The Bible condones homosexuality?

You might have seen the cover article in Newsweek about homosexuality and the Bible. Lisa Miller, the religious editor for Newsweek says that you can be Christian and gay and that time will prove that "Fundamentalists" were wrong.

Al Mohler, president of Southern Baptist Seminary, responded to the article in his own blog. It is worth reading...

http://www.albertmohler.com/blog_read.php?id=2881

Also, he was then interviewed on NPR (National Public Radio) with Lisa Miller who wrote the article. Check it out!

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=98279341

By the way, Andy Tobin will be addressing the topic of homosexuality when he preaches Jan. 4.

What Does Jesus Want for Christmas?

This Friday the nursery and preschool children at Harvest will be throwing a birthday party for Jesus.  That raises the question, What does Jesus want for Christmas?  It may sound like a silly question, but I think Scripture offers us a very serious answer.

I get my answer from Titus 2:11-14 (ESV) - 11For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, 12training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, 13waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.

These verses give us the reason for Christmas, which is when God’s saving grace in Jesus first appeared.  Verse 11 tells us that God’s grace is meant to train us to live godly lives, and verse 14 says that Jesus gave His life not only to forgive us of our wrongdoing (“redeem us from all lawlessness”) but also to transform us into a people characterized by righteousness (“zealous for good works”).  Jesus’ aim in coming wasn’t simply to offer sin-pardoning grace (as wonderful as that is!) but also to make for Himself a people who live out sin-conquering grace as we wait for sin-eradicating grace at His return.

On the basis of this Scripture I think it is safe to say that what Jesus wants for Christmas is for His blood-bought people to live holy lives that point the watching world to the glory of His incarnation, crucifixion, resurrection, and imminent return.

Waiting on God...in Prayer

Should we expect revival, empowerment, sensitivity to the Holy Spirit, bold witness without tarrying in prayer? Should we expect vibrancy, a passion for the supremacy of God in our midst without a devotion to prayer among us? All that we want for our church cannot be created by careful planning and programming. It is birthed by God through the prayers of His people. There are no substitutes. Jesus told His disciples how to pray and implied rather strongly that some blessings His Father desired to give were reserved for those who persevere in prayer (Luke 11:1-13). James 4:2 tells us that “we have not because we ask not.” I am quite sure we will be surprised to find out all that God would have supplied us if only we would have asked. I am concerned for us at Harvest. Numerical growth is wonderful but numbers can easily become a false hope for pastors and their people. We are full on a Sunday morning but scanty at prayer meetings. We are pumped for God in song but puny in prayer, and therefore vulnerable to the Devil’s attacks.

Jesus told the disciples to stay in Jerusalem until they were clothed with power on high (Luke 23:49). Later you find them in the upper room in Jerusalem “devoting themselves to prayer” (Acts 1:14). Waiting on God meant for them a devotion to prayer. Should we who long to see an outpouring of the Spirit in revival do any less? Even after Pentecost (the coming of the Holy Spirit and the birth of the Church) the people gathered for prayer. Acts 2:42 tells us that “they devoted themselves to the Apostles teaching…and to the prayers.” The way it is stated in the verse, “and to the prayers” indicates that there were set times when the saints gathered to pray. They gathered as a body to seek God, not just individually. This is what I’m pleading for at Harvest. Just so you know the state of things…

Men’s prayer meeting (Wednesday 6:00-7:00 a.m.) has around 8 guys committed to it. Our Sunday morning prayer (9:00-9:30 a.m.) has around 4 people committed to it. The women have their prayer meeting once a month with approximately 5 people showing up.

I am thankful that our Life Groups (Small Group ministry) are seeking to be devoted to prayer each time they gather and that prayer is offered at the beginning and end of every ministry meeting. This is a good start but only a start. What would it look like for Harvest to be devoted to prayer? What does it look like for you to be devoted to prayer?

I want our church to be a God-dependent praying church, don’t you? Join us and let’s get this thing ignited!

If God is spirit, why refer to Him with masculine pronouns?

I believe the main reason God is addressed in the masculine gender is precisely because of the gender distinction at creation. God designed that the men should lead, provide, protect which would be a picture of what God is like to us. He is like a father who protects, provides, leads; submission, honor, respect are due to him because of that position. The Bible is speaking to us in language and pictures that we can understand. He has to use images that we are familiar with and therefore the man's role is the closest picture of what God is like.

If women were given the lead role in the marriage partnership then you would probably find God described for us in the female gender.

How can you survive with one income?

I've been in a lively sermon series on roles of men and women called, "Male and Female He Created Them" and spoke two weeks ago on the topic of "Caretaker." The big idea of the message was that God has designed the woman in the partnership of equals to be the caretaker of the home - loving their husbands and loving their children, thus "helping" her husband to fulfill God's command to fill the earth and subdue it. He is primarily the provider, protector, leader and she is primarily the helper, nurturer, caretaker which is focused on the domestic area.

