Of the Father’s Love Begotten by Kevin DeYoung
Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus by Ligon Duncan
Hope you are reveling in these deep truths this season.
by Phil Auxier
Of the Father’s Love Begotten by Kevin DeYoung
Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus by Ligon Duncan
Hope you are reveling in these deep truths this season.
by Phil Auxier
Lots of confusion about, as the guy asks on top of the Polar Express on one’s “opinion on the big man”. Kevin DeYoung gives us great help with this two part series on Santa Claus with the Baby in Bethlehem. Here’s his brilliant conclusion:
So this Christmas, give gifts if you like. We will in our family. Receive them all with thanksgiving. But do not forget what we need most–salvation from our sins. This is one gift the real St. Nicholas would not have overlooked. In fact, I’m convinced, if given the opportunity, he would have loved to be there with the shepherds and the angels, bowing down around the manger in Bethlehem. And I bet he would have brought a present too.
Kevin DeYoung “Santa Claus with the Baby in Bethlehem” (Part 1, Part 2)
by Phil Auxier
Darrin Patrick author of Church Planter and Pastor at The Journey in STL tweeted this NT times tool “Mapping America.” You basically can enter a zip code and it shows you the “neighborhood demographics” for where you live. When I entered the ones for our town, I was struck by the need and the “lostness” that exist here. Oh that God would allow us to reach these so that His glory is seen.
by Phil Auxier
…a gift of grace in the words we say. In a blog post from earlier this month, C.J. Mahaney offers this wise counsel: “Buying the appropriate Christmas gift for someone requires that we know and study them. But this is no less true of our conversations.
So as you consider certain individuals, and seek to buy meaningful gifts for them, also consider how you can give them grace through your words.”
It’s not too late, you can impart this gift every day.
by Phil Auxier
You might know that “the median church in the U.S. has 75 regular participants in worship on Sunday mornings.” (Stats here) While many pastors would love to be in the mega-church, the simple fact of the matter is that many are called to more “meager pastures.”
I found great hope and encouragement, therefore, in a message given at the 2010 Sovereign Grace Pastor’s Conference entitled, “The Advantage of the Small(er) Church“. We often don’t think of smaller churches as having much to offer. But, Loftness, with typical Sovereign Grace Ministries humility, finds the evidences of grace prevalent in churches of this size and urges us to get after our Lord’s work with renewed vigor. I think leadership teams, in particular, of smaller churches would benefit from this message.
by Phil Auxier
…to invite people to church…
So says Doug Wolter:
I saw this statistic today and thought it was worthy to share:
Top Five Times People Are Open To Considering Matters Of Faith…* #5 – After the birth of a baby (28%)
* #4 – After a natural disaster (34%)
* #3 – After a major national crisis i.e. 9/11 (38%)
* #2 – During the Easter season (38%)
* #1 – During the Christmas season (47%)
Might be a time to see if others would join you to celebrate the Savior!
by Phil Auxier
Today’s in the books and to recap the Lord’s day, had a fine AM, looking at Peace from Luke 2:13-14. Our world’s definition of peace and the peace that comes from God are two different things. Jesus came so that we might have open access to God Himself. It is only through Jesus, who came to save His people from their sins, that the unrighteous are made righteous. It was an amazing morning.
Tonight, our church gathered and we worshipped using Andrew Peterson’s Behold the Lamb of God music. Our people always walk awed by God and His descending to earth for us through this musical. At any rate, we’re full. Looking forward to a great week celebrating these foundational truths.
by Phil Auxier
Tomorrow, Lord willing, we will look at Luke 2:13-14 and the announcement by a group of the heavenly host giving glory to God and proclaiming peace through the birth of Jesus Christ. So…peace will be our theme.
Here’s a great quote on peace to prep you:
Graeme Goldsworthy in Prayer and the Knowledge of God:
Peace is not an inner calm and serenity (although it may from time to time produce this effect), but our reconciliation with the God we have offended by our rebellion against him. (p.166)
Our issues with lacking peace aren’t so much about others as the vertical relationship we have with God. Therefore, come Sunday, planning to see the reconciliation offered you through Jesus.
by Phil Auxier
…from Peacemaker Ministries (Peacemeal Weekly Devotional):
In many situations, the best way to resolve a conflict is simply to overlook the personal offenses of others. This approach is highly commended throughout Scripture:
“A man’s wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense” (Prov. 19:11; cf. 12:16; 15:18; 20:3).“Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam; so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out” (Prov. 17:14; cf. 26:17).
“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins” (1 Peter 4:8; cf. Prov. 10:12; 17:9)
“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love” (Eph. 4:2).
“Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you” (Col. 3:13; cf. Eph. 4:32).
by Phil Auxier
Stephen Altrogge had a great post over at Crossway entitled When the Gospel Transforms Your Christmas Expectations. Here’s how he began to engage:
I have certain expectations when it comes to Christmas. I expect to drink egg nog, even though I don’t really like it. I expect to listen to hours upon hours of Christmas carols. I expect to watch the movie Elf. I expect to drive around with my family and look at Christmas lights. And I expect to get some gifts. Twenty-eight years of Christmas experience has taught me what to expect.
But how would I feel if some of my expectations weren’t met? What if I didn’t get to do the things that I so look forward to? No Elf. No Christmas lights. No nog. No gifts. Could I be happy? Could I be content? Could I rejoice in what I have instead of what I don’t have?
He then goes on to show all that we have received in the Gospel: namely, Forgiveness, Fellowship with God, Freedom. How about you? if all the “stuff” of Christmas was tossed, would you still have joy? Great question. Allow this article to shape you.