Being Born Again, Not Of Corruptible Seed, But Of Incorruptible

by Charles Haddon Spurgeon

1 Peter 1:23

Peter most earnestly exhorted the scattered saints to love each other ‘with a pure heart fervently’ and he wisely fetched his argument, not from the law, from nature, or from philosophy, but from that high and divine nature which God hath implanted in His people. Just as some judicious tutor of princes might labour to beget and foster in them a kingly spirit and dignified behaviour, finding arguments in their position and descent, so, looking upon God’s people as heirs of glory, princes of the blood royal, descendants of the King of kings, earth’s truest and oldest aristocracy, Peter saith to them, ‘See that ye love one another, because of your noble birth, being born of incorruptible seed; because of your pedigree, being descended from God, the Creator of all things; and because of your immortal destiny, for you shall never pass away, though the glory of the flesh shall fade, and even its existence shall cease.’ It would be well if, in the spirit of humility, we recognized the true dignity of our regenerated nature, and lived up to it.

What is a Christian? If you compare him with a king, he adds priestly sanctity to royal dignity. The king’s royalty often lieth only in his crown, but with a Christian it is infused into his inmost nature. He is as much above his fellows through his new birth, as a man is above the beast that perisheth. Surely he ought to carry himself, in all his dealings, as one who is not of the multitude, but chosen out of the world, distinguished by sovereign grace, written among ‘the peculiar people’ and who therefore cannot grovel in the dust as others, nor live after the manner of the world’s citizens. Let the dignity of your nature, and the brightness of your prospects, O believers in Christ, constrain you to cleave unto holiness, and to avoid the very appearance of evil.

5.4p

Weekly Links (8/28/2015)

We assert that all human life is sacred and belongs to God because all people are made in the image of God (Gen. 1:27). Since every human being is created by God and in His image, every human being has intrinsic rather than relative value. People are not valued according to their quality of life or their usefulness to serve the desires of others. They are not to be destroyed when “unwanted” by us. God, in making them, wants them. They are not to be discarded, sacrificed, or euthanized because they are useless to others. They have sovereign use to God. (John Ensor, Answering the Call: Saving Innocent Lives One Woman at a Time)

by Cesar Vigil-Ruiz

Feliz Friday! As the new school year begins, new opportunities to speak the truth in love abounds. Not only at school, but also at work, with family and friends. To prepare for this, this week’s links are geared to help you be ready to give a reason for the hope that is in you. Here you go!

  • The Center for Medical Progress continue their series of sting videos with Planned Parenthood representatives discussing the selling of fetal body parts this week. This most recent video reveals StemExpress, a biotech supply company, as a company that partnered with Planned Parenthood to buy human fetal parts, some possibly born-alive infants. Since then, Planned Parenthood has sought to discredit these videos. The Daily Signal reports on CMP’s response.
  • How do you prepare for entering the university setting? Most students coming from a Christian home are instructed to stay away from parties, study hard, and make good decisions. However, the intellectual arena is largely untouched in the preparation of a young believer. Professor Michael Kruger gives some sound advice as to how to be ready to represent Christ well in this post-Christian culture. Youth, collegians: click that link!
  • In an effort to address a common misunderstanding of what the Bible is all about, Pastor Jared Wilson provides a helpful corrective in his article, “The Bible Is Not an Instruction Manual.” Let us never get tired of what we need to be reminded of in this article.
  • The Biblical Counseling Coalition has been working on a series related to biblical counseling and higher education. This week, Dr. Robert Jones offers eight reasons why theology and theological training matters. Lilly Park offers a female perspective on pursuing biblical counseling training, and Kevin Carson explains why you should pursue further training in this area. If anything, I hope your desire to offer biblical counsel is heightened by reading these posts.
  • In a very simple yet biblical manner, R.C. Sproul gives us a peek into how he would counsel someone who is unsure of their salvation. I hope this will be bring much comfort to those who are struggling in this area.
  • A common objection to only recognizing marriage as the one-flesh union of a man and a woman is that there are many couples who are infertile, thus pointed out that marriage doesn’t require every couple to have kids, since some can’t. Ryan Anderson responds. Over at The Federalist, another article addresses why same-sex ‘marriage’ will never measure up to the real thing.
  • Examining the bumper stickers of a car while driving, Michael Kruger lays bare the common mantras you hear promoted in our day. A beautiful display of sound, biblical thinking.

