Quick questions for Mormons & Jehovah's Witnesses.

Love in a Time of Swine Flu

On his radio program, Dr. Albert Mohler talked about how Christians should respond to the potential ‘Swine’ flu pandemic. You can download the audio here or listen to it below.

In the discussion Dr. Mohler compares the current Swine Flu situation with how Christians in previous eras dealt with plagues.

Dr. Mohler has a commentary on the same topic at his website. He writes:

‘[Martin] Luther ministered in a time of plague and epidemic. He provided a model of the pastor who never leaves his people. He also urged his people never to leave the sick. In 1527 the Bubonic Plague came to Wittenberg. Luther sent his students home, but he stayed to minister to his congregation and the city. He called for others with responsibility, especially pastors, to do the same. Cowardice in ministry is a denial of Christ, Luther warned, for “whoever wants to serve Christ in person would surely serve his neighbor as well.”

‘In Geneva, John Calvin taught his pastors to visit the sick as a primary duty of “a true and faithful minister.” As Calvin explained, “the greatest need which a man ever has of the spiritual doctrine of our Lord is when His hand visits him with afflictions, whether of disease or other evils, and specially at the hour of death.”

‘Calvin taught the faithful minister to offer suffering Christians the consolation of Christ, lest they be overwhelmed by the fear of death and judgment. On the other hand, if the sick person is not “sufficiently oppressed and agonized by a conviction of their sins,” the pastor should speak to them of the justice of God, “before which they cannot stand, save through the mercy embracing Jesus Christ for their salvation.”‘

Quick questions for Mormons & Jehovah's Witnesses.

Quick questions for Mormons & Jehovah's Witnesses.

Quick questions for Mormons & Jehovah's Witnesses.

Porn and paper pastors

Dan Phillips @ http://teampyro.blogspot.com has a interesting comparison with Porn and the image that we have of pastors.

PORN:
The women in the pictures never had bad days, were never crabby and demanding, never disrespectful and demeaning. No mood swings. They always suited his mood, his needs, his wants. They were unreal.
= no relationship in the real world.

Nobody can compete with a fantasy.

Now, some professed Christians sin outright, by never physically attending an actual, in-person church. We've talked about that, and they aren't our focus.

What about those who come to hear a physical pastor, but their heart belongs to another:

They come in, they sit down. They sing, they may give financially. They may look at you, Pastor, as you preach.

But you know their heart belongs to another.

Their real pastor isn't you. It's Dave Hunt. Or it's John Piper. Or it's John MacArthur, or Ligon Duncan, or Mark Dever, or David Cloud, or Joel Osteen. Or it's Charles Spurgeon, or D. M. Lloyd-Jones, or J. C. Ryle. Or Calvin, or Luther, or Bahnsen, or de Mar, or R. B. Thieme, or J. Vernon McGee.

"PAPER PASTORS"

Well, paper pastors are never in a bad mood. They're never cranky, or sleepy or sick. (Especially the dead ones.)

WHAT PAPER PASTOR'S DON'T DO:

They've never just had someone else pull their guts out with a rusty fork, and then had to turn and listen graciously to your complaint about the translation they preach from, or argue about a Greek word you can't even pronounce. They don't have a family who loses the time you use. They never half-listen, never have an appointment that cuts short their time. Their office hours are your office hours. They're available 24/7, and everywhere, at your whim, and you always have their undivided attention.

And these paper pastors maintain the perfect distance. If you don't want to hear something, they don't press it — or you can instantly shut them up, snap! They never ask you to do something uncomfortable and follow up on you. They never persistently probe an area of sin, in you, in person, eyeball to eyeball... nor will they. Church discipline will not be a threat with them. Ever.

Brother, sister: John Piper isn't your pastor. John MacArthur knows nothing about you. Dave Hunt never got on his knees and prayed for you. Lloyd-Jones won't come to your house when you're recovering from surgery, or one of your children shatters your heart, or your marriage is shaking and rocking and barely hanging on. Charles Spurgeon won't weep with you as you weep.

God gave you the pastor He gave you. God told Paul to tell you:

We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. (1 Thessalonians 5:12-13)

God told the writer to the Hebrews to tell you:

Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you. (Hebrews 13:17)

Your flesh-and-blood pastor can't compete with these paper pastors for the same reason you can't compete with paper women and paper men.

