Kerussomen Christon Estauromenon

Banner of Truth -- Gethsemane's King and Lamb -- Joel Beeke

2011-05-24T18:10:00.001-05:00

John 18:1-14

-nobleman saw a beautiful slave woman for sale
-men who were going to buy her were talking about the depraved things that they would do to her
-the nobleman called out to the slave trader that he would pay double whatever anyone else would pay
-after seeing the nobleman's money he sold the slave to him
-he took her, and she spite in his face
-he wiped it off and took her to an office
-after arguing with the man behind the desk he finally said, "I have the right to do this."
-the man behind the desk grudgingly admitted that was true and put together some papers
-the nobleman gave them to the slave woman and she spit in his face
-he wiped it away and said, "Don't you understand, these papers mean you are free."
-she stared at him and asked if it was really true he paid twice the price anyone would pay for a slave to set her free
-he said yes, and she broke down in tears
-we have a saviour who has paid a far greater price to set up free
-here we find Jesus knowing the suffering that was coming, set forth to go through all that to save us
-to pay the whole price
-and he did it knowing you and me
-knowing his church and the people the Father had given him
-with that knowledge he went forth to endure all this
-this was the joy that was set before him
-he went forth as Gethsemane's king and lamb

First the kings three fold sovereignty
-only 11 went into the garden with Jesus
-Jesus had 12, but only 11 entered the garden
-and only 3 when further in to his place of prayer
-prays to his Father asking if there is another way
-in angony, overwelmed, over burdened with what is coming
-three times he prays
-it is after this third session of prayer he goes to meet Judas and the soldiers
-not just a few soldiers, a great multitude can to get Jesus ready if there was any resistance
-Judas betrays him with a kiss
-how often do we do this, betraying our Lord
-how often are we more passionate about other things than Jesus?
-then Jesus steps forth toward them and asks who are they looking for
-they were seeking Jesus of Nazareth
-but not Jesus as he was
-Nazareth was not meant as a title to honor, but to speak of him as a false prophet
-no valuing of Christ for who he is
-we often do the same thing
-we want him to take away the bad
-but don't have him as our treasure, but things he can give us are the real treasure
-Jesus answered, "I am."
-language of Exodus 3, Where God in answer to Moses says he is, "I am."
-speaks as supreme king and god
-when he says this they fall back before him
-because he is king, I am, God
-then he lets them get back up
-and then asks them again, "Who do you seek?"
-but they are still blind, and respond, "Jesus of Nazareth."
-still have no idea of who he is
-then this king comes forth and stands as a substitute
-saying that he is the one they seek, so let his followers go
-amazingly even with Peter cutting off the one person's ear none of these soldiers did anything
-they were held back by the word, the command of Jesus
-so he lost none of those who were his
-he preserves not only they bodies, but their hearts and souls
-he still protects his people today
-he stands in our place as our substitute that we might go free
-he is bound for their sake and ours

-second the lambs three fold submission
-turns himself over to his enemies and becomes a submissive lamb
-first his willingness to be arrested
-he already showed he really held the power
-but he submitted to them and the arrest they put him under
-this was the working out of God's plan and decree and will
-none of these soldiers, or Judas, or the Jewish rules are in control
-yet Jesus submits
-reminds us that even when our worst fears come to be, God is still in control and operating in those troubles
-secondly he submits in his willlingness to be bound as a criminal
-sometimes they would tie the bindings so tight to keep blood from going to his fingers
-to cause pain
-Jesus offers these hands in submission
-to set us free from the bands of sin
-fettered with our sins to free us from that bondage
-bound so his people might be bound to him for all days
-makes all the difference
-bound to the sovereign will of his Father
-that was Jesus only goal, to do his Father's will
-bound to restore as the second Adam, what we lost in the sin of the first Adam in garden of Eden
-thirdly, submits to being led away
-like a lamb to the slaughter - Isa 53
-taking our place
-to be our savior
-the deliver delivered himself up

-let us serve him as our king
-and submit to him as he submited to the Father
-cherishing the privilege of sharing in the fellowship of his sufferings

-african slave girl said more, "I have only one request, now that you have set me free can I be your slave forever."

Banner of Truth Opening Sermon -- Mark Johnson

2011-05-24T15:28:00.001-05:00

John 17

Fascinating to consider the psychology behind various Christian conferences.
-various reasons people go
-some trendy
-some personality driven
-some smaller conferences have a certain loyalty among attenders
-Banner conference has one aspect to encourage a spirit of catholicity -- not a denominational focus, but a kindred spirit united in Christ and his gospel
-not a unique thing, has much historical precedence
-looking at the final verses of John 17
-the prayer of Jesus not only for his apostles, but for all his people
-if this prayer had not been answered by the Father in Heaven, there would be no church today
-but the Father's answer in the affirmative gives us hope
-we may have come wondering what God would say to us at this conference
-but how many considered what Jesus would be praying for us at this conference
-how and what is he praying for as our intersessor
-only a few places in scripture where we are given a direct insight into Jesus prayers for his people
-this passage is one of them
-prays that he would be glorified in his people just as Father glorified in Jesus
-prays for his apostles, the very ones who would forsake him that night
-then he prays for all his people
-one thing we find Jesus praying here
-that his people would be one
-first thing, his concern for unity among his people
-in view of the expansion of the church he prays they may be one, not just once but twice
-what exactly is he asking for
-oneness seems to be far from us for a multitude of reasons
-Jesus answer is that the oneness among his people is to be like the oneness of the triune God--Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
-many try ways to get around it through various ways
-invisible unity, spiritual unity
-but the unity Jesus has in mind is a very visible one
-three thought arising from this to help make sense of it
-first and formost a positional unity
-just as Father, Son and Spirit are one because they are one God
-so Christians are one because they are part of one body
-we have union and communion with Christ and in him and through him we have union and communion with one another
-share same spiritual DNA
-the divine family is the pattern of our spiritual family
-we belong to one another
-Second thing we find is the unity Jesus has in mind is diverse in its character
-the persons of the godhead are distinct persons even though they are one God
-that is the beauty of the oneness we have as God's people
-we are all different
-even Jerusalem counsel did not give a lot of specifics, but general directions allowing a lot of latitude
-third, this unity will always be imperfect in this world
-it will never be a unity we find, as it should be, on this earth
-it must begin in our local congregations
-then spill over to our denominations, networks, fellowship
-but beyond that as well
-recognizing that this unity is beyond denominational bounds
-we must spare not effort to preserve the unity of the Spirit and the bond of peace
-on the eve of his crucifixion he prayed this
-He also speaks of the impact of this unity
-for those outside the church
-not to say there are not joys, and blessings for those in the church for those who experience this unity
-but Jesus focus is on those outside
-again points to it twice
-that the world may know
-the major effect of this will be to turn the eyes of the world away from the church to Christ and Father
-this extraordinary oneness among people of God reflects the the oneness of the triune God to the world
-man has tried to manufacture this oneness
-but it always fails
-but God cultivates a unity that doesn't start on the outside, but on the inside with a change of the heart, then works out
--Matthew Paris (sp?) -- Africa needs Christian Missionaries not NGOs
-gospel when truly believed brings unity even between enemies
-when the world sees the church like that in unity their eyes are directed to Christ wondering who is the savior who can do this
-if we put the effort into building bridges to one another as Christians as we do seeking to divide we would see much more of this unity
-not that there are things that don't need to be defended, but we spilt all to easily
-What are the things that build this unity?
-How is it achieved?
-all to often our answer is diplomacy, church politics, and the like
-but at the end of the day none of those things will achieve this
-only way to get this unity that Jesus is praying for, is to recognize the church is a spiritual living organism
-very last request
-"the love you have for me might be in them"
-prayer ends on same note in began on
-knowing God and Jesus Christ whom he has sent
-to know in the Bible is so often the language of love and intimacy
-that sort of love is what Jesus wants in his people
-souce is in knowing God the Father and Jesus his Son
-Jesus will continue to make the Father known
-the more we grow in the knowledge of God, the more we will grow to love one another as fellow believers
-cf. Eph 4:16ff
-thus the means of grace and how they bring increasing knowledge of Jesus and through him the Triune God will bring growth in our love for one another
-this unity of love is THE distinctive of the church (cf. John 13)
-we should not settle for our divisions but labor for this unity that Christ prayed for.

Camping Bringing Shame on Jesus

2011-05-21T11:22:00.002-05:00

There are many ways to bring shame on the name of Jesus such as getting caught up in various sins, but one of ways that some like Harold Camping seem not to consider is false teaching, in particular his teaching that today is the day of the rapture. The shear amount of mockery of Christ and his people that has come from this man ignoring Christ's own teaching is amazing. To be clear the Lord Harold Camping claims to follow said the following,

And then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘Look, there he is!’ do not believe it. False christs and false prophets will arise and perform signs and wonders, to lead astray, if possible, the elect. But be on guard; I have told you all things beforehand.

But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. And then he will send out the angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.

From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates. Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come.

(Mark 13:21-33 ESV)

By presuming to know more than Jesus said any of us know, Harold Camping has brought shame on the name of his professed Lord and Saviour. May God preserve all of us from doing the same, even if it is in different ways.

Hymn that Would Have Fit Nicely this AM Service

2011-03-06T12:49:00.003-05:00

Today the focus of our worship service was that we must exalt Jesus above ourselves based on the events that lead up to John the Baptist saying, "He must increase and I must decrease." (John 3)

When I got home I read the text of this hymn over a Challies.com. It would have fit very well with our service, but I was not aware of it when planning things.

Here it is:

God forbid that I should glory,
Save in the Redeemer’s cross.
Counting shame for Him but honor,
Counting earthly gain but loss.
All the love of God is here,
A love that casteth out all fear.

God forbid that I should glory,
Save in Christ my Lord alone.
Him I lean on; Him I follow,
Him, before the world, I own.
All the love of God is here,
A love that casteth out all fear

God forbid that I should glory,
Save in Christ the Son of God.
Him who sought me Him who bought me,
Him who washed me in his blood.
All the love of God is here
A love that casteth out all fear.

If Yoga Is Just Exercise, Someone Should Tell The Hindus

2010-10-22T18:08:00.002-05:00

Recently Al Mohler was vigorously chastised by many people who took his comments about yoga and its incompatibility with Christian practice badly. His response and the links to his comments that stirred up such a tempest can be found here.

What brought this back to my mind was the strong response from Hindu's to Playboy's release of a nude yoga DVD. Now I am against such a DVD for the obvious reasons, and am no fan of Playboy and their exploitation of both women and men, but I am surprised that something so clear to Hindu's (and many others), that is, that yoga is a religious practice, can be missed by so many Christians. Lets get real here people, if you are a Christian holding Jesus as your Lord and Savior, there is not really a middle ground. As we find in 2 Corithians:

Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? 15 What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? 16 What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said,
“I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 17 Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you, 18 and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty.”

2 Cor 6:14-18 (ESV)

There is no place for the practices of a false religion and Christian practice. If you do the moves of yoga without that, stop calling it yoga, because it isn't. If you are doing yoga to get spiritual clarity, realize you are trying to mix light and darkness, Christ with Belial, belief with unbelief, the temple of God with the temple of idols. Stop it! There is no place for this, instead seek to build yourself up Spiritually as God has directed in the Bible.

A Pickle

2010-03-24T08:54:00.003-05:00

Sunday night as I came home from worship, I saw a person shooing off something in front of our house. I had no idea what it was, and at first I thought they were calling a dog. The walked on and had no dog, so I started to look. I saw a dark shadowy shape by our front kidney shaped garden. Then the shadow moved and came toward me. It was a cat. A rather pretty brown tabby, and very friendly. I went inside and told Annette and she went out to see him. Picked him up and he purred like crazy.

We left him outside as he was declawed and fixed, so we figured he would have a home to go to. Well, he seems to have adopted us. He lives in one of the rabbit tents, and comes and greets us every time we go out. Annette has even started feeding him. Justin likes him a lot, and has named him Pickle. He even brought him in the house for a while. Sparks and Milo are not as enamored by this interloper though. We are going to put of posters to find his people, but Justin will not be happy if we do.

It Is Amazing - Amazingly Unhealthy

2010-02-16T15:15:00.002-05:00

I have not blogged for a while, for various reasons. I had a crazy busy schedule, and then I got sick with pneumonia which didn't get better. I had a small stroke, and was in hospital. For the last while I have been recovering. Looking back this has been good for me, at least God worked it that way. More than that, he was gracious in bringing healing, and renewed strength to me.

Now, as part of my recovery, I am working at dealing with high blood pressure. I am on 4 blood pressure medications among others. So far the pressure is down and staying down with meds and now with exercise and diet. However, that is lead me to start reading labels. Especially, in find the nutritional information from restaurants and prepared food interesting.

As I have done my research, I have found that restaurants pile on the salt. I mean you can't avoid all sodium but on restaurant in one dish had more that the daily allowance for sodium. That is one meal, meaning you shouldn't have an more that day. Some meals are a bit better, but for the most part they are surprisingly high. I even checked out some donuts, and although not as bad, among those I checked you are talking approximately 200 to 400 mg of sodium. I believe the recommended amount for a day is around 2400 mg. That means a few donuts, and you can have a quarter to half of that.

I don't know how sodium affects me. For some people it makes a big difference; for others not so much--I do know this, that much sodium cannot be good for anyone. I guess eating out will become much less common for me.

Having said all this there are some meals at restaurants that are not too bad, but unless they tell you on their menu the nutritional information (at least the important stuff like fats, saturated fats, carbs, protein and sodium) or make sheets available when asked, for those who are concerned about those things, or even those not so concerned, eating out is dangerous.

Inspiring

2010-01-16T18:29:00.001-05:00

This was sent to me by a minister friend from Whitby. As I watched it I was reminded how easily we can complain about the things we don't have or the struggles that are part of our life. Yet, this reminds us that it is much more important to be thankful for what we have been given.

I Appreciated This Quote

2009-12-10T11:59:00.001-05:00

Contrary to what many Christian’s have concluded, the gospel doesn’t just ignite the Christian life; it’s the fuel that keeps Christians going every day and in every way. Once God rescues sinners, his plan isn’t to steer them beyond the gospel but to move them more deeply into it. After all, the only antidote to sin is the gospel—and since Christians remain sinners even after they’re converted, the gospel must be the medicine a Christian takes every day. Since we never leave off sinning, we can never leave the gospel.

by Tullian Tchividjian at Gospel Coalition Blog

Consider it All Joy - I -- James 1:1

2009-10-07T19:51:00.001-05:00

Here is a sermon from back in June. I wanted to try out Vimeo for posting sermons, and this is the first I am posting. Due to the 500Gb upload limit per month for the free service, I may never catch up to where we are currently, but I will try. :)

Consider it All Joy - I from James Vellenga on Vimeo.

The Next Dan Brown Novel (Courtesy of Slate.com)

2009-09-17T12:18:00.001-05:00

A long-forgotten labyrinth deep beneath the streets of Ottawa.
A shadowy cult determined to protect it.
A frantic race to uncover the Kiwanis Club's darkest secret.

The First Glyph

When celebrated Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon is summoned to the Parliament Buildings to analyze a mysterious geometric form—drawn on a calling card next to the mangled body of the head docent—he discovers evidence of the unthinkable: the resurgence of the ancient cult of the Quintinati, a secret branch of the Kiwanis Club that has surfaced from the shadows to carry out its legendary vendetta against its mortal enemy, the Vatican.

Langdon's worst fears are confirmed when a messenger from the Quintinati appears at the Rideau Canal to deliver a grim ultimatum: Deposit $1 billion in the Kiwanis Club's off-shore bank accounts or the exclusive clothier of the Swiss Guards will be bankrupted. With the deadline fast approaching, Langdon joins forces with the dexterous and enigmatic daughter of the murdered docent in a desperate bid to crack the code that will reveal the cult's secret plan.

Embarking on a frantic hunt, Langdon and his companion follow a 1100-year-old trail through Ottawa's most sacred statues and venerable buildings, pursued by a hypoglycemic assassin the cult has sent to thwart them. What they discover threatens to expose a conspiracy that goes all the way back to Joseph Prance and the very founding of the Kiwanis Club.

For Some Reason This Made me Chuckle

2009-09-05T10:36:00.001-05:00

Or click this link.

Jimology

2009-08-15T17:04:00.002-05:00

Tag you're it!!! Let others know a little more about yourself by re-posting and tagging your friends. Re post note as your name "ology"

1) What is your salad dressing of choice? Thousand Islands

2) What is your favorite sit-down restaurant? Mandarin

3) What food could you eat for 2 weeks straight and not get sick of? Cocoa Peanut Butter Smoothy

4) What are your pizza toppings of choice? pepperoni, extra cheese

5) What do you like to put on your toast? peanut butter, honey, cinnamon sugar

6) How many televisions are in your house? 2

7) What color cell phone do you have? black

8) Are you right-handed or left-handed? left

9) Have you ever had anything removed from your body? tonsils, kidney stone, slivers

10) What is the last heavy item you lifted? Easy up shelter

11) Have you ever been knocked unconscious? Not that I know of, but I could have been unconscious and not know because I was unconscious at the time.

12) If it were possible, would you want to know the day you were going to die? Nope, God knows and that is good enough for me.

13) If you could change your name, what would you change it to? No idea.

14) Would you drink an entire bottle of hot sauce for $1000? No, I like hot sauce and want to keep it that way. Add another zero to the end of that number and I might consider it.

15) How many pairs of flip flops do you own? NONE!!!!

