Praying Paul's Prayers

(Romans 15:5-6) God of endurance and encouragement grant me to live in such harmony with others in the church, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together we may with one voice glorify You, the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

(Romans 15:13) May You, the God of hope fill me with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit I may abound in hope.

(Ephesians 1:17-19)God of my Lord Jesus Christ, Father of glory, may You give me a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Jesus, having the eyes of my heart enlightened, that I may know what is the hope to which You have called me, what are the riches of Your glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of Your power toward me.

(Ephesians 3:14-19) Father, according to the riches of Your glory grant me to be strengthened with power through Your Spirit in my inner being, so that Christ may dwell in my heart through faith—that I, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that I may be filled with all the fullness of God.

(Philippians 1:9-11) And it is my prayer that my love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that I may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to Your glory and praise.

(Colossians 1:9-12) I ask that I may be filled with the knowledge of Your will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy the Lord Jesus, fully pleasing to You, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of Yourself. May I be strengthened with all power, according to Your glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to You, the Father, who has qualified me to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.

(Colossians 4:12) May I stand mature and fully assured in all the Your will God.

(1 Thessalonians 5:23) May You, the God of peace sanctify me completely, and may my whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

(2 Thessalonians 1:11-12) God make me worthy of Your calling and fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by Your power, so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in me, and I in him, according to Your grace God and the Lord Jesus Christ‘s.

(Hebrews 13:20-21) May You. O God equip me with everything good that I may do Your will, working in me that which is pleasing in Your sight.

Compiled by Victor Mason

Evolution: Fact or Fiction?

Dr John Blachard is coming to MPBC on Januray the 30th to sepak on the subject of Evolution.

The evening starts at 7:30, refreshements and a time for questions will follow. See you there!

The 9 Marks

Following a recent post explaining 9 marks of a healthy church here is the accompanying video...

Applying Christ to Every Text

Tim Keller gives four tools to enable us to apply Christ to every text of scripture here.

The 9 Marks of a Healthy Church

9 Marks is an organisation seeking to equip and encourage churches to be healthy churches. Here are 9 essential aspects for church vitality and usefulness:

1. Expositional PreachingThis is preaching which expounds what Scripture says in a particular passage, carefully explaining its meaning and applying it to the congregation. It is a commitment to hearing God’s Word and to recovering the centrality of it in our worship.

2. Biblical TheologyPaul charges Titus to "teach what is in accord with sound doctrine” (Titus 2:1). Our concern should be not only with how we are taught, but with what we are taught. Biblical theology is a commitment to know the God of the Bible as He has revealed Himself in Scripture.

3. Biblical Understanding of the Good NewsThe gospel is the heart of Christianity. But the good news is not that God wants to meet people's felt needs or help them develop a healthier self-image. We have sinfully rebelled against our Creator and Judge. Yet He has graciously sent His Son to die the death we deserved for our sin, and He has credited Christ's acquittal to those who repent of their sins and believe in Jesus' death and resurrection. That is the good news.

4. Biblical Understanding of ConversionThe spiritual change each person needs is so radical, so near the root of us, that only God can do it. We need God to convert us. Conversion need not be an emotionally heated experience, but it must evidence itself in godly fruit if it is to be what the Bible regards as a true conversion.

5. Biblical Understanding of EvangelismHow someone shares the gospel is closely related to how he understands the gospel. To present it as an additive that gives non-Christians something they naturally want (i.e. joy or peace) is to present a half-truth, which elicits false conversions. The whole truth is that our deepest need is spiritual life, and that new life only comes by repenting of our sins and believing in Jesus. We present the gospel openly, and leave the converting to God.

6. Biblical Understanding of Membership Membership should reflect a living commitment to a local church in attendance, giving, prayer and service; otherwise it is meaningless, worthless, and even dangerous. We should not allow people to keep their membership in our churches for sentimental reasons or lack of attention. To be a member is knowingly to be traveling together as aliens and strangers in this world as we head to our heavenly home.

