We're off for another long hot journey with the boy, but minus Caleb the dog, who is sadly in kennels. We drive to my parents' home in Cardiff tonight (where the interweb and mobile phones continue to work).
Tomorrow Mrs Lloyd is having her first day off from looking after the boy and we are off to the beech, then out for supper in Whitchurch.
D.v. I will marry my sister on Friday at 1pm at the Parish Church of St Mary's a few minutes walk from my parents'.
Post contains spoilers!
We are singing Guide Me O Thou Great Jehovah and I will preach on love from 1 Cor 13, Jn 15 and 1 Jn.
Real love is unconditional and permenant and does not depend on loveliness.
Real love is impossible to us. We need God's forgiveness and help.
Jesus loves us, as unlovely as we are, died for us to forgive us and be our example and help.
Copies of 2 Ways to Live available!
I am thinking of quoting the Beatles ("When I'm 64...") and Shakespeare ("Love is an ever fixed mark...").
As its my first wedding with 100s of non-Christians, I'd value your prayers, please.
Full audio available afterwards d.v..
Back to Eastbourne on Sunday to go to Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans in London on Monday!
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
True, Good, Beautiful
The Christian faith is true, of course. Right. Good. But how wonderful too that it is good and beautiful. It works.
Edwards on Preaching
Some quotes from Revd Jonathan Edwards culled from Revd Dr Steve Jeffery:
If it be so, that true religion lies much in the affections, hence we may infer, that such means are to be desired, as have much of a tendency to move the affections. Such books, and such a way of preaching the Word, and administration of ordinances, and such a way of worshiping God in prayer, and singing praises, is much to be desired, as has a tendency deeply to affect the hearts of those who attend these means.
The affections are no other than the more vigorous and sensible exercised of the inclination
and will of the soul.
Holy affections are not heat without light; but evermore arise from some information of the
understanding, some spiritual instruction that the mind receives, some light or actual
knowledge.
God, in his Word, greatly insists upon it, that we be in good earnest, fervent in spirit, and our
hearts vigorously engaged in religion.
I am bold to assert, that there never was any considerable change wrought in the mind or
conversation of any one person, by anything of a religious nature, that ever he read, heard or
saw, that had not his affections moved.
The Holy Scriptures do everywhere place religion very much in the affections; such as fear,
hope, love, hatred, desire, joy, sorrow, gratitude, compassion and zeal.
He whom God send into the world, to be … the perfect example of true religion and virtue, for
the imitation of all … was a person who was remarkably of a tender and affectionate heart;
and his virtue was expressed very much in the exercise of holy affections.
‘The religion of heaven,’ where there is doubtless true religion, ‘consists very much in
affection; and therefore undoubtedly, true religion consists very much in affection.’
‘The nature and design of the ordinances and duties, which God hath appointed, as means and
expressions of true religion’ appear to be designed to stimulate the affections.
‘Tis an evidence that true religion, or holiness of heart, lies very much in the affection of the
heart, that the Scriptures place the sin of the heart very much in hardness of heart.
By a hard heart, is plainly meant an unaffected heart, or a heart not easy to be moved with
virtuous affections.
If it be so, that true religion lies much in the affections, hence we may infer, that such means are to be desired, as have much of a tendency to move the affections. Such books, and such a way of preaching the Word, and administration of ordinances, and such a way of worshiping God in prayer, and singing praises, is much to be desired, as has a tendency deeply to affect the hearts of those who attend these means.
The affections are no other than the more vigorous and sensible exercised of the inclination
and will of the soul.
Holy affections are not heat without light; but evermore arise from some information of the
understanding, some spiritual instruction that the mind receives, some light or actual
knowledge.
God, in his Word, greatly insists upon it, that we be in good earnest, fervent in spirit, and our
hearts vigorously engaged in religion.
I am bold to assert, that there never was any considerable change wrought in the mind or
conversation of any one person, by anything of a religious nature, that ever he read, heard or
saw, that had not his affections moved.
The Holy Scriptures do everywhere place religion very much in the affections; such as fear,
hope, love, hatred, desire, joy, sorrow, gratitude, compassion and zeal.
He whom God send into the world, to be … the perfect example of true religion and virtue, for
the imitation of all … was a person who was remarkably of a tender and affectionate heart;
and his virtue was expressed very much in the exercise of holy affections.
‘The religion of heaven,’ where there is doubtless true religion, ‘consists very much in
affection; and therefore undoubtedly, true religion consists very much in affection.’
‘The nature and design of the ordinances and duties, which God hath appointed, as means and
expressions of true religion’ appear to be designed to stimulate the affections.
‘Tis an evidence that true religion, or holiness of heart, lies very much in the affection of the
heart, that the Scriptures place the sin of the heart very much in hardness of heart.
By a hard heart, is plainly meant an unaffected heart, or a heart not easy to be moved with
virtuous affections.
The OT retired?
