Saturday, June 28, 2008

Praise Songs for 6-29-08

Here are our songs for this weekend. Enjoy!

This Kingdom
Glories of Calvary
God of Wonders
Before the Throne







Wednesday, June 25, 2008

06-22-08 Sermon Review

The Sign for this Generation
John 2:12-22

We live in a generation where people will believe anything. But no one just happens to believe in Christianity. I have met so many people who would say that they want to be a Christian but cannot force themselves to. When I ask them what it would take to convince them fully, and they usually reply by saying they need evidence, a sign. We are no different from the unbelieving of Jesus' days, it is just that our speech has become a little more sophisticated. Instead of signs, we ask for objective evidence. Instead of miracles, we ask for verifiable facts. The answer Jesus would give this generation will be the same as the one He gave for the Jews of His day. Let us take a look at this passage together.

The Setting - After Jesus' first miracle and spending some time in Capernaum, He visits Jerusalem for the annual passover. Jerusalem would have been crowded during this time, as it was a convenient time for many to come and pay the temple tax which every male Jew over the age of 20 was required to pay. When Jesus arrives at the temple, He notices the money changers and the trading booths. This must have not been the first time He saw these services in the temple. Jesus most likely saw the scene many times.

The Scourge - When Jesus takes notice of these services, He deliberately puts together some chords. Jesus wasn't reacting out of uncontrolled passion, but rather a conscience direct zeal for the Father's house. The problem with the services in the temple was not that it was extorting the innocent temple visitors (though in the second occurence, Jesus points this out as well). The problem was that the temple was to be a hourse of prayer for all nations (Isaiah 56:7). Yet the Jews have put the market place like scene into the temple grounds, most likely the Gentile Court where non-Jews were allowed to come and pray. This would hinder all nations from coming and praying to the Lord of heaven and earth. Jesus drives the sheep and ox out and overturns the money changers tables. As the Messiah, zeal for His house had to consume Him. This act was the first sign that Jesus gave to show He was the Messiah, cleansing the temple as the Messiah was supposed to do (Malachi 3:1-3). Jesus, in front of the many visitors that would have been piling into the temple courts, was making a very public testimony that He was the prophesized Messiah.

The Sign - Yet, this sign was not enough for the Jews. They respond to His zeal by asking for a sign to prove His authority. They were not interested in the message or true religion. They simply cared about authority validated by signs, signs that satisfied them. Many in our days are like this. Instead of heeding the call for repentance proclaimed in the Gospel, contemplating the truth of life and death, they demand from God signs to satisfy themselves. This is a sly way of saying that they are the final authorities. If God were to give thema sign they wanted, God's authority would be validated by the people's authority. It would make God their puppet. Jesus would do no such thing. Yet, Jesus did not leave them alone. What grace that Jesus actually did give them a sign! It is not that God is not willing to give a sign, it is simply that men are to sinful to embrace the signs that God has already given us.

Jesus points to the death and resurrection as the ultimate sign. God could do no greater thing to prove Jesus' divinity and His love for mankind but in Jesus cross and exaltation. It is no wonder that we, even almost two thousand years after the cross, still point back to the miracle of all miracles to validate the authority of Jesus' claims. This sign makes clear who the one with authority is, while showing this God's grace by giving to men a sure sign and secured hope. There is no greater sign than the resurrection, no greater proof of His love.

The Scriptures - What amazes me is the contrast between the true disciples and the unbelieving Jews. What sets the true disciples is that they believed, and the object of their belief was the Scriptures and the words of Jesus. The Apostles putting their faith into the Scriptures rather than the greatest sign of the resurrection says mountains about the reliability and the authority of the Scritpures! Where do you turn to when you need to be re-assured of Christ's love for you? Do you turn to Romans 8:31-39? I pray you do! Our faith should be on the solid rock of Jesus. Nothing more clearly points us there than the perfect Word of God.

So then, what sign will you ask for? What will it take for you to put your faith in Jesus Christ? What will prove to you the love of God for you? Only in the Scripture and in the death and exaltation of Jesu Christ will you find the rest of your soul's search. Come, come and enter the throne of grace and beholed the King. Find mercy and grace in time of need. See and taste that the Lord is good. Fall at His feet and adore Him, for His love for you is great. His nail-pierced hands and His wounded side that are still visible on His resurrected body proves it. Stay strong and God bless!

