Thursday, December 31, 2009

Bible Reading Plans

Following a reading plans are great ways to make the Bible part of your daily life. YouVersion has 20+ plans, with options for customization and support to help you stay on track. See what God reveals to you when you spend time in Scripture each day.

All Reading Plans

  • Prof. Horner's Bible Reading System » 8 Months

    This reading plan is provided by Prof. Grant Horner.

    Prof. Horner’s Bible Reading System is meant to be an intense foray into every part of the Bible. This system will have you reading ten chapters each day if followed properly. The intent is to read quickly through each chapter, being careful not to “skim” or “dig-deep” into any single section. Good luck!

  • M'Cheyne One Year Reading Plan » 1 Year

    This reading plan is provided by ESV.

    This plan is based on the M’Cheyne reading system, featuring four different readings for use in both family and personal devotions. Each day has two passages from the Old Testament, one from the New Testament, and one from either the Psalms or the Gospels. In one year, you read the Old Testament once and the New Testament and Psalms twice.

  • Outreach New Testament » 1 Year

    This reading plan is provided by ESV.

    Each daily reading will guide readers through the New Testament as they encounter Jesus and the gospel. A great resource for those who are newcomers to the Bible.

  • Old Testament » 2 Years

    This reading plan is provided by BiblePlans.org.

    This plan will take you through the entire Old Testament over the course of 2 years. It’s great for someone who wants to spend a little extra time on each chapter or would like an easier, slower plan that.

  • Psalms » 31 Days

    This reading plan is provided by BiblePlans.org.

    Reading through the book of Psalms is great for a simple pick-me-up. When you’re going through a hard time, the book of Psalms can serve as a comfort and encouragement.

  • One-2-One » 25 Days

    This reading plan is provided by Every Nation.

    One-2-One was written as a simple tool to aid in personal follow-up and discipleship. It’s a guide. It cannot make a disciple, but it can help you make one. Most importantly, it helps a new disciple get the right start.

  • New Testament Epistles and Acts » 85 Days

    This reading plan is provided by YouVersion.com.

    Reading through the Pauline, Pastoral, and General Epistles has never been easier. This plan, compiled and presented by the folks at YouVersion, will help you easily read through every letter in the New Testament. And we tossed in a dash of Acts for good measure.

  • Old Testament » 1 Year

    This reading plan is provided by YouVersion.com.

    Want to spend some time focusing on the Old Testament? This plan, compiled and presented by the folks at YouVersion.com, will help you read through the entire Old Testament while mixing passages from historical, poetry, and prophetic books.

  • The Gospels » 30 Days

    This reading plan is provided by YouVersion.com.

    This plan, compiled and presented by the folks at YouVersion.com, will help you read through all four Gospels in thirty days. Get firm grasp of Jesus’ life and ministry in a short span of time.

  • Psalms and Proverbs » 373 Days

    This reading plan is provided by YouVersion.com.

    The Psalms & Proverbs plan was compiled by the folks at YouVersion.com to help you read through the book of Psalms twice and Proverbs 12 times. This plan is meant to be read over the course of one full year.

  • First Steps Reading Plan » 1 Year

    This reading plan is provided by Wayne Cordeiro.

    The Life Journal First Steps Reading plan was developed by Wayne Cordeiro. This plan takes a only a portion of the reading from the Life Journal Plan and offers a decreased amount of reading without losing the flow. This plan is perfect for youth and new believers. For journals and related resources, visit lifejournal.cc.

  • Bible in 90 Days » 90 Days

    This reading plan is provided by Bible Gateway.

    How long does it take to read through the entire Bible? Would you guess just 90 days? The Bible in 90 Days is a Bible reading plan created by Ted Cooper in 2002, designed to walk you through the Bible over the course of just three months. That works out to 12 pages of reading each day—a commitment, but certainly manageable, and one that’s well worth making.

  • Project 345 Plus » 1 Year

    This reading plan is provided by The Ark Church.

