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1. The Gospel and Living Radically

   Posted on May 17th, 2012 by David Burnette

   David Platt explains how the gospel relates to living radically.

2. What Happened After Easter?

   Posted on May 17th, 2012 by David Burnette

   

   Now that Good Friday has come and gone, and Easter is forty days behind us, we’ve moved past the days set aside to celebrate Christ’s saving work. The next Christian holiday on most of our radars is likely Christmas.

   But could we be missing something? Is the resurrection really the end of the story? If not, then what happened after Easter? Good question. Perhaps I’m the first person to wish you a happy Ascension Day.

   Like Jesus’ disciples in Acts 1, many of us are left gazing into heaven, wondering what Jesus’ ascension might mean. That is, if we think about it at all. This is one reason why Robert Peterson’s book, Salvation Accomplished by the Son: The Work of Christ, is so helpful.

   Peterson points out several neglected aspects in terms of our thinking about Christ’s salvation. About the ascension, he says the following:

    “Unfortunately, many Christians today neglect the doctrine of the ascension. Perhaps this is due to the fact that although Christians confess belief in the ascension of Christ, they do not understand the ascension’s place in the work of Christ or its effect on their lives. The Bible, however, teaches that the ascension is a saving event.” (152).

   Referring to Jesus’ ascension as a “saving event” in no way implies that his death and resurrection were insufficient for our salvation. Rather, as Peterson notes, the ascension is closely connected to those saving events as the bridge between Christ’s earthly and heavenly ministries (152). Reflecting on the ascension expands our understanding of God’s saving work and gives us yet another reason to rely on Him. As new layers of His grace are discovered, our faith should be strengthened and our hearts should be even more grateful.

   In Acts 5:31 Peter says that God has exalted Christ “to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.” In other words, Christ’s ascension to God’s right hand was necessary in order for you and I to turn from our sins and have our guilt removed. Peterson points out a number of other ways the ascension relates to our salvation and God’s overall plan of redemption. Among other things, the ascension sets the stage for Jesus to:

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3. Authority and Preaching

   Posted on May 16th, 2012 by David Burnette

   

   If you lose confidence in the Bible’s authority, does that have any effect on preaching? The words of D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones written 40 years ago remain relevant today:

   “If you have not got authority, you cannot speak well, you cannot preach…But as belief in the great doctrines of the Bible began to go out, and sermons were replaced by ethical addresses and homilies, and moral uplift and socio-political talk, it is not surprising that preaching declined. I suggest that that is the first and the greatest cause of this decline.” (20-21)

   (D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Preaching & Preachers, 40th Anniversary Edition)

4. Wanted: Apostolic Pastors

   Posted on May 15th, 2012 by David Burnette

   

   The latest 9Marks Journal is out. If you’ve never read the journal, you’re missing out on a great resource. The good news is that it’s FREE, and you can look in the archives for previous issues. Just click here.

   In this latest issue, they’re looking for “Apostolic Pastors.” Here’s Bobby Jamieson’s explanation:

   “Here’s what we have in mind: pastors who care deeply about the progress of the gospel beyond their local churches. Pastors who encourage, disciple, and partner with other pastors. Pastors who lead their congregations to link arms with other likeminded local churches for evangelism, church planting, and more. By “apostolic,” we don’t mean someone who is personally commissioned by Jesus to bear witness to the resurrection (Acts 1:21-22). Instead, we mean someone who shares some of the apostles’ priorities and concerns, even though he doesn’t share their office.

   We love pastors like this, and we want to see many more of them raised up. So in this issue of the 9Marks Journal we want to help pastors catch a vision of the good that can come when they begin to feel an apostle-like concern for other pastors and churches (2 Cor. 11:28).”

