that which thundered

IREF 2012

2012-01-28T23:36:00.000Z

Today 3 of our church members set out toserve with IREF in Andhra Pradesh, India.

One of the things which IREF model well is their eagerness to meet both physical and spiritual need in Jesus’ Name.

Theyhave already hosted a number of Gospel meetings leading to 51 baptisms so far.Our members are part of the medical team providing free healthcare clinics.

IREF is an indigenous mission, run by Indians- for Indians,and cares for thousands of children from the poorest of backgrounds.

Their mission statement is as follows:

The India Rural Evangelical Fellowship is an indigenousIndian mission dedicated to:

Reaching the rural population of Andhra Pradesh, SouthIndia, with the Gospel of Jesus Christ
Mobilising and equipping national workers to carry outevangelism and so fulfill the Great Commission
Planting local churches and enabling them to develop
Caring for orphans, providing them with a good academic andspiritual Christian education
Providing good Christian education at Further andHigher(Degree) levels, especially to young people from deprived backgrounds
Providing free medical check-ups and medication for those inits care
Establishing Income Generation Projects to enable thepoorest Christians to provide for their families
Providing emergency relief to cyclone, flood, and disastervictims

Please pray for our members (Jim, Jason and Liz), the restof the team, the Indians they are working with and serving. If you’d like aprayer newsletter please email me at ross@airdriebaptist.co.uk

If you’d like to sponsor a child you can find out about thathere (UK)

Or make a one off donation by texting: IREF12 £2 / £5 / £10 to 70070 eg IREF12 £5

If you’re in the USA you can find out more details here

Jefferson Bethke's poems

2012-01-27T16:24:00.000Z

I've been pleased to see these videos going viral,
the spoken word can still captivate:

Religion and Jesus:

Sex, Marriage and Fairytales:

Driscoll's 6 points on the UK Church

2012-01-18T03:15:00.002Z

Following up on my previous post, here's Driscoll's more measured exhortation to the Church in the UK:

'Here are some of my unedited thoughts for British evangelicals, whom I love and desire to see be exceedingly fruitful as they contend for the gospel of Jesus in their country.

1. You are in a cultural context that is more non-Christian, and even anti-Christian, than even the most liberal cities in the United States. I’ve taught across Scotland, Ireland, and England. Each one is more difficult to reach than my hometown of Seattle, which is one of the historically least-churched and most secular-minded cities in America. I’ve said for years that Britain and Canada are more secular and difficult than the United States. So, for those pastors (especially church planters) working in some tough soil, thank you!

2. You have great pressure from the media and even some legal liability that can cause preachers and teachers to whisper their beliefs rather than proclaim them. This is unfortunate, but it's reality, not unlike the early church preaching the gospel in the face of the Roman Empire. More than ever, humble courage is required!

3. Please do not compromise on essential doctrinal issues. Please do not back down from the perfection, authority, and sufficiency of Scripture as the very Word of God. Please do not shy away from talking about sin and allowing your preaching and teaching to devolve into vaguely spiritual self-help principles. Please do not be ashamed of the foolishness of the cross, where Jesus died in our place for our sins enduring the wrath of God we deserve. Please do not be timid to call people to repent of sin and trust in Jesus Christ alone for salvation, as apart from him there is no forgiveness of sin and reconciliation with God. And please do not deny the reality of a literal, conscious, eternal torment in hell, because people are going there and lying to them is not loving them!

4. Please ask yourself if your churches are doing all you can to reach younger generations so that the churches do not become museums telling of the days when people used to love Jesus, but rather remain missions where people continue to meet him as Lord, God, Savior, friend, King, and Christ!

5. Please earnestly ask if enough is being done to reach, train, and deploy godly, gifted men, especially young men, into the marketplace and ministry. As you look around your church this Sunday, ask if you see enough substantive Christian men to lead your church for the next few generations, and if not, sound the alarm that there is a crisis!

6. Please ask why there is a lack of courageous young Christian preachers heralding the word of God across Britain and beyond and why, when there are big events for evangelicals, a speaker often has to be brought in from another country to preach. Please pray for the next Spurgeon, and if you are a Christian leader, do all you can to, by the grace of God, provide opportunities to see those kind of preachers and leaders raised up to lead the cause of the gospel in your country!'

Driscoll on UK Preachers

2012-01-16T13:31:00.000Z

Was just settling down to write a blog post on the (most) recent Mark Driscoll controversy when I read Adrian Warnock's reflection. He's basically said what I wanted to so here's the link. (Full audio of the controversial interview is linked to on this page too.)

Particularly pertinent is Warnock's second point:

'It is vital that we hear the main point that Driscoll is making, that British preachers should be more bold. It is never nice when people make generalizations, but Driscoll is right that we in the UK have too many apologetic preachers. Driscoll is angry at times largely because he has been gripped by the cause of Christ. I sometimes think we would lose more than we would gain if Driscoll was to become more measured in what he says.'

When receiving criticism the man giving it, and the manner in which it's given, should not stop us asking, 'is there anything valid in there I should accept and act upon?' I believe there is substance to Driscoll's critique and hope when the dust settles we'll all be happy to focus on that for the cause of the Kingdom.

The Call Leadership Conference

2012-01-12T15:09:00.000Z

Scottish Church leaders\preachers- this conference looks great.

And now I've safely booked my place I feel happy to commend it to you!

More at Liam Garvie's blog here

Factoring in God's presence

2012-01-08T17:07:00.000Z

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'God is at peace in himself, and in his presence there is peace. The most repeated negative command in Scripture is ‘fear not.’ It appears 365 times — one for each day of the year — and is usually followed by ‘for I am with you.’

God would have us understand that factoring in his presence always changes the equation. '

Ramon Presson

When Will My Life Not Suck?

(Greensboro, NC.: New Growth Press, 2011), 102

From: Of First Importance blog.

Spurgeon: 'The motto for this year must be...'

2012-01-02T13:06:00.000Z

“Continue in prayer.”
- Colossians 4:2 -

It is interesting to remark how large a portion of Sacred Writ is occupied with the subject of prayer, either in furnishing examples, enforcing precepts, or pronouncing promises.

We scarcely open the Bible before we read, “Then began men to call upon the name of the Lord;” and just as we are about to close the volume, the “Amen” of an earnest supplication meets our ear.

Instances are plentiful. Here we find a wrestling Jacob—there a Daniel who prayed three times a day—and a David who with all his heart called upon his God. On the mountain we see Elias; in the dungeon Paul and Silas. We have multitudes of commands, and myriads of promises.

What does this teach us, but the sacred importance and necessity of prayer? We may be certain that whatever God has made prominent in his Word, he intended to be conspicuous in our lives. If he has said much about prayer, it is because he knows we have much need of it. So deep are our necessities, that until we are in heaven we must not cease to pray. Dost thou want nothing? Then, I fear thou dost not know thy poverty. Hast thou no mercy to ask of God? Then, may the Lord’s mercy show thee thy misery! A prayerless soul is a Christless soul. Prayer is the lisping of the believing infant, the shout of the fighting believer, the requiem of the dying saint falling asleep in Jesus. It is the breath, the watchword, the comfort, the strength, the honour of a Christian. If thou be a child of God, thou wilt seek thy Father’s face, and live in thy Father’s love. Pray that this year thou mayst be holy, humble, zealous, and patient; have closer communion with Christ, and enter oftener into the banqueting-house of his love. Pray that thou mayst be an example and a blessing unto others, and that thou mayst live more to the glory of thy Master.

The motto for this year must be, “Continue in prayer.”

Charles Spurgeon
From 'Morning and Evening'

Helpless

2011-12-24T00:18:00.000Z

'Lying helpless as a baby
Just think of it; the Son of God, Jesus, the one throughwhom all things were made, the Word that is in the bosom of the Father, theWord that was God from the beginning, the eternal absolute Son enjoying all thefull prerogatives of deity from everlasting to everlasting – lying helpless asa baby in a manger. And all that you and I might be saved and reconciled toGod.'

Martyn Lloyd-Jones

(Fellowship with God)

For similar reflections from Edwards, Spurgeon and Sam Storms, see this post from last year:

The Glorious Paradoxes of the Incarnation

For a basic explanation of what the incarnation is about see this pdf poster from The Resurgence.

Christmas?

2011-12-16T09:22:00.002Z

Personal Update 15 December 2011

2011-12-15T23:47:00.001Z

This weeks MRI scan results showed no change. Obviously we would have liked the remnants of the tumour to have disappeared entirely, but the medical staff expected no change and essentially it means there is no cause for concern.

My bloods were a little lower than we would like again, but I have been able to proceed with the same dosage of chemotherapy and the same timescale. This means I'll be off chemo for Christmas and the New Year which, needless to say, we're delighted about.

Thanks for your continued love, support and prayers

Ross

The ‘God Particle’?

2011-12-14T12:39:00.000Z

A Higgs Boson walks into a chapel and is stopped by apriest.

The priest says 'Hey, you're not welcome here. You callyourself the 'God' particle and that’s blasphemous.'

The Higgs Boson protests 'But without me, how could you havemass?'

The nickname of this (potentially) newly discovered particleis unfortunate. I believe it’s been called the ‘God- particle’ because -likeGod- it is present everywhere, and whilst it cannot be seen, its effects can. Theproblem is people seem to be assuming from the name that it in some waythreatens theism. Not so. To put it in the most simple terms possible, if theuniverse was created by a big bang- where did the stuff to go bang come from? Evenleaving aside questions of meaning, purpose, beauty, good and evil whichscience cannot answer, the Higgs Boson offers no threat to Christianity that Ican see.

I don’t believe Christians have anything to fear fromscience, every new discovery (whilst provisional) ought to make us marvel allthe more at the Creator of this unimaginably complex and beautiful universe.

The Good Book Blog echoes some of these thoughts here:

‘Why the God Particle needs Renaming’

Same-sex marriage consultation: some thoughts & resources

2011-12-06T09:19:00.001Z

I don’t expect a world hostile to God to live under Christ’sLordship. This being the case, I’ve always chosen to make my primarybattleground the fight to see the church acknowledge the Lordship of Christ inbelief and in practice, and to call the world to repentance and faith in Him.Even if the world’s understanding of morality and sexuality was in relative accordwith the Bible’s, it would not change the fact that those who reject Jesus, willultimately face God’s rejection and judgement. 'The work of God is to believe inthe one he sent' (John 6:29). Therefore if I’m honest I get much more hot underthe collar about those within thechurch who seek to deny clear biblical teaching they regard as unpalatable.

Nevertheless I dobelieve we are called to be salt and light, to love our communities and seekthe best for them. I don’t believeredefining marriage will help our society. And it is a redefinition of marriage that is being proposed. Our lawsrecognise marriage, but they did not invent it, nor should they have theauthority to redefine it.

Undoubtedly we’ll be misunderstood and maligned, but if welove our nation we will, graciously but clearly, state our convictions onmarriage at this time.

The Scottish Government Consultation on the Registration ofCivil Partnerships, Same Sex Marriage and Related Issues ends onThursday 9 December. You can still complete the consultation online here (click on 'online response form').

It is a complex document, if you want help from a Christianperspective the following briefings are available:

Consultation Guides:

Care for Scotland (contains advice on every consultationquestion)

Evangelical Alliance (general reflection on theconsultation)

See also:

Solas CPC Response to the Consultation

Scotland for Marriage Campaign and Petition

Baptist Union of Scotland Resolution on Marriage

Happy St Andrews Day!

