March 2014 – jtcochran.com

Monthly Archives: March 2014

Prepare Them to Shepherd by Brian Croft

Brian Croft. Prepare Them To Shepherd: Test, Train, Affirm, and Send Into Ministry . Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan, 2014. 109 pp. $12.99.

Prepare Them to Shepherd is a resource designed for pastors and churches to think biblically about calling men into ministry. Pastor Croft presents an excellent summary of calling – looking both at an internal and external calling. Because this resource is designed not for the called man but for the church that calls, this resource does not emphasize the internal call. However, it provides substantial study engaging a man who expresses an internal call and exhibits signs of an external call.

Fundamentally, this book presents a case that places the burden of externally calling men into ministry upon the church, rather than seminaries, church planting organizations or other means. It cautions men who have an interest in ministry from pursuing a calling unless they first receive an external call from a church.

This brief yet thorough work equips pastors and church leadership on engaging in this process by testing men who sense a ministry call. It offers a template for training them into ministry by giving these men shepherding responsibilities within the church. Finally, Prepare Them To Shepherd instructs pastors on what an affirmation and sending process looks like.

Benefit for Pastoral Ministry

The glowing benefit of this book is that it asks a critical question that the Church has failed to ask. Who calls men into ministry? Croft steers the church back towards a responsibility that has drifted from the scope of the Church’s ministries. Prepared Them To Shepherd wakes the Church from its slumber over calling men into ministry. But being beyond an apologetic, this book provides simple, valuable, equipping so that a church may adequately test, train, affirm, and send men into ministry.

I approached this book asking, “How should a church train me?” I left realizing not just what to expect but what I should see flowing out of my life. If anything, I felt a greater weight and burden for pastoral ministry. As Spurgeon said, “If you can do anything else do it. If you can stay out of the ministry, stay out of the ministry.

Young men should read this book, to know what’s expected of them. Pastors and churches should read this book to know what to look for in potentially called men and how to fan into flame the embers of ministry that grow.

Essential Recommended Helpful Pass It By

This book is an essential addition to your library. An important part of every pastor’s ministry is to identify men who are called to carry on gospel ministry. Too many pastors neglect this task. It is a high privilege to be called into ministry and it is a high privilege to call men into ministry. Read this book and learn to do so well.

Van Til on Requirements for Effective Witness

Cornelius Van Til in his classic Defending the Faith evaluates evangelicalism’s witness against two requirements he sets for an effective witness.

It must always be remembered that the first requirement for effective witnessing is that the position to which witness is given be intelligible. Evangelicalism, when consistently carried out, destroys this intelligibility. The second requirement for effective witnessing is that he to whom the witness is given must be shown why he should forsake his own position and accept that which is offered him. Evangelicalism, when consistently carried out, also destroys the reason why the unbeliever should accept the gospel. Why should the unbeliever change his position if he is not shown that it is wrong? And, in particular, why should he change if the one who asks him to change is actually encouraging him in thinking that he is right? The Calvinist will need to have a better method of defending the doctrine of the atonement, for example, than that of the evangelical.

Justin Taylor. 10 Ways to Win at the Internet.

A step-by-step guide on how to be enraged on the internet all of the time:

Reading for Preaching by Cornelius Plantinga $3.99

Ben Stuart. How to Overcome Temptation. HT Desiring God

Matt Perman. How Productivity Answers the Gospel. (GCD)

The first kind is the wisdom that helps us live in this world. It is the wisdom of how to do our work well, how to be a virtuous person, and how to be effective. This wisdom is good ( Ecc. 2:13 ), but it is unable to take us beyond this life and show us the way to God ( Ecc. 3:16-17 ).

The second kind of wisdom is the wisdom that leads to eternal life. That is the wisdom Proverbs has in view when it says things like “blessed is the one who finds wisdom” (3:13) and “she is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her” (3:18). This is the wisdom that consists in how to know God and live a life that is pleasing to him in a spiritual, eternal sense.

Often we downplay the first time of wisdom (how to live in this world) in light of the second type. But the Scriptures do not do this.

Ricky Jones. Is Church Membership Really Required? (TGC)

This month we will be inducting new members into the most honored body the world has ever known: the church of Jesus Christ. The initiation fee for this club is so high that no human could have ever paid it; God himself had to pick up the tab. The benefits of the club never expire. The fellowship of the club is unmatched; you receive intimate access to the Lord himself ( John 17:23 ).

With such benefits, you’d think church membership would be held in infinitely high esteem. But for many reasons, Christians seem to think less of it than ever before. If you’re one who looks upon church membership lightly, then I invite you to reconsider.

Eph. 3:10 “So that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly place.”

“The New Testament does not envisage solitary religion.” C S Lewis

The Bible and The Closet by Thomas Watson and Samuel Lee

Thomas Watson and Samuel Lee. The Bible and The Closet . Harrisonburg, Virginia: Sprinkle Publications, 1992. 135 pp. $16.50.

The Bible and The Closet is actually two books — by two authors on two important subjects — bound into one.

Thomas Watson’s work on The Bible is an outstanding discussion in only 46 pages on how to gain the most spiritual profit on reading the Scriptures. He suggests removing all that hinders profit such as love of sin, love of the world, or jest. He also instructs us to prepare our hearts for reading the Scripture. In the process, Watson offers 25 observations and exhortations about Scripture’s profit. A sampling of the sections include: read with reverence (3), give it credence as God’s Word (10), compare yourselves with the Word (17), pray that God will make you profit (25). There are many more sections worthy of sharing, but you’ll have to read this book to discover them.

Samuel Lee’s The Closet is another fast read that grounds you and anchors your spiritual life to prayer. This book will cause you to search your heart and consider how, why, and the manner in which you bring requests to God. This book is broken into two parts. The first includes seven sections on managing your prayer life with directions for prayer. The second part is brief and discusses ejaculatory prayer. Lee defines this as “a sudden, short breathing of the soul toward heaven upon instant and surprising emergency.”

The Bible’s instructions are simple, yet he provides depth of insight for the implications related to these simple instructions. The seriousness at which Watson considers Scripture is comforting. His artistic use of language also sharpens readers to think more creatively on how to describe the inestimable value of Scripture. Puritans know how to smith words.

The Closet encourages and instructs us on many practical matters. I liked the seven practical questions on prayer towards the end of part one. And of course part two on ejaculatory prayer was new to me and very helpful for me to consider practicing this kind of prayer. Yet, the part I appreciated most involved his discussion on preparing yourself for prayer.

This is an essential addition to your library. Read the Puritans as often as possible and certainly read The Bible and The Closet . This book has been a great encouragement to my soul and has taught me much about how to approach Scripture and prayer. This book is great heart preparation and a wonderful reminder of the power of the Word and prayer. You’ll glean a lot of help from this book in areas you would not have looked for help in Scripture study and prayer life. I think it is because the Puritans practiced these disciplines in an uninterrupted fashion and allowed the world to pull them away from these disciplines less.

Jamie Dean. World Vision Reverses Gay Marriage Decision. (World)

Less than two days after international poverty ministry World Vision announced it would allow its American branch to hire employees in same-sex marriages, the Christian group is reportedly set to reverse its decision.

Romans: A 12-Week Study by Jared Wilson $3.99

Vaughn Roberts. True Worship. Reviewed by Isaac Adams. (9Marks)

Steve Lawson. The Evangelistic Zeal of George Whitfield. HT Ligonier

Thabiti Anyabwile. 5 Strategies for Ministering in a Cretan Context.

Recently I read through Titus in my morning meetings with the Lord. As we met together, the Lord gave me fresh appreciation for the letter. Perhaps it’s owing to our upcoming move to DC to plant a church in what some think is a tough community. But as I read the letter, I saw more clearly the Cretan context into which the Lord sent Titus. It’s a context in which many Christians around the world labor, and a context many other Christians needlessly avoid.

Owen Strachan. Giving Thanks to God for Complementarians Tim and Kathy Keller. (CBMW)

Tim and Kathy Keller have covered numerous topics in their shared ministry. One that has not always received attention or proper appreciation is their complementarian theology. In one of the world’s most secular cities, the Kellers have championed a complementarian stance on the pastorate and in the home.

Prov. 12:17 “Whoever speaks the truth gives honest evidence, but a false witness utters deceit.”

“Integrity of heart is indispensable.” John Calvin

Galatians (ZECNT) by Thomas Schreiner

Thomas Schreiner. Galatians (ZECNT). Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan, 2010. 432 pp. $34.99.

The Zondervan Exegetical Commentary of the New Testament (ZECNT) series focuses on the text’s original meaning. These commentaries help pastors, who though they might have experience in biblical languages, would benefit from a trained New Testament scholar’s understanding of a passage, including the key syntactical moves, and critical word studies or validation of tough interpretations that scholar might make.

Each passage is analyzed in seven sections: literary context, main idea, translation and graphical layout, structure, exegetical outline, explanation of the text, theology in application.

I find the translation and graphical layout section to be the most helpful one. This is the distinctive offering of this set. In this section we see syntactical decisions that the commentator has made on each phrase. This section is laid out in a clean fashion. It is similar to how one would diagram Greek, but it is accomplished in a simple manner that non-Greek proficient’s will follow.

Note that Schreiner’s study of Galatians comes from a traditional soteriological defense for justification by faith. He also holds to a South Galatian view of this letter’s recipients. I am unable to tackle the significance of this view, but if you are abreast with the conversation, then you will see that as important.

The main benefit of ZECNT commentaries is that the committee put this set together in consideration of what pastors need most from an exegetical commentary. Still, theology is not neglected at the expense of exegetical focus. Each theological application provides stout and flavorful connections to real life couched in solid theology.

I enjoy Schreiner’s scholarship. He has done exceptional work defending his view of justification by faith. He addresses the viewpoints of Dunn, Hays, and et al. in a diplomatic, yet pointed approach.

As with the other commentators, he interacts often with Betz. Yet, I enjoy how he is diplomatic in how he disagrees and congenial when he agrees with Betz. I appreciate Schreiner’s incorporation of often neglected dialogue partners such as Chrysostom, Luther, and Calvin.

Some commentators will essentially agree with someone in their own camp – a forerunner, if you will — over and over again, making their contribution trifling. Schreiner does not do this. His unique offering furthers the conversation on justification in many ways.

Furthermore, he adds valuable conversation regarding the gospel and its application to diversity in the Church. I really like how he put his finger on the pulse of the Church’s need to address this issue. The Church is for all tribes, tongues, and nations, which as Paul addresses, is a gospel matter.

This is an essential commentary for your library. If you were to pick one commentary to aid sermon preparation on Galatians, this is the first commentary I suggest. As a pastor, you will remain informed on important discussions taking place regarding the book of Galatians. You will be equipped to handle the Word of God faithfully as you keep the gospel at the center of your preaching on Galatians.

Aaron Armstrong. Three Tips for Choosing a Charity.

This seems like it should be a no brainer in some ways. After all, the Scriptures show us that in the heart of every true believer is a deep desire to be generous to others with their time, talents, and treasures. Maybe not all in the same ways or all the same causes, but if we’ve seen the richness of Christ, we will not be people who withhold from those in need.

Which takes us back to the question: How do you choose what charity to give to? In Awaiting a Savior: The Gospel, the New Creation and the End of Poverty , I shared three factors to consider:

A Better Way by Michael Horton $3.99

J. Merrick and Steven M Garrett ed. Five View of Biblical Inerrancy. Reviewed by Nate Claiborne.

J D Greear. Why Multi-Cultural Matters More Than Multi-Colored.

Most churches say they want to be “diverse,” but it wasn’t until recently that I began to see the difference between two types of diversity—multi- color and multi- cultural . Most pastors who talk about diversity imply that they want a multi-colored church. Their ideal is a bunch of different colored people, but the church culture is still predominantly white. So everyone sings traditional white people music and sits silently during the sermon. And in many contexts, this is a step that should be celebrated. Having men and women congregate from different ethnic backgrounds is miles ahead of a church that has no ethnic diversity at all; but this multi-color diversity is—quite literally—only skin deep.

Terry Buster. He’s a Pinball Leader…

I remember cruising the streets in the days of 8 tracks and sideburns turning up the volume when “Pinball Wizard” was playing. (Yes, I’m a child of the 60′s & 70′s.) Dragging Main, we sang along with The Who, “That deaf, dumb, and blind kid sure plays a mean pinball.”

Now some 40 years later, I’m wondering if there are pinball wizards in the church-world. You know the type, leaders who bounce from one idea to the next hoping that the bright shiny bells and lights of the game catch a lot of attention so that people will want to play along. Pinball leadership philosophy is pretty simple. Bounce into the right bumpers, keep moving fast and furious and you get a lot of points along the way. And, if you get too far from ‘God’s will,’ He will use the flippers to get you back in the game.

Andrew Shanks. Parenting Fear. (TGC)

Here are two biblical ways we can address our children’s current fears and teach them how to handle the other fears that will inevitably emerge from the shadows later on.

Job 24:22 “Yet God prolongs the life of the might by his power; they rise up when they despair of life.”

“Despair is the damp of hell, as joy is the serenity of heaven.” John Donne

Gal. 2:15 We ourselves are Jews by birth and not Gentile sinners; 16 yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.

Gal. 2:17 But if, in our endeavor to be justified in Christ, we too were found to be sinners, is Christ then a servant of sin? Certainly not! 18 For if I rebuild what I tore down, I prove myself to be a transgressor. 19 For through the law I died to the law, so that I might live to God. 20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. 21 I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose.

As we close our look at chapter two we come to the focal text of the book of Galatians. I am in agreement with a number of the scholars that see this as the hinge section of the book.

Here Paul expresses how as a Jew, he and those he has instructed, who are also Jews, agree that right standing with God is based on faith in Christ. Nothing can be added to faith in order to save. God keeps us with how he saves us — faith in Christ!

