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CampOnThis
Steve's reformed, biblical, thought-provoking, and exciting blog. Join him today... |
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October 29th 2009 - For the word of the cross is to those who are perishing foolishness,
but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
-1 Corinthians 1:18
One of the damnable lies that has crept into evangelicalism over the last fifty years (via a return to Finneyism) is that salvation is the result of your free will enacted by your own volition to decide to follow Jesus Christ so that you can gain eternal life. Rubbish! Salvation is the result of His sovereign election of His own from all eternity past in Christ Jesus (2 Tim. 1:9; Titus 1:1-2). Salvation is not the result of you mumbling some little sinners prayer, walking an aisle, raising a hand, or signing a decision card. "The only thing," as Jonathan Edwards has said, "that you bring to your salvation is the sin that makes it necessary."
So read the following words by brother C.H. Spurgeon and consider the greatness of your salvation - that it is all of grace, all of God, all of Christ Jesus the Lord, all of the regenerating ministry of the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:4-7). Any boasting in and of ourselves is excluded; any attribution in the smallest degree to man's free will is a gospel worthy of the dung hill (Roms. 3:21-31; Phil. 3:1-12). All our boasting and glory is in the Lord Jesus Christ alone (1 Cor. 1:27-31)!
Amen?
We stand in grace,
Steve
"I feel persuaded that false doctrine, inasmuch as it touches God's sovereignty, is always an object of divine jealousy. Let me indicate especially the doctrines of free-will. I know there are some good men who hold and preach them, but I am persuaded that the Lord must be grieved with their doctrine though he forgives them their sin of ignorance. Free-will doctrine—what does it? It magnifies man into God; it declares God's purposes a nullity, since they cannot be carried out unless men are willing. It makes God's will a waiting servant to the will of man, and the whole covenant of grace dependent upon human action. Denying election on the ground of injustice it holds God to be a debtor to sinners, so that if he gives grace to one he is bound to do so to all. It teaches that the blood of Christ was shed equally for all men and since some are lost, this doctrine ascribes the difference to man's own will, thus making the atonement itself a powerless thing until the will of man gives it efficacy. Those sentiments dilute the scriptural description of man's depravity, and by imputing strength to fallen humanity, rob the Spirit of the glory of his effectual grace: this theory says in effect that it is of him that willeth, and of him that runneth, and not of God that showeth mercy.
Any doctrine, my brethren, which stands in opposition to this truth—"I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy," provokes God's jealousy. I often tremble in this pulpit lest I should utter anything which should oppose the sovereignty of my God; and though you know I am not ashamed to preach the responsibility of man to God—if God be a sovereign, man must be bound to obey him—on the other hand, I am equally bold to preach that God has a right to do what he wills with his own, that he giveth no account of his matters and none may stay his hand, or say unto him, "What doest thou?" I believe that the free-will heresy assails the sovereignty of God, and mars the glory of his dominion. In all faithfulness, mingled with sorrow, I persuade you who have been deluded by it, to see well to your ways and receive the truth which sets God on high, and lays the creature in the dust." — C. H. Spurgeon |
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October 5th 2009 - "The good life is the middle way;
Between ambition and compassion,
Between action and reflection,
Between company and solitude,
Between hedonism and abstinence,
Between passion and judgment,
Between the cup of coffee and the glass of wine..."
-Jay McInerney
Author of “Bright Lights, Big City” and “The Good Life”
Jay is an author who has been labeled by the media as part of the new generation of writers called “the literary brat-pack.” He was a resident of my town, Nashville, TN, for a number of years before returning to Greenwich Village, NY in 2005. His career began with the zeitgeist "Bright Lights, Big City" published in 1984. Throughout his career McInerney has struggled against the strong, almost indelible, image of himself as both the author and protagonist of "Bright Lights, Big City." In an interview conducted by Ron Hogan in 1997 – Beatrice Interview – he said the following, “There's always been a personal element to my critical reception as a writer; people say that I'm too much of a public figure, too successful. My relationship with the press is an odd hall of mirrors.” I understand that tension very well.
