Tell Ye Your Children Of It

by Charles Haddon Spurgeon

Joel 1:3

In this simple way, by God’s grace, a living testimony for truth is always to be kept alive in the land-the beloved of the Lord are to hand down their witness for the gospel, and the covenant to their heirs, and these again to their next descendants.

  • This is our first duty, we are to begin at the family hearth: he is a bad preacher who does not commence his ministry at home. The heathen are to be sought by all means, and the highways and hedges are to be searched, but home has a prior claim, and woe unto those who reverse the order of the Lord’s arrangements.
  • To teach our children is a personal duty; we cannot delegate it to Sunday School Teachers, or other friendly aids, these can assist us, but cannot deliver us from the sacred obligation; proxies and sponsors are wicked devices in this case: mothers and fathers must, like Abraham, command their households in the fear of God, and talk with their offspring concerning the wondrous works of the Most High.
  • Parental teaching is a natural duty-who so fit to look to the child’s well-being as those who are the authors of his actual being? To neglect the instruction of our offspring is worse than brutish.
  • Family religion is necessary for the nation, for the family itself, and for the church of God. By a thousand plots Popery is covertly advancing in our land, and one of the most effectual means for resisting its inroads is left almost neglected, namely, the instruction of children in the faith. Would that parents would awaken to a sense of the importance of this matter.
  • It is a pleasant duty to talk of Jesus to our sons and daughters, and the more so because it has often proved to be an accepted work, for God has saved the children through the parents’ prayers and admonitions.

May every house into which this volume shall come honour the Lord and receive His smile.

7.11p

Weekly Links (11/30/2018)

“The deepest wound of all wounds was the crucifixion of the Lord Jesus Christ, who suffered more than anyone ever had or ever will, and with the greatest possible effect. His cry was the apex of all laments: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27: 46; see Psalm 22: 1). It is only because of this lament that our laments gain their ultimate meaning. If the perfect Son of God can lament and not sin, so may we. Further, that anguished cry was answered by his resurrection from the dead on the third day.” (Douglas Groothuis, Walking Through Twilight: A Wife’s Illness–A Philosopher’s Lament)

by Cesar Vigil-Ruiz

Feliz Friday! There are many links to get to, so don’t let me stop you from enjoying what you see! Happy reading!

  • Historian of science Michael Keas continues his interview with Christian apologist J.P. Moreland on the issue of scientism and its many problems.
  • On this week’s Truth in Love podcast, Dale Johnson interviews Pastor Rush Witt on his new book, Diehard Sins: How to Fight Wisely against Destructive Daily Habits. This book comes highly endorsed by many in the biblical counseling community. You might want to pick up the book after!
  • RTS Charlotte President Michael Kruger gives seven lessons for evangelical scholars in the secular academy based on Thomas Oden’s switch from liberalism to evangelical Christianity. These lessons are not just for the scholar, but for every believer seeking to make an influence in the academic realm, wherever that may be.
  • Paul Tripp argues that the good news of Christmas can truly be embraced and enjoyed when you truly accept the bad news of Christmas.
  • Joshua Harris, author of the very popular book I Kissed Dating Goodbye, has since interviewed many people about the influence his writing had over 20 years ago. He filmed a documentary with the varied responses, and Harris’ own thoughts now. Tim Challies wrote a mini-review, including a link to where you can view the documentary for free. Exploration Films recently released a statement that Harris requested his books on the issue be discontinued from publication.
  • Reports have surfaced of an American missionary, John Chau, being killed by a small tribe in India, and many have offered their thoughts on the matter. Albert Mohler addressed it on Monday’s edition of The Briefing, while Denny Burk highlights an interview of the director of Chau’s missionary agency, All Nations, that corrects many of the criticisms placed on Chau and his decision to evangelize the Sentinelese. Ed Stetzer writes in The Washington Post about the culture’s response to Chau’s decision and how it differs from how a Christian might respond. Pray for Chau’s family, as they mourn his loss, and for the Sentinelese, that they may hear the gospel soon.
  • Christopher Yuan has written a new book advocating for a life of holiness, as opposed to heterosexuality, when dealing with the struggle some have over their homosexual desires. Randy Alcorn reviews Yuan’s new book, and links to a video of his testimony to the power of the gospel. Make sure to watch!
  • Fred Sanders, Professor at the Torrey Honors Institute, presents a lecture on the revelation of the Trinity in Scripture. That alone should interest you enough to give 75 minutes of your time to learn and enjoy God’s triune nature.
  • Now, I know the main focus should be on resources that have come out this week, but I had to mention Triablogue’s Christmas 2018 resource list that was posted last Friday. This is one of my favorite posts to link to every year. If you are looking for anything related to Christmas, and its historical veracity and theological significance, this is the post to bookmark.

