tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9378447959053017352024-03-13T17:51:26.968-04:00Stay on TargetStay on Target: Nate ArcherNate Archerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04071452115257992813noreply@blogger.comBlogger117125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937844795905301735.post-62237744479351929132017-09-07T14:55:00.001-04:002017-09-07T15:31:48.417-04:00Is the Church a Hospital for Sinners?<div class="MsoNormal">
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Is the church a hospital for sinners? Some people would
immediately say, “Yes, of course!” After all, we have heard people say that and
it sounds good. The church isn’t meant to be a museum for perfect saints but a
place of rescue. Jesus once said to the Pharisees, “Those who are well have no
need of a physician. I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to
repentance” (Luke 5:32). We don’t need to make ourselves healthy before we come
to the Physician. That would be foolish and impossible. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">On the other hand, is there a potential danger in thinking
of the church as a medical center? There might be. The church is not a
spiritual health spa. We don’t go to this hospital just for therapy or
self-help. It is not somewhere we go for elective minor surgery. It is not a dermatology office where we go to look better on the outside. The church is also not an emergency room where we come to be patched up from the wounds of life and sent back out until next time. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So, is the church a hospital for sinners? Yes, but only if we think of it as the right kind of hospital. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">There
are different types of medical centers with different specialties: children’s hospitals, cancer hospitals, women’s hospitals, plastic surgery, and more. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>The truth
is that the church is a hospital for sinners, but only if we realize the
<i>specialty</i> of this hospital. The church is a hospital that specializes in <i>heart
transplants</i>.</b> </span><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Specifically, the church specializes in three things (1)
diagnosis, (2) heart transplants, and (3) rehabilitation after heart
transplants. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<ol>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Diagnosis. </b>First, the church gives diagnoses. No one is
willing to have a heart transplant just for fun. When someone has a diseased
heart their first need is to realize the mortal danger they are in. A good
doctor will care about you enough to tell you the tough truth that you don’t
want to hear. Only a very bad doctor would keep that information from
you—thinking that you will like him more if he only tells you what you want to
hear. Likewise, in love a good church will tell you that you are a rebel sinner
in grave danger before God. We have all sinned and the wages of sin is death
(Rm. 3:23; 6:23). They will make good use of God’s law to convince you that you
need heroic measures (Rm. 3:19-20).</span></li>
<br />
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Heart Transplant.</b> You are flatlineing in sin! Scripture
often describes God’s sovereign work of salvation as a heart transplant.
Ezekiel 36:26 says, “And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will
put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give
you a heart of flesh.” Romans 2:29 describes salvation as a “circumcision of
the heart.” All of these are references to what John 3 describes as being born
again. This is regeneration. Saving faith involves a radical procedure. It is a
surgery that we cannot perform on ourselves. We are helpless and can do nothing
but trust the Physician to save us. He receives all the glory. </span></li>
<br />
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Rehabilitation.</b> Rehabilitation comes after the surgery—or
it does no good. You don't need rehab first. You need a heart transplant first!
Then, after the surgery, recovery and rehab is necessary. As Christians gather
together as the church, it should give us humility and hope to remember that we
are all here together recovering from our heart surgeries. We are getting
stronger but we are still weak. Rehabilitation is a long—life-long—process. </span></li>
</ol>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So, yes, we can think of the church as a hospital if we
think of it the right way. With that in mind, let me offer some further
implications: </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<ul><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">If you are not well you should <b>go to the Doctor</b>. Go immediately.
Don’t be a fool and think that you need to get better first. You can’t and you
won’t. You don’t have to clean up first so that you make a good impression. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We should <b>expect to see sick people around the Doctor</b>. Get
used to it. A church that only allows perfect people would be as pointless as a
hospital that didn’t admit sick patients for care because they didn't want to wreck the pleasant atmosphere. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">On the other hand, <b>you don’t go to the hospital just to hang
out</b>. No one should be at a hospital just because they have free TV and nice
people. You shouldn’t be there because you love the food, the comfortable bed,
and you enjoy being waited on hand and foot every time you press a buzzer. And
yet don’t many people treat church this way?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">What if a patient isn’t at a hospital in order to get
better? What if he refuses to listen to the doctors? What if he is there to cause problems with the other patients? </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">There may come a time when the staff will need to act for the good of the other patients. </span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The hospital should have patience
with the patients but expect them to want to get better. The
church is a hospital not a resort.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Also, remember that the church is a <b>teaching hospital</b>.
Instead of checking out, we stay to learn how to help other patients. We learn
how to give an accurate diagnosis, how to bring them to the Chief Physician for
their heart surgery, and how to grow in rehabilitation afterwards.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></li>
</span></ul>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The church is a hospital, but it does not primarily exist
for the health of the patients. Even more, it exists for the glory of the
Physician.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Have you had a heart transplant yet? The doctor stands
ready. He is calling for you.<br /></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span></span></span></span>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Related: <a href="https://vimeo.com/210169219">https://vimeo.com/210169219</a></span>Nate Archerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04071452115257992813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937844795905301735.post-65663285878924556222017-06-21T18:41:00.000-04:002017-06-21T18:47:05.611-04:00Bible Literacy FAIL<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I noticed this mistake in the latest issue of TIME Magazine. Do you see it?<br /><br />I will give you a hint: The mistake I'm talking about has nothing to do with chronology or the speculation that the fiery furnace was a burning oil field. </span><br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaGGWNJfYqf8eA-Hmn0iAZ3qM3wwIYicl4SgJgj5FNdwI4xUioB8qHqdh7ncvY5BhpKBsCuLJZHdLN50GN_LqMHTQGo8fk4qptv2KW3xyZ-IpyAsyFa_cCY4NXOAyS-zTZTGJJbUX3Pw/s1600/TIME+Magazine+Daniel+Fail.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="704" data-original-width="743" height="604" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaGGWNJfYqf8eA-Hmn0iAZ3qM3wwIYicl4SgJgj5FNdwI4xUioB8qHqdh7ncvY5BhpKBsCuLJZHdLN50GN_LqMHTQGo8fk4qptv2KW3xyZ-IpyAsyFa_cCY4NXOAyS-zTZTGJJbUX3Pw/s640/TIME+Magazine+Daniel+Fail.PNG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="UFICommentBody">According to the book of Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were thrown into the fiery furnace because they <i><b>refused</b> </i>to worship Nebuchadnezzar's idol. That is exactly the opposite of what is written here. </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="UFICommentBody">Someone should have caught that even if all of their Bible knowledge was gained from watching <i>Veggie Tales</i> videos--although in that case it was a giant chocolate bunny. </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="UFICommentBody">Everyone makes mistakes. Maybe this was a simple slip. However, what gets me is to think about many editors at TIME Magazine who read this </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="UFICommentBody">without catching the
mistake in the story. </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="UFICommentBody"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="UFICommentBody">This
goes to show the sad state of Bible literacy among the cultural elite. </span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="UFICommentBody"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="UFICommentBody">There used to be a time that even if people didn't believe the Biblical stories, they at least knew them. Not this TIME.</span></span></span>
<br/>
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<div class="fb-like" data-href="http://stayontargetstayontarget.blogspot.com/2017/06/bible-literacy-fail.html" data-layout="standard" data-action="like" data-size="small" data-show-faces="true" data-share="true"></div>Nate Archerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04071452115257992813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937844795905301735.post-65171350064917896632017-02-28T06:00:00.000-05:002017-02-28T06:00:02.222-05:00The Authority Filter<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The Bible teaches a relationship of headship between husbands and their own wives<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span>(Ephesians 5:22-24). Headship certainly carries the idea of authority, but it might not be the idea of authority that many people have in their minds. For this reason many people reject it and others abuse it.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">For to</span>o many people, “authority” always means “authoritarian” or
“domineering.” They have a hard time imagining any type of God-honoring,
loving, sacrificing, humble, Christ-like leadership. Their concept of authority
is polluted. But like polluted water, the answer is not to reject all water,
but to filter it of impurities. We can do this by running our concept of
authority through the “authority filters” of Ephesians 5:25-33 and 1 Peter
3:7: </span></span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Ephesians 5:25-33, "Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and
gave himself up for her, 26 that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by
the washing of water with the word, 27 so that he might present the church to
himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might
be holy and without blemish. 28 In the same way husbands should love their
wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29 For no one
ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does
the church, 30 because we are members of his body. 31 'Therefore a man shall
leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become
one flesh.' 32 This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to
Christ and the church. 33 However, let each one of you love his wife as
himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband."</span></span></div>
</blockquote>
</blockquote>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_v2CmhvP9fq1p0GDuRsOflj7K9rrYkijtakf-dH8sB_j6l0K5r650-ZQgWjHY1Pna2T2qUVqpKs792_5Ahw9KphkmeFDFsXvNLFC1GDj8__Xf46anpkrhoIyN2FfEt4Xt5G7v9La_Hg/s1600/Authority_filter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_v2CmhvP9fq1p0GDuRsOflj7K9rrYkijtakf-dH8sB_j6l0K5r650-ZQgWjHY1Pna2T2qUVqpKs792_5Ahw9KphkmeFDFsXvNLFC1GDj8__Xf46anpkrhoIyN2FfEt4Xt5G7v9La_Hg/s640/Authority_filter.jpg" width="220" /></a><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">THE AUTHORITY FILTER: </span></span></span></b><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">F</span>rom
your concept of authority, filter out anything that is not: </span></span></b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Christ-like.
</b>(Eph. 5:25-33)</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Loving.</b> Love as Christ loved the Church. (Eph. 5:25,
33) Think about how high a calling this
is!</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Sacrificing.</b> “And gave Himself up for her.” (Eph. 5:25)
</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Serving.