Since Dick Hays dissertation on Galatians 3.1-14 was published decades ago, the growing movement towards a new or fresh perspective on a reading of Paul’s writing concerning faith, justification and the relationship to Christ has been increasingly popularized. In this view, readers take a subjective understanding and read these phrases as “the faithfulness of Jesus Christ”. This reading is most celebrated by scholars such as Jimmy Dunn and Tom Wright. Others such as Scot McKnight or Doug Campbell have continued to explore these readings and furthered the conversation. Obviously I can speak with authority on this subject because I’m on first name basis with all these guys. : )

Darrell Bock is an example of one who tries to straddle the issue, giving recognition to both views in an attempt to mediate the vantage points. Whereas, others like Doug Moo, Thomas Schreiner, and John Piper have defended the standing predominant view, justification by faith, of the last many centuries since Luther. This is an important issue that cannot be solved in a brief section on a blog post. There are many men, much smarter than I, who engage in this study.

I will say only this. I find the context set concerning Gal. 2:15 to be of great pertinence. The subject matter in these two paragraphs is not fundamentally about what Jesus accomplished. We know that Jesus is faithful to his character and attributes. We know what Jesus accomplished at the cross. This letter is fundamentally about how humanity is to respond to Christ. Is it by works or by faith? That’s what is being discussed. Hence, it is imperative to contrast Jews from Gentiles. It is essential for Paul to say that as a Jew, he regards faith to be the vehicle of salvation, not works. This he will continue to discuss, not by showing us the faithfulness of Christ. This we would expect him to do, if we are to take a subjective view of pistis christou (faith in Christ). Rather, Paul will give us the portrait of Abraham, a man of faith, who properly represents Jews and Gentiles, being the precursor of Israel, and a faith forerunner before both the Law and circumcision, as we will see.

Taking the view of men, much smarter than I, then leads to an entire breakdown of the entire fundamental understanding of the passage and the argument for which Paul argues.

This is the fundamental part of the argument. Both the Gentiles and the Jews are found to be sinners. They are in the same standing. Their rightful place apart from Christ is wrath. Adding to grace with law, adding to faith with works, makes Jews sinners. Gentiles who do so fall under the same condemnation.

Thus, they are justified by their sin, being justly recognized and then placed upon Christ, and Christ’s righteousness, being justly recognized and placed upon us all who are found as sinners.

It is not that people are suddenly perfect and no longer sinners. In this life, we, who believe, are simultaneously justified and still sinners. Christ being their representative and substitute, places people in right standing with God. Sinners who rely upon Christ for salvation are found acceptable to God by faith, not works.

Being crucified with Christ means that I am not just united to Christ through my faith but Christ unites himself to me in his death. Likewise, the same goes to be said concerning his resurrection, but this is not a matter discussed here. It is simply assumed. For some time there has been a push back against the significance of Christ’s crucifixion. This is rightly so, when at the expense of the resurrection. But, in our effort to properly balance our understanding of the Scriptures, we should give weight and importance to Christ’s death. Christ’s death carries with it significant importance. New life cannot occur without Christ’s resurrection. But, likewise, the death of our sin cannot take place apart from the death of Christ.

And if we then go on to add works in order to obtain acceptance from God to the gospel, we do violence to the crucifixion, which was already super violent as it is. We make Christ’s death worthless, when we believe we can cover the gap made by our sin with works. The full gap is filled by Christ. As one writer put it, on the cross, Christ becomes a shield for humanity. All God’s wrath falls upon the cross and none of it upon God’s elect.

Brothers, We Are Not Professionals by John Piper

John Piper. Brothers, We Are Not Professionals . Nashville, Tennessee: B&H Books, 2013. 320 pp. $14.99

Brothers, We Are Not Professionals is the culmination of a life of ministry lessons learned by one of the most respected pastoral leaders in the 20 th -21 st century, John Piper. In this book we find 36 lessons that cover everything from the pastors’ studies, philosophy, theology, purpose, and function.

This book is the best of the best of what John Piper has offered to the Christian community during his thirty years of ministry at Bethlehem Baptist Church. You will find the summation of his many other works boiled down to poignant chapters in Brothers, We Are Not Professionals .

This book, rather than focusing on business, technology, systems and processes, focuses on heart matters. John Piper is concerned that the church is becoming increasingly professional and decreasingly inspectional on heart matters. The pastor who has a healthy heart, filled with affections for Christ, will shepherd the church well.

I cannot think of a better book for a pastor to walk through in order to warm his heart to Christ and the Church. Young pastors need to read this book and reread it throughout their season of ministry. Veteran pastors need to keep returning to this book.

I like most how this book helped me think on subject, I otherwise would not have ever considered. For instance, I found many of Piper’s exhortations novel considerations. He encouraged me to read biography, to pursue the tone of the text, and bodily train myself. He helped me think through matters of ethics like abortion, racism and how to handle calamitous events like 9/11, Columbine, or hurricane Katrina. Most of all, this book has equipped me to keep matter of most importance at the forefront of my mind.

This book is a library essential. Own it. Read it. And read it again every few years. You will find this book as a help any time your find your soul in the desert or whenever you begin to think you’ve started to walk down the wrong ministry trail. Scripture should be your compass, but allow Brothers, We Are Not Professionals to be your travel guide.

Celeste Gracey and Jeremy Weber. World Vision: Why We’re Hiring Gay Christians in Same-Sex Marriages.

World Vision’s American branch will no longer require its more than 1,100 employees to restrict their sexual activity to marriage between one man and one woman.

Abstinence outside of marriage remains a rule. But a policy change announced Monday [March 24] will now permit gay Christians in legal same-sex marriages to be employed at one of America’s largest Christian charities .

Putting Jesus in His Place by Robert Bowman and Ed Komoszewski $1.99

Joseph W Smith III. Sex and Violence in the Bible. Reviewed by Tim Challies.

Trevin Wax. World Vision and Why We Grieve for the Children.

Some observers are elated.

Evangelicals are shocked.

No matter what you think about this decision, I hope you feel a sense of grief… for the children. This is a story of deep and lasting significance, because there are children’s lives at stake in how we respond.

Todd Pruitt. Franklin Graham on World Vision. (Reformation21)

Franklin Graham released the following statement on World Vision’s decision to endorse homosexual relationships:

Justin Taylor. Should Christians Support World Vision USA?

Many will argue that the withdrawal of support directly harms needy and hurting families, and children in particular. Matt rightly points out that the relationship between a donor and an organization should not be established on strictly monetary or utilitarian grounds.

Matthew Lee Anderson. On Whether Christians Should Keep Supporting World Vision.

World Vision USA has altered their employee handbook to allow them to hire members of committed same-sex unions. As I noted on Twitter, I find their rationale incoherent, but not terribly surprising. – See more at: http://mereorthodoxy.com/whether-christians-keep-supporting-world-vision/#sthash.dcRdcLf2.dpuf

Albert Mohler. Pointing to Disaster — The Flawed Moral Vision of World Vision.

Like all revolutions, moral revolutions are marked by events that signal major turning points in social transformation. Yesterday, March 24, 2014, will be remembered as one of those days. The headline in the news story by Christianity Today made the issue easy enough to understand — “World Vision: Why We’re Hiring Gay Christians in Same-Sex Marriages.”

Russell Moore. On World Vision and the Gospel.

But here’s what’s at stake. This isn’t, as the World Vision statement (incredibly!) puts it, the equivalent of a big tent on baptism, church polity, and so forth.

At stake is the gospel of Jesus Christ. If sexual activity outside of a biblical definition of marriage is morally neutral, then, yes, we should avoid making an issue of it. If, though, what the Bible clearly teaches and what the church has held for 2000 years is true, then refusing to call for repentance is unspeakably cruel and, in fact, devilish.

Hebrews 13:4 “Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous.”

“The marriage relation lies at the very root of the social system of nations.” J C Ryle

The Pastor’s Library: A New Page for jtcochran.com

jtcochran.com is introducing a new resource for pastors.

For some time, I have been committed to write conventional 1000-15000 word book reviews of the quality that you might find at the Gospel Coalition. Nonetheless, I understand that many pastors do not have the time to read those reviews. Likewise, there are a lot of resources that I have for which I do not have the time to invest the 3-4 hours I put in those kind of reviews. I still want to share about those resources and give you what you really need to know about those resources in order to make a wise buying decision.

Therefore, I am starting this new page at jtcochran.com called “The Pastor’s Library”. This page will consist of 300-500 word reviews that pastor’s will find helpful in making a quick decision about whether a book merits being added to their library. These posts will give recommendations on the following categories: church and ministry, theology, backgrounds, exegesis, commentaries, and fictional classics. Each post will include a bibliography, category, summary, benefit, and recommendation.

I believe this will be a successful addition to this website as I will have the ability to churn out recommendations on many resources that I haven’t had the margin of time to recommend. I aspire to make these daily posts. We’ll see! Look for tomorrow’s first one: Brothers, We Are Not Professionals .

Discover Christian Blogging: David Murray

Christian Blogging is not only popular but it is also a profession. Blogs as a medium are a valuable resource to receive spiritual edification, news, popular commentary on current events through a Christian lens, and insight to finding valuable resources (books, music, et al.) at discounted prices. Blogs essentially are a wonderful learning environment accessed at a reader’s leisure.

Yet, many Christians are not aware of this valuable resource. Not only this but they are not familiar with who to follow on platforms such as Twitter or to subscribe to via e-mail or their RSS Reader like Feedly.

The purpose of this series is to identify and interview exceptional Christian Bloggers in order to introduce people to their blogging ministry. I hope you enjoy this series. We will continue it throughout February and March , so please stay tuned. You’re going to meet some markedly gifted people who have a passion to share God’s truth and God’s gospel through this unique digital platform.

Obviously, for this series to be successful I need your help. Please share with others about this series. I’m just preaching to the choir if regular blog readers catch on to this series. Tell your friends about this series by word of mouth. Help them create a twitter account or have a feedly RSS reader account. And yes! Retweet. Like. Subscribe. Share. Help others discover this digital treasure trove of bloggers who serve the Church via this medium.

This is our second run of these posts. We did another series last summer that might catch your interest. Here is who we interviewed before with links: Stephen Altrogge , Aaron Armstrong , Nate Claiborne , Gloria Furman , Mike Leake , Trevin Wax . If you are a blogger and would like to be a part of this series or a future one, please contact me by e-mail: jtcochran82 AT gmail DOT com .

These interviews will post each Tuesday during February and possibly March. We’ve already got an excellent lineup of bloggers who are participating in this series. Below is the post schedule.

Discovering Christian Bloggers Interview Schedule:

February 4 – Christina Fox ( To Show Them Jesus )

February 11 – Jared Wilson ( The Gospel-Driven Church )

February 18 – Mathew Sims ( Grace for Sinners )

February 25 – Jason Brueckner ( Brave Reviews)

March 4 – Joe Thorn ( joethorn.net )

March 11 – Barnabas Piper ( Barnabas’s Blog and the Blazing Center )

March 18 – Dave Jenkins ( Servants of Grace )

March 25 – David Murray ( Head, Heart, Hand )

Today’s Featured Blogger:

Dr. David Murray is Professor of Old Testament and Practical Theology at Puritan Reformed Seminary . He is also Pastor of Grand Rapids Free Reformed Church .

He is the author of Christians Get Depressed Too , How Sermons Work , and Jesus on Every Page .

You can read his blog at H eadHeartHand.org/blog

Originally from Scotland, where he pastored churches for 12 years, David is married to Shona and they have five children ranging from 8 months to 18 years old. They love camping, fishing, boating, and skiing in the Lake Michigan area.

1. What is your website/blog url? What is the purpose of your blog? Who is your audience?

You can find my blog at headhearthand.org/blog .

When I started blogging a few years ago, I was writing mainly about Christian leadership, especially in pastoral ministry. However, it has morphed over the years into a much more general blog that covers many areas of Christian teaching and living.

Originally my main readership was pastors. However, judging by the comments and emails over the past couple of years, I think the majority of my blog readers are Christians who want to see how the Bible is applied to everyday life.

2. How did your blogging ministry begin?

A student persuaded me that I should get into social media as a teaching tool and as a way of multiplying the usefulness of what I taught in the classroom. In one afternoon he sat me down and guided me through the process of starting a blog and signing up for Facebook and Twitter. It was very experimental in my mind, and I was pretty sure it wouldn’t last that long. Four years later, here we are: still blogging, still Tweeting, etc.

3. What is the most personally meaningful post that you have written and why?

I’ve written a lot about Christians suffering from depression and about the need for a holistic approach to ministering to depressed Christians. Many Christians have written to me to tell me about how much these posts have encouraged them. If I had to choose one post, perhaps it would be an article I wrote in the aftermath of Rick and Kay Warren’s son’s suicide: 7 Questions About Suicide and Christians.

4. What is the most popular post that you have written? Why do you think it gained such extensive readership?

I honestly do not know the answer to this and I don’t even know how to find out! The themes that always seem to attract the most attention are Christians and depression, Christ in the Old Testament, Managing the digital deluge, and Cultural commentary.

5. What is your inspiration to write? Why are you inspired to write?

My friend Tim Challies has been my main inspiration; I view him as my digital mentor! His writing is so biblical, practical, honest, transparent, relevant and Christ-centered.

This may seem strange but I used to hate writing. As a preacher, I considered myself more of an “oral” person and usually just wrote out the bare minimum of notes for preparing to preach.

When I started teaching in a Seminary, I realized that I needed to write a lot more if my lectures were to be helpful. I didn’t enjoy that.

It was regular blogging that taught me how to enjoy writing and also how to write briefly and simply.

So, I write mainly because I enjoy it, view it as a means of grace to my own soul, and am glad when other people can benefit from it too.

Tim Challies. How to Beat that Bad Mood.

Over the weekend I came across a few different articles on a common theme: grumpiness. These were articles meant to offer guidance in those times—those inevitable times—when you’re in a bad mood and just can’t break out. While the articles had some helpful advice, they had this in common: They dealt with symptoms rather than root cause. They dealt with overcoming the manifestations of grumpiness instead of looking for the heart of grumpiness. Christians can do better.

The World Is Not Ours to Save Tyler Wigg-Stevenson $2.99

Gregory A Boyd. Benefit of the Doubt. Reviewed by Mike Wittmer

Ed Stetzer. 3 Steps to Develop a Culture of Service.

Having a missional culture established through instilling it, repeating it, and celebrating it will provoke members to love and good deeds.

Ryan Huguley. The Missing Mark of Leadership.

Leadership resources are legion in our culture, and for good reason – leadership is vital . We all need to be led and we all lead. Books, blogs, conferences, and podcasts are filled with practical instruction on the defining marks of effective leadership. Things like courage, competency, care, communication, and creativity are all essential to leadership.

