Jesus Over All: Dominating Powers, #2b

http://www.gty.org/Radio

If the miracles Jesus performed 2,000 years ago were seen today, would people believe in Him? What about the folks who saw Jesus' miracles firsthand . . . why did most people reject Him?

Jesus Over All: Dominating Powers, #2a

They're noisy, they're messy, they eat a lot — and just about anything. What could pigs possible have to do with strengthening your trust in Jesus?

http://www.gty.org/Radio

Sermon Outline: "Prepare His Coming" Matthew 24:36-44

1) Alert (Matthew 24:37–42)

• Matthew 25:32-46

• 2 Peter 2:4-9

2) Ready (Matthew 24:43–44)

• 2 Peter 3:2-18

• Luke 12:35-40

Jesus Over All: Dominating Powers, #1b

http://www.gty.org/Radio ... If Jesus hadn't healed anyone . . . hadn't cast out demons . . . hadn't fed 5,000 or turned water into wine . . . would He still be God?

Jesus Over All: The Power and Pity of Jesus, #1a

You, I, and everyone who's ever lived was born spiritually dead. We need new life. That in mind, what does an incident between Jesus and a religious leader ruler have to do with your salvation?

Are Pictures of Jesus Idolatry? Greg Koukl

Greg Koukl of Stand to Reason answers the question "Are pictures of Jesus idolatry?". For more information, visit http://www.str.org.

God's Will Is Not Secret, #2

It's pretty easy to assemble a child's toy . . . add oil to your car . . . use a piece of software — you just follow the directions. But how about when you're looking for direction in the big decisions in life — what then?


http://www.gty.org/Radio/Archive

Free eChart: Reasons to Forgive

 
Available to Download For One Week
Only!
This "Reasons to Forgive" echart gives 6
reasons from the Bible why we ought to forgive others, and describes the benefits that come when we do forgive.

God's Will Is Not Secret, #1

So . . . How do you glorify God? Bottom line . . . you obey Him — you do what He wants. But knowing God's will in every situation isn't always so clear and easy . . . or is it?
http://www.gty.org/Radio/Archive

Lukewarm Christians?

Why does God's saving grace allow so many to live as lukewarm Christians? If we are saved by grace then what does it matter how we live?
Pastor Mark Driscoll answers this question as part of a live "Ask Anything" session in which audience members SMS questions to the pulpit to be answered in real time.

This question was answered in the broader context of a sermon entitled "Grace" which can be found at http://www.marshillchurch.org/media/r...

Making the Hard Decisions Easy, #2

One of the most difficult decisions you'll ever make isn't whether to do right or wrong . . . but what to do when something is neither right nor wrong! Look to God's Word for help in dealing with life's gray areas . . .
http://www.gty.org/Radio/Archive

Making the Hard Decisions Easy, #1

http://www.gty.org/Radio ... It's said the only difference between a stumbling block and a stepping stone is what you make of it. Today, John MacArthur helps you avoid stumbling over those gray-area issues that Scripture seems to neither prohibit or approve...

Greg Koukl - Gracefully Ending the Conversation

Greg Koukl of Stand to Reason talks about how to gracefully end conversations without engaging in bickering. For more information, visit http://www.str.org/.

The Hard Sayings of Jesus (John 6)

http://www.macarthurcommentaries.com ... Then the Jews began to argue with one another, saying, "How can this man give us His flesh to eat?" So Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in yourselves. He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. For My flesh is true food, and My blood is true drink. He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him. (John 6:52--57)
The Lord was obviously not talking about cannibalism when He spoke of eating His flesh. Rather, He was giving a physical illustration of a spiritual truth. Once again, however, the antagonistic Jews completely missed the significance of Jesus' statement. As a result, they began to argue with one another. Argue translates a form of the verb machomai, which means "to fight," or "to quarrel" (cf. Acts 7:26; 2 Tim. 2:24; James 4:2), indicating that it was a heated dispute. The discussion centered on the question, "How can this man give us His flesh to eat?" Blinded by the ignorance of their own unbelief, they were unable to understand the spiritual significance of which Jesus spoke (cf. v. 42; 3:4, 9; 4:11--12; 9:16; 12:34).
Although confronted with their willful unbelief, Jesus did not tone down, soften, or even clarify His words. Instead, He made His teaching even harder for them to swallow by adding the shocking concept of drinking His blood. To drink blood or eat meat with the blood still in it was strictly prohibited by the Old Testament law.
Jesus, of course, was not speaking of literally drinking the fluid in His veins any more than He was of literally eating His flesh. Both metaphors refer to the necessity of accepting Jesus' sacrificial death. The New Testament frequently uses the term blood as a graphic metonym speaking of Christ's death on the cross as the final sacrifice for sin (Matt. 26:28; Acts 20:28; Rom. 3:25; 5:9; 1 Cor. 11:25; Eph. 1:7; 2:13; Col. 1:20; Heb. 9:12, 14; 10:19, 29; 13:12; 1 Peter 1:2, 19; 1 John 1:7; Rev. 1:5; 5:9; 7:14; 12:11). His sacrifice was the one to which all of the Old Testament sacrifices pointed...
http://www.macarthurcommentaries.com/

