Grace Echoes

Sunday Morning Messages

2011-04-17T17:27:00.000-04:00

Sunday morning messages at The Bible Church are now available on sermonaudio.com.

Just go to sermonaudio.com/thebiblechurchny

Male Elders/Overseers/Pastors

2011-04-15T21:41:00.001-04:00

Recently I corresponded with someone regarding male leadership in the church. This issue is a good example of an important issue becoming a major issue because of the way it requires our handling of Scripture.

I have copied an edited version of my correspondence below. I cut out the opening and concluding paragraph and have taken out personal references.

"I will try to be brief in this, but just want to give you the “road map” of where I am going. First, I want to show from Scripture that men and women are equal in their standing before God. Second, I would like to point you to Scripture passages that teach there are God-given roles for men and women. Third, I would like to show you the high stakes on this issue. Finally, I would like to address typical objections that are raised. I pray that you will see my heart is rooted in love for Christ and you as His child, as I write about this. Fidelity to God through the Scripture is my motive and my aim.

Men and Women are Equal before God:

All created human beings were made in God’s image. Genesis 1:27 specifically states this: “God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” It is unbiblical and therefore displeasing to the Lord for any person, society, or church to operate on the premise that men and women have a different standing before God. We are all created in the image of God (saved or unsaved alike). In addition, when men and women are saved they stand righteous before God in Christ irrespective of their gender. That is the point of Galatians 3:28: “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” In the church, men and women are both part of the body of Christ to the same degree and have the same exact blood-bought forgiveness and righteousness in Christ.

I know we have no disagreement here. But it is at this point that we will probably start veering off in different directions. Those who practice women leadership in the church often appeal to equality before God as argumentation for female leadership in the church. Especially since Galatians 3:28 says we are all “one in Christ.” But an important principle of interpreting our Bible is never to allow one application or interpretation of a verse to contradict another clear teaching in Scripture. Let me say as well, most Christians who practice female leadership in the church would not use the principle of “one in Christ” to wipe out other role distinctions in the church (e.g. that there are leaders and non-leaders in the church). Just because we are all “one in Christ” does not mean that within the body of Christ there are not differing roles.

Equal but Different Roles Given By God:

Here are several biblical arguments for God’s distinction in roles between men and women.

Order of Creation: Genesis 2:18 reveals that God created man first and then communicated that man needed a “helper suitable” for him: “Then the LORD God said, ‘It is not good for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him.’” God desires us to take this as an indication of His plan for differing roles between men and women. In fact, 1Timothy 2:12-14 explicitly makes this connection: “But I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet. For it was Adam who was first created, and then Eve. And it was not Adam who was deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression.”

Responsibility for the fall: Although Eve took the first fruit, in the mind of God Adam was the one responsible for plunging humanity into sin. He was responsible because by God’s design He was the leader and Eve was his helper. Romans 5:12 says “just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned.” In the mind of God, part of being a man is bearing responsibility as the leader.

Headship: Scripture teaches male headship. This teaching of headship is true in the home: Ephesians 5:22 “Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body.” Male headship is also connected to how the church operates: 1 Corinthians 11:3: “But I want you to understand that Christ is the head of every man, and the man is the head of a woman, and God is the head of Christ.” It is because of this, women are to be in submission to male leadership in the church (cf. 1 Cor. 11:10).

The Trinity: When you consider God Himself, it becomes apparent that different roles do not and cannot mean inequality. The Father sent the Son and has granted Him authority (John 3:16; 5:27). Jesus said the Father would send the Spirit in His name (John 14:26) and later Jesus said this about the Spirit: John 15:26 "When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, that is the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify about Me.” Clearly, within the Trinity there are different roles. Jesus was in complete submission to the Father: Matthew 26:39 “And He went a little beyond them, and fell on His face and prayed, saying, ‘My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will.’" I point this out because sometimes it is argued that differing roles for men and women perpetuate inferiority. There may be some who practice male leadership in that way, but the Biblical teaching does not imply or require this. To say that differing roles means inequality is to obliterate the orthodox understanding of who God is.

