A Heart Check: The Parable of the Sower

What is the condition of OUR hearts?

• Are you a curious learner, or do you quickly reject what others say if they aren't in your camp?
• Were you a big fan of God at one time, but something ugly happened in your life, and now you want nothing to do with Him? 
• Did you once call yourself a joyful follower of Christ, but you now chase hard after fame, fortune, and fun?

WE must evaluate OUR hearts. 2 Corinthians 13:5 says, Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? - unless indeed you fail to meet the test! Too many people say they believe in God, but their lives don't show it. They may have an intellectual belief in Christ, but they don't really love Jesus. They just love what He gives them and often have a critical spirit, simply following the culture. We can't treat King Jesus just as our ticket to Heaven; He must be the all in our lives. 

If you've been given a new heart (Ezekiel 36:26), you'll grow in God's grace and knowledge and bear beautiful fruit - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Is this the fruit people see coming from you? It's impossible not to when you're trusting in Christ and having His Spirit guide you in what can be a challenging life. Yes, we slip at times and sin, but are we hating our laziness, pride, and other sins we commit that Jesus died for? Below are a few more questions to consider.

• Do others see patience, kindness, and grace from you, or do you often complain and get bent out of shape when things don't go your way?
• Do you rejoice, pray, and give thanks even when things are hard and you're suffering?
• Do people look at you and think, "That person is like Christ. They absolutely hate sin and seek to live a life of holiness."?

These questions are for ALL OF US, and they are questions I've been thinking about recently as we are learning about the Parable of the Sower (also known as the Parable of the Soils) in chapel this month. I encourage you to go to Matthew 13, Mark 4, and Luke 8 and read and meditate on Jesus' words. Jesus is the key not only to eternal life, but to life itself. We certainly need counseling, education, and medicine, but apart from Christ, we can do nothing! As John the Baptist said, May He increase, and we decrease.

And as always, please let me know if there is anything I can do for you and your family. To God be the glory!

to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen. Romans 16:27

Teach Your Kids About Passion Week

Do you know Passion (Holy) Week begins on Sunday and culminates on Easter - Resurrection Sunday? Do you know what Passion Week is? It's the final week of Jesus' earthly life, during which Christ's suffering brought God the ultimate glory. Jesus showed His passion for us by dying on the cross, paying the price for our sins, and satisfying God's wrath. Through Christ's death on the cross, we are given access to God, and our sins are wiped away. Peace and joy in this life can be attained despite the suffering we may endure. Incredible! All one needs to do is trust in Christ as Lord and Savior. 

Perhaps you prefer looking at cute bunnies (I don't) and eating Cadbury Creme Eggs (I love those things), but Passion Week is something we must teach our children. During Passion Week 2,000 years ago, the greatest crime of all time happened - Christ's crucifixion. That's not the end of the story, though. During Passion Week 2,000 years ago, the greatest miracle of all time happened - Christ's resurrection. We should be shouting from the rooftops about Passion Week. To help you better understand the events of Passion Week, below is a list of what took place during the most important week in history. I hope you discuss this with your family, remembering Christ's sacrifice and celebrating Christ's resurrection. To God be the glory!

• Palm Sunday is the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. Jesus came humbly on a donkey as prophesied by Zechariah 450-500 years earlier. The Jewish crowd praised Jesus, shouting Hosanna, which is from the Hebrew language, meaning "Save us!" They spread palm branches on the road and waved them. The palm branches symbolized victory, and the people believed Jesus would deliver them from Roman rule. 
• Holy Monday, according to Matthew 21:12-22, is when Jesus cleansed the temple again, acknowledged the praise He received from children, and cursed a fig tree. 
• Holy Tuesday, according to Matthew 21:23-25:46, is when Jesus' authority was challenged by the Pharisees and Sadducees, and Jesus spoke His seven woes against the scribes and Pharisees. Jesus also delivered the Olivet Discourse when He spoke about end times. 
• Spy Wednesday, according to Matthew 26:6-16, is when Jesus was anointed with an expensive ointment, and Judas Iscariot conspired with local authorities to betray Jesus.
• Maundy Thursday is when Jesus celebrated the Passover, the Last Supper, with his disciples. Maundy comes from a Latin word meaning commandment. On this night, Jesus washed his disciples' feet, showing us how to love and serve one another and commanding us to do the same.
• Good Friday is when Christ was crucified. This was good because God demonstrated His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). We don't need to face God's wrath in Hell; we can have a relationship with God now and worship Him forever in Heaven.  
• Holy Saturday is the day when Jesus "rested" from His work providing salvation to those who follow Him. 
• Easter or Resurrection Sunday is when Jesus rose from the grave, conquering disease, death, and destruction; sin, Satan, and suffering. Jesus came back to life. He died for us, He lived for us, and He is alive today. He is risen. He is risen, indeed! Do you believe this? Let's share this good news with all creation! 