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

6 years from now

Recently, I had the privilege of attending my brother's graduation at UC Davis. I usually don't pay attention to graduation speakers, because most of them give advice that I wouldn't and speak through an abiblical world-view. My experience tells me so. But, that is not to say that there is absolutely no redeemable value in listening to them. So I stopped what I was doing on my laptop and decided to give the speaker my undivided attention. During the middle of her exhortation to the graduating class, she began speaking about a professor of medicine at UC Davis who decided to take a career change at age 36 after receiving tenure at at a pristegious university. The story has been on my mind since the graduation. At the high-point of his career, the professor decided it was not for him to be a scholar and to everyone's shock, enrolled in med-school because he heart for suffering children in Africa. A student asked him, "What was going through your mind." His answer? "6 years from now, I will be 42 doing what I love, or I will be just 42."

I have been meditating on that little anecdote for the past few weeks. I found that the story related well to our Christian walk. There are three points I was meditating upon as I reflected on this story.

Christians often make deicisions considering what is more productive rather than what is more pleasurable, biblically speaking.

Christians rarely consider what they want heaven to be like when making decisisons(i.e. if I do this, would God receive me by saying "Well done, My good and faithful servant" or would I be barely escaping through the fire?)

Christians forget that what is most pleasurable often requires hard-work and suffering; and is often contrary to our fleshly desires.

Was it not a radical decision when we decided to become a Christian? We decided to walk the hard road of life: to deny ourselves, pick up our cross, and follow Him. If someone were to ask us, what was going through your mind when you decided to become a Christian, would you say, "When I die, I will be dead and with Jesus Christ, or I will be just dead." I pray you have considered this road of the cross because Jesus is lovely. Indeed, He makes the dfiference between heaven and hell.

Six years from now I will be 29: still young but having lived over a quarter of a century. I pray the course that I am on will allow me to find my greatest pleasure in Jesus Christ. And if not within six years from now, in the day when eternal joy begins. I pray friend, for you as well, that you would find great pleasure in making much of Christ and you would decide to live making much of Christ. Stay strong and God bless!

Saturday, June 21, 2008

Don't Waste Your Life - John Piper

A heartfelt plea by a bold preacher not to waste our lives on the altar of human achievement, but rather on the altar of God's glory. I found this book to be though-provoking as well as convicting from cover to cover. Dr. John Piper writes in such a way to stir the soul, and argues in such a way that gives no room for excuses. His plea comes undoubtedly from solid meditation in the Word of God as well as from a compassionate heart that sees people chasing after empty dreams. I found the seventh chapter to be exceptionally challenging as it deals with many practical matters that we should consider, from dress to television. The picture of "tragedy" which Piper paints for us is still so etched into my mind. He has done wonderfully to undo the world's teaching of success and joy and radically shift our attention through the sanctifying Word to the "blazing center of God's glory." It is my prayer that the fire Piper has ignited will catch on in the hearts of many. This is a book that will challenge you, a kind of book that will either cause a revival or a riot. I pray the former will be true of those who will pick up this book as it has already been for many. Highly recommended.

Pages - 189
Reading Difficulty - Normal
Rating - 5/5
Buy or Borrow - Borrow. But it is definitely be a nice book to have on your shelf.

Friday, June 20, 2008

Praise Songs for 6-22-08

King of Glory
Blessed Be Your Name
I Stand Amazed
Be Thou My Vision









Stay strong and God bless!

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

06-15-08 Sermon Review

The First Miracle
John 2:1-12

If you remember, a few weeks ago we finished the first chapter of this gospel and took a little break.
We now continue in our exposition of John and start here in chapter two. We ended our first chapter by recapping the main point of the whole chapter: namely that the chapter was a testimony of the person of Jesus. We saw this through John's prologue, the testimony of John the Baptist, and the confession of Jesus' new disciples. Now we come to the part of the book where Jesus affirms these grand statements about Himself by His deeds. We will today take a look at the first miracle Jesus performed in a little wedding in Cana.

Jesus Attends a Wedding - Jesus was invited to a wedding along with His disciples. He was probably very close with the couple getting married. Even though He was about to begin His ministry, Jesus saw it fitting to attend and participate in the festivities of the wedding. His attendance of a wedding shows us that the Christian life is not only about "ministry." There are good things here in this world that we should celebrate and rejoice in. Jesus sets the model for us in all areas of life, even as a model of celebration.

