Caution: Pride is More Dangerous than it Appears

by Elder Mike Chon

From the fall in the garden to today, there is one characteristic that can sum up the condition of the fallen world: pride.

From the world’s perspective, pride is looked upon as virtuous. The world teaches us that you must put yourself first before anyone else. It worships self-exaltation, self-esteem, self-satisfaction, and self-centeredness. The world practices the religion of self-worship. Of course we shouldn’t be surprised by this since the world continues to embrace what Scripture calls sin and redefine it as virtuous. They say what is good is bad, and what is bad is good.

Before we begin to point our finger at the world in disgust however, we need to be aware that we are not immune to the effects of pride in our heart. What makes pride so dangerous is that is blinds us to the reality of how sinful we really are. Pride leads us to rebel against the one true and holy God. Pride seeks to dethrone God as the absolute sovereign Lord of this world. It is no wonder that men left to their pride and self-love will never seek after God and follow Him. There are many dangers to pride, but I’d like to focus on three that can arise in a heart that allows pride to rule.

Spiritual Blindness. While Scripture calls us to examine ourselves (2 Cor. 13:5), we can become blind to our own sin. This happens often when we are in a conflict or a disagreement. We become so focused on what the other person has done or said that we become blind to our own sinful heart and attitudes. Our response to conflict reveals to what extent pride has gripped our hearts. When someone has wronged us, we typically don’t respond with grief over the sin, but instead we respond sinfully because we can’t believe this person would do or say this to ME! Even though we respond with anger, hatred, gossip, and/or slander in retaliation, we are often so blinded by our own pride that we refuse to recognize our sin in the conflict. And at times we are so offended by another person that we refuse to extend forgiveness; how blind do you have to be to not see the cross of Christ in your life?
Separation From Others. Pride also causes us to put people into categories or ranks. We begin to look at others and rank them in terms of their “spirituality” or “gifts.” We see ourselves as better than others and try to work our way into the company of those that we perceive to be better than us. We begin to put imaginary titles or initials after our own name, believing that somehow we are greater than someone else. And as we saw in #1, this can happen without knowing it since pride can blind us to our own sin. This manifestation of pride can be especially deadly for those of us that are older or have been believers for a longer time. We have to remember that all of us are equal in the kingdom of God. No one has greater status or a greater salvation than the person next to us. We have all been saved by grace and we are all being sanctified by grace.
Self-Absorption. Pride causes our heart to turn away from serving others to serving ourselves. We begin to even do things that externally appear to be for others but ultimately are for self-exaltation and recognition. This is what I like to call the “I’ll give a gift so that I can receive one later” syndrome. We outwardly follow what God has called us to do, but it is for the glory of self and not the glory God. We begin to subvert what God meant for His own glory, and desire and seek it for our glory.

However, the single greatest reason that pride is so dangerous is that it is not something that is easily recognized or admitted to by the believer. Who wants to admit that they are prideful? Our minds and hearts have believed the lies of this world and have not taken seriously the danger of pride in our lives.

In the next article I will examine how we can battle pride in our lives.

SC 2011 – Reflections #3

by Brian Song and Min Kim

Editor’s Note: Pastor Patrick wanted to do a series here on the Beacon that encouraged the attendees of the Shepherds Conference to share their thoughts with the church. This is the third part in that series. And if you are interesting in listening to the messages, you can download them all for free.

From an overall evaluation, what was at least one thing that was encouraging to you from the Shepherds Conference?

There’s a practice that’s apparently become commonplace and accepted at Shepherds’ Conference. It’s actually very similar to what happens before a dodge-ball match. Before every session, men line up outside the numerous locked doors along the perimeter of the main sanctuary and wait in anticipation for the doors to open (whistle blowing). As soon as the doors open, men flood in from all directions to take find and take their seats. You have your gunners who literally sprint to get the front row seats (dodge balls), while others are content just hanging out in the back. I know this is a silly analogy, but in the end, I really was encouraged to see how excited these men were to hear God’s Word being preached. It was truly an amazing experience to be worshipping together with men representing over 50 countries. (Brian Song)

I love going to the Shepherds Conference! It is my annual retreat. I am always encouraged and blessed every time I go. I love the teaching, the spiritual and physical food, the singing, the worship time, the books, and the fellowship. Every year I go, I observe, and I ask lots of questions in order to gain wise counsel from those older than me. I sometimes ask questions to random people that I meet while standing in line for books or food, or just taking a break. You meet faithful servants from all over the world. (Min Kim)

What was at least one thing from the messages that was particularly helpful or challenging for you?