One of the statements I made in the sermon which caused a bit of controversy was this: "It is almost impossible to raise your children to hope in God when both parents are pursuing separate careers, all coming home at the same time (dad, mom, kids). The home becomes a frantic factory of activity to prepare dinner, help with homework, finish domestic chores that call for attention, converse as a married couple, and to have some meaningful time with the children, all from 6 - 9 PM. Normally, the parents are in no mood to deal with the kids and the urge is to get them in bed as soon as possible. In that environment, either the marriage suffers or the children suffer, and many times it is both." My point is that the mom needs to be home to provide a loving sanctuary to raise the next generation to hope in God.

One question that may arise from this statement might be: How is it possible to survive in this day and age with one income?

The first step towards change is being convinced that you need to. If you sense the Lord's promptings to stay home with your child during these crucial years then you are half-way there because 'where there is a will there is a way." It may take awhile to arrive at if you've made financial choices that lock you in (house, car, education, etc.), but over time you can make the changes.

The bottomline is: Either your husband gets a better paying job or you down-size. If you decide to downsize, consider the following...

• Rent instead of own a home
• Find an older or cheaper car
• Eat at home rather than going out to dinner ("brown bag it" for lunch)
• Unplug the cable or be more disciplined with cell phones

Does that sound too radical? Just remember something: you get your kids at home for only short time and then they grow up and leave. Make the most of it while you can...

Home Is Where the Heart Is . . . Exposed!

The home can be a remarkable place. It is where we experience life’s most intimate moments, share uncontrolled laughter over the most comedic events, endure seasons of deepest sorrow, celebrate our highest achievements, and twiddle our thumbs in absolute boredom – all of this with those we love most.

Our homes are usually where we feel most comfortable and relaxed, where we’re able to unwind and catch our breath.  They’re where we let our guard down and make ourselves vulnerable.  There are things we do at home which we don’t usually do elsewhere, and appropriately so.  We might wear old, worn-out clothing around the house that we’d never sport before the general public, but that’s not all we confine to the home and conceal from the public.  There are also thoughts, attitudes, actions, words, and habits that are only fully revealed in the comfort of our own home.  For this reason I’m arguing that a home is a remarkable place because it has the unique ability to expose what is truly in our hearts, whether that be love, anger, lust, humility, or whatever.

Let’s consider in greater detail how the home exposes what is truly in our hearts so that we’re better equipped to recognize our sin, run to the Cross, and repent of it instead of writing it off as something less serious.

First, remember what Jesus says about the source of ALL our behavior, namely, that if flows out of our hearts, that is, it is the outward expression of who we really are on the inside: “The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure [of the heart] produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks” (Luke 6:45). This principle is important because it forces us to recognize that, although we are influenced by our environment and circumstances, our actions are the direct result of what is in our heart.

Let this truth be the lens through which you view all that goes on in your home. Your attitude toward food, sleep, and relaxation in your home reveal your heart. Your habits with TV and Internet both in content and quantity of time spent, disclose what is in your heart. Whether or not your hobbies around the house and your use of free time crowd out time for fellowship with God through Scripture and prayer unveils the values of your heart. In the context of our homes we see if we have a heart for the lost, if we’re storing up treasures in heaven, if our service to others in public is matched by service to others in private.

Furthermore, consider how James elaborates on this truth in the context of conflict.  James says that the source of all interpersonal conflict is our hearts.  More specifically he says it is our passions and pleasures, which come from our hearts, that cause quarrels and fights (see James 4:1).

Do you ever experience conflict in your home?  I know, dumb question! Did you ever stop to think that God uses that conflict to expose what is truly in your heart? Think about it for a moment. After a long day’s work you probably desire to enjoy a relaxing, stress-free evening – sounds reasonable.  But what happens when a spouse or child interferes with your plans by way of requesting your assistance on a project, asking for help with homework, or by requiring your intervention due to sibling warfare? Does your heart treasure your relaxation such that you get demonstrably angry with whomever jeopardizes your enjoyment of it, or do you treasure Christ such that you’ll continue to humbly and selflessly serve Him in your home even when temporal pleasures are withheld?

Watch over your heart in that remarkable place called “home,” for whether in comfort or in conflict home is where the heart is exposed!

Post Election Thoughts

I have mixed thoughts and feelings today after staying up late watching the election results and I'm sure many of you have the same. I voted for John McCain because of his wisdom in foreign affairs - a pretty important topic given the fact that our troups are in Afghanistan and Iraq and the reality of global connectivity at almost every level among nations.

Another reason that I voted for John McCain is because of his Pro-Life postion (Barack Obama is radically Pro-Choice). Abortion is a dark evil in our land and this issue should be a deciding factor for Christians going to the polls. I also think of the Supreme Court Judges soon to retire which Barack will be able to replace with people with his ideology. This concerns me a great deal.

On the other hand, I cannot help smiling with joy that an Africa-American is going to be president of the United States when 45 years ago Barak Obama would have had to sit in the back of public transit, drink water from a different fountain, and be excluded from certain establishments. This moment in history has given hope to an oppressed people, people whose dreams have been suffocated for so many years. The sybolism of this moment is huge for them and for our country as illustrated in Barack's speech when he mentioned the 106 year old African-American woman who voted. When she was born, stories of the Civil War were still told by eyewitnesses, a woman could not vote and certainly not a black woman. This change is monumental and to be celebrated.

