Blessed be the Name of the Lord

The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.

                                                                                        Job 1:21

Jesus is Fully God & Fully Man

We believe that Jesus Christ is fully God and fully man, conceived of the Holy Spirit and virgin-born to Mary. He died on the cross as our substitute, taking upon Himself the penalty for our sin. He was buried and was physically resurrected to prove the completeness of His work, providing our victory over sin and death.

Jesus had to be fully God in order to live a perfect life and overcome sin and death.  Jesus had to be fully man in order to be our representative and our substitute.  He had two natures in one person.  His perfect righteous life was imputed to us and our sin was imputed to Him.  In His humanity He was tempted in every way yet was without sin; therefore, Jesus is someone who can sympathize and empathize with us and someone we can go to in the hardest of times.  The two links below are the class outline used in the Fusion Adult Bible Fellowship at McKinney Church and the we believe is the full notes that expound on the outline.

 Statement of Faith-Jesus Christ class outline

Statement of Faith-We believe in Jesus Christ

God is Trinity

We believe in the Trinity — Three Persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. All three are equally God, are of one substance, and are without beginning or end.

This Sunday’s lesson was on the Trinity.  As the Statement of Faith says, God is one God but in three persons ― Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  How can this happen?  The key is the statement “[All] are of one substance.”  “Substance” and “person” are different things.  Substance is “what you are” it’s the stuff that you “consist of.”  In regard to “persons” the Father is the “I” and he refers to the Son as “you.”  They have different roles but they are equally God.  Charles Dickens’ famous line, “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.”  This is not a contradiction any more than God is a Trinity.

The mystery behind the Trinitarian God is hard for us finite humans to illustrate.  Many illustrations have been presented to explain the Trinity but all fall short in some respect.  Our teacher, David, this Sunday helped us in the short comings of illustrations and reminded us that God had to be three things in order to remain a Trinitarian God, (1) God is 3 persons, (2) All 3 are God, (3) All 3 are the same substance. 

The Bible is the authoritative revelation from God

I am co-teaching at McKinney Memorial Bible Church and this past Sunday’s message was the first in a series on McKinney’s Statement of Faith:

We believe that the Bible is the authoritative revelation from God to men and that it is completely without error, uniquely inspired through the direction of the Holy Spirit. The Scriptures, therefore, are the only reliable guideposts in matters of faith and practice.

How can we trust that the Bible is in fact God’s very own words to us?  We have to start with Scripture because there is no higher authority!  2 Timothy 3:16-17 says, ALL Scripture is God-breathed (inspired—NASB) and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correcting, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.  This verse says “all” Scripture, not some, but all is inspired by God or breathed out by God.  2 Peter 1:20-21 says that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.  Peter also acknowledges Paul’s letters as Scripture (2 Pet 3:16).  If these verses were false then we could doubt other passages of Scripture.  However, it is not false and God in His providence has kept his word from error, we can believe that it is true and use it for faith and practice.  It is completely sufficient in the life of the Christian and the body of Christ, the Church.

Sex, Romance, and the Glory of God book review

C.J. Mahaney’s book, Sex, Romance, and the Glory of God, is a very practical book to help husbands love their wives more.  The subtitle of the book is, “What Every Christian Husband Needs to Know,” and the thesis of the book is “to lead us [husbands] back into God’s ideal of joyful, unashamed, indulgent, loving sexuality in the context of marriage” (15). 

Before Mahaney gets into the practical tips to loving our wives he builds a foundation that is also our motivation for great sex and intimacy with our spouse.  He first answers a few questions: what is the purpose of my existence (answer—“to glorify God and to enjoy him forever”), and what is the purpose of marriage (answer—marriage between a man and a woman is meant to reflect the relationship between Christ and the Church—see Eph 5:31-32 (22)).  Then Mahaney moves to a closer examination of romance and sex.  His first principle is, “in order for romance to deepen, you must touch the heart and mind of your wife before you touch her body” (28).  In order to touch our wife’s heart and mind we need to learn her, study her, see what she likes, dislikes, hopes and dreams; ask her questions and write down all this information (see pages 33-34 for a list of items to begin your investigation).  Once you gain information then you need to plan and follow-through with God’s grace. 

