We are Saved to Serve Christ

To be saved means that we are rescued from the slavery of sin and brought into the delightful liberty of the servants of God...We are not saved by serving Him, but we are saved to serve Him. From the moment we are saved, we ought to live in the service of our Lord. If we refuse to be His servants, we are not saved, for we evidently still remain the servants of self and the servants of Satan.

Charles Spurgeon, Following Christ

Book Review: The Character of the True Christian by Paulo Junior

The Sermon on the Mount is perhaps the most famous sermon ever preached. Jesus's words have been studied throughout the centuries especially in Matthew 5:3-12 which are called the Beatitudes, which Paulo Junior takes a deeper look at in his book, The Character of the True Christian.

The book begins with Junior taking a historical look at the Sermon on the Mount followed by proper understanding into what is a beatitude. Junior states the Beatitudes gives us what is the character of those who truly follow Jesus.

The remainder of the book is Junior's commentary, though this book is not technically a commentary on the Beatitudes, which are:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 

 

Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. 

Blessed are the lowly, for they shall inherit the earth. 

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. 

 

Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. 

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. 

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. 

 

Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 

 

“Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me.

Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Junior does a great job explaining each one and how these are characteristics of those who follow Christ. He writes as one who discipling his readers into a better understand of what Jesus was saying. 

As stated earlier, this book is not a commentary, but I am delighted in recommending this one for personal study and even small group reading.

I received this book from G3 Press in exchange for an honest review.

Jeffrey Johnson on the Cost of Discipleship

Book Review: Growing In Christ by J.I. Packer

How does one grow in Christ? That is the question many ask after they become a Christian. Some have even asked that as they continue to attend their church.

There have been many books written on the subject of growing in your faith and J.I. Packer has written one, titled, Growing in Christ. Packer takes this book in four parts in helping his readers understand how to grow as a believer.

The first part is based on the Apostle's Creed. This is what Packer will call, affirming the essentials of the Christian faith. This requires believing in who God is and what Jesus has done for us on the cross. 

The second part deals with baptism and conversion. This section might a little confusing for some since Packer is a paedo Baptist and those who attend a credo Baptist church might not understand why Packer is addressing baptizing infants. Granted, Packer does address what being baptized in the Holy Spirit truly is.  

The third part addresses prayer and Packer uses the Lord's Prayer as the model for helping his readers understand prayer. The fourth part deals with living in this world while walking with Jesus. Packer uses the 10 commandments as the guide for this.

The book is over 300 pages long, but each chapter is short which is great if you want to use this book as a devotional read. I think Packer has great practical points in helping his readers to grow in Christ, but, as stated earlier, his view on baptism can be confusing especially for one new to the faith.

I received this book from Crossway in exchange for a review. 

No Losers in Following Christ

We may rest assured that no man shall ever be a real loser by following Christ. The believer may seem to suffer loss for a time, when he first begins the life of a decided Christian. He may be much cast down by the afflictions that are brought upon him on account of his religion. But let him rest assured that he will never find himself a loser in the long run. Christ can raise up friends for us who shall more than compensate for those we lose. Christ can open hearts and homes to us far more warm and hospitable than those that are closed against us. Above all, Christ can give us peace of conscience, inward joy, bright hopes, and happy feelings which shall far outweigh every pleasant earthly thing that we have cast away for His sake. He has pledged His royal word that it shall be so. None ever found that word to fail. Let us trust it and not be afraid.

Adapted from Expository Thoughts on the Gospel of Matthew by J.C. Ryle

Book Review: God's Word for Today...The Disciple by John Stott

A disciple is one who learns from a skilled teacher to have an understand of his master's profession. When the word disciple is mentioned in the church, most Christians think of the 12 disciples Jesus had during his earthly ministry. While that is true, Jesus also said we are to make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:18-19). John Stott addresses what a disciple is in the second book for the "God's Word for Today" series, which is a revised edition of The Contemporary Christian by John Stott, called The Disciple.

Stott begins to by saying a disciple is a listener. As Christians, we are all disciples of Christ as we listen to the Word of God. We listen to the Word as we read it, study it, and as it is taught to us by faithful Bible teachers. A disciple also knows a difference between what Jesus is saying and what the world is teaching.

