Gospel Living

(I've been having a busy week and fallen behind in the regular devotions in Mark.  We'll continue that study together as soon as possible.  Until then, here's the next session from The Shepherds' Conference.) From Calvin to Carey by Michael Mahoney  Audio: ( MP3 ) (As this is a seminar session, there is no video.) A popular myth is that those with Calvinistic convictions don't engage in evangelism or missions work.  Learn the contributions of a Reformed faith to world missions. Michael Mahoney Grace en Español | Elder Grace Church Administration | Elder

13  And he went up on the mountain and called to him those whom he desired, and they came to him. Mark highlights a very unpopular topic—the sovereignty of our Lord to choose who He will.  Autonomous free will—the ability for man to do what he wants when he wants without divine interference—is an idol.  Movies and television burst with stories of those beating fate and paving their own paths in life.  Even some Christians bristle at the idea of God making choices for our lives.  Sinful human beings find more comfort in God’s lack of control because it grants them freedom to pursue their passions. Unfortunately, Scripture presents a God creating the world and immediately saying, “Thou shalt not.”  It tells of God judging sin time after time, condemning mankind under sin.  To say this another way, it’s honest with us, and we need to come to terms with it. Even so, the message of Scripture is doom and gloom, but hope in the gospel.  ...

This list might be a bit late, but here are a few books I enjoyed last year and recommend. Bible Why Four Gospels? by David Alan Black My Review Biographies Men of Science Men of God by Henry M. Morris My Review The Secret Thoughts of an Unlikely Convert: An English Professor's Journey Into Christian Faith by Rosaria Champagne Butterfield My Review Christian Living Let Go and Let God? A Survey and Analysis of Keswick Theology by Andrew David Naselli My Review Charismatic The Fallible Prophets of New Calvinism by Michael John Beasley My Review End-Times Dispensationalism: Essential Beliefs and Common Myths by Michael J. Vlach My Review Premillennialism: Why There Musts Be a Future Earthly Kingdom of Jesus by Michael Vlach My Review Family The Family Worship Book: A Resource Book for Family Devotions by Terry L. Johnson My Review The Holy Spirit God's Indwelling Presence: The Holy Spirit in the Old and New Testaments ...

From YouTube: Calvinism (Also know by Doctrines of Grace or Reformed theology) John MacArthur use Romans 8:28-30 as main text. The five points of calvinism are Total depravity (total inability), Unconditional election, Limited atonement (Also called particular redemption or definite atonement), Irresistible grace (also called efficacious grace), and Perseverance of the saints. Full sermon http://www.gty.org/resources/sermons/90-427 Romans 8:28, "And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren. And these whom He predestined, He also called. And these whom He called, He also justified. And these whom He justified, He also glorified."

Perhaps one of the best-known verses of Scripture is John 3:16.  Its context, Nicodemus' discussion with Jesus at night, seems to provide words that seekers and new believers need to hear.   As the passage becomes so familiar, however, we tend to gloss over the deeper truths of the passage and may fail to realize its lasting impact on our lives. Listen as John MacArthur explains this passage to the men gathered at the 2013 Shepherds' Conference. MP3 Download:   English | Spanish | Portuguese

This is a very misunderstood area of our theology, clouding our understanding of the must fundamental of Christian beliefs, so I encourage you to give a listen or a watch to these two messages. Dr. John MacArthur - An Introduction to the Sovereign Gospel: Dr. John MacArthur - An Explanation of the Sovereign Gospel: (HT to RT )

(HT: Deejay O'Flaherty ) True dat.  True dat indeed.

The new school year has begun, but are your kids the only ones expanding their knowledge?  Here is an excellent series of lectures from Faith Bible Church  of Springfield, IL (HT: Monergism.com ), for those interested: "The History and Theology of Calvinism" by Dr. Curt Daniel (Downloadable MP3 Messages) Message Play Online Download MP3 What is Calvinism Click Here Click Here Augustine and Pre-Calvinism Click Here Click Here The Reformation Click Here Click Here John Calvin Click Here Click Here The Spread of Calvinism Click Here Click Here The Synod of Dort Click Here Click Here The Puritans Click Here Click Here The Westminster Assembly Click Here Click Here Covenant Theology Click Here Click Here High Calvinism Click Here Click Here Amyraldism Click Here Click Here Calvinistic Antinomianism Click Here Click Here Hyper-Calvinism Click Here Click Here 18th Century Calvinism Click Here Click...

Lots of people do. Lots of people have heard of it, but only in negative contexts. Wonder no more. Phil Johnson gave a short primer of sorts on Calvinism or the "Doctrines of Grace." Go, and be warmed and filled . (HT: Hip and Thigh )

I’ve said it before: Californians do not know how to drive in the rain. Though I left the house with plenty of time, I was still forty minutes late. Thankfully, there was no accident contributing to the slowdown. In the very least, though, that would have explained the average highway speed of fifteen miles per hour. So, unfortunately, I could not join in the singing this morning. It’s a shame, too; I even bought a sleek black jacket for the occasion! Oh well, enough on that. I’m sitting here in the overflow watching the opening session on the projector. Folks are trickling in, and despite the rain, this should be a wonderful conference. Note that two years ago, MacArthur opened with the message, “Why every self-respecting Calvinist must be a dispensationalist.” Last year, he opened with, “Why every self-respecting Calvinist must reject church-growth methods.” After opening by reading Genesis 1:1–2:4, he entitled this year’s message, “Why every self-respec...