christ. It is the first act of obedience that believers are called to upon being saved, but this part of the Great Commission involves more than putting people underwater. It includes everything that baptism signifies – dying to your old self and being raised in newness of life identifying with the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. In other words, being committed to baptizing is being committed to helping people understand what saving faith is all about. It involves helping them understand who God is, what sin is, why salvation is necessary, and how to attain it by faith in Christ. Importantly, it also involves helping people to understand that true saving faith calls for a changed life in obedience to Christ since we are baptized according to the command of Christ. True Christians are those who have been radically transformed by the power of the gospel and the Spirit in their lives so that they turn away from sin and walk according to the truth of Christ.

The participle “teaching” helps us to understand that Great Commission work is about more than just making converts. It is about helping people come to saving faith, but then committing to helping them grow in their understanding of God’s truth. If I traveled to South America to preach the gospel to a group of Argentines and some trusted in the gospel and were saved by God’s grace, how devastating would it be for me to abandon them and return home without ensuring that they have any means of growing with respect to their salvation? The Great Commission ensures that those who are saved are able to continue to grow as believers in Christ because they are being taught all that Christ has commanded. If I am going to fulfill the Great Commission, I need to be willing not only to share the gospel with others, but also either to remain with them to help them understand the whole counsel of God or ensure that they find a local church that will continue to nurture their infantile faith to maturity.

As believers, we are not to be ashamed of the gospel (Rom. 1:16). Rather than fearing men and others’ opinion of us, we are called to boldly proclaim the truth of Christ in love. Didn’t Jesus teach that if we are ashamed of Him before men in this sinful generation, He would likewise be ashamed of us in the end at His return (Mark 8:38)? Yes, the message of the gospel will be rejected by most. People may mock or scorn you for your proclamation of what comes across as a narrow, exclusive, judgmental, and offensive message. But we must also remember and trust that God works through the message preached to transform hearts and lives and to reconcile sinners to Himself.

Faithful evangelism also involves living a holy life as a testimony to the life changing power of the gospel. Those who do not know Jesus as Lord and Savior should notice the difference in genuine believers, that they live for something different and hope in something different. John Piper once wisely said that if non-Christians don’t ask you about the hope in your life, perhaps it is because you are hoping in the same things they are. Unbelievers should see a marked difference in the way a Christian lives in desiring to be set apart from this world and to live ultimately for the glory of God.

Helping others understand the gospel goes beyond lifestyle evangelism, though. The gospel is a message that must be proclaimed. Unless people hear the gospel, they cannot become followers of Christ (cf. Rom. 10:17). Too often believers are committed only to “lifestyle evangelism” without ever telling others about the salvation God offers in Christ and calling people to turn from their sins. We need to remember that unless they hear about what Christ accomplished on the cross and through His resurrection, they cannot be saved. They might be impressed with the way you live your life. They might tell you they respect you for the faith you possess as your own. But they need to be told that apart from Christ they have no true and lasting hope. All men will stand before God one day and give an account for their lives, and the only question that will matter on that day is, “What did you do with the gospel?” Those who turned away from the truth of God will suffer an eternal judgment, but by the grace of God, those who trust in Christ for salvation will enjoy eternal life. Since we possess the message of life and the remedy for sin, let’s strive to be faithful in our proclamation God’s truth in love.

Deliver Me From Bloodguiltiness, O God…

by Charles Haddon Spurgeon

From Psalm 51:14

In this SOLEMN CONFESSION, it is pleasing to observe that David plainly names his sin. He does not call it manslaughter, nor speak of it as an imprudence by which an unfortunate accident occurred to a worthy man, but he calls it by its true name, bloodguiltiness. He did not actually kill the husband of Bathsheba; but still it was planned in David’s heart that Uriah should be slain, and he was before the Lord his murderer. Learn in confession to be honest with God. Do not give fair names to foul sins; call them what you will, they will smell no sweeter. What God sees them to be, that do you labour to feel them to be; and with all openness of heart acknowledge their real character. Observe, that David was evidently oppressed with the heinousness of his sin. It is easy to use words, but it is difficult to feel their meaning. The fifty-first Psalm is the photograph of a contrite spirit. Let us seek after the like brokenness of heart; for however excellent our words may be, if our heart is not conscious of the hell-deservingness of sin, we cannot expect to find forgiveness.