2011-11-30T11:15:00.001Z

Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus. The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, "We have found the Messiah" (that is, the Christ).

And he brought him to Jesus.

(John 1:40-42)

Rev David Robertson update

2011-11-14T12:07:00.001Z

Was very moved by a recent update from David Robertson's son on his dad's health:

'An update on Dad: Therehasn't been much said in the past few days because things haven't been goingwell. His sedation was increased on Sunday and they've had him asleep sincethen. The damage to his lungs is still severe and today mum was told by thedoctors that it's 50/50 weather he'll live or die. I write this with greatanguish and a heavy heart but not without hope. There is still a hope thathe'll make it through this, but there is a better hope he has and we have. Ahope that does not waver and is 100% certain. That is the hope of eternalsalvation through Jesus Christ. Jesus has already removed Dad's biggestproblem, it's not the deterioration of his lungs but something more deadly...his sin. Christ has saved him from that. Tomorrow I go down with Becky toDundee, knowing that this may be the last time I see my Dad... till Christreturns and "everything sad is made untrue."' 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14.

David is the minister of St Peter's Free Church Dundee and Chairman of Solas Centre for Public Christianity. Please pray for him and his family at this time.

One more look at Luther, from the sublime to the ridiculous

2011-11-08T08:47:00.001Z

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Sublime:

Serious:

Ridiculous:

Reform Begins- Part 2

2011-11-04T19:02:00.001Z

Following on from Sola Scriptura, the assertion thatScripture holds the place of ultimate authority, came four more solas; sola gratia, sola fide, solus Christusand soli Deo gloria.

Sola Gratia: (grace alone)

Here is the teaching that separates Christianity from allother religions and philosophies. Every other religion gives advice on how tolive if you want to reach heaven\nirvana\fulfilment\happiness\enlightenment… ‘DoA B and C and you might just be able to earn it.’

I suspect most people think Christianity is another voice inthat great assembly, preaching moral living that it’s particular God might besatisfied.

But Christianity does not declare: ‘God is good, you be goodand he’ll accept you.’

God is too good! And you have already failed. You’ll neverearn it. You need grace. Not a combination of God’s grace and your goodness,grace alone welcomes us into God’s favour and presence.

When we have been accepted by God, as his much lovedchildren we do good things. But it’s a grateful response from acceptance, not a pitiful plea for acceptance.

It’s all grace, all gift.

(It’s worth noting that there is another error common within the church today,to speak of grace as being nice and not judging other people. Well it may benice to be nice, but grace is about forgiveness for sin.)

Sola fide (faith alone)

What is the means by which we lay hold of this great gift ofgrace? Is it automatic? Do I need to belong to a certain race, be born in acertain country, partake in certain religious rituals?

No, the gift of God’s grace is received by faith.

Not just believing that God exists, or just that he lovesyou. I would even go so far as to say not just believing in the sense of mentalassent to the truth that Christ died for you.

But trusting, trustingin Jesus life and death and resurrection.

Solus Christus(Christ alone)

Which leads us to SolusChristus. Faith in Christ alone.

Faith in his life- without sin in our place.

Faith in his death- for sin in our place.

Faith in his resurrection- conquering sin in our place.

Someone has said that Jesus lived the life we could notlive, died the death we deserved to die, to secure for us the gift we couldnever afford!

Soli Deo Gloria

Justification (being made right with God) is by grace alone,through faith alone in Christ alone. Who then gets the credit, the glory? Godalone!

Paul says in Ephesians 2:8-10:

For it is by grace you have beensaved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God- not by works, so that no one can boast.

Salvation is gift- from start to finish. All gift, all grace.We are saved by grace through faith in Christ alone, not by good works or ritesand rituals performed by the church on our behalf. That’s what Luther and the Reformerswere willing to take their stand for, and I -for one- am glad they did.

Reform Begins- the monk & the mallot

2011-10-31T19:46:00.000Z

Happy Reformation Day! On October 31 1517 Martin Luthernailed his 95 thesis to the church door in Wittenberg. Its focus was on theteaching that led to the sale of indulgences, but behind the 95 points Luthermade, lay a handful of convictions which would later become great slogans ofthe Reformation; Sola Scriptura, Sola Gratia, Sola Fide, Solus Christus,and Soli Deo Gloria.

Sola Scriptura(Scripture Alone)

Few in the Roman Catholic Church of Luther’s day wouldhave suggested that the Bible was unimportant or irrelevant, however neitherdid it hold the place of ultimate authority. To suggest that the Bible alone servedas that supreme authority was in turn to challenge the authority of the popeand the church. If Luther was right, their teachings and traditions would haveto be tested against Scripture. Nailing his thesis to the church door would eventuallylead Luther to stand before the diet of Worms (diet as in council and Worms asin the place- nothing to do with eating wee beasties) 4 years later andfamously state:

Unless I am convincedby Scripture and plain reason - I do not accept the authority of the popes andcouncils, for they have contradicted each other - my conscience is captive tothe Word of God. I cannot and I will not recant anything for to go againstconscience is neither right nor safe. God help me. Amen.

For his own safety he was seized and locked away in a castle where he devoted himself to translating the Bible into German, that ordinarypeople might encounter this authoritative God-breathed Word.

The Church has changed much in 500 years, yet there isnothing new under the sun. This question of authority is as pertinent as ever. Noone in evangelicalism would deny that the Bible is important, few wouldexplicitly state it to be a subordinate authority (including, I would hope, Baptists-more on that soon) but when it comes to the crunch I’m not sure that we would alltake our stand like Luther. We fear sounding outdated if we question the wisdomof our secular culture, or looking unloving if we challenge false teaching inthe church, or missing out on some perceived happiness that we think could be ours if wesidestep the Bible’s authority over our own thoughts feelings and desires.

Have a listen to some contemporary Christian preaching, aread of some contemporary Christian books, consider carefully the role theygive to Scripture and come to your own conclusion as to whether my assessmentis overly pessimistic or not! Is Scripture the final authority or is that privilegedposition reserved for the speaker’s experience or the hearer’s demands?

Then examine your own reading of Scripture and the role itplays in your life. Is it your final authority, or are you?

Take-in! ‘If our Biblesremain sitting on our shelves and studied only by academics, they might as wellhave remained in Latin and chained to pulpits’
(Burk Parsons)

Live-out! 'Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.'
(James 1:22)

Grow-up! 'Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked... his delight is in the law of the LORD,
and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither.'
(Psalm 1:1-3)

This first ‘sola’ essentiallylaid the foundation for the remaining 4 (not to mention the Reformation itself) tomorrow I’llreflect a little further on them.

Frogs and Lizards

2011-10-17T13:37:00.001+01:00

I found this analogy from the Good Book Blog quite helpful, (not sure I'd have the courage to call the congregation 'lizards' from the pulpit of though!)

Evangelism is an intrinsic part of any healthy church. It’s part of gospel community. It shapes our gospel teaching. And perhaps it’s helpful to outline two potential approaches to evangelism a gospel-centered church can have: frog-centered, and lizard-centered.
FROGS AND LIZARDS
Frogs are very good at catching flies with their long tongues. They stay on their lily pad, waiting for that fly to come close.
Lizards are not so good at catching flies. But they move around. They see more flies, and some they catch.
There may be a lot of biology-related holes in this analogy (if there are, blame the Lausanne Conference for World Evangelisation 1989—that seems to be where it was first used). But it’s a helpful way of thinking about evangelism...
A JOB FOR PROS?
Could it be that often we (consciously or subconsciously) think of evangelism as a job for the pros, the people who work for the church? They’re great at explaining and defending the gospel—they have long tongues!
Problem is, the pros don’t get around that much. They’re not in the workplaces; not at the school gates; not in the sports clubs. That’s where the lizards, the ordinary church members, are. They come into contact with a lot more flies (non-Christians) than the professionals.
Every day, the church membership can be seeking to evangelise far, far more people than the church leadership ever can—particularly in a time when cultural reasons for contact with church leaders... are fading.

Read the full article here.

Siri fae Scotland?

2011-10-10T12:32:00.001+01:00

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I must admit I was tempted by this:

Before remembering this:

Steve Jobs

2011-10-06T10:14:00.001+01:00

The blogosphere is understandably full of reflection on the life, and death, of Steve Jobs. I want to direct your attention to two Christian responses to the statement he released in 2005 about his cancer diagnosis. Firstly, Adrian Warnock reflects positively on Job's call to live each day like it were your last. Secondly, Mike Anderson questions his assertion that death is to be viewed as 'a great invention', rather than our greatest enemy.

MRI Results September 2011

2011-09-30T14:21:00.000+01:00

On Tuesday 20 September I received results of a recent MRI scan, it's the first set of results we've had since the chemotherapy started. We were hoping for no spread, no growth, and maybe even some shrinkage of the tumour. The results were excellent, the tumour has shrunk greatly and my brain itself is looking much better.

These were very important results, and we're deeply thankful for them and for those throughout the world who have been labouring in prayer for us.

With a mighty hand and an outstretched arm; His love endures forever. (Psalm 136.12)

If you'd like to hear me on a late-night ramble about the scan results, you can in the videos below!

The second video ends with a song by Chris Tomlin called 'Our God' from the album 'And if our God is for us.' It's a song that has meant a lot to us throughout the period from the original diagnosis to receiving these results.

Previous Updates:

28 July Health Update
20 May An Update
24 April View from the Valley

Christianity, courage and convictions

2011-09-22T17:58:00.001+01:00

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Euan Murray on refusing to play for Scotland on Sunday:

"It's basically all or nothing, following Jesus. I don't believe in pick 'n' mix Christianity,I believe the Bible is the word of God, so who am I to ignore something from it?I might as well tear out that page then keep tearing out pages as and when it suits me. If I started out like that there would soon be nothing left."

More in this yahoo article. You can imagine the response here in secular Scotland, by reading the comments!
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A Glorious Gospel!

2011-09-15T23:44:00.000+01:00

(i) Outline why God's Gospelof grace is so glorious

TheGospel is glorious because it is Good News that speaks of a glorious God.

Firstlythe Gospel speaks of a God who is so perfect and pure that we cannot reach upto Him. He’s too high, too holy. And as a just God he will not sweep our sinunder the carpet. This is no compromised God that the Gospel speaks of.

Secondlythe Gospel speaks of a God who is so loving that though we were unable to reachup to Him, He reached down to us in Christ, took our guilt and shame and giftsforgiveness and fellowship to all who will trust in Christ. (2 Corinthians5:21)

That’sglorious Good News that speaks of a glorious God.

(ii) What are the dangers ofgetting the Gospel wrong?

Asthe Gospel speaks of the very nature of God, getting the gospel wrong meansgetting our understanding of God wrong. We end up worshipping a god who is lessthan the true and living God revealed to us in Christ.

Secondlythe Gospel not only speaks about the nature of God, but shows us the way toHim. Therefore our very salvation is at stake. See Galatians 1:6-12 for howseriously Paul took getting the Gospel right. To abandon the true Gospel is toabandon the true God.

(iii) What safeguards should theChristian have in place to ensure ongoing faithfulness to the Gospel?

Weshould be people who love and value:

TheBible which reveals the true Gospel.

Baptismand the Lord’s Supper which remind us of the Gospel.

