If We Believe All the Same Things, Why Do Our Churches Seem So Different?

If We Believe All the Same Things, Why Do Our Churches Seem So Different? – Kevin DeYoung

Excellent thought-provoking article.

An Unconverted Ministry

Zechariah 11:15 Then the LORD said to me, "Take again the equipment of a foolish shepherd.

George Tennant wrote a famous booklet called "On the Danger of an Unconverted Ministry" which helped to start the First Great Awakening in 1741. In it he says of the ministers of his day, They comfort people before they convince them; sow before they plow; are busy in raising a Fabrick, before they lay a Foundation. These fooling Builders do but strengthen Men's carnal security, by their soft, selfish, cowardly discources. They have not the Courage, or honesty, to thrust the Nail of Terror into sleeping souls……Poor Christians are stunted and starv'd, who are put to feed on such bare Pastures, and such dry Nurses…..O! it is ready to break their very hearts with grief, to see how lukewaarm those Pharisee—-teachers are in their public discources, while sinners are sinking into damnation, in Multitudes!

Sadly, that doesn't sound that far off in the year 2012.

Book Recommendation

The book that I recommended at the Bible study tonight is called "The Calvary Road" written by Roy Hession. It is an awesome read! You can get it free on Amazon for electronic download at...

http://www.amazon.com/The-Calvary-Road-ebook/dp/B002RKS6WK/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1338172841&sr=8-2

Laws of Virginia in 1610

Have you ever wondered why we go to church on Sunday morning, Sunday night and Wednesday? It came about in the Virginia Colony in 1610 as a means to restore order. The law stated that "All preachers and ministers within this our colony or colonies shall, in the forts where they are resident, after divine service, duly preach every Sabbath day in the forenoon and catechise in the afternoon and weekly say the divine service twice every day and preach every Wednesday."

Do you know what failure to do so meant? The law states, "As also every man and woman shall repair in the morning to the divine service and sermons preached upon the Sabbath day in the afternoon to divine service and catechizing, upon pain for the first fault to lose their provision and allowance for the whole week following, for the second to lose the said allowance and also to be whipped, and for the third to suffer death."

Apparently, our founding fathers understood something that we've obviously forgotten.

A Gentle Reminder

1 Peter 1:12 So I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth you now have.

In lieu the choice that we have in what manner we are going to enter Heaven, Peter feels compelled to remind his readers. We all need gentle reminders of how the choices we make in this life will affect us not only in this one but also the next.

Illustration: There's much truth in saying that every man is the architect of his own fate. Your choices affect your destiny. Out of a rough block of stone one man may make a beautiful statue, and another, gravel. Both products are good and useful under certain conditions. But a statue can be immoral in conception, and gravel can be the grudging and punitive work of a criminal condemned to a rock pile. The point is, whether you are a gifted artist or a competent gravel maker, you can choose whether to use your abilities worthily or unworthily. In building a Christian life you also have the same choice.

Peru this Week - News - Light earthquake strikes near Lima, Peru

Peru this Week - News - Light earthquake strikes near Lima, Peru

Hearing the Voice of God, Part 2

Just added a new message called Hearing the Voice of God, Part 2 to Audio Topical Studies.

Therefore Go!

Matthew 28:19  Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

"Any religion that does not consider itself valuable enough to share with nonbelievers is fated to crumble from within." – Will McRaney

Seminary to honor Planned Parenthood

Seminary to honor Planned Parenthood officials (OneNewsNow.com)

"Woe to those who call good evil, and evil good"- Jesus.

The Deep Limitations of Digital Church

AlbertMohler.com – The Deep Limitations of Digital Church

"A digital preacher will not preach your funeral. The deep limitations of digital technologies become evident where the church is most needed. Don’t allow the Internet to become your congregation. YouTube is a horrible place to go to church."