That’s all for this week! Please pray for the many flocks meeting tonight and tomorrow, and for the women heading to Tri-City Bible Church for the Women’s Christmas Coffee event. See you all on Sunday!

Soli Deo Gloria

Why I Serve in Fireflies

by Stephanie Chung

Fireflies, the nursery ministry of LBCSD, has one of the largest staffs of any of the children’s ministries, or ministries in general at the church. While this is in no small part due to the sheer number of children the Lord blesses our church with, it is also because of the hearts of the members to love, teach, and disciple our littlest ones. And every week I serve, I get to witness exactly that.

I joined the Fireflies staff about 6-7 years ago while I was in college. I was interested in the ministry because I wanted to serve in an official ministry and I enjoyed working with kids – teaching them God’s Word, shepherding their hearts. I was trying to choose between joining Fireflies or Sparklers, and Carol, our ministry coordinator, got to me first. So here I am.

A few years later, I joined the teaching staff. As an aspiring teacher, I believed I would be a good fit for the ministry. I thought the transition from classroom instruction to teaching nursery lessons would be an easy one; I thought I had the merits needed to be an engaging and effective teacher; I believed myself to possess the necessary qualities to be able to do this well. While these things weren’t untrue, I quickly realized my mistake of depending too much on my own strength to accomplish something only the Lord can do.

Since then, I’ve learned and experienced that teaching the Fireflies is so much more than trying to calm a screaming baby or changing a few smelly diapers, and more than managing a roomful of children with the many different ways they disobey or get into conflicts, and even more than telling a Bible Story in a way that just keeps the children’s interest and then producing a craft to have something to show for the day. Rather, the call of being on staff is an act of worship and glorifying God, through the teaching of His Word in order to make disciples.

One of the main priorities of the ministry is to teach God’s truth, and that comes with the weighty responsibility to handle it accurately (2 Timothy 2:15). Every lesson teaches the children about the God of the Bible – his sovereignty, his goodness, his love. This requires studying and meditating on the passage of scripture from which the lesson is found. The children learn to love God’s word as they learn and memorize scripture through songs and hand-motions, as well as to contemplate the characters and events of the Old and New Testaments. Often, the lessons that we teach about God and his attributes are good and timely reminders for the staff and me as well, and my own love for God and his Word is deepened.

Through the teaching of God’s Word, the staff and I are intentionally carrying out the MVP, particularly the M – to make disciples of Christ (Matthew 28:18-20). We teach a Bible lesson on an attribute of God and appeal to the children to make choices and live lives according to the Lord’s will. Sometimes, the lessons learned aren’t even during the formal lesson time. By interacting with the staff and other children, they are learning to listen and obey the first time, to be kind to others, make wise choices, to share, to be peacemakers.

Serving in nursery is an extension of our worship to the Lord. It is one of the ways we get to glorify God on Sunday morning. We are speaking truth each week, and yes, even starting at this early age because we do not presume on what the Lord can or cannot use to fulfill his kingdom’s work. We are simply called to be the faithful servants to carry out this mission. We plant the seeds of the gospel so that one day, when they can understand the weight of the Lord’s message, the soil will be ready to receive it. This is our prayer and this is our hope. We do this, not because we have the power to save or only because we are called to, but out of love for the Lord and His precious little ones. And we trust that the Lord will work mightily through us in the hearts of the children and accomplish his will.

After That Ye Have Suffered Awhile…

by Charles Haddon Spurgeon

1 Peter 5:10

You have seen the arch of heaven as it spans the plain: glorious are its colours, and rare its hues. It is beautiful, but, alas, it passes away, and lo, it is not. The fair colours give way to the fleecy clouds, and the sky is no longer brilliant with the tints of heaven. It is not established. How can it be? A glorious show made up of transitory sun-beams and passing rain-drops, how can it abide? The graces of the Christian character must not resemble the rainbow in its transitory beauty, but, on the contrary, must be stablished, settled, abiding. Seek, O believer, that every good thing you have may be an abiding thing. May your character not be a writing upon the sand, but an inscription upon the rock! May your faith be no ‘baseless fabric of a vision,’ but may it be builded of material able to endure that awful fire which shall consume the wood, hay, and stubble of the hypocrite. May you be rooted and grounded in love. May your convictions be deep, your love real, your desires earnest. May your whole life be so settled and established, that all the blasts of hell, and all the storms of earth shall never be able to remove you.