I encourage you to read about Passion Week in Matthew 21-27, Mark 11-15, Luke 19-23, and John 12-19. Just do it!

And God raised the Lord and will also raise us up by his power. 1 Corinthians 6:14

Lifespan, Life Expectancy, Life Purpose, & Life Eternal

Last week, a strong ECHS student who I see pursuing Christ asked me a great question. She mentioned Jeanne Calmart, the oldest verified person, who lived to be 122 years old (some geneticists are skeptical of this). This is more than three years older than the second-oldest verified person. 

The student then asked about Genesis 6:3, which says, Then the LORD said, "My Spirit shall not abide in man forever, for he is flesh: his days shall be 120 years." After God flooded the earth (Genesis 6-9), human lifespans decreased tremendously. By the time of Moses (around 1500 BC, when the ancient Egyptians conquered Nubia), only one person is recorded in the Bible to have lived past 120 years, the age at which Moses died. Genesis 6:3 can serve as a general rule that people won't live past 120 years. Another interpretation of Genesis 6:3 is that God stated a flood would occur 120 years after He expressed disappointment with mankind.   

What about Psalm 90:10a? It states The years of our life are seventy or even by reason of eighty. This can be seen as a general rule for global life expectancy (which is 73 years). 

Most people want to live a long and happy life, but it's crucial that life is lived for the right purpose. Mark 8:36 says, For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? Life isn't meant to be lived for the world and its treasures (1 John 2:15). Life is meant to be lived to bring God glory (1 Corinthians 10:31). 

So why is living a God-glorifying life so important? Living a life pleasing to God is of the utmost importance because this is the key to peace and joy in this life and living forever in God's loving presence. When we seek God's will for our lives, God will bless us in numerous ways. This doesn't mean our lives will be all rainbows and unicorns, but we know that for those who love God, all things work together for good (Romans 8:28). And when we die, those who have trusted in Christ as Lord and Savior will be in God's perfect home, Heaven, where tears, pain, and death will be a thing of the past. Boom. 

There is MUCH more I can say, but I want to encourage you to click on the "Two Ways to Live" presentation or watch this Desiring God video if you still don't understand our purpose in life or if you want to better understand what it means to live a life glorifying God. Additionally, don't hesitate to call, text, or email me if you want to talk (unless you're a big jerk). I would be more than happy to treat you to a cup of Joe or another drink of your choice. 

Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. Hebrews 13:20-21

A God of Justice

God of Justice from Mark Wickersham

The outline of this chapel message comes from the gotquestions site.

Reviewing Jonathan Edwards' Sinners In The Hands Of An Angry God

275 years ago, Jonathan Edwards preached what many consider to be the greatest sermon ever preached by a sinning saint. Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God was preached to a Connecticut congregation in the summer of 1741, and it uses somber language that is rarely found in today's sermons. Words like devouring flames, pit of Hell, sentence of condemnation, vessels of wrath, extreme torments, angry God, and infinite misery are used. I'm guessing these words aren't among your favorites, but Jesus used them, and the Spirit guided Jonathan Edwards to preach them calmly so that lives were transformed.

Jonathan Edwards starts the sermon with four points regarding the suffering that the Israelites faced. Then Edwards states ten points showing how only God's sovereign joy keeps people from perishing. The third and final part of Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God uses Scripture to prove his points and plead with those listening to trust in the only One who can save them.

It's a shame that many are afraid to discuss what Jesus saves us from and are critical of Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God. I'm thankful that Jonathan Edwards, a former president of Princeton University, boldly preached what truly is a message of love and hope. The detailed descriptions of man's sinful state and the misery of Hell helped bring spiritual awakening to the lost. If you desire to better understand what it means to be a true follower and know His forgiveness, I recommend reading this important piece of the Great Awakening. If you're interested in reading more classic sermons by Jonathan Edwards and other great theologians, click here.

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

Reviewing John Piper's Does God Desire All To Be Saved?

Does God Desire All To Be Saved? That is an absolutely massive question that many have pondered over the years, but few have grappled with the question with others. We often simply want light-hearted conversations and have a fear of offending people. The question begs to be addressed, though, and the answer is available to us.

Chancellor Piper helps us see it in the Scriptures through his short book, Does God Desire All To Be Saved?. Does our Heavenly Father desire for all of mankind to be saved from His holy wrath and a life of eternal torment in Hell, despite choosing only some to be saved unconditionally? Yes. Isn't that a contradiction? No. How is that even possible? Many tough questions are addressed throughout the book, and regardless of your theological bent, you'll do plenty of thinking.

