Blog
I'm sorry I haven't talked about money much
Ok, I admit. I have not talked about money as much as the Bible and Jesus do.
Two thousand three hundred fifty. That’s the number of Bible verses that refer to finances or possessions. Around 15 percent of Jesus’ preaching, including more than 10 of his parables, centers on money. Theologians and commentators typically explain the emphasis this way: How people save, spend, and give their money tends to communicate quite a bit about their hearts. “Where your treasure is, there your heart will also be.”
Some may have clicked on the email button and jumped to this page thinking, “What is he going to ask me to give?” “Does the church have a new building program?” “I know he is becoming a missionary and has to raise support. Is he going to ask me to give?” The answer is yes and no. I’m not going to ask you to give specifically, I’ll let you do that work. Rather, I want you to consider where your heart is. How you spend your money puts on display where your heart is.
Generosity or giving of our resources in the Bible orients our hearts toward God and others. The Bible doesn’t says that we can’t have nice things, save for college or retirement. It does teach proportional giving. Sadly, many people consider giving as a meaningless ritual or a burden they feel obliged to perform. The irony is that these people claim to follow Christ, but in reality, they are robbing God of the very thing that belongs to Him. Proportional giving in the Bible begins at the tithe.
Tithing is an Act of Worship:
Tithing is an act of worship to God, and it involves bringing one-tenth of your income to the church. By tithing, you are acknowledging that everything you have comes from God and showing Him gratitude for His blessings. In Proverbs 3:9-10, it says, “Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.” Tithing is a way to honor God with your finances and trust that He will provide for you.
Tithing Demonstrates Faith:
By tithing, you are demonstrating your faith in God’s provision even when things may seem financially challenging. When you trust God with your finances, you are acknowledging that He is in control and that He will provide. In Malachi 3:10, it states, “Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.” When you tithe, you are putting God to the test and trusting Him to provide for your needs as He has promised.
Tithing Helps Support the Church:
When you tithe, you are supporting the mission of your local church and helping it to grow. Tithing helps to fund ministries, support staff, and maintain the church’s facilities. In 1 Corinthians 9:13-14, it says, “Don’t you know that those who serve in the temple get their food from the temple and that those who serve at the altar share in what is offered on the altar? In the same way, the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel.” Tithing helps support the work of the church, and the Bible teaches that those who serve in the church should receive their living from it.
Tithing Helps You Develop a Generous Spirit:
Tithing helps you to develop a generous heart and spirit, and it’s an essential part of growing in your faith. In Luke 6:38, Jesus says, “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” When you give generously through tithing, you will receive blessings not only financially but also in other areas of your life.
Tithing Brings Blessings:
When you honor God through tithing, you open yourself up to His blessings. In Proverbs 3:9-10, it says, “Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.” Tithing unlocks blessings from God that you may not have received otherwise.
Tithing is taught in the Bible and is an essential part of every Christian’s faith. Tithing honors God demonstrates faith, supports the church, helps you develop a generous spirit, and brings blessings. As Christians, we are called to trust God in all areas of our lives, including our finances. When we trust God with our finances, He reorients us to Him, each other, and the world.
If you are blessed by God, be a blessing and I’ll try to do a better job talking about money like Jesus did.
Dealing With Leaders
Life is full of leaders who bear the weight of caring for others. Managers, pastors, parents, and governors can uplift or hinder us. So, when our leaders fall short, what guidance does the Bible offer on how to respond?
Growing up in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, I witnessed a division that shook my world. It was all about the ordination of homosexual ministers, causing a rupture within my church community. From that moment on, I became a skeptical leader-seeker, scrutinizing congregations for imperfections while vowing not to be hurt again. Many parents can relate; when wounded by our parents, we instinctively become cautious, promising to raise our children differently.
The Bible warns us about bad shepherds who are more concerned with their interests than those of their flock (John 10:12). Jesus also spoke out against religious leaders who want to be viewed as someone important rather than humbly serve (Mark 12:38-40). We should look for genuine leadership qualities in our pastors, parents, and mentors that reflect a heart for others rather than selfish ambition.
The Bible also provides guidance on how to handle unscrupulous leaders. In 1 Corinthians 5:11, Paul advises us to avoid associating with individuals who profess faith but engage in immoral behavior, including false teachers and pastors who contradict the teachings of the gospel. While we should pray for them, it is important to maintain a certain distance. The potential risks of being led astray are not worth it. Throughout the Bible, we encounter examples of bad leaders, serving as a reminder that we should not allow ourselves to be swayed by unjust leaders to the extent that we disregard God's guidance. He will always lead us in the right direction (Psalm 25:4-5).
Our small group, which focuses on digging deep and discovering biblical principles, explores how our shared experiences shape how we interpret scripture. This idea suggests that we often unintentionally filter our understanding of scripture through the lens of our own stories rather than allowing scripture to challenge and reshape our perspectives.
In this week's sermon series on Hebrews, we explored the exhortation in Chapter 13, Verse 17: "Obey and submit to your leaders, for they watch over your souls and will be held accountable. Let them fulfill their duties with joy, not with groaning, as it benefits you." So, how can we apply this scripture when we feel uncertain or frustrated with a leader?
