False Humility And Being A Bad Steward

This clip entitled "False Humility And Being A Bad Steward" is taken from the sermon "Redeeming Greatness" preached by Pastor Mark Driscoll at Mars Hill Church as part of the ongoing series, "Luke: Investigating The Man Who Is God" For more information about this current series, visit http://www.marshillchurch.org/media/luke


and for more audio and video content visit marshillchurch.org

The Doctrine of Election (Romans 8)

For whom He foreknew, He also predestined .... (Romans 8:29)


Redemption began with God's foreknowledge. A believer is first of all someone whom He [God] foreknew. Salvation is not initiated by a person's decision to receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Scripture is clear that repentant faith is essential to salvation and is the first step that we take in response to God, but repentant faith does not initiate salvation. Because Paul is here depicting the plan of salvation from God's perspective, faith is not even mentioned in these two verses.

In His omniscience God is certainly able to look to the end of history and beyond and to know in advance the minutest detail of the most insignificant occurrences. But it is both unbiblical and illogical to argue from that truth that the Lord simply looked ahead to see who would believe and then chose those particular individuals for salvation. If that were true, salvation not only would begin with man's faith but would make God obligated to grant it. In such a scheme, God's initiative would be eliminated and His grace would be vitiated...

http://www.macarthurcommentaries.com

Sermon Outline: "Following the Master" John 21:15-25

1) Committed Christians Love Christ More than Anything Else (John 21:15–17)
• John 14:15-21

• 2 Timothy 4:2

2) Committed Christians Are Willing to Sacrifice Everything for Christ

(John 21:18–19a)
• Matthew 10:38-39
• 1 Peter 4:14-16

3) Committed Christians Focus on Following Christ’s Leading (John 21:19b–25)

Between Death and the Resurrection (1 Peter 3)

For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit; in which also He went and made proclamation to the spirits now in prison, who once were disobedient, (1 Peter 3:18--20)


The verb rendered made proclamation (kerusso) means that Christ "preached" or "heralded" His triumph. In the ancient world, heralds would come to town as representatives of the rulers to make public announcements or precede generals and kings in the processions celebrating military triumphs, announcing victories won in battle. This verb is not saying that Jesus went to preach the gospel, otherwise Peter would likely have used a form of the verb euangelizo ("to evangelize"). Christ went to proclaim His victory to the enemy by announcing His triumph over sin (cf. Rom. 5:18--19; 6:5--6), death (cf. Rom. 6:9--10; 1 Cor. 15:54--55), hell, demons, and Satan (cf. Gen. 3:15; Col. 2:15; Heb. 2:14; 1 John 3:8).

Christ directed His proclamation to the spirits, not human beings, otherwise he would have used psuchai ("souls") instead of pneumasin, a word the New Testament never uses to refer to people except when qualified by a genitive (e.g., Heb. 12:23; "the spirits of the righteous").

Ever since the fall of Satan and his demons, there has been an ongoing cosmic conflict between the angelic forces of good and evil (cf. Job 1--2; Dan. 10:13; Zech. 3:1; Eph. 6:16; Rev. 12:3--4; 16:12--14). After the devil's apparent victory in inducing Adam and Eve (and consequently all their descendants) to fall into sin (Gen. 3:1--7; Rom. 5:12--14), God promised to the Evil One himself eventual destruction by Messiah, who would triumph with a crushing victory over him, despite suffering a minor wound from him (Gen. 3:15). Satan therefore sought to prevent this by the genocide of the Jews (cf. Est. 3:1--4:3) and the destruction of the Messianic line itself during the time of Joash (2 Chron. 22:10--12; cf. 23:3, 12--21). When all that failed, he attempted to kill the infant Messiah (Matt. 2:16--18). Thwarted at that, he tried to tempt Christ Himself to abandon His mission (Matt. 4:1--11; Luke 4:1--13). Later, Satan incited the Jewish leaders and their followers to mob action that resulted in the Lord's crucifixion (Mark 15:6--15). The diabolical Jewish leaders even saw to it that Jesus' tomb was guarded lest He exit the grave (Matt. 27:63--66). The demons may have been celebrating their seeming victory in the wake of Christ's death and burial—but only to soon be profoundly and permanently disappointed when the living Christ Himself arrived. The angelic spirits Christ was to address were now in prison (phulake; an actual place of imprisonment, not merely a condition).