</b>(Eph. 5:25-29)</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Sanctifying.</b> To make her pure and holy; to help her in her
walk with God. (vs. 26-27)</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Providing.</b> “Feeds and cares for it.” (Eph. 5:29)</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Nurturing.</b> “Feeds and cares for it.” (Eph. 5:29)</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Caring.</b> “Feeds and cares for it.” (Eph. 5:28-29)</span></span></li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">1 Peter 3:7, “Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives,
and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the
gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.” </span></span></div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Considerate.</b> “be considerate” (1 Pt. 3:7)</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Respectful.</b> “treat them with respect” (1 Pt. 3:7)</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Non-Diminishing.</b> “heirs with you of the gracious gift of life”
(1 Pt. 3:7)</span></span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">What remains after the filter is closer to the biblical
understanding of Christ-like headship & authority. This is the type of leadership <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">that husbands should provide for their wives and their families.</span></span></span>
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Nate Archerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04071452115257992813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937844795905301735.post-6710224307304258622017-02-27T23:18:00.001-05:002017-02-28T09:15:16.864-05:00More New Earths?<div data-contents="true">
<div data-contents="true">
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="1brun" data-offset-key="4g7be-0-0">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="4g7be-0-0">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span data-offset-key="4g7be-0-0"><span data-text="true">"Scientists say life may have already evolved on at least three of the planets."</span></span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="1brun" data-offset-key="anmm9-0-0">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="anmm9-0-0">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span data-offset-key="anmm9-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="1brun" data-offset-key="dmp3m-0-0">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="dmp3m-0-0">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span data-offset-key="dmp3m-0-0"><span data-text="true">Every time they announce that new "Earth-like" planets have been discovered, it is the <a href="http://stayontargetstayontarget.blogspot.com/2010/09/just-like-earth.html">same thing over and over again</a>. </span></span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="1brun" data-offset-key="2po12-0-0">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="2po12-0-0">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span data-offset-key="2po12-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="1brun" data-offset-key="bvaid-0-0">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="bvaid-0-0">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span data-offset-key="bvaid-0-0"><span data-text="true">The <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-4245424/Newly-solar-SEVEN-Earth-like-planets.html">headlines</a> claim that three of the planets orbiting TRAPPIST-1 "could support alien life." But looking <a href="http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v542/n7642/full/nature21360.html">closer</a>, the only reason they say that is because these planets might have temperatures that would keep water in liquid form--if they have water. Then the assumption is that since Earth isn't anything special (assumption), life must spring up fairly easily when there is liquid water (assumption). </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span data-offset-key="bjhd9-0-0"><span data-text="true">The vast majority of planets that have been discovered elsewhere are "Hot Jupiters" i.e., enormous gas giants orbiting extremely close to their star, with no solid surface and temperatures that would make life impossible. So when the articles say that these planets are "just like earth" it is only by comparison to these Hot Jupiters. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span data-offset-key="a2eri-0-0"><span data-text="true">The planets around TRAPPIST-1 are similar to Earth in mass, but still very different from Earth. Here are a few of the differences: </span></span></span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span data-offset-key="a2eri-0-0"><span data-text="true">They orbit a very small "ultra cool dwarf star" about 11% the radius of our yellow Sun. </span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span data-offset-key="a2eri-0-0"><span data-text="true">These planets are tidally locked to the star, meaning that one side of the planet always faces the star and the other side always faces away. This means that one side would be extremely hot and the other extremely cold. The only place liquid water might exists would be on the thin strip between the two halves. </span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span data-offset-key="a2eri-0-0"><span data-text="true">The three planets that could maintain liquid water (e, f, and g) are extremely close to their star. The closest is only 2.8% of the distance from its star that Earth is from the Sun. The furthers of the three is 4.5% the distance of the Earth from the Sun. This means they would be much more susceptible to solar flares and radiation. </span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span data-offset-key="a2eri-0-0"><span data-text="true">These planets orbit their star every 6-12 days. That is a very short year!</span></span></span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span data-offset-key="dql3h-0-0"><span data-text="true">Also remember that any pictures you see of these planets are artist interpretations. We do not have actual photographs of these planets. The planets are detected by noticing the dimming of the star as the planets block some of the light when they orbit in front of it. The pictures--like the NASA illustration above--may show oceans, but those are from the artist rather than evidence. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span data-offset-key="9mitf-0-0"><span data-text="true">I wrote an article on this several years ago about another planet they claimed was "<a href="http://stayontargetstayontarget.blogspot.com/2010/09/just-like-earth.html">just like Earth</a>." Most of what I wrote applies to these new planets as well. The one big difference is that at the time they had only discovered about 500 planets outside our solar system. Now, the number is about 3,500. However, of the 3,500 they only think that maybe 22 do not already have the possibility of supporting life ruled out. That about half of 1%. For the other 99.4% they know there isn't the slightest chance.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span data-offset-key="7s8gd-0-0"><span data-text="true">I love these scientific discoveries, but what they tell me is that Earth is much more special than we assume. </span></span></span></div>
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Nate Archerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04071452115257992813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937844795905301735.post-48474797735620436932016-12-02T11:16:00.000-05:002017-02-24T09:55:43.262-05:00Fear God<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">#1 <i><b>The Fear You Need</b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The fear of the Lord is the good fear <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">you need.</span><i><b> </b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">#2 <i><b>God is Unsafe</b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">God is mor<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">e like a table saw than a cotton ball.</span> <i><b><br /></b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">#3 <i><b>When People Are Big and God Is Small</b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> fear of <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">God and the fear of man: which<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">ever is <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">heavier</span> to you will control your heart<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">.</span></span></span></span></span><i><b> </b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">#4 <i><b>Learning to Tremble</b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Why <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">don't we fear God like we should and how to change that</span><i><b> </b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">#5 <i><b>Don't Be Afraid </b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The fear of the Lord is the good fear that cast out all other fears.</span></div>
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Nate Archerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04071452115257992813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937844795905301735.post-85222206705078728902016-12-01T16:37:00.004-05:002017-02-24T09:55:02.263-05:00Chronological Christmas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Luke and Matthew don't <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">contradict each other but they ma<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">y contradict the way you remember the Christmas story.</span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">How well do you <i>really </i>know the Christmas story? Not that I want to wreck your nativity scene or your children's Christmas pageant, but the angels, the shepherds, and the wise men were never in one place at the same time. <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">When we try to remember the</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> Christmas story</span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">we <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">usually have ideas</span></span> jumbled together from songs<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> and shows rather than from a careful study of Scripture. And, even when <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">we try to study Scripture <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">it can be difficult to figure out how Luke and Matthew fit together. </span> </span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The narratives of Christ's birth in <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Luke and Matthew</span> are complementary to each other. They don't contradict each other but they each provide unique elements of the whole story. If you want the full picture, you need to read both accounts together. This is my attempt to put all of the passages together for you in chronological order. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>A Harmony of <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Jesus' Birth Narrati<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">ves:</span></span></b> </span></span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Luke 1:5-25</b> – The angel Gabriel
promises the birth of John the Baptist to Zechariah and Elizabeth, despite
their old age. Zechariah is stuck mute.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Luke 1:26-38</b> - “<i>The Annunciation</i>” – At least six months
later, Gabriel appears to Mary in Nazareth and announces to her that she will conceive a son as a virgin by the Holy
Spirit. He will be called Son of the Most High and will reign on David’s throne
forever.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Luke 1:39-56</b> - Mary visits
Elizabeth in Judea. “<i>The Magnificat” </i>is
Mary’s song in Luke 1:46-55. Mary stays with Elizabeth about three months and then returns home. Although Mary may have stayed until John <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">was b<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">orn</span>, I think that it makes more sense that she left s<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">hortly</span> before the b<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">irth</span> and the <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">onslaught</span> of visitors. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Matthew 1:18-25</b> - Joseph learns that Mary, who is betrothed to him, is with child. <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">She would have returned from Elizabeth's home three<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">-months pregnant. </span></span>An angel tells
Joseph in a dream that Mary’s child was conceived by the Holy Spirit. Joseph takes Mary as
his wife.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Luke 1:57-80</b> - John the
Baptist’s is born and Zechariah gives a prophecy sometimes called “<i>The Benedictus.” </i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">(John's birth may have happened before Mary arrived back in Nazareth and <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">the events of Matthew 1:18-25</span>.<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">)</span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Luke 2:1-7</b> - Mary and Joseph
travel from Nazareth in Galilee to Bethlehem in Judea for the census. Mary
gives birth to Jesus in Bethlehem.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Luke 2:8-20</b> - Angels visit the
shepherds and then the shepherds visit Mary and Joseph and the baby.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Luke 2:21-24</b> - At the end of
eight days Jesus is circumcised and named. </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Luke 2:22-24</b> – After forty days
from birth, Mary and Joseph take the baby Jesus to the temple in Jerusalem to present and
dedicate him to the Lord.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Luke 2:25-38</b> - At the temple,
the family is visited by the prophets Simeon and Anna. Simeon’s words are
sometimes called “<i>The Nunc Dimittis</i>.”</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Matthew 2:1-8</b> - Wise men from
the East come to Jerusalem searching for the newly born king. Jealous, King Herod
secretly asks the wise men to tell him exactly where they find this child<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">.</span> </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Matthew 2:9-12</b> – The wise men
visit Jesus at a house in Bethlehem. The wise men are warned about Herod in a dream
and depart another way. <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">may have taken p<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">lace</span></span> several months after <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Jesus was born.<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> We assume Mary and Joseph were staying in B<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">e</span>thlehem with relatives.</span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Mathew 2:13-18</b> - Enraged, Herod
orders the slaughter of all boys two<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">-years and younger </span>in the Bethlehem area. Joseph is
warned in a dream to flee to Egyp<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">t, which they do. </span> </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Matthew 2:19-21</b> - After Herod’s
death (4 BC) the family returns to Israel<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">, possibl<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">y to Bethl<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">ehem briefly. </span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Matthew 2:22-23</b> & <b>Luke 2:39-40</b> – The family moves back to
Nazareth in Galilee where Jesus is raised. </span></span></li>
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Nate Archerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04071452115257992813noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937844795905301735.post-71283275612701840192016-05-26T14:00:00.002-04:002016-05-26T17:06:21.439-04:00A Turtle and a Chipmunk<meta property="og:description" content="I rescued a turtle this morning as I was driving out of our neighborhood." />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga87vZ83FoA-jHxUkKhMHSRPHLRFJxTV-2GM4qdzPAsZeDmX19OAdK16t8sU8ZzFTT2865WK2Tsg6war3bEXG001Vpu0tUIIC0MBPpx9G2VE3AwraBUdbkh2JakCqfGP8qj6fCciRAJg/s1600/turtle_road_cropl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga87vZ83FoA-jHxUkKhMHSRPHLRFJxTV-2GM4qdzPAsZeDmX19OAdK16t8sU8ZzFTT2865WK2Tsg6war3bEXG001Vpu0tUIIC0MBPpx9G2VE3AwraBUdbkh2JakCqfGP8qj6fCciRAJg/s320/turtle_road_cropl.jpg" width="299" /></a></div>
</style>
<![endif]--><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I rescued a turtle this morning as I was driving out of our
neighborhood. I stopped the car, picked him up from the road and put him on the
grass on the other side. Part of his shell had already been damaged, so it was
a good thing that he was spotted by a decent person like myself who stops to
help turtles. I got back in my car with a warmed heart. Then, less than ten
seconds later, as I was still congratulating myself on my benevolent nature, I
ran over a tiny chipmunk.</span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">My heroism lasted literally less than ten seconds. The
little guy darted in front of my Kia, doubled back, and went under the wheel.
The only thing I could do was look back in my rear view mirror to confirm that
he was goner.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">What did this all mean? I stopped to rescue one animal and
because of that I end up getting another one killed. Was there a deep lesson to
be learned here? Could I use this story in a sermon to illustrate some profound
truth? I thought, probably not. The only point from all of this is that animals
should be more careful on the road.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Then I realized, I am an incompetent savior. If the world
depends on me to make everything right, then the world is out of luck. If my
self-image depends on me being the hero in every story, then I am out of luck. I
am not a competent savior, but I know someone who is. </span></span></div>
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Nate Archerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04071452115257992813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937844795905301735.post-17342507311915175332016-04-08T17:58:00.001-04:002016-05-26T17:15:02.454-04:00Well, This Is Done.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_G8qqtDB2z12LQWqyslWT9LAOSsbmarhVnA64V6uflnbb8AgOVzf3xtWko5ZJZatF99f_u-kRHsHT7cGAyBXmc5gGuvfkpRtRrcBLWDJiFL28KcJV4uBAgPTQ06mtEMddfuJmtvXVCw/s1600/Dissertation_Archer_1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_G8qqtDB2z12LQWqyslWT9LAOSsbmarhVnA64V6uflnbb8AgOVzf3xtWko5ZJZatF99f_u-kRHsHT7cGAyBXmc5gGuvfkpRtRrcBLWDJiFL28KcJV4uBAgPTQ06mtEMddfuJmtvXVCw/s640/Dissertation_Archer_1.JPG" width="600" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Finally. </span>My dissertation is printed and I have the official di<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">ploma</span> in hand. Will this mean that I will have more time for blogging? That is hard to say. My church, family, and teaching have a way of using all my time and more. Still, I think there is something beneficial about putting content down in writing as a permanent resource for others. I hope that I will find time to repackage more of my teaching for this blog. Nice intentions, but, we will see. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">But in the meantime, for anyone who might have been wondering what my dissertation was about, here is a copy of the official abstract (i.e., summary). It isn't exactly light reading, but for those who are incl<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">ined... enjoy!</span> </span><br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">INSCRUTABLE PROVIDENCE: </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">THE DOCTRINE OF DIVINE CONCURRENCE AND THE THEOLOGY OF CHARLES HODGE</span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span></blockquote>
<blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">ABSTRACT</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This dissertation will discuss
the doctrine of concurrence within the larger doctrine of providence. Although
concurrence was once a key component of the doctrine of providence, it was
difficult to maintain in a post-enlightenment theological and philosophical
context, even for a Reformed thinker such as Charles Hodge. Although Hodge
labored to explain the older formulation of this doctrine—especially as
articulated by Francis Turretin—Hodge found concurrence problematic and did not
commend its use. In addition to shifting philosophical sensibilities, concerns
regarding pantheism were a significant reason why some nineteenth-century
American Calvinists distanced themselves from concurrence. Nonetheless, Hodge’s
theology stands largely in continuity with Turretin and the echo of this
doctrine continues in his theological system. For Hodge, the concept of the
“efficient presence of God” functionally stands in the gap left by the absence
of concurrence. Hodge sought to articulate a system of providence that affirmed
God’s exhaustive sovereignty but avoided fatalism or mechanical theories of
necessity. As with Turretin, Hodge did not believe that contingency—correctly
understood—was antithetical to the Reformed understanding of the sovereignty of
God. Within the order of second causes there may be events that are not
necessarily determined by other causes within that order. For Turretin, the
doctrine of concurrence is what allowed contingency to be possible without
violating the principle of sufficient reason. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Despite the difficulties involved
with this doctrine, this dissertation will demonstrate that concurrence—or
Hodge’s similar concept of the efficient presence of God— remains valuable for
constructing a healthy model of providence. Concurrence allows us to affirm the
reality of secondary causes (thus avoiding pantheistic errors) without reducing
everything to secondary causes (thus avoiding deistic errors). Although we
should acknowledge Hodge’s critique of concurrence, when properly understood
the benefits of concurrence outweigh its problems. Concurrence fits with the
Biblical witness and allows us to credit God for acts of ordinary providence.