Challenge Framework: The Scriptures challenge our framework by emphasizing the importance of guarding against false teachers. The Bible consistently directs us to view God's word as the foundation for discernment. Hebrews 4:12 describes the word of God as "living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart." When we've been hurt or experienced past betrayal, we naturally approach relationships cautiously. The Word of God establishes a firm foundation, enabling us to recognize and overcome our own biases that influence our interactions. It guides us in setting healthy boundaries with those who may pose a risk, while also providing instructions on cultivating meaningful connections with trustworthy individuals who support our personal growth.
Assume Positive Intent: What does it mean when Hebrews instructs us to let leaders lead with joy instead of groaning? As a parent, I find this to be true whenever I address an issue with my children. Will my child resent me forever? Am I repeating my parents' mistakes? This is the challenging task of leaders who are accountable to God. Husbands must confront their wives, even if it upsets them. Parents must address their children's mistakes to prevent future consequences. I'd rather have Sam or Ben sit on the stairs or miss out on video games for fighting while being mad at me than have them end up in jail as adults. Caring fathers discipline their children for their good, as mentioned in Hebrews 12:7-13. Confrontation is often uncomfortable for both leaders and those being led. Hebrews 13 reminds leaders to watch over the souls of those in their care.
Obsessing over the flaws in our leaders with a critical spirit makes it difficult for them -and others- to influence us when we need it the most. A critical spirit is not open to receiving feedback, and we thereby hinder our growth. Douglas Stones & Sheila Heen’s “Thanks for the Feedback” book discusses that feedback rarely comes at a convenient time, when we’re in the mood, and with perfect delivery. Understand that feedback -even your feedback to others - rarely comes at a convenient time or with flawless delivery. Think hard about what needs correction. Oftentimes, we lose out on growth opportunities by nitpicking non-gospel issues rather than focusing on what was done right with positive intent to encourage others to love and good works.Remember your identity: Scripture is replete with references to our own identity, yet in our highly individualized society, we often overlook that we are an integral part of the body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:27, Rom 12:4-5). As members of Christ’s body, we are called to collaborate, not compete. This principle holds in any organizational structure, nation, business, family, or local church. We must carefully consider whether our actions will uplift or undermine the family we belong to. God has intricately designed our bodies so that there may be no division but rather a genuine concern for one another. When one member suffers, we all share in the pain; when one member is honored, we all rejoice together (1 Cor 12: 24-26).
It is tempting to place ourselves at the forefront, passing judgment and scrutinizing those in authority over us, neglecting that Christ is the ultimate head to whom our leaders are accountable. The same holds for parents, managers, kings, and chiefs (Psalm 110). In the end, all will bow before the authority of Christ. Therefore, let us focus on building up the body of Christ, seeking ways to draw closer to God, remaining steadfast in our confession, and inspiring one another to love and do good deeds (Hebrews 10:19-25). Let's consider how we encourage our leaders, considering the weight of their responsibilities and utilizing the unique gifts bestowed upon us by God to identify and meet the needs of the body.Quickly cover or confront in grace: When emotions are intense, we often struggle with how to respond. In session 3 of No Mere Mortals (our Summer Study for Adults in 2022) titled "Taking out the Garbage," Toby Sumpter explored the application of Scripture's teachings on addressing sin. The Bible urges us to either confront sin with grace, as described in Matthew 18:15-19 or extend forgiveness and cover sin, as outlined in Matthew 18:20-35. This calls for swift, gracious action, even before approaching God in worship, as emphasized in Matthew 5:23-24. Hebrews 12:14 reminds us to pursue peace with everyone, which can be challenging when we harbor doubt or hold onto past hurts.
Covering with love a perceived offense requires relinquishing our desire for immediate justice or acknowledging that the issue may not be as significant as we initially thought. On the other hand, confronting the issue in love may involve risking a relationship for the greater good. We don't have the luxury of indefinitely delaying this decision, nor can we separate ourselves from those God has placed in our lives. Doing so not only drains our energy and hinders our ability to serve effectively in our divine calling and fosters division.
Obeying leaders can be quite a struggle, right? We've all fallen for the Deceiver's tricks with his "Did God really say..." lie. But here's the thing: don't let Satan fool you into putting your logic, ideas, or feelings above God's truth. Trust me; it's a trap that humanity has fallen into time and time again. And you know what that leads to? Wasted gifts and anxiety, not just for you, but for those around you too - your kids, spouse, friends, and even your managers and elders.
So, if you're grappling with this (like I often do), don't be afraid to seek guidance from the leaders God has placed in your life. They're there for a reason - to help restore what's broken and point you toward God's truth. And hey, finding a Godly discipler wouldn't hurt either. A local church member skilled in discipleship can help you navigate life's twists and turns while staying true to God's word.
I know discipline can be tough. But as my parents always reminded me, it's the key to yielding righteous fruit in the long run. So, embrace discipline, patience, and grace as you journey to win the race. Grow within the body of Christ and let your gifts shine, all to the glory of God!-Jon Hietbrink, Northbridge Elder for Families
Psychologist Vern Bengston did an award-winning 35-year longitudinal study finding that 68 percent of children who have a close relationship with their father will hold on to their father’s religion.
“What is really interesting,” Bengston writes, “is that, for religious transmission, having a close bond with one’s father matters even more than a close relationship with one’s mother.” Fathers wield influence, whether they intend to or not.
