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"Amillennialism 101" -- Audio and On-Line Resources

 

Living in Light of Two Ages

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Wednesday
Jun192013

Does America Have a National Covenant With YHWH? No, We Do Not!

In his best selling 1977 book, The Light and the Glory:  Did God have a plan for America?, Peter Marshall writes:

That a drought could be broken, or an Indian attack averted, by corporate repentance is an idea that sounds alien to many Christians today.  Yet it was central to the faith which built this country, and is one of the most prominent, recurring themes in the Bible.  One of the most familiar examples is, "If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forigve their sin and heal their land" (2 Chronicles 7:14).

Accepting Marshall's untenable hermeneutic (he ignores the fact that God's "national" covenant was made with Israel only), it is quite common to hear well-intended Christians claim that America is a “Christian nation” and in doing so appeal to biblical passages such as that just cited by Marshall.  Because our Lord’s promise of divine protection is given to the church (Matthew 16:18), the temptation is ever-present for Christians to mistakenly assume that our Lord’s promise of protection extends beyond the church they attend to the national interests and policies of the nation in which they live.  God's plan for our nation properly falls under the category of "providence" not "covenant."

The claim that “God is on our side” often comes to fruition when politically active American evangelicals see themselves in a “culture war”–contending with secular-progressives for the soul of the nation.  In the heat of battle, Christians invoke covenant promises made by God to Israel, thinking these promises apply to the United States because they mistakenly believe that the United States has some sort of covenant relationship with YHWH as did Israel.  This tendency is one of the key indicators of the popular but erroneous assumption that American is a Christian nation because it was founded on “biblical principles” and therefore possesses a unique relationship to God, just as Israel did under the Old Covenant. 

But America has no national covenant with God, as did Israel under the covenant God made with his chosen people at Mount Sinai.  This fact presents a serious problem for those who assume that the promises God made to ancient Israel somehow apply to the United States.  Covenant promises of blessing and curse which were given to Israel in a particular biblical context cannot be applied to contemporary political issues given the role such covenant blessings and curses played in Israel’s unique history.  

One such example of applying these covenant promises to modern America can be found on the website for the National Day of Prayer, where we read the following (echoing the previous words of Peter Marshall):

Our goal is to see communities transformed across America.  That happens one family at a time.  We know lives are being changed. We see the reports and statistics everyday (read Answered Prayer).  We pray in expectation knowing that God can and will make a difference if we seek Him, turn from our ways and repent (II Chronicles 7:14).

The stated desire of the national day of prayer is the transformation of communities and individuals.  Biblical support is taken from 2 Chronicles 7:14.  sadly, this passage is cited apart from any consideration of the redemptive-historical context in which the verse originally appears–the dedication of Solomon’s temple (2 Chronicles 6-7), specifically God’s private revelation to Solomon after the public manifestation of fire in the previous verses (2 Chronicles 7:1-3).
   
If America's founding fathers could repent and seek the face of God, as instructed by the Chronicler, so as to avoid drought or Indian attack, why shouldn't we?  Marshall's plea has been heard by many.  Those who see themselves in the midst of a culture war, or who are seeking a national revival, often affirm that if only God’s people living in America would act upon the covenant promises God made to Israel in 2 Chronicles 7:14, then God would spare our nation from some impending calamity–usually the election of some disagreeable political figure, or the passage of some worrisome piece of legislation, or a high court decision which is perceived to undermine Judeo-Christian values.  If God made this promise to Israel during the days of Solomon, then he is still making this promise to Christians who live in America today.  Right?

The invocation of 2 Chronicles 7:14, closely parallels warnings made by certain dispensationalists, who see the end-times centering around God’s program for national Israel.  Biblical passages which speak of covenant blessings and curses coming upon Israel’s enemies (i.e., Genesis 12:3), are interpreted to mean that unless the United States support the modern nation of Israel (specifically in terms of the land promise given to the physical descendants of Abraham), America risks coming under God’s judgment.  As one prominent evangelical in Congress contends,

I am convinced in my heart and in my mind that if the United States fails to stand with Israel, that is the end of the United States . . . [W]e have to show that we are inextricably entwined, that as a nation we have been blessed because of our relationship with Israel, and if we reject Israel, then there is a curse that comes into play. . . . We believe very strongly the verse from Genesis [Genesis 12:3], we believe very strongly that nations also receive blessings as they bless Israel. It is a strong and beautiful principle [From a speech given by Congresswoman Michele Bachman in February 2010 to the Republican Jewish Coalition].