So, I'm sorrowful and rejoicing. Is that possible? I think so because we live in a fallen world. I am ultimately a citizen of heaven waiting for the true King to arrive to take me to a place where righteousness rules and the tension no longer exists. Until then we work and pray...

Lessons Learned from D. L. Moody, pt. 4

Embrace your modest talent and use it!

One of most encouraging things reading about D. L. Moody is his ordinariness. He was a man of modest talent but his great faith and passion for souls pushed him into greater places of influence and usefulness.

Early in his SS ministry, he received an opportunity to speak and afterwards one of the deacons assured him that he would, in his opinion, serve God best by keeping still! “Another critic, who commended his zeal in filling the pews he had hired in Plymouth Church, suggested that he should realize the limitations of his vocation and not attempt to speak in public. ‘You make too many mistakes in grammar,’ the man complained.” He paused and looked at the man searchingly, adding with his own irresistible manner: “Look here, friend, you’ve got grammar enough – what are you doing with it for the master?”[1]

It was true, Moody did not have much of an education under his belt. His speech was riddled with grammatical mistakes – “Moodyisms” as they were called. Sometimes the press would butcher him over it but he would continue in what he was called to do, and in the end they could not argue with his genuineness. Lord Shaftesbury, the Lord Chancellor of England said to him, “The simplicity of that man’s preaching, the clear manner in which he sets forth salvation by Christ, is to me the most striking and most delightful thing I ever knew in my life.”[2]

During one of the evangelistic campaigns in England, the Pall Mall Gazette wrote: “Moody and Sankey are not, it is true, graduates of any university. They are men of the people, speaking the language and using he methods not of the refined, but of the generality. Yet they have probably left a deeper impression of their individuality upon one great section of English men and English women that any other persons who could be named.”[3]

[1] William R. Moody, The Life of Dwight L. Moody, (Sword of the Lord Publishers: Murfreesboro, TN; 1900), p. 61.
[2] Ibid., 241.
[3] Ibid., 304.

Lessons Learned from D. L. Moody, pt. 3

By all means, reach people!

Moody never tampered with the timeless message of the gospel but he was an innovator and a fresh thinker when it came to reaching people. In his early Sunday School work, Moody bought a Indian pony known as his missionary horse. The horse was of special enjoyment with the children and aided him in securing attendance. He also kept his pockets full of oranges, candy, or something sweet.

F. B. Meyer, the great English preacher, said of Moody: “The first characteristic of Mr. Moody’s that struck me was that he was so absolutely unconventional and natural. That a piece of work had generally been done after a certain method would probably be the reason why he would set about it in some fresh and unexpected way. That the new method startled people was the greater reason for continuing with it, if only it drew them to the Gospel. But there was never the slightest approach to irreverence, fanaticism, or extravagance; everything was in perfect accord with a rare common sense, a directness of method, a simplicity and transparency of aim, which were as attractive as them were fruitful in result.”[1]


[1] William R. Moody, The Life of Dwight L. Moody, (Sword of the Lord Publishers: Murfreesboro, TN; 1900), p. 158.

Lessons Learned from D. L. Moody, pt. 2

Press men into the Kingdom!

Dr. H. C. Mabie writes: "I first met Mr. Moody in the fall of 1863, in Chicago…As we passed in prayer meeting for the YMCA there was a stocky, bustling, Simon Peter sort of a man standing at the door and shaking hands with all who entered. He spoke an earnest word to each. At the close of the meeting his same man remained to speak and pray with an inquirer or two who had shown signs of interest during the meeting. This honest man was Mr. Moody, and it made an impression upon me for life. I had never before seen a layman so making it his business to press men into the Kingdom as he seemed to be doing. I had learned to expect that of ministers, but I had never seen a layman so dead in earnest; but I like it.”[1]

“There is nothing novel in the doctrine Mr. Moody proclaims. It is the old gospel…yet always fresh and young as the living fountain or the morning sun. It is spoken with most impressive directness, not as by a man half convinced and who seems always to feel that a skeptic is looking over his shoulder, but with a certainty of the truth of what he says, as if, …he did not speak the very stones would cry out.”[2]

“He preaches as if there never was to be another meeting, and as if sinners might never hear the Gospel sound again: these appeals to decide now are most impressive.”[3]

Moody was a possessed man when it came to the gospel preaching. When he talked about eternal realities, they were fixed in his mind as firm as the ground underneath him. Because of it, he pressed Christ upon people with great earnestness so as to convince the hearer of his or her need. The Chicago fires of 1871 had a tremendous impact on him. On Oct. 8th he preached to the largest crowd he had ever preached to up until then. After finishing his sermon, he urged the crowd to turn the text over in their minds during the week, and next Sunday he would continue and give them an opportunity to embrace Christ. That night Chicago was lit ablaze and many of those in the audience were swept into eternity. Moody was heartbroken over the fact that he never gave them an opportunity to respond. In Moody’s own words, “I have asked God many times to forgive me for telling people that night to take a week to think it over, and if he spares my life, I will never do it again…I want to tell you of one lesson I learned that night which I have never forgotten, and that is, when I preach, to press Chris upon the people then and there, and try to bring them to a decision on the spot.”[4]

Though I think Moody did not have a proper understanding of the doctrines of grace, I believe he got it right in this fiery urgency that weighted his soul when sharing the gospel. I think that is what the Apostle Paul had in mind when he said in 2 Cor. 5:11, “Knowing the fear fo he Lord, we persuade others.” It happens when the realities are truly pressed upon us.