In addition, concurrence can be understood according to an author-story model
utilizing the scholastic distinction between God’s <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">scientia necessaria</i> and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">scientia
voluntaria</i>. Rather than multiplying difficulties without benefit, the
doctrine of concurrence remains valuable and should be retained. </span></div>
</blockquote>
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGSLSypVzoXnaCVxyYAJcGo6-ycyWk6BFc-AgdhQBnkMfBOp1Q5oZ0bSRAITXGMjqyyKdtXx22rdXSt-PdAO1KzDklv5Kc3j13hcGdL5uSeDQjcuFf7Q_o84cdfT5M60bmxqlvu8ULbQ/s1600/Dissertation_Archer_2crop.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGSLSypVzoXnaCVxyYAJcGo6-ycyWk6BFc-AgdhQBnkMfBOp1Q5oZ0bSRAITXGMjqyyKdtXx22rdXSt-PdAO1KzDklv5Kc3j13hcGdL5uSeDQjcuFf7Q_o84cdfT5M60bmxqlvu8ULbQ/s400/Dissertation_Archer_2crop.JPG" width="286" /></a></div>
<br />Nate Archerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04071452115257992813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937844795905301735.post-40315513430576625332015-11-25T16:20:00.000-05:002015-11-25T16:24:29.757-05:00The Best Portion<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge7ZYhiBAtWtc9W3Acol3EIjUDiEQf5uU91K5oTcVMMxVAakdLDy227GaxkQrHGl65SxqUzkrpMGJS7MJMeHw7IP1sxqrb-NeRQld8BQjBu3i7bf_WpcP50q3EOKH56toTG4vIT5S-Gg/s1600/pecan_pie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge7ZYhiBAtWtc9W3Acol3EIjUDiEQf5uU91K5oTcVMMxVAakdLDy227GaxkQrHGl65SxqUzkrpMGJS7MJMeHw7IP1sxqrb-NeRQld8BQjBu3i7bf_WpcP50q3EOKH56toTG4vIT5S-Gg/s400/pecan_pie.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The correct answer is pecan pie. At
least, that would be my answer if you asked me what portion of pie I would like
to be served at my Thanksgiving Day meal. Because I am an adult, I will
probably get some say-so in whatever portion of the food items get put on my
plate. If you’re a kid you might have your portion chosen for you and handed to
you on a plate. You might like your portion, or you might wish you had a better
one. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Since this is Thanksgiving, I
can’t think of a better time to <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">consider</span> some of the godly wisdom from our
Puritan forefathers. The Pilgrims were Puritans after all. And although
Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758) lived about a century after the original <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">P</span>uritan
settlers came to New England, I believe his words are especially appropriate
for us as we consider what we are most thankful for. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Below are excerpts from Edwards’
wonderful sermon, “<b>God the Best Portion of the Christian</b>.” His main point is
that of all the things we could ever want for our ‘portion’ in life, the best
we could ever desire is God Himself. No other good thing, on earth—or even in
heaven—compares to Him<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">!</span></span></span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>"Whom
have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire besides
thee." -- Psalm 73:25</i></span></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">. . . the psalmist takes notice
how the saints are happy in God, both when they are in this world, and also
when they are taken to another. They are blessed in God in this world, in that
he <i>guides them by his counsel</i>. And when he takes them out of it, they
are still happy, in that then he <i>receives them to glory</i>. This probably
led him, in the text, to declare that he desired <i>no other portion</i>,
either in this world or in that to come, either in heaven or upon earth. —
Whence we learn, <b><i>That it is the
spirit of a truly godly man, to prefer God before all other things, either in
heaven or on earth </i></b><i>. . . </i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Now, the main reason why
the godly man hath his heart thus to heaven is because God is there; that is
the palace of the Most High. It is the place where God is gloriously present,
where his love is gloriously manifested, where the godly may be with him, see
him as he is, and love, serve, praise, and enjoy him perfectly. If God and
Christ were not in heaven, he would not be so earnest in seeking it, nor would
he take so much pains in a laborious travel through this wilderness, nor would
the consideration that he is going to heaven when he dies, be such a comfort to
him under toils and afflictions. The martyrs would not undergo cruel
sufferings, from their persecutors, with a cheerful prospect of going to
heaven, did they not expect to be with Christ, and to enjoy God there. They
would not with that cheerfulness forsake all their earthly possessions, and all
their earthly friends, as many thousands of them have done, and wander about in
poverty and banishment, being destitute, afflicted, tormented, in hopes of
exchanging their earthly for a heavenly inheritance, were it not that they hope
to be with their glorious Redeemer and heavenly Father. — The believer’s heart
is in heaven, because his treasure is there . . .</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">If God were
not to be enjoyed in heaven, but only vast wealth, immense treasures of silver,
and gold, great honor of such kind as men obtain in this world, and a fullness
of the greatest sensual delights and pleasures; all these things would not make
up for the want [lack] of God and Christ, and the enjoyment of them there . . .</span></span></div>
</blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Edwards also
has some powerful questions in the “application” section at the end of the
message. Here are two to think about:</span></span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">If you
could avoid death, and might have your free choice, would you choose to live <i>always</i>
in this world, without God, rather than in his time to leave the world, in
order to be with him?</span></span></div>
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Were you to
spend your eternity in this world, would you choose rather to live in mean and
low circumstances with the gracious presence of God, than to live forever in
earthly prosperity without him?</span></span></div>
</blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Finally,
consider this beautiful application:</span></span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Application:
</i>First, hence we may learn, that whatever changes a
godly man passes through, he is happy; because God, who is unchangeable, is his
chosen portion. Though he meet with temporal losses, and be deprived of many,
yea, of all his temporal enjoyments; yet God, whom he prefers before all, still
remains, and cannot be lost. While he stays in this changeable, troublesome
world, he is happy; because his chosen portion, on which he builds as his main
foundation for happiness, is above the world, and above all changes. And when
he goes into another world, still he is happy, because that portion yet
remains.</span></span></div>
</blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">May God give you a hunger and a
desire for Him above all else. And may God feed your soul along with your body
this Thanksgiving! </span></span>
</div>
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Nate Archerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04071452115257992813noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937844795905301735.post-2659067327984786302015-10-29T15:36:00.000-04:002015-10-30T02:38:34.733-04:00Powerman and Mosquitoboy: Robot Invasion<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcZUATZKQX-A6OQ4KovI-AL-ivgsnwjrG8EuI2lgjdqlPnfeMx8c_rk6HJx24txo5si76dmFnJwJpIq1HtzCVFHywWs27AW5N8XC0-pX-ny_KcZ55F_BuAY7Zi-A4uJ7lR2pQddIROTg/s1600/Robot+Invasion+Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcZUATZKQX-A6OQ4KovI-AL-ivgsnwjrG8EuI2lgjdqlPnfeMx8c_rk6HJx24txo5si76dmFnJwJpIq1HtzCVFHywWs27AW5N8XC0-pX-ny_KcZ55F_BuAY7Zi-A4uJ7lR2pQddIROTg/s320/Robot+Invasion+Cover.jpg" width="231" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Well, here it is.... the completed series of <i>Powerman and Mosquitoboy: Robot Invasion! </i></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">This was the final series of these kids videos we made back in my superhero days. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Enjoy.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The previous series was <a href="http://stayontargetstayontarget.blogspot.com/2013/06/powerman-and-mosquitoboy-deceptors.html">Deceptor's Revenge</a>. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><a href="http://youtube.com/powermanmosquitoboy">youtube.com/powermanmosquitoboy</a> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="304" src="https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/aFXJKqsUId0?rel=0" width="540"></iframe>
</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="304" src="https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/C-4Bk9NPxao?rel=0" width="540"></iframe>
</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="304" src="https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/wf9uKG4ETGc?rel=0" width="540"></iframe>
</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="304" src="https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/dbIraSLRLPE?rel=0" width="540"></iframe>
</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="304" src="https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/zukOfh0p3hE?rel=0" width="540"></iframe>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">1. DESIGN</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">God designed us for His happiness. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I praise
you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” –Psalm 139:14</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">2. SYSTEM FAILURE</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">We’ve all been infected by the virus of sin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">“Death spread to all men because all sinned.”
-Romans 5:12b</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">3. REBOOT</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">You must be born again.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">“In reply Jesus declared, ‘I tell you the truth, no
one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.’” –John 3:3</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">4. INSTALL ANTIVIRUS</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Don’t copy the crowd.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">“Do not conform to the pattern of this world…”
-Romans 12:2, part </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">5. TRANSFORM</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">God transforms us through His Word</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">“…but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”
-Romans 12:2, part 2</span></div>
</div>
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Nate Archerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04071452115257992813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937844795905301735.post-61050270477990614002015-07-10T19:18:00.001-04:002015-10-29T14:36:07.486-04:00Keep the Fire Blazing<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAyRNASQONics7AlpyFz7sMn72mf8uZtlGBi-VexG1qRcjlu5tV-4LnjL64F30Pjm89AuVVGluSOJLG1hV3Rk3CHBFusq-iySdPD7ISaKX5WNlOksrPj9JbOGmBwHdMFo5ElJWcIVYMw/s1600/bonfire_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAyRNASQONics7AlpyFz7sMn72mf8uZtlGBi-VexG1qRcjlu5tV-4LnjL64F30Pjm89AuVVGluSOJLG1hV3Rk3CHBFusq-iySdPD7ISaKX5WNlOksrPj9JbOGmBwHdMFo5ElJWcIVYMw/s1600/bonfire_500.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: windowtext;">A good bonfire is
meant to be seen from space. A fire that you can barely see is hardly worth
having. The same is true for our spiritual lives. Paul wrote to Timothy and
told him to “fan into flame” the gift that he had been given by God (2 Tim.
1:6). Some think this gift may have been Timothy’s ministry itself, a spiritual
gifting, or simply the work of the Spirit in Timothy’s life helping him to
serve God with a spirit of power, love, and self-discipline.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: windowtext;">The phrase “fan
into flame” can be translated as “keep constantly blazing” (Wuest). It does not
necessarily mean that the fire had gone out or died down, but it points to the
fact that Timothy had to work to keep the
fire going all of the time. It is an ongoing task. <b><i>Fires burn out and die unless
there are maintained.</i></b> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: windowtext;">This applies to our
spiritual lives as well. What will happen to our flame if we do not attend to
the fire? For a regenerated believer, God will never let the fire go out
completely—but it may smolder. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: windowtext;">Do you ever feel that
your spiritual life is smoldering? Sometimes it doesn’t seem to be giving off
any heat. Instead of being visible from space, there is hardly a trace of
smoke. What do you do? <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: windowtext;">How does a person
attend to a literal fire? </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: windowtext;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: windowtext;">There is more than one way that a fire can go out. A
fire needs <b><i>fuel</i></b>. A fire needs <b><i>oxygen</i></b>. A fire needs <b><i>heat</i></b>.
Take away any of those and the fire goes out. The same is true for our
spiritual fire.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: windowtext;">We need to <b><i>keep
fueling our faith with the Word of God</i></b>. Our faith needs to feed off the
fuel of God’s promises in Scripture. That is why Paul could have hope as he
awaited execution in a Roman prison—because his faith was fueled by the “promise
of the life that is in Christ Jesus” (2 Tim. 1:1). Keep fueling your faith with knowledge of God’s
promises and character. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: windowtext;">We need <b><i>dependence
on the Holy Spirit as oxygen</i></b>. Fuel needs oxygen to ignite. In the same
way, the Holy Spirit causes His Words of Scripture to ignite in our hearts. Just
as a fire needs both fuel and oxygen, the words of Scripture and the work of
the Spirit always go together. Fires burn hot when they get the wind they need.
