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

Happy Reformation Day!

Recovering the treasures of the past is a marvelous gift to the church. I love these presentations of the classics given by Max McLean. However, Martin Luther’s “Here I Stand” is my favorite.*


— R.C. Sproul

In the late afternoon of April 18, 1521, in the city of Worms, Germany, Martin Luther, a 37 year-old Catholic monk was called to defend himself before Charles the Fifth, the Holy Roman Emperor. The speech he delivered that day, “Here I Stand,” marked the beginning of the Reformation, a critical turning point in Christian history, that decisively altered the spiritual map of the world.
In this recording, Max McLean introduces the events leading up to the Diet of Worms: Martin Luther’s prayer the night before he delivered his speech; Luther's stirring defense; the Catholic church’s rebuttal; and, Luther’s final heartfelt response.

Track Listing

1. Introduction

2. The Road to Reformation

3. Luther’s Prayer

4. Here I Stand

5. Eck’s Response to Luther

6. Luther’s Final Response

7. Conclusion

8. Sources and Closing Comment

This free download is a limited time offer and will expire on November 1st.


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Max McLean's critically-acclaimed narrations include The Listener's Bible (NIV, KJV & ESV); John Bunyan’s The Pilgrim’s Progress; St. Augustine’s The Conversion of St. Augustine; Martin Luther’s speech, Here I Stand; Jonathan Edwards’ classic sermon, Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God; and George Whitefield’s The Method of Grace.

His dramatic presentations from the Bible and from classic Christian literature, such as C.S. Lewis’s The Screwtape Letters, are performed on stages nationwide and have attracted critical acclaim from secular theatre critics and Christian leaders. His performance of Mark’s Gospel received Chicago’s 2009 Jeff award for Best solo Performance. For more information visit www.screwtapeonstage.com.

The Listener’s Bible®
a ministry of Fellowship for the Performing Arts
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Sermon Outline: Nehemiah 4:1-14. "One Voice"

1) One Voice in Ridicule  (Nehemiah 4:1-3)

2) One Voice in Response (Nehemiah 4:4-6)

• 2 Kings 19:14-19

3) One Voice in Reaction (Nehemiah 4:7-15)

• Exodus 14:13

Greg Koukl - Morality from Science?

Taken from the blog: Greg Koukl of Stand to Reason answers the question, "Can we discover morality through science?". For more information, visit http://www.str.org.

From Trouble to Triumph, Part 3b

When you hurt physically, you know something's wrong with your body. Is the same true when you hurt spiritually? Is something wrong with your soul? Bottom line, why does God allow you to go through trials?


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

From Trouble to Triumph, Part 1b

About the American Revolution, Thomas Paine said, "These are the times that try men's souls." Of course, those words could apply to your life today . . . or sometime soon. How can you know victory amid struggles?


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

From Trouble to Triumph, #1a (John MacArthur)

http://www.gty.org/Radio ... You may believe everything Scripture says about God's goodness . . . mercy . . . and protective power. Yet when the really hard times come, have you ever wondered, "Why me?" Find out how you really can benefit from any trial.

Timeless Instruction

http://www.gty.org/Blog/B101012 ... If you're a Christian parent, no doubt—no doubt—you've come face to face with the limits of your knowledge and experience. At whatever stage of life—witnessing the birth of your firstborn; seeing your child's capacity for destruction in the terrible twos (or threes); preparing your kids for the first day of school; helping your teenager struggle through an awkward and confusing stage of life; or advising your son or daughter about marriage—it has a sobering effect on you, doesn't it?

Perhaps you've looked at Ephesians 6:4 and thought, "That's it? One verse?", and looked elsewhere for help—family, friends, the internet, the church. Ever thought of looking in the Old Testament? Paul told us in 1 Corinthians 10:6 and 11 that God has given us examples from the Old Testament for our instruction. Modern man may scorn the wisdom of a 3,000-year-old book, but what's recorded there illustrates parenting at its best, and worst. Today, John MacArthur takes us to the very heart of it all.