Yet the key phrase is close bond. “Fervent faith cannot compensate for a distant dad,” Bengston clarifies. “A father who is an exemplar, a pillar of the church, but doesn’t provide warmth and affirmation to his kid does not have kids who follow him in his faith.”
In short, what matters in a child's religious life is his father's love.
Happy Father's Day.
excerpt by Nancy Pearcy
Check out her new book here
8 Ways Christians Evangelize Their Neighbors and Community Where They Live.
by Ray Brandon and Kwabea Eyoome Agbley
The Great Commission passage teaches us that the gospel concerns personal salvation and the restoration of all creation. The "everything I have commanded you" relates to every aspect of life. So, evangelism, according to the Great Commission, cannot be reduced to your neighbor's "decision for Christ." The neighbor also must be taught to follow Jesus in everything. That is evangelism.
As Christians, we are called and sent to make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the Triune Name and teaching them everything God has commanded. Jesus promises that his presence will be with us as we continue the mission to build the Kingdom he rules. The promise is that this Kingdom extends to every ethnic group, language group, and nation.
The book of Hebrews encourages Christians to hold fast to their profession of faith, endure and receive their reward. While salvation is an event in time, a believer's enduring profession comes from the gift of faith given by God that regenerates us and leads to the predestined glory of every Christian in Christ Jesus. This confession is a gift of God's grace to the professing believer, delivering us from the domain of darkness to the Kingdom of his beloved son in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. Endurance stems from this fidelity to Christ, the hope of glory that we stand in, and the Holy Spirit continues to work in us, sanctifying us to carry out the work that our allegiance to Christ demands. Jesus' instructions to us in Matthew extends redemption to all areas of life that transform every sphere of human activity. And thereby, every realm of human activity comes under the Kingship of Jesus.
So how do we share the Good News of Jesus to impact the community and people where we live? The answer is counter-intuitive to the modern mind that wants to move fast and large.
We evangelize our neighbors like we smoke brisket, slow, low, bold, and over a long time. Evangelism starts with the Church, the family, and the individuals in families and then extends powerfully into our community, calling sinners to repentance, faith, and kingdom living.
1. Put the Church and worship at the center.
The Christian life proceeds from the worship of God to the mission of Christ in the world that results in the worship of God where it does not exist, namely in your neighbor’s home and new churches planted. The Church, instituted by Jesus under qualified elders through the ordinary means of grace, purifies the living body of Christ. Weekly covenant renewal prepares Christians for daily public work outside the assembly.
Unfortunately, many established churches and even new church plants create "worship experiences" "that are simply a navel-gazing cul-de-sac rather than a launch pad for the glorious reign of Jesus. The evangelical Church must return to the worship of God rather than a pagan cultural form of dashboard Jesus. Modern worship, even when preaching is "gospel-centered" "often elevates emotionalism and decisionism as the compass and final authority. Worship becomes commodified, scaled, and franchised so that the modern worshipper is nothing more than a consumer headed for the best spiritual dopamine outlet when they can't buy chicken sandwiches.
According to God's explicit instruction, worshiping God renews and sends disciple-makers into the world every week, giving them ordinary means to sustain Christ's work through them. Worship itself is the engine of evangelism. The outflow of the formal renewing your covenant with God every Lord's Day determines the culture of a church and the nature of evangelism in the community.
2. Learn to rule yourself well.
The first thing the gospel does is baptize the believer into Christ and a new way of life by teaching, i.e., discipleship and grace-empowered discipline that empowers the believer to love and live by God's commands. The rule of Christ in a believer's life that guides them to glorify God extends into every area of their life so that their profession of faith proceeds from their heart, intellect, feet, and fingertips.
3. Build your family and home life first.
Human history begins with the family as a necessary structure for flourishing. So, redemption also the redemption story begins in a believing family. Modern evangelism and discipleship often overlook the family as a structure and truncate the work of the Word in the World. If you're taking your kids and dropping them off at four VBS programs this summer, relying on the Church, youth group, or Christian school to tell your children about the Bible, you may want to reevaluate what you are doing in your home. Suppose you ignore the structures God has put into place for worship, discipleship, and evangelism. In that case, you'll be delegating your obedience or abdicating Christ's commands altogether for a little more "me time," which results in very little time sharing the gospel with others.
Evangelism begins by establishing the rule of Christ in the home. This starting point requires that parents shoulder the burden of educating their children. The home is the Bible school, the vocational school, the school of finance, the school of music, and the complete education department. If this is overwhelming, remember that Jesus said his burden is easy and light, but he also says it's difficult, gives grace, and will be with you, and you don't have to do it in your strength.
As a Licensed Professional Counselor, I specialize in complex betrayal trauma, marital infidelity, and process addictions in marital therapy. I know firsthand that modern marriage is in shambles, but you already know that. If people wake themselves up at 3 am for counseling, our counseling practice could run 24 hours a day, seven days a week. People are desperate to live a different way than the way they are living.
As a minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and as a father and grandfather, I can tell you that the burden of a family is a joy and a blessing. And as a pastor, I see God sanctifying Christian families by the Word every day, and their family life is good news to the world. The men in our Church engage in evangelistic street preaching at Planned Parenthood and on the University campus that bears the fruit of changed lives. But when men and women who are rebels against God come to know Christ as Lord and Savior, they need to see the gospel embodied in the worship of Christ in all aspects of home life.