Next Stott states that discipleship is not just for our ears but for our entire being. We must be willing to use our minds when it comes to being a disciple such as thinking great thoughts about God and being discerning in what we are hearing. We must never keep an open mind when it comes to spiritual truths, we must have a minds ready for action as we listen to anyone who teaches the Word and anyone who says they have some truth that is from them. Stott also addresses must use our emotions to be a disciple as we worship and as we preach the Word. I must confess, I was a little apprehensive when reading this part because emotions can be misleading as listening to unhealthy teaching. Our mind and emotions are connected that we must also keep them in check and if we want to use them rightly in our service to God.

A disciple sees his vocation as his mission field. Not all Christian are called to go overseas, but all Christians are called to expand the Great Commission wherever they go. Christians see what they do not just as a means to provide for your family, but also as means to share the gospel. Finally, all disciples bear fruit. By bearing fruit, Stott is not referring to making disciples, but show the fruit of the Spirit showing that God is working in their lives. Jesus said, if we are His disciples, we bear fruit (John 15:8).

This is a good introductory book into what it means to be a disciple and most useful in small group settings.

Thanks InterVarsity Press for letting me review this book.

Around The Web-April 12, 2019

Living for Jesus in a Digital World with Dave Jenkins from the Reasonable Theology podcast

Just Thinking podcast on the Resurrection of Jesus

Christ Our Ransom by Jared C Wilson

3 Reasons Christians Cannot Commit the Unforgivable Sin

Commitments of a Great Commission Church by H.B. Charles, Jr

When Churches Can’t Do Everything by Kevin DeYoung

Expiation and Propitiation by Michael Morales

Why We Need Systematic Theology by Joel R. Beeke and Paul M. Smalley

Around The Web-June 20, 2018

10 Things You Should Know about Original Sin by Sam Storms

The Joy of Discipleship by Jared C Wilson

Owen Strachan and Gavin Peacock on The World Cup and the Christian Athlete

The Need for Clarity on Complementarianism by Josh Buice

The Esther Option from Mike Cosper

In but Not of the World by Mez Connell

John Piper, teaching from Philippians 2:12-13: We are saved and we are being saved.

Around The Web-June 8, 2018

4 Reasons You Should Preach through Exodus by Bobby Jamieson

Christians Are Disciples by Burk Parsons

Why It’s Wrong to Say the Bible Is Pro-Slavery by Gavin Ortlund

The Authority of Scripture and the Christian by James Williams

Always Reforming? by A. Craig Troxel

8 Contrasting Signs of an Insecure Leader by Jared C Wilson

John Crist has done it again. This time he is portraying a honest VBS volunteer worker.

Talking To Your Kids About Sexual Sin

Whether we want to admit it or not, our sexual sin is all around our culture. It is in our TV shows, movies, music, and even in the magazines at the checkout line. It is also in our mobile devices. If we are not careful, our kids could stumble onto to site or app that they have no business being in.

The church a lot of times has been embarrassed about sex while the culture seems to not blush at any sexual content. The Bible is clear about sexuality and what God desires for His children in the area of sex. Parents, it is our job to discuss with our kids about not only God's design for sex but also for sexual sin. How do we do that?

Let me begin by saying the conversation must be age appropriate. You are not going to say things to a teenager that you would not say to an 8-year-old. This is where discernment comes in and seeking the Lord as you begin talking about sexual sin to your kids. Do not wait till their teenagers. Begin right now and ask the Lord for wisdom as you begin addressing this issue to your children.

As you begin talking with your kids about sexual sin, it is good that you show them what God desires for sex and have them ask questions. Be honest with your kids. I don't recommend dads talking with their daughters because that would become awkward so mom needs to step in. If you are a single dad raising your kids, find a mature sister in Christ that you can confide in that is willing to address these issues with your daughter(s) and the same thing for single moms with their sons, which in this case, maybe one of the elders.