But notice how this blessing of being ‘stablished in the faith’ is gained. The apostle’s words point us to suffering as the means employed-‘After that ye have suffered awhile.’ It is of no use to hope that we shall be well rooted if no rough winds pass over us. Those old gnarlings on the root of the oak tree, and those strange twistings of the branches, all tell of the many storms that have swept over it, and they are also indicators of the depth into which the roots have forced their way. So the Christian is made strong, and firmly rooted by all the trials and storms of life. Shrink not then from the tempestuous winds of trial, but take comfort, believing that by their rough discipline God is fulfilling this benediction to you.

7.11a

Weekly Links (11/23/2018)

“Our first and chief concern as Christians should be to guard and to preserve this precious, wondrous unity of the Spirit. . . . If we believe in God, we must ever feel that our first duty is to guard this unity, to preserve it at all costs, to strain every nerve and be diligent in endeavouring to keep it and manifest it.” (D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Christian Unity: An Exposition of Ephesians 4:1– 10)

by Cesar Vigil-Ruiz

Feliz Friday! Thanksgiving has come and gone, but the links are here to stay. Here are this week’s links!

  • How can you help those who are sorrowful rejoice this holiday season? Pastor Spencer Harmon gives some great wisdom for many who may rub shoulders with those who are in this season of suffering.
  • Scripture calls for believers to be hospitable. What does that look like? Kelsey Park invites you to join her in a life of service to believers you know and don’t know.
  • Historian of science Mike Keas interviews J.P. Moreland about his new book, Scientism and Secularism: Learning to Respond to a Dangerous Ideology. The great thing is this will be a series of interviews, so I will try to post future interviews to come!
  • Denny Burk reflects on the recent Evangelical Theological Society meeting held last week. You may be more interested in this than you think, so check it out.
  • How much time do you spend each day reading the Bible? Do you think you don’t have enough time? Crossway recently published an infographic that will inform and surprise you in terms of how much time it really does take to read the Bible, and how quickly it can be done. This can definitely be something worth investing your time in.
  • How does the Bible address contentment? ACBC Executive Director Dale Johnson speaks about this in the newest Truth in Love podcast.
  • What does it actually mean to be taught by God to “number our days”? W. Robert Godfrey lays out the context of Psalm 90:12 and draws us in to the God who is eternal.
  • How should parent-child conversations be prioritized? Which types of conversations should parents give more of an emphasis on than others? Pastor Andy Farmer offers five priorities that will, in the long run, give way to a fruitful relationship with your children to the glory of God.
  • Some may have already moved on from Thanksgiving, and are beginning to prepare for Christmas. How can we as believers make the most of this upcoming season? Pastor John MacArthur gives some helpful thoughts for us to consider.
  • UC Berkeley is drawing attention to itself with one of its student senators abstaining to vote to condemn the Trump administration for considering to a Title IX ban on sex discrimination in education on the basis of a person’s biological sex rather than on his or her gender identity. The student senator is a Christian who chose not to go against her conscience, and has demonstrated compassion and conviction in the face of intolerance by the ‘tolerant’ majority. May her tribe increase.

That’s all for this week! Happy post-Thanksgiving! See you all on Sunday!

Soli Deo Gloria

God’s Wisdom for Parenting (Part 8)

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.

He who withholds his rod hates his son, But he who loves him disciplines him diligently. (Proverbs 13:24)

In this series, I have been walking through proverbs that specifically deal with the theme of parenting. The passage for today comes just two verses after the previous verse we looked at. As with some earlier proverbs, this verse walks through the importance of discipline, but here it is specifically dealing with applying the rod in parenting. It is not surprising that this is a controversial issue amongst parents outside the church. Many secular articles have been written warning against the dangers of spanking. But from a Christian perspective, God’s Word is clear that a parent’s responsibility is to guide their children away from sinful behavior by loving discipline and the implementation of the “rod.”

Some Christians have attempted to argue that the Bible does not promote spanking young children. They claim that, though well-intended, we have misunderstood Scripture’s intent. One argument they posit is that the Hebrew word for “child” (Heb. naar) in the Proverbs does not refer to young children but older youths. A quick look at several passages would demonstrate that this is false. While it is true that the word can refer to young men (Gen. 14:24), it is also used to label very young children (Gen. 21:12) and even infants (Exod. 2:6; 1 Sam. 1:22). This word can be applied to any child that is not a full-grown adult. The notion that the Bible does not promote spanking children is driven by a predetermined agenda without allowing Scripture to speak for itself.