17) Last person you talked to? Justin

18) Last person you hugged? Annette

19) Favorite Season? It is a toss-up between Spring and Fall

20) Favorite Holiday? Thanksgiving

21) Favorite day of the week? I was going to say Sunday afternoon, but it is a tie with Monday.

22) Favorite Month? May

23) First place you went this morning? Classis meeting in Springford

24) What's the last movie you saw? Cars

25) Do you smile often? No.

26) Do you always answer your phone? No

27) It's four in the morning and you get a text message? I would not know since I turn off the ringer of my cell at night

28) If you could change your eye color what would it be? Green . . . no brown . . . no green . . . hold it I have both with Hazel eyes. No change needed.

30) Have you ever had a pet fish? yes still do.

31) Favorite Christmas song? Joy to the World

32) What's on your wish list for your birthday? A real MIG welder.

33) Can you do push ups? A few.

34) Can you do a chin up? Nope. Can't now, never could.

35) Does the future make you more nervous or excited? Neither or both.

36) Do you have any saved texts? Yes, but I can't read them because the screen on my cell is cracked.

37) Ever been in a car wreck? Sort of.

38) Do you have an accent? Canadian!!!

39) What is the last song to make you cry? So long ago I can't remember.

40) Plans tonight? Final prep on sermons for tomorrow.

41) Have you ever felt like you hit rock bottom? Yup.

42) Name 3 things you bought yesterday. Adjustable trailer ball mount, 30Amp auto reset breaker, 20 amp auto reset breaker.

43) Have you ever been given roses? Yup.

44) Current hate right now? Our Mazda Protege.

45) Met someone who changed your life? Yes.

46) How did you bring in the New Year? Sleeping.

47) What song represents you? No idea

48) Name three people who might complete this? Annette, and likely no one else who has not already done it.

49) What were you doing 12 AM last night? Reading a book.

50) What was the first thing you thought of when you woke up? Time to go to a meeting . . . I don't wanna go.

Seeing Things Differently -- James 1:9-11

2009-07-12T21:34:00.002-05:00

How do you see poverty and riches? Check out what we find about it in James.

Seeing Things Differently -- James 1:9-11

Office Cleaning

2009-06-19T13:09:00.003-05:00

Closing Thoughts, but Not Yet

2009-06-10T12:34:00.003-05:00

I was going to post my closing thought on General Synod, but when I woke up this morning I was exhausted. I tried getting up, but ended up back in bed. Tried again and got some reading and commenting on other blogs done, but now I want to sleep again. I guess this is the big crash I expected based on how busy and draining Synod was. I have a meeting tonight, so I think I will take another nap and see what I can get done.

Thoughts on GS Today

2009-06-08T21:31:00.003-05:00

[A brief prefatory note. I was up until 3:40AM and awake an out of bed by 7:15AM so if there are typos, grammatical errors, or sentences that make no sense, it is the fatigue speaking as it is after 11PM of a very busy day.]

Today was an historic day in the RCA, at least it was the first step. What may you ask was this historic event? It was the passing of the recommendation to add the Belhar Confession as the RCA's fourth standard of unity.

I think my study of the Belhar started more or less several years back. I read through an early copy and found it difficult to understand, and the parts I did understand were troublesome. When I arrived, I was quite sure that while I supported what the Belhar called for as concepts, that at the same time I could not support it as a standard of the RCA. What I appreciated though, was what seemed like a much better translation of the Belhar that was distributed to delegates. I read through it several times, and although I still had difficulties with it, I was much happier about it should the vote be positive to add it. Yet, I was still concerned for possible misuses in particular in the area of using it to support advocacy for homosexual ordination and marriage, in areas of weakness, in particular in terms of the foundation and root and fountain of our reconciliation being reconciliation with God through Christ's death on our behalf for our sins, and the resulting ministry of reconciliation being primarily, albeit not exclusively, one of calling others to be reconciled to God. From that the reconciliation, unity, and justice exhibited by the people of Christ grows and finds its power. (That may be a run on sentence, but I am tired.)

I went through the advisory discussions, and the rest of a Synod that left the impression that those who had concerns were being pushed very hard to vote in favor, although I realize this was likely not intentional but more of a reflection of the passion and joy those who had worked to get to this day viewed things; and I was still not in support of it. By Saturday, I was exhausted, frustrated, and while not as adamant in not voting for it, still unable to do so.

Sunday, however, was a blessing, worship with the people of Fair Haven Ministries was like healing rain for me, filling me with praise to God and feeding me with the fine preaching of the Word of God. Yet, the Belhar was still there. Sunday night it seemed the push went into overdrive with several people speaking from ecumenical partners speaking of the importance of passing the Belhar. I started to feel pressed, guilted, and manipulated again. Yet, instead of thinking the worst, or assuming the worst of intentions from those who planned things, I decided instead to work as long as it took into the night in study of the Belhar and Scripture and in prayer in hopes I could speak in solid support or denial of the recommendation to adopt the Belhar.

I labored into the night. I spent time talking with a brother and sister in Christ about my struggles. I prayed. I read. I thought. I prayed some more. This kept going until the early morning, and even after I had realized I had moved closer to having my concerns satisfied and went to bed still unable to support the recommendation, in bed I prayed some more until the last time I checked my clock at 3:40AM.

Then, Monday, having come to appreciate and value the Belhar, but still being held back by my concern on its lack of expansion on the foundational reconciliation being between God and people through faith in Jesus, and that our message of reconciliation is primarily that we are to be reconciled to God, I was unable to vote for the Belhar the way it stood. The recommendation came, and the discussion started. I stood to speak, frustrated by an earlier speaker. I told of the strengthened joy I had in the truth that we are all from one family in Adam, and the terrible further truth that due to his sin we are also all in the same pit, under the power of sin without the redeeming, reconciling work of Christ received through faith, and my concern on the weakness of the Belhar's development of that foundational reconciliation with God through faith in Christ, and our ministry being one primarily of calling others to be reconciled with God. Then I said I could not vote for this because of that.

As the discussion progressed I heard person after person, brothers and sisters in Christ, people who are part of the far greater unity we have beyond Adam, that unity in Christ through faith; speak of how then needed the Belhar. They spoke of how it would be for the benefit of the congregations they served, the communities they ministered in, the teaching of their children, and more. Then verses I had studied the night before while studying the Belhar came to mind, Philippians 2:3b-4, "in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others." My brothers and sisters needed this. Yes, that could mean struggles I would have to face due to misuse of the Belhar. Yes, that meant me not being completely satisfied with the short mention of the foundational reconciliation and ministry of reconciliation that is found in the Belhar. But, I realized I was, at least in part, looking out to my interests before theirs. I stood up to speak of how the discussion from the floor and the scripture moved me to now be willing to support the recommendation, only to have the delegate before me call the question. I would have liked to see the discussion continue, for it had benefited me greatly, giving me clarity so I could vote in favor of the Belhar as our fourth standard, and rejoice with those around me in this historic move to battle divisions between fellow believers based on colour, ethnicity, and culture which have so marred the church.

To my brothers and sisters, family in Adam, all sinners in need of a Saviour in Adam, children of God through faith in Christ, and brothers and sisters much deeper than blood in him as well . . . I rejoice with you this day, and pray that your hopes for the Belhar to help bring healing and reconciliation might not only come to pass, but that God, "who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think" may do this far more than you hope and pray even now. To him be the glory forever.

Banner of Truth 2009 -- Closing Sermon by Ian Hamilton

2009-05-28T14:55:00.000-05:00

Closing Sermon – Ian Hamilton

2 Corinthians 4
1 Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, 1 we do not lose heart. 2 But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God's word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone's conscience in the sight of God. 3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled only to those who are perishing. 4 In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5 For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants 1 for Jesus' sake. 6 For God, who said, Let light shine out of darkness, has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. 8 We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; 10 always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. 11 For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. 12 So death is at work in us, but life in you.
13 Since we have the same spirit of faith according to what has been written, I believed, and so I spoke, we also believe, and so we also speak, 14 knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence. 15 For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.
16 So we do not lose heart. Though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day. 17 For this slight momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, 18 as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

It is in 2 Corinthians that Paul reveals quite deeply his heart and soul. He is battling against false apostles, against questions of his authority, and you can sense the intensity and humanity of the language of Paul from the beginning of the letter. The is a note of sanctified frustration. He feels deeply and keenly the slanders that have been raised against him and his ministry. As you read from chapter 2:11 on you can see him seeking to vindicate his ministry, but at the same time he is also seeking to encourage his own heart in in God.
In chapter 1 and 2 we hear of his struggles, his burdens, his experiences of opposition of the wiles of Satan. He knew struggles. Struggles much like we face. Struggles of inadequacy, of opposition, and more.
Twice in chapter 4 he wrote, “We do not lose heart.” Paul had many reasons to lose heart. Much opposition, the weightiness of his calling, and the opposition inside and outside the church.
Then Paul describes himself and other gospel ministers as “jars of clay.” What a description. What a way to speak of those called to gospel ministry. But, that is the reality out of which we live our live in Jesus Christ. We are jars of clay who belong to the God man who is glorified clay.
So why doesn't Paul lose heart? First of all because of the greatness of the ministry God has entrusted to us (v1). It is amazing how easily we can lose the sense of the greatness of the ministry we have received from Jesus Christ. How can it be? This is an amazing ministry. Paul tells us in various ways what this ministry is.
It is the ministry of a new covenant. That covenant that the prophets spoke of. That new covenant of the Spirit not of the letter. We are men at the end of the ages who have been called out and brought into this astonishing privilege that prophets look into with astonishment and amazement. This is what we have been called to do.
Further, it is a ministry of righteousness. If the glory of the ministry of condemnation had glory, how much more the glory of the ministry of righteousness. We stand before people every week to speak to them of a message revealed from heaven, incarnated in Jesus the Son, and in him God has provided righteousness in this righteous one. We know that, but we need it impressed on us day by day by day.
This ministry is a ministry of the light of the glory of God in Jesus Christ. It is a ministry to declare the glory of Christ who is the image of God. The one who is glorious above all. In our frail jars of clay we are called and ordained to make him know.
In this Paul is in one sense encouraging and reassuring himself about the sheer privilege of what God has entrusted to him. This treasure of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
Brothers this is the ministry the Lord Jesus Christ has call you to, has called me to. We need to understand it is a ministry that is our by virtue of our being ministers of the great minister Jesus Christ. Our minister is not only a reflection, but more so an overflow of his ministry. The great pattern that marked his ministry was death and resurrection. There is an inevitable cross like pattern to all Christian ministry. Paul is reminding himself that all he has faced is because he has been united to Jesus Christ the minister of the new covenant. That ministry has been stamped on him and all ministers of the new covenant. Death works in us, but life in you.
That is the principal pattern of New Covenant ministry. Peter tells us not to think it is strange when trial come upon us.
Martin Luther stated, “Those who are in the teaching office should teach with the greatest faithfulness and expect not remuneration but … expect death, violence, and danger.” How many young men would be pressing to be in the ministry after words like that.
[Stepped out]
We don't deserve better. We are hell deserving sinners, but we HAVE receive mercy. We have received mercy, and God is pleased to use us. What an amazing thing. In that mercy he gave us this treasure of making him known. In our weakness. We are sad clay that God has come to in mercy.
This is to show the surpassing power belongs to God not to us. This is not new, think of Gideon. Death works in us, and life in you. Some face inexplicable trials, and all we can say is with Jobe, “It is the Lord.” But even this is in his mercy to make known the knowledge of his glory in the face of his son.
Every time we stand before the congregations we serve we are doing the most significant thing in the cosmos. And, of all people we are debtors who have received unfathomable mercy. The sovereignty of God is not first disclosed as a doctrine to confess, although it is, but for God to disclose his grace. His is sovereignty that is bathed in the glorified compassion of the man of dust.
We have been privileged beyond language. Maybe you feel the utter utter weakness of your person in ministry. Brothers our weakness is held in the strong keeping of our Saviour Jesus Christ. In him we are weak, but we are strong. God is pleased to take puny men and have his voice resound in them and through. We do not lose heart. We have received mercy. And even when it seems we will we have one who is at the right hand of the Father who intercedes for us and comes to us in the power of the Spirit in our wretchedness.
May God help us to be faithful ministers of Jesus Christ.

NOTE: I had to step out during this sermon, so my notes are missing parts of it.

Banner of Truth 2009 -- Modern Challenges to Calvinism by Walter Chantry

2009-05-28T10:47:00.001-05:00

Modern Challenges to Calvinism – Walt Chantry

2 Timothy 3:1-17
1 But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. 2 For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, 4 treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. 6 For among them are those who creep into households and capture weak women, burdened with sins and led astray by various passions, 7 always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth. 8 Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men corrupted in mind and disqualified regarding the faith. 9 But they will not get very far, for their folly will be plain to all, as was that of those two men.

10 You, however, have followed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, 11 my persecutions and sufferings that happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra—which persecutions I endured; yet from them all the Lord rescued me. 12 Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, 13 while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom 1 you learned it 15 and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God 1 may be competent, equipped for every good work.

Conferences like this a good because we meet so many godly men. One of the thoughts that come to all godly ministers is this trouble in their heart – Am I laying a foundation that will last? Will the gospel be proceeding from this church in this community when our children and grand children have grown?
Many have been greatly effected by the resurgence of the doctrines of grace. In some institutions where these teachings were once found, had turned aside from the truth in the late 18 and early 19 hundreds. Could it be that the same thing could happen in the next 30 years? Could that pattern be repeated? Could those teachings of Calvinism disappear?
There is a danger. We find the truth of that all the way back in Revelation in the seven churches that stood on the brink. There was the treat of their lamp stand being removed. If this happened with the very churches the apostles founded, what about now? That is but one instance. Think of Judges, of Amos, and the other prophets.
In 2 Timothy 3 Paul tells Timothy what he must know about the church, and he points to the time of the last days, that time from the ascension to the second coming. He points out that Timothy should realize this about the last days. It will be perilous times, difficult times, grievous times for the Christian churches. Yes, Jesus will build his church through this same time. The gospel will be preached through all the world to all the nations before the end comes. Yet, with this we have troubles as well. He warns of those things we must steer through in those perilous times.
First, because of human depravity both outside the church, and remaining in those in the church. He does it in a vivid manner. “people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power.” Lovers of self, like Narcissus, the daffodil, a poisonous plant. Lovers of self, focused on self. Is that not the way of many today. Lovers of money, seen in those who promise money will come to those who follow their way. Hedonists who love pleasure more than god. People who want entertainment and the church moves that way to entertain. In doing so making them part of the church when they are still all these things which are not to be there. This is indeed the direction America is moving.
But there is a second danger here as well. Paul describes false religionists. They are people who have a form of godliness but deny its power. They have the rigors and rituals of religion, but not the reality. They should be avoided. They are the type who capture the weak and take them captive by deception. They deceive others and at the same time are deceived themselves.
With all this Timothy gives several correctives. He tells Timothy that he himself must be different from what he finds around him. He should continue in what he has learned and been assured of. Don't go in the direction they have. Do not tolerate it. This is a call to be confrontational with false religionists. 1 Tim 1:3ff, calls for Timothy to tell them not to teach other doctrines, to avoid idle talk in ignorance. 1 Timothy 4, we find another mention of the latter times. That then people will turn from sound doctrine to the doctrine of demons and Timothy should command and teach and be an example to the congregation through reading, exhortation and doctrine. Then again in chapter 6, when people turn from wholesome words of scripture of Christ, Timothy should withdraw himself from them. This continues in 2 Timothy.
With this Paul reminds Timothy of the reality of suffering for living godly lives in Christ Jesus. That is the reality. Persecution is part of living in Christ. This is just as true in North America. The church needs the preaching that reminds them constantly there will be suffering as part of following Christ. Willingness to suffer for Christ, in Christ, was a mark of the reformers and other. It is the reality of the church that is loyal to Christ.
Notice how Paul points to the time he and Timothy labored together and the example Timothy saw in Paul and his sufferings. It is important that such examples are seen by young pastors as they work with older pastors. Timothy saw that example, and Paul could point to it.
Finally, there must be a biblical system of doctrine that is handed down and preserved int eh chruch. Paul leads into that in verses 16-17. All Scripture is God breathed. Scripture has all you need for the ministry, but you must understand it. This is where confessions and catechisms are helpful. They bring the teachings of scripture into a form that can assist.
Are we prepared to be part of the solution of the problem of churches rising in one generation to the truth and falling in the next. Where are the ways departure is being seen today? Certainly in the area of revelation and scriptural sufficiency. Charismatics saying they are reformed, with few saying the are not. Some call themselves reformed and simply ignore parts of reformed understanding of the scriptures. Even doctrine of covenants who twist it into some sort of dispensational understanding even though they don't call it that. Abandonment of worship and church office. And the list goes on.
We do need to deal with this, or where is the “Thus saith the Lord” for our generation.

Banner of Truth 2009 -- Reflections on the Conference Thus Far

2009-05-28T09:37:00.001-05:00

Once again the Banner conference has been a great challenge and a great blessing to me. This conference I have struggled with discomfort and fatigue.

I pulled a muscle in my back the Monday previous to the week of the conference as I put as new window lift motor in my van. It seemed to heal fairly well, but I kept re-injuring it so when we left for the Banner it was fairly uncomfortable. That discomfort has been increased by both the hotel bed, and the beds here at Messiah College neither of which provide the kind of support needed. That has led to less than sufficient sleep and the accompanying fatigue.

Thankfully, but for the presentation by Jonathan Watson on Wednesday afternoon, God kept me alert enough to not only take notes, but to hear the speakers clearly. Today, however, has been a struggle to keep up with my notes, and if tomorrow is any indication I will not be able to get too much note taking done for the closing sermon.