[1] William R. Moody, The Life of Dwight L. Moody, (Sword of the Lord Publishers: Murfreesboro, TN; 1900), 79.
[2] Ibid., 184.
[3] Ibid., 168
[4] Ibid., 145-46.

Lessons Learned from D. L. Moody

Consecrate Yourself for God’s work

During his first trip to England while Moody was recovering from a spiritual depression and fatigue, he heard these words, “The world has yet to see what God will do with and for and through and in and by the man who is fully and wholly consecrated to Him. ‘He said a man,’ thought Moody; ‘he did not say a great man, nor a learned man, nor a rich man, nor a wise man, nor a eloquent man, nor a smart man, but simply a man. I am a man, and it lies with the man himself whether he will or will not make that entire and full consecration. I will try my utmost to be that man.”[1]

“It has been noted that Moody frequently determined upon a course that did not appear wise to his friends. This meant that their perspective was obscured by what appeared to be insurmountable obstacles. Such obstructions never obscured Mr. Moody’s vision, for if once he thought an object worth attaining, he undertook its achievement with an enthusiasm and vigor equaled only by his determined perseverance. It was this last trait that contributed very largely to his success. Many of this enterprises would have been abandoned by a less courageous and persistent character.”[2]

One evangelist of San Jose` describes an experience with Moody that forever changed his life: “One day the leader assigned did not get there in time, and Mr. Moody came to me, requesting that I take charge. I had just arrived from a journey, hot and dusty. ‘Mr. Moody’, I said, ‘I am just in from a long absence and am not presentable. Excuse me, please, and at some other time I will lead the meeting.’ I shall never forget the incident, for it was the turning point in my life. ‘I thought you were a Christ soldier,’ he said, and added, ‘Go forward and we will pray for you.’ As soon as the meeting was over he came again and thanked me. You did well, he said. But it is all wrong this holding back! Your duty is clear; keep in front. Be a minute man.!”[3]


[1] William R. Moody, The Life of Dwight L. Moody, (Sword of the Lord Publishers: Murfreesboro, TN; 1900), 134.
[2] Ibid., 507
[3] Ibid., 120.

D. L. Moody the Evangelist

D. L. Moody was born in 1837 and died in 1899. He was the most influential Christian man in late 19th century to the extent that some would give him the title, Mr. Revivalist or greater still, Mr. Protestant. Understand that he lived at the time of great preachers and the golden age of preaching. Moody was not a pastor but an evangelist. The influence that he had during his life was through an itinerate ministry from city to city for the most part. During those years, however, his oldest son estimated that 1 million souls were saved through his preaching. In addition, he established three schools, Moody Bible Institute was one of them, a publishing business, and Christian conferences held yearly. As a layman, he inspired thousands of preachers to win souls and hold revival services. Many of us grew up in the twilight of revival meetings that churches held yearly as a method of calling the church to holiness and unbelievers to Jesus.

“At Moody’s funeral, Theodore Cuyler estimated that at times Moody spoke to 40,000 or 50,000 people a week, an estimate not at all unreasonable in view of the fact that some single services had 10-20 thousand in the audience. This evidence would seem to indicate that A.T. Pierson’s calculation that Moody brought the claims of Christ by voice and pen to the attention of 100 million people, if anything, errs on the conservative side.”[1]


[1] Stanley N. Gundry, Love them In, (Moody Press of Chicago: 1976, 1999), p. 12.

Peer Discipleship - Sharpening Each Other

It's surprizing how many Christian friendships cruise along year after year without spending much time talking about Christ. Christ is the invisible assumption. "Oh yes, He is the center of our lives" they might say but no one is talking much about Him. There could be a lot of mutual encouragement going on but to do that, someone needs to introduce it into the relationship.

Can I suggest something? Read a book together and then discuss your discoveries taking a chapter at a time. You could say to your friend, "I need your help to become stronger in my faith and I was wondering if you would like to read this book with me. We could read a chapter then get together and talk about it. What do you think?"

Make your friendships an engine for spiritual group. Put Christ in the center of them. Below is a list of resources that would be good for starters:

Disciplines of a Godly Man - R. Kent Hughes
Disciplines of a Godly Woman - Barbara Hughes
Disciplines of a Godly Family - R. Kent Hughes and Barbara Hughes
Spritual Disciplines for the Christian Life - Donald S. Whitney

Sounds like a lot of discipline, doesn't it? Don't let the titles discourage you. These are awesome resources for laying good foundations in your life. Go ahead, call your friend right now...