How to Kill Sin by Tim Conway

This sermon is a summary of several sermons from Tim Conway's preaching through the book of Romans on killing sin

1/23/2008 (WED) | Romans 8:13

How to Overcome Sin by John MacArthur

John MacArthur @ http://www.biblebb.com has some practical tips in sanctification. Below is the outline:

1. Recognize the Presence of Sin in Your Flesh.

2. A Heart Fixed on God.

3. Meditate on the Word.

4. Commune with God in Prayer.

5. Cultivate Obedience.

A. How's my zeal for God?

B. Do I love the Word?

Happy "Earth Day": Genesis 1:28

Genesis 1:28 [28]And God blessed them. And God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth." (ESV)

cf. www.sacredsandwich.com

Angus notes:

Contrary to what some environmentalists might think, God’s commission to us to subdue the earth is not a bad thing. According to the NET Bible notes, in Gen 1:28 one might paraphrase it as follows: “harness its potential and use its resources for your benefit.”

As Christians we should strive to be good stewards of the earth, yet maintain a biblical perspective that rejects the environmental extremist philosophy that sees humans as a cancer on the planet and of less value than animals.

As John Piper writes, “Since our being created in God’s image leads directly to our privilege and duty to subdue the earth, I take it that human vocation involves exercising a subordinate lordship over creation by which we shape and control it for good purposes. God takes man on as his deputy and endows him with God-like rights and capacities to subdue the world—to use it and shape it for good purposes.”

And what are those good purposes? Glorifying God and increasing our joy; providing for our needs and the needs of others; and spreading the Gospel message throughout all the earth for the increase of God’s Kingdom.

Earth Day and Total Transformation

Carl Teichrib @ http://www.crossroad.to provides some helpful background on "Earth Day". He covers:

A Secular Holiday?

Earth Day is Born

On Religion

On Population

On Nations and Economies

On Global Transformation

Here is his conclusion in full: "A Secular Holiday?"

...many Christian congregations across North America have jumped on the bandwagon of Earth Day transformation; Some out of naivety, others with full consent and complicity. One example is San Francisco’s Grace Cathedral. During the 2001 Earth Day, Grace held an interfaith song-celebration for the planet.

“The music will be an eclectic blend of the world’s musical traditions. Tibetan temple bells will blend with the Cathedral Organ. Vocal performances will range from Native American and Muslim Chants to Spirituals and Choral canticles. Representatives from a diverse range of religious paths will participate in the festivities, including Native American, Islamic, Hindu, Jewish, Pagan, and Christian.”28

Over the years Grace Cathedral has been a beacon for comprehensive religious transformation, and has done much to promote a contemporary global-spiritual model, such as helping to birth the United Religions Initiative.

The United Church of Canada is another example. During the last twenty years, the United Church denomination has been considered a Canadian trend setter in “progressively left” Christian thought. This denomination has also been viewed as a social pillar by academics, political figures, and other leading personalities. Here’s part of a responsive reading for an Earth-centred worship service.

“Speaking to the Earth Community, we say: Brothers and Sisters in Creation, we covenant this day – with you, with all Creation yet to be, and with the Creator. With every living creature and all that contains and sustains you.
All: With all that is on Earth – and with the Earth itself.”29

Alarmingly, it doesn’t seem to matter if a church is “right” or “left” in its general outlook. Conservative congregations too are focusing on the Earth as a point of service.

A few weeks back, in February 2009, I had a chance to visit with some relatives who attend an evangelical church that has been locally recognized for its stalwart stand in proclaiming the Gospel. But I found out that things have changed. Instead of messages focusing on the truths of God’s Word, sermons have taken an overt ecological edge. Although not promoting Earth-centric beliefs like the United Church – “we covenant this day…with the Earth itself” – the teachings highlighted typical environmental themes: Global warming, the problems caused by Man, and changing consumption patterns and social behaviours. Does this remind you of anything?

Like hundreds of other pastors and churches across North America, naivety to the true intent of deep ecology and its message of global transformation is undercutting Christian based values – right in the church itself.

