"Did Jesus Use the NIV? How Did We Get Our Bible?"

Here is a link to some audio of Dr. Timothy Paul Jones speaking on the subject of how we got our Bible.  This always seems to be a pressing question, one that we should be prepared to answer when critics ask (not to mention it is encouraging for us to know the facts). 

Reflecting on the Sermon: 10/23/11

We have moved into the a portion of Romans that becomes explicitly practical (beginning in Romans 12).  In light of all the mercy we have received (1-11), we are to go and show mercy (12-16).  Some people just want to discuss doctrine but never think about how it is applied.  This section reminds us that theology is meant to impact our everyday lives.

Rod spent the last two weeks on Romans 12:1-2. God didn't save you or me so we could just continue living for ourselves.  That was the root of our original problem.  He came to free us from that.  We are called to not be "conformed" but to be "transformed."  In other words, don't let the world squeeze you into its mold, but let your new nature be expressed in your body.  This really happens by the renewing of our minds.  So Christianity isn't just a way to modify behavior.  We must start with our minds, what we are thinking and wanting, if we are to ever see true transformation in our lives. 

What areas of thinking in your life need to be changed?  To figure it out, ask," where am I being conformed to the image of the world and not transformed by Christ?"

"How I Wish the Homosexuality Debate Would Go"

Here is an article by Trevin Wax illustrating how he wishes a pastor would respond to the issue of homosexuality if interviewed about it on TV.  It provides some good food for thought and illustrates ways that we can individually respond to friends and acquaintances about this issue.

Five Principles of Fruitful Ministry

Last night, at Bible study, we looked at 2 Timothy 1:1-7.  In this introduction, Paul is writing from a prison cell in Rome to his young son in the faith, Timothy.  He is writing to strengthen Timothy in his resolve to minister the gospel faithfully.  In this greeting, we saw five principles for having a fruitful ministry (based on how Paul ministered to Timothy and how he called Timothy to action). These apply to us all since every Christian is called to minister to one another and to share the gospel.

1. You must base your ministry on the authority of God’s Word. Paul had apostolic authority.  We have the Word of God from the Apostles (v. 1).
2. You must minister according to the “promise of life…in Christ Jesus” – the gospel message is what we are passing on.  The promise of life for those who trust in Jesus (v. 1).
3. You must minister in the context of discipleship relationships.  Paul was a spiritual father to Timothy- instructing him and living out a godly example (see 2 Tim. 1:13, 2:1-2, 3:10).  We should all look for a "Paul" and "Timothy" in our life (v. 2)
4. You must pray constantly for those you are ministering to.  God is the one we depend on in ministry. (v. 3)
5. You must fan into flame the gift of God.  Paul called Timothy to exercise the gifts God had given him (v. 6).

We realize ultimately all the fruit in ministry is produced and sustained by God, yet we have a job to do.  Let’s be faithful and fruitful servants of God.

"Mormonism, Democracy, and the Urgent Need for Evangelical Thinking"

Here is an article by Al Mohler on the subject of whether Mormonism is Christian and whether a Christian should ever consider voting for a Mormon.  The main points are: 1. Mormonism, by its own claims, is not the same as evangelical Christianity, 2. We should expect that most people will vote for candidates who come closest to their own worldview.  We should realize this will involve religious and moral convictions.  Read the whole thing...there are a lot more details.

In case you want to know more about Mormonism, here is a helpful article by Kevin DeYoung: Mormonism 101.

Thinking on Your Feet Requires Preparation

The title sounds like a bit of an contradiction doesn't it?  Thinking on your feet implies that you are not taking time to prepare.  If you wish that you could thinking and speak on your feet (whether defending the faith, counseling someone, or just thinking on your feet in general) this Charles Spurgeon quote is good to reflect on.  I think it emphasizes the hard work and careful thinking and studying which must be a way of life if we are to become good at thinking on our feet.  It seems that good, extemporaneous thinking is the product of training one's mind on a daily basis.  Oftentimes we just want the fruit of hard work, but not the work it takes to get it.  May we be encouraged to pursue good thinking in all areas of our life.

You will not be able to extemporize good thinking unless you have been in the habit of thinking and feeding your mind with abundant and nourishing food. Work hard at every available moment. Store your minds very richly, and then, like merchants with crowded warehouses, you will have goods ready for your customers, and having arranged your good things upon the shelves of your mind, you will be able to hand them down at any time without the laborious process of going to market, sorting, folding, and preparing. . . .  Take it as a rule without exception, that to be able to overflow spontaneously you must be full.

Reflecting on the Sermon: 10/9/11

We have finished the first 11 chapters of Romans.  So much doctrine which has now set the foundation for the practical out-workings in chapters 12 and following. 

In verses 28-36 of Romans 11, Rod showed four stages of God's sovereign guidance of history.  First, a time of Gentile disobedience.  Then a time of Jewish disobedience.  Then a time of mercy to the Gentiles (where we are living now).  Finally, a time of mercy for the Jews (once the full number of the Gentiles has come in).  The bottom line in all of this is that no one (Jew or Gentile) can boast because God planned it all and did it all. 

In light of all the wonderful truths of God's sovereignty and mercy, Paul breaks into a doxology extolling God's greatness.  It boggles the mind to reflect on the knowledge and wisdom of God.  Does pondering these great truths bring you to praise God in awe? 

One part I really enjoyed is when he discussed how all this talk about sovereignty doesn't make us fatalists.  Fate says all that is must be.  Providence (or God's sovereign working of all the details of life) comes from God, and God is wise and ordains everything with a purpose.  Fate has no purpose.  God has great ends or goals in mind.

"Fifty Fruits of Pride"- A Helpful Tool for Growth

Pride, by its very nature, is a self-deceptive sin.  It is often hard to recognize it one's own life because it blinds us to its existence.  Sometimes we recognize that we are sinning by  being prideful in general, but don't stop and think about the specific manifestations of this sin in our lives.  Without this recognition it is harder to battle the sin and temptation towards it effectively.  Here is a helpful list of "Fifty Fruits of Pride."  Don't be too prideful to examine yourself in this area.