The Bible commissions husbands to be the leader and initiator of the marriage and Mahaney gives a list to help do this.  Four steps to making progress in this or any area of your life (38):

1.       Review what you already know, and gain new knowledge. (learning)

2.       Identify opportunities to apply what you know. (planning)

3.       Practice applying what you know. (doing)

4.       Repeat steps a) through c).

Mahaney reminds us that “sex, romance, and your marriage are best seen from the long view; very long” (48).  What we husbands do every day will affect our relationship down the road.  Our wives will remember how we treated them, or did not treat them, when we want to have sex.  Thus, Mahaney gives “seven surefire ways to kindle romance” (chapter four):  1. Date night, 2. Phone calls, 3. Notes, cards, and letters, 4. Gifts, 5. Music, 6. Getaways, and 7. Surprises. 

In chapter five, Mahaney uses the Song of Solomon as a guide to romance our wives.  He says, “A key to consistent growth in romance is found in the regular use of ‘carefully composed words’” (57).  Chapter six is the sex chapter, using the Song of Solomon as a guide again!  I have to try to keep this a “G” rating, so you will have to get the book to read some of the practical elements Mahaney advises.  Here are some quotes for instruction and encouragement, “Sex is not primarily a goal-oriented activity; it’s an event, an experience; it’s about expressing passion to my wife and receiving her expressions of passion for me” (88).  “The Song…is not about sexual intercourse; rather, it is about the remarkable nature of the couple’s overall relationship—in all its romance, yearning, desire, sensuality, passion, and eroticism…they [the couple in Song of Solomon] do not desire to be together simply so they can experience sexual gratification…they want to be together because they are in love, and the sex they enjoy with one another is an expression of that love…their mutual attraction is not primarily hormonal; it is primarily relational….as a married couple, they have great sex because they love one another so completely, not the other way around…Christian marriages are about the entire continuum—the relationship itself” (89). 

Chapter seven is titled “As Strong as death: the enduring power of covenant love” (91).  The title comes from Songs 8:6, for love is strong as death, jealousy is fierce as the grace.  “Death” is “not an awful enemy or inescapable foe, but as a power—an active, final, irresistible, and irreversible power;” and “jealousy” is “a single-minded passion that leaves room for no other attractions” (96).  The Song of Solomon’s main theme is covenant love and the couple’s example and Jesus’ example of his love for the church in Ephesians 5:22-32 is our model.  Mahaney concludes with this last charge, “So love your wife as Christ loves his Bride, the Church. Treasure and cherish and lead and ally yourself with her as Christ does the Church. Think about her, watch over her, and pray for her continually, just as Christ does the Church” (104).  This is my prayer and aim.  I do not claim to have this down and really need your prayers as I try to love my wife like Christ loved the Church.  We need all the help we can get and this book is a great asset.  This is the second time for me to read it and it is something that any man could read.  It is only 104 pages, big print, and reads smooth.  I highly recommend it.  Click the picture of the book to buy it at Sovereign Grace Ministries.

There is also a “word to the wives” by C.J.’s wife Carolyn.  This is also a great section to read, especially for wives.  Carolyn gives great insight as to how men think and do and how the wife should respond.  Also, Carolyn gives wives some practical advice for their role and sanctification.

Church should look like…

A friend of mine asked me this question and I thought it would be beneficial to share with you:

What do you think a church should look like or consist of?

 

In a bit of explanation, what are some of the specifics you think a church should have?  Small groups instead of Sunday school?  Contemporary or traditional or blended?  Expository/topical?  Expected style of clothes to be worn?  This question has a lot of room for a lot of different answers.  I’m just kind of on a quest right now trying to imagine what the church should be.  Biblically, how should we do church?   

 

·         First, the definition of “church” is “gathering,” or “assembly.”  Thus, there should be a time when the body of believers gathers in one place (see Acts): 

 

                  i.      Acts 2:42-47 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. ⁴³ And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. ⁴⁴ And all who believed were together and had all things in common. ⁴⁵ And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. ⁴⁶ And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, ⁴⁷ praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

                   ii.      Acts 4:32-37 Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common. ³³ And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. ³⁴ There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold ³⁵ and laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. ³⁶ Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, ³⁷ sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

                     iii.     Hebrews 10:24-25 And let us be concerned about one another in order to promote love and good works, not staying away from our meetings, as some habitually do, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day drawing near.

