Yesterday I got to see Tullian Tchvidjian preach at Southern Seminary. I love his focus on the gospel of grace. Toward the end of his message he asked an interesting question: If Christ accepts me based on his righteousness and not mine, then what is my motivation to do good? In other words, if I have a great day, I’m accepted, if I have a bad day, I’m accepted. So why do good? He answered the question with a quote from Spurgeon:

When I thought God was hard, I found it easy to sin; but when I found God so kind, so good, so overflowing with compassion, I smote upon my breast to think that I could ever have rebelled against One who loved me so, and sought my good.

In other words, the deeper I go into the gospel, the greater my motivation toward obedience. I encourage you to watch this message and be amazed again at God’s grace for desperate sinners like you and me.

Pastors use a variety of tools to prepare their sermons.  Commentaries, Greek/Hebrew texts, language lexicons, biblical theology books and other sermons on a passage all aid the preacher in his preparation for his weekly sermon.  Here is a tool that will probably not be taught in a seminary class, but has been one of my most unexpected, yet helpful tools for my weekly sermon prep.  Here it is:

“The insights of my children on the passage I am preaching as I read it with them throughout the week”

(Read the rest …)

The answer is: Yes.

Satan did tempt and incite Eve to eat the apple, who gave it to Adam who ate. Satan willed and carried out evil. He bears responsibility.

Adam and Eve acted wickedly, disobeying God’s clear instruction. They rebelled, and through Adam sin entered the world. He bears responsibility.

But, ultimately, we know that God is sovereign over all that comes to pass. He chose, before the foundations of the earth were laid, to redeem a people for his glory in Christ (Eph 1:4; Rev 13:8). This—including the fall and all its consequences—was his plan and his sovereign will. And yet, wonderfully and mysteriously, God can be charged with no evil, with no wrong-doing. He is the Sovereign Lord, who is righteous and just in all his ways.

Please check out Eric’s full treatment of this question.  He gives a very biblical, pastoral and comprehensive answer.

I’ve been thinking a lot about this message from Darrin Patrick on contentment. It’s awakened some things in me and how I need to come to the end of my own strength and depend on Christ as my strength. For when He is my strength, I’m content, but when I am my strength, I’m prone to arrogance or despair. If you’re struggling with contentment, I strongly encourage you to watch this!

Character Sketch: William Carey

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Character Sketch: Adoniram Judson

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1. What are fiery trials?
2. Why does God bring fiery trials?
3. How should we respond to fiery trials?

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1. What is the nature and purpose of animals in creation?
2. What is the relationship between animals and man?
3. Why do animals suffer and die?
4. Will animals be redeemed?
5. Will particular pets be recreated?
6. What is the root of this question, and where should we go with it?

• Randy Alcorn answered this question here …
• I recommend his book, Heaven for Kids, as well

#1 The church must present faithful vision of the family, marriage, and parenting – and equip believers to transfer that vision to the next generation.

#2 The church must overcome the zone of privacy and autonomy that keeps individuals from being accountable to the church community. We need to get into each others face. Our parenting and marriage are not properly ours – but belong to Christ and are the affairs of the whole church. Someone needs to get involved when people struggle in these areas.

#3 The church has got to be a place where brokenness is overcome by the Gospel. We slander the good news when we act like the only people who can glorify God are those who have never experienced brokenness.

#4 The church has to got to be the place where families are rescued and armed for the combat to which we are called. Discipleship is a battle. We come to church because we can’t afford not to come. We need to get together because we need to be equipped by the preaching of the Word of God and the fellowship of the Saints.

(HT: Tony Kummer)

• a soft grandfather
• a computer programmer
• a personal shopper
• a demanding boss
• a crazy cop

Listen to the entire sermon and download his notes here.