Halfway thru the 2008; Halfway thru your Bible?

How often does it occur that you finish reading a 1,000plus-page book one day and begin reading it all over again the next?  I found this question to be rather stimulating as I finished my yearlong Bible reading plan  only to start all over again (it actually took me more than a year).  I’m amazed at God’s word, how it is continually fresh and challenging no matter the number of times read.  As I finished reading it through, I’m hungrier to read it through this next time than I was the previous time.

Consider some quotes from some saints who have gone before us: 

“In truth you cannot read too much in Scripture; and what you read you cannot read too carefully, and what you read carefully you cannot understand too well, and what you understand well you cannot teach too well, and what you teach well you cannot live too well. . . .”  This quote comes from Martin Luther, who, for a number of years, read through the Bible twice a year. 

“Now in brotherly love and affection I would give a few hints to my younger fellow-believers as to the way in which to keep up spiritual enjoyment. It is absolutely needful in order that happiness in the Lord may continue, that the Scriptures be regularly read. These are God's appointed means for the nourishment of the inner man. . . .Consider it, and ponder over it. . . . Especially we should read regularly through the Scriptures, consecutively, and not pick out here and there a chapter. If we do, we remain spiritual dwarfs. I tell you so affectionately. For the first four years after my conversion I made no progress, because I neglected the Bible. But when I regularly read on through the whole with reference to my own heart and soul, I directly made progress. Then my peace and joy continued more and more. Now I have been doing this for 47 years. I have read through the whole Bible about 100 times and I always find it fresh when I begin again. Thus my peace and joy have increased more and more.”  George Muller 

We’re almost exactly halfway through 2008.  You, like me, may not be on your second read through the Bible this year, but if you’re struggling to make it through God’s word once this year, may this serve as some encouragement to that end.

Just are His Judgments

There is a truth to which my mind turns now and then to help me cherish the grace of God.  I was reminded of that truth today in Revelation 16:4-7.  During the Tribulation, when the third bowl of God’s wrath is poured out on the earth the result will be that the rivers and the springs of water will become blood.  In response to this demonstration of God’s wrath an angel says, “Just are you, O Holy One, who is and who was, for you brought these judgments.  For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and you have given them blood to drink.  It is what they deserve!”  John then writes, “And I heard the altar saying, ‘Yes, Lord God the Almighty, true and just are your judgments!’”

This text reminded me that if God did not save me, or anyone for that matter, He would still be praised for all of eternity by the angels in heaven for His perfect justice.  My absence from heaven would not result in absence of praise to God.  God is not compelled to save anyone on account of foreseeing something missing from heaven were He to not save them.  God is moved by His free and sovereign grace to redeem sinners, making them objects of His everlasting kindness instead of wrath, causing the angels to praise Him for His mercy toward them rather than judgment.  “Grace, grace, God’s grace, Grace that is greater than all my sin.”

Describing a Saint

As I was reading through Revelation 14 this morning I came across a great little description of a saint (literally, a holy or consecrated one).  Verse 12 reads, “Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus.”  Notice how John describes the saints: “those who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus.”  In the immediate context (i.e., the Tribulation) such a person is notable because faith in Jesus, which produces commandment-keeping is costly.  Revelation 12:17 says that Satan makes war on such people. 

I find this description of a saint interesting because it overlaps with some the themes we’re touching on in Student Ministry over the summer.  The characteristic activity of a saint is keeping the commandments of God.  This is also what characterizes a disciple.  In the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20) Jesus said that making disciples includes “teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you” (v. 20).  Jesus also said that obedience is essential to expressing love for Him: “If you love me, you will keep my commandments” (John 14:15).

No matter which title you prefer to identify yourself as a Christian (saint, disciple, lover of Christ) keeping the commandments of God by faith is critical.  How are you doing? Are you characterized as one who keeps the commandments of God and your faith in Jesus?

An Old Testament Portrait of Grace

I love it when I encounter truth in God’s word that contradicts common stereotypes, one of which is the inaccurate generalization that God is a God of wrath in the Old Testament and a God of love in the New.

As I was reading through Daniel I found a beautiful portrait of God’s patience and kindness toward the arrogant, pagan king, Nebuchadnezzar.  In chapter 3 we read of Nebuchadnezzar's 90-foot statue, before which he commanded all peoples, nations, and languages to bow in worship lest they be thrown into a burning fiery furnace.

Only God has the right to demand worship like this.  King Nebuchadnezzar exalted himself to be like God, making himself worthy of God’s fierce and just wrath.  What a perfect opportunity for God to confront this pagan King.  He could have said something like, “You threw my servants (Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego) into the fiery furnace for failure to worship you, a self-exalting man.  Prepare yourself for my everlasting fiery furnace on account of your failure to worship me, the living God."  But what we see in chapter 4 is not an episode of God’s wrath but rather God’s grace to humble the king through drastic means in order to show him that God alone is the Most High, the King of heaven, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion.

This contrast between the mercy of God, who has every right to demonstrate his wrath, and the arrogant harshness of a man, who has no right to demand worship the way he does, is wonderful.  Praise God, that He is not like us, especially in response to our thinking that we’re like Him!