That’s all for this week! Make sure you pray for the collegians, as College Life begins the new school year tonight! See you at church on Sunday (and at FITS)!

Soli Deo Gloria

A Self-Pity Refresher

by Pastor Patrick Cho

Editor’s Note: Since Patrick is travelling, this week he wanted to point your attention to a Cripplegate article on self-pity. The article is linked at the end of his introduction below.

I know of many people who struggle with self pity and many don’t discern the sinful heart attitudes behind it. Ironically, self pity is a dangerous form of pride. At the heart of self pity is an unhealthy preoccupation with self (what one thinks of himself or what others think of him). One of the unfortunate byproducts of self pity is that it targets others to help feed the individual’s pride. An interaction might go something like this:

  • Person 1 – “I hate myself.”
  • Person 2 – “No, you’re wonderful and amazing.”

The fact is that if a person truly hated himself, he would not seek affirmation from others. He also would not care to feel better about himself or want better things for himself. He would actually want to hate himself and seek the worst for himself. Instead, those who struggle with self pity seek to improve their lives through other people’s compliments and they desire better for themselves. Many people who fall into this subtle form of pride become jealous of others because they feel like they deserve better or should have better things. They might reason: “Why don’t I have X? Why should they have X?” X could be physical beauty, attention, relationship, possessions, fulfillment, happiness, etc. The problem is not that a person with self pity loves himself too little, but that he loves himself too much. He is not satisfied or content with his life and believes he deserves better.

When you struggle with self pity, it is a sin that needs to be confessed to the Lord and repented of. Part of the putting off and putting on process of repentance includes getting the focus off of self and directing it towards the Lord and others. Instead of being so preoccupied with how awful your life is, it would be better to worship God and communicate how wonderful He is and to encourage others through your actions and speech.

A Self-Pity Refresher

…They Are No Gods

by Charles Haddon Spurgeon

Jeremiah 16:20

One great besetting sin of ancient Israel was idolatry, and the spiritual Israel are vexed with a tendency to the same folly. Remphan’s star shines no longer, and the women weep no more for Tammuz, but Mammon still intrudes his golden calf, and the shrines of pride are not forsaken. Self in various forms struggles to subdue the chosen ones under its dominion, and the flesh sets up its altars wherever it can find space for them. Favourite children are often the cause of much sin in believers; the Lord is grieved when He sees us doting upon them above measure; they will live to be as great a curse to us as Absalom was to David, or they will be taken from us to leave our homes desolate. If Christians desire to grow thorns to stuff their sleepless pillows, let them dote on their dear ones.

It is truly said that ‘they are no gods,’ for the objects of our foolish love are very doubtful blessings, the solace which they yield us now is dangerous, and the help which they can give us in the hour of trouble is little indeed. Why, then, are we so bewitched with vanities? We pity the poor heathen who adore a god of stone, and yet worship a god of gold. Where is the vast superiority between a god of flesh and one of wood? The principle, the sin, the folly is the same in either case, only that in ours the crime is more aggravated because we have more light, and sin in the face of it. The heathen bows to a false deity, but the true God he has never known; we commit two evils, inasmuch as we forsake the living God and turn unto idols. May the Lord purge us all from this grievous iniquity!

‘The dearest idol I have known,
Whate’er that idol be;
Help me to tear it from thy throne,
And worship only thee.’

5.4a

Weekly Links (8/21/2015)

 A man who only opposes the sin in his heart for fear of shame among men or eternal punishment from God would practise the sin if there were no punishment attending it. How does this differ from living in the practice of the sin? Those who belong to Christ, and are obedient to the Word of God, have the death of Christ, the love of God, the detestable nature of sin, the preciousness of communion with God, and a deep-rooted hatred of sin as sin to oppose to all the workings of lust in their hearts. (John Owen, The Mortification of Sin)

by Cesar Vigil-Ruiz

Feliz Friday! I hope this one, which has some serious content, will draw you all to pray and seek the Lord in this time of rebellion from the culture around us. God is still in control!

