Another great quote...

I was reading a message by John Piper, called "Why Expositional Preaching is Particularly Glorifying to God", over the weekend. You can read, listen to, or download the message here. This quote, along with many others, has stuck out to me. It's an incredibly challenging quote as it probes the heart on whether we carry this mark, if we preach.

"What gives preaching its seriousness is that the mantle of the preacher is soaked with the blood of Jesus and singed with fire of hell."

Why do we preach the gospel?

I was preaching, quite recently, on the theme "why do we preach the gospel". Part of the message asked the question "What is the gospel?" from 1 Cor 15v1-4. The second section dealt directly with the question "Why do we preach the gospel?". Here are the ten reasons I gave. They have been challenging me a lot in thinking of how I live with others and communicate the gospel to them, and if I really consider what is at stake or not or if I strive to talk with them about Jesus!

1. Because Jesus commanded us to (Mark 16v15). As it is a command we will give an account as to our response (2 Cor 5v10).

2. Because it's God's chosen means (1 Cor 1v21; Rom 10v14, 17). As it is God's chosen means we have been given the ministry of reconciliation (2 Cor 5v11-19).

3. Because it is the only good news (John 14v6).

4. Because God longs for his people to be saved (2 Pet 3v9).

5. Because the judgement and wrath of God will come upon all unbelievers (Zephaniah 1v14-18, John 3v18). Knowing this reality, our response should be to communicate the good news of the gospel (2 Cor 5v11).

6. Because Jesus is coming and after that it will be too late (Matt 24v14).

7. Because the love of Jesus compels us (2 Cor 5v14-15).

8. Because the advantage must be taken now as more difficult days are ahead (2 Tim 4v2-5).

9. Because we represent Christ in His absence (2 Cor 5v20).

10. Because the Lamb is worthy to receive the reward of His sufferings (John 17v1-5).

How Do You Pronounce That?

I was listening to a sermon today by Thabiti Anyabwile, check out his blog here. The sermon was titled, "The Glory of Pervasive Holiness in the Life of a Pastor", you can read, stream, or download the message here. The message, as a whole, was very challenging and I may post more at some stage, realistically maybe not though. Two quotes stood out and brought conviction and challenge. Both things that I knew already but did me well to be reminded of. Here they are:

"judgement begins in the household of God."

"See the exhaustive perfection of God's holy judgement."

The challenge? God's judgement will begin with us, as Christians, and that His judgement will not miss anything about anybody! The reminder that the God of the Bible isn't a passive God who lacks wrath, justice, power or authority. To know this truth should be causing us to live in light of it, knowing that God expects us to live to the fullest for Him and that one day we will be held to account for the life that we have lived. Listen to the message.

Thabiti Anyabwile is the pastor of First Baptist Church, Grand Cayman. Check the site out here.

Stand.

The Desiring God National Conference this year was called STAND. All of the audio and video are available online from the Desiring God website (www.desiringgod.org). Tonight, I got round to start listening to the sessions. I didn't begin with the first, but went to listen to the second which was a question and answer session with John Piper and John Macarthur (2 men who have impacted my life greatly!) It was quite a humorous session in general, but there was so much awesome stuff that came out through their answers; their desires that they had been better dads to their kids and husbands to their wives, the influence of their dads on them, the desire to not give up in ministry, how to keep going through tough times etc. One thing sttod out in particular for me though; John Piper giving one of the reasons for the theme of the conference being STAND, the perseverance of the saints, and the answer came through Piper recounting his own experience of going through a season of depression and being downcast that lasted a couple of years:

"I have spent, goodness knows, how much effort developing a theology of suffering. This conference exists to answer that question. I want to last; I want to stand; I want to get through the discouraging times; I want to help you not be fickle, wishy-washy, drop-out, trade your life away, swap wives, leave jobs, trade churches. I just don't want you to be that way, so I make a conference."- Piper.

I enjoyed this thought, and it energised me. One, to know that other people endure discouraging times, which I seem to be enduring at present. And two, that there is an answer in holding on to our theology of God's sovereignty in the midst of evil and trouble, and that He is still on His throne!

Steve who...?

To most people, the name Steve Lawson means very little. If we were to ask those of our friends who read alot and listen to alot of sermons, even to them, he is relatively unheard of. I want to publicly say that this is an absolute shame! I have been greatly blessed by the ministry of Steve Lawson. He is one of the most active voices heralding for a return to expository preaching in our pulpits today. Expository wha?- a clear presentation and proclamation of God's Truth, letting the Bible speak for itself! But, not only is he active in heralding for this return, he is also active in this ministry himself. He reads the Word, then explains the Word. He is a man who is absolutely convinced of the authority and power of God's Word, and a man who is set on fire by it! Absolutely awesome stuff!

Why the post? His website has been overhauled and is now online again. This is good news because there are loads of free sermons and articles for us to benefit from. Let me be clear, my promotion of this man is not my Corinthian way of saying ""I follow Paul," or "I follow Apollos," or "I follow Cephas," or "I follow Christ."" (1 Cor 1v12), it is me saying that God has revealed Himself to this man and he has one heck of a burden to proclaim Him. The messages will truly be of benefit, not just because it's Steve Lawson, but solely because he unashamedly preaches the truth and the messages are God-glorifying and Christ-centred, leading us again to where we need to be, at the cross! Enjoy New Reformation Ministries!

A Wonderful Discovery...

For many of you, the 4 people who read the blog (yes it has increased by 1), this may not be a new revelation but please be excited with me anyway. While on a break today I was flicking through the Josh Harris website and discovered that Sovereign Grace Ministries have now made all sermon audio downloads free! That is right... FREE!! Messages by the legendary C.J Mahaney, Joshua Harris, Wayne Grudem and the list goes on! So please do avail yourself of this incredible blessing! O may we be instructed and edified through these messages and Jesus be glorified in the lives of us through the change and transformation effected. Soli Deo Gloria.