Although it is believed that God’s promise to those who protect Israel applies primarily to matters of the on-going Israeli-Palestinian conundrum, biblical passages referring to Israel (or to Abraham) under the Old Covenant are applied to contemporary events without the slightest hesitation.  In light of Israel’s quite unique role in redemptive history, this kind of application should give us great pause.

If by “Christian nation” we mean that America has some sort of theological charter or covenant with God as set forth in a biblical passage such as 2 Chronicles 7:14, we are sadly mistaken.  2 Chronicles 7:14 applied to Israel in the days of Solomon when God’s glory filled the temple he had just dedicated to YHWH.  Passages such as this one are invoked the way they are because of a serious theological misunderstanding–the confusion of promises made regarding the kingdom of God with God’s providential purposes for the civil kingdom.  Unless we are willing to rip the passage from its context, it cannot be invoked as a promise applying to modern America.  In terms of our national relationship to God, America is every bit as “secular” as is Saudi Arabia, Iran, China, or even Israel, for that matter.  America is not a divinely-ordained theocracy with either national promises or threatened curses as was true of Israel.

The reality is that the promise found in 2 Chronicles 7:14 has nothing whatsoever to do with a national revival or the current fortunes of the United States.  It has everything to do with the dedication of Solomon’s temple nearly 3000 years ago.

Tuesday
Jun182013

Great New Introduction to Covenant Theology

Monergism.com is now publishing books.  One of their first is Daniel McManigal's Encountering Christ in the Covenants.  Rev. McManigal is a graduate of Westminster Seminary California, and is a minister in the URCNA.

Here's the publisher's description:

Encountering Christ in the Covenants has been written for people who are new to covenant theology and want to better understand how the great covenants in Scripture reveal Christ. Readers will be helped by the many references to the Reformed confessions and catechisms which are interspersed throughout the pages of this book. The study questions which follow each chapter are designed so that the book can be used in small group study.

Here are the endorsements:

“Sometimes we make basic concepts more difficult. ‘Covenant’ is not only a recurring topic in Scripture, but the way in which the biblical plot is structured. Often it helps when those explaining it have discovered a doctrine rather than inherited it. That is certainly evident in this book. I hope it enjoys a wide readership!” 

-MICHAEL HORTON, J. Gresham Machen Professor of Systematic Theology and Apologetics, Westminster Seminary California.

“The revival of interest in the doctrine of the biblical covenants is bearing the fruit of some excellent books on the subject over the past several decades. McManigal has provided a rich coverage of this central doctrine by winsomely presenting his material from a pastoral perspective. The narrative style follows the unfolding biblical story in ten thorough chapters culminating in the new covenant with a surprise ending dealing with the sacraments of baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Finally, its christological focus makes it a standout book. I highly recommend this book as a primer in covenant theology for instruction in the local church, but it will also serve well as an apologia to give to those who are unfamiliar with, or perhaps even disagree with, covenant theology.

-DR. GREGORY EDWARD REYNOLDS is the pastor of Amoskeag Presbyterian Church in Manchester, New Hampshire; author of The Word Is Worth a Thousand Pictures: Preaching in the Electronic Age (2001); and editor of Ordained Servant: A Journal for Church Officers.

“Pastor Dan McManigal’s Encountering Christ in the Covenants introduces the covenantal structure of the whole Bible’s story of redemptive history, showing how each advance in God’s covenant bond with his people leads closer and closer to Jesus Christ, the mediator of the new covenant and the focus and fulfillment of all the covenants. Encountering Christ combines clear explanation with theological richness, providing spiritual nurture for mind and soul.” 

-DENNIS E. JOHNSON, Ph.D. Professor of Practical Theology, Westminster Seminary California.

“Dan McManigal has provided the Church with a much-needed book. The book is a rare balance between solid biblical truth and a writing style that is a delight to read. His chapters flow effortlessly and if the reader wants to ignore the footnotes, he or she may--although I strongly advise you to read them, for they are filled with essential works. The reader will also be greatly aided by the fact that the writing is always in conversation with Scripture. In short, this work offers a valuable tool that explains a key to open and understand the warp and woof of the Word of God”

-DR. RON GLEASON, Ph.D. is the pastor of Grace Presbyterian Church in Yorba Linda, California and author of Herman Bavinck: Pastor, Churchman, Statesman, and Theologian (2010).

