Called to be Pilgrims

What is it about the world that so draws us to itself? As I read through scripture it is clear that we are called to be pilgrims in this world as we journey to our final destination, the better country, a heavenly one (Heb 11:16). Many passages look at the believer as a sojourner, an exile and a stranger in the world. The picture is that what God calls us to is not to find our home here but to see our place as our final destination

Passages in scripture that speak to believers as sojourners:
Gen 23:4 - Abraham refers to himself as a sojourner and foreigner
Gen 47:9 - Jacob calls himself a sojourner
Psalm 39:12 - David refers to himself as a sojourner
Phil 3:20 – Paul speaks of where our true citizenship resides, in heaven
1 Peter 1:17 – Peter refers to the believers as being in exile
1 Peter 2:11 – Paul in urging believes to be honorable refers to them as sojourners and exiles

This is not a call to remove ourselves from the world but as the puritan Thomas Manton said; “We cannot get out of the world when we please, but we must get the world out of us.” We are to do the work that God has for us to do while He has us here but not let the world take up residence in our hearts. My fear is that too many have become comfortable in this world and allowed it to impinge on the work we are to do in glorifying God.

We should ask ourselves; “if the things of this world were removed and all that was left was God, His Word and His people would we be satisfied. This question is important because if we were to truly live as that which most pleases God would we not give up much of what the world offers and be left with the God, His Word and His people.

The end result is that we as believers should look different from the world around us. This is not a forced difference but one that results from simply living as God dictates in His word. As we live to glorify Him we will stand out in this world and in so doing we will be the light we are called to be. As much as we try and think that we need to look like the world to reach it is would seem that is the difference in us that God uses to draw people to Himself.

In scripture we simply see people living as God dictates in His Word and God drawing people to them. Nowhere do we see “Ex-Gladiators for Christ” or “Former Pharisees for Christ” but we see people changed by the Spirit to be simply Christians. But, today we have so many groups that seem to portray all that is to change is ones viewpoint but in reality when we become a believer we become a new person (1 Cor 5:17).

So let us be the pilgrims we are called to be and not let the world steal our affections.

Update on Homeschooling in California

Here is an update from HSLDA on the recent issue of homeschooling in California:

Court of Appeal Grants Petition for Re-hearing

On March 25, the California Court of Appeal granted a motion for rehearing in the In re Rachel L. case—the controversial decision which purported to ban all homeschooling in that state unless the parents held a teaching license qualifying them to teach in public schools.
The automatic effect of granting this motion is that the prior opinion is vacated and is no longer binding on any one, including the parties in the case.

The Court of Appeal has solicited a number of public school establishment organizations to submit amicus briefs including the California Superintendent of Public Instruction, California Department of Education, the Los Angeles Unified School District, and three California teacher unions. The court also granted permission to Sunland Christian School to file an amicus brief. The order also indicates that it will consider amicus applications from other groups.
Home School Legal Defense Association will seek permission to file such an amicus brief and will coordinate efforts with a number of organizations interesting in filing briefs to support the right of parents to homeschool their children in California.

“This is a great first step,” said Michael Farris, chairman of HSLDA. “We are very glad that this case will be reheard and that this opinion has been vacated, but there is no guarantee as to what the ultimate outcome will be. This case remains our top priority,” he added.


I would agree that this is a good first step but the fact that the step had to be taken at all speaks volumes about where we are as a society and the leanings that exist towards socialism and the state knowing what is best for our children. Please keep this in prayer as simply because this wave of resistance to homeschooling seems to have been held back I am sure there are more to follow.

Around the Web and Blogosphere (3/26/08)

James McDonald writes on: Abortion Illogic. He also has a pretty cool video on the site as well.

Speaking of abortion. I would recommend watching Doug Phillips talk from the History of the World Mega Conference on the Mayas. This talk spoke of the great achievements of the Mayas and their brilliance in astronomy, mathematics and other areas but it also spoke of their great violence, especially themselves. If we look at their history we see a great nation by many accounts but their great lack of biblical morality and thus the ability to sacrifice their own people and children eventually led to their being wiped out, by themselves no less. We as a nation can boast any number of great things such as technology but our moral base is such that we will sacrifice millions of children for the cause of personal comfort. Is the future of the US to be the same as the Mayas or can we regain the moral compass of the bible and avoid destruction? By the way the other DVD’s in the collection are very good as well.


