Meditation for Morning Worship

Let us learn, therefore, to magnify this our liberty, which no emperor, no prophet or patriarch, no, nor any angel from heaven has obtained for us, but Jesus Christ the Son of God, by whom all things were created both in heaven and earth. Which liberty He has purchased with no other price than with His own blood, to deliver us, not from any bodily or temporal servitude, but from a spiritual and everlasting bondage under most cruel and invincible tyrants, [that is] the law, sin, death, and the devil, and so to reconcile us to God His Father. Now since these enemies are overcome, and we are reconciled to God by the death of His Son, it is certain that we are righteous before God, and that whatever we do pleases Him. And although there are certain remnants of sin still in us, they are not laid to our charge, but pardoned for Christ’s sake.

–Martin Luther

Weekend Reminders

Happy Reformation weekend! Here’s what’s going on at Heritage:

The Co-Laborers Sunday school class will be having a fellowship in the Teen House on Friday at 6:00 p.m.

Daylight Savings Time ends early Sunday morning. Enjoy your extra hour of sleep!

Pastor Brooks will begin a series on the fruit of the Spirit in the morning (9:30 a.m.) and evening (5:30 p.m.) worship services.

A kitchen certification class will be held Sunday at 4:30 p.m. for anyone wishing to become a team leader for one of our ministries.

L3inC (9th-12 grade) will have a fellowship at the Perez home Sunday after the evening service.

Book Review: The Shadow of the Cross by Walter J. Chantry

Title: The Shadow of the Cross: Studies in Self-Denial

Author: Walter J. Chantry

Publisher: Banner of Truth

ISBN: 0 85151 331 X

Pages: 79

Reviewer: Abe Stratton

Summary

In our culture of self-gratification, comfort, and pleasure, God’s children struggle to set their affections on eternal things; our world and its lusts clamor for our attention. The Shadow of the Cross jolts its readers from self-absorbed thinking and reveals an entirely different (biblical) way of thinking and living. The author addresses Jesus’ command to anyone who would be His disciple – take up your cross and follow me. The book’s short length is attractive; however, its brevity belies its impact. It is a challenging, encouraging, convicting, helpful read for believers who are striving to deny themselves and follow their Master.

Overview

In his opening chapter, Chantry emphasizes that self-denial is foundational in the Christian life. “Though clever devices will make [our] selfishness polite and genteel, all of life outside of Christ is for one thing – self!” (12) “But a vital part of Christ’s intention was to . . . eradicate self-love and implant the love of God in the hearts of men” (14). Thus, “it is because of the sheer delight of living for the glory of Jehovah and the satisfaction of dwelling in the presence of his majestic fellowship that Christians submit to the agonies of self-denial” (14).

In Chapter 2, Chantry turns to an explanation of self-denial. Some believers “feel a sense of dismay [and even false guilt] through a misunderstanding of our Lord’s demand. It is quite possible to have taken up your cross and not to know it. Careful examination of our Lord’s meaning will then be an encouragement” (20).

Lest “some begin to think of Christianity as a grim and undesirable existence” (31), Chantry turns to the joys flowing from self-denial in Chapter 3. He lays before his readers Christ’s example of enduring the cross and despising the shame for the joy that was set before Him. “Just so, the only lasting and fully satisfying joys for any man lie on the other side of the cross” (32).

Throughout the last four chapters, the author illustrates self-denial in several areas of life. Chantry addresses self-denial in Christian liberty, marriage, ministry, and prayer, and he notes that a “’self-centred [sic] Christian’ is a term of impossible contradiction” (57).

Recommendation

This book was a great encouragement to me by clarifying what taking up my cross means. In a materialistic world and more specifically, in a free country, it is hard for me to imagine what kind of cross I am to bear, and it’s difficult for me to picture what “taking up my cross” looks like. Do I go to a third-world country as a missionary? Do I seek to die a martyr? Do I deny myself and my family everyday comforts and necessities?

