Out of the wilderness

Christian what do you believe?

2011-11-06T09:04:00.000-05:00

Today at my church we will take the Lord's supper together. Before we partake our pastor will ask one question, and we will reply with the Apostles' creed. This creed along with others like the Nicene creed, Chalcedonian formula, and the Athanasian creed define for us what true orthodox Christianity is and what historically the Church has confessed through the ages. I would encourage every Christian to not only read these creeds but study their history and understand their importance. Truly we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses, so let us run with perserverance the race set before us.

Christian, what do you believe?

I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth.

And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic Church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. AMEN.

While we're on the subject of Reformed theology...

2011-11-06T08:38:00.000-05:00

While we are clarifying what Reformed theology truly encompasses, let's take a moment and look at the practical implications of Calvinism (Reformed Theology) for the believer. Dr. Albert Martin has outlined this for us here.

He quotes B.B. Warfield:

"It lies then, let me repeat, in a profound apprehension of God in His
majesty, with the poignant realisation which inevitably accompanies
this apprehension, of the relation sustained to God by the creature
as such, and particularly by the sinful creature. The Calvinist is the
man who has seen God, and who, having seen God in His glory, is
filled on the one hand with a sense of his own unworthiness to
stand in God’s sight as a creature, and much more as a sinner, and
on the other hand, with adoring wonder that nevertheless this God
is a God who receives sinners. He who believes in God without
reserve and is determined that God shall be God to him in all his
thinking, feeling and willing — in the entire compass of his life
activities, intellectual, moral and spiritual — throughout all his
individual social and religious relations, is, by force of that strictest
of all logic which presides over the outworking of principles into
thought and life, by the very necessity of the case, a Calvinist."

Praise God today for the knowledge that He receives and saves sinners!

What does it mean to be Reformed?

2011-11-06T08:23:00.000-05:00

With the rising popularity of Calvinism, or more accurately, Reformed theology with those of us raised in evangelical churches, there is often confusion over what it really means to be "reformed". Is it a belief in the doctrines of grace (which for many new to Reformed theology is often the case) or is it much more? This is important, because I've seen firsthand how a misunderstanding of true Reformed theology can lead to confusion and error.

On his Riddleblog, Dr. Kim Riddlebarger shares an essay entitled "How many points?" by Dr. Richard A. Muller. An excerpt:

"The emphasis on adult baptism, being "born again," and "accepting Christ" is connected, in American evangelical circles, with language concerning "a personal relationship with Jesus" or knowing Jesus as one's "personal Savior." In protesting against this language, I know that I will be stepping on a few religious toes — although the protest is not at all directed against piety or Christian religious experience as such. The issue is that this language itself is neither Reformed in its content nor suitable for transfer into a Reformed confessional context."

Read the complete essay here.

Who is a theologian?

2011-11-05T08:04:00.003-04:00

We are all theologians, and in this article Pastor Todd Wilken explains that for Christians, we must be theologians of the Cross. He states:

"Rather than looking to the circumstances of his life to decipher God’s disposition, the theologian of the Cross looks to the suffering and death of Jesus to know God’s disposition. Rather than speculating that God must be pleased by human effort, the theologian of the Cross sees in Christ crucified the One who has pleased God once and for all. Life’s circumstances, whatever they might be, are now comprehended in the suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus."

Read the whole article here.

The theology of the Cross

2011-11-05T08:04:00.000-04:00

Carl Trueman explaining Martin Luther's Theology of the Cross:

"The "theologians of glory," therefore, are those who build their theology in the light of what they expect God to be like—and, surprise, surprise, they make God to look something like themselves. The "theologians of the cross," however, are those who build their theology in the light of God's own revelation of himself in Christ hanging on the cross."

Read the rest here.

For those broken by the church

2010-11-14T07:04:00.001-05:00

Dr. Rod Rosenbladt on "The Gospel For Those Broken By The Church" from Faith Lutheran Church on Vimeo.

The theology of glory

2010-06-06T17:59:00.003-04:00

Pastor Don Matzat former host of Issues Etc. writes about the theology of glory versus the theology of the Cross. Here is an excerpt:

"Martin Luther accurately defined sin as man turning in on himself. While a theology of glory continues to turn you to yourself as you measure your growth in holiness against a plethora of spiritual experiences, the theology of the Cross turns you away from yourself. As a result of the conviction of the Law, you forsake your own good works and spiritual experiences and cling to the blood and righteousness of Jesus Christ."

Read the rest here.