Dr. Albert Mohler writes: Has the Notion of Sin Disappeared? In this article he notes that: “Perhaps the most interesting angle on the story is the fact that the secular world seems to understand that something has changed when it comes to the preaching of many churches and the beliefs of many who call themselves Christians.” What a sad commentary when the world notices the minimization of sin and the professing church does not seem to.


I recently read an article by N.T. Wright on Christianity Today’s web site entitled: Heaven is not our home. If his goal is to lead people to live the life we are called to now and not just sit back and wait for Christ’s return there are others ways to do this. If one simply reads Hebrews 11 you quickly see the motif with Abraham of him being an alien and stranger that is looking to a promised home, heaven. It was this look to the future promises that was the impetus for his living in the present as it is to be for us. It appears that Wright’s presuppositions about the central mission of the church have driven his understanding of scripture. Yes we as believers are to live as scripture calls us and thus should be salt and light in the world but that does not necessitate tossing out a view that Heaven is our true home and to look forward to that as Abraham did. Again, it is the look to the future promises of God that fuels our present journey that God has us on.

The Lasting Implications of the Cross

This year for Easter I preached from Romans 5:1-11.  The reason I chose this passage was that it is one that follows on Paul’s teaching on justification by faith and shows the implications this has for life after the cross.   That the same faith that saved is the same faith we are to live by.  The message at Easter should be one that speaks of the reconciliation with God at the cross for those that believe and continued reconciliation for the life of the believer until they are called home or Christ returns.

Paul, in Romans 5:1-11, speaks of seven implications of Justification by faith: Peace with God, Access to God, a hope of glory, the ability to rejoice in suffering, the love of God in us, being saved from the wrath of God and continued reconciliation to God.  What was interesting is that the Gospel message that Paul delivers is not one of deliverance from trials or troubles but one that delivers us from God’s wrath to peace with God.  The implications given are not ones that we often hear but is one that needs to be preached often. 

I often wonder, if the only promise we offered when delivering the Gospel message was to have peace with God would people still see it as pleasing.  So often the message that is delivered, and especially at Easter, is one of deliverance from our personal dilemmas but the only dilemma we truly need to be delivered from is our enmity with God.  We are estranged from God due to our sin and only the cross can rectify that.  But that is not the end of the story as salvation is not just about a past event with future implications but instead has implications for the here and now.

So, we need to see that when we share the Gospel the cross is just the start as when God gives one the faith to seek Him it is that same faith that allows us to have the ability to serve and worship Him as He desires.  To find God’s commands as not being burdensome (1 John 5:3) one needs the see that life is to be lived by the same faith that reconciled us to God.  The faith to walk daily is the same faith that saved. 

So let us see that Easter is about the start of a journey and that journey begins at the cross.  It is a journey that is made possible by the gift of faith, a gift from God (Eph 2:8-9).

Around the Web and Blogosphere (3/17/08)

With regards to the homeschooling issues in California Albert Mohler in his article, Overt Hostility toward Homeschoolers, reveals that while some are saying not to worry the court decision has brought out the true colors of those that oppose homeschooling. Reading this article shows me that there is a true fear that homeschooling interferes with the humanist agenda and they would like to do whatever is necessary to stop those that homeschool. Walter P. Coombs and Ralph E. Shaffer whose article is cited by Mohler use the same class warfare language that is often bandied about during elections to try and incite others to rise up against those that homeschool. Please keep this whole issue in prayer because whether you live in California or not the issues here will effect you in some way.

Jim at OldTruth.com has a good quote from Robert Godfrey titled: Worship is Neither Evangelism or Entertainment.