7. Biblical Church DisciplineChurch discipline gives parameters to church membership. The idea seems negative to people today – “didn’t our Lord forbid judging?” But if we cannot say how a Christian should not live, how can we say how he or she should live? Each local church actually has a biblical responsibility to judge the life and teaching of its leaders, and even of its members, particularly insofar as either could compromise the church’s witness to the gospel.

8. Promotion of Christian Discipleship and GrowthA pervasive concern with church growth exists today – not simply with growing numbers, but with growing members. Though many Christians measure other things, the only certain observable sign of growth is a life of increasing holiness, rooted in Christian self-denial. These concepts are nearly extinct in the modern church. Recovering true discipleship for today would build the church and promote a clearer witness to the world.

9. Biblical Understanding of LeadershipWhat eighteenth-century Baptists and Presbyterians often agreed upon was that there should be a plurality of elders in each local church. This plurality of elders is not only biblical, but practical — it has the immense benefit of rounding out the pastor’s gifts to ensure the proper shepherding of God’s church.

Taken from The Mission of 9 Marks

Sermon Notes Now Online

You can now download Stephen's notes from sermons preached at MPBC.

Carol's by Candlelight

An interesting blog to share

Between Two Worlds (click here to view)

Hi all,

I came across this blog from the Justin Taylor site. It's interesting and helpful too.
It's called 'Thinking Biblically About Facebook'.

We as christians are definitely 'between two worlds'.

Personally I'm not keen on Facebook but understand that others are, which is fine ofcourse, and I thought this blog is good food for thought.

God Bless!

CMason

Experiencing God's Presence

Victor's sermon from Sunday is now online. Download it here.

For other sermons from MPBC click here or subscribe to the podcast here.

C. J. Mahaney and Books

C. J. is one of my favourite prestent day preachers. He's the (human) head of Sovereign Grace Ministries and passionate preacher. Like every other cool person he blogs!

Here's an excerpt of his answer to the question: 'What books on the cross of Christ have affected you the most?'

Great question. I love answering this question (the challenge here will be brevity). But before I do, let me briefly describe why it’s so important to consistently read about the cross.

We awaken each day with a tendency to forget that which is most important: the gospel. All of us should assume this tendency and be aware of this tendency. Because of the Fall and due to the effects of remaining sin, we have a daily tendency and temptation to forget stuff in general and to forget that which is most important in particular.

Assuming this tendency, we must create practices that will enable us to remember what we must not forget—the cross. So each day I seek to spend time in a location where I am not distracted, unhurriedly reading and meditating on Scripture and finding my way in Scripture to a hill called Calvary to meditate each day on Christ and him crucified. Each day I need to remind myself of the gospel. I cannot live on yesterday’s recollection of the gospel. I need to review and rehearse the gospel each day or I will assume the gospel, forget the gospel, and prove vulnerable to all manner of temptation and sin.

Read the rest of the article here.

To dwell or not to dwell...

Hello!

I like the book 'thinking spiritually' by Owen. It is definitely thought provoking and convicting.
On page 25, the last paragraph he writes: 'It is right and good for believers to have regular times set apart for spiritual meditation, but if we suppose that we have no further need for spiritual thoughts at any other time, can we be spiritually minded?'
While cooking dinner tonight, I allowed my thoughts to drift and continue to dwell on something really silly which caused unrest and I admit anger. My son was sitting at the kitchen table and needed my help with his math work, unfortunately and I'm sorry that my response to him wasn't in patience or helpful due to the frustration that I allowed to govern me instead of taking control of my thoughts...it was sort of sorted out in the end. He eventually gave up which could have been avoided if I responded differently to begin with!
This is a good example of what happens when thoughts are allowed to go rampant; that anyones thoughts drift does happen, after all we are sinful creatures but to continue to dwell instead of fighting against it and replacing wrong thinking with good wholesome thoughts, is sin and it effects people around us too...
Paul wrote in Philippians 4 vs 8: Finally brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. (NASB)

God Bless!
Cynthia

All Things For Good

I've just started blogging on Thomas Watson book 'All Things For Good'.


Click here to read my notes.

We worship a homeless guy who was murdered!

