The Difference between the Unconverted and Converted Person

William Arnot:

The difference between an unconverted and a converted man, is not that one has sins and the other has none. But the one takes part with his cherished sins against a dreaded God and the other takes part with his reconciled God against his hated sins.

Is Self-Pity Pride?

Last Sunday evening, while we were discussing the sermon, I mentioned a quote from John Piper that has been painfully helpful in my own life. In his book, Desiring God, he points out how pride is not just a problem the boastful have.

Boasting is the response of pride to success. Self-pity is the response of pride to suffering. Boasting says, ‘I deserve admiration because I have achieved so much.’ Self-pity says, ‘I deserve admiration because I have sacrificed so much.’ Boasting is the voice of pride in the heart of the strong. Self-pity is the voice of pride in the heart of the weak. … The need self-pity feels does not come from a sense of unworthiness, but from a sense of unrecognized worthiness (Desiring God: Meditations of a Christian Hedonist, pg. 302).

This line of thinking is uncomfortable. When I am in the midst of pitying myself, I don't feel like I am being prideful. However, I am still thinking much of myself. I am just sad others haven't recognized my greatness along with me. Oh, how sinister and deceptive pride is.  But thanks be to God that he is transforming us into the image of his humble Son. Let's keep asking him to reveal our pride and to help us see Jesus more clearly in his Word so that we might be more like him.

Some Good Things from the Shepherd's Conference

A couple of weeks ago I had the joy of attending the Shepherd's Conference in Sun Valley, CA. Here are a few good things from my experience there. The sessions will be available online soon. I particularly enjoyed John MacArthur, Al Mohler, and Conrad Mbewe.

1. So many men's voices singing

We sang and listened to special music quite a bit. Bob Kauflin, Keith and Kristen Getty, and Grace Community Church all took turns leading 4,500 men in singing praise to Christ! Just like at Together for the Gospel conferences, the sound of so many deep voices singing was moving, especially because the content of our songs were about our Lord. The special music was also quite powerful.

2. The international fellowship

I observed that there were many internationals at the conference. There were many there from places like South America, Europe, etc. I chatted with a man who is a pastor of a church in Scotland and was encouraged to hear that in the city of Edinburgh there are several expository preaching, healthy churches. I know that Europe is still in great need of revival, but it was refreshing to meet this sign of God's on going grace in Europe. I also met folks who were on the mission field from the US (two of whom our church supports in the Middle East).

3. Quotes  (Paraphrases)/ good points

 John MacArthur (2 Cor. 4:5)

"Don't overestimate your importance in ministry"
"I don't need the credit of the results of gospel ministry and, thankfully, the responsibility to secure results is not mine."
"Our weakness is not fatal to the gospel"
Concerning Paul, "no one gave him a trophy at the end. He could die knowing his crown of glory, the best, was yet to come."

Michael Reeves (John 1:1-3)

"Don't preach a secular / sacred divide. Preach that all things bear His stamp and glory." 

Ligon Duncan (John 6)

We must not simply think more people [in our ministry] is a sign of revival. In love, we must look to see, do they want the Bread of Life or are they looking for satisfaction in other things." 

Mark Jones (Isaiah 50)

"It seems to me that God often gives you a lot more than you can handle [so that we cry to him],"

Miguel Nunez (John 14:6)

"Error is often OK with taking in the truth too, as long as it isn't exclusive truth." 

HB Charles (Eph. 1:14-23)

"You cannot have a high view of Jesus and low view of the church."

Al Mohler (John 15:18-16:4)

"We are tempted to think we can be at peace with the culture or that the culture is neutral."
"How arrogant of us to think we will be thought of and treated better than Jesus [the perfect one]."

Do Millions of Women Turn to Planned Parenthood for Mammograms?

The Senate minority leader, Schumer, made a claim that is OFTEN repeated. Here is the way he tweeted it:

“#Trumpcare cuts @PPFA funds, hurting millions of women who turn there for mammograms, maternity care, cancer screenings & more.”
— Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.), post on Twitter, March 7, 2017

This is in the context of the healthcare debates. I am not at all familiar with the proposed legislation and am not arguing for or against it. I think Christians should care about it, but I have not had the time to read up on it, and I don't get to vote on it.

My point is his claim that PPFA (planned parenthood federation of America) provides millions of women with vital healthcare needs like mammograms.

The Washington Post, which is very much not a conservative national paper, decided to fact check Shumer's claim. Here is the fact from the Washington Post's article:

Planned Parenthood does referrals for mammograms, and some affiliates host free mammography mobile vans for low-income and uninsured women. It does not have mammogram machines at its affiliate clinics. The Food and Drug Administration’s list, updated weekly, of certified mammography facilities does not list any Planned Parenthood clinics.

That's right, they do not have any mammography machines in their offices. Zero. They do have a few mobile vans, but the number served is low - certainly not millions.

Al Mohler's Article on "The Shack"

My assumption is that you have not had a desire to watch the new movie The Shack (based on the novel by William Young). But, perhaps you know friends who have. Here is an article by Al Mohler discussing the theological issues with the novel.

Ask a Friend to Read the Bible with You - Resources to help

In his book One to One Bible Reading: a simple guide for every Christian, David Helm mentions a study from 2009 which asked unchurched young adults (20 somethings) to agree or disagree with this statement: "I'd be willing to study the Bible if a friend asked me to." In that age bracket, 61% said they agreed.

Couple that with the fact that the Bible reminds us that the Word of God is what we and our friends need to hear if we would be saved and grow in godliness (1 Thessalonians 2:13-16, 2 Tim. 3:16, Heb. 4:12, Psalm 19, Rom 1:16, Romans 10).

In light of all this, let me encourage you to invite a friend (especially an unbelieving friend) to read through a Gospel with you to see who Jesus is for themselves. You might be surprised how many would not be willing to come to church but who would like to sit and read through a Gospel with a friend.

Here are two resources to help you get started.

1. One to One Bible Reading: a simple guide for every Christian. You can see the table of contents here. You can buy it form amazon here. It is a short book and very helpful. 
2. Christianity Explained is a 6 meeting study that goes through parts of Mark's Gospel to show who Jesus claimed to be, what he did, and the message of salvation. I have used this with several people and found it helpful. I have a copy of you want to look at it. You can see more info here. 

Praying the Bible

This past Sunday night, during our time of praying together as a church, we prayed through the first few verses of Psalm 103 (which, by the way, was the fighter verse / memory verse for last week...I hope you are trying to memorize Scripture with me this year).

Here are three resources on praying the Bible to help you in your personal times of prayer and in praying in groups.

• John Piper just did an "Ask Pastor John" podcast on how he prays the Bible (about 11 min. long).
• Here is a longer (80 minute) video by Don Whitney on praying the Bible (he did this at our Bible conference a year ago). You can get audio from here.
• Also, Don Whitney has a book on praying the Bible. 

On the topic of praying together, Megan Hill has a book that Beth has told me is encouraging on praying together (it is a fairly short read). 

I hope to see you on Sunday nights for our time of praying as a church family (it is ok if you don't know how to "pray the Bible.")