The Shadow of the Cross first defines what taking up my cross means, and it also asserts some very practical ways in which I can and should take up my cross and follow my Savior. Solidifying this fundamental issue in my mind relieved unnecessary guilt, but it also reminded me that I am still in a desperate struggle to submit to my King, Jesus Christ. May this book encourage and challenge your heart as you seek to follow the path of the One who laid down His life for us!

Purchase The Shadow of the Cross.

—

Abe Stratton is the Pastor of Youth and Young Adult Discipleship for Heritage Bible Church.

A Taste of His Grace: Sanctification – The Growth of the Gospel

Text: Leviticus 20:7-8

Consecrate yourselves, therefore, and be holy, for I am the LORD your God. Keep my statutes and do them; I am the LORD who sanctifies you.

Two minute clip: 091028 – Sanctification

The full sermon, “Sanctification: The Growth of the Gospel,” was preached on March 10, 2002.

HT: Ken Anderson and Clayton Thompson.

How to Encourage Your Pastor

Here‘s a helpful article from Christianity Today that outlines eight ways to encourage your pastor. Here are the main points:

1. Cut the criticism

2. Pray regularly

3. Express appreciation in writing

4. Use your skills to bless

5. Squelch gossip

6. Offer to meet a need

7. Be openly responsive

8. Throw away the measuring stick.

Read the whole thing.

 

HT: Dan Olinger.

Sermon Notes (091025 – PM service)

Summary of Acts

Acts 1-28

Dan Brooks

Introduction: Key word is witnesses.

I. The Subject of the Witness is Christ. (Key points: My witnesses (1:8); 20 times witnesses used in our English Bible; witness applies to the believer 15 times; 60 examples of public and private witness.)

A. Witnesses to the resurrection of Christ.

1. 1:22 – a witness of his resurrection

2. 4:33 – and with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all.

3. 17:18 — he was preaching Jesus and the resurrection

B. Witnesses to the necessity of repentance toward Christ.

1. Ac 2:38 — And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

2. Ac 3:19 — Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out,

3. Ac 8:22 — Repent, therefore, of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you.

4. Ac 11:18 — When they heard these things they fell silent. And they glorified God, saying, “Then to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads to life.”

5. Ac 20:21 — testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.

6. Ac 26:20 — but declared first to those in Damascus, then in Jerusalem and throughout all the region of Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds in keeping with their repentance.

7. Ac 17:30 — The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent

C. Witnesses to the forgiveness of sins in Christ.

1. This is the great privilege of calling all people to repent, in that we offer them full and free forgiveness.

2. Ac 2:38 — And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

3. 5:31

4. Ac 10:43 — To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.

5. Ac 13:38-39 — Let it be known to you therefore, brothers, that through this man forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, and by him everyone who believes is freed from everything from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses.

6. Ac 26:16-18 — But rise and stand upon your feet, for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant and witness to the things in which you have seen me and to those in which I will appear to you, delivering you from your people and from the Gentiles—to whom I am sending you to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.

D. Witnesses to the salvation that is in Christ.

1. Ac 4:12 –And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.

2. Ac 13:47 — For so the Lord has commanded us, saying, I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.

E. Point: Our task is to speak and live for Christ so that all people will know that there is no other name under heaven given among men whereby we might be saved.

1. We are not bearing witness to Heritage Bible Church.

2. We are not bearing witness to our brand of Christianity, as if we desire that the nations of the earth would purchase our preferred brand of laundry detergent over and against all other brands of detergent because we have an “extra whitening” patent that they do not.