Gospel Warning

High School Ministry just concluded its series “Understanding Gospel” on Wednesday night.  After taking four weeks to examine the topics of (1) God as Creator and Lawgiver, (2) Man as sinner, (3) Jesus Christ as Savior, and (4) Grace and Faith as the basis and means of salvation, the final message came in the form of a warning, a warning to not merely understand the gospel but to embrace it wholeheartedly as the good news that it truly is.  Here’s a summary of that warning.

There have been two catastrophic world events in the past few weeks.  The cyclone that hit Myanmar could have a death toll well over 100,000 people.  The earthquake in China has claimed at least 22,000 lives.   The sudden nature of such devastating events should wake us from our spiritual slumber.  No one in either Myanmar or China could foresee these events.  There were no warnings.  Families were not marking their calendars for the coming cyclone.  Businesses weren’t planning to close down for the coming earthquake.  These events took their victims by surprise.

The urgency to embrace the gospel becomes more apparent with these catastrophes playing on our televisions.  They should remind us of our own mortality and the relative ease with which our lives can unexpectedly terminated.  There is no guarantee that our next breath will not be our last; tomorrow isn’t promised to anybody.  Jesus gives us a strong warning when he was questioned about two tragic events in His day (see Luke 13:1-5).  He told his listeners that it wasn’t their superior righteousness that kept them alive and safe from harm’s way.  In fact He urged them toward repentance, lest they also perish.  We must take this to heart.  It isn’t as though our righteousness has kept us from a massive disaster.  The reason that our lives have been spared is not owing to the fact that we don’t deserve a devastating encounter with God’s power in nature.  On account of our rebellion against God we do deserve for our lives to be swept away, and unless we repent and embrace the gospel, we will likewise perish.

To illustrate with colorful language the precarious condition of the unbeliever and to help create a sense of urgency, I quoted at length from Jonathan Edwards’ famous sermon, “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” (with a little explanation and paraphrase the students followed along great):

“The unseen, unthought-of ways and means of persons going suddenly out of the world are innumerable and inconceivable. Unconverted men walk over the pit of hell on a rotten covering, and there are innumerable places in this covering so weak that they will not bear their weight, and these places are not seen.”

“Your wickedness makes you as it were heavy as lead, and to tend downwards with great weight and pressure towards hell; and if God should let you go, you would immediately sink and swiftly descend and plunge into the bottomless gulf, and your healthy constitution, and your own care and prudence, and best contrivance, and all your righteousness, would have no more influence to uphold you and keep you out of hell, than a spider's web would have to stop a falling rock. Were it not for the sovereign pleasure of God, the earth would not bear you one moment . . .”

These sobering and graphic thoughts aren’t meant to serve as scare tactics but rather as poignant pictures into reality so that we might be roused from our apathy as we observe the horrors in Myanmar and China on the evening news and then head off for a cozy night’s sleep in our comfy beds.  Unless we repent and embrace the gospel we will likewise perish, maybe not in a cyclone or earthquake, but nevertheless, we’ll perish.

Growing in Appreciation for the Cross

In Sunday’s message I spoke of the cross as the greatest display of God’s wisdom, for by it God resolves the greatest dilemma in the history of the universe.  That dilemma, posed as a question, goes like this: How will the holy and righteous God of the universe save hell-deserving sinners (on account of belittling and treating as worthless the infinite glory of God) without compromising His justice?

This line of thinking was informed by something I read in John Piper’s book, The Supremacy of God in Preaching (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 1990).  In it he references a sermon by R. C. Sproul on Luke 13:1-5 titled “The Misplaced Locus of Amazement,” wherein Sproul points out that there is an “age-old difference between the way natural man sees the problem of his relation to God and the way the Bible sees the problem of man’s relation to God.  Man-centered humans are amazed that God should withhold life and joy from his creatures.  But the God-centered Bible is amazed that God should withhold judgment from sinners” (p. 30).

One of the discussion questions for Life Groups this week relates to growing in our understanding of and appreciation for the cross.  Understanding the cross as from a God-centered perspective means that we will see Jesus’ saving work as God’s undeserved resolution to the dilemma of our massive sin problem.  Let us be reminded that God’s wrath is not by any means an overreaction to our sin.  We are worthy of God’s wrath just as God is worthy of glory, but God, in His infinite wisdom (and kindness), chose to bear His own wrath and bring us to glory through the cross.  “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!” (Rev 5:12)

I Make Me So Mad!?

When was the last time you left an argument with a spouse, child, parent, or friend thinking, “I make myself so mad!”?  I don’t know about you, but I’m not sure I can remember when that last happened, or if it ever has.  My inclination is to trace the root of my anger to the flaw of another.  Something that they did or did not do produced anger in me.  It seems perfectly logical, therefore, to say that had they not done what produced an angry response in me, then I would have never become mad.

