An All-Consuming Passion for Jesus
An All-Consuming Passion for Jesus is another free eBook from John Piper.
Oak Hill ‘Commentary’ Winter 2013-14
The latest issue of Oak Hill’s Commentary magazine is now online.
A Canterbury Tale
“The archbishop of Canterbury means well and there is no doubt that his heart is with GAFCON in many ways. He told the delegates that he wants its aims to be those of the Communion as a whole and there is no reason not to believe him. But if he is going to occupy the place that the Anglican Communion assigns to him and exercise the kind of influence for good that he undoubtedly wants to, he will have to get with the programme, as the Americans say.
GAFCON is not just one more Anglican organisation, like the Mothers’ Union, that can be flattered and pacified by an occasional nod from the hierarchy. It is a renewal movement that wants to make its agenda that of the church as a whole, and it will expect Justin Welby to nail his colours to the mast. It is a wonderful opportunity for him to assume the leadership of the Communion and use the GAFCON base to bring about the kinds of changes that he wants to see, but will he take it?”
– In the Editorial of the latest issue of Churchman, Gerald Bray writes about GAFCON, the Anglican Communion and the Archbishop of Canterbury. PDF file – direct link.
‘Downton Abbey’ and the Modern Age — What are we really watching?
“Americans by the millions tuned in to watch the premier of Downton Abbey’s fourth season, eager to enjoy the continuation of the saga of the Earl and Countess of Grantham and their household. …
And yet, most viewers are likely unaware of what they are actually seeing. They are not merely watching an historical drama, they are witnessing the passing of a world. And that larger story, inadequately portrayed within Downton Abbey, is a story that should not be missed. That story is part of our own story as well.”
– Albert Mohler writes.
World Watch List 2014
Open Doors has published its World Watch List for 2014, highlighting the countries where Christians are most persecuted. Available here.
Mark Dever on church numbers and growth
Some encouragement from Mark Dever during a visit to Brisbane in 2011.
Moving Pictures and Gospel Motivation
“‘Emotional appeals at missionary conventions fill the mission field with emotional missionaries.’ Such was the warning that a senior missionary gave me as she encouraged me to call upon people to give up their small ambitions and go overseas with the gospel. While many messages may move us to volunteer, only the gospel will move us to respond appropriately. …”
– Phillip Jensen looks at our motivation for mission.
Slavery’s Abolition and History’s Truth
“Memories shape us powerfully. For all of us there are defining events, the memories of which stay with us and determine how we view the world. Not only individuals, but communities and nations have landmark memories. The Gettysburg Address of Abraham Lincoln is one such. …
Nowadays it is taken for granted that equality is a value which everyone respects, but we should never forget that it was not always so.”
– Dr Mark Durie, Vicar of St Mary’s Caulfield in Melbourne, writes in Quadrant about the cultural amnesia afflicting so many today.
(Longer, original version, at his blog.)
R.C. Sproul Commentary on John — free eBook
“During the month of January, Reformation Trust is giving away the eBook edition of R.C. Sproul’s commentary on the Gospel of John.
In John, the second volume in the St. Andrew’s Expositional Commentary series, Dr. Sproul deals with major themes in his easily understandable style.”
– Sign up for this free eBook from Ligonier Ministries.
‘Cross’ student missions conference
The Cross student missions conference was held in the US in late December. Courtesy of Desiring God, video files of the talks (plus some selected quotes) are now available.
Be encouraged to check them out and pass on the links.
‘Is the Church of England ashamed to preach Christ crucified?’
“It must be the ultimate irony in liturgical development that the Church of England becomes ashamed of the exhortation not to be ashamed to confess the faith of Christ crucified …”
– UK blogger ‘Archbishop Cranmer’ on the CofE trial Baptism service.
Feeling weary?
Vaughan Roberts’ closing exposition on Luke 10:17-24 from the Proclamation Trust’s Autumn Minister’s Conference is a great encouragement.
Well worth watching the video here.
(We first posted this in November.)
First two talks from Summer School 2014
CMS has made available the first two talks from the 2014 NSW Summer School at Katoomba.
Andrew Reid is preaching from the Book of Exodus.
Grace has brought me safe thus far
“This first weekend of 2014 affords many of us an opportunity to hit “pause” on this busy opening week and to reflect, backward and forward, on our own lives.
Essential at the beginning of every new year is to set aside time to reflect on life, according to eighteenth-century slave-ship-captain-turned-pastor John Newton (1725–1807). This practice was embedded into his personal disciplines, and it emerged as a hallmark of his pastoral work. He penned new hymns and sermons and personal letters every year to urge his friends to take time at the unveiling of a new year to stop and reflect on life.”
– Tony Reinke, at Desiring God, looks at Amazing Grace.
Related: A hymn for the New Year.
Don’t Teach the Bible
“There is an important difference between teaching the Bible and teaching people the Bible. It is easy to be so engaged in what we teach that we forget whom we are teaching. We can even be oblivious to the fact that we are not teaching anybody.”
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…