Weekly Links (1/18/2019)

“Preaching occurs when a holy man of God opens the Word of God and says to the people of God, ‘Come and experience God with me in this text.’…Making the truth plain is what an expository preacher does. When the main point of the text is the main point of the sermon, the preacher has the assurance that the Lord himself is coming to speak and act.” (Ryan Fullerton, Jim Orrick, and Brian Payne, Encountering God through Expository Preaching: Connecting God’s People to God’s Presence through God’s Word)

by Cesar Vigil-Ruiz

Feliz Friday! Praise God for another week to spend in the reading and study of His Word, and the time to serve Him and His people. We have been away for about a month, and have missed many great links, but this week, the Lord provides! Here are this week’s (and this new year’s!) links!

  • Tim Challies wrote an informative post on the beginnings of the Pentecostal movement, its quirky history, showing in seed form, many of the current concerns many believers have about those who promote a continuationist view.
  • John MacArthur, during a Q&A at a Ligonier conference, answered how to counsel a mother who is Reformed in her thinking while married to a Roman Catholic husband. Very compassionate response.
  • What does it mean to love a Savior in whom we have not seen? Pastor Clint Archer focuses on 1 Peter 1:6-9 as a blueprint for us to increase our faith in the risen Christ.
  • Biblical counselor Bob Kellemen compiled a vast resource of links that would be a very helpful introduction to the biblical counseling movement. He wrote six blogposts that link to 90 resources, including the top 24 biblical counseling books of 2018, 12 bloggers to read in 2019, and more! You would be foolish not to take advantage of this!
  • How would you define abuse, according to Scripture? TMU professor Greg Gifford provides a biblically comprehensive definition that will serve to clarify the nature of abuse in order to offer appropriate counsel to those who are being abused.
  • Pastor Gavin Ortlund writes on the weirdness of living life without God. Many things cannot be adequately explained without reference to God, and Ortlund offers three aspects of life that demonstrates this to be the case.
  • What are some of the essentials of complementarianism? What are some of the non-essentials? Pastors Danny Akin, Kevin DeYoung, and Darryl Williamson have a small discussion answering these questions, which I thought would be a great conversation starter for anyone thinking through these issues in the context of their church and home.
  • New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary recently held an apologetics conference on their campus called Defend ’19 that gives some helpful training in the area of defending your faith against unbelief. Though I can’t endorse all that was presented, I would suggest watching talks by Rob Bowman, Gary Habermas, and Neil Shenvi. A playlist with most of the main sessions can be seen here.
  • Jen Wilkin wrote a very helpful post on how to study the Bible with your teen. Parents, you will want to bookmark this page when your kids are approaching the teenage years. However, not to leave anyone out, this looks like a game plan that anyone can use to study the Bible with a young believer. This can work in small groups, an older man/woman meeting with a younger man/woman, or even at home with roommates, friends, or even with a coworker. Trust me, this is worth reading!
  • Many of the audios and videos from the recent Cross conference have been posted. If you are looking to be motivated to think deeply about missions, you will be helped much by what was covered at this conference.

That’s all for this week! Pray for the youth and collegians, as they meet for Bible study tonight. See you all on Sunday!

Soli Deo Gloria

Discipline in Sparklers

by Kyle Grindley

At Lighthouse, we understand that most of the kids in our children’s ministry are not Christians; they have not had their hearts of stone replaced with hearts of flesh, they cannot obey God. Ryan McAdam’s article Why Require Obedience in the Classroom? touched on why we require obedience in spite of their inability. I have found applying this in a way that represents God to be the most challenging aspect of teaching in Sparklers (LBC’s preschool ministry).

One elder presented this challenge in a way that has stuck with me: Can the kids tell the difference between the way we run our classroom and the way any secular school would run theirs? Can the kids see God’s order, righteousness, peace, mercy, grace, love all reflected in the classroom? Or do they only see order, and teachers who are annoyed when it is violated?

I have struggled with how to maintain an ordered classroom where we can teach children about God’s loving-kindness, without unteaching it with the way I impose that order. These are a few guidelines that help me approach classroom discipline.

Discipline in an LBC classroom must come from humble teachers. We are sinners in need of teaching, correction, reproof, and training in righteousness, just like the children. To paraphrase Paul Tripp: we are more like the kids in our class than unlike them (see Parenting: 14 Gospel Principles That Can Radically Change Your Family). We do not discipline the kids because we are their moral superiors, but because we love them and want to teach them that the only way to have joy and peace is by trusting God’s wise words and following God’s good rules.