    Project 3:45+ is an extended version of the New Testament reading plan, Project 3:45. The “Plus” adds a Psalm or Proverb per day (including weekends) and selected readings from the Old Testament five days per week. The beauty of a Bible reading plan is that all the guesswork is removed and there is always a place to start and a sense of direction. For those that really want to add more to their devotional reading time Project 3:45+ offers great options.

  • Project 345 » 1 Year

    This reading plan is provided by The Ark Church.

    Project 3:45 is a simple, effective way to read the entire New Testament in one year. The plan involves reading one chapter per day five days a week and uses the weekends to catch up if you missed any days. The plan was named for the average of the three minutes and forty five seconds that it takes to read one New Testament chapter (obviously this time will vary due to individual reading rates, chapter lengths, and etc., but you get the point). It’s never too late, start today!

  • New Thru 30 » 30 Days

    This reading plan is provided by Elevation Church.

    The New Thru 30 reading plan from Elevation Church takes you through the entire New Testament in 30 days. Much like the B90X plan, also from Elevation Church, New Through 30 will stretch your mind, heart, and will to continue with an intense pace of Bible reading over the course of 30 days.

  • Blended » 1 Year

    This reading plan is provided by Blue Letter Bible.

    This plan is designed to add variety to your reading of the Bible. The Blended plan divides the Bible so that the reader will read books in a non-traditional sequence. For example, while one is reading the book of Isaiah, he is also reading the book of Mark.

  • Old Testament and New Testament » 1 Year

    This reading plan is provided by Blue Letter Bible.

    It is important to understand the fullness of God’s message to the churches, and a great way of doing this is reading the Old and New Testaments simultaneously. This plan, which can be completed in one calendar year, does just that. Readings from both Testaments are included from the beginning and although each reading does not contain both Testaments, the two are read effectively.

  • Historical » 1 Year

    This reading plan is provided by Blue Letter Bible.

    Have you ever wondered what it would have been like to read the Old Testament in ancient Israel? Or, the New Testament as the books were written? In this plan, the order of the Old Testament readings is very similar to Israel’s Hebrew Bible, progressing from Law to Prophets to Writings. The New Testament ordering is based upon research regarding the order in which the books were authored. Although this research is not conclusive, it may offer helpful insights to your Bible reading.

  • Chronological » 1 Year

    This reading plan is provided by Blue Letter Bible.

    The Blue Letter Bible “Chronological” plan is compiled according to recent historical research, taking into account the order in which the recorded events actually occurred. This is a fantastic plan to follow if you wish to add historical context to your reading of the Bible. If the schedule provided is followed, the entire Bible will be read in one calendar year.

  • Canonical » 1 Year

    This reading plan is provided by Blue Letter Bible.

    The Blue Letter Bible “Canonical” plan goes straight through the Bible — from Genesis to Revelation. You will be supplied with reading for each day of the week as a steady guide toward finishing the entire Bible in one calendar year.

  • Life Journal Reading Plan » 1 Year

    This reading plan is provided by Wayne Cordeiro.

    The Life Journal Reading plan was developed by Wayne Cordeiro and is designed to help you read through the Old Testament once and the New Testament twice each year. For journals and related resources, visit lifejournal.cc.

  • B90X » 90 Days

    This reading plan is provided by Elevation Church.

    B90X is a revolutionary system of intense, truth-absorbing, brain-busting Bible reading that will transform your understanding of Scripture from intro to nitro in just 90 days! Your personal trainer, Ruach “The Breath” Yahweh, will drag you through the most intense infusion of His vision that you have ever experienced and you won’t believe the results!

  • Robert Roberts » 1 Year

    This reading plan was created by Robert Roberts over 100 years ago.

    Robert Roberts developed this reading plan to facilitate his daily systematic reading of the Scriptures. A form of this plan was later published as The Bible Companion and is still used around the world today.

Monday, December 28, 2009

The Believers Gift to Christ, Pt. 2 (Luke 21:34-36)



What would you do if your boss or your pastor was coming to your house for dinner tonight? You wouldnt wait until the last minute to prepare - youd want to have plenty of time to make sure everything was presentable and in order, because you want to show your guest the appropriate level of respect.