Scott Brown has a link to an interview he did with Doug Phillips on Kevin Swanson’s radio show Generations: Choosing Candidates: What Does the Bible Say? Scott also in his post, Workshop In Expository Preaching, has a good quote from E.M Bounds on preaching from Bounds’ book Power of Prayer

At the Banner of Truth Trust is a good article by Geoff Thomas titled: Preaching Christ from the Old Testament. As he shares the preachers of the New Testament shared Christ from the Old and so should we.

Update on Homeschooling in California

HSLDA reports that:

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell comes to the defense of homeschool families. “The California Department of Education policy will not change in any way as a result of this ruling. Parents still have the right to homeschool in this state,” he said.

This is good news but there still needs to be prayer because obviously while Mr. O’Connell feels this way not everyone does.

You can read the entire HSLDA article here: Defending Homeschool Freedom in California

Homeschooling in California

As many of you may already know there was recently a court ruling that if upheld would prohibit homeschooling unless the parents homeschooling are certified teachers.  Even with this stipulation one has to ask if this means certified for a particular grade and thus it would still limit families from homeschooling.  There are many working on this case to either have the case over turned or “depublished” which would not allow it to be used as precedent and thus less of an issue.  Based on published reports this ruling could affect 160,000 families and possibly more so it is no small matter

What is disturbing in all of this is the mindset of the judiciary that parents have no right to school their own children as they see best for them.  If this is not socialism at its finest I am not sure what is.  If people think that this is a problem of a liberal state such as California they need to understand that the outcome of this case will effect just about everyone as it will create a precedent for every state that has similar feelings.

While this may have caught many people by surprise we should not have been surprised that something like this would not happen eventually.  I simply look at the school systems and the legal system has shown a propensity to lean towards removing parental rights and handing them over to the state.  This is also not only an issue with the state but also with the Federal Government as seen by many leanings toward socialism and thus the governments feeling that it is better prepared to care for children than their parents.

Am I fearful of all these happenings.  Not really, I know that I am called by God’s Word to homeschool and thus I also know God has a plan in all of this and if that plan is that my family has to move then so be it.   My concern is that many in other states will not take notice of this and simply wait until something similar happens.  We should not expect the world to understand the things of God so why would we expect them to understand homeschooling from a biblical context.

I ask that you pray for the numerous homeschool families in California.  Pray that we will do what is biblical and if at the end of the day that is to vacate California so be it as answering to God for what we do is much more important than answering to the state.

Here is a petition you can sign with regards to this situation:  HSLDA Petition

Below are some other Blog Posts and Audio Broadcasts on the subject

Blog Posts:

Home Discipling Dad:  What is Educations Purpose

Reflections on the Times:  Parents: No rights to Homeschool?

Dr. Albert Mohler: A Bolt From the Blue -- A Homeschooling Decision in California

These are the Generations of….. :  California Homeschool Setback

Doug’s Blog: Homeschooling Rights in Jeopardy in California

Broadcasts:

Focus on the Family Broadcast

Cross Talk America

Preaching and the Culture

What is our call as Christians with regards to the culture? This comes to mind due to a recent blog I read about a pastor who is well known for his use of “foul” language and often overly graphic descriptions. This pastor is often defended by persons with equally colorful language. The point is usually that as this is what our culture is like and we need to reach this culture we need to relate to them as such and since the church is growing in an “unchurched area” then this must be OK.

The first point seems to say that since the culture lives a certain way and speaks a certain way we need to preach in the same manner. However, I am not sure this can be defended by scripture. The usual call is to such verses as 1 Cor 9:22 to bolster the claim that we need to do all that we can to save people. I don’t think Paul is saying he is becoming like an unbeliever so as to reach them but that he needed to come to them where they were to reach them. There is a vast difference in coming to someone in the condition they are in and not asking them to change first than to simply take on the persona of those we are to reach.

Before someone chimes in that we all take on culture in some form, you are correct. But this is not about trying to evangelize in Nigerian while traveling around Sweden. We do need to use words that are understandable to the listener but this does not necessitate using inappropriate language which scripture says in wrong, Eph 5:1-4. Simply because the culture sees something as normal does not dictate its normalcy to the believer. So yes there is a level of delivering the gospel that is done in a cultural context but there is also a limit.