At the present time believers must struggle against the powers of the unbound demon forces as those forces influence them through the corrupt world system over which Satan has rule. The apostle Paul told the Ephesian church, "Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places" (Eph. 6:12), which clearly says that the demonic hierarchy is actively and freely conducting its evil work in the world. It was not to such unbound spirits, but to the bound demons that Christ went to announce His triumph.

The book of Revelation calls this prison the "bottomless pit," literally the "pit of the abyss."

The "spirits now in prison" in the abyss are those "who once were disobedient ... in the days of Noah." They are the demons who cohabited with human women in Satan's failed attempt to corrupt the human race ... (Gen. 6:1--4). That demons still fear being sent to the abyss is evident from the fact that some pled with Jesus not to send them there (Luke 8:31). That suggests that other demons have been incarcerated there since the events of Genesis 6. The demons released by Satan at the fifth trumpet may not include those who sinned in Noah's day (cf. Jude 6), since they are said to be in "eternal bonds" (Jude 6) until the final day when they are sent to the eternal lake of fire (20:10; Jude 7). Other demons imprisoned in the abyss may be the ones released. So the pit is the preliminary place of incarceration for demons from which some are to be released under this judgment.

http://www.macarthurcommentaries.com/

Christ's Unique Claims

Dr. John Lennox examines the uniqueness of Christ's claims against the backdrop of religious pluralism.

Abusing the Goodness of God (Romans 2:1-5)

Well, we have the theme of the goodness of God and the title of our message, "Abusing the goodness of God." Turn to Romans chapter 2...Romans chapter 2, the great Magna Carta of the gospel, the great book of Romans, chapter 2, and I want to read you the opening five verses of chapter 2 as we focus on abusing the goodness of God.


Romans chapter 2 and verse 1: "Therefore you have no excuse, every one of you who passes judgment, for in that which you judge another, you condemn yourself for you who judge practice the same things. And we know that the judgment of God rightly falls upon those who practice such things. But do you suppose this, O man, when you pass judgment on those who practice such things and do the same yourself that you will escape the judgement of God? Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness or goodness, and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness or goodness of God leads you to repentance? But because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God."

Now the word I want to direct your attention to is found twice in verse 4, translated in the NAS, which I read, as kindness. If you have an Authorized Version, the familiar King James, it will be translated "goodness...goodness." In fact, traditionally it has been translated goodness and in many newer translations, kindness.

Kindness is a good way to explain goodness here because it is not goodness as opposed to badness. It is not that God is good as opposed to bad. It is that He is good in the sense of being benevolent. The word here, chrestotes means good in the sense of being generous, good in the sense of merciful, good in the sense of kind, and so kindness is an apt translation of this word. Its equivalent in the Old Testament is the Hebrew word chesed which basically is translated loving kindness. That is the attribute of God that we want to focus on. God is possessed by an innate good will toward sinners, an innate kindness. God is by nature merciful, tender-hearted, compassionate. God withholds judgment. God grants benevolent favors because it is His nature. It is a reason to praise Him. It is a reason to honor Him. It is a reason to worship Him.

http://www.gty.org/Videos/V8290-400

Free eChart: Denominations Comparison

This popular "Denominations Comparison" eChart provides a comparison of Methodists, Baptists, and Catholics. It compares what each group teaches about God, Trinity, Jesus, the Church, salvation, and more! It is part of the Denominations Comparison pamphlet.

God's Sovereignty and Human Temptation (James 1)

Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am being tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. (James 1:13)


Just as it is common to man to be tempted, it is also common for him to blame someone or something else, not only for his being tempted but also for his succumbing to it. From the beginning, one of the chief characteristics of sin has been the propensity to pass off blame, and every parent knows that children are born with that very evident propensity.

When God confronted Adam with his sin in the Garden of Eden, Adam's reply was, "The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me from the tree, and I ate" (Gen. 3:12). When the Lord then asked Eve, "What is this you have done?" she replied, "The serpent deceived me, and I ate" (v. 13). Eve blamed Satan; much worse, Adam blamed God.