Jesus Addresses His Mother - When Mary finds out that there is a lack of wine, she tells Jesus expecting Him out of His resourcefulness to address the problem. Jesus tells her, "Woman, what does that have to do with us? My hour has not yet come." The English translation seems rather cold and disrespectful, but the Greek is not so; yet, there is no doubt that Jesus addressing His mother in a new way. There was a changed relationship. Mary was no longer His mother, but a lady. Jesus was starting His new ministry and as such, He was distancing Himself from her, though not flippantly or disgracefully. No one had special authority over Jesus, even Mary. Though Jesus was born by Mary, He was not under her authority. As Jesus was beginning his ministry, He was making that very clear.

Jesus Changes Water to Wine - Jesus, though making it clear that Mary had no authority to tell Jesus what to do, did not desire the wedding feast to end in such a horrible fashion. The lack of wine at a wedding was such a serious matter that the family of the bride could take legal measures against the groom if the wine was depleted before the festivities came to an end (the groom was responsible for providing the wine). Jesus noticing some empty jars calls the servants to fill it with water. Once that was done, the servants were told to draw some out and take it to the headwaiter - more like the best-man who was also responsible for overseeing the distribution of wine and food. The headwaiter, tasting the water turned into wine, expresses to the groom the great quality of the wine.

Jesus Manifests His Glory - Jesus addressed the issue by providing a great quantity and exceptional quality. Jesus' miracle was also timely as well as thoughtful. He did not steal the thunder of the couple getting married by doing the miracle in the open, but doing it secretly. But most importantly, it was purposeful to His mission. The text says the miracle manifested His glory, and this manifestation was enough for His disciples to put their trust in Him.

Conclusion - What a wonderful story of how Jesus maintained the joy of the wedding feast by performing a spectacular miracle without putting Himself in the spotlight. He was the Servant of servants. Yet at the same time, He manifested His glory so that His disciples would believe in Him. all His miracles were like that. He met the needs of people and in them, revealed His glory. I pray that as we look at the other miracles Jesus performs, that we would be like the disciples. I pray we would come to believe in Him and believe in the testimony of Jesus Christ as the Son of God. Stay strong and God bless!

Friday, June 13, 2008

Praise Songs for 06-15-08

As we do every week, here's some youtube videos of songs we'l be singing this coming Sunday!
Stay strong and God bless!

King of Glory
Nothing but the Blood
How Great is Our God
How Great Thou Art







Wednesday, June 11, 2008

06-08-08 Sermon Review

Summer Here I Come! pt. 2 Modesty

We finish up our two part series today by touching on the topic of modesty. When we hear that word, we usually think of clothing, especially for women. But the biblical teaching on modesty encompasses so much more than that and affects both men and women. Modesty is a word that I have to cherish more and one that means much more as I have grown in my walk with the Lord. Why? Christian life is much about modesty. Is it really?

Well, let's take a look at dictionary.com's definition of "modest": 1. Having or showing a moderate or humble estimate of one's merits, importance. 2. Free from ostentation or showy extravagance. 3. Having or showing regard for the decencies of behavior, speech, dress. 4. Limited or moderate in amount.

If that is the definition of modesty, Christian life is indeed much about modesty. By virture of being Christ, we are to be modest. "Modest" should not just be a word that describes our dress, but our lives as well. Let me take you to 1 Peter 2:11-12 to show you come principles concerning Christian Modesty.

1. Having or Showing a Moderate or humble estimate of one's merits, importance - The Apostle Peter here addresses Christians as aliens and strangers. Christians can not be boastful, but must recognize their humble estate. They are saved, yet saved by grace and mercy. We are in this life nothing more than aliens and strangers. We are but pilgrims. That shouldn't discourage us, but rather excite us, knowing that this life is not what we're living for. Amongst ourselves we are not better. The Apostle calls us brethren.

2. Free from ostentation or showy extravagance - If we are but aliens and strangers, then we ought not make this life our home, much less our boast. It is sad to see many, many making bigger barn-houses when our lives will soon be demanded from the Lord. It is sad to see many, many so concerned by what kind of cars they drive, what kind of gadgets they have, what kind of houses they live in. They love to show people that they are doing well in this life and build a sense of identity with the perception they give off. Remember Christian, we are freed form these things for our identity comes only from the citizenship we have, the citizenship of heaven. We are pilgrims waiting for that heavenly home.

3. Having or showing regard for the decencies of behavior, speech, dress, etc - The text has two exhortations to us Christians; their importance stressed by the opening words: "Brethren, I urge you." Peter calls Christians to "abstain from fleshly lusts" as well as to "Keep our behavior excellent among the Gentiles."