You can order it directly from monergism.com or through Amazon:  Encountering Christ in the Covenants 

Tuesday
Jun182013

"Earnestly Desire the Higher Gifts" -- 1 Corinthians 12:27-31

The Twenty-Fourth in a Series of Sermons on 1 Corinthians

It is very difficult to have a sane and thoughtful discussion about a hot-button theological topic when a doctrine has loyal and emotional adherents, a controversial history and has caused division, and lends itself to sensationalism.  When this is the case, there is a natural tendency to seek to distance ourselves from those who abuse or distort that doctrine, instead of dealing with what Scripture actually says about that doctrine.  If you’ve ever witnessed what takes place nightly on the set of TBN or have witnessed a revival meeting, you might just conclude that you want nothing to do with the gifts of the Spirit.  Yet, Paul exhorts the Corinthians (and us) to “earnestly desire the higher gifts.”  What does Paul mean by this exhortation?  What is the role and function of these higher gifts?  How are they connected to the offices in the church–like minister, elder, and deacon?

We are in a series on 1 Corinthians and we now wrap up our study of chapter 12.  As I mentioned a couple of weeks ago, it is really too bad that we cannot tackle this entire section of Corinthians (chapters 12-14) in one sitting because all of Paul’s points are interconnected–but then that would take us several hours.  Given the length and complexity of Paul’s three-chapter answer to a question the Corinthians had submitted to him, we have to unpack each of Paul’s points in chapter 12 not only to understand why he will devote so much ink to a discussion of speaking in tongues in chapter 14, but also because the points Paul makes in chapter 12 are so important to the life and health of Christ’s church.  If there is one letter in the New Testament which speaks to the circumstances of those of us now living in Southern California, it is Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians.

Sadly, this section of Corinthians has been the source of great controversy–especially with the rise of Pentecostalism early in the twentieth century.  Pentecostals look to this section of 1 Corinthians for support for many of their doctrines and practices.  As I have been pointing out in the past few sermons, the key to avoiding some of the problems associated with Pentecostalism is to understand what these spiritual gifts actually entailed, as well as determining what role they played in the apostolic churches.  One purpose of these gifts was to confirm the preaching of the gospel (this was especially the case with miracles and healing).  Another purpose of these gifts was to equip each member for service in Christ’s church for the common good.  A third purpose was to enable a diverse group of believers to love one another because Christ has loved us first.

As Paul lays the groundwork in chapters 12 and 13 to answer the Corinthian’s question about the role and purpose of tongue speaking in chapter 14, Paul reminds the Corinthians that in order to properly exercise the gift of tongues, the Corinthians first need to understand the role that spiritual gifts (the charismata) were to play in Christ’s church.  But we cannot understand the role of spiritual gifts without placing them in the broader category of spiritual things (the pneumotikon).  In making a distinction between spiritual things and the gifts of the Spirit, Paul is able to contrast the pagan conception of “spirituality” with the way Christians should view the person and work of the Holy Spirit. 

To read the rest of this sermon, Click Here

Monday
Jun172013

Trick Plays Don't Often Work, But Once in a While . . .

Monday
Jun172013

This Week at Christ Reformed Church (June 17-23)

Sunday Morning (06/23/13):  We are working our way through John 10, and this coming Lord's Day, we will consider Jesus' assertion that he is one with the Father.  Our text this Sunday is John 10:22-41.

Sunday AfternoonThis Lord's Day we continue our study of the Canons of Dort (the First Head of Doctrine) and we are discussing the Canons' teaching on the assurance of our election (Articles 13-14).  Our afternoon service begins @ 1:15 p.m.

Wednesday Night Bible Study will resume in September 2013

The Academy will resume in the Fall of 2013

For more information and directions, check out the Christ Reformed website:  Christ Reformed Church

Sunday
Jun162013

"I Am the Good Shepherd" -- John 10:1-21

Here's the audio from this morning's sermon.  Click Here

 

Sunday
Jun162013

This Week's White Horse Inn

Foolishness to Greeks

In this special address recorded before a live audience in Seattle, we discuss Paul’s famous speech at Mars Hill in the city of Athens recorded in Acts 17. How did Paul make his case for Christ before this largely Gentile audience? What lessons can we learn about preaching and evangelism in our own day? That’s what’s on tap for this edition of White Horse Inn! - See more at: http://www.whitehorseinn.org/blog/2013/06/16/whi-1158-foolishness-to-greeks/#sthash.w4MXqDMc.dpuf

In this special address recorded before a live audience in Seattle, we discuss Paul’s famous speech at Mars Hill in the city of Athens recorded in Acts 17. How did Paul make his case for Christ before this largely Gentile audience? What lessons can we learn about preaching and evangelism in our own day? That’s what’s on tap for this edition of White Horse Inn!