What if you child is engaged in sexual sin? This is probably one of the biggest fears for Christian parents. Many parents have an idea on to handle this issue but to when it happens, they do the exact opposite. The first thing that we should not do if our child has been engaged in sexual sin is not go to them with guns a blazing. Do not march into their bedroom like a maniac because that will cause them to not be open and honest with even though trust has been broken at this point. We must approach our kids with gentleness and confront their sin in grace and truth. It may not be easy but this is the best way for your child to open up about the sin they have committed.

Next, even though they have committed sexual sin, remind them of the gospel. Remind them that God still loves them and has not abandoned them. Yes, there will be discipline, but God discipline those he loves. Parents, remind your kids how much you love them and they are still your child.

I know there are a lot of scenarios when it comes to our kids in dealing with sexual sin that would take a long time to write them. I hope to write more on this topic in the near future. The one thing to remember when addressing sexual sin is God's Word shows us His design for sex. He is the One who created it. He was not embarrassed about it and neither should His children. Parents, do not be afraid to talk about sex with your kids.

Book Review: Eschatological Discipleship by Trevin Wax

Eschatology is the study of the end times and can be often misunderstood. Discipleship is what we call the building up of a believer to become a mature Christian. Funny thing is no one ever thought about putting those two together. Many Christians stay away from eschatology because it can be confusing. Granted, it can be and glorious at the same time. Discipleship has also been misunderstood. Many think it involves sitting in a classroom listening to a teacher or having a mature believer take a new believer under his wing.

Trevin Wax has taken these two elements in the Christian faith and combine them as a means for us to live out in the culture. He addresses this in his latest book, Eschatological Discipleship. What is eschatological discipleship? Wax explains it:

Because discipleship in a New Testament sense is holistic (encompassing all of life) and contextualized (the way believers put Jesus's teachings in practice will look different in various cultural contexts), discipleship is also "eschatological"; that is, it is a type of spiritual formation and obedience that takes into account the contemporary setting in which one finds oneself, particularly to rival conceptions of time and progress.

One thing Wax wants to make clear is that eschatology is not just about the end times, it is also about life beyond death such as heaven, hell, and judgment. What Wax attempts to do in this book is show that discipleship and eschatology can go together. He goes on to say:

Eschatological discipleship...is not a timeless moral code but rather a timely application of moral wisdom that is cultivated through growth in Christian character, immersion, in the grand narrative unfolding in the Scriptures, and reliance on the Spirit's guidance...eschatological discipleship is spiritual formation that seeks to instill wisdom regarding the contemporary setting in which Christians find themselves...and that calls for contextualized obedience as a demonstration of the Christian belief that the biblical account of the world's past, present, and future is true.

Wax is saying that eschatological discipleship is lived out in the world showing those around what we proclaim is true. We demonstrate it through the obedience of the word and depending on the Holy Spirit. In the rest of the book, Wax addresses the biblical foundations of the eschatological discipleship from both the Old and New Testament. He goes on to write about the contemporary ways of thinking that Christians must be prepared for as they live out their Christian faith.

I have loved Trevin Wax's books in the past so it when the chance to read this one came about, I took advantage of it. I have to admit, there were times I felt Wax was vague in explaining the concept of eschatological discipleship. I understand that we live in the light of God's word in a culture, but I felt a little lost with this one. Not saying it was a bad book, but I was expecting a little more.

Thanks B&H Publishing for letting me review this book.

Around The Web-March 14, 2018

Preaching series from John MacArthur back in 2013, The Gospel According To God

The messages from the Ligonier 2018 National Conference are now available

Why Controversy Is Sometimes Necessary by Albert Mohler

5 Tips for Engaging with Scripture by Tim Challies

The Most Dangerous Prayer a Christian Can Pray by Darrell Bernard Harrison

Are the Five Solas Biblical? by Stephen Wellum

What is going on in the Western Baptist Convention of Cuba? by Tom Ascol

A great discussion on discipleship, theology, and the local church from the 2018 G3 conference

Around The Web-January 3, 2018

Doctrine and Devotion talk about Biblical Theology

Keep Technology in Its Proper Place in 2018 by Andy Crouch

Does Jeremiah 29:11 Apply to You? by Russell Moore

Things I Wish I’d Known: Reflections on 40 Years in Ministry by Steve Timmis

Albert Mohler on the B.A.R. Podcast about the Briefing

Stop Complicating Discipleship by Josh Buice

4 Christian Principles for Making New Year’s Resolutions by Burk Parsons

Back in November, John Piper was in Houston, TX where he did a Q&A at Champion Forest Baptist Church, where he preached on one Sunday morning.