In spite of all of this, I have still found the conference to be excellent, humbling, discouraging, and encouraging. It has shown me once again how far from the pattern of what a pastor should be I am, yet has given the encouragement that in union with Christ I can be transformed to be more like the great shepherd of the sheep, Jesus Christ.

The fellowship has been good, and I have met several other people including a contingent of men from the PCUSA. Yes, you read that correctly, the PCUSA. I know as an RCA pastor my presence could be seen as surprising by some as well, but even I am not the only RCA pastor at the conference. It heartens me to see these men present here. It heartens me to know that even in these mainline denominations, God has called men to faithfully minister, and is working to form Christ in them. My hope is to see many more at future conferences of these men who have held the line, that they may be strengthened and built up to the building of the Church and glory of Christ.

Now to the next session.

Banner of Truth 2009 -- Union owth Christ: Gospel Implications by Sinclair Ferguson (Session #7)

2009-05-28T09:11:00.001-05:00

Union with Christ: Gospel Implications – Sinclair Ferguson

Colossians 3:1-17

The theme is found throughout the letter and 2:6-7 “Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, 7 rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving” is sort of the start of this section. The life lived in Christ is one filled with a spirited atmosphere of thanksgiving. That sort of joyful thanksgiving should mark us and our ministry.
Probably the best known verse from Paul on union with Christ is 2 cor 5:17. If any in Christ, new creation, old gone, new come. This speaks of a total change and entering into a new reality, a new order. Paul is exploring this glorious transformation, life in the new order, life in the new creation. Fro the moment the new creation has a kind of interwoveness with the old creation. Hence, Paul seeks to encourage them to live more and more in the new order while still living in Colossi. As you live out your new life in the setting of the old order there is a perpetual tension, warfare, groaning. This is true even as the believer progressively overcomes, there is still an ongoing struggle.
Paul is concerned that the progress of grace in sanctification should not be falsely short circuited by things like do not handle, do not taste, do not touch. Paul wants real progress, but that progress is learning the language of the gospel. It takes time like learning any new language.
He was speaking about what has been called the two states of Jesus Christ. His humiliation all the way to death, followed by the glorious exaltation of the Lord Jesus in his resurrection, ascension, and coming again. Paul longs that people see Christ in his majesty and glory. Since the Christ we are united to was humbled and exalted we come to share in his humiliation and exaltation while not doing so in a saving sense.
Paul in these verses speaks about a mortification and a vivification of the Christian believer in Christ. We are bound to him, who has taken his resurrected body to the right hand of the Father, person to person, embodied person to embodied person. There is an external and an internal mortification and vivification. We share in his sufferings that we may share in his glory. Internally we share in the mortification by putting to death the old flesh, and put on the new life in Christ.
We as pastors stand as living models of this. The whole of our lives are going to be fitted into this pattern. Understanding this can be a glorious release seeing the pattern in the providence God is working in our life. This can bring extraordinary fruitfulness. This is modeled in Calvin, his sufferings seeing God transformation of him into the likeness of his Son. To see those who caused his sufferings as being used by God to polish him in grace.
There is a need for understanding external mortification. In chapter 1:24, “Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church, 25 of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known,” He is not saying that there is something lacking in the saving work of Jesus Christ. But instead he is point to his own personal participation in Jesus Christ, in union with Christ, and these are part of his stewardship for the church. Paul teaches this in many places. In 2 Corinthians 1 how his despair even unto death was used by God.
Many sufferings are completely inexplicable in this world. The reason is they have no relation to this world. Job's suffering is a good example. His sufferings have to do with something beyond this world. We know the heavenly scene, but as far as we know, Job never knew. There is suffering in this world thats only interpretation comes outside of this world.
Yet for a Christian there is something different that allows them to embrace these sufferings. This amazing principle that in our union with Christ death works in us that life might work in you (2 Corinthians 4). When Christians are suffering and don't know why, we need to point them to accepting the stewardship of that suffering that the life of Jesus might be seen in them by others. In our union with Christ we are often weak in him.
This whole way of thinking in Paul seems to be one of the clearest evidences that the experience of Paul on the Damascus road was not just a call but a conversion. The line of thought that sees that event as only a call, not a conversion is wrong. Hints of this are found throughout Paul's letter and the accounts in Acts. In his persecution of the church starting to be recorded with the kill of Stephen and the Damascus road he saw that all of Christ's people are so united to him that to persecute them is to persecute Christ, and that death worked in Stephen that life might work in Saul.
This has nothing to do with us screwing ourselves up and saying I must suffer more. No this suffering is in the hands of God. Instead it is seeing that our union with Christ will have both an internal and an external manifestation. So that we can find comfort even in our sufferings, and even those sufferings show us that God is working in us in our sufferings bringing life.
Internal mortification and vivification can be seen in a symphony in four movements. First there is orientation, second mortification, third transformation, fourth disposition.

Orientation:
People often want an single answer to very difficult questions. We need to work harder at re-orienting their thinking. Our minds need to be reconfigured to think in the right patterns. It is hard work getting that way of thinking in place. That only comes are we and others are saturated by the Bible being sanctified in the truth. That is why Calvin would preach 5 times a week so the word would sink deep in and people would start to have their understanding oriented properly by the Word of God. The secret of holy living is in the mind not the emotions or other places. (Stott) Seek things above and set mind on things above. The resources for this must be fed into our mind because we do not have these resources in us. This new orientation needs to go down so deep that we understand that we have died, risen with Christ and our life is really hidden with him.

Mortification:
We could spend the rest of our time on this. To do so would be unbalanced. Paul works through the various spheres of human sins: private, public. These must be put off. While in Christ these things linger on and need to be dealt with. What Paul is doing is encouraging Christians to name sin for what it really is, not just say we are failing a little bit. More, he encourages them to look at it from God's perspective v6. Then, remember you are a new person. Then he says act decisively—just do it.

Transformation:
Never mortification with out this. The two go together. We need the power of a new affection, putting on those graces that make the atmosphere of our lives suffocating to our old nature. Be like Jesus. How? By being joined to him him you can. The problem here is your will, your sloth.

Disposition:
Lets the word of Christ dwell in you richly. We need to be word saturated people. Worship that destroys idolatry—teach and admonish on another as we sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Let thankfulness dominate your activity, and realize Christ is all and in all. It is all about Christ.

Banner of Truth 2009 -- Persuasive Preaching 2 by Alstair Begg

2009-05-27T19:14:00.001-05:00

Persuasive Preaching # 2 – Alistair Begg

Next year May 25-27, 2010. Speakers: Jerry Bridges, Craig Troxel, John Mayberry, Jeff Kingswood

Act 25:23-26:32

Preaching in itself is a daunting task, especially if we take into mind their dead hearts and blind eyes. Newton about preaching, “We are not to reason but obey.”
Last evening, confusion, fear, and complacency are enemies of preaching that seeks to persuade. As we look at this text this evening in his preaching to Agrippa and Berenice we are looking at how this sermon bears the marks of clarity, boldness and urgency.
The background of this text is Paul's accusation of being a trouble maker and his arrest. He was brought before Felix and Felix never issued a verdict looking for a bribe from Paul. Then the new governor Festus explores this and Paul eventually appeals to Caesar So Festus brings Paul before King Agrippa and Berniece who came to visit him, looking for something reasonable to send along with Paul when he is sent to Caesar Agrippa is interested in hearing Paul himself. This opened a great door for Paul to preach the gospel and for Agrippa to hear the gospel.
In consideration of the scene as it unfolds in verse 23. There was great pomp and all that means for the entrance of a king. Agrippa was one of the line of Herods. He was not from a nice group. His fore-bearers were brutal, arrogant and bloody in their rules. Paul was simply brought in. He was chained. Power seemed to lay with the assembly of the seeming great, not with this one man. Comfort to remember that God raises up and brings down princes and rulers. God reigns.
Festus starts speaking, but Agrippa tells Paul he can speak for himself.
We find that in Paul's introduction that he was a religious prodigy. He was marked out even among the notable religious people of the day. His Jewish background was notable. Given his Jewish heritage he lived with the hope of Israel. That is the significants of this section, and it gave significants to his interaction with the law and prophets. The hope that God would come and deliver his people and raise up a banner of salvation from the house of David. Every Jewish boy grew up with this hope. Paul makes clear that the basis of the charges against him is the hope of Israel, in Jesus who fulfills that hope. So he asks in verse 8, “Why is it thought incredible by any of you that God raises the dead?”
In our day when people are willing to talk about anything and everything the resurrection may be passe. The issue is the resurrection of Christ. The bodily risen Christ.
In verses 9 to 11, we find Paul identifies his own personal opposition to Jesus and the message of Jesus, and his opposition of those who followed and taught Jesus. In doing this he puts himself in the place of those who do oppose the resurrection of Jesus. He opposed it.
Then he points to how he is the way he is not in 12-18. God intervened. What is important to notice is that Paul so clearly wanted the kings salvation. He did not want the kings favor, so he did not stop at verse 18, but pushed on beyond that. Being didactic was not sufficient. He instead exhorts from the truths he has laid down, calling for faith in Jesus. He was not disobedient to this vision, but he preached. This moved a monologue to a dialogue. He goes beyond the accepted propriety of the situation.
First in verse 19 following he first of all gives and explanation. He explains why he would be preaching, Jesus sent/commissioned him. Jesus not only rescued him, but he sent him. The terminology is similar to John 20 in the sending of the other apostles.
Then he says where—Damascus, Jerusalem, the Gentiles. Notice he gets the essentials of the gospel in 3 times.
First in verse 18, “ I am sending you to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.” Calling those listening to wonder are their eyes open, are they in darkness or light. He brings us repentance and faith.
Then in verse 23, “what the prophets and Moses said would come to pass: 23 that the Christ must suffer and that, by being the first to rise from the dead, he would proclaim light both to our people and to the Gentiles.” This message was nothing new. It was the same message as Moses and the prophets. He is pointing out how Jesus is the Messiah who the Old Testament is looking to.
Who does he go to, “small and great alike.” No difference in the message no matter who he is speaking to. He was pointing out to the king that the message is the same for him as everyone else. We are all in the same need. He was no preferrer of persons.
Then in 24 and following we find him interrupted but Festus. It was not really his place to do this. It was Agrippa who gave Paul the freedom to speak. There are various possible reasons, but for whatever reason he thought it sounded crazy.
Notice how Paul deals with this. If you respond wrongly, dismissive or condescending, all gain will be lost. Paul responded respectfully giving Festus his place, “most excellent Festus.” He is candid, and reasserts that it is true and rational. And, he did it skillfully going back to Agrippa's knowledge and familiarity to the facts so he can speak freely to him while with Festus not so much.
Then he applies all this. He now turns from the third person use for the king, Paul moves to the second person. He addresses the king directly. He breaks all propriety asking king Agrippa, “do you believer the prophets?” He was doing what he did in the synagogue, reasoning with him. If they would get to the point of believing the prophets, he would point out Jesus is the Messiah. Then that nudge, “I know you do.” At that moment we find a moment of engagement. He has the king before him and the king answers, but with a question of his own—a political out. How did he say it? We don't know. But, he knew what Paul was trying to do. He knew Paul was trying to persuade him.
Wouldn't it be horrible to think you were a persuasive preacher and the people didn't know you were trying to persuade them.
Look at Paul's reply. “Whether short or long, I would to God that not only you but also all who hear me this day might become such as I am—except for these chains.” You can see the evangelist here. What a moment. Clear, bold, urgent.
Finally, 30-32, an abrupt ending. The king gets up with the others and they all leave. What happened to all those who where there with the king? They leave. While talking together they say, “This man is doing nothing to deserve death or imprisonment.” Instead of dealing with what Paul said, they turn to technicalities and trivialities. Do you encourage the people to take that moment following the service to ask one another, “What do you think about this?” or “Do you believe?”

Banner of Truth 2009 -- Calvin the Pastor by Ian Hamilton

2009-05-27T10:58:00.001-05:00

Calvin the Pastor – Ian Hamilton Session #4

Philippians 3

7 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— 10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. 16 Only let us hold true to what we have attained.

John Calvin was many things. Above all, though, he was a pastor – by calling, choice and conviction. He never forgot for one moment that he was a pastor. What he was and did was shaped by this sense that he was a pastor. The goal of this paper is to have us more and more follow the example not of Calvin, but of the chief shepherd Jesus Christ.

Calvin saw pastoral ministry as both pulpit and personal admonitions to individual sheep. He sought to follow Jesus pattern. Lest we idealize Calvin we need to remember while he did well and what he aspired to, he himself was grieved by how far short of the idea he strove for he fell. He had a volcanic temper, which afterward caused him the deepest distress. Yet he is still a model for us.

Seven features of his ministry:

Calvin's pastoral ministry was carried out in the conviction that Jesus Christ is the church's chief pastor.

We are to rule the church under him in no other way but in that he should still be the pastor. This should be key note of an pastoral ministry that goes by that name. We are under the chief shepherd and he is the one who will hold us to account. It is his people purchased with his own blood. People united to him, in whom he dwells, who he carries in his arms in spite of all their shortcomings. This is what brought him back. When first asked back his was response was something like “Over my dead body.” But a year later he came back in light of this view of Christ as the chief shepherd. He was a man truly subdued by God. He never lost sight of the fact he was answerable to Christ.

It reflected his conviction that love for Christ is the animating pulse beat of Christian ministry

No man can faithful serve the church or feed the flock if he does not look higher than men. No man can complete this office unless the love of Christ directs him. If there was not love for Christ the man is disqualified from pastoral ministry no matter how gifted. If this is absent, everything else is absent as well. So Jesus asked Simon, “Do you love me?” What motives you in your pastoral ministry? Do you do what you do out of heart love for the Saviour?

His ministry reflected the servant ministry

It is part of a good pastor to not only be aloof of all aspects of domineering but more so to look to how to serve believers. Pastors are servants of believers just as Christ came not to be served by to serve. We are their servants for Jesus' sake. We must speak but with a servants heart. If not we should keep our mouth shut. Calvin's ministry reflected this in many ways.

The preaching and teaching of the gospel was God's principal means to feed sheep.

The ministry of the word under Christ. Not just the ministry of the word, but under Christ the head and only shepherd of the church and only true food of the soul. Christ is the essence, the content of our preaching. He is the only true food for the soul. We are to bring Christ to the people of God. As a pastor John Calvin immersed himself in preaching, teaching and writing this. The ministry of the Word has first place in ministry. Pastors have two voices, on to call the sheep and the other to drive away the destroying wolves so the people can recognize the voice of the chief shepherd. Preaching is addressed not to types but to individuals. Thus we need to know the individuals in our churches as individuals. Jesus knows his flock by name. We need to know the people we are called to pastor so we can direct the word to their particular needs.

Emphasized pastoral visitation

Calvin believed the pattern was Acts 20, together and house to house. Pastors are to visit individually, but at the same time the sheep are to listen to the pastor when he comes individually to them. Open hearted reception of the pastor's ministry will only happen when the people come to know our hearts, that we love them and seek God's best for them. They can know that in part from the pulpit but only in part. We are sheep who are shepherds, and the people need to know we stand before them a clay jars. They need to have access to our humanity. [My thought is that often they don't want that, they want a super pastor who is not really human at all and opening up only results in a increased questioning of the pastor.] We need to visit.

Never wearied of telling his congregation to get out of themselves and into Christ.

The sinner does not dwell on his own compunctions or tears, but always dwells on Christ. The better we know Christ the more nobly will his grace work in our souls. He constantly directed people to Christ in all situations. This is the burden of pastoral ministry to point people to Christ. Even when we think they know this remember they are never as far along as you think they are, nor are you as far along as you think you are.

Was indelibly shaped and impregnated with his overflow of his union with Christ.

Union with Christ was both the context and inner dynamic of Calvin's ministry. His whole life was one of deaths and resurrections. Death of children, sins in the extended family, opposition of people and leaders, and more were part of his life. Seen in his humiliations and his risings. That is the pattern. It was not necessarily a huge visible theme in his writings, but was of his life.

Some lessons learned:

In Calvin:

We see a humanity that endeared people to him. Being a great preacher is not enough, then need to see our humanity
We a great sense of his own weakness so that any strength he had comes from God. We need to understand we are weak and rest in the great sufficiency of God.
We find a reminder that the best and most useful theologians are those who labor daily in the Word to feed the flock. God raises up pastors because theology is not an end in itself.
We see a pastor willing to lay down his life for the flock of Christ.

Banner of Truth 2009 -- Union owth Christ: Gospel Foundations by Sinclair Ferguson (Session #3)

2009-05-27T09:16:00.001-05:00

Union with Christ: Gospel Foundations Sinclair Ferguson (Session #3)
Colossians 3
1 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is your 1 life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

5 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: 1 sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 On account of these the wrath of God is coming. 1 7 In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. 8 But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self 1 with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. 11 Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, 1 free; but Christ is all, and in all.