 

o        This corporate gathering time, usually called “a worship service,” is as close to heaven’s worship service we can receive this side of heaven.  Revelation 7:9-10 After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people, and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb.  They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands.  And they cried out in a loud voice: ‘Salvation belongs to our God and to the Lamb.’  In addition, to gathering together and worshipping/crying out to the Lord, it should be multi-racial, multi-ethnic, people of every color of skin, and those who speaks any kind of language.  This is opposing those who say that we should focus on reaching those who look like us, who dress like us, who make the same amount of money, and like the same hobbies.  The reasoning behind this is similar things draw other similar things.  It’s comfortable and easy to accept something that is similar.  However, this is very opposed to the gospel (thus, see below, Mark Dever’s The Deliberate Church, which is centered on the gospel).  The gospel is anti-worldly thinking.  1 Corinthians 1 says that the gospel is foolishness to those who are perishing.  The gospel calls a person to repent and change the way they are living, not “conform” to our church (small “c”).  Also, there should not be multiple services in one church if one can help it.  This does not promote the meaning of church (gathering, assembly), but segregates or makes two churches in one.  Remember church is still the most segregated place on the earth.  When you get too big is when you plant a church.  Do whatever you can not to build bigger buildings. 

 

·         A word on Contemporary or traditional or blended services:

o       We should not get involved in “styles.”  Styles come and go but a biblical church will last forever.  What I mean is if our church is foundationally built on eternal truths from the Bible then church will never fail and you can use any style.  Music should be first God-centered and second relate to the point of the message.  The entire worship service should have one main point.  The songs sung, the Scripture read, the prayers, and the sermon all should be related and have one main point.  There should not be a main point for each activity in the service.  Also, don’t forget your audience.  The congregation is one instrument singing to God.  The “worship leaders” need to be “lead worshipers”.  And another thing to keep in mind is the flow of the service.  You don’t want to have a fast song followed by a slow song, then back to fast.  Nor do you want to have 12 songs before the sermon or songs were you stand then sit and stand then sit, etc.  The music is to exalt God and prepare the members to receive His Word preached. 

 

·         A word on Small groups instead of Sunday school:

o       Small groups are a must.  Small groups should be a place where the “one anothers” are practiced (encouraging/fellowship—Heb 3:12-13 & 10:23-25; building up/ministry and discipleship—Eph 4:11-16; 1 Cor 12; Heb 2:4).  These “one another” commands necessitate Christian fellowship in the small groups so that our ministry to one another can be truly mutual.  (See Randy Frazee’s book the Connecting Church about how small groups flow in the church).  In small group is where fellowship and accountability are developed.  Also, in between meetings is when we minister to one another.  Either just going out to eat or inviting others for dinner at our house, helping with kids, helping when someone is sick, etc. 

§ This is where community is built

§ Romans 12:5 So we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.

o        Sunday school is neither bad nor out-dated.  Sunday school is difficult to develop accountability and on some level fellowship.  So Sunday school, if your church still wants to do it, can be a place for teaching.  Have topic based classes (a class on money, one on parenting, one on this book of the Bible, a systematic class, etc).  Rotate classes, etc.  Frazee uses Sunday school for several small groups to combine into one bigger group for teaching.

§ The Simple Church book suggests using existing programs to meet your church’s missions statement; thus, Sunday school can be the place to build fellowship and accountability and lead people to serve the world

§  Sunday school has an unfashionable nickname “the heretical hour.”  Many churches get teachers—this can be an indictment on small groups as well—by asking for volunteers.  Teachers should be trained and mentored.  It is better to have qualified leaders than people filling a void.  John MacArthur, when he became pastor, evaluated the Sunday school teachers and said there is only one qualified teacher.  So they only had one Sunday school offered.  He preferred one good teacher teach 150 people than have 20 bad teachers for 20 classes.  There was a push in the last couple of decades to use Sunday school as an evangelism tool.  “Divide and conquer” was the motto.  The results are not good.  We have a lot of church’s that are a mile wide and an inch deep.  Church needs to go back to a place where people are discipled and taught biblical doctrine.

·         A word on Expository/topical:

o        Expository preaching cannot be replaced.  If you want a healthy church you need expository preaching.  Expository preaching is taking God’s point and making it the sermon’s point.  Also, traditional expository preaching is preaching through books of the Bible, which is the way God revealed is sacred Word.  Expository preaching is how the priests taught the law (Nehemiah 8), it is how Jesus explained himself to his disciples (Luke 24), it’s how Paul communicated to his churches (see his letters). 