As far as the argument that it must be Ok as many are coming to the Lord and the church I would have to say that size is not the arbiter of acceptability. Notice I did not say success because success in our world is often dictated by numbers as this particular pastor and others like him are seen as successes. Acceptableness is deemed by God, not man, and His word. Since scripture is clear that the use of foul language is inappropriate then I have to surmise it is inappropriate in all situations. Size may reveal the blessing of God but as we have seen over the years in the Western Church the number of attendees in a church does not necessarily correlate to spiritual transformation by God. Only time will tell if those that come to see the stage show are truly called of God or if they are there for the entertainment.

The bottom line is we are simply to preach the Word in a clear and understandable manner, as faith comes by the Word of God (Rom 10:17). It is not by ones exegetical prowess or mastery of speech but by the Holy Sprit that men and women are changed. One can claim to hold to the sufficiency of scripture but when one has to turn to means not dictated by God to deliver the message one is not truly showing a reliance on the sufficiency that may be preached.

This is not even necessarily about vulgar preaching, even thought tha is what instigated this, but it is about the vast numbers of preachers that claim to rely on God and His word but in practice rely on everything but His Word and the Holy Sprit to transform people. This is not trying to say that if one is in a foreign country one should not dress as those around them but is about trying to bridge the gulf between man and God with the materials of the world rather than the word of God. We have to seriously seek God’s word for what we are to do rather than our own understanding of how we think things should be.

I pray these thoughts were not too random as this was more me thinking out loud as there are numerous levels in which we let culture dictate what we do. We are often so entrenched in our culture that we become oblivious to it. The only way to combat this is to truly rely on the sufficiency of scripture and the sufficiency of scripture to reach His people through His Word plainly preached

Around the Web and Blogosphere (3/1/08)

Scott at These are the Generations of…. has a link to Family Life Today interview (2 parts) with Dr. Baucham entitled: The Call to Discipleship. This is a good interview and it is good to hear the interaction to many things I have heard Voddie speak on before. You can either pay for the download from Family Life Today or do as I do and sign up for the pod cast for free through ITunes.

Charley at HomeDiscipling Dad has some suggested books to read to help gain a biblical vision for discipling at home. I have read both When You Rise Up as well as Family Driven Faith and they are very good. We have Upgrade and it is on my list to read. By the way I have reviewed Family Driven Faith in the past and here is a link that will take you to a review of each chapter: Links to Chapter Reviews of Family Driven Faith

Paul at the Vaughnshire Farm blog speaks of the term Cultural Secession. Upon reading the post it is a good term as while many speak of those that resist culture are labeled as being irrelevant the truth is it is those that can remain outside, in some manner, the cultural norm that are the most likely to change it. When we become so entrenched in the culture around us we not only become blind to the problems inherent in the culture we also, over time, become unable to be the change agent we need to be.

Voting and the Bible

In this year in which we are to vote for a new president I have been increasingly concerned by the way many professing Christians decide on whom to vote for.  This is not a liberal or conservative issue as I see professing Christians from both viewpoints seeking out wisdom from everywhere but scripture, or at the least not giving supremacy to scripture.  It seems for some Christians the top priority is for a particular candidate not to win so they will vote for anyone to stop that candidate.  For others the top priority is some social issues and they will vote for that candidate no matter what their views are on such issues as abortion.  What I see from this is that there is a severe lack of trust in seeking scripture for an answer and then trusting in the answer that God gives through His word. 

Now I am not saying that these professing Christians do not claim to use scripture but even if they are close to the correct interpretation there often does not seem to be an issue if a particular candidate does not meet biblical criteria.  Yes, for believers we do need to vote for candidates that meet biblical criteria.  If a particular candidate sees no issue with the killing of innocent life but has good economic principles and even if they can help some disadvantaged people they would be disqualified from a biblical standard for ones vote.  While I may or may not see us as being a Christian nation it would be unconscionable for me not to vote so as that to be an outcome if God so deems it.  By the way, everyone in some manner votes to have their values upheld so why would not Christians do the same.