James clearly has no patience with a foolish fatalism by which a poor man blames his poverty for turning him into a thief and therefore justifies his stealing, or by which a drunk blames business or domestic problems and pressures for driving him to drink and therefore to the reckless driving that seriously injures or kills someone. Nor does he allow for the notion that "the devil made me do it."

Even more vehemently, James opposes the intolerable idea of blaming God, declaring, Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am being tempted by God." Let no one say translates a present active imperative form of the verb lego (Let ... say), coupled with the negative imperative medeis (no man). The idea is, "Let no person say to himself," that is, rationalize to himself, "that, when he is tempted, he is being tempted by God." The very idea is anathema...

http://www.macarthurcommentaries.com

Sermon Outline: Matthew 11:28-30. "The Road to Recovery"

1) Faith (Matthew 11:28a)

• John 6:35-47

2) Repentance and Rest (Matthew 11:28b)

• Matthew 23:4

• Philippians 1:6

• Hebrews 3:11-12; 4:1-3

3) Submission (Matthew 11:29-30)

• 2 Corinthians 4:8-9


• 1 John 5:3

• 2 Corinthians 4:17

The Power of Antichrist (2 Thessalonians 2)

. . . the one whose coming is in accord with the activity of Satan, with all power and signs and false wonders, and with all the deception of wickedness (2 Thessalonians 2:9--10)


Antichrist's great power will not be his own but will be in accord with the activity of Satan. Energeia (activity), the root of the English word "energy," describes power in action. It usually refers to God's power (e. g., Eph. 1:19; 3:7; Phil. 3:21; Col. 1:29; 2:12), but here it describes Satan's power. Antichrist's power and signs and false wonders will not only be deceptive tricks, like falsifying his own death and resurrection (Rev. 13:3, 12, 14; 17:8, 11), but also actual manifestations of Satan's supernatural power. Power (miracles; cf. Matt. 7:22; 11:20, 21, 23, etc.) refers to supernatural acts; signs point to the one who performs them; wonders describes the astonishing results. Antichrist's miracles will reveal his supernatural power and create wonder, shock, and astonishment. Pseudos (false) modifies all three terms; Antichrist's miracles, signs, and wonders are false not in the sense that they are fakery but that they lead to false conclusions about who he is. They will cause people to believe the lie that he is a divine being and worship him. John saw that Antichrist's deluded followers "worshiped the beast, saying, 'Who is like the beast, and who is able to wage war with him?' " (Rev. 13:4; cf. (vv. 12--15). Antichrist will mislead the world with all the deception ... wickedness has at its disposal; he will muster all of evil's undiluted, unrestrained, seductive power to tempt the world to give him unprecedented influence over it.

Antichrist's malevolent, deceptive, deadly influence will extend to all those who perish. Only God's elect will not be taken in (Matt. 24:24). The unregenerate, being children of the arch-liar Satan (John 8:44), will inevitably fall for the lies of his emissary (cf. 1 Cor. 2:14; 2 Cor. 4:3--4). Through him, Satan will deceive the whole world (Rev. 12:9); all those who "[receive] the mark of the beast and those who [worship] his image" (Rev. 19:20; cf. 2 Cor. 4:4)...

http://www.macarthurcommentaries.com

Ever Met an Angel? (Hebrews 13)

Let love of the brethren continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it. (Hebrews 13:1,2)


Strangers, like brethren (v.1), can refer to unbelievers as well as believers. Our first responsibility is to our brothers in Christ, but our responsibility does not end there. "While we have opportunity, let us do good to all men, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith" (Gal. 6:10). Paul is just as explicit in 1 Thessalonians: "See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all men" (5:15). "All men" includes even our enemies. "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor, and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you" (Matt. 5:43--44). Even the most worldly of people love those who love them, Jesus goes on to say (v. 46).

The danger of "being taken" is no excuse for not helping someone in need. A stranger, by definition, is someone we do not know personally. Consequently, it is easy to be deceived when helping a stranger. A person who asks us for ten dollars to buy food for his family may spend it on alcohol or drugs. We should use our common sense in deciding how best to help him, but our primary concern should be for helping, not for avoiding being taken advantage of. If we help in good faith, God will honor our effort. Love is often taken advantage of, but this is a cost that it does not count.