The High Stakes of this Issue:

There are issues in the Bible that Christians differ on, as you well know! All truth is important, but not all truth misunderstood is as equally devastating. It is one thing to misinterpret justification and is quite another thing to get the mode of baptism wrong. Both justification and the way to baptize are important matters, but getting justification wrong would clearly mean damnation for all eternity. Misapplication of the method of baptism would result in “messing up the picture” and not following God’s directions, but has no bearing on eternal destiny. I recognize that male leadership in the church is not explicitly a gospel issue, but the way that Scripture argues for it makes it a very high- level issue. Consider the fact that 1 Timothy 2:12-14 bases male leadership on the order of creation. The establishment of male leadership is not because of first century culture. 1 Corinthians 11:3 clearly bases male headship on the headship of Christ and not on the misguided cultural views of the apostle Paul. This is where the issue gets really important. If someone rejects male-only leadership in the church then they have to explain away these passages. In explaining away these passages, a person would be put into the position of saying that God has breathed out His Word perfectly, but in these instances Paul has allowed his own cultural prejudices to impact what Scripture says. In fact, he has allowed his prejudices to so influence him that he is claiming God’s own stated order and reason for creation to be the basis for his prejudiced teaching of male leadership. Once that is stated the very inspiration and inerrancy of Scripture is called into question. Female leadership is not directly a gospel issue. However, the way that Scripture argues for male only leadership means that rejecting it calls into question the very truthfulness and trustworthiness of Scripture. Yes, Paul says to greet one another with a kiss of love (1 Peter 5:14), but he does not connect that to fixed realities above culture, as he does male leadership. If we believe that God breathed out His Word through Paul, then we must believe that God designed the connection of male-only leadership to the order of creation, transcending any cultural prejudices.

Objections:

But some women teach better than men? I agree. Again, this teaching does not mean inequality; it just means different God given roles.

But God has gifted women to teach His Word: I agree. And because of this, under the direction of and submission to the male leadership of the church, such gifted women should be teaching and preaching to women within the church.

But God has used women mightily through the history of His people? I agree. Let me list just some of the many examples: He used female judges in Israel; prophetesses; and Pricilla, along with her husband, Aquila, in discipling Apollos; But again, the only way to take these and conclude that women should be pastors/elders/overseers in the church is to contradict other clear Scripture. In addition, there are no passages that argue for female leadership within the local church. These examples should prove that women are used mightily for God’s purposes, not to prove the practice of female elders/overseers/pastors within the church.

I know there are many other things that could be said, but I wanted to try to lay out the biblical reasoning for male-only leadership in the offices of elder/overseer/pastor. Please believe me when I say that my decision to teach this has nothing to do with cultural sensibilities, but everything to do with biblical faithfulness. In fact, it would be much easier to capitulate to the current prevailing cultural mindset of no God-given distinctive roles between men and women. However, I do not answer to my culture. I must answer to Scripture.

May I encourage you to prayerful consider this information? Again, I praise God for your walk with the Lord and I am not calling into question your desire to please Him. I am merely encouraging you to consider His mind on this matter. You may also find this website helpful as you investigate the topic further: http://www.cbmw.org/. I would also recommend that you speak to your church leadership to hear their thoughts on these points. My prayer will be that you as well as your church will consider this issue very carefully and biblically."

Important Biblical Truths Regarding Prayer

2011-04-13T23:04:00.000-04:00

Important Biblical Truths Regarding Prayer:

Sunday we looked at Matthew 7:7-11 and “Praying to Our Heavenly Father.” Does this passage and others give us a “blank check” regarding prayer? Yes and no. It is important to know all the biblical statements regarding a topic so we do not come to the wrong conclusion. We truly are given a “blank check” in prayer to our Heavenly Father if these truths are lived out.

§ Pray for spiritual growth in kingdom living (Matthew 5-7).

[Matthew 7:7-11 is embedded in the “Sermon on the Mount” where Jesus is calling for a certain kind of life. Within the context He is saying “ask, seek, knock” in regard to living these truths out.]

§ Pray believing that God will answer (Matthew 21:22; Mark 11:24; James 1:6)

§ Pray knowing that your heavenly Father already knows (Matthew 6:8)

§ Pray knowing that your prayers are only acceptable before God because of Jesus (John 14:13; 14:14; 15:16)

§ Pray according to the will of God (John 15:7; 1 John 5:14)

§ Pray with the right motives (James 4:3)

§ Pray as you live in obedience (1 John 3:22; 1 Peter 3:7)

§ Pray knowing your joy depends on it (John 16:24)

§ Pray knowing that your prayer or lack of prayer matters (James 4:2)

§ Pray knowing that God is able to do abundantly beyond all that we ask or think (Ephesians 3:20)

The Authority of Christ

2011-03-22T22:00:00.000-04:00

Sunday morning at The Bible Church our focus was on Matthew 28:18-20 and Christ’s command to make disciples. Here is the audio. Our boldness and persistence in reaching out to make disciples of all the nations must be informed by Christ’s authority. I thought it might be helpful to read consecutively some of passages of Scripture that speak to the authority of Jesus. My prayer is that reading these verses will encourage us as we pursue obedience in making disciples of all the nations.