Our text has in it AN EARNEST PRAYER-it is addressed to the God of salvation. It is His prerogative to forgive; it is His very name and office to save those who seek His face. Better still, the text calls Him the God of my salvation. Yes, blessed be His name, while I am yet going to Him through Jesus’ blood, I can rejoice in the God of my salvation.

The psalmist ends with A COMMENDABLE VOW: if God will deliver him he will sing-nay, more, he will ‘sing aloud.’ Who can sing in any other style of such a mercy as this! But note the subject of the song-‘THY RIGHTEOUSNESS.’ We must sing of the finished work of a precious Saviour; and he who knows most of forgiving love will sing the loudest.

4.7p

Tag Team – Podcasts #1 (Stephen)

by Stephen Rodgers

So, as I mentioned yesterday, we’re experimenting with a new type of series, where multiple authors all individually weigh in on a particular topic or issue. So, to start us off, we’re going to try to answer the following question:

“If you could recommend three (and only three!) Christian podcasts to everyone reading this, which three would you recommend, and why?”

Of course, there are a couple of rules:

  1. You’re not allowed to pick the LBC Sermon Archive. Of course we all recommend that people keep a weather on that so that they know what’s being taught in the various classes / ministries at LBC. If we don’t stipulate that is off limits, then everyone will pick it and our top 3 will suddenly look a lot like a favorite couple.
  2. Sermon archives are different than podcasts. We may do a series on those at a later date, but this is for podcasts only.

Alright, since it’s my job to get the ball rolling, here are my top three Christian podcasts that I would recommend to the folks reading this:

  1. The Briefing with Al Mohler – Ok, this is pure gold. Seriously, I’m not messing around here; if you’re not already listening to this podcast you should be! Al Mohler really needs no introduction (author, speaker, theologian, president of the SBTS, etc., etc.) but what you might not know about him is that he also hosts several podcasts including “The Briefing.” In this daily podcast Dr. Mohler discusses newspaper articles and current events from a Christian perspective.  New episodes are released weekdays, and each weekend there is a bonus episode where people call in and Dr. Mohler does a Q&A. The average length is ~15 minutes.
  2. 5 Minutes in Church History with Stephen Nichols – This is a neat little gem that I’m pretty sure Richard and Cesar won’t recommend. Stephen Nichols is an accomplished author and professor of church history, and he puts out a weekly podcast on various topics in (surprise!) church history. As the name of the podcast suggests, the average length is ~5 minutes, so these are interesting insights and tidbits rather than extended lectures.
  3. Christ the Center from Reformed Forum – Ok, for my last recommendation I’m going to cheat (just a little bit). Reformed Forum actually puts out a whole slew of material (podcasts included), but my favorite ongoing series is “Christ the Center.” It’s a weekly podcast where a group of panelists discuss…something. Seriously, you never know what you’re going to get: sometimes it’s a book review, sometimes it’s an interview, sometimes it’s a doctrinal debate. Some of the episodes are better than others, and the vast majority of these folks are conservative Presbyterians (so we’d differ with then on a few issues like baptism), but it’s always interesting. The average length is ~60 minutes, and be sure to check out one of their older series, “Philosophy for Theologians.”

That’s it! Next time, we’ll see what Richard recommends…

Introducing “Tag Team”

by Stephen Rodgers

For the next couple weeks, we’re going to try a little experiment here on the Beacon: a new type of article series called “Tag Team.” Unlike previous series where a single author wrote multiple articles, we’re going to see what happens when we turn multiple authors loose on a single topic. In this case, those multiple authors are Richard, Cesar, and myself. Our hope is that we’ll succeed beyond our wildest dreams, but if we fail spectacularly and serve as an illustration for what exactly “and great was the fall of it” looks like on a blog, then that will be interesting as well.

I’m crossing my fingers for “succeed beyond our wildest dreams” though.

So…to inaugurate this new series, we had a few ideas:

  1. A lively discussion as to whether the ghost of Samuel was actually Samuel or not.
  2. A robust debate as to exactly what “the perfect’ is that Paul refers to.
  3. A puff piece about Christian podcasts.

