Tears and Hope 2015
The annual ‘Tears And Hope’ service of healing for survivors of abuse is to be held at St John’s Darlinghurst, on Monday, November 23rd at 7:00pm.
Download a PDF flier to share with others, and pray that the service may help to bring comfort and healing.
Where is your journey taking you?
Moore College is encouraging you ask where your life fits into the Lord’s Plan. How can you be equipped to serve Christ?
Watch their latest video.
Why every seminary student should read J. C. Ryle
“I began my study of J. C. Ryle (1816-1900) more than six years ago, and my interest in him was primarily historical. However, as I prepare to defend my dissertation and end this leg of my journey with him, I am absolutely convinced that he has a lot to offer you as a minister-in-training…”
– At the Southern Seminary blog, Ben Rogers explains why it’s advantageous to follow J. C. Ryle down old paths.
(In this Crossway video, J. I. Packer recommends Ryle’s Holiness.)
Churches, know your young people by name
“It is a wonderful thing to be known by name. Most of us will know that experience of surprise and gratitude that comes when our name is recalled…”
– Good advice from Youthworks College Principal, Dr. Bill Salier.
J I Packer — In his own words
Crossway have released their 18 minute “short video documentary about [J.I.] Packer’s early life, theological influences, and enduring legacy”.
Give thanks for the good things the Lord has given us though this man, and pray for Packer’s continued work in helping Christians to value and love God’s word.
You can view it here, along with eight brief video clips in which Dr. Packer addresses the questions:
What is Repentance?
What is Faith?
What is the Church?
What is Doctrine?
What is Christian Unity?
Who is the Holy Spirit?
What is the Lord’s Supper?
What is Baptism?
See also: Justin Taylor has some background and links.
Preaching the Book of Judges
In the latest Preaching Matters from St. Helen’s Bishopsgate in London, Charlie Skrine speaks about preaching from Judges.
The first decision, he says, is to discern if the main characters are heroes, or are they villains? How do you apply the book?
Watch the 11 minute video here. Very helpful – particularly if you are planning a sermon series on the book.
Getting on the front foot
“Christians need never to be on the back foot in answering the attacks of atheists and secularists.
The bankruptcy of their position is readily revealed when one examines their empty explanations given to life’s four biggest questions.
What I appreciate most about being a Christian is the Faith’s realistic assessment of the human condition, and its sure diagnosis and assured prescription for humankind’s ills.
Here are life’s four biggest questions:
Where did I come from?
Where am I going?
Why am I here?
How do I live?…”
– Another helpful post by David Cook, Moderator-General of the Presbyterian Church of Australia website. (Photo: St. Helen’s London.)
Two Bishops – Two books
Christian Education Publications has two new books which are well worth checking out –
Walking in Truth and Love, by Bishop David Mulready, is a series of studies for Lent (or other times).
“In these 40 daily devotions, David Mulready explores the three letters of John, and the call of Jesus’ followers to walk in truth and love.”
A Short Book About Jesus – The Man from Heaven, by Bishop Paul Barnett.
“A Short Book About Jesus is a clear, concise and thought-provoking read and is an ideal introduction to Jesus for anyone wanting to know more. It is also an excellent resource for personal reflection, for church small groups, for ministers preparing sermons or for those interested in apologetics.”
What is Reformation Day?
“What is Reformation Day? To answer that question, let’s ask another question. When is Reformation Day? It’s October 31; it commemorates the events of October 31, 1517…”
– Ligonier Ministries’ Stephen Nichols answers the question at Five Minutes in Church History.
Human Sexuality and the ‘Same Sex Marriage’ Debate — a review
Ben Pakula reviews Human Sexuality and the ‘Same Sex Marriage’ Debate – the fruit of two years’ work by the Sydney Diocesan Doctrine Commission.
“something that is both easy to read, yet also theologically rich; a tool that will equip any Christian to better love the LGBTI community… and better serve Christians for whom same-sex attraction is an issue.”