4. Build friendships with people who worship well and are building Christ-filled homes.
Hebrews 10 – 12 teach us that we need Jesus, our High Priest, and King, and we cannot evangelize alone. We risk difficulty, discouragement, and becoming ineffective. His Kingdom is unshakeable, but we are not. Brotherhood and sisterhood are essential. Christian fraternity is one of the ways that Jesus mediates his presence among us. We all have the Spirit and are called to observe and identify the qualities that resemble Christ's nature, such as love, humility, compassion, forgiveness, and selflessness. It involves recognizing the fruit of the Holy Spirit at work in their lives, as described in Galatians 5:22-23. We encourage one another through worship and fellowship, prayer, discipleship, helping, and challenging one another. Holy Spirit empowerment to stir up one another to love and good works mean that we are actively connecting throughout the week in more ways than the formal programs of the Church. We act like real brothers and sisters that love each other. We share our lives, recreation, food, fun, burdens, and tips for canning vegetables and making pie crusts.
5. Work at your vocation in a way that is distinctly Christian.
There is a distinctly Christian way of doing everything. Dorothy L. Sayers argues that work is a means of earning a living, expressing our God-given talents, and contributing to the world. She believed that work in the arts, sciences, or any other field should reflect God's nature in creation and redemption. So, when we work, we redeem all aspects of life and bring them under the good news of Jesus' reign.
Are there ways to be distinctly Christian at work? Yes! Think about healthcare. If you're a nurse, do you treat your patients with dignity and respect? Do you work in a way that helps embody patient-centered dignifying care that stewards resources well? This is a tall order and will meet with some kind of HR or corporate friction along the way, but it is the straight road Christians in healthcare are called to. We could say this about farming, plumbing, retail, and all other areas of vocation. Evangelism begins with the integrity, creativity, and stewardship of creation and is not limited to leaning over the cubical wall to share Roman's road. Although, given the opportunity, don't hold back.
6. Manage your finances in a way that is obedient to Scripture, is generous, and builds long-term wealth.
Have you ever noticed how streaming services emphasize extremes? You are either stuck on a hunk of freezing tundra to survive alone or in a house filled by a hoarder. Sin loves the ditches. The glorious gospel will have none of either extreme. We are not called to vows of poverty or self-gratification. We are called to work hard, make as much money as possible, and be joyfully generous while using our vocation and finances to build wealth that can be leveraged for God's glory for many generations.
Yes, we should tithe, yes, we should give to missions, and yes, we should pay our bills. However, we must also consider building the goose rather than simply the golden egg. Building wealth isn't just sending missionaries or saving for retirement. It's about building generous businesses because they work in a way that honors Christ, giving jobs in our wicked age to Christian workers who, in turn, support families and ministries. Building business and investing for the next generation ensures evangelism grows long after you and I are gone. Evangelism in the Kingdom is not fireworks show for people to ooh, and aah, but it is building a power plant that sustains families, towns, and even whole regions where many people come under the shelter of the Savior and King for a very long time.
7. Gather around the dinner table often and often with friends.
We evangelize by being hospitable. The gospel itself is an invitation into the glorious Kingdom of God, and the invitation comes with a weekly meal attached: communion. Christians enact the gospel through hospitality first with their families and brothers in Christ and then extending to their neighbors (Romans 12:13, Hebrews 13:2). Hospitality embodies and incarnates the goodness and good news of the gospel.
We have an entire gospel that records Jesus' journey from table to table in Luke. There is the dinner at the Pharisee's house in Luke 7, the feeding of 5,000 in Luke 9, the supper at Bethany in Luke 10, a meal with Zacchaeus in Luke 19, and the Last Supper in Luke 22, and others in between. Jesus, who is the good news, demonstrates that he is for his creation by being with his creation, and those events are often around table fellowship. While not a license for over-indulgence, our tables are kingdom weapons against a hell of loneliness and disconnection.
8. In all these activities, engage in conversations on how Jesus is Lord over everything and call your neighbors to repent and follow Jesus in everything.
Christians must speak the gospel. What we observe in the Bible is God speaking. When God speaks, he informs our reality and pushes away the fog of unbelief. The great commission calls us to speak the gospel in every activity and to every person in all circles of our life. The conversations may be different in each context, but all the conversations reflect the same profession, one Lord, one faith, and one baptism.
When Christians speak, we do so as God does. At times it is a full explanation of God's plan for redemption, and at times it points to the fantastic design God planned in the roses on the west lawn. My father-in-law, John Frey, a first-generation preacher who all his children and nearly all his grandchildren are missionaries, pastors, and church planters, often would loudly exclaim, "Glory!" Because of his constant witness to the glory of God in a young man's fresh cut from the barbershop to a flock of turkeys crossing the road to unashamedly calling a man to repent of his sin and trust Jesus, when you heard, "Glory" in the house, you came to see God's work in every area of life. This evangelism is how Jesus wins the world and puts everything under his feet.
Maturing in Worship that Pleases God
Even when it is slow, change seems to catch us off guard. Last week there were no leaves on the trees, and today they are a verdant canopy. Last week Jr. was two. Today he is asking to borrow the car for a date. That is how change goes.
We have changed slowly, or better phrased, matured in how we worship over the last two years at Northbridge. I believe that change for change's sake is never good and often leads to no suitable places. To better understand the differences, we need to ask Three Questions.
