We Are Moving!

Christian Joe is moving in order to add more flexibility with the blog.  I now have a new ministry site that is up and running called

Discover Grace
www.dgministry.com

Where you can download articles, sermons, link to web resources, and a forum for Christian fellowship.

Christian Joe will now be a part of that ministry and it is accessible through the web address above or to go directly to Christian Joe

www.christianjoe.graceutah.com

I will be writing more on the new blog, as I have been absent from writing, getting the site up and running.  Go check it out and then also join our discover grace forum and post a word or two.  God bless.

 

 

 

 

New Blog Ministry

We have been working for some time on a web ministry for Grace Baptist Church. A place on the internet where we can podcast the sermons preached at Grace Baptist as well as articles written by members of Grace and a place for Christians to find encouragement and resources for living. We still have more work to do, but we are launching it now, while we continue to work on it. As time goes, I will be moving this blog over and producing one web ministry. Please take a look
at

www.dgministry.com

I hope this web ministry of Grace Baptist Church can be helpful in the work of the Lord.  Please feel free to drop me suggestions on how to improve it in style or substance.

What About Movements?

Dr. Dave Doran has an excellent post over at his blog about “Christian Movements” and specifically the “Fundamentalist Movement.” Check it out! Here is a snippet from his post.

The center of God’s will for this dispensation is in the local church (1 Tim 3:15). That’s where the unity of the Spirit is to be preserved in the bond of peace (Eph 4:3). The local church has been charged with the task of carrying out the Great Commission (since baptizing is an ordinance of the church). The movement that ought to matter most to us is one that aims to plant churches that will reproduce in every place where the name of Christ has not been named, and that movement must spring from local churches in order to be biblical. Sign me up for that movement.

Let’s get back to the ministry of the local church-God’s plan for this age.

Exposition and Ezra

In considering the Biblical call for expositional preaching, the classic text is Nehemiah 8. We see a tremendous account of the power of exposition. Picture this scenario. The entire congregation of Israel-men, women, and children (all that had understanding) gather together while Ezra opens the Book of the Law of Moses in the sight of all the people. Standing behind a wooden pulpit, he reads from morning until midday and the people pay attention to the Word of God. As he begins to read that morning, all the people stand up in reverence and awe of God’s Word. Ezra prays a prayer of blessing and thanksgiving to God and the people respond with “Amen, Amen” lifting their hands toward heaven. And then they bow their heads in reverent humility and worship the Lord with their faces toward the ground. Other Levites explain what was read along with Ezra. We are not sure how this looked exactly, but it seems they broke into smaller groups so that the Word could be heard and explained more effectively. Nehemiah 8:8 gives the summary of the preaching and it is exactly what exposition is. “So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading.” This is the purpose of the preacher. His purpose is not titillating stories, coarse jesting, fanciful allegory, or persuasive manipulation. His job is not to get public response or to change hearts and minds. His job is to read the Word distinctly (clearly and accurately), to give the sense (to explain the intent of the passage), and to cause the people to understand (provide implication and application for obedience). No where in this formula do we see the personage of the expositors as any importance. They were the mouthpieces, the Word is central.

The response of the people is fascinating. When they understand what has just been read to them, they begin to mourn. They were grieving over their disobedience and ignorance as to what God has said. The command to the people is to rejoice for the joy of the Lord is your strength. They were to rejoice in God and in His Word. To delight in Him was the directive of Ezra the priest. This same thing took place the next day, and this day, the priests and Levites read distinctly, exlpained, and provided implication concerning the keeping of the feast of the seventh month; but what happens when exposition takes place is normative for God working with His Word. The people went out and made booths to celebrate the feast of the seventh month. This happened every day for eight days. On the twenty fourth day of the month, the congregation was assembled again this time fasting. Once again the Word of God read clearly, explained rightly, and implied correctly brought about revival in the hearts of the congregation. They began to confess their sins and to do something about it. 1/4 of the day they read the Word, and 1/4 of the day the confessed and worshipped God. (An interesting note for another post, is that worship flowed from the Word of God, not in anticipation of the Word of God). They prayed and praised God, they obeyed, they fasted, they confessed. This continually takes place and it comes from the Word of the Lord being read clearly, explained rightly, and implied correctly. Their is power in the Word of God, and I believe the Spirit of God moves in far greater and long-lasting ways when a mouthpiece, a preacher, devalues himself and his ability and simply preaches God’s Word expositionally.