If your spiritual life is smoldering, pray for God’s Spirit to blow on your
embers. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: windowtext;">We need to keep the
fire <b><i>stirred
by Christian work, ministry and service</i></b>. Maybe your spiritual life is
cold because the embers need to be stirred up. Maybe you are dormant because of a lack of activity. Get involved with something. Volunteer. Serve. Speak. Do <i>something </i>and see if it gets the flames
going. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLbAn1tabznO2xIpsmftFBnyrDTGFsDgbJrBaxlr1aVcYf3tWay1n3vE5tl7NpIUP5jrspuLdfFny2vgRPufn5VhoitYhwnB9wjXeOG78-Ga1UvO1zlTqbAsnVpf0oPI9HLDdjw3RWgQ/s1600/Embers_01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLbAn1tabznO2xIpsmftFBnyrDTGFsDgbJrBaxlr1aVcYf3tWay1n3vE5tl7NpIUP5jrspuLdfFny2vgRPufn5VhoitYhwnB9wjXeOG78-Ga1UvO1zlTqbAsnVpf0oPI9HLDdjw3RWgQ/s200/Embers_01.JPG" width="200" /></span></a><span style="color: windowtext;">And just as <b><i>coals burn</i></b> <b><i>hotter when close together</i></b> we need Christian fellowship to keep our fire hot. When coals are spread apart, they get cold. (Heb. 10:24-25) <br />
<b><i><span style="color: windowtext;"><br /></span></i></b></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b><i><span style="color: windowtext;">Don’t douse your
fire with buckets of sin</span></i></b><span style="color: windowtext;">. Wet wood doesn’t burn.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: windowtext;">I don’t want to get
allegorical, but these are some of the things that the Bible calls us to do
regardless. The key point is that we need to <i>attend</i> to our spiritual lives constantly. When we don’t keep watch,
or when we don’t put forth any effort, the fire will not blaze as it once did.</span></span></div>
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Nate Archerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04071452115257992813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937844795905301735.post-66586475317138453192015-06-27T15:27:00.003-04:002015-10-29T14:36:53.412-04:00On Marriage and Gender<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvBZwOLkRyGtLaXiO20nNJ32N5NHn2X1mks4FMyacfuliSmPp3CKHYalUn078_qEY9ODxt50tmLg_1GaiVke-FCcX_cAEPzuiwYOi2AXCS8lKghor3-SGlIHIR9pbnQArqWQKPWe1_hg/s1600/man-woman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="100" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvBZwOLkRyGtLaXiO20nNJ32N5NHn2X1mks4FMyacfuliSmPp3CKHYalUn078_qEY9ODxt50tmLg_1GaiVke-FCcX_cAEPzuiwYOi2AXCS8lKghor3-SGlIHIR9pbnQArqWQKPWe1_hg/s200/man-woman.jpg" width="100" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>Recalibrating our Thinking on Marriage and Gender</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Our society has lost a stable understanding of marriage and gender. Our collective understanding used to be informed by the biblical worldview and an understanding of creation's design and purposes. However, for most people that worldview has been replaced by arbitrary opinions that are the ever-changing concoctions of human invention. This will not end well for us.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Here are outlines and videos for three recent messages on marriage and gender that are especially relevant for the situation we find ourselves in today. Regardless of current laws, it is vitally important that we recalibrate our thinking on these issues from a biblical worldview. For the good of society and our families we need to be equipped to help others think clearly on these matters.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="text-align: center;">“<i>[Jesus] answered, 'Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, 'Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh'? </i></span><b style="text-align: center;"><sup><span style="position: relative; top: -10pt;"><i> </i></span></sup></b><span style="text-align: center;"><i>So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate</i>.'" -Matthew 19:4-6</span></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b style="font-size: large;">Ways the World Gets Marriage Wrong - part 1</b></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>The world thinks that marriage is a human invention.</b></span></li>
</ul>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Marriage is a human institution given to us by God. It is not a human invention, so we are not free to change it however we wish. On the other hand, marriage was given by God to all humanity and that is why we recognize non-Christian marriages of a man and a woman as real marriages. </span></li>
</ul>
</blockquote>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>The world does not remember <i>why</i> marriage is between one man and one woman.</b></span></li>
</ul>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The Biblical pattern for marriage is one man and one woman (Genesis 1-2). Jesus Himself affirmed this in Matthew 19:4-6.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">It is grounded in the design of this world. (1) There is a natural chain linking marriage --> sex --> conception --> raising children. The reason most people no longer understand marriage is because they have lost the awareness of this natural chain. (2) In addition, of all the possible combinations that we could consider for marriage, the combination of one man and one woman is the <i>only</i> combination that produces life. Therefore, the historical definition of marriage was the only one that was <i>not </i>arbitrary.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Marriage is designed by God to picture the relationship between Christ and the Church. (Ephesians 5:22-33)</span></li>
</ul>
</blockquote>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="281" mozallowfullscreen="" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/128373471" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="500"></iframe> </span></h2>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<h2 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Ways the World Gets Marriage Wrong - part 2</span></span></h2>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>The world thinks marriage is just a contract, not a covenant.</b></span></li>
</ul>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Marriage is not just a human contract. If marriage was just a human contract we could adjust the terms however we wanted. Instead, marriage is something sacred. Real marriage is something that God does. Jesus said, "what therefore God has joined together" (Matt. 19:6). </span></li>
</ul>
</blockquote>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>The world think marriage is primarily about the personal happiness and fulfillment of adults.</b></span></li>
</ul>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Marriage used to be understood as that which unites a man and a woman and any children that might result from that union. The new idea of marriage is merely a public recognition of a romantic relationship of two adults. </span></li>
</ul>
</blockquote>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>The world forgets the purposes of marriage. </b></span></li>
</ul>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<ul><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The <b><i>public </i>purposes</b> of marriage: (1) for <b>children</b>: Marriage keeps moms and dads together so that children grow up being cared for by their own mother and father in an intact, stable family. (2) for <b>women</b>: Marriage protects women from men who would sexually take advantage of them and abandon them without taking responsibility for their children. (3) for <b>men</b>: Marriage civilizes men and forces them to act responsibly. These purposes are good for any society and are not specifically Christian. </span></li>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The <b><i>biblical </i>purposes</b> of marriage: Biblical purposes of marriage include (1) the glory of God, (2) procreation, (3) the raising of children to love and serve the Lord, (4) God-pleasing intimacy--without the sin of fornication, (5) companionship between a man and a woman--cohabitation without scandal, (6) complementarity, (7) sanctification, (8) to picture the relationship between Christ and the Church.</span></li>
</ul>
</blockquote>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: center;"> </span><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="281" mozallowfullscreen="" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/129005611" style="text-align: center;" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="500"></iframe><span style="text-align: center;"> </span></h2>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h2 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Ways the World Gets Gender Wrong</span></h2>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>Many in the world assert that gender is a spectrum rather than two distinct categories.</b></span></li>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span></ul>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i>The Bible</i> teaches that there are two distinct genders. (Genesis 1:27; Jesus' words in Matthew 19:4)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i>Biology</i> teaches that there are two distinct genders. Gender differences are rooted in our chromosomes. The presence of a Y chromosome indicates that a person is male and the absence of a Y chromosome indicates that a person is female. This is objective and true even for those with developmental or genetic anomalies. </span></li>
</ul>
</blockquote>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>Most of the world thinks one gender is better than the other.</b></span></li>
</ul>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The Bible teaches that both men and women are created in the image of God, equal in dignity and worth.</span></li>
</ul>
</blockquote>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>The world thinks there are no important differences between genders--and if there were that would be a bad thing. </b></span></li>
</ul>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The Bible teaches that men and women and different, and are so by God's good design.</span></li>
</ul>
</blockquote>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>The world thinks we have autonomy over our gender.</b></span></li>
</ul>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<ul><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">As sinners we crave to be our own law-makers. Instead, the Bible teaches that God is sovereign, not human beings. Our genders are given to us by God and are a matter of fact, not feelings. It is good to be a man, and it is good to be a woman. Embrace the gender of the body that God gave you. </span></li>
</ul>
</blockquote>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="281" mozallowfullscreen="" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/131669469" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="500"></iframe></h2>
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Nate Archerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04071452115257992813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937844795905301735.post-10839404838384892622015-06-02T18:50:00.000-04:002015-10-29T14:37:21.560-04:00Thoughts on Finishing My PhD<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>Or, “ You Think You're a Big Boy, That's So Cute”</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTOAifHvAl7hzj1ERXOfCu0EuZPeSIzH4hLVf73yY6Z4ssMPhwzy664ExBjz2i-5T-d4HSGyh-t6zmxXAeleEtRdMeIYc5ZZAlFMn-zhyphenhyphenp5Iiz2wMa0JiDGUz6S4LnlTEF5sl9yq8YBA/s1600/Archer_PhD_IMG_4750crop2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTOAifHvAl7hzj1ERXOfCu0EuZPeSIzH4hLVf73yY6Z4ssMPhwzy664ExBjz2i-5T-d4HSGyh-t6zmxXAeleEtRdMeIYc5ZZAlFMn-zhyphenhyphenp5Iiz2wMa0JiDGUz6S4LnlTEF5sl9yq8YBA/s200/Archer_PhD_IMG_4750crop2.JPG" width="200" /></a>Many people have congratulated me on recently
finishing my PhD. I defended my dissertation in January and I walked in May. I
really appreciate everyone’s kind words, and I will admit that it was a ridiculous amount of work.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">However, there is something that happened in our
family a few years ago that really helps me put that in perspective. When my
son Luke was still the baby in the family, we told him that he needed to start
learning to pull up his own pants “like a big boy.” It worked. This was perfect
motivation because, like most little boys with an older brother, he wanted desperately
to be a big boy. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">We didn’t think much of it until weeks later when
Luke came storming into the living room with his fists clenched in anger and
his lip quivering. As he stood there crying and huffing, we asked him what in
the world was wrong? He stomped, “Eric told me I’m not a big boy!”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCHaAk8EU8JOK90slhJcajbgt42q_9Pm-CJh3JKyWyydNbDLBtnizb_KOiOaUlxBf8jI4yzn-AizYuBlKnRzs8w36rCzXUk8GJwMpLKOmtiARcWsdleK0gq84ufUV01H93Q45BFVnbqw/s1600/kids_pants.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCHaAk8EU8JOK90slhJcajbgt42q_9Pm-CJh3JKyWyydNbDLBtnizb_KOiOaUlxBf8jI4yzn-AizYuBlKnRzs8w36rCzXUk8GJwMpLKOmtiARcWsdleK0gq84ufUV01H93Q45BFVnbqw/s200/kids_pants.jpg" width="117" /></a>This had us perplexed until we remembered that we
had told Luke that he needed to pull up his pants like a big boy. He had latched
onto that. And now, since he could indeed pull up his pants all by himself,
obviously he was a certified big boy. In his mind, he had arrived!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I remember looking down at my son as he stood
there arguing in tears that he was a big boy. I smiled and laughed to myself.
There he was, knee high to me, barely out of diapers, and crying because
someone told him he wasn’t a big boy—which, by the way, is not a very ‘big boy’
thing to do. I remember thinking to myself, <b>“<i>Oh, you can pull up your pants
and you think that makes you a big boy… That’s so cute</i>.”</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">That got me thinking about God up in heaven and
some of the accomplishments that we have in life. And I knew that eventually I
would finish the PhD program and get my doctorate. It is easy for things to go
to your head sometimes. But I imagined God looking down on me one day and
thinking, <b>“<i>Oh, you got your degree and now you think you’re a
big boy… That’s so cute</i>.”</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b><br /></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
(You can click <a href="https://vimeo.com/117403668#t=14m21s">here</a> for a short video of me telling this story.)</div>
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Nate Archerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04071452115257992813noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937844795905301735.post-41037102880755658832015-05-08T16:23:00.000-04:002015-10-29T14:37:34.880-04:00Steps to a Clean Heart<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">It has been rightly said that the whole Christian life
can be summed up in three “G” words: <i>Guilt</i>,
<i>Grace</i>, and <i>Gratitude</i>. We can see these three themes in <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+51&version=ESV" target="_blank">Psalm 51</a>, written by
King David after he repented of his sins of adultery with Bathsheba and the slaughter
of her husband Uriah (2 Samuel 11-12). When
I taught a trilogy of messages on Psalm 51 (<a href="https://vimeo.com/125532558">one</a>, <a href="https://vimeo.com/126298679">two</a>, <a href="https://vimeo.com/126922029">three</a>) I split the passage using those
three themes.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigeUikxcuK9OsRN4uMDNSL7LU93wn0NyPHswJMiu9b014g-f2Lj7RgORty6gyPTEy4EBP7ItbIMj2N75vdfrt4LOnybLHlXX8IycIqyV7jRHh1rvFX5TaGAXDginy4hgwACEHSfoB3JQ/s1600/Clean_Heart_001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigeUikxcuK9OsRN4uMDNSL7LU93wn0NyPHswJMiu9b014g-f2Lj7RgORty6gyPTEy4EBP7ItbIMj2N75vdfrt4LOnybLHlXX8IycIqyV7jRHh1rvFX5TaGAXDginy4hgwACEHSfoB3JQ/s320/Clean_Heart_001.jpg" width="256" /></a></span></div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Psalm
51: 1-6 – <b><a href="https://vimeo.com/125532558">Guilt</a></b><o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Psalm
51: 7-12 – <b><a href="https://vimeo.com/126298679">Grace</a></b><o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Psalm
51: 13-19 – <b><a href="https://vimeo.com/126922029">Gratitude</a></b></span></li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">As Christians, we don’t hide the fact that our deepest
need is for a clean heart before a holy God. Even as Christians, we fail and fall
short. However, Psalm 51 is an ideal passage for study and meditation concerning
the Biblical way to deal with an unclean heart. In this Psalm we can discern at least eight “steps”
for getting our hearts right with God after moral failure. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">1.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><b><i>Approach God, focusing on His character.</i></b> (v. 1)<o:p></o:p></span><!--[endif]--></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Notice
that David comes to God focusing on His “steadfast love” and His “abundant
mercy.” Unless we work to remind ourselves about God’s revealed character, we
will either come to Him in the wrong way, or we will be too afraid to come to
Him at all.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">2.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><b><i>Honestly admit the truth about your sin.</i></b> (v. 2-6)<o:p></o:p></span><!--[endif]--></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">David
denied his sin for at least nine months. He tried to cover it up. He tried to
ignore it. David was miserable during that time. In Psalm 32:3-4 David
admitted, “<span class="text"><span style="background: white;">For when I kept
silent, my</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="background: white;">bones wasted away through my</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="background: white;">groaning all day long. For day and
night your</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="background: white;">hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up<sup> </sup>as
by the heat of summer.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span class="text"><span style="background: white;">Here in Psalm 51, David
faced up to his sin. He uses three words for sin. </span></span><i>Transgressions</i> means to cross a
boundary in rebellion. <i>Iniquity</i> is
from words meaning “twist” and “go astray.” It indicated perversity, depravity,
and waywardness. <i>Sin </i>means missing
the target; failing to do what is right. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">David admitted that he really sinned (v. 3). He admitted the serious nature
of his sin—that all of his sin is really against God. Yes, David sinned against
Bathsheba and Uriah, but he wrote, “Against you, you only, have I sinned and
done what is evil in your sight” (v. 4). All sin is rebellion against God. David
also acknowledged the depth of his sin problem—he sins because He was conceived
and born as a sinner (v. 5). He admitted that, at the root, his heart is sinful.