In a similar way, believers need to prepare their hearts and lives for Christs return. Our sanctified lives need to reflect the joy and anticipation of the return of our Savior.

Last time we were together, John MacArthur was explaining from the gospel of Luke how our lives need to be humble gifts back to God-- gifts that reflect the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit. John was pointing us to four ways we can spiritually prepare for the Lords return.

Lets rejoin his message now, and take another look at The Believers Gift to Christ.

Saturday, December 26, 2009

Sermon Outline: Isaiah 11:1-10. "The Triumph of the Savior"

1) The Triumph through His Ancestry. (Isaiah 11:1)

· Isaiah 9:1-7


2) The Triumph through His Anointing. (Isaiah 11:2)


3) The Triumph through His Administration. (Isaiah 11:3-5)

· John 18:36-37

· Revelation 19:15

· 2 Thesalonians 2:8


4) The Triumph through His Accomplishments. (Isaiah 11:6-10)

· Romans 8:19-21

The Face of Christmas Past

Unlike our modern Santa Claus, Anthony McRoy in his recent article at christianhistory.net notes that Father Christmas was traditionally a personification of the holiday who emphasized generosity to others, thanksgiving to God, and celebration of the Savior.

From his introduction:
While the modern "Santa Claus" is essentially American, one U.S. tradition never took off in Britain—designating him "Kriss Kringle." Instead, Britons call him "Father Christmas." Father Christmas did not merge with Santa until around the 1870s. He was not a jolly, rotund elf, nor was he associated with presents or even children. People viewed him not as actually existing (like St. Nicholas) but rather as the personification of the season (like "Father Time"). That did not spare him the wrath of the Puritans.
In his article he covers:
"Santa" in a doublet and garters?
The earliest reference to a personified Christmas figure was the 15th-century carol "I Am Here, Sir Christëmas" (accessible at http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=V0bbPAUCqlg).
Christmas on trial

In 1645, during the Civil War, most of England was under Puritan rule. The Puritans vehemently opposed anything that was "heathenish" or smacked of "Popery." They banned the celebration of Christmas on these grounds (although the charges are questionable). Indeed, the Puritan-dominated Parliament delighted in sitting on Christmas Day. Parliamentary troops picketed churches on Christmas to prevent anyone from commemorating it as a religious day. They also objected to the frequently drunken and anti-social revelry sometimes accompanying its celebration (much like New Year's Day in our time).

Gratitude, not greed

In 1652, attacking Puritan opposition, Taylor issued Christmas in & out, or, Our Lord & Saviour Christ's birth-day. "Father Christmas" resists accusations of "Popery" by revealing his true name: Christ sent or Christ's Day. "Christmas" insists his day "is kept in a thankfull remembrance" of Christ's "blessed incarnation," and that Christ "is the Prince of Peace, and his peace you will never have that do unthankfully dispise & neglect to solemnize the day of his most blessed Nativity."

Friday, December 25, 2009

The Miracle of Christmas

From the sermon “The Miracle of Christmas” Mark Batterson @ PreachingToday.com. writes:

Acts 17:25 says that God “gives all men life and breath.” Job 34:14–15 says that if God were to withdraw his breath from humankind, we would return to dust. In other words, every breath we take is a miracle.

Because we’ve heard the Christmas story so many times, we forget the amazing miracle it was. God came to earth in the form of a man. We need to take time to get lost in the wonder of this miracle.

The Mystery of the Christmas Story
The fundamental mistake the religious leaders of Jesus day made was trying to force God to fit into their religious boxes (Matthew 23:23). Instead of being conformed to God’s image, they tried to recreate God in their image. What they ended up with was “God in a box.” Jesus healed people on the Sabbath, and instead of celebrating the amazing miracles, the leaders plotted to kill him. Why? Because he didn’t fit in their box. In his book Rumors of Another World, Philip Yancey says there are two ways of looking at the world. “One takes the world apart, while the other seeks to connect and put it together.” He goes on to say, “We live in an age that excels at the first and falters at the second.” Similarly, there are two ways of approaching God. One approach takes God apart. We make God manageable and measurable. We
reduce God to a set of propositions, seal-tight theologies, or divine formulas. We fall into the trap of reductionism. In the words of A.W. Tozer, we end up with a God who can “never surprise us, never overwhelm us, never astonish us, never transcend us.”