It’s clear from Scripture that if we are doing the will of the Father, we will encounter and have to endure persecution. In the midst of ministry it’s easy to lose perspective and start focusing all the tasks at hand and our circumstances. When trials arise, we think that we deserve better and even wonder why there hasn’t been more fruit as a result of everything we’ve done. It’s this prideful heart that will manifest itself into a heart of discontentment. Yet, no matter how tough it gets, Godly leaders are called to be content and depend on God for strength. We need to be courageous and be an example of joy to those around us. This joy will only arise out of a spirit that is humble and is fixed on the hope of Christ, not fixed on ourselves. One of the speakers, Nate Busenitz, reminded us that when our happiness is in the Lord, we will be better able to endure any trials in our path. So in the midst of these trials, those who have a humble heart of thankfulness to God will be able to truly say, “I can do all things through him who strengths me” (Philippians 4:13). (Brian Song)

Editor’s Note: Min skipped this question, but gave an extra-long answer to the next one.

What was at least one lesson that challenged you in regards to your service at LBC? How will you take this and apply it to ministry here in San Diego?

I was seriously blown away by all the men & women from Grace Community Church who served us over the three days. They all served us with such great joy. You could totally see it in their faces; there wasn’t a single frown to be found. It was a great encouragement to see their testimony of Jesus’ servant heart. I think with the business of ministry responsibilities, I sometimes see ministry as a task to be completed and not something I do out of joy and love. Just like Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 13, we are nothing if we do not serve the church body, and ultimately God, out of love. I am challenged to serve joyfully with a smile, both on my face and on my heart. (Brian Song)

There are two major things that have stood out to me over these past years of attending the Shepherds Conference. The first thing that I noticed is that these godly men that I meet have a long-term mindset. There are men who have served in the same church in the same ministry for decades. I respect these men as I have seen even in my short life time people move on from church to church or from ministry to ministry for whatever reason. These men are committed and dedicated to their ministry and their local church. That is my desire for my family and I at Lighthouse Bible Church. When Lighthouse first started, I would tell people that I want to die here. God willing I still do. Lighthouse is my home and my family. Lighthouse is the only reason I am here in San Diego. I would like to, as one elder put it, ‘just grow old together.’

The second thing I learned was how biblical everyone was. Every time I asked a question, the answer always came to me in the form of a Bible verse. These men would, as some would say, “bleed Bible.” They never offered me human wisdom but only Godly wisdom from God’s Word. I became aware that whatever question I posed, Bible verses would be quoted to me. I also began to realize that when I asked the same question to different people, I got the same answer from different people. They seemed to quote the same verses. They were very like- minded in the Scriptures. They were all thinking biblically and had a verse for everything. It is so true that ALL of Scripture is God-breathed and that ALL of it is profitable. I also noticed that these wise men never told me what to do. They just told me what it said in the Bible. That is something I was challenged with. I need to learn not to tell people what to do but direct them to His Word and pray that His Spirit move and change people’s hearts. And in order for me to do that, I need to be in the Word more, and more deeply. (Min Kim)

Do We Then Make Void the Law Through Faith?