This proverb states that the one who refrains from implementing the rod of discipline hates his son, but the one who loves him disciplines him diligently. This is contrary to the unfortunate thinking of many parents that spanking is unloving or harsh. Of course, a parent can punish their child in a very unloving and even abusive way, but biblical discipline never allows for this. Biblically, discipline is either applied in love or it is sin. Parents who spank their children in anger need to repent and seek forgiveness from God and their children. The motive for biblical correction is always love.

Many parents today reject spanking because of a faulty understanding of human nature, that children are basically innocent. As such, too many unfortunately allow their children to learn merely from their experiences and their own life choices. Too many parents allow their children to have their own way. But the Bible commands parents to teach a child the way to go. In fact, the Bible teaches that leaving a child to choose their own way will lead to their spiritual destruction. This is why the author states that withholding discipline is tantamount to hating your child.

It follows then that if a parent loves their child with true, godly love, they will seek to save their child from a course in life that leads to destruction by not allowing them to go their own way (Prov. 29:15; cf. Prov. 22:6 CSB). Parents are to do this “diligently” (Heb. mūsar). This is an interesting adverb in Hebrew that comes from the root word for “dawn.” It should be understood as “early.” In other words, diligently disciplining your child is to correct their behavior early without allowing it to persist.

Evening And The Morning Were The First Day

by Charles Haddon Spurgeon

Genesis 1:5

The evening was ‘darkness’ and the morning was ‘light,’ and yet the two together are called by the name that is given to the light alone! This is somewhat remarkable, but it has an exact analogy in spiritual experience. In every believer there is darkness and light, and yet he is not to be named a sinner because there is sin in him, but he is to be named a saint because he possesses some degree of holiness. This will be a most comforting thought to those who are mourning their infirmities, and who ask, ‘Can I be a child of God while there is so much darkness in me?’ Yes; for you, like the day, take not your name from the evening, but from the morning; and you are spoken of in the word of God as if you were even now perfectly holy as you will be soon. You are called the child of light, though there is darkness in you still. You are named after what is the predominating quality in the sight of God, which will one day be the only principle remaining.

Observe that the evening comes first. Naturally we are darkness first in order of time, and the gloom is often first in our mournful apprehension, driving us to cry out in deep humiliation, ‘God be merciful to me, a sinner.’ The place of the morning is second, it dawns when grace overcomes nature. It is a blessed aphorism of John Bunyan, ‘That which is last, lasts for ever.’ That which is first, yields in due season to the last; but nothing comes after the last. So that though you are naturally darkness, when once you become light in the Lord, there is no evening to follow; ‘thy sun shall no more go down.’ The first day in this life is an evening and a morning; but the second day, when we shall be with God, for ever, shall be a day with no evening, but one, sacred, high, eternal noon.

7.10p

Weekly Links (11/16/2018)

“Tears in the preacher are evoked by deeply felt sympathy with the predicament of those who are listening, a predicament which the preacher shares but from which he has been rescued by the gospel which he is bringing. When that gospel is rejected, tears are drawn from the preacher as he earnestly seeks the good of those to whom he has been sent. Our modern gospel does not evoke tears in the preacher because the dimension of judgement has almost completely been eliminated. A gospel without tears, because without judgement, is not the gospel of the New Testament.” (Broughton Knox, The Everlasting God)

by Cesar Vigil-Ruiz

Feliz Friday! I hope and pray these links will be of use to you in your service to Christ and His bride. So read and enjoy!

  • How do we deal with unhealthy friendships? What are some warning signs, and how can they be redirected to a healthy and God-glorifying type of friendship? Kelly Needham, in anticipation of her upcoming book on friendship, is interviewed to discuss friendship idolatry and how to turn a friendship Godward.
  • Who first showed Ray Ortlund the beauty of Jesus? His father, and it’s a beautiful story.
  • What is the current state of apologetics today? How can Christians be more effective in their witness of Christ and His glory to our neighbors, coworkers, family members, etc.? Sarah Eekhoff Zylstra lays out the current cultural landscape that many in the US face, and how a change in emphasis can draw people to see not only the truth, but the beauty and goodness of the gospel. This was quite a helpful read.
  • How would John Piper argue for Christian Hedonism today? Well, here’s how! By the way, this was posted today, so this is quite an appropriate question to ask.
  • Piper also has answered many questions over the years on his Ask Pastor John podcast. Desiring God created a top 10 post on what people have asked over the years about how to read the Bible. While you’re at it, you may also want to listen to his most recent podcast on seven ways APJ will kill your joy, the exact opposite of Christian Hedonism.
  • What do medical experts say about hormone treatments and surgery with respect to changing one’s sex? Over at The Public Discourse, two outcomes to the current promotion of transgenderism are examined that can dramatically effect not only those affected by this, but those who seek to help those who are hurting. As a sign of love, stay informed.
  • You have probably seen the many televangelists or Word of Faith preachers speak their false teachings on TV or online, but have you ever heard one of them confess their sin of representing the gospel inaccurately? Pastor John Samson, former Word of Faith preacher, does just this. You definitely want to hear about how the Lord drew Him to preach the biblical gospel.
  • How would you apply Scripture to the difficult situations in life? The Biblical Counseling Coalition started a series of posts on how the Bible can be used effectively to help those suffering from PTSD. Greg Gifford discussed the importance of having a biblical view of man when addressing PTSD, Biblical counselor John Foldberg explains his counseling methodology with respect to PTSD, and Rachel Rosser discusses the distinct issue of addressing Complex PTS. Don’t miss Charles Hodges’ post, the last in the series, when it comes out on the BCC blog.