Discipline in an LBC classroom must come from unconditional love for the kids. Many kids go through a “difficult” time in Sparklers; a few months when they are consistently the recipient of discipline. In these times we must be careful to show unconditional love: a consistent desire to include them in class activities, to hear their thoughts, and to play with them. If children see that they are sought after in difficult times just as in good times, they might see a small picture of God’s love for us. God’s love is not diminished when we sin and does not grow when we obey. God’s love for us is always bringing us closer to Him, sometimes in the sweetness of close communion, and sometimes in the stinging conviction of sin.

Discipline in an LBC classroom must focus on the heart. Classroom disobedience is the result of a child deciding that they will be happier following their own wisdom, doing things their own way, rather than trusting and following God’s way of thinking and acting. It is what we call a My-Way heart (look at Getting to the Heart, by Liannu Khai (Dang)). Luke 6 says “out of the overflow of the heart, his mouth speaks”. We cannot stop at addressing the children’s behavior, we must address the heart that gave birth to that behavior. And we need to address it so that they are ultimately pointed to the only person who can change their hearts. Each time we discipline, it should be another lived example of what we teach during the lesson: “People need Jesus to change their hearts. You need Jesus to change your heart.”

Discipline in an LBC classroom must model a proper response to God’s Word. When we discipline the Sparklers we walk them through the process of repentance. First we identify the issue, perhaps it was unkind words, rebellious action, or an ungrateful attitude. Then we measure those words, actions, and attitudes by God’s Word. Does the Bible say what I did was good or sinful? If our actions are consistent with what God calls good, then we give thanks because our heart is consistent with God’s heart. If we find that God calls what we did sin, then our disobedient heart has been revealed. We ask for forgiveness, and we ask God to change our heart. It is my hope that as the children see their teachers and parents apply this pattern to their situation, they can learn how to apply it themselves. All this in the confidence that God’s Word is able to discern the thoughts and intentions of the heart and bring change.

Please pray for the children’s ministry staff, that we would rely on God’s wisdom in each discipline situation. Pray that we would represent God’s righteousness and mercy each time we require obedience from children who cannot give it. Please pray that each child would trust that joy and peace can be found by listening to God’s wise words, and following His good way.

Weekly Links (1/14/2019)

by Stephen Rodgers

Happy New Year folks! Since it’s a new month, it’s time for the obligatory “free stuff of the month” post.

  • Morning & Evening by Charles Spurgeon (free audio book) – This is the classic devotional text by Spurgeon that we post from on every Saturday. I think you want this!
  • Isaiah for Everyone by John Goldingay (free Logos resource) – I’m not familiar with this author, but if you’re a Logos user, it might be worth picking up.
  • Awe by Paul David Tripp (free Faithlife resource) – Tripp is generally a reliable guide in matters of counseling and practical theology. If you’re familiar with his work or you’ve enjoyed other books by him, this seems like a safe bet.
  • The Synod of Dort (Tabletalk magazine) – I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: Tabletalk is one of the best resources out there. This month the them is the Synod of Dort, which you should know from my church history class. If you don’t…here’s a good start.

That’s it for now folks. One year ends, and the another begins. Make sure you’re living it for something greater, more enduring, and more meaningful than just yourself.

Pro Rege

His Heavenly Kingdom

by Charles Haddon Spurgeon

2 Timothy 4:18

Yonder city of the great King is a place of active service. Ransomed spirits serve Him day and night in His temple. They never cease to fulfil the good pleasure of their King. They always ‘rest,’ so far as ease and freedom from care is concerned; and never ‘rest,’ in the sense of indolence or inactivity.

Jerusalem the golden is the place of communion with all the people of God. We shall sit with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, in eternal fellowship. We shall hold high converse with the noble host of the elect, all reigning with Him who by His love and His potent arm has brought them safely home. We shall not sing solos, but in chorus shall we praise our King.

Heaven is a place of victory realized. Whenever, Christian, thou hast achieved a victory over thy lusts-whenever after hard struggling, thou hast laid a temptation dead at thy feet-thou hast in that hour a foretaste of the joy that awaits thee when the Lord shall shortly tread Satan under thy feet, and thou shalt find thyself more than conqueror through Him who hath loved thee.