Sadly, I rarely read, or hear anything about what I would argue, is the most important and attractive mark of effective leadership:

Trevin Wax. Pastors, Preach the WHY before the WHAT.

“We can’t seem to recruit and hold on to the volunteers we need.”

“We keep trimming our budget, but our people give less and less.”

“We’ve launched some great programs, but no one seems passionate about them.”

Do comments like this sound familiar to you? Almost every pastor and church leader admits how difficult it can be to cast vision and create passion among the congregation.

What can be done? Pastors generally take one of two approaches.

Acts 13:52 “And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.”

“No man is qualified to be a disciple of Christ until he has been divested of self.” John Calvin

R. Michael Allen on the Goal and the Ground of the Gospel

This quote is from R. Michael Allen’s, Justification and the Gospel: Understanding the Contexts and Controversies. In this paragraph Allen begins an ambitious effort to reconcile the participatory view of the gospel with the justification view of the gospel. His view is that they are not, indeed, competitive views but cooperative views of the gospel.

I argue that the gospel is the glorious news that the God who has life in himself freely shares that life with us and, when we refuse that life in sin, graciously gives us life yet again in Christ. While participation in God is the goal of the gospel, justification is the ground of that sanctifying fellowship. We will consider both the goal and the ground of this gospel, arguing that a well-ordered account of the gospel requires that consideration be given to both facets: to participation in God and to justification in Christ. We will see that justification and participation are not competitive visions of the gospel, though they describe different facets of it. We will also consider their logical relationship vis-à-vis union with Christ and how this relationship is manifested in the link between the two sacraments given to the church, baptism and the Lord’s Supper.

Allen, R. Michael (2013-11-19). Justification and the Gospel: Understanding the Contexts and Controversies (Kindle Locations 758-764). Baker Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.

Kate Shellnut. Why Hobby Lobby Is This Year’s Supreme Court Case to Watch. (CT)

When Hobby Lobby makes its case in front of the U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday, Christians won’t be the only ones paying attention.

After a year and a half of opposing the Affordable Care Act’s birth control mandate, the evangelical-owned craft store chain has become shorthand for the corporate fight for religious liberty—one that concerns not only Obamacare critics, or fellow Christians who worry that certain contraception methods are abortifacients, but now, Americans overall.

It’s expected to be the most high-profile case the Supreme Court reviews this year.

Letters to a Young Calvinist by James K A Smith $2.99

Craig Bartholomew and Michael Goheen. Christian Philosophy. (TGC) Reviewed by Matt Manry.

A Conversation with Derek Thomas. HT Justin Taylor

Barnabas Piper. 3 Ways to Support an Author.

This post is self-serving. Many of you know I have a book releasing in July called The Pastor’s Kid: Finding Your Own Faith and Identity , so yes, I am giving you pointers on how to support me. But I’m also asking you to support Stephen Altrogge , who has written several books and is nice enough to let me blog on his site. And these tips apply to any author, whether they are a NYT best seller or a self-published specialist in something. You might also find it to state some rather obvious ideas. Ok, but are you doing them? These three simple actions can have a remarkable collective effect on the success of authors and their books.

Matt Svoboda. Dating in Marriage is a Necessity. (CBMW)

Before I got married, and I would read things about dating in marriage, I always thought, “What are they talking about? You dont need to “date,” you will be together every night!”

Naive. Stupid. I know, I know.

The fact that you are around each other that much is exactly why you have to date in marriage.

Galatians 3:8 “And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, ‘In you shall all nations be blessed.'”

“Nobody has understood Christianity who does not understand…the word ‘justified’.” John R W Stott

Greg Forster. The Distrustful Generation. (TGC)

Who are the “Millennial generation”? New data from two of the country’s leading social research organizations provide an invaluable window into their thinking and experience. So far, the discussion of these findings has centered on the disastrous collapse of marriage, work, and religious practice among Millennials (ages 18 to 29). But the most dire social problem is that Millennials don’t trust their neighbors. The deepest question our culture will be facing in the coming generation is not what to do about jobs or single parenthood, but whether we are still capable of loving our neighbors.

How People Change by Tripp and Lane FREE

James Anderson. What’s Your Worldview? Reviewed by Tim Challies.

Albert Mohler. Intellectual Discipleship? (Ligonier)

A failure of Christian thinking is a failure of discipleship, for we are called to love God with our minds. We cannot follow Christ faithfully without first thinking as Christians. Furthermore, believers are not to be isolated thinkers who bear this responsibility alone. We are called to be faithful together as we learn intellectual discipleship within the believing community, the church.

Jen Thorn. Christ, My Power.

How was your week? Did you wonder at all where you would find motivation, energy, and strength to get anything done, let alone meet with God? I did, and I’m sure that I am not the only one who sometimes feels completely drained. My toddler keeps throwing random items into the toilet and using the trash as a wending machine. Then there is the laundry, which multiplies faster than rabbits, and a husband who will be home famished after a long day at work. Did I mention that my in-laws live with us? And somewhere in all of that I need to homeschool my older kids. We all have a lot going on, and if we’re honest we know that we don’t have the strength to get it all done.

Why Fred Phelps’ Death Isn’t a Cause for Celebration. (Relevant)

Temptation to dance on the grave of the godfather of grave-dancers is certain to crop up. However, as a church, we can choose to respond differently to the death of one who caused irreparable emotional and spiritual damage: with mercy, compassion and even pity.

Colossians 3:16 “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.”

“The walk of a disciple is gloriously different, but gloriously certain.” Oswald Chambers

4 Steps to Ensure You’ll Have No Church Home (Servants of Grace Guest Post)

Before I begin, there is an operative assumption in this post. It is that a fitting local church home should offer three non-negotiable elements (sine qua nons). Here are those three sine qua nons: a local church home should offer consistently faithful expository gospel preaching undergirded with sound doctrine, a missional community that seeks to serve its surrounding community and see God save the lost, and a thriving new covenant faith community that provides accountability and edification.

From my perspective, it is impossible for individuals or families to spiritually thrive without having a local church home. Unfortunately, many people get hung up on preferential matters that prevent them from plugging into a church that successfully offers the three sine qua nons mentioned above. There are certainly more preferential matters that prevent people from plugging into a church home, but these four are surefire ingredients to ensure that you will be a perpetual church hopper.

1. Refuse to Give Up Your “Church Shopping List”

Everyone seeking a church has some sort of checklist. If you think a church is going to satisfy your every want, then you will be disappointed and depart before attending your first quarter.

Here’s the deal with church shopping lists. We all build our list on our past or a non-existent ideal picture. However, God takes us to a place that is going to be different from both. Why? He wants us to learn something new about Himself, or He wants us to see something new about our self. Second, your ideal does not exist on this side of heaven. And it could be that your ideal won’t be on the other side of heaven. God wants to show you the varied-colored spectrum of church you will experience in heavenly bliss.

READ THE REST OF THE POST AT SERVANTS OF GRACE.

Twitter Celebrities, Voyeurism, Purging, and 8 Criteria to Follow

I purged my Twitter account the other night. I’m not precisely sure why I did it.

I think it has to do with two blog posts and a happy rant: one blog post from Kevin DeYoung on Celebrity Pastors , the other from Carl Trueman in response to DeYoung , and Stephen Altrogge and Barnabas Piper’s Happy Rant on social media.

Essentially, I am sick to my stomach with the celebrity pastor banter I read on the web. It causes me to reflect on my voyeuristic tendency to look into those guys lives and pretend like I can be part of those lives. Maybe I’ll @mention @RevKevDeYoung today? Perhaps he’ll respond. Or @BetweenTwoWorld. @JohnPiper. It’s just ridiculous. My urge to be unrealistically in proximity to guys that don’t have margin to share their life with me is silly. They aren’t my pastor. Why should I follow them?

So, I purged my account. I stopped following anyone I didn’t have a substantive connection with in real life. Sure, I kept some people I’ve never met. But at least they interact on Twitter. We’ve had conversations together. We follow one another and not because their bio says, “I follow back.” Their’s doesn’t; mine doesn’t. They are normal people, and they are friends.

If I unfollowed you, I know you won’t be offended. You don’t know me, and I really don’t know you. Likewise, if you blog, I still read your blog. I’ll get your real news that way. If you do something controversial, well the good news is that I follow enough people and blogs that will let me know about it anyway. So, I’m not on the outside of the controversy, though sometimes, I wish I were.

Before my purge, I followed 900+ Twitter accounts. Now I follow around 140 people on Twitter. I’m not saying this is something you should do. But I encourage you to think about why you follow people and what is the purpose.

I’ve come up with 8 criteria for following people on Twitter. Here is my new criteria:

1. I don’t need to follow organizations. If I do, they should be organizations I have a substantive connection. I follow one publisher because I’ve done editing work for them. I follow a few websites because I’ve written for them. I give to a couple ministries and have attended a couple ministry conferences. Otherwise, I said goodbye to organizations.

2. I don’t have to follow people back. If people I don’t know follow me, that’s fine. But I don’t need to give them the polite nod of a follow back.

3. I’m not going to follow “celebrities” of any sort, unless they are actual friends or acquaintances. And I’m not talking about I shook their hand once at a conference, but we’ve had a substantive conversation. In other words, I would be known by them.

4. I follow people who interact and contribute productively on Twitter, not just broadcasters. I broadcast. So I’m not against broadcasting, but if Twitter is only a broadcasting platform, then I don’t need to follow that person.

5. If you’re a dead person, I’ll read your books, not your tweets.

6. If you take over my feed with your retweets, then I can’t keep you. Sorry.

7. Occasionally people who follow others, unfollow them after a day or so. I don’t know if it is an accidental follow or they just decide that they didn’t really want to follow that person. Maybe they are just using Twitter as a means to further their platform. Whatever the case, I’m going to give it a little time before I follow people back that I have no context for knowing, maybe a day or two, just to see if they really are interested in interacting.

8. If I don’t know a person and they have the “appearance” of a huge platform, I’m going to wonder if they have purchased a platform. I might invest energy to find out who this person with 70,000 followers are and why is it that they are not known to me. I will also consider whether following that person will influence others to follow them. In my discernment, I will be cautious to follow people with whom the connection might call my character into question or might further a person’s platform that I would prefer not to be furthered.

Trevin Wax. Our Goal is Not Diversity; It’s Love (Trillia Newbell Interview).

I’m thrilled to have Trillia Newbell on the blog today. Her writing has been published in numerous places including the Knoxville News-Sentinel , Desiring God , True Woman , The Resurgence, and The Gospel Coalition. She currently is the consultant on Women’s Initiatives for the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission for the Southern Baptist Convention and the Lead Editor of Karis, the women’s channel for the Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood.

Trillia is the author of United: Captured by God’s Vision for Diversity , so today she and I discuss what diversity looks like within the church and why ethnic and cultural diversity in and of itself should not be the goal to which Christians aspire.

Lectures to My Students Charles Spurgeon $1.99

Nancy Leigh DeMoss. My Son Wants to Move in with His Girlfriend. What Now?

I have several dear friends who are walking through difficult situations with their young adults, and you may be, too. So I thought I’d share a shortened version of a recent exchange I had with a family seeking counsel about their son’s desire to move in with his girlfriend, in the hopes that it will be of some encouragement and help to you. Their names have been changed for privacy.

Tony Merida. 4 Characteristics of Spirit-Empowered Preaching.

While the term anointed may not be the best word to describe preaching by the power of the Spirit, the biblical rationale for Spirit-empowered preaching is still warranted. The prophets, Jesus, Paul, and the examples in Luke-Acts provide a rich understanding of this important reality.

Justin Taylor. The Silence of Christ Our Substitute and the Misuse of Our Tongue.

James 3 warns us about the misuse of our tongue. James begins in v. 1 by saying that not many of us should be teachers, because we will be judged with greater strictness. His first illustration of our common “stumbling” (v. 2) is our “small member,” the tongue (v. 5). Like a small flame that can lead to a great forest first (v. 5), so the tongue can set ablaze the whole of our life (v. 6). It is untameable, restless, and full of deadly poison (vv. 7-8). The same tongue can bless God and cure those in the image of God (vv. 9-10). As James says, “My brothers, these things out not to be so” (v. 10).

How do we apply the misuse of our tongue to the redeeming power of the gospel?

“It is easier to look wise than to talk wisely.” Ambrose

Proverbs 15:4 “A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.”

everPresent by Jeremy Writebol

Jeremy Writebol. everPresent: How the Gospel Relocates Us in the Present. GCD Book, 2014. 132 pp. $6.49.

Right now you are sitting somewhere doing something. You might be working, playing, or resting. Have you considered the significance of that place? Have you considered the significance of your presence in that place? Have you considered the significance of God’s presence in that place?

everPresent is a theologically grounded spatial look at Christian life. This book compels readers to re-examine the significance of their presence in everyday locations. Jeremy Writebol, community pastor at Journey the Way and director of Porterbrook Kansas, provides a creative resource to think freshly about a seemingly mundane subject, location.

Astute Theology of Location

In chapter one everPresent develops an argument for the vitality of location in God’s plan of creation and redemption. Writebol asserts astute observations on God’s often inspectionally explored attribute of omnipresence. God’s presence in every place makes every place significant. Writebol says, “Place or location is created by God for his glory. That means that everywhere we go, every location we inhabit, every neighborhood where we dwell is made for God” (10).

Yet, Writebol presents the rub in chapter 2. Not only is God located in every place, but humanity has been in some way dislocated from God through the fall. God barred humanity from Eden. Humanity is a transient, sojourning race, in need of God to relocate the dislocation to himself.

Chapter three sets up the coming of Christ, who relocates himself from heaven to dwell on earth. He locates himself around fallen humanity to show us the way home. “The only basis we have of returning home is found in God himself. How does he do this? He gives us himself,” writes Writebol (26). Thus, Christ may be characterized in three spatially oriented ways: the replacing, reuniting, and restoring Son.

Chapter four conveys that God renovates the areas of dislocation through his people, who become his presence in these places. Home, work, social environments, and cities become very different places when God’s people do God’s work in these locations.

Part one of everPresent will stun readers. This ostentatious subject of location becomes profound in retrospect of God’s character and plan. I like how Writebol makes simple points with relatable anecdotes. Furthermore, Writebol provokes us to see our environment with a fresh outlook.