Since for our first time out of the gate we wanted the difficulty set to something like “Easy Mode” instead of what is colloquially known as “Nintendo Hard,” we’re starting with #3.

So tune in tomorrow. I’ll be introducing the rules for Tag Team and our first series on podcasts. You don’t want to miss it.

O Ye Sons Of Men, How Long Will Ye Turn My Glory Into Shame?

by Charles Haddon Spurgeon

From Psalm 4:2

An instructive writer has made a mournful list of the honours which the blinded people of Israel awarded to their long-expected King.

  1. They gave Him a procession of honour, in which Roman legionaries, Jewish priests, men and women, took a part, He Himself bearing His cross. This is the triumph which the world awards to Him who comes to overthrow man’s direst foes. Derisive shouts are His only acclamations, and cruel taunts His only paeans of praise.
  2. They presented Him with the wine of honour. Instead of a golden cup of generous wine they offered Him the criminal’s stupefying death-draught, which He refused because He would preserve an uninjured taste wherewith to taste of death; and afterwards when He cried, ‘I thirst,’ they gave Him vinegar mixed with gall, thrust to His mouth upon a sponge. Oh! wretched, detestable inhospitality to the King’s Son.
  3. He was provided with a guard of honour, who showed their esteem of Him by gambling over His garments, which they had seized as their booty. Such was the body-guard of the adored of heaven; a quaternion of brutal gamblers.
  4. A throne of honour was found for Him upon the bloody tree; no easier place of rest would rebel men yield to their liege Lord. The cross was, in fact, the full expression of the world’s feeling towards Him; ‘There,’ they seemed to say, ‘Thou Son of God, this is the manner in which God Himself should be treated, could we reach Him.’
  5. The title of honour was nominally ‘King of the Jews,’ but that the blinded nation distinctly repudiated, and really called Him ‘King of thieves,’ by preferring Barabbas, and by placing Jesus in the place of highest shame between two thieves.

His glory was thus in all things turned into shame by the sons of men, but it shall yet gladden the eyes of saints and angels, world without end.

4.7a

Age of Opportunity: Chapter 3 – Like Apples and Oranges

“Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.” (Proverbs 4:23)

by Josh Liu

Do you have a robust theology of fruits and plants? I am not speaking of literal fruits and plants, or that God created them, or of their design and purpose in a complex cycle of natural life. Rather, are you familiar with Christ’s analogy of fruits and trees to illustrate man’s actions and spiritual condition? The actions, words, thoughts, and motives of a person (the fruit) reveals the spiritual condition of that person’s heart (the tree/root). How does Christ’s teaching, that you will know a false teacher by his fruits (cf. Matt. 7:15-20; 12:33-37; Luke 6:43-45), impact your understanding of man? Of confronting sin? Of your philosophy of ministry?

good_heart_bad_heart6 good_heart_bad_heart5

The Lumos youth staff has been reading through Paul David Tripp’s Age of Opportunity. It has been helpful in considering biblical principles related to parenting, which is significant as Lumos seeks to partner with parents in the discipleship of their children. In chapter three, “What Is A Family? A Definition,” Tripp identifies several ways the Bible describes children (which may be applied to all people): children are covenantal beings, children are social beings, children are interpreters, and children behave out of the heart.

There are few principles concerning biblical anthropology as important as understanding that man acts out of the passions, desires, will, wishes, plans, and thoughts of the heart (cf. Prov. 4:23; Matt. 12:34b). Tripp helpfully reminds us that often times, parents’ goals focus on getting their children to obey or meet their expectations; in other words, behavior control. Since Scripture (and God) is concerned with the heart (cf. Ps. 51:16-17; Jer. 31:33; Ezek. 36:6; Matt. 22:37-40), parenting (and youth ministry) ought to focus on the heart. Speaking of parents, Tripp says, “Our goal is to be used of God to expose and nurture the hearts of our children so that they want to behave in ways that please the Lord” (Tripp, 48).