Paradise is a place of security. When you enjoy the full assurance of faith, you have the pledge of that glorious security which shall be yours when you are a perfect citizen of the heavenly Jerusalem. O my sweet home, Jerusalem, thou happy harbour of my soul! Thanks, even now, to Him whose love hath taught me to long for Thee; but louder thanks in eternity, when I shall possess thee.

‘My soul has tasted of the grapes,
And now it longs to go
Where my dear Lord His vineyard keeps
And all the clusters grow.

‘Upon the true and living vine,
My famish’d soul would feast,
And banquet on the fruit divine,
An everlasting guest.’

7.12p

God’s Wisdom for Parenting (Part 9)

by Pastor Patrick Cho

One of the places in Scripture to find a wealth of helpful principles for parenting is the Proverbs. Almost every book on parenting will reference these Scriptures repeatedly because of the wisdom they contain. Besides the plethora of verses that apply to parenting indirectly, several passages address parenting specifically.

In the fear of the LORD there is strong confidence, And his children will have refuge. (Proverbs 14:26)

What are you afraid of? What keeps you up at night? What anxieties disturb the peace in your heart? When we experience this kind of fear, it exposes our lack of trust in the Lord. We think our problems are too big inevitably because we deem our God too small. We don’t trust His Word when it teaches that we can say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper. I will not be afraid. What will man do to me?” (Heb. 13:6). We treat Him as small who has promised, “I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you” (Heb. 13:5). We distrust that by prayer we have no reason for anxiety and we can have the peace of God guarding and protecting our hearts and minds (Phil. 4:6-7).

The psalmist writes that there is strong confidence in the fear of YHWH. It is ironic, I suppose, that the author states that “strong confidence” comes as a result of “fear.” But this is not a fear of dread like the fear of an untamed beast or horrible calamity. The fear of God is worshipful awe and reverence at His glory and greatness. This is about finding sure confidence in who God is regardless of what we face in life. Because we know Him, we understand that our God is bigger than any trial we may endure. The greater our fear of God, the surer our strong confidence. He is my God and He is my Lord, and if God is for me, who can be against me (cf. Rom. 8:31).

Every believer ought to strive to attain this confidence, which comes only as a result of greater knowledge and deeper relationship with God. This truth serves as an anchor for the soul to keep the heart from being tossed back and forth by its own inclinations and emotions. You can ask yourself, “Do I trust that in God I have no reason for fear? Is He my strong confidence?”

The principle for parenting comes in the second half of this insightful couplet. It says that if a man fears the Lord, his children will have refuge. The strength of my faith as a father serves as a spiritual protection for my children. One specific grace that God sometimes bestows is for a person to be raised in a Christian home with God-fearing parents. Many people reflect on the strong faith of their parents that encouraged them throughout their childhood. Especially in times of trouble, if my faith is unsure, it will have an adverse effect on the faith of my children. But if I maintain strong confidence in God, I can serve as a steadying influence for my children encouraging them likewise to trust in God.

One day, my child’s faith is going to need to be their own. They will walk through their own valleys and experience their own trials. But especially while they are young, I have a responsibility to demonstrate strong confidence in God because in my confidence they will find refuge. This is a helpful principle for parenting that cultivating our own walk with Christ has benefits beyond ourselves. Through our faith in God, our children can be blessed.

Weekly Links (12/21/2018)

“If God were not just, there would be no demand for his Son to suffer and die. And if God were not loving, there would be no willingness for his Son to suffer and die. But God is both just and loving. Therefore his love is willing to meet the demands of his justice.” (John Piper, Fifty Reasons Why Jesus Came to Die)

by Cesar Vigil-Ruiz

Feliz Friday! The weekend has arrived, and Christmas is almost here! I pray your week has been a blessing to those around you, and your thoughts are focused on the first coming of Christ. Here are some links that I hope will keep you meditating on His love for you.