by Charles Haddon Spurgeon

From Romans 3:31

When the believer is adopted into the Lord’s family, his relationship to old Adam and the law ceases at once; but then he is under a new rule, and a new covenant. Believer, you are God’s child; it is your first duty to obey your heavenly Father. A servile spirit you have nothing to do with: you are not a slave, but a child; and now, inasmuch as you are a beloved child, you are bound to obey your Father’s faintest wish, the least intimation of His will. Does He bid you fulfil a sacred ordinance? It is at your peril that you neglect it, for you will be disobeying your Father. Does He command you to seek the image of Jesus? It is not your joy to do so? Does Jesus tell you, ‘Be ye perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect’? Then not because the law commands, but because your Saviour enjoins, you will labour to be perfect in holiness. Does He bid his saints love one another? Do it, not because the law says, ‘Love thy neighbour,’ but because Jesus says, ‘If ye love Me, keep My commandments;’ and this is the commandment that He has given unto you, ‘that ye love one another.’ Are you told to distribute to the poor? Do it, not because charity is a burden which you dare not shirk, but because Jesus teaches, ‘Give to him that asketh of thee.’ Does the Word say, ‘Love God with all your heart’? Look at the commandment and reply, ‘Ah! commandment, Christ hath fulfilled thee already-I have no need, therefore, to fulfill thee for my salvation, but I rejoice to yield obedience to thee because God is my Father now and He has a claim upon me, which I would not dispute.’ May the Holy Ghost make your heart obedient to the constraining power of Christ’s love, that your prayer may be, ‘Make me to go in the path of Thy commandments; for therein do I delight.’ Grace is the mother and nurse of holiness, and not the apologist of sin.

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Weekly Links (4/22/2011) (Good Friday/Easter Edition)

The chief impression that a study of the atonement leaves with us is that of the many-sidedness of Christ’s work for men. When he died for us on the cross, he did something so infinitely wonderful that it is impossible to comprehend it in its fullness. However man’s need be understood, that need is fully and abundantly met in Christ. The New Testament writers are like men who ransack their vocabulary to find words which will bring out some small fraction of the mighty thing that God has done for us. And yet, though it is so complex and so difficult, it may be put very simply: ‘the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me’ (Gal. 2:20). (Leon Morris, The Cross in the New Testament. HT: Ray Ortlund)

by Stephen Rodgers

Welcome to a Good Friday/Easter edition of the Weekly Links! My intention is to point out a number of resources that can help you have a greater understanding and appreciation for the events and circumstances surrounding Holy Week, Good Friday, the crucifixion, Easter, and the Resurrection. So let’s get to it!

First up, if you’re looking for an overview of the entire Holy Week, Justin Taylor did a rather extensive series on the subject. And over at the 22 Words blog, Abraham Piper has a visual representation for those of you who are more visually-oriented. (WEB)
On top of that, Ligonier Ministries put together a great list of resources for people who want to study the implications of Holy Week. (WEB)
That brings us to Erik Reymond, who has some devotional thoughts on why “Good Friday” is so good. (WEB)
The Pyromaniacs each contributed their own thoughtful response to the question, “What does the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ mean to me?” They aren’t long responses, so be sure you don’t miss out on what Phil Johnson, Dan Phillips, and Frank Turk each had to say. (WEB)
Al Mohler has a great article on how the cross and the resurrection are at the center of the Christian faith. (WEB)
And this is probably the third or fourth time I’ve posted this, but since we’ve gotten to the resurrection, this video featuring a sermon excerpt from Matt Chandler regarding a post-resurrection appearance of Christ gets me every time. (VIDEO)
And if you want to approach the subject from a more apologetics-oriented angle…
- Michael C. Patton has put together an article entitled A Short Defense of the Resurrection of Christ. It serves as a good introduction to the subject. (WEB)
- In similar fashion, Justin Holcomb has a 3-part series (at the time I write this), on Defending and Proving the Resurrection over at the Resurgence. (WEB)
- A lot of unbelievers object to the resurrection on the basis of a lot of bad arguments. Over at the Tekton Ticker blog, JP Holding identifies a number of those arguments…and then explodes them. (WEB)
- One often-raised objection to the resurrection is that the 4 accounts in the Gospels cannot be harmonized. Over at Triablogue, Rhology shows that’s not the case. (WEB)
- And speaking of Triablogue…if you really want to get into some of the issues surrounding Easter, those fine folks have put together collections of articles that deal with just that issue…from 2009, 2010, and 2011. To say that Steve Hays and Co. are “prolific” is a bit of an understatement! (WEB)

Well, that’s it for now folks. Don’t forget that we have Good Friday service tonight at 6:30pm. See you there!