Alocal Church which is nothing less than a Gospel community.

Andwe should be discerning; we would be wrong to assume that there are no falsegospels being preached in our churches, or Christian books, or popular hymnstoday. We would also be wrong to assume that they are any less subtle or anyless damaging than they were in the days Paul wrote to the church in Galatia.

TheGood News is so good, so glorious, that we must guard it, treasure it, tell it,teach it and live in accordance with it!

A Glorious Gospel?

2011-09-14T23:04:00.000+01:00

Here are a few questions I was emailed recently:

(i) Why is God's Gospel of grace so glorious?

(ii) What are the dangers of getting the Gospel wrong?

(iii) What safeguards should the Christian have in place toensure ongoing faithfulness to the Gospel?

How would you answer those questions?

I’ll post my attempt tomorrow, for now you can readresponses from Peter Grainger, Wayne Sutton, Derek Prime, Colin Adams, and CraigDyer here.
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The Great Physician

2011-09-02T17:45:00.001+01:00

This is a very interesting little peep into the house of the apostolic fisherman. We quickly observe that household joys and cares are no hindrance to the full exercise of ministry; rather they furnish an opportunity for personally discovering the Lord's gracious work in one's own family. They may provide better instruction for the teacher than any other earthly discipline. There are those who decry marriage, but true Christianity and family life live well together. Peter's house was possibly a poor fisherman's hut, but the Lord of Glory entered it, lodged in it, and worked a miracle in it. If these words are being read this morning in some very humble cottage, let this fact encourage the inhabitants to seek the company of King Jesus. God is more often in little huts than in rich palaces.

Jesus is looking around your room now and is waiting to be gracious to you. Into Simon's house illness had entered; fever in a deadly form had prostrated his mother-in-law; and as soon as Jesus came, they told Him of the sad affliction, and He hurried to the patient's bed. Do you have any illness in the house this morning? You will find Jesus the best physician by far; go to Him at once and tell Him all about the matter. Immediately lay the case before Him. It concerns one of His people, and therefore He will not regard it as trivial. Notice that immediately the Saviour restored the ill woman; none can heal as He does. We dare not assume that the Lord will remove all illness from those we love, but we dare not forget that believing prayer for the sick is far more likely to be followed by restoration than anything else in the world; and where this does not happen, we must meekly bow to His will by whom life and death are determined. The tender heart of Jesus waits to hear our griefs; let us pour them into His patient ear.

From Truth for Life's Daily Devotionals

Why youth stay in Church when they grow up

2011-08-02T19:26:00.002+01:00

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Have a look at this great article by Jon Nielson.

A must read for all Christian young people, youthworkers, pastors and parents.
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Health update

2011-07-28T21:50:00.000+01:00

Just a wee update on my progress.

You can read about the background in two earlier posts here and here.

The Gospel and the oncology waiting room

2011-07-12T17:16:00.001+01:00

by Mike Pohlman

I recently sat with my wife in the waiting room at the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance. We were there to meet with Dr. Lupe Salazar to receive the results of Julia’s latest PET/CT scans. The goal: to determine if the cancer was progressing. This drill is an example of our “new normal” since the diagnosis of stage 4 breast cancer on Mother’s Day weekend in 2009.

Julia and I talk a lot. In fact, there is no one I would rather visit with on a daily basis. But in oncology waiting rooms, we often find ourselves quiet. Cancer clinics have a way of making you measure your words. And as you consider and feel the weight of why you’re there, common conversations often yield to silence.

Of course, the iPhone is never far away, and in the silence of one’s thoughts the urge to tweet can become irresistible. Here’s what I wrote that day: “Seminary course suggestion: spend three afternoons a week for a semester in a cancer clinic with your mouth shut watching and listening.”

I was moved to write those words because of what I was witnessing in the waiting room all around me. Emotions such as concern, despair, anger, and bitterness were obvious as I studied the faces, watched the body language, and listened to some of the spoken words. But there were also clear examples of hope and joy as individuals and families came and went. Amid all this, I was gripped by the fact that one of the front-desk assistants spoke to us freely about the “bad day” she was having and how unfortunate it was given that it was not yet noon. Clearly the fact that the couple dozen people in the waiting room were fighting cancer was lost on her — at least for the moment. The cancer patients in that waiting room could just as well have been waiting for haircuts. Alas, for this employee, it was just another day at work filled with mundane tasks of checking in and scheduling people.

The pastorate is all about God and people. As pastors, we have the wonderful (and terrible) privilege of shepherding people to God in Christ every day. Cancer clinics are an indispensable resource for pastors as we strive for faithfulness in our calling, because they keep us grounded in the greatest realities in the universe...

Read the whole article here

A beginner’s guide to living, and dying, in joy

2011-07-09T09:00:00.001+01:00

I thoroughly enjoyed heading east to the Faith Mission Convention last week. The highlight was hearing Alistair Begg preach on Romans 12:1-3.

During his message he mentioned the first two questions found in the Heidelburg Catechism:

What is your only comfort in life and death?

And

What do you need to know in order to live and die in the joy of this comfort?

Big questions, it’d be worth stopping here and thinking about how you’d answer, but here’s how the catechism tackles them:

1. Q. What is your only comfort in life and death?

A. That I am not my own,[1] but belong with body and soul, both in life and in death,[2] to my faithful Saviour Jesus Christ.[3] He has fully paid for all my sins with His precious blood, and has set me free from all the power of the devil.[5] He also preserves me in such a way[6] that without the will of my heavenly Father not a hair can fall from my head;[7] indeed, all things must work together for my salvation.[8] Therefore, by His Holy Spirit He also assures me of eternal life[9] and makes me heartily willing and ready from now on to live for Him.[10]

[1] I Cor. 6:19, 20 [2] Rom. 14:7-9. [3] I Cor. 3:23; Tit. 2:14. [4] I Pet. 1:18, 19; I John 1:7; 2:2. [5] John 8:34-36; Heb. 2:14, 15; I John 3:8. [6] John 6:39, 40; 10:27-30; II Thess. 3:3; I Pet. 1:5. [7] Matt. 10:29-31; Luke 21:16-18. [8] Rom. 8:28. [9] Rom. 8:15, 16; II Cor. 1:21, 22; 5:5; Eph. 1:13, 14. [10] Rom. 8:14.

2. Q. What do you need to know in order to live and die in the joy of this comfort?

A. First, how great my sins and misery are;[1]

second, how I am delivered from all my sins and misery;[2]

third, how I am to be thankful to God for such deliverance.[3]

[1] Rom. 3:9, 10; I John 1:10. [2] John 17:3; Acts 4:12; 10:43. [3] Matt. 5:16; Rom. 6:13; Eph. 5:8-10; I Pet. 2:9, 10.

You can read the rest of the Heidelbueg Catechism here.

Kevin DeYoung has written a really good book on the Heidelberg Catechism called ‘The good news we almost forgot’ preview available here.

Here’s something of what he has to say about the first question:

Heidelberg is asking, "What is your solace in life? What is your only real security?”…

…it poses the most important question we will ever face. What enables you to endure life and face death unafraid? Is it that you read your Bible every day? That you attend church every Sunday? That you give to the poor? That you have a cushy retirement account saved up? That you haven’t committed any of the big sins in life?

We live in a world where we expect to find comfort in possessions, pride, power and position. But the Catechism teaches us that our only true comfort comes from the fact we don’t even belong to ourselves.

How countercultural and counterintuitive!

We endure suffering and disappointment in life and face death and the life to come without the fear of judgement, not because of what we’ve done or what we own or who we are, but because of what we do not possess, namely, our own selves.

Happy Anniversary

2011-07-05T08:30:00.001+01:00

Happy 5th anniversary Debs!

None But You

Whose tears have soaked my collar dark?
None but yours, no, none but yours.
Whose sorrows leave the deepest mark?
None but yours, no, none but yours.

Who gave herself to me alone?
None but you, no, none but you.
Who is the only one I’ve known?
None but you, no, none but you.

There is no other I desire
None but you, no, none but you.
Till death my deepest friend, my fire:
None but you, no, none but you.

John Piper from Velvet Steel
Available for free download here

An Update

2011-05-20T04:01:00.003+01:00

Nearly a month since my last post! I know many people will have been reading the church updates here. But allow me to tell you where we’re at now here on the blog.

The Operation

The operation was a success, but because the tumour was inside the brain it wasn’t possible to remove it all. The surgeon was able to take most of it out, and it was then sent for tests.

The good news was that I came out of the operation without any weakness down my left hand side, or any other mental or physical concerns.

The Results

Brain tumours are graded from 1-4. 1 and 2 are regarded as less aggressive, benign tumours. Grades 3 and 4 are more aggressive, malignant tumours. The early indications we were given suggested that we might be looking at a less aggressive tumour, however the tests revealed it was a grade 3. The tumour had almost certainly been growing for many years, and had transitioned from a grade 2 into a grade 3 recently. This is what would have led to the recent severe headaches and seizure.

Obviously this was not the news we wanted to hear, but a further meeting with the oncologist revealed some good signs. The tumour is one that is expected to respond well to chemotherapy- and if and when I need it -radiotherapy too. It’s also good that the tumour was a grade 2 as some of it may still be grade 2 and not grade 3. Finally, this type of tumour doesn't transition to a grade 4.

For those still reading and keen to do more Googling it’s a Grade 3 Oligodendroglioma!

The Beatson

Scan

Myself and Debs saw the pre and post op MRI scans for the first time on Tuesday. The tumour in the pre-op scan was clear and sizable. The post-op scan is always a little less clear because you have brain, some tumour and swelling. What is clear is that there is now a big hole in my head (cue the airhead jokes) but the good news is that the oncologists are happy with what they see in the scan. I think the surgeon basically managed to get all of the tumour he could without causing me damage. We were both really thankful that there were no unwanted surprises on the post-op scan.

Chemotherapy

We had gone to the Beaston on Tuesday expecting me to receive my first dose of chemotherapy, but the oncologist was keen for us to take the time to digest the information and plan before starting the chemo. So we got the relevant information and I’ll go back to the Beatson this Tuesday to collect my drugs and start the chemo on Wednesday through to Sunday.

There are a number of positives with regard to the treatment. Firstly, I’ll be able to get my bloods done on the Monday before treatment in Airdrie to save me time when I go to the Beatson on Tuesdays. Secondly, all being well with my bloods, I’ll be able to take the drugs home and take them myself for the five days. Thirdly, the medical staff are fairly confident that my age and condition will stand me in good stead with regard to some of the possible side-effects. I’ve been assured that they are usually less severe than people anticipate. Fourthly, the staff are happy to tailor the chemotherapy around my individual circumstances where necessary ie holidays\important church events etc.

The chemo will be given over five days every four weeks. That works out at 13 sessions over the year.

There are no guarantees as to the impact the chemotherapy will have on the tumour. It’s not impossible that it will shrink, I think it’s more likely that the aim is to prevent further growth for as long as is possible (the chemo should have an impact on the tumour well beyond the year of treatment itself.) Whilst there are no guarantees – and this is clearly a point for prayer- the medical staff are upbeat. This type of tumour is expected to respond well to treatment.

I’ll be subject to MRI scans every three months to monitor the tumour. At some point in the future I’ll almost certainly have to have radiotherapy, but this can cause some damage to the brain hence the decision to start with chemotherapy.