Authority recognized and questioned during earthly ministry

§ Matthew 9:8 But when the crowds saw this, they were awestruck, and glorified God, who had given such authority to men.

§ Matthew 21:23 When He entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to Him while He was teaching, and said, "By what authority are You doing these things, and who gave You this authority

§ Mark 11:28 and began saying to Him, "By what authority are You doing these things, or who gave You this authority to do these things?"

§ Matthew 7:28 When Jesus had finished these words, the crowds were amazed at His teaching; ²⁹ for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as their scribes

Authority to give authority

§ Matthew 10:1 Jesus summoned His twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every kind of disease and every kind of sickness.

Authority Enlarged

§ Christ’s Post-Resurrection Authority:

o Psalm 110:1 The LORD says to my Lord: "Sit at My right hand Until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet."

o Philippians 2:6 who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, ⁷ but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. ⁸ Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. ⁹ For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name,

o Acts 10:36 "The word which He sent to the sons of

Israel

, preaching peace through Jesus Christ (He is Lord of all).

§ Christ’s Future Conquering Authority:

o Philippians 2:10 so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

o 1 Corinthians 15:24 then comes the end, when He hands over the kingdom to the God and Father, when He has abolished all rule and all authority and power. ²⁵ For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet. ²⁶ The last enemy that will be abolished is death. ²⁷ For HE HAS PUT ALL THINGS IN SUBJECTION UNDER HIS FEET. But when He says, "All things are put in subjection," it is evident that He is excepted who put all things in subjection to Him. ²⁸ When all things are subjected to Him, then the Son Himself also will be subjected to the One who subjected all things to Him, so that God may be all in all.

Christ’s Giver of Authority

§ God the Father will give Christ the Davidic Throne:

o Luke 1:32 "He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David;

§ God the Father has given all things into Christ’s hand

o John 3:35 "The Father loves the Son and has given all things into His hand.

o John 13:3 Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come forth from God and was going back to God,

o Matthew 11:27 "All things have been handed over to Me by My Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father; nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and anyone to whom the Son wills to reveal Him.

o Revelation 2:27 AND HE SHALL RULE THEM WITH A ROD OF IRON, AS THE VESSELS OF THE POTTER ARE BROKEN TO PIECES, as I also have received authority from My Father; ²⁸ and I will give him the morning star.

§ God the Father has given all judgment to Christ

o John 5:22 "For not even the Father judges anyone, but He has given all judgment to the Son,

o John 5:27 and He gave Him authority to execute judgment, because He is the Son of Man.

§ God the Father has given Christ the right to grant spiritual life

o John 5:26 "For just as the Father has life in Himself, even so He gave to the Son also to have life in Himself

o John 17:2 even as You gave Him authority over all flesh, that to all whom You have given Him, He may give eternal life.

§ God the Father has exalted Christ over all creation

o Ephesians 1:22 And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church,

§ God the Father has given Christ to the Church as its Head

o Ephesians 1:22 And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church,

The God of the Exodus

2010-12-24T23:01:00.000-05:00

The last time I read through the Exodus account it struck me that often we read this account and are focused on the plagues and Pharoah's lack of response-both of which are obviously major parts of the narrative. However, I found it very profitable to ask myself what the Exodus reveals about "the God of the Exodus."
Here are just a few:

Hears Prayer: God hears the cries of His people during suffering
Faithful to His promises: God's response to the cries of His people during suffering is based on what He has promised them.
Jealous for His own glory: God's ultimate concern when responding to the cries of His people is that all parties involved come to know Him as the One true God. He acts in behalf of His own glory.
Sovereign: God is sovereign over nature and people:

Show consideration to everyone?

2010-11-30T22:45:00.000-05:00

It is one thing to say show some consideration to some people. It is an entirely different thing to say "showing every consideration for all men" (Titus 3:2).

How would we every come to do that? One answer is by remembering our "Before Picture":

You can listen a message on Titus 3:3 here: http://nycgrace.org/pages/sermons.aspx?fsId=11&returnUrl=sermons.aspx&itemId=54

Theme: Remembering what we were like before salvation enables us to show every ______________ for all men now.

What were we like before salvation?

We were ignorant of __________________

• Foolish
• Disobedient
• Deceived

We were slaves to our _________________

• Lusts

• Pleasures

We were destructive in ________________
• Manner of life

Malice

Envy

• Results of this manner of life

Hateful

Hating one another

Great Quotes about Scripture

2010-11-28T13:26:00.001-05:00

These are some great quotes complied by Tim Challies today regarding the Word of God. See the whole post here:

One of the many divine qualities of the Bible is that it does not yield its secrets to the irreverent and the censorious.”

