Monday, August 30, 2010

good words at the inauguration of a new school semester

From David Alan Black: Students, this semester I'm looking for a Gideon's Band -- men and women who mean business. I do not intend this to be an exclusive club, however! Let me encourage each of you to commit your studies to the Lord -- and yourselves. Don't just "get by." Excel in all you do, for His glory. Do not wait for graduation to become "ministers." This very day, right where...

don't overvalue this life

From the prince of preachers:...[T]here can be such a thing as overvaluing this life, and multitudes have fallen into that error. Those overvalue it who prefer it to eternal life. Why, it is but as a drop compared with the ocean, if you measure time with eternity. Seventy or eighty years of dwelling...

Saturday, August 28, 2010

finishing Revelation tonight

Tonight I have the great privilege of finishing another book of consecutive expository preaching—Revelation. Actually, this is my second time preaching verse by verse through this masterful prophecy and I am planning to teach through it once more in the near future (as I'm hoping I can do dissertation...

Friday, August 27, 2010

Thursday, August 26, 2010

new Bible study on HEAVEN in Simi Valley

For anyone interested, our Church is launching a new community group for those in Simi Valley. The Bible study begins tonight and the topic of study is HEAVEN.Click here for the proposed schedule of study.If you have any questions, email me or contact the church: 818.341.5750.Hope to see you the...

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Context is key in Biblical interpretation...

Here's a great note from my reading this week:The first stage in serious Bible study is to consider the larger context within which a passage is found. Unless we can grasp the whole before attempting to dissect the parts, interpretation is doomed from the start. If I say, "Give it all you've got," you...

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Funny, interesting, theological, instructional note...

I received my class syllabus for my PhD seminar this Fall. The course is entitled: "Exegetical Studies of the Non-Pauline Epistles."I turn to the first page of the syllabus and the topic of study for the entire course is "An examination of the book of Hebrews."I guess that means my prof. is quite convinced Paul did not write Hebrews (as am I). I just thought that was quite funny. I am looking forward...

Sunday, August 22, 2010

why you should think much about heaven.

See my latest article on why you should think much about heaven. Many of these thoughts came from my sermon this morning.Psalm 16:11 In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forev...

preaching heaven today.

Pray for me. I have the responsibility of preaching on the glories of heaven. Lots of notes. Little time. Filled with j...

Saturday, August 21, 2010

Some church ministry articles

As I've had time this summer (which hasn't been very much) I've tried to write a few one-page articles on various issues related to church ministry.Click on our website to check them out:The Ministry of Baptism The Ministry of Communion The Ministry of Preaching The Ministry of Public Prayer The Ministry of the Gospel of Jesus Chr...

Thursday, August 19, 2010

We need Godly men to rise up. There are too many boys--or "bans"...

We live in a world full of males who have prolonged their adolescence. They are neither boys nor men. They live suspended between childhood and adulthood, between growing up and being a grown-up. Let’s call this kind of male Ban, a hybrid of both man and boy. This kind of male is everywhere, including...

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

The importance of recognizing your sin.

Luke 5:31-32 31 And Jesus answered and said to them, "It is not those who are well who need a physician, but those who are sick. 32 "I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance."The Pharisees constantly grumbled because Jesus ate with the outcasts and unclean of society—the prostitutes,...

Monday, August 16, 2010

Preaching on hell is hard but necessary.

Yesterday I preached one of the hardest sermons I've ever had to prepare and deliver. I titled my sermon: "Hell—A place of unending wrath, violent vengeance, striking conscience, banished isolation, and divine hatred."My prayer beforehand was that I would not fear man. And praise God, I received some helpful and good feedback including many questions as well. It is perhaps the most neglected topic...

Sunday, August 15, 2010

Friday, August 13, 2010

why it is profitable to think often on hell.

We returned from our family vacation a couple of days ago and have been recovering since! While on the trip, I meditated on Jonathan Edwards' sermons on hell. At one point, he said that Christians must think on hell often. I would like to list a number of reasons why I think Christians should regularly meditate on hell.1. It reminds you of the holiness of God. God is infinitely holy and nothing impure...

Friday, August 6, 2010

DA Carson 14-part series mp3 lectures FREE

Free CD giveaway here.From The Gospel Coalition blog: On February 20-21 and 27-28, 2009, Don Carson presented a 14-part seminar entitled “The God Who Is There” at Bethlehem Baptist Church’s North Campus in Minneapolis. This series will serve the church well because it simultaneously evangelizes...

Thursday, August 5, 2010

A psalm for an old man.

Last night I had the wonderful joy of preaching Psalm 71 — "As you grow older, learn from an elderly saint how to pray." I felt as though the last week I was intimately mentored by an old man who has lived life, experienced God's faithfulness, lived through the hostility from vicious enemies, yet affirmed...

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

How You as a Churchmember Can Greatly Encourage Your Pastor

It is a good question to ask, since the more common discussion (rightfully so) is, “How can your pastor minister to you?” Well, for church members who appreciate your pastor and are wondering how you can regularly minister to him in a meaningful way–here it is: Send an email every Monday morning...

Sunday, August 1, 2010

A fitting reminder of the cross and our conduct.

John Calvin writes:"Evil is so deeply rooted in our hearts that if we were told of our duty, it only half moves us. For this reason, St. Paul sets the example of God before us here [Phil 2:5ff]. He has forgiven us in his only Son. And without delay he adds our Lord Jesus Christ, who spared not himself when it was a question of our redemption and salvation. What, then, can break down all hardness in...
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