Albert Einstein said, “The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is
the source of all true art and science. He to whom this emotion is a stranger, who can no longer pause to wonder and stand rapt in awe, is as good as dead; his eyes are closed.” Experience the mystery of Christmas—the omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent God of all creation was born as a helpless little baby in Bethlehem.

Top Eight Historically Incorrect Christmas Songs


8. I Saw Three Ships

7. The First Nowell

6. The Last Month of the Year

5. We Three Kings

4. Away in a Manger

3. It Came Upon a Midnight Clear

2. Silent Night

1. Do They Know It’s Christmas

Thursday, December 24, 2009

Who Is St. Nicholas?

RPMMinistries coves the origin of "Santa Claus". From their introduction:

The origin of Santa Claus begins with Nicholas (270-346 AD), who was born during the third century in the village of Patara. At the time, the area was in Greece and is now on the southern coast of Turkey.


Their story outlines the various elements of:
  • Gift Giving and Hanging Stockings
  • Protector of Children
  • Compassion and Generosity

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Who Was Jesus' Grandfather?

Grant Osborne @ Christianity Today covers what the two genealogies of Christ, found in Matthew and Luke, are really trying to say.

He mentions: The Importance:
Genealogies fulfilled multiple purposes in the ancient world. Society was organized around kinship patterns, so every family needed lists that described their ancestral pedigree. Such family trees determined a person's social relationships. For instance, two families planning the marriage of their children would compare family lines to check kinship ties to ensure the two were "compatible." And rulers used genealogies to justify their power, rank, and status.
For the Gospel of Matthew:
Matthew arranges his genealogy into three groups of 14 names each. In Jewish gematria—a kind of numerology stemming from the fact that letters of the Hebrew alphabet were also numbers—names have numerical value. The three consonants for David add up to 14. So Matthew underscores Jesus' kingly ancestry by working in groups of David, or 14.

As for Luke:
Luke does not group the names like Matthew does but provides a simple succession of ancestors. The list contains many more common names (some of which we know nothing about) and seems to underscore Jesus' humanity as well as his divine sonship. Moreover, by going all the way back to Adam (the ancestor of all humanity), Luke maintains a universal thrust, emphasizing that Jesus came for all mankind. The list ends with Adam, and then Luke moves into the story of Jesus' encounter with Satan in the wilderness, in which Jesus rises above temptation as Adam did not. The message is clear: In Jesus, all human beings find their sins overcome.

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Why Jesus Is Infinitely Better Than Santa Claus

Santa lives at the North Pole … JESUS is everywhere.

Santa rides in a sleigh … JESUS rides on the wind and walks on the water.

Santa comes but once a year… JESUS is an ever present help.

Santa fills your stockings with goodies … JESUS supplies all your needs by the riches of His grace.

Santa comes down your chimney uninvited … JESUS stands at your door and knocks, and enters your heart.

You have to wait in line to see Santa … JESUS is as close as the mention of His name.

Santa lets you sit on his lap … JESUS lets you rest in His arms.

Santa doesn’t know your name, all he can say is, “Hi little boy or girl, what’s your name?” … JESUS knew our name before we did. Not only does He know our name, He knows our history and future, and He even knows our hearts and how many hairs are on our heads.

Santa has a belly like a bowl full of jelly … JESUS has a heart full of love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness.

All Santa can offer is “HO HO HO” … JESUS says, “Cast your cares on me, for I care for you.”

Santa’s little helpers make toys … JESUS makes a new life, mends wounded hearts, repairs broken homes, and builds mansions.

Santa may make you chuckle but … JESUS gives you joy that is your strength.

