NOMOBLOGGING

NOMO'BLOGGING for NOMO'CONDEMNATION (at least for a long time).

Don't Just Become Religious!

"An old commentator observed that the greatest danger to religion is that the old self simply becomes religious. The hypocrites of whom Jesus speaks had convinced themselves that by performing certain religious acts, including various types of prayer, they became acceptable to God. People today still deceive themselves into thinking they are Christians, when all they have done is dress their old nature in religious trappings" (John MacArthur, Matthew 1-7, p.p.364).

Presupposition of Biblical Theology

"The presuppositions we must make in doing biblical theology are those of Christian theism. The alternative to this is to accept the presuppositions of some form of humanism. Either we work on the basis of a sovereign, self-proving God who speaks to us by a word that we accept as true simply because it is his word, or we work on the basis that man is the final judge of all truth. The Christian position, to be consistent, accepts that the Bible is God's Word, and that it says what God wants it to say in exactly the way he wants to say it. Thus, when the biblical theologian sets out to describe the theology that is in the Bible, he must understand the presuppositions that he accepts as the basis of his method... Even if we start with truth Christian presuppositions it is difficult to remain totally consistent with them in our thinking about the Bible. Biblical theology should be done with a constant self-conscious effort to be consistent with biblical presuppositions" (Graeme Goldsworthy, According to Plan, pp.44-45).

The New Middle Road?

Source: sermonindex

Today's Version of Popular Arminianism is Unbiblical

Though I classify myself as Reformed (Calvinist) in my theology, I can respect the Classical Arminian position, especially when they care to point out the errors of what is known today as "Arminianism," which is more Pelagian than anything. For instance..

"In many respects, where classical, Reformation Arminianism differs with modern 'Arminianism,' it also, for other theologial reasons, differs greatly from Calvinism. And while Calvinism and classical, Reformation Arminianism, in my opinion, are both viable, biblical theologies, modern 'Arminianism' is not. When one's doctrine of human depravity is softened, that person is on a slippery slope towards the playground of heresy. If a person is basically good, then why can he or she not be good enough or do good enough to earn God's favor? And why would a 'good' person need a Savior? Good people don't need a Savior, sinners do."

Source: Society of Evangelical Arminians

New Heart Leads to New Life

"Notice that in order for obedience to take place the Lord must first cleanse our hearts, put a new spirit in us and remove our hardened uncircumcised heart. No one believes and obeys while their heart is still stone. Our blind eyes must be opened, our deaf ears unstopped, and our corrupt nature supernaturally changed by the Holy Spirit, before we can begin to have any good thoughts about Christ. The Bible likens the new birth, or regeneration, to the first creation (2 Cor. 5:17). God let light shine into what was darkness. And God breathed life into lifeless man and then man, because of the new principle of life now within him, breathed and walked. Likewise regeneration can be likened to God's first breath in man, and faith, to Adam's first breath. The former is monergistic and the later, while it springs from the principle of grace that now exists within, is participatory. Both the creation and the maintaining are all of grace, but only God's breathing life into us (ex nihilo) is monergistic (that is, it is the work of God alone). When God brings forth something out of nothing, it is monergistic, but when we breathe (or have faith) as a result of God's act, we are now participating, so by definition this is not monergistic, but all springs forth from God's initial monergistic act of giving life from nothing."

-John Hendryx, "Jesus Teaches Monergistic Regeneration" (monergism.com)

JMAC Rap

If you thought the rap song by Shai Linne is good (see previous post), then check this one out! This video is way too funny!

Credit: wrager1

Atonement Q&A

This is Shai Linne and this song is BAD! Theologically deep and written like a pocket guide to Protestant Orthodox theology. What I especially appreciate about Shai Linne is that he does not see music as replacing the importance of preaching. That is saying a lot because his lyrics are a lot more theologically rich than some sermons we hear today. I truly hope that more songs like this will be released in the near and distant future, regardless of the musical genre. I also hope that more theologically apt musicians like Shai Linne will write worship songs. Yes, this is worship!

Listen to his interview with Pastor Mark Dever from IX Marks here.

Credit: bhoyosa540

Your Strength is Small

"If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small."

-Proverbs 24:10

"That may be an uncomfortable thought, but it needs saying. Anyone can bulldoze ahead when the course is downhill. And of course, our strength often really is small. How often Christians discover, with Paul, that God's strength is perfected in our weakness (2 Cor. 12:1-10)" (D.A. Carson, For the Love of God, Vol2, April 6).

Is this not why we are in constant need of hearing the Word preached, the ordinances administered, believers strengthening one another (Pro 27:17), and our knees on the floor with our hearts attuned to God and souls crying out to Him?

The Power Of The Cross

Oh, to see the dawn
Of the darkest day:
Christ on the road to Calvary.
Tried by sinful men,
Torn and beaten, then
Nailed to a cross of wood.

Chorus:
This, the pow’r of the cross:
Christ became sin for us;
Took the blame, bore the wrath—
We stand forgiven at the cross.

