www.rj-mccauley.blogspot.com

Have a Heavy Metal Christmas! starring the McCauley 4

2010-12-22T23:09:00.001-08:00

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

Thoughts On "God Is a God of Missions"

2010-11-07T15:00:00.000-08:00

Every believer is called to “GO.” As I posted in my blog post titled "GO! Thoughts On Making Disciples In Jesus Name" about the biblical mandate to fulfill the new covenant’s commission in Christ:

"The Great Commission is very direct in it's command for the Christian. Note the language: there is ONE imperative in the Greek and that is "make disciples." It is followed by three particles "go, baptizing, and teaching." The NET Bible textual notes put it like this:

'Go…baptize…teach' are participles modifying the imperative verb 'make disciples.' According to ExSyn645 the first participle (πορευθέντες, poreuqentes, 'Go'). This means that semantically the action of 'going' is commanded, just as “making disciples' is.'"

The Great Commission, however, unveils one of the greatest themes and characteristics of God throughout the Bible, which begins in Genesis with the promise to Abraham (cf. Gen. 12:1-3), fulfilled in the coming of Christ (Gal. 4:4-6), and the consummation of God's kingly reign in eternal glory on the new earth (Rev. 21:1-4). This characteristic composes in Scripture a redemptive mission by the Sovereign God of the Bible.

The theme and characteristic is that God is a God of missions.

There are two things that I have been considering after reading Stott.

1. The redemptive plan of God is to gather “all the families [i.e. the redeemed] of the earth” through Abraham’s seed, Jesus Christ (cf. Gen. 12:1-3). God proclaims from the beginning of his promise to draw together all the descendants of Abraham who have been saved by Christ through faith in the gospel.

2. The divine plan of God is to consummate his “kingly reign” at the end of redemptive history and bring fulfillment to his covenantal promise (cf. Rev. 7:9). Therefore, the mission of God is focused on the unyielding passion for God’s glory to be known among all the nations in order to reconcile, redeem, and regenerate every tribe, tongue, and nation on the earth (e.g. those who will believe) to himself through the proclamation the glorious gospel of his only Son, Jesus Christ.

According to legendary Christian theologian and scholar John R.W. Stott in the book "Perspectives On the World Christian Movement," he suggests in an article titled "The Living God Is a Missionary God" that "the nations (i.e. all non-believers) are not gathered in automatically. We are Abraham's seed by faith, and the earth's families will be blessed only if we go to them with the gospel. That is God's plain purpose. We need to become global Christians with a global vision, for we have a global God (i.e. 'go' into all the world and preach the gospel to all nations)." Stott points out to us that the mission of God is understood in five perspectives as the living and missionary God of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation:

A. God is a God of History - From the beginning, God has been on a mission of redemptive history. Jesus Christ, as the Seed of Abraham, is the key figure who has come and fulfilled the promise God gave to Abraham, given four thousand years ago to allocate his own special people from all nations who will be with him in eternal glory forever.

B. God is a God of Covenant - From the beginning, God has been always kept his promises, and he always fulfills his promises immediately or in the future, communicating a steadfast love and faithfulness to his people.

C. God is a God of Blessing - From the beginning, God's sole motive to bless his people shows us that his prerogative to bless is in his nature, and according to his blessing to Abraham, he later blesses his people by sending Jesus to bring salvation to all nations, which echoes his blessing from the beginning. Therefore, all of his works coordinate with a comprehensive characteristic to bless his people with salvation.

D. God is a God of Mercy - From the beginning, God's desire is to make a nation greater than the stars of the sky and the sands of the sea. At the consummation of redemptive history, a massive diverse tribes, tongues, and nations will be linked together as the redeemed in heaven. This "innumerable" amount of people (cf. Rev.7:9) shows us the relentless mercy of God is shown towards sinners and his mission to redeem by his grace.

E. God is a God of Mission - From the beginning, God's plan was to make a nation with the descendants of Abraham "from all nations" of the earth, and those who are from "all nations" will be blessed. When Jesus came, a global commission was given to all who followed him, "Preach the gospel to all nations!" (cf. Matt. 28:19). The God of the Bible is not just a living God, but a missionary God at best because of his expression through sending his Son to bring salvation to all men.

God is the greatest missionary who wants us to show people the glory of God through the peaching of the gospel to all nations. Think "missional" everyday knowing you are called to "GO!"

Disney Photo-Pass - A Digital Collage of our Honeymoon

2010-11-03T22:12:00.000-07:00

When we went to Walt Disney World several months ago, there was a great opportunity to have pictures taken for us at all four parks. Just like at Disneyland, the Disney Photo-pass is a type of credit card that keep your photo information on it. Each time you stop to take a picture with one of the Disney Photographers anywhere in the park, they upload it to your online account where you can access it months after your vacation. That is exactly what we did, and below are some of the fun pictures we took. ! Feel free to comment and have enjoy some of the cool pictures from our Honeymoon. Blessings!

Disney's Animal Kingdom

Disney's Epcot Center

Disney's Magic Kingdom

Disney's Hollywood Studios

The Voting Is Going Good!

2010-10-19T19:35:00.000-07:00

Keep up the voting peeps! I see that there are a lot of Thunder Mountain and Space Mountain fans on the "What's Your Favorite Ride at Disneyland?" poll. Those are my two favorite at Disneyland for sure. I hope to see more votes come in the next few weeks to see which one is declared the most popular by you voters. I will write a small blog on the ride and what it is like at Disneyland compared to Walt Disney World Magic Kingdom (since I have now been to both!). Tell your friends and "rock the vote!"

Runtime @ Epcot's Innoventions!

2010-10-15T12:58:00.000-07:00

Here is a link to play "Runtime" which is like Sonic the Hedgehog, featuring Melissa and I! You have to collect all the rings to win, and if you win, you will see us do a fun dance at the end. It was so funny trying to make this cartoon type game but the game was made through IBM's digital imaging where they took pictures of us when we jumped, danced, and ran in motion. Our "moves" are so comedy, enjoy the game!

Play RUNTIME featuring Melissa & RJ!

Recap: The Wedding Day - Part 1

2010-10-13T21:17:00.000-07:00

The Wedding was absolutely amazing and incredibly too short all at once! For all of you that we could invite and were able to make it, thank you from the bottom of our hearts for attending special day. God was glorified through the Christ-centered ceremony and the Spirit-filled reception. It was awesome to have the wedding reception at the Singh's house - we are forever thankful the Singh family! Having it at their home in the backyard setting made it that much better.

How It All Started.
I want to share how the Lord has provided for Melissa and I prior to the Wedding day. On Easter this year, we prayed and made a decision (lead by myself and a mini devotion on walking "by faith" as disciples of Christ) to have the wedding on September 18th, 2010. Literally, it gave us 5 months to place and organize. However, the more we prayed and moved forward in faith that God was going to answer our prayers according to his perfect will, the Lord graciously blessed us month after month with generous gifts like taking care of our location for wedding, photographer, cake, set-up, DJ, and so much more. If it was not for our relentless dependency on Christ and our fervency to glorify him at the wedding, I do not believe things would of turned out the way they did so perfectly. The providence of God in Jesus Christ was substantially given to us when I was unemployed and unemployment for 1 year and 3 months.

God's Faithful Provision.
Just to show you have crazy the Lord provided for us, let me break down just the month before the wedding. One month before the wedding, the Lord provided an apartment right next to CBU and five minutes away from Harvest for an unbeatable price under eight hundred dollars a month. Three weeks before the wedding, God gave me a new job at CBU where I was working as an ITS student computer tech. However, that job did not last because I got another job - one a applied for three months previously which is double the wages and everything. The Lord was on the move and showing his faithful provision to provide for us. The next two weeks before the big day, we were able to get all our furniture (3 dresses, 2 night stands, 1 kitchen cabinet dresser for $120). Secondly, we were blessed by the body of Christ who gave us for free an entire dining table set with five chairs, couch and pillows, new Canon 2-n-1 Printer/Scanner, and a small refrigerator! They were all exactly what we needed! Lastly, one week before the wedding I was given some random and wonderful money gifts from some special people, enabling us to paint the interior of our apartment. Everything was coming together and God was getting the glory! When it looked like we had not money to move forward and were up against the wall, God in his rich mercy blessed us mightily. What a great testimony of God's "sovereign supplies" and how will always provide if we seek first his kingdom and righteousness (cf. Matt. 6:33; and Phil. 4:19). The fun has not stopped because God never stops providing for his faithful, covenant-keeping children. Last Saturday, we got a brand new refrigerator with a bottom roll-out drawer freezer (retail $1399.99) for $307.05! God is so faithful.

The Bride and the Groom.
All I can say about the wedding was the Bride was stunning! Wow, she was one beautiful woman! Indeed, she is the most beautiful woman ever! In my eyes at the wedding, Melissa shined with beauty because of the true beauty in her heart - loving the Lord with all her heart, mind, soul, and strength. Her love for Christ and holiness captivates me everyday! She had a blast being my dancing partner late into the night and finally having her ring! I took her ring from her for two weeks before the wedding because I had arrangements to get it sodered together, so she was ring-less for that time and could not wait to have it back on her finger.

Besides my eyes being glued to the most breathtaking Bride I have ever seen (Melly), I had so much fun with my guys and enjoying the company of everyone at the Wedding. Here is a fun picture of me and the fellas!

We were extremely blessed by the Christ-centered theme of the wedding and the worship by our friends at Harvest - Love you Brian, Josh, and Angela! We are excited to see all the photos because the are being worked on still. I cannot believe it has not even been a whole month since our wedding day. God has been wonderful to us and we have been extremely thankful (You can see that expression on this great picture below)! I know that without all of you who prayed for us over the years and during the last few months before the wedding definitely helped make things happen for us. Thank you for all your prayers!

"So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.”

- Jesus, Matthew 19:6

Honeymoon Recap Coming Soon...

2010-10-13T19:43:00.000-07:00

Well everyone, it is time to share the stories and photos from our wonderful honeymoon in Buena Vista, FL at Walt Disney World Resort. In all seriousness, Melissa and I had the most exciting, luxurious, entertaining, and the most fun vacation of our lives! No matter what age you are, Walt Disney World Resort has a place for you. I will be writing a posts for each of the theme parks we went to, all the restaurants we ate at, and the resorts we visited. We are not "Disney Freaks" who are so addicted to the place and in love with the characters, but after this trip, we really appreciate Disney for their amazing professionalism, tidiness, and relentless aim to provide clean-family entertainment and are now what you can say "fans" of Disney.

Keep posted for some great photos and stories from the new adventurous couple of RJ & Melissa McCauley!

Traveling Through the Davidic Era of the Old Testament

2010-10-12T10:30:00.000-07:00

The last five months I have had the privilege to sit under the teaching of Dr. Jeff Mooney at California Baptist University. It has been a great time traveling through the Old Testament as my last class journeyed through the Pentateuch (Genesis - Deuteronomy) and the Deuteronomistic History (Joshua - 2 Kings). There has been so much ground to cover that at some times my head hurts with all the information that I am downloading and trying to process in the historical and cultural context of Scripture as an Ancient Near East document written roughly in the time frame of 2000 BC to 586 BC. Nevertheless, it is a good hurt, because my mind is being filled with the knowledge of the Word.

I am currently going through the Latter Prophets and Writings which consummates the canon of the Hebrew Bible. In our class, we only go through the books in the Hebrew canon (order) compared to the Septuagint (LXX) and English Bible. Dr. Mooney does a great job to show us why they are in this order and how they should be read in this order because they are communicating God's message to his people in this canonical sequence. We have been placing the prophets in 1 & 2 Kings and 1 & 2 Chronicles to see when they were preaching their prophetic messages to Israel. It has been exciting!

Soon i will be posting some cool notes.

Back From My "Blogging Sabbatical"

2010-10-09T21:32:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone, I am back from my 3 month leave of blogging. It has been incredible what God has accomplished in my life these past few months! I cannot wait to see how He is going to finish 2010.

Melissa and I got married on September 18, 2010, and it was indeed the best days of our lives. That day was filled with the glory of God! I will be posting things in the future about all that has happened. Melissa and I went on an amazing honeymoon to Walt Disney World which is making us consider going there for our one year anniversary! All I have to say is that place is so big, that it is impossible to run out of fun things to do! Plus it is highly professional and luxurious with their hotels, restaurants, and amenities.

So that is it for now. I will be posting a lot of stuff in the future. I just wanted to send a quick post to say my "blogging sabbatical" is over and soon the writing will continue! God bless everyone and be ready to read future posts!

Here is a picture of us at Walt Disney World.

Which Doctrines Have You Grown In Most? - A Response to Christian Education

2010-08-22T19:42:00.000-07:00

Which doctrine is the most developed in your own thinking (in other words, which do you know the most about?)

1. The doctrine I have most developed my theological understanding about has to be a fuller doctrine of the Church (after taking classes on Baptist Thought and Church History with Dr. Chute, and Pastoral Ministry with Dr. Dunavant recently). The church (Gk. ekklesia) is the congregation of believers who profess and embrace Jesus Christ as their Lord and God. Therefore, the fact that the body of believers congregated together is called a church significantly identifies them as an assembly and gathering of believers only. The church is called to be comprised of believers because that is how the church was established on the confession of Jesus Christ as Lord (Matt. 16:18) and figuratively based on the template in Acts 2:42-47. The basis logic goes forth in that people get regenerated, and then are added to the church. To be added to the church, you must be regenerated first. The church should then be the outlet to the world which the waters of love flow out of into the community for the cause of Christ. Churches must reach out and help others to make a difference in their local and national environments.

Secondly, I would said I have a fuller understanding of Christ (you could write 5 pages on this doctine!). Knowing his purpose, mission, teachings, death and resurrection has developed my faith to new heights, as I have been studying Jesus more than ever before. His Sovereign Lordship, substitutionary death, sin-and-Death defeating resurrection, and ascension have become very unique elements to the person of Christ pertaining to why he came to the world, why he will to return once again!

What do you think the relationship between the Church and the World should look like?
2. The church should never become like the world, and the world will never become like the church. They are contrary to each other in the spiritual and physical realms. Christ is head of the church; Satan is over of the earth (for now). The church is under the authority of Christ; the world is under the allusion of Satan. To make these two different proximities collide is essential in the process of making relevant social collaboration to do good on the earth. The Church should be socially involved in events and engagements to an extent. The church is apart of a society and should be extending service to communities in order to better the welfare of people both spiritually and physically. They should be the prime example to the world of how to love and serve others through radiating Christ-likeness.

The world, however, should respect the church and there desires to help causes for the greater good of others. They should want churches to help in important issues rather cultural or civil. Eliminating one group from another is partiality, and organizing politics, social activity, and community development without the inclusion of the church giving their opinion (not them ruling or making the policy), is not make the relationship closer but separates with division.

Response to "Sexuality, Gender, and Family" - The Biblical Genders, Sex Drive, and Family Unit

2010-08-12T15:31:00.000-07:00

I recently posted a response about these three topics in the title about current issues in the world. These three issues are some of the most poorly explained topics in Scripture in the 21st Century, when considering family and community. In today's culture, having a sexuality indenity has far surpassed a gospel identity in Christ (cf. Mark 8:34). The cause? A misunderstanding of these three issues below. To have a biblical identity in the cross means getting these three structural elements right. Enjoy the read and tell me what you think about the short response!

The Biblical Genders, Sex Drive, and Family Unit

GENDER.
This is very easy to disclose: "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them." (Genesis 1:27)

Homosexuality is absolutely sin, it is condemned and judged as sin by God in the OT (Lev. 18:22; 20:13) and NT (Roman 1:26-27; 1 Cor. 6:9; 1 Tim 1:10), and is not a "biblical gender" blessed by God, as some liberal and unbiblical people of faith suggest. It is an abomination with equal sinfulness in the sight of God as all other sins, "For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become accountable for all of it" (James 2:10). Therefore, homosexuality is clearly sin equal to all other sins and needs the same remedy as other sin - The satisfactory work of Christ on the cross.

Note: I am not contextualizing that homosexuality is a gender. However, even though most homosexuals do not state that their orientation or gender is homosexual, they embrace their homosexuality as a sexual identity with the same gender. This is why I listed under gender that homosexuality is absolutely impossible for biblical and proper relational compatibility in the context of marriage and family.

SEX DRIVE.
From he beginning of creation in Genesis, we notice God created humanity to be "fruitful and multiply" on the earth, having dominion over all creation (Gen. 1:28). That clearly suggests that a sex drive was given to man and woman to have children to inhabit the earth. Therefore, by divine design, God has given every human a sex drive.

Now this sex drive was to be used between man and woman only (i.e. Adam and Eve, Gen. 1:27), and in a marriage covenant committed to one another, becoming one flesh (Gen. 2:24). In Genesis 2:20-25, God demonstrates to us his desire for man. His desire was to make him a mate that will comfort and compliment him on earth. Therefore, God created woman to ideally be linked together with the man to fulfill his will to populate the earth, and to bring ultimate fulfillment and purpose in the life of man/woman through their sex drives.

When speaking about our sexuality (i.e. sex drive), it is important to know first hand that it is good and holy in the right context. Secondly, it is important to know that it is wrong and unholy in the wrong context. The issue for Christians who live in a sexually saturated culture is how to control their sex drive. Sexuality is a touchy subject these days in church; however, it needs to be addressed because so many people are living sexually active lifestyles. Youth ministries across America have a hard time keeping their ministers off of pornography or having immoral relationships. The issues are not the sex itself, but rather the sexual activity because of no self-control (one of the fruit of the Spirit, Gal. 5:22i). In the NT, the Greek word "porneia" is used by Paul to express any "illicit sexual activity outside of marriage - period!" (1 Cor. 6; Eph. 5; 1 Tim. 1; 1 Thess. 4). This is primarily the issue in the church - lack of self-control and "porneia" activity - not sex in general. The dismissal of discussion regarding sexuality in the church has caused so many problems to continue and linger, and sometimes get worse. The church must address such sexual topics with radical emphasis on error and unrighteousness of "sexual sin," and the biblical mandate for "holiness and sanctification" in 21st century Christianity.

FAMILY UNIT.
The unit of father, mother, sons and daughters, have been foundational to the very fabric of human civilization. Genesis 4 shows us the first family (yet dysfunctional) with Father (Adam), Mother (Eve), Sons (Abel and Cain). Genesis 5 shows us descendants from those families to greater families. Deuteronomy 6:4-9, known as the "Shema" or "Great Commandment" was to be a generational tool of discipleship to grow the family unit as worshipers of YHWH, the One true God.

The Shema presents the fundamentals for Christian education and biblical multiplicity through the family. The family should be lead by godly parents who disciple, nurture, instruct, educate, discipline, comfort, and love their children so their children will become wonderful individuals when they become adults.
Most importantly, the greatest mission field in American Christianity is the home. Parents are not teaching their children truth. They are not teaching them the Gospel because they are not living the gospel message. You can raise children morally, but if you are not living morally, most morals always fade if they are not taught in truth. Christian parents are to train their children in the ways of the Lord (Deut. 4:10; Prov. 22:6) and grow them into disciples who will be the future Gospel-centered leaders of their generation whether at work, school, or church. Family is very important, and God's desire if ultimately for the home to be a reflection a believer's relationship with him - holy, grace-filled, and compassionate towards one another (Col. 3:12-14).

The Scriptures & Sociology - Christianity Ethics

2010-07-15T14:50:00.000-07:00

I started a new class last week called Christian Ethics that looks to be promising when it comes to learning how others think in a postmodern world concerning society and the humanity, and what are solutions to issues and problems on the earth. No, this class is not necessarily about politics, but about how to either "escape" or "engage" (John Stott, Issues Facing Christians Today) in the battles against evil in the present world for the cause of Christ and through the character and attributes of God grace and mercy, love and justice. Below is a short response I answered for my class regarding how Christian Ethics is different from Social Ethics that are among humanists, atheists, and other religious activists.

What is the relationship between the Bible and Christian Ethics? How does it inform the Christian on "modern day" issues?

What is the relationship between the Bible and ethics?
1. The relationship between the Bible and Christian ethics is not contrary. Even though some disagree, Christian ethics are ideally biblical morals defined in Scripture. They are the authoritative and ethical instructions found in the Word of God concerning the welfare for humanity. The Bible contains the inspired Scriptures revealing God's truth to us in order to live in communion with Him in heaven, and community among others on earth. The Bible teaches us the ethics God wants humanity to have in response to a sinful and fallen world.

The Gospel, however, is the key agent of relationship that binds the Scriptures and Sociology. The Word of God does not just speak about spiritual matters (even though it does primarily), but suggests social matters as well. Jesus had compassion on the disenfranchised, outcasts, unclean, and poor to demonstrate the social principle of the Gospel was for all humanity (especially the unrighteous, Mk 2:17) not just the righteous - "For God so loved the world...whoever believes in him will not perish (Jn 3:16), make disciples of all nations (Matt. 28:19), the gospel is the power of God unto salvation for the Jew and the Greek" (Rom. 1:16).

How does it inform Christians on "modern day issues?"
2. The Gospel message is about salvation communicated through the love of God and redemptive work of Christ for our sins. Understanding this message formulates a proper worldview of how to know what the right position or interpretation should be on social issues. Having a proper understanding of consistent Old Testament and New Testament principles pertaining to life in general is the way people should form biblical ethics.

Developing an answer and understanding based on Scripture (with both service and action elements for change) builds a foundation to stand upon when addressing social issues. This is how the Christian can know how to address modern issues. Engaging in social issues is a responsibility of every Christians to different degrees. However, when God's truth is under attack, Christians must take their convictions seriously and teach their biblical ethics for the glory of God and the proclamation of his Word. Christians must stand up for Biblical ethics in an unmoral world. Christians do much more good for the world when they proclaim the truth about social issues and what God's Word says about it. Christians do more harm when they do not stand up for God's truth and allow ungodly and improper civility progress in the world. When Christians stand up for God's truth with answers for social issues, they spread the message of Christianity that always points directly to the cross of Christ. Therefore, Biblical ethics is Christian ethics. They are fundamentally important for Christians to encompass and promote for the furtherance of good on earth.

How Do You Read the Bible?

2010-07-10T23:20:00.000-07:00

How do you read the Bible? How you read the Bible is absolutely critical to understanding what God's Word says and how to apply His truth to our lives. The "way" you read something makes all the difference in interpreting the text. For example, my lovely fiancée Melissa sent me a text message not too long ago about something important. I do not, however, think about any type of reasons what she meant by "importance" because the text message was just a text message, so I read it normal just as I do with all text messages. Well what happens is she calls me and says, "Did you get my text? I need you to get something for me!" So I went back to that text message and read it in the context of "importance" to see what she meant. The text message made perfect sense and I went to the store to pick up some items for her. Reading that text message in the right "way" would of communicated the right message to me than just reading it for the sake of reading it. Seeing the punctuation marking, and understanding why she wrote that message to me made all the difference in interpretation.

This is so true when reading the Bible! We need to ready it the right way in the appropriate context. We need to read it with the author's intentions of why they wrote each book. If we read the Bible right, then we can apply it right. Too many Christians just read the Bible and forget to apply it to their daily lives.

Below are some insights into how to read the Bible correctly:

1. READ IT (observation) - The first thing you have to do is read the Bible! Open it up and study a passage. Try to get a general idea of the narrative, letter, and history. You have to observe the Scriptures before you can do anything else.

2. LEARN IT (interpretation) - The second thing you have to do is learn what all the big terms mean in the passage! Discover and learn the facts with Bible commentaries and dictionaries. Try to understand the main concept of the passage in context. After you observe the text for awhile, you can begin interpreting it to put the pieces together to find the meaning and purpose of the passage. Discovering this is key, because without correct interpretation, then application falls short (e.g. What did Jesus say, and what did it mean to the original audience, and how were they to apply it to their lives?).

3. KNOW IT (application) - The third thing you have to do is know what are the biblical principles and timeless truths God is revealing in the passage! Find the theological principles in order to apply them to your life. Application is different from implementation because you have to discover what the passage is communicating to the reader about "what" applied to their Christian walk, but the last point, implementation, teaches us "how" to apply those truths to our daily lives.