Pro Rege

Interview with Johnny Kim (College Life)

by Johnny Kim

Hi! My name is Johnny Kim and I have the privilege of serving as a staff member in the College Life ministry. Together with my beautiful, lovely, kind, and gentle wife Mimi (hopefully she’ll read this), we have the blessed opportunity to take part in the lives of our collegians and to witness God working in them in different ways. One side effect of serving in the College Life ministry is that it has also provided me with plenty of opportunities to think back on my own college experiences. I have found that spending time with the collegians can sometimes trigger some long lost memories from my days as an undergrad; some that I would actually prefer not to remember. One example is all the times I had to painfully endure midterms and final exams. Upon graduation, there was probably nothing that I looked forward to leaving behind more than all the tests associated with college.

For those of us out of school, academic tests are thankfully a thing of the past. Nowadays, the closest thing to academic testing we might encounter is the occasional “How Well Do You Know Me?” quiz on someone’s Facebook. However, as Christians, we know that when it comes to our faith, spiritual tests are here to stay. Likely for the rest of our lives here on earth, until we “graduate to heaven,” God will continue to test our faith through various trials and circumstances. It’s the way that He has designed for it to be and accordingly, He calls us to receive and respond to these spiritual tests in a way that is different from tests in school.

During our College Life Friday Night Bible Study, we are currently going through a study of the book of James. In his study guide, John MacArthur points out that the book of James can be broken down and seen as a series of guidelines which we can apply in our lives to test the genuineness of our faith. It’s quite fitting for us to be learning about the testing of faith in College Life since tests are never too far from the minds of our collegians. However, unlike the tests in school, tests of faith are for a greater purpose and have far more value. In particular, we learn that God uses spiritual tests in order to grow us and mature our faith. In James 1:2-4, James extols the virtues of spiritual tests and the subsequent attitude of joy that we ought to have towards them.

Whether we’re dealing with tests in school or tests of a spiritual nature, cultivating an attitude of joy in either case can be quite the challenge. However, having joy in the face of even the most difficult spiritual test is not impossible; otherwise God would not have commanded it for us! So then, what are some things we do to ensure that we face spiritual tests with a joyful attitude? Let’s take a look at how our collegians deal with tests in school to find a couple parallel, practical applications that we might be able to apply towards spiritual tests in our lives.

Do You Attend “Study Hall?”

What are your studying habits like when it comes to studying the Word? Do you set aside a specific time and place to read and study it without distractions? When it comes to preparing for a test in school, our collegians spend countless hours reading and studying their textbooks. On any given night during finals week, you can find the collegians pulling all-nighters during Study Hall at church. They sacrifice sleep and comfort to study and gain the knowledge needed to ensure success on their tests. In the same way, we ought to prepare ourselves to respond rightly to spiritual tests by equipping ourselves with knowledge from the Word that comes from studying it. With a better understanding of God’s character, His will, and His commandments, we can joyfully make the right decisions and have the right outlook on any spiritual test that comes our way. In fact, in passages such as Joshua 1:8, we’re assured that meditating on the Word day and night will lead us to success!

We All Need “Care Packages”

During finals week, the wonderful Care ministry of our church works hard to prepare care packages for the College Life ministry. Our collegians are greatly encouraged when they receive a care package and it helps them, even if in a small way, to study hard for God’s glory with the support of the church behind them. Even the most stressed out collegian will feel a little joy at receiving snacks, candy, and other treats! During the toughest of trials, we Christians also need the encouragement that comes from fellow brothers and sisters within the church family. Our hopelessness can turn into hopefulness and joy when a brother or sister is at hand to remind us of the Gospel and to pray for us to persevere through a spiritual test. On the flip side, we should also be looking to encourage others in the midst of their own spiritual tests. Whether it’s through prayer, a meal, or an encouragement slip, there is always some sort of “care package” we can give to spur them on towards joy. As 1 Thessalonians 5:9-11 states, we can ultimately encourage one another with the great hope of salvation through Jesus Christ!

Spiritual tests are a part of the Christian life and we should be thankful that they are! While the rewards for passing tests in college might be good grades and a diploma, James 1:12 shows us that successfully facing spiritual tests leads us receive that which is infinitely greater. Let’s look forward to every opportunity to test and prove our faith, challenging each other to look to the Word for guidance and encouraging each other to respond with joy along the way!