Tiredness

Over the past ten days or so I’ve been very drained. After the operation I had good days and bad days, but even in the bad days I’d have one or two spells where I felt ok. Recently I’ve had whole days feeling exhausted. That’s been quite demoralising for me and concerning for Deborah. We were really pleased that the oncologist at the Beatson told us this was normal and to be expected. I was on a high dose of steroids to reduce swelling in the brain, having come off those steroids- the artificial energy they provide has left me and the full after effect of the operation has hit home. I’m hoping and praying for a wee bit more energy daily.

Longer Term

I know my life expectancy has been altered fairly significantly in the past month, but we’re still praying for healing. I have a lot of privileges and responsibilities that mean an awful lot to me, so I’m praying that I am given time here to invest in them. Family and church don’t feel like short term projects! I would love to go for a scan and be told there was no tumour, and I believe that to be possible, but to be honest if I have to live with that constant question mark over my life that’s ok. Really we all live with the question mark or we live in denial anyway. One of the most important things a pastor can do is to die well, and I’m praying that if that happens sooner than I had anticipated, I’ll be given the grace to model that well to the church. However I do believe all things are possible for God and I don’t feel –as subjective as my feelings are- that this is imminent. The words of Psalm 91, for example, have been such a living source of strength and encouragement to us in these days.

Medically we are being told that this is something that we will have to live with and manage. But there are some really good signs, and I’m being prepared by the NHS staff for years of life. Whilst there are no guarantees there seems an expectation that I will be able to move towards a new-normality.

It’s hard to speak about every day being a gift without it sounding terribly clichéd and twee but that’s the reality that we’re experiencing in a new way at the moment. Every day is a gift, every day we receive the grace we need for any challenges we face, we continue to receive all the support we could ever have hoped for from friends, family and the church family.

Another Psalm that’s been very special to us in these days is Psalm 40:

He lifted me out of the slimy pit,

out of the mud and mire;

he set my feet on a rock

and gave me a firm place to stand.

He put a new song in my mouth,

a hymn of praise to our God.

Many will see and fear

and put their trust in the LORD.

That’s often the pattern in the Psalms, a new experience of God’s grace and mercy, a new deliverance from danger or death, leads to a new song. I’ve never been a singer, but I have a new song to speak, a new sermon to preach!

My real desire is to get back behind that lectern in Airdrie Baptist to sing that song. But I also hope to be able to use this blog in coming days to reflect upon some of the truths I’ve been reflecting on, enjoying and experiencing in a new way through this time.

God-willing I’ll start that tomorrow!..

Psalm 121

2011-04-25T14:26:00.000+01:00

My Help Comes from the LORD

A Song of Ascents.

121:1 I lift up my eyes to the hills.
From where does my help come?
2 My help comes from the Lord,
who made heaven and earth.

3 He will not let your foot be moved;
he who keeps you will not slumber.
4 Behold, he who keeps Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.

5 The Lord is your keeper;
the Lord is your shade on your right hand.
6 The sun shall not strike you by day,
nor the moon by night.

7 The Lord will keep you from all evil;
he will keep your life.
8 The Lord will keep
your going out and your coming in
from this time forth and forevermore.

The View from the Valley

2011-04-24T01:05:00.001+01:00

No one wants to be diagnosed with a brain tumour. A craniotomy still sounds to me like a medieval form of torture, or at best an early Victorian form of surgery when lusty butchers hacked away with lots of gusto and little precision. This is not something I would have chosen to have faced, but I feel as well prepared as possible, and I want to share why.

I’m quite familiar with hospitals.

Normally I pop in, have a chat, read a passage from the bible, pray- then it’s back out to the car and home. It’s been an altogether different experience of late. Here I am in the valley. And I’m pleased to report, there is much to be thankful for, even here.

I watched Question Time recently and one panellist lamented ‘where is Florence Nightingale?’ speaking of the nurses she had encountered in the NHS and complaining that it was to them a profession rather than a vocation. Well our Florence Nightingale’s are all in the Monklands and Southern and General Hospitals. They are professionals- and I’m pleased to know that before I pop the pills they provide, but they lack nothing in care and compassion. I am therefore very reluctant to offer any criticism of them. One thing however I have had to correct is when they say to me –knowing I’m a minister- ‘its good you have your faith.’ Maybe it’s a phrase you’ve used before, I’ve heard it repeatedly in the last few days. But the reality is my faith is no help to me. It’s the Object of my faith who matters.

When I hear the phrase ‘its good you have your faith’ I respond ‘I have a great God’. My faith is powerless to help, to heal to comfort or console, but the One I have faith in is my Rock my Redeemer my Refuge and my Rest.

Commending me for my faith as if it’s something I’ve worked hard to earn is to totally miss the point. I have great hope, because I have a great God.

There is a peculiar peace and even joy in suffering as a Christian. Spurgeon said 'I have learned to kiss the wave that strikes me against the rock that is Christ.' These past few days have driven us deeper to God. We have known the presence of the living Lord and the power of prayer. Every day God has gifted us the grace we’ve needed and we trust in that grace for the day tomorrow!

I’m pleased to report that the passages I’ve read to others in difficult days are proving true sources of strength and peace in the valley. I’ve been dwelling in some very familiar places; Psalm 23, John 14, Romans 8, Psalm 103. What power there is in these words.

God has prepared us for this so well in many ways, recently I’ve been reading Bonar’s biography of McCheyne (buy this if you can!) a minister of the gospel who suffered much, but whose sufferings bore much fruit.

McCheyne also knew he was a sinner. When suffering came there was no anger, no ‘why me’, no questioning of God’s sovereignty or goodness. I have to say a lot of man-centred rubbish which passes for Christian literature today would have left me totally unprepared for the valley.

I am a sinner. A few non-Christian friends have been surprised that a minister- (surely a good guy) and a nice minister, and a young minister would face something like this. The reality is Jesus does not promise his followers a life of comfort and ease, infact he promises the opposite. But he does promise his presence and peace to those who turn to and trust in him. He is faithful to that promise and to his people.

Neither have I any cause for complaint. I have not just broken his commandments, I’ve broken the one Jesus called the most important.

Actually I’ve broken it every day.

Truth be told, I’m not convinced I’ve perfectly fulfilled it for five minutes of my 31 years of life.

And yet for 31 years he’s let me breathe his air.

I don’t know how many times my heart has beaten, or my lungs have filled over these years but I’ve not earned a single breath or beat. I never earned my way into existence in 1980, and haven’t made up for that since. It’s all gift, all grace. We all like to think we’re good people. That the scales of our lives tip the right way, for that reason people put ministers like me on a pedestal. The truth is we’re all sinners, we’ve all treated the God who gifts us life as if he didn’t matter, we all need forgiveness. And its only found in Jesus.

Only in Jesus has a truly good man got what he didn’t deserve- he got it on the cross, to take the punishment of every believer.

I believe God is going to heal me, but I don’t fear death, not because I’m good, because I’m forgiven. I know God’s smile in the valley, he is for me, he is with me, he goes before me.

If you were to be brought into the valley, would you know this hope and peace? If not, stop praying for me and start praying for yourself. This wee website explains the gospel, but best thing to do is to find a strong Christian and a bible to talk\pray you through this.

As I was saying I have a lot to live for. And a lot to be thankful for.

As well as all the stuff we take for granted- life, food, colour, music, laughter, security etc

I have a loving, faithful, beautiful, loyal, godly wife

A beautiful wee girl who can make me weep just by calling me daddy

A great mum and wee brother who have loved me so well throughout my life

A church family who have been overwhelmingly kind, thoughtful, patient, prayerful, and loving.

Death for me as a Christian is gain.

But I’m not ashamed to say I’m praying for many more years here with these blessings and responsibilities. I want to be about to vet Katie’s boyfriends, and ~~when~~ if I reluctantly concede to one, to walk her down the aisle!

Matt Chandler sums it up better than I could. He’s a young minister like me, with a hot young wife and cute young daughter like me, suffered a sudden seizure like me, was diagnosed with a tumour in the right frontal lobe like me, requiring a craniotomy like me, and was overwhelmed by God’s love in the valley, like me.

Here he is speaking (he’s well worth a Google by the way!)

One more thing people have said to me- ‘it’s a shame you’ve taken so unwell right at your busy time!’

Actually Easter is a good time to face this, because the Easter message is the one that offers joy, not by building on the sand, or by burying your head in it, the Easter message offers joy and perfect peace even in the darkest of valleys.

Thank you for your love and prayers. We have shed many tears over these past few days, but none birthed of despair, most birthed simply in real, deep gratitude.

Ross

An acceptable preacher?

2011-04-16T14:05:00.002+01:00

.“As a preacher he is earnest and persuasive rather than argumentative. His command of Scripture, imagery, and illustration is intensive; but some of his figures he pursued rather too far. His voice has considerable power; but it is deficient in flexibility. Upon the whole he promises to be an acceptable preacher…”

This was how the Dundee Advertisor assessed Robert Murray McCheyne’s second sermon in St Peter’s Dundee in 1836, he was 23 years old. Mercifully I have not been subject to the Airdrie Advertisor publically appraising my sermons. That said, I have recently taken to listening to my own preaching, trying to discern strengths and weaknesses, noticing idiosyncrasies that I’ve been blind to for years, and hoping for progress week by week.

Recently as part of my probationary studies I handed out evaluation forms to the congregation. Dangerous as this is (it may give the impression the sermon is a performance to be judged like a reality TV show) it proved worthwhile exercise for preacher and congregation alike. We both need to know what constitutes good preaching.

I was surprised at how few resources there seem to be online for such sermon assessments.

Acts 29 have an online resource here
Biblical Preaching have some feedback questions here

The form I put together is available here

What would you include\exclude on a sermon evaluation form?

Do you know of any other good examples?

Brothers, pray for us (1 Thes 5:25)

2011-04-07T09:18:00.001+01:00

31 days of praying for your pastor
(Nancy Leigh DeMoss)

Loving the pastor's wife
(Mark Driscoll)

Mark Driscoll on hell, sermon preview

2011-03-25T12:40:00.002Z

Driscoll on hell as the wrath of God in effect; spoken with clarity, conviction and compassion.

Elephant Room - James Macdonald video

2011-03-23T10:26:00.001Z

'What this video, and some of the other recent Gospel Coalition videos do offer though, is a real, robust, discussion. A willingness to land a few punches, and take a few, that we might see who’s position can take the strain and stay standing. Another good example of this is Driscoll, Harris and Francis Chan discussing Chan’s decision to leave Cornerstone which relates to my blog post here.

I’ve found this willingness to disagree and debate, in the context of Christian love and genuine mutual respect very refreshing. Modelling this kind of robust yet gracious discussion could prove to be a real blessing to the church. I’m not convinced that ministers are well enough equipped to deal with such discussions with their own deacons\elders. We may not end holding hands and singing Kumbaya but our relationships can be strengthened by such dialogues, if they are handled well.'

I blogged this some time ago, and still think that these guys- agreed on the gospel- but holding different convictions on other matters can model how to disagree and debate well. That's why I was encouraged to hear about this:

.

Elephant Room from Harvest Bible Chapel on Vimeo.