As I read from James 4:1 this morning I was reminded of my sinful inclinations and logic: “What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you?  Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you?”  James will not side with us in placing the blame for our anger on another, for he says that the source of our fighting is our pleasures, our delights, our enjoyments.  What he means is that each of us has those things that we hold dear because we think that our happiness is to be found in them (e.g., having a restful evening in front of the T.V., not being embarrassed in front of peers by our child’s behavior, not having to do homework, having a friend let our sin go unconfronted), and when somebody becomes an obstacle to our enjoyment, we get angry and fight for our pleasure.

The real issue behind our unrighteous anger isn’t so much the obstacle to our happiness (i.e., spouse, child, parent, friend) but rather our misplaced hope in circumstances to bring us satisfaction.  So, the next time you walk away from a quarrel be sure to pray in repentance to the Lord, “God, I make me so angry.  I seek to find my happiness in circumstances instead of You.  Forgive me for my misplaced hope, and help me to love you more than __________ (identify the source of contention) so that when it is withheld from me I remain satisfied in you and, therefore, kind toward my spouse/child/parent/friend.

Neighborhood Spring Clean Postponed

Due to the not-so-Spring-like weather forecasted for this weekend, we're postponing our Neighborhood Spring Clean until next Saturday, April 19 from 8:30 AM to 12:00 PM.  Be sure to spread the word.

Anxiety Fighter Verses

In last week's sermon I mentioned how we should use the Scriptures to fight unbelief. Some of you were interested in finding more. How about starting with these? I found this list in a John Piper's book, Future Grace.

When I am anxious about…

My ability to continue in difficult circumstances, I fight unbelief with…
"Fear not for I am with you, be not dismayed for I am your God, I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you, with my victorious right hand” (Isaiah 41:10).

My ministry being useless and empty…
“So shall My word be which goes forth from my mouth; it shall not return to Me empty, without accomplishing what I desire, and without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it” (Isaiah 55:11).

Being too weak to do my work…
“My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness” (2 Corinthians. 12:9).

Decisions I have to make about the future…
“I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you” (Psalm 32:8).

Getting old…
“Even to your old age, I shall be the same, and even to your graying years I shall bear you! I have done it, and I shall carry you; and I shall bear you, and I shall deliver you” (Isaiah 46:4).

Dying…
“…not one of us lives for himself and not one of us dies for himself; for if we live, we live for the Lord, or if we die, we die for the Lord; therefore whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s. For to this end Christ died and lived again that He might be Lord both of the dead and of the living” (Romans 14:7-9).

That I may make shipwreck of faith and fall away from God…
“He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6).

Taken from John Piper’s book Future Grace, p. 59-61.

Auditorium is finished!

Ok, I know its sideways, but it was the only way to photograph these 8 ft.+ doors!

Constructing the Stage

This is our sound and light booth that looks like box seats.

As you can see in the photos, the overhang of the stage is strengthened with steel. This cavity is used to house the subwoofers.

Good Friday Meditation: Isaiah 53:6

Isaiah 53:6 (ESV) - All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

There is truth about our Savior that radiates with beauty from this verse.  This truth can be explored by three simple questions: (1) What have we done?; (2) What, therefore, do we deserve?; (3) How has God treated us?

(1) What have we done?

We’ve gone astray and turned to our own way.  As a lost sheep has wandered from its shepherd, so have we wandered from God.  He, as our Shepherd, has provided for us lush, green pastures of fellowship with Him, but in defiance we have preferred to graze in the God-belittling pastures of sin.  That we’ve gone astray from God is no accident; we’ve purposely turned away from God in pursuit of greener grass.

(2) What, therefore, do we deserve?

As a stray sheep is liable to the dangers of wandering off from the protective care of its shepherd (e.g., being eaten by ferocious animals), so are we subject to the consequences of our sinful straying.  The wages of sin is death, that is, eternal separation from God in hell.  As those who turn away from God we’re worthy of His wrath.  With this in mind, wouldn’t it be fitting for the verse to read as follows: “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned--every one--to his own way; therefore, the Lord has laid on us the fierceness of His wrath”?

(3) How has God treated us?

Not as we deserve!  Isaiah finishes the second half of this verse in an amazing way.  Instead of using the word “therefore” he uses “and” (“but” would even be a better translation like the NASB).  We’re the sinful ones worthy of wrath, BUT God has not laid on us the judgment that we deserve.  Instead He has laid it on His Son, Jesus Christ.  Maybe a better question would have been, How has God treated His precious Son?  Answer: as WE deserve!

It is truths like these that we should allow our souls to feast on in preparation for Sunday’s celebration of our Savior’s resurrection.  As you’re absorbed with the cross your soul will soar as you sing, “Then bursting forth in glorious day, up from the grave He rose again!”

Websites that I enjoy, pt. 2

Here are some others that are useful to me which cover a wide range of subjects:

News
onenewsnow.com
bignewsnetwork.com
christianitytoday.com
worldmagblog.com

Helps
answers.com - the motherlode site of knowledge
rhymezone.com - dictionary, thesaurus, rhyming (of course), quotations
en.wikipedia.org - encyclopedia
israelimages.com - picture gallery of Israel
holylandphotos.org - picture gallery of Israel
eyeonisrael.com - maps of Israel

Media
pluggedinonline.com - helps parents assess content of current media

Art
christusrex.org - art collection of the Roman Catholic Church
www.oceansbridge.com/artist-lists/rembrandt/index.php - Rembrandt's biblical sketches

Websites that I enjoy, pt. 1

There are several sites I visit nearly every week. I thought you might be interested in what I find helpful on the web. Here's a start...