I see nothing in this passage about finding the needs of the assembly and meeting those needs. I see nothing of topical preaching. I see nothing of opinions of Ezra or the other Levites, nor preaching to get results. I simply see faithful exposition of the Word of God, and the Spirit of God doing a mighty work.

My preacher brothers, let us decrease and allow the Word of the Lord to increase while we simply read distinctly, explain rightly, and provide implication accurately. God will honor his Word rightly expressed.

A Worthy God

“If a man would be used greatly, God must hurt him deeply.” -Dr. Les Ollila

I often wonder why God would count me worthy placing me into the ministry; and the only answer I can think of is that God chooses the weak to confound the wise. I feel a lot like Peter, always saying the wrong thing at the wrong time. But, I am so encouraged by the life of Peter. God still told him to feed his sheep. Why did God choose Peter to be leader? Why not Andrew or Bartholomew? Why Peter over John and James? I know God used them as well, but why confront Peter with the job of feeding his sheep; he was the least likely? Why has God placed me in the position of under-shepherd? Many times I think that God’s sheep would be better served by a more talented, less sinful, more sensitive, less faulty shepherd.

But I suppose I would miss out on being broken by God and truly seeing what it means to say, “Whom have I in heaven but Thee, and there is none upon the earth that I desire beside Thee. My flesh and my heart faileth, but God, you are the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” One thing I know, that if the ministry God has lead me to is ever successful; all glory,praise, honor, and value must be assigned to God alone-I can share none of it.

A Good Perspective

Dave Doran over at Glory & Grace presents a good perspective on the current debates and ramblings going on in American Christianity and reminds us to focus on what really is important.  That was a good reminder!

The Calvinist Rumble!

WARNING! LONG, CONFUSING POST-ENTER AT YOUR OWN RISK OF LOSING YOUR SANITY!

Oh how the word “Calvinism” sparks such controversy and uproar, and I am not just talking about the way the blogosphere goes at it.  This one word has broken relationships, split churches, and created (as most debates do) an awful lot of misrepresentation by both sides of the issue.

I am not a Jean Calvin scholar.  I don’t understand all there is about the debate, but what I do observe is cat-like reflexes by individuals on both sides to defend rather than to listen.  When we cease to listen and instead find ourselves formulating our counter-points before our friend has even finished giving his point; it is probable that we will misunderstand and misrepresent.

Recently, it has become common for the staunch Calvinist to accuse the non-Calvinist (Arminius or whatever they like to be called) of proposing a works-based salvation.  It is equally common for the die-hard non-Calvinist to lob the grenade at the Calvinist of blind fatalism or being  un-evangelistic.  I have met very few of either extreme (although I do not say they don’t exist, just saying, I haven’t met them).  Instead, I find myself getting my rankles raised when the term Calvinist is used as if it is an insult as in “Ohh, he is just a Calvinist!” or oppositely (with sorrow in the words) “He’s not much of a Calvinist.” Yet I see the dangers of professing (with fingers firmly in suspenders and nose high in the air) “Bless God, I am a Biblicist.”  Both Calvinists and Non-Calvinists (the honest ones anyway) are trying to be Biblicists so that is no good answer either.  So then we have come to trying to define how many points of Calvinism we agree too. . 3? . .41/2?.  5? . . 7?. . .arrrgghhh! (by now you have a little glimpse into how disorganized my brain is and how I am amazed that I can even get a coherent thought across on Sundays at church!)

I contend that orthodox Christianity cannot deny the traditional 5 points of Calvinism (TULIP).  One must believe to some degree in those 5 points if they are to hold to orthodox faith; however, the debate is really the extent to which one holds to those points.  I will do the best to illustrate without getting us further and further into the quicksand of confusion.

One must believe that man is not capable of saving himself and that man is basically a rotten sinner (total depravity of man).  To be orthodox one must believe that man is deprave, but the extent of that depravity is where the debate lies.  The two main sides of the coin–Is man unwilling to do right or is man unable to do right?  So non-Calvinists, don’t argue against the depravity of man and Calvinists, don’t fight your non-Calvinist brothers against the depravity of man-both believe it.  If you are going to debate-be precise in defining exactly what you mean by depravity-inability or unwillingness.