The Lord called us the light of the world; yet, we sometimes do more to add to the darkness than shine the light of righteousness. I was shocked to read of the kind of darkness this world is in. A recent CNN story recounts the shameful acts done by high school students: teenagers taking nude pictures of themselves and sending them to their boyfriends and girlfriends. A comment on the article almost brought me to tears. "Brianna Moran, 15, ... said she is not surprised by such behavior. 'They probably think they're hot or something. If you look at people's MySpace, all the pictures are slutty,' she said" (emphasis mine). This is the kind of world we live in, but we Christians care little about how we act in such a culture. We look just like the world. Friend, we ought to reflect the glorious righteousness of God. We must then have great regard for the decencies of behavior, not just in our dress, but also in our speech, our spending, our xangas, our facebooks, our music, our lives.

4. Limited or moderate in amount, extent - Though we are aliens and strangers, and need to have a high standard of morality, that does not mean that we cannot do anything in this world. The Lord first made this world good and there's much to be enjoyed in this fallen world. But, we are expecting greater things, and having enjoyed better things, must not be addicted to the pleasures of this world. Let us learn from Jonathan Edwards as he writes, "God is the highest good of the reasonable creature, and the enjoyment of him is the only happiness with which our souls can be satisfied. - To go to heaven full y to enjoy God, is infinitely better than the most pleasant accomodations here. Fathers and mothers, husbands, wives, children, or the company of earthly friends, are but shadows. But the enjoyment of God is the substance. There are but scattered beams, but God is the sun. These are but streams, but God is the fountain. These are but drops, but God is the ocean." Oh Christian, if we think like this, we cannot long indulge in this world, but take from it what is good until we are met with eternal goodness.

Conclusion

Now what does that mean for us. Most of us are drawn so much to our pagan culture. I pray you'll learn to be moderate and careful with your interaction with it. There's much temptation to dress like the world, but especially for our sisters, I pray you'll find pleasure in the beauty of modesty. Adorn yourselves, beautify yourselves with that which is proper for those claiming godliness (2 Timothy 2:9,10). I pray all of us will not spend our summers chasing fads and getting sucked in to this world and forget our Christian goals. Do this and the Lord is not slow to reward those who are gripped by His authority. Our Gentiles friends are promised a blessing though our respectful behaivor - they will glorfiy God in the day of visitation (1 Peter 2:11-12). Stay strong in the Lord in the pursuit of Christian modesty, and may He bless you strive onward.

Friday, June 6, 2008

Praise Songs for 6-8-08

Below are the songs that we'll be singing this Sunday for our service Lord willing! I couldn't find a decent version on youtube for Glories of Calvary, so I embedded an imeem link as well. I pray this will be a blessing to you all as you contemplate at the foot of the cross what amazing grace that is there! Stay strong and God bless!

I Stand Amazed
Glories of Calvary
Son of God
How deep the Father's Love for us









Wednesday, June 4, 2008

06-01-08 Sermon Review

Summer, Here I Come! - pt. 1 - Time

With the conlusion of our exposition in the first chapter of the Gospel according to John, I thought it would be a nice breather to address some topical issues, especially as summer is just around the corner. We will spend two sermons to help us prepare for the summer, this week looking at the value of time and next week the beauty of modesty.

Now I must say that the topic of "summer time" is very personal for me, for I have wasted a great amount of my summers. Last week, I told you about how I wasted it watching anime with my brother and sister (almost 20 hours a week). This week, I want to tell you about my summer between freshmen and sophomore year. I had a good friend named Daniel (and we're still good friends by the way), and that year we had an awesome idea. At the time, Pokemon was ridiculously popular and Pokemon cards had taken the children of America by storm. I remember one card with the Pokemon Charizard would sell for well over 50 dollars at the time. With the economy of the Silicaon Valley doing real well, rich little kids were spending their parents' money like wildfire. So guess what great idea my friend Daniel and I came up with? That summer, we gave ourselves to the business of selling and trading Pokemon cards. Daniel actually got a Sega Dreamcast out of it, but I just lost a lot of money. Looking back on it now, I don't feel any better; it was a great summer gone to waste.

When I was reading through Piper's Don't Waste Your Life, I came across a similar but more dramatic story. An old man, well into his 80's came to Christ through the ministry of Piper's father. Though it was reason for great rejoicing for the man as well as the congregation, Piper tells us how the old man wept and shouted, "I've wasted it, I've wasted it!"