Sermon Outline: Romans 15:1-13. "Finding our One Voice"

1) The Blended Involvement (Romans 15:1-6)
• Philippians 2:2-8
• James 5:7-8
2) The Basic Instruction (Romans 15:7)
• Ephesians 4:32-5:2

3) The Biblical Illustrations (Romans 15:8-12)

4) The Benedictory Intercession (Romans 15:13)

Trophy Kids

As parents, we strive to instill respect and obedience in our children—and rightly so. That's part of our responsibility. We take pride in training them to sit quietly, listen carefully, speak graciously and obey promptly. Sometimes, we're tempted to think that's the ultimate goal of parenting—controlling our children's behavior. But is it? Listen as John MacArthur answers that question . . .

Hear & Obey

This clip entitled "Hear & Obey" is taken from the sermon "Jesus vs. Satan" 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

Christian Liberty

http://www.macarthurcommentaries.com ... All things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything. (1 Corinthians 6:12)
The statement, All things are lawful may have been a common Corinthian saying in that liberated society. Paul borrows it and, playing off it, says, "It is so for me, too. Every sin I as a Christian commit is forgiven in Jesus Christ." But no sin is ever right or good, and no sin ever produces anything right or good. Sin can never be worthwhile or profitable. Profitable (sumphero) means "to be to advantage." In the sense that believers are free and no longer under the penalty of the law in any way, all things are lawful for them. But the price for doing some things is terribly high, terribly unprofitable. Sin never brings profit; it always brings loss.

All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything. Paul was free in the grace of Christ to do as he pleased, but he refused to allow himself to be mastered by anything or anyone but Christ. He would not become enslaved to any habit or custom and certainly not to any sin. "For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law, but under grace" (Rom. 6:14)...

How have you aided the enemy?

This clip entitled "How Have You Aided The Enemy?" is taken from the sermon "Jesus vs. Satan" 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

Carnal Christians (1 Corinthians 3)

http://www.macarthurcommentaries.com ... And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual men, but as to men of flesh, as to babes in Christ. I gave you milk to drink, not solid food; for you were not yet able to receive it. Indeed, even now you are not yet able, for you are still fleshly. (1 Corinthians 3:1--3)
The cause of division in the Corinthian church was more than an external, worldly influence. It was also internal, fleshly. The Corinthians had succumbed to the pressures of the world, but they were also succumbing to the pressures and enticements of their own flesh.

Before Paul chastises them for their immature sinfulness, he reminds them again that he is speaking to them as brethren, as fellow believers. That is a term of recognition and of love. It reminded his brothers in Christ that they were still saved, that their sinning, terrible and inexcusable as it was, did not forfeit their salvation. He did not try to diminish the seriousness of their sins, but he did try to diminish or prevent any discouragement that his rebuke might otherwise have caused. He stood with them as a brother, not over them as a judge.
But Paul could not speak to the Corinthian believers as spiritual men. They had come through the door of faith but had gone no farther. Most of them had received Jesus Christ years earlier but were acting as if they had just been born again. They were still babes in Christ.
The New Testament uses the word spiritual in a number of ways. In a neutral sense it simply means the realm of spiritual things, in contrast to the realm of the physical. When applied to men, however, it is used of their relationship to God in one of two ways: positionally or practically. Unbelievers are totally unspiritual in both senses. They possess neither a new spirit nor the Holy Spirit. Their position is natural and their practice is natural. Believers, on the other hand, are totally spiritual in the positional sense, because they have been given a new inner being that loves God and is indwelt by His Holy Spirit. But practically, believers can also be unspiritual...

http://www.macarthurcommentaries.com

Free "The Reformation" eChart

Sermon Outline: John 10:1-10. "Follow God's Voice"

1) The Voice of the True Shepherd (John 10:1-6)
• 1 Peter 5:2
• 1 John 4:1-6

2) Following the Voice through the Only Door to the Fold (John 10:7–10)
• Revelation 7:17
• John 6:51-57

The Power of the Word in the Believer's Life, #2b

http://www.gty.org/Radio ... Give a man a fish, he eats for a day . . . but teach a man to fish and he eats for a lifetime. See how you can feed yourself on the Word of God, your most important source of nutrition.

The Power of the Word in the Believer's Life, #2a

http://www.gty.org/Radio ... If there's one thing you want to use effectively, it's the Bible. Question is, how do you get all you can from God's Word? Find out what it takes to be a student of Scripture from a fellow student — John MacArthur...