Peacemaker Chapter 6: Confession Brings Freedom

by Cesar Vigil-Ruiz

Editor’s Note: You can listen to the class and download the handout.

He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy. (Proverbs 28:13)

When the Gospel gets a hold of our lives and changes us from the inside out, we start to grow less dependent on ourselves and more dependent on God, especially when it comes to relationships. Relationships are a launching pad for conflicts to flourish, if they aren’t grounded in the Gospel. However, when they are, it opens opportunities for the world to see a glimpse of how reconciliation really looks like, empowered by the Gospel and modeled in light of the Gospel. When it comes to resolving and restoring a broken relationship, it usually takes a process involving four steps: repentance, self-examination, confession, and personal change.

Repentance Is More Than a Feeling

To repent involves more than a sense of guilt, or a bad feeling. It requires a change of heart and a turn from the sin we commit to a new way of living. This involves a mind-change that goes from a love for our sin to a hatred of it, and a siding with God on how He views our sin. Peter, when he spoke to the people in Solomon’s portico, said: “Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out” (Acts 3:19). To counter the idea that many professing believers have on repentance comes from Paul writing to the church in Corinth: “As it is, I rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because you were grieved into repenting. For you felt a godly grief, so that you suffered no loss through us. For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death” (2 Corinthians 7:9-10). The temptation is to consider feeling bad as sufficient for repenting of our sin, while we continue to commit them, living as if we’re more concerned with how hurt we feel than how our sin grieves God. Repentance leads to a new look at our sin—one that shows it is a personal offense against God (2 Chronicles 6:37-39). Repentance is what Christ requires for us to follow Him (Mark 1:15)—and it also leads to a continual life of repentance (Matthew 3:8; Acts 26:20).

Examine Yourself

2 Corinthians 13:5 states: “Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!” This we need to do in relation to how we view sin with respect to how it violates God’s law and attacks His character. Scripture calls sin to be disobedience against Him and an act of lawlessness (1 John 3:4), as well as not doing anything (James 4:17), especially when it comes to relationships and conflict.

When we find it hard to confess our sins, there are two things we can do:

Pray to God that He would help you see your sin and repent of it, as well as study His Word and continually pray for Him to show you where you fall short of His standard.
Ask a friend more spiritually mature than you to give counsel and correction.

There are many areas where we fail to examine what part we took in a conflict.

Using Your Tongue as a Weapon

Scripture makes it clear that our tongue typically leads us to conflict in many forms, such as:

Reckless words (Proverbs 12:18)
Grumbling and complaining (Phil. 2:14; James 5:9)
Falsehood (Proverbs 24:28; 2 Corinthians 4:2)
Gossip (Proverbs 16:28; 26:20; 2 Corinthians 12:20)
Slander (Leviticus 19:16; Titus 2:3)
Worthless talk (Ephesians 4:29; Matthew 12:36)

Controlling Others

When this aspect is what one struggles with, it is more likely than not that they will get into conflict with another. This shows in self-serving actions, like gaining something or becoming more influential at the expense of another. When selfish motives drive us to tell other people what to do, regardless of what they think, we have succumbed to this sin.

Failing to Respect Authority

When we recognize that the various positions of authority that exist have been providentially established by God, it becomes dangerous territory to outright reject their authority over your lives because those authorities do not have any inherent power, but delegated power. God does hold people in positions of authority accountable for how they exercise this given authority, but it is our responsibility to obey them, unless they call for a blatant act of sin to be committed (Acts 4:18-19; 5:29). We must do our part in following our leaders, and even if we’re uncomfortable with a certain task, we do it in service of the Lord and leave the results to Him, knowing He will hold all leaders accountable for how they led.

Forgetting the Golden Rule

Given in Matthew 7:12, to fall short of treating people the way you would like to be treated is a violation of this simple yet difficult command.

Serving Sinful Desires

“[D]estructive conflict is usually caused by unmet desires that have gained control over our hearts” (p.125). These idols include:

Improper desires for physical pleasure (1 John 2:15-17; cf. Galatians 5:16-21; Ephesians 4:19).
Pride and the desire to always be right (Proverbs 8:13; 2 Corinthians 5:12; James 3:14; 1 John 2:15-17).
Love of money or other material possessions (1 Timothy 6:10; Ephesians 5:5; Matthew 6:24; Luke 12:16-21; 27-31; Acts 5:1-3).
Fear of man (Proverbs 29:25; Luke 12:4-5).
Good things that we want too much.

