Quotable 5

"Our culture...has made way for a brand of Christianity where taking up one's cross is optional--or even unseemly. Indeed, many members of the church in the Western world suppose they can best serve God by being as non-confrontive to their world as possible.

Having absorbed the world's values, Christianity in our society is now dying. Subtly but surely worldliness and self-indulgence are eating away the heart of the church. The gospel we proclaim is so convoluted that it offers believing in Christ as nothing more than a means to contentment and prosperity. The offense of the cross (cf. Gal. 5:11) has been systematically removed so that the message might be made more acceptable to unbelievers. The church somehow got the idea it could declare peace with the enemies of God." - John MacArthur.

Let us be faithful to preach the Truth in love, but to preach the whole Truth! Without the law there is no knowledge of sin.

Love in the Truth.

Cartoon Irony

Love in the Truth.

What I miss the most in Southern Ontario

Let me start by saying there is a lot that I miss. "Fellowship" nights with the youth was always a good time - if not a little painful! The thing about ministry though is the fact that yes there are highs but there are also plenty of lows - which are extremely painful. That said, I loved the times of refreshing enjoyed with fellow brothers called to be shepherds of God's people. Being part of the Toronto Pastor's Fellowship was such a blessing, and I am thankful for the men of Grace Fellowship Church for their efforts.

Since distance prevents me from attending, it is a blessing to know that the resources offered are available online. And, rather than having to individually download each message and subsequent paper, my brother Julian Freeman, has made all of them available in one .zip file!!

For my pastor friends, this is a resource worth your time. For others who read, this is a resource worth your time too! Thanks Julian for doing this; I miss being there with you all.

Love in the Truth.

Quotable #4

Sometimes those that are quotable are quotable for the wrong reason. This is one those times. The Globe and Mail recently interviewed William Paul Young - for those that don't know, he wrote "The Shack". Why is this book so appealing to so many? Here is Young's answer:

"Young thinks a big part of the novel's appeal derives from it not being explicitly Christian. There's little or no Scripture in it. The novel, to Young's mind, "has given to people a language to have a conversation about God, evil, suffering and healing. ... a language they didn't have before because all the language before has been very religious, loaded with religious land mines and everything else."

Here's a little "land mine" from God:

"For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths." (2 Timothy 4:3-4)

Love in the Truth.

Drive Through Church

This is funny, but the tragic thing is that it is also true. The North American "church" is radically "me" centred! Anyway, enjoy - "I want some healing for my bunion!!"

Love in the Truth.

What is Preaching?

Here is a short video by one of my heroes, John Piper, answering that question.




Preaching is expository.
Preaching is exultation.
Preaching isn't church, but it serves the church.

What to Expect from My Preaching and Why:

"If you're used to a twenty-minute, immediately practical, relaxed talk, you won't find that from what I've just described. I preach twice that long; I do not aim to be immediately practical but eternally helpful; and I am not relaxed."

"I standing vigilantly on the precipice of eternity speaking to people who this week could go over the edge whether they are ready to or not. I will be called to account for what I said there."

"That's what I mean by preaching."

What a great answer! That is what I try to accomplish when I preach - I stress "try" because all to often I fail.

Love in the Truth.

Quotable 3 - plus a plug!

"If your Bible is falling apart, you probably aren't." John MacArthur

"Your Bible is the only thing on earth that, as you wear it out, will actually work better and better." Professor Grant Horner

So what is the plug? Well it is for Professor Grant Horner's bible reading system. If you are serious about wanting more of God, this is for you! Warning: this will take time and discipline, but it will be worth it.

Now some of you may be thinking, "just what I need another bible reading plan." To that I say, you're right; it is just what you need! Honestly, the fact that so many Christians struggle to read through their bibles is...well the only word that fits is pathetic. Here's the thing, I struggle too. I am as pathetic as the next guy, but we are to "long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it (we) may grow".

• We are saved through the Word of God. (Romans 10:17; James 1:18)
• We are sanctified (grow) by the Word of God. (John 17:17; 1 Peter 2:2)

What really is Eternal Life? Think about it, meditate on it. Jesus defines it for us. "And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent" (John 17:3). We can only know God through His Word. Do you know Him? Do you want to know Him more? This Bible reading system is quite simply the best that I have come across to do just that.

Remember though, it is just a tool. The important thing is that you/we GET IN THE WORD!

Love in the Truth.

The Supremacy of Christ

Love in the Truth.

Quotable 2

God Himself is the Great Good of our Redemption

“The redeemed have all their objective good in God. God himself is the great good which they are brought to the possession and enjoyment of by redemption. He is the highest good, and the sum of all that good which Christ has purchased. God is the inheritance of the saints; he is the portion of their souls. God is their wealth and treasure, their food, their life, their dwelling place, their ornament and diadem, and their everlasting honor and glory. They have none in heaven but God; he is the great good which the redeemed are received to at death, and which they are to rise to at the end of the world.

The Lord God, he is the light of the heavenly Jerusalem; and is the ‘the river of the water of life’ that runs, and the tree of life that grows, ‘in the midst of the paradise of God.’ The glorious excellencies and beauty of God will be what will forever entertain the minds of the saints, and the love of God will be their everlasting feast. The redeemed will indeed enjoy other things; they will enjoy the angels, and will enjoy one another: but that which they shall enjoy in the angels, or each other, or in anything else whatsoever, that will yield them delight and happiness, will be what will be seen of God in them."

Jonathan Edwards - God Glorified in the Work of Redemption

Love in the Truth.

Quotable!

"Nothing can be rightly known, if God be not known; nor is any study well managed, nor to any great purpose, if God is not studied...It is a most high and noble part of holiness, to search after, behold, admire, and love the great Creator in all His works." Richard Baxter - The Reformed Pastor

Love in the Truth.

Free Download...plus...

This month's free download from Christian Audio is Foxes Book of Martyrs. If you have read it before, you know the blessing that it is to read of these saints who gave their lives for the sake of Christ. Well, now you can hear it!

Beginning with the story of Stephen from the book of Acts, considered the first Christian martyr, the drama builds to the passion of the early Church's persecution under the Roman Empire. The hardy and radical faith of those first believers spawned medieval missionary movements that spread the gospel across Europe and into England, Scotland, and Ireland.

So what is the plus? Well if anything can show that the "God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life" is not at all the biblical gospel - this book can! Well the Bible itself proves this apart from any help from John Foxe, but I digress...

Download and enjoy!

Love in the Truth.

It's Been A While

I know it's been a while since my last post. I hope to get back up-to-speed very soon. We have just recently moved and as a result things are pretty hectic!! I am now serving as pastor of Faith Baptist Church in Echo Bay, Ontario. The folk here have been a real blessing thus far, and we are excitied about our new ministry together. Pray for us as we begin this journey! God is good and gracious...thanks for your prayers. Soli Deo Gloria!

Love in the Truth.