4. DO IT (implementation) - The fourth thing you have to know is how to do the biblical principles commanded in the passage. Grasp what design and action plan the passage is teaching for Christians to do in their daily walk. Obeying the Scriptures is the Christian's sole objective for the glory of God. Living out the Word of God bears the fruit of the Gospel, and shines the image of Christ-likeness. It is not a matter just reading, but doing what you read in the Bible. Therefore, in the words of the Apostle James, "Be a doer of the Word! (James 1:22).

2010-07-09T08:10:00.000-07:00

Tuesday night at the Truth Project, a lot of people had some questions about Genesis and creation. It is indeed a mysterious thing and our finite minds can only understand what Scripture clearly portrays. However, I want to share with you that is nothing new, but some of you might not of heard this before.

Herbert Spencer, an evolutionist, was a philosopher in the 19th century during the Victorian Era. He coined the phrase, "survival of the fittest." During his quest for evolutionary progressivism, he came to a conclusion of that there were "categoricals" in which everything in the universe cal be placed in called "The Knowables" - which are time, force, action, space, matter. He first refutes the knowledge of the "the unknowables" and assures everything evolved from the knowables (since he was a strict evolutionist). After his "discovery" in the 19th century, Spencer went on to published a book called "First Principles," and everyone praised his breakthrough and philosophical work.

Genesis 1:1 says, "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth."

The Knowables would of been know-able if Herbert just read the Scriptures! God created everything:

In the beginning - TIME

God - FORCE

created - ACTION

the heavens - SPACE

and the earth - MATTER

Way to go Herbert, God already told us about the knowables! We need to share this truth with others about our sovereign Creator. God created all things and by him all things were made. Science errors at trying to define our origins and purpose by teaching historical revisionism and distorting the truth of God that is found in the first very in all the Bible, Genesis 1:1. There is a battle out there, and it is a "battle for the beginning."

Historical Content of "Samaria and the Samaritans"

2010-07-08T07:03:00.000-07:00

We read in the Gospels about the "Samaritans," we instantly think about the Good Samaritan passage in Luke 10:25-37. However, we necessarily overlook the major division there was between Jews and Samaritans. In John 4, we see a clear picture of that division where the Samaritan woman was not conformable around Jesus, who was a Jew. It is important to learn about the Israeli conflict between Samaritans in the North and Jews in the South in the land of Israel. There is a long history between these two different people groups which both claimed to worship the same God, yet in different ways. Here is some historical information discussing the historical content of "Samaria and the Samaritans," and who they were and what they did.

This is a picture of the "Good Samaritan."

The Location:

Samaria was a large 125 km region that that the dwelling place of the Samaritans.

Old Testament Background:

Samaria was a specific territory occupied by the ten tribes of the Northern Kingdom of Israel lead by Jeroboam. They were viewed as living in an area of “apostates” from the twelve tribes of Israel (because of the split from the Southern Kingdom tribes of Benjamin and Judah).

Problems occurred during the times of Ezra and Nehemiah when the Jew returned from the Captivity. Samaritans wanted to work on the reconstruction of Jerusalem, but were forbidden to work because of the implications of Sanballat, the enemy of Nehemiah’s historical narrative and obstruction to rebuilding the walls, was from Samaria. Sanballat has a son-in-law named Manasseh, who was a grandchild of the Jewish high priest. He lived immorally and was excommunicated from Jerusalem under the high standard of righteousness and purity set by Nehemiah’s reforms. This context set the stage for hostility and opposition again Jew and Samaritan.

New Testament History:

During AD 6-9 at the Passover when Coponius was governor, Samaritans were so frustrated with the Jews that they desecrated the Holy Plafce by laying out and scattering human bones on the porches. This excluded all Samaritans from every being apart of the services according to Josephus the Jewish historian (Antiq. 18.2.2.). Therefore, the division between Jews and Samaritans is clearly set at its most intense time during the gospel accounts.

New Testament Insights:

Reading this passage along with the Bible dictionary has helped me see the reason why the woman at the well responded to Jesus as “why are you talking to me since you’re a Jew?” Samaritans were viewed as a dissident rebel from the true Jews (cf. John 8:48). They were viewed as half-breeds because of their ancestors married pagans. Jews would never buy food, drink water, or even talk to anyone who was a Samaritan, let alone travel through Samaria and stop there to rest as Jesus did. The Samaritans have a lack of respect towards the Jews and the Jews had a Judaistic prejudice against the Samaritans, which is highlighted in John 4:1-39. The incredible reconciling words of Jesus are truly remarkable because he brought Samaritans and Jews together by teaching the truth of God.

History is God's Story: Exegetical Content of Galatians 4:4-5

2010-07-07T22:50:00.000-07:00

Galatians 4:4-5 declares, "But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons."

Paul is writing to the Galatians in an polemic letter against the Judaizers in which he defends his apostleship, his gospel, and Christian freedom among Galatia church. In Chapter 3, Paul is explaining the nature of the law and how it was given to us to produce faith in Christ because it's purpose was not to be righteous by keeping it, but by believing in the One who was righteous and fulfilled the law. Chapter 4 begins in the passage chapter 3 ends with regarding being adopted in the family of God through faith in Christ. He explains how it was possible to be a son and heir in of God in Christ in v.4:4-5 because God the Father sent his only Son at the perfect time in human history to fulfill his plan and promise in all biblical and redemptive hope.

(v.4:4a) "The fullness of time had come." This phrase means an idiom for the totality of a period of time, with the implication of proper completion. These words hold so much history that it permeates the sovereign foundations of God's hand working in humanity to establish the coming of his Son.

There are two things to categories to remember that happened in history to make the time and coming of the Son of God, Jesus Christ, to be the "fullness of time."

THE GREEK NEW TESTAMENT

1. History of Greco-Roman Hellenization - From the period of 344-166 BC, The Greeks, led by Alexander the Great's conquest in his early life, ruled over the known world which spread the Greek culture and language. This is called "hellenization" that is derived from the Greek word hellas, meaning "Greece." The Greek language is koine, which means "common." The Greek language was commonly known in most of the world and could be translated into native tongues because wherever Alexander conquered, he brought with him the culture and language of Greece. This is important because the entire New Testament was written in Greek, the only language to exist in history at that point in time that was known around the world. Absolutely divine authorship was behind the writing of the NT in Greek, so manuscripts could be copied and read all over the known world for ages to come!

The Romans took over as a Republic in 63 BC - AD 135, where General Pompey captured Jerusalem and did not destroy it, but put a governor in place to rule the region named Herod the Great. Roman law, politics, and culture was brought into Jerusalem. All of this is important to note because crucifixion was brought into popular history which is how Jesus died as the Lamb of God, and Judaism began to become the false religious system we read about in the Gospels during the life, ministry, and death of Jesus whom he exposed since he God in the flesh.

Recap: Greek language was known all over the world which was used to write all the New Testament, and Roman Empire comes into power that sets thing up for the arrival of the Messiah.

THE EXPECTANCY OF THE JEWISH MESSIAH
2. History of Judaism - First Temple was built in 960 BC, destroyed in 587 BC. Second Temple was built in 516 BC, King Herod reconstructs it to make it Herod's Temple in 20 BC. In this period, Judaism Temple worship was at the top of its class because their temple was one of the Seven Ancient Wonders of the World. Jesus came on the scene when Judaism was most hypocritical in religiosity, but high in riches. (As we know, the Temple is destroyed in AD 70, which was predicted by Jesus).

This is important because Jesus was born during the time the Jewish people were seeking a Jew King to overthrow Caesar, the Messiah, Son of David, since 400 years of silence has passed by from the prophet Malachi to the life of Christ. Things changed from "Thus said the Lord" to "It is written." God did not speak during that Intertestamental period because history was being orchastrated to fulfill his redemptive plan and promises to save his people from their sins. God was on the move and establishing things to be fulfilled in the Old Testament in the first century which would be a new age, the age of the Son. Also the birth of John the Baptist was incredibly significant because he was the forerunner of the coming of the Messiah who pointed the way by preaching repentance, faith, and baptism. These all pointed to the expectancy of God fulfilling his plans and promise!

Recap: Jews got their land back after the Romans conquered the Greeks, but the Romans conquered the Jews again once, and oppressed them. Judaism was distorted, the Temple was about wonder not worship, and God was lost in his land. The Jewish people were crying out and looking for the Messiah to come and deliver them more than ever before, marinating the perfect time for Christ to come and establish his Kingdom through the Gospel of hope and eternal life.

Initially history is God's story! How amazing is it that he was silence during the 400 years of silence in words but not works, as he conformed history to work in his sovereign agenda to send his only Son to the world so we could be saved. Thank you Lord!

Moment of Truth - Book Review on Preaching

2010-07-05T21:32:00.000-07:00

Wayne V. McDill is a professor of preaching at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. He explains in his book The Moment of Truth:A Guide to Effective Sermon Delivery, that the true moment of truth is the preaching method in which God has ordained to use man as His agent of revelation to teach and renew His people through communicating the good news of salvation in Jesus Christ. Preachers only have “a moment” to teach the Word of God week in and week out, so that moment must be a moment where truth is verified and testified, “As the truth is in Jesus” (Eph. 4:21b).This thought helps understand the perspective of this book and the meaning behind biblical preaching from McDill. The preacher should be ready to teach people the truth of God in Scripture and renew their minds, hearts, and souls with the life-transforming gospel message of living hope and eternal life. The unequivocal objective for the preacher is to clearly state biblical truths in an appropriate way to the hearers so they can understand the simplicity of the message.

I know that God has a calling on my life to be a pastor down the road. Going through this book opened my eyes to something that I did not see in Robison’s Biblical Preaching. The most interesting thing that I found in McDill’s book was the chapter on “the Person and the Preacher." He touched on some key things that I have not thought about before. First McDill explains how the preacher needs to be like the greatest preacher of all time – Jesus. The person of Christ serves as a perfect model for all ministries, especially preaching because he portrayed the two elements of truth and personality. This reminded me of some studying that I did in Howard Hendrick’s work in The Christian Educator's Handbook on Teaching. However, McDill points out that God used His only Son as the exemplary model of preaching because Jesus was a human agent delivering the Word of God to others. This was the pattern for all the apostles who carried the message after him, and is still the model for pastors and teachers today. Therefore, it is my desire to mimic this model of Jesus more in my ministries.

The second thing that was of great insight in this chapter was to dig into to my family and church background. I was not raised in the church, but did have a Christian mother and grandparents who taught me biblical principles for life. My brother and I attended a Seventh Day Adventist private school in the elementary and junior high years. Then I went to public high school where I fell into sin, and was exposed to the world and its influences. However, during my senior year I gave my life to Christ. From that point on (eight years presently) I grew rapidly in the Lord and began a new journey with my Creator. McDill points out that all of these factors vividly shape the way a preacher is as a person, and the message he is communicating. Family, education, culture, and traditions are all influential characteristics that form the preacher as a person and also their philosophy of ministry. I could totally agree with this because I know great Christians who have radical testimonies and the way they were raised affects their outlook on ministry perspectives. McDill states, “Your preaching is dramatically affected by your views.” That statement is on the money! My lifestyle, convictions, and biblical worldview characterize the person I am as a preacher of God’s Word.

Biblical Preaching - Book Review Homiletics (the art of preaching)

2010-07-03T20:58:00.000-07:00

Reading through an examination and explanation of true expository preaching in Haddon W. Robinson’s Biblical Preaching, has given me a proper understanding and knowledge of how to preach biblically. His book is the most popular preaching resource and I found it be insightful. I learned a lot from the wisdom of Robinson on how to be an effective communicator of God's Word.

Each preacher should teach the Bible as their main source of content and context. Robinson lays out the evidence for all ministers to teach the Word of God in order for them to develop and deliver their messages according to Sola Striptura.

Throughout the majority of the book, Robinson explains ten stages in developing expository messages. There were three principles that taught me important developmental steps to create a good sermon. They were (1) discovering the exegetical idea, (2) analyzing the exegetical idea, and lastly (3) formulating the homiletical idea to determine the purpose of the sermon.

Discovering the exegetical idea of a passage is important because it identifies a more precise statement of the subject in the text. Learning this principle has revealed to me the significance of digging deeper into the language of the Scriptures to see what the author intended to be the subject. Therefore, if I correctly define the main subject of the passage, it will make it easier to find the compliments that support the subject to put together an idea for a sermon.

Analyzing the exegetical idea of a passage is important because it examines how we relate the Word of God to life. Examining a passage of Scripture is necessary to find its meaning, validity, and application. Analyzing the text develops the thought of the original author and conveys biblical realities of truth to the audience. Failing to answer the questions of the passage is failing to answer the questions of the people (e.g. “Pastor, what does this Scripture mean?”). People need to know the simplicity of the Word because they are ordinary men and women who are in need of a Savior daily. For that reason, I need to preach the established validity of the Word based off the truth taught in Scripture in order to implement application in my sermon to teach people how to live for Christ.

Formulating the homiletical idea in a sermon is important because it is reflective of the entire purpose of the sermon. The statement is to be in modern language of today that explains the overall message of the sermon wrapped up in one sentence that should be easy to memorize or remember. I already do this, and found this chapter to be very helpful in making a more successful homiletical idea to declare the purpose of the sermon.

These three principles were the most influential in the book because they were convicting and encouraging. They convicted me because of the lack of preparation and dedication to study the text more intently due to the busyness of ministry and life in the hectic culture of today. However, they encouraged me to be more proactive in studying and thinking deeper on the Scripture to define a biblical purpose for every sermon I will preach over the course of my life.

Grasping God's Word - Biblical Interpretation for All of Us!

2010-07-02T23:05:00.000-07:00

Just finished my course on Biblical Interpretation and went through an amazing resourceful book for seminary students called Grasping God's Word: A Hands-On Approach to Reading, Interpreting, and Applying the Bible by J. Scott Duvall and J. Daniel Hays. I got great reviews from my teacher and got an A in the class! Praise the Lord! It was definitely one of my hardest yet most enjoyable class (because of the season and masses of homework!). This book precisely teaches Christians (specifically teachers and ministry leaders) how to understand the Bible in the correct interpretation through the historical-cultural context of any text.

I wanted to share with all of you bloggers who read my posts some get points on how to proper study the Bible. Grasping God's Word and beginning to understand what He is trying to communicate to us is absolutely essential; however, it needs to be understood in contexts. Each text is in a passage, and each passage is in a chapter. Each chapter is in a section, and each section is in a book. Each book is in a Testament, and each Testament collectively is in Bible as a whole. Learning to notice contextual realms when reading the Bible is very important to understanding the Scriptures.

The book gives four main points on how to interpret the Bible. Make sure you write these down, because they are so foundational to know in order to understand the context of the Scriptures:

1. Grasping the text in their town.
"What did the text mean to the original biblical audience?"

2. Measuring the width of the river to cross.
"What are the differences between the original biblical audience and us?"

3. Crossing over the principlizing bridge.
"What is the theological principle in this text?"

4. Grasping the text in our town.
"How should individual Christians today apply the theological principle in their lives?"

The "Interpretive Journey" is an excellent way to learn how to be sound in hermeneutics (Greek for "interpretation"). Use these four steps as blueprints for always building knowledge of the Scriptures and their meaning. It will help you find the true meaning and appropriate context God was speaking about towards us. Applying 1st century principles to the 21st century is thesis for proper biblical interpretation because what it meant to the original audience within the original authorial intent is the absolute true principle(s) of a passage. Once you find the principle(s), you can apply that same meaning to us. May we all live and study the Word of God properly and grow deeper in our commitment to Jesus as we dig for the truth!

The Headway of Homosexuality: Redefined (part 1)

2010-07-01T08:45:00.000-07:00

One of my first posts in 2008 was about homosexuality being accepted by pastors during the Proposition 8 movement. You can read about it here: Headway of Homosexuality part 1. Homosexuality is something that has been brewing again in the state legislation of California and national politics because the homosexual community is not getting "their justice" and receiving "their promises for equality" which they believe are under attack and need to be fought for so they can live in their personal lifestyle and choices without being judged, discriminated, or accused of doing something unlawful. If they can make it legal, then they can change these things to justify their immoral lifestyle by humanistic means to say "it is legal" and "it is not wrong." This proposes huge ramification to Christians because we are called to not just preach the Gospel, but preach social righteousness by standing up in society for what is lawful and righteous in the world (i.e. against slavery, immoral behavior, oppression, and helping the poor and disenfranchised along with stopping evil from prevailing, etc). This issue is one that the Christian should fight four because it matters to God!

The Scriptures, however, are under attack unlike never before where people, such as wouldjesusdiscrimate.org, says they are Gay Christians who love God - that it is not sin. They twist and warp the Scriptures. The only thing that can rescue us or help us are the Scriptures, so they are attacking what is initially attacking them. We need to preach the Scriptures, explain them in context, and discuss the errors of their interpretation. The Word of God does the talking, does the walking, and is the source of authority; however we do the action. We need to step up and fight for what is right not only in God's eyes, but societies eyes whether they agree or not. Christians should help change the world, not let the world change itself. We bring to the table truth in morality, legality, and society. The family unit must be protected from sexual immorality and perversion based off of personal lifestyle decisions. Personal decisions should not be advocated as legal and enforced upon others to be accepted. Therefore, just as homosexuals are fight for their cause, we must fight as passionate and strong for truth! We must not be silent, but we must not be arrogant.

Since Proposition 8 passed (and I am so thankful for God allowing that to be protected from the enemy) the enemy has been at work and is planning on making another run at overturning it to make it legal in California. Christians need to be ready! Homosexuality is not just a political issue but its a culture issue that is facing many Christians. I am taking a Christian Ethics class this month that will deal with this hot issue from a biblical worldview, and how to graciously address such an issue from a ministry perspective since I desire to be pastor one day and will have to face these things. I am excited for this, nevertheless, because I have studied a few books that mentioned some great information regarding "if homosexuality is forbidden or accepted in the Bible - OT and NT consistency."

In my ministries and experience (Students Ministries = High School and Prayer & Share counseling. Experience = High School employee and friend employees), the youth are being taught that homosexuals are born with their desires, that it is okay to be homosexual, it is not morally wrong or sinful, and encouraging them to try new experiences. This lifestyle is being pushed to be acceptable and tolerated in America 2010. As Christians in America, we have to make a stand specifically to those who say they are "homosexual Christians" like those from "WouldJesusDiscriminate.org." Parents need to teach their kids the danger of it, and the reasons why exegetically - original context and explanation of interpretation in the text. Youthful Christians need to know the truth of God and how to defend it when challenged by homosexual advocates.

This is the issue I want to really capitalize on during the next three posts. The next post is part 2, discussing Old Testament evidence which boldly condemns homosexuality in the original context. The next post, part 3, will discuss the New Testament evidence which uses Old Testament evidence and is expanded on by Jesus and Paul in a more cultivated, homosexual Greco-Roman world that is clearly condemned as sin and morally harmful to society. Lastly, part 4 will consist of a review and final summary of what the Bible truly says in context, and what Gay Christians should take to heart and how Christians should witness, interact, fight for, and address such a hot issue in culture.

Part 1 - Headway of Homosexuality: Redefined
Part 2 - Old Testament evidence
Part 3 - New Testament evidence
Part 4 - Contextual Summary - What is true about Homosexuality in the Bible

Leave your comments and tell me what your thoughts whether you agree or disagree.

STAR WARS - INLAND EMPIRE STRIKES BACK!

2010-06-21T23:22:00.001-07:00

What Is Preaching?

2010-06-10T13:40:00.000-07:00

A recently read a fresh definition of what the word "preaching" means in assication to biblical sermon delivery.

"Preaching is a function of the revelation of God.
Preaching exists because God has spoken and wants man to know what He has said.
Preaching communicates the living and powerful Word of God as we receive it in the Bible.
Preaching is central to a primary strategy in the cosmic war of god against the forces of evil.
Preaching is central to the biblical witness and the calling to ministry.
Preaching the Word of god calls for careful interpretation of the biblical text as the primary source of revelational meaning."

Wayne V. McDill, Th.D, Professor of Preaching at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, The Moment of Truth, p.21.

Embody the Gospel

2010-06-06T07:00:00.000-07:00

There is a word that has been in my vocabulary lately that has been very influential and catchy. The phase is "embody the gospel." It has been influential because it has generated an awareness of living out the biblical image of the radical cross-bearing discipleship through faith and obedience in the Savior. "Embody" means to to give a concrete form; to express, personify, or exemplify in concrete form. John Piper is known for coining this term and has made it a staple of his ministry to treasure Christ. This term, however, is for everyone. All Christians are called to embody the gospel message. Therefore as Christians we are to live out the gospel message as Christ followers and exhibit Christ-centered attitudes and actions to the world!

What's the Gospel Message?

Well what is the gospel message that Christians are to embody? There are several definitions people will give which all point to the gospel. But the gospel message is this:

"The Gospel never means simply a book, but rather the message which Christ and His apostles announced. Therefore we are living epistles of Christ - living the message out (2 Corinthians 3:3).

The gospel is such doctrine of truth that neither requires our works, or requires us to do commands in order to satisfy the righteousness of God, but announces the offered grace of the forgiveness of sin and eternal salvation. Therefore we are grace-bearers and truth proclaimers just as Christ - living with grace and truth (John 1:17).

The gospel is bound up in the life of Christ, His biography and the record of His works, and the proclamation of what He has to offer to sinners is desperate need of being rescued of their sins. Therefore we are ambassadors of Christ - living the ministry of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:20).

The Bottom Line.

Embodying the gospel message basically means to live the radical transformed life as a new creation in Christ. The new creation life should embody the absolute dependency of needed God and his grace for everything. The new creation life should embody knee bent fervency to God for he is your King. The new creation life should embody devote humility to all people in order to express a changed heart. The new creation life should embody genuine love and mercy to all people to demonstrate a forgiven soul. The new creation life should embody living hope to all people to vividly illustrate faith in the promise of eternal life.

I will post more thoughts on this later, but this seemed like a good starting point for me. Tell me what you think by commenting below. Please leave your name if you post a comment!

What Is the "Truth Project?"

2010-06-01T17:32:00.000-07:00

Below is a video explaining what is the "Truth Project" hosted by Focus On the Family. I have sat through two lessons and enjoyed them both. It is fundamentally sound in the biblical accounts of Scripture and teaching believers to think and mediate on the truth claims of God. I love this study and cannot wait to finish up the next 10 lessons! Jesus said that he was "the Truth" and his word "is truth" and that God "was truth." Therefore, the Truth Project investigates these radical claims to effectively teach and exhort believers to know their Bible and faith in order to teach and exhort others through discipleship. Amen!

Thoughts on the Word "Election"

2010-05-26T15:59:00.000-07:00

I have been preparing a sermon on Ephesians 1 for my Biblical Preaching class on Thursday nights. One of the greatest chapters written by the Apostle Paul is exhibited in the opening doxology of Ephesians. However, in this doxology (meaning an outburst of praise and worship in the text) Paul explains spiritual and theological implications of the blessings we have received in Christ. One of these blessed gifts is our adoption and how God has brought us into his eternal family (i.e. kingdom of God). The other main word is election, which has been overemphasized by Calvinists and Augustinians for centuries. Now there is nothing wrong with having strong theological convictions, but if they affect ministry and Christian living, then those convictions are not true to their faith. This blog is just some brief thoughts on that word since I did a word study on it for my sermon.

The word "election" comes from the Greek word eklegomai that means to choose, pick out, and call someone unto yourself. It is referencing those whom God has set apart in the world as dear unto himself. Therefore, election is the distinct calling by God to accomplish a distinct plan of God according the distinct counsel of God's will (i.e. God's Decree).

There are 5 types of election in the Bible:
A. God elected and appointed the angels (1 Tim. 5:21; 1 Cor. 6:3; 2 Pet. 2:4; Jude 6).