Bashir on Bell- even more powerful than the interview

2011-03-18T11:40:00.000Z

I don't want to turn this blog into an endless discussion about Rob Bell. I want to speak more about what I'm for than what I'm against. But I must share this link. Martin Bashir on the importance of courageous truth-telling, this is really powerful, Bashir pulls no punches:

http://networkedblogs.com/fxXwm

Love Wins: DeYoung review

2011-03-14T11:01:00.002Z

Kevin DeYoung has now read and reviewed Rob Bell's Love Wins. He summarises by saying:

"Here’s the gist: Hell is what we create for ourselves when we reject God’s love. Hell is both a present reality for those who resist God and a future reality for those who die unready for God’s love. Hell is what we make of heaven when we cannot accept the good news of God’s forgiveness and mercy. But hell is not forever. God will have his way. How can his good purposes fail? Every sinner will turn to God and realize he has already been reconciled to God, in this life or in the next. There will be no eternal conscious torment. God says no to injustice in the age to come, but he does not pour out wrath (we bring the temporary suffering upon ourselves), and he certainly does not punish for eternity. In the end, love wins.

Bell correctly notes (many times) that God is love. He also observes that Jesus is Jewish, the resurrection is important, and the phrase “personal relationship with God” is not in the Bible. He usually makes his argument by referencing Scripture. He is easy to read and obviously feels very deeply for those who have been wronged or seem to be on the outside looking in.

Unfortunately, beyond this, there are dozens of problems with Love Wins. The theology is heterodox. The history is inaccurate. The impact on souls is devastating. And the use of Scripture is indefensible. Worst of all, Love Wins demeans the cross and misrepresents God’s character."

Read the full review on Kevin DeYoung's blog here
Download the pdf here

Tim Challies review here

Today's grace is sufficient...

2011-03-12T12:37:00.000Z

Today’s Grace is sufficient to sustain you as you face today’s trial.

"When I was a little girl, " I said, "I went to my father and said,

"Daddy, I am afraid that I will never be strong enough to be a martyr for Jesus Christ."

"Tell me," said father,

"When you take a train trip to Amsterdam,

when do I give you the money for the ticket?

Three weeks before?"

"No, daddy, you give me the money for the ticket just before we get on the train."

"That is right," my father said, "and so it is with God's strength.

Our Father in Heaven knows when you will need the strength to be a martyr for Jesus Christ.

He will supply all you need – just in time…"

Corrie Ten Boom

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Matthew 6:34

Revival Radio

2011-03-11T01:30:00.001Z

Very much looking forward to being interviewed on Revival Radio this evening at 10pm (GMT).

You can find out more about Revival Radio, and listen online here.

Today's grace is sufficient...

2011-03-10T21:42:00.000Z

Today’s Grace is sufficient to sustain you as you face today’s trial

Sustaining Grace

"Not grace to bar what is not bliss,

Nor flight from all distress, but this;
The grace that orders our trouble and pain,
And then, in the darkness is there to sustain."

John Piper

Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."

2 Corinthians 12:8-9

John Newton on the Lord's Day

2011-03-05T00:53:00.000Z

“By one hour's intimate access to the throne of grace, where the Lord causes His glory to pass before the soul that seeks Him you may acquire more true spiritual knowledge and comfort than a day's or a week's converse with the best of men, or the most”

Martyn Lloyd Jones interview

2011-03-01T16:57:00.001Z

Happy St David's day to my Welsh friends. What better way to celebrate than by watching this MLJ interview!?

Rob Bell comes out?

2011-02-26T21:23:00.003Z

Bruce Ware said of Brian McLaren's A New Kind of Christianity that 'the wolf has taken his sheep's clothing off.' It seems Rob Bell may be about to follow suit if his soon to be published 'Love Wins' is in any way consistent with the publishers promotional video:

LOVE WINS. from Rob Bell on Vimeo.

Justin Taylor responds here: Rob Bell: Universalist?

Kevin DeYoung here: To Hell with Hell (including 8 reasons why we need God's wrath)

Best quote: "We should be thankful for the clarity, but saddened by the content." ~ Kevin DeYoung. I agree. I'm not disappointed as such, for those of us who have been able to read through Bell's deliberate theological ambiguity, it has long been clear that he does not believe in hell. I'm pleased that -it seems likely- Bell is now going to be up-front about where he stands. Now people have a fairly simple choice to make- accept Scripture or reject it. Hiding in abstruse ambiguity is no longer an option.
.

Potential Preachers Workshop

2011-02-25T10:57:00.003Z

In the early days of discovering and developing a preaching gift? Or are you in church leadership and aware of your responsibility in equipping younger preachers?

This workshop, run by the 2 Timothy 4 Trust and hosted by Airdrie Baptist Church may be of help:

How do you see your afflictions?

2011-02-23T12:07:00.000Z

Are men really guilty of exaggerating their symptoms when suffering from a humble cold? I'm not so sure (not that I can pretend to be entirely neutral in this debate.) However we are all, irrespective of gender, prone to losing our perspective and magnifying our troubles in our own minds.

Paul (a man) seems to me to be a notable exception. He certainly sees his suffering, he's not in denial. In 2 Corinthians he writes:

We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.

2 Corinthians 4:8-10

Later in the same letter he writes:

Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false brothers. I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn?

2 Corinthians 11:25-29

How would you sum that kind of life up in a few words?

'Intense, relentless, suffering'? Paul went for 'light momentary troubles' (2 Cor 4:17)

Not because he was in denial, he saw his suffering. Not because he was tough and impervious, he speaks often in the same letter of his own weakness and fragility. It was his perspective that made the difference.
He saw his suffering, but his eyes were fixed elsewhere.

His eyes were fixed on the eternal: 'we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.' (2 Cor 4:17)

Calvin says:

‘This comparison, makes that light which previously seemed heavy, and makes that brief and momentary which seemed of boundless duration... when we have once raised our minds heavenwards a thousand years begin to look to us to be like a moment.'

Oh Lord, let us see our lives through that lens!
.

Spurgeon on what trials achieve

2011-02-18T10:40:00.000Z

Why Do I Face Trials?

Job 10:2

Perhaps, weary soul, the Lord is doing this to develop your graces. There are some of your graces that would never be discovered if it were not for your trials. Do you not know that your faith never looks as good in summer as it does in winter? Love is too often like a glowworm, showing but little light unless it is surrounded by darkness. Hope itself is like a star--not to be seen in the sunshine of prosperity, and only to be discovered in the night of adversity.

Afflictions are often the black foils in which God sets the jewels of His children's graces, to make them shine brighter. It was only a little while ago that on your knees you were saying, "Lord, I fear I have no faith. Let me know that I have faith." Were you not really, though perhaps unconsciously, praying for trials? For how can you know that you have faith until your faith is exercised? Depend upon it--God often sends us trials so that our graces may be discovered and that we may be convinced of their existence. Besides, it is not merely discovery; real growth in grace is the result of sanctified trials.

God often takes away our comforts and our privileges in order to make us better Christians. He trains His soldiers not in tents of ease and luxury, but by turning them out and subjecting them to forced marches and hard service. He makes them ford through streams, and swim through rivers, and climb mountains, and walk many long miles with heavy backpacks of sorrow. Well, Christian, may this not account for the troubles through which you are passing? Is the Lord bringing out your graces and making them grow? Is it for this reason He contends with you?

Trials make the promise sweet;
Trials give new life to prayer;
Trials bring me to His feet,
Lay me low, and keep me there.

(From Truth for Life Daily Devotionals Taken from CH Spurgeon 'Morning and Evening' and revised and updated by Alastair Begg.)

Ajith Fernando in Cape Town on Ephesians 1

2011-02-16T12:11:00.000Z

.
Woke up. Felt tired. Needed encouragement. Thought 'Ephesians 1.' Found this:

Dr Ajith Fernando in South Africa walking through Ephesians 1.

ps check out the great African pulpit design!..

The dangers of public exhortation

2011-02-14T15:53:00.004Z

The dangers of public speech & exhortation- take note fellow preachers!

Godly girls

2011-02-10T09:45:00.000Z

Blogging seems a very male pursuit for some reason, maybe the lack of immediacy appeals to men? There are however some notable exceptions, here are a couple of good biblical blogs by (and largely for) women:

http://www.girltalkhome.com/

http://solofemininity.blogs.com/

CS Lewis- cautions for 'Mere Christianity'

2011-01-28T13:41:00.003Z

There's been a bit of a resurgence in appreciation for the work of CS Lewis of late, probably in no small part due to the cinematic success of The Chronicles of Narnia. I've benefited from his work personally and know that many of my heroes in the faith have too, John Piper in particular often cites Lewis.

All of that said, praise for Lewis is often heavily qualified within evangelicalism; cautions are issued alongside commendations. Kevin DeYoung does a great job of showing why here.

Dedication- What’s it all about?

2011-01-26T11:05:00.000Z

It was a great blessing to be able to conduct the dedication service of the son of good friends on Sunday.

Here's what dedication services are about:
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Direction

In a dedication service parents commit to lead, teach and train their children in God’s ways.

Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.

Deuteronomy 6:4-9

Devotion

In a dedication service parents promise to ‘give their child’ to God. That is to say, they acknowledge that God is in charge, that His plans for their child’s life are better than their plans. Their desire is that his will be done and his name honoured through their child’s life.

I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of him. So now I give him to the LORD. For his whole life he will be given over to the LORD." And he worshiped the LORD there.

1 Samuel 1:27-28

Dependence

In a dedication service the parents acknowledge that they are insufficient for the task. They need the help of others and, most importantly, of God. Therefore the congregation commit to help and we pray for God’s Spirit to lead and strengthen and bless.

Unless the LORD builds the house,

It’s builders labor in vain.

Psalm 127:1

Dr Bruce Ware - Preaching that instructs and rebukes

2011-01-21T18:18:00.001Z

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I thoroughly enjoyed Dr Ware's visit to Scotland at the weekend, and am delighted that his talks are now available for free online. Enjoy.
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Calvin on the treasure that is prayer

2011-01-13T10:00:00.003Z

'To know that God is the Lord, to know that everything good comes from him, to know that he invites us to ask him for what we need, and yet not to call on him and pray to him, is like knowing of a treasure hidden in the earth and, through indifference, to leave it there, without taking the trouble to dig it up.'

John Calvin - Truth for all Time

Liam Goligher moves to Tenth (and offers us a great resource in the process!)

2011-01-11T11:15:00.001Z

My own journey to Airdrie Baptist was from a Presbyterian background. Dr Liam Goligher has since his time in Airdrie, moved in the opposite direction, recently accepting a call to Tenth Presbyterian.

So I'll admit it, I was a little disappointed that our church never got a mention in the search committee's 'recommendation booklet' but it is, nevertheless, a great resource. Well worth saving and filing away for the next time your church is looking for a new pastor. If you find yourself wondering what sort of questions to need to be asked by a search committee, and what kind of process followed, it's really helpful.

Also thought Dr Goligher's answers to questions such as 'What is your theology and philosophy of ministry?' and 'What do you believe is the greatest challenge people face in global cities today?' were very insightful.

Will be a little sad to lose another gifted and godly Scottish minister to the USA, but wish him every blessing in his ministry in Philadelphia.

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O Love beyond compare

2011-01-01T23:50:00.000Z

For many of our friends at Airdrie Baptist, 2011 brings some serious health concerns. A much-loved member of our church family died yesterday, making this time even more poignant than usual.

I read the words of a new-year prayer from the Valley of Vision posted by Tim Challies and found them particularly weighty given all that we are facing. They articulate the Christian's gratitude for the year past, and a real gospel-centred confidence for the year ahead, without being twee, naive or inauthentic.