12 Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

The topic of the union with Christ arose at least in part for a connection with Calvin especially in Book 3 of the institutes. He said, “All of what Christ has done for us is of no value to us so long as we remain outside of Christ.” Union with Christ is a tremendously important theme, but largely neglected. Could be because it is not only part of the substructure but also emerges in the proclamation of the gospel. But, more likely because it is something that has been sidelined in the minds of organizers of conferences and those who attend conferences. If you surveyed the themes of conferences you would rarely find union with Christ or Christ as the focus on Christian conferences and has been marginalized. So this is a very timely theme.
It is important because in almost every letter Paul writes when he writes of a church or theological problem, Paul remedies it by teaching believers what is means to be united to Christ. Every malfunction in the live of Christians is founded in a malfunction in their union with Christ. To be a Christian is to be in Christ, a phrase Paul uses again and again. To believe in Christ is to believe into Christ in Paul. This believing into is not found anywhere else in Classical literature. It is believing into union and communion in Christ. This is not some added extra, this is the definition of Christian life.
As under shepherds this union with Christ should be a major part of our toolbox. We should never consider a believer outside of that person being united to the Lord of Glory. This is the lens through which we view the Christian life.
It is this very thing Paul is dealing with here in Colossians. So we go into Paul's workshop to see the design of the gospel as he sees applying it to the life of the Church. The way in which we preach to God's people and pastor and counsel is integrally related to whether union with Christ is a central tool in our tool box. It is central to new testament ministry and the gospel. Jesus taught this, Paul taught it, John did it. They all do it, and we should learn from that fact as pastors for how we pastor and how we preach.
Colossians is helpful to see this in particular in light of its background. Whatever the false teaching was in it details, it did have to do with offering Christians fullness. This is clear from the language of fullness that Paul uses in this letter. It is repeatedly used. It is not like there is a false teaching on fullness and Paul says forget about fullness, he says there is a false teaching about fullness but here is your real fullness in Christ. He wanted the Colossians to see that true fullness that is theirs in Christ, in his fullness alone.
There is a late 20th and early 21st century aspect to this false teaching. There is a continuing offer of fullness held before Christians today that is fullness outside of Christ saying that if one really wants fullness they need to do these things beyond what they have in Christ. Paul in Colossians points out that all the fullness you need is given to you in Christ. The problem here is not that you lack fullness in Christ, but that the privileges of being united to Christ have not been fully realized by us. What you experience right now is not all there is. There is much more, much advance, but all that is to come is founded in the fullness received from union with Christ.
A ministry of the gospel must show all the glories of Jesus Christ. It leads them into the riches we have in Christ. You can't teach people the wonders of union with Christ without teaching them the glories of Christ. If we are to be known for anything on our dying day may it be, “He Preached Christ!”
This is not guaranteed simply by preaching through scripture. Often they look for where 'you' are in the text instead of where 'Christ' is in the text. We can easily preach personal experience not Christ. What response does your ministry invoke from people?
It is easy to preach about people's sins. It is a work of supernatural grace to preach Christ so people are not left broken down but lifted up to all the fullness of God's grace found in Jesus Christ. Union with Christ is a magnificent doctrine but all hinged on doctrine of Christ.

What is the basic structure of Paul's teaching on Union with Christ?

1)There is a grammar embedded in how Paul speaks the gospel. You cannot speak it without that grammar. If you are going to speak a language properly you need the grammar of that language sunk deep into you. That is just as true in speaking the gospel. We need to know its grammar. The grammar of the gospel is strange to us, and we are still learning that grammar. That shows up in our preaching. Sometimes we misuse the grammar to put the emphasis on the wrong syllable. It is possible to talk grace but still sound law. It is possible to have a community that talks grace but sounds law. Every imperative in the gospel is rooted in gospel indicatives. That is why being able to expound gospel indicative is so important to gospel preaching. We need that grammar to become carved in our being. Effects both the way and the tone we speak the gospel.
2)There is a chronology in the gospel. The present Christian life in rooted in the past. Move from being in Adam to being in Christ. We are in Christ, with the destination that is in the future. When he appears, you will appear with him in glory. Jesus will not come again until everyone united with him comes with him. Paul works this way often working back to the past to all that Christ has accomplished for us, and then moves forward to how we live in the present based on both past and the future that is coming. When the end is Christ won't come unless he can come with me, it puts a completely different perspective on our ministry and how we look at one another. The sheep can be a pain in the neck, but Christ bore them on his neck and refuses to leave them behind carrying them home.
3)Also geography. Notice the opening verses in chapter 3. You have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. How many times have you said this to yourself this past year. Is it any surprise that those in the congregation don't know it. That the situations they face are so difficult for them because they don't know where their true life is found. What a consolation that is to live in such union and communion with Christ. We are citizens of heaven who are living on earth. Once we grasp that so many other things fit into place. It is a second birth which comes from heaven and makes us citizens of heaven so our real life and real citizenship is there not here. Not just that we are going to heaven, but we belong in heaven in Christ. This is how Paul thinks.
4)There is a rhythm that is found in this as well. Perfectly found in this passage of Colossians. You are united to Christ therefore you put off the old and put on the new. The important thing is to never try to do the one without the other. Never try to mortify sin out side of the vivification of the life of Christ in us. When one does not know this they are prey for false teaching.

We should not be content with a C- on this, on all that is theirs and ours in union with Christ. The understanding of this union with Christ is at the heart of the gospel ministry. How often do we consider and meditate upon Christ. Is our great ambition to know Christ. It is easy to have that switch to wanting to serve him rather than know him, where knowing him will lead to serving him. Danger to mortification of sins without looking to the glories of Jesus Christ. Not just that we have his blessing, we have him and with him all his blessings. Christ in you is not the gospel, Christ outside of you suffering and dying for you is, then through that Christ in you.
Union with Christ make things clear about who we are. It makes clear relations in the church, these are people in whom Christ is happy to dwell. It is something that changes how we look at all things. We need to go back to this again and again and again until is dawns on us some more.
How dominant in my ministry is Jesus? How pervasive is the privilege of union with him?

Banner of Truth 2009 -- Persuasive Preaching 1 by Alistair Begg

2009-05-26T20:22:00.003-05:00

<Persuasive Preaching – Alistair Begg (Session #2)

We were told that Alistair was going to speak not on Job but on Persuasive Preaching

2 Corinthians 5:11-21

11 Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others. But what we are is known to God, and I hope it is known also to your conscience. 12 We are not commending ourselves to you again but giving you cause to boast about us, so that you may be able to answer those who boast about outward appearance and not about what is in the heart. 13 For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. 14 For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; 15 and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.

16 From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

The purpose of this talk is to introduce preaching that confronts, that seeks to pursuade others.

Murry--”Preaching is a personal, passionate plea.” based on 2 Cor. 5:20. This was Paul's approach. He did not give orations, or testimonies that people could do with as they will. He sought to convince or persuade them from the Scripture. He was urgent, bold, clear and stove to convince. That is what is exhibited in Acts through Biblical exposition.

This was not only his practice, but his precept. So it is what he sought to teach and call others to do as well. It was what he called Timothy too as well.

It is important to pause and recognize that to do this and to teach this was often costly. He paid a price for doing this in opposition and trouble. So it was for Timothy. Remember the call to Timothy 1 Tim 1:8 to join Paul in his suffering.

Similarly in 2 Corinthians we find the exact same frame work. Trouble, distress and great pressure are words that mark the beginning of that letter.

Doing this is not a soft option even today. If we are going to do this today it will be a hard course. At the beginning of this letter Paul points out that all this happened so that he would realize all he did must be done in trust in God. Similarly in chapter 12 with the thorn in the flesh. This type of preaching was one one hand facing sever human opposition and on the other divine compulsion. If we do not share that divine compulsion, we will not be able to be bold as he was.

Preaching is unpopular. If you look generally in the congregations of the nation you will find that it is. In particular, preaching that is persuasive is unpopular.

When speaking about persuasive preaching we are talking about the sort of preaching God ordained, grounded in the Scriptures, done in the knowledge that God deins to us people like us to proclaim thisn great and glorious message.

That challenge before us, in particular in light of the unpopularity of this (2 Cor. 4 blinded eyes) is this is a message that people are blind to, Satan opposes. He is not upset about Christian morality, family values, or a whole host of other things where we can preach for months without the cross.

Three Challenges:

The personal challenge

Some of us are naturally fearful and timid. Some of us actually use that as a basis for us not to be bold in our approach saying we are incapable of this. God did not ask us to stand between the majesty of his holiness and his people in their needs and hide behind our weaknesses. He put the treasure in clay pot. We are talking about the persuasive work of God's Spirit when we speak of being persuasive as God uses this little, insignificant person.

Some of us face the situation of self preservation. So we may be tempted to step back from the preaching of the law or the cross of Christ. Especially in terms of evangelism

And the danger of familiarity. We can become so used to it we miss the glory and the grace of the task.

Cultural Challenges

We live in a culture much like “Waiting for Godot.” A world that is a joke filled with meaninglessness. That is the world we live in, and which people come out of. The only danger to them is a persuasive preacher. People don't want prerequisites, perplexity, or exposition. If we remove these things from preaching, we have something, it is called entertainment. This is where things are going. Don't introduce perplexity, prerequisites, or exposition. Just enjoy we are here for your safety and comfort. Paul introduced all these things because he did not look at people like he used to, how the world does.

Biblical Theology

Some of us are in danger because of our deep seated and right convictions. If we are not careful, as a result, we can become almost tongue tied when we come to the point of pressing on people the necessity to believe. Our churches should pulse with the urgency of gospel proclamation. God commands all people everywhere to repent (Acts 17.) In the worst of cases there is almost an abandonment of evangelism at all, or at least evangelistic preaching. Edification and multiplication, but not taking seriously the task to persuade men and women. Sometimes seen in “a conspicuous awkwardness in a preaching the free offer of the gospel.” Men who are laboring under the inhibitions that offer the free offer of the gospel and persuade people we somehow or another it impinges on the sovereignty of God almost as if we think the non-elect might be saved. But the call and the sovereign choosing of God go together. Look at Matthew 11:25-30.

If the enemies of persuasive preaching are confusion, fear and complacency; the remedy is:

First of all clarity:

To know and be clear what we are persuading people to. That the gospel is to be presented full and free (2 Cor. 5:19.) As a person who preached at the church Alistair pastors said, “For something to get clean, something else has to get dirty.” That is the gospel. This is the wonderful story we have to tell. Christ taking our sins, that we might be clean. The good news is God has dealt with our alienation through Christ's righteousness imputed to us.

Second authority:

It is the reconciled who become the messengers of this good news. We are God's ambassadors. Sent on behalf of Christ. That is where the authority comes. His representative, committing to us this message of reconciliation, knowing what it is to fear the lord. Because we fear the Lord we try to persuade men. We are convinced, so we seek to persuade because the love of Christ compels us. The fear of God. The prospect of standing before him with pants on fire or with gold, silver, and precious jewels. It is the love of Christ seen in the cross that compels us. This is especially, but not exclusively, on ministers. Not to glorify the minister but to comfort the listeners so that when then hear the gospel they might know that God is dealing with them.

Third, urgency:

The gospel is polar opposites—heaven/hell, alienation/reconciliation, etc. Realizing that gives urgency. We know the truth of hell, and the glory of heaven. When you fish your wife asks you one question, “Did you catch anything?” and she is completely unimpressed when you answer, “No, but I influenced a few.” Expect people to be converted and preach in light of it anticipating such.

The most persuasive have been clear, bold and urgent.

Banner of Truth 2009 -- Opening Sermon by Mark Johnson

2009-05-26T15:23:00.002-05:00

Mark Johnson – Conference Sermon – Hebrews 11:1-16
Text Hebrews 13:8
7 Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

It is rather incongruous to have a whole conference devoted to someone like Calvin in light of the fact that in part the Reformation sought to remove this sort of honoring of people. However, it is still something worthwhile, but some caveats.

1)We need to be honest. Show the truth including the weaknesses of those we remember. None of them are perfect
2)Realize that the faithful labor of the multitude of faithful pastors is high in the estimation of God.
3)Heb 13 calls for us to consider our leaders. The focus is not on living leaders, but those who have gone before, perhaps who had been martyred.

We do well to recall them, consider them, and imitate them in how they have been commendable and avoid their mistakes. So how do hey and John Calvin in particular help us.

1)As an encouragement to persevere.
Persecution was a reality to the believers this letter was written to. They faced huge pressures to the point that some were tempted to leave the faith. The letter was a call to persevere. From chapter 11 on the author puts forward a very human face – naming names, pointing to examples. Highlights the fact we often respond more, are effected more by people than propositions. Help is found both in the teaching of conferences such as this and the fellowship found there.
We find here in Hebrews also that we are to remember in particular those leaders who spoke the word of God to us. Others help us in many ways, but those who do so through the ministry of the word do so in an enduring manner lasting through every age to the end of life.
In this day and age when many are remembered for their charisma, the trends they start in the church, that those who have left an enduring mark at those who have left a mark of bringing deeper, clearer understanding of the Word building on those who came before. It has always been through the advancement of the understanding of the word of God that the church has grown.
Often this increase has been found in the face of great struggle. See this throughout church history. Someone like Athanasius comes to mind. John Calvin did so as well. Opposed by secular authorities, fellow ministers, fellow Christians, and plagued by personal sufferings, Calvin persevered. He could have walked away, but as the Lord had called him he served the people faithfully until the day he died.
What an encouragement in the face of our struggles, especially as ministers of the gospel. It is a call to labor in the word. To keep going in the face of illness and distress. To peresever in the face of troubles and opposition. If such things happened to him, should it surprise us to face similar struggles. As the Lord gave strength to those who came before us, so the Lord gives strength to us. It is encouraging to see how they as men were kept by God even more than they kept going.

2)Model of faith and life
The writer calls us to consider them as an example of truth faith and a true Christian life. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. This is not a call to some mere memorial day for John Calvin or others, but to weigh them and learn from them.
It is much to easy to turn reformed heroes into protestant saints. We need to remember the cultural distance, the historical distance, and their own weaknesses, but there is still value in learning from them. We are to look at the legacy they left behind on the church after they have gone.
John Calvin is appropriate for this as he has left such a large effect. There are no less than 10 major areas where he has left a lasting imprint not just in the church but in the world as well since then. Looking back shows us men who made a “splash in their present” but left no enduring legacy, but others did.
As we consider them we need to recognize those elements in their lives worthy of being emulated. This leads to a consideration of their way of life. How is made them men of substance. How truth was at the core of who they were. The great mistake many make in entering into ministry is that as long as they have good theology they will have an effective ministry. There is much more to it than this. Watch you life and your doctrine. When doctrine is effecting your life properly is that is will be reflected in your life.
One of the great dangers in reformed theology is that its intellectual rigor can attract people who use it as a cudgel. Instead it is to be truth that shapes heart and mind and life. So we see in Calvin in his teaching and the godliness that characterized all of him. He could have been proud, but he was humble and gracious and loving and catholic spirited. He was truly a man of God.
The faith we are to emulate is the faith seen in a godly life. Let us follow that example.

3)The are men who lead us to Christ
This is the preeminent reason. These leaders the author Hebrews mentions were leaders who lead them to Jesus. That is why we have this seeming random verse 8. It flows naturally out of what comes before because it is him who they lead us to. They pointed us to our Saviour. It is not what they were in themselves, but what they were in Christ. How they were used by him.
Looking at the list in Hebrews 11, and looking at church history it becomes readily apparent how very different they are. What is constant in all of them. It is Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today and forever. Through it all Jesus remains the same. Both in his deity and as mediator between God and man. That is unaltered from the Old Testament (yesterday) the New Covenant time (today) and forever (into eternity.)
These people point us to Christ by what they teach and how they display Jesus in how they live. There is a derivative sense in which every faithful minister will be a suffering servant like their master. Some in extremity as the server God faithfully. Serving at great cost to themselves and those they love. They do not walk away when the going gets tough. The do not lose heart when they are made aware of their weakness, but in faith keep serving.
So is it appropriate to have a conference about John Calvin. Yes because he is one of those men.

Count Down!

2009-05-19T18:14:00.000-05:00

5 DAYS UNTIL WE LEAVE FOR THE BANNER!

More Van Work

2009-05-18T12:48:00.003-05:00

Now that I have the front end rebuilt, I have moved on to another project, the driver's side window motor. This should be an easy fix, and for the most part it has been. I had one bolt and nut that was stripped and needed to be cut off. Then came what has me stuck. I got everything hooked up, and tried the motor. It worked, but in reverse. Up is down and down is up. I am not sure if this is because I may have been shipped one for the wrong side or if I put the plug in backwards. I am going to pull it out and see what I can see.

10 More Days

2009-05-14T19:33:00.005-05:00

Ten more day until the day we leave for the Banner of Truth Minister's Conference. This has become a must attend conference for me since 2003. Each year I look forward to it for several reasons.

First, the preaching. The Banner consistently brings wonderful preachers in to speak at the conference. Sometimes their names are not well known. Other times they are very well known. Overall, the vast majority are well worth listening to. I find the preaching to be the primary highlight of the conference.

Second, the fellowship. At the Banner I have come to know many ministers from many denominations. Some pastor large congregations. Others pastor smaller congregations. What sets them all apart is a devotion to God and to proclaiming his Word. Unlike some conferences there is a unity I don't often experience. What is noticeably lacking is a seeming arrogance of those who have larger congregations that I have run into elsewhere, as if those of us pastoring small congregations made up primarily of elderly people are doing something wrong. Even the speakers live in the same dorms and eat in the same room as the attendees.

Third, the food. In general the food is excellent, and there is lots of it.

There are other things that I am looking forward to. The rest. The spiritual refreshing. The ice cream. Even the travel there and back.

Right now I am out of gas. I am dry and dusty, and I am counting the days until we depart.

I highly recommend this conference to men who are pastors and elders.

Van Update

2009-05-12T20:35:00.002-05:00

Evening Update:

After getting home from my meeting at about 8:30PM, I started back on the van.