The Power of the Word in the Believer's Life, #1b (John MacArthur)

If you were a student enrolled in a class called "Studying the Bible 101," what kind of grade would you be getting? What do you need to know to unlock the riches of God's Word?


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

A Place for Weakness - Dr. Michael Horton

The good news that God's Word proclaims is a recipe to use in times of disaster. That is to say, it comes as a relevant announcement only to those who are in trouble for one reason or another. A Place for Weakness, formerly titled Too Good to Be True, by award-winning Michael Horton, calls for more realism in facing life's challenges and a richer view of God and his purposes to match them.


Learn more and purchase at: http://www.whitehorseinn.org/a-place-...

Will Earthly Memories Exist in Heaven? (Revelation 21:4)

And He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away. (Revelation 21:4)


Heaven will be so dramatically different from the present world that to describe it requires the use of negatives, as well as the previous positives. To describe what is totally beyond human understanding also requires pointing out how it differs from present human experience.

The first change from their earthly life believers in heaven will experience is that God will wipe away every tear from their eyes (cf. 7:17; Isa. 25:8). That does not mean that people who arrive in heaven will be crying and God will comfort them. They will not, as some imagine, be weeping as they face the record of their sins. There is no such record, because "there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus" (Rom. 8:1), since Christ "bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed" (1 Pet. 2:24). What it declares is the absence of anything to be sorry about—no sadness, no disappointment, no pain. There will be no tears of misfortune, tears over lost love, tears of remorse, tears of regret, tears over the death of loved ones, or tears for any other reason.

Another dramatic difference from the present world will be that in heaven there will no longer be any death (cf. Isa. 25:8). The greatest curse of human existence will be no more. "Death," as Paul promised, "is swallowed up in victory" (1 Cor. 15:54)...

http://www.macarthurcommentaries.com

Sermon Outline: Col. 3:15-17. "The Purpose of Thanksgiving".

1) Thankfulness in Ourselves: (Colossians 3:15)

• Ephesians 4:1-3

• Philippians 4:6

2) Thankfulness to Others: (Colossians 3:16a)

• Ephesians 5:15-21

3) Thankfulness to God: (Colossians 3:16b-17)

• Psalm 66:18

• 1 Corinthians 10:31

Free "Is Jesus God?" eChart

God's Strong Delusion (2 Thessalonians 2)

Specifically, unbelievers will be deceived by Antichrist and perish because they did not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved. The phrase the love of the truth appears only here in the New Testament, and adds a compelling thought to Paul's argument. The unregenerate are eternally lost, not because they did not hear or understand the truth, but because they did not love it. The truth includes both "the word of truth, the gospel" (Col. 1:5), and the Lord Jesus Christ, who is truth incarnate (John 14:6; cf. 1:17; Eph. 4:21). Unbelievers do not welcome either Jesus or the gospel He proclaimed. Their antipathy to the truth is not intellectual, but moral, and their self-imposed blindness leaves the unredeemed under a damning level of satanic deception. It is not surprising, then, that Antichrist will deceive the entire lost world.


The Bible clearly teaches that those who go to hell do so because they reject the truth. Speaking of Jerusalem's rejection of the truth, Jesus lamented, "Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were unwilling" (Matt. 23:37). John 3:19--20 says, "This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil. For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed." To the unbelieving Jews Jesus declared, "You do not have His word abiding in you, for you do not believe Him whom He sent. You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me; and you are unwilling to come to Me so that you may have life" (John 5:38--40). He reiterated that truth later in John's gospel...

http://www.macarthurcommentaries.com/

God's Generosity & Our False Saviors

This clip entitled "God's Generosity & Our False Saviors" is taken from the sermon "The Lord's Prayer" 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 Inspiration Explained, Part 2 (John MacArthur)

http://www.gty.org/Radio ... Just how reliable is the Bible we have today? Is each chapter—each passage—as trustworthy as the next? Bottom line . . . how much of the Bible you read is truly God's Word?

The Doctrine of Inspiration Explained, Part 1 (John MacArthur)

http://www.gty.org/Radio ... From coal to petroleum to the uranium atom, God has given our planet an amazing array of power sources. But there's none more powerful than the one you carry to church each week.