B. God elected and appointed specific people to service and office such as King David as Israel's king (1 Sam. 16:7-12).

C. God elected and appointed Abraham's descendants to form the theocratic nation of Israel (Deut. 4:37; 7:6-7; 10:15; 1 Kings 3:8; Isa. 44:1-2; 45:4; 65:9, 15, 22; Amos 3:2; Acts 13:17; Rom. 9:1-5).

D. God elected and appointed Jesus as the Messiah who was called the chosen one of God (Isa. 28:16, 42:1, Matt. 12:18; Luke 9:35; 23:35; 1 Pet. 1:20; 2:4-6)

E. God elected and appointed believers from the foundation of the world unto salvation (John 15:16; Eph. 1:3-11; Rom. 8:28-11:36; 1 Thess. 2:13; 1 Pet. 2:9)

The first four are usually never usually argued about and are fundamentally presuppositions of evangelical theology. In other words, almost all Christian complete agree. However, the last presupposition of the biblical doctrine of election has been debated and argued about over thousands of years. I believe one of the reason why it is so debated is because it is about the salvation of souls. The others forms of election are not based on the only salvific hope for the New Testament believer or sinner. With that being said, examining all the New Testament Scriptures that mention election are key to interpret in context with the author's original intent for that word to its original readers. Never do we read the word election in the writing of Paul that is specifically delineating some people are chosen and some are passed by, but rather God has chosen those (who believe) that Paul is writing to and that they should glorify God through holiness because of their holy calling (cf. Ephesians 1:4-5). Therefore, election is very important! It is not just a doctrinal word for sovereign foundations but a practical word to teach us we are called to live as God has called us to live. he called Israel to be holy because He is holy, and the same standard applies to the those in the New Testament church who are of the elect.

Nevertheless, Election is a mysterious and infinite complexity to our minds. It is difficult for us [who so willing want to know how] to discover how God works in his salvific ways, and how God can choose some to be saved and leave some to be saved. God's ways are mysteries to us as they were to Moses (Deut. 29:29), his infinite eternal ways are higher than our finite temporal ways as they were to Isaiah (Isa. 55:8-9), and none of us can fully understand his vast wisdom just like the expression of the Apostle Paul (Rom. 11:33-35). Well, I guess the age old answer to that question is, "Well election is God's decree - his will. It is not a matter if it is fair or not fair, God is God and he can do whatever he wants for his glory." This is true because the Bible tells us so ("Everything was created for his glory," Isa. 43:7). However, the question regarding election is not about fairness or based on the means of what God can or cannot do, but "how".

How does God choose only some, and by what standards?
How does God only choose some and for what plausible reasons?
How does God choose some who will believe and who will not believe in eternity pass?

All of these questions are difficult to answer and theologians have tried to answer it through logical and reasonable thinking based off Scripture. But for me this is all I know: I do not know "how" election works, but I just know that there "is" election. The Bible makes it clear that election exists. Election is a biblical doctrine found in the Old Testament and New Testament. I do not know how it works, but I know God does it and he has operated sovereignly since the beginning! God is sovereign and that means there has to be election.

In order to be born-again and regenerated, you must be born of the Spirit. You cannot be saved unless your of the elect of God, which are those who believe. Faith to believe only comes through hearing the Word of God. The Spirit of God convicts you of sin, righteousness, and judgment which leads you to Jesus. Jesus then calls you because he said "his sheep" hear his voice and follow him. Finally, through confession and repentance you receive him as your Savior and God. Those implications suggest that salvation is based off of the prerogatives of God working in an active and sovereign way in the life of those who will believe in him. Salvation can only happen by the supernatural work of God through election in which people are redeemed. God in Christ vividly expresses that those who are in the church as saved, sealed, and sanctified believers are of the elect - the children of God - and have been called out of darkness into his marvelous life to the praise of His glory. Wow, this is so perplexing! I feel like Paul when he said, "Oh, the depths of God, how unsearchable are his ways!" (Rom. 11:33).

So let's just remember what Election refers to in the Bible. Here are six things:

1. Election is a sovereign, eternal decree of God.

2. The presupposition of God's eternal decree of election is that the human race is fallen; election involves God gracious rescue plan of sinners.

3. Election is "election in Christ"; election involves rescue from sin and guilt and receiving the gracious gifts of salvation.

4. Election involves both the elect's salvation and the means to the end.

5. Election is individual, personal, specific, and particular.

6. Election has the ultimate goal to exalt the glory and praise of God.

So this brings us to another question. Does the Bible teach “double predestination,” that God has selected some for damnation as well as some for salvation? Predestination exists because God has to be sovereign and know all things from the beginning, but does that mean he literally chose some to be condemned? This is difficult to answer because our minds work in pursuit of truth through logistics and philosophy.

I believe the Holman Bible Dictionary answers this perfectly:

"There are passages (Romans 9:11-22; 2 Corinthians 2:15-16) which portray God as a potter who has molded both vessels of mercy and vessels of destruction. Yet the Bible also teaches that God does not wish any one to perish but for all to be saved (John 3:16; 2 Peter 3:9). We are not able to understand how everything the Bible says about election fits into a neat logical system. Our business is not to pry into the secret counsel of God but to share the message of salvation with everyone and to be grateful that we have been delivered from darkness into light."

There are three eternal attributes of God that help me rest in contentment of trying to know how it all works. God is all powerful and can do anything he wills and all things he wills are done perfectly - Omnipotence. God is all knowing and understands everything that is happening, will happen, and will not happen - Omniscience. God is all present and active in every place and in the realm of every person who breathes - Omnipresence. These three doctrines are so important to remember because our God is so powerful, wise, and vast that he is always in control and knows what he is doing graciously. He is a pursuer of sinners and desires all to come to the knowledge of the truth, even though the he says not all will come to him. Therefore we need to understand two things: Preach the Gospel to all people so they can hear the Word and come to faith in Christ crucified. Secondly, understand election about Christians being called to be holy because of their sovereign foundation in Christ. Election has nothing to do with non-believers.

So the bottom line about when you hear the word election, do not think that God only saves some, but that God is in the business of saving and he has saved you if your a believer! God elects to save and rescue sinners through Christ of their sins! Think of the doctrine of election as a "family secret" once you get into the kingdom (i.e. become a Christian). You did not know of your inclusion into the kingdom until after you got saved. What a grace-giving doctrine that God would chose and call us into a relationship with him and give us the unmerited spiritual blessings found only in his beloved Son, Jesus Christ. We need to go preach the Gospel to people so they can know the same blessed God who loves us with an everlasting love!

Do the Work of An Evangelist

2010-05-21T21:13:00.000-07:00

Today I meet my good friend Danny Shaw after school to hit some pitches at the batting cages. We had a blast and got some good practice in for our softball game tomorrow. Afterwards, we decided to go over to the nearest park at Jackson Elementary. I played there when I was in little league and thought it would be a perfect place to play some catch and shag some balls. As Danny and I were playing catch, he missed one of the balls and it hit him in the knee, instantly making him fall down with laughter because of his clumsiness. While this was going on, there were two Jr. High kids that were sitting on the other side of the school yard who were laughing at us. I laughed back to them laugh and it caused them to think I was making fun of them, so they mocked me by saying some sexual comment about my mom or whatever.

Whatever the word was, it was not edifying and definitely not appropriate for anyone to say publicly to another person. This caused me to walk over to him and confront him by saying, "What did you say? Speak up, say it again." I walked over to him all serious and it scared the living daylights out of these two kids. It was so funny, but it was also mean because I looked so serious and they probably thought I was coming over to pound them in the ground, lol. Nevertheless, I wanted them to learn a lesson they would never forget. When I got closer to them, one of the kids (the kid sitting next to the other kid who said the "momma joke") started to back away from his friend. When I got right next to him, I said again, "What did you say? Say it to my face." So the kid said in a very scared voice, "I said your momma..." Well right after he admitted to what he said, and I heard what he said, I replied, "Oh ok, your forgiven bro. No hard feelings. You were scared huh?" Man, it was so funny but at the same time such a lesson this kid learned about saying bad things about people and making fun of others.

So these two kids started to laugh with me after I told them that I was messing with them to teach them a valuable lesson. They listened to me, and accepted my forgiveness towards them. This opened the door to preach the Gospel! I shared for 30 minutes the trustworthiness of the Bible, Deity of Christ, and the Gospel message. They were so convicted after they confessed their sins and they both wanted to ask Christ into their lives as their God and Savior. We prayed together and they both received Christ!

What a great work! God is awesome how he used me and Danny in such a random way! Glory to God! The Lord showed me two things:

1. To always be ready in season and out of season to preach the Word.
"Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching." 2 Timothy 4:2

2. To have the heart to do the work of an evangelist!
"You, however, be self-controlled 1 in all things, endure hardship, do an evangelist’s work, fulfill your ministry." 2 Timothy 4:5

Paul in Athens, Greece preaching the Gospel!

How To Build a Good Library

2010-05-20T21:25:00.000-07:00

Tonight in class we ended up going over principles on how to build a good library with practice solutions. As a preacher of God's word, the message needs to be prepared with tools. The tools for a preacher are books. The main book to use is obviously the Bible, however, supporting books (i.e. tools) are necessary to help interpret the Bible accurately. Commentaries, theology books, and scholar exegetical studies are the tools that build messages and make sure you stay on course with the historical-culture context of the Scriptures. The message that was given to the first century original writers is the same message to us, however, we need not to redefine terms, but understand them in a relevant way that is applicable to our times. The methods may change, but the message stays the same! I have been getting that drilled into my hermeneutics class on Monday nights and now in my homiletics class on Thursday nights. God is showing me great things in the Word and cannot wait to share it with others when I get the opportunity.

As I have been preaching now for over two years, I have experienced massive growth. Studying to preach messages build the preachers walk in Christ. Digging so deep into the root of Scriptural ideas and contextual realities opens the mind and provides a wealth of new knowledge that was not know previously. I love studying the word, but I need help to make my studies accurate so they will bear much fruit in the lives of the learners (listeners in the flock of God). Therefore, studying requires having studying material. What studying material do preachers use? They use books. Lots of books by lots of authors. Preachers need to have a good library filled with solid Christian sources for their messages. In this case, building a good library is necessary for spiritual growth and biblical productivity in ministry for the messenger and his message. But the age old question comes to mind, "What books should I get?" Below are some tips my teach said about building a good biblical library that should consist of strong commentaries, theology and doctrine books, and scholarly exegetical studies such as Old Testament/New Testament surveys.

Here are some tips when building a good library:

1. Buy books on sale at Christian Book Distributors; buying from a Christian company and they have sales!

2. Borrow books from friends who are not using them, especially the expensive ones!

3. Read new/other commentaries to find out what authors you enjoy reading and buy those.

4. Buy whole bible commentaries that are cheap to give you basic understanding over each book of the Bible.

5. Get top scholarly exegetical commentaries on specific books of the Bible that are their "expertise" or field.

6. Invest in getting book you will use AGAIN in twenty years, do not waste money on topical/series books.

7. Invest in deeper commentaries and theological books for you to grow and develop in your spiritual roots.

8. Buy very good doctrinal books on individual theology topics (God, Trinity, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Sin, Salvation, Bible, Church, etc).

9. Use books from the CBU Library if your a student or alumni! (undergraduates can check out 10, graduates 15, and alumni 5 books at a time).

10. Build your library as you progress in your studies and teachings throughout ministry (so when you go through a new book like the Gospel of John, but some John commentaries then, instead of wasting all of that money on commentaries before you study that book. Gradually build your commentary library as you study each book one by one).

The Truth Project

2010-05-19T00:18:00.000-07:00

Jesus came, "For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ." John 1:17

Jesus said, "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." John 8:32

Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life." John 14:6

Jesus said, ""Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth." John 17:17

Jesus said, "Therefore Pilate said to Him, "So You are a king?" Jesus answered, "You say correctly that I am a king. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice." John 18:37

Doctrine 5 - The Atonement of Christ

2010-05-16T18:37:00.000-07:00

Doctrine 5 - The Atonement of Christ

The Death of Jesus

"The Atonement of Jesus Christ is the one and only eternal propitiated offering and perfect sacrificial death for the forgiveness of sins, which provides the one and only way of salvation for all humanity to receive the immeasurable gift of eternal life."

What is “Atonement?”
1. Atonement – The act of dealing with sin whereby sin’s penalty is paid and the sinner is brought into a right relation with God.

Three major terms to know about Atonement for our study:
A. Propitiation – The act to appease and turn away the divine wrath and judgment of sin on an unrighteous sinner to be made a righteous saint in Christ.

B. Substitution – The Act to serve as a replacement for an unrighteous sinner who is deserving of punishment for their sin.

C. Justification – The act to acknowledge an unrighteous sinner as righteous because of their faith in the sacrificial death Christ.

The Great Exchange - My Sin For His Righteousness
2 Corinthians 5:21 says, “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”

“The Great Exchange, in which God caused our sin to be traded for Christ’s righteousness, is crystallized and summed up in 2 Cor. 5:21. The message of the cross – the historical gospel of the God-Man, Jesus Christ, who personally visited earth, which was created through him, with the mission of redeeming his own people with his own infinitely precious, bloody, substitutionary death – has been and must remain the solitary basis and the singular foundation of the Christian faith and worldview. Its immutability and unchanging message of the gospel is woven into the fabric of authentic Christianity.” – Sinclair Ferguson

Where did Atonement come from?
1. Leviticus 17:11 – “For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul.’

2. Hebrews 9:22 – “And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission.

Who does the Atonement cover?
1. Believers are the only recipients of Christ’s atonement.
(John 3:16, 10:25-30)
2. Jesus died for the sin of the world, but his atonement is only effective for those who will believe in the Gospel.
(1 Timothy 2:4-6)

Let’s Investigate three areas of the Atonement:
I. Old Testament Originality (Jewish Nation)
II. New Testament Reality (Jew & Gentile Nation)
III. 21st Century Living (Our Nation)

I. Old Testament Originality
A. Adam’s covering
Genesis 3:21, “The LORD God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife, and clothed them.”

B. Noah’s commitment
Genesis 7:2, 8:20, "You shall take with you seven each of every clean animal, a male and his female; two each of animals that are unclean, a male and his female; Then Noah built an altar to the LORD, and took of every clean animal and of every clean bird, and offered burnt offerings on the altar.”

C. Abraham’s Covenant
Genesis 22:13, 15-18, “Then Abraham raised his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him a ram caught in the thicket by his horns; and Abraham went and took the ram and offered him up for a burnt offering in the place of his son. Then the angel of the LORD called to Abraham a second time from heaven, and said, "By Myself I have sworn, declares the LORD, because you have done this thing and have not withheld your son, your only son, indeed I will greatly bless you, and I will greatly multiply your seed as the stars of the heavens and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your seed shall possess the gate of their enemies. In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice."

D. Moses commandment
Leviticus 1:2, 7:37-38, “Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: ‘When any one of you brings an offering to the LORD, you shall bring your offering of the livestock––of the herd and of the flock. This is the law of the burnt offering, the grain offering, the sin offering, the trespass offering, the consecrations, and the sacrifice of the peace offering, which the LORD commanded Moses on Mount Sinai, on the day when He commanded the children of Israel to offer their offerings to the LORD in the Wilderness of Sinai.”

OLD TESTAMENT PROPHECY
1. Isaiah 53:1-12 (The Suffering Servant)
2. Zechariah 13:1-9 (The Suffering Shepherd)

II. New Testament Reality
A. Jesus predicts his substitutionary death three times.
Mark 8:31-32, 9:31-32, 10:32, 34, 45.

B. Jesus reinterprets the Passover feast as the Lord’s Supper as a new covenant.
Matthew 26, Mark 14, Luke 22

C. Jesus is called the Lamb of God who takes away our sins.
John 1:29 (27 times in Revelation!)

D. Jesus was born with a purpose to take away the sins of his people.
Matthew 1:21

D. The Apostles knew Jesus died for them for their redemption by their preaching and faith.
Acts 2-4, 1 John 1:7-9, 2:1-2; Ephesians 1:7, Colossians 1:12-14

E. The Early Church celebrated the Lord’s Supper in remembrance of the death of Christ for this sins.
Acts 2:46, 1 Corinthians 11:17-34

III. 21st Century Living
A. Be Cross-Centered – Fixate everything you do in your life on the centrality of cross-bearing discipleship through Christ-likeness. (Follow the ways of the Lord!)
B. Be Gospel-Focused – Use every opportunity to glorify the Lord and share the wonderful message of the cross through your words and deeds in truth.
(Serve the Lord!)

Because of the cross, we can now live with these blessings:
Randy Alcorn said, “God has never given up on his original creation, because in the Bible, there is a biblical vocabulary that makes this point clear. Each of these biblical words begins with the ‘re-prefix,’ suggesting a return to an original condition that was ruined or lost.”

In Christ we have six things:
1. Redemption: buying back what was formerly owned.
2. Reconciliation: regaining a friend.
3. Renewal: making new again, restoring to an original state.
4. Resurrection: becoming physically alive again, after death.
5. Regeneration: being born again, having a new beginning.
6. Restoration: bringing back the lost.

Wrapping Up.
1. Recognize the atonement of Jesus. He has forgiven you of all our sins.

2. Focus on the cross of Jesus as the most revolutionary thing ever known to mankind, so embrace the “God-Man” our Savior who hung on it for you to be saved.

3. Treasure the triumphal and joyful knowledge of the substitutionary Death of Jesus for your redemption (free from the bondage of sin, death, and Satan).

4. Delight in the comfort of justification [through faith] in Jesus, in which he gives you peace and overwhelming thankfulness that he has saved you from the wrath and wages of sin, while in return he has given you the hope, security, and gift of eternal life in heaven.

Fishing Ventures with Danny Mendez and RJ McCauley!

2010-05-07T15:06:00.000-07:00

WOW! What a great birthday fishing trip I had today with my good friend Danny Mendez. We went to Diamond Valley Lake in Hemet, CA. It is probably the best lake in the entire Southern California region for fishing Largemouth Bass and Striped Bass. Over the last year, we have had many fishing ventures that has been a success, and a disaster! We have caught some fish, and have also returned empty handed. However, today was a day to remember for me (the birthday boy). Danny wanted to take me fishing for my birthday, but due to our schedules, we could not set a date to go fish. So last week Danny called me and asked me, "When are we going fishing bro? It's on me!" I told him Friday the 7th would work fine. We ended up leaving this morning at 4:45 AM and returned about 2:00 PM. Danny caught several trout (which we tried to use for bait for a big Striper!) and 1.5-2.0 lb. Bass! Nevertheless, I was on fire today by catching 4 monster fish. They were a great fight and I enjoyed every second of it! I used my new lures called YUM Money Minnows in trout colors, and they were spot on! I caught my last two fish on that swim-bait, however, the first two lunkers I caught were on the watermelon ZOOM Lizard. I through that on some spawn bed and, booyah, I had a fish on! Just a few moments after that, I through that lure out again and I landed a very nice size Striper off a brush line point!

5 lb. Largemouth Bass caught on a watermelon Zoom Lizard.

6 lb. Striper caught on a watermelon Zoom Lizard.

5 lb. Striper caught on a trout Yum Money Minnow.

4 lb. Striper caught on a trout Yum Money Minnow.

To sum up the day, I enjoyed God's creation and observed some principles in fishing that relate to biblical matters. The disciples were fishermen. They understood the sport and occupation. So when they were not catching anything that one dark morning when they were fishing all night, I can totally relate to that because when I do not catch a fish for a long time, it is depressing and fatiguing. Nevertheless, the story did not stop there, and Jesus spoke to them to cast their nets on the other side and booyah, they caught hundreds! Adrenaline started pumping and the depression was emancipated. The disciples were focused on what they did not have (any fish in the nets) and were spiritually depressed without the joyfulness of God. However, when they least expected it, Jesus came on the scene and blessed them abundantly with jubilant cheers of wonder and awe. This was the exact scenario that was going on in my life before I went fishing today. I have been casting out my nets to get a job, interview, etc., which resulted in me focusing on what I did not have. While fishing with Danny, however, I was blessed with the simplicity of fellowship and fishing on a cool, beautiful morning, and caught 4 wild stallions at DVL. Amen! What a blessing. My net feels full right now because of the abundant joy and blessing I feel with the kindness of the Lord and the friendship I have with my brotha Danny who blessed me with coffee & doughnuts in the morning, and Chipotle for lunch on the way home! Thank you Lord for showing me not to look at what I do not have, but expect the unexpected glory of God to unfold in my life through these "ventures."

Danny, thanks for such a great trip and being such a great pal. Blessings on you!

Cinco de Mayo = Good Food!

2010-05-05T14:12:00.000-07:00

I love mexican food, and on no other day is it more proper to eat that ethnic food than on cinco de Mayo. My favorite chef has to be Bobby Flay because he cooks Southwest Mexican style food all the time. Thinking about such food is making me hungry right about now! Melissa's mom always makes some great new flavors of Mexican food that I have never had before and introduced me to some great dishes over the last few years. So from here on, I am hooked on Mexican food. There is a wonderful, yet small, restaurant in downtown Riverside called El Bajio. It means "the kitchen." highly recommend going there for lunch. Nevertheless, my favorite Mexican restaurant is El Torito and Anchos. They are inseparable. I just love the flavors and the quality of food.

So make sure to go get some Mexican food to eat this week!

Summer Semester Begins!

2010-05-04T23:14:00.000-07:00

I am so excited to start taking classes this summer because they are a challenge. My two classes are "Biblical Interpretation" and "Biblical Preaching" at Cbu as a DCP student at night on Monday and Thursday nights. However, the classes demand a lot of work. I will literally be in the Word day and night not for devotional or ministry purposes, yet for school homework purposes! What a great class - a class that studies the Bible. I love that! As I look at the amazing opportunity to go to Cbu and develop a biblical foundation for a lifetime of ministry, I am eager to see how the Lord is going to use me and my passions in life to teach believers, preach to the lost, and reach out to other brokenhearted in Jesus name. He has definitely opened that door and called me to enroll at Cbu, and has brought special people in my life that I have made great friendships with over the past semesters. So with all of this said, let the summer semester begin!

Disney World, Here We Come!

2010-05-03T16:57:00.000-07:00

Today marks a wonderful day for me and my beautiful bride to be. There is now a time of excitement and expectancy for Melissa and I because we booked our honeymoon vacation at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida! We will be staying there for 7 days total. Our honeymoon vacation package is fully loaded with a great dining plan, room accommodations, and transportation throughout our stay at the resort. My mom's sister, aunt Carol, is a travel agent and a Disney Resort representative. She booked our entire vacation for us, and saved us some good money by finding some promotions that were offered to us! Thank you Aunt Carol! Nevertheless, one of the most wonderful aspects of this honeymoon is the gracious gift of Melissa's grandma. Her grandma has blessed us with two courtesy flights that will be "first-class" from Ontario, CA to Orlando, FL for our airfare with American Airlines. WOW! What a blessing. Thank you Grandma Shirley!

The resort we chose to stay at will be the Caribbean Beach Resort that reflects being in the Bahamas and the Caribbean islands with the flowers, music, food, colors, and architecture. Melissa and I are excited to travel to the east coast and enjoy our first week together at the happiest place on earth - Walt Disney World. Disneyland is different because it was the original theme park constructed in the 1950's by Walt, however, he had plans to develop a bigger kingdom of happiness and adventure by designing Disney World in Florida, a decade or so later. He never saw it completed, but when it was finished, it had multiple parks and extended to the world as a place of ultimate fun.

Currently, there are four major theme parks that are all linked together: Disney's Animal Kingdom, Epcot, Disney's MGM Studios, and the Magic Kingdom. During our stay, however, we will be doing one of the two water parks at Disney World as well! Melissa and I are all about having fun, and I cannot imagine any other place besides Disney World to have a once in a life time adventurous experience together. We go to Disneyland a lot since we are annual pass holders, and will totally enjoy visiting all the different world class resorts, riding epic theme park attractions, and soaking up the sun at the Caribbean Beach Resort. Please pray that the weather would be wonderful and there would be no hurricanes, rain storms, or gnarly winds!