—J.I. Packer

“The Word of God well understood and religiously obeyed is the shortest route to spiritual perfection. And we must not select a few favorite passages to the exclusion of others. Nothing less than a whole Bible can make a whole Christian.”

—AW. Tozer

“I hold that the words of Scripture were intended to have one definite sense, and adhere rigidly to it—To say the words do mean a thing merely because they can be tortured into meaning it is a most dishonorable and dangerous way of handling Scripture.”

—J.C. Ryle

“Inasmuch as all Scripture is the product of a single divine mind, interpretation must stay within the bounds of the analogy of Scripture and eschew hypotheses that would correct one Biblical passage by another, whether in the name of progressive revelation or of the imperfect enlightenment of the inspired writer’s mind.”

—The Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy

“We approach Scripture with minds already formed by the mass of accepted opinions and viewpoints with which we have come into contact, in both the Church and the world.It is easy to be unaware that it has happened; it is hard even to begin to realize how profoundly tradition in this sense has moulded us.”

—J.I. Packer

“God sometimes blesses a poor exegesis of a bad translation of a doubtful reading of an obscure verse of a minor prophet.”

—Alan Cole

Characteristics of the Apostle Paul's Thanksgiving

2010-11-25T09:00:00.001-05:00

So what was characterisitc of the Apostle Paul's thanksgiving? Here are the four things that are hard to miss in his thanksgiving in the New Testament: http://nycgrace.org/pages/sermons.aspx?fsId=4&itemId=58

Focused on _________

Centered in _________

Rooted in __________

Rejoicing over __________

Remembering and Praising

2010-11-23T22:45:00.000-05:00

Recently I preached on Psalm 106 at Grace in the morning service. Here is the audio: http://nycgrace.org/pages/sermons.aspx?fsId=4&returnUrl=sermons.aspx&itemId=52

Theme: Remembering God’s past gracious acts toward His people fuels present and future praise.

1. Remembering the history of God’s dealing with His people produces praise of Him (1-

3)
The call for _______________ to the Lord (1)

The inexhaustible nature of the Lord’s praise (2)

The high expectations for the Lord’s people (3)

2. Remembering the History of God’s dealing with His people invites _____________ to Him (4-5)

The content of the petition: Personal experience of corporate favor (4)

The goal of the petition: Personal enjoyment of corporate blessings (5)

3. Remembering the History of God’s dealing with His people _____________ _______

against Him (6-43)

Sins in the present (6)

Sins of the ___________ (7-12)

Sins of the _____________ (13-33)

Sins of ____________ (34-43)

4. Remembering the History of God’s dealing with His people underscores grace from

Him (44-46)

His grace in _____________ their cry (44)

His grace in _____________ His covenant (45)

His grace in _____________ them in captivity (46)

5. Remembering the History of God’s dealing with His people causes prayer for praise of Him (47-48)

The prayer after remembering history (47)

The praise after remembering history (48)

Purposeful Substitution

2010-10-30T21:45:00.000-04:00

Here is a message from Titus 2:14-15 last week regarding two purposes of Christ's substitution on our behalf at the cross.

Devoted to His Interests

2010-10-06T22:43:00.001-04:00

Some time ago I read When I Don't Desire God: How to Fight for Joy by John Piper. It was a great help to me during a time that I was really struggling with my circumstances and having to "fight for joy."

Well, tonight I picked the book up randomly between doing two things and started to thumb through it. On one page I saw a few starred quotes that I had apparently found helpful in the past. It was under the section "How Does The Abiding Word of Christ Lead to Effective Prayers?"

There were two quotes in particular that I had found helpful in the past and that I was encouraged by again tonight (from page 108):

...if you want God to respond to your interests, you must be devoted to his interests. God is God. He does not run the world by hiring the consulting firm called Mankind. He lets us share in the running of the world through prayer to the degree that we live in fellowship with him and are gladly shaped by his heart and goals and purposes.

And another one:

The key to praying with power is to become the kind of persons who do not use God for our ends but are utterly devoted to being used for his ends.

I read this page and in particular these two quotes and thought "that is a really good point." I went about my night, but my thoughts kept coming back to them. And then the Lord sovereignly applied it to my heart and brought me to my knees.

I needed to read that page again because I had slipped into being devoted to my interests more than the Lord's in a particular area of my life. I had started to use God in my prayer for my own ends rather than being completely at His disposal in my spirit.