Completed:

Removed rivet heads from passenger's side upper ball joint, knocked out rivets, and separated it from the steering knuckle.
Slide the splash shield off off to give better access to the lower ball-joint.
Removed tie-rods on the passenger's side.
Removed separated lower ball joint and then pressed it out.

It got dark so I stopped.

This is what it looks like now:

What comforts me is the fact that the other side was the same and it is all back together.

What I have left to do is:
Press in the lower ball joint (Yeah! Then I can return the press and get the deposit I left to borrow it back.)
Mount the upper ball joint.
Re-installs splash shield, put on ball joint nuts and tighten to torque specs and grease.
Install new tie-rods, the ones on this side were in much worse condition than the other side.
Install shocks
Pack bearing and install hub/rotor
Install new pads and re-attach caliper.
Take it to get aligned.
Do rear brakes.

The list is getting smaller. I might even have it done by the end of the week, although the rear brakes could be a real chore.

Driver's Side Back Together

2009-05-12T13:11:00.003-05:00

Early this morning I got the drivers side of the van back together. The bearings greased and installed, the rotor/hub installed, the new pads installed and caliper bolted in. I did a little work at lunch as well on the passenger side, but still have a lot to do. I was hoping to get the rivet heads for the upper ball joint ground off, but it took more than the time I had available. If the Executive meeting is over early this evening, and it is still light out when I get home, I may take the grinder to them again and see if I can get them out. If I can, tomorrow morning I can hopefully get the two ball joints done as doing them shouldn't take more than 1 to 1.5 hours. I should have that time before lunch. Then maybe Wednesday Evening I can get the bearings, rotor and brakes done. That would be nice. Then all that would be left is the shocks, and tie-rods. On the other hand, I doubt I will have time to do all that, so it might not be until Friday or Saturday. I would like to get the lower ball joint done so I can return the tool.

Progress on my to-do on the van

2009-05-11T09:13:00.002-05:00

I made some progress this morning. I got the ABS sensor wire I accidentally sliced back together and heat shrink tubing over it. I remounted the splash guard and ABS sensor, and I got the tie-rods adjusted close to the old ones and installed.

Progress has not all been good. I went to the shocks thinking I could get them removed before we leave for the day, but when undoing the lower shock mount bolts I snapped the clip that holds the nut in the inaccessible location where it is located. That means the bolt just keeps spinning. If anyone has any suggestions I would appreciate them.

Once more into the breach.

Working on the Van

2009-05-10T11:53:00.006-05:00

Over the past week or so I have gotten to some maintenance on our GMC Safari van. When I got new tires on it I was told, and found myself, that the brakes were in need of being done. While checking over things I found a couple of tie-rods showing wear, and a couple of ball joints. I decided since I did the rear shocks last year, that the front shocks should be done as well. So I have been working on things over the past week. I has been slow going since this is the first time I have done this, and I am both running into things that the manuels assume people would know which I don't (but which people from Astrosafarivans have helped me with) and wanting to make sure everything is done correctly. Also ended up having to make a few runs for tools that I didn't realize I needed or sockets that I did not have the correct size of. At one point things looked like this:

Actually at one point even more was removed than what you see there, but it is slowing coming back together.

So what is left?

To Do:
Adjust and install driver's side tie-rods, and grease.
Fix wire for driver's side ABS speed sensor.
Pack driver's side bearings with grease.
Install bearing in driver's side hub/rotor.
Install driver's side hub/rotor, caliper and brake pads.
Remove and install driver's side shock.
(That would finish the driver's side.)
Tear down passenger side (remove caliper, hub/rotor, upper and lower ball-joints, tie-rods and shocks.
Install ball joints.
Adjust and install tie-rods.
Install shocks.
Pack bearings and install.
Install hub/rotor, brake pads and caliper.
(That will finish the front end)

I still have to do the rear brakes, but that is only a few hours of work (at least it should be). However, my focus right now is get the front end complete ASAP.

I am hoping the passengers side will take less time as now I have the tools, and I have figured out the way to do things in the removal that I didn't know before.

I'm Going to General Synod

2009-05-02T16:34:00.002-05:00

It was confirmed this week, I am going to be a delegate to the upcoming 2009 General Synod (June 4-9) I was not scheduled to be a delegate, but one of our assigned delegates was unable to attend. Now I have a bunch of reading to do between now and then.

Excellent Observation

2009-05-01T10:21:00.002-05:00

Merv Bud responds to some articles in the November/December 2008 Faith Today in which they spoke of doing good deeds to people around them. Instead of pointing to Jesus when asked why they did this, they responded with, "Because we think you deserve it."

I'm with Merv on this because if it is the deserving of the people that motivates this, then those good deeds are, 1) Not reflective of the gospel of grace, that God gives us what we most certainly don't deserve, and 2) It is not in any way pointing people to their need for Jesus but instead leaved them thinking they are pretty deserving of good which none of us are, and 3) If the good they do is not motivated by the desire to glorify God because of his love in Jesus Christ, then its motivation is wrong and 4) If the motivation really is the desire to glorify God for his love in Jesus, then they are sinning by saying it isn't.

I wonder with the missional push in the RCA whether those who encourage good deeds being done are at the same time emphasizing that they must be done with the words to point to Jesus as both the motivator of their actions and the solution to peoples real problems? If it isn't, then there is a big problem.

Good CS Lewis Quote

2009-03-26T21:00:00.002-05:00

I have no idea where this quote comes from. It was the CS Lewis quote of the day, and I liked it. If you know where it is from I would love a detailed reference.

It may be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. -- CS Lewis

Good Advice For Governments and All of Us During These Econimic Times

2009-03-16T09:34:00.001-05:00

Maybe they should have paid more attention to school house rock.

Banner of Truth Ministers Conference

2009-03-11T15:34:00.004-05:00

I am already registered. I recommend this conference to all men who serve as elders or pastors. It is a time to be taught from God's word, not those programs that come and go, but the enduring Word itself so you can better minister the gospel.

I have found it a blessed time where I can fellowship with other pastors. It is a time where I am fed spiritually. It is a time where I find my soul refreshed.

This year the speakers very much intrigue me as those I know I respect a great deal. They are

Sinclair Ferguson
Alistair Begg
Walter Chantry
Mark Van Dixhoorn
Mark Johnston
Jonathan Watson

If you desire to know more check out The Banner of Truth US Conference.

If you are going, tell me so I can keep an eye out.

This Bugs Me

2009-03-10T14:15:00.002-05:00

I was reading over at Pyromaniacs today about the discussion surrounding Phil Johnson's talk at the Shepherd's Conference. While I don't have any huge issues with what Phil had to say in that post, I have not heard his presentation from the conference yet so I won't comment.

However, in the meta following that post there was a comment that really bugged me.

Everyday Mommy posted this:

"If you are a pastor, you'd better make the time to counsel dozens and dozens. It's your job."

I realize this is a common though today. But, is the pastor's job ultimately to counsel dozens and dozens? I can think of the pastor being exhorted to preach the word, but I cannot think of the pastor being exhorted to counsel dozens and dozens. The pastor's primary task is to preach. With that comes prayer. While aiding people with his good counsel is a part of his task, it is not something that should be done when the issues could be much more effectively dealt with in a sermon.

The issue under discussion there was sexuality, and I do believe that since the Bible deals with it, pastors not only should, but must deal with that Christian sexuality looks like, its bounds and directly deal with the issues that arrise when we realize that Jesus is Lord of sex as he is Lord of all, especially when we live in a culture that denies anyone can make demands on their sexual activities. How that is done in the preaching of the word is important, but it should be done there because if one depends on dealing with it only one on one it means first of all many people who are secretly struggling with sexual sin will not have that dealt with because they are keeping it secret. Second it means that instead of having the pastor completely bogged down in doing nothing but one on one counselling as sexual sin is pervasive in all age groups today, he can deal with those who are most in need of counselling while also addressing the others who may not be. Last of all, it is a testimony to a world that thinks it knows all about sex, that sex as God designed it is part of the good creation he made in the beginning and that is it not something dirty.

Why I Haven't Been Blogging

2009-02-11T10:36:00.002-05:00

The short answer is I have been ill.

The longer answer is that the end of January is always pretty busy, but then I started to come down with something. I'm not sure what it was, I am not completely over it yet even. I had a low grade headache (sometimes getting worse) with fever and aches all over. It started pretty mild and then got really nasty last week. From Wednesday to Friday I basically did not get anything done, so Saturday become an all day marathon to try to get sermons done. Thankfully, God got me through that and Sunday. I didn't sleep well from Friday to Tuesday. In fact the first good nights sleep I had was last night, and it wasn't nearly long enough. I could probably spend a day in bed sleeping if I could find a place quiet enough. If the warm weather (relatively speaking) we are experiencing now was a little warmer, and I could get the trailer out, I would have went to the Pinery and camped for a couple of days so I could simply rest and not get woken up by buses, cars, and my son early in the morning.

I tried to keep up on my Calvin reading, but fell behind on that as well. I am not too far behind, not as far behind as I am on my posts here. I am trying to decide how to proceed. I may simply pick up where I left off, or I may simply start at where I should be. Since I still have a lot of catching up to do in other areas, I can's say for sure. I will make that decision when the time comes.

For now, I just want to get healthy and caught up on all the stuff that was put off.

Calvin's Institutes 1.8.10- 1.9.2

2009-01-28T11:33:00.002-05:00

Calvin continues to point to various things that serve as evidence of the divine origin of Scripture. First, to its marvelous preservation, so that even under the harsh persecution of Antiochus Epiphanies who ordered all the Hebrew scriptures to be burned, after God defeated him, the Scriptures were preserved and immediately were available to the people of Israel. Next he pointed to the simplicity and yet depth of the Scriptures that contain both easy to understand teachings, but can still be found to have depths beyond human imagining. Next he pointed to the testimony of the church, for although the church is not what give Scripture its authority, the church has been consistent that the Scriptures are the world of God, even to the point of having people die for that truth.

In all of this it must be remembered that these truths are not meant as evidence to convince one who denies the the Scriptures are from God. Rather, they are useful for encouraging those who already believe that. So Calvin wrote at the end of this section,

There are other reasons, neither few nor weak, for which the dignity and majesty of Scripture are not only affirmed in godly hearts, but brilliantly vindicated againsts the wiles of its disparagers; yet of themselves these are not strong enough to provide a firm faith, until our Heavenly Father revealing his majesty there, lifts reverence for Scripture beyond the realm of controversy. Therefore Scripture will ultimately suffice for a saving knowledge of God only when its certainty is founded upon the inward persuasion of the Holy Spirit. . . But those who wish to prove to unbelievers that Scripture is the Word of God are acting foolishly, for only by faith can this be known.

With that Calvin moved into chapter 9 where he deals with what he characterizes as 'fanatics' who turn away from Scripture to revelations of the Spirit. He wrote of them,

For of late, certain giddy men have arisen who, whith great haughtiness exalting the teaching office of the Spirit, despise all reading and laugh at the simplicity of those who, as they express it, still follow the dead and killing letter.

The problem was they were using these "revelations" to abandon all principles of godliness. If asked what spirit was in them giving these "revelations" they would say it was the Spirit of God, yet the apostles had the same Spirit in them but did not dispise the Scriptures. Rather, they held them up and exhorted people to know them.

Calvin pointed out that to know the spirit in a person is the Holy Spirit of God, one must turn to Scritpure and see that that spirit is in agreement with Scripture. Apparently their response was to say that to hold the Spirit to the Scriptures would be to put the Spirit under them and they in a place of greater authority than him. Calvin responded well,

Yet, indeed they contend that is is not worthy of the Spirit of God, to whom all things ought to be subject, himself to be subject to Scripture. As if, indeed, this were ignominiy for the Holy Spirit to be everywhere equal and in conformity with himself, to agree with himself in all things, and to vary in nothing! To be sure if the Spirit were judged by the rule of men, or of angels, or of anything else, then one would have to regard him as degraded, or if you like, reduced to bondage; but when he is compared with himself, when he is considered in himself, who will on this account say that injustice is done him? . . . But lest under his sign the spirit of Satan should creep in, he would have us recognize him in his own image, which he has stamped upon the Scriptures. He is the Author of the Scriptures: he cannot vary and differ from himself. Hence he must ever remain just as he once revealed himself there. This is no affront to him, unless perchance we consider if honorable for him to decline or degernerate from himself.

Not Good for Man To Be Alone -- Genesis 2:18-25

2009-01-26T10:06:00.002-05:00

We live in a time where people are extremely confused about marriage and sex. They seem to think that it is important, while at the same time thinking they can change it to mean what they want. These two sermons look, at least in part, at what God designed things to be like in the beginning in these areas:

Not Good for Man To Be Alone I

Not Good for Man To Be Alone II

Calvin's Institutes 1.8.2 - 1.8.9

2009-01-26T08:46:00.002-05:00

This will be a rather short post. While I find I liked much of what I read, it was not something that this time through (or the last time I read it based on how I marked the pages) that really stuck with me.

Calvin started by pointing out that what sets Scripture apart is not it great literary style, although some of those God used to write it did write in a very skillful manner. Instead, what sets scripture apart is the content of what was written. That content testifies that Scripture is something more than just another work of literature, and if a person cannot apprehend that Calvin states, "those for whom prophetic doctrine is tasteless ought to be thought of as lacking taste buds."

He then moved to point to how old the Scriptures are. Having been around for a very long time. The miracles, and God's own confirmation all point to the Scriptures being from him.

One thing that Calvin stated in response to those who say, "How can we know the people who supposedly wrote this actually did?" was the following:

I know that certain rascals bawl out in the corners in order to display the keenness of their wit in assailing God's truth. For they ask, Who assures us that the books that we read under the names of Moses and the prophets were written by them? They even dare to question whether there ever was a Moses. Yet if any one were to call in doubt whether there ever was a Plato, an Aristotle, or a Cicero, who would not say that such folly ought to be chastised with the fist or the lash?

Back to Posting

2009-01-24T21:22:00.002-05:00

It is good to be posting again. I have one of the three Calvin posts I got behind on up, hopefully I can get the other two up tomorrow.

This has been one of those weeks where it seems that every time I turned around there was something to do. Then I look at what I accomplished, and I wonder how it took so much time. Of course at least part of it was being woken up throughout the night and then early in the morning by a very active toddler. Thankfully he is at his grandma's house for the weekend. Last night was the first time I slept good and long. I even slept in which I haven't done for weeks. Hopefully tonight will be good as well, and Sunday night too. If so, it should help this coming week to be less stressful.

Calvin's Institutes 1.7.3 - 1.8.1

2009-01-24T20:43:00.003-05:00

We finished the last time looking at how rather than Scripture being founded on the church, the church is founded on Scripture.

In 1.7.3 Calvin deals with the objection that Augustine claimed the opposite for in his response to the Manichees Augustine wrote, "For my part, I should not believe the gospel except as moved by the authority of the catholic church." Calvin points out that to understand that statement one needs to look at the context and what the Manichees claimed pointing out, "He is simply teaching that there would be no certainty of the gospel for unbeliever to win them to Christ if the consensus of the church did not impel them." Later Calvin stated,

He only meant to indicate what we also confess as true: those who have not yet been illuminated by the Spirit of God are rendered teachable by reverence for the church, so that they may persevere in learning faith in Christ from the gospel. Thus, he avers, the authority of the church is an introduction through which we are prepared for faith in the gospel.

This brought Calvin to deal with that witness of the Holy Spirit to people of the divine origin of Scripture. "Credibility of doctrine is not established until we are persuaded beyond doubt that God is its Author." So what we find in the writings of the prophets and apostles is not a highlighting of their ability or an abundance of rational proofs. Instead, they proclaimed God's name. This did not mean some did not have great skill and wisdom and ability, but at the same time others were simple untrained men. Instead it is to point out that,

[T]hey who strive to build up firm faith in the Scripture through disputation are doing things backwards . . . even if anyone clears God's Sacred Word from man's evil speaking, he will not at once imprint upon their hearts that certainty which piety requires.

Thus, the testimony of the Spirit is better and necessary for the Word of God to find acceptance in a person's heart. Unless the Spirit writes it on a person's heart, it does not affect them as it must. So Calvin ended chapter 7 stating,

Whenever, then, the fewness of believers disturbs us, let the converse come to mind, that only those to whom it is given can comprehend the mysteries of God [cf. Matt 13:11].

With this Calvin started into chapter 8 to show that while rational proofs are not sufficient for the Spirit must work in one's heart, that does not mean there are not such proofs. Yet, it is only when one actually aprehends Scripture as the very Word of God that such proofs are of any benefit. He wrote,

Scripture is superior to all human wisdom. Unless this certainty, higher and stronger than any human judgment, be present, it will be vain to fortify the authority of Scripture by arguments, to establish it by common agreement of the church, of to comfirm it with other helps. For unless this foundation is laid, its authority will always remain in doubt.

The remainder of chapter 8 deals with this in more depth.

Yet Another Day Not Getting Stuff Done

2009-01-22T23:11:00.002-05:00

Today was another one of those days, but for different reasons. I woke up early after getting to sleep rather late. That slowed me down for the whole day. On the positive side I got the evening sermon finished, a video edited for our church TV broadcast (although I still need to get it written to a DVD), the order of worship finished, and a start on the morning sermon. However, at the same time I did not get any reading in Calvin done, nor a post for yesterday's reading. The reason for that was by the time 5:30PM rolled around I had a nasty headache. I figured it was because I was very hungry, and while having supper helped, it did not get rid of it. A couple of hours later it was back, so I took some pain killers. That seems to have moved it to a dull pressure that does not actually hurt, so I should be able to sleep well. Hopefully, Justin, who I am responsible to watch tomorrow, will let me get some work done before we take him to his grandmother's for the weekend.

