Tim Keller on Gospel-Centered ministry

Tim Keller on “Gospel-Centered Ministry” at the Gospel Coalition is now available in either audio or video at the Resurgence site.

HT: Between Two Worlds

The spread of the gospel in the early church – pay attention pastors!

Justo Gonzales says (The Story of Christianity, vol. 1, 98-99):

The enormous numerical growth of the church in its first centuries leads us to the question of what methods it used to achieve such growth. The answer may surprise some modern Christians, for the ancient church knew nothing of “evangelistic services” or “revivals.” On the contrary, in the early church worship centered on communion, and only baptized Christians were admitted to its celebration. Therefore, evangelism did not take place in church services, but rather, as Celsus said, in kitchens, shops, and markets. A few famous teachers, such as Justin and Origen, held debates in their schools, and thus won some converts among the intelligentsia. But the fact remains that most converts were made by anonymous Christians whose witness led others to their faith. The most dramatic form taken by such witness was obviously that of suffering unto death, and it is for this reason that the word “martyr,” which originally meant “witness,” took on the meaning that it has for us.

I am not endorsing the centrality of communion over preaching which Gonzales says the early church did. I want to think more about that and what went on with communion, like a rehearsal of the biblical gospel to keep it central, in which case I’d have no problems with it being central to the corporate gathering. But notice where church growth and gospel spreading activity happens. It happens where people live life in the world. And who equips such people to do that type of ministry and love of modeling and communicating the gospel in words understandable to their culture? Paul would say the pastors and teachers (along with the apostles, prophets, and evangelists).

(ESV) Ephesians 4:11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ…

Piper books on sale! – My recommendations

Since today and tomorrow John Piper’s books are all on sale for $5 without limit, let me recommend a few with a word on each (the traffic on the site is crazy right now, try again at an hour when few are online, like late at night):

1. Future Grace – the best book on a theology of Christian living that is insightful and practical. The just shall live by faith, but faith in what? Faith in the future grace of God promised for the moment. It’s a really good book, designed to be read in a 31 day month, 10 pages a day. A great book to read with someone for discipleship. If any man at CFBC wanted to read through it together with me, I’d be willing.
2. Desiring God – the vintage Piper book. His chapter on the happiness of God (chapter 1) and Worship (chapter 3) were so very insightful and life shaping for me. Chapter 4 on Loving others was also huge.
3. The Pleasures of God – My favorite book of all that I’ve read outside the bible. It’s a little deep, but to see the glory of God through what he loves and where he finds pleasure is life-transforming. And the book is only 5 bucks!
4. What Jesus Demands from the World – Short chapters that are very insightful and help you to fall in love with Jesus. There are 50 short chapters. If you got one book and you don’t have a lot of time to read, then I’d say buy this one. I try to read one chapter every Saturday night to prepare to worship God with the church on Sunday.
5. Let the Nations be Glad! – this is necessary for any Christian who wants to have a global mindset and God’s heart for the salvation of the world. A book every church leader should read and feel. This book has given me direction for life and ministry. Eleazar would not be a marine today preparing for missions were it not for this book.
6. When I don’t Desire God – The most practical book by Piper on how to nurture a desire for God and his glory primarily through Scripture and prayer.
7. Don’t Waste your life – For those in the work place and schools, there’s a chapter here on how to glorify God at work from 8-5pm. A great chapter every Christian should know how to apply in their work and school tasks.
8. God’s Passion for His Glory – this is a deep book containing Jonathan Edwards dissertation , “The End for Which God Created the World.” His answer, God’s glory. The most God-centered book there is besides the Bible.

Devotionals – short 2 page meditations on various Christian thoughts and culture to help us think and live God-centered.

1. A Godward Life
2. Life as a Vapor
3. Pierced by the Word
4. Taste and See

Books for pastors:

1. Brothers we are NOT Professionals! – a great book for all pastors and leaders.
2. The Supremacy of God in Preaching – a theology of preaching that is powerful and compelling. The book is pretty short.

Online books recommended: Evangelical Affirmations

This book can be read in its entirety online for free.  Kenneth Kantzer and Carl Henry are the editors, with writings from D. A. Carson, Joseph Stowell, Os Guinness, Carl Henry, David Wells, and others.

I read the D. A. Carson chapter and it was very helpful and edifying.

New D. A. Carson audio (and video) – What is the gospel? from the 2007 Gospel Coalition Conference

What is the Gospel? – preached at the 2007 Gospel Coalition Conference in May.  “In this audio from the first session of the inaugural Gospel Coalition conference, watch as Dr. Don Carson of Trinity Evangelical Divinity School talks on just exactly “what is the Gospel?” In this audio, Dr. Carson lists eight summarizing words that help to define the Gospel, five clarifying sentence to differentiate the Gospel from what it is not, and one evocative summary. We pray that as you hear Dr. Carson’s words you will learn what it means to truly be about the Gospel and to experience the transformation that inevitably accompanies it.”  You can download or watch the video by going to the Resurgence Website.