Oh, to see the pain
Written on Your face,
Bearing the awesome weight of sin.
Ev’ry bitter thought,
Ev’ry evil deed
Crowning Your bloodstained brow.

Now the daylight flees;
Now the ground beneath
Quakes as its Maker bows His head.
Curtain torn in two,
Dead are raised to life;
“Finished!” the vict’ry cry.

Oh, to see my name
Written in the wounds,
For through Your suffering I am free.
Death is crushed to death;
Life is mine to live,
Won through Your selfless love.

Final Chorus:
This, the pow’r of the cross:
Son of God—slain for us.
What a love! What a cost!
We stand forgiven at the cross.

Credit: biblebeltkid

An Important Reminder and An Illustration of Christ's Sacrificial Love

"... when the memory of John Newton was nearly gone, and he was an old man, that great saint of God couldn't preach anymore. He'd forgotten so many things that he couldn't carry on a conversation. But he said this, he said it seems as though there are only two things I can remember, one is that I am a great sinner, and the second is, that Jesus Christ is a greater Savior. That's the issue. That's what Jesus wanted the Pharisees to see, that's what He wants you to see. You were so great a sinner you couldn't atone for your sin, He did it for you. I read this week about a child, who was bitten by a poisonous snake, and the mother was there when the child was bitten and the mother was just struck with love for the child and so she placed her lips over the wound to suck the poison out. She succeeded in doing it and saved the child's life. But she had a little cut on her lip, the poison went into her and she died. So it is with Jesus Christ, who drained out of us as it were the poison of the serpent, and in so doing died in our place. We are great sinners, but He is a great Savior..." (John MacArthur, "Who is an Adulterer? Part 1").

Mark Driscoll to Phil Johnson

Good video! Very respectable humility on the part of Pastor Mark Driscoll. And very, very, very important reminder of what and where and on whom our Christian-ministerial emphasis should be.

ESV MSB Baby!

I recently switched to the English Standard Version (November 2009) when I started serving at our current church, New Life Christian Alliance Church. I use the ESV Minister's Bible published by Hendrikson Publishers and I hope to make it my lifetime Bible, that is, the Bible I memorize, read, study, and preach and teach from. It was a switch that I was excited to make (it actually took me several years to make the switch but that's another story). Today I am doubly excited to have discovered that the ESV MacArthur Study Bible will be coming out in August of this year (you can pre-order it here for 35% cheaper). I recall reading Phil Johnson's comment on a blog several year ago that the ESV MacArthur Study Bible was in the works. Well, it's finally here (almost)! First in the New King James Version, then the New American Standard Version, and now in the English Standard Version. Can't Wait!

We Will ALL Give An Account

"Your pastor will stand before God and give an account for how they have led your congregation (Heb. 13;17). But every single one of us who is a disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ will give an account for whether or not we have gathered together regularly with the church , spurred the church on to love and good deeds, and fought to maintain a right teaching of the hope of the gospel (Heb. 10:23-25)."

Just Sharing

"Why was I such a coward? Why did I never find the strength to share the gospel with her? I wonder if she was saved? Why did I let go of such an opportunity? I am reminded of Adoniram Judson who was shocked to discover that the man that was groaning all night in pain next door to him in the inn died in his sin, the very man that lured him away from the Christian faith (Judson had no idea that he was so close to him in proximity at the very hour of his death and God providentially used this event to save him). The closest thing to biblical witnessing was when I once said to her, 'We are praying for you,' after she came back from being taken to the hospital in a stretcher last year. Why was I such a stranger even though a neighbor that lives just upstairs? I wonder if they ever heard me upset or express my frustration?"

These were some of the thoughts that were running through my mind, mixed with emotions of guilt and regret, when I was told by my wife that our lady neighbor downstairs passed away a week ago (which I found out later was actually two-and-a-half weeks ago). I was quite shocked just because of the the fact that she used to live right below us.

I felt the need to at least go and offer my condolences to the man that lived with her. I introduced myself as one who lives just above him, though he already knew that. I offered him my condolences, shook hands, shared our names and talked for a few minutes. His name is Tim. He was her son. He lost his mother.

When I spoke to our apartment manager afterward, Tim's mother apparently had a brain tumor removed in the past and was quite sick before her passing. Tim was taking care of her on the night of her passing, but himself fell asleep in the midst. When he woke up in the morning, his mother was already dead.

Tim's cousin is currently staying with him just down stairs. I feel for the man but he seems to be doing "alright." He is certainly handling it better than I think I would if my mother passed away. Perhaps, he is a Christian! If not, how is it that he is handling it so well? And I still can't help but wonder if he has ever heard me upset or express my frustration, especially in light of the fact that he has heard my kids being loud at times and even my wife playing the guitar (neither of which bothers him). I want to be a good witness to Tim without any hindrances brought on by me.