God is good. I needed this and He is sovereign-I picked that book up randomly. But as the lot was cast in the lap God ordained its every turn (Prov. 16:33).

Limited?

2010-10-02T17:59:00.000-04:00

The other day I was working through my Bible reading plan. One chapter that I was to read was Joshua 7. It wasn't until later that evening that I realized I actually read Judges 7 instead (please don't judge me-at that point sleep was on the "not so much side" because of Karis.

The Lord had a blessing in store for me though through this providential mistake. Judges 7 records the account of Gideon being told to cut down his army to 300 men. Judges 7:2 gives the reason for this downsizing: Judges 7:2 The LORD said to Gideon, "The people who are with you are too many for Me to give Midian into their hands, for Israel would become boastful, saying, 'My own power has delivered me.'

The foremost consideration for the Lord was His own glory. He had already determined to bring about victory-that was an impending reality based on His covenant with His people. But victory was not enough. The Lord was interested in how the victory happened.
Rather than His people boasting in their own ability He wanted them to be boasting in their Lord's ability. Asking Gideon to cut down the army to 300 makes no sense apart from this realization.
This reveals something about the Lord's character and is highly helpful to interpret what God is often doing in our lives.

Ever feel like your circumstances are limiting your ability to accomplish what you know the Lord has given you to do? Time, money, space, relationships, etc.?
Just remember that your God often delights to glorify Himself by bringing about victory or success through people who are severely limited. He is glorified when we overcome and have no other person or thing to thank than Himself.
And before we think this disposition of the Lord to be egotistical, remember that He has so designed things that when He is most glorified by a life we are assured that our best is enfolded into His glory. His glory sovereignly includes the greatest good for us.
Feeling incapable of carrying out your responsibilities in God's will for your life? Remember who your God is-you never know what He is doing with your limited ___________, but you can be assured that it will bring Him glory and be the best for you. Lets just get on board and see Him display His glory.

Helpful Words on a Sensitive Topic

2010-09-06T10:56:00.000-04:00

Google Ad Out to Get Osteen

2010-08-07T18:34:00.001-04:00

Today I was readying my email in gmail and something caught my eye. It was a google ad on the right hand of the screen that mentioned Michael Horton and Joel Osteen. Someone is paying per-click so that people read this article. I am glad they are doing that-whoever they are.

Specifically it was Michale Horton writing against the Joel Osteen gospel. I recommend that you read it. Here is the opening paragraph:

"Name it, claim it"; the "health-and-wealth" or "prosperity gospel" : these are nicknames

for a heresy that in many respects is only an extreme version of perhaps the most typical focus of American Christianity today more generally. Basically, God is there for you and

your happiness. He has some rules and principles for getting what you want out of life and if you follow them, you can have what you want. Just "declare it" and prosperity will come to you. (1) God as Personal Shopper.

Tough and Tender

2010-07-29T06:00:00.000-04:00

These are some great words regarding John Newton. You can read the whole excerpt from the message by John Piper here.

This is just one paragraph:

I dream of such pastors. I would like to be one someday. A pastor whose might in the truth is matched by his meekness. Whose theological acumen is matched by his manifest contrition. Whose heights of intellect are matched by his depths of humility. Yes, and the other way around! A pastor whose relational warmth is matched by his rigor of study, whose bent toward mercy is matched by the vigilance of his biblical discernment, and whose sense of humor is exceeded by the seriousness of his calling.

Mortality

2010-07-26T06:00:00.003-04:00

There are some highly edifying comments in this clip from Matt Chandler about suffering. Especially the aspect of his being aware of his own mortality.

HT: Justin Taylor

Abortion

2010-07-24T23:18:00.002-04:00

Apostles in the church today?

2010-07-18T21:45:00.001-04:00

Recently I mentioned to someone that the office of the apostle is no longer in function within the church. Needless to say the person was not happy with my view.

In this person's view I was...

Twisting Scripture because clearly apostles are in the church according to the New Testament.
Responsible for my errant teaching.
In danger of being blotted out of the book of life (Rev. 22:19 was given as proof).

Well the person was not in a receptive mood so I didn't really get a chance to defend my position. I always find conversations like this helpful as they afford me the opportunity to brush up on the Scriptural arguments for a given position.

Below is a brief summary of the issue. I found Grudem's Systematic Theology to be extremely helpful and much of this material is gleaned from that source.

Defining the word Apostle:

Broad definition: “effective church planter, or to a significant missionary pioneer” (Grudem, 906).