God is proving and on the move in our lives! He has been providing for the wedding, and now is on the move to provide for the honeymoon! The Lord has made all things work together to glorify him and bless us for our good pleasure. Praise King Jesus! Therefore, as of today, our whole honeymoon vacation is set and read for September after our wedding.

The Cross - Shai Linne

2010-05-01T16:26:00.001-07:00

It’s where we see Your holiness- at the cross

We see that You’re controlling this- at the cross

We see how You feel about sin- at the cross

Your unfathomable love for men- at the cross

It’s where we see Your sovereignty- at the cross

We see our idolatry- at the cross

We know that there’s a judgment day- from the cross

May we never take our eyes away- from the cross

The Radical Cross

2010-04-30T23:18:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow my Men's softball season begins through Harvest Sports. God has blessed me with a great group of new guys and old faces to play so ball on the fields this Spring. I am in desperate need to hit up the batting cages because I am rusty (timing is off at hitting). Nevertheless, I was swinging great while having a good time last week out on the field. The balls we are using this season are lame! They are what I call "masher balls" because they hard to hit due to their softness it accumlates during the game. The best thing this season, however, is the study. We are going through the Life Guide Bible Study series titled "The Cross" by John Stott. John Stott is one of the great Christian theologians, pastor, and biblical author who is know for his book The Cross of Christ. The study should be a great time of spiritual growth with the brothers. I am excited to see what the Lord is going to do in the lives of those in the ministry and on the team. God always shows up to our studies and answers our prayers when we pray together and seek him with a pure heart. The theme of this season is cross-bearing discipleship.

John MacArthur, my favorite Bible teacher, wisely described the proper context of taking up the cross and following Jesus: "A cross is the willing sacrifice of everything one has, including life, for the sake of Christ. It is something that, like the Lord Himself, a believer must take on himself when it is thrust upon him by the unbelieving world because of his relationship to God." During this season I plan on going through a few books along with the study on the cross. One of the books is A.W. Tozer's The Radical Cross. Here are some of the main points from the small but deep theological exposition on the implications and significance of the cross.

1. The Radical Cross - Its Power

2. The Radical Cross - Its Price

3. The Radical Cross - Its Purpose

4. The Radical Cross - Its Pain

5. The Radical Cross - Its Provision

6. The Radical Cross - Its Paradox

7. The Radical Cross - It's Promise

A.W. Tozer says in this book, "The cross of Christ is the most revolutionary thing ever to appear among men. We must do something about the cross, and one of two things we can do - flee from it or die upon it."

Charles H. Spurgeon said "There are no crown-wearers in heaven who were not cross-bearers here below."

Jesus said concerning being his disciple that you would have to "deny yourself, take up the cross, and follow me" (Mark 8:34). The three necessities of cross-bearing obedience as a faithful follower of Jesus is to die to your old life and image, take up the new life and image in Christ, and pursue the Lord was your Savior and King. I am excited to grow in my commitment to the Lord and gain new insights and refreshing truth about Jesus and what he did for me on the cross at calvary.

Technological Advancement In the Church!

2010-04-27T20:22:00.000-07:00

I was reading recently about the ancient days of the church and how they used their "technology" and "educational resources" to grow the church and make disciples. The advancements are amazing when you consider how far we have come. People use to hide the Word, and now the Word is hard to hide. People use to teach Christian education as classes, now Christian education is the sole purpose of colleges (seminaries).

1. Monasteries 500-1300 AD - The church ran away from the public who needed to hear the Gospel and lived in solitary places in the wilderness with the manuscripts of the Scriptures to copy and study on papyrus, animal hyde, and artwork. If anyone wanted the scriptures, you had to be a monk dude, travel insane distances, have cash, and know someone on the inside of the Catholic church.

2. Universities 1300-1800 AD - The academic side of the church blossomed and Christian education became a forefront stamp of being intelligent and poised to be a great figure in nation or local government. Only those who were rich typical received education that was a mixture of philosophy, arithmetic, science, and theology. Massive translations happened during this period to write the Scriptures and publish the Bible in different languages worldwide. This caused a Reformation, one of the most important events in all of church history, and a major split happened between Catholics and Protestants occurred, paving the way for the expansion the Gospel, development of Christian studies, and missionaries to go out to into the world with the Bible. During this university era, teaching would only happen on campus and if you were not asked or could afford university tuition, too bad, you were out of luck and could not be educated. This caused a massive divide between the educated and uneducated.

3. Seminaries 1800-1900 AD - It was time to establish schools that focused only on educating men to be theologians and pastors in the growing United States of America. Churches began to sponsor men who wanted to be in the ministry and sent them to seminaries to be trained. This took away from the church-based leadership development and caused issues because of the elitism of graduates verses undergraduates who were serving in ministry. Ministry division during the Civil War broke out and seminaries divided on who could go and teach at their institution of Christian education. After the War, things settled down, but the emphasis on seminaries as "cementaries" is still an issue because of the lack of faithful shepherd leaders who go to school to gain an education for a life time of ministry.

4. Church-Based Ministries 1900-2000 AD
   A. Small Group Movement - Minimize the large church into a small church community of fellowship.
   B. Discipleship Movement - Make solid disciples verses decisions through expository preaching.
   C. Conference and Seminar Movement - Special gathering on biblical topics to defend, equip believers.
   D. Technology Movement - Sermons and books on Podcasts, iTunes, iPad, E-mails, YouTube.

Today we have so much technology we do not know how to deal with all of it. Starting a church and getting out information is easier than it has ever been before in the history of mankind. Churches are now able to make small groups more effective because of the availability due to technology. The best news, however, is that Christian education is available to everyone every day 24/7. The internet, iTunes, radio, and other technology provides opportunities to hear the Word!

Personal Transformation

2010-04-26T23:26:00.000-07:00

The Apostle Paul had a personal transformation. We know this because he tells us this in the letter to the churches in Galatia. The book of Galatians is a clear exposition on justification by faith. It is the Gospel that transforms. The message of eternal life permeates a radical life-altering transformation from death to life. Paul understood this and told the Galatians he has been made a new creation in Christ.

Galatians 2:20 says, "I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. I live my days by faith in the Son of God, who loves me and gave his life for me."

Paul was "crucified with Christ". Interesting to note, the Greek tense for the verb " crucified" conveys a continual transformation. Luke's Gospel says that we are "take up our cross daily," which has a similar Greek tense that means a continual self-denial of the flesh and taking up a spiritual identity with the cross of Christ (cf. Luke 9:23). The radical calling is a change from an old lifestyle to a new lifestyle. One that was dead in sin to a life that is alive in salvation. Paul lost his old life and counted as rubbish (Philippians 3:8). He examined his life daily by a personal reflection. Paul changed from Saul of Tarsus, who murdered Christians, into the Apostle Paul who multiplied Christians. Through his personal reflection of who he use to be and who he was in Christ, it provided for him a Christ-like identification. Personal reflection in Christ provides a Christ-like identification.

The Apostle Paul said that "Christ lives in him." Every day Paul lived in the Spirit. He had Jesus Christ dwelling in his life, which is the hope of glory for all believers (cf. Colossians 1:27). Christ is manifested in believers lives, and gives them a new "imago dei" [image] in Christ with a regenerated and renewed lifestyle in righteousness and holiness. Paul understood this lifestyle and he made it public with all those who saw him.

Doctrine 4 - Incarnation of Christ

2010-04-25T13:52:00.000-07:00

Doctrine 4 - Incarnation of Christ
Jesus Christ is the incarnate, visible representative of God in the flesh, who was born of a virgin woman, lived a humbled, mortal and human life as all earthly beings, suffered a painful death, was buried in a grave to signify his execution, and rose again on the third day, bodily, to prove he was fully man.

The Identity of Jesus’ Humanity
What is the difference from his deity?

1. Divine nature – Eternal attributes of God.
2. Human nature – Earthly attributes of a human.

Why is this important?
The Incarnation of Jesus Christ is foundational to the Christian faith because if Jesus was just Divine, then he could not die. God cannot die because he is eternal. However, if God becomes flesh, he becomes mortal and can die. And if he becomes mortal, he can live a righteous life. Jesus in his humanity fulfilled the law by living a sinless life in order to provide a righteous sacrifice for the forgiveness of sins.

“Jesus was like us in every respect but one: he was without sin. Jesus had to be fully human to serve as our perfectly obedience representative. Just as Jesus had to be human to live in our place, he also had to be human to die in our place.” – Dr. Wayne Grudem

There are several main streams of evidence that prove Jesus was a Man.

1. Old Testament portrays the Messiah as a Man.
A. Isaiah 7:14 says, “…Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.”

B. Isaiah 9:6 says, “Unto us a child is born. Unto us a Son is given…”

The prophecies regarding the Messiah expressed that he would have a human nature and live as a mortal being. Jesus was prophesied to be a Man!

2. The Gospels portray Jesus Christ as a Man.
A. Virgin Birth – Born as a human.
(Matt. 1:18; 2:11, 21; Luke 2:6-7, 16; John 1:14; Gal. 4:4)

B. Herod’s Census/Escape to Egypt – Fled because of threat on human life.
(Matt. 2:13, 16)

C. The Visit by the Wise Men – Looking for a boy who is King.
(Matt. 2:2, 11)

D. Childhood Growth – Developed skills as all children.
(Luke 2:27, 34, 40, 43, 51, 52)

E. Baptism by John the Baptist – Bodily immersed in water by John’s own hands.
(Matt. 3:13-17)

F. Social Interaction - Publicly known as just a man.
(Luke 4:16; John 7:14-15; John 8:6)

G. Physical Infirmities – He had physical and emotional characteristics that all humans have.
(Matt. 4:2 hungry, John 19:28 thirsty, Matt. 8:24 sleeps; Matt 23:37 & John 11:35 cries, Hebrews 2:18 tempted)

H. Jewish Trial – He was condemned because he was a man claiming to be God.
(Matt. 26:61)

I. Roman Trial – He was identified as an innocent man by Pilate.
(Matt. 27:19)

J. Death at the Cross – He died a physically painful human death.
(Matt 27:50, Mark 15:37, Luke 23:46)

K. Bodily burial in tomb – He was physically buried as a dead man.
(Luke 23:50-55)

L. Bodily Resurrection – He rose again in the same human body.
(Luke 24:15-17; Luke 24:36-43, John 20:24-28)

M. Bodily Ascension – He ascended to heaven in his glorified body.
(Acts 1:9-11)

3. The Apostles portrayed Jesus as a Man.
A. He has the title of being a Man.
(1 Timothy 2:5-6)

B. He was a perfect example of a Man.
(Philippians 2:5-8)

Jesus was like us in every way, however, he was sinless. This separates Jesus Christ from all other human figures on earth. Jesus Christ was the perfect, obedient, and righteous Man who lived.

A. He knew no sin. (2 Corinthians 5:21)
B. He was tempted but did not sin (Hebrews 4:15)
C. He alone was not a law violator, but lived a perfect life in obedience to the law to atone for our sins (Romans 5:15-21)

Wrapping Up.
1. Deepen your understanding and grow in the knowledge of the love of Christ, and how he came to this earth, from eternity, to take his life for our place so we could have salvation!

2. Embrace the glorious message of the gospel in you hearts to live more like Jesus! We were saved to life, therefore we should live to serve.

3. Remember the words of Jesus when he said, “The Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and give his life a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45)

The Causality for Following Jesus

2010-04-24T23:34:00.000-07:00

Why do Christians follow Jesus Christ? Following someone means your their disciple. A disciple lives in such a way that mimics their mentors teachings, lifestyle, and example to others. Christians, however, have a mentor named Jesus Christ, who lived a law-fulfilling, humbled life and died a substitutionary death for their sins. Therefore, an exemplary sacrifice delivers a cognitive appropriateness for conversion, and provokes a pursue to follow after the One who died for them. Jesus died for our sins, so we can die to our sins in order to be more like him. The best definition of why Christians follow Jesus is because of his love for them. He loved them and willingly died for them in order to redeem their souls from everlasting separation, wrath, and judgment. The Apostle John summed it all up perfectly in his first epistle when he said, "In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. We love him because he first loved us."

Unworthy Arguments by Believers for the Defense of Scripture

2010-04-23T22:16:00.000-07:00

I was listening to this sermon on the truth of Scripture and was mediating on what Christians should NOT say and what they should say when trying to defend their faith. Believers need to use worthy arguments from Scripture when defending their faith. Unworthy arguments only open the door for logically follies and complicated debating that is always ends in circular reasoning. Therefore, do not give a weak answer for your faith, but have a good, solid defense, based solely on Scripture to prove the trustworthiness of the Bible and Christianity.

The Apostle Peter completely understood this principle and penned this statement in 1 Peter 3:15 that says, "But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear."

Here are three arguments that believers should NEVER say when trying to defend the Bible:

1. Uncertain-Translation Argument - The Bible has so many translations that we do not know how correct Scripture is but I believe it is the Word of God.

2. Born-into-Religion Argument - The Bible was what I was raised up with from birth so I believe it.

3. It-Works-for-Me Argument - The Bible worked for me when I tried to live by it and I am sticking to it.

Here are three arguments from the Bible that believers should ALWAYS say when trying to defend the Bible:

1. 2 Peter 1:16-21 - The word is authored by God

2. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 The word is inspired by God

3. John 17:17 The word is declared truth by God

Thoughts on Unity - Psalm 133

2010-04-22T16:10:00.000-07:00

In my experience doing discipleship groups in high school ministry and leading small groups in men's sports ministry, I have noticed a common thread that generates growth in others. Everyone wants to have friends, be recognized, and feel appreciated. In these groups, however the theme of being together for a long period of time opens a reality of closeness and friendship. Therefore, the common thread is the longing experience every believer wants to have through the unity of the brethren.

Psalm 133:1-3, "Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! It is like the precious oil on the head, running down on the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down on the collar of his robes. It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion! For there the Lord has commanded the blessing, life forevermore."

This unity in Psalm 133 has been given to us through the Holy Spirit. In the New Testament, Paul explains in Colossians 1:27 that "Christ in you, the hope of glory" resides in the believer and brings everyone together (Jew and Gentile). It is the indwelling Spirit of Christ that unites all believers together in a not of this world fellowship. It opens the eyes of all believer that they all have something in common. Through this continuity, spiritual growth occurs. Proverbs 27:17 tells us "iron sharpens iron" just as a friends encourages ands strengthens one another. May we grow when we fellowship with one another in the faith!

Leadership Distinctives - Preparing the Soil

2010-04-21T15:43:00.000-07:00

Jeff Jones writes in his co-authored book with his seminary graduates The Leadership Baton, that there are several essential "cultivating principles" to develop a culture in the church where growing leadership can prosper and succeed. The first one is to "prepare the soil" which is the solid foundation from which all leadership develop will blossom. They say that churches who take this radical approach to develop leadership is more difficult than bring in leadership or shipping out people to become leaders. They argue the churches that do this will be more fruitful and build stronger "core values of leadership development into their church culture."

After establishing a biblical template, there are some practical things that are necessary to do.

1. We must put on the eyeglasses of potential - see people in which who they can become.

2. We must tear down the idol of valuing excellence - use people who are available, not just academically equipped.

3. We must pass on a baton - give people the opportunity and responsibility to become future leaders.

4. We must develop leaders from where God planted them - develop people in your own church to be leaders.

5. We must prioritize a lifelong learning process - lead people for constant growth for the rest of their lives. If you will grow, they will grow.

Blessed = Happy : Thoughts on the Sermon on the Mount

2010-04-20T10:53:00.000-07:00

After this Sunday's message by Pastor Greg at Harvest on the Beatitudes, I was thinking about its implications to my spiritual life presently during this time of difficulty in the Inland Empire as the economy continues to plummet, and unemployment rises. Also, I was comparing it to other great speeches and works of history. Nothing can compare to the intellectual, social, and moral teachings within the Sermon on the Mount.

The Sermon on the Mount is the Greatest Sermon in History.
The Beatitudes are the beginning of Jesus' teachings in the most famous sermon of all human history, the Sermon on the Mount. The historical fame of the Sermon on the Mount over the centuries is impossible to compare. In American history, the Declaration of Independence is very influential and famous, which states, "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." This changed the North American world and created a new national identity for people to live in freedom (in what is now the United States of America). More recently in the cultural revolution days of the sixties and seventies, the serious impact of Martin Luther King's speech I Have a Dream shifted cultural barriers and is remembered as one of the most significant and influential speeches for the good of humanity. These two types of reforms were influential and changed the course of their country and the way people thought about others and themselves.

The Sermon on the Mount, however, is the most revolutionary and transforming teaching every taught. It has impacted thousands of people over 2000 years of history, and the relevancy of the fundamental teachings by Jesus are literally not of this world. No one could ever teach with such authority, conviction, morality, and truth. This sermon has endured and possesses life altering and life changing power because those who are doers of the Word find happiness, because the teachings encompass a passion for holiness and dependency on Christ. It transforms lives more powerfully than the Declaration of Independence and Martin Luther King's speech I Have a Dream because it is a sermon by God himself. God incarnate, Jesus Christ the Son of God, spoke these words in which shatters the self-righteous, personal-pleasure, and narcissistic hope to have a good life on your own. The Sermon on the Mount purges the hearts of all men and conveyed a reality that defied all moral teachings and philosophy. Therefore, if you cling to any other influential historical writings, or moral teaching and philosophy, you will never find absolute happiness. Absolute happiness is found in absolute holiness. Absolute holiness is found in absolute truth. The words of Christ are these things, "Sanctify them by your Word. Your Word is truth" (John 17:17). The Sermon on the Mount begins with Jesus saying "Blessed are" those who do these things. In the Declaration of Independence, however, you will never find such Divine institution of blessedness because it was written for the governance of a nation. If you cling to civil right speeches, you will not be happy because of the constant divide against those who the speech is against, and there will be no rest while fighting for such a cause, even if it is a good cause. Happiness truly does rests in the Sermon on the Mount. The teachings pile-drive and suplex the applauded good works of man because it was written for the greater good of all those who believe in order to be satisfied in Christ through redeeming happiness and eternal blissfulness. The Sermon on the Mount is the greatest sermon in history because it was given to us by Jesus who is the greatest Person in history.

Blessed = Happy.
The beginning of the Sermon of the Mount starts with the Beatitudes. These are attitudes that we ought to have as Christians. They begin with us emptying ourselves of all self-sufficiency and be filled with total dependency on the Lord. The first four are about our relationship with God, and the last four about our relationship with others. Here are the eight beatitudes by Jesus:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:4)

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. (Matthew 5:5)

“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. (Matthew 5:6)

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. (Matthew 5:7)

“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. (Matthew 5:8)

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. (Matthew 5:9)

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. (Matthew 5:10)

“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:11)

Based on the authority of Jesus Christ and the Scripture, if you do these things, you will have a happy life. I have done these things personally, and when I remember these gospel-centered principles, I find myself happier than I could ever possibly imagine in the world of uncertainty and emptiness. I am excited to hear part two on the beatitudes by Pastor Greg next week!

Lesson's From Baseball for Eccelsiology?

2010-04-19T16:27:00.000-07:00

I just read this interesting article of a 9 point series by Mark Driscoll on "Lesson from Baseball." He extracts truths from managing baseball teams and attempts to relate them to the church. I think that they are a true stretch, but there is some typology to biblical ministry with some ramification. It is imperative to point out that Driscoll is not saying that this is exactly how the church runs as an organization, but that there are some principles behind how MLB teams run and manage their teams is similar to how churches manage and run their church. The pastoral administration and ministry leaders all need to be the right players with appropriate contracts to make a winning team. Check it out below on the link!

http://theresurgence.com/series/leadership-lessons-from-baseball

Four-fold Leadership Building Blocks

2010-04-18T16:09:00.000-07:00

I have started reading a book on making disciples called The Leadership Baton: An Intentional Strategy for Developing Leaders In Your Church. There was an example at the beginning of the book talking about a certain method of the early church and how they did ministry. They called it the Pauline cycle. The "Pauline cycle" of discipleship based off of the Great Commission.

1. Evangelize = Preach the message and gather the converts into local churches.
2. Establish = Ground new believers in the essentials of the faith.
3. Equip = Develop godly leaders to teach the church.
4. Expand = Send out others to preach the message and start new churches.

Can You Prove the Bible Scientifically?

2010-04-17T07:50:00.000-07:00

In all seriousness, the question most skeptics, atheists, and intellectuals ask regarding the truth of Scripture is summed up in a statement like this: "I will believe the Bible if you can prove it to me scientifically." There is a huge problem with this statement because it is impossible to prove the Bible scientifically in the structural process of gathering information through the Scientific Method. It is an illogical statement. The Scientific Method cannot prove the Bible to be true because the Bible is a collection of ancient and historical writings.

Scientific Method demands three things to prove things scientifically true:
1. It has to be Observable.
2. It has to be Measurable.
3. It has to be Repeatable.

There are major errors in trying to assimilate some type of argument to prove the Bible scientifically. Science discoveries were declared in the Bible before they were recorded in history, however, that does not prove that the Bible scientifically because the Scientific Method cannot prove the Bible.

The Scriptures are history, and therefore history cannot be observable because it has already passed (over 3500-4500 years of total history!). So we cannot go back and observe the things in Scripture to try and see if it happened.

Secondly, history is not measurable. The Scriptures cannot be measured because there is nothing else to measure them against during their time in history to prove their trustworthiness. Today, we have manuscripts to back up the evidence that supports the overwhelming declaration of truth in the Bible (over 5,600 manuscripts!).

Lastly, history cannot be repeatable because it only happens once. The Scriptures can never be "re-invented" or "re-written" to prove it's scientific validity. Therefore, the Bible cannot be proven by science in the Scientific Method because the Scientific Method fails miserably at attempting to disprove and affirm the Scriptures as truth! Science fails at testing things through logic, reason, and truth. Logic, reason, and truth are the friends of Scripture that are infused in the Word by the supernatural inspiration of Scripture.

GO! Thoughts on Making Disciples in Jesus Name...

2010-04-16T13:08:00.000-07:00

The Great Commission means to "GO." However, it requries to go in a biblical way. All believers who want to go do ministry for the glory of Christ need to be mature and strong in their faith and love in Him.

Matthew 28:19-20, "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Note the language. There is ONE imperative in the Greek and that is "make disciples." It is followed by three particles "go, baptizing, and teaching." The NET Bible textual notes put it like this:

"Go…baptize…teach' are participles modifying the imperative verb 'make disciples.' According to ExSyn645 the first participle (πορευθέντες, poreuqentes, 'Go'). This means that semantically the action of 'going' is commanded, just as “making disciples' is."

Here are some thoughts I have considered when it comes to doing ministry. It takes a lot to GO in Jesus name and make disciples. It is a serious life giving effort for the cause of Jesus Christ and him crucified. However, every believer is called to do it. Some do missions, and others are mothers. Many are deacons, and others are dads. Every pastor makes disciples, and so are all believers. The first thing a believers needs in order to go is a deep relationship with Jesus, grounded on God's platform of truth in the Word of God.

1. To GO requries being a disciple of Christ.
2. To GO requires being a person of prayer.
3. To GO requires being a person of faith.
4. To GO requires being a doer of the Word.
5. To GO requires being a Spirit-filled leader.
6. To GO requires being a uncompromising leader.
7. To GO requires being a servant and shepherd leader.
8. To GO requires being a witness for the return of Christ.

Doctrine 3 - Deity of Christ

2010-04-15T22:37:00.000-07:00

Seven: The 7 Most Foundational Doctrines for a Solid Faith
Here are some notes from doctrine 3. Enjoy and feel free to use anything with anyone to share the Truth!

Introduction.

SOUND DOCTRINE!

Why are we studying doctrine?

Titus 1:9, “holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he [you] may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict.”
1. To know our faith.
2. To grow in our faith.
3. To defend our faith.