Does this mean that Christians shouldn’t be concerned about the environment? Not at all. However, a healthy Biblical approach is needed – one that recognizes the rightful place of Man in tending, managing, and using the Earth; not one in which Man is servant to a planetary master made in the image of the United Nations or some other globally inspired environmental agency. Sadly, pastors and congregations around the world are parroting the message of Earth Day and the leaders of global environmental governance.

The quest to involve the Christian community in Earth Day celebrations is especially significant. Not only do individual churches promote Earth Day as a special event, the Earth Day Network (EDN) specifically targets the “faith community” in the hopes that influential religious leaders will move the global agenda forward. And EDN has some clout.

The Earth Day Network is a group that arose from the original Earth Day in 1970. Today the organization’s International Council is comprised of the some of the world’s most influential globalists,

• Lester Brown, Worldwatch.
• Gro Harlem Brundtland, Director of the World Health Organization.
• Robert Kennedy Jr., Senior Attorney with the Natural Resources Defence Council.
• Gus Speth, former UN Development Programme official.
• Maurice Strong, President of the Earth Council and former UN Special Advisor.
• David Suzuki, Canada’s leading environmentalist.
• Klaus Toepfer, Executive Director of the UN Environmental Programme.30

Presently, EDN works hard to promote their Communities of Faith Climate Campaign, a global warming/Earth Day educational platform targeted at religious groups. In fact, the EDN faith-based website has the motto “Earth Day: Something We Can All Believe In.”31

In 2007, EDN reached out a hand to the Christian, Jewish, and Muslim communities by creating “12,000 sermons and religious events” to empower religious leaders for Earth Day goals. EDN took this a step further during Earth Day 2008 by activating “500,000 parishioners” to support climate change legislation. Many churches also pledged to join EDN for “Earth Day Sunday” in 2008, focusing on climate change and saving the Earth during their Sunday services.32

Now for 2009, the Earth Day Network is kicking off their Green Generation campaign, which seeks to engage students, churches, and communities in pressuring the world to adopt a new global climate treaty. Moreover, this campaign is slated to continue until 2010 when it’s expected that the world will witness a massive Earth celebration: the 40th anniversary of Earth Day.

Paradoxically what originally started as a movement to intentionally place Earth on a pedestal while “demonizing” Christianity, nationalism, and human populations – all focused on driving America’s youth to a pagan, socialist utopia – has now been embraced by churches far-and-wide. Furthermore, by hosting and supporting Earth-centered and interfaith services, churches actually contribute to the systemic attack on Biblical values.

Green Lies and Amazing Truths

Berit Kjos @ http://www.crossroad.to has a provocative article on the "Green Revolution: He deals with:

GREEN HISTORY

THE POWER BEHIND THE GREEN AGENDA

THE CONTRARY EVIDENCE

O Lord my God! When I in awesome wonder
Consider all the worlds Thy hands have made,
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,
Thy power throughout the universe displayed:

Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee:
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!
Then sings my soul! my Savior God, to Thee:
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!

Sermon Outline: Galatians 6:6-10. “Lessons from the Soil”: Sowing & Reaping

1) The Precept: Galatians 6:6

· 1 Corinthians 9:7-14

· Hebrews 13:17

2) The Principle behind the Precept: Galatians 6:7-8

· 1 John 1:8-10

· Proverbs 1:29-33

· 2 Corinthians 9:6-11

3) The Promise: Galatians 6:9

· Hebrews 12:1-3

· 2 Corinthians 4:1-2, 8-10, 14

4) The Procedure: Galatians 6:10

· 1 Timothy 5:8

· 1 John 3:14; 4:20-21

1 Timothy 5:8

1 John 3:14; 4:20-21

John Piper - What is the Gospel?

John Piper presents the Gospel.

"I'm Sending You to Open Their Eyes"

Is God's Love Unconditional?

John Piper @ http://www.desiringgod.org discusses the nature of God's love. He notes that there is such a thing as unconditional love in God, but it’s not what most people mean by it.