Sin is so deeply ingrained in us that only God can scrub it out. And unless we
acknowledge the truth about our sin that will never happen. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> <span class="text"><span style="background: white;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">3.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><b><i>Appeal for cleansing, depending on the
blood of the Lamb of God.</i></b> (v. 7)<o:p></o:p></span><!--[endif]--></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">David <i>asks </i>God for cleansing. Literally, he is
asking God to “un-sin” his heart. In fact, in verses 7-12 David asks God to
grant twelve distinct requests. This is an example for us. Cleaning is there
for the asking but it does not come without asking. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">As
Christians, we might wonder how David could ask for forgiveness apart from
Jesus. However, verse 7 says, “Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean.” If
you are wondering why David mentioned the hyssop plant, remember that the most
famous use of hyssop in the Old Testament was during the original Passover. The
Israelites were told to use hyssop to apply the blood of the sacrificed lamb to
the doorframe of their houses so they would be spared from the Destroyer. Hyssop
points back to the Passover, and the Passover lamb points ahead to the true
Lamb of God. When John the Baptist saw Jesus coming he cried, “Behold the Lamb of
God that takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29) If you want cleaning,
you must depend on the blood that was spilled in your place by the true Lamb of
God.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">4.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><b><i>Desire inward renewal and a cleansed heart.</i></b> (v. 8-12)<o:p></o:p></span><!--[endif]--></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">It isn’t
enough just to be pardoned of our guilt. David knew that his sins of adultery
and murder flowed out of his sinful heart. David knew that unless God would
change his heart he would be right back at it like an unreformed criminal set
free from prison. Genuine heart change is something only God can do. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i>Genuine repentance </i>means<i> not wanting to have the desire for that sin
anymore.</i> You may still struggle with that desire as a temptation, but you
don’t <i>want</i> that desire anymore. We
don’t pray, “God forgive me of that, but let me keep the love of that sin in my
heart.”<b><i> <o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">5.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><b><i>Promise to teach others the lessons you
have learned</i></b>. (v. 13)<o:p></o:p></span><!--[endif]--></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Genuine repentance and forgiveness makes us willing to tell others the
stories of our sin and the consequences—so that we can warn them and plead with
them not to make the same mistakes. We accept that our sins were seriously bad;
and we also accept God’s forgiveness which frees our tongues from being paralyzed
by guilt. This puts us in the right position to help others from falling into
the same pits. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">6.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><b><i>Praise God for His character and
compassion.</i></b> (v. 14-15)<o:p></o:p></span><!--[endif]--></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Psalm 51 was written
by a man who was forgiven of adultery and murder. <i>Amazing Grace</i> was written by the former captain of a slave ship. The
loudest praise comes from the lips of the largest forgiven sinners. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">7.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><b><i>Continuously keep contrite heart before God.</i></b> (v. 16-17)<o:p></o:p></span><!--[endif]--></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">God would
rather have us slaughter the pride in our hearts than slaughter animals for
sacrifice. We are not forgiven by being sorry for our sins—even by being <i>genuinely </i>sorry. Forgiveness only comes because
Christ died for us. But to accept that, we need a broken and contrite heart.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">False repentance is
merely being sorry about consequences. Genuine repentance means being deeply grieved
about offended the King we realize we should never rebel against. A contrite
heart isn’t just something for the start of the Christian life. For all of our
Christian life we need to stay humble and contrite before God. It is a part of gratitude.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">8.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><b><i>Pray for others. Move your focus outside of
yourself—to others and the glory of God.</i></b> (v. 18-19)<o:p></o:p></span><!--[endif]--></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">David concludes
Psalm 51 by praying for the good of Zion and for God to delight in burnt
offerings given to Him. The last “step” of going to God for a clean heart is to
move our focus from ourselves to others. This is spiritually and emotionally
healthy. A heart bent by sin is twisted back and looks only at itself. A
cleaned heart looks outward and upward.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto;">
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">Footnote: My
thinking on these steps was spurred by James Boice’s commentary on Psalm 51. I
used his wording for what I call step five. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Nate Archerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04071452115257992813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937844795905301735.post-90539505130168958612015-03-26T19:22:00.001-04:002015-10-29T14:38:02.441-04:00Killing Lazarus<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgd9kbtd7W6iOJjT4_V0vC3qdXi8xcKm89qhL47YOvIZAeWkpJ8xQg-KvlGDrdOg3ZoV9s5gIaHyIFYk4Pq52HlDoMf_MtRVgnJGcUdattn1XT8uRSfL85OVrtjdmVk-J8_JbTzjfj6A/s1600/lazarus_crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgd9kbtd7W6iOJjT4_V0vC3qdXi8xcKm89qhL47YOvIZAeWkpJ8xQg-KvlGDrdOg3ZoV9s5gIaHyIFYk4Pq52HlDoMf_MtRVgnJGcUdattn1XT8uRSfL85OVrtjdmVk-J8_JbTzjfj6A/s1600/lazarus_crop.jpg" width="218" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I don’t remember ever hearing a message about “the plot to
kill Lazarus.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">What happened earlier is more familiar. The <a href="https://vimeo.com/122486396">death and resurrection of Jesus’ close friend Lazarus</a> is
recorded in John 11:1-44. Jesus heard that Lazarus was dying but waited an
extra two days before he headed off to see him. But the time Jesus arrived
Lazarus had been dead four days and was already starting to decompose. As the
KJV puts it, “by this time he stinketh.” The extra time had allowed many people
to arrive to mourn Lazarus’ death. Then Jesus commanded the stone in front of the
cave to be rolled away. Jesus prayed out loud to the Father and said that this was so “that they may believe that you [God the Father] sent me.” Then Jesus commanded Lazarus to rise from the dead and come out. And he did. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The raising of Lazarus is a familiar story but I had never paid
much attention to the “plot to kill Lazarus” tucked away in the next chapter:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span class="text"><span style="background: white;">“When the large crowd of the Jews learned that Jesus<sup data-fn="#fen-ESV-26578d" data-link="[<a href="#fen-ESV-26578d" title="See footnote d">d</a>]" style="box-sizing: border-box;"> </sup>was there, they came, not only on account
of him but also to see Lazarus,</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="background: white;">whom he had raised from the dead.</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white;"> </span><span class="text"><span style="background: white;">So the chief priests made plans to put Lazarus to death as
well, because</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="background: white;">on account of him many of the Jews were going away and
believing in Jesus.</span>” –John 12:9-11<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">It takes a lot of nerve to plot to kill a guy<i> just after he
was brought back from the dead!</i> What was the reason that people wanted to kill
Lazarus? Was it because they had something against Lazarus personally? No. <b>People wanted
to kill Lazarus because his physical resurrection was undeniable evidence that
Jesus was who He claimed to be.</b> That miracle was very public and obvious. Many people knew Lazarus had been dead. Now they could see he was alive. People were coming to faith in Jesus because
they saw the signs of life in Lazarus. The enemies of the light wanted to put
an end to that. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">If that is the case with Lazarus, what should we expect?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">There is such as things as physical resurrection, but there
is also <i>spiritual</i> resurrection. Physical resurrection is when someone is
physically dead but is brought back to physical life. On the other hand,
spiritual resurrection is when someone is spiritually dead and is brought back
to life spiritually. This happens at the moment of salvation.
Ephesians 2:1 says that we “were <b><i>dead</i></b> in the trespasses and sins” in
which we once walked. Ever since Adam's rebellion, each of us come
into this world spiritually dead—separated from the life of God because of sin.
Even Christians were “by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind”
(Eph. 2:3) <i>Thankfully</i>, God did something about this. The next verse says, “But
God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us,
even when we were dead in our trespasses, <b><i>made us alive</i></b> together with Christ—by
grace you have been saved.” This is spiritual resurrection. Salvation is being
made alive again. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">When God raised Lazarus there were obvious signs of life. He wasn't just laying there anymore. People could tell that he was no longer dead. In the same way, people should also be
able to see signs of life when someone receives spiritual resurrection. It doesn’t outwardly look the same for everyone, but at salvation God starts the process of
changing us from the inside out. We receive a new heart. New affections start
growing—new loves. Sins we used to love become bitter. The things of God that
we used to find dull turn from black and white to color. Some people are able
to say goodbye to deep sinful habits. Others start to struggle against them—when there
wasn’t even a struggle before. People find themselves wanting to read God’s
Word, go to church, and pray and worship…not because they have to, but now because they <i>want to</i>. These changes are noticeable. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Our lives should be a testimony to what God has done. It
takes a miracle to physically raise someone from the dead and it also takes a
straight-out miracle to raise someone to life spiritually. That new life did
not come from the corpse. Corpses don’t do anything. God did it and God gets
all the glory. Whether the changes seem big or small, fast or gradual, people see them. Some
people will be happy with what they see. Others won’t. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Are
you living a life that God’s enemies would be worried about? Or not? Does your
life give evidence to the world that Jesus Christ saves and changes lives . . .
or does your life, so far, give little or no evidence of Christ’s work?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">They wanted to kill Lazarus. If we are living changed lives
we should expect that some people won't like it. Darkness hates the light. Sin hates a contrast. Sinners like other people to sin with them because it helps down out feelings of guilt. Those who hate Jesus won't like it. Satan certainly isn’t going to
like it. He doesn't want more people to put their trust in Christ. Satan doesn’t want people to look
at your life and see undeniable evidence of Jesus’ power to give new life. The
enemies of the light want to cover that up. Expect that. Prepare for that. But don’t let it
happen.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Nate Archerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04071452115257992813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937844795905301735.post-32975657990138307812015-02-06T15:06:00.000-05:002015-10-29T14:38:25.793-04:00Don't Be a Baby: Marks of Spiritual Maturing<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCU_nlrT09eYmwHolaMDp1BkS8QhUcjX6Zz-hNLo6y3m8wBAShvoZlaRKi6YRV-wcGKBPTDjEfAt2hB5YFH0dZELY2nQKxFu0M9NMvSjNBWxuEyZgrN0oLfM9Jf7xuoRjnpGMetGY_Wg/s1600/Growth_measured_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCU_nlrT09eYmwHolaMDp1BkS8QhUcjX6Zz-hNLo6y3m8wBAShvoZlaRKi6YRV-wcGKBPTDjEfAt2hB5YFH0dZELY2nQKxFu0M9NMvSjNBWxuEyZgrN0oLfM9Jf7xuoRjnpGMetGY_Wg/s1600/Growth_measured_1.jpg" width="267" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span class="text"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Jesus
taught that we must be born again. We start our Christian lives as spiritual
babies but we shouldn’t stay there. But unlike physical growth, spiritual
growth does not happen automatically. Too many Christians grow up to be “<a href="http://stayontargetstayontarget.blogspot.com/2012/03/adult-baby.html">adult babies</a>.” Paul complained about this with the Christians at Corinth. He wrote, “But
I, brothers,<sup> </sup>could not address you as</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">spiritual people, but as</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">people of the flesh, as</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">infants in Christ.</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">I fed you with milk, not solid
food, for</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">you were not ready for it. And even now you are not yet
ready” (1 Cor. 3:1-2; see also Hebrews 5:11-14). <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span class="text"><span style="background: white; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">It
may not be possible to pinpoint your spiritual age, but I think that there are
markers that we can look for. Just as we see certain things happen in the
physical growth of a baby, we can also look for certain markers as a baby
Christian grows toward maturity. Here are a few:<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list -44.6pt; text-indent: -.25in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">•<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: +mn-ea; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt;">Learn
to feed yourself.</span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span><!--[endif]--></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpLast" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-line-break-override: restrictions; punctuation-wrap: simple; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Babies need milk to grow, but eventually they need to
move on to solid food. A Hebrews 5:14 states, “solid food is for the mature.”
