Should Baptisms Be Spontaneous?

There were times in church history that before people were baptized, there was a period of instruction. Many churches will require a new convert to take a class before being baptized so they understand what this means. Other churches just do it on the same Sunday they get saved. I visited a church that just had a Disciple Now weekend for their youth and they baptized every individual that made professions of faith.

This has been a great debate in the church for the past few years and I don't think its going away anytime soon. In this video, Matt Chandler, Matt Dever, and Darrin Patrick talk about this very issue.

Around The Web-April 1, 2016

3 Ways the Spirit Works in Us by Darrin Patrick

A Right Fear by Dave Jenkins

5 Ways "God's Not Dead" Fails Christians by Chris Williams

A sale for the popular Pillar NT Commentary Series is happen till April 6th.

How to Uncheapen Grace in Your Church by Jared C Wilson

Has Ken Ham Embraced Evolution? by Tim Challies

Sam Allberry answers the question, can you be a Christian without going to church?



Fasten your seat belts from this one. The man, the myth, the legend Scott Sterling and his face return for a championship volleyball game.

Around The Web-March 11, 2016

Albert Mohler on the Best Books for Preachers in 2015

Christopher Ash's new book Zeal Without Burnout is available

How Not To Teach Your Kids The Bible by John West

3 Reasons To Stay In A Church That's Not Cool Enough by Michael Kelley

Amswering Life's 8 Ultimate Questions by Bob Kelleman

Darrin Patrick talks with Zack Eswine on the Acts 29 Podcast

Ray Ortlund on what does it mean to be born again

Alistair Begg on knowing vs feeling in worship.

Around The Web-February 5, 2016

Jared Wilson talks Ministry and Calling

5 Rookie Pastor Mistakes by Hershael York

5 Ways To Love Your Wife by Darrin Patrick

Paul Tripp on the spiritual battle with weight loss

The Reformed Pubcast talks with Joe Thorn about the Devil

The latest book from 9 Marks, The Church In Hard Places, is now available at Westminster Bookstore

Russell Moore on how to engage politics through hymns.



R.C. Sproul on true forgiveness.

Book Review: The Dude's Guide to Marriage by Darrin & Amie Patrick

Most men think they have marriage down by the time they get married then reality hits. Sometimes men are a little slow (knowing this because I am a man) at understanding what makes our wives tick. Sometimes, us men (I know this is probably not grammatically correct) need help in the area of marriage.

Darrin Patrick, along with his wife Amie, have written a book of married men called, The Dude's Guide to Marriage. In the book, Darrin and Amie open up their almost 20 years of marriage to teach men what they learned and how it can be applied to marriage. Each chapter has only a one word title which are the skills men need to, as the subtitle says, "develop his wife well." They are:


1. Listen

2. Talk

3. Fight

4. Grow

5. Provide

6. Rest

7. Serve

8. Submit

9. Pursue

10. Worship

Some of these could be a no-brainer for some men while others might be a shock to some. When Darrin and Amie write about fighting, they write how to have an argument well in your marriage relationship. Lets face it, in marriage you will have conflict because a husband and wife are two different people. In submit, you might think it is the wife's job to submit which is true as the husband is the spiritual leader of the house, but this one refers to Ephesians 5:21, which says "submit to one another out of reverence for Christ."

When I read the last chapter on worship, my presumptions were talking about worship the spouse but that is not what the authors write about. Darrin, who wrote the bulk of this chapter, says that men are the ones who need to lead their spouse in worship of the Almighty Father who gave them redemption in Christ. Whether it is through family devotions, corporate worship, or even praising God for His provisions.

This is was an amazing practical and gospel-centered book on marriage for men to read. One thing I love about is you know when either Darrin or Amie are writing, with Amie's words being italicized. This is a book all men, marriage and single, should read. Pastors should give this book to men who are in marriage counseling.

Thanks Booklook Bloggers for letting me review this book.

Around the Web-October 16, 2015

The Austin Stone's latest live album, This Glorious Grace, releases today.

Transforming Homosexuality, The Imperfect Pastor, and other pastoral resources are sale at Westminster Bookstore

4 Principles for Political Engagement as a Christian by Jared C Wilson

3 Phases of Faithful Gospel Communication by Darrin Patrick

Dave Jenkins talks with Bryan Cosby about his new book Uncensored

Grace For Transparency by Trillia Newbell

Couple Who Believe in Faith-based Healing Convicted of Killing Son by Not Giving Him Medical Care

Ohio Church Congregation Tips Domino’s Driver More Than $1,000 for $5.99 Pizza

Trip Lee on his journey in embracing the doctrines of grace.

Faith Does Not Mean Your Brain Checks Out

Messages from For The Church 2015

This past week at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary was the 2015 For The Church Conference. The following videos are the messages during the main sessions of the conference.

Jason K. Allen on Truth and the Church



Russell Moore on Truth and Culture



Darrin Patrick on Truth and Leadership



H.B. Charles, Jr. on Truth and Preaching



Jared C. Wilson on Truth and Shepherding



David Platt on Truth and Missions

God Is The One Pursuing Us

Darrin Patrick:

When you’re reading the Bible, have you ever had that moment when you come across a spot in the text and just go “Uhh. That’s weird. That doesn’t make sense!” By the way, if you never have that experience, you aren’t reading the Bible!

The call of the first disciples is one of those moments. Jesus approaches two brothers, Andrew and Simon, as their fishing. He calls them to follow him because he’s going to make them fishers of men (Matthew 4:19). And they immediately leave their nets and follow him. Who does that? Who just goes up to random people like that? And what possessed these brothers to follow?