At the heart of the matter for many Christians is an apparent fear.  This is a fear that a particular candidate may win so many Christians speak of voting for a lesser of two evils.  When did it ever become OK to vote for any evil?  If there are no candidates that meet the biblical criteria then the call would be not to vote for any of the available candidates.  At the end of the day it is better for the church to have a clear conscience before God, a clear conscience based on His word and not subjective feeling, than to have voted for a candidate that God has said is not qualified.

So the question then seems to be what qualifies a candidate.  Well it is not perfection but scripture does give qualifications that believers need to pay attention to when it comes to choosing our leaders.  In the coming weeks, as time permits, I will mention some of these qualifications but the first would be that they are a brother in Christ.  Yes I said a Christian should be voting for a Christian.  Why, as Doug Phillips says in the CD set mentioned below, for starters scripture says that the beginning of wisdom is the fear of the Lord (Prov 1:7) thus it would sure seem wise to vote for one that is not a fool.  Thus voting for one that is not a Christian is not an option no matter their other views. 

The bottom line is we are not to be fearful and toss out scripture simply because we think the worst thing that can happen is a certain candidate would win.  Actually the worse thing that can happen is we have to stand before God and answer as to why we voted for a candidate that God says was not qualified.   Let us hold firm to our confidence in God and follow His guidelines and not some pragmatic plan that in the end denies the sufficiency of scripture and the sufficiency of God in the voting process.

For a sound biblical look at this topic I recommend a CD set by Doug Phillips:  Biblical Principles of the Ballot Box.  He gives a good overview on how we need to decide on whom we vote for.  

Around the Web and Blogosphere (2/20/08)

Well I was either on a plane or in an airport for 8 hours again today.  The truth is I hardly travel but it seems that lately I have been all over the place for work; today it is Denver on the way to St. Louis.  So, while siting in the airport I looked over the following:

Steve Camp writes: “"God in the Hands of Complacent Sinners"
...the dire need to recover a reverence for God in ministry”  While Steve’s focus is on the emergent folk who have “drank the kool-aid  of the emergent movement” there is a place where this article speaks just as much about the church as a whole.

 

Mark Dever writes: The Bondage of "Guidance".  I would add that often decisions would be much more clear if we just looked to scripture first.  So often people seek the subjective when the objective answers of scripture stare them right in the face because is many times the last place people look for answers to God’s will in a decision.  Simply because scripture does not say “take X or Y job” it does have clear biblical principles that will greatly minimize our choices.  When the choices are down to the minimum the Sprit of God will be the deciding factor.  Saying scripture is sufficient is not something we are to just say but we are to live as such.

 

Scott Brown has a great quote from George Whitefield: I Love those That Thunder Out the Word.  In 1739 Whitefield said: “I love those that thunder out the Word. The Christian world is in a deep sleep. Nothing but a loud voice can waken them out of it..” It is expository preaching through all of God’s word that allows it to be “thundered.”  Not just the parts that people want to hear but all of it clearly exposited.  Scott is part of an Expository Preaching Workshop March 7-8 in Wake Forest.  

At the Vaugnshire Farm blog there is a good post, Parallel Economy, by Paul on how the government often hinders free trade among its own people in the name of economics. By far things are not as bad as in many places in the world but never the less the government in the name of economics does hinder free trade and as Paul mentions it may only get more intrusive.  

February Giveaway at Challies.com

You can enter this months giveaway at Challies.com by clicking on the banner below.



From Tim:

This month’s sponsor is Franklin Springs Family Media. Franklin Springs exists “to provide families with top-quality DVDs that set forth a vision for the fullness of a God-honoring family life.” Their vision “is focused squarely on providing a picture of the exciting reformation that’s happening in families across the country. It’s a world of courageous servant/leader fathers, nurturing mothers who embrace the nobility of raising children, and children who embody the joyous adventure of being raised in a unified family.” If you have read this blog for any length of time you’ll know that I have reviewed most of the existing Franklin Springs titles and have found them well worth owning and well worth viewing.

The Prizes
First prize: Five Films Gift Pack: Still Standing: The Stonewall Jackson Story, Inherit the Land: Adventures on the Agrarian Journey, The Eden String Quartet: A Bountiful Blessing, A Journey Home, The Peasall Sisters: Family Harmony.