The Seven A’s of Confession

The freedom we possess by God’s grace is the liberating power of confessing our sins primarily to God, and then to others. “If you really want to make peace, ask God to help you breathe grace by humbly and thoroughly admitting your wrongs” (p.126). This can be helped by making use of the seven A’s:

Address Everyone Involved
Avoid If, But, and Maybe
Admit Specifically
Acknowledge the Hurt
Accept the Consequences
Accept Your Behavior
Ask for Forgiveness

You Can Change

God is eager to help us to grow and change (Philippians 1:6, 2:13; Romans 8:28-29; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11; 2 Peter 1:4)
Pray (Psalm 139:23-24; Philippians 1:9-11; Colossians 1:9-12)
Delight yourself in the Lord (Ezekiel 36:25-26; Psalm 37:4; Matthew 5:3-13)
Study (Romans 8:6-8; 12:1-2; 1 Corinthians 2:9-16; Ephesians 1:17-19; 4:22-24; Philippians 1:9-11; Colossians 1:9-12)
Practice (Philippians 4:9; 1 Corinthians 9:24-27; 2 Peter 1:4-8)

Proclaiming the Resurrection

by Pastor Patrick Cho

What is your testimony? Many times in our Christian walk we are given opportunities to represent our faith by sharing the gospel with others. It is always exciting when the Lord opens a door and presents an occasion to talk to someone about Jesus. But what is your testimony? When asked to share your testimony, is it basically just the story of your life? What does it mean to have a testimony or to serve as a witness? In a court of law, a witness is someone who takes the stand because they saw some event or possess knowledge or expertise in a particular area so that they can bear testimony concerning it. They can offer details and explanation about what happened at the scene of a crime. Translating this idea to your experience with the gospel, what is your testimony? What are you a witness of? As a Christian, you are a witness of the saving power of God through Christ in your life. You testify that through repentance from sin and faith in the Savior, God forgives your sin, removes your guilt, satisfies His wrath, changes your heart, grants you new life, and fills you with His Spirit. Your testimony is that salvation is necessary because sin is real and God hates sin.

In the early church, the testimony that the believers shared was very specific. They testified as witnesses that God raised Jesus from the dead (cf. Acts 2:32; 3:15; 5:30-32; 10:39-41; 13:30-31). It is interesting that this would be the primary aspect of their testimony. They certainly could have focused their testimony on Jesus’ proclamation of forgiveness from sins. They could have centralized their message on the amazing works Jesus performed to prove He was the Son of God. Certainly they did testify of these things, but their central message was the He came back from the dead. Why? Because this certainly verified and validated everything that Jesus said and did. If anyone had any question about who Jesus was – was He really God or was He just a good teacher – those questions would be removed if they understood He came back from the dead exactly as He said He would.

We as believers living today are not physical witnesses of the resurrection of Christ. We walk by faith, and not by sight (cf. John 20:25-29). But does this mean that the central focus of our testimony is any different? No! Our testimony remains that our hope in life rests on the truth that Jesus Christ rose from the dead. He paid the penalty for sins on the cross, and He proclaimed victory over the curse of sin by coming back from the grave. He beat sin and death. If He did not come back from the dead, then death wins. This is still our testimony as believers. It must still be central to our presentation of the gospel. In Christ, we have died to ourselves because we identify with the cross. The only reason we can have new life in Christ is because we identify also with His resurrection.

This weekend is Resurrection Sunday. It is a great opportunity to take some time this week to meditate on the implications of Christ’s resurrection. But this week should also motivate you, if you are indeed in Christ, to proclaim His death and resurrection and the forgiveness of sins and the renewed life that comes to those who trust in Him. It is unfortunate that the typical “testimony” that people share today make no mention of the resurrection. We explain that Jesus went to the cross to pay for sin, but we neglect the importance of explaining His resurrection. Let us take time this week to draw attention to the glorious truth that Jesus came back from the dead.