Mark Driscoll on using provocative language:

Where do our thoughts flow?

'Thinking Spiritually' or 'The Grace and Duty of Being Spiritually Minded'(buy, read) by John Owen is great.

The Puritans are well known for cornering a person in order to reveal hidden sin. Owen demonstrates the skill by asking if 'spiritual thoughts flow in those times when we are quiet and free from our usual activities?'

It's easy to think about Christ and grace when we're in Church. Owen makes it clear that to test our love of Christ, to examine whether our mind is set on things above (Col 3) we really need to idenitfy the thoughts we have during those times when we have nothing to do. Where does our mind wander? Do we ever forget Christ? Are we inclined to let Christ into our minds after a long day or do we prefer to let the TV dictate our thoughts to us? If we can say yes to the last question it is evidence that we believe that TV is more attractive than Jesus.

I recently heard someone say that having a God-entranced vision of all things isn't thinking about God all the time but thinking about everything in relation to God all of the time. We can't be thinking about Jesus all the time. God has given us clean enjoyments on earth. We have to be thinking about everything in relation to Christ. Therefore when we watch good TV we should be rejoicing in the Spirit and thankful to God for the programme. If we can't praise God for the TV we watch/internet sites we read we shouldn't be enjoying them.

What every Christian needs to know - about Temptation and Putting sin to death !!!

That's what an abridged version was titled! As I just finished to read the book, I thought to myself - what a perfect summary and let me stick to it.
First of all what a HUGE blessing this little book has been - words can't express. As I started to read it, I was not impressed - no wonder why - perhaps I was too convicted over my sinful nature - also I found it repetitive. It came to a point when I had to put it aside, but as book review time was coming up I thought to myself: I must finish it !
As the author's thoughts had time to settle in my head, I found it easier to pick it up and just finished it in one breath. And finally it all came together.
Suddenly I could relate so well and it seems to me that this book was written just for me - Holy Spirit was illuminating and highlighting things in a wonderful way!!!
There are some sentences that just jumped at me! For example, "Sin is like a thick cloud that spreads itself over the face to the soul and cuts off all the beams of God's love and favour". p.91 -how precises is this?!!!
Another one: "If we do not maintain a constant spirit of prayerfulness, we can expect to be disturbed by a constant stream of temptations".
"If you despise temptation, it will conquer you". p.45
"Sinful desire never dies of ITSELF, so if it is not daily subdued it will simply gather STRENGTH". p.112
"Mortification is the work of faith, the special work of faith". p.104 I would like to make a comment on this statement. A while back I have been praying and fasting for the Lord to take away any desire from my heart to watch films. It came to the point that I watched too much and it was taking all of my little energy that was left after a busy day with the children. So I committed that to the Lord. After my prayer and fast was over I had no desire to watch anything whatsoever for a long time. It was a work of faith in me by the grace of the Lord!!! Many months later I thought: well, a little innocent movie in a Jane Austine air will not hurt. Then I watched a new version of "Pride and Prejudice". Before, I tremendously enjoyed the whole romance, the country side, the dresses, the language, - now the only thing that had been magnified for me - how ridiculously stupid the preacher portrait and his sermons are the greatest bore in this film. I'm sure such drastic change in my view has been produced by the Lord. A little later I thought: James Bond movie sounds good. I watched one and again, as before I really enjoyed the action, this time I could only see how the producer basically says if you are a super hero or would like to be one - you deserve to have a new girl every time ! I could not enjoy the film anymore... Lastly, as everyone in my household enjoys "24" for hours on end, I thought: perhaps it would be good to join and watch it again for the second time, but then I thought about the main actor and how he got arrested for drink driving and spent Christmas in jail, somehow I lost my interest...
A while back I read a letter produced by a Christian from one of the churches in London where he said that generally all movies are insincere, often introducing viewers to adultery, lies, violence and ect. The actors in reality are nothing to do with the heroes they play and we get nothing encouraging spiritually from them why watch them?!!! It was a long letter and I can't rewrite it here, but the point is at the time it made no impact on me, but now after reading this book pieces are finally coming together.
This is a last quote that I would like to finish this off: "Whatever we may think the work of mortification that God requires is a total commitment to the mortification of all sin. If a believer sincerely aims to do what God requires, he can depend on the help of his Spirit. If the believer is only concerned about doing his own work... God will leave him to struggle in his own strength. The command is "let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates the body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God" 2 Cor. 7:1. If we do anything, we must aim at doing everything! p.109
Thank you for your time and may the Lord enable us to do what He says to us striving daily for the mortification of our sin - not only READ the Bible !!!
with my prayers in Christ Jesus,
Angela.