* It’s not a saving love that he has for everybody. Else everybody would be saved, since they would not have to meet any conditions, not even faith. But Jesus said everybody is not saved (Matthew 25:46).
* It’s not the love that justifies sinners since the Bible says we are justified by faith, and faith is a condition (Romans 5:1).
* It’s not the love of working all things together for our good because Paul says that happens “to those who love God” (Romans 8:28).
* It’s not the love of the most intimate fellowship with the Father because Jesus said, “He who loves me will be loved by my Father” (John 14:21). And James said, “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you” (James 4:8).
* It’s not the love that will admit us into heaven when we die because John says, “Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life” (Revelation 2:10). And faithfulness is a condition.

How then does God love unconditionally? Two ways (at least):

1. He loves us with electing love unconditionally. “He chose us in him before the foundation of the world . . . for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 1:4-5).

He does not base this election on foreseeing our faith. On the contrary, our faith is the result of being chosen and appointed to believe, as Acts 13:48 says, “As many as were appointed to eternal life believed.”

2. He loves us with regenerating love before we meet any condition. The new birth is not God’s response to our meeting the condition of faith. On the contrary, the new birth enables us to believe.

“Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been [already!] born of God,” (1John 5:1). “[We] were born, not . . . of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God” (John 1:13).

Piper's conclusion:

Let us pray that thousands of people who speak of the unconditional love of God would discover the biblical meaning of what they say. If that happened many would find their feet on solid ground.

Unpacking Forgiveness

One of the thorniest, most practical problems any pastor or Christian will deal with is forgiveness. Every Christians knows forgiveness is a good thing, but what does it mean? How do we do it? Is it always necessary no matter the circumstances?

Kevin DeYoung @ http://www.revkevindeyoung.com interviews Chris Brauns on the topic of forgiveness. He asks:

1. Tell us a little about yourself. Where are you from? Do you have a family? Where are you serving now? Why does your book reference the Lansing State Journal?

2. Your book "Unpacking Forgiveness: Biblical Answers for Complex Questions and Deep Wounds" is very good. Thank you for it. How did you get interested in the topic of forgiveness?

3. What are some of the common misconceptions about forgiveness?

4. You talk a lot about therapeutic notion of forgiveness. What is this and why is it so dangerous?

5. Probably the most provocative aspect of your book is the repeated assertion that forgiveness is conditional. What do you mean by this? What don't you mean?

6. As you've talked about this topic in different places, how do people respond to the message? Have you changed your mind on any aspect of the book? Have certain areas been reinforced even more strongly?

7. Are you working on any more book projects?

8. What books are your reading right now?

9. What are some of the unique challenges and blessings of being at a rural church?

What Happened to the Twelve Apostles? How Their Deaths Evidence Easter

C Michael Patton @ http://www.reclaimingthemind.org/ reviews the deaths of the Apostles to illustrate the truths of the Easter message he notes:

• When boiled down to their least common denominator, it is very feasible to believe that all but one of the Apostles suffered and died a martyr’s death, even if we can’t be sure of the exact details.

• They were killed because they proclaimed to have seen Christ die and then to have seen Him alive. They all died because of an unwavering, unrelenting claim that Christ rose from the grave. They died for Easter.

Personally, in my mind, the gruesome death of the Apostles as recorded below was one of the greatest gifts that God ever gave to the Church. It contributes much to Christian apologetics by answering the “how do you know?” question concerning the resurrection of Christ.

About the Apostles’ deaths

in their deaths they sealed their testimony in blood making our faith in the risen Christ built upon a solid foundation.

He gives the details of each of the Apostles with a grade of probability from A (highest probability) to D (lowest probability) on the account of their death.

(1) The Apostle James

(2) The Apostle Peter

(3) The Apostle Andrew

(4) The Apostle Thomas

(5) The Apostle Philip

(6) The Apostle Matthew

(7) The Apostle Nathanael (Bartholomew)

(8) The Apostle James the Lesser

(9) The Apostle Simon the Zealot

(10) The Apostle Judas Thaddeus

(11) The Apostle Matthias

(12) The Apostle John

(13) The Apostle Paul

Download PDF (with family discussion questions)

5 Things We Can Mistake for Evangelism - Mark Dever

Mark Dever @ http://www.symphonyofscripture.com covers 5 Things We Can Mistake for Evangelism. The list:

1) Imposition

2) Personal Testimony

3) Social Action / Public Involvement

4) Apologetics

5) The Results of Evangelism

2 Corinthians 2:15

For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, 16 to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things?