SC 2011 – Reflections #2

by John Lim and Breck Yoo

Editor’s Note: Pastor Patrick wanted to do a series here on the Beacon that encouraged the attendees of the Shepherds Conference to share their thoughts with the church. This is the second part in that series. And if you are interesting in listening to the messages, you can download them all for free.

From an overall evaluation, what was at least one thing that was encouraging to you from the Shepherds Conference?

I am always moved by the hospitality of our host families who house us during the shepherd’s conference. The host family that I had the pleasure of staying with even invited the whole LBC SD and SJ group for a “snack” fellowship! It is obvious that they truly enjoy serving God through serving the extended family through their hospitality and encourages me to be more generous in this way as I see how much of a blessing it is to us. (John Lim)

Chris Hamilton, an elder at Grace, gave a session entitled “The Ministry of Godly Leadership.” What profoundly impacted me was that he made me aware of my own acute desire to be a godly man. He wanted us to get discipled and to disciple younger faithful man of God. 1 Tim 3:4-5: “he must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to mange his own household, how will he care for God’s church?” (Breck Yoo)

What was at least one thing from the messages that was particularly helpful or challenging for you?

Rick Holland’s message about being an under-shepherd was particularly helpful to me. He challenged those who shepherd a flock to take Christ’s perfect example of being a shepherd while at the same time, knowing that we are only under shepherds to the great Shepherd who is Christ. We need to be humble as we lead knowing that we are just another “mentally challenged” sheep like those we shepherd. (John Lim)

The scripture speaks of patience as one the fruits of the spirits. We are to consider patience from where we are, but to consider where the others are. We are all at a different levels of sanctification. By truly having patience with love and understanding I can come along by their side to encourage in their walk. (Breck Yoo)

What was at least one lesson that challenged you in regards to your service at LBC? How will you take this and apply it to ministry here in San Diego?

Although I am not a leader in the church, I am shepherding those around me as God provides ministry opportunities as well as my family. I need to remember to be gentle, willing to exhort and rebuke, and humble in shepherding others. (John Lim)

A couple of months back Pat had asked the parents to consider serving in the Sonlight ministry. My response was not, “why not, my son is part of Sonlight.” Chris Hamilton’s lecture reminded me of my intention. Do I want to serve for serving sake or to truly Glorify God by loving and serving the children? After praying and serious consideration I truly want to Glorify God in serving in the Sonlight. (Breck Yoo)

I Will Mention the Lovingkindnesses of the Lord…

by Charles Haddon Spurgeon

From Isaiah 63:7

And canst thou not do this? Are there no mercies which thou hast experienced? What though thou art gloomy now, canst thou forget that blessed hour when Jesus met thee, and said, ‘Come unto me’? Canst thou not remember that rapturous moment when He snapped thy fetters, dashed thy chains to the earth, and said, ‘I came to break thy bonds and set thee free’? Or if the love of thine espousals be forgotten, there must surely be some precious milestone along the road of life not quite grown over with moss, on which thou canst read a happy memorial of His mercy towards thee? What, didst thou never have a sickness like that which thou art suffering now, and did He not restore thee? Wert thou never poor before, and did He not supply thy wants? Wast thou never in straits before, and did He not deliver thee? Arise, go to the river of thine experience, and pull up a few bulrushes, and plait them into an ark, wherein thine infant-faith may float safely on the stream.

Forget not what thy God has done for thee; turn over the book of thy remembrance, and consider the days of old. Canst thou not remember the hill Mizar? Did the Lord never meet with thee at Hermon? Hast thou never climbed the Delectable Mountains? Hast thou never been helped in time of need? Nay, I know thou hast. Go back, then, a little way to the choice mercies of yesterday, and though all may be dark now, light up the lamps of the past, they shall glitter through the darkness, and thou shalt trust in the Lord till the day break and the shadows flee away. ‘Remember, O Lord, thy tender mercies and thy lovingkindnesses, for they have been ever of old.’