Watch and pray

Hello,

I've been wanting to post this for a little while now as I believe it relates to the book of J.Edwards 'the experience that counts'...




I recently came across Todd Bentley's name and as I never heard of him before I just googled it as a friend of mine watches him on God Channel and recently attended the Sussex Outpouring convention/meeting. Glad that my friend wasn't too sure about how things were expressed there.
Watching the video(s) made me feel sickened and grieved about how many people long for certain 'holy/anointed' experiences and how many are either ignorantly or purposefully deceived.
We too were once part of this, the word of faith movement also called the health, wealth and prosperity gospel. God is merciful by taking us out of this belief system.
In Chapter 11 on page 108 it mentions that false emotions are satisfied in themselves, the hypocrite has a self-centred reason and how the hypocrite can imitate, unfortunately there are may real believers caught up in this without realising the true from false due to lack of teaching and guidance, as we once were.
A true christian always longs for a holier heart and life. Unfortunately many can think that' this is it', 'it can't get any better'. May we continue to pray for those led astray that they may come to understand who God really is.

Blessings, Cynthia

So far so good

Greetings everyone!

Well, it’s about time I blog some more again, it’s been a while especially with a new baby in the home…

It’s interesting what J. Edwards has to say about religious affections and how clearly he expresses his view.
So far I’ve only read until why certain emotions (affections) aren’t a sign of being spiritual or non-spiritual and look forward to read part 3 which distinguishes true spiritual emotions.
But what did it teach me so far?
It shows me that a balance is required and what we think to be right might not always be so. The bible tells us that if any lacks wisdom we should ask for it (James 1:5) and in Proverbs it also says to get wisdom (Prov. 3:13, 7:4, 23:23)which is a virtue and in all our getting to get understanding too (Prov. 4:7- The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom, and whatever you get, get insight)
How easy we can be led astray by incorrect judgements of emotions whether it’s in ourselves or in others and how our human nature is so fickle and fallible. On the other hand we cannot just write someone’s experience of either, God chooses how He reveals Himself to His people, after all He is God. The scriptures are our guide and Edwards rightly says our religion to be a religion of emotions.
After all, how can we say we love if we don’t feel like it or when God asks us to do something we should feel like doing it as well, if we just do it without affection wouldn’t it be a dead religion we profess? We aren’t robots, our God feels and created emotions within us and as we are a reflection of Himself so we too can and need to experience many things. I recently read in Colossians that whatever we do to do it heartily unto God and in chapter 3 vs. 25 it warns about the wrongdoer; we do wrong if we don’t have the right attitude and to me that also means feeling.
May the Lord help us to differentiate rightly I pray.

God Bless!
Cynthia

'True Religion mainly consists in holy emotions'

I've REALLY enjoyed this book so far. It's wonderfully challenging and convicting when we compare our emotions to the perfect emotions of Christ. I've primarily been learning that my desire for my own joy and peace in God is far too weak. Daily I battle to stop my affections acting in worldly ways.

More thoughts to come soon.

What has everyone else got from the book?

Interviews with John Piper

I've posted footage of Adrian Warnock interviewing John Piper at New Word Alive on my blog here. They're well worth a watch. Piper talks about how to study and read the Bible, methods for prayer, his favourite modern-day preachers and his pastoral ministry at Bethlehem Baptist Church.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Next Book Club meeting is happening on the 5th of June. Come!

A Catechism of Christian Hedonism

1) What is the chief purpose of God?
To glorify God.