F. Point: The Subject of our Witness is Christ.

II. The Scope of the Witness is the World.

A. Jerusalem

B. Judea and Samaria

C. End of the earth

1. Geographic locations: Achaia, Alexandria, Andramyttium, Amphipolis, Antioch in Pisidia, Antioch in Syria, Apolloia, Arabia, Asia, Athens, Attalia, Azotus, Berea, Bithynia, Caesarea, Cappodocia, Cenchrea, Chios, Cilicia, Clauda, Cnidus, Corinth, Cos, Crete, Cyprus, Damascus, Derbe, Egypt, Elam, Ephesus, Ethiopia, Fair Havens, Galatia, Gaza, Iconium, Joppa, Lasea, Libya, Lycaonia, Lydda, Lystra, Macedonia, Malta, Mesopotamia, Media, Myra, Mysia, Nazareth, Neapolis, Pamphylia, Paphos, Parthia, Patara, Perga, Philippi, Phoenicia, Phrygia, Pontus, Puteoli, Ptolemais, Rhegium, Rhodes, Rome, Salamis, Samos, Samothracia, Selucia, Sharon, Sidon, Syracuse, Syria, Tarsus, Thessalonica, Thyatira, Troas, Trogyllium, Tyre.

2. Miscellaneous locations: The Temple, Synagogues, Marketplaces, Highways and roads, Jails, Areopagus at Mars Hill, The School of Tyranus, Private homes, The desert.

III. The Power for Witness is the Spirit.

A. Witnesses empowered by the Holy Spirit.

1. 1:8 — But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you

2. Jews in Jerusalem (2:4)

a. Ac 2:4 — And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.

b. Ac 2:17-18 — And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; even on my male servants and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy.

3. Samaritans (8:17)

4. Gentiles in Caesarea and beyond (10:44)

B. Witnesses filled by the Holy Spirit.

1. Ac 2:4 — And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.

2. Ac 4:8 — Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders,

3. 4:31

C. Witnesses guided by the Holy Spirit.

1. Miraculous guidance of Philip to the Ethiopian (8:29).

2. Extraordinary guidance of Peter to Cornelius (11:12).

3. Ordinary guidance of witnesses like Paul and Barnabas (13:4; 16:6 forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia).

D. Witnesses illuminated by the Holy Spirit.

1. Ac 20:23 — except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me.

2. Ac 21:11 — And coming to us, he took Paul’s belt and bound his own feet and hands and said, “Thus says the Holy Spirit, ‘This is how the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’ ”

IV. The Result of the Witness is Growth.

A. The Word spreads

1. Ac 6:7 — And the word of God continued to increase

2. Ac 12:24 — But the word of God increased and multiplied.

3. Ac 13:49 — And the word of the Lord was spreading throughout the whole region.

4. Ac 19:20 — So the word of the Lord continued to increase and prevail mightily.

B. Individuals are converted.

1. Jerusalem: Ac 4:4 — But many of those who had heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand.

2. Ac 6:7 — And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.

3. Antioch: Ac 11:20-21 — But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who on coming to Antioch spoke to the Hellenists also, preaching the Lord Jesus. And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord.

4. Antioch Pisidia: Ac 13:48-49 — And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed. And the word of the Lord was spreading throughout the whole region.

5. In Thessalonica: Ac 17:4 — And some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a great many of the devout Greeks and not a few of the leading women.

6. In Corinth: Ac 18:8 — And many of the Corinthians hearing Paul believed and were baptized.

7. In Jerusalem (AD 57): Ac 21:20 — And when they heard it, they glorified God. And they said to him, “You see, brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews of those who have believed. They are all zealous for the law

C. Churches are established: Jerusalem, Samaria, Antioch Syria, Seleucia, Paphos, Perga, Antioch Pisidia, Iconium, Galatia, Lystra, Derbe, Attalia, Troas, Samothrace, Neopolis, Philippi, Amphipolis, Appalonia, Thessalonica, Berea, Athens, Corinth, Cenchreae, Ephesus, Caesarea, Assos, Mitylene, Samos, Miletus, Cos, Rhodes, Patara, Tyre, Ptolemais, Malta, Rome

D. Application

1. Big Picture view of the New Testament

a. Gospels: Christ prepares for the Church

1. 11 men who become the Apostles

2. 70 disciples

b. Acts: Christ builds the Church.