In the ancient world hospitality often included putting a guest up overnight or longer. Inns were few, often had poor reputations, and were expensive. Among Jews and people of the Near East in general, hospitality, even to strangers and foreigners, was a great virtue. Christians are certainly to be no less hospitable.

Hospitality is a New Testament standard for overseers, or bishops (1 Tim. 3:2; Titus 1:8). Pastors and other church leaders are to have open homes, ready to serve and meet the needs of others. Showing hospitality to strangers is the work of a spiritual woman (1 Tim. 5:10). In other words, hospitality should be a mark of all Christians, a basic characteristic, not an incidental or optional practice.

For by this some have entertained angels without knowing it is not given as the basis or motivation for hospitality. We are not to be hospitable because on some occasion we might find ourselves ministering to angels. We are to minister out of brotherly love, for the sake of those we help and for God's glory. The point of the second half of verse 2 is that we can never know how important and far-reaching a simple act of helpfulness may be. We minister because of need, not because of any consequences we are able to foresee. Abraham went out of his way to help the three men who were passing by his tent. He did not wait to be asked for help but volunteered. It was an opportunity more than a duty. In fact he considered the greater service was to himself, saying "My lord, if now I have found favor in your sight, please do not pass your servant by" (Gen. 18:3). At the time, he had no idea that two of the men were angels and that the third was the Lord Himself (18:1; 19:1). And if he had known they were not, it would have been no less right for him to be hospitable.

In a sense, we always minister to the Lord when we are hospitable, especially to fellow believers. "Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me" (Matt. 25:40). To feed the hungry, take in the stranger, clothe the naked, and visit the imprisoned in Jesus' name is to serve Him. To turn our backs on those in need of such things is to turn our backs on Him (v. 45)...

http://www.macarthurcommentaries.com/

Free "Cycle Pattern in Judges" eChart

This popular "Cycle Pattern in Judges" eChart provides a visual representation of Israel's cycle of disobedience in the book of Judges, and gives a brief description of each judge mentioned in the book as well. It is part of the Rose Book of Bible Charts, Maps & Time Lines. Click this link to download and share your FREE Cycle Pattern in Judges eChart now!

You Should Be Discerning About Twilight

"But I do want you to be discerning when it comes to culture because I believe one of the ways that Satan works in our day, is he will take things out of the category of religion and spirituality, put them into the category of entertainment, and we completely fail to be discerning. We just think, "Oh, that's not demonic. That's a movie." A movie is a sermon with pictures. "That's not demonic, that's a song." Satan can write music. He can inspire story-telling and filmmaking, music. He sets ideology, and worldview, and he's at work in the world." --Pastor Mark
This clip, entitled "You Should Be Discerning About Twilight", is taken from the sermon "Jesus Heals A Demonized Boy" preached by Pastor Mark Driscoll at Mars Hill Church as part of the ongoing series, "Luke: Investigating The Man Who Is God" For more information about this current series, visit http://www.marshillchurch.org/media/luke

Free Download of the Month - Ministries of Mercy: written by Tim Keller and read by Sean Runnette

Why would someone risk his safety, destroy his schedule, and become dirty and bloody to help a needy person of another race and social class? And why would Jesus tell us "Go and do likewise"? Like the wounded man on the Jericho road, there are needy people in our path- the widow next door, the family strapped with medical bills, the homeless man outside our place of worship. God call us to be ministers of mercy to people in need of shelter, assistance, medical care, or just friendship.
Coupon Code: AUG2010
Discount Price: $0.00
Retail Price: $14.98
Instructions: Add the download format to your cart and enter the coupon code AUG2010 when prompted during checkout. This free download is available in MP3 & M4B formats.

Don't forget to leave a starred review with your thoughts, after listening to the free download this month!