I don't know what my point really is with regards to this blogpost. Perhaps, it's making a more purposeful effort to getting to know our neighbors. Perhaps, it's building a relationship with them where they can trust us and where we can lovingly share the gospel of Jesus Christ with them at a proper time. Perhaps, it's being more aware our need to be much more careful about being a witness for Christ when living in an apartment or condo or townhouse where others can more easily hear or observe us. Perhaps, it's nothing more than me wanting to share about what "rocked" my day with the few people who bother to check my blog in hopes that some spiritual lesson can or will be gleaned by them. Perhaps, it's a prayer request for Tim. Perhaps, it's not being a gospel coward. Perhaps, it's a reminder that God's grace is so big that even the sin of gospel cowardice is paid for by the precious blood of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Perhaps, it's all of the above.

Being a Young Pastor (Part 5)

Maintain office hours and be approachable. There are fewer things that put me off more than an aloof and unapproachable pastor. One way to remain approachable for your congregation is to keep office hours. Most churches provide adequate studies for their pastors. Make good use of your study and be available by phone, for personal visits, or a spontaneous “hello.” My study door is almost always open and I enjoy people sticking their head in and saying hello.

Each person is a little bit different in this area. My day off is Friday. My wife and I have a “date day” for breakfast outside at the beach, and we take a long walk every Friday morning simply to be together. This means I get in early on Monday morning and I have a written schedule of what I’ll be doing every day. Thursday is sermon-making day and no one gets through to me except my family, my elders, or a bona fide emergency. No interruptions on Thursday!

Source: "To the Young Pastor" by Ron Gleason

We Will Be Content

"Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs."

-1 Timothy 6:6-10 (ESV)

Source: WORLDmag

Hensworth W.C. Jonas on Acts 4

My goodness! This is what you call passionate preaching!

Christianity and Race

I was one of the thousands of people who attended the Together for the Gospel (T4G) Conference back in 2008, a conference that occurs every two years encouraging and exhorting pastors to stand "Together for the Gospel."

Today being the observation of Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday, I thought I post this clip of Pastor Thabiti Anyabwile's sermon highlight from the same conference that touches upon the biblical perspective of "race." It is an important and needed reminder that the only "race" (if I may use that term) that really matters is one that surfaces as a result of sovereign regeneration. My biological identity may be Asian-American, but one that is of greater spiritual significance and eternal relevance is that I am one who by God's grace is part and within "God's chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession" (1 Pet 2:9 [Emphases Added]). This biblical "race" is the one matters to both this life and the next. By way of implication then, there is only one race that sinful man must seek to abandon, which is the fallen human race in its unregenerate state. The gospel is the very way of that abandonment! That should be our "dream"!

Being a Young Pastor (Part 4)

Manage your time to the glory of God. This is a crucial, essential component of the pastor’s life and calling. Far too many pastors waste precious time performing ever-nebulous “networking.” Time, once spent, cannot be regained. Therefore, how we use our time matters greatly. Since we are accountable to God, pastors should have an exemplary work ethic. Among other tasks, the pastor must make time for theological study and keeping his use of Greek and Hebrew, he must be fully conversant with the contents of Scripture, taking the requisite time for sermon preparation and delivery, and setting aside time for prayer and reading the Bible devotionally for himself and for his own instruction and edification.

The pastor must also lead his own home well. This requires a disciplined life. He pays attention to his marriage and the spiritual instruction of his entire family. He is a good friend and neighbor. He builds solid relationships with his session and deacons, and other church members who serve in various other leadership positions.

Source: "To the Young Pastor" by Ron Gleason

Being a Young Pastor (Part 3)

A faithful pastor takes worship seriously. For Christians, how we worship God is a key consideration. To worship God rightly means to worship Him scripturally. The pastor and his congregation must pay careful attention to what God requires in His Word. If God’s people are to worship Him in spirit and in truth — and they are — then we must look to Scripture both to form and inform our worship style. By using the ordinary means of grace God has given us, worship gives the opportunity to preach the Word, sing the Word, pray the Word, and read the Word. True worship is Christ-centered and Word-centered.

Source: "To the Young Pastor" by Dr. Ron Gleason

Being a Young Pastor (Part 2)

Manage your time to the glory of God. This is a crucial, essential component of the pastor’s life and calling. Far too many pastors waste precious time performing ever-nebulous “networking.” Time, once spent, cannot be regained. Therefore, how we use our time matters greatly. Since we are accountable to God, pastors should have an exemplary work ethic. Among other tasks, the pastor must make time for theological study and keeping his use of Greek and Hebrew, he must be fully conversant with the contents of Scripture, taking the requisite time for sermon preparation and delivery, and setting aside time for prayer and reading the Bible devotionally for himself and for his own instruction and edification.

The pastor must also lead his own home well. This requires a disciplined life. He pays attention to his marriage and the spiritual instruction of his entire family. He is a good friend and neighbor. He builds solid relationships with his session and deacons, and other church members who serve in various other leadership positions.

Source: "To the Young Pastor" by Dr. Ron Gleason