Broad usages in NT:

Philippians 2:25 But I thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger and minister to my need;
2 Corinthians 8:23 As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker among you; as for our brethren, they are messengers of the churches, a glory to Christ.
John 13:16 “Truly, truly, I say to you, a slave is not greater than his master, nor is one who is sent greater than the one who sent him.

Narrow definition: The term for a special office in the foundation of the church.

What was the authority of an apostle?

“Had a unique kind of authority in the early church: authority to speak and write words which were ‘words of god’ in an absolute sense” (Grudem, 905).
Authority to write words that became Scripture:

1 Corinthians 14:37 If anyone thinks he is a prophet or spiritual, let him recognize that the things which I write to you are the Lord's commandment.
Romans 2:16 on the day when, according to my gospel, God will judge the secrets of men through Christ Jesus.
Galatians 1:8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed! 9 As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed!
1 Thessalonians 2:13 For this reason we also constantly thank God that when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the word of God, which also performs its work in you who believe.
1 Thessalonians 4:8 So, he who rejects this is not rejecting man but the God who gives His Holy Spirit to you.
1 Thessalonians 4:15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep.
1 Thessalonians 5:27 I adjure you by the Lord to have this letter read to all the brethren.
2 Thessalonians 3:6 Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from every brother who leads an unruly life and not according to the tradition which you received from us.
2 Thessalonians 3:14 If anyone does not obey our instruction in this letter, take special note of that person and do not associate with him, so that he will be put to shame.

Words on par with the Word of God in the OT:

2 Peter 3:16 as also in all his letters, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which the untaught and unstable distort, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction.
1 Timothy 5:17 The elders who rule well are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching. 18 For the Scripture says, "YOU SHALL NOT MUZZLE THE OX WHILE HE IS THRESHING," and "The laborer is worthy of his wages."

What were the qualifications of an apostle?

Eyewitness of Jesus after his resurrection

Acts 1:22 beginning with the baptism of John until the day that He was taken up from us-- one of these must become a witness with us of His resurrection."
Acts 1:1 The first account I composed, Theophilus, about all that Jesus began to do and teach, 2 until the day when He was taken up to heaven, after He had by the Holy Spirit given orders to the apostles whom He had chosen. 3 To these He also presented Himself alive after His suffering, by many convincing proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days and speaking of the things concerning the kingdom of God.
Acts 4:33 And with great power the apostles were giving testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and abundant grace was upon them all.
Paul’s defense of his apostleship based on witnessing the resurrected Jesus

Acts 9:5 And he said, "Who are You, Lord?" And He said, "I am Jesus whom you are persecuting, 6 but get up and enter the city, and it will be told you what you must do."
Acts 26:15 "And I said, 'Who are You, Lord?' And the Lord said, 'I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. 16 'But get up and stand on your feet; for this purpose I have appeared to you, to appoint you a minister and a witness
1 Corinthians 9:1 Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you not my work in the Lord?
1 Corinthians 15:7 then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles; 8 and last of all, as to one untimely born, He appeared to me also. 9 For I am the least of the apostles, and not fit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

Commissioned by Jesus as his apostle

The disciples are called “apostles” when Jesus is commissioning them:

Matthew 10:1 Jesus summoned His twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every kind of disease and every kind of sickness. 2 Now the names of the twelve apostles are these: The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; and James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; 3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; 4 Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, the one who betrayed Him. 5 These twelve Jesus sent out after instructing them: "Do not go in the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter any city of the Samaritans; 6 but rather go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 7 "And as you go, preach, saying, 'The kingdom of heaven is at hand.'
Acts 1:8 but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth."
Acts 1:24 And they prayed and said, "You, Lord, who know the hearts of all men, show which one of these two You have chosen 25 to occupy this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place." 26 And they drew lots for them, and the lot fell to Matthias; and he was added to the eleven apostles.
Acts 26:16 'But get up and stand on your feet; for this purpose I have appeared to you, to appoint you a minister and a witness not only to the things which you have seen, but also to the things in which I will appear to you; 17 rescuing you from the Jewish people and from the Gentiles, to whom I am sending you,

Who were the apostles?

The original eleven disciples plus Matthias who replaced Judas (Acts 1:26).
Paul and Barnabas (Acts 14:14)
James the brother of Jesus (Gal. 2:9)
May have been more than fifteen, but we know nothing of them

So are apostles for today? If you mean the specific office of apostle in the early church then you would have to say…

There is special revelation today: In other words, there are people today who have the authority to speak the very words of God not recorded in Scripture, but received as new special revelation. As such these words would be authoritative and normative for all believers of all times. They would be the very words of God.
That people today actually see (in person) the resurrected Lord.
That people not only have seen the resurrected Lord today, but they have been specifically appointed by the Lord to be in the office of apostle.