Law and Gospel

2010-06-05T07:03:00.004-04:00

It is critical that we understand law and Gospel. Getting it wrong will lead to self-righteousness or despair, and sadly from many pulpits the proper application of law and Gospel has been lost. Dr. Michael Horton has an excellent article at the White Horse Inn that explains this clearly.

Being a true disciple.

2010-05-24T16:53:00.006-04:00

The case of the disappearing Gospel!

2010-03-13T16:09:00.005-05:00

Dan Neades on his blog Better than sacrifice posted this video explaining the case of the disappearing gospel:

2010-03-04T18:50:00.008-05:00

Here is a special edition of the Fighting for the Faith radio program that as host Chris Roseborough explains exposes the Cult-Like Hostile Takeover Tactics of Dan Southerland's Purpose-Driven Church Transtioning Seminar. The list of cult-like tactics employed by Southerland is LONG. They include:

1. Flat out lies and manipulative double speak
2. Blatant Scripture Twisting
3. New & Direct Extra Biblical Revelation and Visions from God
4. Flat out intolerance for anyone who questions or challenges these "new" Extra Biblical Revelations and Visions that are supposedly from God.
All of these cult-like tactics are exposed and discussed in this special edition of F4F. Furthermore, I cannot emphasize enough the fact that Dan Southerland's Church Transitions company has been the "go to" company used by Rick Warren's Purpose-Driven businesses to train pastors into Warren's Druckerite leadership methodologies.

The Cross eyed life - Art Azurdia

2010-02-06T07:00:00.005-05:00

"God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our lord Jesus Christ." (Gal 5:14)

Would I know the fulness and completeness of the salvation God has provided for sinners? Where shall I see it most distinctly? Shall I go to the general declarations in the Bible about God's mercy? Shall I rest in the general truth that God is a God of love? Oh, no! I will look at the cross of Christ. I find no evidence like that. I find no balm for a sore conscience, and a troubled heart, like the sight of Jesus dying for me on the accursed tree. There I see that a full payment has been made for all my enormous debts. The curse of that law which I have broken has come down on One who there suffered in my stead. The demands of that law are all satisfied. Payment has been made for me, even to the uttermost farthing. It will not be required twice over. Ah, I might sometimes imagine I was too bad to be forgiven! My own heart sometimes whispers that I am too wicked to be saved. But I know in my better moments this is all my foolish unbelief. I read an answer to my doubts in the blood shed on Calvary. I feel sure that there is a way to heaven for the very vilest of men, when I look at the cross.

J.C. Ryle (1816-1900)

Are you a bad person?

2010-01-18T19:57:00.003-05:00

In this sermon jam, Art Azurdia preaches a powerful message that drives home that even though we are wretched sinners, God by His grace saves bad people:

Wake up!

2009-10-15T19:54:00.006-04:00

As I watched this video, 1 Corinthians 15:34 came to mind:

Wake up from your drunken stupor, as is right, and do not go on sinning. For some have no knowledge of God. I say this to your shame.

Being one who has come out of the train wreck of modern evangelicalism, I can affirm that this is a message you won't hear in the typical seeker-sensitive church.

fallen, fallen, fallen!

2009-10-09T18:48:00.005-04:00

If we are His, we are not our own, so let us move beyond the cotton candy christianity we see today, pick up our cross and follow Him:

Quotes

2009-09-05T07:10:00.005-04:00

I read this quote today at Defending. Contending . The pharisee has a list of do's and dont's but the child of God sees his own wickedness, feels his need for a Saviour, and flees to the cross. We don't need 40 days of purpose, life application topical preaching, or anything else that doesn't address our real problem. We need Christ and Him crucified for our sins.

“Desperately Wicked”

“The heart is desperately wicked” — past cure by human medicine. Learn that you need conversion, or a new heart. When we speak of the necessity of a change to some people, they begin to be affected by it, and so they put away some evil habits, as drinking or swearing or lying, they put these away, and promise never to go back to them. Now they think the work is done, and they are in a fair way for heaven. Alas foolish man! It is not your drinking, or your swearing, or your lying that is desperately wicked — but your heart. You have only been cutting off the streams; the source remains polluted. The heart is as wicked as ever. It is the heart that is incurable. It is a new heart that you need. Nothing less will answer your need. Learn that you must go to Christ for this!

Robert Murray McCheyne
1813-1843

Nothing but Him!