We need to keep asking one question before asking any other questions, "What kind of worship pleases God?" Two dudes in Leviticus 10 failed to ask this question, and their outcome was not good. I think they asked, "How do I feel moved in worship?" or something like that, but the text doesn't say it. The results of their actions should enflame our attention. Oh, and parents, remember these are Aaron's sons. Remember their dad did something similar? You mustn't be just serving God but teaching your children to serve God. Your children will worship something well!
Their experience is not a one-off event in Scripture. The priest in the tabernacle or temple who did not worship as God prescribed suffered the same fate entering into the presence of God. If they heard and did what God said in worship, they were blessed, and if not, things got crispy. I tell you this because I love you and because St. Peter says in the inspired Word of God that you are a priest when you attend worship every Sunday (1 Peter 2:9). All this to say that we are planning for a blessing on Sunday and not an all-church BBQ. We want God's blessing!
While most of the worship elements at Northbridge remain the same today, some aspects of worship have changed in the order of service to conform to God's pleasure, His glory, and our good. See how our forefathers discussed this issue in the 1689 London Baptist Confession in 22.1.
We need to ask the second question: "What does the Bible say?" The short answer is worship that God prescribes. The changes we make to grow in maturity together are founded on the Scriptures, the Word of God, as all good maturity should be, see 2 Timothy 3:16-17. Paul is convinced in Romans 14 that no one should press their preferences on another in worship. Paul does not believe that the Bible is not a collection of static theological truths that one can use willy-nilly. The Scriptures establish that no one, including pastors or elders or members with worship style preferences, should impose upon another person a spiritual practice—no matter how it has "an appearance of wisdom" (Col 2:20–3)—that does not have an explicit biblical warrant. It really does matter how much it "moves you." For some people, maybe me, cheeseburgers could be a nearly heavenly experience. We are not substituting the bread and wine for burgers and fries, no matter how much they seem to draw us to heaven.
In your small group Bible study, you explored how some believers in Acts 15 wanted to add a sharp element to worship. The Elders in the church ruled against it, and I am not advocating we add it into the order of service either. Just as we don't get to decide if a boy is a boy or a girl is a girl, we don't get to choose how to enter into the presence of God in worship. God tells us, and it's a lifesaver! Note how believers historically viewed this issue in the London Baptist Confession, 21.2.
Next, we have to ask, "What does the Bible say is the goal of worship?" For some churches, the design of the service is evangelism. The goal is to bring someone trying to find out who God is to faith in Jesus the Savior. For others, the purpose is to encourage or awaken a Christian's faith. It is cognitive theological or moral learning for some, and the goal is fellowship for others. So what does the Bible say is the goal of worship? I'll continue answering this question next week.
Unit 33, Session 4: The Church is United in Hope
Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:11
Dig & Discover Principles: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1FvZCIHSOxackVo_9fIgDVCVSGGLKNQ3B/view
Sermons:
Mark Dever: https://www.capitolhillbaptist.org/sermon/waiting-for-what/
John Piper: https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/you-are-not-appointed-for-wrath
Help Me Teach the Bible: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/podcasts/help-me-teach-the-bible/matt-smethurst-teaching-1-thessalonians/
Alistair Begg: https://www.truthforlife.org/resources/sermon/the-coming-of-the-lord-pt-1/
Articles:
https://ftc.co/resource-library/blog-entries/the-hope-of-holiness/
Videos:
Nature of Hell: https://gospelproject.lifeway.com/bible-hell-video/
Second Coming of Christ: https://gospelproject.lifeway.com/christ-second-coming-video/
Fill ins:
pg 123: condemnation, suffering, separated
pg 124: bodily, unexpected, imminent, new
Unit 33, Session 3: The Church is United in Faith
Scripture: Galatians 3
Dig & Discover Principles: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1FvZCIHSOxackVo_9fIgDVCVSGGLKNQ3B/view
Sermons:
John Piper: https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/christ-redeemed-us-from-the-curse-of-the-law
Tom Schreiner: https://equip.sbts.edu/chapel/true-freedom/
Christopher Ash: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/sermon/gods-law-today/
Help Me Teach the Bible: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/podcasts/help-me-teach-the-bible/j-v-fesko-on-galatians/
Ray Ortlund: https://immanuelnashville.libsyn.com/ray-ortlund-boldly-free-14-galatians-323-29
Videos:
Special Revelation: https://gospelproject.lifeway.com/know-god-will/
Imputation: https://gospelproject.lifeway.com/righteousness-imputation-video/
Fill ins:
pg 113: Word, Jesus Christ, purpose, plan
pg 114: righteousness, trusted
Unit 33, Session 2: The Church is United in Love
Scripture: Acts 15 -18
Dig & Discover Principles: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1FvZCIHSOxackVo_9fIgDVCVSGGLKNQ3B/view
Sermons:
Tim Keller: https://gospelinlife.com/downloads/a-world-of-idols-6538/
Tom Schreiner: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/sermon/reasoning-in-midst-of-opposition/