Sunday November 14, 2010. The International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church

See the faces and hear the cry of persecuted Christians by watching this year's 5-minute IDOP video

Sermon Outline: Psalm 10:1-18. "Hear Their Cry"

The International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church

1) The Tyrants Boast (Psalm 10:1)

• Job 21:7-16


2) The Victims Prayer (Ps. 10:12-18)

• 2 Peter 3:3-7, 10

• Habakkuk 3:17-18

Blotted Out of the Book of Life (Revelation 3)

http://www.macarthurcommentaries.com ... He who overcomes will thus be clothed in white garments; and I will not erase his name from the book of life, and I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. (Revelation 3:5--6)

Christ promises every true Christian that He will not erase his name from the book of life, but will confess his name before the Father and before His angels. Incredibly, although the text says just the opposite, some people assume that this verse teaches that a Christian's name can be erased from the book of life. They thus foolishly turn a promise into a threat. Exodus 32:33, it is argued by some, supports the idea that God may remove someone's name from the Book of Life. In that passage the Lord tells Moses that "whoever has sinned against Me, I will blot him out of My book." There is no contradiction, however, between that passage and Christ's promise in Revelation 3:5. The book referred to in Exodus 32:33 is not the Book of Life described here, in Philippians 4:3, and later in Revelation (13:8; 17:8; 20:12, 15; 21:27). Instead, it refers to the book of the living, the record of those who are alive (cf. Ps. 69:28). The threat, then, is not eternal damnation, but physical death.
In John's day, rulers kept a register of the citizens of a city. If someone died, or committed a serious crime, their name was erased from that register. Christ, the King of heaven, promises never to erase a true Christian's name from the roll of those whose names were "written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who has been slain" (13:8).
On the contrary, Christ will confess every believer's name before God the Father and before His angels. He will affirm that they belong to Him. Here Christ reaffirmed the promise He made during His earthly ministry: "Everyone who confesses Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father who is in heaven" (Matt. 10:32). The comforting truth that true Christians' salvation is eternally secure is the unmistakable teaching of Scripture. Nowhere is that truth more strongly stated than in Romans 8:28--39...

http://www.macarthurcommentaries.com/

Remembrance Day Reflections

posted by Kirk M. Wellum @ http://redeemingthetime.blogspot.com/

November 11th is a day when we remember those who gave their lives so that we might enjoy the freedom we do in this part of the world. Many have suffered and died to secure our release from oppression at least a little longer. I am always moved when I see those who are prepared to put their lives on the line for others. Talk is cheap and talkers are plentiful. But men and women of action, resolve and commitment are rare treasures. I am thankful for the military defeat of those who would like to subjugate us. I'm thankful, for instance, that the Nazis were defeated in World War II. And as a citizen of the so-called "free world" I never want to see Islam conquer anyone by means of the sword, and if they try I support all legitimate efforts to crush them as completely as possible. What is true of Islam is true of any person or group with imperialistic intentions. In a fallen world we need governments and military forces to keep human avarice and folly in check, and we should be thankful for them. The Bible indicates, in passages like Romans 13, that God has ordained governments and that he has given them authority to "bear the sword." This "authority" is not an unlimited authority to use anyway they see fit but the right to do good and protect their citizens as defined by God.