His words above (which you can find at Starbucks on the “The Way I See It” cup #138) represent a very significant voice, belief, and ideal in the postmodern dialogue.
His key phrase is the opening one: the good life is the middle way. This is the hopeless reationale of the unregenerate thinkers of our time--is it not?
The middle (the between) is the easy place. It is the place of compromise, imagined contentment, and prolonged consequence. It is the great-negotiated corridor that seeks to appeal to as many as possible, but seeks to define nothing. It is the great vacancy occupied in the land called “Between”. It is the marketers dream and the prophets’ thorn. It is the place of indelible grey where truth distinctions are blended, blurred, and efficaciously bland. The middle way is safe, but not life changing; comfortable, but not reforming; acceptable, and demands no suffering; happy, but void of the holy; lukewarm, but neither cold or hot. It is the broadway that leads to destruction. It asks to bear no cross; it seeks only to pacify; it requires no repentance; and sin is just a four-letter word.
It is this benign existence of “between” that Jay unfolds above. Let me ask you today: what is the good life and where is it to be found? What is the answer to Mr. McInerney’s unasked question of “between?” What is the way out of the tepid, to a life which is hot? What does it mean to live life to the fullest, rather than to live it in the half-heartedness of “between?”
Read the rest of "From the Church of St. Arbucks..." |
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September 18th 2009 - Should we be charging for ministry? It's an important question; and how we answer it will have tremendous consequences as to how we approach and do ministry... biblically.
As more and more Christian Publishers and CCM music companies are being bought out by non-Christian companies, have they now become unequally-yoked by surrendering their spiritual autonomy for the promise of more distribution, marketing, sales, and influence? What about corporate sponsorships for CCM touring artists or authors for their conferences and/or worship events? Should speakers and artists be charging tickets to the general public and Christian community for the purpose of worship and/or evangelistic outreach? Should pastors be charged heavy fees to attend another Bible conference designed to equip them for ministry? Has money replaced ministry? Has pragmatics replaced biblical thinking on these issues? Are those who have signed with a non-Christian company to release their CD's and books in sin or is it an a-moral issue; an issue of conscience? Has ministry been turned into big business? What's the balance in all of these things and what does the Bible say about these things?
This is an important discussion that is resurfacing today. I would like to know your thoughts on this important subject.
"Freely we have received; freely we must give..."
Steve
2 Cor. 4:5-7
Let's Begin Here With a Look Back in Church History
John Tetzel is not as famous as his counterpart, Martin Luther, but his role in the Reformation, though insidious, can be enlightening and a helpful warning to us all. Tetzel was Rome's chief fundraiser and one of its most politically savvy and influencial lobbyists. Money earned in the arena of faith owned his heart. Truth mixed with errror dominated his message and he profited from it significantly.
We are at a similar crossroads in our day. Faith is now big business; from publishing to Christian music money dominates the scenery which must produce big profits due to its almost exclusive secular owndership and executive management. Money--not ministry, seems to be the passion of the hour.
CLICK HERE to read the rest of "We're Still Paying John Tetzel...".
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September 15th 2009 - I like Starbucks very much... It is my first stop in the morning everyday after I get my children to school. It is a great place to work on the blog; read the news; study the Word; and interact with the faithful members of the church of St. Arbucks.
Some evangelicals are up in arms at SB's recent "The Way I See It" campaign which solicits short quips and thoughts about life, culture, the times, etc. and posts them on their paper-mugs. The reason that some are concerned is because of the nontraditional family values liberal bent of most of their messages (like the one shown) that are appearing on their paper mugs once you shed the brown protective wrap.