While Santa puts gifts under your tree … JESUS became our gift and died on the tree, for you & for me.

It’s obvious there is really no comparison.

We need to remember WHO Christmas is all about.

We need to put CHRIST back in Christmas.

Jesus is still the reason for the season.

Yes, JESUS is better, He is even better than Santa Claus—infinitely better!


Author Unknown

Monday, December 21, 2009

John Piper - Why Christmas?



"You Have the Words of Eternal Life"
John 6:60-71

Saturday, December 19, 2009

Sermon Outline: “The Mission of the Savior” Isaiah 61:1-11.

1) The Savior Proclaimed (Isa. 61:1-3)

· Luke 4:14-21

· Isaiah 1:27–31


2) The Salvation Protrayed (Isa. 61:4-7)

· Matthew 16:18


3) The Saints Promoted (Isa. 61:8-9)

· Isaiah 55:3-7


4) The Savior Praised (Isa. 16:10-11)

· Matthew 22:1-14

Friday, December 18, 2009

The Believer's Gift to Christ, Pt. 1 (Luke 21:34-36)



Christmas day is right around the corner, and for most people, its the climax to the busiest time of the year. Its the most celebrated holiday and the preparations alone can take months to complete.

But let me ask you this: how are you preparing for his second coming? Are you already for Him to return—are you living in the active anticipation of His second coming?

Today, John MacArthur will show us from Scripture the steps you and I need to take to prepare our hearts and lives for Christs imminent return. Think of it as the believers gift to Christ—a humble and grateful response to His saving work that anticipates the next step in His eternal plan.

So put down the wrapping paper and scissors, grab your Bible and get ready to take a look ahead at Christs second coming.

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Monday, December 14, 2009

The Living Christ Dispels All Doubt - (Luke 24:33-43)



Just before last Easter, some anti-Christian television journalists announced to the world, you will remember this, that they had discovered the family tomb of Jesus and the bones of Jesus were still in it. Their leader calls himself the Naked Archaeologist. I doubt that thats a reference to the emperor with no clothes, but it seems to me to be a close connection. This leader suggested that the discovery should not be disturbing to Christians. To find Jesus bones was no problem because the Spirit of Jesus was still alive. Obviously a bad theologian, he was an equally bad archaeologist and an equally bad journalist, since it took only a few days after the first appearance of this highly promoted National Geographic television network special for them to pull it off the air because it was totally debunked as a fraud and all further reruns were canceled..

Why Require Unregenerate Children to Act Like They’re Good?

John Piper provides some helpful reasons whyChristian parents should require their small children (regenerate or unregenerate) to behave in ways that conform externally to God’s revealed will.1) For children, external, unspiritual conformity to God’s commanded patterns of behavior is better than external, unspiritual non-conformity to those patterns of behavior.

2) Requiring obedience from children in conformity with God’s will confronts them with the meaning of sin in relation to God, the nature of their own depravity, and their need for inner transformation by the power of grace through the gospel of Christ.

3) The marks of devotion, civility, and manners (“please,” “thank you,” and good eye contact) are habits that, God willing, are filled later with grace and become more helpful ways of blessing others and expressing a humble heart.

In his conclusion he mentions a caution: Why should parents require submissive behaviors of children when they may be unregenerate rebels at heart? Of course that is not all Christian parents should do.
  • Let there be much spontaneous celebration verbally of every hopeful sign of life and goodness in our children.
  • Let us forgive them often and be longsuffering.
  • Let us serve them and not use them.
  • Let us lavish them with joyful participation in their interests.
  • Let us model for them the joy of knowing and submitting to the Lord Jesus.
  • Let us apologize often when we fall short of our own Father’s requirements.
  • Let us pray for them without ceasing.
  • Let us saturate them with the word of God from the moment they are in the womb (the uterus is not sound proof).
  • Let us involve them in happy ministry experiences and show them it is more blessed to give than to receive.
  • Let them see us sing to the King.
  • Let us teach them relentlessly the meaning of the gospel in the hope that God will open their eyes and make them alive. It happens through the gospel (1 Peter 1:22-25).