But another mark of spiritual growth is being able to feed yourself rather than
being spoon fed. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-line-break-override: restrictions; punctuation-wrap: simple; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">“Like newborn infants, long for the pure <b>spiritual
milk</b>, that by it you may grow up into salvation” -1 Peter 2:2 <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-line-break-override: restrictions; punctuation-wrap: simple; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-line-break-override: restrictions; punctuation-wrap: simple; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">“Do your best to present yourself to God as one
approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, <b>rightly handling
the word</b> <b>of</b> <b>truth</b>.” –2 Timothy 2:15 <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-add-space: auto; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">•<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: +mn-ea; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt;">Stop
messing yourself.</span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span><!--[endif]--></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-line-break-override: restrictions; punctuation-wrap: simple; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">We expect that babies are going to mess their diapers.
In time, however, that should stop. In the same way, new Christians need to
stop messing their lives as they did before they knew Christ. None of us reach
perfection in this life, but we need to start trying to keep clean.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-line-break-override: restrictions; punctuation-wrap: simple; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-line-break-override: restrictions; punctuation-wrap: simple; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">“For you have spent enough time in the past doing
what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies,
carousing and detestable idolatry.” -1 Peter 4:3 </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list -44.6pt; text-indent: -.25in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">•<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: +mn-ea; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt;">Stop
crying when you don’t get your way.</span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span><!--[endif]--></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-line-break-override: restrictions; punctuation-wrap: simple; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">How do you react when things don’t go your own way? Do
you pinch a fit or do you see yourself growing in peace, patience, gentleness
and self-control? </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-line-break-override: restrictions; punctuation-wrap: simple; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-line-break-override: restrictions; punctuation-wrap: simple; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,
patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against
such things there is no law.” –Galatians 5:22-23 <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">•<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: +mn-ea; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt;">Stop
hitting. </span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span><!--[endif]--></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Paul taught that the fighting among the Corinthians
Christians was a mark of their immaturity. If we hit—with our fists, our words,
or our actions—we are acting like bratty children. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">“infants in Christ . . . for you are still of the
flesh. For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of
the flesh and behaving only in a human way?” -1 Cor. 3:1,3 </span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">•<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: +mn-ea; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt;">Learn
to walk.</span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span><!--[endif]--></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">The Bible often uses walking as a metaphor for the
Christian life. After we become Christians, we need to start living the way
that Christians ought to live. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">“…<b>walk</b> in a
manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in
every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.” –Colossians 1:10 </span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list -44.6pt; text-indent: -.25in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">•<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: +mn-ea; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt;">Lean
to speak.</span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span><!--[endif]--></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">We need to learn to open our mouths to talk about
Jesus Christ and our relationship to him. We need to learn to use our words for
good. We need to learn to verbalize our faith and have the confidence to speak
and pray in front of others. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">“Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but
only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give
grace to those who hear.” –Ephesians 4:29 <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list -22.3pt; text-indent: -.25in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">•<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: +mn-ea; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt;">Learn
right from wrong.</span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span><!--[endif]--></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Children need to be taught what is right and what is
wrong. Christians need to learn what God says is right and wrong. If we don’t
do this, we will listen to the world and keep believing that evil is good and
good is evil.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">“But solid food is for the mature, for those who
have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to <b>distinguish
good from evil</b>.” –Hebrews 5:14 </span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">•<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: +mn-ea; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt;">Learn
to get dressed. </span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span><!--[endif]--></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">There are two parts to this:
Getting undressed and getting dressed. Christians are called to “take off” the
practices of the old self and to “put on” the practices of the new self. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">“Do not lie to each
other, since you have <b>taken off</b>
your old self with its practices and have <b>put on </b>the new
self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator
. . . Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, <b>clothe
yourselves </b>with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and
patience.” –Colossians 3:9-10,12 </span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list -22.3pt; text-indent: -.25in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">•<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: +mn-ea; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt;">Take
responsibility for yourself.</span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span><!--[endif]--></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">As kids get older they need to
learn responsibility so that one day they can live without Mom packing their
lunch every day and reminding them to do their homework. As Christians grow,
they need to take responsibility for their own Christian lives. If someone
still has to “make” you go to church and read the Bible and to serve, it isn’t
looking good for your spiritual maturity! <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: +mn-cs; mso-fareast-font-family: +mn-ea; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt;">“<b><sup><span style="mso-text-raise: 7.0pt; position: relative; top: -7.0pt;"> </span></sup></b>for at
one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk
as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is
good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: +mn-ea; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt;">Lord.” –Ephesians
5:8-10 <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list -22.3pt; text-indent: -.25in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">•<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: +mn-ea; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt;">Take
responsibility for others.</span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span><!--[endif]--></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Not every person is mature enough
to babysit or to be a good parent. A sign of even more maturity is that a
person not only takes care of his or her own self, but now also takes care of
other people. God wants us to move beyond our own needs so that we can help
other people to grow toward spiritual maturity. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">“Do nothing out of selfish ambition
or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, <b>not
looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others</b>.
In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ
Jesus” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">–Philippians 2:3-5 </span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list -22.3pt; text-indent: -.25in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">•<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: +mn-ea; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt;">Be
able to reproduce! </span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span><!--[endif]--></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Part of physical maturity is being
able to reproduce. The same is true spiritually. A mature Christian should be
able and willing to explain the message of salvation to another person. God
wants to use you to help make new baby Christians!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: .25in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: +mn-cs; mso-fareast-font-family: +mn-ea; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt;">“Therefore go
and <b>make</b> <b>disciples</b> of all nations . . .” –Matthew
28:19 </span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list -22.3pt; text-indent: -.25in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">•<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: +mn-ea; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt;">Learn
to make wise decisions.</span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span><!--[endif]--></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpLast" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Eventually kids leave the house.
They need to be able to make good decisions on their own. (Although sometimes
wisdom means knowing when to ask for advice!) Growing in wisdom means being
able apply the right Biblical principles to your situation in life. It means
planning long-term for the best goals. It means seeing the difference—not only
between right and wrong, but between good, better, and best. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">“<b><sup><span style="mso-text-raise: 7.0pt; position: relative; top: -7.0pt;"> </span></sup></b>Look carefully
then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the
time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but
understand what the will of the Lord is.” –Ephesians 5:15-17</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">This is a very incomplete list,
but these are some of the marks that show that a person is growing toward Christian
maturity. </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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Nate Archerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04071452115257992813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937844795905301735.post-29876802880041806382015-02-05T12:28:00.000-05:002015-02-10T15:00:21.847-05:00Isaiah 40 and Our Incomparable God<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I recently finished a series of teachings from the book of Isaiah. In the last four messages I preached through Isaiah 40, focusing on the incomparable greatness of God. (The third one, "<a href="https://vimeo.com/117403668">Incomparable Craftsmanship</a>" is probably the best of the bunch.)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="282" mozallowfullscreen="" src="//player.vimeo.com/video/116077635?byline=0" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="500"></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://vimeo.com/116077635">The Incomparable Word</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user34642615">First Baptist Middleville</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Isaiah 40:1-8. Because God knows the future with certainty, His Word will stands firm and we can take comfort in it.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="282" mozallowfullscreen="" src="//player.vimeo.com/video/117326900?byline=0" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="500"></iframe> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://vimeo.com/117326900">Behold Our God: Incomparable Might</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user34642615">First Baptist Middleville</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Isaiah 40:9-17. Behold our God who can hold the oceans in the hollow of His hand.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="282" mozallowfullscreen="" src="//player.vimeo.com/video/117403668?byline=0" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="500"></iframe> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://vimeo.com/117403668">Incomparable Craftsmanship</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user34642615">First Baptist Middleville</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Isaiah 40:19-26. Behold the incomparable God who created the stars.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="282" mozallowfullscreen="" src="//player.vimeo.com/video/117868299?byline=0" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="500"></iframe> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://vimeo.com/117868299">Incomparable Endurance</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user34642615">First Baptist Middleville</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Isaiah 40:27-31. Incomparable endurance comes from the incomparable God.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij3tJdc4PQiqJ4UyNJ3s3d6I_UUvNkJCDKj7FRrhttMPfPnzpgqJTBPvObNqCfNX9D9yUOvsmHqCsPuSXncRObJzz8bVSQIznFRWWIbAckrxnMspyWpn-GvBZSwNr_0v_wJ6aBFS0t6A/s1600/High+and+Lifted+Up+2014+002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij3tJdc4PQiqJ4UyNJ3s3d6I_UUvNkJCDKj7FRrhttMPfPnzpgqJTBPvObNqCfNX9D9yUOvsmHqCsPuSXncRObJzz8bVSQIznFRWWIbAckrxnMspyWpn-GvBZSwNr_0v_wJ6aBFS0t6A/s320/High+and+Lifted+Up+2014+002.jpg" height="280" width="400" /></a></div>
Nate Archerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04071452115257992813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937844795905301735.post-9201063254953511002015-02-04T10:48:00.001-05:002015-02-04T10:48:39.177-05:00Pulling Down Idols<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">An idol is anything in our lives that has more of our ultimate loyalty than God. Idols need to be recognized, repositioned and replaced. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="281" mozallowfullscreen="" src="//player.vimeo.com/video/112428757" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="500"></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://vimeo.com/112428757">Pulling Down Idols</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user34642615">First Baptist Middleville</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSmvghQVpIqfngnegf4dmLcBOh1GTxAW2lDXWtvnyk3weY10hFepue7QpPearxNN051uSPx4w5lgWcDOa8Ojt7iL8QZmgTPzAgh-TghxtyzzEBDBgVnhakuBBTGoXIKKsDIGmLHvRi2g/s1600/Idols_Pole.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSmvghQVpIqfngnegf4dmLcBOh1GTxAW2lDXWtvnyk3weY10hFepue7QpPearxNN051uSPx4w5lgWcDOa8Ojt7iL8QZmgTPzAgh-TghxtyzzEBDBgVnhakuBBTGoXIKKsDIGmLHvRi2g/s1600/Idols_Pole.jpg" height="320" width="97" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<span class="text Isa-46-5" id="en-ESV-18592" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; position: relative; text-align: start;">“To whom will you liken me and make me equal,</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; text-align: start;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; text-align: start;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-46-5" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">and compare me, that we may be alike?</span></span><br />
<span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; text-align: start;"><span class="text Isa-46-5" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><span class="text Isa-46-6" id="en-ESV-18593" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">Those who lavish gold from the purse,</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-46-6" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">and weigh out silver in the scales,</span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="text Isa-46-6" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">hire a goldsmith, and he makes it into a god;</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-46-6" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-18593G" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-18593G" title="See cross-reference G">G</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>then they fall down and worship!</span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; text-align: start;"><span class="text Isa-46-5" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="text Isa-46-6" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><span class="text Isa-46-7" id="en-ESV-18594" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">They lift it to their shoulders, they carry it,</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-46-7" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">they set it in its place, and it stands there;</span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-46-7" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-18594I" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-18594I" title="See cross-reference I">I</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>it cannot move from its place.</span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="text Isa-46-7" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">If one cries to it, it does not answer</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-46-7" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">or save him from his trouble."</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; text-align: start;"><span class="text Isa-46-5" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="text Isa-46-6" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="text Isa-46-7" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">-Isaiah 46:5-7</span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">If you would like to see the first of the two messages on idolatry, click <a href="https://vimeo.com/112418391">here</a>. (I apologize that the video quality is a bit jumpy. We have improved our equipment since this recording.)</span></div>
<span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px;"><span class="text Isa-46-5" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="text Isa-46-6" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">
</span></span></span></span>
<div class="poetry top-1" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding-left: 2.6em; position: relative;">
<div class="line" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="text Isa-46-5" id="en-ESV-18592" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-weight: bold; left: -4.4em; line-height: 22px; position: absolute; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
</div>
Nate Archerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04071452115257992813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937844795905301735.post-72442744711285965232015-01-19T16:56:00.000-05:002015-01-19T17:15:18.137-05:00If Matt Stafford was a Cartoon Character...Just something I noticed.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
You can't tell me it isn't true.<br />
<br />
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Nate Archerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04071452115257992813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937844795905301735.post-33488456642617531092014-12-31T17:39:00.004-05:002015-01-01T00:59:49.418-05:002014I haven't blogged much in 2014 but I have an excuse.<br />
<br />
2014 was a crazy year. It was a year I could not have predicted. When 2014 started I was between ministries and in the middle of writing my PhD dissertation on the Providence of God. We were living off of savings and I had no idea what to expect except that God had a plan and that it would probably be something I could never have guessed in advance. I was right about that.<br />
<br />
In January I stated teaching <i>Christian Belief and History</i> for Cornerstone University as an adjunct. In February, we learned that the church we were attending was suddenly losing their Senior Pastor along with much of their staff due to a conflict that we had no idea about. It was a very difficult time for this church, but the handwriting was on the wall that we were there for a purpose. By April I was teaching as a volunteer for their student ministry while continuing to teach for Cornerstone. In May, the congregation voted to bring me on as the Interim Associate Pastor, starting after I would teach <i>Systematic Theology II</i> for Grand Rapids Theological Seminary in June.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcP8zuSUfsK4RuJUvxTxZ8tmQaqjcQkgbRUMY5TdMC2mIHMIlntKUSucxXrJ8sIRxIMSCr05ZwAZT9io23WMxvmuKGQ19-UupOWe8lDCjbApSMoo77Rj8ZU6rmZDuvRK8a412L2zjGdA/s1600/IMG_1351+1+4x6+1_square.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcP8zuSUfsK4RuJUvxTxZ8tmQaqjcQkgbRUMY5TdMC2mIHMIlntKUSucxXrJ8sIRxIMSCr05ZwAZT9io23WMxvmuKGQ19-UupOWe8lDCjbApSMoo77Rj8ZU6rmZDuvRK8a412L2zjGdA/s1600/IMG_1351+1+4x6+1_square.jpg" height="271" width="320" /></a>One thing led to another and by fall I was officially installed as the Senior Pastor at First Baptist Church of Middleville--a faithful and loving church that is a better doctrinal match for us, and two and a half miles closer to our home that our previous church. And by "coincidence" before my first regular sermon in November, I also finished and submitted all 301 pages of my doctoral dissertation on the Providence of God. (I will defend it in January.)<br />
<br />
That's why I haven't been blogging much this year. I've been busy writing about God's Providence and living it out.<br />
<br />
God is faithful.