How thankful we are that in all of the uncertainties of tomorrow, we can be absolutely certain that:

great is his love toward us,

and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever. (Ps 117.2)

Here's the prayer:

O Love beyond Compare,
Thou art good when thou givest,
when thou takest away,
when the sun shines upon me,
when night gathers over me.

Thou hast loved me before the foundation of the world,
and in love didst redeem my soul;
Thou dost love me still,
in spite of my hard heart, ingratitude, distrust.

Thy goodness has been with me another year,
leading me through a twisting wilderness,
in retreat helping me to advance,
when beaten back making sure headway.
Thy goodness will be with me in the year ahead;
I hoist sail and draw up anchor,
With thee as the blessed pilot of my future as of my past.

I bless thee that thou hast veiled my eyes to the waters ahead.
If thou hast appointed storms of tribulation,
thou wilt be with me in them;
If I have to pass through tempests of persecution and temptation,
I shall not drown;
If I am to die,
I shall see thy face the sooner;
If a painful end is to be my lot,
grant me grace that my faith fail not;
If I am to be cast aside from the service I love,
I can make no stipulation;
Only glorify thyself in me whether in comfort or trial,
as a chosen vessel meet always for thy use.

Amen!

Courage for your ‘new scene of action’ (2011)

2010-12-29T16:15:00.000Z

Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the presence of all Israel, "Be strong and courageous, for you must go with this people into the land that the LORD swore to their forefathers to give them, and you must divide it among them as their inheritance. The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."

Deut 31:7-8

"Moses encourages Joshua. Observe:

1. Though Joshua was an experienced general, and a man of approved gallantry and resolution, who had already signalized himself in many brave actions, yet Moses saw cause to bid him be of good courage, now that he was entering upon a new scene of action; and Joshua was far from taking it as an affront, or as a tacit questioning of his courage, to be thus charged, as sometimes we find proud and peevish spirits invidiously taking exhortations and admonitions for reproaches and reflections. Joshua himself is very well pleased to be admonished by Moses to be strong and of good courage.

2. He gives him this charge in the sight of all Israel, that they might be the more observant of him whom they saw thus solemnly inaugurated, and that he might set himself the more to be an example of courage to the people who were witnesses to this charge here given to him as well as to themselves.

3. He gives him the same assurances of the divine presence, and consequently of a glorious success, that he had given the people. God would be with him, would not forsake him, and therefore he should certainly accomplish the glorious enterprise to which he was called and commissioned: Thou shalt cause them to inherit the land of promise. Note, Those shall speed well that have God with them; and therefore they ought to be of good courage. Through God let us do valiantly, for through him we shall do victoriously; if we resist the devil, he shall flee, and God shall shortly tread him under our feet."

(Matthew Henry- Complete Commentary on the Bible)

The Glorious paradoxes of the Incarnation

2010-12-17T13:45:00.002Z

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Justin Taylor quotes Spurgeon and Storms on the Glorious Paradoxes of God Incarnate:

Charles Spurgeon preached in 1858 on the wonderful paradoxes of the incarnation:

Infinite, and an infant—
eternal, and yet born of a woman—
Almighty, and yet hanging on a woman’s breast—
supporting the universe, and yet needing to be carried in a mother’s arms—
king of angels, and yet the reputed son of Joseph—
heir of all things and yet the carpenter’s despised son.

Sam Storms also reflects on the paradoxes:

The Word became flesh!
God became human!
the invisible became visible!
the untouchable became touchable!
eternal life experienced temporal death!
the transcendent one descended and drew near!
the unlimited became limited!
the infinite became finite!
the immutable became mutable!
the unbreakable became fragile!
spirit became matter!
eternity entered time!
the independent became dependent!
the almighty became weak!
the loved became the hated!
the exalted was humbled!
glory was subjected to shame!
fame turned into obscurity!
from inexpressible joy to tears of unimaginable grief!
from a throne to a cross!
from ruler to being ruled!
from power to weakness!

Liam Garvie quotes Jonathan Edwards on the Glories of the Incarnation:

“How astonishing is it that a person:

who is blessed forever and is infinitely and essentially happy should endure the greatest sufferings that ever were endured on earth!
who is the supreme Lord and Judge of the world should be arraigned and should stand at the judgment seat of mortal worms and then be condemned.
who is the living God and the fountain of life should be put to death.
who created the world and gives life to all his creatures should be put to death by his own creatures.
of infinite majesty and glory, and so the object of the love, praises and adoration of angels, should be mocked and spit upon by the vilest of men.
infinitely good and who is love itself should suffer the greatest cruelty.
who is infinitely beloved of the Father should be put to inexpressible anguish under his own Father’s wrath.
who is the King of heaven, who has heaven for his throne and earth for his footstool, should be buried in the prison of the grave.

How wonderful is this! And yet this is the way that God’s wisdom has fixed upon as the way of sinners’ salvation, as neither unsuitable nor dishonourable to Christ.”

Jonathan Edwards, “The Wisdom of God Displayed in the Way of Salvation,” in Works (Edinburgh, 1979), II:144

Scripture and the Sermon

2010-12-13T15:01:00.000Z

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A preacher can proclaim anything in a stained-glass voice, at 11.30 on a Sunday morning, following the singing of hymns. Yet when a preacher fails to preach the Scriptures, he abandons his authority. He confronts his hearers no longer with a word from God but only with another word from men. Therefore most modern preaching evokes nothing more than a wide yawn. God is not in it.

Haddon Robinson (Expository Preaching)

Glasgow: Why Christmas?

2010-12-03T00:43:00.001Z

Whose lips will plead...

2010-11-26T11:23:00.001Z

Two 'little stories'...

2010-11-19T19:14:00.000Z

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Hitting the road

2010-11-05T16:27:00.000Z

Well we're hitting the road this evening for our Christianity Explored weekend away.

Please pray for us, particularly that the participants would find these few days really significant in their own journeys.

Pray also for those not able to come with us, that they wouldn't lose any of the momentum and would hit the ground running when our group meets again on Thursday.

We've been very much reminded recently of the reality of spiritual warfare, and our utter dependence on the Holy Spirit to convict, convince and convert- so we'd really value your prayers.

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The Baptist Confession of Faith (1689)

2010-10-30T14:23:00.001+01:00

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"This ancient document is the most excellent epitome of the things most surely believed among us. It is not issued as an authoritative rule or code of faith, whereby you may be fettered, but as a means of edification in righteousness. It is an excellent, though not inspired, expression of the teaching of those Holy Scriptures by which all confessions are to be measured. We hold to the humbling truths of God's sovereign grace in the salvation of lost sinners. Salvation is through Christ alone and by faith alone."

C. H. Spurgeon
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Paul Mallard @ Airdrie Baptist

2010-10-23T17:25:00.002+01:00

Looking forward to this. you can hear some of Paul Mallard's sermons on the Gospel Coalition site here.
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Update: Theme title for the weekend: "The Greatness of God and the power of His Word"

Disagreeing in love

2010-10-18T15:30:00.000+01:00

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Multiple Sites: Yea or Nay? Dever, Driscoll, and MacDonald Vote from Ben Peays on Vimeo.

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Well today I’m posting a video which at first glance has no real relevance to my own context. I don’t know of any multi-campus churches in the UK, certainly not in Scotland. It’s never been a topic for discussion or debate in my own circles.

What this video, and some of the other recent Gospel Coalition videos do offer though, is a real, robust, discussion. A willingness to land a few punches, and take a few, that we might see who’s position can take the strain and stay standing. Another good example of this is Driscoll, Harris and Francis Chan discussing Chan’s decision to leave Cornerstone, which relates to my blog post here.

I’ve found this willingness to disagree and debate, in the context of Christian love and genuine mutual respect very refreshing. Modelling this kind of robust yet gracious discussion could prove to be a real blessing to the church. I’m not convinced that ministers are well enough equipped to deal with such discussions with their own deacons\elders. We may not end holding hands and singing Kumbaya but our relationships can be strengthened by such dialogues, if they are handled well.

For what its worth on the issue of multi-campus, I’m leaning towards Dever. I thought some of Driscoll’s points were pretty weak. I’m an introvert too, and without doubt far less able to process numerous thoughts at the same time than he is. Nevertheless even with me there is a dynamic at work between the congregation and myself as I preach. I can sense when I’m losing them, even if I often lack the capacity to get them back! More importantly when I’m preaching to them, I’m praying for them. I’m looking them in the eye, praying for them, and pleading with them as I preach to them.

I also worry that multi-campus may serve to lead people into thinking that real fellowship with real people isn’t essential. If a video-linked (big-name) preacher is just as good or better than an ordinary preacher, preaching within a fellowship he knows and loves and lives with, then why not just go the whole way- stay home and stream a great service to the comfort of my bedroom?

Wouldn't that be a whole lot easier?

Spurgeon on grace and faith

2010-10-08T12:52:00.000+01:00

"By grace are ye saved, through faith" (Ephesians 2:8 )

THINK IT WELL to turn a little to one side that I may ask my reader to observe adoringly the fountain-head of our salvation, which is the grace of God. "By grace are ye saved." Because God is gracious, therefore sinful men are forgiven, converted, purified, and saved. It is not because of anything in them, or that ever can be in them, that they are saved; but because of the boundless love, goodness, pity, compassion, mercy, and grace of God. Tarry a moment, then, at the well-head. Behold the pure river of water of life, as it proceeds out of the throne of God and of the Lamb!

What an abyss is the grace of God! Who can measure its breadth? Who can fathom its depth? Like all the rest of the divine attributes, it is infinite. God is full of love, for "God is love." God is full of goodness; the very name "God" is short for "good." Unbounded goodness and love enter into the very essence of the Godhead. It is because "his mercy endureth for ever" that men are not destroyed; because "his compassions fail not" that sinners are brought to Him and forgiven.

Remember this; or you may fall into error by fixing your minds so much upon the faith which is the channel of salvation as to forget the grace which is the fountain and source even of faith itself. Faith is the work of God's grace in us. No man can say that Jesus is the Christ but by the Holy Ghost. "No man cometh unto me," saith Jesus, "except the Father which hath sent me draw him." So that faith, which is coming to Christ, is the result of divine drawing. Grace is the first and last moving cause of salvation; and faith, essential as it is, is only an important part of the machinery which grace employs. We are saved "through faith," but salvation is "by grace." Sound forth those words as with the archangel's trumpet: "By grace are ye saved." What glad tidings for the undeserving!

(from 'All of Grace')

Exclusivity: How can there be just one true religion?

2010-09-30T17:12:00.000+01:00

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'How can you possibly claim that your religion is the only true religion?'

How would you tackle that question from the pulpit, or in the staff-room at work?
Here's Tim Keller's typically thoughtful response:

Exclusivity: How can there be just one true religion?

His steadfast love endures forever

2010-09-29T15:53:00.000+01:00

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Psalm 100. Print it, read it, love it, live it.

A Psalm for giving thanks.

Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth!
Serve the Lord with gladness!
Come into his presence with singing!

Know that the Lord, he is God!
It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
and his courts with praise!
Give thanks to him; bless his name!

For the Lord is good;
his steadfast love endures forever,
and his faithfulness to all generations.