When you don't include the table of contents, acknowledgments, a note on resources, and the Scripture index, John Piper's Does God Desire All To Be Saved? is only 45 pages. The book is divided into an introduction and four chapters entitled:

1. My Aim
2. Illustrations of Two Wills in God
3. How Extensive is the Sovereign Will of God?
4. Does It Make Sense?

If you've read Piper's The Pleasures of God or Schreiner and Ware's books, The Grace of God and Still Sovereign, you might recognize portions of Does God Desire All To Be Saved?. This book is a revised and expanded version of material published in those books. Chancellor Piper handles the sensitive topics with grace and truth, and if you are up for grappling with the God of the universe, I recommend getting the book.

This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved to come to the knowledge of the truth. 1 Timothy 2:3-4

Reviewing R.C. Sproul's Can I Be Sure I'm Saved?

I thought I was saved when I was a teenager, and for about a decade, I told others I was a believer when it just wasn't true. I was baptized at a small Southern Baptist church when I was 22, but it wasn't until I was 26 years old that my hunger and thirst for the things of God really grew. I was confused about my salvation for many years, but the Father does not want us to be confused. The god of this age does. The Father wants us to be clear about whether we belong to Him and if we're going to Heaven when we pass away (or when His Son returns).

2 Peter 1:10 states, Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. Confidently knowing where you stand with the Son of Man and what He'll say on Judgment Day can be known right now. If you struggle with doubts concerning whether you truly know the Prince of Peace, whether you have eternal life, or whether you'll be going to Heaven, I recommend reading R.C. Sproul's Can I Be Sure I'm Saved?. In this 70-page booklet, R.C. Sproul once again provides solid teaching in a logical fashion. Below are the titles of the five chapters and simple summaries.

1. The Struggle for Assurance - What is assurance?
2. Four Kinds of People - Two are saved and two are not
3. False Assurance - What are the dangers?
4. Gaining True Assurance - How can we get assurance of salvation?
5. The Source of Full Assurance - Do you love Him?

Don't be confused about whether you're going to Heaven or Hell. If you are, spend an hour reading Sproul's Can I Be Sure I'm Saved? and hopefully, you can have that peace that surpasses all understanding.

But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, John 1:12

Are You a Spiritual Discerner? Matthew 7:1-23

Are You a Spiritual Discerner? from Mark Wickersham

Difficult Days, A Divine Deliverer

I recently started my ninth reading of the longest book in the Good Book, the Book of Jeremiah. If you need to be reminded how easy you have it and how good God is, this is the book for you. I'm puzzled how I can forget how difficult Jeremiah's life was, yet it happens. Here are some eye-opening facts about the Prophet Jeremiah that can provide us with the right perspective on life:

• Jeremiah was told he couldn't marry or have children (Jeremiah 16:2), and he preached the truth with dogged determination for 40 years. 
• The people desired Jeremiah's death and discarded God's message. 
• Jeremiah felt depressed, discouraged, and deserted, and he really started to doubt God's plan for him.
•  Although Jeremiah has much to say about death and destruction, we see that God is the deliverer of the good news. 
• Jeremiah did not just weep, but he was dedicated, and it was God who helped him to go the distance.

I do not understand everything we have to go through, but I know God is good and He is there for us. Sometimes I get furious about the injustice in the world, heartbroken about the personal challenges family and friends are facing, and pessimistic about dilemmas I must help resolve. At times, I complain and want to quit, but I know our Father's grace is sufficient. I must look to the cross and remember that Sunday is coming. I look forward to that day when you, me, and Jeremiah can talk about the greatness of God.

Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known. Jeremiah 33:3

How Can We Inherit Eternal Life?

1. The Problemo: We must understand that a holy God made us in His image (Genesis 1:26), but that we are wretched sinners (Romans 3:23) who deserve to be eternally separated in Hell from God's love (Romans 6:23).

2. The Solution: We must believe Jesus, God's perfect Son, died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins (1 Peter 2:24) and that He resurrected (rose from the dead) three days later. Jesus is the only way to the Father, and He is the only way to satisfy God's wrath (extreme anger).

3. Our Response: If we receive God's gift of salvation in faith (Ephesians 2:8-9), we will be:
    A. regenerated (We are made spiritually new),
    B. converted (We repent of our sins and trust in Jesus for salvation),
    C. justified (We are forgiven of our sins and declared righteous),
    D. adopted into God's family (We are reconciled with God and become His child),
    E. and through the Holy Spirit, sanctified (We become more like Jesus as we live our lives for
         God's glory - 1 Corinthians 10:31).