Friday, December 11, 2009

Biblical Errors?



Taken from our blog, Greg Koukl of Stand to Reason answers the question "What should we make of Biblical errors?"

Monday, December 07, 2009

Free Download: "His Christmas Story"

His Christmas Story

Free MP3 Download

His Christmas Story

When we hear the Christmas story what do we feel? Is it just a nice story? Well, yes. But it is also telling us that a huge event has just taken place; an event so big that it changes everything. Why? Because the infinite, eternal being who created all things decided to pay us a visit, knock on our front door, get to know us and find out about our hurts and our pains.

Feel the weight of this extraordinary event in this new 25-minute scripture CD that explores the size and magnitude of Christmas. Make this a part of your holiday celebrations.


Track Listing

1 Introduction
1 John 1:1-4

2 Scripture Passages
Isaiah 40:1-2, 11:1-4, 9:2, 6-7
John 1:1-5, 10-14
Luke 1:1-4, 1:26-38, 46-48, 2:1-20

3 Reflections

4 Scripture Passages
Luke 2:22-35
Mark 15:1-2
John 18:37
Mark 15:3-38

5 Conclusion & Final Scripture Passage
Philippians 2:1-11

Product Details

  • Format: MP3 Download
  • Product #: DL5HCS

It's Free!

Select Downloads

His Christmas Story





Saturday, December 05, 2009

Sermon Outline: Isaiah 7:10-17: “The Sign of the Saviour”

1) The Meaning of the Sign. Isaiah 7:10-11


  • Luke 2:8-14

2) The Miracle of the Sign. Isaiah 7:12-14


  • Matthew 1:18-23

  • 2 Samuel 7:9-16

3) The Message of the Sign. Isaiah 7:15-17

Christ: The Living Expositor, Pt 2 of 2 (Luke 24:13-32)



A Christian can have no better teacher than Christ Himself. That's the thrust of today's message as pastor John MacArthur unfolds some of our Lord's most powerful teaching -- an exposition of what the Old Testament reveals about His Son.

It's also the thinking behind John's new devotional, "Daily Readings from the Life of Christ." What does Christ say about Himself? What are His commandments to those who would follow Him? What are His warnings and what are His encouragements?

Friday, December 04, 2009

The Obstacles of Advent

Skye Jethani discusses how Skye's church combats the busyness and materialism of the season.

The first obstacle we identified was busyness.

We decided the church should combat this tendency rather than contribute to it. So, instead of adding programs and activities during December, we've actually reduced them. For example, we've stayed away from large Christmas productions for children or adults. These events, while beautiful and worshipful, often take weeks of preparation that fill up the calendar with practices which separate families. We also suspend most adult and children's classes on Sunday so families can worship together, and we provide at-home Advent family devotionals and encourage heads of households to gather their clan weekly.

In addition, beginning in late October we start encouraging everyone to complete their Christmas shopping before December 1. This frees up time during Advent to connect with others, and hours that would otherwise be spent at the mall can now be used to serve someone in the name of Christ. It seems so simple, but I can't tell you how many people have been blessed by this suggestion.

The second obstacle we identified was materialism.

To address this obstacle, we encourage our community to reduce their shopping expenses and match whatever they spend by giving to a compassion or missions project. This year we're highlighting two projects in particular. The first is in partnership with our missionaries in Cambodia working with AIDS patients. The other is an urban ministry in Chicago we've been connected with for years. There are other projects available, and a number involve more than giving money. Many small groups, for example, take time to engage a local service project together and children are encouraged to participate as well.

To be honest, not everyone has appreciated this approach. Some come to our church with expectations of an elaborate Christmas pageant, and others don't want to be challenged every week to shop earlier and spend less. But our desire is simple: to release time for communion with God and service to others, and to refocus our attention away from the kitsch and onto Christ.

Thursday, December 03, 2009

Why Recognize Advent?

