Soli Deo Gloria

My wife and I have this tradition that on her birthday (which is a couple of weeks before Christmas) we head out to the Lowes down the road to pick out our Christmas tree. My wife’s favorite Christmas movie is the Charlie Brown Christmas and we both chuckle at that pitiful little tree they decorate with one ornament. So our tradition is to go to Lowes and look for the tree that no one else wants. We eagerly search out the one with the gaping hole in the back or the one that has just a few limbs or very few needles. That is the tree we choose and for us it means so much.

For us, like many families, it is a joy to setup the tree and decorate it. The Christmas tree is really one of the things that seems to kick off Christmas. It’s interesting that in many Christmas cards, web sites and movies the Christmas tree is a focal point of Christmas. Some people even put up several trees in their homes.

I received an email from a friend today that had pictures of all kinds of Christmas trees. It included everything from the tree in the White House to the tree in New York City to the tree that we typically see in most homes. The title of the email was simply, “This is a Christmas Tree”.

There is really one true Christmas tree. The true Christmas tree is the cross of Jesus Christ. It is the tree that God lifted up His gift of Christmas to the world so that all eyes would look to Him. It is the true Christmas tree in that we are humbly reminded that “cursed is anyone who is hung on a tree” (Gal. 3:13) and to remember that the Child in the manger is God’s gift to His Church (John 3:16) for His glory. Because of Christmas, we can say along with Paul, “I determine[d] to know nothing but Christ Jesus and Him crucified.” (1 Cor. 2:2)

Let us never, ever separate the cross from the manger. Let us remember that Christmas points to the cross. Jesus Christ humbled Himself to become a man so that He could die in full obedience to the Father to demonstrate God’s love and His justice simultaneously. Christmas is also a time to rejoice knowing that death could not hold our King and that His resurrection points us to the glorious truth that at this very moment He reigns at the right hand of the Father waiting for His enemies to be made a footstool to His feet. While we look back on our Lord’s first Advent this Christmas, let us also expectantly look forward to our Lord’s Second Advent when He will come in with all the angels in fire to collect His elect from the four corners of the earth! This, my friends is the Christmas story.

Merry Christmas!

Culture, The Gospel

I’ve gotten a few emails from friends and church leaders encouraging me to sign the Manhattan Declaration – a rather short document that addresses certain moral concerns our nation (and world) is facing. On the surface it all sounds great. However, a careful read of the document has some serious issues that would cause the discerning Christian to think twice before putting their name on such a document. Why? Because the very gospel of Jesus Christ is at stake. I realize that many well-meaning Christians will completely disagree with me but the issues are too great to simply overlook.

I completely agree with the declaration’s cry against moral sins such as same-sex marriage and abortion. However, the problem is that this document does not address the one and only cure for such problems: the gospel. This is just simply another “can’t we all get along” document that folks like Chuck Colson have been pushing for quite some time. The big question is how can Protestants, Orthodox and Catholics come together when the very gospel they claim to believe are all inherently different. The Roman Catholic gospel is another gospel – it is not the gospel of Jesus Christ. The declaration also encourages believer and unbelievers to come together in unity. How? While their may be some capability of moral conformity (as seen in the RC Church) there is no true reformation of the heart and soul as there is in the true regenerated believer of Jesus Christ.

The Manhattan Declaration is simply another attempt at ecumenical madness and sadly there are very few who seem to be able to see this. I was quite surprised to see Al Mohler’s signature and not surprised to see names like Chuck Colson and James Dobson. However, there are men of God standing up for the gospel and it was refreshing to see that Dr. John MacArthur has written on his web site why he refuses to sign such a document. Dr. James White also has voiced his strong concerns over this document, as well as a few blogs that have a discerning eye.

Will our children and children’s children look back to see men and women who will fight for the true gospel of Jesus Christ or are we seeing a steady crumble of the very truths men of God died for? It is sad and troubling to see such a lack of Biblical discernment – especially among prominent protestant church leaders. I fear it is simply a sign and a result of the church in America refusing to preach and teach the gospel! Lord help us and forgive our foolish ways.

Culture, Rants, The Church, The Gospel

“One of the great uses of Twitter and Facebook will be to prove at the Last Day that prayerlessness was not from lack of time.” – John Piper

Culture

If only most of the preachers behind the pulpits of the American church would preach like this rap singer sings. I’ve stated before in another post that I am usually not a fan of most rap music. Most of the rap music out there is full of foul language and sexual perversion but here we see a young man named Shai Linne who proclaims the glorious gospel in his music with conviction and love. Oh how many “preachers” today could learn by listening to this…

Culture, The Church, The Gospel

Father, forgive our foolish ways…

Culture

Apostasy & Heresy, Culture, The Church, The Gospel

Paul Washer says it like it is…

Culture, Scripture, The Gospel

As a classically trained musician I have never had much of a taste for rap music, heavy metal, etc. However, there is a small group of rap artists of the reformed flavor that have been rising up to bring glory, honor and praise to the Lamb who was worthy to be slain. One of those artists is LeCrae. (They have an upcoming tour.) I also have been impressed especially with a song entitled “Martyrs” by another rap artist named Shai Linne. The lyrics to these men’s rap songs have more gospel in them and more correct theology than most Sunday morning sermons in the typical American church. Here is the music video to LeCrae’s “Don’t Waste Your Life” song. While the musical style may not be everyone’s taste we should rejoice at the young people these artists are reaching with the gospel of Jesus Christ! Amen!

