9Marks on Deacons
Posted on April 8, 2010
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Yes, it’s written from a Baptist perspective, but as usual, the 9Marks eJournal is full of helpful and through-provoking ideas.
“Jesus came to deacon (Mark 10:45; Rom. 15:8).
So did Paul, Apollos, and Tychicus (1 Cor. 3:5, 6; Eph. 3:7; 6:21; Col. 4:7). And the greatest among us will be deacons (Mark 10:43). It’s not a bad label to wear, apparently.
The New Testament only mentions this unassuming office two, maybe three times (Phil. 1:1; 1 Tim. 3:8-13; cf. Rom. 16:1). But pay attention. It seems to direct the deacon’s attention to the church’s physical good, which in turn will serve the church’s spiritual good. The deacon is a unity builder—and shock absorber! There should be nothing unspiritual about a deacon.
What about your church? Do you officially recognize anyone as a deacon? Doing so publicly holds forth models of Christian love and service. We hope these articles will stimulate you to consider why and how to employ such individuals in your congregation.”
Archbishop Okoh’s Easter message
Posted on April 6, 2010
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The central message of the Christian Gospel is that God through Christ was reconciling the world to Himself and has given us the ministry of reconciliation through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. By this, the walls of hostilities erected in the past by human prejudices and racial idiosyncrasies had been pulled down. God is now available to whoever approaches Him with an open and clean hearts.
This means that in Christ, there is a new community that finds its anchorage and power in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Consequently, there is both unfettered relationship vertically and horizontally.
The Christian Community which came out of the life of Christ, therefore, is a community of peace irrespective of race, religion, sex, ethnicity or economic status. As we celebrate the victory of Christ, in the resurrection over the power of sin, death and evil of all descriptions, we call on all Nigerians, Christians and non-christians alike to seek, pursue and promote peace in their different local contexts.
It must be emphasized that the frequent disturbances in our country are avoidable distractions. Therefore, in the interest of peace, which is a pre-requisite for good government, economic growth, industrial peace and harmony as well as the general well-being of Nigerians, we call upon leaders at all levels across religious boundaries, to enjoin their followers to be bearers of the message of peace in their utterances and actions. Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives.” John 14:27.
The Most Revd. Nicholas Okoh
Archbishop, Metropolitan and Primate of All Nigeria
4th April, 2010
– from the Church of Nigeria website.
Rise Up, O You Sleeper, Awake: Jesus Makes All Things New!
Posted on April 6, 2010
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Andrew Peterson has made available a free song from his album The Resurrection Letters volume 2. A beautiful reflection on the new creation.
“Come broken and weary
Come battered and bruised
My Jesus makes all things new
All things new …”
See the lyrics and download the mp3 file at Between Two Worlds.
Mark Ashton with Christ this Easter
Posted on April 5, 2010
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“Mark Ashton, Vicar of St Andrew the Great Church in Cambridge (STAG) since 1987, died this last Saturday from cancer at the age of 62.
He had known he was dying for over a year, and used that time to strengthen his witness to the Christian hope of salvation through the death and Resurrection of Jesus – a hope which he offered faithfully throughout his ministry. He has served the Lord and the Lord’s people with faithfulness and distinction, and many others have come to the Lord through him. Alleluia!…”
– David Thomson, Bishop of Huntingdon in the Diocese of Ely, is one of many who have written with thanksgiving for the life and ministry of Mark Ashton. See also Mark’s words of testimony on the linked video.
Gavin McGrath also thanks God for Mark Ashton, and John Allister shares these words.
Please uphold in prayer all of Mark’s family, and the church at Cambridge at this time.
Why the National Curriculum Must include the Bible
Posted on April 5, 2010
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“Dousing the fire and brimstone of politics for a moment, the question has to be asked: Why?
Why shouldn’t elements of the Bible be taught in public schools? It has had an unparalleled impact on Western culture, history, music, the arts, politics, morality, law and literature.
Are we embarrassed about our country’s foundations or, worse, have we become intellectual cowards?…”
– Scott Monk in a thoughtful opinion piece in Quadrant Online. (h/t Andrew Cameron.)
L’Abri & Francis Schaeffer Online
Posted on April 5, 2010
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The L’Abri website has made its library available online. Many lectures and talks, including a large number by Francis Schaeffer, are available for download.
(h/t Todd Shaffer at Faith by Hearing.)
G W Bromiley on The Resurrection
Posted on April 4, 2010
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“Every churchman claims to believe in the resurrection of the dead. In all ages, however, this Christian truth has been both attacked and misunderstood. Probably misunderstanding is the greater danger. It usually has its origin in a deliberate attempt to re-state the Christian teaching in a form acceptable to non-Christian thought.