2) How worthy is God of glory?
God is infinitely glorious therefore is worthy of infinite glory.

3) Can God exist without preferring His glory above everything else?
God by nature has to glorify Himself in all that He does being infinitely worthy of glory.

4) How does God give Himself glory?
God gives Himself glory be enjoying Himself.

5) How is God's self-enjoyment shown?
God's self-enjoyment is shown by having supreme delight in all that He is: every person and work of the trinity; Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

6) Does God have any interest in humanity?
Yes. He wants humans to share in the enjoyment of His glory.

7) What is the chief purpose of humanity?
To glorify God.

8) How can humans glorify God?
Humans can glorify God by enjoying Him.

9) Why should humans glorify God?
Humans should glorify God because God is the only all-satisfying being.

10) Why aren't Christians more excited about the gospel?
....(Respond)

Look at this:

“The ESV is a dream come true for me. The rightful heir to a great line of historic translations, it provides the continuity and modern accuracy I longed for. Now the scope and theological faithfulness of the ESV Study Bible study notes is breathtaking. Oh how precious is the written Word of God.” - John Piper

“I can’t imagine a greater gift to the body of Christ than the ESV Study Bible. It is a potent combination indeed: the reliability and readability of the ESV translation, supplemented by the best of modern and faithful scholarship, packaged in an accessible and attractive format. A Christian could make no wiser investment for himself, a pastor could recommend no better resource for his congregation.” - C. J. Mahaney

“Outstanding! The ESV Study Bible is a treasure—a beautiful volume, filled with a wealth of resources. It will be just as useful for the seminarian and long-time pastor as it will be accessible to the brand-new Christian.” - Albert Mohler

More...

Diligence toward the Lord and spiritual things

I have a neighbour next door who is very diligent at gardening. I'm sure that she enjoyes it emensly, but yesterday she was out there even in the wind toiling away. I happend to observe her from the children's bedroom. It was really impressive, but she had no idea I was watching her. Also a few months ago I went to the gym to take up a free trial they were giving. One of the ladies who runs "Yummy Mummy" class has such muscles that it takes years to build them up. Very impressive! in the same manner it takes great dedication to maintain a beautiful garden just as well as impressive muscles. What about us Christians? Here is what John Owen says: "Do we make religion our chief concern in life? With many of us, everything else is put before the one essential thing - our spiritual welfare. If we are continually occupied with the affairs of the world and only just make time now and then to consider spiritual realities, it is a sure sign that our spiritual life is wasting away" (p.83) He also expands that if have not invested into our spiritual life before how can we expect to be spiritual and bear fruit in an old age?
That thought should encourage us to press on because our dilligence not only helps us to be spiritual and bear fruit for the Lord and His glory, but also is a huge witness to non-believers. Even if they don't observe us just like I did with my neighbout, still they will be challenged and touched in one way or the other.
May the Lord help us to be everything that He purposed in His good plan for us!!!
Amen.

Amazed...

Greetings fellow members!

As we were talking at the dinner table tonight and Joseph asking Victor alot of questions about The Lord it struck me that when Jesus overturned the money tables in the temple how there was no tumultous hubbub or riot and how no one could stop Jesus as His wrath was seen and the fire that must have burned in His eyes, the righteous anger displayed (John 2:14-17)... and also when they tried to throw Jesus down a cliff and he just passed through the middle of the throng and no harm done (Luke 4:29-30)...and Jesus said that no one could take His life from Him but that He lays it down of His own authority (John 10:18)...oh what power and glory!
No one could hurt Him unless He allowed it. And He did.
It also reminds me of Christ's 'subdued' anger and that one day it will be fully displayed.
Rienke mentioned that Owen's book shows different aspects of Christ's glory and tonight's thought just stayed with me and it just amazes me. Thinking like this is musing on His Glory.

May we not only be amazed at His goodness, gentleness, love and longsuffering but also at His justice and power being displayed, not only than but now! He controls all things.
Nothing is hidden from His sight and may we live in that continual knowledge, fully aware of His gaze.

God bless!
Cynthia.