Culture, The Gospel

Dr. John MacArthur provides a much needed and powerful article on the trend in American evangelicalism to lower ourselves to the standards of the world when it comes to an obsession with sex.

Head over to Shepherd’s Fellowship to read it …

Culture, The Church

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes.” Romans 1:16

How you read Romans 1:16 tells a lot about you. Which of the following best resembles how you interpret the text?

1. Christian
For I am not ashamed of the gospel (the death burial and resurrection of our Lord and Savior), for it (the preaching of that gospel and absolutely nothing else) is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes (not a superficial shallow mental ascent, but a complete dependence and trust upon Christ)

2. Charismaniac
For I am not ashamed of the gifts of the spirit, for they are proof of the power of God and proof of your salvation to everyone who believes…

3. Word of Faith Charismaniac
For I am not ashamed of pleading for money, for sowing your faith seed offering is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes…

4. Roman Catholic
For I am not ashamed of Mary, the Pope, and the Mother Church, for they are the power of God and the only way to salvation to everyone who believes and receives the sacraments, attends meritorious masses, is baptized, keeps the law, does good works, purchases indulgences, endures purgatory, etc…

5. Jehovah’s Witness
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of the New Earth that we peddle door to door, for the Watchtower is the only ones who speak for God and is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes and exhaustively works their tails off for the Watchtower almost every waking hour of the day for their entire life to obtain Jehovah’s favor, which is not guaranteed…

6. Mormon
For I am not ashamed of the restored gospel, even though I am ashamed and embarrassed about our church history and the things our church prophets have said (that was just their opinion and they were not speaking for God when they said all those awful things) for the Melchizadek Priesthood which only we have is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes and follows the following conditions as outlined in Gospel Principles pages 303-304 (1997 edition): 1.) We must be baptized and confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ. 2.) We must receive the laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost. 3.) We must receive the temple endowment. 4.) We must be married for time and eternity.In addition to receiving the required ordinances, the Lord commands all of us to– 1. Love and worship God. 2. Love our neighbor. 3. Repent of our wrongdoings. 4. Live the law of chastity. 5. Pay honest tithes and offerings. 6. Be honest in our dealings with others and with the Lord. 7. Speak the truth always. 8. Obey the Word of Wisdom. 9. Search out our kindred dead and perform the saving ordinances of the gospel for them. 10. Keep the Sabbath day holy. 11. Attend our Church meetings as regularly as possible so we can renew our baptismal covenants by partaking of the sacrament. 12. Love our family members and strengthen them in the ways of the Lord. 13. Have family and individual prayers every day. 14. Honor our parents. 15. Teach the gospel to others by word and example. 16. Study the scriptures. 17. Listen to and obey the inspired words of the prophets of the Lord. Finally, each of us needs to receive the Holy Ghost and learn to follow his direction in our individual lives.

7. Universalist Unitarian
For I am not ashamed of the value found in all religions regardless of whether or not they conflict with one another on core issues , for whatever truth is for you, it is the power of God, gods, goddess, no god, or whatever you believe for a better world to everyone who believes or chooses not to believe.

8. Seeker-Friendly
For I am not ashamed of shameless church marketing, for the end justifies the means and pragmatism is the power of God for filling seats on Sundays to watch our awesome worship rock band followed by our hip and and oh, so cool pastor and we’re also giving away free gas cards to everyone who attends our local campus.

9. Liberal
For I am not ashamed of supporting any socialist cause or liberal issue, for a woman’s right to choose and a homosexual’s right to marry is the power of self-empowerment for salvation from the oppressive chains that the white, Anglo-Saxon, Capitalist, fascists have placed on the backs of everyone in this nation.

10. Emergent / Emerging
Romans? Is that in the Bible?

HT: Defending Contending

Apostasy & Heresy, Culture, The Church, The Gospel

“Most Christians in our culture live like everyone else. There is little distinction between our lives and the lives of the pagans down the street. We wear the same clothes, watch the same movies, read the same books, send our children to the same schools, and sign the same divorce decrees as everyone else. Furthermore, there ought to be a sign posted in every Christian bookstore that reads, “The views expressed in these books do not necessarily express the views of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” I’m not saying, don’t read Christian books. I’m just saying, read them with discernment.”

- Voddie Baucham

HT: Defending Contending

Culture, Rants, The Church

“The question is often asked – where are the godly men in the church – but where are the godly homes?”

- Steve Levy from his wonderful book “Bible Overview“

Culture, Daily Walk, The Church