A Time for Change.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 tells us that there is a time for everything under heaven. I am certainly reminded of that truth as our church relocates and relaunches this week. Undoubtedly, many things are changing and will change as Redeemed settles into a new city (Torrance), a new facility (2545 W. 237th Street Suite A), and a new Sunday worship service time (9:30am). With all these changes and more, it is all too easy to become overwhelmed with the intricacies of a new facility. What should the color scheme be? How many chairs should be in the sanctuary? What color should the chairs be? How should the furniture be arranged? What should the sound system include? Where should the display screens be mounted? What should the various rooms be used for? The questions and answers go on and on. All of these questions must be answered and, in all honesty, a lot of the answers are neither right or wrong. But there is a possible problem in all of this. The potential issue begins when our hearts are not aligned with our Lord. In the midst of all these adjustments it is only natural to assert one's preferences and one's own opinions on how changes should take place. The danger is that it is easy to seek our own interests above all others, which directly opposes the commands we receive in Philippians 2. Moreover, being overly focused on one's wishes for the new facility can burglarize God's glory in the midst of the great work He is doing.  

If you are anything like me, then you like to geek out on history. Particularly you enjoy reaching back into the centuries to discover the fascinating facts of church antiquity. One simple way to study church history is through the ancient creeds of the Christian faith. For individuals, friends,  and families alike, an engaging and edifying activity is reading a creed and searching the Scriptures to find out the biblical basis for the statements of the creed. The following paragraphs serves as a brief introduction to ancient creeds; followed by a biblical analysis (with proof-passages) of the Athanasian Creed, which is one of the least known ancient creeds in contemporary Christianity. This creed asserts the doctrine of the Trinity, the humanity of Christ, the divinity of Christ, and the person and work of Christ. Enjoy the exploration...

Is there a difference between an exegetical lecture and a sermon?

The short answer is... YES. Which begs the question: What is the difference between an exegetical lecture (for our purpose an exegetical lecture is an address that offers critical interpretation of a Scripture passages) and a sermon? Both an exegetical lecture and a sermon must display the proper implementation of interpretational principles (hermeneutics) in order to convey the truthfulness of God’s word. That being said, a sermon is much more than an exegetical lecture, therefore the differences between the two are vast. The application of hermeneutics is critical in the construction of a sermon, but it is only the launching pad for a biblical exposition. To some extent, an exegetical lecture is part of a sermon, but a sermon is not an exegetical lecture. The following paragraphs will convey the differences of an exegetical lecture and a biblical exposition or sermon.

The book of Proverbs is wisdom literature that offers experiential wisdom to its hearers. Although some equate much this book to common sense, it is much more than that; in reality the proverbs provide godly wisdom regarding common life. This book cannot be observed as a collection of phrases and sayings committed to portraying universal truths or promises but it is best understood as a collection of foundational and fundamental phrases that convey general truths and principles. While books such as Job and Ecclesiastes bestow non-conventional wisdom for the peculiarities of life, Proverbs is a book of conventional wisdom for everyday normality. The entirety of the wisdom literature in Scripture makes it clear that there is always an exception to the rules set forth in Proverbs.

It may not come as a surprise to those who adhere to Calvin's theology of salvation; the all-to-familiar notion that Calvinistic Christians tend to be arrogant and antagonistic. It was in the Fall of 2010 when I was first exposed to Calvin’s soteriology (the doctrine of salvation); more specifically I was introduced to Calvin’s view of God’s sovereignty in salvation. At first, I was opposed to such views, but as I continued to study, I became overwhelmingly persuaded that Calvin’s theology of salvation was nothing more than the Apostle Paul’s theology of salvation, which was therefore Jesus' theology of salvation. As I grew more attracted to this theology, I began reading blogs, forums, articles, etc. and that is when I noticed the continuous complaint that Calvinists are haughty and prideful. Unfortunately, I am afraid that this critique is altogether too close to reality. After studying John Calvin’s life apart from his theology I realized that there was a great irony in contemporary Calvinistic boasting. Although John Calvin most certainly held unswervingly to the "doctrines of grace" (a.k.a. the five points of Calvinism) and the sovereignty of God in all things, the irony is that he did it with a much meekness, mildness, and humility.  Today, "Calvinists" must acknowledge the sovereignty of God in the fact that they were led to and believe in such a God-honoring, Christ-exalting, Spirit-adoring doctrine. This truth ought to make us among the most humble of all people. I believe a few details from Calvin’s life will encourage us so called “Calvinists” to humble ourselves before our great God and to offer Him thanks and praise for raising up godly men to trumpet the truths of Scripture throughout the ages.

Many in the evangelical church today have little knowledge, appreciation, or understanding in the realm of church history. The average church-going person’s witness to church history goes something like this, “The apostles were great! The early church fathers were fairly decent. The middle ages were a terrible period of time when the church had no one championing the truths of Scripture, that’s why they were called the ‘dark ages’. The Reformation is when Martin Luther combatted the heresy of the Roman Catholic Church and exclaimed to all professing believers that Scripture alone should have the authoritative word for the church, I think a couple other guys are called ‘reformers’ too. And now I attend a church down the road that holds to some of these truths that were rediscovered in the Reformation.” If this is your version of church history, then you are not alone!

At Redeemed South Bay we are preaching an expository sermon series through Acts and we have arrived at chapter 15. In Acts 15 the essence of the gospel is being attacked; the stakes couldn't be any higher... is faith in Christ alone sufficient for salvation or must works of the law be added in order to be saved? This is indeed a monumental moment in the book of Acts as the church met in Jerusalem to settle the enormous issue. 

The best part of waking up is Folger's in your cup!? Or perhaps, the snooze button, a hot shower, a roof over your head, a good breakfast, the stillness of the early morning, the sight of your spouse, the sound of your children? It is possible that any one or more of these could be the answer for some, for others it would depend on the day, and still for others it would depend on their age, perspectives, and interests on any given morning. I remember as a young boy the best part of waking up on Christmas day was the gifts around the tree and the amazing breakfast my mother would always make. As I matured and phased into the teenage years the best part of waking up on Saturday mornings was collegiate football. As I continued to grow into a young adult and college student myself, the best part of waking up was the all-you-can-eat breakfast at the dining hall. When I look back through the various stages of my life I can vividly remember precise details that, for me, made it worthwhile to rise out of bed and get going! Each of us wakes up everyday for something, the question is; What is that something?