Busy Day

2009-01-21T18:56:00.002-05:00

Today has been one of those days that seems really busy. I had a ministerial meeting in the morning, and almost slept in. I had set my alarm, but had forgotten to turn it on. That is understandable when you realize in the past week, Justin has gotten me up earlier than my alarm pretty much every morning.

With the late start, I did not get through my regular morning routine. The ministerial was excellent although our numbers were down. We discussed the book by Tim Keller, The Reason for God. Overall we liked it, although the consensus among our group was that the weaknesses in the book were in his dealing with the objection that Science has disproved religion and the section on what is sin. Not that the whole of those chapters were a problem, but rather that sections of them were. Keller seems to have given up too much, in our minds, in his understanding of the first and second chapters of Genesis seeming to lean toward theistic evolution although he did not say that he hold to that particular view. In the section on sin, it seemed that while a good portion of the chapter was excellent, the earlier part almost seems to mix up what sin is and the consequences of sin.

Having said that, we were agreed that the good of the book outweighs the weaknesses. God has been gracious to the church in providing men like Keller.

The afternoon was spent getting ready for this evenings Bible study, catching up on some e-mails and spending some time with my wife and son. Apparently he missed me while I was away today since it meant not having daddy home for lunch.

I have the prep work for the Bible study finished, and was going to turn to read the section of Calvin's institutes for today, but realized I needed to rest my mind a bit in preparation, and spend some time in prayer.

I don't know if I will get my Calvin post done today, and won't until the Bible study is done. Depending on how alert I am by that point, I may do it, or I may wait until tomorrow.

Calvin's Institutes 1.6.2 - 1.7.2

2009-01-20T18:41:00.003-05:00

Since the revelation of God in the created world around us is not sufficient to bring people to knowledge of God because our own blindness keeps us from seeing it clearly, we need God himself to witness to us.

In today's reading Calvin continued to expand on that theme. He pointed out that to provide that testimony God worked in various ways through prophets and visions to reveal himself to certain people who would record this for coming generations. In giving this Word, "God rendered faith unambiguous forever, a faith that should be superior to all opinion." That this truth might survive from generation to generation, God had people commit them to writing. Thus, a record was kept for those yet to come.

In this Word, God not only reveals the way of reconciliation between God and humanity, but also reveals God in as creator and sustainer of all things. Calvin wrote:

Scripture adorns with unmistakable marks and tokens the one true God, in that he has created and governs the universe, in order that he may not be mixed up with the throng of false gods. Therefore, however fitting it may be for man seriously to turn his eyes to contemplate God's works, since he has been placed in this most glorious theater to be a spectator to them, it is fitting that he prick up his ears to the Word, the better to profit.

Thus, while studying God in what he has made has some value, much more value, much more profit is found in studying the Word of God in Scripture. In fact true religion, unlike false religion, finds it beginning only in Scripture. So Calvin maintained, "no one can get even the slightest taste of right and sound doctrine unless he be a pupil of Scripture."

If one wonders why Christianity, even Evangelical Christianity, has fragments so much today, one only needs to consider how little people who call themselves Christian consider the Scriptures. How they are, for the most part, ignorant of what the Bible teaches. How, even when they know what the Bible teaches, they feel they have the right and authority to override the Word of God and say what in it is from God and what is not. The lack of sound doctrine most certainly grows out of the fact that few are pupils of Scripture.

While the situation in Calvin's day was different, he realized that without Scripture, people will most certainly go into error. Our great tendency, the very tendency that makes the revelation of God in creation and providence something we are blind to, is that we gravitate toward all kinds of error. Only Scripture can hold us back. Calvin wrote:

. . . if we seriously aspire to the pure contemplation of God. We must come, I say, to the Word, where God is truely and vividly described to us from his works, while these very works are appraised not by our depraved judgment but by the rule of eternal truth . . . For we should so reason that the splendor of the divine countenance, which even the apostle calls "unapproachable" [1 Tim. 6:16], if for us like an inexplicable labyrinth unless we are conducted into it by the thread of the Word; so that it is better to limp along this path than to dash with all speed outside it.

Scripture can and does show us what the creation cannot. It is only with its assistance that we can see properly.

In chapter VII Calvin moved on to defend how the authority of Scripture must be confirmed by the witness of the Spirit. Scripture did not and does not receive its authority from me. It is not given authority by the Church, in spite of the claims of some. To assert that the authority of Scripture rest in the church is to again rest the authority on human kind. It is to put even the very word on God on shakey ground. Calvin wrote,

Yet, if this is so, what will happen to miserable consciences seeking firm assurnace of eternal life is all promises of it consist in and depend solely upon the judgment of men? Will they cease to vacillate and tremble when they receive such an answer?

To support that the church is not the source of Scriptures authority, Calvin points to Ephesians 2:20 where it is found that the church is built on the foundation of the prophes and apostles. If the teachings and writings given by God through the prophets and apostles, then it is the church that depends on them, not the other way around. It is because of the God given authority of the writings given through the prophets and apostles, that the church exists at all.

If I may add, since that is the case, it would be foolishness to think that the church can abandon those very writings and still survive. To do so would be like knocking out the foundations of a house and expecting it to remain standing.

Calvin's Institutes 1.5.12 - 1.6.1

2009-01-19T21:37:00.003-05:00

Calvin continues to look at the fact that while there is abundant evidence for God in nature, humanity and his providential actions in history, yet these things do not bring people to the one true God. Instead, because of human "superstition" they are kept from bearing the fruit they should. He pointed out that each persons mind is such, that it comes to a point that from these very evidences they each form their own god. Calvin put it well:

Surely, just as waters boil up from a vast, full spring, so does an immense crowd of gods flow forth from the human mind, while each one, in wandering about with too much license, wrongly invents this of that about God himself.

The list of various gods and superstitions is so great that to seek to deal with them all would be impossible. Further, this is not just something that happens among those who are uneducated. Rather, it is found just as much among those who are highly educated. Whenever people seek to find God on their own they fail. As Calvin stated, "no mortal ever contrives anything that did not basely corrupt religion."

What this results in is that when each person comes up with their own conclusion, each goes his or her own way. There is no agreement or common understanding. So we read:

But since all confess that there is nothing concerning which the learned and unlearned at the same time disagree so much, hence one may conclude that the minds of men which thus wander in their search after God are more than stupid and blind in the heavenly mysteries . . . hence it appears that if men were taught only by nature, they would hold to nothing certain or solid or clear-cut, but would be so tied to confused principles as to worship an unknown god.

The problem with this is that it separates people from the one true God, for, making a god of one's own is to turn away from the one true God. Common understanding will not lead to God. Even falling back to saying a person should follow the route of their local city or their forefathers does not satisfy, because people will not hold to it but want to go their own way. Such an approach is too weak. Thus, there is something more needed, that is, God needs to give witness to himself from heaven.

Calvin concludes chapter V pointing out that what all this means is that even though there are an abundance of evidences for God, this voice of nature speaks in vain.

It is in vain that so many burning lamps shine for us in the workmanship of the universe to show forth the glory of its Author. Although they bathe us wholly in their radience, yet they can of themselves in no way lead us into the right path.

However, all these evidences do accomplish something, they leave all people without excuse. They do so because the fault is not in them, but in human beings. As Calvin put it, "although the Lord does not want for testimony while he sweetly attracts men to the knowledge of himself with many and varies kindnesses, they do not cease on this account to follow their own ways, that is, their fatal errors." We all experience these things that at one time or another give us a sense of the divine, but when that happens, "having neglected the true God, we raise up in his stead dreams and specters of our own brains, and attribute to anything else than the true source the praise of righteousness, wisdom, goodness, and power."

With this Calvin opens chapter VI. He has already hinted what is needed, that is God himself to testify from heaven. In chapter VI that is expanded on. We are so blind that, "it is needful that another and better help be added to direct us aright to the very Creator of the universe." Thus, God added the "light of his Word by which to become know unto salvation." This is needed by all because without it a pure knowledge of God would wander so that even those who seem to be strong in it would soon start to fail. So God added the Word, which takes those things in the creation that evidence him, and make them clear. Calvin put it this way,

Just as old or bleary-eyed men and those with weak vision, if you thrust before them a most beautiful volumn, even if they recognize it to be some sort of writing, yet can scarsely construe two words, but with the aid of spectacles will begin to read distinctly; so Scripture, gathering up the otherwise confused knowledge of God in our minds, having dispersed our dullness, clearly shows us the true God.

This is the Cake I Want for My Birthday

2009-01-19T20:34:00.001-05:00

Follow the link.

Calvin's Institutes 1.5.6 - 1.5.11

2009-01-19T09:33:00.003-05:00

I was really hoping to get this post done before today, but not only was it a very busy weekend (at least is seemed to be), but our son decided that he should keep waking up at night. Although he didn't wake me up all the way, he did disturb my sleep enough to make it less than restful. Now to Calvin.

The last section dealt with mixing up that which is created with the one who created it by attributing to nature what should only be attributed to God. From that in the next section Calvin moved to look at how the Creator shows that he is in control of the creation, not the other way around. God is the one who sustains all things by his Word. He can and does direct the courses of all things, even those things that are called 'natural' events. All people, whether believers or not should be able to see this.

It is in this governing of all thing God shows himself in granting good to all, yet at the same time showing his mercy to the godly and his anger toward the wicked. Some may object to this, seeing how not all sin is punished and not all the godly are preserved. In response Calvin wrote,

But a far different consideration ought, rather, to enter our minds: that with a manifest show of his anger he [God] punishes one sin, he hates all sins; that, when he leaves many sins unpunished, there will be another judgment to which have been deferred the sins yet to be punished. Similarly, what great occasion he gives us to contemplate his mercy when he often pursues miserable sinners with unwearied kindness, until he shatters their wickedness by imparting benefits and by recalling them to him with more than fatherly kindness!

God shows this in how he directs the ways of humanity. He does this both in saving the godly when there are seemingly beyond hope, and by bringing down the wicked when they seem to be safe from any danger snatching success from their hands.

From this Calvin moved on to assert that we should consider God not in some abstract musings, but instead should contemplate him in his works. He wrote,

And here again we ought to observe that we are called to a knowledge of God: not that knowledge which, content with empty speculation, merely flits in the brain, but that which will be sound and fruitful if we duly perceive it, and if it takes root in the heart . . . Consequently, we know the most perfect way of seeking God, and the most suitable order, is not for us to attempt with bold curiosity to penetrate to the investigation of his essence, which we ought more to adore than meticulously to search out, but for us to contemplate him in his works whereby he renders himself near and familiar to us, and in some manner communicates himself.

All this is meant to encourage both worship in God and also hope for the future life. Because God shows that he is angry with sin, that there will be a coming judgement, and that he at time saves the godly from distress even as he at times brings down the wicked, we should be moved by this knowledge of God to realize there is another life beyond this one. So Calvin quoted Augustine, "If now every sin were to suffer open punishment, if would seem that nothing was reserved for the final judgment. Again, if God were now to punish no sin openly, one would believe that there is no providence."

However, having gone through all of this. Showing how there are abundant ways that God reveals himself in the universe, in humanity, in his providential governing of all things including humankind, nevertheless, humanity misses all of this. Although there are moments when a person may be affected by these various things, and moved to a sense of God, Calvin wrote:

Yet after we rashly grasp a conception of some sort of divinity, straightway we fall back into the ravings or evil imaginings of our flesh, and corrupt by our vanity the pure truth of God. In one respect we are indeed unalike, because each one of us privately forges his own particular error; yet we are very much alike in that, one and all, we forsake the one true God for prodigious trifles.

Sometime Today

2009-01-17T11:09:00.001-05:00

Yesterday I was taking care of my son, and so I did not have time to get my Calvin reading done. Since there are no readings for the weekend, my hope is to do that reading either later today, or tomorrow. I still have prep work to do for Sunday school, and want to go over the AM and PM sermons, so it will have to fit in with that and other responsibilities. It will be done before the weekend is over though.

Calvin's Institutes 1.5.2 - 1.5.5

2009-01-15T23:50:00.004-05:00

From the start of chapter five where Calvin points to the fact that there is no excuse for a person to not see God's revelation of himself in the universe because in it are found the marks of his handy work, Calvin moves on in the chapter on the same track.

First, he pointed out that the wisdom of God is on display in the universe for all to see. While he saw that those who studied in various areas could and should see this is more depth, at the same time he maintained that even those who have no such education can see this. He wrote,

Even the common folk and the most untutored, who have been taught only by the aid of th eyes, cannot be unaware of the excellence of hte divine art, for it reveals itself in this innumerable and yet distinct and well-ordered variety of the heavenly host. It is, accordingly, clear that there is no one to whom the Lord does not abundantly show his wisdom.

This brought back memories of the many times I have lain on the beach while camping at one provincial park or another staring at the overwhelming multitude of stars, or the time when on my first trip out west I woke in the early morning in the back of the van to look out the windshield and see the Rocky Mountains rising majestically up to the bright blue sky with a haze of morning fog cloaking their feet. In each of those moments and many more I have been amazed at the beauty, the majesty, the wonderfulness of this universe to the point of realizing once again that such things do not happen by chance, not to mention the appreciation of their beauty must have it source in something more than mere biological processes. Each time it was a reminder of the awesome God who made all things. It is in such moments that I wonder how anyone can maintain there is no God.

But, Calvin did not stop there. He pointed that even more than that human beings point to the immeasurable wisdom of God. In each one of us, their is found more than enough to show the wisdom of God. Look at all the parts of the body, look at the brain, look at the creativity, look at all of that and more. It all testifies to and shows the divine wisdom of God.

Yet, Calvin pointed out, even with all this, especially the great gifts and design of humankind, people still turn away from God. We read,

They (human beings) have within themselves a workshop graced with God's unnumbered works and, at the same time, a storehouse overflowing with inestimable riches. They ought, then to break forth into praise of him but are actually puffed up and swollen with all the more pride . . . How detestable, I ask you, is this madness: that man, finding God in his body and soul a hundred times, on this very pretence of excellence denies that there is a God?

Again, this is such a contemporary statement. After almost 500 years, in spite of all the changes, people still take the very gifts of God, the very being and body he has granted them, made in the image of God, and use it to build their own pride. They claim its talents as their own, with no thought of the creator and no gratitude to him. Sadly, for most of us there is not a little of this. I know when reading this I can see such and attitude rearing its ugly head. It has become the common way of thinking and acting.

From this Calvin moved on to point out that another danger is to attribute what is due to the creator to the creation. To look at the world, the universe as being responsible for all that is seen in it. To speak of nature as doing this or that. Such words from a person who wrote at a time long before Darwin, but such words to speak to us today.

Calvin's response to such thinking of his own time, long before evolutionary theory, which we need to hear today was this, "This is indeed making a shadow deity to drive away the true God, whom we should fear and adore." That is what was being done by those back in Calvin's day who spoke of a "universal mind", and it is true today of those who speak in terms of evolution doing this or that. In both, they are but showing the very sense of the divine that Calvin has argued every human has, exists in them, and because of that they are establishing their own God, their own deity, even if they don't actually acknowledge him as such.

Execellent Interaction with "The Shack"

2009-01-14T23:52:00.001-05:00

I tried to read "The Shack." I figured as a pastor who may have people in my congregation read the book, I should read it as well. I had read quite a few reviews of it, and expected a tear jerking, theologically weak book, but I got my name on the list at the library to sign it out. When I got it I tried, I really tried, to read it. But within a chapter or so, I found I not only very much disliked the style of writing and the basic character and plot development, but the theology that was already coming out was making me very irritated. Just so you know I can read books with bad theology, and have done so before, but for some reason "The Shack" was not one I could plow through.

All this is to introduce an excellent interaction with "The Shack" found over at Green Baggins. I think it gets right to the heart of the issues involved, and shows where "The Shack" fails miserably to deal with the very topic it so desires to deal with, the problem of evil. Check it out here.

Calvin's Institutes 1.4.1 - 1.5.1

2009-01-14T14:36:00.002-05:00

Having established that all people has a sense that there is a God, Calvin in chapter IV moves on to show how even with that sense of God, human beings twist, corrupt or suppress it.

Calvin started by pointing out how very few people act upon this sense of God in a correct manner, much less bear fruit from it. Instead of looking higher than themselves, people are inclined instead to evaluate God by their criteria. They go off into self produced speculation and in doing so do you see God as he offers himself to them. Instead they, "imagine him as they have fashioned him in their own presumption."

Reading this, it almost sounds like today. I cannot count the number of people who have said to me, "My God is not like that, he . . ." when a certain teaching of the Bible about God comes up. It seems the vast majority of people today in response to this religious sense in them, are experts in making their own God. We live in a time that could be characterized with the slightly changed name of a certain store, as a "Build a god workshop."

However, Calvin rightly points out that if one's god is a god of their own imagination no matter how much they seek to serve him thinking they are offering these things to the one and only God, all that they do is in no way acceptable or even given to God. Instead it is given to, "a figment and a dream of their own hearts." Pointing to Romans 1:21-22 Calvin pointed out that they thought they were wise, but became fooling and worshiped as God that which was not God.

But along with those who form their own god, there are those who seek to get rid of God. They are people who are seen, "as flatly denying God's existence; not that they deprive him of his being, but because, in despoiling him of his judgment and providence they shut him up idle in heaven" Calvin explains this further as something that is seen in how a person lives as much as it may be seen in what they say they believe, or don't as the case may be. So we read, "whoever heedlessly indulges himself, his fear of heavenly judgment extinguished, denies that their is a God." (emphasis mine)

Although people today seem much more likely to simply say there is no God, at the same time this reminded me how vital it is to realize that while one can profess the existence of God with one's mouth, at the same time one can deny him by one's actions as if God does not matter in any way.