Book Review: Bearing Fruit by Robby Gallaty

Jesus said if we abide in Him and He in us, we shall bear much fruit, and by bearing fruit, we show to be His disciples (John 15:5, 8). Many think that bearing fruit means we evangelize and people will come to Christ which is our fruit. While it is true Christians should evangelize, this the text in John is not about evangelism. It is about abiding in Christ so that we may show that we are saved. In Galatians 5:22-23, we see the evidence of the work of the Spirit in our lives by what is called the Fruit of the Spirit.

What is suppose to happen when God's people grow? That is the question Robby Gallaty asks in his latest book, Bearing Fruit. In this book, Gallaty shows us that bearing fruit is a necessity when abiding in Christ. One cannot abide in Christ and not bear fruit. One fruit that a Christian must bear is the fruit of repentance where we turn for sin and run to God. This is not a one time deal, this is a daily occurrence because we still live in this body of flesh and still prone to wander.

Other fruit we are to bear is the fruit of ministry where we want to serve God's people and those around us. We also bear the fruit of sanctification, where we see God's good work in us which He will bring it to completions of the day of Christ (Philippians 1:6). There is also the fruit of righteousness, good works, the fruit of the Spirit, and the fruit of unceasing worship.

Gallaty brings all that he has written in line with what Scripture teaches. We are to bear fruit as we continue to grow in the Lord. It does not mean we will reach perfection or a sinless life. It does mean we are maturing as we continue to walk with Jesus while living in our exile on the earth.

This book is basic discipleship. Nothing that will go over anyone's head, but can be useful for a new believer.

Thanks B&H Publishing for letting me review this book.

Around The Web-December 15, 2017

Giveaway: The Complete 16-Volume John Owen Collection

Advent and the Genealogy of Christ by Christy Britton

Five Reasons the Homogeneous Church Is Declining and Dying by Thom Rainer

God is not silent: What the Bible teaches about sexual assault by Katie McCoy

Alan Jacobs on How to Think

Why Discipleship Works with a Plurality of Elders by Josh Buice

What Makes a Good Sermon? Five Questions to Ask by Josh Vincent

5 Most Ridiculous Books to Ever Become Christian Bestsellers by Tim Challies

What Is the ‘Sin Not Leading to Death’ in 1 John 5? from Ask John Piper

Christ in the Old Testament by Thomas R Schreiner

Jesus was born in a barn?

We Were Not Made To Feel Good All The Time

Don't believe the lie that always struggling to obey God is a worse lot in life than disobeying him with peace. God did not make us to "feel good inside" (or outside) all the time this side of heaven; he made us to share in the sufferings of Christ, that we might also share in his resurrection. And the reality, for many, is that the resurrection kind of life in these areas of death isn't always postponed until the life to come. But you won't know that until you're willing to go to the cross for as long as it takes to die.

Adapted from The Imperfect Disciple by Jared C Wilson

Around The Web-August 2, 2017

Why We Must Baptize in the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit by Josh Buice

Matthew Barrett speaks with Equipping You In Grace about his book, God’s Word Alone—The Authority of Scripture

John Piper on Why the Coming Kingdom of Christ Is Really Bad News

What Happens to Christians When They Die? by Al Baker

Collen Hansen speaks with Mark Dever about Discipleship

Two Views a Pastor Must Have by Casey Lewis

The Gospel is Like an Old Hymn by Jared C Wilson

Last month marked the 52nd anniversary of R.C. Sproul's ordination to the gospel ministry. This video takes a look at Sproul though the years.

Jared C Wilson on Why Discipleship Matters

What is Cheap Grace?

