An Emptiness Inside

Last night (Wednesday), we began of Faith Promise Missions Conference. Our theme is "The Missing Piece." The idea behind the theme is that each of us have a responsibility in the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20, etc.), or a piece of the puzzle. Just as there is nothing more frustrating and unfulfilling then working hard on a puzzle to only get to the end and have a piece missing, our church can only fulfill our part of God's Command if everyone does their part. 

Our first missionary was Daniel Coates, veteran missionary to Guatemala. I have known him for a while now, but this was the first time he came to a church that I was at as I was the pastor. Every night during missions conference we ask the missionary to introduce himself and his family, give their presentation (usually a dvd or power-point production that allows us to see the work being done first hand), field any questions, then preach to us the Word of God. Bro. Coates chose Genesis 2:20-24 as his text, and the title of his message was, "The Marriage of Missions." 

He began by emphasizing the role that Adam played in naming all the animals that God passed by him (2:19-20). The problem that Adam had was that as every male animal came by, it had a female companion with him, which caused Adam to realize that he had not a companion, or a help meet for him. So thus, God created woman. Bro. Coates then went on and did a tremendous job in comparing the husband/wife relationship to the relationship between the Church and the Christian.

This morning, I began to think a little more about what Adam must have been feeling when he realized that he was missing something. He must of had a little bit of emptiness inside. Have you ever felt that way before? I am sure it happens to all of us at some point or another. I think when we are faced with those kinds of feelings and circumstances, we need to remember that the emptiness that is there is meant to be filled by God, and by Him alone. Anything else that we try to fill that emptiness with (work, family, hobbies, etc.), will never fill it because it is a God-sized hole that only He can fill. Just as God had the answer for Adam's emptiness, God has our answer. We must turn to the One who can bring true value and fulfillment. 

BTW - Bro Daniel Coates is an excellent missionary. If you would like more info on how to contact him, let me know and I will pass that information on to you. You, or your church, would not do wrong by supporting this good family monthly as they minister in Guatemala. 

eBook Review: How Do We Know The Bible Is True by Ken Ham and Bodie Hodge

ABOUT (From the Publisher):

Today there are untold voices in print, on television, and online calling for our attention, and so many of these mock or belittle our faith. From coworkers to those calling themselves Christians, the tone has become one of reproach, disparaging the character of God and undermining the authority of the Bible. For those who have a heart for God, it can be intimidating and discouraging.

How Do We Know the Bible is True?is based on the absolute authority of God’s Word, not man-centered explanations. Clearly presented, it will help bring clarity in a world filled with increasingly vague notions of truth. Over 20 relevant issues are discussed including:

• Is the Bible totally without error?
• Did the resurrection really happen?
• How do we know that the 66 books of the Bible are from God?
• Does the Bible contradict itself?
• How were people saved before Jesus came?
• What is the purpose and meaning of life?
• Did miracles really happen?
• Was Genesis derived from ancient myths?
• How should we interpret the Bible; should Genesis be literal?
• Do you have to believe in a young earth to be saved?

Within these pages you will find responses to those honest questions of faith, helping to build a confidence in God’s Word and inspiring your daily walk in His grace and peace.

These powerful biblical insights are soundly presented by more than a dozen respected defenders of the faith, including Ken Ham, John MacArthur, Terry Mortenson, Jason Lisle, Brian Edwards, Tommy Mitchell, Jobe Martin, Georgia Purdom, Bodie Hodge, and Roger Patterson.

6 x 9 • 300 Pages • Paper

MY TAKE:

First, you must understand that this a collection, more than a book. There are 28 topics covered by a variety of different authors. To me, that makes this a good study book, but not something that you would necessarily read cover to cover, thought many might choose to do so. I say that because some chapters, or topics, were not as interesting to me as others. I could see this work being used best as something you referred to when faced with questions on a certain subject, almost like an encyclopedia.

One thing that I appreciated was that this work uses the Bible as its source of truth first, then reaching out to outside sources. You will find a variety of topics. One of my favorite ones was on the Mosaic authorship of the Pentateuch.

MY RECOMMENDATION:

This is a book that I would recommend as a good source of information and something to keep handy when doing basic fact-finding research. You can purchase this book here.