What is a doctrine?
A specific teaching is called a “doctrine” (Gk. “didaskalia”) which is a particular teaching contained in the Word of God that consummates the definitive vitality of the Christian faith.

Doctrine is the essential and fundamental beliefs in order to be Christian.
Doctrine is the foundational beliefs about Jesus Christ and to be a Christian.
Doctrine is for every believer in order to live biblically and Christ like to teach others God’s holy truth. Doctrine is taught, instructed, and commanded in the Bible for God’s glory and our greater good.

Doctrine 3 - deity of Christ
The divinity of Jesus

The most essential thing to understand in the world is the biblical view and interpretation of Jesus as the Son of God and Savior of the world.

Where Can Someone Find Jesus? In the Bible!

Who Is Jesus in the Bible? [3 quick facts]
1. Jesus is identified as the Main character in all of the Bible. (cf. Luke 24:27, John 5:39)
2. Jesus is heralded as the Messiah to save his people from their sins. (cf. Luke 2:11, John 20:31)
3. Jesus is poised as the Master who is always in control and accomplishes his purpose. (cf. John 17:2-4)

Jesus is the central figure in all the Bible. It is impossible to ignore the burden of proof that Jesus existed, lived, and died in a unique way according to the Bible. Therefore, the Bible must be the primary source for all relevance pertaining to the quest for the historical Jesus. Over history, however, people have disagreed on who is Jesus. Therefore we have to answer the age old question, “Who is real Jesus?”

Trying to Find the Real Jesus.
Who is the real Jesus? Many people have different views of Jesus.

The quest for the historical Jesus [3 views]:
1. The Scholarly View
A. Cynic-like Philosopher – Jesus the hippy
B. Spirit Person – Jesus the charismatic
C. Social Revolutionary – Jesus the zealot
D. Eschatological Prophet – Jesus the judge

2. The Secular View
A. Sage – Jesus the magician
B. Humanitarian – Jesus the activist
C. Moral Teacher – Jesus the peacemaker
D. Homeboy – Jesus the dude
PROBLEM! = These two views express Jesus as purely humanistic without any divinity.

3. The Scriptural View
A. Messiah – SON OF GOD!
NO PROBLEM! = This view teaches Jesus was God in the flesh and was fully God and man.

The 21st century evangelical church is being challenged more about Jesus than every before because of the new tactics people are using to try and distort, discredit, and diminish any biblical identity of Jesus as the true Son of God.

According to Lee Strobel’s The Case For the Real Jesus, there are six challenges why people do not see Jesus correctly (these are their new excuses):

1. “Scholars are uncovering a radically different Jesus in ancient documents just as credible as the four gospels.”

2. “The Bible’s portrait of Jesus can’t be trusted because the church tampered with the text.”

3. “There are new explanations to refute Jesus’ resurrection and the examination of the cross.”

4. “Christianity’s beliefs about Jesus were copied from pagan religions.”

5. “Jesus was an imposter who failed to fulfill the messianic prophecies.”

6. “People should be free to pick and choose what they want to believe about Jesus.”

ALL OF THESE NEW CHALLENGES FOR THE REAL JESUS ARE NOT CONSTITUTED ON ANY SCRIPTURAL EFFICIENCY, BUT RELY ON SOURCES OUTSIDE THE BIBLE TO EXPLAIN WHO JESUS WAS INSIDE THE BIBLE! THIS IS NOT LOGICAL!

Where can we find the real Jesus? In the Word of God!
Discovering the Real Jesus can only be found in his autobiography – The Four Gospels.
Matthew – Jesus as Messiah, the fulfillment of Old Testament hopes.
Mark – Jesus as Suffering Son of God, who offers himself as a sacrifices for sins.
Luke – Jesus as Savior for all nations and people groups.
John – Jesus as the eternal Son of God, the self revelation of God the Father.

The Identity of Jesus’ deity is demonstrated and boldly observed in the Gospels. The Gospels provide such overwhelming evidence about Jesus and who he claimed to be.

Jesus Christ proved his identity in four kinds of acts that he was the eternal Son of God.

1. Prophecy Fulfilled
(Matthew 1:22-23 born of a virgin, 2:5 born in Bethlehem, 2:15 fled to Egypt, 2:17 inn is full, 2:23 home town in Nazareth, 3:3, 4:13 live in Capernaum) [19 total fulfilled in Matthew!]

2. Authoritative Teaching
A. Matthew 7:28-29 sermon on the mount
B. Mark 1:27-28 his preaching
C. Mark 2:1-3:6 teaching
D. John’s seven “I AM” statements

3. Mighty Deeds
A. Exorcisms (Mark 5:1-20)
B. Healings (restorations John 6:16-21)
C. Rising people from the dead (John 11)

4. Nature Miracles
A. Jesus feeds the 5000 & 4000 (Mark 6, 8)
B. Jesus calms the Sea (Mark 4:35-41)
C. Jesus walks on Water (Mark 6:45-52)
D. Jesus turns water into wine (John 2)

So what does the rest of the New Testament say about Jesus?
New Testament Christology:

(John 1:1-3, 8:58, 10:30; Philippians 2:5; Colossians 1:15-20, 2:9; Hebrews 1:1-3)

Paul understood who Jesus was!
Hypostatic Union – This teaching is the dual nature of Christ - fully God and fully man. Therefore, Jesus in his Sonship as the only begotten from the Father is essentially God and contains the fullness of God in deity, while at the same time was a man who walked on the earth just like us. If he is the fullness of deity, then he has God's attributes:
A. Eternal attributes as God.

B. Equal attributes as God.

Wrapping Up.
Why is it important to know the deity of Christ?
A. Because if Jesus was just a man, then it would be just another man dying. If he was a God-Man, as he claimed, then he can die a righteous and eternal sacrifice that can provide atonement.

Why do we need to know the deity of Christ?
A. It is essential! It is essential because our faith rests in his deity. Our faith is founded upon Jesus as the eternal Son of God who came, died, was buried, rose again, and ascended to the right hand of God the Father in heaven, who we wait for to come!

Why do we have to embrace the doctrine of the deity of Christ?
A. Because of “Immanuel” – God with us!
B. Because without it, we would be dead in our sins because he would not of risen as the Son of God!
C. So we can understand the reality of the truth in Jesus Christ and share the wonderful news of our glorious God who loved us while we were yet sinners and died for us.

Doctrine 2 - Inspiration of Scripture

2010-04-14T21:13:00.000-07:00

Seven: The 7 Most Foundational Doctrines

The Bible is the written revelation of God, published by holy men inspired by the Holy Spirit, to canonize the very Word of God to all of mankind for the eternal purposes of knowing God through his Son Jesus Christ.

“We affirm that a confession of the full authority, infallibility, and inerrancy of Scripture is vital to a sound understanding of the whole of the Christian faith. We further affirm that such confession should lead to increasing conformity to the image of Christ. We deny that such confession is necessary for salvation. However, we further deny that inerrancy can be rejected without grave consequences, both to the individual and to the church.”

-The Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy
Articles of Affirmation and Denial, Article XIX.

Doctrine 2 - Inspiration of Scripture
The Word of God is Truth

Evangelicals have three main beliefs about Scripture. Let's dig into our Bibles and find out what these very important Scriptures say about God's Word:

1. Inspiration - Truth in Text
(The Word is inspired and authored by God and written down by men of God)
2 Timothy 3:16-17 God inspired.
Nehemiah 9:13, God instituted.
2 Peter 1:16-21 God authored.
2 peter 3:15-16 God published.

2. Inerrancy - Truth in Translation
(The Word is perfect and without errors)
Psalm 119:160 all Scripture is truth in Old Testament.
John 17:17 all Scripture is truth in New Testament.
Psalm 12:6 pure words.
Psalm 18:30 proven words.
Psalm 19:7-9 perfect words.

3. Infallibility - Truth in Totality
(The Word is sufficient and complete from Genesis to Revelation alone)
Psalm 18:30 no other words.
Deuteronomy 4:2-12:32 no other law.
Proverbs 30:5-6 no other Scripture.
Galatians 1:8 no other gospel.
Revelation 22:18-19 no other Revelation.

Wrapping Up.
1. Knowing God’s Word is truth, we are to embrace it as the only means of authority to govern our lives through Christ.

2. Knowing God’s Word is perfect, we should embrace the profound wisdom and simplicity to establish our lives through Christ.

3. Knowing God’s Word is complete, we need to embrace the sufficiency of the Scriptures to be satisfied in our lives through Christ.

Doctrine 1 - Creation

2010-04-13T22:48:00.000-07:00

Doctrine 1 - Creation
To properly understand the correct doctrine of creation, we must first observe the other views of creation in the world.

There are three major categories:
A. Materialist – View of creation in which elevates matter as the only thing eternal (e.g. physical energy, 1st law of thermodynamics). There are those Materialists who believe a God created matter, and there are those who believe matter was never created but always existed, denying the existence of a Creator/God.
PROBLEM: This view suggests there is no reason for a Creator, humans are not immortal or uniquely designed, and all matter is eternal that never had a beginning?

B. Pantheist – View of creation in which all creations comes out of God believing only the mind and spirit are true, and all matter is just nirvana (i.e. a dream). Everything was not made by God but made out of God, and therefore man treats all living things as God and strives for inner enlightenment through the mind and spirit to reach enlightenment as God, from which they were created.
PROBLEM: This view suggests there is no difference between a Creator or God, humans are initially God, the world is imaginary, and there is no eternality between Creator and Creation?

C. Theist – View of creation in which all creation was created by one God out of nothing. This is the belief by the three monotheistic (only one God) religions in the world – Islam, Judaism, Christianity.
NO PROBLEM!

“Materialists believe in natural generation, pantheists believe in eternal emanation, but only theists believe in supernatural creation.” - Dr. Norman Geisler

What is the doctrine of Creation?
The doctrine of creation is the view of creation which is purely theistic (the belief in one God, creating the universe and everything in it, out of absolutely nothing).

According the Bible, the doctrine of creation is the belief that the Triune God [the Godhead of the Father, Son, Holy Spirit], together in Oneness, created the entire universe by the utterance of a sovereign spoken words, creating the entire earth and its inhabitants and saw that is was good and righteous, which including water, land, vegetation, animals, and mankind in his glorious image, specifically in six twenty-four hour days, resting on the seventh day, sanctifying it to be a day to remember such a divine design.

Psalm 33:6, 9 says, “By the LORD’s decree the heavens where made; by a mere word from his mouth all the stars in the sky were created. For he spoke, and it came into existence, he issued the decree, and it stood firm.”

“Creation had a beginning, the nothing out of which God created was absolutely nothing, the creation out of nothing is not creation by nothing, which proves there is a source (God), content (heaven, earth, and all living things), method (his spoken word), time (establishing time and space), and purpose (God’s goodness and glory) of creation.” - Dr. Norman Geisler

Nevertheless, there are two views of the doctrine of Creation. There is a biblical view and a non-biblical view that denies the claims, testimonies, and veracity of the Holy Scriptures and the creation account and the existence of a Creator.

First, lets examine the biblical view of creation, then we will see what is the non-biblical view or creation.

Biblical View of Creation
There are four main truths that make the doctrine of creation is foundational:

1. Creation reveals God’s existence.
Genesis 1:1 declares, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”

This verse contains everything we need to know about God.

A. “In the beginning”
God is pre-existent – He existed before the beginning in order to create a beginning in the universe.

John 1:1 says, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. “

B. “Created the heavens and the earth”
God is Creator – He formed out of nothing all that is in existence in the universe by his sovereign, divine, supernatural power and authority.

Just as a building points to its builder, creation points to a Creator (Hebrews 3:4). This is the teleological argument for the existence of God (argument from design). All creation points directly to its Creator. Everything in life points "Straight Up." According to the doctrine of Creation found in the Bible, all things were created by the Truine God and he has left his crafty fingerprints all over creation that display his variety, intelligence, creativity, uniqueness, power, and character.

2. Creation reveals God’s invisible attributes.
Romans 1:20 says, “For since the creation of the world his invisible attributes – his eternal power and divine nature – have been clearly seen, because they are understood through what has been made. So people are without excuse.

A. “Since the creation of the world”
From the very beginning of God demonstrating his craftsmanship as a wonderful Maker, his divine attributes [which are his eternal characteristics] are evident and manifested in all of his creation! (i.e. the absolutes of existence, sea life, animal life, our bodies, the planets, etc.)

B. “Without excuse”
Most people have a simple understand of creation and the existence of God, however, people do reject such evidence in the world and the burden of proof, subjugating any reasonable belief in God.

3. Creation reveals God’s glory.
Psalm 19:1-4 says, “The heavens declare the glory of God; the sky displays his handiwork. Day after day it speaks out; night after night it reveals his greatness. There is no actual speech or word, nor is its voice literally heard. Yet its voice echoes throughout the earth; its words carry to the distant horizon.”

A. “The heavens declare the glory of God”
God created all things good and for his glory to be manifested to us, and see his supreme worthiness and greatness everyday.

B. “Voice echoes throughout the earth”
This is an exact reference to the same voice during the creation account (God). The creation we see around us displays the wonderful glory of God that radiates brilliance and magnifies its Creator (i.e. birds singing, wind blowing through the trees, waves crashing, loins roaring, waterfalls and rivers flowing, etc.)

4. Creation reveals God’s redemptive plan.
Romans 8:20-23 says, “For the creation was subjected to futility – not willingly but because of God who subjected it in hope, that the creation itself will also be set free from the bondage of decay into the glorious freedom of God’s children. For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers until now (i.e. the finished redemptive work of Christ on the cross). Not only this, but we ourselves also, who have the first-fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we eagerly await our adoption, the redemption of our bodies.”

A. “Creation was subjected to futility” and “subjected in hope”
God created the world and made it beautiful, but created it in such a way that it reveals to us the emptiness without God and the longing for eternity in our hearts. God created us to know him! (cf. Ecclesiastes 3:11)

In the doctrine of Creation, we learn several things about God:
1. He is Sovereign - He is the Creator and Ruler over all the universe.

2. He is Source - He is the Giver of all life and created all things with purpose.

3. He is Sacred - He is the Holy One that administrates all righteousness and goodness.

Unbiblical View of Creation
In our country over the past 250 years, there has been a radical push for the disappearance of God. In the 1700’s, it was a period called “The Enlightenment Era” where men disposed the truth of the bible by refuting the creation account and all the miracles and supernatural proclamations of God, while only believed in things that were visually existent these were the first Naturalists. In the 1800’s, more grew into these ideologies and strayed from the truth, climaxing with Charles Darwin and his Origin of Species. The was the rise of what we know today as Darwinian Evolution.

Darwinian Evolution is an atheistic religion that diminishes the doctrine of creation in the Bible, and fogs the glorious light of God's glory in the world. The athestic elements from such beliefs have influenced more recent ly two creation-related debate topics of “abortion” and “global warming.” These beliefs all have a theme called is NO GOD.

For example:
1. Evolution – No God’s Creation = Man is the most elite and dominate species ruling over the world.
2. Abortion – No God’s Morality = Man is the Authority of right and wrong, life and death.
3. Global Warming – No God’s Sovereignty = Man is the Savior of the planet.

The problem with Darwinian Evolution: Macroevolution vs. Microevolution
A. Macroevolution – The belief that ALL life forms have descended from a common ancestor, the first single celled creature, in which all by natural process without any intelligent intervention being a completely blind process that has never been observed in the history of mankind and is not mentioned at all in the Bible.
“From the goo, to you, via the zoo.” - I Don’t Have Enough Faith To Be An Atheist

B. Microevolution – The belief that All life forms have a descended from a former kind, a similar species that is within the same type (i.e. cats), that adapts and survives to reproduce the same kind of species, not another type, which has been observed over history and in science today! [an alligator cannot make a parrot or visa versa].

The Bible says God created man in “his image,” and he created all living creatures “of its kind.” (cf. Gen. 1:24-27)

"God created us in his image. But we have marred the image so badly it is scarcely recognizable. Therefore this truth begs for the completion of Christianity because what Jesus does is reclaim what has been lost. It is called a new creation in Christ. The image is restored in righteousness and holiness. Our image is restored into the image we were created. The proper understanding of everything in life begins with God. No one will ever understand the necessity of conversion who does not know why God created us. He created us "in his image" so that we would image forth his glory in the world. We were made to be prisms refracting the light of God's glory into all of life." - John Piper

The problem with Abortion: No Moral Authority
Abortion is a hot topic in our culture right now because people want to have the authority over their own bodies and not take the full responsibility for their actions. Christians, however, are not the authority to determine whether Abortion is right or wrong, legal or illegal, its GOD who is the authority!

1. God ordains life – Jeremiah 1:4-5, The LORD said to me, “Before I formed you in your mother’s womb I chose you. Before you were born I set you apart.”

2. God gives life – Genesis 2:7, “God breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.”

3. God blesses life – Psalm 127:3, “Behold, children are a gift from the LORD, the fruit of the womb is a reward.”

The problem with Global Warming: Man is the Savior of the planet
A. The Lord is in control of all things on earth, which includes the climate, atmosphere, oceans, icebergs, animals, and the rest of the world's inhabitant!

Hebrews 1:3 says, “[Christ] being the brightness of his glory and the expressed image of His person, and upholding all things by the world of his power.”

Colossians 1:16-17 says, “For by [Christ] all things were created through him and for him. In [Christ] all things consist.”

B. The true global warming will only occur when God ordains his judgment on the earth and creates a new one for eternity!

2 peter 3:11-13 declares, “Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be I holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.”

Wrapping Up.
A. Why is the doctrine of Creation so important?
Because it establishes our God, our origins, and our purpose in life. We were created with a purpose in the image of God to know him and make him know by glorifying his name.

B. What does studying the doctrine of Creation teach us?
Creation reveals God’s existence, invisible attributes, glory, and redemptive plan. It gives us a foundational understanding of who God is personally and builds a platform based on Scripture to stand upon for a solid faith.

Wrapping Up.
1. When was the last time you defended the doctrine of creation? Make a stand at school for Truth.

2. When was the last time you gazed at the wonderful creation? Go somewhere that exhibits God’s beauty and worship the Lord for his .

He Made All Things Glorious

2010-04-12T07:23:00.000-07:00

Here are some thoughts on God making things for his glory (Isaiah 43:7).

1. He made Creation glorious.
God makes all things glorious as David Crowder Band faithfully sings. He started making the universe that has his glorious likeness and fingerprints all over the spacial, earthly, and heavenly places (cf. Psalm 19:1-4).

2. He made Christ glorious.
God, through the incarnation, came into the world as a man, Jesus Christ. He is the exalted and expressed image of the invisible God, who was and has been glorified (cf. John 17:1-4, Col. 1:15, Heb. 1:3)

3. He made the Cross glorious.
God who had a redemptive plan for his creation, sent his only begotten Son to die on a cross to demonstrate his love and grace. He showed us the most glorious and praiseworthy act or love on the cross, where Jesus died for us a substitutionary death to propitiate our sins. Therefore, the glory of God rested on the cross of Christ radiating the superiority of the work of Jesus Christ over sin and death. What an indescribable gift! (Rom. 1:16, 1 Cor. 1:18, Col. 1:27, 1 Peter 1:21).

Weapon of Mass Destruction

2010-04-11T22:59:00.000-07:00

Did you know that he Word of God is a weapon of mass destruction? lol.

2 Corinthians 10:3-5 says, "For though we live as human beings, we do not wage war according to human standards, for the weapons of our warfare are not human weapons, but are made powerful by God for tearing down strongholds. We tear down arguments and every arrogant obstacle that is raised up against the knowledge of God, and we take every thought captive to make it obey Christ."

The Word of God is powerful and explodes radioactive truth to the world through the Gospel in the hearts and lives of men!

7 Reasons For the Trustworthiness and Reliability of the Scriptures

2010-04-10T13:06:00.000-07:00

1. Prophetic Reason (Bible predicts)

2. Christological Reason (Bible proclaims)

3. Logical Reason (Bible conveys)

4. Historical Reason (Bible locates)

5. Scientific Reason (Bible explains)

6. Providential Reason (Bible guides)

7. Personal Reason (Bible transforms)

These reasons constitute the trustworthiness and reliability of the Bible being absolute truth because it is validated by the overwhelming evidence and proof through different aspects in logic and understanding. The Bible is the only book that predicts the future and it has come to true. The Bible is the only book that proclaims the life, ministry, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ the Messiah as the Son of God. The Bible is the only book that conveys simple logic to all people about the meaning and purposes of life and how everything works in the world. The Bible is the only book that locates historical sites with pin point accuracy that was prophesied and then destroyed many years later to only be found thousands of years later by archeologists, and has the most ancient manuscript copies of any other piece of literacy in the history of mankind. The Bible is the only book that explains scientific truth before scientists even made the discoveries, such as the earth was a sphere, the solar system, the number of stars are innumerable, a precipitation system and a functionality of four seasons in a year. The Bible is the only book that guides all people in life and gives them instruction in order to live a holy and happy life. The Bible is the only book that transforms lives through the living and power Word of God.

The Purpose of Ministry

2010-04-09T22:06:00.000-07:00

Great quote that has been ministering to me every time I do ministry. It solidifies for me how I need to have a gospel-centered perspective when I do ministry.

"We need God. We need the good news, the news of the King who has come, making lasting change possible. This alone is our personal hope and the basis of our ministry to others."

We need to go preach the gospel to people because they need to hear about King Jesus who has come to rescue their souls!

Living Without God is like...

2010-04-08T23:48:00.000-07:00

I came across this statement in the book I am reading called Instruments In the Redeemer's Hands by Paul David Tripp. It is so good!!! He talks about walking with God was our foundational purpose in being created. However, he says living without God is not good. We were created to walk with him. (Note: picture on the left reminds me of how we are to walk with the Lord.)

"We were created to be dependent [upon God]. Trying to live without God's help is to assign myself a sub-human existence. It is to live like an animal, as if I were something other than what I am. Vast numbers of people attempt to live this way, but it is an act of irrationality. They deny their identity, subvert their own lives, and crush their own hopes. Human beings were created to live on the PLATFORM of God's revelation, which is why were were given the unique communicative abilities we possess."

Everyone was created to know God. God has placed eternity in our hearts to have the knowledge that He exists and that we are utterly forsaken without him. Therefore, Christians are to live in their restored state as a born-again believer and stand only upon the platform of God's holy truth to live a live that will be filled with rationality, simplicity, and satisfaction because of the pleasure of walking with God.

Consistent Discipleship - Paul Strengthens the Churches

2010-04-08T12:36:00.000-07:00

Consistency is a very important when it comes to the ministry. The word consistency means being reliable and dependable with a expectation of rational persistence to maintain steady, unchanging, undeviating, and a unfailing ambition to complete a task. The Christian walk has a task. It is to make disciples. The Great Commission is for all believers to make disciples of all nations (Matt. 28:19-20). Spouses are to grow each other into disciples. Parents are to raise their children as disciples. Neighbors are to raise their neighbors as disciples. Teachers are to raise their students as disciples. Pastors are to raise their sheep in their flock as disciples. The overarching goal of discipleship is to supremely glorify God in the lives of others. The task for every believer is to faithfully live for Jesus in such a way that demonstrates to others the pleasure of knowing Christ, giving them a thirst for the Living Water (John 4:13-14). Piper says, "The Lord is revealed for who He really is when we cherish him as infinitely valuable and satisfying." This describes the lifestyle of the Apostle Paul. Paul had a heart for discipleship. He says in Colossians 1:28 that is it "[Christ] we proclaim him by instructing and teaching all people with all wisdom so that we may present every person mature in Christ." In the book of Acts, I have read something awesome that Paul does after his missionary trips. He goes and strengthens the churches he planted. (Acts 14:21-23; 15:36, 40-41; 18:23)

1. Acts 14:21-23, "After they had proclaimed the good news in that city and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, to Iconium, and to Antioch. They strengthened the souls of the disciples and encouraged them to continue in the faith, saying, “We must enter the kingdom of God through many persecutions.” When they had appointed elders for them in the various churches, with prayer and fasting they entrusted them to the protection of the Lord in whom they had believed."

