Whoso Hearkeneth Unto Me Shall Dwell Safely

by Charles Haddon Spurgeon

Proverbs 1:33

Divine love is rendered conspicuous when it I shines in the midst of judgments. Fair is that lone star which smiles through the rifts of the thunder clouds; bright is the oasis which blooms in the wilderness of sand; so fair and so bright is love in the midst of wrath. When the Israelites provoked the Most High by their continued idolatry, He punished them by withholding both dew and rain, so that their land was visited by a sore famine; but while He did this, He took care that His own chosen ones should be secure. If all other brooks are dry, yet shall there be one reserved for Elijah; and when that fails, God shall still preserve for him a place of sustenance; nay, not only so, the Lord had not simply one ‘Elijah,’ but He had a remnant according to the election of grace, who were hidden by fifties in a cave, and though the whole land was subject to famine, yet these fifties in the cave were fed, and fed from Ahab’s table too by His faithful, God-fearing steward, Obadiah.

Let us from this draw the inference, that come what may, God’s people are safe. Let convulsions shake the solid earth, let the skies themselves be rent in twain, yet amid the wreck of worlds the believer shall be as secure as in the calmest hour of rest. If God cannot save His people under heaven, He will save them in heaven. If the world becomes too hot to hold them, then heaven shall be the place of their reception and their safety. Be ye then confident, when ye hear of wars, and rumours of wars. Let no agitation distress you, but be quiet from fear of evil. Whatsoever cometh upon the earth, you, beneath the broad wings of Jehovah, shall be secure. Stay yourself upon His promise; rest in His faithfulness, and bid defiance to the blackest future, for there is nothing in it direful for you. Your sole concern should be to show forth to the world the blessedness of hearkening to the voice of wisdom.

7.6a

Weekly Links (9/7/2018)

by Stephen Rodgers

So there’s a lot going on in the world, but we’ll try to keep this simple and short. As always, here’s some free resources that might be helpful.

  • How to Battle Depression and Suicidal Thoughts by Ray Comfort (free audio book) – This is the free resources for the month by christianaudio.com. I really can’t vouch for it one way or the other, but it’s there if you think it would be something that would be helpful.
  • Preaching and Teaching the Last Things: Old Testament Eschatology for the Life of the Church by Walter C. Kaiser, Jr. (free Logos resource) – Again, I don’t have first-hand knowledge of this particular book, but Kaiser is a reputable scholar who has done some good work, so if you’re a Logos person, this might be worth clicking a few buttons for.
  • “Between Two Worlds” (September Tabletalk) – Look, I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Tabletalk is awesome. This month the theme is the Christian as a dual-citizen. Highly recommended.
  • “Idolatry” (CredoMag) – Last but not least, there’s a new issue of CredoMag on the topic of “idolatry.” They lead with Calvin’s famous quote (which you might expect), but they certainly don’t leave it at that. Another recommended resource.

Well, it’s September. Fall. Back to school. Just a few more months until Christmas. Take a deep breath, remember what’s important and what endures, and live for the glory of God.

Pro Rege.

 

Trust Ye In The Lord For Ever

by Charles Haddon Spurgeon

Isaiah 26:4

Seeing that we have such a God to trust to, let us rest upon Him with all our weight; let us resolutely drive out all unbelief, and endeavour to get rid of doubts and fears, which so much mar our comfort; since there is no excuse for fear where God is the foundation of our trust. A loving parent would be sorely grieved if his child could not trust him; and how ungenerous, how unkind is our conduct when we put so little confidence in our heavenly Father who has never failed us, and who never will. It were well if doubting were banished from the household of God; but it is to be feared that old Unbelief is as nimble nowadays as when the psalmist asked, ‘Is His mercy clean gone for ever? Will He be favourable no more?’