Practical Implications of Location

In part two, everPresent considers four places: home, work, social environments, and the city. This section redeems those locations for God’s glory through Christian exiles. Christ followers are kingdom heralds bringing the gospel and God’s glory to these locations. This is where part one’s solid theology springboards into part two’s daily kingdom praxis.

What does the first place, the home, look like? Simply put, it is a place for families who make babies. These babies become kingdom citizens. Writebol does not neglect the brokenness of homes that need renovation, but first provides the principles of an ideal home environment.

He then looks at work environments. I appreciated Writebol’s careful reflection on work and its conception rightly understood through God’s edenic commandment to subdue and fill the earth. His practical portraits of eclectic workers helps readers process the purpose of their work environments. You will no doubt relate to one of these portraits of normal people who are dissatisfied with their toil of work because the fall corrupted the creative task of work.

Here’s how Writebol says this:

The office lost all of its delight. We found productivity flittered away by thorns and thistles. The soil we needed to survive was dry, hard, and unyielding. Making an existence from day-to-day, paycheck-to-paycheck became our work and that work was where work lost all its art.

Maybe this is why no one feels like going to work in the morning. Monday’s are synonymous with the death of our freedom, independence, and life. Work is death and no one likes it…This is the blatant effect of our sin and the curse. The office is a den of death. (57)

That is a dismal portrait. And that’s because we wrap our identity in our role of work rather than in God. According to Writebol, realigning our identity redeems our role. We see our role rightly because we have a better employer, God. We go to work for him at our work for others.

Chapter seven looks at third places, social environments. Pubs, coffee shops, sporting events, parks and even churches are examples of third places. The greatest challenge I faced in this chapter is embracing church as a third place. Yet, Writebol rightly points out that the Spirit of God dwells in people, not a building. The time for God dwelling in a building is gone. This chapter heightens the significance for believers to have presence in third place locations. A believer’s presence brings the presence of the church into those locations.

The church isn’t just another third place alongside your local hair salon or coffee shop or community club. The church is a distinct people (not place) sent to bear witness to Christ in the everyday places of our society, including the third places. (1 Peter 2.9-10).

everPresent concludes by considering a fourth place, the city. This place is the collection of first, second, and third places. Here Writebol gives a comparison of the way our cities look against the way they ought to look if statistics on evangelical Christianity are accurate. Our city should be a thriving Christian community. They should not have the slums that are present, nor the corruption that so haunts many today. But until Christ returns, we Christians dwell in cities as exiles longing for a better place, a heavenly location.

everPresent gave me concern about how I live where I live. I wrestled with how my digital presence battles for primacy over my physical presence. I meditated on making my home environment one that produces kingdom citizens who occupy other places for God’s work and pleasure. This book pressed me to rethink assumptions and give greater weight to the space I occupy. I think this book will do the same for you, if you give it a place in your library.

Jen Pollock Michel. The Accidental Complementarian. (CT)

When my husband and I graduated from Wheaton College, we married as committed egalitarians. I did not vow to submit on our wedding day. My husband and I both believed that male headship was a sign of the curse (Gen. 3:16).

But somewhere over the years, our ideas changed. Maybe our egalitarian confidence eroded, slowly and imperceptibly, in our complementarian pews. However, if only to myself, I must insist that my theology has not formed exclusively through passive absorption.

The Big Story by Justin Buzzard $2.99

Gary Millar and Phil Campbell. Saving Eutychus. Reviewed by Bert Daniel. (9Marks)

Kevin DeYoung. 9 Thoughts on Celebrity Pastors, Controversy, the New Calvinism, etc.

1. The term “celebrity pastor” is decidedly pejorative. I don’t know anyone who would be happy to own the phrase. That doesn’t mean we can’t use it. But it means we should not attach it to pastors in a knee jerk way. A Christian with some combination of influence, social media followers, books, a large church, and speaking engagements may be a public Christian or a well known individual, but let’s not use “celebrity pastor” unless we mean to say he relishes the spotlight, has schemed his way into the spotlight, and carries himself as being above mere mortals. Does this fit some popular preachers? Probably. Does it fit all of them? By no means.

Nick Batzig. How Did Jesus Read the Old Testament? (Christward Collective)

There has been something of a biblical-theological revolution over the past several decades. It is not a revolution in which new doctrines are being uncovered so much as it one by which our understanding of a Christ-centered and redemptive-historical interpretation of Scripture is being refined.

Sam Storms. Cowardly Men vs. Those Who Honor Their Wives.

One thing, however, is guaranteed to set me off. There is one thing for which I have very little tolerance and for which I have reserved the harshest language that God allows me to use.

I’m talking about Christian men who either ignore or abuse their calling as the head of their homes. I’m talking about those men who, for lack of a better way of describing them, are either patsies or bullies. They are both cowards, but in different ways.

“A man’s children are pieces of himself, but his wife is himself.” Matthew Henry

Gen. 2:24 “Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.”

009: Cochrans4Chicago Update

Zechariah 8:20-22 “Thus says the Lord of hosts: People shall yet come, even the inhabitants of many cities. The inhabitants of one city shall go to another, saying, ‘Let us go at once to entreat the favor of the Lord and to seek the Lord of hosts; I myself am going.’ Many people and strong nations shall come to seek the Lord of hosts in Jerusalem and to entreat the favor of the Lord.”

God wondrously continues to provide for the Cochrans by His sovereign hand as we seek His glory and speak His gospel in Chicagoland.

I can attest to the amazing power of prayer to bless those who seek Him. One prayer that I have cried to God in the morning is opportunities to share the gospel with others. He does not cease to provide those opportunities. Would you join me in this prayer?

Since my last update, I got to share the gospel with George, the most ecstatic Wal-Mart greeter you’ll ever meet. When you walk through those doors, he beams the brightest smile and booms with the loudest voice, “Welcome! It’s a great day in Wal-Mart today.” He is a retired trucker, who rides his TriRod during the Winter and his Harley Chopper in the Summer. He’s a committed biker! But if you stop to talk to him, you’ll discover that he has knowledge of the Lord but pain from the Church, pain that has kept him from church since his childhood days in West Texas at a small Baptist Church that split over scandal.

I’ve developed a friendship with Lu (short for Lucifer). I know, right. We sit next to one another in Starbucks. He’s actually Greek Orthodox and jokes that he will come to me for confession this year. He is an IT and operations efficiency consultant for executives and lawyers. Once I discovered this, I shared with him Patrick Lencioni’s book, the Advantage , which is a wonderful resource on building healthy organizations. Pray that we will have more conversations that lead to gospel conversations.

Then there is Mike that I met at Arcedium, a St. Charles local coffee roaster and coffee shop. Mike is a carpenter and is very curious about spiritual matters. We’ve talked a number of times about God, the gospel, and the Church. I am praying that he will respond to the gospel soon. Pray with me too.

I met Joe and Jose when I took responsibility for organizing our recent A29 Chicago Suburb Lunch. They are both local business owners who recently started quick service businesses. As I listened to Joe and his wife share the affliction they’ve endured this last year in the process of starting their new business, my heart ached for them. Jose owns the business next door, he’s a young guy who wants to relocate to St. Charles from Schaumburg. He may have visited the first service of Redeemer Fellowship this past week. We did not see him because our family attended second service. He told me he was searching for a church with a 9 o’clock service that he could attend, since he opens his place at 11 a.m. on Sundays.

Finally, there is Allan. Allan is British and the father-in-law to one of our worship leaders at Redeemer. At a birthday party on Saturday, Allan and I talked for an hour. We talked about Anglicanism, the four major conflicts he served in as part of Her Majesty’s Royal Air Force, Nelson Mandela, Islam, and church planting. When he discovered I was starting a church, he asked, “How does one know they are to start a church?” With a softball sized gospel invitation like that, I couldn’t help but start with, “Well, in eighth grade God saved me from my sin…”

In addition to coordinating Welcome, Offering, and Announcements and Leadership Lab for Redeemer Fellowship, I am now drafting weekly discussion sheets for Redeemer’s Community Groups. They are all sermon based. I write these discussion sheets during the sermon, and we e-mail a PDF to all our CG leaders directly after the service. I continue to facilitate discussions for our Community Group on Thursdays, though I am also trying to involve other men, as my plate is pretty full, and we have so many gifted and capable facilitators in our group.

I believe that I will be preaching this Sunday in Woodstock at Doxa Fellowship, where Steve McCoy pastors. Please pray for me. I’m preaching on Zechariah 8:20-22. This passage is inspired by my reading of Jonathan Edward’s account of the Scottish prayer revival in 1740, where Scottish churches covenanted to a two year weekly “concert in prayer”. Edwards wrote An Humble Attempt to Promote Explicit Agreement And Visible Union of God’s People in Extraordinary Prayer, for the Revival of Religion and the Advancement of Christ’s Kingdom on Earth . Yes! This book was written when there was a silent “h” in humble and book titles were 10 percent the length of books. Good stuff.

It is almost Spring here. We have only received 10 or so inches of snow in March and have seen a couple days in the 40’s. For the most part the temperature hovers around the 10’s and 20’s. Kendall and the kids are doing fantastic. We had a busy weekend celebrating St. Patrick’s day with all our friends. St. Patrick’s day is a big deal up here, so there was much Irish soda bread, corn beef and cabbage, and shamrock shakes for many all over Chicagoland this past weekend.

I have an important elder meeting on Wednesday night. I will be sharing my vision and desire to start a church in Aurora. Now we are prayerfully walking down the path of whether this church will be an independent church plant or a campus of Redeemer Fellowship. Please pray for us as we journey through this process.

All funding may be securely given through the North American Mission Board. Gifts may be given through Electronic Funds Transfer, or AutoPay with your Debit or Credit Card. To set up automatic giving on-line go to our NAMB Webpage, http://msc.kintera.org/cochranfamily2005 .

If you wish to mail in an Electronic Funds Transfer request, you may do so. Fill out the form below and mail it to the address for NAMB below. When you fill out the form indicate my name JOEY COCHRAN and Account 10138 on the form. EFT Request Form .

Here is a helpful document about giving online with the North American Mission Board. Q&A Sheet for Partnering with NAMB Missionaries .

If you wish to send a monthly check, you may still do so. Please be sure to memo JOEY COCHRAN ACCT 10138 on your check.

The Cochran Family [email protected]

Joey Cochran e: [email protected] t: @joeycochran w: www.jtcochran.com

Discover Christian Blogging: Dave Jenkins (Servants of Grace)

Dave Jenkins is husband to Sarah and lives in Caldwell, Idaho. He and his wife are members at Ustick Baptist Church where Dave serves in the men’s ministry, helps out with his small group, in the church library and writes for the church newsletter.

He also serves as the Director of Servants of Grace Ministries and is the executive editor of the forthcoming Theology For Life Magazine. Dave has contributed or written book reviews for Modern Reformation, Apologetics 315, Blue Letter Bible, Christian Apologetics Alliance, The Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood and several other popular Christian websites.

He has a professional degree in Hotel Management, a Bachelors of Science in Religion with an emphasis in biblical studies from Liberty University, a Masters of Arts in Religion with an emphasis in biblical studies and a Masters of Divinity in Professional Ministries from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary. You can follow @DaveJJenkins on Twitter or read more of his work at servantsofgrace.org .

The purpose of Servants of Grace is to be a resource to the local and global Church through the preaching of God’s Word, spiritual growth, and training future leaders. Our audience is mostly pastors, ministry leaders, bible college, seminary students and serious-minded lay people.

I began my writing ministry my junior year in high school in 1998. Afterwards I began writing devotionals for friends at school and youth group during my senior year in high school. Around that same time, I started writing online which is when I started Servants of Grace, August 2, 2000).

There have been several posts but likely the most personal post I’ve ever written is the one where I share my story of how the Lord brought me out of porn and embracing purity here: Overcoming an Addiction to Pornography and Embracing Purity .

Over the years I’ve had several posts that have taken off. In the last year two of my most popular pieces of writing have been this one, God Uses Ordinary People in Extraordinary Ways , and this one, The Intolerance of Tolerance .

I think the first post has been popular because it touches on the idea that God does indeed desire to use ordinary people. What we need is willing hearts and a desire to be used by Him.

The other post is a subject that Christians often struggle to write on. Since I’m often asked for my thoughts on a variety of worldview topics and have thought extensively about the subject, I thought it was time to finally put those thoughts down in written form. I think this post was helpful because I try to lay out a case for understanding the intolerance of tolerance — to borrow D.A. Carson’s phrase — through a biblical-theological framework and show the consequences of the new view of tolerance on our Christian life and witness.

My inspiration and motivation to write is to use my gift and ability to bless and equip the people of God for His glory. When people ask me, “How do you write so much?” I tell them, I read a ton and I pray a lot. The truth is I often get on a roll writing, which is how I’m able to write so often, and hopefully well, by the grace of God. I like to think through issues I’m dealing with or studying, which helps, especially, as I’m writing on a particular topic. In the past few years I’ve tried to take less of an academic approach to writing and more of a pastoral-practical approach to writing.

At the end of the day, my goal with everything I write is that it would be biblical, helpful, and practical. I’m inspired to write because I have a burden to do so. My best writing is when I’ve thought, reflected and prayed about a topic and then written as I feel led to do so. For me, I know I’m ready to write an article when the thoughts on the topic keep coming at me faster than I write them down.

Jeremy Weber. Mark Driscoll Retracts Bestseller Book Status, Resets Life. (CT)

In response to recent controversies, Seattle pastor Mark Driscoll has written a candid letter to his congregation that attempts to clarify the significant staff turnover at Mars Hill Church and the controversial marketing campaign that gave Real Marriage bestseller status.

The Life of A.W. Tozer by James L Snyder $2.99

Michael J Krueger. The Question of Canon. (TGC) Reviewed by Robert Plummer.

Chap Bettis. How Churches Can Care for Their Pastor’s Children. (TGC)

A young pastor recently asked for my advice over lunch. His church plant was maturing, and he was looking down the road. His own children are ages 6, 4, and 1. Knowing the problems that pastors’ kids can have, he wisely desired to cast a vision of care for his children.

Thom Rainer. Seven Do-Overs Pastors Wish They Had.