    

5. Living and Dying for the Glory of God: Jim Elliot’s Legacy

   Posted on May 15th, 2012 by David Burnette

   

    

   “Remember you are immortal until your work is done. But don’t let the sands of time get into the eyes of your vision to reach those who still sit in darkness. They simply must hear.” (81)

    

    

   In chapter 5 of 10 Who Changed the World, Danny Akin gives us a snapshot of the life and ministry of Jim Elliot. Along with Ed McCully, Roger Youderain, Pete Fleming, and Nate Saint, Eliot sought to take the gospel to the Auca (or Huaorani Indians) of Ecuador. All four men were brutally murdered for their faith. Their story has inspired countless others to take the gospel to hard places across the globe.

   When Jim’s wife, Elizabeth (yes, the Elizabeth Elliot), asked her husband if he and the other four missionaries would use their guns if attacked by the Aucas, Jim responded, “We will not use our guns!” His reason? In his own words: “Because we are ready for heaven, but they are not.” (81)

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6. Unreached

   Posted on May 14th, 2012 by Cory Varden

   Arab, Saudi-Hijazi of Saudi Arabia
   

   Saudi Arabia is home to a number of different Arab groups. The Hijazi Arab (more commonly known as the Saudi Arab) form the majority of the Saudi Arabian population and live predominantly along the Red Sea coast and in the major urban areas. The Hijazi Arab are practically all Muslim, but represent a variety of Islamic sects. The founding of Islam in the seventh century profoundly altered the course of Saudi history. In the mid-1700′s, Mohammed ibn Abd al-Wahhab formed his fundamentalist sect, and today, the Saudi see themselves as the preservers of the true Islamic faith. The city of Mecca on the Red Sea coast is the holy place of pilgrimage that all Muslims must try to visit at least once in their lifetime. At the present time, few of the Hijazi Arab in Saudi Arabia have accepted Jesus as their Savior. A profession of faith in Jesus may cost a person his family, his honor, his job, or even his life. Evangelization of this group will be challenging, due to the nature of the Arabs’ lifestyle and belief system. Prayer is the key to reaching them with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Continue Reading

7. Well Said…

   Posted on May 11th, 2012 by David Burnette

   

    

   1. A Savage Attack: Eric Metaxas weighs in on the recent salvo against the Bible offered up by Dan Savage at a conference for high school students. The biblical view of homosexuality is once again in the crosshairs, while words like “tolerance” and “bullying” are being redefined right before our very eyes.   HT: Denny Burk

   2. A (Sarcastic) Hymn to Evolution: Thanks to Jim Hamilton for unearthing this jewel. C.S. Lewis offers up a poetic tribute to Evolution and its utter inability to point us to objective truth. What we believe about Genesis 1-3 matters.

   3. Let’s Talk about Money: Ed Welch of CCEF points to an issue that not many men seem to want to talk about. And it’s not sex. As a Christian counselor, he can’t recall the last time he talked with a man about money, even though Jesus had so much to say about it.

8. David Platt on What it Means to Live “Radically”

   Posted on May 10th, 2012 by David Burnette

   Pastor David Platt answers the following question: What does it mean to live “radically”?

9. The Story of Ian & Larissa

   Posted on May 9th, 2012 by Cory Varden

   If you haven’t seen it yet, Desiring God recently posted this video in connection with John Piper’s book This Momentary Marriage (which DG is offering for free as a downloadable PDF right here).  This story paints a vivid picture of how Christ’s selfless love for his church should characterize our own marriages.  You’ll be humbled and encouraged.

   BTW:  Westminster Bookstore has worked together with Crossway, and the book is now being offered for only $8.00. For this deal, click here.

   HT: Desiring God

10. Spiritual Ears Require God’s Mercy

    Posted on May 9th, 2012 by David Burnette

    

    “My love of you, O Lord, is not some vague feeling: it is positive and certain. Your word struck into my heart and from that moment I loved you. Besides this, all about me, heaven and earth and all that they contain proclaim that I should love you, and their message never ceases to sound in the ears of all mankind, so that there is no excuse for any not to love you. But, more than this, you will show pity on those whom you pity; you will show mercy where you are merciful; for if it were not for your mercy, heaven and earth would cry your praises to deaf ears.”

    (Augustine, Confessions, 211).

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