Worlds Apart

Are Catholics Christians?

From a book I just read:

"In point of fact, if one is to follow the teaching of the Roman Catholic Church-State, then he will never have the saving union with God that Scripture speaks about, for Rome's gospel is another gospel.  It is not the Gospel taught by Christ and His apostles.  It is the gospel being proclaimed by latter day false prophets, those "who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves" (Matthew 7:15)

- W. Gary Crampton - By Scripture Alone pg 215

Medical Testimony Against Abortion

From Desiring God

Future glory and everlasting love

This verse has been on my mind lately...what an amazing verse!  A great reason to sleep well.

 

Romans 8:30 - And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.

Paul Washer - The Gospel

A prayer from Whitefield

“Yea…that we shall see the great Head of the Church once more . . . raise up unto Himself certain young men whom He may use in this glorious employ. And what manner of men will they be? Men mighty in the Scriptures, their lives dominated by a sense of the greatness, the majesty and holiness of God, and their minds and hearts aglow with the great truths of the doctrines of grace. They will be men who have learned what it is to die to self, to human aims and personal ambitions; men who are willing to be ‘fools for Christ’s sake’, who will bear reproach and falsehood, who will labor and suffer, and whose supreme desire will be, not to gain earth’s accolades, but to win the Master’s approbation when they appear before His awesome judgment seat. They will be men who will preach with broken hearts and tear-filled eyes, and upon whose ministries God will grant an extraordinary effusion of the Holy Spirit, and who will witness ‘signs and wonders following’ in the transformation of multitudes of human lives.”

 

(HT:  Recover the Gospel)

Your going to die.

"You can be so interested in great theological and intellectual and philosophical problems that you tend to forget that you are going to die."

-Martin Lloyd-Jones, Preaching and Preachers, p. 193.

 

(HT:  John Piper)

This is abortion

This is sick.  I can not believe people think this is okay...

http://theologica.blogspot.com/2008/01/this-is-abortion.html

Piper on the prosperity gospel

National Resurgence Conference 2008

I just signed up.  Going to be worth going to!

Conference home page

Conference Blog

Tips on finding a good Church

I emailed 9Marks and asked them for any information on leaving a church, though they did not answer my question directly, he did provide me with the following:

Quick Tips: How to Find a Good Church
1. Pray

2. Seek counsel from a godly pastor (or other elders).

3. Keep your priorities straight.

Ø The gospel must be truly affirmed, clearly preached, and faithfully lived out. A serious lack in any of these expressions of the gospel is very dangerous.

Ø The preaching must be faithful to Scripture, personally challenging, and central to the congregation's life. You will only grow spiritually where Scripture is treated as the highest authority.

Ø Also very important, consider how the church regulates baptism, the Lord's Supper, church membership, church discipline, and who has the final say in decision making.

Ø In short, read chapters 5 to 13 in this book! (Mark Dever's 9 Marks of a Healthy Church)

4. Ask yourself diagnostic questions, such as…

Ø If you're single, would you want to find a spouse who has been brought up under this church's teaching?

Ø If you're a parent, what picture of Christianity will your children see in this church, something distinct or something a lot like the world?

Ø Would you be happy to invite a non-Christian to this church? That is, would they both clearly hear the gospel and see lives consistent with it? Does the church have a heart for welcoming and reaching non-Christians?

Ø Is this new church a place that you can minister and serve?

5. Consider geography. Would the church's physical proximity with your home encourage or discourage frequent involvement and service? If you're moving to a new area, try to locate a good church home before you agree to move or buy a house.