We are certainly to move forward from past failures and regrets. Paul told us to “forget what is behind and reach forward to what is ahead” (Philippians 3:13). But we can learn from the wisdom of others, even if it includes their past struggles and failures.

So I asked several pastors if they had any specific instances in their pastoral ministry where they wish they had a do-over, an opportunity to reverse something they said or did. To the person, each pastor laughed at my question, not because the question was pointless, but because the answer was so obvious. Every pastor has one or more desired do-overs. Here are the seven most common I heard, with a representative comment from a pastor.

Jeremy Writebol. New GCD Book: everPresent: How the Gospel Relocates Us in the Present. (GCD)

Where are you right now? Take a moment and look around…

Psalm 99:9 “Exalt the Lord our God, and worship at his holy mountain; for the Lord our God is holy!”

“No worship is wholly pleasing to God until there is nothing in me displeasing to God.” A W Tozer

Howard Hendricks on Creativity

Howard Hendricks gives us this wonderful exhortation to tap into our creativity in Color Outside the Lines :

May I submit that if you deny your creativity. You suggest a deficiency in God’s creation. The idea that only a gifted minority of human beings are creative is one of the most persistent and pernicious myths there is. It is totally false. Yet it dies with great difficulty.

To be sure, creativity must be developed, then disciplined, before it can finally be deployed. But what we must never doubt is that it exists in each one of us. Part of our difficulty in accepting this truth is that even though each of us is born to live creatively, we have different creative gifts to work with.

Moreover, there’s a vast difference between comprehension and practice. Reading a book about swimming is one thing; diving into a pool is quite another. You may learn about swimming by reading, but you learn to swim by swimming. Likewise, you learn to be creative by practicing the principles of creativity.

One other reason why many of us doubt our creative capacities is the large gap that exist between our creative potential and our creative productivity. Having never turned out a masterpiece, we are prone to conclude, “I’m not very creative.”

But we need to develop the mentality of Michelangelo, who, upon viewing a piece of marble on one occasion, is reported to have said, “There is an angel imprisoned in it, and I must set it free!” Don’t deny your creative giftedness; release it!

Matt Perman. 7 Principles for Setting Goals that Work.

How do you make change happen? More than that, how do you make the right change happen? When there is a gap between what is and what you want to be, how do you cross that gap?

This is where we enter the realm of goals…no matter what types of goals you are setting or for what time frame, here are seven core principles for setting goals that will help you make a bigger difference and get you to a place you actually want to be.

Jesus Among Other Gods Ravi Zacharias $1.99

Jared Wilson. The Storytelling God. Reviewed by Aaron Armstrong.

Jon Bloom. Nine Practical Pointers for plodders. (DG)

Today is going to be a challenge.

You will not make perfect plans. You will not work your plans perfectly. You’ll find a bog of ambiguity that you’ll need to step through carefully. There will be detours and delays. There will be equipment failures. You will spin your wheels. There will be unexpected phone calls and undesired emails. Social media will keep poking you for attention. Your indwelling sin and others’ indwelling sin will throw you curveballs. There will be some swings and misses. Your creativity won’t flow like you want it to when you want it to. And when you actually get to the project that you’ve scheduled time for at the time you scheduled it for, you won’t feel like doing it.

Dustin Kensrue. 5 steps to Teaching Your Congregation a New Song. (Resurgence)

I remember one Saturday night leading the worship music with just an acoustic guitar at an early Core Group gathering for Mars Hill Orange County (now Mars Hill Huntington Beach ). I started out the set with a great Mars Hill worship song, “ Oh! Great is Our God! ” by The Sing Team .

I was sure that everyone would join right in, but I pretty much sang that thing by myself. Looking back, I can see a bunch of things that I could have done differently to help the congregation engage in worship by singing a new song.

The Bible on multiple occasions exhorts the people of God to sing a new song . For example, Psalm 98:1 says:

Oh sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things! His right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him.

The reason is laid out here: “For he has done marvelous things!” God is worthy of us endlessly writing new songs to praise him for his endless love, mercy, and power. The other implication is that we should not only be writing new songs, but introducing new songs for our congregations to sing.

Trevin Wax. Evangelicals Embracing (and Rejecting) Lent.

Lent seems to be increasingly popular among young evangelicals nowadays. This isn’t the first year I’ve seen attention given to Lent, but it is the first time that I’ve noticed multiple blogs and tweets pushing back against the practice of fasting in the weeks before Easter.

Some younger evangelicals appreciate Lent as an opportunity to implement a spiritual discipline that has a long history within the various wings of Christianity (Catholic, Orthodox, and many Protestants observe this time of reflection).

Other evangelicals believe Lent has the potential of leading us back into the bondage of perpetual penitence and rituals common to Catholicism, to which the Reformers rightly reacted.

Some say it’s a historical practice with spiritual benefits. Others say evangelicals have historically rejected it because of its potential excesses.

Psalm 132:7 “Let us go to his dwelling place; let us worship at his footstool!”

“Worship begins in holy ecstasy; it ends in holy obedience — or it isn’t worship.” John MacArthur

Love Your Local Business Neighbors

It’s been a popular rant for some time that Christians should tip waiters better. This is a rant with which I wholeheartedly agree because I waited tables for three years in high school and college.

Yet, there is so much more that Christians can do to be missional in their local community than simply tip waiters better. One such effort to be invested in your community is to connect with local business owners and support their business.

A Recent Local Business Foray

Today, I visited with Joe the owner of Pomodoro E Mozzarela . My specific task for my meeting was to coordinate a lunch plan for tomorrow’s A29 Chicago suburbs monthly meeting and lunch. We decided to use Pomodoro’s because they are local, fresh, competitively priced, and, it turns out, we like the owner (our neighbor). Though I had not met Joe (Pomodoro’s owner) yet, my pastor (Joe Thorn) raved about the place.

Pomodoro E Mozzarela opened in St. Charles last October. They produce fresh Italian subs, calzones, pizza and pasta made with imported ingredients from Italy. The owner treated me to a traditional Artesian pizza, a Margherita pizza made with fresh mozzarella, tomato and basil.

As Joe and I got to know one another today, he shared about the struggles of being a small business owner. It’s tough for him to get his business’s name out there. His business is surrounded by all these big chain stores: Portillos, Lou Malnati’s, Five Guys, Corner Bakery, Noodles and Company, Panera. It’s really tough to compete with these businesses that see so many footprints in their stores. He talked about spending money on advertising. He doesn’t want to be a coupon king.

I offered what little help I could from my marketing and hospitality/food service experience to steer him down a simple path. I encouraged him to connect well with the customers that find his store, establish genuine friendships, and invite them to share about his place. I basically told him to be a good neighbor and good neighbors would treat him well in return. Are you picking up what I’m laying down yet?

He asked if he should develop social media. I told him it might help some, but what would help more is to create such a valuable experience for his neighbors that they would do word of mouth advertising for him: this could include his customers using social sharing like Yelp!, Urbanspoon, Facebook, and Twitter. But it should be on their own initiative based on their love for his product.

After leaving the store, I committed myself to make a self-conscious invested interest in sharing about his place. Obviously, this post is part of that. However, it is so much more.

Supporting Local Businesses is Loving Your Neighbor

Supporting local businesses tells your community that you love them. It says, “I am invested in you. I am here to stay. I want to be a stakeholder here.” City people understand this, especially those who live in cities that have many neighborhoods, cities like Chicago. They value the local businesses and become devoted and loyal consumers of those businesses. Why? Because the owners and employees aren’t just friends, they’re neighbors. They live down the hall from one another, on a different floor, or in a townhouse nearby. They share a common wall in a brownstone. Their kids go to school together or play on the same sporting team. They likely met each other before one became the customer of the other. In fact, in the city, I bet many people visit businesses because of a friendship, not a product.

People in the burbs must develop this same mentality. What is this mentality? It can be summed up in one simple, staple scripture. It’s the second half of the great commandment. “The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these” (Mark 12.31).

Some might challenge my application of this verse. Is loving your neighbor really supporting local businesses? Well, obviously loving your neighbor is so much more than just supporting local businesses, but it is also not less than supporting local businesses. Local business owners and their employees are your neighbors; they should be seen as neighbors.

So, I think Jesus would absolutely agree that supporting local businesses is part of loving your neighbor. This is because his father was a local business owner; he was a carpenter. And his father did business with his neighbors: the smiths, the fishermen, the potters, the farmers, and all the other merchants. They supported one another and helped one another.

Look at Jesus’s companions. He did not surround himself with leaders from the top echelon of religion. He surrounded himself with fishermen. These are the men he loved most on earth.

“Give us this day our daily bread” is a very real prayer out of ernest need for Jews in Jesus day. They were an occupied territory, taxed out the nose, and possibly slaves of an empire. Families depended on one another for “daily bread.” Each family helped another family. This was common in Jesus day.

That’s why it is no surprise that a little boy offered his meager lunch of barley and fish for Jesus to multiply into a feast for 5,000 (John 6:9). This boy is who we should be. He loved his neighbors and demonstrated this love. He knew and lived Leviticus 19:18 in Luke 9:13 before Jesus spoke Luke 10:27. Granted this assumes John and Luke tell the same account of feeding five-thousand, with the boy character absent in Luke, and that Luke is a chronological account. Both are likely true. Luke’s early historical account protects the boy’s identity, who likely gave eyewitness testimony to Luke about this miracle.

Not a Patron but a Friend

We commonly call those who visit a place of business a patron. Did you know that this is an ancient term meant to describe social relationships?

In ancient times people would create a patron-client relationship. The patron would have clients who presented themselves to him in the morning and carry out duties for him throughout the day. They were not servants. This was a voluntary social relationship that elevated the social status of the patron. Likewise, the client earned some money and was socially connected to the patron, thus elevating the client’s status.

In Backgrounds of Early Christianity , Everett Ferguson compares patronage to friendship. He says:

The interactions between patrons and clients and between members of household represented the principal vertical relationships in society; friendship was the ideal horizontal relationship…Friendship was the ideal for social relationships. The ideal called for considering all things as common property and sharing one mind or one soul. Friends held mutual love and kindly affection for each other. Such a relationship allowed for mutual exhortation and frankness of speech. Signs of true friendship were a willingness to share the other’s troubles and to sacrifice self for the other’s benefit. (1457)

Doesn’t friendship sound so much more attractive than patronage? I guess it depends on what you value most. If you want to elevate your own social status, you will view business owners and their employees as a means to meet that end. You’ll treat them like your clients. Unfortunately, sometimes business owners and employees unknowingly treat you the same way. There is a tension — a clash of personal worth being justified — between businesses and consumers.

Have you seen the famous “Soup Nazi” episode from Seinfeld? The soup nazi was a business owner that gave bread to whom he chose and refused business, to the likes of George Castanza, as he chose. The soup nazi saw himself as a patron. George Castanza, try as he might, could not reconcile with the soup nazi. George could not earn his friendship.

David DeSilva in Honor, Patronage, Kinship, and Purity has also done extensive study on patronage and friendship. He says, “Relationships of reciprocity also occur between social equals, people of like means who can exchange like resources, neither one being seen by the other or by society as the inferior to other. Such relationships went by the name of ‘friendship'” (99).

Friendship is what we ought to seek with local businesses owners and their employees, not patronage. We should treat them as equals because we see them as equals. It’s remarkable that over 10% of all occurrences in the Bible of some form of the term “friendship” appears in the book of Luke, a gospel written by a Gentile who understood patronage and friendship well. What did the pharisees call Jesus? They called him “a friend of tax-collectors and sinners” (Luke 7:34). Jesus treated sinners as equals. They stood on the same level. This is love. This is a picture that we should gaze upon and study, looking for more to learn and permitting the picture to speak into our world and change who we are.

We should be better than patrons; we should be friends. But how?

How To Love Your Business Neighbors

There are various reasons why this mindset of seeing business owners and workers as our neighbors has been lost. Mostly it stems from social pragmatics. We selfishly want what is convenient, shrewd, or gainful.

Taking time to love these people is neither convenient, shrewd, or gainful. These days, love has nothing to do with business or consumption, but it should not be this way. It should be quite the opposite. Business and consumption should be done from a posture of love.

Business owners should not be seen as merely proprietors. Their employees should not be seen as necessary nuisances to deal with to get what we want. They are neighbors, business neighbors. The tax-preparer is not some person who skims the top off our tax return. The dog groomer is not a person who does a task we find too menial. The barber is not the person who butchers our hair. And the butcher is not the person who has no hair and uses dishonest scales. The teller is not a vendor of cash.

Each of these people fundamentally bears the Imago Dei (Image of God). He or she deserves more than the simple respect we give to one another in business transactions. They deserve neighborly love. As we dispense neighborly love to these people, they see the love of Christ. They become curious about who we are and what we’re about. They let you into their world. And then, when inevitable despair or suffering occurs, you get to continue to love them. You get to point them to the Christ that you love. Because you’re not just loving your neighbor as yourself (Rom. 13:9; Gal. 5:14), your loving your neighbor as Christ loved you (John 13:34; 15:12).

I hope this is not viewed as some hipster rant, crying out hipster culture to the Church. I admit that the hipster value of supporting local businesses is an excellent value for us all to adopt. But this isn’t about valuing organic foods and the local economy, it’s fundamentally about valuing your neighbor and expressing neighborly love.

Philip Abode. The Gospel and Pastoral Ministry. (CT)

The gospel makes us God’s workmanship, His poiēma. We get the word, “poem” from this Greek word. In Christ, we’re God’s work of art, His new creation. Created to live transformed lives for His glory. The problem is that even as genuine believers we don’t always walk in that transformation, we don’t really see that work of art. It’s there, but we just don’t always see it in the practical day-to-day lives of God’s people. I believe that the key to seeing the practical outworking of that transformation, to see believers actually look like that work of art in real time, the key is to help people connect the dots between the gospel and the different areas of their lives.

The Supremacy of God in Preaching by John Piper $2.51

Trillia Newbell. United: Captured by God’s Vision for Diversity. Reviewed by Tim Challies.

Joe Carter. 9 Things You Should Know About Pimps and Sex Traffickers. (TGC)

A landmark government study commissioned by the Justice Department was recently released by the Urban Institute. Although the study covers a wide variety of topics related to the underground commercial sex economy, it provides some of the most revealing data on those who coerce women and children into prostitution. Here are nine things from the study you should know about pimps and sex traffickers.