 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

eBook Review: Answers Book 4 Teens

ABOUT (from the Publisher):

There’s no mistake...God is seeking you.

Friends, teachers, and the world in general will tell you that Christianity and faith is a lie. Atheism and Eastern religions are more fashionable. The culture tells you to look and act certain ways or people will think you’re a loser or weird. If you say you believe in God, you can expect people to be in your face, doing their best to tear down God, the Bible, and your belief in Christ.

By now, you may even have a few doubts – everything seems so crazy and pointless, how can you believe God really does care about what is going on with you? Or if God is in charge of this chaos called life?

You aren’t the only one with questions! Find great answers to 15 popular faith questions and discover why the world is such a mess, why you can believe in Christ, and why God wants a relationship with you!

For ages 13 to 17

7 x 9 • 96 pages • Paper

MY TAKE:

The issue of God, Creation, and what is being taught to teens and young adults is something that I have always been fascinated with, ever since my days at the Norris Bible Baptist Seminary while sitting in my Pentateuch class listening to the teachings of Bro. Jonathan Stewart. While not everyone has the blessing and opportunity to be immersed in this subject at a Seminary, this book does a good job in answering many questions young believers, those who are curious and seeking God, and even many non-believers, have about God, Creation, Evolution, etc. This is the kind of book that you could give to someone on the subject, and them not be overwhelmed with all the technical and scientific details, thought they are out there for those who want further study. 

This book is primarily geared towards teens, so it also delves into the issues many of them face today, such as sex, homosexuality, etc. In doing so, it is very compassionate, yet firm on the truth of God's Word. My only really complaint is that it is geared towards teens. I say that because this would be a good resource to give anyone of any age, but they may be turned off of it because they are "too old." Then again, there may be another version of this out there for adults, and I have just not seen it yet.

MY RECOMMENDATION:

I would whole-heartily recommend this book to every tween and teen, especially those in a public school, and or, College University. I would also recommend it to anyone who is curious and seeking the truth about God, while encouraging them to not get "bogged down" with the teen branding of the book. You can purchase a paperback copy here. 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

2/26 11am - MEEKNESS – SUBMITTING TO GOD

SERIES: STOP DOING AND START GROWING

TITLE: MEEKNESS – SUBMITTING TO GOD

TEXT: GALATIANS 5:22-23

INTRO:

· Love (Agape – God’s love in us)…joy (In Jesus, despite circumstances)…peace (inner, outer, eternal)…longsuffering (patience) …Gentleness (kindness)…Goodness (doing good for others)…Faith (faithfulness)…

· Today, we come to Meekness, which has been defined as:

o Matthew Poole – Forbearance of passion, rash anger, and hastiness of spirit.

o Matthew Henry – Governing our passions and resentments, so as not to be easily provoked, and, when we are so, to be soon pacified.

· We could easily summarize meekness as having our power under control.

o Power=authority, emotions, passions, etc.

· In regards to studying meekness this week, I read this: "If all God's attributes were offered at auction, the last one to be sold would be meekness.”[1]

· Meekness is not an attribute that this society promotes. So, who do we look to? Jesus is our example.

o Matthew 11:29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

o The meekness of Jesus in seen in His willingness to empty Himself to the will of His Heavenly Father.

o He had the power to stop his trial, crucifixion, etc. But His meekness is heard in the words of His prayer in the Garden, “Not my will, but thine be done.”

· This is the pattern that we should follow.

o Exercising our power, or our God-given free-will, and yielding ourselves to God.

· We will study two ways to develop meekness in our lives as we yield to the Holy Spirit today:

I. WE DEVELOP MEEKNESS BY SUBMITTING TO GOD’S WILL

a. Meekness is not mildness and it is not weakness. Meekness means that you will do God’s will, that you are willing to yield your will to the will of God.^[2]

b. Romans 12:1-2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

c. What does it mean to submit to God’s will?

d. One way to define “submission to God’s will” is the presenting of yourself to Him as a LIVING sacrifice.

e. A sacrifice was totally consumed on the altar.

i. We are to be totally consumed by Jesus Christ.

f. But notice the difference from this sacrifice and the OT sacrifices:

i. #1 - We are presenting ourselves – not forced…tied down, etc.

ii. #2 - Living sacrifice – we can get off at any time…daily choice to live for God.

g. All this speaks to the choice we have in giving everything we have over to God.

h. And because we are not giving ourselves freely over to God, we are more CONFORMED by the world than TRANSFORMED by the Word.

i. Meekness, in essence, is the choice to take our power, our might, our ability, and give it over completely to God.

j. Deuteronomy 6:5 And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.

