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Fight Sin…

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Somehow yesterday’s AM Sermon and PM sermon came together. The over-arching thrust of both messages was how we should strive to be holy.

In the AM, we were looking at Jesus in Gethsemane from Mark 14:32-42. Jesus was the model of spiritual strength, submitting to the Father’s will and demonstrating humility in His actions. Meanwhile, the disciples were asleep. Jesus encouraged them to “watch and pray” that they might not enter into temptation. The word “watch” speaks of a diligence or a passion to stay alert. We must exercise some passion in our striving to be holy.

In the PM, God had a contention with His people due to their adultery and wickedness in Hosea 4:1-19. They had forsaken Him. The leadership failed to direct the people to holiness. Men had failed to take leadership in their homes. God was going to punish the people to warn Judah from the same plight. Holiness was not the direction of the people, therefore, they were languishing in wickedness.

This weekend inspired my passion to strive to be holy. Hope that is the case for you as well.

Matt Chandler Video…

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At the recent Desiring God Pastor’s Conference, John Piper sat down with Matt Chandler to discuss life and ministry. This interview is broken into 4 segments:

Part 1 – Chandler’s early life
Part 2 – More on the story including how Chandler became a pastor
Part 3 – Thoughts on being a pastor, Calvinist and Complementarian
Part 4 – Chandler and Piper with practical advice for pastors

I love Matt Chandler and I’m sure these links will show you why.

Rape of Solomon’s Song…

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John MacArthur just finished a series of posts on modern interpretation of the Song of Solomon.

Here’s the posts:
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4/Conclusion

I think overall, there is some helpful things for all of us as pastors who have to speak in public week in and week out.

Challies also has some insight. And Abraham Piper answers a question he asks.

My only critique in reading all of this was that I wish I could know Driscoll’s thoughts. MacArthur says he’s tried to contact him, but that Driscoll has ignored his counsel. Just would like to know the other side. Especially in light of this recent apology Driscoll made about things he’s said. But overall, what I take from it is a renewed passion for holiness in my speech.

Sun AM Preview – Sleep…

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On Sunday AM, this weekend, (and Lord-willing), we will be looking at Mark 14:32-42. This section really gets at spiritual weakness again. Jesus demonstrating such spiritual strength in His humble submission to the Father’s will and the disciples’ failure to “watch and pray that they don’t enter into temptation.” David Garland, in his excellent commentary on Mark, writes how “spiritual drowsiness is dangerous and will prove the Christian’s undoing.” He then outlines 4 descriptions of what it means to sleep, largely informed from this passage:
– to sleep is to stop praying
– to sleep is to be unable to recognize the onset of trial or accept it as God’s will
– to sleep is to presume that the Spirit is willing without being mindful of the weakness of the flesh
– to sleep is to assume that we have arrived
(pp.555-556)

Spiritual drowsiness is spiritual weakness. Join us this Sunday as we seek to get remedies for this dreadful condition.

Sun PM – God’s Charge…

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This coming Sunday night, we encounter some strong language from God for the people of Israel from the prophet Hosea. In Hosea 4:1-19, God has a contention with the people for their lack of devotion to Him. I hope to see you there as we look at God’s Word and wonder what affect our compromise and lack of passion are having upon our fellowship with God.

Chandler on Missional Living…

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I was really encouraged and challenged by Matt Chandler’s sermon from Sunday, the 12th. The sermon is entitled, “The Call to Mission.” He was preaching on how the reality of the resurrection informs our missional living. He concluded with a rant:

Ladies, how many more Beth Moore studies are we going to do before we run a few plays?

Guys, how many more Bible studies are we going to have before we start living this?

I thought it was an excellent and needed rant. There are many who are passionate for this or that study but aren’t passionate to live it. That is what we need more of. Listen to this sermon and be encouraged yourself.

Remember Jesus Christ…

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Sunday’s sermon, Jesus: Risen One, from 2 Timothy 2:8-9 is now online. I thought we had a great morning. The fellowship around tables is always an encouragement. But being able to gather together and celebrate the Lord’s conquering of death was amazing. I was especially convicted by those two closing applications: 1) Will you remember Jesus when you are heading to work Monday AM and 2) Will you endure, confident that God will be by your side in the midst of whatever suffering you face?

I feel exhausted after the events of today, but greatly encouraged.

Good Friday / Easter Posts…

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Thought I would wrap together some of the excellent posts I’ve seen related to Good Friday and Easter…

John Piper posts A Conversation with Death on Good Friday

GirlTalk give some practical tips, including how to make resurrection cookies. They also link to these videos:

Rick Gamache’s Crucifixion Narrative was again useful in my life.

Justin Taylor had many excellent posts.

Visit these and other sites and let your meditation on this special week continue.