One must believe in election in order to be orthodox in their faith.  You cannot deny the term nor the meaning of election and not mutilate texts in Romans, Peter, Ephesians, Galatians, etc. . . God does elect (choose) people to salvation.  But where the debate really lies is what is that election based upon? (foreknowledge or predestination) Who is elected?  Does the election of individuals to salvation mean that God elects some not to salvation? (all the passages of Scripture that speak of election speak of it in the positive sense not the negative, BTW).  Debate the extent of the election, non-Calvinist friends, don’t get drawn into a debate where you end up denying clear Biblical truth because you are fighting what is perceived to be the extreme Calvinism.  Calvinist friends, don’t think that because someone believes God chose based upon his foreknowledge that they have denied God’s choosing. Listen to them, maybe the position has some merit.

Limited atonement (Particular atonement). Yes, the greatest point of debate right in the middle of the tulip field!  Of course the atonement is limited, Christ did not die for the angels, nor the birds, or cows.  At the very least he died for the human race.  I think you have guessed what I am going to say.  Argue for the extent of the limited atonement.  Was it limited to the entire world or to those who have been elect?  My Calvinist friends, someone can believe in the atonement being limited to the world but applied to those who believe (the elect) and still be orthodox.  Non-Calvinists, limited atonement is not heresy-how can something be heresy that we all believe to one degree.  The extent is where the debate should rage (maybe rage is a poor choice of words).

Irresistible Grace.  Arguing over exactly how much man can resist the grace of God is fine, but don’t accuse the other of being anti-grace simply because they think there is a certain level of resistance man can exert.  I am not so bold as to say that someone who dies in their sins was never a recipent of God’s call of grace, yet I know that God’s purposes will never fail. Is it so bad, that I think this wonderful mystery is . . . well . . . wonderful?

Perseverance of the Saints.  Orthodox Christians who are Calvinists and non-Calvinists have agreed that true believers will continue in their salvation (to deny this is to go the route of what I believe to be heresy in denying the security of the saint).  The extent of one who perseveres and how they persevere is where the debate should be centered.

In conclusion, Orthodox Christianity must affirm to a certain degree the 5 common points of Calvinsim.  But within those 5 points there is room to discuss, debate, argue, and lovingly correct one another.  Let us stop throwing bombs at one another by misrepresentation, mis-information, and missing completley what the other is saying.  God give us grace and peace!

Calvinism and Fundamentalism

There is a grave danger within fundamentalism to want to shoot those on the same team or to want a pound of flesh (like old Shylock) from those we disagree with.  I am convinced that unity can exist where agreement does not, therefore; I have resisted in my public ministry from lobbing critical grenades at those who are on my side even if I think they are horribly mistaken.  This includes those so called “conservative evangelicals” and those “hyper-separatists.”  The bottom line is that I do not have time to worry about what every other ministry is doing and saying frankly because there are sheep within my local assembly that need prayer, counsel, and feeding.  However, I do try to stay up with current Christian news and especially news from those who call themselves fundamentalists.  Recently I read a newsletter from one such organization, that I have never felt a closeness to, yet I believe they are on the same team.  I do not desire to criticize their ministry, but I must make a comment about a trend that disturbs me.  This newsletter attributed well-known pastors John MacArthur and John Piper as embracing reformed theology-and considered that a danger to fundamental baptists.  I find this really disturbing for several reasons.

1) It is well known that JM and JP are strong Calvinists, but the newsletter implies that reformed theology and Calvinism are one and the same.  This flies in the face of history and experience.  One must be a Calvinist to be reformed, but one does not necessarily have to be reformed to be a Calvinist.  Calvinism is a subset of doctrine held within reformed theology.  Maybe I could best express it this way.  Baptist have historically held to baptism by immersion; in fact, one must hold to baptism by immersion to be considered a baptist but many groups besides baptist dunk their followers.  Just because one dunks their followers does not mean they must be called baptists.  Reformed theology and Calvinism have a similar relationship.