Second prize: New Films Pack: Still Standing: The Stonewall Jackson Story, Inherit the Land: Adventures on the Agrarian Journey.

Third Prize: Still Standing: The Stonewall Jackson Story.

Around the Web and Blogosphere (02/12/08)

There is a new wed site called Puritan Library that as a lot of Puritan works you can read online for free. This is a great resource and if you have not had the joy of reading any puritan works this is a good opportunity to do so at no cost, so check it out. I am presently reading John Flavel’s The Mystery of Providence, as part of the Puritan Reading Challenge. It is a great book that will give you a much greater appreciation for God’s works of providence in ones life and help you see how understanding providence does affect how we live the Christian life.

Over at Pulpit Magazine there is a post on Home, Private or Public Schooling? Read through the comments as I find it interesting that when the subject of Christians not using the public schools is broached that many take a defensive position and get upset. I have not always held my current views on public schooling, even while we homeschool our children, but have in the last few years come to see public schooling in light of scripture and can not reconcile the two. I would recommend watching Voddie Baucham’s DVD series, The Children of Creaser and especially part 1 entitled Whoever Controls the School Controls the World. Dr. Baucham gives a sound biblical basis for Christians to not send their children to public school and answers many of the objections to Christian parents pulling children from the public school system.

John Piper writes on: Abraham Lincoln's Path to Divine Providence. He also references an article by Marvin Olasky at World Magazine: Pilgrim Politician. Both of these articles are worthwhile reads. It is interesting to see that the despair of war that surrounded Lincoln drove him to God while Charles Darwin who was born (Feb 12, 1809) on the same day as Lincoln came to an entirely different conclusion when he looked at the world.

Germany Vs. Greece, Philosophy at its finest

And now for something completely different:



Thanks to the Conventicle Blog for reminding me about this video.

$25 Off at Vision Forum

By clicking below to get to Vision Forum and typing in the coupon code word, VISION, you can get $25 of on your next order.

This coupon is available to all customers as many times as you would like, one coupon per order, until midnight (CST) Saturday February 9th 2007.

Let us Gather Together

As I sit in Bradley International Airport (Connecticut) awaiting my flight home to Anaheim (CA) I began to contemplate the passage I am studying for this up coming weeks sermon, in light of last weeks sermon.

How lightly in this individualistic age do we take gathering together! As I continue in my study of Hebrews and get to Heb 10:26-31 I began to think about it’s connection with the preceding “Let Us…..” passages which includes one on stirring up one another by gathering together (10:24-25).

Not that the continual deliberate sinning mentioned in V26 is confined to “gathering together” but it would seem the thought that would enter the original listeners mind would at the least first go back to what was just said (V24-25). But, how many today see avoidance of fellowship with other beliers as a sin? I would suggest that many see it as some sort of necessary bother if even that. That may stem from a number of reasons with the first probably simply being the unregenerate nature of the professing church today. But right up there is the narcissistic preaching of many that is so focused on the individual that a natural consequence would be for the listener to seek ones own desires before that of the community, if there is any time left for community.

This is not to say that God is not interested in the individual but we must realize that a believing community is made up of individuals connected by the blood of Christ. Hebrews, in dealing with perseverance, speaks to this in 3:12-14. We are to care for one another not just physically but also spiritually. How can this be done if we are intent on our own self-interest above all things. Let us” sitr up” (Heb 10:24) and “exhort one another” (Heb 3:13) as we are called to by scripture. Let us gather together not simply to fulfill a duty but as a delight to be with the people of God in the presence of God.

If gathering together feels like it has become a chore, and you are truly a believer, God may have set this dryness as a sign to wrong motives for gathering together. While there is an aspect of being recharged for the week ahead in the world that can come from gathering together it sure seems like the vast number of “one another” verses would say that gathering is for service others rather than primarily self. This dryness may be ones sign to seek the heart God desires when gathering together. It is not a time to quit gathering until the correct motivation arrives but one of a time to continue gathering and repent of the attitude of duty and ask God to give you the delight that should come from obeying God and being with His people.