Click Here

In this special address recorded before a live audience in Seattle, we discuss Paul’s famous speech at Mars Hill in the city of Athens recorded in Acts 17. How did Paul make his case for Christ before this largely Gentile audience? What lessons can we learn about preaching and evangelism in our own day? That’s what’s on tap for this edition of White Horse Inn! - See more at: http://www.whitehorseinn.org/blog/2013/06/16/whi-1158-foolishness-to-greeks/#sthash.Qdavmv9a.dpuf
In this special address recorded before a live audience in Seattle, we discuss Paul’s famous speech at Mars Hill in the city of Athens recorded in Acts 17. How did Paul make his case for Christ before this largely Gentile audience? What lessons can we learn about preaching and evangelism in our own day? That’s what’s on tap for this edition of White Horse Inn! - See more at: http://www.whitehorseinn.org/blog/2013/06/16/whi-1158-foolishness-to-greeks/#sthash.Qdavmv9a.dpuf
In this special address recorded before a live audience in Seattle, we discuss Paul’s famous speech at Mars Hill in the city of Athens recorded in Acts 17. How did Paul make his case for Christ before this largely Gentile audience? What lessons can we learn about preaching and evangelism in our own day? That’s what’s on tap for this edition of White Horse Inn! - See more at: http://www.whitehorseinn.org/blog/2013/06/16/whi-1158-foolishness-to-greeks/#sthash.Qdavmv9a.dpuf
In this special address recorded before a live audience in Seattle, we discuss Paul’s famous speech at Mars Hill in the city of Athens recorded in Acts 17. How did Paul make his case for Christ before this largely Gentile audience? What lessons can we learn about preaching and evangelism in our own day? That’s what’s on tap for this edition of White Horse Inn! - See more at: http://www.whitehorseinn.org/blog/2013/06/16/whi-1158-foolishness-to-greeks/#sthash.1qu0TT1B.dpuf
In this special address recorded before a live audience in Seattle, we discuss Paul’s famous speech at Mars Hill in the city of Athens recorded in Acts 17. How did Paul make his case for Christ before this largely Gentile audience? What lessons can we learn about preaching and evangelism in our own day? That’s what’s on tap for this edition of White Horse Inn! - See more at: http://www.whitehorseinn.org/blog/2013/06/16/whi-1158-foolishness-to-greeks/#sthash.Qdavmv9a.dpuf
In this special address recorded before a live audience in Seattle, we discuss Paul’s famous speech at Mars Hill in the city of Athens recorded in Acts 17. How did Paul make his case for Christ before this largely Gentile audience? What lessons can we learn about preaching and evangelism in our own day? That’s what’s on tap for this edition of White Horse Inn! - See more at: http://www.whitehorseinn.org/blog/2013/06/16/whi-1158-foolishness-to-greeks/#sthash.1qu0TT1B.dpuf
In this special address recorded before a live audience in Seattle, we discuss Paul’s famous speech at Mars Hill in the city of Athens recorded in Acts 17. How did Paul make his case for Christ before this largely Gentile audience? What lessons can we learn about preaching and evangelism in our own day? That’s what’s on tap for this edition of White Horse Inn! - See more at: http://www.whitehorseinn.org/blog/2013/06/16/whi-1158-foolishness-to-greeks/#sthash.NYa32ffC.dpuf
In this special address recorded before a live audience in Seattle, we discuss Paul’s famous speech at Mars Hill in the city of Athens recorded in Acts 17. How did Paul make his case for Christ before this largely Gentile audience? What lessons can we learn about preaching and evangelism in our own day? That’s what’s on tap for this edition of White Horse Inn! - See more at: http://www.whitehorseinn.org/blog/2013/06/16/whi-1158-foolishness-to-greeks/#sthash.NYa32ffC.dpuf
In this special address recorded before a live audience in Seattle, we discuss Paul’s famous speech at Mars Hill in the city of Athens recorded in Acts 17. How did Paul make his case for Christ before this largely Gentile audience? What lessons can we learn about preaching and evangelism in our own day? That’s what’s on tap for this edition of White Horse Inn! - See more at: http://www.whitehorseinn.org/blog/2013/06/16/whi-1158-foolishness-to-greeks/#sthash.NYa32ffC.dpuf
In this special address recorded before a live audience in Seattle, we discuss Paul’s famous speech at Mars Hill in the city of Athens recorded in Acts 17. How did Paul make his case for Christ before this largely Gentile audience? What lessons can we learn about preaching and evangelism in our own day? That’s what’s on tap for this edition of White Horse Inn! - See more at: http://www.whitehorseinn.org/blog/2013/06/16/whi-1158-foolishness-to-greeks/#sthash.NYa32ffC.dpuf
In this special address recorded before a live audience in Seattle, we discuss Paul’s famous speech at Mars Hill in the city of Athens recorded in Acts 17. How did Paul make his case for Christ before this largely Gentile audience? What lessons can we learn about preaching and evangelism in our own day? That’s what’s on tap for this edition of White Horse Inn! - See more at: http://www.whitehorseinn.org/blog/2013/06/16/whi-1158-foolishness-to-greeks/#sthash.NYa32ffC.dpuf
 