  • The Center for Medical Progress released their seventh video exposing more and more the ugliness of Planned Parenthood. Justin Taylor links to the previous videos and provides more resources to be a winsome advocate of life wherever you are. Alan Shlemon from Stand to Reason gives some thoughts to consider concerning the issue of rape and abortion with a real life situation in Egypt.
  • Collegians, want to know how to be successful in college? Here are five prerequisites. Also, while you’re at it, seeking biblical friendships may be hard, of which Jonathan Holmes offers a reason why that is, and suggests five ways to practically form friendships that isn’t weird or forced.
  • Joe Carter asks and answers a very neglected question: “Is there any actual demand for same-sex marriage?“
  • Did you know that a new NIV Study Bible is about to come out, and that D.A. Carson is one of the editors behind it? Andy Naselli gives a very informative post that will get you up to speed. This is an exciting time!
  • Robert Zink gives a timely devotional on being men and women of our word, which he sees as a subtle problem in the church. Heed the call to integrity.
  • Rico Tice simply lays out the implications of a passage that transformed his evangelism. Hopefully, the same happens with you.
  • Justin Taylor has written a very thoughtful post on the reality and vision of Christian education, and it probably isn’t what you’re expecting! In relation to school, here are 35 things an older adult wish they knew while in high school. Youth, this one’s for you!
  • This one may be a little long, but definitely worth reading. If you are researching the claims of Joseph Smith and the Mormon Church, knowing what they are and the lack of evidence shown in this post will definitely be of benefit to you and those you seek to minister the gospel to.
  • CBMW highlights how to counsel a woman after they suffer a miscarriage. How can you show them the love of Christ in this very difficult time? Allow Brittany Lind to offer five thoughts to help counsel those who are hurting, maybe even today.

That’s all for this week! Please pray for the joint volleyball tournament tomorrow at LBCOC, and that we would welcome guest preacher Morgan Maitland this coming Sunday as he brings God’s Word to us on Sunday.

Soli Deo Gloria

Reflections from the Fireflies Ministry

by Mabel Tse

The end of each academic year allows us to reflect on what has taken place over the last year. In the Fireflies ministry, we have enjoyed many blessings in the last year. Through Bible lessons, memory verses and songs, our little ones are continuously exposed to the simplicity of the Gospel truth. It has always been our prayer that LBC’s Fireflies ministry would help to lay a strong foundation upon which to build the future. We thank the parents of all our babies and toddlers this year who provided us the opportunity to serve in this way!

Our roster included about 10 babies and about 25 toddlers this past year. The upcoming transition time when some of our Fireflies toddlers will be graduating is particularly rewarding for our family this year, as our oldest daughter will have gone through the entire nursery curriculum over the last 3 years and will be settling into Sparklers this next quarter. We have seen her learn to love church and to love other members and their kids.

More importantly, as many other parents of Fireflies-aged children can attest to, we are thankful for the nursery workers who have instilled in our children a joyfulness in the Lord that comes from constant exposure to the simple truths of God’s word. Their familiarity with numerous Bible passages and their interest in learning more about the people in the stories provides the Fireflies’ staff (and the parents) an opportunity to explain what the love, kindness, patience, and holiness of God mean.

The time we have with our children is precious, and the Fireflies ministry and our staff are thankful to the rest of the church body for giving us an opportunity to care for and instruct their children in the ways of the Lord. As this academic year draws to an end, we look forward to more opportunities to serve the congregation and the little ones.

A Very Present Help

by Charles Haddon Spurgeon

Psalm 46:1

Covenant blessings are not meant to be looked at only, but to be appropriated. Even our Lord Jesus is given to us for our present use. Believer, thou dost not make use of Christ as thou oughtest to do. When thou art in trouble, why dost thou not tell Him all thy grief? Has He not a sympathizing heart, and can He not comfort and relieve thee? No, thou art going about to all thy friends, save thy best Friend, and telling thy tale everywhere except into the bosom of thy Lord.