Here’s the full review:
“Australians can either remember or at least learn of a time where supporting and praising the practice of homosexuality was considered taboo. Within a single generation a great reversal has taken place: to speak against the practice of homosexuality is, ostensibly at least, to be narrow-minded, bigoted, backward, draconian, right-wing and homophobic. Regardless of the sides anyone takes on any amongst the plethora of debates concerning homosexuality, all must concede that such a sociological change is unprecedented.
Human Sexuality and the ‘Same Sex Marriage’ Debate demonstrates that this radical change has come about as a direct result of calculated cultural engineering; admitted and shamelessly championed by proponents of homosexual activity and the gay lifestyle. Their program owes much of its success to the erosion of a Judeo-Christian worldview, such that the Christian voice in the debate concerning ‘Same Sex Marriage’ (SSM) is seen as out-dated and senseless. Recognising that Christians are already on the back foot when it comes to the SSM debate, Human Sexuality sets forth a brilliant summary of the sociological history of the gay rights movement, then gives a careful and thorough presentation of the biblical position (including the hermeneutical framework through which the position is crafted), and finally shows how the Bible’s teaching should inform the way we speak lovingly and boldly in the public sphere, as well as equipping us to love and minister to our brothers and sisters who struggle with same-sex attraction.
The authors (and editor, Dr Mark Thompson), have obviously taken great care to deliver something that is both easy to read, yet also theologically rich; a tool that will equip any Christian to better love the LGBTI community (which will involve speaking in opposition to many facets of its worldview), and better serve Christians for whom same-sex attraction is an issue. The great quality of the work has been recognised by the Ministry Training and Development department of the Sydney Anglican Diocese, as is evidenced by their decision to give a copy of this book to delegates present at a recent training conference, all of whom are ordained ministers. For ordained ministers, and for any Christian who wants to be well informed about the SSM debate, Human Sexuality and the ‘Same Sex Marriage’ Debate ought to be seen as ‘go to’ book.”
It’s available from Christian Education Publications.
Putting Halloween in its place
Glen Scrivener, former Oak Hill student and Church of England minister in Eastbourne, made this video in 2013 as a response to Halloween.
Read Glen’s comments about it at the Oak Hill College website. Watch and download it at Vimeo.
We Cannot be Silent — new book from Albert Mohler
“We are now witnesses to a revolution that is sweeping away a sexual morality and a definition of marriage that has existed for thousands of years. This is the morality and understanding of marriage that has been central to societies shaped by biblical witness and the influence of both Judaism and Christianity. But, it is important to note that marriage has been understood throughout human history – in virtually all civilizations – as the union of a man and a woman.
We Cannot Be Silent is a book about that revolution, how it happened and what it means for us, for our churches, and for our children…
Every Christian church – and every Christian – will face huge decisions in the wake of this moral storm. When marriage is redefined, an entire universe of laws, customs, rules, and expectations changes as well.”
– This looks to be an important book. Just released.
Richard Phillips has a review at The Gospel Coalition –
“Chronicling how marriage was critically undermined over several generations through birth control, no-fault divorce, and cohabitation, Mohler – president of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky – notes that the silence of Bible-believing churches helped facilitate the fall of marriage. Now, with our backs against the wall, he sounds an urgent plea: the one approach Christians cannot afford to adopt is silence. We must speak.”
And Tim Challies also has a review –
“The chapters that may bring the most unique value are the ones that trace the history and growth of this revolution. Most of us see how it is playing out around us today, but few understand how we got to this point.”
So you think you can explain the gospel
“…the simple fact that a Christian has heard the gospel numerous times does not mean that they can reproduce it. Recognition does not equal reproduction. I suggested a good exercise might be to give a group of believers a piece of paper and two minutes to anonymously write out a brief outline of the gospel.”
– At GoThereFor, Stephen Liggins shares the results of some simple research.
Related: Two Ways to Live.
Reformation Sunday 2015
It’s Reformation Sunday this weekend, and the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals has some free (and some paid) downloadable resources for your edification.
Hearing 1 Corinthians — as a letter
Andy Naselli recited the full text of 1 Corinthians as the sermon at Bethlehem Baptist Church back in August.
In “Why and How to Memorize an Entire Book of the Bible”, he provides a link to the video, and also addresses the Why and How of memorising a book of the Bible.
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…