Elliot Grudem and Bruce Benedict continue with their Learning to Advent series: Click | View Series

The Scriptures don’t require us to do anything different during the Advent season. Recognizing Advent as individuals, families, or as a church doesn’t make you better or more spiritual than a church that doesn’t recognize Advent.

That said, there are some real advantages for a church to recognize and celebrate the Advent season.

1. It’s Expected

2. It Tells the Story about Jesus

3. It Tells the Whole Story

Wednesday, December 02, 2009

What Is Advent?

Noel Piper has a helpful summary on what Advent is adapted from Treasuring God in Our Traditions

Advent is what we call the season leading up to Christmas. It begins four Sundays before December 25, sometimes in the last weekend of November, sometimes on the first Sunday in December. This year it was Novemeber 29.

  • 1 Peter 1:10-12 is a clear description of what we look back to during Advent.


Tuesday, December 01, 2009

Christ: The Living Expositor, Pt 1 of 2 (Luke 24:13-32)



Ask ten Christians to name their favorite Bible teacher and you'll probably hear ten different answers. That makes sense because good teachers are gifts from the Lord, and He has blessed His church with many.

But there is one Bible teacher who stands above all the rest ... one expositor whose teaching about Jesus was without equal ... a teacher who could open his mouth and with his words, open the eyes of any who listened.

Who was this unparalleled teacher? More importantly, what did he say about Jesus?

Monday, November 30, 2009

Misunderstandings of the Trinity

Monergism has a helpful entry from the ESV Study Bible.

Common Errors:

  • Tritheism: Overemphasizes the distinction between the persons of the Trinity and ends up with three gods.
  • Modalism:(also known as Sabellianism, named after its earliest proponent, Sabellius, 3rd century), which loses the distinctions between the persons and claims that God is only one person. In this view, the appearance of the three persons is merely three modes of existence of the one God. For instance, God reveals himself as Father when he is creating and giving the law, as Son in redemption, and as Spirit in the church age (found in the teaching of Oneness Pentecostalism).
  • Arianism (after a teacher named Arius, c. a.d. 256–336), and it is held today by Jehovah’s Witnesses: to deny the full deity of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and to say that they were at some time created. This is the heresy of

Practical Implications of the Trinity

1. The doctrine of the Trinity makes definitive revelation of God possible as he is known in Christ:

(John 1:18). (Ex. 33:20; 1 Tim. 6:16)

2. The Trinity makes the atonement possible.

(Heb. 9:14).

3. Because God is triune, he has eternally been personal and relational in his own being, in full independence from his creation.

(Acts 17:25).

4. The Trinity provides the ultimate model for relationships within the body of Christ and marriage (1 Cor. 11:3; 12:4–6; Eph. 4:4–7).

From the Summary:

The doctrine of the Trinity is well beyond human ability to ever fully comprehend. However, it is central to understanding the nature of God and the central events in the history of salvation, in which God is seen acting as, in effect, a tripersonal team. Biblical Christianity stands or falls with the doctrine of the Trinity.

Sunday, November 29, 2009

Sermon Outline: Romans 12:1-2. “Give Worship”

1) Our Souls have been given to God:

Romans 12:1a

· Romans 5:20-21

2) Our Bodies should be given to God:

Romans 12:1b

· Romans 7:5, 22

3) Our Minds should be given to God:

Romans 12:2a

· Ephesians 4:17-24

· 2 Corinthians 3:18

· Philippians 2:12-13

4) Our Wills should be given to God:

Romans 12:2b.

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

"How Should Calvinists Deal with Arminians?" (James White)



How should Calvinists deal with Arminians? Is it possible to stand firm for Reformed theology without causing offense? If you're a Calvinist now but were an Arminian before and a Calvinist caused offense against you in explaining the theology, would you have been as apt to lay hold to the doctrines of grace? Dr. James White answers a call on The Dividing Line show regarding this subject and offers some great advice.

http://www.aomin.org

12 Ways to Love Your Wayward Child

Abraham Piper provides 12 Ways to Love Your Wayward Child

From the Introduction:

Many parents are brokenhearted and completely baffled by their unbelieving son or daughter. They have no clue why the child they raised well is making such awful, destructive decisions. I've never been one of these parents, but I have been one of these sons. Reflecting back on that experience, I offer these suggestions to help you reach out to your wayward child.