2. Acts 15:36, 40-41, "Then after some days Paul said to Barnabas, 'Let us now go back and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they are doing...Paul chose Silas and departed, being commended by the brethren to the grace of God. And he went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches."

3. Acts 18:23, "After he had spent some time there , he departed and went over the region of Galatia and Phrygia in order, strengthening all the disciples."

Paul goes to the churches to do something. Maintain a consistent discipleship among the churches he started. He cared about those souls in those places and wanted to go visit them and disciple them with a spirit of exhortation. His desire was not to simple just teach them, but to grow them in their faith. He was a vessel of encouragement for hurting hearts. He was an instrument in the Redeemers hands to work in the hearts of the saints. His job was not to come and drop a theology proper discourse or seminary session on eschatology, but to simply be a consistent discipleship leader who came to comfort, encourage, and grow the faith of the believers in the church.

Therefore, as believers, our great calling is to make disciples. Look at the example of Paul and how he helped those believers. Make it an effort to encourage others and help them with their struggles. Strengthen the faith of those who are doubting and have fear. Be a consistent friend who is there for others in order to mature them in their faith and help them become a cross-bearing follower of Christ who can therefore go and make disciples. This leaves us with this question - who are you discipling? Are you obeying the command of Jesus Christ?

Going to the Well Retreat!

2010-04-07T10:31:00.000-07:00

Melissa and I are pretty excited to go to the Well retreat in May. It will be our first time going to the Well retreat because the last two years we have been busy and unavailable to go. This time, however, will be a time of refreshment and sanctified fun among the body of Christ at Harvest. Not having to technically serve and administrate will be liberating for us during the weekend because of all the labor we do throughout the regular week for the church. With my busy and unorthodox schedule these days, I have not been able to see a lot of my brothers and sisters who go to the Well ministry. I am looking forward to spending a weekend away from the trials and busyness of life in the Inland Empire and retreat to the mountain top of refuge.

Most Christians automatically think of Moses and how he spent time on Mount Sinai 40 years with God for spiritual growth and preparation to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. When I think of a mountain, however, I of the Gospels. I think of the ministry of Jesus and how he did so many incredible things on mountains (i.e. Calling the 12 Disciples, Sermon on the Mount, Feeding the 5000, Transfiguration, etc.) specifically for spiritual refreshment and revitalization.

Matthew describes Jesus going on a hike up a mountain to be with the Father.

Matthew 14:23 says, "And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there."

Mark describes Jesus going on a retreat to be with the Father.
Mark 1:35-37 says, "Then Jesus got up early in the morning when it was still very dark, departed, and went out to a deserted place, and there he spent time in prayer. Simon and his companions searched for him. When they found him, they said, “Everyone is looking for you.” He replied, “Let us go elsewhere, into the surrounding villages, so that I can preach there too. For that is what I came out here to do.”

Interesting to note, in Mark 1:35 the verb for prayer is "the imperfect προσηύχετο (Gk. proshuceto)," which implies some duration to the prayer of Jesus. Therefore his prayer and meditation was an extended time of enduring supplication to the Father for strength and peace. Also, the word for "deserted place" is literally "wilderness (Gk. eremos)." I am expecting the Lord to speak to Melissa and I and refresh our hearts for the ministry he has called us to do and for future big plans this year. My good brother Daniel Hooper will be teaching, and also Rick Holland from John MacArthur's church will be guest speaking! I cannot wait to hear what they have to share in the Scriptures. I will be looking forward to what God wants to teach Melissa and I while on the mountain top worshiping him in spirit and truth. Hope to see you there!

Jesus, The Great Substitute

2010-04-04T14:13:00.001-07:00

The Resurrection of Jesus Christ is the most important event in all of human history. Easter season is not about animals, eggs, candy, toys, or even gifts. It is not about a rabbit, it's about a resurrection! The main character of Easter is the glorious vindication of God through the atoning death and death-defying resurrection of the Son of God, Jesus Christ. The theme of Easter is a message of hope for all lost sinners to know the risen Christ who came into the world not to condemn it, but to save those in it. Easter is celebration of the death and the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

-The resurrection is the crowned event event in all of God's redemptive history.

-The resurrection is the cornerstone of all Christianity.

-The resurrection is the confirmation of eternal life for all believers.

-The resurrection is the centrality of all the New Testament teaching and is a testimony to the ecclesiastical institution for church on Sunday (the Lord's Day).

The resurrection, however, is not possible without a death. The resurrection could not be possible unless someone died. Jesus had to die in order to be resurrected. Therefore, the gospel-centered celebration resonates upon a death that is validated by a resurrection proving the significance and power of the work demonstrated on the cross. The nature of Easter is the grace-giving substitutionary death of Jesus Christ for the eternal, wrath-absorbing, forgiveness and justification of sins to all who embrace the Lordship of Jesus.

The doctrine of substitution is at the heart of Easter.

Substitution - To take the place of another.A. 2 Corinthians 5:21, "For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him."

B. Romans 3:25, "Whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed."

C. 1 John 2:2, "And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world."

D. Romans 5:8, 10, "But God demonstrates his own love for us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, how much more, since we have been reconciled, will we be saved by his life?"

The doctrine of substitution is at the heart of the Gospel.

Mark 15:6-15 is the story of Jesus and Barrabas.

"During the feast it was customary to release one prisoner to the people, whomever they requested. A man named Barabbas was imprisoned with rebels who had committed murder during an insurrection. Then the crowd came up and began to ask Pilate to release a prisoner for them, as was his custom. So Pilate asked them, “Do you want me to release the king of the Jews for you?” (For he knew that the chief priests had handed him over because of envy.) But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have him release Barabbas instead. So Pilate spoke to them again, “Then what do you want me to do with the one you call king of the Jews?” They shouted back, “Crucify him!” Pilate asked them, “Why? What has he done wrong?” But they shouted more insistently, “Crucify him!” Because he wanted to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas for them. Then, after he had Jesus flogged, he handed him over to be crucified."

A. Barrabas was a rebellious sinner (v.15:7)

1. He was a rebel.

2. He was a thief.

3. He was a murderer.

4. he was a zealot.

His name means "son of a father" and according to Origen, his name can be translated "Jesus." The irony of this is that Jesus Christ was the Son of the Father and Barrabas was the son of a father. Barrabas was a rebellious sinner on pace to encompass the authoritative wrath of Rome for his sinful actions. He was a law-violating criminal. Barrabas is a typology of sinners who are in opposition as rebels and enemies against God. There is no one good and all fall short of the glory of God due to their evil in the heart of man. Non-believers are completed separated from God because of their sins. No sinner seeks God and what is good (cf. Psalm 14, 53, Rom. 3:10, 23).

B. Barrabas was replaced by a substitute (v.15:15)

Barrabas was replaced by someone else, who would be condemned and die in his place. In doing this, some things happened to Barrabas that are important to notice.

1. He was released from the bondage of prison.

2. He was unshackled and unchained from condemnation.

3. He was excused of wrath-filled punishment and torment.

Barrabas the rebel was convicted, condemned, and judged to be crucified. Nevertheless, Jesus took the place of Barrabas and he was released. Some suggest that his partners in crime were the two criminals being crucified on each side of Jesus. I believe this is so. This is very possible because it says that Barrabas was "apart of the rebellion" that includes more than one person. These men were to be killed because of their violation of the law. Jesus, on the contrary, was blameless and innocent, yet was condemned to death in place of Barrabas. Jesus substituted Barrabas' place on the cross in the middle and endured and took the penalty of sin - death. Barrabas was suppose to be on the cross Jesus died on because he and the two criminals were associated. Therefore, this story is a typology of Jesus Christ the great substitute for our sins and redemption!

The Great Substitute.

Jesus is the great substitute that the Lord Jesus Christ died for us and took all the pain, punishment, and penalty for our sinfulness. "For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified" (Hebrews 10:14).

Jesus is our Great Substitute! Embrace the wonderful doctrine of the substitutionary death of Christ for our sins. He gave his life so that we might have life (i.e. eternal life). He died for us in our place and took upon the warth of God "because he loved us first" (1 John 4:19).

This Easter, remember the wonderful words of Jesus that he spoke at the upper room to his disciples, "No one has greater love than this – that one lays down his life for his friends."

Expositional Thoughts on Psalm 37:4

2010-04-01T23:12:00.000-07:00

Recently, Melissa and I have been reading through the the book of Psalms. We have been blessed with rich encouragement from the Scriptures. However, I have came across some verses that have complimented Psalm 37:4, which is one of my dearest verses close to my heart. The Lord promises to those who 'delight' in Him (meaning fellowship, prayer, communion, service in Christ), He will give us the desires of our hearts. This verse does not mean he will give us what we 'want' or what we suggestively lust after in gratification, but that God will give us what is the desires of our hearts in conformity to delighting in His holiness. So there are a few things we need to define to make such a case valid in the Scriptures.

David pens three verses that explain to us that God will grant us the desires of our hearts only if they are desires of our heavenly Father. Godly desires birth when godly obedience is maintained through being a doer of God's Word.

1. Psalm 20:4, "May He grant you according to your heart’s desire , And fulfill all your purpose."

2. Psalm 21:2, "You have given him his heart’s desire, And have not withheld the request of his lips."

3. Psalm 37:4, "Delight yourself also in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of your heart."

Thoughts on God Pursuing Sinners

2010-03-31T22:33:00.000-07:00

Luke 15:2, "And the Pharisees and scribes complained, saying, "This Man receives sinners and eats with them."

Luke 15:31-32, "Jesus answered and said to them, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance."

Luke 19:7, "But when they saw it , they all complained, saying, "He has gone to be a guest with a man who is a sinner."

Jesus ate with sinners, fellowshipped with sinners, visited sinners, and pursued sinners in the Gospels. Today I did some counseling ministry after work and was meditating on the reality of the sovereign pursuit of God among sinners. It is such a diverse mystery and a finite mind like mine cannot grip the greatness of God (Deut. 29:29, Isa. 55:8, Rom. 11:33)! Nevertheless, I can see God's relentless pursuit of sinners in which he desires all to be saved (John 6:40), and come to the knowledge of the truth through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ the Savior [and yet acknowledging only some will come to faith] (1 Timothy 2:4, 2 Timothy 2:24-26).

C.S. Lewis said, "The Bible teaches that God, far from waiting passively for us to discover Him on our own, actively pursues sinners for the purpose of bringing them into His fold."

While counseling today, I could see the hand of God pursuing the sinful heart of who I was meeting. God is avidly pursuing this person to believe in his Son and be reconciled. It is a glorious thing when you can see this! It was my role to be the messenger and preach the Gospel.

Afterwards, I reflected on my life and the amazing providence God has demonstrated in so many situations when I was not a believer. I noticed the pursuing nature and force of God that was trying to get my attention in order to wake up my soul that was so asleep in darkness. I have come to a conclusion that God was always working all things out in my life in such a sovereign sense, that one day in my senior year in high school, I boldly collided into the Cross of Christ. For it was the first time I heard the Gospel in truth. I was a sheep who heard the Shepherd's voice. I was seized by his glorious grace through faith. God was aligning things in my life to perfectly bring me to the place where I would crash into the bottom of the cross in knee-bent humility. He used my friend James to show me the way. He used my ex-girlfriend to show me the truth. He used my church to show me the life that was found in His Son. Now some 8 years later, I cannot be more thankful for God working in my life and actively using his outstretched arms to lead me to the Scriptures that are wise for salvation (2 Tim. 3:15).

I immediately think of Naaman in 2 Kings 5:1-14 when it comes to God pursuing sinners. His warfare victories for Syria were given to him by God. God used him to be victorious against potential enemies that would rise up again Israel. He was a non-believing sinner from pagan Syria who was plagued with the disease leprosy. Then one day the Lord spoke to him during his most prideful, powerful, and prestigious age in life. He got leprosy. This shattered his image and brought him crashing to his knees in divine need of a remedy. Through this difficulty, I can totally see God on the pursuit to save Naaman. The Lord was using an infirmity to shout at Naaman about his spiritual bankruptcy. Six people soon follow to show Naaman the Way in which God uses in his pursuit of Naaman's soul.

First, God speaks through an Israelite slave girl captured in battle, who is his wife's servant. She tells his wife about the prophet Elisha who can heal him. Secondly, his wife shares the information with Naaman which prompts him to speak to the king of Syria. Thirdly, the king of Syria tells Naaman to go and he sends a letter to the king in Israel, giving him the okay to journey to Israel. Fourthly, Elisha's servant tells Naaman to do what the prophet says by going into the water and dip seven times to be healed. Fifthly, Naaman's servant recounts what instructions had been given by Elisha's servant to convince him to obey the word of the Lord with what little faith he possessed. Lastly, Naaman obeys Elisha's commands and is healed. He shows himself to Elisha with a heart of godly sorrow that produces repentance and transforms him into a believer of the One true God of Israel. Elisha says, "Go in peace." Those were the last words said to Naaman that were progressively built up to his divine healing from leprosy to continue in faith. Jesus says the same exact thing to those he healed in Mark 5:34, "Your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your disease."

If there is anyone you know who is not a believer, have hope in Jesus. The Lord is in control and completely sovereign. What hope we have in the Lord! He wants men to be saved, and therefore we trust him to save them and they will come to the knowledge of the truth in Christ! We cannot save people, Jesus can. For the reason Jesus came into this world is to "save his people from their sins" (Matt. 1:21). He is the author of salvation. He is the only one who can write names in the Lamb's Book of Life. He only writes in permanent-eternal ink. He is the only one who can transform hearts. He is the only one who can pursue sinners and radically call them out of darkness into his marvelous light.

The Lord is patient and long-suffering and does not give up on sinners (2 Peter 3:9), but radically and emphatically pursues them to be reconciled to him (2 Cor. 5:19). Delight in God's active pursuit of sinners. No one is out of the reach of the Savior's pierced hands the bled redemption, justification, and propitiation for our sins!

Why I Worship Jesus

2010-03-29T23:09:00.000-07:00

Psalm 63:3, "Because experiencing your loyal love is better than life itself, my lips will praise you." NET

"Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, My lips will praise You."
NKJV

I have been thinking about this verse for years. It is most likely my favorite Psalm but I am not sure on that definitively because there are so many good verses and chapters in the Psalms. However, today when I read today as I was going over some Psalms, it ministered to me in a new way.

This Psalm was written when David was wondering in the wilderness in Judah. He was on the run from the enemy, but in the mist of his trials he cried out to God and worshiped him. This is the condition I feel that I am in during this economic crisis in our nation. Riverside County is the 2nd worst in the nation with unemployment (behind Detroit). During this time I have been out of a full-time job for nine months now. It has been a tough road to ride on, but Jesus Christ has seized my soul by his sovereign grace and has provided me with so many blessings.

I have been going through the wilderness of unemployment, but I am not alone. Jesus Christ has been with me every step. Experiencing and seeing his faithfulness over and over when I am faithless continues to make my heart want to worship him more, and praise him with my lips just as David did in the wilderness of Judah! Knowing the love of God that is impossible to be separated from (Rom. 8:39) has truly given me a sense of satisfaction that is unknown to the world. Therefore I can agree and totally connect with the situation David was feeling - uncertainty in the future (David not knowing what was going to happen to his life) but having certainty (David knowing the everlasting love of and faithfulness of God). Because of such a great love that was demonstrated on the cross for a chief of all sinners like me, my life stems from the precious life that is found in the True Vine, Jesus Christ (John 15:1). His love for that has been bestowed to me (1 John 3:1) causes me to worship Jesus in spirit and truth! Life in general cannot compare to the surpassing worth of knowing Christ's love and faithfulness, and therefore I will praise the Lord with my lips all the days of my life. I live my days in faith of the Son of God who saved me and gave up his life for me.

Sanders Wedding and Bible Studying at Reception...

2010-03-27T23:09:00.000-07:00

It is so funny when people look at me and see how demanding the task is to be a Bible expositor and not be paid full-time for ministry, have an office, or be a pastor. Preaching the Word of God has a lot of requirements and there is a cost. This last week was a busy week and I had a lot of things to write and do for school and ministry, on top of preparing for my message Sunday! Therefore, I knew that this weekend was going to be difficult to study the way I wanted to and write everything the way I wanted, so I took my resources with me (on my phone) and studied at the wedding.

Today was the Sanders wedding. I am happy for Luke and Brittany and hope they have a great honeymoon and begin their marriage on the foundation of God's Word, the fountain of their relationship as the gospel, and the focus of their marriage on the glory of God. Congrats you guys!

After the ceremony at the reception, there was a lot of just down time as the 28-people-bridal-party was taking pictures! WOW. Therefore, at the reception I went over my notes for my message on Sunday. Melissa helped me as we drove from Harvest to the reception trying to memorize the study, points, passages, and verses. While at the reception, I took notes on my phone app called "colornotes." It worked great and it paid off. The entire day was a 9 hour wedding in total (from 1pm-10pm). So I decided I will preach from my phone and my computer notes to do my message! Preachers need to improvise! God gave me grace and I hope to deliver a great message on the Doctrine 2 - Inspiration of Scripture.

2 Timothy 2:7 - Study and God's Word Will Speak To You!

2010-03-25T07:14:00.000-07:00

The Apostle Paul knew a lot of Scripture. He quoted it, wrote it, and lived by it through his ministry account in Acts 9-28, and his epistles.

2 Timothy 2:7 says, "Think over what I say, for God will give you understanding in everything."

This verse was mentioned in a book I read by John Piper. Piper expresses, "The Bible has so many appeals to us that we should both meditate on the written Word of God with our minds and pray that God do His revelatory work in our hearts [to teach us what the Scriptures mean]." The key to understanding Scripture is not praying and praying and praying over the text, it is re-reading and re-reading and studying it rigorously! Observation, interpretation, application, implementation, examination, and meditation are the keys to understanding the depth of Scripture and to understand the reality of the text. By "thinking over them [the Scriptures]," God will "give you understanding in everything."

If the Scriptures are truly inspiration of God and truthfully revealed in text, translation, and totality, then why not meditate on the eternal, truthful, living Word of God everyday?

Jesus said, "Man cannot live on bread alone, but on every word of God." (Matthew 4:4).

"Mark up" the word in order to soak up the word. Study it, embrace it, highlight it, underline and circle it to emphasize the text. Look words up in Bible dictionaries and lexicons to see what it means in the original languages. If we do this, there is a precious gift awaiting us. The gift of God is what theologians call "the doctrine of illumination," or the "gift of illumination." Illumination is only functional by the supernatural work of the Holy Spirit in the heart of the believe that explains truth to our hearts. Go figure, the Holy Spirit is the author of the Bible, so no wonder He teaches us through illumination the centrality of Scripture truth! So when we read, and think over that passage, the more we do that the more God explains it to us over time. Do not think that you can read Ezekiel or Nahum once and think you "get it." The more you study and meditate on those Scriptures in that book the more God will reveal to you through the gift of illumination for "understanding in everything." Below are some verses that demonstrate how to embrace the Word of God and meditate on it wholeheartedly. Remember, meditating on God's Word is not a church thing, it is an everyday thing!

Meditation verses:
1. We are to encompass all of God's Word:
Joshua 1:8 says, "This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it."

2. We are to delight in God's Word:
Psalm 1:2 says, "But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night."

3. We are to meditate on God's Word:
Psalm 119:15, "I will meditate on your precepts and focus on your behavior."

Psalm 119:23, "Though rulers plot and slander me, your servant meditates on your statutes."

Psalm 119:27, "Help me to understand what your precepts mean! Then I can meditate on your marvelous teachings.

Psalm 119:48, "I will lift my hands to your commands, which I love, and I will meditate on your statutes."

Psalm 119:97, "O how I love your law! All day long I meditate on it."

Psalm 119:99, "I have more insight than all my teachers, for I meditate on your rules."

Psalm 119:117, "Support me, so that I will be delivered. Then I will focus on your statutes continually."

Psalm 119:148, "My eyes anticipate the nighttime hours, so that I can meditate on your word."

Psalm 143:5, "I remember the days of long ago; I meditate on all your works and consider what your hands have done."

4. We are to focus on things in God's Word:
Romans 8:5 says, "For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but thosewho live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit."

Colossians 3:1-4 says, "Therefore, if you have been raised with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Keep thinking about things above, not things on the earth, for you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ (who is your life) appears, then you too will be revealed in glory with him."

Lastly, giving attention to Scripture reading is the priority for all Ministers of God:
1 Timothy 4:13 says, "Until I come, give attention to the public reading of scripture, to exhortation, to teaching."

Unlimited Limited Atonement? - Mark Dirscoll

2010-03-24T12:31:00.000-07:00

This is a very interesting message by pastor Mark Driscoll at Mars Hill Church in Seattle, WA. I did not listen to it when I first heard the buzz on his new position on the Atonement, but now had the time to check it out. I always thought this way, not in belief, but wondered if there was a middle position on the Atonement (i.e. between Calivinism's Limited Atonement, and Arminianism's Unlimited Atonement). I believe Driscoll does a good job at explaining his convictions and why he calls himself a 4.5 Calvinist, haha! However, there is still some clarification that needs to be elaborated on from the different views on their perspectives of Driscoll's view. This is interesting to read and to see what is going on in the theological spectrum of the church. Click on the link to listen to this message!

This picture above is so funny, with John Piper and Mark Driscoll speaking together.

Audio message: http://www.marshillchurch.org/media/christ-on-the-cross/unlimited-limited-atonement

Powerful!

2010-03-22T13:59:00.001-07:00

God Answers Prayer - Jeremiah 33:1-9

2010-03-21T22:38:00.000-07:00

Here are a few brief notes from my message as a guest at the Orangecrest Junior High study.

Title: God Answers Prayer
Text: Jeremiah 33:1-9

Introduction.
The Lord wants to do something for his people more than anything else in the world. He wants to answer prayers. It is in his faithful nature to answer the prayers of his people who cry out to him in faith, with love, and through hope. It is in his good pleasure to answer the prayers of those who are righteous (Psalm 4:3). God does not, however, need to answer a single prayer. He is God! Nevertheless, he has willed from the beginning of time for creation to be solely dependent upon the Creator for all things. Therefore, it is through prayer we communicate with God and align our hearts with the Lord's will for his glory and our greater good.

Jeremiah 33.
God reminds Jeremiah that through prayer, the nation of Israel will one day be restored, however, through the everlasting promise of God and the continually petition of the Israelites, [let alone Jeremiah], God would deliver his people from the enemy. Jeremiah 33 is a continuation of 32 in which God is answering Jeremiah's prayer concerning the vague possibility of restoring Israel.

God said to Jeremiah, "Call to me in prayer, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know." (v.3)

"Call to me" - This does not mean to [initially] pray quietly and privately so no one can hear you (even though those things are appropriate and godly, and God hears those prayers). This invitation by the Lord was for Jeremiah to understand the implications of "loud and bold" prayer, consisting of a gut-wrenching outpouring of his very soul that was cast down before him regarding the state of his people. This was masterful charge by God to prompt bold prayers of relentless fervency, intimacy, and dependency upon the truthful promises of his Word.

John Piper says, "The cry for help from the heart of a childlike pastor [believer] is sweet praise in the ears of God. Nothing exalts Him more than the collapse of self-reliance which issues in passionate prayer for help. Prayer is the translation into a thousand different words of a single sentence: 'Apart from me [Christ] you can do nothing." (Brothers, We Are Not Professionals, 55)

2 Timothy 2:13 declares this truth, "If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself."

When God's people pray, He will do these things. Notice the six "I will" statements by the Lord in v.6-9:
1. God will restore (v.6a)
When we pray, God promises to restore our well-being physically and spiritually.

2. God will reveal (v.6b)
When we pray, God promises to reveal his peace and truth to comfort us.

3. God will redeem (v.7a)
When we pray, God promises to redeem the things that have been lost or were taken away. (being a prodigal, death of a loved one, stolen possession)

4. God will rebuild (v.7b)
When we pray, God promises to rebuild places. (i.e. the home - parents, spouse, relative; work - employees, boss; school - teachers, friends, students)

5. God will reconcile (v.8)
When we pray, God promises to reconcile our relationship with him when we confess our sins.

6. God will revive (v.9)
When we pray, God promises to revive our hearts through his provision by putting a new song in it full of joy.