4. The Future: When we die or when Jesus returns, we will go to Heaven with resurrected bodies (glorification) to worship God forever (Revelation 21-22:5). All creation will be restored, and it will be da' bomb diggity!

Do you believe this? Do you believe For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16)? Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved (Romans 10:9-10). This is the way to a life of purpose. To deepen that life, you will want to:

1. Rely on the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:16).
2. Read, study, memorize, meditate on, and share God's Word (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
3. Constantly pray (1 Thessalonians 5:17).
4. Learn from Godly people and worship with them (Hebrews 10:25).
5. Serve others joyfully in Christ (1 Peter 4:10).

to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen (Romans 16:27).

Reviewing Francis Chan and Preston Sprinkle's Erasing Hell: what God said about eternity, and the things we made up

It is my strong preference to read, talk, and think about Heaven, but it is essential that we also know about Hell. I want to have a proper understanding of Hell for a host of reasons. I read about it regularly in the Good Book, people often talk about it unbiblically, I teach about it occasionally, and Jesus has saved His people from it eternally. I want others to know what it means to call Jesus the Savior of the world; therefore, I need to learn about Hell. Erasing Hell helped with that.

Erasing Hell is the third Francis Chan book I have read. Like thousands of others, I have greatly benefited from reading his books as well as listening to his sermons. Francis Chan can make challenging topics more understandable, and he has a knack for getting people from both ends of the spectrum to listen. Preston Sprinkle is new to me, but I think he's alright since he rolls with Chan.

Erasing Hell did not get my juices flowin' like some of Chan's other books (Crazy Love and Forgotten God), but the book is solid. Erasing Hell came largely in response to Rob Bell's Love Wins, and Chan and Sprinkle respectfully refute some of Bell's unorthodox teachings. Regardless of whether you are a fan of Bell's teachings, Chan and Sprinkle provide a profitable book about a not-so-easy topic. You may not always agree with what Chan and Sprinkle say, but they speak humbly and in a manner that can appeal to both seasoned and beginning theologians. Below is how the book is organized, as well as a book trailer.

Preface
Introduction
Chapter 1: Does Everyone Go to Heaven?
Chapter 2: Has Hell Changed? Or Have We?
Chapter 3: What Jesus Actually Said about Hell
Chapter 4: What Jesus' Followers Said about Hell
Chapter 5: What Does This Have to Do with Me?
Chapter 6: "What If God ...?"
Chapter 7: Don't Be Overwhelmed
Appendix: Frequently Asked Questions
Bibliography
About the Author
About the Coauthor
Sample Chapter from Forgotten God

Reviewing John Piper's Jesus: The Only Way to God

Although I do not know John Piper, he has made a significant impact on my life. Pastor Piper is the author of more than forty books, and Jesus: The Only Way to God is one of over a dozen books of his that I have read. It was published less than one year ago and can combat much of the junk that is printed today. The 123 pager is divided into seven chapters (plus an introduction, conclusion, and a Desiring God resource page), and completing it will take you about the same time it takes to watch a movie. If you believe in relativism (There is no absolute truth), universalism (All people will go to Heaven), or annihilationism (When a person dies, they no longer exist), prepare to be challenged. Jesus: The Only Way to God is solid theological teaching that makes no qualms about who Jesus is. Jesus is the Son of God who became sin for us. His work on the cross is what saves us. One must place their faith in Him, or they will be eternally tormented in Hell when they pass from this world. Only Jesus gives us access to God. Only Jesus gives us eternal life in Heaven. We are to live for Him because He died for us. He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6).

Looking at the Doctrine of the Lake of Fire

Hell is not exactly one of my favorite topics to talk about. I would much rather talk about the Heavenly Jerusalem where I will get to worship the Father Almighty with fellow believers. However, the more I understand the doctrine of Hell, the more thankful I am for what Jesus has done for me. It moves me to pray and share more. Knowing what Jesus saves us from is absolutely crucial. With Rob Bell's new book, Love Wins, about to be released, there has been a lot of talk about Hell on the Blogosphere. Below are some links I recommend that will provide you theologically sound information about the Lake of Fire.

"For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 6:23

What I'd Have To Deny To Deny Hell by Tim Challies

Waffling Over Hell by Kevin DeYoung

The Truth About Hell Should Fill Us With Traumatic Awe by Martin Downes

Speaking Seriously and Sensitively about Hell to the Sons of this Age and the Next by Ligon Duncan

The Importance Of Hell by Tim Keller

Doing Away With Hell? Part One by Albert Mohler

Why Is Hell Forever? by Russell Moore

Rob Bell on Martin Luther and Salvation in Hell by Justin Taylor