Personally, I don't mind them at all (even though I am a conservative politically and a Reformed Baptist). In fact I thank the Lord for them. That's right--this is a blessing, a gift to the body of Christ. Why? When I order my favorite "cup of Joe" at St. Arbucks, I immediately remove the brown sleeve to see what new "message" is printed on my cup. I then share that message with another standing in line or seated at the tables. It engages us in the lively art of conversation about all matters of issues and I am wonderfully afforded the opportunity to bring the biblical worldview into the discussion. This has proven to be a fantastic way to proclaim the gospel of grace and the truth claims of our Lord Jesus to those who will never come to church on a Sunday or show up at the myriad of Christian events circling the evangelical planetary subculture that many Christians choose to remain hidden within.
So may I encourage you today to write our good friends in Seattle, thank them for opening up many great opportunities for the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, continue to go to the church at St. Arbucks (its service times are seven days a week from 7am to 10pm in most cities--and they are always full) and dialogue with the patrons from a biblical worldview, explain the hope that is within you with gentleness and reverance and enjoy some of the finest "Joe" in the world.
Let's be salt and light,
For those who have ears to hear...
Campi
Matthew 5:13-20 |
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August 25th 2009 - 2 Peter 3:9 is one of the most misunderstood verses in all of the Bible. But as in real estate, location - or context - is crucial in "rightly dividing the word of truth." This is a tremendous verse on the saving of God's elect people from all eternity and needs to be understood correctly.
Successful evangelism is not derived according to our techniques, programs, contextualizations, or methods; but according to the gospel - which is "the power of God unto salvation" (Roms. 1:16-17). The Apostle Paul clearly states in Roms. 10:17 that "...faith come by hearing and hearing by the word of Christ" - literally meaning, the gospel.
Click on the play icon contained in the YouTube video below to listen and understand a fine teaching on this important verse. May the Lord encourage and strengthen your hearts today with further confidence that the Lord is not slow concerning His promises.
Enjoy this Lord's Day beloved - for "this is the day that He has made rejoice and be glad in it!" (Psalm 118:24).
Grace and peace to you,
Steven
2 Cor. 4:5-7
Enjoy other fine teachings from the good folks at Cross TV |
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August 8th 2009 - "For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified" -Romans 8:29-30.
This is one of the most profound and assuring promises in all of Scripture. It is commonly referred to as, "The Golden Chain of Salvation." It is a chain of five eternal links: God foreknew; God predestined; God called; God justified; and God glorified. Every aspect of our salvation is all and only of Him. No room for man's self-glory here; no room for a hint of human praise; no room for boasting in ourselves. This is the great work of the Lord alone in our salvation. Past, present and future hope secured for us in Christ Jesus. So therefore, we joyfully say with the apostle Paul, "if God be for us, who can be against us? For it is God who justifies..." (Rom. 8:31f).
1.) God foreknew: foreknowledge does not mean here to know about future events in advance. God is omniscient - knowing all things in all times concerning all His creatures and creation. Nothing is hidden from His sight and He, contrary to the heresy of The Open Theists, is not "presently learning" nor stunted in His knowing (Psalm 139). Foreknowledge is never used in terms of knowing about future events, times or actions (omniscience).
"Foreknowledge is a predetermined relationship in the knowledge of God. God brought the salvation relationship into existence by decreeing it into existence ahead of time" (MacArthur Study Bible, 1 Peter 1:2). God foreknew us by setting His electing love in pre-establishing an intimate relationship with those that He has sovereignly chosen in Christ before the foundations of the world (Eph. 1:4-6; 1 Peter 1:1-2). It is, I believe, only used in regards to God's electing love of His people and not, as some suggest, a "knowing ahead of time of events and actions." God knew us, had established relationship with us in times past eternal. He foreknew us. The antithesis of this is what the Lord said in Matthew 7:23, "depart from, I've never known you." Those are the most frightening words in Scritpure, aren't they?
Foreknowledge was also used in this manner with Christ. Peter says, "He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for your sake" (1 Peter 1:20). Christ was foreknown in the eternal Trinitarian relationship of Father, Son and Holy Spirit. There was intimacy of relationship within the Trinity before anything that was made was made. The promise for us is that He foreknew us before the world was made... What God established in eternity, He brought about in time in our salvation through Christ our Lord.
Read the rest of "God's Great Golden Chain" |
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