Boys to men

2010-09-21T09:38:00.003+01:00

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(Darrin Patrick)

Free Online New Testament Greek Course

2010-09-16T21:15:00.001+01:00

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My intention upon entering pastoral ministry was to study the Greek of any New Testament passage I prepared to preach on. Well, I've failed. Miserably. But this free online animated course, put together by Dr Ted Hildebrand, has really helped revive my efforts.

Enjoy!
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Classic sermons and articles

2010-09-14T10:40:00.000+01:00

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Important sermons and articles that are worth reading as recommended by the likes of Kevin DeYoung, Mark Dever, John Piper and Bruce Ware.

(HT Justin Taylor)
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Preaching from the Parables with Peter Grainger

2010-09-09T15:30:00.001+01:00

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.Here's a date to mark in your diary if you live within travelling distance of Edinburgh. Peter Grainger is leading a seminar on 'Preaching from the Parables' on Saturday 6 November at Charlotte Chapel.

Peter recently spoke to our church leaders about preaching from 2 Timothy 4, and we were greatly encouraged and challenged. I'm sure this will be a wonderful day for novice and experienced preachers alike.

Fleabytes - Hawkings Haverings

2010-09-06T15:58:00.001+01:00

Constrained by love

2010-08-31T21:19:00.000+01:00

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Currently reading, and loving, this biography of Robert Murray McCheyne.

Here's the story behind the cover:

'The rusty key symbolises some aspects of the security found in Christ's love. The key was allowed to rust because, once it was used to lock securely, it was never required again.

In the same way the believer is secure in Christ's love, Christ does not let the beloved slip from His grasp, but holds them firmly throughout eternity.'

The few things that truly matter

2010-08-24T11:37:00.001+01:00

From Airdrie Baptist Newsletter 22 Apr 10

I read recently of a Christian man nearing the end of his life with terminal cancer. He was asked about his faith and said as time went on he believed ‘more and more about less and less.’ This man clearly had come to the realisation that only a very few things are of eternal significance. Only a few things really matter. This is true as we face death, but also if we want to know fullness of life. John Piper says:

“You don't have to know a lot of things for your life to make a lasting difference in the world. But you do have to know the few great things that matter, and then be willing to live for them and die for them. The people that make a durable difference in the world are not the people who have mastered many things, but who have been mastered by a few great things.”

What are these few things that really matter? Paul says:

“For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve.”

(1 Cor 15:3-5)

We need to know that Jesus died for our sins; not for his own (he was sinless), not because of a random serious of events or just as a victim of people’s corruption. Jesus death had a purpose- to atone for the sins of all believers. Secondly he was raised. Death couldn’t hold him, he conquered the grave. Thirdly all of this happened ‘according to the Scriptures,’ God is proved faithful, faithful to his people and faithful to his promises.

Do you know these few truths? Are you mastered by them? Do they thrill you? Do they cause you to leave your old sinful life behind and daily make him your Lord and King?

If so, Jesus victory over sin and death is your victory too. If so, you will know him forever. What you really need to know, in life and in death, is Jesus.

“I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.” (Phil 3:8)

Grace and peace,

Ross

Husband- how do you rate as a lover?

2010-08-18T13:12:00.002+01:00

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I had the privilege of conducting a wedding ceremony a couple of weeks ago, and am preparing for another in the near future. The more I see suffering and sickness and sadness in pastoral ministry, the deeper my appreciation of the profundity of the marriage vows.

"For better, for worse,
for richer for poorer
in sickness and in health"

The weightiness of these words perhaps doesn't fully strike the excited young couple on the mountain-top experience that is their wedding day, but it is a staggering commitment to make before God and man.

There's no doubt our world acknowledges the importance of love, a listen to the charts or a walk through a bookstore will leave us in no doubt about that. But the problem is that the world is utterly confused as to the nature of love- what love is. It's not a fluffy feeling which is here today and gone tomorrow, nor is it lust. Love is a choice, a decision. We must decide daily to love our spouse for better for worse, for richer for poorer in sickness and in health.

One resource I've found recently which is a great help in walking through the implications of this, is Wayne Mack's 'A Homework Manual for Biblical Living (vol 2 family and marital problems).'

I've scanned a page which highlights the importance of deciding to love- when it's easy and when it's costly. It also helps us husbands to examine ourselves honestly. How are you doing?

(Click on the picture to enlarge)

New John Piper sermons

2010-07-26T12:05:00.000+01:00

After 3 weeks off on holiday, I’m back today. I found these new sermons by Piper a really energising and enthusing launchpad into my own study and prep. They were preached at the EMA last month, you can download other talks from the conference here.

Will we risk? Venturing in ministry

Will we risk? Enduring in ministry

Whilst Piper was in the UK he also preached a message on ‘The Gospel and Racial Harmony’ at Jubilee Church in London. You can find that message on Adrian Warnock’s blog here.

South African sermon - PJ Smyth

2010-07-11T06:15:00.000+01:00

The eyes of the world will turn to South Africa today as Holland and Spain battle to be crowned world champions. It's been interesting to see so much of the television coverage devoted to the politics and history of South Africa, and so I was fascinated to listen to this sermon from PJ Smyth. It's entitled 'What would God say to president Zuma', apparently with Zuma in attendance.

HT- Mark Driscoll

Pastor - die with your boots on

2010-07-08T08:45:00.001+01:00

You're either going to go out like Judas or Jesus—that's how your life is going to end. You're going to go out like Jesus, faithful to the end, whatever the cost, or you're going to go out like Judas, prematurely, tragically, rebelliously, shamefully. I want you to keep your boots on, finish strong, run your race, see it through to the end, be a completer, a finisher, a closer of the things God has given you to do.

Mark Driscoll from 11 Leadership Lessons from the 12 Disciples

'Tell Archippus: "See to it that you complete the work you have received in the Lord."'

Colossians 4:17

'For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day--and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.'

2 Timothy 4:6-8

Pastor - give thanks for the gift of your gospel ministry

2010-07-06T08:45:00.002+01:00

Only when we ask why Christ has appointed a Gospel ministry can we begin to appreciate what the call to the ministry is. Then, having been called to the greatest office in the world, how can a man stoop to become a king?

Paul O’Driscoll (borrowing a bit of Spurgeon!)

'I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God's grace given me through the working of his power.'

Ephesians 3:7

Pastor - suffer well

2010-07-02T13:40:00.000+01:00

None of us takes to the cross naturally. Sacrifice hurts, and the hurt is real. But there is a deeper desire in us than that of simply avoiding pain. We want to do the will of God…

… Many people do not think about suffering when they think of Christian service. This is a big mistake. All through the New Testament we are told that if we are faithful to God, we will suffer. When we do Christian ministry, we take on the mantle of Jesus, the suffering servant. The long list of of his sufferings for Christ that Paul gives in his epistles are very vivid. In fact, he describes his personal sufferings as Christ’s own sufferings (Phil 3:10, Col 1:24-25) indicating that suffering was an aspect of his union with Christ. IF we do not anticipate suffering, we could be disillusioned when it comes or try to avoid it through disobedience.

But suffering is not easy. Those who make love their goal in life are going to hurt deeply when they are rejected, unappreciated, exploited, or opposed by the very people they seek to love. But that is the lot of God’s servants.

However as we face the prospect of suffering, God will remind us that, just as Christ’s sufferings produced great glory, our sufferings will also bring great glory to God.

Ajith Fernando in Jesus Driven Ministry (p52-53)

'Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.'

2 Timothy 2:3

Pastor – value rest, and recreation

2010-06-29T14:55:00.001+01:00

Preachers, by Lack of Exercise and Recreation, Tend to Melancholy

There can be little doubt that sedentary habits have a tendency to create despondency in some constitutions…

…To sit long in one posture, poring over a book or driving a pen, is in itself a taxing of nature. But add to this a badly ventilated chamber, a body which has long been without muscular exercise, and a heart burdened with many cares, and we have all the elements for preparing a seething caldron of despair…

…Let a man be naturally as blithe as a bird, he will hardly be able to bear up year after year against such a suicidal process. He will make his study a prison and his books the warders of a goal, while Nature lies outside his window calling him to health and beckoning him to joy. He who forgets the humming of the bees among the heather, the cooing of the wood pigeons in the forest, the song of birds in the woods, the rippling of rills among the rushes, and the sighing of the wind among the pines, needs not wonder if his heart forgets to sing and his soul grows heavy.

A day’s breathing of fresh air upon the hills or a few hours’ ramble in the beech woods’ umbrageous calm, would sweep the cobwebs out of the brain of scores of our toiling ministers who are now but half alive. A mouthful of sea air, or a stiff walk in the wind’s face, would not give grace to the soul, but it would yield oxygen to the body, which is next best.

Charles Spurgeon from When a Preacher is Downcast

Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honour God with your body.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Pastor – pray!

2010-06-21T16:07:00.000+01:00

Prayer is the splicing of our limp wire to the lightening bolt of heaven. How astonishing it is that God wills to do His work through people. It is doubly astonishing that He ordains to fulfil His plans by being asked to do so by us. God loves to bless His people. But even more He loves to do it in answer to prayer.

For example, God knew that His purpose was to increase the men of Israel. But He said, “this also I will let the house of Israel ask me to do it for them: to increase their people like a flock.” (Ezekiel 36:37)….

…A pastor who feels competent in himself to produce eternal fruit –which is the only kind that matters- knows neither God nor himself. A pastor who does not know the rhythm of desperation and deliverance must have his sights only on what man can achieve.

John Piper as quoted in brothers we are not professionals

The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.

James 5:16b

Pastor – live what you preach

2010-06-16T13:52:00.002+01:00

It is absolutely unethical when one is so busy communicating that he forgets to be what he teaches…

Nothing is more dangerous than to have a bunch of high-flying feelings and exalted resolutions go off in the direction of merely eloquent speaking. The whole thing then becomes an intoxication, and the deception is that it becomes a glowing mood and that they say, “he is so sincere!"

Soren Kierkergaard as quoted in Calling and Character

You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. Now we know that God's judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. So when you, a mere man, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God's judgment? Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God's kindness leads you toward repentance?

^…if you are convinced that you are a guide for the blind, a light for those who are in the dark, an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of infants, because you have in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth-- you, then, who teach others, do you not teach yourself? You who preach against stealing, do you steal? You who say that people should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? You who brag about the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law? As it is written: "God's name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you."

Romans 2:1-4, 19-24

Pastor – preach the word

2010-06-08T08:19:00.001+01:00

[Superficial preaching] breeds a congregation that is as weak and indifferent to the glory of God as their pastor is. ‘Seeker-sensitive’ preaching fosters people who are consumed with their own well-being. When you tell people that the church’s primary ministry is to fix for them whatever is wrong in this life- to meet their needs, to help them cope with their worldly disappointments, and so on- the message you are sending is that their mundane problems are more important than the glory of God and the majesty of Christ… that sabotages true worship.

From John Macarthur in Preaching: how to preach biblically

In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage--with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.

2 Timothy 4:1-5

Pastor - love your family

2010-05-26T10:47:00.002+01:00

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There are times when it seems like you have to choose whether to be a good dad and husband or a good pastor. Good pastors choose to be good dads and husbands.

Taken from 9 Marks 'What are some practical ways for a pastor to love his family?'

An overseer... must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect. (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God's church?)
1 Timothy 3:4-5
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Does membership matter?