The Gospel.
Interesting to note: Jesus fulfilled all of these [I will statements] things through the superiority of his death on the cross.
-He has once and for all restored those who are being saved through the regeneration of the new birth (i.e. new creation).

-He has once and for all redeemed us from the bondage of sin and death.

-He has once and for all rebuilt a new Kingdom that is made up of sanctified sons and daughters of God.

-He has once and for all reconciled us to God through his bloody death on the cross that justifies us of all our sins.

-He has once and for all revived our hearts that were once darkened to now be radiating the light of his glory because of his great love and eternal goodness.

John 14:13, Jesus says pray in my name and it will be so.
John 15:5, Jesus says pray in my name, because without me, nothing will ever be so.

Wrapping Up.
Call out to God! Shout your heart's desires, concerns, anxieties, and troubles to heaven! Cast your cares to Jesus because he cares for you (1 Peter 5:7). Pray every day and do not lose heart! Believe with all your heart that God will indeed answer your prayers.

Being Sustained by God's Word

2010-03-20T18:57:00.000-07:00

What can I say, life if full of interruptions. As I mentioned on one of my later blogs, life is full of interruptions that always come unexpectedly. Trials happen with precise randomness (i.e. when you least expect it, but for some mysterious reason, there is a purpose for it). There has been several things that have happened in my neck of the woods and ministry that have been interruptions, and God has been showing me that he wants to do some "heart-work" in those situations. Nevertheless, it has been hard to understand why and try not be drained from the trials. The only thing that has been sustaining me has been God's Word. Thank God for his Word and teaching me Acts 6:4. This Scripture teaches us to daily meditate on prayer and the Word for strength and rejuvenation. God has a plan through all of these things presently, which I believe with all my heart, but it is the Word of God that has given me life, energy, hope, trust, relief, safety, and grace for each day. Psalm 119:49-50 says, "Remember your word to your servant, for you have given me hope. This is what comforts me in my trouble, for your law gives me life." Thank you Lord for your wonderful, powerful, trustworthy, and faithful Word!

Doctrine 2 - Inspiration of Scripture

2010-03-19T18:35:00.000-07:00

As I have been studying and reading about the wonder of God Word and the doctrine of the inspiration of Scripture, Evangelicals have three main beliefs about Scripture:

1. Inspiration - Truth in Text
(The Word is inspired and authored by God, written down by man)

2. Inerrancy - Truth in Translation
(The Word is perfect and without errors)

3. Infalliability - Truth in Totality
(The Word is sufficient and complete from Genesis to Revelation alone)

Take a Time-Out

2010-03-18T16:41:00.000-07:00

As I have read the book by John Piper called "Brothers, We Are Not Professionals," I have been thinking about something important in my life that I need to consider - daily mediation and prayer uninterrupted. The whole chapter is all about Acts 6:2-4 where it says in verse four, "But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word." Charles Spurgeon expressed a truthful thought concerning the power and importance of having the ministry of prayer and the Word uninterrupted, "Those incessant knocks at our door, and perpetual visits from idle persons, are so many buckets of cold water thrown upon our devout zeal. We must by some means secure uninterrupted meditation, or we shall lose power" (Lectures to My Students, 309).

I am totally a man of distractions. I love sports, music, hobbies, etc. I enjoy good meals, exercise, and movies. All of these things are not the distractions that Piper or Spurgeon were talking about essentially. They were talking about the ministry. They were talking about the busyness that people get themselves into by trying to do so much ministry that daily meditations of prayer and the Word are minimal. Piper argues that daily meditations of prayer and the Word are "good time-consuming" ministry activities and should be the priority in our walks as believers, especially those in ministry because during meditation time is when the Spirit of God fills and instills the equipping mighty power and wisdom to do the work of ministry. I can totally relate to this at times because there will be so many things going on in my life at once (i.e. ministry) that I feel that I do not even have any strength to share, teach, or counsel due to not having a deep meditation time! Praise God for his grace that I have had time to do this, but I desire more and more and more. Lord, help me to take "Time-outs everyday!"

O Lord, help us to take "time-outs" and make us all mediators of prayer and your Word - interruption free - with you!

24th Birthday Dinner = Sushi Feast!

2010-03-16T23:31:00.000-07:00

Tonight was a wonderful night fellowshipping with great friends over a birthday dinner at my favorite Sushi place Sushi Asahi. It was packed, and we had almost 20 people! After the delicious sushi and tasty rolls along with the one and only green tea ice cream (yum-o!), we all left to come over to my house to have cake, cookies, and ice cream. Melissa also made some homemade Chai Tea, which is heavenly! We all played one of my favorite games called "Imagine-iff" where players guess which description bet fits the person who is selected each round. It is so much fun and the imagine-iff questions are funny.

I have to tip my hat to my lovely future bride Melissa. She made me an all-star cake! It was like one of those cakes you see on the Food Network show Ace of Cakes, lol. She used fonda and make a shamrock cake for my 24th birthday. The flavor was my all time favorite called "Funfetti." Also, Melly made these wonderful "green cookies" that melt in your mouth. I do not know what is exactly in them, but they rock. They will go good with a ice cold glass of nectar (i.e. "milk") lol. My mom was another one who baked away and made me some of her family favorite persimmon cookies. The spices and the natural persimmon make those cookies one of my favorites, hands down! Thanks for all the calorie stacking goodies on my birthday! I sure will be spending time to burn them off.

At the end of the day, I reflect back on the Scriptures. Psalm 71, some coined it the "birthday psalm" because of its references to the psalmist's day of birth, pens a great picture of how we are to be thankful to God and glorify him for giving us life and life more abundantly.

Psalm 71:5-8, "For you are my hope, O Lord GOD; you are my trust from my youth. By you I have been upheld from birth; you are he who took me out of my mother's womb. My praise shall be continually of you. I have become as a wonder to many, but you are my strong refuge. Let my mouth be filled with your praise and with your glory all the day."

May that be my birthday wish to you King Jesus! O Lord, may I only be filled with your praise and your glory all day long, radiating your magnificent new creation and regeneration you created in me, by giving me a new birth through faith alone, by grace alone, in Christ alone, to the praise of the glory of the grace of God.

New book by Mark Driscoll - DOCTRINE

2010-03-15T22:46:00.000-07:00

Mark Driscoll is a uniquely talented communicator of God's Word in Seattle, WA. He has a cultural revelancy with heavy biblical foundations. He has a new book coming out called "DOCTRINE - What Every Christian Should Believe." I have been reading his PDF chapters of the book (which he has been uploading) on Facebook and really enjoying it. Starting the new series Seven: 7 Doctrines for a Solid Faith on Sunday went well, and some of my insights were researched from his new book. I encourage you guys to pick up this book when it comes out. It is rad. If you want to know more about the book and read chapter summaries or download PDF chapters for free, go here http://relit.org/doctrine/.

Psalm 118:24

2010-03-14T14:51:00.000-07:00

Psalm 118:24 says, "This is the day the LORD has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it." What a penatrating truth of Scripture.

The Lord wants us to rejoice in the fact that he has blessed us with all the heavenly blessings and eternal inheritance for the future, and therefore commands us to rejoice in the present state regardless of how difficult or burdensome life can become. What a stunning truth to our hearts when we hear we need embrace the Lord as our Creator, and rejoice in this day he has given us for a specific purpose to rely dependently on him for strength. God wants us to be dependent people upon his dependability.

Pray and Read!

2010-03-13T02:01:00.000-08:00

I read a profound verse in my Bible the other. Acts 6:4, "But we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word." It is so simple and meaningful which demonstrates the overarching thematic sequence and characteristic in the Luke-Acts twofold writing. Luke wrote with a constant theme and parallel about prayer for the Christian life. In the beginning of the Gospel of Luke in chapter 1, people such as Zachariah, Elizabeth, and Mary all pray. At the end of the Gospel of Luke in chapters 22, 23, 24, the Lord Jesus Christ, the thief, and the women all pray. Acts 1 begins with the disciples praying. Acts 2 demonstrates the powerful results of their prayers through the model church of daily prayer. Acts 3, Peter and John begin their ministry in the temple with prayer. Acts 4, the disciples and followers pray for boldness and the Lord responds mightily. Acts 6 then erupts with urgency, dependency, and fervency towards God to help the church and those people who are in need!

We need to (i.e. daily) be committed to prayer and the ministry of the Word of God to impact others and live holy in sanctification, giving God the glory.

Timotheans Project

2010-03-11T21:09:00.000-08:00

In my Cbu class on Pastoral Ministry and Leadership, our teacher has divided the class into two working groups that will present two projects at during the semester. The first project is to divide up 1 & 2 Timothy and extract all the pastoral instructions relating to the church given by Paul to Timothy for effective ministry. This has coin our group name the "Timotheans" lol. It has been a great group so far and will continue to be over the course of the semester. We have 5 people in our groups so that worked out for us to each take two chapters each and exegetically study it. This has been great because I have been meditating and fixing my mind on the role of leadership outside and inside the church in 1 Timothy 3-4. 1 Timothy 3 talks about external leadership among the crowds and 1 Timothy 4 talks about internal leadership among the church. Going over these two chapters has been refreshing and I cannot wait to present our project.

New Series - Seven Doctrines for a Solid Faith

2010-03-10T12:54:00.000-08:00

Last year in the Fall, the Lord spoke to my heart to teach a seven part series on the seven most important doctrines I believe every Christians (specifically High School students) should know. No one on earth can ignore the superiority and splendor of Jesus Christ. That is why I believe teaching believers the most important things to know about Christ is essential because people all over the world have different perspectives and ideologies. John MacArtur's book The Jesus You Can't Ignore is a great book pointing out Jesus was not some moral teacher, lover of everyone, or a political historic jewish man who wanted the best for his people. He declares the seriousness of Christ's purpose, authority, works, and reign over everything in the Gospels. This book (even though I have not finished it yet!) set the stage for this series on the seven most important doctrines to know about Christ for a solid faith. The entire Christian faith is solely about Jesus Christ and him crucified.

The theme verse that probed this desired in my heart is Titus 1:9. Paul is teaching Titus to teach younger followers to, "holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict." This command was given by Paul to Titus to establish dischipleship in Crete where Titus was pastoring. The emphasis was to produce an unshakable and solid faith in those younger believers so they could stand strong for the gospel of Jesus Christ in the 1st century where persecution, philosophy, and paganism was everywhere.

This lead me to think of all the attacks Christianity receives from progressive secularism and postmodernism. I thought of what key foundational beliefs (after our Essentials study with Pastor Greg) would someone need to know emphatically to have an solid faith. As I read my Bible and theology/doctrine books, I came up with seven core doctrines (teachings Gk. didaskalia) that are necessary and essential for believers to know. I know from personal experience that knowing the truth of these doctrines, my faith has been solid because I was able to defend and give a reason for the hope that lies within me, and refute the false beliefs of others contrary to Scripture, and convey the accurate truth of Scripture (1 Peter 3:15).

Let me know what you think! I will be writing more on this later. Below are the seven points of the message.

Seven Doctrines For a Solid Faith
1. Creation - God created the heavens and the earth.
2. Inspiration of Scripture - The word of God is truth.
3. Deity of Christ - Jesus is God in person and power.
4. Incarnation of Christ - Jesus became flesh, born through the virgin conception.
5. Atonement of Christ - Jesus paid the penalty of our sin on the cross.
6. Resurrection of Christ - Jesus rose again from the grave conquering death and providing eternal life.
7. Second Coming of Christ - Jesus is coming back and preparing a place for us in his heavenly kingdom.

Pastoral Ministry books for Cbu class...

2010-03-07T22:10:00.000-08:00

Here are the three books I will be reading this semester in my Pastoral/Leadership Ministry course at Cbu. I have already started John Piper's book and it is radical. I love the passion and the simplicity he expresses with his concerns to pastors losing a biblical perspective and purpose of being a shepherd of God's people. It is highly recommended to read! I have not started the other two books so I will write about those later in the next few months.

Brothers, We're NOT Professionals by John Piper

Ministry by the Book by Derek Tidball

The Leadership Baton: An Intentional Strategy for Developing Leaders in Your Church by Rowland Forman, Jeff Jones, and Bruce Miller

The Start of Another Semester at Cbu!

2010-03-06T21:58:00.000-08:00

My last semester was radical. So much reading and studying and typing was involved. This new semester, however, is not as burdensome and I have Monday nights off. I am taking Pastoral/Leadership Ministry course with Dr. Dunavant. He is great! The class will focus on several group projects on learning how to develop ministry skills and experience from the Scriptures. Also, I have 3 books to read along with Scripture. God has been working in my life in a great way and as I continue to look for a solid job in an unstable economy, the Lord continues to provide in ways I do not know how to comprehend. Praise the Father, praise the Son, praise the Spirit, three in One! Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!

Servants of the Lord - Colossians 4:7-18

2010-03-05T23:55:00.000-08:00

Servants of the Lord
"Learning how to be a servant for Jesus through the examples of Paul's companions and co-labors of the Gospel"

Colossians 4:7-18

Serving the Lord is the greatest opportunity, privilege, and blessing a Christian can do.

At the end of Chapter 4, Paul gives his final salutations and exhortations.

Salutation – “A word or phrase serving as the preferred greeting in a letter or speech.”

The overarching theme of Paul’s salutation to the Colossians to strengthen and comfort them with words of encouragement regarding his fellow servants and Epaphras, the Colossians pastor.

Paul’s Salutations are specifically written to the Colossians:

1. To know who is with him in Rome.

2. To understand who will be visiting them in Colosse.

3. To speak to whoever needs instructions on behalf of him.

Out of these ten Christians, two are sent from Paul to Colosse, six of them are with Paul presently in Rome, and two are in the Lycus Valley (i.e. at Colosse and surrounding churches). This is important to know because it illustrates for us who the Lord places people who serve him in different place for different purposes! God uses everyone for specific reasons to accomplish his sovereign will and glorious plan for all believers.

People sent to Colosse from Paul in Rome :

1. Tychicus

2. Onesimus

People presently with Paul in Rome:

1. Aristarchus

2. John Mark

3. Jesus who is called Jutus

4. Epaphras

5. Luke

6. Demas

People in the Lycus Valley at Colosse, Laodicea, Hierapolis Paul mentions:

1. The Laodiceans

2. Nympha(s) [household/church]

3. Archippus

Why do we need to study these minuet characters in the Bible? Are they important to understand who they were and what they did? Of course they are important! It is through these rarely mentioned figures in Scripture we learn how to be a great example to other people. Some of us cannot be just like a Paul – evangelist and theologian of God’s Word. Some of us cannot be a Peter – bold proclaimer of the Gospel and expository preacher of God’s Word. However, we can easily be a Tychicus, Onesimus, or Epaphras who encourages and comforts others by serving them.

The purpose of this salutation in Colossians 4 is to show Christians who had a servant’s heart!

Before we look into the different people in Paul’s last words to the Colossians, we first must define what is a SERVANT.

Servant – Most translations of the word “slave, bondservant” (Gk. Duolos) in the original language is changed into English as “servant.” Therefore a servant is someone dedicated to God, who becomes a slave to their Master, the Lord Jesus Christ, and serves him faithfully by serving others.

“Christians are slaves of God and servants of God. They are not to be ashamed of these titles. The work, give, bless, and have unlimited possibilities of service, and should consider that everything they do is a way of serving their Lord.”

Jesus is the ultimate example of being a servant. (cf. Mark 10:45)

As believers, we are all capable of serving the Lord. Our number one priority as a Christian is to be a servant of God. We serve because Jesus died to save us. And since he saved us to live, we should in return live to serve Christ.

Warren Wiersbe says in his book On Being a Servant of God, “The human needs in our world today are indescribable, innumerable, and unbearable. We cannot do everything, but we can do something; and that something is the ministry God has called us to fulfill.”

David Hocking wise states in Be a Leader People Follow regarding why people do not serve the Lord, “The root of the problem is the lack of desire in the heart for spiritual leadership.”

King David had a desire to serve the Lord and great things happened through him. As we dive into Colossians, all of these people we will read about all had a radical and passionate desire to serve Jesus Christ with all their heart, mind, soul, and strength.

Colossians 4:7-18

1. Tychicus – His name means “fateful.” He was a messenger, one who delivered Paul’s epistles to the churches, and served the Lord by encouraging believers (cf. Acts 20:4, Eph. 6:21, 2 Tim. 4:11)

A. He provided help for Paul by being his representative and delivering his messages (epistles) as a realible helper and co-laborer in Paul’s third missionary journey. Paul could count on him as “a product of commitment, attention to detail, trustworthiness, honesty, and perserevance.

B. Do you represent the Lord and deliver his Gospel (the message of good news) to others? Do you have a servants heart to share God’s truth with others to evangelize to non-believers and encourage believers?

2. Onesimus – His name means “profitable, useful.” He is the thematic character of Philemon as a run away slave. Somehow he met Paul, and told the story of how he ran away from Colosse. After meeting with Paul, he has become a believer “one of us” and is a faithful and dear brother in the church. He was being sent by Paul to go back to Colosse and met Philemon, reconcile his relationship with his former master, and help the church understand what Paul’s epistle was all about.

A. Are you a willing servant to go back and help those people who did not treat you right in past? Being a servant of forgiveness and reconciliation is a huge ministry God calls us to do

(cf. 2 Cor. 5:18-20)

The next six servants of the Lord are listed in a unique order. The first three are Jewish Christians (v.4:11b), and the second group of three are Gentile Christians. This shows us that anyone can serve the Lord, whether Jew or Gentile in the first century. In our world today, we can draw parallels from this text in which anyone is capable of serving the Lord no matter what race, sex, or nationality.

3. Aristarchus – His name means “the best ruler.” He was a believer from Thessalonica, and accompanied Paul on his third missionary journey (cf. Acts 19:29, 20:4, 27:2, Philemon 1:24)

4. John Mark – His name means “a defense.” His latin surname is Mark, and his jewish name is John, therefore we get “John Mark.” He is the author of the Gospel of Mark, and associated with his cousin Barnabas and Paul on mission trips. (cf. Acts 12:25, 15:37-39, Philemon 1:24, 2 Tim. 4:11) He was once refused by Paul, but later proved to be useful and helpful as a servant of the Lord.

5. Jesus who is called Jutus – His name means “the just or righteous.” There is very little we know about Jutus. (cf. Acts 1:23, 18:7) All we know is that he was a righteous servant of God who did good work for the Gospel as a devout follower of Jesus.

6. Epaphras – His name means “lovely.” He was one everyone loved to be around because he loved God and he loved people. (He is only mentioned in Colossians and in Philemon 1:24). He served the Lord in a few important ways that we need to notice:

A. He was a slave of Christ – He denied himself, took up the cross, and followed Christ passionately. He was a prayer warrior (v.4:12b), disciple maker (v.4:12c), and a evangelist who reached out to his community in the Lycus Valley in Laodicea and Hierapolis.

A Servant’s Heart

7. Luke – He is the author of the Gospel of Luke, and accompanied Paul on his second and third missionary trips, while being his personal physician who took care of Paul and his health during his journeys. He was sent to be a healer. He served God with his occupation. His job was to be a physician, and as a physician he glorified God by using his capabilities for the furtherance of the Gospel.

8. Demas – He is the one we all want to avoid being. According to 2 Tim. 4:10, he falls away from the ministry and even the Lord because he “loved the world.” We need to be careful that we do not fall into the same sinful and spirit quenching lifestyle that Demas lived in. He is a perfect example of the soil that had thorns in the parable of the Sower (Mark 4).

9. Nympha(s) – We do not know anything about the house of Nympha (or Nymphas) because of there is no mention of this household or church anywhere else in the New Testament. However, we must see the servant’s heart of Nympha(s). They were leading a church in their household. This is a huge responsibility and takes commitment and dedication. They had a servants heart to open their home for the teaching of God’s Word to his people.

10. Archippus – Without Philemon, we would not know that Archippus was a church leader and soldier for the Lord in the Lycus Valley (cf. Philemon 1:2). What we learn from him is that he might have military experience (Roman name, soldier of the Lord) because he is charged as a commander would charge his troops by the Apostle Paul to “maintain” “fulfill” “accomplish” the ministry given to you, just as battle plans are given to soldiers.

This is the commanding principle of having a servant’s heart – Do what God’s called you to do, and do it well! Serve the Lord your God with all your life.

Wrapping Up.

Questions to ask yourself...

Do you have a desire to serve? If not, how come?

Do you want to serve and help others?

Do you want to share the gospel with others?

Do you want to teach the Bible to others?

How can I have a servant’s heart?

1. Seek God through prayer.

2. Seek God through reading the Scriptures.

3. Seek God and be available by getting involved in ministries to stir up your gifts. God will give you a desire to serve him if you seek him!

Covenant Eyes - Biblical Solution to Internet Integrity

2010-03-01T22:56:00.000-08:00

Lately I have been online and the most ridiculous things have been appearing online that are totally inappropriate (even with blockers!). Inappropriate images and ads are considered normal now-a-days on the internet as Facebook, Myspace, Twitter, etc. having ads and pop-ups with suggestive content that has sexual or immoral themes. Before I was a Christian, looking at inappropriate things online with explicit content was a natural thing because everyone in high school did it, and even my neighbors had pin-ups in their garages. Now that I have been a Christian for seven years, the battle against internet immodesty and immorality has been successful but progressive. Growing in Christ and running from sin at all costs has diminished the desire to view pornographic and impure content online. Nevertheless, the temptation is there because of my flesh, so I have to be principled to flee youthful lusts (2 Tim. 2:22).

I always ask high school students if they struggle with pornography or erotic content online. They always have they same answer - yes. Why is this? It is the snare (trap) of temptation. They need something to block them from such a gateway tool the internet can be for viewing pornography. They need accountability. The internet should be called "enter temptation dot net" because the "inter-net" has become a enterance to temptation for both males and females pursuing purity and integrity.

Going online demands great discipline to have purity and integrity. There are programs out there to help block adult content and other suggestive content like family filters and so forth, but the accountability is lacking. This programed called Covenant Eyes is a biblical solution to internet integrity. It is based on Job 31:1 where Job says, "I have made a covenant with my eyes; Why then should I look upon a young woman?" What a great program!!! My friend Casey Kendall from Calvary Chapel High Desert told me about this program last year and how it has blessed him and those in the ministry who have signed up because of the daunting accountability and protection it provides against clicking and viewing ungodly, lustful, and sinful content. My friends are talking about starting this up and beginning this program among each other to keep us accountable - to above reproach at all costs as we seek to serve the Lord with our whole lives. I believe it will make online more liberating and will encourage/maintain stronger purity and integrity while online, because it will send emails to those people who are on the list for ultimate accountability. Their internet monitoring service scores websites visited for mature content and sends a report to a person you choose. They can be your friend, spouse, parent or someone in ministry as your Accountability Partner, where they receive your reports about what you viewed online by email. This relationship provides new strength in avoiding temptations.

I would like to encourage you all to get some type of internet blocker like Covenant Eyes to be safe online! Don't waste your time trying to do it yourself, get signed up!

Hebrew Manuscript Reunited in Israel - Supports Biblical Antiquity

2010-02-26T13:43:00.000-08:00

In Israel, there has been a manuscript discovery that supports the authenticity of Exodus 15:1-22, the "Song of the Sea" when Moses leads the Israelites in worship by remembering God's might work to deliver them from Egypt. It is a remarkable discovery because it is only a partial fragment of another Hebrew manuscript that was found previously in history. Through the careful research of top scholars, it is affirmative that the two manuscripts use to be one due to the overwhelming likeness of writing and style in the literacy, narrative, and where the writing is broken up due to it being torn. The new Hebrew manuscript fits in place where the older maunscript stopped, reunited the entire of the text which is a retelling of the "Song of the Sea" that Moses sang along with the Israelites during the Exodus from Egypt. This is so remarkable because the manuscript gives historical antiquity to the trustworthiness of the Bible! Check it out by clicking on the link below!
Hebrew Manuscript Reunited in Israel!