That’s all for this week! Please pray for the youth and collegians, as they meet tonight for Bible study. Looking forward to seeing you all at church on Sunday for service, and Thanksgiving dinner!

Soli Deo Gloria

Fellow Citizens With The Saints

by Charles Haddon Spurgeon

Ephesians 2:19

What is meant by our being citizens in heaven?

  • It means that we are under heaven’s government. Christ the king of heaven reigns in our hearts; our daily prayer is, ‘Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.’ The proclamations issued from the throne of glory are freely received by us: the decrees of the Great King we cheerfully obey.
  • Then as citizens of the New Jerusalem, we share heaven’s honours. The glory which belongs to beatified saints belongs to us, for we are already sons of God, already princes of the blood imperial; already we wear the spotless robe of Jesu’s righteousness; already we have angels for our servitors, saints for our companions, Christ for our Brother, God for our Father, and a crown of immortality for our reward. We share the honours of citizenship, for we have come to the general assembly and Church of the first-born whose names are written in heaven.
  • As citizens, we have common rights to all the property of heaven. Ours are its gates of pearl and walls of chrysolite; ours the azure light of the city that needs no candle nor light of the sun; ours the river of the water of life, and the twelve manner of fruits which grow on the trees planted on the banks thereof; there is nought in heaven that belongeth not to us. ‘Things present, or things to come,’ all are ours.
  • Also as citizens of heaven we enjoy its delights. Do they there rejoice over sinners that repent-prodigals that have returned? So do we. Do they chant the glories of triumphant grace? We do the same. Do they cast their crowns at Jesu’s feet? Such honours as we have we cast there too. Are they charmed with His smile? It is not less sweet to us who dwell below. Do they look forward, waiting for His second advent? We also look and long for His appearing.

If, then, we are thus citizens of heaven, let our walk and actions be consistent with our high dignity.

7.10a

Weekly Links (11/9/2018)

“Worry begins when a person is trying to love equally both the Creator and something in creation (or when they are not trying to love the Creator at all, having replaced him with something in his creation). That something may be ourselves, of course. And to love Creator and created equally is impossible.” (Timothy Lane, Living without Worry: How to replace anxiety with peace)

by Cesar Vigil-Ruiz

Feliz Friday! The links are here, waiting for you! So let’s get to it!

  • The writers of The Statement on Social Justice and the Gospel continue to expound on each article with…articles. Dr. James White focuses on Article 10: Sexuality and Marriage, and Pastor Tom Buck writes on Article 11: Complementarianism.
  • Denny Burk focuses this week on two very contentious issues amongst believers and the wider culture: spanking and transgenderism.
  • Guys tend to have trouble making close friends as they get older. How can we develop a deeper friendship with another man? Pastor Drew Hunter offers some context to the problem, as well as five tips to grow in this very unspoken but common issue.
  • Every once in a while, SBTS President Al Mohler interviews a leading speaker/writer on a topic that affects Christians in the public sphere on his ‘Thinking in Public’ podcast. This week, he interviews senior writer for the National Review, David French, on American conservatism, past, present, and future. No matter where you stand politically, this is definitely worth giving a listen.
  • Amy Hall writes of the common misconception that pursuing apologetics may expand the mind, but crowd out the heart.
  • Gloria Furman gives some wisdom in how to start a conversation about Jesus with someone who doesn’t know Him.
  • How does validating someone during counseling look like? Eliza Jane Huie lays out the meaning of validation, its benefits, and how to offer it to your counselee.
  • What is an effective and honest way to deal with anxiety? Biblical counselor Lee Lewis argues humility is the way to go.

That’s all for this week! Please pray for the youth and collegians, as they will be meeting tonight. Don’t forget: baptism service is this Sunday at 4pm! See you all at church!

Soli Deo Gloria