1. 120 in an upper room to 5,000 at Pentecost

2. We’ve stopped counting by the middle of the book

c. Letters to the Churches: Christ matures the Church

1. Corrects the carnality of Corinth, the legalism of Galatia

2. Exhorts the Hebrews to persevere in trial.

3. Encourages Philippi to maintain the mind of Christ.

d. Letters to the Pastors: Christ shepherds the Church.

1. Timothy: church leadership—proper worship, to qualifications for overseers (elders) and deacons, confronting false teaching and how to treat various individuals within a congregation.

2. Titus: encouragement and wisdom as Titus endured ongoing opposition from the ungodly and from legalists within his congregations.

3. Point: The Letters to the churches help to demystify what we’ve read in Acts.

(a.) If all you had was the book of Acts as a guide for church planting and ministry, wouldn’t you be really disappointed to be stuck in places like this?

(b.) The Letters help us to see that planting, growing, maturing and maintaining churches is really messy, challenging, difficult work!

(c.) If churches planted by the apostles struggled with sins like gossip, immorality, legalism, worldliness and such, then we shouldn’t be stunned and shocked out of our usefulness as we face similar challenges.

e. Apocalypse: Christ assures the Church.

2. If we are faithful to bear witness to Christ over the next 30 years, shouldn’t we expect to see the Word spread? Shouldn’t we expect to see individuals converted? Shouldn’t we expect to see churches established and matured?

3. Let us pursue this Kingdom Mission with Christ as the one subject of our message. And let us carry the one message into all the world assured that the Spirit empowers us and that He will give growth in such a way that Christ will receive all the glory.

Sermon Notes (091025): AM service

Disciple All Nations

Matthew 28.16-20

Matthew Hoskinson

Scripture Introduction: We often reduce momentous events to shorthand jargon (e.g., the Great Depression, Pearl Harbor, 9/11). But doing so unintentionally minimizes the importance of the thing signified (e.g., Eric’s trip to Pearl Harbor, standing in line at airport security). We often do that with today’s text. We call it the Great Commission. Many of us have the words memorized. But it has little impact in our day-to-day living. We expect to hear it preached at missions conferences, but practically speaking we’ve hidden the profound meaning of the text behind our shorthand jargon. Let’s look at it afresh today

Introduction: Verses 16-17 set the context for this final story of Matthew’s Gospel. Christ has directed the eleven to an unnamed mountain in Galilee where he reveals himself. This may be the occasion that Paul refers to when he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time (1 Co 15.6), but that is uncertain. Regardless Christ appears to at least these eleven, who, upon seeing the resurrected Lord, fall down in worship. Unexpectedly Matthew records that some doubted. We can only guess as to why: perhaps they thought him a ghost. Who knows? But even here is cause for some of you for hope. Christ himself stood before them and some still doubted. Don’t get me wrong; the hope doesn’t lie in their doubtful hesitation. The hope lies in the Christ who, in spite of their doubts, still opens his mouth and speaks words of power and grace. And so he speaks to you!

We’ll be focusing our time this morning on these powerful, gracious words. Christ’s statement in vv. 18-20 has three distinct elements: v. 18 is (1), vv. 19-20a are (2), v. 20b is (3). The structure is A-B-A: indicative (what is true), imperative (our responsibility in light of what is true), indicative. This pattern forms the structure of the sermon today.