But having said that, I think it is also important for Christians to realize that biblically speaking all of the countries and kingdoms of this world, including the western world, are part of eschatological "Babylon" that will be destroyed by God himself one day. Wars waged by sinful human beings, even though they may have the authorization of God during this time in human history, will never bring lasting peace because they are never pure in their purpose or execution, and because lasting peace cannot be achieved by human efforts no matter how noble. We are always dealing with greater or lesser amounts of evil. Besides that, the cross of Jesus Christ eloquently testifies to the fact that all of us need divine grace and forgiveness if we are going to enter the new heavens and earth that will last forever. So this Remembrance Day, let us be thankful for the relative peace and prosperity we enjoy. Let us be thankful for the sacrifices that have been made. but let us also remember that this world is not our home we are just passing through. There is a hell to be shunned and a heaven to be gained through the ultimate sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ, our Great High Priest and King.

Winston Smith - What does a healthy marriage look like?

http://www.ccef.org/

Violence in Heaven (Matthew 11)

http://www.macarthurcommentaries.com ... And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and violent men take it by force. (Matthew 11:12)

Even if a man has outstanding character and an outstanding calling, he must also have opportunity in order to reach the potential of his greatness. John the Baptist entered the scene of history at precisely the right time—according to God's own plan, prediction, and provision. After 400 years with no word from the Lord, Israel was expectant; and until Jesus began His own ministry, John was the focal point of redemptive history. He was the culmination of Old Testament history and prophecy.
But John generated conflict wherever he went, because his message upset the status quo. With his call for repentance, he stirred up a hornet's nest among the religious leaders and even with the king. Everywhere he moved there was reaction, and often even violence, which eventuated in his being arrested, imprisoned, and finally executed.
From the days of John the Baptist until now (which had been a relatively brief period of time, perhaps eighteen months), the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and violent men take it by force. Everywhere he went, John evoked strong reaction....
http://www.macarthurcommentaries.com

What Is The One Thing God Won't Forgive?

This clip entitled "What Is The One Thing God Won't Forgive?" is taken from the sermon "Jesus And Fear" 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 seriaes, visit http://www.marshillchurch.org/media/luke


and for more audio and video content visit marshillchurch.org

Sermon Outline: "Living to Please God" 1 Thessalonians 4:1–2.

 1) The Priority of Excelling. (1 Thessalonians 4:1a, d)

• 1 Thessalonians 4:10
• 1 Thessalonians 3:12
• 1 Corinthians 14:12
• Philippians 1:9
• 2 Thessalonians 1:3-5

2) The Power and Principles for Excelling (1 Thessalonians 4:1b)

• Romans 12:9-21
• Galatians 6:9-10

3) The Progress and Pressure of Excelling (1 Thessalonians 4:1c-2)

•  1 Corinthians 9:24-27

Remembrance Day: Lest we forget

From CBC:

On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, Canadians are asked to pause in memory of the thousands of men and women who sacrificed their lives in military service.
At public gatherings in Ottawa and around the country, Canadians pay tribute with two minutes of silence to the country's fallen soldiers from the First World War, the Second World War, the Korean War, the Afghanistan conflict and peacekeeping missions.

(This Veterans Affairs map shows the gatherings)
Also known as Veterans Day in the U.S., Remembrance Day was first held throughout the Commonwealth in 1919. It marks the armistice to end the First World War, which came into effect at 11 a.m. on Nov. 11, a year earlier.

It isn't a national holiday across Canada, but employees in federally regulated employees do get the day off. Several provinces and territories — including Alberta, British Columbia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Prince Edward Island, Saskatchewan, and Yukon — do observe a statutory holiday.

Why the poppy?

The association between the poppy and war dates back to the Napoleonic wars, when a writer saw a field of poppies growing over the graves of fallen soldiers.

During the Battle of Ypres in 1915, Canadian Lt.-Col. John McCrae was inspired to write the poem In Flanders Fields on sighting the poppies growing beside a grave of a close friend who had died in battle.

The poem was a great inspiration in adopting the poppy as the Flower of Remembrance in Canada, France, the U.S, Britain and Commonwealth countries.
The first poppies were distributed in Canada in 1921.

Today the volunteer donations from the distribution of millions of poppies is an important source of revenue for the Royal Canadian Legion that goes toward helping ex-servicemen and women buy food, and obtain shelter and medical attention.

Greg Koukl - Repent after Death?