The term "Cheap Grace" was first widely introduced in Dietrich Bonhoeffer's classic, The Cost of Discipleship. This is how he defined cheap grace:

Cheap grace means grace as a doctrine, a principle, a system. It means forgiveness of sins proclaimed as a general truth, the love of God taught as the Christian ‘conception’ of God. An intellectual assent to that idea is held to be of itself sufficient to secure remission of sins… In such a Church the world finds a cheap covering for its sins; no contrition is required, still less any real desire to be delivered from sin. Cheap grace therefore amounts to a denial of the living Word of God, in fact, a denial of the Incarnation of the Word of God.

Cheap grace means the justification of sin without the justification of the sinner. Grace alone does everything they say, and so everything can remain as it was before… Let the Christian live like the rest of the world, let him model himself on the world’s standards in every sphere of life, and not presumptuously aspire to live a different life under grace from his old life under sin….

That is what we mean by cheap grace, the grace which amounts to the justification of sin without the justification of the repentant sinner who departs from sin and from whom sin departs. Cheap grace is not the kind of forgiveness of sin which frees us from the toils of sin. Cheap grace is the grace we bestow on ourselves.

Cheap grace is the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance, baptism without church discipline, Communion without confession, absolution without personal confession. Cheap grace is grace without discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without Jesus Christ, living and incarnate.

Justin Buzzard, in his book, The Big Story, compared cheap grace to decaf coffee. It looks, smells, and might even taste the same, but once you take a sip, nothing happens. Most coffee drinkers I know what the jolt of caffeine when they get their first cup in the morning. Cheap grace may look like grace but it is not the same. Yeah, it may make us feel good about ourselves but in the end is not grace at all. Denny Burk wrote:

The “cheap grace” that Bonhoeffer warns about is actually no grace at all. Nevertheless, this notion of grace has become all too common in many evangelical churches today. Perhaps you have heard it before. It is the grace that promises to rescue us but not to renew us. It is the grace that offers to save us from hell but not from our sins. It is the grace that accepts all sinners into the church but offers no discipline for sin within the church. Any so-called “grace” that leaves a man a slave to his sin is really no grace at all. Why? Because grace isn’t merely deliverance from judgment. It is deliverance from what makes us worthy of judgment. The apostle Paul says it this way:

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age.” –Titus 2:11-12, NASB

The true grace of God teaches us “to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age.” Grace doesn’t merely forgive sin. It conquers it.

Book Review: Among Wolves by Dhati Lewis

Dhati Lewis, in his book, Among Wolves: Disciple-Making In The City, writes that the church has "reduced Christianity into conferences, concerts, and church services. We have defined Christianity as mission trips, activities, or simply the events that we do for God." Is he right? In a broad sense, yes. I admit when I became a Christian during my teenage years, I was part of a large church that did a lot of things which included most of the stuff Lewis had listed.

Lewis goes on to say that we have turned the Great Commission into some big suggestion. The Great Commission is to make disciples. The church is called make followers of Jesus. Is the church called to evangelize? Yes, but we are to make disciples who follow Jesus. Lewis takes lessons from the gospel of Matthew by observing how Jesus approached disciple-making. Lewis advocates that Christians can be pursuing active discipleship in the context of your city whether you are in an urban area or a great metropolitan city.

Lewis writes about having a burden for those who are like sheep without a shepherd just as Jesus had on the people that came to him during his earthly ministry. He also writes about looking as the church as a family where God is our Father, Jesus as our Elder Brother, and all Christians as brothers and sisters in the Lord. Lewis continues on with ways of making discipleship a reality in your church and your city. While making disciples, we will encounter wolves that will seek to hinder the mission. Lewis reminds us not to fear them yet many Christians are not seeking the lost, they want them to come to the church where it is more comfortable.

The conclusion of the book deals with training disciples in the church, which is part of what the Great Commission is all about. We are teach disciples to observe all that Jesus commanded them to do. Then we are to unleash them for mission, which may require sending disciples to other lands to make disciples. This book is more about making disciples in the context of the city you are living in.

Lewis writes with conviction and as one who has done all the things he has written with his church. It would be worth your time, whether you are an elder or someone who has a passion to teach the word, to read this book.

Thanks B&H Publishing for letting me review this book.