2010-05-19T15:40:00.001+01:00

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From Airdrie Baptist Church Newsletter Sun 16th May 2010

Today we will be welcoming Jo and Elizabeth into membership of the church. God-willing we will welcome a number of other new members in the coming weeks.

This should cause us to think about the significance of church membership; does membership matter?

We can certainly say that the church matters. The church is called ‘the Bride of Christ’ and the ‘Body of Christ.’ We cannot claim to love Christ if we do not love his Bride, his Body. To love and serve Christ we must love and serve the Church. Real relationship with Christ demands real relationship with our brothers and sisters in Christ.

But does membership matter? Can’t we be committed without formally recognizing it, much like you can commit to your partner without making them your spouse? “We don’t need a bit of paper for our relationship to work” is a common mantra today’s society. Much as I believe marriage matters, I believe membership matters. Here are 5 reasons why:

1. We get to publically ask for God’s Help in being faithful to our church family

Loving, forgiving, serving. Being a church member is about more than singing the songs and enduring the sermons! It’s hard, and we need God’s help. As we welcome people into membership we acknowledge that.

2. We get to declare publically that we’re not ashamed of our church family

If someone is committed to me- I want them to feel comfortable stating that in a crowd.

3. It avails us of the benefits (yes benefits!) of church discipline

Discipline may not seem desirable, but imagine where you would be (who you would be) without it. We need discipline. If you are not in membership then technically you are not under the authority of the leadership of the church. (Read 1 Cor 5 or Matthew 18 for more)

4. It means we can have a say in the direction and decisions the church takes

Imagine the church were considering appointing a minister who believed something utterly abhorrent to the Lord. You should have a say in that. Baptists are big on the ‘priesthood of all believers’ therefore Baptists are big on church membership.

5. It acts as a witness to non-Christians

In an age of what Mark Dever calls ‘Commitment-phobia’ to commit to something (especially something unfashionable) is a real witness. To see people who have nothing in common with one another but their love for Jesus, committing to one another, is a great testimony to the power of Jesus in their lives.

Next Week- Is membership meaningful?

Grace and peace,

Ross
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Reformed Romance

2010-05-12T12:48:00.000+01:00

Post Election Blues

2010-05-10T10:02:00.000+01:00

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Well I’m sure I’m not alone in feeling that the election proved to be a bit of an anti-climax! Here are some reasons to be thankful for the Lord Jesus in the aftermath of the election.

1. He Wins!

No need for wheeling and dealing, no bargaining or bartering. Jesus is victorious. No discussions, no deliberations, no concessions, no compromises. He wins. His victory is decisive, complete and eternal.

Death has been defeated, every knee will bow and tongue confess that he is Lord.

‘He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.’ (Colossians 2:13-15)

2. He understands

One common complaint (rightly or wrongly) is that politicians don’t really understand what it’s like to be an ‘ordinary’ person. The public perception is that they have never had to struggle to pay the bills, to face redundancy or live in a community with serious social problems.

How good to know that Jesus understands. He took on flesh. He was born into poverty in an occupied land. He faced injustice, and temptation. He suffered; he was misunderstood, mocked, and murdered.

Not only does he understand, but he sees all that we face, and he hears our cries for help when we call on his Name.

‘…we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are--yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.’ (Hebrews 4:15)

3. He knows the way ahead

Not much was clear in the election, but what was obvious, was that the British public are not completely convinced by any of the politicians or parties wanting to lead our land. Who knows how best to proceed, what decisions will lead to a future of peace and prosperity in a confusing and confused world?

The Good Shepherd knows the way ahead, and continues to lead his flock to green and pleasant places. He is never surprised or worn-out by the journey. He is always in control, always leading and guiding.

The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.

He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,

he restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness
for his name's sake.

(Psalm 23:1-3)

4. His Kingdom is Coming

As Christians, we are not just citizens of the United Kingdom. We are, in Christ, citizens of heaven. And what a future we have. Though we are grieved by the problems of our own nation and world, we await a day where we will live in the fullness of that other Kingdom. There will be no more sin or sickness, poverty, injustice, disaster or death.

But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Saviour from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body. (Phil 3:20)

What cause we have to be a thankful people!

Grace and peace,

Ross

John Piper leave - prayer points

2010-05-07T13:35:00.001+01:00

Watch this and learn how to pray for Piper (and other pastors!)

1 Thes 5:25!

Matt Redman on romance in worship

2010-05-04T08:54:00.001+01:00

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Continuing on from thoughts on the overly-feminised church, Matt Redman discusses romanticism in modern worship songs. I was very impressed by his candour and humility in this interview. See what you make of it…

(Just) a few good men...

2010-04-28T12:38:00.001+01:00

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Our youth Fellowship Group are looking at Complementarianism verses Egalitarianism (great summary paper here) a week today, prompting a bit of online study on my part. My Googling caused me to stumble across this website bemoaning the lack of men in today’s church and positing some solutions to the problem.

I certainly agree with the problem, there are too few men in today’s Church. There are too few men reaching non-Christian men with the gospel, too few men leading well in the home and in the church, too few –Christian- men marrying Christian women.

We should of course be profoundly thankful for godly and gifted women, but a lack of masculinity in the church is nonetheless a serious concern. And more feminized the church becomes, the more self-perpetuating the problem.

I agree with the sickness, but not the remedy:

In my Go for the Guys Sunday Action Plan, I advocate a one-point sermon, ten minutes in length, built around an object lesson.

Surely churches need more time in the Bible, not less?! Surely Scripture offers a corrective to any imbalanced church, including the overly feminized church? Here we find a Sovereign, almighty, fearsome God; calling people to repentance and faith in Christ, and summoning them to fight the good fight like good soldiers of Christ Jesus. Here we find a summons from the Lord to go into the world in his Name on a mission to see souls saved and God’s Kingdom come.

If we don’t know and love our Bibles, we won’t know and love our God- that is not the answer to any of our problems.

Speaking to men like they are women is a problem.

Speaking to men like they are children is not the solution.

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Francis Chan moves on - raising some fascinating questions

2010-04-22T14:22:00.001+01:00

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Francis Chan is stepping out in faith... from Catalyst on Vimeo.

Francis Chan has announced his decision to move on from Cornerstone Church, without being entirely sure as to where he's moving on to.

This kick-started a fascinating conversation over at expository thoughts about when (and how) elders are called to leave a church.

Are elders\pastors responsible for double standards here- we would not expect the Lord to speak to a church member about moving to another church simply because things are tough, it's 'time for a change' or they just don’t feel at home- unbiblical we might say. Yet we then move on citing those very reasons.

Maybe a (paid) pastor is different, as there's no space for stepping down for a while? Maybe our first ministry responsibility is to our family, and if they're struggling we can feel free to move on?

So what do you think, should we 'nail our feet to the floor' until we are kicked out, or die, or does the Lord really lead most of us on subjectively after a few years hard-graft?

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t4g conference audio

2010-04-19T06:30:00.002+01:00

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Monday is an unusual day for the preacher. Even after a ‘good’ Sunday, the day after the battle is filled with dangers. Achan fell into sin after the fall of Jericho (Joshua 7), Elijah prayed that he might die shortly after the victory at Carmel (1 Kings 18\19) and the tired pastor can just as easily sink into sin or sadness when the spiritual focal-point that is the Sunday passes.

For this reason I always try to make sure I listen to some good preaching to strengthen and stir me spiritually on a Monday morning. This morning I’ll be downloading something from t4g.

Here are some links should you wish to join me:

Conference audio and video:

Mark Dever- The Church is the Gospel Made Visible

RC Sproul- The Defence and Confirmation of the Gospel — What I Have Learned in 50 years

Albert Mohler- How Does it Happen? Trajectories Toward an Adjusted Gospel

Thabiti Anyabwile- ‘Fine-Sounding Arguments’ — How Wrongly ‘Engaging the Culture’ Adjusts the Gospel

John MacArthur- The Theology of Sleep! (Mark 4)

John Piper- Did Jesus Preach Paul’s Gospel?

Some written summaries of the messages here and here.

Some personal reflections:

‘We were together for the Gospel” Colin Adams gives his personal highlights

Derek Thomas reflects on t4g here and here, before coming to the conclusion that these are ‘encouraging times.'

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Amazing Grace

2010-04-12T10:20:00.003+01:00

The sinner, apart from grace, is unable to be willing and unwilling to be able.

..W.E. Best

Grace is not a reward for faith; faith is the result of grace.

John Blanchard

Easter Sunday

2010-04-04T06:34:00.002+01:00

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The New Testament preaches a Christ who was dead and is alive,

not a Christ who was alive and is dead.

(James Denney)

Good Friday - Great Faithfulness

2010-04-03T09:09:00.002+01:00

"All I have needed, thy hand hath provided..."

HT: Craig Dyer

that which thundered

IREF 2012

Jefferson Bethke's poems

Driscoll's 6 points on the UK Church

Driscoll on UK Preachers

The Call Leadership Conference

Factoring in God's presence

Spurgeon: 'The motto for this year must be...'

Top 10 theology stories this year

Helpless

Christmas?

Personal Update 15 December 2011

The ‘God Particle’?

Same-sex marriage consultation: some thoughts & resources

Happy St Andrews Day!

Rev David Robertson update

One more look at Luther, from the sublime to the ridiculous

Reform Begins- Part 2

Reform Begins- the monk & the mallot

Frogs and Lizards

FROGS AND LIZARDS

A JOB FOR PROS?

Siri fae Scotland?

Steve Jobs

MRI Results September 2011

Christianity, courage and convictions

A Glorious Gospel!

A Glorious Gospel?

The Great Physician

Why youth stay in Church when they grow up

Health update

The Gospel and the oncology waiting room

A beginner’s guide to living, and dying, in joy

Happy Anniversary

An Update

Psalm 121

My Help Comes from the LORD

A Song of Ascents.

The View from the Valley

An acceptable preacher?

Brothers, pray for us (1 Thes 5:25)

Mark Driscoll on hell, sermon preview

Elephant Room - James Macdonald video

Bashir on Bell- even more powerful than the interview

Love Wins: DeYoung review

Today's grace is sufficient...

Revival Radio

Today's grace is sufficient...

John Newton on the Lord's Day

“By one hour's intimate access to the throne of grace, where the Lord causes His glory to pass before the soul that seeks Him you may acquire more true spiritual knowledge and comfort than a day's or a week's converse with the best of men, or the most”

Martyn Lloyd Jones interview

Rob Bell comes out?

Potential Preachers Workshop

How do you see your afflictions?

Spurgeon on what trials achieve

Ajith Fernando in Cape Town on Ephesians 1

The dangers of public exhortation

Godly girls

CS Lewis- cautions for 'Mere Christianity'

Dedication- What’s it all about?

Dr Bruce Ware - Preaching that instructs and rebukes

Calvin on the treasure that is prayer

Liam Goligher moves to Tenth (and offers us a great resource in the process!)

O Love beyond compare

Courage for your ‘new scene of action’ (2011)

The Glorious paradoxes of the Incarnation

Scripture and the Sermon

Glasgow: Why Christmas?

Whose lips will plead...

Two 'little stories'...

Hitting the road

The Baptist Confession of Faith (1689)

Paul Mallard @ Airdrie Baptist

Disagreeing in love

Spurgeon on grace and faith

Exclusivity: How can there be just one true religion?

His steadfast love endures forever

Boys to men

Free Online New Testament Greek Course

Classic sermons and articles