In this special address recorded before a live audience in Seattle, we discuss Paul’s famous speech at Mars Hill in the city of Athens recorded in Acts 17. How did Paul make his case for Christ before this largely Gentile audience? What lessons can we learn about preaching and evangelism in our own day? That’s what’s on tap for this edition of White Horse Inn! - See more at: http://www.whitehorseinn.org/blog/2013/06/16/whi-1158-foolishness-to-greeks/#sthash.NYa32ffC.dpuf
In this special address recorded before a live audience in Seattl e, we discuss Paul’s famous speech at Mars Hill in the city of Athens recorded in Acts 17. How did Paul make his case for Christ before this largely Gentile audience? What lessons can we learn about preaching and evangelism in our own day? That’s what’s on tap for this edition of White Horse Inn! - See more at: http://www.whitehorseinn.org/blog/2013/06/16/whi-1158-foolishness-to-greeks/#sthash.NYa32ffC.dpuf
In this special address recorded before a live audience in Seattle, we discuss Paul’s famous speech at Mars Hill in the city of Athens recorded in Acts 17. How did Paul make his case for Christ before this largely Gentile audience? What lessons can we learn about preaching and evangelism in our own day? That’s what’s on tap for this edition of White Horse Inn! - See more at: http://www.whitehorseinn.org/blog/2013/06/16/whi-1158-foolishness-to-greeks/#sthash.NYa32ffC.dpuf
In this special address recorded before a live audience in Seattle, we discuss Paul’s famous speech at Mars Hill in the city of Athens recorded in Acts 17. How did Paul make his case for Christ before this largely Gentile audience? What lessons can we learn about preaching and evangelism in our own day? That’s what’s on tap for this edition of White Horse Inn! - See more at: http://www.whitehorseinn.org/blog/2013/06/16/whi-1158-foolishness-to-greeks/#sthash.NYa32ffC.dpuf
In this special address recorded before a live audience in Seattle, we discuss Paul’s famous speech at Mars Hill in the city of Athens recorded in Acts 17. How did Paul make his case for Christ before this largely Gentile audience? What lessons can we learn about preaching and evangelism in our own day? That’s what’s on tap for this edition of White Horse Inn! - See more at: http://www.whitehorseinn.org/blog/2013/06/16/whi-1158-foolishness-to-greeks/#sthash.NYa32ffC.dpuf
In this special address recorded before a live audience in Seattle, we discuss Paul’s famous speech at Mars Hill in the city of Athens recorded in Acts 17. How did Paul make his case for Christ before this largely Gentile audience? What lessons can we learn about preaching and evangelism in our own day? That’s what’s on tap for this edition of White Horse Inn! - See more at: http://www.whitehorseinn.org/blog/2013/06/16/whi-1158-foolishness-to-greeks/#sthash.NYa32ffC.dpuf
In this special address recorded before a live audience in Seattle, we discuss Paul’s famous speech at Mars Hill in the city of Athens recorded in Acts 17. How did Paul make his case for Christ before this largely Gentile audience? What lessons can we learn about preaching and evangelism in our own day? That’s what’s on tap for this edition of White Horse Inn! - See more at: http://www.whitehorseinn.org/blog/2013/06/16/whi-1158-foolishness-to-greeks/#sthash.NYa32ffC.dpuf
In this special address recorded before a live audience in Seattle, we discuss Paul’s famous speech at Mars Hill in the city of Athens recorded in Acts 17. How did Paul make his case for Christ before this largely Gentile audience? What lessons can we learn about preaching and evangelism in our own day? That’s what’s on tap for this edition of White Horse Inn! - See more at: http://www.whitehorseinn.org/blog/2013/06/16/whi-1158-foolishness-to-greeks/#sthash.NYa32ffC.dpuf
In this special address recorded before a live audience in Seattle, we discuss Paul’s famous speech at Mars Hill in the city of Athens recorded in Acts 17. How did Paul make his case for Christ before this largely Gentile audience? What lessons can we learn about preaching and evangelism in our own day? That’s what’s on tap for this edition of White Horse Inn! - See more at: http://www.whitehorseinn.org/blog/2013/06/16/whi-1158-foolishness-to-greeks/#sthash.NYa32ffC.dpuf
Thursday
Jun132013