1. Indicative: Christ Rules Everywhere (18).

• From the beginning of his Gospel, Matthew has emphasized Christ’s authority, his right to rule
  • 1.1 – the book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David
  • 1.6-11 – Matthew traces the royal line
• But how would he come to the throne? What would be the story between his genealogy in ch. 1 and this statement in ch. 28? Through a gradual ascension to the throne? No. His exaltation would come through his humiliation.
  • 3.13-17 – humbly baptized by John (John: I need to be baptized by you, and would you come to me? Jesus: let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness)
  • 4.1-10 – humbly defeating temptation by the power of the Spirit
  • 21.6 – even what we call his Triumphal Entry, the Scripture that he fulfills says, Behold, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey
• Through the book there are shades of his authority:
  • chs. 5-7 – Jesus taught with authority
  • 9.1-8 – Jesus healed the paralytic so that they would know that he had authority on earth to forgive sins
  • 10.1 – Jesus sent out the twelve and gave them authority over unclean spirits
• And yet the trajectory through the gospel is ever downward, until one of his closest companions led his enemies into the garden where he prayed and betrayed him with a kiss.
• And Jesus—the Son of David, the Son of man, the Son of God—humbled himself before Caiaphas and Pilate and the soldiers and the mocking and the spitting and the thorny crown and the blows to the head until at last he cried, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken Me?” And Jesus, the King, became obedient to the very point of death, even death on a cross.
• This is the Son of David? This is the King who has authority on earth to forgive sins? Dying a criminal’s death?
• This is where you’d be left after reading 28 ½ out of 29 pages (that’s in my little ESV). And then comes the last chapter and the first day of the week and the women going to the tomb and an angel seated on the stone and the words, Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, as he said.
• And you say, “What just happened?” And Paul tells you, God raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come (Ep 1.20-22). And God has bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Ph 2.9-11).
• Thus Jesus says, All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Nothing lies outside my jurisdiction. No challenger can usurp my throne. Not even death itself can defeat me. It’s all Mine.

Transition: This is what was spoken by the prophet Daniel. Read 7.13-14. The Son of man receives authority and all the nations serve him. Christ makes the same connection, but he gives a bit more info: Christ tells us the means by which the nations come.

2. Imperative: So disciple the nations (19-20a)

• Command: disciple all nations
  • disciple = one who learns by following.
    • Not simply a convert but an active follower.
  • make disciples of all nations
    • We must not understand of as partitive (i.e., from all the nations make disciples).
    • all nations is the DO: i.e., make all nations disciples.
  • The means by which Christ, to whom all authority everywhere is given, is served by all nations is the church!
• Components: what this involves
  • baptizing (19b)
    • Baptism = the initiatory rite of the Christian church. We welcome professing believers into the church upon baptism.
    • the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit = clear NT reference to the essential equality of the Three (note Grudem’s counter-example of Father, Son, and archangel Michael)
    • in = into = belonging to/having a relationship with the Triune God.
  • teaching (20a) = “to provide instruction in a formal or informal setting” (BDAG, 1957.2.f.).
    • This would be part of our purpose for the ministry of the Word in corporate worship and for Sunday school
    • Not teaching them all or teaching them to know all that I have commanded you, but teaching them to do all that I have commanded you.
    • Two implications:
      • For teachers/preachers of the Word, application is vital. Note Keller’s statement from Dt 29.29 that the Bible is a covenant document (cp. Js 1.19). Therefore, application is not something we tack onto a sermon; it is the sermon.
      • This cannot be done solely in a formal setting. No teacher can trace every text to every application, nor every situation to every text. We need individual help in learning how to do all that Christ has commanded. Thus SGs, pastoral counseling, coffee with a friend.
• Presupposition: as you go (19a) = wherever you go
  • Mild imperatival force, but not the central responsibility.
  • Not saying, When you go to Haiti on a mission trip, make disciples.
  • You’re in the US right now? OK, wherever you go here, make disciples.
  • Implication: everyone you meet is a potential follower of Christ.
  • Application: where are you going? Some of you are going out to lunch with friends this afternoon. As you go, make disciples. Some of you are going to the Young Adult Service at Bald Rock this afternoon. Carpooling? As you go, make disciples. Many of you are going to Sunday school in a few minutes. As you go, make disciples. Always be discipling!
• Application: how do we do this?
  • Learn to look at everyone as a potential follower of Christ.
  • Spend increasing amounts of time with decreasing numbers of people.
    • Christ’s methods included public teaching and private instruction.
    • But he didn’t spend equal time with everyone. His disciples were simply with him; that’s why they were called followers.
    • Illustration: concentric circles; jot down your roles (closest friend/spouse, family, close friends, Heritage [SG/SS/ministries], co-workers, neighbors)
      • Are there any unbelievers on your paper? where do they fit in?
      • Envision your chart in 3D, with the circles/cylinders increasing in height as you move to the center. Represents time to invest.
    • You must prioritize people and help them learn to  follow Christ.