David had not made any very lengthy trial of the mighty sword of the giant Goliath, and yet he said, ‘There is none like it.’ He had tried it once in the hour of his youthful victory, and it had proved itself to be of the right metal, and therefore he praised it ever afterwards; even so should we speak well of our God, there is none like unto Him in the heaven above or the earth beneath; ‘To whom then will ye liken Me, or shall I be equal? saith the Holy One.’ There is no rock like unto the rock of Jacob, our enemies themselves being judges.

So far from suffering doubts to live in our hearts, we will take the whole detestable crew, as Elijah did the prophets of Baal, and slay them over the brook; and for a stream to kill them at, we will select the sacred torrent which wells forth from our Saviour’s wounded side. We have been in many trials, but we have never yet been cast where we could not find in our God all that we needed. Let us then be encouraged to trust in the Lord for ever, assured that His ever lasting strength will be, as it has been, our succour and stay.

7.5p

Weekly Links (8/31/2018)

“Prayerfully, you will discover that Christianity is not relegated to a couple “spiritual” activities a week, but you will see how the gospel invades our work, our leisure, our errands, and our families. In short, the gospel redeems and transforms all of life.” (Jason K. Allen, Being a Christian: How Jesus Redeems All of Life)

by Cesar Vigil-Ruiz

Feliz Friday! The week has come and gone, but the links are here to stay. Enjoy!

  • Do you believe singleness to be a curse? Have you been treated as if you’ve been ‘infected’? What would be a loving, biblical approach to helping those who feel the loneliness that often attaches to singleness? Greg Morse at Desiring God gives some timely words that will serve to point you back to Christ. Read it and pray, whether single or married.
  • Parents, ideas about marriage are many and varied, and your kids will either learn about them from you or from the culture. However, will you also teach and model marriage as God designed it? Dani Ortlund argues that as believers, we need to show and instruct our children the beauty of marriage first.
  • Tim Challies gives some pointers on how to raise our children to be in but not of the world.
  • Recently, atheist scientist Richard Dawkins announced plans to write a book for kids and another for teens, advocating for outgrowing God as equivalent to atheism. Over at Christian Mom Thoughts, Natasha Crain writes of five terrible reasons your kids may think they can outgrow Christianity. Fascinating read.
  • One year ago, CBMW published the Nashville Statement, which gave an evangelical perspective on biblical sexuality. In light of this, they held a symposium with seven articles written by seven of the original signatories. It would do you well to see how a clear articulation of a biblical worldview concerning this topic continues to be needed in our day.
  • What books would John Piper recommend a believer read to grow in his/her faith? Make sure you have the budget, because there’s a lot to choose from!
  • Heath Lambert helps us to think about understanding fear biblically.
  • Does God change his mind? Paul Tautges writes a concise answer that will be sure to get you into Scripture.
  • How would biblical counselor Ed Welch answer the question, “How is the church doing at caring for one another?” Well, here’s his answer. Remember, he wrote a couple books about the matter.
  • Do inconsistencies in the gospels undermine Scripture’s inerrancy? SBTS professor Robert Plummer responds.

That’s all for this week! Please pray for the youth and collegians, as they meet for the start of the new year! See you all on Sunday!

Soli Deo Gloria

God’s Design and Purpose for the Family: An Introduction – Part 2

by Josh Liu

Although College Life has ended, it will be helpful to highlight certain principles concerning the biblical foundations of marriage and family that we talked about during the school year.

(Again, the following notes are adapted from Dr. John Street of The Master’s University and Seminary.)

We can identify two kinds of families in the Bible: spiritual families and physical families.

Every person belongs to a spiritual family. Several passages in Scripture refer to believers as the spiritual family or children of God (1 Tim. 3:15; Eph. 2:19; 3:15; John 1:12; Rom. 8:16-17; Gal. 3:26; 1 John. 3:10). Other passages refer to unbelievers as children of the wicked one or of the devil (John 8:38-44; Matt. 13:38-39; Acts 13:10; 1 John 3:10). These spiritual families are based on one’s relationship to God and have eternal consequences. To become a child of God, one needs to be redeemed (e.g., have Christ’s redemptive work applied to a repentant sinner); otherwise, he remains a child of wrath (Eph. 2:3). The spiritual position, or family, of belonging to God is accompanied with commands of how one ought to conduct himself (Matt. 5:9ff; Mark 3:31-35). The spiritual family continues after our physical death (Rev. 21:7).

