Martin Lloyd-Jones Video

A most fascinating video featuring footage of the man himself soli Dei Gloria

Behold my Servant: Isaiah 53

The above is an artwork I did based on a sermon series preached recently which was on this text. Click on the picture to go to place to download this image, should you wish to do so

Free Audiobook

Christian audio is offering the book “Adopted for Life” by Russell D. Moore

Free download available until the end of February

Click here to go to their website

Hermeneutics Challenge

A nice little hermeneutical exercise for you theologians out there:

The idea is this: using only the texts of scripture write out a timeline, and describe a basic order of events, from the moment the shepherds arrived at the stable to the moment Mary, Joseph and Jesus arrived back in Nazareth from Egypt. Describing details like for example, the timeframe for the wise men, the timeframe of the star, and Mary & Joseph’s movements during that time.

Rules: use ONLY the text of scripture particularly Matthew 2 and Luke 2 which deal most with this topic.

Put aside all topical notes, study notes and commentaries etc. for this one as well as, as far as possible previous knowledge and opinions of the subject. The point of the exercise is to EXAMINE THE TEXT, and draw the story from it.

Now granted there are likely to have several variations of the story, probably as many versions as there are people who participate. This is not an issue of any particular importance as regarding our faith. If we disagree it’s no particular problem except unless the problem is an issue of biblical inerrancy.

Have fun and message me your answers. And I’ll post them in one blog post. I’ll also post my answer tomorrow.

Finally remember, use ONLY the text of scripture. Soli Dei Gloria

Note, please comment your answers below, all relevant comments will be collated into a future post.

Examples of the use of King James Version phases in modern speech

Today it is a commonplace to note that the words and rhythms of the KJV and its source translations shape the speech of countless millions who never open a bible or enter a church. Somehow, the language of the 1611 version never falls from grace (Galatians 5.4) even if its message falls on stony ground (Mark 4.5). In a secular age where ignorance of religion goes from strength to strength (Psalms 84.7) among lovers of filthy lucre (1 Timothy 3.8) who only want to eat, drink and be merry (Luke 12.19), we know for a certainty (Joshua 23.13) that these resonant words endure as a fly in the ointment (Ecclesiastes 10.1) and a thorn in the flesh (2 Corinthians 12.7) of the powers that be (Romans 13.1). They can still set the teeth on edge (Jeremiah 31.29) of those who try to worship God and Mammon (Matthew 6.24). But does this ancient book, proof that there is no new thing under the sun (Ecclesiastes 1.9), now cast its pearls before swine (Matthew 7.6), and act as a voice crying in the wilderness (Luke 3.4) – a drop in a bucket (Isaiah 40.15) of unbelief, no longer a sign of the times (Matthew 16.3) but a verbal stumbling-block (Leviticus 19.14) or else all things to all men (1 Corinthians 9.22) while the blind lead the blind (Matthew 15.14)?

I highly recommend that you read the entire very interesting article at the following link: http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/features/battles-of-a-book-the-king-james-bibles-history-of-dissent-and-inspiration-2171902.html

Free Audiobook

This month’s free audiobook is The Pursuit of Holiness by Jerry Bridges. I have not read this book before but it is considered to be a classic on the subject of holiness. I believe this would be well worth they download (specially because its free this month only.

You can download it from here or here

Market-Driven Christianity

"Am I now trying to win the approval of men--or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men--I would not be a servant of Christ." Galatians 1:10
Religion in America is big business. Scads of money, powerful personalities, huge egos, and positions of prominence, influence, and recognition are at stake in the business of religion, just as they are in any other business. There was a time when the concern of churches and preachers in this country was the glory of God and the truth of God. Today, like any business, the concern is for success.
Christianity today is market-driven. The goal of all marketing is to make both the buyer and the seller satisfied. Consequently, market-driven churches, in utter abandonment of God’s glory and God’s truth, in their insatiable quest for success and recognition--do whatever it takes to win customers and keep them.
Be warned! False doctrine and worldliness always go hand in hand. Worldliness usually leads the way. The early modernists did not aim at destroying biblical Christianity. They simply tried to make Christianity palatable to an unbelieving world. It cannot be done. When Christianity becomes acceptable to unregenerate people--it has ceased to be Christianity!
"For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing!" 1 Corinthians 1:18

by Don Fortner

Taken from Grace Gems