David Murray. 10 Types of Church Leaders.

[When] I was asked to give a conference address on “Positive Leadership,” it got me thinking about how many different kinds of pastoral leadership I’d come across in my ministry.

Matt Manry. Doubt is Not a Disease.

Should we focus on engaging those who are skeptical about the truths of Christianity? Should Christians who are struggling with their faith join a discipleship group? Should the Church spend more time and resources engaging the doubts that people have in regards to Jesus Christ?

2 Tim. 4:3 “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.”

“He is the best preacher, not that tickles the ear, but that breaks the heart.” Thomas Brooks

3 Ways to Drive Millennials Out of Your Church (Christianity.com Guest Post)

The Millennial exodus garners progressive attention each year. I have been studying Millennials all my life, primarily because I am one. I was born in ’82, and as a class of 2000 graduate, I am on the Millennial frontline.

I frequently quiz my peers about how they think, why they think it, what they do, and why they do it. As a rarity, who stayed in the church into adulthood, my favored questions include: “Why did you leave the Church?” or “What kept you in the Church?”

My Millennial peers’ responses have led me to three fundamental reasons why Millennials depart from the church. So if you wanna drive us out, here is the best way to do so.

1. Don’t Center on the Gospel or Value Sound Doctrine

Since the gospel is at the center of the Christian faith , not defending and preaching the gospel will be at the center of the Church’s decline. The distinguishing mark of the Church is the gospel. Take this distinction away and the Church is no different than any other philanthropic non-for-profit organization.

Studies on Millennials indicate that they often leave the church after high school. I submit that many who left the Church, never truly entered the Church. This is a common testimony of those who return. They return because they are not returning to the gospel, but they are embracing the gospel for the first time. Along their way, God revealed himself to them through the means of a messenger delivering the good news of Jesus, risen from the dead, reconciling sinners to God, through justification by grace through faith ( Gal. 2:16 ).

READ THE REST OF THIS POST AT CHRISTIANITY.COM

Matt Phillips. The Countries Where Men Do the Most Housework. (Atlantic) HT Scot McKnight

Introducing Covenant Theology by Michael Horton $3.99

Cornelius Plantiga, Jr. Reading for Preaching. Reviewed by Bobby Jamieson. (9Marks)

Nicholas McDonald. 7 Reasons Preaching Can’t “Imply” the Gospel.

The reason “Gospel-centered” preaching has become prevalent today is not so much that pastors aren’t passionate about the gospel, but that we we assume it. However, assuming the gospel can be as bad as not caring for it, for the following reasons…

Trevin Wax. 3 Reasons Why a Christian Worldview Still Matters.

Capitalism. Socialism. Postmodernism. Consumerism. Relativism. Pluralism.

There are all sorts of -isms in our world, each representing a different outlook on humanity, each with different opinions about the way societies should function and people should behave.

Some Christians shrug off any effort to study philosophies and “isms.” They say things like, “I don’t worry myself with what other people think about the world. I just read my Bible and try to do what it says.”

This line of thinking sounds humble and restrained, but it is far from the mentality of a missionary. If we are to be biblical Christians, we must read the Bible in order to read the culture.

Sarah Eekhoff Zylstra. When Sexual Abuse Comes to Light. (CT)

Survivors need to know that their denomination or mission organization is taking steps to prevent abuse. They also need the organization to acknowledge and accept responsibility…They need their perpetrator brought to justice in a criminal court and kept away from children.

Proverbs 21:8 “The way of the guilty is crooked, but the conduct of the pure is upright.”

“A pure heart breathes after purity.” Thomas Watson

Develop A “Date Your Wife” Mindset (CBMW Guest Post)

This is Part 5 in the series Pursuing Your Wife.

Valentines Day is when many men dust off their chivalry and again awaken to romance their bride.

Men, it doesn’t have to be this way. If you’re stumbling around through your contacts for the florist’s number, or paying exorbitant fees for Amazon shipping for that special Valentine’s gift, you might need to rethink your approach to dating your wife.

Dating your wife is a mindset. It’s not just the action of taking her out and showing her love every now and then. On the contrary, it is constant thought and action, and building this mindset requires reflection and initiative. Ultimately, dating your wife is a mindset of worship and service. But even before you take initiative and lead your wife in worship and service during your dates, you must first reflect on your dating mindset.

The best way to acheive a “dating mindset” is to reflect on what you did when you dated your wife. After all, your efforts produced great fruit here, so you must have done something right.

How did you treat her before you were married? How did you woo her? Sweet words? Deep conversation? Gentlemanly conduct? Flowers? Cards? Chocolates? Do you still do these things? You should. This is a part of dating your wife.

READ THE REST AT THE COUNCIL ON BIBLICAL MANHOOD AND WOMANHOOD WEB BLOG.

Tim Challies. Where Did All These Calvinists Come From? A Visual History.

Finally Free by Heath Lambert $3.99

Matt Perman. What’s Best Next: How the Gospel Transforms the Way You Get Things Done. Reviewed by Nate Claiborne.

J D Greear. But in Multi-Site, I Don’t Know the Pastor.

It has been nearly 10 years since The Summit Church moved to a multi-site strategy. We’ve learned a lot during that time, and continue to evaluate how this strategy is serving God, our people, and our community. One of the objections I hear a lot to our multi-site strategy is this: “In a multi-site church, I don’t know the pastor (and the pastor doesn’t know me).” For those who make this objection, multi-site appears to be a hindrance to good member care. And because I believe the church is to be a family that cares deeply for its own, and that we elders will have to give an account for every member of our church, I feel deeply, and personally, the weight of this objection.

Here is the heart of my response: Why is the Senior Pastor the one expected to administer all the pastoral care? Doesn’t that presuppose the very “cult of personality” for which multi-site churches are often criticized? “I need to be known by my pastors” is a legitimate request. “I need to be known by that pastor because he is special” is not.

Thabiti Anyabwile. The Most Difficult Ministry Decision I’ve Ever Made.

Yesterday my family and I announced the most difficult and emotional decision we’ve ever made in Christian ministry. We shared with the spiritual family and congregation we love our plans to transition from FBC Grand Cayman to return stateside to plant a church East of the River in Washington, D.C.

David Mathis. Right Thinking Is for Deep Feeling. (DG)

Doctrine is for the sake of delight. Christian theology does not exist for its own sake, but for our desiring and enjoying Christ.

Simply put, the mind is meant to serve the heart. Thinking serves feeling. God gave us the ability to learn and reason, so that we might admire and treasure him above anything else. Right thinking is for deep feeling.

Titus 2:1 “But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine.”

“If you believe what you like in the gospel, and reject what you like, it is not the gospel you believe, but yourself.” Augustine

Discover Christian Blogging: Barnabas Piper

Barnabas Piper writes for WorldMag.com and blogs and BarnabasPiper.com and The Blazing Center. He is the author of the forthcoming book The Pastor’s Kid: FInding Your Own Faith and Identity (David C. Cook, July, 2014). Barnabas works at Lifeway Christian Resources and lives in the Nashville area with his wife and two daughters.

BarnabasPiper.com is my personal blog. I also blog weekly for The Blazing Center .

My blog is primarily an idea outlet and a chance for me to share things I find interesting and that I have written for other outlets. I am not a pure blogger since most of the writing I do is for other sites or publications; the blog allows me to share all that through a single site. I also write book reviews and share videos or links that intrigued or amused me in some way. My goal is to inform, intrigue, or entertain with every post. I write from a Christian perspective about culture and sports as well as observations of peculiarities and particularities of life.

It started with journaling. I have journaled inconsistently for years, but a few years ago I was coming out of a difficult time in my life and saw God doing remarkable things in my heart. I started processing these in my journal, and as I did more and more I realized that some of these thoughts weren’t just for processing but should be shared. I started blogging in 2011. It took that long for me to find a voice and the certainty that what I thought and wrote could actually benefit others. In the 2 ½ years since I have been really encouraged to find that people resonate with my reflections and writing.

I’m going to cheat on this one a little bit. The most meaningful post to me was an article I wrote for Table Talk Magazine called “ Sinners in a Fish Bowl ” about the challenges of being a Pastor’s Kid. (I reposted it on my blog, so technically it counts.) It was the spark that lit a fire in me to write at length about being a pastor’s kid, a subject that has become a passion of mine in the hopes of helping fellow PKs work through their difficulties, help pastors understand and connect with their kids better, and help the church ease the burden on PKs. I struggled an enormous amount with finding my own connection to Christ and an identity in him, and my PK background was a big part of those struggles, so when I wrote that piece it uncorked a flood of emotion and passion. It even spurred me into being able to write a book which comes out in July. It really is the most personally significant single piece I’ve written.

I’m going to cheat on this one too. The most popular post I’ve ever written is one for Worldmag.com (again, shared on my blog too) called “ Chick fil A Appreciation Day: A Bold Mistake. ”

I essentially called conservative Christians out for participating in the event because I believe that kind of mass action creates a distinct “us vs. them” paradigm towards non-believers and especially the gay community. If we want to reach them, why are we intentionally alienating them? I think the post blew up because I used the magic blog formula: hot button issue + contrarian Christian viewpoint + bold challenging title = thousands of comments and shares. I didn’t mean to be formulaic. I wrote it from the heart, and it just happened to fit that mold.

I write because it’s how I express ideas best, and my mind and heart tend to brim with them. If I didn’t write I would suffer because I wouldn’t be able to unravel mysteries, build arguments, or tell stories. I would feel incomplete. God uniquely gifts every person to work and express His image in distinct ways. Over time I’ve come to see writing as one of the gifts he has given me. Some writers like to bemoan the hard work of the craft. I don’t feel that way. For me writing is energizing and freeing. Sure, the act itself can be a challenge if I’m tired or stressed, but even so I simply love to write. I love the way words flow together to communicate a complex thought. I love when I surprise myself with a piece I didn’t know was in me; it really is an expression of God’s creativity because I couldn’t tell you where it came from. And I love figuring out how to get better at it, the craft of it. Writing is a passion of mine and one I can’t imagine not doing.

North Korea to Execute 33 Christians. (Radical)

Reports coming out of North Korea reveal that 33 Christians have been sentenced to death for working with Kim Jung Wook, a Baptist missionary from South Korea who was arrested in North Korea last year. Together, they have planted approximately 500 underground churches. Kim Jong-un has called for their execution as he believes these efforts to be in direct opposition to his regime, a threat to national security. This would not be inconsistent with past actions, as he executed his own uncle–Jang Song-thaek–late last year, along with all of Mr. Jang’s relatives, because he perceived him to be a threat to power. Tragically, public executions in North Korea are not a rare occurrence. Hundreds upon hundreds have taken place, some for offenses as small as owning a Bible.

Salvation Accomplished by the Son by Robert Peterson $2.99

David Mathis and Jonathan Parnell. How to Stay Christian in Seminary. Reviewed by Tyler Vein.

Mathew Sims. The Shame of Pornography and God’s Justification of Sinners.

I’ve struggled with depression almost all of my life, but, as I thought back over the times when my back was really up against the wall, all of those periods were marked by heavy intake of pornography. During times where I wasn’t watching pornography, I was able to manage the depression better. In my case, those times of freedom also coincided with high consumption of Scripture. It wasn’t me breaking free from those chains, but the Spirit working in me.

Alastair Roberts. The Dangers of Appealing to Personality Types.

With its overemphasis upon healthy natural personality, this new pop psychology that is entering our vocabularies can subtly squeeze out Christian language of fallenness, sin, flesh, and separation from God, slowly dulling us to the extent of our brokenness. In addition to this, I fear that our new focus upon ‘personality’ will lead to a neglect of the category of ‘character’. ‘Personality’ is typically understood to be an innate given and a matter of self-expression, operating largely outside of the realm of morality, chiefly measured by its individuality, and possessing its own prerogative. ‘Character’, by contrast, must be formed and is a decidedly moral mode of regarding the individual subject. Rather than telling us that we are naturally and fairly indelibly what is revealed in the patterns of our behaviour, ‘character’ is something that is gradually formed in us as we faithfully devote ourselves to modes of behaviour that do not spring naturally from our personalities.

An Interview with the Authors of Truth Matters. (BH Academic Blog)

Easy to read yet loaded with meat and substance, this book is a level-headed reaction to those who equate Christian faith with “blind faith,” even those whose subtle or stated goal is to separate students from their religious traditions. Readers will discover the kind of historical information and thinking skills that build a sturdy backbone of confidence in high schoolers and young adults, making them able to defend by “reasoned faith” what the Bible claims as truth.

Proverbs 1:10 “My son if sinners entice you, do not consent.”

“Those that would avoid sin must not parley with temptation.” Matthew Henry

John Chrysostom on Coming to Christ Early

Some say that they will come to Christ on their deathbed — giving time to the pleasure of the world now, then living in repentance on the dying day — rather than enjoying the fruit of a regenerate life and gladness in the present founded in Christ. John Chrysostom, Instructions to Catechumens (1.1.2), contrasts giving your life to Christ early as opposed to on your dying day.

This is worthy to listen to and share with a friend. I am glad that generous grace comes to those in both stages of life. Praise God for his mercy and love to we sinners. I consider with greater gratitude that the Lord brought me to himself early in life.

Wherefore, I count you blessed already before those sacred nuptials, and I do not only count you blessed, but I praise your prudence in that you have not come to your illumination as the most slothful among men, at your last breath, but already, like prudent servants, prepared with much goodwill to obey your master, have brought the neck of your soul with much meekness and readiness beneath the bands of Christ, and have received His easy yoke, and have taken His light burden. For if the grace bestowed be the same both for you and for those who are initiated at their last hour, yet the matter of the intention is not the same, nor yet the matter of the preparation for the rite. For they indeed receive it on their bed, but you in the bosom of the Church, which is the common mother of us all; they indeed with lamentation and weeping, but you rejoicing, and exceeding glad: they sighing, you giving thanks; they indeed lethargic with much fever, you filled with much spiritual pleasure; wherefore in your case all things are in harmony with the gift, but in theirs all are adverse to it.

This post is sponsored by Accordance Bible Software. Learn more about Accordance here .