2) There is a great implication (in this particular newsletter and in other conversations I have had) that equates Calvinism with a lack of evangelism.  This is blatant blindness to history and a failure to understand the doctrines of grace.  For this to be true, one would have to discount the evangelistic ministry of Charles Spurgeon, William Carey, Adoniram Judson, John Owen, John Newton, George Whitefield, David Brainerd, Jon Edwards, and many more Calvinist missionaries and evangelists.  History has proved that adherence to the doctrines of Grace strengthens one’s call for others to come to Christ.  I suppose that there are Hyper-Calvinists that will not evangelize, but that is an obedience problem, not a Calvin problem–and I have never met such a bird either.

3) It is insulting to me personally to be told that I am Calvinsitic(ish) because I read and listen to such men.  I have come to my position on the doctrines of grace through study of the Word of God.  Romans, Ephesians, and Peter- they were my teachers.  I did not come to my theological positions via the school I went to.  My positions and system of theology began to solidify 2-3 years after graduation as I began to dive deeply into God’s Word and wrestle with texts and contexts.  This is an argument from experience with is a week argument, but it is true for me none the less.

4) There have always been reformed brethern within fundamentalism and Calvinistic men within fundamental baptists.  There are some who would say that fundamental baptists have been non-Calvinists, but that is just not true.  Many of the great fundamental leaders who fought against the errors of the liberals had calvinistic soteriology.  I am bothered by this revisionist history and do not think it is right.

In conclusion, there must be a willingness to discuss the issue of Calvinism without using tired rhetoric, inflammatory statements, or flat out revisionism of history.  If we have to tell what is wrong with everyone else in order to be right we are weak indeed.

In Honor of Christ and His Passion

No Blood, No Altar Now

No blood, no altar now the sacrifice is o’er!
No flame, no smoke ascends on high.  The Lamb is slain no more;
But richer blood has flowed from nobler veins,
To purge the soul from guilt, and cleanse the reddest stains.

We thank Thee for the blood, the blood of Christ, Thy Son:
The blood by which our peace is made, Our victory is won:
Great victory o’er hell, and sin and woe
That needs no second fight, and leaves no second foe.

We thank Thee for the grace, descending from above,
That overflows our widest guilt Eternal Father’s Love.
Love of the Father’s everlasting Son,
Love of the Holy Ghost, Jehovah, Three in One.

We thank Thee for the hope, so glad, and sure, and clear;
It holds the drooping spirit up till the long dawn appear;
Fair hope! with what a sunshine does it cheer
Our roughest path on earth, our dreariest desert here.

We thank Thee for the crown of glory and of life;
‘Tis no poor with’ring wreath of earth, man’s prize in mortal strife;
‘Tis incorruptible as is the throne,
The kingdom of our God and His Incarnate Son.

-Horatius Bonar   

I Love the Gospel!

I love the Gospel!  I borrowed an idea from another Pastor friend about preaching the Gospel once a month and encouraging the church to invite family and friends to that special service.  We call that day “Discover Grace Sunday.”  Of course this is a play on words since our church name is Grace Baptist.  In no way do we believe that this specific outreach substitutes for the daily responsibility of the church to be disciple-making every where they are going.  Our schedule is generally to have the music and readings notably about God’s grace.  The message I preach is distinctively evangelistic and mostly defining and describing salvation by grace.  We then invite everyone to stay for a lunch after the service so we can get to know the visitors.  The lunch is also for fellowship of church members, but we make a special announcement that the lunch is honor of our guests and that we have prepared extra food for them.  The desire is for our members to intersperse themselves among the visitors and show them warmth and grace.  We also record the service that Sunday and put it on CDs for the church to hand out as an evangelistic tool. 

I have learned something about myself in light of these “Discover Grace Sundays;” I really love preaching the Gospel.  I determined from the beginning that the message would be evangelistic and gospel in nature regardless of who came. We have had Sunday’s when only our church members came and times when visitors have come.  But I just greatly enjoy preaching the story of Jesus Christ who was crucified, buried, rose again, and ascended to the Father where he intercedes for us.  I also believe that preaching the Gospel to Christians can have a greater effect on the church’s evangelism than preaching about the responsibility to evangelize.  The clear proclamation of the Gospel excites us and ignites us with a greater burden to proclaim the Gospel of Grace.  Glorying in and meditating on the Gospel of Jesus Christ causes us to naturally reach out with the Gospel.  I believe these “Discover Grace Sundays”  will have a profound effect on our church with our without visitors in attendance-and because of this, I love the Gospel!