Transition: But how do I help someone follow Christ? What will I say? I’m just struggling along in my faith as it is; how am I supposed to help someone else?

3. Indicative: Christ is Present Everywhere (20b).

• Statement: behold I am with you always.
  • This Sovereign-over-all supports us with his presence.
    • Emphasis is not so much on his presence as it is his assistance.
    • with = “in reference to supportiveness be with someone, stand by, help someone” (BDAG, 4637.A.2.a.).
  • How is this true? The Spirit of Christ is with us. Ro 8.9-10 equates the Spirit of Christ being in us with Christ himself being in us.
  • Perhaps explains why Matthew doesn’t record the ascension.
    • “That Jesus does not ascend is a fitting sign of his eternal presence: the risen Lord remains with his people” (Davies & Allison, 3.687).
    • Forms an inclusio (i.e., comes full circle) with 1.23:  Emmanuel, God with us.
  • Implication: wherever you go, Christ is there.
    • Just as you cannot leave the authority of Christ, so too you cannot leave the presence of Christ. And notice how this statement transcends time and space: I am with you [no matter the location] always [no matter the time].
    • Adding to the end of the age shows that this statement wasn’t just for the original disciples, but the disciples of the disciples—all the way down to you and me. Jesus is with us.
    • Application: You have great freedom to try—and fail!—to make others followers of Jesus. You’re not a one-man show; Christ himself is with you and his Spirit is in you to accomplish his will!

Conclusion: Christ rules everywhere. There’s not a single square inch over the entirety of creation over which Christ does not say, “Mine!” And Christ is present everywhere. Wherever you go, Christ is there. So as you go, make disciples.

Benediction: May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us, that your way may be known on earth, your saving power among all nations. –Psalm 67.1-2

Free Audio of Luther’s “Here I Stand”

To celebrate Reformation Day (this Saturday), The Listener’s Bible is giving away a free mp3 download of Martin Luther’s “Here I Stand” narrated by Max McLean. From Andy Naselli:

Jenni and I just listened to Martin Luther’s Here I Stand this morning to begin our celebration of Reformation Day later this week. It’s a simple 24-minute recording by Max McLean, and it’s moving. After we heard Luther’s famous words again, we both remarked, “That was awesome!”

You can download it for free through Sunday, November 1.

Related: Max McLean’s audio recording of the ESV is worth your consideration. You can choose either the New Testament (audio CD | MP3 download) or the whole Bible (audio CD | MP3 CD | MP3 download). Other titles to consider: The Valley of Vision, Jonathan Edwards’ Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God, and John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress. Through the Fellowship for the Performing Arts, Mark also has theatrical presentations of Mark’s Gospel and C. S. Lewis’ The Screwtape Letters.

Meditation for Evening Worship

O Christian, if thou art tonight laboring under deep distresses, thy Father does not give thee promises and then leave thee to draw them up from the Word like buckets from a well, but the promises He has written in the Word He will write anew on your heart. He will manifest His love to you, and by His blessed Spirit, dispel your cares and troubles.

–C. H. Spurgeon, Morning and Evening.

Meditation for Morning Worship

As objective as is the truth of the Gospel that we proclaim, we proclaim it not only because it is truth, but because we ourselves have experienced its saving and transforming power. We therefore not only herald its truth, we also bear personal witness to it, to Jesus Himself. We are not merely dispassionate heralds to certain objective events, we are disciples committed to making other disciples.

–D. A. Carson, For the Love of God (vol. 1) meditation for January 28.