Now, if you try to read that through the lens of our contemporary culture, that whole scene is puzzling. But there’s a context to this call to discipleship. In the first century, if you wanted to be mentored by a rabbi, you would go to his school. You’d immerse yourself in his training. You would memorize a ton of verses. You would have to discern the interpretive take the rabbi had on scripture. Then agree to it. And then, after a period of time, you would ask to be his disciple. If he agreed, you would be apprenticed where you would learn to live like that rabbi, believe like that rabbi, and apply that rabbi’s teaching to your life.

This is not a bad vision for discipleship, by the way. But here Jesus turns this entire process on its head. He doesn’t wait for the disciples to pursue him. He goes after them. He calls them. And this is consistent with many other verses, but one that especially comes to mind is John 15:16. “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should remain.”

Jesus is the one that initiates, who seeks, who pursues. It’s his call. As much as you might want to trust Jesus and live like him, he wants it more. And that’s really good news, because it’s really not about our commitment to him. It’s about his commitment to us.

When you see that it’s God’s call, you’re able to relax your grip on life. We’re actually enabled to follow in Jesus’ strength. We love him, the Bible says, because why? He first loved us (1 John 4:19). Jesus calls us before we call him.

Source: It's God's Call

Books by Darrin Patrick

Church Planter

Dude's Guide to Manhood

For The City with Matt Carter

Replant with Mark DeVine

Book Review: The Dude's Guide to Manhood by Darrin Patrick

It seems as of late, there has been more emphasis on being a man or achieving manhood. Some would even consider growing a beard the sign of a true man which I am saying there nothing wrong with growing a beard. There are even commercials on television talking about smelling like a man. I remember one "Snickers" commercial where two guys did something that revoke their man cards then looked at each other and said, "Lets do something manly." Does you remember what they did next? They started ripping their chest hairs.

We even got words that downgrade manhood such as "Man Crush," which a man having a "crush" on another guy because of how manly he is. How about "Bromance?" Wikipedia defines it as "a close non-sexual relationship between two (or more) men." So I can have close male companions and it is a bromance which is a play on the word "romance." Man card revoked!!!

What is true manhood and how does a man get there? What does it mean to be a true man without compromising who you are in Christ? Darrin Patrick talks about that in his latest book, The Dude's Guide to Manhood. This book maps out what true manhood is. How a man is suppose to be determined, where he does not give up in accomplishing his goals. Also true manhood is taught to a man who is teachable. Patrick said, "True manhood isn't unearthed by accident. It doesn't simply happen as we get older or as our circumstances change. We don't wake up as men one day, and we don't stumble into it. It is handed down from one generation to the next" (pg 18-19).

True manhood means that men are disciplined and it is not just athletes. Men need to be disciplined in every area of their lives including the work place which man was created to work. Read Genesis 2. God put Adam to work in the garden before the Fall. Men are to be devoted husbands, fathers, and committed to community especially to other men. Men are to be fighters for what is right and show your emotions. Men are to reflect the true man who is also the Savior, Jesus Christ. What I love about this book is Patrick gives an opportunity for those who do not believe to become Christians. I am thankful that Patrick took a subject like manhood and shared the gospel with his readers.

I know this book has to deal with man issues but I know women should read this as well so they can encourage their husbands to be the man God has called them to be. Father, share this book with your son(s) or give them a copy that you can read with him and share what you have learned. Pastors, this is one book you want to start men's ministry with. Youth Pastors, this will be a great book for your teenage boys to read.

Thanks Booksneeze for letting me review this book.

Around The Web-January 24, 2014

We Don't Have to Read the Book or See the Movie to Know Heaven Is Real by Nancy Guthrie

For those who are single, you should read this: Where is the Ling in Dating? by Mark Driscoll

Three Tips for Better Bible Reading by Andy Naselli

7 signs you’re reading a book by a prosperity preacher by Aaron Armstrong

Those in ministry know all to well that there are times we get discouraged. How to do handle those times when it happens? Voddie Baucham, Paul Tripp, and Darrin Patrick talk about that in this video.




Harvey Turner, one of the pastors of Living Stones Church, teaches the sovereignty of God in one minute.

"Prayer shows us whether God is at the center or on the sideline."

Video Sermon: Christian and American by Darrin Patrick

This is probably one of the best sermons I have heard on Christians praying for governing officials and putting Jesus where He belongs in our worship. The text that Darrin Patrick preaches from is a familiar one when it comes to praying for politicians:

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time. For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth (1 Timothy 2:1-7).

Tweets From Darrin Patrick

If you follow me on Twitter, you would have seen that I have retweeted quotes from Darrin Patrick a lot for the past couple of days. I like to share a few of my favorites he has tweeted, some of them are not ones I have retweeted:

The church that is off theologically will be off mission.

Grace is God using people in spite of themselves.

The church is not an organization of control but an organism for mission.

Humility is not just declaring that you are not God. It is daily dying to your desire to be God.

Two questions we must all answer: Who is Jesus? What is the church?

Want to see the best & worst version of yourself? Hang out with your kids.

"Prayer helps you realize how near God is to you"

How Your Church Can Grow in Evangelism

A great conversation between Mark Dever, Matt Chandler, and Darrin Patrick:

Should We Have Spontaneous Baptisms?

An Interesting conversation between Mark Dever, Darrin Patrick, and Matt Chandler