<br />
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Nate Archerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04071452115257992813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937844795905301735.post-25533698614020824622014-06-05T14:36:00.000-04:002014-06-05T17:52:51.222-04:00The Most Beautiful Painting in the World<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHLAO9Wc6goTN5Lo5AHylu5AoftdGwJm9UMBhlgqy0IycQCopME3CkG17bQW1SAaU7aGUY6jwEXwNxhOUWLqEEgQ-QU_7o9ymStbrfzyISiZUE5f3ldfSEhMZiUTgyFATe74APAn7Hng/s1600/veiled_painting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHLAO9Wc6goTN5Lo5AHylu5AoftdGwJm9UMBhlgqy0IycQCopME3CkG17bQW1SAaU7aGUY6jwEXwNxhOUWLqEEgQ-QU_7o9ymStbrfzyISiZUE5f3ldfSEhMZiUTgyFATe74APAn7Hng/s1600/veiled_painting.jpg" height="320" width="233" /></a>Imagine that you were the owner of the most beautiful
painting in the world. Without a doubt, this is the most beautiful work of art ever to be created. It brings joy and delight to everyone who
looks at it. When people behold this magnificent work of art, their lives are forever changed because of the breathtaking beauty of this work.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now,
if you were the owner of this painting, what would be the more loving thing to
do? Would it be more loving to take that
painting and lock it in a big vault in your attic where it will be kept safe and where no
one but you could every look at it? Or,
would it be more loving to put the painting on display for everyone who is
willing to come and delight in its beauty, and then to go out encouraging
others to come and to behold the life-changing beauty of the painting? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now consider this: It’s not merely as if God <i>has
</i>the most beautiful painting in the world; God <i>is </i>the most beautiful being in the world! Therefore, the most
loving thing for God to do would be to put His magnificence on display for
everyone to see. The most loving thing
for Him to do would be to exalt Himself and insist that people come and find
their delight in Him. God is the source
of infinite and eternal joy.</div>
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God is glorified when people's hearts delight in Him. For God to be glorified is appropriate and God-honoring, because God deserves it. It is also the most loving thing for God to offer people.</div>
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"<i>One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord.</i>.." </div>
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-Psalm 27:4</div>
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Nate Archerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04071452115257992813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937844795905301735.post-25044373730349235742014-05-29T13:01:00.000-04:002014-05-29T13:03:25.624-04:00Powerman and Mosquitoboy: Robot Invasion - Episode 3<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Behold! Here is another video from back in my superhero days. This is part three in <i>Powerman and Mosquitoboy: Robot Invasion</i>. You can watch <a href="http://www.stayontargetstayontarget.blogspot.com/2013/08/robot-invasion-episode-1.html">part one on the blog</a> or on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFXJKqsUId0&index=3&list=UU0CigzBiMgyIpBDUtSYfHGA">youtube</a>, and you can watch <a href="http://www.stayontargetstayontarget.blogspot.com/2014/02/powerman-and-mosquitoboy-robot-invasion.html">part two on the blog</a> or on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-4Bk9NPxao&list=UU0CigzBiMgyIpBDUtSYfHGA">youtube</a>. </div>
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In the <a href="http://www.stayontargetstayontarget.blogspot.com/2014/02/powerman-and-mosquitoboy-robot-invasion.html">previous episode</a>, Powerman learned from The Designer that Princess Alethia's fiance, Prince Wimpe, is secretly behind the robot invasion and the robotic duplicates of Powerman and Mosquitoboy. Now, it is up to them to warn the Princess before it is too late!</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="304" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/wf9uKG4ETGc" width="540"></iframe></div>
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Once again, we managed to smuggle a lot of theology into a superhero video for kids! This was originally used for a custom written VBS program. The teaching theme for this episode was <i>Reboot: You must be born again</i>. Verse: "In reply Jesus declared, 'I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.'" -John 3:3.</div>
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This was fun to write and create. There was great acting from all those involved. I hope you enjoy it!</div>
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<div class="fb-like" data-href="http://www.stayontargetstayontarget.blogspot.com/2014/05/powerman-and-mosquitoboy-robot-invasion.html" data-layout="standard" data-action="like" data-show-faces="false" data-share="true"></div>Nate Archerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04071452115257992813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937844795905301735.post-82963980136891612692014-04-30T11:20:00.001-04:002014-05-01T16:15:31.999-04:00If Scripture is Clear, Why Don't We Agree?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgza6YilvpJlnrRInR7pBE5Vg73d5Gvkmy_gpot3cVXBsypzGet6HSq5iFvluHnDH_Z0S-vGgNzo1z2BgrGg3E4JBUHW0OpRiRLYoEsZ_yr6PEst1HTuD6oIi7t5KQFjkAieXjG6OGYMg/s1600/Divisions1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgza6YilvpJlnrRInR7pBE5Vg73d5Gvkmy_gpot3cVXBsypzGet6HSq5iFvluHnDH_Z0S-vGgNzo1z2BgrGg3E4JBUHW0OpRiRLYoEsZ_yr6PEst1HTuD6oIi7t5KQFjkAieXjG6OGYMg/s1600/Divisions1.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a>The fact that Christians disagree about so many issues seems to be an argument against the clarity ("perspicuity") of Scripture. If Scripture is clear, then why don't we all agree?<br />
<br />
[<a href="http://www.stayontargetstayontarget.blogspot.com/2014/04/the-perspicuity-of-scripture.html">Click here for the previous article on The Perspicuity of Scripture</a>.]<br />
<br />
Something that helped me with this question was a section in Erwin Lutzer's book <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Doctrines-That-Divide-Christians/dp/0825431654/">Doctrines that Divide</a>. </i>Lutzer lists four of the reasons why Christians don't agree: the limitations of men, the perversion of man, the unbelief of man, and the traditions of man. These are problems that each of us should recognize.<br />
<br />
<b>The Limitations of Men</b><br />
There are some doctrines that are difficult simply because human beings are limited in our knowledge and understanding. For example, discussions free will are notoriously difficult. The Bible is clear that God is sovereign over everything and that humans are morally responsible for their choices; but how to put those two truths <i>together</i> is a paradox. We simply don't have enough insight to understand <i>how </i>that works. We lack information and we lack mental ability. Our three-pound brains simply do not have the computing power for some problems. In addition, there are other truths that remain mysteries to us because God has not chosen to reveal them to us.<br />
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<b>The Perversion of Man</b><br />
What Lutzer means here is that we often twist the meaning of Biblical texts to suit our own desires or biases. We <i>want</i> something to be true, so we read the Bible in a certain way. This category doesn't merely include issues dealing with <i>sexual </i>perversion, although that would be one example. You need to work very hard to bend the Bible enough to say that sexual relations are blessed for anyone besides a husband and a wife who are married to each other. Yet, people write books to argue that. Of course, there are countless other examples of this category besides sexual issues. Sometimes people know full well that they are twisting Scripture, but often they want to see something in Scripture so badly that they see mirages.<br />
<br />
<b>The Unbelief of Man</b><br />
Some people have a naturalistic worldview that absolutely rules out any involvement from God. There is no way to believe all of the Bible's teachings related to science, creation, prophecy, history, and miracles if you start with a precommitment to naturalism. The Bible is not anti-scientific, but it does include the core idea that God exists and that He can interact with the created world. For various reasons and pressures, some people refuse to accept that. Many professing Christians have been influenced by naturalism to one degree or another. There are Bible commentaries built upon a foundation of unbelief. It is a mistake to let our worldview shape our view of Scripture instead of letting Scripture shape our worldview.<br />
<br />
<b>The Traditions of Man</b><br />
We all have inherited certain traditions about what Christians should believe. The only difference is that some people recognize their traditions and some people are blind to them. The person who says, "I have no traditions" may be like a fish that doesn't realize that it swims in water. In truth, many of our disagreements boil down to the fact that we swim in different ponds with different accepted beliefs. There is often little incentive to reexamine these beliefs, especially if it might mean having to find another pond.<br />
<br />
In addition to these, let me add a few more:<br />
<br />
<b>The Desire to Please Men</b><br />
We usually think about "traditions" being something old, but in reality any influence we have from the people around us can distort our view of God and the Word. For many people today, the new "tradition" is the desire to be seen as progressive. People want to be judged well by their peers. No one will be true to God's Word who craves the approval of the world.<br />
<br />
<b>The Failure of Men</b><br />
Many Christians have no idea what they should believe because they are Biblically illiterate. Many churches have failed at discipleship. Many pastors have failed to faithfully preach God's Word. Many parents have failed to instruct their children. And many Christians have failed to take responsibility for their own spiritual growth. (Sorry to be so negative here! I wish I were wrong.)<br />
<br />
<b>In addition...</b><br />
Beliefs are connected. One wrong belief often affects another. For example, if you have a low view of God's holiness, you will have a shallow view of man's sin. If you have a shallow view of man's sin, it would be difficult for you to see why sin is so awful that God should punish it with eternal condemnation. It would be difficult to see why it was necessary for the Son of God to come as a sinless sacrifice to pay an infinitely horrible price as our substitute. You see, false teaching leads to a chain reaction of error.<br />
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In conclusion, there are many reasons why professing Christians disagree. All of these reasons have one common core: <i>man</i>. The reason Christians disagree is not because God is a bad communicator. The problem lies with us.<br />
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[Note: The four original main points are from Lutzer but the comments are mine.]<br />
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See also: <a href="http://www.stayontargetstayontarget.blogspot.com/2014/04/the-perspicuity-of-scripture.html">The Perspicuity of Scripture</a>; and <a href="http://www.stayontargetstayontarget.blogspot.com/2012/03/how-to-silence-god-on-subject-you-dont.html">How to Silence God on a Subject You Don't Like</a>Nate Archerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04071452115257992813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937844795905301735.post-89749279976670585112014-04-28T17:01:00.001-04:002014-04-30T11:28:16.016-04:00The Perspicuity of Scripture<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-9SEhrJ-agBh3zaluEcrcHq44Wi1Lu70kqkt-9oW73QghbUAiOPFVSLhImfD01kGLoi7W5LahQZj9pUquyIxK7GHIEIlCFHFxA1RchSPpZwqN-mKkJGbIXLyXM1tXd-XQB7LYtmr7Lw/s1600/phonograph2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-9SEhrJ-agBh3zaluEcrcHq44Wi1Lu70kqkt-9oW73QghbUAiOPFVSLhImfD01kGLoi7W5LahQZj9pUquyIxK7GHIEIlCFHFxA1RchSPpZwqN-mKkJGbIXLyXM1tXd-XQB7LYtmr7Lw/s1600/phonograph2.jpg" height="320" width="185" /></a></div>
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Satan
hates God’s Word and he will do whatever he can to keep people out of that
book. One of his most successful lies is the myth that the Bible is too
complicated to be understood by normal people. Don’t bother. Be afraid. Leave it
to the experts. “Don’t try this at home.”</div>
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<br />
The word<i> perspicuity</i> is obscure, but what it refers to is the “clarity” of Scripture. (Ironic, isn’t it?) Perspicuity means clarity, plainness, transparency, or intelligibility. The perspicuity of Scripture means that Scripture is written so that it can be read and understood by ordinary believers.</div>
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<b>Lie:</b> The
Bible is too complicated to be understood by normal people.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Truth:</b> The Bible is meant to be read and
understood. Think about these words from Deuteronomy 6:6-7:</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<i>“These commandments
that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your
children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the
road, when you lie down and when you get up.” <o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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These instructions are given to parents, not scholars. In
order for this to make sense, God’s message must be clear enough that it could
be understood by everyday parents and communicated to everyday kids. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>Lie:</b> You cannot
understand the Bible without special teachers.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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In the early
church, the Gnostics claimed that they alone had secret knowledge that was the
key to true understanding. If you wanted true understanding, you were held
hostage to these teachers. Over the years, many other teachers and authorities have