I pray that while the call to repentance is not always appreciated that you take this as intended because it is with repentance we can gain the joy we are designed as believers to have from communion with other believers. If need be come before God today and ask Him to set your heat as He intends it for this up coming Lord’s Day.

By the way Scott at These are the generations of.. has a good quote from Martyn-Lloyd Jones on going to church from Jones’ book Preachers and Preaching.

Around the Web and Blogosphere (2/1/08)

Don’t forget that all through the month of February that Sovereign Grace Ministries has a sale. All CD’s are $6 as well as reduced prices on some books and music. These prices along with no shipping charges makes for a great deal for great God centered music. If you only want on CD my favorite is the Valley of Vision CD.

John Piper writes: How Shall We Love Our Muslim Neighbor?

The White Horse Inn about a week ago aired a segment entitled: “Joel Osteen: A Case Study in American Religion.” You can listen to or download it HERE. This is part of series they are doing on the church today with other titles such as Christless Christianity and Crossless Christianity. You can listen to or download other shows HERE.

Over at Encouraging Expository Excellence John Brand has a link to a PDF on “rules for correctly handling parables” in his post: Profiting from Parables

SGCF after 6 Months

As we have reached the 6 month point in the life of Sovereign Grace Christian Fellowship it is time to reflect on what has transpired in those 6 months and here are a few thoughts:

First, the church got off to a rocky start due to a doctrinal issue that I thought had been covered but in the end I guess I had not done so to the degree it needed to be covered. The lesson I have learned is to make sure that key doctrinal areas are covered. Even if you think you may have covered them make sure you reiterate them again to get a consensus so as to avoid surprises.

One of the great positives has been the setting of the Lord’s Day service being in our house. This has made things seem a whole lot more relaxed and, at least to me, conducive to building community. What I have found though, and this may be a Southern California thing is that the fact the church is in our home may be foreign to some that are so used to the usual church building. The other thing I find myself dealing with is helping people see the difference between us having church in our house and being a house church. The main difference is, again this may be a Southern California thing, that most house churches seem to be more of a bible study than an actual church and the goal of SGCF is to be a church, no matter the setting.

It has a been a great joy when the smaller children join in with singing and take part in the service as a whole. What better way to learn to be part of a body of believers than to be with other adults from the beginning. In talking to some parents their main concern is that their children, who are usually used to the Sunday School routine, may not sit still. My usual comment is that we are here to help and it will take time but the results are well worth the effort. The longer one resides in the routine of Sunday School and youth group the harder it is but as I see this form of worship as the most biblical God will empower us to have the patience and stamina to change old habits. The other thing that greatly helps children to sit through a service is regular family worship, at home. We try and give tools for home worship such as a catechism for the month and a CD of the month’s songs that can be used to aid family worship at home. The family that has children that worship at home regularly will find it much easier to have them sit during the Lord’s Day.

On a personal note the study I have had to do while preaching through the book of Hebrews has given me insight into Hebrews that I have never had before. As I study I simply cannot fathom how one can down play the atonement of Christ by the sacrifice of Himself on the cross for the forgiveness of sin unless one simply ignores this book. As I read and study it is so clear that ones view of the cross will influence ones view of everything else. I can only surmise how others in our church are growing as we go through this book but I know I have grown in my time in Hebrews.

As we go into a new year we are excited to see how God will use SGCF. I pray that although we refer to ourselves as a Family Integrated Church people will understand we do not worship the family but the God who created the family to worship as he desires to be worshipped. As we move further along God’s path for us I will share the journey God is leading us on. I would also ask for your prayers for this year that God would use us as He sees fit to reach His world for His glory.

If you are in our area and looking for a place to worship we would enjoy having you worship with us on the Lord’s Day. You can check out more about the church on our website: Sovereign Grace Christian Fellowship.

Around the Web and Blogosphere (01/25/08)

Don’t forget you can still join the Puritan Reading Challenge. It’s never too late to read the Puritans.