To slightly modify Christ’s illustration used at the beginning of this article, in the context of shepherding the heart of a youth, the staff seeks to confront actions, words, responses, etc. (the fruit) to examine the motivations, intentions, and desires (the heart). This goes beyond behavior modification. Tripp concludes,

This “sin is bad, don’t do it” brand of parenting forgets that sin is not only a matter of behavior, but a matter of the thoughts and motives of the heart as well. It fails to recognize that if the heart does not change, any behavior changes that take place will be temporary and cosmetic, because they will not be attached to roots in the heart. (Tripp, 50)

In shepherding the heart, the staff seeks to help the youth examine themselves through a biblical lens. We challenge them to realize that particular fruit will accompany a particular tree (cf. Gal. 5:16-26)–one who is genuinely saved will demonstrate a life of repentance; one who is not saved will demonstrate a life of unrepentant sin. We also challenge the youth who profess to know Christ as their Lord and Savior, to continually submit areas of their heart in repentance and to seek God-honoring actions, words, and attitudes.

man heart God heart

How do you address the heart when counseling? when evangelizing? when making decisions? when repenting of sin? David Powlison’s “X-ray Questions: Drawing Out the Whys and Wherefores of Human Behavior” from The Journal of Biblical Counseling provides a helpful sampler of heart-probing questions. May your heart be found with Christ at the center (cf. Matt. 6:20-21; Phil. 3:8).

Signs of Spiritual Maturity #16: Respectful of Authority

by Elder Peter Lim

A spiritually maturing Christian respects authority because Scripture describes several relationships that God has ordained wherein we are instructed to obey. These relationships are there not only to create order within society but ultimately is an illustration of God’s sovereignty over all relationships…whether they are easy to deal with or not. A mature Christian realizes this and voluntarily submits himself despite our natural tendency to be independent. We don’t like being told what to do. We would much rather tell others what to do.

Four years ago, I wrote a couple of articles called “Star Trek and the Local Church”  which would be helpful for you to read in order to gain further insight into my mindset when I mention “Respectful of Authority” as a sign of Spiritual maturity. In these articles, I talk about the polity of the church and that mutual submission within the leadership of the church is a requirement in order to bring God the glory instead of a human leader in running a local church. Mutual submission is difficult to achieve at times but it provides opportunities to hold God in the highest esteem and to humble ourselves. In other relationships that God outlines for us, this same mutual submission and seeking after God’s glory as the primary focus is the key to understanding all submissive relationships. In College Life, we are currently going through a Dating and Relationship series. I’ve been preparing for a message on considering the authoritative role of parents as it relates to collegians in a dating relationship. It’s a difficult issue and on one hand, I’m not looking forward to presenting this message this Friday since I am expecting that some may misunderstand my message or that I won’t speak clearly and possibly confuse people, especially parents who may listen in on the message online. On the other hand however, I am looking forward to declaring the truth of God’s word as it relates to both parents and college-age young adults seeking the glory of God in their relationship with each other.

As a parent myself, I understand how my children need to obey me since I’m looking out for their best interests and they sometimes lack the ability to make good decisions. It seems as if they are unaware of the consequences down the road if they continue in their present course. With the best of intentions, I advise them and expect to be obeyed. After all, the Bible is pretty clear that they are to obey me. I wonder though how absolute that authority is. As they get older, aren’t they more and more liable before God to act on their own convictions and responsibility? Isn’t my goal to raise them in such a way that they can become responsible adults who will seek to glorify God above all else including disobeying me if they think that my opinions are not aligned with God’s will for them? Just how long can I expect them to be under my tutelage?

I am reminded that we are all under authority. Not only are we fathers responsible for not provoking our children to anger (Eph. 6:4), but we are also to bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. Fathers, how are you doing with that? We are also to be subject to them unless you think that Eph. 5:21 is talking about everyone except your own children. (It’s not.) If we are to be rigid in our insistence that our children obey us without question or flexibility, we must hold ourselves to the same standard when dealing with other relationships that we are to submit to: people to the government, employees to employers, wives to husbands, congregation to church leaders. Do you honestly think that there’s no flexibility and exercising of our own judgment when we submit ourselves in these relationships? Of course we must exercise good judgment and make decisions that each of us believe to be most God-glorifying.