"The Old Testament is not the Word of God Emeritus!"
Douglas Wilson, The Blenheim Lectures, 'The Gospel and Your Government'
Douglas Wilson, The Blenheim Lectures, 'The Gospel and Your Government'
The GREAT commission
When we consider the greatness of the great commission we need not worry about overdoing the depth and extent of gospel mission.
Wedding & Marriage
Your marriage is infinitely more important than your wedding.
Your wedding day lasts 24 hours, your marriage might last 24 years, 48 years, longer.
Your wedding is only for the sake of your marriage.
Think of the thought, time, effort, money, energy, talk and work you have put into your wedding day. Will you put even more effort into your on-going marriage? If you don't it will be a tragedy and your marriage will fail to be all that it could be.
I hope your wedding day is fantastic, brilliant, "perfect". But I don't hope its "the best day of your life". What about the next day? I hope married life just gets better and better, though there will be difficulties and struggles all the way.
Marriage is for better or for worse, but try to make it better.
Your wedding day lasts 24 hours, your marriage might last 24 years, 48 years, longer.
Your wedding is only for the sake of your marriage.
Think of the thought, time, effort, money, energy, talk and work you have put into your wedding day. Will you put even more effort into your on-going marriage? If you don't it will be a tragedy and your marriage will fail to be all that it could be.
I hope your wedding day is fantastic, brilliant, "perfect". But I don't hope its "the best day of your life". What about the next day? I hope married life just gets better and better, though there will be difficulties and struggles all the way.
Marriage is for better or for worse, but try to make it better.
Do it today
You are only likely to die well if you live well.
A man cannot be a selfish slob every day in the trivial tiny things and then expect to play the hero and through himself under a train on the great day of crisis. Humble self sacrificial responsibility authority and initiative must begin today.
A man cannot be a selfish slob every day in the trivial tiny things and then expect to play the hero and through himself under a train on the great day of crisis. Humble self sacrificial responsibility authority and initiative must begin today.
Application
"All this may sound grand and theological. Let us proceed to particulars. Let us leave off preaching and proceed to meddelling!"
:)
Revd Douglas Wilson, Blenheim Lectures, 'The Gospel and Your Family'
:)
Revd Douglas Wilson, Blenheim Lectures, 'The Gospel and Your Family'
Eggs and omelets
You can't make an omelet without breaking eggs. But you can break many eggs without making an omelet!
Jesus my little helper
Jesus is not a pill or a 12 step programme or an invisible therapist. But take him as your King and he will begin to put your life back together and use it for his kingdom.
Don't make her no 1
If you put your wife first, you rip her off. Put Jesus no 1 and then you will be more able to love your wife as you should. Wives make terrible idols but great lovers. Serve your wife, but above all, serve Jesus. He will help you to serve her.
Murderous judgements
Abortion is a suicidal frenzy. The wrath of God is coming against it. But abortion itself is also a judgement of God. Is that not obvious? How could it be otherwise? These people are so mad that they will murder their own babies and God will let them do it. He will give them over to it. They must be under the judgement of God. (See Romans 1).
On the first day
It really matters that Sunday is the first day of the week. Sabbath rest and the resurrection of Jesus the Christ sets the agenda for the week. Going to work on Monday morning is not the heartbeat of life. Sunday morning is the first thing. We must keep it primary. Church is not a weekend club activity. Day One!
BCE / CE
BCE - Before the Common Era? Heaven forbid! Before Christ's Empire. Amen.
CE - The Common Era. No. Christ's Empire. Praise Him!
CE - The Common Era. No. Christ's Empire. Praise Him!
The Blenheim Manifesto
In the Blenheim Lectures, Rev'd Douglas Wilson sets out what the Federal Vision (FV) should mean for the UK. He addresses the gospel and your church, family and nation and then gives 2 autobiographical sketches about his ministry. The 5 talks are available for free MP3 download or can be purchased on CD.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Emphasis
Revd Prof John Frame has pointed out the danger and weakness for criticising someone or something for their emphasis.
To do so assumes that the author has claimed to be comprehensive or definitive, or that we know the whole.
There can be many reasons for an emphasis arising from speakers or hearers (needs, interests, aptitudes, temperament, times).
For example, an Old Testament scholar who rights three 800 page books on Obadiah may not be overemphasising it. A preacher who only ever preached from Obadiah to his regular congregation would be.
Far better to take each point on its own and say why it is wrong if we want to criticise something.
To do so assumes that the author has claimed to be comprehensive or definitive, or that we know the whole.
There can be many reasons for an emphasis arising from speakers or hearers (needs, interests, aptitudes, temperament, times).
For example, an Old Testament scholar who rights three 800 page books on Obadiah may not be overemphasising it. A preacher who only ever preached from Obadiah to his regular congregation would be.
Far better to take each point on its own and say why it is wrong if we want to criticise something.