Every person also belongs to a physical family. God has defined the design, purpose, and responsibilities of physical families. While every human being is related—descendants of Adam and Eve—God intentionally creates family units through marriage (Gen. 2:24-25). This particular physical family is known as the traditional (nuclear, immediate) family, consisting of a husband, wife, and/or children and important childrearing responsibilities for unmarried children (Gen. 2:24; cf. Ps. 28:1-4; Eph. 5:22-6:4; Col. 3:18-21; 1 Pet. 3:1-7). The Bible also refers to the kind of family that would be regarded as extended family, including grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins, etc.—any person with a near biological connection or association (cf. Gen. 10:5ff; Ruth 2:1; Luke 2:4; 1 Tim. 5; Mark 7). Physical families are based on birth, marriage, or adoption. The physical family is only enjoyed while on earth.

While it is the physical family that we seek to expound upon, it must be emphasized that one’s membership to the spiritual family of God is imperative. If you do not know God as your heavenly Father—through submitting to Christ as your Lord and Savior by faith and repentance and depending on His death and resurrection to save you from your sins—then you cannot “do” marriage and family God’s way; without faith, it is impossible to please God (Heb. 11:6; cf. Matt. 7:21-23; Is. 64:6). A fulfilling or “successful” (e.g., well-put together, enviable, conflict-free, “full-quiver,” etc.) marriage and family are secondary to being right with God. Even now, you are able to turn to Christ by faith and repentance and be accepted as a child of God.

As we now examine the physical family, we highlight several specific facts about what the family is and what it should be from God’s perspective.

First, the Bible teaches that the family—specifically marriage—is God’s response to man’s aloneness; marriage is a place where the deepest kind of friendships are formed and experienced. At the beginning of creation, God specifically created a helper for Adam (Gen. 2:18). The spouse is described as a companion, which refers to one who comes alongside or one who accompanies (Prov. 2:17; Mal. 2:14). In other words, the marriage relationship is to be a rich companionship. This one-flesh companion can be further characterized as the biblical friend: a true friend loves, is committed, and loyal (Prov. 17:17; 27:10); avoids flattery and rebukes gently (Prov. 29:5); is concerned about being a positive influence (Prov. 12:26); is sensitive to the likes and dislikes of others (Prov. 25:17, 20; 27:14); encourages and cheers others up (Prov. 27:9); sharpens others (Prov. 27:17); and is willing to sacrifice self and serve others (John 15:13-15).

Second, the Bible teaches that the husband-wife relationship should take precedence over other human relationships (Gen. 2:24). At creation, God intended for the spousal relationship to be permanent and the parent-child relationship to be temporary (e.g., in terms of authority-submission). Parents are to raise their children to leave the home and hold fast to their own spouse (cf. 1 Cor. 14:35). The primary relationship in the home is the husband-wife relationship.

Third, the Bible teaches that the family is to be a place where people are shown honor and respect. Children, in particular, are commanded to honor, not despise, curse, disgrace, scorn, or mock their parents (Deut. 5:16; Prov. 19:26; 20:20; 23:22; 30:17; Mark 7:10; Eph. 6:2). The husband is to delicately care for his wife (1 Pet. 3:7); the wife is to respect her husband (Eph. 5:33); the father is to treat his children with dignity (1 Tim. 3:4) and not provoke them to anger (Col. 3:21; Eph. 6:4); and children are to regard their own family (1 Tim. 5:4).

Fourth, the Bible teaches that the family is a classroom in which the most important lessons of life are taught and learned. Parents have a responsibility to pass on God’s greatness to the next children by instructing them of God’s Word (Deut. 4:9-10; 6:6-25; Josh. 4:21-24; Ps. 78:2-7). Parents have a primary role in the education of their children (though this is not necessarily an argument supporting the priority of homeschooling!).

