Justifying Faith

John Piper wrote this in his book Future Grace:

...the faith that justifies is a faith that also sanctifies. And the test of whether our faith is the kind of faith that justifies is whether it is the kind of faith that sanctifies...The main concern with this book is to show that the battle against sin is a battle against unbelief. Or: the fight for purity is a fight for faith in future grace. The great error that I am trying to explode is the error that says, "Faith in God is one thing and the fight for holiness is another thing. You get your justification by faith, and you get your sanctification by works. You start the Christian life in the power of the Spirit, you press on in the efforts of the flesh. The battle for obedience is optional because only faith is necessary for final salvation." Faith alone is necessary for justification, but the purity that confirms faith's reality is also necessary for final salvation.

rick

Good Music

Shout out to Shai! This youtube video is an audio clip from the Way of the Master radio program. In it they break down some of Shai Linne's songs from his new album, The Atonement. Todd Friel sings nothing but praise of Shai's music and how it glorifies God through accurate solid theology. Let us rejoice with him as his music becomes more popular among Christians and hopefully others.

rick

Free Download

Pretty neat: Pilgrim's Progress Audio Book
Just click to purchase the download version and upon checkout enter, JUN2008

I have always wanted to read this book, but haven't found the time yet. Maybe I'll take a 10.5 hour road trip and listen to it all.

(HT: Justin Taylor)

Masculinity and Desire

This post probably has nothing to do with what you originally thought when you read the title. This post is actually about New Attitude and what I encountered on the trip. First is the topic of masculinity. I managed to grab this shot of an unnamed upcoming senior pastor at Covenant Fellowship while in the Philadelphia Airport. So this is some advice to guys. If you are going to serve your wife by taking her luggage for her at the airport, first check what she brought everything in. It's worth the investment to get your wife a bag that looks cool and not quite so girly.


The second topic of this post is on desire as it pertains to the word of God. During the fifth session of New Attitude 2008 Eric Simmons talked about why we diligently believe and study the scriptures. His first point was that we do this because they reveal Jesus Christ. At the end of that point he made this statement, "Perhaps I don't diligently study God's word because I love something else more." This may be a very simple and obvious statement but it's one the should demand our time in considering. If I do not diligently study God's word what is it that I love more, that demands my attention? And what do I need to do to change my priorities? This is a question I plan on spending some time asking myself and evaluating where I need change.

rick

Pursue Her

I just read an outstanding article from Boundless Webzine writer Drew Dyke entitle Pursue Her and I thought it was worth sharing it with everyone. This article is mainly directed at men. Below is a taste of the article, I'd encourage all guys to read the whole thing.

This article isn't about fairytales. I bring them up only to highlight what I see as a growing problem in the church: young Christian men unable (or unwilling) to actively pursue a potential spouse. Rather than saddling up the proverbial stead, many guys seem to be languishing in the tower, waiting for their princesses to stumble upon them.

If that's you, then I have some no-nonsense advice — it's time to man-up and take the lead in the romance department. And don't hide behind the whole too-holy-for-love façade. When you meet "the one," pursuing her with all your heart is the most spiritual thing you can possibly do...

...God created you to be a pursuer. So next time God brings a godly woman into your life, don't sit around twiddling your thumbs. The love of your life could be passing you by!

Rick

Christ The Only Way

Really great video by R.C. Sproul




(HT: NA Blog)

Second Saturday!

It's that time of the month again. This Saturday, May 10th the church will be hosting our Second Saturday event. It's a great time to come out serve the community through acts of service, mercy and evangelism.

This month the college ministry is sponsoring the laundromat outreach. We'll take bags of quarters to local laundromats and paying for the users. This opens up great conversation and opportunities to share the gospel. It's one of my favorite outreaches.

So what do you have to do. Don't go to your local laundromat on saturday and hope we show up to pay. Rather meet at the church by 9:30 and lets go out together to serve the community and share the glorious love of Christ.

Rick

Vital Life

Spring Vital Life classes are this Saturday from 9-12. They look like they will be outstanding so I wanted to highlight two of them.

Life's Bewildering Turns: How Do I Glorify God Now?
Bill Patton
When A Christian's journey takes an agonizing detour; when he finds himself hopelessly far from life's happy, expected path; when he wonders how he can possibly go on; where does he turn? Gleaning lesson from the lives of four Biblical characters, we will study how the gospel transforms u in the midst of life's bewildering turns. This class can serve you if you have experienced a bewildering turn, or if you anticipate a change in season of life in the near future.
Register Now

Get Wisdom! Understanding and Applying The Book of Proverbs
Andy Farmer
The book of Proverbs may be one of the most widely read but commonly misunderstood books in the Bible. Is life really as simple as Proverbs seems to make it appear? Why is it that one proverb can say one thing and another seems to say the opposite? Where's the gospel in Proverbs?This class will help you understand and appreciate the unique place this book has in God's holy word. It will help you get wisdom not only from proverbs, but get the Wisdom behind the book of Proverbs as well.