Another thought about 'The glory of Christ'

One more positive comment on ‘The Glory of Christ’. It is a real blessing God gives us books like this one so that we can still learn from gifted people like Owen even centuries after their death!
I have not finished it yet, but the book has already been very instructive. I think the thing mostly touched me is that although we can’t see Christ in reality now, we are able by grace to see Him through faith. God does not need us to glorify Him, because he is self-sufficient. But nevertheless we do not have to be content with just a vague image of Christ as our Saviour. We are allowed to learn more about Him even in this life. What a glorious fact!
I like the book because it doesn’t stop after saying that we must see the glory of Christ in this life if we are real Christians (which is true in itself) but also shows us so many different aspects of the Christ’s glory. There is so much in Christ! Last night I read the chapter about the glory of Christ by giving Himself to believers. He unites himself with his people through the Holy Spirit. But through Christ we can also see the Father, as Owen explains in the beginning of his book. So in Christ we can glorify the whole Trinity! Reading this book makes me really humble because there is so much more in Christ than I understand, but also desiring to get more knowledge of Christ.
Recently I read something J.C. Ryle wrote. He says that many Christians complain about lacking sensible comfort in their religion because they do not see clearly the great object on which their faith rests. He stresses the importance of the knowledge of the fullness in Christ, his resurrection, priesthood, intercession, unfailing compassion and so on. “Our slight and imperfect knowledge of Christ is the true reason of our discomfort. Let the time past suffice us to have been lazy students in Christ’s school: let the time to come find us more diligent in trying to ‘know him, and the power of his resurrection’ (Phil. 3:10).” Reading Owen’s book is a really good starting point to become a zealous student!

Reason for Negatives and Reason for God

Sorry to hear you failed Angela! Am praying for your next test!

Failing a driving test is a great way to submit your money to Gods ruling. I failed a...few.. and found that God taught me to really rely on Him in the financial area of my life.

I've been reading Packer's book 'Knowing God' today. In the chapter called God only Wise. He says:

'We are confronted with the wisdom of God ordering the events of a human life for a double purpose: the individual's own personal sanctification, and the fulfilling of his appointed ministry and service in the life and people of God.'

He orders everything in a better way than we ever could!

Angela mentioned Tim Keller's sermons. Here's the link to the whole series called: 'The Trouble with Christianity: Why it's so Hard to Believe It'. The sermons look at six common objections to Christianity in a rational easy-to listen-to way.

Heavenly minded

The book has been truly a blessing indeed! Such wonderful solid teaching is vital in our present Christian lives.
So many things has spoken to me, but today ch.13 came to mind and helped so much. I was really hoping and praying for a pass in my driving test, but alas, failed again! I think because I prayed and fasted it was not as such a hard blow as it was before, but still not an easy thing to swallow - all I can do is to remember that the Lord is faithful. As John Owen puts: "while we are in this life, the Lord Christ in his Sovereign wisdom sometimes hides himself from us. Job complained that he could not see God on the left hand or on the right (Job 23:8,9). Isaiah writes: Truly you are God who hide yourself, O God of Israel, the Saviour" (Is. 45:15) The Psalmist cried: How long, Lord?Will you hide yourself for ever? (Ps. 89:46)." Owen carried on to explain why sometimes God hides Himself from us? "He does it to stir us up to search for him with all our heart." This is one of the reasons, but such a good one! This driving experience caused me to seek the Lord more than I ever imagined. Not much changed for men when they get married, but for women even most sealous and spiritual ones is hard to stay that way. I spoke to many mums and it seems to be prevalent. In times like these it is good to have a substantial knowledge to fall on. We as Christians forever greatful for the Bible, as I was going out I read Psalm 35 and it was great encouragemet, but books like Owen's are deffinately God's blessing and soloid nutrition =). Lastly, we I failed and was debriefed, I offered him a website to Tim Kellers sermons. He declined. During my driving he asked me questions and I asked him whether he is a believer or not? His asnwer was "no". So we got talking a bit. So when he said no to the website, I thought to myself - Mr. Examiner, you just FAILED to seek the Lord! The while time he was complaining that it was hot (it was a beautiful sunny day and may be I was not eating for days I could not feel anything), but what a HEAT it will be for those who reject the Lord. Sad truth, but very sobering one.
Look forward seeing you all at the book review on Thursday!!!
with much love in Jesus,
Angela.