Empty Tomb with an Angelic Explanation: (Luke 24:1-12) John MacArthur

(Luke 24:1-12) Well we come to a wonderful milestone today in our study of the gospel of Luke, we come to chapter 24 and the account of the resurrection of our Lord Jesus...the resurrection, long awaited. And I just want to give you a little bit of a sort of an introduction to the message this morning by telling you that preaching is a unique and wonderful adventure and because of the nature of the text itself, it changes, it ebbs and flows, it takes on different forms and different styles. And thats part of the adventure of it. http://www.gty.org

That's Easter: Life to Death & Death to Life

From St. Helen's Bishopgate in London.


THAT'S EASTER Life to Death from St Helen’s Church on Vimeo.


THAT'S EASTER Death to Life from St Helen’s Church on Vimeo.
Peter Williams and Peter Head of Tyndale House in Cambridge talking about the historical reliability of the resurrection.

FREE Easter Story-Audio Bible Max McLean Download

The Easter Story featuring narration by Max McLean. Is available for FREE download now.

Hear Max McLean recount scripture that describes the most important week in human history.

Tracks
1. Introduction - Max McLean
2. The Triumphal Entry of the Son - Mark 10:33-45; Mark 11:1-10, 15-18
3. The Anointing of the Son - Mark 14:1-9
4. The Betrayal of the Son - Mark 14:10-26, 32-50, 53-65
5. The Trial of the Son - Mark 15:1-20
6. The Crucifixion of the Son - Luke 23:32-43; John 19:25-27; Mark 15:33-35; John 19:28-30; Luke 23:46; Mark 15:38-39
7. The Suffering Son - Isaiah 53:1-12
8. The Resurrection of the Son - Luke 24:1-8
9. The Conversation with the Son - Luke 24:13-32
10. The Son's Startling Appearance - Luke 24:33-49; Matthew 28:16-20; Luke 24:52
11. The Son's Redeeming Power - Colossians 1:13-20

Cranmer’s Collect: Easter Sunday

Almighty God, which through thy only begotten son Jesus Christ has overcome death, and opened unto us the gate of everlasting life; we humbly beseech thee, that, as by thy special grace, preventing us, thou dost put in our minds good desires, so by thy continual help we may bring the same to good effect; through Jesus Christ our Lord who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, now and forever. Amen.

-The Collects of Thomas Cranmer by Paul F. M. Zahl

cf http://www.inlightofthegospel.org

Did Jesus Go To Hell?

This clip came from the sermon Suffering To Lear, part of Mars Hill Church's Trial series through 1&2 Peter. For more content from this sermon, please visit http://www.marshillchurch.org/media/t...

The Curse of Good Friday

This is a video clip from R. C. Sproul’s message, “The Curse Motif of the Atonement.” You can listen to the whole message here.

Holy Week: Friday

Early in the morning, Jesus was tried by the Sanhedrin, Pilate, Herod Antipas, and Pilate again (Matt. 27:1-30; Mark 15:1-19; Luke 22:66–23:25; John 18:28–19:16). Jesus was then led to the cross and crucified at 9:00 a.m. and died at 3:00 p.m. and was buried later that day (Matt. 27:31-60; Mark 15:20-46; Luke 23:26-54; John 19:16-42). Christ the Paschal Lamb (1 Cor. 5:7) died at the time when the Israelites were sacrificing their Passover lambs.

[Harold W. Hoehner, Chronological Aspects of the Life of Christ, 92]

Painting: “Christ before Pilate” by Mihaly Munkacsy
cf Paul Lamey @ http://expositorythoughts.wordpress.com

Cranmer’s Collects for Good Friday

Thomas Cranmer has two collects that were used on Good Friday at different points in the liturgy. The first collect is a prayer for the church in its service and ministry:

Almighty and everlasting God, by whose spirit the whole body of the Church is governed and sanctified; receive our supplications and prayers, which we offer before thee for all estates of men in thy holy congregation, that every member of the same in his vocation and ministry, may truly and godly service thee; through our Lord Jesus Christ.

