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Gospel Growth
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A Necessary Preaching Distinction: Extemoraneous vs. Impromptu vs. Manuscript Preaching
I understand that preaching for all of us preachers is personal and something we all desire to improve on with God grace and calling. Michael Gerson’s recent article, What the Teleprompter Teaches, on President Obama’s use teleprompters, and well-crafted words can teach us important lessons. Gerson argues that teleprompters have increased a President’s disciplined thought and communication. Josh Harris says preachers should learn from this and pursue a more disciplined approach to communicating Scripture. Writing is very important for a preacher of the Gospel. Great Writing hones our preaching. We need to spend time in the study reading and writing
Idol Factory
All of our hearts are idol factories . Richard Gaffin has said “Because we are, each of us, the image of God, we will worship, in fact we must worship, someone or something, either our original, as we should, or, with the illusion that we are the original or our own ultimate point of reference, ourselves. If the latter, we will give ourselves over, with the full, still efficient resources of our imaging capacities, to some figment, some distorted image, focused on ourselves or on some aspect of the world, ultimately seen as an extension of ourselves. What Calvin observed
Where to Start Reading: 40 Suggestions
For the beginning of a well-rounded biblical education for laypersons and leaders Monergism.com recommends the following 40 Books to get started with. These books are theologically sound and devotionally enriching. Knowing God – J.I. PackerTruth For All Time – John CalvinThe Everlasting Righteousness – Horatius BonarThe Holy Spirit – John Owen Chosen For Life – Sam Storms When Grace Comes Home by Terry Johnson Saved by Grace – Anthony HoekemaSovereignty of God – A W PinkCrook in the Lot by Thomas BostonThe Christian in Complete Armour by William GurnallThe Bruised Reed by Richard SibbesBondage of the Will – Martin LutherThe
John Piper’s Heart in the 2008 Election
Here is a great perspective on the election. see also www.disciplemaking.net
A Basic Principle of Interpretation – The Absolute Inspiration of the Scriptures
A Basic Principle of Interpretation – The Absolute Inspiration of the Scriptures We must come to understand and start with the principle concerning the Bible. In Baptist Confessions the first statement of faith is always the Bible because without a proper view of Scripture, Biblical Interpretation is impossible. This is also where dialogue usually gets side track because people have different views of the authority and inspiration of Scripture. So you may be asking: “What is the Christian doctrine on the Scriptures?” In a sentence the Christian doctrine of the Bible is: …the verbal, plenary, inspiration of the infallible, inerrant
Philippians 2.12-18 – Working Out Salvation
God is going to get the glory either in our salvation or in judgment (see Rom. 14). Now that Paul has raised this high Christology he gets practical how what we do in living humbly. Paul gives moree explicit directive as to what it means to live humbly and how we must live out a humble live in the midst of community. We are commanded here to work out our salvation (sanctification) which is our responsibility, but in a way that give God the credit for working in us. This is not a matter of synergism between me and God
Philippians 2.9-11 – From Humility to Exaltation
The best way to see the exaltation of Christ is to view it on the backdrop of his humiliation in heaven, in incarnation, and in death. Humiliation does not mean embarrassment, slavish service, wimpiness, lack of boldness or ambition or the prideful pursuit of spirituality. We see that in this text that God exaltation of Christ is past (v. 9) and future (vv. 10-11). In the past God super exalted Christ at the right hand of the Father to the glory he had before the world was created. The Lamb of God is worthy and is given a name that
Philippians 1.27-30 – Heavenly Citizenship
The Life we live matters. Today when people want to define what an Evangelical is we often forget that the Lordship of Christ extends to every area of our lives. We tend to focus on here and now when as Christians we should focus on our heavenly citizenship. We are heirs of the King, but far too often we seek the benefits of this world rather than the heavenly kingdom of which we claim we want to spend eternity. Why would anyone want to have a heavenly citizenship without holiness is just a reflection of how anemic and weak American
Philippians 1.3-6 – Gospel Participation Produces Joyous Affection
In American Society we are tempted to domesticate the Gospel through secularization, self-indulgence, and pluralism. We don’t want to abandon Christianity but we marginalize and privatize it. We are more concerned about being comfortable and secure than with the truth of the Gospel. Paul’s thanksgiving was joyful in the fact that the Philippians did not marginalize the Gospel of Christ but in fact participated in it. Gospel Fellowship always exceeds all earthly fellowship because it is rooted in God in an eternal quest. We see Paul’s thanksgiving grounded in 3 things: 1) A Thankful Remembrance, 2) A Thankful Fellowship, and
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Glenn Leatherman
I am first of all a disciple and follower of Jesus Christ. I affirm Evangelical Christian beliefs as well as Gospel driven in philosophy of ministry. I am married to Ann and am raising 2 wonderful boys – Jonathan and Andrew. My purpose is to build disciplemaking disciples that are becoming fishers of men in fully displaying of God’s Glory in all things. Learn more