Fifth, the Bible teaches that the family is a place of safety. God intended the family to be a help during the turmoil of life, which may include social rejection or ridicule, financial distress, physical illnesses or diseases, and spiritual challenges and weaknesses. For example, the husband safely trusts his wife (Prov. 31:11-12); the husband cherishes and nourishes his wife (Eph. 5:28-29); the husband shows his wife honor (1 Pet. 3:7); the God-fearing wife is a blessing to her home (Prov. 14:1; 31:26-28); spouses find satisfaction in one another (Prov. 5:15-20); the family provides for their household (1 Tim. 5:8); the husband provides for his children (Prov. 13:22; cf. 2 Cor. 12:14); and a wise son blesses his father (Prov. 10:1). The family (husband, wife, children) are meant to be a source of encouragement, help, support, gladness, and safety for one another.

This is a sampling of a God-honoring marriage and family—God’s intended design, responsibilities, and blessings. This biblical foundation ought to compel God’s children to prepare for and “do” marriage and family His way. Remember also to carefully watch over your soul by not idolizing (demanding, living for, sinning when not receiving or sinning in order to get) the blessings of the biblical marriage and family. Regardless of the physical family God has brought you into, you can glorify Him in your responses and hope in belonging to the eternal, spiritual family of God.

Called To Be Saints

by Charles Haddon Spurgeon

Romans 1:7

We are very apt to regard the apostolic saints as if they were ‘saints’ in a more especial manner than the other children of God. All are ‘saints’ whom God has called by His grace, and sanctified by His Spirit; but we are apt to look upon the apostles as extraordinary beings, scarcely subject to the same weaknesses and temptations as ourselves. Yet in so doing we are forgetful of this truth, that the nearer a man lives to God the more intensely has he to mourn over his own evil heart; and the more his Master honours him in His service, the more also doth the evil of the flesh vex and tease him day by day.

The fact is, if we had seen the apostle Paul, we should have thought him remarkably like the rest of the chosen family: and if we had talked with him, we should have said, ‘We find that his experience and ours are much the same. He is more faithful, more holy, and more deeply taught than we are, but he has the selfsame trials to endure. Nay, in some respects he is more sorely tried than ourselves.’

Do not, then, look upon the ancient saints as being exempt either from infirmities or sins; and do not regard them with that mystic reverence which will almost make us idolators. Their holiness is attainable even by us. We are ‘called to be saints’ by that same voice which constrained them to their high vocation. It is a Christian’s duty to force his way into the inner circle of saintship; and if these saints were superior to us in their attainments, as they certainly were, let us follow them; let us emulate their ardour and holiness. We have the same light that they had, the same grace is accessible to us, and why should we rest satisfied until we have equalled them in heavenly character? They lived with Jesus, they lived for Jesus, therefore they grew like Jesus. Let us live by the same Spirit as they did, ‘looking unto Jesus,’ and our saintship will soon be apparent.

7.5a

Weekly Links (8/24/2018)

“One purpose for which God caused Scripture to be written is to train us that we might be ‘equipped for every good work.’ This applies to all of life. If there is any ‘good work’ that God wants a Christian to do, this passage indicates that God has made provision in his Word for training the Christian in it. Thus, there is no ‘good work’ that God wants us to do other than those that are taught (at least in a broad sense) somewhere in Scripture: it is written to equip us for every good work.” (Wayne Grudem, Christian Ethics: An Introduction to Biblical Moral Reasoning)

by Cesar Vigil-Ruiz

Feliz Friday! God has sustained us this week, and though it may be time to take a break from work or school, we can’t leave you without giving you a look at what has been blessing the church by way of the blogosphere. So here are this week’s links!