The second collect was composed during the Reformation and is based on Ezekiel 18:23, 33:11 and John 10:16. It has a missional theme to it.

Merciful God, who has made all men, and hatest nothing that thou has made, nor wouldest the death of a sinner, but rather that he should be converted and live; have mercy upon all Jews, Turks, Infidels and heretics, and take from them all ignorance, hardness of heart, and contempt of thy word: and so fetch them home, blessed Lord, to thy flock, that they may be saved among the remnant of the true Israelites, and be made one fold under one shepherd, Jesus Christ our Lord; who liveth and reignth with thee and the holy ghost, now and forever. Amen.

Both come from The Collects of Thomas Cranmer by Paul F. M. Zahl

cf. James H. Grant, Jr.@ http://www.inlightofthegospel.org

Good Friday

Therefore, assuming a body like ours, because all people were liable to the corruption of death, [the Word] surrendered it to death for all humanity, and offered it to the Father. He presented it to the Father as an act of pure love for humanity, so that by all dying in Him the law concerning the corruption of humanity might be abolished (inasmuch as its power was fulfilled in the Lord’s body, and no longer has capacity against human beings who are like Him), and that He might turn back to a state of incorruption those who had fallen into a state of corruption, and bring them to life by the fact of His death, by the body which He made His own, and by the grace of His resurrection.

–Athanasius, On the Incarnation of the Word

cf. http://reformedpastor.wordpress.com

The Final Verdict from the Fickle Judge: (Luke 23:13-25) John MacArthur

We now come to the Word of God and our lesson for today from the twenty-third chapter of the gospel of Luke. If you will open the precious Word of God to Luke chapter 23, Ill read the portion of Scripture from verse 13 through verse 25...Luke 23:13 through 25.

Jesus Silence Before Herod: Luke 23:7-12: John MacArthur

In preparation for the Lords table, lets open the Word of God to Luke chapter 23...Luke chapter 23. We are in the middle of the trials of our Lord Jesus Christ. Friday of Passion Week, Friday the day our Lord Jesus was placed upon the cross, He endured a series of trials. Two phases, one was the trial before the Jews which was a model of injustice. It had three parts, first He was taken to Annas, the former high priest and power behind the priests. Then He was taken to Caiaphas and the Sanhedrin, the Jewish Council.

Holy Week: Thursday

On this day, he had His disciples prepare the Passover lamb (Matt. 26:17-19; Mark 14:12-16; Luke 22:7-13), and Jesus and His disciples had their Passover meal in the Upper Room (Matt. 26:20-30; Mark 14:17-26; Luke 22:14-30; John 13:1–14:31). Leaving the Upper Room, Jesus had a discourse with His disciples and offered an intercessory prayer in their behalf (Matt. 26:30-35; Mark 14:26-31; Luke 22:31-39; John 15:1–18:1). They arrived at the Garden of Gethsemane, and it was here where Jesus suffered in agony (Matt. 26:36-46; Mark 14:32-42; Luke 22:39-46; John 18:1). Later that night Jesus was betrayed and arrested (Matt. 26:47-56; Mark 14:43-52; Luke 22:47-53; John 18:2-12). During the rest of that night, Jesus was tried first by Annas and later by Caiaphas with the religious leaders (Matt. 26:57-75; Mark 14:53-72; Luke 22:54-65; John 18:13-27).

[Harold W. Hoehner, Chronological Aspects of the Life of Christ, 92]

cf Paul Lamey @ http://expositorythoughts.wordpress.com

The Collect for Maundy Thursday

“Almighty Father, whose dear Son, on the night before he suffered, instituted the Sacrament of his Body and Blood: Mercifully grant that we may receive it thankfully in remembrance of Jesus Christ our Lord, who in these holy mysteries gives us a pledge of eternal life; and who now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.”

-Book of Common Prayer (1929)

Cf. James H. Grant, Jr. @http://www.inlightofthegospel.org

What is Maundy Thursday?