  • Art thou burdened with this day’s sins? Here is a fountain filled with blood: use it, saint, use it.
  • Has a sense of guilt returned upon thee? The pardoning grace of Jesus may be proved again and again. Come to Him at once for cleansing.
  • Dost thou deplore thy weakness? He is thy strength: why not lean upon Him?
  • Dost thou feel naked? Come hither, soul; put on the robe of Jesus’ righteousness. Stand not looking at it, but wear it. Strip off thine own righteousness, and thine own fears too: put on the fair white linen, for it was meant to wear.
  • Dost thou feel thyself sick? Pull the night-bell of prayer, and call up the Beloved Physician! He will give the cordial that will revive thee.
  • Thou art poor, but then thou hast ‘a kinsman, a mighty man of wealth.’ What! wilt thou not go to Him, and ask Him to give thee of His abundance, when He has given thee this promise, that thou shalt be joint heir with Him, and has made over all that He is and all that He has to be thine?

There is nothing Christ dislikes more than for His people to make a show-thing of Him, and not to use Him. He loves to be employed by us. The more burdens we put on His shoulders, the more precious will He be to us.

‘Let us be simple with Him, then,
Not backward, stiff, or cold,
As though our Bethlehem could be
What Sinai was of old.’

5.3p

Weekly Links (8/14/2015)

The gospel of justification by faith alone proclaims a mercy so great, so full, that it compromises nothing.  This is forgiveness God feels good about.  His conscience is happy about this way of forgiving inexcusable sinners.  Therefore, our consciences too may quietly come to rest, really rest, in the finished work of Christ on the cross for us. (Ray Ortlund)

by Cesar Vigil-Ruiz

Feliz Friday! A whole new month, a gamut of links ready for your consumption!

  • With the rise of Islam worldwide, believers need to be prepared to explain and defend their faith to them, in the hopes that God would lead them to an understanding of the truth. Stand to Reason has given some excellent resources for the church body: starting a conversation with a Muslim, and an apologetic strategy that will point out an inconsistency in their worldview.
  • Amid the flurry of all things Planned Parenthood, how are Christians to respond? Well, to catch you up to speed, Justin Taylor provides links to all (currently) six videos posted from the Center for Medical Progress along with resources for Christians to give a reasoned defense against abortion. Michael Kruger responds to claims made by Planned Parenthood and their supporters in defense of their horrendous actions. Courtney Reissig gives timely wisdom on how moms can show their pro-life commitments, even in the hustle and bustle of taking care of the little ones.
  • To extend the argument that those who defend life inside the womb also care about their lives outside the womb, Crossway is making a FREE e-book available by Russell Moore called Adoption: What Joseph of Nazareth Can Teach Us about This Countercultural Choice. If you are considering adoption, or aren’t sure whether it’s worth pursuing, this may be just the thing to read.
  • Whenever discussions concerning the Trinity come up, focus is usually drawn on understanding what the Bible teaches about God, and rightly so. At the same time, not much attention is drawn on how our response should be to the glorious truth of the Trinity. Michael Reeves draws our eyes to the beauty of the Triune God of Scripture by calling all believers to delight in Him as Trinity.
  • For those of you ministering to Roman Catholics, Leonardo de Chirico has a helpful lecture that will be definitely be of interest: “Understanding and Evaluating the Appeal of Roman Catholicism.“
  • Since there are some upcoming first time dads at our church (or have recently become one), biblical counselor and pastor Deepak Reju lists out 12 things every first time dad should know.
  • For parents of teens and youth workers, knowing how to engage teens and technology cannot be emphasized enough. Erin Davis points out three things we may be missing when dealing with this issue. For parents in particular, another area to address is how to discuss biblical manhood and womanhood with your children.
  • Recent news has appeared pointing out the admission by the Mormon Church that Joseph Smith did claim to use a seer stone to dictate the text of the Book of Mormon. Many apologetic ministries had already pointed this out in their dealings with Mormons, but were denied by Mormon authorities until now. Rob Bowman argues that isn’t the real issue, and it would be helpful for us as ambassadors of Christ to know what the real issue is.
  • If you are interested in getting a grip on apologetics, Fred Butler gives a list of great resources to get your feet wet. I personally have benefited from some of these books, and would commend them to you.

That’s all for this week! Be sure to remember to pray for Pastor Patrick and Eugene as they will be in Argentina through this week and next, and for the youth to grow closer to our Savior at this weekend’s Lumos retreat!

Soli Deo Gloria