Articles:
https://hereadstruth.com/2018/06/20/love-the-superior-way/
Videos:
Evangelism: https://gospelproject.lifeway.com/evangelism-duty-privilege-video/
Fill ins:
pg 104: privilege, disciples, verbal, lifestyle
Unit 33, Session 1: The Church is United in the Essentials
Scripture: Acts 15: 1 - 35
Dig & Discover Principles: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1FvZCIHSOxackVo_9fIgDVCVSGGLKNQ3B/view
Sermons:
Matt Chandler: https://www.tvcresources.net/resource-library/sermons/the-nature-of-the-gospel/
John Piper: https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/rebuilt-ruins-will-reach-the-world
Tom Schreiner: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/sermon/the-grace-of-salvation/
Tony Merida: https://ftc.co/resource-library/conference-messages/christ-and-the-church/
Clint Pressley: https://www.hickorygrove.org/resources/sermons/sermon-detail/living-a-life-of-grac--mcc/
Articles:
https://voices.lifeway.com/discipleship-evangelism/a-needed-shift-in-discipleship/
https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/a-people-for-his-name
Videos:
Justification by Faith: https://gospelproject.lifeway.com/make-up-for-our-sins-justification-video/
Inerrancy of Scripture: https://gospelproject.lifeway.com/trust-bible/
Fill ins:
pg 96: righteous, faith
pg 97: infallible, truthful
Unit 32, Session 3 and 4
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1; John 17; 2 Timothy 1-2
Dig & Discover Principles: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1FvZCIHSOxackVo_9fIgDVCVSGGLKNQ3B/view
Sermons:
H. B. Charles: https://ftc.co/resource-library/conference-messages/the-ministers-prayer/
Christopher Ash: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/sermon/united-in-love/
Conference Media, Entrusted with the Gospel: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/conference/2009-national-conference/
John Piper: https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/christian-unity-and-the-cross
Articles:
https://gospelproject.lifeway.com/one-manyness-church/
https://ftc.co/resource-library/blog-entries/5-characteristics-of-a-godly-leader/
Videos:
Unity of the Church: https://gospelproject.lifeway.com/unity-church-video/
Edification: https://gospelproject.lifeway.com/help-grow-faith-edification-video/
Priesthood of Believers: https://gospelproject.lifeway.com/christians-priesthood-video/
The Gospel is the Foundation for Christian Unity: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/gospel-foundation-christian-unity/
Fill ins:
pg 77: gospel, oneness, diversity, Christ
pg 86: fellowship, Scripture, equipping
pg 87: directly, Jesus Christ
Unit 32, Session2: The Church is Sent to the World
Scripture: Acts 13-14
Dig & Discover Principles: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1FvZCIHSOxackVo_9fIgDVCVSGGLKNQ3B/view
Sermons:
Help Me Teach the Bible: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/podcasts/help-me-teach-the-bible/michael-lawrence-on-acts/
David Choi: https://ftc.co/resource-library/conference-messages/the-church-missional/
David Platt: https://radical.net/message/proclaiming-jesus-for-the-joy-of-all-people/
Tom Schriener: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/sermon/new-ventures-and-new-challenges/
Articles:
https://research.lifeway.com/2021/02/04/removing-hidden-barriers-to-your-churchs-gospel-reach/
https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/the-haunted-hayride-of-human-approval
Videos:
Mission of the Church: https://gospelproject.lifeway.com/church-purpose-video/
Fill ins:
pg 67: faith, world, Spirit
Unit 32, Session 1: The Church is Sent to Trust God
Scripture: Acts 12: 1-19
Dig & Discover Principles: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1FvZCIHSOxackVo_9fIgDVCVSGGLKNQ3B/view
Sermons:
Help Me Teach the Bible: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/podcasts/help-me-teach-the-bible/michael-lawrence-on-acts/
John Starke: https://subsplash.com/apostleschurchuptown/media/mi/+rgs6zf4
Tom Schriener: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/sermon/god-s-inscrutable-sovereignty/
John Piper: https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/explosive-fellowship
RC Sproul: https://www.ligonier.org/learn/sermons/peter-prison
https://www.spurgeon.org/resource-library/sermons/no-illusion/#flipbook/
Videos:
Prayer and Providence: https://gospelproject.lifeway.com/why-prayer-video/
Fill ins:
pg 58: plan, accomplish, knows
Unit 31, Session 3 and 4: The Church is Sent to Proclaim Jesus
Scripture: Hebrews 1 - 12
Dig & Discover Principles: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1FvZCIHSOxackVo_9fIgDVCVSGGLKNQ3B/view
Sermons:
Help Me Teach the Bible: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/podcasts/help-me-teach-the-bible/sam-storms-on-hebrews/
Tim Keller: https://gospelinlife.com/downloads/christ-the-final-word-5403/
Kevin DeYoung: https://christcovenant.org/sermons/gods-word-is-enough/
Mark Dever: https://www.capitolhillbaptist.org/sermon/sticking-with-the-best-the-message-of-hebrews/
Michael Kruger:
Hebrews 1: https://vimeo.com/235026202?embedded=true&source=vimeo_logo&owner=17901967
Hebrews 8: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2LhByz5OqU0
Hebrews 10: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qS0hhrzR2cQ
Articles:
https://voices.lifeway.com/discipleship-evangelism/mission-in-the-madness/
Videos:
Christ as Priest: https://gospelproject.lifeway.com/jesus-priest-video/
Jesus’ Deity: https://gospelproject.lifeway.com/jesus-god-video/
The Bible Project: https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/hebrews/#!