Kevin DeYoung:

Like millions of Christians around the world, we will have a Maundy Thursday tonight. If you’ve never heard the term, it’s not Monday-Thursday (which always confused me as a kid), but Maundy Thursday, as in Mandatum Thursday. Mandatum is the Latin word for “command” or “mandate”, and the day is called Maundy Thursday because on the night before his death Jesus gave his disciples a new command. “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another” (John 13:34).

Read the whole post here.

cf. James H. Grant, Jr. @ http://www.inlightofthegospel.org

Maundy Thursday Prayer

We thank You, our Father, for the holy vine of David Your servant; to You be glory forever. And concerning the broken bread: We thank You, our Father, for the life and knowledge which You made known to us through Jesus Your servant; to You be the glory for ever. Even as this broken bread was scattered over the hills, and was gathered together and became one, so let Your church be gathered together from the ends of the earth into Your kingdom.

–Didache, 2nd century A.D.
Cf. http://reformedpastor.wordpress.com

Jesus Accused before Pilate: John MacArthur

We now meet another of the corrupt characters in the unfolding drama of the death of Christ. We add Pilate and we will soon add Herod to the list of Judas, Annas, Caiaphas and the entire Sanhedrin, the Supreme Court of Israel. They are a Mosaic of tragic figures. All of them thought that they had the power or the influence to determine the destiny of Jesus, to render judgment on Jesus. They were wrong and that is the strange irony of this Mosaic. In reality, the destiny of Jesus had been determined by God. Jesus was never the victim of human decisions. He wasnt the victim of a corrupt disciple that betrayed Him. He wasnt the victim of a couple of corrupt High Priests who arraigned Him. He wasnt the victim of the Jewish Supreme Court who condemned Him. Nor was He the victim of Pilate and Herod who ultimately executed Him. He was Gods chosen Lamb, and God had predetermined that He would die.

Holy Week: Wednesday

On the way to Jerusalem on Wednesday, the disciples saw the withered fig tree (Matt. 21:20-22; Mark 11:20-26). At the temple in Jerusalem, Jesus had a day of controversy with the religious leaders (Matt. 21:23-23:39; Mark 11:27-12:44; Luke 20:1-21:4). That afternoon Jesus went to the Mount of Olives and delivered the Olivet Discourse (Matt. 24:1-25:46; Mark 13:1-37; Luke 21:5-36). Two additional things occurred on that day: (1) Jesus predicted that in two days He would be crucified at the time of the Passover (Matt. 26:1-5; Mark 14:1-2; Luke 22:1-2); and (2) Judas planned the betrayal of Christ with religious leaders (Matt. 26:14-16; Mark 14:10-11; Luke 22:3-6).

[Harold W. Hoehner, Chronological Aspects of the Life of Christ, 91-92]

cf http://expositorythoughts.wordpress.com

An Apologia for the 24-Hour Day Creation View

Bob McCabe @ gives an Apologia for the 24-Hour Day Creation View. In Part One he covers:

First, the semantic constraints of the singular “day” argue for a normal day.

Second, the use of “evening” and “morning” as qualifiers of “day” also support a literal interpretation of the creation days.

Third, scriptural parallels with “day” further suggest that the days of the creation week were literal days.

Finally, numerical qualifiers used with “day” consistently point to literal days in the creation week.

In Part Two, he notes four of the most prominent alternative views that have arisen largely as a result of the advent of modern geology and its claims about the (old) age of the earth:

(1) Theistic evolution.

(2) Day-age view.

(3) Gap theory.

(4) Framework interpretation.

See also:

• http://www.talkorigins.org/faqs/dalrymple/scientific_age_earth.html

• http://www.dbts.edu/journals/2000/mccabe.pdf

Holy Week: Tuesday

On Tuesday on the way from Bethany to Jerusalem, Jesus cursed the fig tree (Matt. 21:18-19; Mark 11:12-14), and then He went to Jerusalem to cleanse the temple (Matt. 21:12-13; Mark 11:15-17; Luke 19:45-46). The religious leaders began to seek how they might destroy Him that evening, and that evening Jesus left Jerusalem, presumably returning to Bethany (Mark 11:18-19; Luke 19:47-48).

[Harold W. Hoehner, Chronological Aspects of the Life of Christ, 91]

cf http://expositorythoughts.wordpress.com

Devotions for Passion Week

Here is Google Map that annotates the events of the Passion Week.