Although it’s obvious that we are to exercise our best discernment to follow God’s will, Scripture is quite clear that we are to be characterized by submissiveness that’s not mindless, but rather it is to be intentional so that we would be characterized by peace which will ultimately show the world that we Christians represent the only One who can bring true peace and joy to this world which is characterized by sin and chaos. Mature Christians voluntarily do this because we love God and we want to magnify Him. In the words of John the Baptist, “He (Jesus) must increase and I must decrease.” (John 3:30)

In The Name Of The Lord I Will Destroy Them

by Charles Haddon Spurgeon

From Psalm 118:12

Our Lord Jesus, by His death, did not purchase a right to a part of us only, but to the entire man. He contemplated in His passion the sanctification of us wholly, spirit, soul, and body; that in this triple kingdom He Himself might reign supreme without a rival. It is the business of the newborn nature which God has given to the regenerate to assert the rights of the Lord Jesus Christ. My soul, so far as thou art a child of God, thou must conquer all the rest of thyself which yet remains unblest; thou must subdue all thy powers and passions to the silver sceptre of Jesus’ gracious reign, and thou must never be satisfied till He who is King by purchase becomes also King by gracious coronation, and reigns in thee supreme. Seeing, then, that sin has no right to any part of us, we go about a good and lawful warfare when we seek, in the name of God, to drive it out. O my body, thou art a member of Christ: shall I tolerate thy subjection to the prince of darkness? O my soul, Christ has suffered for thy sins, and redeemed thee with His most precious blood: shall I suffer thy memory to become a storehouse of evil, or thy passions to be firebrands of iniquity? Shall I surrender my judgment to be perverted by error, or my will to be led in fetters of iniquity? No, my soul, thou art Christ’s, and sin hath no right to thee.

Be courageous concerning this, O Christian! be not dispirited, as though your spiritual enemies could never be destroyed. You are able to overcome them-not in your own strength-the weakest of them would be too much for you in that; but you can and shall overcome them through the blood of the Lamb. Do not ask, ‘How shall I dispossess them, for they are greater and mightier than I?’ but go to the strong for strength, wait humbly upon God, and the mighty God of Jacob will surely come to the rescue, and you shall sing of victory through His grace.

4.6p

The Care of God’s Children

by Carol Lim

I am extremely blessed to be a part of Fireflies Nursery ministry.  This is where I get to serve the children and the parents, but more than that, this is a ministry that God has used and continues to use to teach me truth about Himself.

I was recently reading a passage in Matthew 18 where Jesus’ disciples are debating about being the greatest in the Kingdom.  As they are arguing, Jesus brings a child in the midst to exhort those listening to have a childlike faith (v.1-3) and to be humble like a child (v.4) – completely lacking in sophistication and power, yet filled with simplicity and totally dependent on others to care for them.  I saw from this passage how Jesus used a child to teach His disciples, children of God, a lesson about His love and affection for His own, and His desire in wanting to protect His children from falling into sin.  He even lays out a harsh statement that “whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.” (v.6)  How terrified those disciples must have been, when they realized that by bickering and arguing about being the greatest in the Kingdom they were in fact provoking each other to bitterness, pride, envy, jealousy and thus mutually causing each other to sin.

The passage helped me to think through how our Heavenly Father feels about wanting to make sure that His children are being cared for.  Having raised two children and now watching my older child raise a daughter of her own there is no doubt in my mind how far I would go to protect my children from anyone trying to harm them.  If you attempt to harm my child (or my grandchild) I would probably come after you.  There’s no question that I’m committed to care for them, to protect them from any harm and danger.  This kind of love and care is what I regularly witness as I see moms and dads bring in their child into nursery week after week.  I see how the parents want to make sure that their child is safe and is being cared for (I see some nervous first-time moms peeking in through the window from time to time).  Likewise I am reminded to be cautious about how I treat another believer, who is a child of God.  How I treat God’s people has always been of great concern to God.  My attitude, speech, and actions all have a huge implication on whether I’m causing another believer to love God or to sin.  It is no longer just about my spiritual well-being, but also looking out for another believer, encouraging him/her to grow in their knowledge and understanding of Him who constantly desires to love, care and protect us.