  • If you’re looking for a short and sweet summary of the life of John Owen, look no further.
  • John MacArthur continues his series on social justice and the gospel by recounting his ministry defending the gospel from those within the church and how currently, social justice seems to be another evangelical fad not worth embracing.
  • How should we minister the gospel to Mormons (until recently, LDS President Russell Nelson, has requested they no longer accept being labeled as such)? DTS Professor Darrell Bock and Richard Hornock discuss the issue on the most recent The Table Podcast.
  • How are we called to live in what has been recently identified as a ‘post-truth’ culture? Sean McDowell asks this of RZIM speaker Abdu Murray, who has written a book on the same topic. He also provided tips on how to engage the culture apologetically and evangelistically. Great insights!
  • Many youth are starting college this year, and a question that needs to be asked and answered is this: will you lose your faith in college? John Piper would have some much-needed advice he would give himself if he were 22 again.
  • What should you consider when confronting a friend in their sin? Ed Welch provides five things for us to think through in our pursuit of one-another care.
  • Rick Thomas provides some help in knowing where to start when discipling a younger believer. Don’t assume you know where to start, since that may be the beginning of a number of problems. Know the one you’re trying to help.
  • How do we deal with anxiety? Biblical counselor Paul Tautges has written a devotional on this very topic, and can be a great pointer to the true comfort we receive in Christ. Read, and act in faith.

That’s all for this week! Please be in prayer as we wrap up our summer Bible study with a focus on God’s holiness. See you all on Sunday!

Soli Deo Gloria

He That Hath Clean Hands…

by Charles Haddon Spurgeon

Psalm 24:4

Outward practical holiness is a very precious mark of grace. It is to be feared that many professors have perverted the doctrine of justification by faith in such a way as to treat good works with contempt; if so, they will receive everlasting contempt at the last great day. If our hands are not clean, let us wash them in Jesus’ precious blood, and so let us lift up pure hands unto God. But ‘clean hands’ will not suffice, unless they are connected with ‘a pure heart.’ True religion is heart-work. We may wash the outside of the cup and the platter as long as we please, but if the inward parts be filthy, we are filthy altogether in the sight of God, for our hearts are more truly ourselves than our hands are; the very life of our being lies in the inner nature, and hence the imperative need of purity within. The pure in heart shall see God, all others are but blind bats.

The man who is born for heaven ‘hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity.’ All men have their joys, by which their souls are lifted up; the worldling lifts up his soul in carnal delights, which are mere empty vanities; but the saint loves more substantial things; like Jehoshaphat, he is lifted up in the ways of the Lord. He who is content with husks, will be reckoned with the swine. Does the world satisfy thee? Then thou hast thy reward and portion in this life; make much of it, for thou shalt know no other joy.

‘Nor sworn deceitfully.’ The saints are men of honour still. The Christian man’s word is his only oath; but that is as good as twenty oaths of other men. False speaking will shut any man out of heaven, for a liar shall not enter into God’s house, whatever may be his professions or doings. Reader, does the text before us condemn thee, or dost thou hope to ascend into the hill of the Lord?

7.4p

Weekly Links (8/17/2018)

“Radically ordinary hospitality is this: using your Christian home in a daily way that seeks to make strangers neighbors, and neighbors family of God. It brings glory to God, serves others, and lives out the gospel in word and deed. If you are prohibited from using your living space in this way, it counts if you support in some way some household in your church that is doing it. The purpose of radically ordinary hospitality is to build, focus, deepen, and strengthen the family of God, pointing others to the Bible-believing local church, and being earthly and spiritual good to everyone we know.” (Rosaria Butterfield, The Gospel Comes with a House Key: Practicing Radically Ordinary Hospitality in Our Post-Christian World)

by Cesar Vigil-Ruiz

Feliz Friday! I hope your weeks have been filled with recognizing God’s grace in your life, and pray these week’s links are a continuation of that theme.