Chapter IV continues with this wonderful statement which again seems to so well sum up many people today, "For they think that any zeal for religion, however preposterous, is sufficient. But they do not realize that true religion ought to be conformed to God's will as a universal rule; that God ever remains like himself, and is not a specter of phantasm to be transformed according to anyone's whim." It does not seem like Calvin would be much for those who make up their own religious observances.

The last thing Calvin speaks to concerning how that religious sense is corrupted is in the case of those who, "never consider God at all unless compelled to; and they do not come nigh until they are dragged there despite their resistance. And not even then are they impressed with the voluntary fear that arises out of reverence for the divine majesty, but merely with a slavish, forced fear, which God's judgment exhorts them to." These are people who admit to their being a God, but would prefer to keep him far away, because all this sense of God stirs up in them is dread of judgment. It would seem these are those who go to church to assuage their conscience or who participate in various rituals thing those observances will win God's favor.

The conclusion of chapter IV is that even considering all this, that sense of God still remains and cannot be removed. Instead, even when suppressed, it will rear its head in one way or another.

In chapter V Calvin turns to show how the knowledge of God is see in both the creation of the universe and how God providentially governs it.

His first point is that the fashioning and sustaining hand of God is so evident in the universe, that no one is without excuse. This is drawn from many places in the scriptures all of which testify to the fact that, "upon his individual works he has engraved unmistakable marks of his glory, so clear and so prominent that even unlettered and stupid folk cannot plead the excuse of ignorance."

Calvin's Institutes 1.2.2 - 1.3.3

2009-01-13T14:50:00.002-05:00

This was a very interesting read for me, but for some reason I found it a difficult read. Not that it was difficult to understand, but rather my mind kept wandering. That is something it has been doing often today so it was no surprise to me. I ended up reading and re-reading sentences and paragraphs to get the sense of what Calvin had written.

This reading continues the discussion of chapter 2 dealing with "What it is to know God, and to what purpose the knowledge of him tends."

The first thing that is pointed out in this text is that asking the question, "What is God?" is not a particularly useful place to start. This makes sense as it leads to an abundance of speculation and abstract constructions that miss the really important point of knowing, as Calvin puts it, "of what sort he is and what is consistent with his nature." That is, that God is the one who created all things including human beings, and we owe our whole life to him. More than that, to realize that God is the source of all good.

To understand God in this way only comes through what Calvin calls the pious mind. (I'm not sure I like the way I stated that, but it will work for the moment) Sadly, the word, "pious", has taken on the negative connotation of self righteousness. That was not what was in Calvin's mind here. The marks or aspect of the pious mind, probably what we would call the Spiritual mind, are presented as the following:

1) It does not seek to produce a God of its own imagining, but instead seeks to dwell upon the one and only true God.

2) It does not seek to attribute whatever it dreams up to God, but is, "content to hold him to be as he manifests himself."

3) It strives to not wander from the will of God.

4) It understands it is right to "observe his authority in all things, reverence his majesty, take care to advance his glory, and obey his commandments."

5) It realizes that God is the righteous judge and holds that in view so as not to provoke the anger of God for both punishment of the wicked and eternal life of the righteous are part of the glory of God.

6) It, "restrains itself from sinning, not only out of dread of punishment alone; but because it loves and reveres God as Father, it worships and adores him as Lord"; or as Calvin wrote, "Even if there were no hell, it would still shudder at offending him alone."

With this Calvin moved on to defend the truth that all people have a sense or awareness of their being a God. This has been implanted by God in all people. Even idolatry is proof of this as humans, in spite of our pride, have a built in drive to bow themselves down before something.

Interestingly Calvin raises a defence against the claim that religion was a creation of men to control others all the better. He does not deny that some men have done this, but he points out the only way that such an approach could work is if this sense of the divine was already found in humankind. Further, he points out that even though who more vociferously deny the existence of God, are the ones most troubled because of this sense of the divine so that the "boldest despiser of God is of all men the most startled at the rustle of a falling leaf." In fact Calvin maintains that godlessness is impossible writing, "Indeed, the perversity of the impious, who though they struggle furiously are unable to extricate themselves from the fear of God, is abundant testimony that this conviction, namely, that this is some God, is naturally inborn in all, and is fixed deep within, as it were, in the very marrow."

Reading Through Calvin's Institutes

2009-01-12T22:21:00.003-05:00

With this year being the 500 anniversary of John Calvin's birth, I decided to read through Calvin's Institutes of Christian Religion. I have read it before, although it was always in bits and pieces. This time I am intending to read through the whole thing from beginning to end through the year. The plan I am using is the one from Reformation 21, who are also blogging through the Institutes following the same plan.

I am considering blogging my thoughts as well. I did not do so for the first week where we read through the prefatory address, although I did find it an interesting read.

This week we start into Book one from 1.1.1 to 1.2.1.

This section starts with these wonderful words, "Nearly all the wisdom we possess, that is to say, true and sound wisdom, consists of two parts: the knowledge of God and of ourselves." As Calvin continues he looks at how these two areas of knowledge are bound together so that truly knowing oneself points a person to God while truly knowing God due to the many amazing things that make up human beings. Even more than that, even our weaknesses point us to God, "Indeed, our very poverty better discloses the infinitude of benefits reposing in God . . . Thus from the feeling of our own ignorance, vanity, poverty, infirmity, and --what is more--depravity and corruption, we recognize that the true light of wisdom, sound virtue, full abundance of every good, and purity of righteousness rest in the Lord along. To this extent we are prompted by our own ills to contemplate the good things of God; and we cannot seriously aspire to him before we begin to become displeased with ourselves."

I had not considered this for a long time. Too often it is easier to think that our weakness, infirmity and the wrong we do don't point us to God. However, that begs the question, why do virtually all of us have a sense that certain things we do are wrong. Why do we have a sense of morality and sense of justice and sense of rightness. I know some will say this is a result of evolutionary forces that resulted in those with genes that acted in these ways our surviving those who don't. However, that is not survival of the fittest. It does not seem to fit to me, although I don't really want to get into a long discussion on it. Yet, as I considered this for myself, I realized that as I see my own faults and corruption, it reminds me of the perfection, purity and beauty of God.

This goes the other way as well. For we cannot know ourselves unless we know God. In particular we cannot correctly understand who we really are unless we measure ourselves by God. Calvin put it this way, "For we always seem to ourselves righteous and upright and wise and holy--this pride is innate in all of us--unless by clear proofs we stand convinced of our own unrighteousness, foulness, folly, and impurity." In fact, because there is so much and so many people who are greatly corrupt, we get the feeling that because we are less corrupt, we think ourselves pure. What that means, as Calvin points out, "As a consequence, we must infer that mans is never sufficiently touched and affected by the awareness of his lowly state until he has compared himself with God's majesty."

This is not something new to me. It is something that I have considered and studied and preached before. However, in many ways Calvin said it much better than I ever could.

Chapter 2 starts to examine what it is to know God. First Calvin points out that knowledge of God is more than knowing there is a God, but also knowing how it is good for us to know him. That means that there is no proper knowledge of God where there is no religion or piety. Calvin defines piety a little later in this first section of chapter 2 this way, "I call "piety" that reverence joined with love of God which the knowledge of his benefits induces. For until men recognize that they owe everything to God, that they are nourished by his fatherly care, that he is the Author of their every good, that they should seek nothing beyond him--they will never yield him willing service. Nay, unless they establish their complete happiness in him, they will never give themselves truly and sincerely to him."

That final line I quoted from Calvin stuck me. It was a reminder that God does not demand part of me, but all of me. He does not want me to find part of my happiness and satisfaction in him, but all of it. More than that, it made me realize how easy it is to seek the satisfaction that only God can give in thing that although good, are not meant to bring such satisfaction. It reminded me that I don't know God as well as I should.

Remember the Gospel This New Year -- 1 Corinthians 15:1-11

2009-01-10T21:38:00.003-05:00

The heart of Christianity is the gospel. Without the good news of Jesus Christ, there is no Christian message. Without the gospel, there is no hope for anyone. So this year, remember the gospel, and focus your life upon it.

Remember the Gospel This New Year -- 1 Corinthians 15:1-11

Greeting to God's People -- Jude 1-2

2009-01-04T21:56:00.001-05:00

In the opening of this letter Jude immediately started to deal with the issue of the false teachers by directing the attention of his readers to the one in whom their salvation is found. We all need to be reminded of that, so we can stand firm in Christ.

Greeting to God's People -- Jude 1-2

Born to Redeem -- Galatians 4:4-7

2009-01-04T12:01:00.002-05:00

With the celebration of Jesus Christ's coming at Christmas, it is good to consider why he came. He did not just come to give us a good example on how to live. Nor did he merely come as a wise moral teacher. He came to be the only redeemer who purchases the freedom of his people from slavery to sin.

Born to Redeem -- Galatians 4:4-7

My Favorite Part of Handel's Messiah

2008-12-17T15:01:00.002-05:00

For many people listening to or going to see Handel's Messiah performed is part of their holiday traditions. Although it is not part of my holiday traditions, it is something I very much enjoy. I have heard it performed live with full accompaniment once, but do not have a version of it on CD at this point. For many people the high point of the Messiah is the Hallelujah Chorus. I have sung it when I was in choir in high school, but it was never my favourite. This is my favourite:

Wonderful Hymns

2008-12-16T20:04:00.003-05:00

I am always looking for new, theologically sound worship music. I say that because there are so many contemporary worship songs that while generally good, are often not that deep and sometimes have things with theologically are questionable. Well today while reading over at the Ref21 blog Phil Ryken posted a link for Church Works Media. I went there to see what I could see, and what did I find but selection of wonderful new hymns which seem to be fairly easy to sing. Best of all, they have wonderfully deep content that points one to the glory of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ. If you are interested, I encourage you to check it out.

Take Comfort, God Is Coming -- Isaiah 40:1-11

2008-12-15T22:39:00.001-05:00

Life is filled with trouble. Where can a person find comfort? In this sermon we look at what Isaiah 40 has to say in answer to that.

Frustrating

2008-12-10T22:48:00.002-05:00

I have been working on tiding up the video/digital audio recording area in the church I serve. To achieve that I needed to put a table up there, and with a little searching I found one in a storage room in the basement of the church building. However, after dragging it upstairs, by myself (I did it alone by choice, I work better at things like this alone). I started to unfold the legs only to discover why it had been in the storage room in the basement rather that out in the fellowship hall being used. The one leg was broken. No problem I though, it is metal and I have a welder I can just weld it. So I took it off the table, brought it home, and got out the small MIG welder. After getting everything set up and cleaning the area that needed to be welded, I geared up to start welding, and . . . the wire wouldn't feed. I checked the tip (sometime it can get welded to it) but it was free. Checked a few other places, and could not figure it out. Tried re-feeding the wire, it jammed, and jammed and jammed until it actually came out near the welder ripping the sleeve. Frustrated I went inside. After a rest I got the welder and tried again inside with my darling wife's help. The wire fed through. I took it back to the garage to weld. It jammed. Then I saw the problem, the tube it should go through had somehow come loose. After a little fiddling I got it jury rigged to work and got the welding done. Thank-you God. Now I still need to get the legs back on the table, and get things organized. I also need to take the welder back to Princess Auto and see if they will stand behind their product. Now to see if I can find the receipt.

Canadian Political Crisis

2008-12-02T19:00:00.003-05:00

As I write this the three opposition parties made up of the slightly left of centre Liberals who garnered the lowest popular vote in the history of their party because of their weak leader, the NDP, a highly socialist party whose economic stands were attacked by all parties in the recent election as dangerous to the health of Canada's economy, and the Bloc Quebcois, a party whose only vote base is in Quebec and whose primary goal is the separation of Quebec from Canada; have decided to form a coalition government and over through the minority Canadian Progressive Conservative party.

Here are my thoughts. First, I am tired of the opposition parties and their supporters saying that the Conservatives are partisan. Of course they are, but what the other parties and their supporters seem to be completely blind to is that they are just as partisan in their stand. The issue is not being partisan. In fact if the person I elected to parliament was not partisan I would start to wonder why I voted for them. I want them to stand on their ideology. I voted for them because of that, and I assume those of other political views voted for their candidates because they supported their ideology. If that was not the case, why did you bother to vote. Second, I am tired of the repeated statement that the majority of Canadians who voted did not vote for the Canadian Progressive Conservatives. That is a meaningless number unless the parties in the attempted overthrow had run on the possibility of forming a coalition, especially a coalition with the Bloc Quebecios. Based on many of the poles out there, there are many Canadians, including those who voted for the Liberal and NDP who are unhappy with this coalition because either they see it a compromising the ideas of the party they supported or they see it as making the BQ the power brokers in this country. Not something that anyone who is a federalist would consider a good idea.

Moving on, I am dead set against this coalition. First and most importantly because it will give a party that is merely regional and which has as its primary goal the destruction of Canada by having Quebec separate from Confederation. The Liberals used to be lead by staunchly federalist leaders such a Pierre Elliot Trudeau. While I disagreed with those leaders on many points of policy, I agreed strongly with them in their federalist stand. However, it seems that all that has went out the window. Federalism means nothing if the current leader and members see a way to take power, even if that means getting in bed with the BQ. Listening to Stephan Dion responding to that point today on CPAC made me realize he is either horribly blind to what he is doing to the point of being deluded, or he simply does not care that this move will give power and impetus to the sovereigntist movement in Quebec.

Second, the coalitions is proposing a supposed economic stimulus package focused mainly on the auto sector and the forestry sector. What this does is beg the question, how precisely this will stimulate the economy? I would assume it would be meant to keep the big 3 auto companies producing cars so they don't temporarily or permanently close factories and that the forestry industry can continue to harvest trees and produce lumber. My question is who is going to purchase these vehicles and this lumber? The vast majority of what we produce in both of these areas is produced for consumption South of the border. Until the USA gets their economy to the point where the people can get loans to purchase cars and build houses no matter what we produce it will not have any market and will do nothing but drive prices down further.

Third, at this point Canada is the envy of the other developed countries because our economy is weathering this world wide economic "crisis" so well. We are one of the few who is still seeing growth, small though it be, in our economy in spite of the fact that our economy is highly dependant on export to countries who are in recession or who are seeing negative economic growth. We have much stimuli in the economy already thanks to the foresight of the current government, and while additional stimuli may be needed that would be the business of a budget which is well thought out, not an economic update.

Finally, the thing that has these three parties and their supporters so angry was the proposal to remove the $1.95/vote support from tax monies for political parties in Canada. In other words, they want their entitlement. I realize some will say this is how we can avoid large corporations from influence pedalling, however, is that really the case. We already has limits on donations that can be made by corporations or individuals, and that is a valid way to limit that sort of manipulation. Additional rules in that area might be needed, but the $1.95/vote will do nothing to stop that. Even more than that, it seems that the Liberal party has shown a great many ways to get money to themselves in the past in less that legal ways. In fact that whole scandal was part of the reason they were voted out of government. Their concern is that they will lose what they see as their entitlement. However, they are not entitled to this money. It belongs to the Canadian tax payer and should never have been given to any political parties. Besides, why should tax payer money go to support a party that wants to destroy the country. Parties should raise their own monies from their own supporters. If they are not willing to give, then perhaps they are not a committed to that party as they claim to be.

I am hoping to get out and protest this travesty of a coalition that makes the BQ the power brokers. I have no issue if they bring down the government, but if they do I want an election to see if they still have the support of their base now that they have cozied up to the BQ. Right now the only thing uniting these three parties is their loathing of Stephen Harper, if they get him out of power there is no unity in their ideologies so ultimately they will fall to a confidence vote.

Go to Rally for Canada to see where protests will be held this coming Saturday (December 6th.) I'm planning on being in London, ON in front of City hall to show my opposition to this coalition.

Also, consider writing a respectful letter to the Governor General of Canada. A good template can be found here.

Living Out The Truth -- 3 John 1-8

2008-11-30T20:49:00.000-05:00

Living Out The Truth -- 3 John 1-8

Sinners Who Want to See God -- Isaiah 64:1-9

2008-11-30T13:23:00.001-05:00

Many people, whether they believe in God or not, desire to see God come down and do something. However, if God were to come down, that coming would result in something they don't want, because all their wrong doings would be shown for what they are. So how can a sinner who want to see God ever do so?

Sinners Who Want to See God -- Isaiah 64:1-9

Last Week's Sermons

2008-11-30T13:20:00.002-05:00

I didn't get these done last week, and when I did get them converted into MP3 files, I did not take the time to upload them. However, as I was doing today's AM sermon, I posted last weeks as well

The Surprise Dividing Line -- Matthew 23:31-46

Warning Against False Teachers -- 2 John 7-13

We Had More Snow

2008-11-22T10:27:00.005-05:00

The forecast for the last two days, and to a lesser extent for today was snowsqualls off the lake. For some places near us they were calling for 50 centimeters (that is almost 2 feet) by today. Not only did they get that already yesterday, but they have gotten more today.

We got our share as well. I don't know the exact amount, but there was about a foot and a half in the driveway this morning to clear out. Thankfully we have a snowblower.

Here are some pics.