Theology
desiringgod.org - Website of pastor John PIper (my hero)
biblicaltraining.org - Free theology courses (MP3 downloads)
monergism.com
enjoyinggodministries.com - Ministry of C. Sam Storms

Blogs
theresurgence.com - blogsite of Marshill Church in Seattle, WA
theologica.blogspot.com - blogsite of Justin Taylor
albertmohler.com

More later...

Top 10 Reasons Why This Will Be A Super Sunday

10. With the additional opening of the back doors for entry, now every space in the parking lot is a great parking place.

9. Cool parking lot ministry attendants to enhance safety and maximize space.

8. After worship we get to celebrate God and his work as we feast together.

7. The authority of God’s Word will be proclaimed without apology.

6. Amazing children’s ministries that care for our children and lead them in worship.

5. Engaging and believing in the awesome power of prayer.

4. Four letters: XLII

3. The name of Jesus will be lifted high in worship.

2. You will be equipped to add forgiveness to your friendship tool kit.

1. Worshipping God together is the best way to start the week!

Offering to Rockford Rescue Mission

Last Saturday PM, we purposed to give the entire offering collected (except for the checks marked for Base Camp - building fund) to the ministry of the Rockford Rescue Mission here in town. The Mission's work is to help people move from homelessness and despair to hope and healing in Jesus Christ. When the evening ended I was handed a note displaying the amount raised -

$11,445!

I thank God for the generosity of this church. May God mulitiply what was raised to reach many men and women with the gospel of hope.

My trip with James MacDonald

Last week I had the privilege of accompanying James MacDonald on a trip to my old stomping grounds, the Master's College and Seminary. He was asked to speak at the Truth and Life Conference hosted by the college. This was a first for James to speak in those circles so I was hoping to help him make a strong connection as best I could. The other reason for me going was to spend some time with him and learn from the man. We have had a blast. James never stops. His mind is always whirling and the sarcastic jokes are continually flying so you have to be on your toes.

Here's a picture of James in a Q/A time with conference speakers, John MacArthur and David Wells...
This is James teaching at the Master's Seminary...

This is me and my mother and father in law with James...

Here a picture of Andy and his wife with James at the conference...

Construction progress

As you can see from the pictures, the auditorium is under construction to open it up so that we can get 450 people in there at one time. It also gives us a normal shape to the auditorium which creates better acoustics.

Every time I enter the building I immediately go in to see what work has been done. I love it. It's fun to see the changes and even do church in the "warehouse" look. When it is all done, we will have greater space to grow and greater heigth in the room so that we fix two projector screens left and right of the stage giving better visibility. We should be set for the years to come....in the auditorium. Next step will be extra offices and more children's space when God bring us more people.

All of this focus on facility can be a bit dangerous since our mission is to spread a passion for the supremacy of God and to liberate a generation with the life and love of Jesus Christ. We must understand that the work done on the facility is simply setting up the Base Camp to help us fulfill the mission. It certainly isn't the mission. Let that be clear.

In order to keep it clear it our minds while the work is going on, we are planning to give our entire offering this Saturday evening (Jan. 26) to the Rockford Rescue Mission. The last time we did this we raised 12k for the work of the mission which we partner with. Jesus told us that we should put our treasure where we want our heart to go and that is why we are doing this. At Harvest Bible Chapel, we are on mission and we do not want to be distracted by anything even if it's a good thing - like setting up the Base Camp.

Read the whole Bible this year!

Being a Christ-follower is a life of faith. We are not watching and listening to Jesus move from village to village like the first century followers. What we know of Jesus comes to us through a book - a book that contains the very words of the Master. Nevertheless, even the those who were eyewitnesses to the miracles and teaching had to take a leap of faith if they were to become His true disciples. The truth had to be digested with their whole being (Jn. 6:48-51). The way in which we see the glory of God in the person of Christ is through the reading of the Bible. The Holy Spirit uses the written word of God (Bible) to show us Jesus and to energize and sustain our faith.

This year let's read our Bibles clear through asking the Holy Spirit to illuminate the glory of Jesus to us. Let's fill our minds with truth that the Spirit will use to change us and make us more like our master. What do you say? Have you ever read the Bible clear through?

Here is a plan that leads you through the Bible chronologically which is a little different than reading it cover to cover. It means that you are reading it from the oldest books to the newest books.

If you would like to take up this challenge and you are an attender at HBC Rockfold, we will purchase you a ESV Bible if you can complete this challenge by December 31, 2008.

If you're starting now, my suggestion to you would be to begin reading at the current date and then try to make up what you missed whenever you can.

California, pt. 3

As you can see the weather was beautiful. Here we are in Malibu at Paradise Cove on a perfect day.