Sproul and hard sayings

Thanks for that Cynthia. Was challenged by the quote from Sproul:

'The Christian who seeks a deeper experience of God by ignoring the hard sayings of scripture gets nowhere.’

On the topic of hard sayings:

'Hell is only a punishment, but sin is a crime. It is more evil than the punishment, and it is that of which Hell is the punishment. That God is glorified on men in such a way is a clear and full proof what an evil thing it is to sin against and dishonour God. Consequently Hell itself does not inflict so much hurt as sin does.

Hell, indeed is a dismal place of horror and torment, the extremity of suffering, but it never had any existence till sin had... It is reported as a saying of Anselm that if sin and Hell were set before him and he must go through one of them, he would choose to go through Hell rather than sin.' Ralph Venning. (The Sinfulness of Sin, pg 187, Banner of Truth)

Haven't read the whole book yet but from what I've read it's clear, deep and profound teaching. Buy it here.

Here's Piper on the wrath of God:

Christ has completely absorbed God's wrath for us! 'He became sin for us that we might become the righteousness of God in Him' (2 Cor 5v21).

one more thought...

Hello!
Well, I finished the book and must say that I thoroughly enjoyed it.
My prayer for myself and those who are reading this too is that it won’t be another piece of knowledge accumulated but a true hearts desire to experience more of Christ’s glory in our daily lives and see Him ‘High and lifted up’ (see Isaiah 6:1) just like Isaiah had a heavenly vision of the glory of the Lord and was enthralled by it.

In Ch.13 page 66, J. Owen writes: ‘If we are satisfied with the mere idea of the glory of Christ as a piece of information obtained from scripture, we shall find it has no transforming power for our lives. Let us love Christ with full purpose of heart; let our minds be filled with thoughts of delight in him; let our trust in him be constantly exercised; then virtue will proceed from him to purify our hearts, increase our holiness, strengthen our graces and fill us sometimes with “joy inexpressible and full of glory”(1Peter 1:8) It is good if the love of our heart is quickened at the same time as our understanding is enlightened.
Mere knowledge and no love leads to empty formality.
All love and no knowledge leads to superstition.’

I just started to read R.C Sproul’s book The Soul’s Quest for God, it is good and also ties in with what Owen says. In this particular chapter he talks about Ezekiel. (I will paraphrase) Ezekiel was a prophet who was sent to speak warnings of woe and sorrow to the people because of their sins. Any good prophet had a tremendous task in front of him and it wasn’t an easy one at all (there were also false prophets who cared about themselves and people’s opinions). God told Ezekiel to eat the scroll in Ez.2, he not only chewed it but had to swallow it. So we too need to digest the Word of God. The words Ezekiel spoke weren’t easy words but Sproul writes that why was it sweetness + honey to his soul? He tells of 2 reasons: he saw a remarkable vision and was captured by the visible manifestation of God’s Glory in heart and soul by an understanding of the holiness of God and secondly, ‘he understood that even God’s wrath and judgement are an expression of his purity. The Christian who seeks a deeper experience of God by ignoring the hard sayings of scripture gets nowhere.’
May we too experience more of this each day and ask the Lord to illumine His truth to us.
God bless you all,
Cynthia Mason.

