"And as for the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what was said to you by God..." - Matthew 22:31 (ESV)
Not 'have you not read what was written' or 'have you not heard what was said', but 'have you not read what was said'. In other words, what is written (i.e. Scripture) is God's Word.
Knowledge is not by skepticism, relativism, empiricism or pragmatism, but revelation.
Saturday, 23 November 2013
Tuesday, 19 November 2013
Grace On Display
"Those who pay regard to vain idols forsake their hope of steadfast love." - Jonah 2:8 (ESV)
God's grace is not only on display when He forgives sin; it's also on display when we forgo sin.
God's grace is not only on display when He forgives sin; it's also on display when we forgo sin.
Thursday, 24 October 2013
Intentionally Intrusive, Christ-Centred, Grace-Driven, Redemptive Community
Reality of Grace
"Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful." - Hebrews 10:19-23 (ESV)
"Intentionally Intrusive, Christ-Centred, Grace-Driven, Redemptive Community" - Paul Tripp
"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." - Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV)
Reality of Sin
"For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries. Anyone who has set aside the law of Moses dies without mercy on the evidence of two or three witnesses. How much worse punishment, do you think, will be deserved by the one who has trampled underfoot the Son of God, and has profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has outraged the Spirit of grace? For we know him who said, "Vengeance is mine; I will repay." And again, "The Lord will judge his people." It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God." - Hebrews 10:26-31 (ESV)
"Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful." - Hebrews 10:19-23 (ESV)
"Intentionally Intrusive, Christ-Centred, Grace-Driven, Redemptive Community" - Paul Tripp
"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." - Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV)
Reality of Sin
"For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries. Anyone who has set aside the law of Moses dies without mercy on the evidence of two or three witnesses. How much worse punishment, do you think, will be deserved by the one who has trampled underfoot the Son of God, and has profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has outraged the Spirit of grace? For we know him who said, "Vengeance is mine; I will repay." And again, "The Lord will judge his people." It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God." - Hebrews 10:26-31 (ESV)
Friday, 27 September 2013
Creation and New Creation
The Bible begins with creation (Genesis 1 and 2) and ends with new creation (Revelation 21 and 22). The fall (Genesis 3) and final judgment (Revelation 20) are thus located within the wider narrative of creation and new creation. In other words, the story of the Bible is not about us, but about the whole of creation (which, of course, includes us)!
Dr Christopher Wright on the Mission of God
1. God's whole mission is for God's whole church.
2. The whole church's mission includes every church member.
3. Every church member's mission includes the whole of life.
Dr Christopher Wright on the Mission of God
1. God's whole mission is for God's whole church.
2. The whole church's mission includes every church member.
3. Every church member's mission includes the whole of life.
Sunday, 22 September 2013
Lord of History
"But Joseph said to them, 'Don't be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.'" - Genesis 50:19-20 (NIV)
"And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?" - Esther 4:14b (NIV)
"Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his. He changes times and seasons; he deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him." - Daniel 2:20-22 (NIV)
"And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?" - Esther 4:14b (NIV)
"Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his. He changes times and seasons; he deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him." - Daniel 2:20-22 (NIV)
Saturday, 21 September 2013
Music Ministry Conference
The Word In Song Together
1. Purpose
2. Preparation
3. Prayer
4. Perceptive to the Present
5. Personality (and Personalisation)
6. Personal Life with God
7. Practical Stuff
Random Thoughts
Pursue God, not ministry. Love the congregation, not the music. Song leading is a ministry, not a roster!
Saturday, 14 September 2013
Serving in the King's Palace
Rely on God
"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." - Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)
Godliness with Contentment
"But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs." - 1 Timothy 6:6-10 (NIV)
Walk the Talk
"You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." - Matthew 5:14-16 (NIV)
All the way my Saviour leads me
What have I to ask beside
Can I doubt His tender mercy
Who through life has been my Guide
Heavenly peace, divinest comfort
Here by faith in Him to dwell
For I know, whatever befall me
Jesus doeth all things well
For I know, whatever befall me
Jesus doeth all things well
"Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him." - Isaiah 64:4 (NIV)
"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." - Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)
Godliness with Contentment
"But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs." - 1 Timothy 6:6-10 (NIV)
Walk the Talk
"You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." - Matthew 5:14-16 (NIV)
All the way my Saviour leads me
What have I to ask beside
Can I doubt His tender mercy
Who through life has been my Guide
Heavenly peace, divinest comfort
Here by faith in Him to dwell
For I know, whatever befall me
Jesus doeth all things well
For I know, whatever befall me
Jesus doeth all things well
"Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him." - Isaiah 64:4 (NIV)
Friday, 13 September 2013
Principles of Staff Work
1. Purpose
What do you want to achieve?
2. Plan
How do you plan to achieve it?
3. Packaging
How do you show what you have achieved?
What do you want to achieve?
2. Plan
How do you plan to achieve it?
3. Packaging
How do you show what you have achieved?
Sunday, 25 August 2013
All Scripture
"All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work." - 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (ESV)
If (and it is) so, then we should be seeking to read, understand and be guided by all Scripture - not just our favourite verses.
If (and it is) so, then we should be seeking to read, understand and be guided by all Scripture - not just our favourite verses.
Saturday, 24 August 2013
Christ-Centered Preaching
1. Text
- What is the location and function of the text in the whole of Scripture? What concerns do the text address? What is the big idea?
- What does the text reveal about God which provides redemption? How is the grace of God being displayed?
- What does the text reveal about man which requires redemption? What fallen conditions do we share in common with the text?
2. Type
3. Context
a. Predictive (e.g. Messianic Psalms, Prophets)
b. Preparatory: Bridges (e.g. Old Covenant Sacrifices) and Dead Ends (e.g. Judges)
c. Reflective: Grace of God Displayed
- Redemptive-Historical
- Doctrinal Development
- Literary Motif
- Relational Interaction
Grace is God providing for people who cannot provide for themselves!
d. Resultant: Grace of God Applied
- What (Instructional Specificity)
- Where (Situational Specificity)
- Why (Motivation)
- How (Enablement)
- What is the location and function of the text in the whole of Scripture? What concerns do the text address? What is the big idea?
- What does the text reveal about God which provides redemption? How is the grace of God being displayed?
- What does the text reveal about man which requires redemption? What fallen conditions do we share in common with the text?
2. Type
3. Context
a. Predictive (e.g. Messianic Psalms, Prophets)
b. Preparatory: Bridges (e.g. Old Covenant Sacrifices) and Dead Ends (e.g. Judges)
c. Reflective: Grace of God Displayed
- Redemptive-Historical
- Doctrinal Development
- Literary Motif
- Relational Interaction
Grace is God providing for people who cannot provide for themselves!
d. Resultant: Grace of God Applied
- What (Instructional Specificity)
- Where (Situational Specificity)
- Why (Motivation)
- How (Enablement)
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