implied the same thing. Some church authorities have claimed that everyone must
look to them for the official interpretation of Christian teachings. Some
scholars love to give people the impression that they are the only ones skilled
enough to analyze and understand the complex labyrinth of God’s Word. In
addition, even evangelical teachers write books and publish videos claiming
that they have discovered the keys to finally unlock God’s mysteries. You too
can have these keys—if you buy their book or pay to go to their conference.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Truth:</b> The Holy Spirit
is given to all Christians to help them understand His truth. Read these
words from the Apostle John in 1 John 2:27:</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i>“But the anointing
that you received from him abides in you, <u>and you have no need that
anyone should teach you</u>. But as his anointing teaches you about everything,
and is true…” <o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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John’s point was that believers didn’t need to be held hostage by the
false teachers that were claiming that Christians needed them to give them the
true interpretation of Scripture. Instead, John taught that <i>all </i>Christians
have the anointing of the Holy Spirit and that part of the Spirit’s work is to
illuminate the message of God’s Word to them. I don’t think that John is saying
that teachers aren’t <i>useful </i>for Christians (there is a spiritual gift of
“teacher” after all), but what he is saying is that Christians don’t need to be
<i>dependent </i>on human teachers. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<b>What Perspicuity Doesn't Mean<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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Having said that, we need to make sure we don’t swing to the opposite
extreme. There are several things this doctrine does <i>not </i>mean:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->The doctrine of perspicuity does not mean that nothing is difficult to
understand. Some parts of Scripture <i>are</i> difficult. Even the Apostle
Peter recognized this (2 Peter 3:15-16).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->The doctrine of perspicuity does not mean that you will understand
everything automatically. Effort is involved. Sometimes, a great deal of effort
and practice is involved. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->The doctrine of perspicuity does not mean that you will understand
verses out of context. You couldn't even understand a sentence from a simple
children’s novel out of context. Why would you think you could do that for
Scripture?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->The doctrine of perspicuity does not mean that you will understand
everything. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->The doctrine of perspicuity does not mean that you will understand Scripture
infallibly. Be humble and open to correction.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
However, this doctrine does mean that the most important doctrine of
Scripture are clearly set forth for those who are willing to read it, seeking
God’s help with a heart that is willing to hear and obey God’s Word. I believe
some of these clear teachings include the deity of Jesus Christ, the message of
salvation by grace alone through faith alone, and basic instructions about God’s
moral will for our lives. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
Sometimes the real reason why people think God’s Word is unclear is
because they do not <i>want</i> it to be clear. They don’t like what it says. They
want to pretend that God’s Word is <a href="http://www.stayontargetstayontarget.blogspot.com/2012/03/how-to-silence-god-on-subject-you-dont.html">cloudy</a> so that they do not have to obey it.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<b>Is God is a competent
communicator?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
Ultimately, it comes down to either believing that (a) God is a
good communicator, or (b) God is a lousy communicator. Yes, there are challenges for an infinite God to communicate to finite beings like us. And yes, there are problems even with communication between human beings—context, perspective
and background information can all shape or distort the message that is heard. Still, the
same people who write books about the impossibility of communicating truth
still assume that you can understand <i>their</i> books, blogs, and
comments well enough. How arrogant it is to think that <i>we</i> can communicate better than God.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
God does not have a speech impediment. We have a hearing
problem. Our problem is that we have our hands over our ears to keep ourselves
from hearing what God is saying. God’s Word is clear because the God who made
us is a good communicator. Take your hands away and hear His voice through His written Word.<o:p></o:p><br />
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This article was part of a series, <i>Five Things I Hope You Believe are True About Scripture</i>: (1) <a href="http://www.stayontargetstayontarget.blogspot.com/2014/02/the-necessity-of-scripture.html">Necessity</a>, (2) <a href="http://www.stayontargetstayontarget.blogspot.com/2014/02/the-authority-of-scripture.html">Authority</a>, (3) <a href="http://www.stayontargetstayontarget.blogspot.com/2014/03/the-inerrancy-of-scripture.html">Inerrancy</a>, (4) <a href="http://www.stayontargetstayontarget.blogspot.com/2014/03/the-sufficiency-of-scripture.html">Sufficiency</a>, and (5) Perspicuity. Also related: <a href="http://www.stayontargetstayontarget.blogspot.com/2012/03/how-to-silence-god-on-subject-you-dont.html">How to Silence God on a Subject You Don't Like</a> and <a href="http://stayontargetstayontarget.blogspot.com/2014/04/if-scripture-is-clear-why-dont-we-agree.html">If Scripture is Clear, Why Don't We Agree?</a></div>
Nate Archerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04071452115257992813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937844795905301735.post-13682628484806863812014-03-31T18:59:00.000-04:002014-04-28T17:04:30.994-04:00The Sufficiency of Scripture<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">If you want to write a bestselling Christian book, tell people about hidden truth that isn't in the Bible. Write about
your trip to heaven. Write about the personal information that Jesus channeled
to you during your time of listening. Give people something newer and fresher
than the dull pages of their dusty Bibles. A quick look at the top selling
books at Meijers or Walmart will confirm that these are the books that fly off
the shelves.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS5rHCIBvuUqzJKHXEDy9w-RaoytBxsPEGps3aeeJMER8wgnAPWCz8HiAFlxO8iSOl1c2YClmkeoINZdxuy1Gmff6iAXSaWN0-8Ak6VNpCUuJwzTPAUs363m4wIHPXi7daXqewh70YbA/s1600/Inspiration_books.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS5rHCIBvuUqzJKHXEDy9w-RaoytBxsPEGps3aeeJMER8wgnAPWCz8HiAFlxO8iSOl1c2YClmkeoINZdxuy1Gmff6iAXSaWN0-8Ak6VNpCUuJwzTPAUs363m4wIHPXi7daXqewh70YbA/s1600/Inspiration_books.jpg" height="200" width="400" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">What does it say about Christianity that these are our
most popular books? I’m afraid it indicates that we are enamored with the novel. We are more interested in privileged information than in the public record of the Bible. Our attentions are more perked by fresh finds than old truths. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In the early days of the church, the <i>Gnostics</i> were a major problem. The word “Gnostic”
means “knowing ones.” The Gnostics taught that salvation came from receiving
hidden wisdom. They believed they had secret, insider knowledge that was only known by the privileged few. Men and women were drawn to Gnosticism because they were attracted to the
idea of getting the inside scoop. People in those days had the same tendencies
as people today.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In contrast to this,
I hope that you believe in <b>the
sufficiency of Scripture</b>. The sufficiency of Scripture means that the Bible
contains everything we need to know to be saved and to live the Christian life.
Everything that God meant to tell us for this age is written in the completed
pages of Scripture. It is the full measure of revealed truth that God intends
for humanity for this stage in redemptive history. Until Christ returns, it is
all that we need.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">There are no
extra-biblical Easter eggs to go looking for. Scripture is enough.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPPcZIKlqjAzd3OKmcvADBWVK2VUSrdjeB4J00rvphPeLb1jUzkZzMmHFAvEKIKZfN9Mdp3gpJBBfdlmgh0_mRpviKF-jyKuLYdsj3SXE226AkerCy6yM8IYl_6kPK5d-q5iYZdKC3bQ/s1600/outfitter2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPPcZIKlqjAzd3OKmcvADBWVK2VUSrdjeB4J00rvphPeLb1jUzkZzMmHFAvEKIKZfN9Mdp3gpJBBfdlmgh0_mRpviKF-jyKuLYdsj3SXE226AkerCy6yM8IYl_6kPK5d-q5iYZdKC3bQ/s1600/outfitter2.jpg" height="166" width="200" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Many of you will go camping this summer. If you go to a
store to be outfitted for your camping trip and they have a sign in the window claiming they carry <i>"Everything
You Need!"</i> then you shouldn't have to go to another store to buy something else
for your trip. If they can give you everything you need, then you would be
<i>thoroughly equipped</i>. If they didn’t have everything you need, then you wouldn’t
be thoroughly equipped. With that in mind, think about what Paul tells Timothy
in 2 Timothy 3:15-17:</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">…and how from infancy you have known the holy
Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in
Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching,
rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may
be <b>thoroughly equipped</b> for every
good work.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Paul tells Timothy that Scripture is able to make him <i>thoroughly equipped</i> for every good work.
Timothy did not need revelation from another source to equip him thoroughly.
Neither do we. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The
sufficiency of Scripture does <i>not</i>
mean that the Bible tells us everything there is to know about how to build nuclear
reactors or how to remove someone’s appendix. However, it <i>does</i> mean that everything we need to know about God, salvation, and
the Christian life is found in Scripture. It means that we don’t have to look
to someone’s (very doubtful) trips to heaven for a secret glimpse behind the
curtain. It means that we don’t have to buy someone’s book to get their secret
knowledge. It means that we shouldn’t look for spiritual short-cuts. There are
no divinely inspired Cliff-Notes for Scripture. There are no deleted scenes. It
means that we don’t have to feel like “there’s gotta be something more.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Satan will do anything he can to get us
away from the Word of God. If he can make something else seem more interesting,
more fresh, more authoritative, or easier... he will do it.</span><br />
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Years ago Rene Pache wrote this wisdom:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Why be tied
to a book out of the past when one can communicate every day with the living
God? But this is exactly the danger point. Apart from the constant control of
written revelation, we soon find ourselves engulfed in subjectivity . . . Let
each remind himself of the prohibition of taking anything away from Scripture
or adding anything to it (Deut. 4:2; Rev. 22:18-19). Almost every heresy and
sect has originated in a supposed revelation or a new experience on the part of
its founder, something outside the strictly biblical framework.</i> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">James Montgomenry Boice once warned that the great issue
of our day would not be the authority of Scripture, but its sufficiency. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The alternative to the sufficiency of Scripture is the </span><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">insufficiency </i><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">of Scripture. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Either you
believe that Scripture is enough, or you will turn to other experiences and
teachings to supplement it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Remember, God is omniscient. When the Holy Spirit inspired the words of Scripture, He knew
exactly what we would need today—even in the 21st century. Our world didn’t catch Him by surprise.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Be satisfied with what God has chosen to
reveal. He could have revealed more, but He didn't. God has His reasons for
that.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My advice to you is to disregard books on
trips to heaven, special messages, and secret wisdom. Don't give it a market.
Don't be fascinated by novelty. Instead, appreciate all that God
<i>has </i>revealed in Scripture. Read it! Read all of it. Meditate on it. Appreciate the fact
that the Holy Spirit is with us to illuminate the truths that He had written
down long ago. He makes it come alive to us and shows us how it applies, in
glaring brilliance, to our lives today.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I hope you believe that Scripture is
enough. I hope you are satisfied with the sufficiency of Scripture. <span style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<b>Next up: </b><i><a href="http://stayontargetstayontarget.blogspot.com/2014/04/the-perspicuity-of-scripture.html">The Perspicuity of Scripture</a></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Others in this series: </b><i><a href="http://www.stayontargetstayontarget.blogspot.com/2014/02/the-necessity-of-scripture.html">The Necessity of Scripture</a>; <a href="http://www.stayontargetstayontarget.blogspot.com/2014/02/the-authority-of-scripture.html">The Authority of Scripture</a>; <a href="http://www.stayontargetstayontarget.blogspot.com/2014/03/the-inerrancy-of-scripture.html">The Inerrancy of Scripture</a>; </i></span></div>
Nate Archerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04071452115257992813noreply@blogger.com0