  • Within the last few weeks, conservative commentator Ben Shapiro had on his Sunday Special show Pastor John MacArthur, and then Bishop Robert Barron. Their views on salvation vastly displayed the gulf between what Scripture says, and what Catholic tradition says in contrast. Jordan Standridge pointed out this and other differences between these two men, and you would do well to know some of the differences between Roman Catholicism and biblical Christianity.
  • Young-earth creationists are criticized regularly for solely bashing evolution. Jonathan Sarfati answers by pointing out the falsity of the claim, and laying out the two-fold approach to answering objections to creation as revealed by God.
  • Ligonier Ministries recently called for prayer with respect to the church in China, as there has been an increase in persecution by the government. It a call to sober-mindedness, compassion, and boldness in the face of opposition, and we need to heed that call.
  • CBMW’s podcast, Danvers Audio, recently posted an interview with Nancy Pearcey, author of her newest book, Love Thy Body: Answering Hard Questions about Life and Sexuality. Definitely worth your time, especially if you want to get a handle on what is happening in our culture.
  • The people behind the writing of The Statement on Social Justice and the Gospel continue their exposition of the statement’s various articles. Here is the most recent one on Article XIV: Racism.
  • Alan Shlemon of Stand to Reason writes of the many unknowns that come with considering IVF. If you and your spouse are thinking of this as an option, this is the article for you.
  • Do you find yourself having a hard time enjoying the Christmas season? Pastor and seminary professor David Murray wrote an open letter to the depressed believer, and you or someone you know may need to read this letter. Hopefully, it will draw your focus on Christ, even when the holiday may sometimes do anything but.
  • New Testament scholar Timothy Paul Jones debunks the common objection that Christianity borrowed from pagan myths in constructing the story written in the Gospels. This is bookmark-worthy.
  • How does the Incarnation of Christ lead us to change to be more like Him? Pastor and biblical counselor Tim Pasma points out how Jesus coming in flesh and living among us is a huge help to us all, whether we are counseling others, or are in need of counseling ourselves. Christ is the Gift that will never stop giving.
  • Biblical counselor Dr. John Street explains the importance of data gathering in counseling on ACBC’s Truth in Love podcast.

That’s all for this week! I hope you enjoy your time with friends and family this Christmas season, primarily in celebrating Christ’s birth! See (some of) you Sunday!

Soli Deo Gloria

It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

by Pastor Patrick Cho

As the song goes, “It’s the most wonderful time of the year!” It seems like each year Christmas comes a little sooner, and for Christians, the secularization of the holiday can become a bit tedious. Everywhere you turn, there is red and green as far as the eye can see. Suddenly, anything you drink has a tinge of peppermint. Though the Christmas trees, lawn ornaments, and house lights can be fun and festive, they do seem to detract from the central theme: that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners (1 Tim. 1:15).

It is worth noting that believers are never commanded to celebrate Jesus’ birth. The Bible doesn’t require that Christians observe any religious holidays. In fact, the Bible explicitly makes clear that Christians are not bound by holidays and festivals at all! So why do we put up the decorations? Why do we sing the carols? Why do we gather together as family and exchange gifts? The holiday certainly provides families and friends a wonderful occasion to come together in love. While children may or may not understand the intention, Christmas promotes hospitality and sharing. (There’s also the opportunity to stuff yourself with a lot of good food!)

But the chief reason remains that the holiday reminds us to be thankful for the advent of our Lord. Christmas is the season for joy – a holiday where we can celebrate not only that Jesus came, but especially what He came to accomplish. In this sense, Christmas and Easter really go hand in hand. We celebrate that God in His amazing grace provided a way of salvation through His Son. Jesus was born in flesh, lived a perfect life, died on the cross, and rose again that we might be forgiven and redeemed!

I would be remiss not to mention that these holidays also afford us wonderful opportunities to share Christ with others. There are some who would never think about coming to church, but who would consider attending during Christmas and Easter. Many unbelievers who know the general reason Christians celebrate this holiday may honestly not know everything there is to know about it. It gives us a chance to ask people, “Can I share with you why it’s so meaningful to me?” So whether or not you love pulling out holiday decorations and singing songs of Christmas, there is still a world full of people who need to hear the message. Let’s all consider how we can faithfully proclaim the gospel of our Lord this season.

Weekly Links (12/14/2018)

“My point is simply that passionate and joyful admiration of God, and not merely intellectual apprehension, is the aim of our existence. If God is to be supremely glorified in us it’s critically essential that we be supremely glad in him and in what he has done for us in Jesus. So, here’s why you are: to relish and rejoice in the revelation of divine beauty.” (Sam Storms, One Thing)

by Cesar Vigil-Ruiz

Feliz Friday! Christmas is on its way, so see these links as your gifts for this week. And…open!