View Larger Map

Passion Week

Passion Week

A. Friday/Saturday: Jesus arrives in Bethany Jesus arrives in Bethany; Mary anoints Jesus during a meal; the crowds come to s B. Sunday: Triumphal Entry Jesus makes his so-called triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Some Greeks seek Jesus C. Monday: Cleansing the Temple On the way back to Jerusalem Jesus curses the fig tree. When he arrives in Jeru D. Tuesday: Olivet Discourse On the way back to Jerusalem in the morning the disciples see the withered fig t E. Wednesday: Teaching at the Temple Jesus continues his daily teaching in the temple while the Sanhedrin plots to ki F. Thursday: The Last Supper On Thursday evening in an upper room in Jerusalem, Jesus and his 12 disciples ea G. Thursday: Gethsemane While in the Garden of Gethsemane (on the western slopes of Olivet, northeast of H. Friday: Jesus before Annas and Caiaphas, Peter denies Jesus Jesus is taken for an informal hearing before Annas. (Annas served as high pries I. Friday: Jesus before Pilate Jesus’ Roman trial begins as he is delivered over to stand before Pontius J. Friday: Jesus before Herod Upon learning that Jesus was a Galilean (and hence under the jurisdiction of Her K. Friday: Jesus before Pilate, flogged The Praetorium, a raised stone pavement used for official judgments, stood outsi L. Friday: Simon of Cyrene carries Jesus' cross Probably passing through the Gennath (Garden) Gate, Jesus is unable to carry the M. Friday: Jesus crucified Jesus is led to the hill of Golgotha overlooking a quarry (most likely at the pr N. Friday: Tearing of the Temple curtain As Jesus died, the massive curtain in Herod’s Temple, separating the Holy O. Friday: Jesus buried Joseph of Arimathea, a wealthy member of the Sanhedrin and a secret disciple of P. Saturday: Pilate orders the tomb sealed On the Sabbath, at the suggestion of the chief priests and the Pharisees, Pilate Q. Sunday: Jesus' resurrection (The following is based on a helpful harmonization by Craig Blomberg, Jesus and

Displaying content from www.esv.org

Here is the link.

Holy Week: Monday

Monday was Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem (Matt. 21:1-9; Mark 11:1-10; Luke 19:28-40; John 12:12-19), His visit to the temple (Matt. 21:10-11; Mark 11:11), and then His return to Bethany. The day of the triumphal entry would be Nisan 10 when the lamb was selected for Passover. Hence, the triumphal entry was the day when Christ presented Himself as Israel’s Paschal lamb.

[Harold W. Hoehner, Chronological Aspects of the Life of Christ, 91]

cf http://expositorythoughts.wordpress.com

The Sinless Savior before the Sinister Sanhedrin: John MacArthur

When we are dealing in the section that were dealing in now, with the suffering of our Lord Jesus Christ, there are things that no matter how long we were to take digging into them, they would be beyond our comprehension. They are unfathomable because they are happening to an infinite person. And I find myself struggling to find the language, to find the thoughts, to find the transitions and the connections to pull it all together. I will trust the Spirit of God to convey these things to our minds through the ministry of the Spirit, enlightening our hearts beyond what words can express.

Sermon Outline: “Hosanna” Matthew 21:1-11

1) The End of the Pilgrimage (Matthew 21:1a)

· Exodus 12:2-6

2) The Exactness of Prophecy (Matthew 21:1b-7)

· Zechariah 9:9

3) The Epitome of Praise (Matthew 21:8-9)

· Revelation 7:9

· Psalm 118

4) The Element of Perplexity (Matthew 21:10-11)

· Isaiah 6:9-10

Cranmer’s Collect: Palm Sunday

Almighty and everlasting God, which of thy tender love toward men, hast sent our Savior Jesus Christ, to take upon him our flesh, and to suffer death upon the cross, that all mankind should follow the example of his great humility; mercifully grant that we both follow the example of his patience, and be made partakers of his resurrection; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord.

-The Collects of Thomas Cranmer by Paul F. M. Zahl

cf http://www.inlightofthegospel.org