Greg Koukl of Stand to Reason answers the question, "Is there a chance to repent after death but prior to judgment for those in remote areas who 'never had the chance to hear'?". For more information, visit http://www.str.org/.

Did Judas Repent? (Matthew 27)

http://www.macarthurcommentaries.com ... Then when Judas, who had betrayed Him, saw that He had been condemned, he felt remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, saying, "I have sinned by betraying innocent blood." But they said, "What is that to us? See to that yourself!" And he threw the pieces of silver into the sanctuary and departed; and he went away and hanged himself. (Matthew 27:3--5)
As Judas watched Jesus being carried away to Pilate, the full enormity of his treachery finally began to dawn on him as he realized the Jewish leaders did indeed intend to put Jesus to death. The one last obstacle was the permission of Pilate, which Judas had no reason to believe would be denied. Once Pilate consented, Jesus' death would be inevitable.
The sight was devastating to Judas, more than even his money-hungry mind, his sordid soul, and his seared conscience could deal with. He felt remorse as he began to experience the intense, excruciating pain that is unique to profound guilt....

http://www.macarthurcommentaries.com

Rick Warren and The Purpose Driven Life: A Discussion (White Horse Inn)

It's true that Rick Warren has done some admirable things in the social realm that would make some Christians embarrassed when compared to those deeds alone, but does this translate over to his ministry and doctrinal beliefs? The cast of the White Horse Inn discusses Rick Warren and his book, The Purpose Driven Life.


http://www.whitehorseinn.org

Baptism for the Dead (1 Corinthians 15)

Otherwise, what will those do who are baptized for the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why then are they baptized for them? (1 Corinthians 15:29)

This verse is one of the most difficult in all of Scripture, and has many legitimate possible interpretations; it has also, however, been used to support many strange and heretical ideas. The careful and honest interpreter may survey the several dozen interpretations offered and still not be dogmatic about what it means. But we can be dogmatic, from the clear teaching of other parts of Scripture, about some of the things it does not mean. As to what this verse does mean, we can only guess, since history has locked it into obscurity.
We can be sure, for example, that it does not teach vicarious, or proxy, baptism for the dead, as claimed by ancient gnostic heretics such as Marcion and by the Mormon church today. Paul did not teach that a person who has died can be saved, or helped in any way, by another person's being baptized in his behalf. Baptismal regeneration, the idea that one is saved by being baptized, or that baptism is in some way necessary for salvation, is unscriptural. The idea of vicarious baptismal regeneration is still further removed from biblical truth. If a person cannot save himself by being baptized, he certainly cannot save anyone else through that act. Salvation is by personal faith in Jesus Christ alone. "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God" (Eph. 2:8; cf. Rom. 3:28; etc.). That is the repeated and consistent teaching of both the Old and New Testaments. Quoting from Genesis 15:6, Paul says, "For what does the Scripture say? 'And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness' " (Rom. 4:3). The only way any person has ever come to God is by personal faith.
If one person's faith cannot save another, then certainly one person's baptism cannot save another. Baptism is simply an act of obedient faith that proclaims identity with Christ (Rom. 6:3--4). No one is saved by baptism—not even living persons, much less dead ones. "It is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment" (Heb. 9:27). Death ends all opportunity for salvation and for spiritual help of any sort...

Free "Celebrating Advent" eChart

God's Model of Parenting

Have you ever noticed how many different approaches you watch parents take with their kids? Some parents treat their kids like little buddies—that accepting friend they always wanted but could never find. Others are the exact opposite, ruling over their kids with an iron fist, enforcing good behavior with intimidation and threats. It's the dictator ruling over his subjects. And then you talk to some parents who are fulfilling dreams vicariously through the lives of their children. They enforce a strict regimen of disciplined training and study so the children will excel in sports, the arts, or education.
Whether a parent elevates the child unduly (friendship parenting), causes him to cower in fear (authoritarian parenting), or drives her to achieve (dream-fulfillment parenting), the poor kid completely misses the opportunity to enjoy what God created him or her to be...a kid. Childhood is lost because of the self-centeredness of the parent.
None of that has anything to do with God's design for childhood. Here's the approach God intended. It's simple, biblical, and we think your kids might like it a lot better. Here's John MacArthur to explain . . . http://www.gty.org/Blog/B101015