The New Perspective on Paul
Some of the comments I made below regarding the so-called Federal Vision (FV) could equally be made about the so-called New Perspective on Paul (NPP) with which FV has sometimes been associated.
We must distinguish between E. P. Sanders, Jimmy Dunn, Tom Wright and others, and them and FVers.
I hold firmly to, preach and regularly defend the Reformation and post-Reformation "sola"s of salvation in Christ alone, by grace alone, through faith alone, to the glory of God alone and to sola Scriptura, but I think there are things to learn from NPP, not least a more corporate understanding of salvation.
Go for the corporate and you get the individual thrown in. Stick with the individual and you may never get the corporate.
We may also distinguish:
(1) What Paul meant
(2) What Luther said
And debate whether or not (2) necessarily follows from (1). I think it does! But Luther was not Paul.
There is some value in trying the read Paul as a Jew against the background of Second Temple Judaism with reference to Inter-testamental and 1st Century literarture. But in so doing, no one need sell out on the Reformation, go over to Rome or give up on the gospel.
We must distinguish between E. P. Sanders, Jimmy Dunn, Tom Wright and others, and them and FVers.
I hold firmly to, preach and regularly defend the Reformation and post-Reformation "sola"s of salvation in Christ alone, by grace alone, through faith alone, to the glory of God alone and to sola Scriptura, but I think there are things to learn from NPP, not least a more corporate understanding of salvation.
Go for the corporate and you get the individual thrown in. Stick with the individual and you may never get the corporate.
We may also distinguish:
(1) What Paul meant
(2) What Luther said
And debate whether or not (2) necessarily follows from (1). I think it does! But Luther was not Paul.
There is some value in trying the read Paul as a Jew against the background of Second Temple Judaism with reference to Inter-testamental and 1st Century literarture. But in so doing, no one need sell out on the Reformation, go over to Rome or give up on the gospel.
Learning from New Frontiers
I have some issues with New Frontiers. I am more or less a cessationist.
But I must say I was blessed to attend The Gate Way Church in Leeds on Sunday morning. They are Reformed Bible-believers. The worship was lively and encouraging. The youth band did a very good job, I thought, with the A-team away. The welcome was excellent. The coffee and biscuits good. The meeting was well "ancoured" (that means "led"). The sermon was long. I didn't hear it as I was in creche. It contained an excellent introduction to John 7 and the significance of the Feast, according to Mrs Lloyd, and can be heard online. The children's talk, on Saul going into a cave for a wee was fantastic and I plan to copy it. Delivery amazing.
I was impressed by 3 different coloured T-shirts: "Steward"; "Welocme. New? Speak to me"; "Children's Worker". The registration system for kids and their Guardians was great.
I don't agree with them but they are brothers with lots to teach us. They do their thing brilliantly. We need to work together and respect one another as fellow-labourers in our Master's Vineyard.
But I must say I was blessed to attend The Gate Way Church in Leeds on Sunday morning. They are Reformed Bible-believers. The worship was lively and encouraging. The youth band did a very good job, I thought, with the A-team away. The welcome was excellent. The coffee and biscuits good. The meeting was well "ancoured" (that means "led"). The sermon was long. I didn't hear it as I was in creche. It contained an excellent introduction to John 7 and the significance of the Feast, according to Mrs Lloyd, and can be heard online. The children's talk, on Saul going into a cave for a wee was fantastic and I plan to copy it. Delivery amazing.
I was impressed by 3 different coloured T-shirts: "Steward"; "Welocme. New? Speak to me"; "Children's Worker". The registration system for kids and their Guardians was great.
I don't agree with them but they are brothers with lots to teach us. They do their thing brilliantly. We need to work together and respect one another as fellow-labourers in our Master's Vineyard.
The Federal Visions
One of the many things that one could say about the so-called Federal Vision (FV) is that there is some disagreement amongst proponents on the Federal Vision. There is not one set FV dogma or detailed blueprint but a conversation, a group of concerns, questions and suggestions.
As far as I know, no FVer has ever said that the FV is the be all and end all.
No doubt there are dangers in the FVs as there are in all things but under God I think there are some things that might be learnt from some FVers. Even if you don't like all their answers, you might find some of their questions stimulating. I would say, "don't panic". FV does not equal RC and need not lead in that direction. Just as FV is not the gospel neither is it Another Gospel!
I'd suggest this Joint Statement is an excellent place to start in getting a grip on some of the things that FVers have said in the US and which we may see more of in the UK.
As far as I know, no FVer has ever said that the FV is the be all and end all.
No doubt there are dangers in the FVs as there are in all things but under God I think there are some things that might be learnt from some FVers. Even if you don't like all their answers, you might find some of their questions stimulating. I would say, "don't panic". FV does not equal RC and need not lead in that direction. Just as FV is not the gospel neither is it Another Gospel!
I'd suggest this Joint Statement is an excellent place to start in getting a grip on some of the things that FVers have said in the US and which we may see more of in the UK.
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