1.25a

LBC Weekly SPARK! – April 15, 2011

by Pastor Patrick Cho

Dear LBC Family and Friends,

I hope you are doing well and walking in the Lord. I wanted to pick up on our review of The Trellis and the Vine, by Colin Marshall and Tony Payne. Last time, we looked at chapter 2, entitled “Ministry Mind Shifts.” Chapter 3 is entitled “What in the World Is God Doing?” The focus of this chapter is to survey the Bible to examine God’s plan to redeem sinners through “Spirit-backed gospel preaching leading to the salvation of souls.” It also takes a look at the means by which God accomplishes growth in His people. This growth is not tied to churches’ financial security or numbers in attendance. It all comes down to the spiritual outworking of the life change that takes place when people are saved. In order for lives to come into conformity with God’s will and to grow, God’s truth must be proclaimed. This is the only way gospel growth is going to take place. This is the kind of growth we particularly see in the book of Acts and is the particular fulfillment of Christ’s promise when He said He would build His church (Matt. 16:18).

There are three particular implications that result when you think about gospel growth in this way.

First, if we understand what God is accomplishing in the world and how He intends to bring about gospel growth in His people, we need to “say goodbye to our small and self-oriented ambitions, and to abandon ourselves to the cause of Christ and His gospel.” There is nothing else in the world that is a greater thing to be a part of!
Second, we need to adjust our thinking to remember that the growth God accomplishes is in His people. It is people growth, not program growth, not church numbers, not stable budgets. The success of a church is not measured by the number of paid staff it has, the existence of a radio ministry, or how many books the pastor has written. It certainly is not measured by the number of members it has or how much the annual budget is.
Third, we need to remember that God accomplishes this growth when His truth comes to bear on people’s hearts through the working of the Holy Spirit. This is the way people are brought to faith in Christ, and this is the way people will continue to grow in respect to their salvation. You speak God’s truth to someone and pray that God would bring about life change, spiritual fruit, and gospel growth.

This is what is meant by tending to the vine. Everything else is trellis work.

In His grace,

Pastor Patrick

Here are the announcements for this week:

Friday Night Bible Studies. Don’t forget that the youth, college, and singles Bible studies meet tonight at 7:00pm. The youth and singles meet at the church, and the collegians meet on-campus at UCSD. Visit the church website for more information regarding our affinity groups or for more information about Bible studies.
End Times Bible Study. The final End Times Bible study will be this Sunday evening, from 6:00-8:00pm, at the church. Come out and learn more about what the Bible says concerning future things.
Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday. Next Friday, April 22, we will be having a special Good Friday communion service at the church at 6:30pm. Please come out and invite your family and friends to observe Good Friday and remember the cross of Christ. On Sunday, April 24, we will be having a breakfast fellowship at 7:30am at the church to celebrate Resurrection Sunday. This is a terrific weekend to invite anyone who does not know Christ as Lord and Savior to hear the gospel message.
Women’s Seminar. The next Women’s Ministry Seminar will be on Saturday, April 30, from 9:00am-12:30pm. The cost is free to attend, but you still need to register with Christine Cho in order to come. Breakfast will be served. For more information, please talk to Christine Cho.
TMS Graduation. For those who want to attend The Master’s Seminary commencement service on Sunday, May 15 to support Pastor J. R. Cuevas as he graduates, please RSVP with Pastor Patrick or Ryan Short. The ceremony begins at 6:00pm at Grace Community Church. A small refreshments reception will take place afterwards.
LBC Banquet. Signups for this year’s banquet will be taken after service on Sunday in the foyer by Cesar Vigil-Ruiz. The banquet will be on Sunday, May 22, at 4:45pm, at the church. The cost is only $35/adult (children 0-12 are free!). Don’t miss this opportunity to reflect corporately on the faithfulness of God to LBC.
Vacation Bible School. VBS will be from June 20-24 this year, from 9:00am-5:00pm each day. The theme for this year is “God Always Wins!” Registration forms are available from Josh Liu.
VBS Staff. If you are applying for VBS staff, please remember that applications are due this Sunday, April 17.
Summer Missions. If you are applying to either the Czech or Argentina summer missions trip, please remember that applications (with references) are due by this Sunday. Argentina applications should be submitted to Pastor Patrick. Czech applications should be emailed to Pastor John Kim at LBC San Jose. If you have any questions, please contact Pastor Patrick.

LBC Beacon

A Ministry of Lighthouse Bible Church