II. WE DEVELOP MEEKNESS BY SUBMITTING TO GOD’S WORD

a. James 1:21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.

i. Def of Superfluity – abundance

ii. Speaks of excess of sin and an overflow of the filth of the world.

iii. The word ‘overflow’ does not mean that some wickedness is all right and the Christian should only be concerned about excess in wickedness. James’s point is that we are to get rid of remaining sin. ^[3]

iv. And we do this by submitting ourselves to the Word of God.

v. James says that we do this by receiving it.

vi. EX: You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink.

1. This appears to be the oldest English proverb that is still in regular use today. It was recorded as early as 1175 in Old English Homilies.

2. Simply means that people will only do what they have a mind to do.[4]

b. God could have, in all of His sovereign power, forced you and me to worship Him and to receive His Word.

i. But He has created all of us and given to us free-will, so that we may CHOOSE to worship Him and receive His Word.

c. It is a choice that each of us have today – submit to the Word of God. How do we do this?

i. Recognize that God is the author: 2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

ii. Recognize that God know best what is for us: Romans 8:28–29 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. 29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

iii. Recognize that God will teach us – Psalm 86:11 Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: Unite my heart to fear thy name.

CLOSE:

It is through reading and meditating on God’s Word that we learn what God’s will is for our life.

If we are not reading and meditating on our Bible, then we cannot expect to be living in the will of God.

---

[1] http://www.thebiblewayonline.com/Active/Life%20of%20Christ-Meek.html

^[2] McGee, J. V. (1991). Vol. 46: Thru the Bible commentary: The Epistles (Galatians) (electronic ed.). Thru the Bible commentary (105). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

^[3] Ellsworth, R. (2009). Opening up James (57–58). Leominster: Day One Publications.

[4] http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/you-can-lead-a-horse-to-water.html

FAITH – FAITHFULNESS IN ALL ASPECTS OF LIFE

Click here to listen to full audio version

SERIES: STOP DOING AND START GROWING

TITLE: FAITH – FAITHFULNESS IN ALL ASPECTS OF LIFE

TEXT: GALATIANS 5:22

INTRO:

·       Love (Agape – God’s love in us)…joy (In Jesus, despite circumstances)…peace (inner, outer, eternal)…longsuffering (patience) …Gentleness (kindness)…Goodness (doing good for others).

·       Today we come to Faith, or FAITHFULNESS.

·       We know that God is faithful to us in all things.

o  1 Thessalonians 5:24 Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.

o  1 Corinthians 1:9 God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.

·       We know God is faithful, and He gifts to us the ability through the Holy Spirit to be faithful. But what does it mean to be faithful?

·       Faith, in this list, means faithfulness. If you are a child of God, you will be faithful.

o  If you are married, you will be faithful to your husband or wife.

o  If you are an employee, you are going to be faithful to your job and to your boss.

o  If you are a church member, you are going to be faithful to your church.

o  You are going to be faithful wherever you are and in whatever you do.^[1]

·       This will be our focus this morning - FAITHFULNESS IN ALL ASPECTS OF LIFE

I.                  FAITHFULNESS WITH PROMISES

a.   Ecclesiastes 5:4–7 When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed. 5 Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay. 6 Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin; neither say thou before the angel, that it was an error: wherefore should God be angry at thy voice, and destroy the work of thine hands? 7 For in the multitude of dreams and many words there are also divers vanities: but fear thou God.

b.   Promises inevitably spring from an encounter with God in worship and Word.

                                                            i.      But, we must be careful, for the Preacher {of Ecclesiastes} goes on to say, ‘Better not to vow than to vow and not pay’ (v. 5). It would appear that he is telling his readers that many vows made to God are unnecessary, but once made, must be kept.

                                                         ii.      We see this tragically depicted in the story of Jephthah and his daughter (Judg. 11:29–40).