§  When you preach the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:27), then nothing is left undone and no question goes without an answer

§  It helps in handling difficult topics in context

§  God’s point becomes your point, which is life changing and better than anything you can think up

o        Topical is not bad but should be used accordingly.  There is also expositional topical preaching (taking one passage and that main point in connection to the series and other passages preached).  In the main worship service, expository preaching must be done every time.  Sometimes there is only one chance for a visitor to come to our churches and they need to know what to expect every Sunday.  Also, do not do special services.  Every important holiday (like Easter and X-mas) some churches do musicals.  They sing 20 songs and the pastor gets maybe 5 minutes to preach.  This is not a healthy way of doing church.  If your church has multiple services (either Sunday or another weekday night) then I would branch out and do topical sermons or something else then. 

§  It is also helpful to do topical series in between preaching books of the Bible or in the series of a book of the Bible if the book is long

·         A word on Clothes:

o        See Romans 14 (whatever does not proceed from faith is sin—verse 23).  This means that you can wear whatever you want to church as long as it is done in faith (which means it glorifies God) and it does not make your brother or sister stumble. 

Visit this link to download summaries of Simple Church and The Connecting Church:  http://abidingbranches.wordpress.com/theology-papers/

The pastor connection of why people stay in church

1.       Long pastoral tenure: “the average tenure of pastors in the high-assimilation churches is 9.83 years”

2.       Expository preaching: Pastors who preached expository messages more than 60 percent of the time saw fewer numbers exiting out the back door.  “As the Bible is taught through expository preaching, the Holy Spirit teaches the people and convicts them about their service and places of ministry.”

3.       The pastor “gives away” ministry: “The Sunday School was the key assimilation arm of the church because the Sunday School members were expected to care for those in their classes.”[1]

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[1] Southern Baptist Texan March 4, 2008, SPECIAL REPORT: ASSIMILATING NEW MEMBERS; “Texas churches walking newcomers through steps” by Kay Adkins

He is Risen, He is Risen Indeed

Easter is the celebration of the risen Lord, Jesus Christ. Through His death and resurrection sum 2,000 years ago all those who believe and put their faith in Him have eternal life.  Jesus is the Son of God, thus making him Deity.  He lived a perfect life and died a horrible death. Jesus’ death was a substitutional death in the sense that He took the punishment of sin for all Believers and Believers are given Jesus’ perfect life so that they can have a relationship with God.  http://abidingbranches.wordpress.com/beliefs/

I always wondered why Easter was on a different day and it seems like it is the earliest it’s ever been this year. According to the Gospels in the Bible, Easter is after the Passover Week (a Jewish festival). Good Friday was the day after Jesus and His disciples had the Lord’s Supper, Friday was the day Christ died, and had to be buried before sun down because the Sabbath started at sun down Friday (no Jews could work on the Sabbath).  The Sabbath was sun down Friday to sun down Saturday (that’s how people counted the days back then).  Then Sunday morning was the first Easter Sunday when the Lord Jesus was found alive. So for 2,000 years Christians have been celebrating this day for without the resurrection “our preaching and faith would be in vain” (1 Cor 15:14), “our faith would be futile and we would still be in our sins” (15:17),  and “we are all of most people to be pitied” (15:19). 

To find out more why Easter changes it’s date see http://www.history.com/minisite.do?content_type=Minisite_Generic&content_type_id=684&display_order=1&mini_id=1072

Happy St. Patrick’s Day

Today we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.  St. Patrick was a Christian missionary to the Gaelic Irish, who were Pagan before their conversion to Christianity.  It is said that he used the three-leafed shamrock to explain the concept of the Trinity; which refers to the combination of Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit.  Patrick’s mission in Ireland lasted for over 20 years.  He died on March 17, AD 461.  That day has been commemorated as St. Patrick’s Day ever since.  The day’s spirit is to celebrate the universal baptization of Ireland.  Though originally a Catholic holy day, St. Patrick’s Day has evolved into more of a secular holiday.  Or, rather, ‘be an Irish Day ‘.  This comes as no surprise to God.  So, as many of you will drink green beer to celebrate this day remember this verse, “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God,” (1 Cor 10:31).