One Final Down, One to Go!

2010-02-24T00:09:00.000-08:00

Monday I took my final for my Biblical NT Exegesis class on the Gospel of Mark. It was great! I hope I did good and I tried my best to remember all the critical details that were important. The week prior to the test I had to turn in my Exegetical Paper on a particular text in Mark. I picked Mark 8:34-9:1. Mark's Gospel has a lot of themes and dramatics. One of those themes is "cross-bearing discipleship." My paper was called The Radical Calling of Christ for Cross-Bearing Discipleship. It rocked! The research was fun and scholarly using primarily academic sources. Long story short, I got and A-! My reaction was such a sigh of relief. It was great to find out my grade after the final Monday because I finished typing this essay and turned it in two weeks ago during some tough times(e.g. with Melissa's uncle going to heaven, Valentine's Day, and ministry at church). God blessed my work and I grew a lot in this passage of Mark. Here is my closing paragraph from the paper below. Enjoy the read peeps!

[Jesus demands a high calling to anyone who desires to follow Him. Mark 8:34-9:1. It is the pinnacle chapter in the Gospel of Mark because it is “on the way” to Jerusalem. Everything after this episode of cross bearing discipleship shifts and directs all attention to the cross of Christ. These short sayings of Christ had deep application for the disciples and groups gathered with them in the text, and also to Mark’s audience to make a decision to follow Christ everyday until death without denying him or the Gospel. In his Expository Thoughts of the Gospel, J.C. Ryle mentions, “If we will not carry the cross, we shall never wear the crown” (169). That is profoundly accurate when contrasting it with the demands to deny one self, take up the cross, and follow Christ. There is a reward for those who are faithful and bear the cross. The reward is for the believer that daily surrenders his life to Christ and is willing to die a martyr’s death for the glory of God. This is indeed a radical calling by Christ for all Christians and those who desire to follow Him. All people are called to take up their identity with Christ by bearing the cross for his name and the Gospel’s sake with faithfulness and devotion as a true disciple.]

VOTE for Melissa and I to win an Ultimate Wedding Contest!

2010-02-17T21:00:00.000-08:00

Hey friends and bloggers, listen up!

I just wanted to let you know to VOTE for me and Melissa to win an Ultimate Wedding Contest through CRATE & BARREL! That will be such a blessing if you would take a few secs to vote for us to win!

The person with the most votes get into the Top 50, and get the chance to win a $100,000 wedding!

Please vote for us and pass this on to your friends!

Click on this link below to VOTE:

http://ultimateweddingcontest.com/entries/30216

God bless,RJ

Becoming a Hebrew...

2010-02-05T23:32:00.000-08:00

A few weeks ago, I started playing in the Harvest Men's basketball league. This season I have a brand new group of guys that are eager to learn and grow in the Lord. However, I am eager and wanting to grow in the rich text of the book of Hebrews. We are going through the book of Hebrews this season with the John MacArthur study guides. They are seriously the best study guides put together - HANDS DOWN. The book makes you dive in to the Old Testament more than any other epistle, and second to the Gospels. I love it so much that it is making me think more like a Hebrew (Jewish people) in the first century.

There are 8 main passages in Hebrews the author expounds on to teach New Testament truth that was fulfilled through Christ who is superior to all the prophets and the law. Here are some of the Old Testament passages: 2 Samuel 7; Deuteronomy 32; Psalm 8:4, 6; Psalm 95:7, 11; Psalm 110:4; Jeremiah 31:31, 34; Habakkuk 2:3-4; Proverbs 3:11-12, Exodus 19-20.

Anyways, I created an outline of the book to help me contrast and see the structure and remember the main points. Everything was fulfilled and perfected in the greatness of Christ's work on the cross.

Outline of Hebrews:

Christ is greater than Prophets (1:1-3)

Christ is greater than Angels (1:4-2:18)

Christ is greater than Moses (3:1-19)

Christ is greater than Joshua (4:1-13)

Christ is greater than Levitical Priests (4:14-7:28)

Christ is greater than the Tabernacle (8:1-5)

Christ is greater than Old Covenant (8:6-9:22)

Christ is greater than Sacrifices (9:23-10:39)

Outworking of Faith in Christ (11:1-40)

Outworking of Hope in Christ (12:1-29)

Outworking of Love in Christ (13:1-17)

Final Exhortation and Salutations (13:18-25)

After going over the first two chapters, the Lord revealed some key things to me personally through the devotions.

1. (Hebrews 1-2) Recognizing that Christ is far superior and sovereign than everyone and everything else I might invest my faith and trust.

Three ways to recognize Christ's superiority and sovereignty:

A. Unleash God's Omnipresence - Christ's always present ability to be everywhere

B. Unleash God's Omniscience - Christ's all knowing ability to know all things

C. Unleash God's Omnipotence - Christ's all powerful ability to do all things

2. (Hebrews 3) Considering that my life should have spiritual evidence of following Christ as my God and perfect Savior and not trying to keep the law.

Three ways to consider staying focused and producing spiritual growth as evidence in my life:

A. By studying the Word of God to grow in the knowledge of Scripture.

B. By showing the Fruit of the Spirit in daily activities outside of church.

C. by sharing the Gospel publicly and openly with truth and love.

These were just a few thoughts that I have gone back over to help me as I study through this apologetic and polemic defense of Christ as a greater Leader, Prophet, Teacher, more Faithful and Authoritative than the former prophets and Moses! Long live King Jesus forever, and ever amen!

Effective Faith Part 3 - Our Speech

2010-02-02T23:16:00.000-08:00

Effective Faith Part 3 – Our Speech
Colossians 4:6

Recap.
At the end of Colossians, Paul closes his epistle by writing his farewell to the church at Colosse with words of encouragement. Also he gives specific encouragement to people serving in the ministry. Colossians 4 is a combination of exhortation and salutation. He encourages the believers to live holy by having an effective faith that demonstrates the grace of God to all men.
The main theme of these verses is be active and ready in Christ, living with an effective faith that changes peoples live through the Gospel.

Here are the last three commands by Paul regarding our walk, witness, and speech.

They are all key tools for any Christian to have an effective faith in the world:

PART 1
1. Pray Relentlessly (v.4:2-4)

PART 2
2. Walk Wisely (v.4:5)

PART 3
3. Speak Graciously (v.4:6)

Today, we are going to cover the third and final point concerning how to having effective faith by speaking graciously.

Speaking Like Christ
I. Speak Graciously (v.4:6)

Looking at several different translations gives a better rendering of this verse to its true meaning:

“Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.” NKJV

“Let your conversation be gracious and effective so that you will have the right answer for everyone.” NLT

“Be gracious in your speech. The goal is to bring out the best in others in a conversation, not put them down, not cut them out.” MSG

I. Speak Graciously
Colossians 4:6 has two principles concerning our speech as Christians:

1. Speak with propriety- Talk with respect and goodness. (v.4:6a)
2. Speak with purity – Talk without dirty language. (v.4:6b)

1. Speak with Propriety (v.4:6a)
What does it mean to speak with propriety?

Propriety means: “To speak with conformity to established standards of good or proper behavior or manners. IT is having appropriateness, politeness, decency, dignity, moral correctness, civility, , courtesy, etiquette, honesty, love, modesty, respectability, and righteousness.” “Let your speech always be with grace” initially means to speak with propriety [that is godly character].

(v.4:6a) "Let your speech always be with grace" – Paul is encouraging us to speak like Christians who have been transformed by Jesus Christ. Therefore, the way we speak should reflect our faith. Remember, our speech is directed to non-believers and especially believers! Our speech is to always contain grace and goodness to the best of our abilities in order to encourage and respect others in godliness. That means without excuse, we are to walk and talk like as a follower of Jesus Christ. We have to have grace in our hearts (Colossians 3:16), to speak with grace. For out of the heart the mouth speaks!

Question: As Christians, what can we say and what can we not say that is or is not sin?

There is a constant theme throughout the pages of Scripture that talks about how we are to speak. The Scriptures relevantly teach us what we should say and what we should not say to others, specifically as believers in Christ.

First, lets see what the Bible teaches not to say in the Old Testament:
A. (Proverbs 4:24) – “Put away from you a deceitful mouth, And put perverse lips far from you.” Do not use deceiving, lying, manipulative or immoral, ungodly, and offensive language towards others.

B. (Proverbs 10:11) - “The mouth of the righteous is a well of life, But violence covers the mouth of the wicked.” Do not use violent, abusive, and destructive use of language towards others.

C. (Proverbs 10:14) - “The wise accumulate knowledge--a true treasure; know-it-alls talk too much, which is a sheer waste.” [MSG] Do not use gossip, trash-talk, and prideful language to try and sound better and cooler than others.

D. (proverbs 10:31-32) – “The speech of the righteous bears the fruit of wisdom, but the one who speaks perversion will be destroyed. The lips of the righteous know what is pleasing, but the speech of the wicked is perverse.” Do not use profanity, racial and sexual perverse language ever!!!

E. (Proverbs 11:9) – “The hypocrite with his mouth destroys his neighbor, But through knowledge the righteous will be delivered.” Do not use divisive language to put down and make others feel ashamed.

F. (Proverbs 12:13) – “The wicked is ensnared by the transgression of his lips, But the righteous will come through trouble.” Do not use gossip because it will bring you trouble and consequences you cannot escape.

G. (Proverbs 15:4) - ”Wholesome tongue is a tree of life, But perverseness in it breaks the spirit.” Do not break the heart and good spirits of people by making fun of them with a mean attitude.

H. (Proverbs 17:20) – “He who has a deceitful heart finds no good, And he who has a perverse tongue falls into evil.” Do not trust in worldly things, because you will speak in worldly ways which can lead to trouble.

I. (Proverbs 19:1) - Better is a poor person who walks in his integrity than one who is perverse in his speech and is a fool.” Do not talk like a fool or you will be viewed lower than a poor person who lives morally. Nobody cares or likes the fool who talks without respect and goodness thinking he is tough stuff.

J. (Psalm 34:12-13) – “Who is the man who desires life, And loves many days, that he may see good? Keep your tongue from evil, And your lips from speaking deceit.” [cf. 1 Peter 3:10] Do not use hateful and anger-filled language that tells lies towards others.

Second, let’s look at what the Bible teaches in the New Testament:
A. (Ephesians 4:29) – “Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.” Do not use curse words that tear people down, but use the right words to build people up and bless others.

B. (Ephesians 5:3-4) – “But among you there must not be either sexual immorality, impurity of any kind, or greed, as these are not fitting for the saints. Neither should there be vulgar speech, foolish talk, or telling dirty jokes – all of which are out of character – but rather thanksgiving.” Do use violent, immature, and inappropriate language that is contrary to being a Christian!

C. (Colossians 3:8) – “But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth.” Do not use profanity and degrading language towards others.

As Christians, we need to avoid using worldly speech. The Scriptures are not telling you rules about “don’t do this and don’t do that,” but rather teaching us commandments to live by in obedience to the Lord. We should glorify God and be faithful to the calling he has called us to by living as a new creation in Christ! We once were sinners and now we are saints, so we need to behave and speak in propriety. All of the Scriptures we looked at talk about what not to say and how we should speak as Christians. Therefore, we should come to a realization that the underlining principle of all of these Scriptures is to teach us to speak like a true follower and disciple of Jesus Christ who has been justified and is being sanctified by God’s truth. Effective faith

2. Speak with Purity (4:6b)
(4:6b) “Seasoned with salt” – Paul is teaching us to talk salty. Why salt? Why not sugar? Salt was a preserver for meat in the ancient days that kept food from corruption.

Paul is echoing the famous Sermon on the Mount taught by Jesus in Matthew 5:13 [cf. Mark 9:49-50, Luke 14:34-35]: "You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.”

Jesus is teaching his disciples to be a preservative of grace and truth that is pure and undefiled, which causes no corruption. Also, in Leviticus 2:13, the priests would use salt on the sacrifices to purify the offerings. This being said, salt was seen as something pure. Paul is simply saying the same thing: Be a person who speaks with pure and undeniable grace that demonstrates through faith in the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross. This type of speech would clearly define and show you are a follower of Jesus. Paul wants Christians to be known for being Christians, not Colossians - worldly people. Therefore, we are to talk like Christ and have our speech reflect the grace and purity of the glorious ospel we believe!

Wrapping Up.
(4:6c) - We should speak with grace and goodness, while being pure and truthful so we “may know how you ought to answer one another.” It is all about talking in such a way that glorifies God and shares the Gospel.

God gave us a mouth to worship, not to curse. God gave us mouth to teach people the Gospel, not be quite. God gave us mouth to build people up, not bring them down.

3 Things to consider that we need to do:
1. We need to obey God’s word and be an example to others.

2. We need to be a witness by the way we speak. People are known for the words they speak.(You can always forgot a situations, but it is harder to forget statements.)

3. We need to seize the opportunity to share the gospel as we talk with others.

Questions to ask yourself:
Are you swearing, using profanity, sexual or racial language that is ungodly?
Do you demonstrate God’s character at school and home through your speech?
When is the last time you used your speech to glorify God and share the gospel?

Live for the Lord by the way you speak and people will see the Light!

True Thanksgiving

2010-01-30T12:55:00.000-08:00

Every Christian should be marked with the character of thanksgiving. Christians are thankful people who worship God for his grace and goodness. Recently, I have been reading through the Psalms, and all of a sudden I came across this verse that is the very true essence of thanksgiving. This is true thanksgiving:

"To the end that my glory may sing praise to You and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to You forever."

Psalm 30:12

Descriptions of the Word of God!

2010-01-27T21:59:00.000-08:00

The Word – Descriptions of the Word of God in the Bible

Recently I was thinking about how amazing the Word of God is described in the Bible. Then I remembered I had saved some of the wonderful descriptions of the Bible and how we are to apply "it" to our daily lives. I thought I would share it with you and that it will bless you and grow your understanding of the amazing uniqueness and tranquility of the descriptions of the Holy Scriptures authority!

I. Mirror. (Jas. 1:23-25)
“It is called a mirror because it reflects the mind of God and the true condition of man.”

II. Seed. (1 Pet. 1:23), (Jas. 1:18), (Mt. 13:18-23)
“It is called a seed because, once properly planted, it brings forth life, growth, and fruit.”

III. Water. (Eph. 5:25-27)
“It is called water because of its cleansing, quenching, and refreshing qualities.” (See Ps. 42:1; 119:9; Prov. 25:25; Isa. 55:10; Heb. 10:22; Rev. 22:17.)

IV. Lamp. (Ps. 119:105), (Prov. 6:23), (2 Pet. 1:19)

“It is called a lamp because it shows us where we are now, it guides us in the next step, and it keeps us from falling.”

V. Sword. (Heb. 4:12), (Eph. 6:17)
“It is called a sword because of its piercing ability, operating with equal; effectiveness upon sinners, saints, and Satan.”

Listed below are the various functions of the Bible:
It upholds (Ps. 119:116)
It orders steps (Ps. 119:133)
It produces joy (Ps. 119:162)
It strengthens (Ps. 119:28; 1 Jn. 2:14)
It gives hope (Ps. 119:74, 81)
It gives light (Ps. 119:105, 130)
It gives understanding (Ps. 119:169)
It shows God’s will (Isa. 55:11)
It builds up (Acts 20:32)
It produces fruit (Jn. 15:7)
It convicts of sin (Heb. 4:12)
It converts the soul (Jas. 1:18; 1 Pet. 1:23)
It cleanses the conscience (Jn. 15:3)
It consecrates life (Jn. 17:17)
It corrects the wrong (2 Tim. 3:16)
It confirms the right (Jn. 8:31)
It comforts the heart (Ps. 119:50, 54)

Because of this, Christians are to respond to the Bible in these ways:
1. Read it (Deut. 31:11; Isa. 34:16; Lk. 4:16; Eph. 3:4; Col. 3:16; 4:1; 1 Thess. 5:27; 2 Tim. 4:13; Rev. 1:3)

2. Heed it (Ps. 119:9; 1 Tim. 4:16)

3. Seed it (Mt. 28:19, 20)

4. Desire it (1 Pet. 2:2)

5. Preach it (2 Tim. 4:2)

6. Rightly divide it (2 Tim. 2:15)

7. Live by it (Mt. 4:4)

8. Use it (Eph. 6:17)

9. Suffer for it (Phil. 3:10, Rev. 1:9)

10. Die for it [if need be] (Rev. 6:9; 20:4)

The child of God is to know it in his head, stow it in his heart, show it in his life, and sow it in the world.

EFFECTIVE FAITH - Colossian 4 (part 2)

2010-01-18T14:02:00.000-08:00

Title: Effective Faith - Witness

Text: Colossians 4:5

At the end of Colossians, Paul closes his epistle by writing his farewell to the church at Colosse with words of encouragement. Also he gives specific encouragement to people serving in the ministry.

Colossians 4 is a combination of exhortation and salutation. He encourages the believers to live holy by having an effective faith that demonstrates the grace of God to all men.

The main theme of these verses is be active and ready in Christ, living with an effective faith that changes peoples live through the Gospel.

Having a Good Witness

I. Walk wisely (v.4:5a)

Looking at several different translations gives a better rendering of this verse to its true meaning:

“Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time.” NKJV

“Conduct yourselves wisely toward outsiders, making the most of the time.” ESV

“Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunities.” NET

“Live wisely among those who are not Christians, and make the most of every opportunity." NLT

I. Walk Wisely

Colossians 4:5 has three main principles concerning our witness:

1. Walk upright - Do what is right and be an example to others. (v.4:5a)

2. Shine your light – Shine God’s character around others. (v.4:5b)

3. Have spiritual sight – look for opportunities to share your faith in Christ with others. (v.4:6c)

1. Walk upright (v.4:5a)

Walk – This word is a common NT idiom for one’s lifestyle, behavior, or manner of conduct. It is noteworthy to see this word is used in Hebrew as a suggestive form to live, to regulate one's life, and to conduct one's self.

Ephesians 5:15-17 explains how to walk:

“Therefore be very careful how you [walk] live – not as unwise but as wise, taking advantage of every opportunity, because the days are evil. For this reason do not be foolish, but be wise by understanding what the Lord’s will is.”

Notice: To walk wise means to know God’s will! So can you know God’s will? Only in God’s word can you find His will!

1. Walk upright (v.4:5a)

Wisdom – Walking in wisdom means to be saturated in all the riches, treasures, knowledge, and wisdom that are found in Jesus Christ.

Jesus is wisdom incarnate, the very essence of ultimate wisdom. (1 Cor. 1:24, 30; Col. 2:3)

The word of God contains true wisdom. Proverbs 9:10 says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.”

Walking in God’s wise truth is the right way to live and honor Christ in our daily activities.

When Jesus sent out His disciples to go preach the gospel, He said to them in Matthew 10:16, "Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.”

Therefore, we need to be walking upright, living in holiness, bearing fruits of righteousness, and avoid all worldliness.

Be wise by making sure you walk the walk and talk the talk.

2. Shine your light (v.4:5b)

Outsiders – It is another name for ‘non-believer’. They are an outsider because they are not presently in the kingdom of God (e.g. not saved)! This word expresses the kind of person who is a foreigner, who is from another nation or world. Believers are not of this world but of the God’s holy Kingdom, however the non-believer is not and therefore is an outsider.

We are to walk uprightly so we can demonstrate our faith in action.

Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”

Being God’s workmanship means “we are poetry in motion.” We are God’s gracious outworking of His Spirit manifesting His image to those around us.

Jesus said in Matthew 5:14,16 that we “are the light of the world. Let your light shine before people, so that they can see your good deeds and give honor to your Father in heaven.”

Someone once said, “I would rather see a sermon than hear one, any day.”

This is exactly what Paul is exhorting the Colossians to do. To properly live a manner of life saturated in the wise truth of Scripture and demonstrating God’s character to the lost to bring them to Christ.

Philippians 2:15 teaches us to walk uprightly “so that no one can speak a word of blame against you. You are to live clean, innocent lives as children of God in a dark world full of crooked and perverse people. Let your lives shine brightly before them.”

We need to walk in such a way that our lives define who we are a Christians. People need to see our love for God and others!

Effective faith

3. Have spiritual sight (4:5c)

Redeeming is the time – This can be better translated, “to buy up the opportunity.” Paul is teaching the Colossians to look for opportunities to share your faith in Christ with others. (v.4:6c)

Paul always had this in mind. He taught this to the Romans in Romans 15:15-21.

Paul also instructed Timothy in 1 Timothy 4:2. Paul used an analogy of a farmer to explain how we are to be ‘ready’ in season and out of season to preach the gospel. This simply means to always share whenever and wherever!

Wrapping Up.

1. Walk upright - We need to obey God’s word and be an example to others.

2. Shine your light - We need to be a radiant witness for Jesus Christ to others.

3. Have spiritual sight - We need to seize the opportunity to share the gospel with others.

Questions to ask:

Are you walking with the Lord faithfully as you should be?

Do you demonstrate God’s character at school and home?

When is the last time you shared the gospel with someone?

Image of the Church

2010-01-13T23:14:00.000-08:00

For my Baptist thought class, I had to post a small response to some chapters I read on the church. It was about what is the church and what image renders it best. Here is my response below. Tell me what you think!

The church (Gk. ekklesia) is the gathering and assembly of God's people to exalt glory and praise to God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, equip the saints through the teaching and discipleship of the whole counsel of God's word, edify the brethren through unity and fellowship, and evangelize to the lost through the preaching of the gospel. I agree with Hammett that the most appropriate text for the church is Acts 2:42-47. It highlights a great image of a true church built on biblical foundations and sound doctrine for the work of ministry.

I believe the best image of the church has to be the bride of Christ. Christ is coming back for a pure bride. We (the church) live for God with the knowledge that the "grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works" (Titus 2:11-14). The bride of Christ (the church) are the believers living a sanctifying life and serving the kingdom of God, while awaiting the coming of the bridegroom, Jesus Christ. This is the best illustration to me because I will be getting married soon, and the symbolism of the relationship between the church and Christ (being pure and waiting until that great day to be united with my bride) has helped me see the precious church most effectively.

KING, Here I Come...

2010-01-12T13:51:00.000-08:00

This week I start working at KING High School in Riverside. I am excited to be working at the high school to help students achieve excellence. However at the same time, I am running around looking for another job that will be more secure and pay way more so Melissa and I can get married and move forward in our journey together! I applied at Hayden Industrial in Corona in December through a friend's information, and I got an email back regarding they are would like to set up a in interview! Pray it goes good. I am a well qualified drafter/designer with education and experience in the industry behind me. However, I hope my youthfulness and lack of experience compared to someone who has been in the industry longer does not hinder my changes of getting a possible shot at this job.

Ok everyone, God bless you and I would love it if you could remember me in prayer!

Reminders of Biblical Truth in Scripture - by James MacDonald

2010-01-09T23:56:00.000-08:00

This is my Bible.

by Pastor James MacDonald

I am who it says I am. (Matthew 5:16)
I can do what it says I can do. (Philippians 4:13)
I am going where it says I will go. (John 14:3)

God’s Word is milk for my soul. (1 Peter 2:2)
God’s Word is seed for my faith. (Luke 8:11)
God’s Word is light for my path. (Psalm 119:105)
God’s Word is power for my victory. (Hebrews 4:12)
God’s Word is freedom for my life. (John 8:32)

When I read God’s Word it brings me joy. (Jeremiah 15:16)
When I study God’s Word, it keeps me from shame. (2 Timothy 2:15)
When I memorize God’s Word, it purifies my heart. (Psalm 119:11)
When I quote God’s Word, it defeats my enemies. (Ephesians 6:10, 17)
When I meditate on God’s Word, it brings me success. (Joshua 1:8)
When I abide in God’s Word, it gives me confidence. (John 15:7)

I am a Bible-believing follower of Jesus Christ!