Here are my reasons that the office of the apostle is no longer functioning within the church today:

I believe that the cannon of Scripture is closed and complete
I believe that Paul implied that he was the last apostle (1 Cor 15:7)
I believe that they held an official function within the history of the church: That of laying the foundation of the church through the proclamation of the truth-the gospel of Jesus Christ who is the cornerstone (Eph. 2:20). Foundations are only laid once.
I believe that the qualifications of being an apostle rule out apostles for today because…

People do not see Jesus today. He ascended to heaven and will return one day. To say that he reveals himself to people today would to make a claim for special revelation.
People do not have audible special revelations from God about their calling. No one can be commissioned like the apostles were commissioned.

So why does the bible speak about apostles as if they are still functioning?

Because they were still functioning during the writing of the New Testament.
Because they were part of the history and foundation of the church. It only makes sense that God would explain how He has worked in the church throughout the ages.

Instructions of Grace in the School of Grace

2010-07-14T14:25:00.000-04:00

Two Sundays ago I started a series on Titus in our afternoon service at Grace Baptist Church.

You can listen to the sermon here.

Below are notes associated with this introductory message on Titus.

Theme: Instructions of grace in the school of grace-the church.

Two main emphases:

Doctrine: Has to do with the teachings of the church
Practice: Has to do with the conduct of the church

The two emphases are connected in an essential way

Doctrine, specifically the gospel, s presented as the basis for practice.
Right practice flows out of right doctrine.

2:1ff certain conduct. Why? For the grace of God instructs (2:12-13)
3:3: we are gracious to sinners because we also once were unsaved sinners, but then the kindness of God came and he saved us.

Outline for Titus: Instructions of grace in the school of grace-the church:

The founding of the school of grace (1:1-4)

When was this school of grace planned? “Promised long ages ago.” (1:2)

The leadership of the school of grace (1:5-9)

Paul left Titus to “appoint elders” and he gives him their qualifications (1:5)

The danger facing the school of grace (1:10-16)

The elders must be able to “exhort in sound doctrine and to refute” because (2:1) “there are many rebellious men”

The fitting gospel conduct of the school of grace (2:1-3:11)

There are certain characteristics and patterns of behavior that is “fitting to sound doctrine” (2:1)

The fruit of the school of grace (3:12-15)

"Our people must also learn to meet pressing needs so that they will not be unfruitful" (3:14).

Why we need this book:

We need to be absolutely convinced that gospel grace is indispensable within this church.
We need to be reminded that this church is part of God’s promised plan before this world existed.
We need to know how to evaluate the required character of leadership within the church.
We need t o know how to deal with false teachers in the church.
We need to know conduct that is fitting for sound doctrine in the various stages and circumstances of life.
We need to know what is good and profitable for the church.
We need to be challenged to meet pressing needs.

Karis Ann Brackbill

2010-07-12T20:54:00.001-04:00

So blogging has been spotty recently for good reason. Karis Ann gave us a false alarm on July 1st and gave the real deal on July 7th.

She was born at 10:54pm weighing 7.3lbs and 20 inches.

Here are some praises that we have been recounting to the Lord:
1. It became clear that Sarah was going to have the baby while Sarah was in the doctor's office getting a checkup.
2. We already had the children being taken care of at our apartment so we didn't have to wait for child care to show up.
3. I was able to make it back from Manhattan in time.
4. Traffic was bad, but was moving and we got to the hospital on time.
5. Their were no problems during the delivery.
6. The greatest praise is that we have another soul to labor with for the sake of the gospel.

3 Good Reminders About The Church

2010-06-27T06:00:00.000-04:00

Here are three good reminders about the church:

1. 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 is a warning to those who would destroy the church. Chris Anderson gives a good reminder based on this passage here.

2. The church is the bride of Christ. Challies gives a good reminder that there is reason to be hopeful about the church based on this truth.

3. Kevin DeYoung preached recently at the NEXT conference on the church. I highly recommend listening to it to encourage your commitment to the church. You can get it here. I often find Kevin's blog insightful and clearly focused on Scripture.

Here are notes from the message:

If we are to grow in our love and commitment to the local church:
1. We need to ask the right questions

Are we believing the gospel?
Are we getting the gospel out?
Are we getting the gospel right?
Are we adorning the gospel with good works?
Are we praying for the work of the gospel?
Are we training up our own children in the gospel?
Are we trusting in God's sovereignty in the gospel?