Joe Holland. Rediscovering Jesus’ Hymnbook. (9Marks)

How interested would you be if archaeologists unearthed a hymnbook embossed with the name, “Jesus of Nazareth?” Overlooking the anachronism for a moment, wouldn’t “Jesus’ hymnbook” be immediately republished and rocket to the best-seller lists? Wouldn’t those songs find instantaneous popularity in worship services across the globe?

We have that hymnbook. We do know what songs Jesus sang: he sang the psalms.

The Man Christ Jesus by Bruce Ware $1.99

Matt Perman. What’s Best Next. Reviewed by Jeff Medders.

Eric Geiger. Mapping, Making and Meshing in Ministry.

In his book Die Empty , Todd Henry provides a helpful framework to plan, execute, and develop yourself as you work. He divides work into three broad categories:

1) Making: This is what many consider the actual work. It is the doing of the work.

2) Mapping: This is the planning of the work, the necessary strategic thinking that happens before “the making,” the intentional thoughtfulness that enables the “making” to be as effective as possible.

3) Meshing: Often overlooked, meshing is the ongoing learning that happens when you learn by exploring and thinking critically about your work.

Dave Bruskas. The 4 Pillars of Pastoral Work. (Resurgence)

One of the most challenging aspects of being a pastor is the lack of a clear job description. The Bible just doesn’t contain such a thing.

Worse yet, most of the people you serve have very clear expectations of you. So as a pastor, you run the risk of lacking conviction about your work while being pushed and pulled by the assumptions of others.

I have found real help through the Apostle Paul’s instructions to young Pastor Timothy as recorded in Scripture. Here are what I believe to be the four pillars of pastoral work.

Marvin Olasky. Do You Believe in Magic. (World)

Prisoners who enter a Christian program often want to because they’ve had failure after failure: They are not more likely to succeed than others, just more desperate. Christian programs lead prisoners to water, but only God can make them drink. Those who turn aside miss their great opportunity, and may even increase their commitment to evil. That’s why it’s important to compare program graduates with the general prison population. By doing so we see that faith-based prisons (and other faith-based programs) do work for some but not all—and that’s a surprise only to those who believe in magic.

Psalm 29:2 “Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness.”

“Reverence is essential to worship.” Frank Gabelein

Restoration Project Firm Foundation Vol 1 EP Release

Restoration Project is a collective of songwriters and musicians nationwide, but mostly in the Chicago area, who are dedicated to seeing old hymns restored and celebrated.

Here is a statement from Restoration Project’s website that explains this premise:

Those who are a part of Restoration Project have discovered what many other hymn-writers around the world have:

There is an outstanding, historic catalog of beautiful Christian texts that most of the Church will never hear sung in their lifetimes.

Though not Scripture, these words, when set properly to music, can lift our hearts in praise to God-both corporately and individually, as melody and harmony intertwine with Gospel-rich lyrics.

Last night I had the pleasure of bringing my family to their release party for the Firm Foundation Vol 1 EP. This release party and the next one (Firm Foundation Vol 2 EP releasing this summer) are events fitting for the whole family. These two albums rework children’s songs with new verses, choruses, or bridges. Each song varies in revisions. These songs have been rearranged for a new generation of children to sing and worship.

Here’s details on this album and where you can get it:

FIRM FOUNDATION VOLUME 1 // $15 Album Credits | Listen/Buy on Bandcamp | iTunes Church discounts available for orders of 10 or more.

Release Date: Tuesday, March 4, 2014 Produced and Engineered by: Jay Mathes Recorded at: The Dragon Room, Lombard, IL and Drums at Chris Rud’s house, Aurora, IL Mixed by: Shane D. Wilson at St. Izzy’s of the East, East Nashville, TN Mastered by: Collin Jordan at The Boiler Room, Chicago, IL Graphic design and layout by: Brian Malcolm

Instrumentalists: Aaron Boynton – Bass (except “This Little Light”) and Drums Ivan Ishkov – Bass on “This Little Light” Jay Mathes – Guitars, Keys, Percussion Michael Mkrtschjan – Piano Chris Walke – Pedal Steel

1. God is so Good Lyrics and melody from traditional spiritual Additional lyrics by Heidi Malcolm and Jay Mathes Music and arrangement by Jay Mathes Heidi Malcolm – Lead Vocals Michael Mkrtschjan – Background Vocals

2. Jesus Loves Me Lyrics and melody from traditional spiritual Additional lyrics, music, and arrangement by Jay Mathes Jay Mathes – Lead Vocals

3. My God is so Big Lyrics and melody from traditional spiritual Additional lyrics, music, and arrangement by Jay Mathes Jay Mathes – Lead Vocals Michael Mkrtschjan – Background Vocals

4. This Little Light of Mine Lyrics and melody from traditional spiritual Additional lyrics, music, and arrangement by Jay Mathes Oliver Bujdei – Lead Vocals Jay Mathes – Background Vocals Michael Mkrtschjan – Background Vocals

The release party was held at Graham’s 318 Coffee House located on Third Street in historic downtown Geneva, IL. I venture to say that there were 50-100 people present for the release (and coffee and gellato too!). Members of Restoration Project led a hymn sing and played the album live for guests at the coffee house and for all those who came out for the release party. This was a sensational event for brothers and sisters to gather and celebrate Jesus in song.

This hymn sing was a great event for children. We brought all three of ours and they loved watching the band, giving song requests, and at one point performing with the band. They also liked Graham’s 318 gellato.

Restoration Project currently has released two other albums prior. These albums arranged lost hymns that you will enjoy! Visit ResProj.com to learn more about this ministry.

Here’s a run down on their other two albums:

RESTORATION PROJECT CD // $15 Album Credits | Listen on Bandcamp | Buy on iTunes Church discounts available for orders of 10 or more.

Release date: Sunday, April 6, 2008 Produced by: Jay Mathes Recorded at: The Dragon Room, Wheaton, IL Photography by: Joel Sage

1. My Lord, I Did Not Choose You Words by: Josiah Conder Music by: Daniel Hautamaki Daniel Hautamaki – Lead Vox Paige Winfield – BGV’s Jake Wegner – Mandolin

2. Fruit of the Spirit Words and music by: Jay Mathes Jay Mathes – Lead Vox, Guitars, Sequencing

3. Look, Ye Saints! Words by: Thomas Kelly Music by: David Jordan David Jordan – Lead Vox, Ac Guitars Jay Mathes – Guitars, Perc The Chorus: Tim Avery, Brock Bobbitt, Rob B., Andrew Hopkins, David Jordan, Jay Mathes, Rebecca McFarland, Megan Mkrtschjan, Jason S., Tim Smile, Donna Van Cott, Paige Winfield

4. Tis the Church Triumphant Singing Words by: John Kent Music by: Daniel Hautamaki Lora Libby – Lead Vox Jay Mathes – Guitars

5. There is a Balm in Gilead Words: Traditional Spiritual Music by: Daniel Hautamaki Rob B. – Lead Vox

6. Jesus the Great Words and music by: Jay Mathes Jay Mathes – Lead Vox, Guitars Tim Smile – Keyboards

7. Jesus, True and Living Bread Words by: George H. Bourne Music by: David Jordan David Jordan – Lead Vox Tim Smile – Keyboards

8. Philippians Hymn Words and music by: Jay Mathes Lora Libby – Lead Vox Tim Smile – Keyboards Jay Mathes – Guitars, Perc

9. No Condemnation Words and music by: Jay Mathes Jay Mathes – Lead Vox, Electric Guitar

HAIL THE CROSS, OUR ONLY HOPE CD // $15 Album Credits | Listen/Buy on Bandcamp | Buy on iTunes Church discounts available for orders of 10 or more.

Release date: Sunday, April 10, 2011 Produced by: Jay Mathes Mixed by: Jay Mathes and Gary Stanton Recorded at: The Dragon Room, Lombard, IL Photography by: Joel Sage Graphic design by: Phil Rau

1. Eternal Father, Strong to Save Words by: William Whiting Music by: Jay Mathes Jay Mathes – Lead Vox, Guitars, Perc Michael Mkrtschjan – BGV’s Phil Rau – Piano, Rhodes

2. O Love Divine, What Hast Thou Done Words by: Charles Wesley Music by: Michael Mkrtschjan Michael Mkrtschjan – Lead Vox, Piano Jay Mathes – Guitars, Harmonium, Perc Jason Young – Cello

3. Disciple Song Words and music by: Jay Mathes Based on Galatians 2:20 Jay Mathes – Lead Vox, Guitars, Drums Michael Mkrtschjan – BGV’s, Piano

4. Wayfaring Stranger Traditional Spiritual adapted by Daniel Hautamaki Gary Stanton – Lead Vox, BGV’s Jay Mathes – Guitars, Perc

5. Christ is Meaning Words and music by: Jay Mathes Based on the book of Ecclesiastes Lora Libby – Lead Vox, BGV’s Jay Mathes – Guitars, Perc Phil Rau – Piano

6. The Promise of Glory Words and music by: Jay Mathes Based on 1 Peter 1:7 Eric Strong – Lead Vox, BGV’s Jared Cochrum – Cajon Marissa Hunt – BGV’s Jay Mathes – Guitars, Sequencing

7. Of Matters Concerning Truth (and One, Peculiarly Large Heart) Words and music by: Jay Mathes Based on Jeremiah 31:33 Clara Stam – Lead Vox, BGV’s Jay Mathes – Lead Vox, Guitars, Sequencing Seth Daniel Mkrtschjan – Crying Baby

Alvin Reid. 6 Ways to Make Christ Central at Home. (GCD)

Family is, rightfully, one of the most emphasized points in the modern church. Seminars, parenting videos, books, sermon series, and a litany of parachurch ministries focus on the family. While these resources are often good, I believe a vital element has been missing in our approach to parenting.

I often ask my students if they remember their church hosting family oriented events such as marriage retreats and sermon series. Virtually everyone recalls such a focus. Then I ask, “How many of you recall an emphasis in these events or resources on evangelizing your children or raising them to become Great Commission Christians?” Very few recall such an emphasis.

The Crucified Life by A W Tozer $1.99

Tim Challies. 3 Tips for Responding to Criticism.

Criticism is inevitable. At certain times we will all face another person’s analysis or rebuke of our behavior. The best kind of criticism comes from friends, from those who know us and love us best. “Better is open rebuke than hidden love. Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy” (Proverbs 27:5-6). In his little book True Friendship , Vaughan Roberts offers three tips for responding to criticism, and especially this kind of criticism—the kind that comes in the context of friendship, of iron sharpening iron.

Jared Wilson. What’s Wrong with Buying Your Way Onto the Bestseller List?

. . . or buying Twitter followers or gaming the analytics to inflate website stats, etc.

Candice Watters. The Harm of Yelling. (CBMW)

The Wall Street Journal’s parenting advice is a mix of tips and canny insights. Though their bias typically runs toward hurrying moms back to the marketplace and away from home and hearth, I’m drawn to the articles for a glimpse of what business elites are thinking about childrearing. The recent “Talking to Your Child After You Yell” caught my eye.

The article’s working assumption is that parents yell at their children out of frustration and in an attempt to correct their bad behavior.

Ephesians 4:31 “Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.”

“Intemperate anger deprives men of their senses.” John Calvin

Since We All Preach Something…

Since we all preach something, shouldn’t we, who believe the gospel, all preach the gospel.

Let’s unpack that statement. We all preach something. Everyone who walks this earth has a tribe or a product that excites them. It could be varying levels of coffee love, whether Folgers, Starbucks, or [insert your local roast here]. It could be the coffee preparation process: Keurig, percolator, french press, pour over, or chemex.

Or leaving the coffee image behind, may I mention Apple, Android, and Google. Let’s talk about gaming systems, movies, and music. We can even add clothing labels into the mix. Most of us has one we really, really like. You have something that you proclaim to the world, and you are already proclaiming it to the world, whether you recognize it or not. You are preaching good new about something. But is it THE gospel to preach.

I like Apple computer and I like Shane and Shane’s music. Somewhere during college I experienced a fundamental paradigmatic shift. I came to terms with the reality that I was better and more enthusiastic about sharing Apple and Shane and Shane with others than I was at sharing the gospel. I preached Apple. I preached Shane and Shane. I talked about the gospel, occasionally, maybe…

Why is this? Why do we do this? I propose it is because we have a fundamental misunderstanding of what preaching is, when it takes place, and where we do it. For instance, why does it seem common to hear that preachers are the ones who “proclaim the gospel”? You’ve probably heard it said, “Well, you’re the preacher, you’re the one who preaches the gospel. I just invite people to church.” or, “That’s not my specialty.” or “I’ll just goof it up.” Maybe I’m the only one who hears these things. But I sense that people are standoffish toward “preaching the gospel”. Many assume that gospel preaching takes place in a Sunday context by the preacher in the pulpit.

The signs of this view are subtle but definitely present in our conversations. For instance, we “discuss” the gospel at community groups. Yet, is the gospel really up for discussion. I “talk” about the gospel with my wife and children. Quite honestly, that’s true, but more than that I preach the gospel to them.

The other day I wrote a guest post for a blog. In that post I mentioned that on a date with my wife I “preach the gospel” to her. The editor innocently changed that line to “discuss the gospel”. I truly believe it was an innocent editorial decision. Yet, so much stands behind that decision.

When we isolate Gospel preaching to the pulpit and to the preacher, we rob the Holy Spirit of opportunities to bring men and women to sorrow over their sin and satisfaction in God’s righteousness. We limit the power of evangelism to one hour on Sunday. Now, we all would agree that’s ridiculous. In fact, many would say that I’m discussing semantics. They would venture to say, “Joey, we’re not really doing that.”

Nonetheless, something is lost in the oomph of the the process of evangelism by diminishing the gospel to a discussion topic, conversation piece, or a shareable commodity. I don’t remember hearing Jesus say, “share the gospel.” And he didn’t. Paul did once in reference to sharing his life in addition to the gospel (1 Thes. 2:8). Fundamentally, I think Paul is bringing out something different about evangelism in this text. He’s talking about the relational element not the proclamational element. And I don’t remember Paul saying, “discuss the gospel.”

However, we see the terms “preach” and “gospel” used in tandem 55 times in the New Testament. That’s astonishing statistics to consider! God’s operative outlook is to view the gospel as a proposition to be preached, not talked about, discussed, or shared.