To see the rest of D.A. Carson audio and video that I found on the internet, click here.

Good Christian books for Children

I just bought these 4 books for my son and other kids in our church who may spend time at our house when we read to the kids:

1. The Jesus Storybook Bible – The story of the whole Bible and how it points to Christ.
2. Peril and Peace: Chronicles from the Ancient Church
3. Monks and Mystics: Chronicles from the Medieval Church
4. Courage and Conviction: Chronicles of the Reformation Church
5. God’s Big Picture Story Bible – for younger kids.

The first 3 books are on bargain-sale until June 26 while #4 is an average discount. The books are for kids about ages 9-12. Most Christians are ignorant of church history and how the whole Bible points to Christ, I think these resources will be helpful and edifying.

Church Matters, new blog by Mark Dever and friends

Mark Dever at 9Marks.org opened a new blog today called, “Church Matters.”  Here’s an excerpt from the email:

Church matters. And church matters matter. If that matters to you, check out Mark Dever’s introductory post and more.

Our intended audience, as with most of 9Marks material, is pastors, church leaders, and seminarians. At the same time, we hope that all Christians become more interested in church matters, because we believe the local church is the focal point of God’s plan for displaying his glory to the nations. That includes all of us who profess faith in Christ.

Blog contributors will consist of Mark Dever, Matt Schmucker, Jonathan Leeman, and the 9Marks lead writers, as well as several like-minded pastors and occasional guests. For the time being, we thought we’d try opening the blog to public comments. Hopefully it can be used as a place of honest inquiry and discussion regarding pastoring and leading local church life.

So take a look. Call the papers, and wake the neighbors—‘cause Church Matters!

Carson on false teachers and false prophets

This is from For the Love of God, vol. 1, by D. A. Carson, June 9.

THREE QUESTIONS:

(1)  How can you spot a false prophet?  The Bible offers several complementary criteria.  For instance, in Deuteronomy 18:22 we are told that if an ostensible prophet predicts something and that thing does not take place, the prophet is false.  Of course, that criterion does not help very much if what the prophet has predicted is far into the future.  Moreover, here in Deuteronomy 13 we are warned that the inverse does not prove the prophet is trustworthy.  If what the ostensible prophet predicts takes place, or if he manages to perform some sort of miraculous sign or wonder, another criterion must be brought to bear.  Is this prophet’s message enticing people to worship some god other than the Lord who brought the people out of Egypt?

What this criterion presupposes is a thorough grasp of antecedent revelation.  You have to know what God has revealed about himself before you can determine whether or not the prophet is leading you to a false god.  For the false god may still be given the biblical names of God (as in, say, Mormonism, or the christology of Jehovah’s Witnesses).  John’s first epistle offers this same criterion:  if what an ostensible prophet (1 John 4:1 – 6) teaches cannot be squared with what the believers have heard “from the beginning” (1 John 2:7; 2 John 9), it is not of God (so also Paul in Gal. 1:8 – 9).

(2)  Why are false prophets dangerous?  Apart from the obvious reason, viz. that they teach false doctrine that leads people astray from the living God and therefore ultimately attracts his judgment, there are two reasons.  First, their very description — “false prophet” — discloses the core problem.  They profess to speak the word of God, and this can be seductive.  If they came along and said, “Let us sin disgustingly,” most would not be attracted.  The seduction of false prophecy is its ostensible spirituality and truthfulness.  Second, although false prophets may enter a community from outside (e.g., Acts 20:29 — and if it is the “right” outside, this makes them very attractive), they may arise from within the community (e.g., Acts 20:30), as here — for example, a family member (13:6).  I know of more than one Christian institution that went bad doctrinally because of nepotism.

(3)  What should be done about them?  Three things.  First, recognize that these testing events do not escape the bounds of God’s sovereignty.  Allegiance is all the more called for (13:3 – 4).  Second, learn the truth, learn it well, or you will always lack discernment.  Third, purge the community of false prophets (a process that takes a different form under the new covenant: e.g., 2 Cor. 10 — 13; 1 John 4:1 – 6), or they will gradually win credence and do enormous damage.

Copyright 2007 D.A. Carson

I’m grateful to God for The Master’s Seminary

Their passion is my passion. I got this in an alumni email from TMS today:

Our passion is still your passion:

• • To have men study God’s Word with precision;

  • To have graduates speak God’s message with power;

  • To develop in students a desire to serve God’s purpose with zeal;

  • To shepherd God’s flock with care; and

  • To fight God’s battle with courage.

Get a virtual M. Div. degree from some of the most faithful teachers of God’s Word!

Check out this link for classes, lectures, and audio to grow in the knowledge of God’s Word.  You can learn more here than in many seminaries.  I like his title, “virtual M. Div.”  I got my M. Div. at the Master’s Seminary and I learned a lot, but like they taught me, there is a lot more to learn and I’m excited to use these links to grow and recommend to others.