In the present age there is particular need that Christians should fully understand and fully proclaim the truth of resurrection. There are many reasons why this should be so…”
– Church Society has republished this booklet by Dr Geoffrey W Bromiley.
(Image: by Don Milici via Christianity Today.)
Rowan Williams on the uniqueness of Christ
Posted on April 3, 2010
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“On 2 March Rowan Williams, 104th Archbishop of Canterbury delivered a lecture in Guildford, England entitled ‘The Finality of Christ in a Pluralist World’. It presents as a meditation on John 14:5–6 and Acts 4:8–13…”
– So, exactly what does the Archbishop of Canterbury say about the uniqueness of Christ? See what ACL President Mark Thompson thinks – at Theological Theology.
The answer to my doubts
Posted on April 3, 2010
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“I find no balm for a sore conscience, and a troubled heart, like the sight of Jesus dying for me on the accursed tree.
There I see that a full payment has been made for all my enormous debts. The curse of that law which I have broken has come down on One who there suffered in my stead. The demands of that law are all satisfied. Payment has been made for me, even to the uttermost farthing. It will not be required twice over.
Ah! I might sometimes imagine I was too bad to be forgiven. My own heart sometimes whispers that I am too wicked to be saved. But I know in my better moments this is all my foolish unbelief. I read an answer to my doubts in the blood shed on Calvary. I feel sure that there is a way to heaven for the very vilest of men, when I look at the cross.”
— J.C. Ryle, Old Paths. (With thanks to Of First Importance.)
John Piper on Rick Warren
Posted on April 2, 2010
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John Piper explains why he has asked Rick Warren to speak at the 2010 Desiring God Conference.
For another perspective see John Macarthur’s comments on The Purpose Driven Life. And pray that Christ will be honoured, and the gospel made clear, in all the discussion of these things.
The Weekend that Changed the World
Posted on April 2, 2010
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Bishop John Harrower shares the notes he used at today’s Good Friday service of reflection at St John’s Launceston.
The audio files of his sermons are already up on the St John’s website.
Easter Message from Abp Robert Duncan
Posted on April 2, 2010
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“Go make the tomb secure…”
Pilate invites Jerusalem’s leaders to “secure” the tomb of Jesus [Mt.27.62-66]. They “secure” the tomb with a stone, sealant and soldiers. As if these could contain our Lord… Their efforts prove inadequate. Their materials and means turn out to be no match for the One through whom all things were made. …
– Read the rest of the message here.
The Death of Death in the Death of Christ – Packer’s introduction
Posted on April 2, 2010
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Dr Jim Packer’s introductory essay to The Death of Death in the Death of Christ by John Owen remains a classic essay on Christ’s atonement. Written in 1958, it is probably even more relevant now than it was then.
Among other things, Dr Packer gives a helpful introduction to Calvinism. The essay will repay careful reading.
There are several copies of the essay on the Internet – Monergism has one here.
Every good thing is to be found in Christ
Posted on April 2, 2010
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“Every good thing we could think or desire is to be found in this same Jesus Christ alone. For he was sold, to buy us back; captive, to deliver us; condemned, to absolve us. He was made a curse for our blessing, sin offering for our righteousness; marred that we may be made fair.
He died for our life; so that by him fury is made gentle, wrath appeased, darkness turned into light, fear reassured, despisal despised, debt cancelled, labour lightened, sadness made merry, misfortune made fortunate, difficulty easy, disorder ordered, division united, ignominy ennobled, rebellion subjected, intimidation intimidated, ambush uncovered, assaults assailed, force forced back, combat combated, war warred against, vengeance avenged, torment tormented, damnation damned, the abyss sunk into the abyss, hell transfixed, death dead, mortality made immortal.
In short, mercy has swallowed up all misery, and goodness all misfortune.”
—John Calvin, preface for Pierre Robert Olivétan’s 1534 French translation of the New Testament. (From Of First Importance.)
Anglicans warn of lonely heart at the centre of glittering city
Posted on April 1, 2010
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“If Sydney were a person, she would have a loud laugh but a lonely heart.
The city’s Anglican archbishop, Peter Jensen, says ‘our glittering city contains so much loneliness’, and he is so concerned he has made it the theme of his Easter message…”
– from The Sydney Morning Herald. (Related: ‘Christians urged to reach out at Easter’.)
See the Archbishop’s message – and video files – here.
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…