Sermon Outline: Mark 1:1-8. "A Voice Crying in the Wilderness".

1) The Person for the Herald (Mark 1:1)

• The communication about the Person

• Isaiah 61:1-3

• The character of the Person

2) The Prophecy of the Herald (Mark 1:2-3)

• The writing in the prophecy

• The work in the prophecy

• The wilderness in the prophecy

• The word in the prophecy

• Isaiah 40:3-5

3) The Practice of the Herald (Mark 1:4)

• John’s baptism was proclaimed

• John’s baptism was administered to the penitent

• Matthew 3:7-12

4) The People for the Herald (Mark 1:5)

• The source of the people

• The size of the people

• The site of the people

• The sinfulness of the people

5) The Poverty of the Herald (Mark 1:6)

• The dress in the poverty

• The diet in the poverty

6) The Prediction by the Herald (Mark 1:7-8)

• The sequence in the prediction

• The superiority in the prediction

• The Spirit in the prediction

• 1 Thessalonians 1:5-10

Free Download of the Month - October 2010

Love is a Verb

written by Gary Chapman
read by Pam Ward, Grover Gardner, & Lloyd James

Dr. Gary Chapman has spent his life helping people communicate love more effectively and in turn build more satisfying and lasting relationships. "Love Is a Verb" takes his teaching to the next level. Rather than a typical marriage self-help book filled with lengthy explanations of principles and techniques, it is a compilation of true stories displaying love in action.

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Talking To Your Father

This clip entitled "Talking To Your Father" is taken from the sermon "The Lord's Prayer" 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 Judgment of the Sheep and the Goats (Matthew 25)

The subjects of Christ's judgment will be all the nations. Ethna (nations) has the basic meaning of peoples and here refers to every person alive on earth when the Lord returns. Although He will have taken all believers into heaven at the Rapture, during the following seven years of the Tribulation many other people will come to believe in Him. During that dreadful time, multitudes of Gentiles (see Rev. 7:9, 14), as well as all surviving Jews (Rom. 11:26), will be brought to faith in Christ.


As Jesus makes clear later in this passage, those who are alive on earth when He returns will include both saved and unsaved, represented by the sheep and the goats, respectively. And those two separate peoples will have two separate destinies. The believers will be ushered into the kingdom and the unbelievers into eternal punishment (Matt. 25:46).

The process of Christ's judgment will include the absolute and unerring separation of the saved from the unsaved. When all the nations and peoples of the earth will have been gathered before Him at His return, the Lord Jesus Christ will separate them from one another, as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats...

http://www.macarthurcommentaries.com/

10 Things That Forgiveness Is Not

This clip entitled "10 Things That Forgiveness Is Not" is taken from the sermon "The Lord's Prayer" 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 Bible Is God's Word, Part 2 (John MacArthur)

You're probably quick to tell people that you trust the Bible. But when they say, "How can you be so sure the Bible is true?" . . . how do you respond?


http://www.gty.org/Radio

The Bible Is God's Word, Part 1 (John MacArthur)

When an Egyptian chariot wheel is found at the bottom of the Red Sea — a discovery that affirms the biblical account of the Exodus — how should you respond? Might discoveries like that be an important key to evangelism?


http://www.gty.org/Radio

Sermon Outline: 1 Samuel 3:1-20. "Discerning the Voice of God"

1) Closeness (1 Samuel 3:1-6)

• Amos 8:9-12
2) Confirmation (1 Samuel 3:7-9)
• Matthew 7:21-23

3) Center of attention (1 Samuel 3:10-15)

• Hebrews 10:26

4) Compliance (1 Samuel 3:16-20)

• Deuteronomy 18:18-22

How specific should a husband be in confessing lust to his wife?

CCEF faculty member Dr. David Powlison responds to the question "how specific should I be when confessing lust to my wife?" Do you have a question for one of our faculty counselors? Go to http://www.ccef.org/ and click the "Submit A Question" button under the Ask The Counselor video to ask your own question.