Yet, those are the non-threatening terms that we now apply to what we do in the communication process of the gospel. Yes, I really think that is why we use those terms. It takes an edge off the offense of the gospel. God would have it another way. The gospel is offensive and will remain offensive (Rom. 9:33; 1 Pet. 2:8).

In the fundamentals of homiletics, the study of preaching, you learn the distinctions between a talk, a message, and a sermon. The act of authoritatively communicating the word of God through gospel proclamation is the distinguishing aspect that turns any form of teaching into preaching.

Which begs the fact, if we don’t want to deliver a talk or a message on a Sunday morning, should we want to do the same with the gospel at any other time? Now we run into a new set of hurdles. If we’re all preachers of the gospel, what distinguishes a pastor from the rest? Or in the spirit of the movie “The Incredibles.” If we’re all preachers, does that mean that none of us are preachers?

I want to hear your thoughts on this. What do you think? Do you agree with this thesis? Why or why not? Is this some sort of straw man argument? Or is it a legitimate concern? Discuss.

Leon Brown. 5 Offensive Statements/Actions: What White People Say and Do. (Reformation21)

Correct! Gender, ethnic/race, and cultural distinctions are still present. Galatians 3:28 does not eliminate those differences. Therefore, since these differences still exist, there are certain things that can be done or said that are offensive in light of our distinctions . While I do not and cannot speak for all people of color (i.e., those in the sub-dominant culture), here are a few things you might want to reconsider saying and doing as you speak with and interact with some of us.

Jesus’ Blood and Righteousness by Brian Vickers $1.99

Mark Jones. Antinomianism. Reviewed by Tim Cooper. (TGC)

Tim Brister. Someone Will Sin Against You Today, Are You Ready? (Christianity.com)

What if I told you that on a daily basis you are going to be faced with potential crises or disasters that required a response from you? What if it was not a distant potentiality but an eminent reality? How would you prepare yourself for such situations? Would you be trained to know how to respond?

Let me break this down and make the case why every follower of Jesus must have a gospel response plan (GRP).

Gavin Ortlund. In Defense of Divine Wrath.

My heart goes out to those who might struggle with this doctrine, especially those who struggle because they have seen it caricatured or because they unconsciously associate it with their experience of sinful human anger. As an effort to help, I list here several problems with downplaying the notion of divine wrath (or denying its active, personal dimensions).

Jared Wilson. You’re Going to Die (and So Might Your Dreams).

You know, it’s possible that God’s plan for us is littleness. His plan for us may be personal failure. It’s possible that when another door closes, it’s not because he plans to open a window but because he plans to have the building fall down on you. The question we must ask ourselves is this: Will Christ be enough?

Isa. 57:16 “For I will not contend forever, nor will I always be angry; for the spirit would grow faint before me, and the breath of life that I made.”

“There is terror in the Bible as well as comfort.” Donald Grey Barnhouse

Gal. 2:11 But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. 12 For before certain men came from James, he was eating with the Gentiles; but when they came he drew back and separated himself, fearing the circumcision party. 13 And the rest of the Jews acted hypocritically along with him, so that even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy. 14 But when I saw that their conduct was not in step with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas before them all, “If you, though a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you force the Gentiles to live like Jews?”

Paul opposed Peter because Peter, out of fear, caved into a pattern of hypocrisy. Paul’s opposition is rooted in gospel solidarity. The truth of the gospel must be consistent in pattern of life and godliness, not just in theological or propositional conviction. Essentially, our “logos”, word, must match our “ethos”, way of life. We must live “in step with the truth of the gospel” (Gal. 2:14).

The good news of Christ’s death and resurrection is the fundamental event that reconciled all humanity to Christ. Baptism represents this union with Christ, which is offered to all. Historically baptism applied to elect individuals or groups. Noah and his family experienced baptism through flood. Israel was baptized in the Red Sea and the Jordan River.

This is still the case. However, before the scope was narrow, in respects to baptism. Nonetheless, many God fearing Gentiles in the Old Testament truly were accepted into God’s family (including notables such as Rahab, Ruth, Queen of Sheba, arguably Nebuchadnezzar et al.). In Christ the scope of baptism broadened to all nations, tribes, and tongues.

Though Jesus experienced baptism by John the baptist, his true baptism occurred at the Christ event, namely from the cross to the empty tomb. Broadly, the Christ event encompasses his entire life, where he modeled reconciliation in all aspects of his teaching. But when we talk about the narrowly defined event of the passion, we see most clearly the foundation for removing all barriers between race, gender, and class (see Gal 3:27-29).

This is why Peter’s offense is condemning in Galatians 2:11-14. His hypocrisy opposes everything for which the cross stands. Peter’s public act of withdrawing from fellowship with the Gentiles before his fellow Jews demands a public rebuke. Peter’s actions influenced others and drew them away, bringing ruinous effect upon the reconciliation Christ demonstrated on the cross. The barrier of hostility Christ abolished, Peter rebuilt (Eph. 2:14).

In this passage, Paul smartly reproaches Peter for being inconsistent in his attitude and behavior. This reproach is an apologetic against the Jews coercion of circumcision upon Gentiles.

What may we learn from this passage? Paul does not act as an authority or the authority in this matter. Paul takes action. The basis and the conviction on which his action is carried out is not from his apostleship. The gospel functions as the authoritative principle by which Paul stands. There is a silver lining throughout Galatians thus far, where we see that God and the gospel functions as the seat for which all authority rests. Authority does not rest in influential pillars, such as Jame, Peter, and John, nor does it rest in parties or peoples, such as the Gentiles (uncircumcision) or Jew (circumcision party). Authority is and always rests upon the power and truth of the gospel.

This principle then becomes a paradigm for us all. Whether it be theology, philosophy or culture, the gospel must be in step with our convictions and preferences. At the very heart of this matter is legalism. The Jews put new laws upon Gentiles that are not in step with the law of love and Christ rooted in the gospel. Paul vehemently opposes this legalism because in the eyes of the Jews these laws are grounds for justification. As we will see in Galatians 2.15-21, the only grounds for justification is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.

So ask yourself, brother or sister, are the laws that I uphold or place upon others consistent with the gospel? Am I walking in step with the gospel? Is the gospel a pacesetter for my life, just as an army has a pacesetter marching at the front of a column or a marathon team has a pacesetter at the front of the team?

Ron Edmondson. 7 Suggestions for Easter Preparation. (Pastors Today)

Easter. There’s a lot of pressure on the day for pastors, isn’t there? You’ll most likely see people you haven’t seen in a while. Hopefully, some you’ve never seen as well. So you need to be prepared…right?

I personally believe Christmas is becoming the best time to reach unchurched people. The birth of a baby seems easier to celebrate that the resurrection of a Savior, but we know, without the resurrection all hope is gone. So let’s prepare.

Feelings and Faith by Brian Borgman $1.99

Thabiti Anyabwile. Captivated. Reviewed by Aaron Armstrong.

Brian Hedges. What Does It Mean to Abide in Christ? (Christianity.com)

One of Jesus’ most vivid and powerful illustrations for the believer’s relationship with him is the vine and branches. Just as branches can only bear fruit if they abide in the vine, so the only way believers can glorify the Father through fruitful lives is by abiding in Jesus. The teaching is found in John 15 , where Jesus prepares his disciples for his imminent death and departure, by instructing them about their calling and mission as his disciples, and emphasizing their absolute dependence on him.

Ryan Huguley. How to Have a Confrontational Conversation.

Confronting someone is not easy and should not be taken lightly. It can easily go south if not taken seriously and prepared for properly. One redeeming factor in my discomfort with confrontation is that I’ve developed a process for confrontation that I’ve found helpful. If you have one of these uncomfortable but important conversations in your future, here’s how I have a confrontational conversation.

Erik Raymond. Pray with Childlike Confidence.

The door flings open and a wide-eyed, curly-haired little girl hastens into the center of the room. She comes right up to me without a second thought. She is my daughter, the fact that I am in a meeting is of no consequence to her at the tender age of 3. She has something to say.

One of the things that I learned in pastoral ministry is that children are often a very good illustration of the truth that we are trying to communicate. This is no different. The scene described above have been happened multiple times over the years. One of my kids would run in, jump up on my lap and ask if they could eat a piece of candy or to inform me of something that was very important to them at the moment. As parents we had to work with them on manners but not confidence. They understood that they had free access to Daddy. Come and plead, talk, make your requests known to me. I think of their little faces, resolving to come and then running down the hall to get there, and then with wide-eyes they march in. It’s instructive for us.

John 8.31 “So Jesus said to the jews who had believed him, ‘If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples.'”

“What health is to the heart, that holiness is to the soul.” John Flavel

Discover Christian Blogging: Joe Thorn

Joe Thorn is the founding and Lead Pastor of Redeemer Fellowship in St. Charles, IL, and the author of Note to Self: The Discipline of Preaching to Yourself (Crossway/ReLit) and Experiencing the Trinity: The Grace of God for the People of God (Crossway, 2015). He was a contributor to The Story ESV Bible and The Mission of God Study Bible . Joe is a graduate of Moody Bible Inst (BA) and The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (MDiv). He and his wife Jen have four children. He blogs at joethorn.net and at The Christward Collective .

The purpose of my blog is to flesh out and share the things on my heart regarding experiential theology and church life.

I have a diverse reach with my blog, but a specific audience that I reach is church leaders.

In 2005 I started a blog to think out loud and have on-line conversations about things that are important to me.

I don’t know that I have one, but an important one was when I started blogging about planting Redeemer Fellowship: http://www.joethorn.net/blog/2007/05/21/the-start-of-something-new .

Any of my writings on experimental Calvinism are also meaningful.

I don’t really know. I don’t pay attention to the statistics on my blog. I might guess that my most popular posts are when I explain what we do as a church. Others who are exploring what they are going to do find these posts helpful. A recent example of this is the post, “ Why Do We Do That? ”

My post “ 6 Rules of Cultural Engagement ” was widely read and shared.

I’m inspired to write because of my need to think out loud. I’m moved to write because it is good for me personally, and it appears to be a help to others.

Choosing to Believe with Jon Foreman. (Relevant)

In RELEVANT’s history, nobody has graced our cover more times than Jon Foreman, probably because no matter how culture seemed to evolve, his music seemed to be right there with it, anxious to tackle it in an interesting, thoughtful way. From Switchfoot’s sun-soaked surf rock to Fiction Family’s dustier, rootsier sounds, Foreman has a chameleon-like ability to bring his considerable music prowess to bear on any genre. And through it all, Foreman’s most powerful instrument—his mind—has come through loud and clear.

Last week, we chatted with Foreman about his life, his passions and how he wrestles with his doubts. You can watch the whole interview here , but these are just a few highlights.

Center Church by Timothy Keller $2.99

Timothy Keller. Encounters with Jesus. Reviewed by Jennifer Guo.

Douglas Wilson. Work in the Kingdom and Kingdom Work.

Consider this my contribution to a broad discussion that is occurring among classical Christian schools. The question concerns how our schools are to be adequately funded. There are, of course, many ways to go about this, but let me limit my discussion to two very common options. The first is the tuition/tithe donation model, and the second would be the full tuition model.

Megan Hill. Teaching Our Children to Lament. (TGC)

When does a child change from crying baby to cry-baby?

Sometime after the single candle is blown out on that first cake, after walking has been mastered and talking has begun, many parents start thinking of their child differently. I know I did. Over the space of months, as our helpless infant reveals personality and preferences, we start to see those tears differently. No longer a sweet milky bundle to be rocked and soothed, our child became an opinionated sinner whose cry of complaint provokes more parental shushing than sympathizing.

Jay Younts. Are Your Kids Going to Heaven.

This is a question that is asked by every Christian parent. If we look to human confirmation for the answer, life will quickly become a roller-coaster ride of ups and downs. The only answer that can truly satisfy is to realize that the eternal destiny of our children is tied to the faithfulness of God. God alone does what is right and good.

Ephesians 6.1 “Children obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.”

“Holy families mud be the chief preservers of the interest of religion in the world.” Richard Baxter

Scott Thomas and Tom Wood on Being Gospel Coaches

Do you have a gospel coach? If not, read this excerpt and consider seeking one. This is a solid book worth a close read.

Faithful leaders will make disciples, but great leaders focus on making other leaders. A leader doesn’t learn to lead by attending a class or reading a book on leadership. A leader learns to lead best when he or she begins to lead others and is coached along the journey by a mentor. As the ministry leader is learning and applying the gospel in his or her own life, the followers will learn from what they see modeled in the life of their leader. They will be equipped and empowered by the gospel through the practical example and the visible fruit of that leaders’s life.

Kate Tracy. Bill Gothard Relieved of Duties During Sexual Harassment Investigation. (CT)

Bill Gothard, Basic Seminar speaker and home-schooling advocate, has been placed on administrative leave as president and board member of the Institute in Basic Life Principles following multiple allegations of sexual harassment.

A Model of Christian Maturity by D A Carson $3.99

John Piper and Wayne Grudem. 50 Crucial Questions: Gender, Culture, and Hermeneutics. Reviewed by Samuel Emadi. (CBMW)

Kevin DeYoung. What Would Jesus Bake?

As Christians continue to debate to what extent they can be involved with gay weddings, advocates for participation as no-big-deal have been hurrying to the Gospels to look for a Jesus who is pretty chill with most things. It’s certainly great to go the Gospels. Can’t go wrong there. Just as long as we don’t ignore his denunciations of porneia ( Mark 7:21 ), and as long as we don’t make Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John our canon within the Canon. For Jesus himself predicted that the Holy Spirit would come and unpack all the truth about the Father and the Son ( John 16:12-15 ). The revelation of the Son of God was not limited to the incarnation, but included the pouring out of the Spirit of Jesus and the subsequent testimony written down by the Messiah’s Spirit-inspired followers.

Denny Burk. The Media Failed Us This Week.

The media’s reporting on the Arizona bill regarding religious freedom has been nothing short of Orwellian.

Ray Ortlund. How to Care for Your Family into Eternity.

After my dad’s death in 2007, I found in his desk a letter he had written to the family several years before. Here is one way a saintly man can care for his family so that it lasts forever.

Matthew 5.8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”

“Those who keep themselves pure in times of common impurity God will keep safe in times of common calamity.” Matthew Henry