  • How do you deal with doubts as a believer? Do you ignore, run away, or walk through it? That is the topic of discussion on The Impact 360 Institute podcast, where Jonathan Morrow interviews Alisa Childers (ZOEgirl, anyone?) on how she overcame her many doubts about Christianity in her early 30s. Pass it along!
  • With a recent interview pastor Andy Stanley had with Jonathan Merritt about a controversial sermon Stanley preached on unhitching ourselves from the Old Testament, Michael Kruger revisits his response to Stanley’s view of Scripture back in 2016 that is worth (re-)reading. Make sure to check out Al Mohler’s response to Stanley, too.
  • What is lust? John Piper, in his Look at the Book series, provides a lab of defining lust in the light of Scripture. Now, how should Christians battle lust? Heath Lambert in his most recent Truth in Love podcast gives five ways to deal with this common temptation.
  • Over at the Gentle Reformation blog, Aimee Byrd is interviewed about her newly published book, Why Can’t We Be Friends? Avoidance Is Not Purity. She discusses the Billy Graham/Mike Pence rule, and practical suggestions for how to cultivate healthy friendships with brothers and sisters in Christ.
  • Denny Burk reflects on the Trinity debate that occurred two years ago between many influential evangelical theologians, and links to a sermon he preached a few weeks back on 1 Corinthians 11:3, a crucial text in the debate.
  • When you make an upcoming big decision in life, how should you go about it? Marshall Segal suggests something many believers at times neglect: asking someone older (and godlier) than you for counsel.
  • Andy Naselli asks a couple of questions to the Director of Keswick Ministries, Dr. James Robson, concerning past Keswick theology (“Let go and let God”), and its current stance on progressive sanctification. Don’t miss out on Naselli’s previous work on the issue.
  • Pastor Jordan Standridge specifies the lost art of hospitality and lists four areas in the Christian life that benefits from a life of hospitality. May we all grow in our love for our neighbor through this neglected practice.
  • Clinical psychologist Jordan Peterson has become somewhat of a YouTube personality, celebrity, and even substitute father-figure for many young men. How are Christians to think through some of his thought and writing? English theologian Dr. Alastair J. Roberts gives some insight into how a believer can process some of Peterson’s views.
  • Pastor John MacArthur began a new blog series that plans to address the contrast between “social justice” and the gospel of Christ, beginning with a couple of stories you may have never heard about MacArthur before. You won’t want to miss this!

That’s all for this week! Continue to pray for our all-church Bible study tonight, as we learn about the God who rules. See you all on Sunday!

Soli Deo Gloria

The Kingdom of Heaven Belongs to Such as These

by Katherine Lam

For those that don’t know, I’ve never been a “kids” person. I grew up being the youngest of three so I had no experience in taking care of a younger sibling. At church, you would have never seen me play with the kids, let alone ask to hold someone’s child. But surely, God challenged me to grow in my love for children as I was looking into joining a ministry to serve in at Lighthouse.

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” When he had placed his hands on them, he went on from there. (Matthew 19:13-14)

There’s a good number of options when looking at what ministries to serve in, but as I was looking through the list, the children’s ministry particularly caught my eye – not in the best way exactly. The thought of joining made me uncomfortable and I wanted to shy away from it. Yet as I recalled from Scripture Jesus’ tender love for children, I couldn’t help but to recognize my lack thereof and how I needed to grow in it as we’re called to exemplify Christ in all things. Serving in children’s ministry would provide such an opportunity. After some prayer and consideration, I asked to join the Sparklers ministry serving the three- to five-year olds.

Now reflecting upon my time in Sparklers for the past four years, I can confidently say that God has grown my love for children. I still don’t gravitate towards them like some other people naturally do at the church, but I do take delight in developing a relationship with each of them. It’s fun to see their individual personalities come out as you get to know them, but it’s also bittersweet to witness when they first enter from Fireflies to when they move up to Sonlight as you get personally attached.

But don’t get me wrong, there are the frustrating, not-as-easy discipline moments with them as well. There’s even been a time I cried! But what a tremendous joy it is to be in a position to shepherd them, share the Gospel, and hopefully make a lasting impact on their souls.

I encourage you, if you think you disqualify from serving in the children’s ministry because of your lack of love towards them, to pray and reconsider. Ask God to give you a heart for them. Not only is it a way to serve the church body, but it’s also a way to grow in Christlikeness.