Caught Up to the Third Heaven (2 Corinthians 12)

From John MacArthur:
"I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a man was caught up to the third heaven. And I know how such a man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, God knows—was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which a man is not permitted to speak. (2 Corinthians 12:2--4)


Paul had received many visions in his life, six of which are recorded in Acts (9:3--12; 16:9--10; 18:9--10; 22:17--21; 23:11; 27:23--24). He had also received the gospel he preached by revelation (Gal. 1:11--12). But the vision he was about to describe was the most amazing and remarkable of them all. With characteristic humility, he related it in the third person, writing, I know a man in Christ. Obviously, Paul was that man, as verse 7 indicates.

The vision took place fourteen years before the writing of 2 Corinthians, which was in late a.d. 55 or early a.d. 56, putting it sometime between Paul's return to Tarsus from Jerusalem (Acts 9:30) and his commissioning by the Holy Spirit (Acts 13:1--3). Little is known about that period of Paul's life except that during it he ministered in Syria and Cilicia (Gal. 1:21). God may have granted him this personal experience to steel him against the suffering he would experience on his missionary journeys. Having been given a glimpse of the heaven that awaited him, he could face the most relentless and severe suffering that dogged every day of his life. Now, after fourteen years of silence, Paul was apparently relating the vision for the first time..."
http://www.macarthurcommentaries.com

Be Childlike Not Childish

From Preaching Pastor Mark Driscoll of Mars Hill Church

Why We Believe the Bible is True, Part 2 (John MacArthur)

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

Why do you believe the Bible? How would you show a skeptic that Scripture answers all the big questions about this world and life after death? You know the Bible has divine power . . . learn how to explain it.


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

Why We Believe the Bible is True, #1 (John MacArthur)

How many Bibles do you own? How many Bible-driven churches are near you? Was it hard to find this Christian radio broadcast? Whatever your access to Scripture, are you making the most of having God's Word within reach?


http://www.gty.org/radio

Sermon Outline: "The Dark Night of the Soul". Matthew 26:36-46

1) His Sorrow (Matthew 26:36–38)
• Matthew 5:3

2) His Supplication (Matthew 26:39–45a)

• John 5:18

• Matthew 6:13

3) His Strength (Matthew 26:45b-46)

Pray Without Ceasing . . . Really? (1 Thessalonians 5 )

Joyful believers will also be prayerful believers. Those who live their Christian lives in joyful dependency on God will continually recognize their own insufficiency and therefore constantly be in an attitude of prayer. Paul's exhortation to the Thessalonians to pray without ceasing is thus a divine mandate to all believers. Pray is from proseuchomai, the most common New Testament word for prayer (e.g., Matt. 6:5--6; Mark 11:24; Luke 5:16; 11:1--2; Acts 10:9; Rom. 8:26; 1 Cor. 14:13--15; Eph. 6:18; Col. 1:9; 2 Thess. 3:1; James 5:13--14, 16). It encompasses all the aspects of prayer: submission, confession, petition, intercession, praise, and thanksgiving. Without ceasing means "constant" and defines prayer not as some perpetual activity of kneeling and interceding but as a way of life marked by a continual attitude of prayer.


The New Testament emphasis on the importance of prayer cannot be overstated. Already in 1 Thessalonians, Paul had written, "As we night and day keep praying most earnestly that we may see your face" (3:10). Many of Paul's other epistles also indicate the importance of prayer (Rom. 12:12; 1 Cor. 7:5; Eph. 6:18--19; Phil. 4:6; Col. 4:2; 2 Thess. 3:1; 1 Tim. 2:8)...

http://www.macarthurcommentaries.com

The Sacrificing Husband

The world tells husbands, "Don't let anyone tell you what to do. Be a macho man. Grab the gusto. Live for the moment." The Bible's message to husbands is exactly the opposite—"Crucify yourself." Here's how Paul put it in Ephesians 5:25, "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself up for her." That raises a question: Even a great Christian husband, on his best day, can't match Christ's loving sacrifice for the church. What does Paul expect? John MacArthur answers...

Jesus is the Only Way

This clip entitled "Jesus is the Only Way" is taken from the sermon "Jesus Rejoices In The Holy Spirit" 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


for more audio and video content visit marshillchurch.org

Sermon Outline: Psalm 95:1-11. "Can you Hear His Voice?"