Love it

Well, it's time to answer Simon's question...How do I find this book?Very good. J. Owen explains in a very clear and concise way what the Glory of Christ means. I’m sure I wouldn't have been able to put it into words like J. Owen does so well apart from that God should be glorified in and through us, only He is worthy of all praise and honour and the more we see Him, the more we love Him and the more it changes us. I particularly liked the preface (the last 2 chapters written by Owen and later added to future editions), there's so much in it. On page 2 it says: 'We cannot stop wondering that our nature is capable of sharing the glorious life of God'. Let us think about that! Our nature that's so sinful , frail, subject to change and failing yet...God choose to reveal Himself to us and uses us, not because he needs us of course just because he wants to and will be glorified through these simple vessels, we are but dust( see Ps.103: 14-18). Glorious grace that is. On page 4 Owen quotes 2 Tim 1:12 and talks about our giving our souls up to God's disposal, in faith. It made me ponder on this scripture and how Paul really knew whom he believed and what confidence he had in his God. Do we? Do I? Paul went through so much yet his confidence in God wasn't knocked and fully assured of Him to keep that which he committed to Him.
Well there's so much more I love to share and am half way through the book now so leave room for others to respond too. God bless. Cynthia.

One chapter down...

So I've finished the first chapter of the book. Not sure why I've been so slow...

The chapter is great. It's awesome to think that everything we do in Christian service flows from a desire to observe the glory. When I was first saved I thought the glory of God was some sort of quantity and measurable substance that changes depending on your church attendance, Bible reading and prayer life. I was under the impression that Gods glory goes up and down depending on performance. It's good that I'm wrong- we can never make God more or less glorious. Glorify God in ourselves is receiving His glory! Through reading the Word with the help of Piper's Desiring God (buy it here) it's clear that the glory of God is something for us to cherish, enjoy and savour!

God's glory doesn't depend on performing. God is and always will be as glorious as he ever was! The miracle is that we get to share in that glory and then God is glorified in us.

I found the first point on page 8 quite challenging. 'No man will ever see the glory of Christ hereafter if he does not have some view of it by faith now'. If we don't and can't see Jesus as beautiful and ultimately attractive we are not saved. Jesus loves to wet our appetites for heaven by giving us some of His glory now.

I like what he said on page 9 about the world becoming less and less attractive until it seems dead of enjoyment. I get annoyed when Christians tell other christian to be crucified to the world without any reference to being alive with Christ and becoming more excited about Jesus and the cross .Johnathan Edwards said that in order to get rid of one passion we need to replace it with a stronger one. Becoming ecstatic about Jesus will crucify the world in the best way possible!

How has everyone else found the book?

Why read Owen?

'To read John Owen is to enter a rare world. Whenever I return to one of his works I find myself asking “Why do I spend time reading lesser literature?”' —Sinclair B. Ferguson

'I owe more to John Owen than to any other theologian, ancient or modern; and I owe more to [The Mortification of Sin] than to anything else he wrote.'—J.I. Packer

'There is constantly in Owen, even when we are in the thick of him (and some of his writing is dense indeed) a doxological motive and motif. If we can persevere with his style (which becomes easier the longer we persevere), he will not fail to bring us to the feet of Jesus.'—Sinclair B. Ferguson

Read Biographies

Mark Driscoll explains why preachers should:

Why read?

Helpful reasons from the Metropolitan Tabernacle:

Gains of Christian reading- when united to a sincere devotional life

Readers are far better equipped for serving the Lord as witnessing Christians, shepherds of others, or teachers in any department of the church.
They will be ‘bigger’ people whose minds are far more alive, active and awake through their entire lives. Intelligence and mental energy will be stimulated and will continue growing, continuing bright and sharp into old age. Regular reading enlarges the ability to think, and increases powers of expression.
Readers help their churches to withstand false teaching so that they do not fall prey to the avalanche of errors of these last days. Would you be an anchor in the church? Christian reading boosts discernment.
Readers are greatly helped in deep trials and barren times because they are given a clear view of how God deals with His people, seeing them through to victory.

Check out the Met Tab's own book shop. I recommend a bit of Spurgeon!

Our new blog!

The MPBC book club blog page is looking shiny and new! Post your thoughts and ideas concerning anything you've been reading recently so that we can all learn form each other.

The books for this month is 'The Glory of Christ' by John Owen. We're reading from the abridged version, (it's less than 100 pages long).

If you haven't yet get your copy speak to Stephen this Sunday for a spare.

'A continual view of th glory of Christ will have the blessed effect of changing us more and more into the likeness of Christ. Perhaps other ways and means have failed to make us Christ-like. Let us put this way to the test'.-Owen