2. We need to have the right expectations: This must be informed by the doctrine of original sin
[Luther said we are simultaneously justified and sinners]

Remembering original sin keeps us on target: Our need of a Savior
Remembering original sin forces us to take a more honest look at ourselves (rather than focus on the problems of those around us).

3. We need to establish the right vision

We need fewer revolutionaries and a few more plodding visionaries
We need to be careful about despising the day of small things
We need follow through in the ordinary aspects of faithful church ministry
We need to establish a pace that can be maintained for a life time, not just for a short time and then crash and burn

The One Inestimable Gift

2010-06-26T06:00:00.002-04:00

Truly "God is valuable for His own sake."

If we have regarded religion merely as a means of getting things — even lofty and unselfish things — then when the things that have been gotten are destroyed, our faith will fail. When loved ones are taken away, when disappointment comes and failure, when noble ambitions are set at naught, then we turn away from God. We have tried religion, we say, we have tried prayer, and it has failed. Of course it has failed! God is not content to be an instrument in our hand or a servant at our beck and call.

Has it never dawned on us that God is valuable for His own sake, that just as personal communion is the highest thing that we know on earth, so personal communion with God is the sublimest height of all? If we value God for His own sake, then the loss of other things will draw us all the closer to Him; we shall then have recourse to Him in time of trouble as to the shadow of a great rock in a weary land. If here and now we have the one inestimable gift of God’s presence and favour, then all the rest can wait till God’s good time.

—J. Gresham Machen, What Is Faith? (Edinburgh: Banner of Truth, 1991), 73-74

HT: Of First Importance

Is It OK for Moms to Have Jobs Outside of the Home?

2010-06-25T09:52:00.002-04:00

I appreciate the careful answer given here by Piper. By careful I mean acknowledging that there may be exceptions (I would add that God's grace is sufficient in circumstances that don't make this possible). I don't mean "careful" in the sense of avoiding the clear biblical teaching regarding the mother's priority. He clearly highlights that priority and I think that faithfulness to the Word of God requires this.

The Life Long Task: God's Gift of Marriage

2010-06-23T13:56:00.001-04:00

How do you view marriage? Here are two different perspectives.

Several weeks ago Caleb and I had a discussion about growing up. He asked if his sister (Felicity) would be his wife. I said no, but that he would marry someone else. His response was "yes, God will give me a wife."

In a recent article entitled "Why Gore breakup touched a nerve" the author of the article recounts this:

One woman called in to a radio show I was on and said plaintively, 'I thought I could count on my marriage after 22 years. You mean we have to keep working at this for the rest of our lives?

These illustration two important principles:

We would do well to keep my son's view of marriage in mind: Marriage is a gift from God.
We ought to dispense of the idea that good marriages just happen. Instead we ought to labor by God's grace (all the way to the end) to have a great marriage.

Being a mother with young children

2010-06-20T06:00:00.002-04:00

Today is Father's day according to our culture. I for one wish "father's day" and "mother's day" were both on any day of the week other than Sunday since in actuality it is the Lord's day! But that is another post...

But since it is Father's day I will share something I came across yesterday through Andy Naselli at the TGC blog.

These are encouraging words for mother's with young children via an interview with Carson:

Martyn Lloyd-Jones once spoke with a group of medical students who complained that in the midst of their training and the ferocious work hours they really didn’t even have time to read the Bible and have their devotions and so on. He bristled and said, “I am a doctor. I have been where you are. You have time for what you want to do.” After a long pause he said, “I make only one exception: the mother of preschool-aged children does not have time and emotional resources.”
It is important to recognize, too, that there are stages of life where you really don’t have time to do much, and you shouldn’t feel guilty about it. Children will sap you. If you have three children under the age of six, forget serious reading unless you have the money for a nanny. When our youngest finally went off to kindergarten, we celebrated that day—I took my wife out for lunch. Only then could she get back into reading again. It’s the way life is. You have to be realistic.

It is hard with young children for father's to do all that they would like to do in this area. It is even harder for mothers. Here are some questions for father to answer in reference to this reality:

Do we realize how difficult this is for our wives?
Do we try to free them up when possible?
Do we recognize the importance of leading our wives through this hard time period spiritually?
What are we doing to lead them through it?
Are there any deliberate ways that we are "persevering" through this inherent weakness?
Are we concerned enough to take some of the "hit" ourselves so that our wives can pursue Christ?

We can even minister to our wives by encouraging them that this is a normal struggle and that eventually this will be easier than it is now. These are not words to sanction laziness in this area. They are words that acknowledge the universal struggle of mothers with young children and words that should spur fathers to creative thinking and planning on assisting them in this struggle.

HT: The Gospel Coalition Blog