Fill ins:
pg 33: divine, human, attributes, Son
pg 31: righteousness, intercedes, prays
pg 39: resting, confession, receiving
Unit 31, Session 1 and 2: The Church United
Scripture: Acts 10-11
Dig & Discover Principles: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1FvZCIHSOxackVo_9fIgDVCVSGGLKNQ3B/view
Sermons:
D. A. Carson: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/conference_media/greatest-commandment-pluralistic-age/
David Dockery: https://multimedia.sebts.edu/?p=6404
Matt Chandler: https://www.tvcresources.net/resource-library/sermons/scattered-to-gather/
Tim Keller: https://gospelinlife.com/downloads/love-for-the-city-6559/
Tim Keller: https://gospelinlife.com/downloads/converted-by-the-spirit-5337/
Articles:
https://gospelproject.lifeway.com/what-is-unique-about-christianity-among-the-world-religions/
https://gospelproject.lifeway.com/secret-growing-spiritually/
https://www.9marks.org/article/encourage-one-another-giving-grace-with-your-words/
https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/you-are-animal-eat-bible-dietary-laws/
Videos:
Election: https://gospelproject.lifeway.com/mystery-election-video/
Discipleship: https://gospelproject.lifeway.com/make-disciples-video/
Fill ins:
pg 14: God, sinners, means, humility
pg 22: process, maturity, Word, examples
Unit 30, Session 4: Holding Fast to the Gospel of Jesus
Scripture: 2 Corinthians 11:1-12:13
Dig & Discover Principles: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1FvZCIHSOxackVo_9fIgDVCVSGGLKNQ3B/view
Sermons:
Sinclair Ferguson: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/sermon/exposing-the-disguises/
Mark Dever: https://www.capitolhillbaptist.org/sermon/power-and-weakness/
Andrew Sach: https://www.greenwich.church/resources/talk/78402
Articles:
No Other Gospel: https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/no-other-gospel
Videos:
Holding Fast to the Gospel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QuxmiIFN8yE
Fill ins:
pg 122: waiting, tongues, nations, redeemed
Unit 30, Session 3: Experiencing New Identity in the Gospel of Jesus
Scripture: Colossians 2:1-3:17
Dig & Discover Principles: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1FvZCIHSOxackVo_9fIgDVCVSGGLKNQ3B/view
Sermons:
Tim Keller: https://gospelinlife.com/downloads/christ-our-life-7362/
Matt Chandler: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/sermon/colossians-3-1-16/
Mark Dever: https://www.capitolhillbaptist.org/sermon/sibbes-the-hidden-life/
Articles:
Tim Keller, Why Circumcision: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/video/why-circumcision/
https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/living-together-when-christ-is-all-in-all
Videos:
Gospel at the Center: https://vimeo.com/270781998
United with Christ: https://gospelproject.lifeway.com/what-does-it-mean-to-be-united-with-jesus-99-in-99/
Fill ins:
pg 113: salvation, faith, eternity
pg 114: new creation, alive, Christ
Unit 30, Session 2: Confronted by the Gospel
Scripture: Acts 9: 1-30
Dig & Discover Principles: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1FvZCIHSOxackVo_9fIgDVCVSGGLKNQ3B/view
Sermons:
Bryan Carter: https://equip.sbts.edu/chapel/acts-915-16/
John Piper: https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/overflowing-grace-for-all-who-believe
Charles Spurgeon: https://www.spurgeon.org/resource-library/sermons/behold-he-prayeth/#flipbook/
David Murray: https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=102202122811
Articles:
https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/no-saul-the-persecutor-did-not-become-paul-the-apostle/
https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/the-strength-you-need-for-today
Videos:
Calling: https://gospelproject.lifeway.com/god-calling-video/
Unity of the Church: https://gospelproject.lifeway.com/unity-church-video/
Fill ins:
pg 104: gospel, Holy Spirit, essential
pg 106: gospel, diversity
Unit 30, Session 1: Proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus
Scripture: Acts 8: 26-40
Dig & Discover Principles: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1FvZCIHSOxackVo_9fIgDVCVSGGLKNQ3B/view
Sermons:
Tony Merida: https://multimedia.sebts.edu/?p=5809
John Piper: https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/the-leading-of-the-lord-in-personal-evangelism
Matt Chandler: https://www.tvcresources.net/resource-library/sermons/scattered-to-gather/
Kevin DeYoung: https://christcovenant.org/sermons/the-good-news-about-jesus/
Alistair Begg: https://www.truthforlife.org/resources/sermon/unexpected-encounter/
Articles:
Be The “Them”: https://voices.lifeway.com/discipleship-evangelism/be-the-them/
Teachable Spirit: https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/teachable-spirit
Videos:
Preservation of Scripture: https://gospelproject.lifeway.com/bible-authors-intended/
Fill ins:
pg 96: inspired, free, error
Unit 29, Session 4: Living Out the Gospel of Jesus
Scripture: James 1 - 2
Dig & Discover Principles: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1FvZCIHSOxackVo_9fIgDVCVSGGLKNQ3B/view
Sermons:
Help Me Teach the Bible: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/podcasts/help-me-teach-the-bible/dan-doriani-on-james-2/
Paul Tripp: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/sermon/how-can-i-be-sure/
Ryan Kelly: https://dscabq.com/messages/not-by-faith-alone
Alistair Begg: https://www.truthforlife.org/resources/sermon/faith-true-or-false/
Mark Dever: https://www.capitolhillbaptist.org/sermon/real-faith-works/
Matt Chandler: https://www.tvcresources.net/resource-library/sermons/faith-works/
Articles:
How to Pace Yourself: https://ftc.co/resource-library/blog-entries/how-to-pace-yourself/
Thomas Schreiner: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/do-paul-james-disagree-on-justification-by-faith-alone/
R.C. Sproul: https://www.ligonier.org/posts/faith-and-works
Videos:
Justification by Faith: https://www.gospelproject.com/make-up-for-our-sins-justification-video/
Justification and Works: https://www.gospelproject.com/justification-works-video/
The Bible Project: https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/james/
Fill ins:
pg 86: declared, faith, Christ, adoption
pg 87: Christ, verify, evident
2nd London Baptist Confession of Faith Exhortation, Chapter 5.