Mark 8 27-38. ``The Road Less Traveled``

Sermon Outline:


1) The Disciple's Confession (Mark 8:27-33)

• Matthew 16:17-19


2) The Disciple's Lifestyle (Mark 8:34-38)

• Luke 14:25-26

• Luke 9:23b

• Philippians 3:7-11

• Romans 2:5-8

Pastor Mark In Laodicea

Pastor Mark talks about the history of the church in Laodicea as he invites everyone to come along on his return trip to Turkey in 2011. For more information, and to sign up for the upcoming trip, visit marshillchurch.org/turkey

The Scandal of Grace, Part 1 (Mark 2:13-17)

When you survey the public ministry of Jesus Christ, it's truly astounding how His teaching penetrated the hearts of so many different kinds of people. Rich, poor, young, old, powerful, and influential, or outcasts and criminals--Christ's preaching transformed all sorts of lives from all sorts of social groups.
In fact, there was really only one group of people who almost completely rejected Jesus teaching. The Pharisees and the religious elite were filled with a violent hatred for Christ that left them spiritually blind to his miracles and deaf to the life-transforming truth He taught.

But why did they hate Christ so fiercely? In today's sermon, John MacArthur opens Gods Word and helps us understand why religious leaders rejected Christ, and why they were so antagonistic to the gospel He taught. Grab your Bible and prepare to be shocked by The Scandal of Grace.
And stick around after today's message for an exciting look at a powerful new video Bible study series from our pastor. Trust me--you don't want to miss it.

Watch the complete video here: http://www.gty.org/Videos/T8241-9A

Are You a Good Person?

"Are you a good person?" animation produced by Cedric Hohnstadt from www.cedricstudio.com




Additional animators include Michael Foster & Chance Dodd



Mr. Nice Guy........................Kirk Cameron

Narrator.............................David Jeremiah

Criminal/ Judge.....Emeal ("E.Z.") Zwayne

Woman..............................Rachel Proctor



Based on Hell's Best Kept Secret by Ray Comfort

A Word of Warning to Uniformitarian Scoffers

"Because the sentence against an evil deed is not executed quickly, therefore the hearts of the sons of men among them are given fully to do evil" (King Solomon, Ecclesiastes 8:11). That summarizes the attitude of a scoffer. He mistakes the patience of God for leniency, and mocks the prospect of a coming judgment. One of the defining qualities of a scoffer is to forget the past, willingly. Take the Genesis Flood, for instance . . .

Why Chasing Your Mountaintop Experience Can Be Sinful

This clip entitled "Why Chasing Your Mountaintop Experience Can Be Sinful " is taken from the sermon "Jesus' Transfiguration" preached by Pastor Mark Driscoll at Mars Hill Church as part of the ongoing series, "Luke: Investigating The Man Who Is God" For more information about this current series, visit http://www.marshillchurch.org/media/luke


and for more audio and video content visit marshillchurch.org

Dever, Wallis & Jethani on Justice and Gospel part 5

Skye Jethani, managing editor of Leadership Journal, interviews Mark Dever and Jim Wallis about the intersection of justice and the gospel. Read more at www.leadershipjournal.net.

Dever, Wallis & Jethani on Justice and Gospel part 4

Skye Jethani, managing editor of Leadership Journal, interviews Mark Dever and Jim Wallis about the intersection of justice and the gospel.

Dever, Wallis & Jethani on Justice and Gospel part 3

Skye Jethani, managing editor of Leadership Journal, interviews Mark Dever and Jim Wallis about the intersection of justice and the gospel. In part three they debate what can be legitimately called "gospel ministry."

Dever, Wallis & Jethani on Justice and Gospel part 2

Skye Jethani, managing editor of Leadership Journal, interviews Mark Dever and Jim Wallis about the intersection of justice and the gospel. In part two they debate Jesus' intent in Matthew 25.

Dever, Wallis & Jethani on Justice and Gospel part 1

Skye Jethani talks with Mark Dever and Jim Wallis about Justice and the Gospel.

SALT: Film & Theology

SALT is an enjoyable film, not on par with recent Bourne and Bond entries perhaps but an enjoyable if not plausible thriller on par with TAKEN with some flavor of The FUGITIVE. It's also commendable for giving us a trailer which clips almost entirely from the first hour of the film, instead of telegraphing the reveal and even ending like many similar films. The issue of "identity" is immediately resonant to the Christian, the possibility that love may have transformed someone entirely is also curious, and the film explores the tightrope between love and vengeance.
For more on film & theology, engaging culture and redefining entertainment, go to http://cinemagogue.com

Free Geneology of Christ eChart