2009-08-21T10:10:00.000-04:00

"Oh! divine Redeemer, out of whose inexhaustible fullness I would daily draw a rich supply of grace into my needy soul, be pleased to impart unto me an undivided heart; that to please You, may be my greatest happiness, and to promote Your glory my highest honor. Preserve me from false motives, from a double mind, and a divided heart. Keep me entirely to Yourself, and enable me to crucify every lust, which would tempt my heart from You. Enable me by Your grace to walk in one uniform path of holy, childlike obedience. When tempted to turn aside to the right hand or to the left, may I keep steadily Your way, until brought before Your throne, I see Your face, behold Your smile, and fall in ecstasy at Your feet, lost in wonder, love, and praise."
(Thomas Reade, "On the Blessedness of a New Heart")

Choose today who you will serve

2009-08-21T10:01:00.002-04:00

This isn't a popular message, but if we are truly His, though we daily strive against the world, our own flesh, and the devil, we will bear good fruit and we will no longer walk as we used to walk. As Pastor Tim Conway says in this video, if you are trying to walk a line between Christ and the things of this world, then you must examine yourself and see if you are truly His.

Rock of ages

2009-08-16T22:26:00.001-04:00

I love this old hymn, especially verse 3, may it encourage your heart today!

1. Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
let me hide myself in thee;
let the water and the blood,
from thy wounded side which flowed,
be of sin the double cure;
save from wrath and make me pure.

2. Not the labors of my hands
can fulfill thy law's commands;
could my zeal no respite know,
could my tears forever flow,
all for sin could not atone;
thou must save, and thou alone.

3. Nothing in my hand I bring,
simply to the cross I cling;
naked, come to thee for dress;
helpless, look to thee for grace;
foul, I to the fountain fly;
wash me, Savior, or I die.

4. While I draw this fleeting breath,
when mine eyes shall close in death,
when I soar to worlds unknown,
see thee on thy judgment throne,
Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
let me hide myself in thee.

Text: Augustus M. Toplady, 1740-1778
Music: Thomas Hastings, 1784-1872

Good news

2009-08-16T22:02:00.005-04:00

Heard a great sermon today that glorified God and reminded this sinner that God's mercy is greater than my sin, amen. How different the god of many today. I quote H.Richard Niebuhr who spoke of the god of the liberals in the 30's, a god many in evangelicalism serve today:

"A God without wrath brought men without sin into a world without judgment through the ministrations of a Christ without a cross."

As unpopular as it is today, we need to tell others that the wrath of God is coming upon them for their sins, and then share with them the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. What good, good news it is!

The error of decisionism

2009-06-19T19:31:00.006-04:00

Being one who "made a decision" for Jesus, but was then truly saved by the grace of God alone, I share this video in hopes it may open eyes to the error of this practice. This article by James Adams goes into more depth. Modern evangelism owes more to heretic Charles Finney than it does to godly preachers from years past like Spurgeon, Whitfield, and Edwards.

Modern evangelism and it's emphasis on "me" is a far cry from historic orthodox christianity and it's emphasis on faith alone, grace alone, and Christ alone. We are wicked sinners who have nothing to offer God, but instead can do nothing but cast ourselves on Christ for mercy. Try preaching that in the average seeker sensitive church.

Guarding the gospel - Dr. Steve Lawson

2009-06-17T21:12:00.007-04:00

I just watched this video over at Reformed Voices . I love the part near the end where Dr. Lawson yells out "give us some men who know the truth!" This is a must view!

Exposing the "prosperity" gospel.

2009-05-02T17:57:00.005-04:00

The apostle Paul told the corinthians that he determined to know nothing among them but Christ and Him crucified for our sins (1 cor 2:2) and in galatians (1:8) he warns us that "even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed".

In this age of watered down christianity and false teachers, may we be students of God's word, rightly able to divide truth from falsehood.

Spurgeon on discernment

2009-03-29T22:40:00.004-04:00

I love this quote by Charles Spurgeon:
"Discernment is not knowing the difference between right and wrong. It is knowing the difference between right and almost right."

Paul Washer: Lord, Lord? I never knew you!

2009-03-28T20:55:00.006-04:00

Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to make your calling and election sure...(2 Peter 1:10):

Lord Lord?..I Never Knew You - Paul Washer from I'll Be Honest on Vimeo.

Monergism vs. synergism

2009-03-28T16:13:00.007-04:00

Steve Camp has a great post on the two views of regeneration, monergism and synergism.

Here is the link:
CAMPONTHIS: TWO VIEWS OF REGENERATION:...we love Him because He first loved us

Paul Washer: The Gospel of Jesus Christ

2009-03-20T05:28:00.002-04:00

Reformed Voices: Declaring War on The Sinner's Prayer

2009-03-20T04:55:00.003-04:00

Check this out over at Reformed Voices. I too once prayed a sinners prayer, then wandered in my sin for 30 years until God in His sovereign grace saved me. Soli Deo Gloria!

Reformed Voices: Declaring War on The Sinner's Prayer