We went to a conference this past week (1/19-1/20) that The Maxwell Family was speaking at. It was very good if not at times convicting. I am sure in this day and age of the church being enamored by the culture The Maxwell’s would seem quite strange to many but I was greatly encouraged by the talks that were given. I left realizing I have to ask myself how much I have allowed the culture dictate what I do rather than scripture. We all too often do not realize that the culture around us is dictating our actions until we see others that are seeking to push back. This is not, as Steve Maxwell mentioned, a call for isolationism but a call to live biblically regardless of what the goes on around us and regardless of what the culture sees as acceptable.

How often do Christians wonder about their purpose and what God would have them do? The problem is we tend to ask these questions but the answers are right in His Word, the place few people look for the answer. Mike Ratliff at Possessing the Treasure writes a post entitled God Wills Us to be Holy that speaks to one of the things God desires of us and which is a purpose of every believer, seeking to be holy. This does not speak to perfection as God will bring that about when we are called home but does speak to what we need to seek in our lives through the power of the Spirit. So if you are seeking to know God’s will for your life today one of His desires is for us to seek to be holy. It is also brought out that this is done by reading His Word and thus knowing what God commands us to do to seek this holiness He calls us to.

A Steward of the Secret Things blog has moved to a new site called Encouraging Expository Excellence.

We recently got the DVD “Children of Caesar” by Dr. Voddie Baucham and it is very good. So far we have only seen the first of the two DVDs that is entitled: Whoever Controls the School Controls the World. It was very good and I am sure that many will be upset with Voddie’s blanket rejection of public education. I think he does a great job of defending his position first from scripture as well as giving statistics that should reveal the truth about public education. As was said in the DVD ( I hope I get this right): “If we continue to send our children to Caesar for their education, we need to stop being surprised when they come home as Romans.” This is a DVD I highly recommend and even if you have heard much of what is said in other of Voddie’s presentations it is good to have it all in one place. You can purchase the DVD here.

Next month (2/1 – 2/29) there is a great sale at Sovereign Grace Ministries: Sovereign Grace CDs and Books for Ridiculous Prices — and Free Shipping. All of their CDs are $6 and their Pursuit of Godliness books are $5. To top this off there will be free domestic shipping.

Worships Now - Worship Later

As I was studying Psalm 63 this last week in preparation for Sunday last I was struck by how David did not simply out of the blue put aside all of his worries and turn to God but all that he did was a result of a life of worship. How we worship God now will greatly influence how we worship Him later. If we simply see God as a vending machine or bodyguard we will be disappointed when in the midst of a trial things do not turn out as we like

However, if we as David did, turn to God on a daily basis simply to worship Him as our Lord then when we are faced with troubles we can still cling to God, the one who sustains us (Ps 63:8). David in the midst of being hunted down by his son Absalom (2 Sam 15:13-37) in the wilderness does not turn to God and say “oh woes me, why me God” but instead as he had done many times before simply called out to God as his God and that in all of the mess he was in what was most important was that he sought after God.

The passage eloquently compares the physical with the spiritual in that David desired God more than food and water. Not just any water but the passage speaks of what would have been thought of as the finest food. He desired God so much he describes himself as panting or thirsting after Him. Remember his son is after him and it is not to borrow the car but to take his life and he still saw God as most important.

The message is that in whatever trial that God has we are to turn to Him. Not simply to have the trial subside but to instead simply be with God. This attitude of worship is one that is cultivated in times that are not as troubled. A true attitude of praising God on a constant basis will be instrumental in going through the valleys of darkness that we all face in various ways.

Our priorities now will greatly influence how we react to times ahead. If our priority is God then in times of trial He will be our priority then. If we are satisfied by stuff and then struggles ensue when stuff is hard to come by we will not be reaching out for God but we will be reaching out for things that we think that God can provide. David simply sought to cling to God, the God who sustained and supported Him.

My prayer for myself and for others is that I would truly cultivate a practice of worship now that will influence my life and the life of others later.

If you would like a copy of this weeks sermon you can either go to the church sermon page and click on Psalm 63 or you can go directly to Sermon Cloud and listen to. or download. it there: Worship Now-Worship Later