1) Rejoicing (Psalm 95:1-5)
• Psalm 77:13

2) Reverence (Psalm 95:6-7b)
• Psalm 100:3


3) Remembering (Psalm 95:7c-11)
• Exodus 17:2-7


• Hebrews 3:7-19; 4:1-9

9/11: Where were you (When the world stopped turning) Alan Jackson

Remembering the heartbreak that was September 11, 2001... and the days that followed.
(Photos taken from www.911digitalarchive.org)

Satan's Role in the World System (1 John 5)

We know that we are of God, and that the whole world lies in the power of the evil one. (1 John 5:19)




Despite the existence of countless political, cultural, and social entities in the world, there are in reality only two realms. It is the comforting privilege of believers, in addition to having eternal life, answered prayer, and victory over sin, to know they belong to God. Though they exist in this world, they are not part of it (John 15:19; 17:14); they are children of God (John 1:12--13), "aliens and strangers" (1 Peter 2:11; cf. 1:1, 17; 1 Chron. 29:15; Ps. 119:19; Heb. 11:13), whose true citizenship is in heaven (Phil. 3:20).



On the other hand, the whole world—its politics, economics, education, entertainment, and, above all, its religion—lies in the power of the evil one. The evil world system is hostile to God and believers (John 15:18--19), as John noted earlier in this epistle. It takes its cue from its ruler, Satan (John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11; cf. Eph. 2:2; 6:12), the archenemy of God and His people. Because the world is completely under Satan's influence, believers must avoid being contaminated by it (2:15--17; cf. James 1:27).

There is no middle ground, no third option. Everyone is part of God's kingdom, or of Satan's. In the words of Jesus, "He who is not with Me is against Me; and he who does not gather with Me, scatters" (Luke 11:23). Or as James scathingly declares, "You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God" (James 4:4).

http://www.macarthurcommentaries.com/

Why Does God Send People to Hell?

How can God be loving yet send people to hell? from A Passion for Life on Vimeo.


Don Carson answers the question: How can God be loving yet send people to hell? This video is great for a discussion in your small group or Bible study on evangelism, outreach or the sovereignty of God.

How do I know God exists? Don Carson

Free Download of the Month - September 2010

Spiritual Leadership
written by J. Oswald Sanders and read by Grover Gardner

Christianity needs a powerful voice in today's world. Such a voice can come only from strong leaders guided by God and devoted to Christ. Spiritual Leadership will encourage you to place your talents and powers at His disposal so you can become a leader used for His glory. This edition has been been completely revised. The language is updated with a modern flavor and a study guide has been added, designed as a tool to help you grow and successfully apply the principles in this classic book!

Coupon Code: SEP2010
Dcount Price: $0.00
Retail Price: $12.98

Instructions: Add the download format to your cart and enter the coupon code SEP2010 when prompted during checkout. This free download is available in MP3 & M4B formats.

How do we understand marital roles?

CCEF counselor and faculty member Winston Smith discusses the issue of marital roles. For more information, visit us on the web at http://www.CCEF.org.

Sermon Outline: "Journey to Jerusalem" Luke 9:51-62.

1)The Determination Executed (Luke 9:51-53)

• John 4:20-23

2) The Discipleship Error (Luke 9:54-56),

• Luke 9:1-6


• Ephesians 5:15-17

3) The Diversion Excuse (Luke 9:57-62)


• Luke 9:23-27

• Philippians 3:13-14

3 Ways To Engage Culture

mhcseattle

THE ROOTS OF WAR!!! Chuck Missler

The Roots of War is a comprehensive study that will be added here over the next few days.


The opening chapter is also Pt 1 in a series : by Chuck Missler called "Israel and the Last Days". You can view the series in its entirety at the following link: http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list...

http://www.khouse.org/articles/2002/421

History of the Modern "Gospel" (Introduction)

Most people know that there is a difference between what is preached today and what has been preached historically. Many preachers of yesterday exegeted the Scriptures yet today many preachers exegete their own life. What you may not be familiar with, though, is how we got this "gospel" that is preached today. In this series of videos, the ministry Real Truth Matters deals with the history of what we call "The Modern Gospel."


http://realtruthmatters.com/

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