Wild at Heart Book Review

The Bible says to “test all things, hold fast to what is good” (1 Thes 5:21).  So, one way I do this is to read popular Christian books to see if they are okay, useful, and to have an opinion and be able to give wisdom about the book.  Today’s book is Wild at Heart, by John Eldredge.  To be honest from the outset, I was very disappointed that this book labeled itself “Christian” because it is not biblical.  Sure, it has some Scripture in it and some biblical themes; however, Eldredge’s view of God is close to heretical and he has an incorrect view of humanity.  This may offend many people because I have heard personal testimonies that this book helped their spirituality.  I do not disagree with everything Eldredge says but you may find this review helpful if you are thinking about reading or if you have already read it. 

 The thesis of the book is good and Eldredge attempts to address a big problem in the church and with men particularly, but the approach to answer his thesis falls short of how the Bible commands men to act.  The thesis, “If Christian men are going to change from a pitiful, wimpy bunch of “really nice guys” to men who are made in the image of God, they must reexamine their preconceptions about who God is and recover their true “wild” hearts,” writes bestselling author John Eldredge.  I agree in principle that men are not doing their roles God has given them; however, “recover[ing] true ‘wild’ hearts” is not the way to do.  The remaining of this report will address some of the problems of the book: 

1. Open Theism - Though Eldredge denies he is an open theist, the evidence does not support his claim. See for yourself, “God is a person who takes immense risks” (30). “It’s not the nature of God to limit His risks and cover His bases” (31). “As with every relationship, there’s a certain amount of unpredictability…. God’s willingness to risk is just astounding…. There is definitely something wild in the heart of God” (32).  “The greatest risk God ever took was giving us free will” (32).  Can we really trust a god who takes risks?  The God of the Bible does everything deliberate and to the glory of His name.  The Bible makes promises that all things work for good and God will graciously give us all things (Rom 8:28, 32).  When bad things happen in your life, is God taking a risk with you or is God got a greater plan?  Can you trust Eldredge’s god? 

2.  Consider this quote from Eldredge, “He rigged the world in such a way that it only works when we embrace risk as the theme of our lives, which is to say, only when we live by faith.  A man just won’t be happy until he’s got adventure in his work, in his love and in his spiritual life” (200).  Risk and faith are not the same thing.  When the Bible says we are justified by faith not by works (Rom 3:27), it is not saying we are taking a chance with God.  No one takes a chance with God and wins.  Humanity is lost and left to themselves they would run from God rather than take a chance, or risk, with him (see Romans 1:18-3:20).  Risk means “a chance of danger, jeopardy, harzard, or loss.”  Faith is “confidence or trust in God.”  To further complicate Eldredge’s gospel, he says God takes a “risk” or a chance on you hoping that you will take a “risk” or chance with him.  The Bible says that faith is gift of God (Eph 2:8-9) and that nobody comes to the Father except through Jesus (John 14:10).  Without a firm foundation of your salvation, there is no way to live a godly life or be happy.

3.  Eldredge says that men will not “be happy until he’s got adventure.”  This is bogus.  I am very happy reading a book in a quiet room.  Eldredge would probably call me boring but when the Bible says men are to be “above reproach” I don’t think God had in mind evaluating me based on if I like rock climbing or not or camping.  I think God is a little more deeper than if I like macho movies.  Which Eldredge uses movie quotes more than Scripture in his book.  Furthermore, Eldredge says that men need to be like William Wallace, or that guy from Gladiator and be a hero for their kids and wife.  Why does he not say what Paul says in Ephesians 5, “Husbands love your wives like Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her.”  Men, love like Christ not William Wallace!

4.  Other notable things is his low view of sin.  Eldredge says it’s the devil’s fault that we sin, but in reality, we need to take responsibility for our sins.  Another is his low view of Scripture.  He continually uses Scripture to prove his own point and in so doing taking the Scripture out of context.  Eldredge says that Jesus failed at something and needed more information before he could use his [omni-potent] power (166).  Also, Jesus was a man’s man; he didn’t turn the check he fought back.  His example was Jesus turning over the money changers table at the temple; however, Eldredge does not even consider the passion of Jesus when he was wrongfully accused, beaten, crucified and at any time Jesus could have fought back and called 12 legions of angels but instead gave up his body willingly so that we can be pardoned of sin and have abundant and everlasting life. 

 5.  If you want to be truly happy then give your whole self to Jesus.  Take delight in everything about God, His word.  Only when you are satisfied with God and glorify him in all things will you be happy.