You Can't Teach an Old Blog New Tricks, or Can You?

The Riddleblog is looking tired . . .  Time for a face lift. 

Over the course of the next week or so, you'll see a number of changes.  I'm moving stuff around, adding features, and deleting others.

So, please be patient if the blog is down, or if elements of the blog go away, or otherwise migrate to new places.  I'm going with a new template and color scheme (I'm getting it ready), and it will take me a while to get every thing just the way I want it!

Feedback (only if it is good, of course) is always welcome.

Tuesday
Jun112013

"One Body, Many Members" -- 1 Corinthians 12:12-26

The Twenty-Third in a Series of Sermons on 1 Corinthians

Almost all peoples and cultures have some sort of utopian dream–a world of universal peace and harmony.  John Lennon’s Imagine anyone?  The problem is that ours is a fallen race.  Because we are a fallen race we are divided along racial, socio-economic, political and theological lines.  Much like the ancient Corinthians, we struggle to find true unity in a world of diversity.  Because of human sin, the only way unity can be obtained is through force (“agree or else”), through coercion or deception (like that of a false religion or a political ideology), or through “kumbaya” unity (a superficial “herd” mentality).  The bad news is there will be no earthly utopia this side of Christ’s second advent.  The good news is that God does provide us with a true unity based upon our common faith in Jesus Christ realized in the church through the person and work of the Holy Spirit.  And while this unity is imperfectly realized in this life, nevertheless, in Christ’s church, God takes a whole host of diverse and different people and forms them into one body, the church of Jesus Christ in which his Holy Spirit dwells.

In 1 Corinthians chapter 12, Paul is addressing a question the Corinthians had asked him in a letter.  Based on Paul’s answer–which runs all the way from 1 Corinthians 12:1-14:40–the original question certainly had something to do with the role and practice of speaking in tongues (a subject addressed in chapter 14).  In chapter 12, Paul begins to answer this question by laying the groundwork for how we should understand the gifts of the Spirit in general (the charismata).  The Apostle begins by making the case that unless we confess that Jesus is Lord–that is, we confess that Jesus is Lord of all things, that he is the very Son of God, that he died for our sins and that he was raised from the dead for our justification–we cannot understand “spiritual things” (the pneumotikon).

But, says Paul, we cannot confess that Jesus is Lord except by the power of the Holy Spirit.  And it is the Holy Spirit whose gifts are given to those who are members of Christ’s church, which is his body.  In the previous section of this chapter (verses 4-11), Paul has made the point that God gives these gifts of the Spirit–which are supernatural endowments of the Spirit–as he wills for the common good of the church.  Although the Corinthians were struggling with the mistaken assumption that the greater the gift the more important the person who possessed that gift, Paul emphasizes that these gifts were not given so that people could boast about their spiritual prowess, or so that they could call attention to themselves, or even use these gifts as a pretense for dividing the church into factions.  No, these gifts were given for the common good, the building-up of the body of Christ.

To read the rest of this sermon, Click Here

Monday
Jun102013

Run Ben, Run!

Ben Sasse is well-known to the folks at Christ Reformed and White Horse Media.  He's considering a run for the open US Senate Seat in Nebraska.  Here's a recent article about Dr. Sasse in the Weekly StandardBen Sasse

Ben, please run from Nebraska to California and seek office here!

He's a remarkable individual, and you should keep him on your radar.