1.   Vows to go to make a burnt offering of the first person who walks through the door if God will defeat the Ammorites.

2.   God does and the first person who walks through the door is his daughter. He fulfilled his vow.

                                                      iii.      How many idle promises do we make to God in the heat of the moment or in the charged atmosphere of a particular circumstance? How many have we fulfilled?

                                                       iv.      Jesus taught that it was better to say nothing and then do the will of God than to make an idle promise that would remain unfulfilled (Matt. 21:28–31 – 2 sons in vineyard). Peter was quick to say to Jesus: ‘Even if I have to die with you, I will not deny you!’ (Matt. 26:35); yet it was not long before his words were rendered meaningless (Matt. 26:69–75).^[2]

                                                          v.      We need to take our promises seriously – because God does!

II.               FAITHFULNESS WITH PEOPLE

a.   Matthew 19:1-9

                                                            i.      We live in a throw away world – and this includes people’s marriages.

                                                         ii.      EX: Funeral – 35 years at death.

                                                      iii.      Now, people do it for whatever reason: I’m not happy…etc.

1.   A sign of the selfishness of our day.

                                                       iv.      But if God brought you together, then you should not split it.

                                                          v.      Children are often used as the reason why there needs to be a divorce (They deserve a happy mom/dad…) – BUT THEY ARE ALWAYS THE ONES WHO SUFFER THE MOST.

                                                       vi.      We’ve spent years and years trying to remove the stigma away from something that Jesus says should not be divided, and that Moses only gave it because of the hardness of people’s heart.

b.   But it is more than just marriage, what about your kids, job, etc. Can people count on you?

                                                            i.      Christians should be the most trustworthy of all people, yet it is often furthest from the truth.

                                                         ii.      EX: Christian business

III.            FAITHFULNESS WITH PRIORITIES

a.   Matt 22:34-40

b.   What are your priorities?

c.    If I have to prioritize God, put God into some sort of hierarchical to-do list, then I have missed the whole concept of what it means to walk with God.

                                                            i.      First, God isn’t a priority in life; God is life. He isn’t more important than your family any more than air is more important than your shoes. I don’t prioritize breathing; I breathe so that I live.[3]

d.   When we make God our full focus, when He is our life – then the right things will be our priorities.

e.   Family

f.      Church

g.    Serving others in our community to spread the Gospel.

h.   Too many Christians make work…activities…hobbies…their hobbies…their tradition…their first priority.

i.      Where you spend your time is where your priorities are located.

CLOSE:

Can you be counted on to be faithful?

Promises…People…Priorities

---

^[1] McGee, J. V. (1991). Vol. 46: Thru the Bible commentary: The Epistles (Galatians) (electronic ed.). Thru the Bible commentary (105). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

^[2] Winter, J. (2005). Opening up Ecclesiastes (73–74). Leominster: Day One Publications.

[3] Ten Stupid Things That Keep Churches from Growing: How Leaders Can Overcome Costly Mistakes by Geoff Surratt,  Kindle version, location 598-599

eBook Review: Against Calvinism by Roger Olson

ABOUT THIS BOOK:

Calvinist theology has been debated and promoted for centuries. But is it a theology that should last? Roger Olson suggests that Calvinism, also commonly known as Reformed theology, holds an unwarranted place in our list of accepted theologies. In Against Calvinism, readers will find scholarly arguments explaining why Calvinist theology is incorrect and how it affects God's reputation. Olson draws on a variety of sources, including Scripture, reason, tradition, and experience, to support his critique of Calvinism and the more historically rich, biblically faithful alternative theologies he proposes. Addressing what many evangelical Christians are concerned about today---so-called 'new Calvinism,' a movement embraced by a generation labeled as 'young, restless, Reformed' ---Against Calvinism is the only book of its kind to offer objections from a non-Calvinist perspective to the current wave of Calvinism among Christian youth. As a companion to Michael Horton's For Calvinism, readers will be able to compare contrasting perspectives and form their own opinions on the merits and weaknesses of Calvinism.