First one of our backyard:

Now look at this wonderfully happy dog:

Now a pic of the front through the window:

And finally a pic of the vehicles in the driveway:

I Wish This Was In The ESV

2008-11-20T23:59:00.002-05:00

Since the English Standard Version came out, it has grown to be one of my favorite translations. I am looking forward to someday getting an ESV Study Bible, and then I stumbled upon this. For those of you familiar with Jonathan Edward's Blank Bible, this is very similar. What Edwards would apparently do is take a Bible and remove the binding, then insert blank pages between all the pages and get it rebound. That would allow for lots of space for taking notes. Well, now we have something like that in the NIV. I just wish something similar was available in the ESV because, frankly, wide margins are not enough room for me.

http://www.sermoncloud.com/bethel-reformed-church/walking-in-the-truth-means-walking-in-love----2-john-4-6/

2008-11-09T22:03:00.003-05:00

This is the second in a series of sermons on 2 John. Sadly the first sermon was not recorded due to technical difficulties.

When the truth is on the line our desire should be to defend the truth. However, as we defend the truth we can often do so in the wrong way. Not in holding to and defending the truth, but in doing so in a unloving manner. Instead, we must live in the truth and live in love.

Living In The Truth Means Living In Love -- 2 John 4-6

How Should Christians Respond To Persecution -- Psalm 83

2008-11-09T13:02:00.002-05:00

Today the congregation I served participated in the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church. As we did so we considered how we as Christians should first and foremost respond to persecution.

How Should Christians Respond To Persecution -- Psalm 83

A Resident Who Probabably Won't Be Resident Long

2008-11-07T11:39:00.003-05:00

I noticed this rather interesting resident in our house a while back. I snapped some pictures, and showed Annette. That was probably not wise as she hates spiders in the house, and will probably end this one's life eventually. However, I kind of like the look of him/her. As far as I can determine this is an Orb weaver spider, but if someone knows differently, I would love to know. BTW, they are harmless to humans.

This Morning

2008-10-29T07:28:00.004-05:00

Last night we went to bed with snowsqualls actively happening where we live. This is what we woke up to this morning. I know some people will hate this, but I think it is beautiful. My mine will probably change by February or March though.

And They Call This Global Warming!

2008-10-28T17:37:00.007-05:00

Today is the 28th of October. Throughout the day we have had snow mixed with rain. Now I look at the Environment Canada weather website and this is what I see:

Weather warnings in several counties including ours.

And it isn't just any warning, when you click on the counties with warnings, this is what you get:

Goderich - Bluewater - Southern Huron County
3:22 PM EDT Tuesday 28 October 2008
Snowsquall warning for
Goderich - Bluewater - Southern Huron County issued

Significant snow squall event setting up for tonight and Wednesday.

This is a warning that snowsqualls are imminent or occurring in these regions. Monitor weather conditions..Listen for updated statements.

Although Halloween is still three days away..Some frightening weather is beginning to appear already.

An east coast storm is intensifying as its centre heads from western Massachusetts to just east of Montréal this evening. Periods of rain will change to snow heavy at times this evening over eastern Ontario. Snowfall amounts of 10 to 15 centimetres are expected in this district before it eases off somewhat later tonight then tapers to a few flurries on Wednesday.

Strong northwest winds of 50 gusting up to 70 km/h tonight in combination with the snow will create hazardous driving conditions due to snow and blowing snow with low visibilities especially when the mercury edges just below the freezing mark. Also any residual leaves left on trees may create additional concerns of snow-laden limbs affecting power lines.

Farther west..Strong cold northwest winds blowing over the relatively warm waters of the Great Lakes will set up significant snow squalls. Scattered wet flurries or showers are currently falling to the Lee of Georgian Bay and Lake Huron this afternoon but will intensify this evening and gradually change to snow away from the shorelines. Showers will linger near the shorelines.

Two main bands will set up. One will stretch from near Grand Bend to London and St Thomas. The other will come ashore from Georgian Bay near Wasaga Beach and affect communities southeast to Newmarket.

Snowfall amounts in the squalls will locally reach 15 centimetres tonight with additional similar accumulations possible on Wednesday. Amounts may be somewhat less in the Newmarket area..Closer to 10 cm tonight and 5 on Wednesday.

Strong northwest winds of 30 gusting 50 km/h will cause local whiteout conditions in squalls. As a result driving conditions will become quite hazardous due to very low visibilities and icy roads.

Then a glance at the local radar:

Yup! This is global warming alright. Man made too. Good thing I like snow.

Keep Away From Idols -- 1 John 5:21

2008-10-26T21:09:00.001-05:00

Wrapping up our study of the 1st letter of John, we looked at his closing statement.

Keep Away From Idols -- 1 John 5:21

Christ Alone -- Acts 4:11-12

2008-10-26T21:07:00.001-05:00

This Reformation Sunday we looked at how salvation is in Christ alone.

Christ Alone -- Acts 4:11-12

I Can Identify

2008-10-23T21:49:00.002-05:00

I read this today and have to say I can identify. There are times when it very much seems that I am one of a very small number in our denomination, our Regional Synod, and even our Classis. I know I am not alone, as there are a others in the Classis and I know in the Regional Synod and the Denomination who share these same thoughts and feelings. However, they are scattered about, and that leaves one feeling alone in the wilderness. I echo the thoughts of the author, who points out it is for this reason the Banner of Truth Minister's Conference is so refreshing to me as well. It is a place where I meet other ministers who, although they come from many denominational backgrounds, all share the commitment to the doctrines of grace and the authority and sufficiency of scripture.

Tool Definitions

2008-10-16T18:10:00.003-05:00

This made me laugh, because for the most part it is all too true:

DRILL PRESS: A tall upright machine useful for suddenly snatching flat metal bar stock out of your hands so that it smacks you in the chest and flings your beer across the room, denting the freshly-painted part which you had carefully set in the corner where nothing could get to it.

WIRE WHEEL: Cleans paint off bolts and then throws them somewhere under the workbench with the speed of light. Also removes fingerprints and hard-earned calluses from fingers in about the time it takes you to say, ''What the...??''

ELECTRIC HAND DRILL: Normally used for spinning pop rivets in their holes until you die of old age.

SKILL SAW: A portable cutting tool used to make studs too short.

PLIERS: Used to round off bolt heads. Sometimes used in the creation of blood-blisters.

BELT SANDER: An electric sanding tool commonly used to convert minor touch-up jobs into major refinishing jobs.

HACKSAW: One of a family of cutting tools built on the Ouija board principle. It transforms human energy into a crooked, unpredictable motion, and the more you attempt to influence its course, the more dismal your future becomes.

VISE-GRIPS: Generally used after pliers to completely round off bolt heads. If nothing else is available, they can also be used to transfer intense welding heat to the palm of your hand.

WELDING GLOVES: Heavy duty leather gloves used to prolong the conduction of intense welding heat to the palm of your hand.

OXYACETYLENE TORCH: Used almost entirely for lighting various flammable objects in your shop on fire. Also handy for igniting the grease inside the wheel hub you want the bearing race out of.

TABLE SAW: A large stationary power tool commonly used to launch wood projectiles for testing wall integrity.

HYDRAULIC FLOOR JACK: Used for lowering an automobile to the ground after you have installed your new brake shoes, trapping the jack handle firmly under the bumper.

EIGHT-FOOT LONG YELLOW PINE 2X4: Used for levering an automobile upward off of a trapped hydraulic jack handle.

E-Z OUT BOLT AND STUD EXTRACTOR: A tool ten times harder than any known drill bit that snaps neatly off in bolt holes thereby ending any possible future use.

BAND SAW: A large stationary power saw primarily used by most shops to cut good aluminum sheet into smaller pieces that more easily fit into the trash can after you cut on the inside of the line instead of the outside edge.

TWO-TON ENGINE HOIST: A tool for testing the maximum tensile strength of everything you forgot to disconnect.

CRAFTSMAN 1/2 x 24-INCH SCREWDRIVER: A very large pry bar that inexplicably has an accurately machined screwdriver tip on the end opposite the handle.

AVIATION METAL SNIPS: See hacksaw.

PHILLIPS SCREWDRIVER: Normally used to stab the vacuum seals under lids and for opening old-style paper-and-tin oil cans and splashing oil on your shirt; but can also be used, as the name implies, to strip out Phillips screw heads.

STRAIGHT SCREWDRIVER: A tool for opening paint cans. Sometimes used to convert common slotted screws into non-removable screws.

PRY BAR: A tool used to crumple the metal surrounding that clip or bracket you needed to remove in order to replace a 50 cent part.

HOSE CUTTER: A tool used to make hoses too short.

HAMMER: Originally employed as a weapon of war, the hammer nowadays is used as a kind of divining rod to locate the most expensive parts adjacent the object we are trying to hit.

MECHANIC''S KNIFE: Used to open and slice through the contents of cardboard cartons delivered to your front door; works particularly well on contents such as seats, vinyl records, liquids in plastic bottles, collector magazines, refund checks, and rubber or plastic parts. Especially useful for slicing work clothes, but only while wearing them.

DAMMIT TOOL: Any handy tool that you grab and throw across the garage while yelling ''DAMMIT'' at the top of your lungs. It is also, most often, the next tool that you will need.

HT: Dafrogtoad at AstroSafariVans.com

Three Things We Know II -- 1 John 5:18-20

2008-10-12T19:58:00.002-05:00

Knowing how Christ has changed those who believe, and what the world is really like is the focus on the second of the things we need to know as believers in Jesus Christ.

Three Things We Know II -- 1 John 5:18-20

Three Things We Know I -- 1 John 5:18-20

2008-10-12T19:55:00.002-05:00

What we know affects how we live. As John draws his letter to a close, he points to three things that we need to know to stand firm.

Three Things We Know I -- 1 John 5:18-20

In God's Image -- Genesis 1:26-31

2008-10-12T19:52:00.001-05:00

What makes human beings special? What sets them apart? In Genesis 1 we find the answer, they are made in the image of God.

In God's Image -- Genesis 1:26-31

She's Coming Home

2008-10-11T11:56:00.003-05:00

In about 15 to 30 minutes, Annette will be leaving the True Woman conference in Chicago, and will be heading home. Talking to her last night she has enjoyed the conference a great deal, and has been challenged to grow through the various speakers. My hope is she has a safe drive home. It will be good to have her back, hopefully by about 9PM tonight.

Going Well

2008-10-10T08:57:00.002-05:00

Things are going well here while Annette is off to the True Women conference. However, Justin seems to think that getting up various times throughout the night to go to Grandma's room is ok. That keeps all of us up which is not that great.

I am finding feeding the baby bunnies to be a lot of work. They are going to be 4 weeks old on Saturday, so weaning time is coming up. All of them eat well from the bottle except for one who only drinks out of a saucer. The other saucer drinker died yesterday probably because it decided eating the wood chips that make up the bedding would be a good idea.

I am off to feed them again. Then to do the rabbits outside. Then to do my regular work.

I got an e-mail from Annette and she is enjoying the conference.

We Need One Of These

2008-10-09T10:40:00.001-05:00

I saw this video posted by a friend on facebook. Once I saw it I wanted one as we have a dog that is a real ball hound, and she is smart enough to figure this out. It would keep her busy and tired for hours.

And She's Off

2008-10-08T10:55:00.002-05:00

So Annette is off to Chicago for a womens conference. For the remainder of this afternoon that means I will be taking care of Justin, but thankfully Grandma is able to come up and help or I would never get my sermons done for Sunday. I hope she has a good time there, and a safe drive there and back.

He Fills What Is Empty -- Genesis 1:14-25

2008-09-28T14:28:00.001-05:00

He Fills What Is Empty -- Genesis 1:14-25

Another Episode In Simon's Cat

2008-09-23T20:22:00.001-05:00

Praying For The Brother Who Sins -- 1 John 5:16-17

2008-09-21T19:52:00.002-05:00

In this passage we find that the instruction to pray for our fellow believers who have fallen into sin, but with it comes the difficult to understand qualification that we should not pray in the case of a sin unto death. What does this mean, and how does it apply to praying for our brother or sister who is sinning? This sermon will look at this.

Praying For The Brother Who Sins -- 1 John 5:16-17

Form From Formless -- Genesis 1:3-13

2008-09-21T12:15:00.003-05:00

Continuing our study of Genesis we look at the first three days of creation finding how God took the earth which was first created formless and empty covered in darkenss, and brings it to an ordered form through his word.

Form From Formless -- Genesis 1:3-13

Going Back To The Old Facebook

2008-09-17T17:08:00.002-05:00

While I was not as opposed to the new Facebook layout as some, I did prefer the old style. There is a group that you can join which give directions on how to change back, but they are also quite self serving in having the first several instructions being joining the group and inviting your friends to join. However, you don't need to do that. Just follow the instructions below, and you should be able to go back to the old Facebook layout.

1. Use FireFox. If you don't have it, download it here.
(This ONLY works with FireFox. FireFox is a browser much like Internet Explorer and one of the most used.)

2. Install Greasemonkey found here.
(Click the Green "Download Now" button to do this)

3. Restart FireFox.

4. Install the script at this page.
To do this, just click the black "Install" button on the top right corner and it will install.

5. Go to Facebook and login normally. You should have the old version of Facebook. It might take a couple of seconds for the design to change from new to old after you log in, but it WILL.

Make sure you spread these GOOD news to the world! :D

For proof that it works, look at the photos :)

Confidence In Prayer -- 1 John 5:13-15

2008-09-14T19:16:00.003-05:00

One thing that grows out of knowing one has received eternal life through faith in the Son of God Jesus Christ, is that a person can have confidence in coming to God. This sermon looks at that confidence and what it means for prayer.

Confidence In Prayer -- 1 John 5:13-15

In The Beginning God -- Genesis 1:1-2

2008-09-14T11:13:00.003-05:00

This Sunday we started into a series looking at the first 11 chapters of Genesis. These chapters deal with the initial history of the world, and as with many beginnings, they help us understand more of what we see around us now.

Although we may consider it easy to do, if we think about it, it is very difficult to imagine what it would be like before the universe we know around us came into being. But the Bible is clear, there was a time when there was nothing material at all. It was only when God created all that exists, that what we know came into being. This sermon focuses on what the Bible has to say about the beginning of all things, and helps us to come to know the foundations of all things so we can understand thing better today. More than that, it points to the fact that above all else, is God from everlasting to everlasting.

In The Beginning God -- Genesis 1:1-2

The Elusive White Chipmunk

2008-09-11T17:53:00.002-05:00

Just discovered this

2008-09-11T17:46:00.001-05:00

We volunteered here this past May.

More Diet Coke and Mentos

2008-08-06T08:40:00.001-05:00

I don't know if I posted an earlier video by these guys, but I liked this one as well and thought I would post it.

Got'er Done

2008-08-05T21:14:00.003-05:00

It was a long, difficult stretch of work, but I got the van's rear end finished. The axle seals are in, the differential is closed up and filled, the air-adjust shocks are installed and working, and everything is back together. It is good to be done. The next big one will be the front end, but that can wait for a while.

It is nice to be done. I like the sense of accomplishment when the installation is all done.

Getting Closer

2008-08-04T21:18:00.003-05:00

Today was a good day off. Now Monday's are normally my day off, so although it is a holiday here in Canada, it really does not seem like a long weekend to me.

I wanted to get the van finished, so I ran off to Canadian Tire to get the correct gasket maker (Napa didn't give me the right stuff.) I made sure the differential cover and the differential housing were both clean of the old gasket and any oil that may have gotten on them while I was working. I put the bead of gasket maker on the cover and attached it to the housing following the instructions on the tube. That required an hour wait until tightening the bolts all the way, so I took the time to start to take off the old shocks. Got one bolt loose, and then the hour was up so I tightened the bolts, showered, and we headed to London to get some bunnies, and have a picnic with my Mother.

The picnic did not turn out well . . . it started to rain, so we stopped at Wendy's. Then after picking up a bunny we headed to Mom's place, dropped off Justin, and went to Wal-mart to allow Justin some time with his grandma. After picking up a few things we headed back, picked up Justin and headed home.

Then I really went to work. I removed the old right hand shock. That was the more difficult one. I put the new shock on, but was not sure which way to face the air fill fitting, so I decided to leave it loose until I could ask some people. I moved on to the left shock. It was not too bad to remove, and again I left the new shock loose until I am sure which way to face the air fitting.

Not a bad day overall, and with maybe an hour or so of work on the van tomorrow, I should have it back running.

Almost All The Way Done

2008-08-01T20:14:00.002-05:00

At last I found a way to get the pinion locking bolt out. It took a universal adaptor, and some shed blood, but it came out. Once it was out I realized I had a problem, because the pinion shaft would not come out.

See this picture:

Then I found out that I could rotate the whole thing by putting the van in Neutral. That would have made the whole process go much smoother. Once I got things rotated, I was able to get the bolt out, the shaft out, and remove the c-clips so the axle could slide out. After that it was easy.

Now everything is back together, but the cover is not yet back on because I am considering getting a new one because this one is much more rusted that I originally thought. That means I will have to wait until tomorrow when I can make some calls.

However, at this point the end is in sight.

O For A Six Point 5/16 Box End Wrench

2008-08-01T12:31:00.002-05:00

Today is the day I take care of Justin. I thought while I was doing so, I would be able to get some of the work done on the van replacing the rear axle seals. All went well until . . . I found that the pinion locking nut would not come loose. I used my 5/16" box end wrench on it, but it is a 12 point, and even worse, it rounded the points of the bolt off a little bit.

Before doing more damage I thought I would see if I could find any way to get a six point socket on it. Not a chance there simply is not enough room. You can see it looking at this picture:

My only thought is to go and get a 6 point 5/16" wrench when Annette gets home.