I hope you all have been blessed and encouraged by our time looking at this document. I know of a couple families who are reading threw this together, which I think is a wonderful idea.
This week we will be looking at chapter 5, which has to do with God's providence. Now this is a word that is used mostly within the church, and often is a bit unclear and raises some big questions.
For today, were going to look at one defintion, and two questions.
The definition is a defintion from John Piper, as he defines Divine Providence in his recent book, titled "Providence." In this book he defines providence as "God's purposeful sovereignty." Providence is God's purposeful control of all things to accomplish his perfect and good plan.
Now when we think of this doctrine, this reality, that God controls all things purposefully, there are two looming qeustions that often come in to our minds. The first question is more philosophical, the second qeustion is more personal.
The philosophical question is posed in some form of the following. "If God is on control, then why do bad things happen?" This has been called the problem of evil. Now there are many different good ways to answer this question, and as Chrsitians we should have answers to this.
In fact, we are commanded to have these answers in 1 Peter 3:15, which often gets partially quoted as "always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you." But let us not forget that this verse starts with a different command to "honor Christ the Lord as holy."
We could say then that this verse commands us to think rightly about the Lord and communicate rightly about him to others. After all, if we do not have correct thoughts about God, then we cannot speak about him to others in a way that honors him. The aim of this confession that we are going through is to help us think rightly about the Lord, to honor Christ the Lord as holy which brings us to chapter 5 of the 2nd London Baptist Confession of faith.
Today we are going to jump right in to the 4th section. Which is not to say the first 3 sections are unimportant, in fact they are foundational points and clarifications which I would encourage you to read sometime this week. Section four however does help us to think rightly about God and does directly address the so called problem of evil and how to rightly think about God's providence and the reality of sin.
4. "The almighty power, unsearchable wisdom, and infinite goodness of God are so thoroughly demonstrated in his providence, that his sovereign plan includes even the first fall and every other sinful action both of angels and humans. God’s providence over sinful actions does not occur by simple permission but by a form of permission that God most wisely and powerfully limits and in other ways arranges and governs. Through a complex arrangement of methods, he channels sinful actions to accomplish his perfectly holy purposes. Yet he does this in such a way that the sinfulness of their acts arises only from the creatures and not from God. Because God is altogether holy and righteous, he can neither originate nor approve of sin."
Or, put more simply as Joseph said in Genesis 50:20 "You meant evil…but God meant it for good."
Now the second question this doctrine raises in our mind is a personal one. Not just why do bad things happen, but why do they happen to me. And again, as we think about this question, we need to honor God not just in how we speak about this, but how we think about it, which leads into sections 5 and 6 of this chapter. Notice that each of these sections is answering the same question, but for two different groups of people.
5. "The perfectly wise, righteous, and gracious God often allows his own children for a time to experience a variety of temptations and the sinfulness of their own hearts. He does this to chastise them for their former sins or to make them aware of the hidden strength of the corruption and deceitfulness of their hearts so that they may be humbled. He also does this to lead them to a closer and more constant dependence on him to sustain them, to make them more cautious about all future circumstances that may lead to sin, and for other just and holy purposes. So, whatever happens to any of his elect happens by his appointment, for his glory, and for their good."
6. "God, as the righteous judge, sometimes blinds and hardens wicked and ungodly people because of their sins. He withholds his grace from them, by which they could have been enlightened in their understanding and had their hearts renewed. Not only that, but sometimes he also takes away the gifts they already had and exposes them to situations that their corrupt natures turn into opportunities for sin. Moreover, he gives them over to their own lusts, the temptations of the world, and the power of Satan, so that they harden themselves in response to the same influences that God uses to soften others."
Let me explain a little of what is meant by this last phrase "the same influences that God uses to soften others" with a quote. "The same sun that makes the garden of flowers more fragrant makes the dunghill more noisome; the same heat that softens wax hardens clay; and the same child was set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel. The way to prevent this mischief is to bow our souls to the commanding authority of the word and law of God, not striving against, but submitting to it."
This leaves us with one very important question. When we think of the reality of God's providence, does it create in us worship or contempt? Let me put it another way, God is in control of all things. Does that seem, does that feel, as in deep down in your bones, like a good thing or a problem?
I would encourage you to wrestle with that question. Knowing that in our fallen nature, we all see God's providence as a problem, and at times I can guarantee we all get upset God is in control. The reason we see God's providence, his control as a problem, is because it's His, not ours.
I want to end by reading the final section from this chapter, a section I hope comforts and encourages us. "The providence of God in a general way includes all creatures, but in a special way it takes care of his church and arranges all things to its good."