MY TAKE:

This was a really good book to read on a subject that is not too in vogue in today’s intellectual Christianity – anti-Calvinism. So much of what is being taught and produced today seems to be from a Calvinistic perspective, with such names a John Piper and RC Sproul leading that charge. Now, the common assumption is that if you are not Calvinistic in your soteriology (the doctrine of salvation), then you just are not studied or learned. But Roger Olson does a good job in shedding light on the dangers of this way of thinking, especially in regards to the “High Calvinism” that is so prevalent today in the Christian Blogosphere. The author does a good job in picking apart the TULIP petal by petal with good, sound, biblical logic and understanding and showing how, just as I believe, that Calvinism does not promote the goodness of God, but takes away from His love, mercy, and justice.

My only real fault with the book is that often times the author would bring up an issue, and then follow it up with a phrase along the lines of, “and I will deal with this more in a later chapter.” I understand needing to do this once or twice, but it happened so much that it became a little distracting for me near the end.

MY RECOMMENDATION

While there may be other major areas that I disagree with the author on (Ecclesiology, etc.), and I would not call myself an Armenian as he would, this is still an excellent book on this subject. He deals with it truthfully, yet tactfully and honorably without the normal venom and name-calling that this divisive issue usually brings (from BOTH sides!).  You would do well to pick up this book and read it for all that it is worth if this is a subject that you are interested in.

Sunday 11am 2/12/12 - Goodness: Doing Good For Others

Full Audio Message

SERIES: STOP DOING AND START GROWING

TITLE: GOODNESS – DOING GOOD FOR OTHERS

TEXT: GALATIANS 5:22

INTRO:

·       Love (Agape – God’s love in us)…joy (In Jesus, despite circumstances)…peace (inner, outer, eternal)…longsuffering (patience) …Gentleness (kindness).

·       The Greek word for goodness is one that is only used in the Bible and not in secular Greek and can be defined as virtue equipped at every point.[1]

·       Speaks toward generosity, doing good when we have the opportunity to do so.

I.                  GOD’S GOODNESS TO US

a.   Psalm 145:8–9 The LORD is gracious, and full of compassion; Slow to anger, and of great mercy. 9 The LORD is good to all: And his tender mercies are over all his works.

                                                            i.      Anti-Calvinism

1.   How is it good to purposely choose some for salvation when it is within your power to choose everyone?

2.   That is not good or merciful.

3.   All his works – God’s work was and is good. It is man who exercises his free-will choice that mars it.

                                                         ii.      Mercies over – God’s mercy and goodness out-shine all of His other works.

b.   God’s goodness is filled within us:

c.    Romans 15:14 And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.

d.   2 Thessalonians 1:11 Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power:

                                                            i.      It is God who fulfills in us His good pleasure. We can’t do it on our own.

                                                         ii.      It is a work and a fruit of the Holy Spirit.

II.               GOD’S GOODNESS IN US

a.   Galatians 6:10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

b.   I believe in doing good, but you have to have the right foundation under the good deeds. The right foundation is the gospel of the grace of God and walking in the Spirit of God.

                                                            i.      When you walk in the Spirit, the fruit of the Spirit is produced. Then, … you are going to do good. You will do good for all men, especially for other believers.^[2]

c.    All men first – not for our benefit – for the gospel.

                                                            i.      Food Bank – Gleaners

                                                         ii.      Meals at church

                                                      iii.      Serve meals Fri before Easter

                                                       iv.      Community service

                                                          v.      Park Program outreach

                                                       vi.      If we were to shut our doors, would the community even notice.

                                                    vii.      We have to change our mindset…who we are…if not – WE SHOULD SHUT OUR DOORS.

d.   Especially…faith – we cannot ignore our own

                                                            i.      Who have we helped?

1.   EX: Youth Camp fund…Van…remodel…might not immediately benefit us so we say NO.

                                                         ii.      If we look around and don’t see anyone we can help – then we are not attracting the kind of people Jesus did.

CLOSE:

Goodness – who are you helping…sacrificing for?

We should not only look for people to help, but follow through and do so.

When it comes from God’s grace within us, then we will always be motivated to serve God by serving others.

---

[1] Barclay, William, “The Letters to the Galatians & Ephesians,” (The Westminster Press; Philidelphia, PA; 1958) pg 56

^[2] McGee, J. V. (1991). Vol. 46: Thru the Bible commentary: The Epistles (Galatians) (electronic ed.). Thru the Bible commentary (124). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.