Each point is followed up with an explanation:

1. Point them to Christ.

2. Pray.

3. Acknowledge that something is wrong.

4. Don't expect them to be Christ-like.

5. Welcome them home.

6. Plead with them more than you rebuke them.

7. Connect them to believers who have better access to them.

8. Respect their friends.

9. Email them.

10. Take them to lunch.

11. Take an interest in their pursuits.

12. Point them to Christ.

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

John Piper - What is it to believe?



Behold, Believe, Be Raised
John 6: 27-40

Monday, November 23, 2009

Assorted Attacks on the Bible (Romans 1:18-32)



Gods Word. Inspired. Inherent. Infallible. You love this book because it represents the source of eternal life. It contains the truth that pointed you towards Jesus Christ.

But not everyone sadly loves the scriptures. The enemy of your soul knows its power to save as well as you do and he constantly wages war against it. Scripture has always stood in the crosshairs and Christians have always labored to defend it. The first step, recognize those attacks in every form. From the overt frontal assault to the covert inside job we must never be caught off guard.

Todays message from Jon MacArthur, Attacks on the Bible, is designed to prepare you for that battle. It will help you thwart the attacks before they thwart you.

Saturday, November 21, 2009

SERMON OUTLINE: Ephesians 4:25-32. “Give Grace”

1) Give Grace in Truth (Ephesians 4:25),

• Revelation 21:8

2) Give Grace in Anger (Ephesians 4:26–27),

• Romans 12:17-21

3) Give Grace in Possessions (Ephesians 4:28),

• Luke 14:13-14

4) Give Grace in Words (Ephesians 4:29-30)

• James 3:6-8

5) Give Grace in Virtue (Ephesians 4:31-32).

• Colossians 3:1-17

Friday, November 20, 2009

Greg Koukl - on the Charge: "The Bible's Been Changed"



Greg Koukl of Stand to Reason answers the question "The Bible has been translated many times over, so how can it be reliable?"

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Christianity: How Jesus Is Different



Pastor Mark Driscoll examines Luke 2, where an angel announces the birth of Jesus, Christ the Lord, to shepherds in a field. The angel reveals how we are to see Jesus. We are not to insert him into a false ideology (e.g., atheism, deism, pantheism/panentheism, or theism) that offers no hope, no good news, no savior. Rather, we are to praise Jesus like the angels, Mary, and the shepherds did.

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Christianity: Good News For All People



Pastor Mark Driscoll examines Luke 2, where an angel announces the birth of Jesus, Christ the Lord, to shepherds in a field. The angel reveals how we are to see Jesus. We are not to insert him into a false ideology (e.g., atheism, deism, pantheism/panentheism, or theism) that offers no hope, no good news, no savior. Rather, we are to praise Jesus like the angels, Mary, and the shepherds did.

Monday, November 16, 2009

Parenting Our Kids: a parenting model



Buckle up for this fast paced seminar on parenting kids. This training video is an abbreviated version of CounselingSolutions workshop on parenting. Rick explains a good concept idea from Paul's model given in Ephesians 6:4 as well as four poor parenting models and how they adversely impact our kids.

Rick originally learned this teaching concept on parenting during his MA program at The Master's College in Santa Clarita, CA.

Saturday, November 14, 2009

Sermon Outline: 2 Corinthians 1:3-11. “Give Hope”

1) Giving Hope (2 Cor. 1:3-7)


· Isaiah 51:9-12

· Exodus 3:7-8

· 2 Corinthians 11:29

· Romans 8:18

· Philippians 3:10-11

· Romans 5:1-5


2) Getting Hope (2 Cor. 1:8-9)


3) Praise for Hope ( 2 Cor. 1:10-11)

· 2 Timothy 4:16-18