  • As Christmas is coming upon us, and fast, how can we show the love of Christ to those in need of His love? How can our joy in Christ lead to our love for others? David Mathis explains how.
  • Surrogacy is becoming more of a regular occurrence in society, and the consequences are devastating. Jennifer Lahl, founder and president of the Center for Bioethics and Culture, explains the reasons against surrogacy in response to an article advocating for it.
  • Would you believe we have more evidence than ever today to make the case for Christianity? Liberty University professor Gary Habermas is convinced, and in a recent interview (linked in the article), gives his thoughts as to why he thinks as such.
  • The Associates for Biblical Research continue their show Digging for Truth by interviewing Dr. Scott Stripling about his excavation at Tel Shiloh. Take note that this is part one of two, which will show at a later time.
  • The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary has a history of racism and slavery of which its founders all participated in. A recent report was released that detailed what role SBTS played at the time leading up to the civil rights movement. Denny Burk links to the report and gives some thoughts.
  • Pastor Jordan Standridge argues for the perspective that Romans 7 describes a mature believer’s battle with sin. Short and sweet.
  • What is the foundation for our joy of Christmas? R.C. Sproul wrote an article that answers that question, which happens to be the same answer to the question Anselm asked long ago, “Why the God-man?”
  • Biblical counselor Betty-Anne Van Rees gives a helpful word on how to deal with your anger biblically.
  • Michael Keas finishes his interview with Christian philosopher J.P. Moreland about scientism and its destructive implications. If you missed the previous parts of their interview, you will find it linked.

That’s all for this week! Looking forward to seeing you at the Christmas Concert tomorrow night at 6pm! See you also on Sunday!

Soli Deo Gloria

Sanctified

by Charles Haddon Spurgeon

Jude 1, 1 Corinthians 1:2, and 1 Peter 1:2

Mark the union of the Three Divine Persons in all their gracious acts. How unwisely do those believers talk who make preferences in the Persons of the Trinity; who think of Jesus as if He were the embodiment of everything lovely and gracious, while the Father they regard as severely just, but destitute of kindness. Equally wrong are those who magnify the decree of the Father, and the atonement of the Son, so as to depreciate the work of the Spirit. In deeds of grace none of the Persons of the Trinity act apart from the rest. They are as united in their deeds as in their essence. In their love towards the chosen they are one, and in the actions which flow from that great central source they are still undivided.

Specially notice this in the matter of sanctification. While we may without mistake speak of sanctification as the work of the Spirit, yet we must take heed that we do not view it as if the Father and the Son had no part therein. It is correct to speak of sanctification as the work of the Father, of the Son, and of the Spirit. Still doth Jehovah say, ‘Let us make man in our own image after our likeness,’ and thus we are ‘his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.’ See the value which God sets upon real holiness, since the Three Persons in the Trinity are represented as co-working to produce a Church without ‘spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing.’ And you, believer, as the follower of Christ, must also set a high value on holiness-upon purity of life and godliness of conversation. Value the blood of Christ as the foundation of your hope, but never speak disparagingly of the work of the Spirit which is your meetness for the inheritance of the saints in light.

This day let us so live as to manifest the work of the Triune God in us.

7.12a

Weekly Links (12/7/2018)

by Stephen Rodgers

Another month, another Friday, another bunch of links for free resources.

  • The Confessions of Saint Augustine (free audiobook) – Augustine of Hippo’s importance to the protestant faith really can’t be overestimated. Any serious study of church history has to deal with his magnificent contributions. I don’t know if this is a decent reading of his material, but even if it’s halfway-good, I’d recommend grabbing it!
  • No One Like Him: The Doctrine of God by John Feinberg (free Logos resource) – This is Feinberg’s expanded treatment of the doctrine of Theology Proper. If you’re interested in such things, I’m betting that it’s pretty good.
  • The Promises of God by RC Sproul (free Faithlife resource) – This Sproul’s treatment of the biblical covenants. I’m guessing he differs from LBC in a few places, but he was a great popularizer of Reformed theology. I’d pick it up.
  • The Promised Messiah (December Tabletalk) – There’s a new edition of Tabletalk magazine. You know my feelings on Tabletalk by now: it’s always worth the time it takes to read.
  • The Immutability of God (CredoMag) – There’s also a new edition of CredoMag out, which is generally time well-spent as well.
  • Themelios 43.3 – There’s also a new issue of Themelios, which means a handful of articles and more book reviews than you can shake a stick at. At a glance, Pak’s article looks promising, and I’ll happily take the time to read anything that DA Carson takes the time to write, even if it’s just an introduction.

That’ll do for now. Enjoy!

Pro Rege