If you haven't signed up yet it's not too late, just sign up at the door for $5.

Rick

Free From Condemnation

“Because of the gospel’s power, you can be completely free of all condemnation.

Not mostly free; completely free.

Don’t buy the lie that cultivating condemnation and wallowing in your shame is somehow pleasing to God, or that a constant, low-grade guilt will somehow promote holiness and spiritual maturity.

It’s just the opposite! God is glorified when we believe with all our hearts that those who trust in Christ can never be condemned. It’s only when we receive his free gift of grace and live in the good of total forgiveness that we’re able to turn from old, sinful ways of living and walk in grace-motivated obedience.”

- C.J. Mahaney, The Cross Centered Life, 39, 40

HT: firstimportance

The Gospel and Relationships

Our very own Joseph Stigora and Erin Sutherland have written posts for the New Attitude blog recently on relationships, one article for girls and one for guys.

Enjoy,
Rick

CJ Mahaney Speaking

CJ Mahaney will be coming to preach at Covenant Fellowship Church this Sunday, April 27th. CJ has a unique gift for communicating the gospel in a way that brings application to our lives. This is a great opportunity to invite a friend out to church.

rick

Portraits of Hope

Spread the word. Portraits of Hope 2008 will be taking place this Friday.

Where: Covenant Fellowship Church
When: Friday, April 25 2008
Time: 7:00 PM

If you plan on attending be sure to visit the website and register so they know how much food to provide. Even if you don't have $1000 to spend on a photograph there will be smaller prints for sale that look outstanding as well. Be sure to come and tell others, especially your rich neighbors and relatives.

rick

Together for the Gospel

Last week was the Together For The Gospel (T4G) 2008 conference. It was an amazing conference. I recommend that everyone listen to the messages given by RC Sproul, John Piper and CJ Mahaney. They're available for free if you follow the link. Also check out all the books we were given for free!

Rick

Second Saturday

Second Saturdays are monthly mornings of outreach, packed with various community service, mercy, and evangelism opportunities. Show up and join in an outreach, or fill out an “Outreach Work Order” online to create an outreach of your own!

WHEN
The second Saturday morning of each month, rain or shine, year-round. Saturday 4/11/08.

HOURS
9:30 AM to 1:00 PM

WHERE
Meet in the church lobby

There’s also a free pizza lunch at 1:00 pm in the lobby.

Come out tomorrow and do some outreach and mercy at the church. See you tomorrow.

rick

Pray For Those Who Preach

This is a great article about praying for our pastors.

Rick

(HT: JT)

Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed

This looks like an interesting new movie coming out with Ben Stein. See the preview below.

Meditations

I've been reading the book of Acts in my quiet time and this is one of the passages that I have been struck by lately.

...and when they had called in the apostles, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name. And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ. -Acts 5:40-42

Lately I've been noticing how I can easily find contentment in things of this world rather than Christ. God used this passage to point it out to me as I read how the apostles rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name of Christ. Talk about making little of yourself and much of God.

Free Scripture Songs

These are from Mark and Stephen Altrogge (Here).

rick

What Americans Call Sin

This is a sad list. More people consider not saying anything if a cashier gives you too much change sin than they do having an abortion. Seeing numbers like this freshly reminds me of why we need to share the gospel with such a lost world...they need a savior.

WHAT AMERICANS CALL SIN

• Adultery: 81%

• Racism: 74%

• Using "hard" drugs, such as cocaine, LSD: 65%

• Not saying anything if a cashier gives you too much change: 63%

• Having an abortion: 56%

• Homosexual activity or sex: 52%

• Not reporting some income on your tax returns: 52%

• Reading or watching pornography: 50%

• Gossip: 47%

• Swearing: 46%

• Sex before marriage: 45%

• Homosexual thoughts: 44%

• Sexual thoughts about someone you are not married to: 43%

• Doing things as a consumer that harm the environment: 41%

• Smoking marijuana: 41%

• Getting drunk: 41%

• Gambling: 30%

• Not attending church or religious services regularly: 18%

• Drinking any alcohol: 14%

Source: Ellison Research, August 2007, based on 1,007 adults through a representative online panel ad adjusted to be demographically representative of the USA Margin of error: ±3.1 percentage points. (Full Article)

rick

Soccer Skills

(HT: Stephen Altrogge)