Summer is a great time, it is a gift from the Lord. For most of us, it is paradise after traveling through the desert of school. We feel so good about it because it is finally time where we can set our own schedule, do whatever we want, and have a lot of fun doing it. Well, that's how I viewed it. But I pray that as we look at the importance of time, and as you consider your faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, that you will not waste your summer. I pray you won't end up like me wasting my summer with Pokemon cards and anime. I pray you won't end up like that old man who could only say, "I've wasted it, I've wasted it!"

Now, how are we to approach this? Well, I could tell you what to do and what not to do, but that will just make me a legalist. What I really want to do today is to teach you about time, so that what you know about time and eternity will drive the decisions that you make. And then I want to appeal to you by showing the great benefits of "wasting your life for Christ" with your time. We'll close with some exhortations and practical considerations.

Biblical view of time and life - It is imperative that we understand some very key truths concerning time if we are not to waste it. Let me explain four truths concerning time that I pray will be helpful to stir you up to love and good deeds.

Time is limited - Everyone will one day die, that is a known fact. 10 out of 10 people die. yes it is true that some will not taste death, but that does not negate the fact that we have a narrow window in which we can live this side of eternity. We don't have all the time in the world. We need to live as if the hourglass of our lives were right before us. The psalmist, knowing this reality, prays to God, "So teach us to number our days,That we may present to You a heart of wisdom" (Psalm 90:12).

Time is not yours - Time is a gift from God. You were given life and time. The psalmist cries "in Your book were all written the days that were ordained for me" (Psalm 139:16). You have been given life and time to accomplish the will of God has for you. Time was given so that God may be glorified through our good works. Paul tells us that "we were created in Christ Jesus for good works, which were prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them" (Ephesians 2:10).

Time is war-time - I want you to know, that the life that we're living right now in a great spiritual battle and the costs are high, very high. Paul explains to the Ephesians that we're in a war and explains that "our struggle is not against flesh and blood" (Ephesians 6:12). Even Jesus said, "From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and violent men take it by force" (Matthew 11:12). The reason why I say this is that war-time is drastically different from peace-time. The priorities are different, the attentiveness is different, the purpose is different. We need to live our lives as if we're in war.

You are accountable - To top it all off, everything we do here in this life with the time that we have, we'll have to give an account of it when we meet our Maker. Paul explains, "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad" (2 Corinthians 5:10). As in the parable of the talents, where the stewards give an account of what they did with the talents while their master was away, we also will have to give an account. What will you see before the Lord and what will you receive? Will you only have Pokemon cards in your hand to show for what you have done this summer?

Benefits of wasting your life for Christ - So as you consider these truths, I pray you would "waste your life" on the altar of God's glory. I pray you would plan with a biblical perspective, putting your spiritual health and evangelism as the highest priorities. In the world's eyes, it will truly seem like a "wasted life." I am so glad that I can tell you today that it surely isn't. I am overjoyed that I can appeal to you, not only by telling you it's the right thing to do, but also by sharing with you the great benefits of spending time wisely.

Future Reward - As I have stated earlier, you will give an account, and for those of us who have "seized the day" for the glory of God, will have something to say and something to receive. This knowledge of future hope ought to excite us to fill our days with love and good deeds, being fruitful.

Immediate Reward - But there's also a present reward for using your time so radically for Jesus. People will actually think you're a Christian, and you will too. These two things are a very immediate reward in that you'll experience it on this side of eternity. Your non-Christian friends will start wondering why you're so different, and it will be an open door for you to share the Gospel. Your life and decision-making will so reflect that of Christ, your faith will be made sure. There is probably no greater reward that we can receive than these two in this present life.

Better ways to spend your time - So as you consider this summer, let me beg of you not to waste it for vanity, but waste it truly on the altar of His glory. Jim Elliot prayed, "Father, take my life, yea, my blood if Thou wilt, and consume it with Thine enveloping fire. I would not save it, for it is not mine to save. Have it Lord, have it all. Pour out my life as an oblation for the world. Blood is only of value as it flows before Thine altar."

Let me suggest to you some productive ways you can spend your summer. Make a diligent effort to make it to all church events and not forsake the assembly. Read the Bible and good Christian books, I have many that I'd highly recommend from our library. Listen to Sermons, there are a bunch of free ones at Desiring God that I would highly recommend. Plan some events for your church brothers and sisters, maybe a BBQ or a movie night or other fun things. Have a good conversation with one of your church members over lunch or dinner. Take opportunities to share the Gospel with a friend.

To add to all the suggestions, let me beg of you, don't waste your life and your mind by watching too much television. It will kill your mind, it will kill your soul, slowly, but surely. With that said, I want to remind you of grace. With such exhortations, I must close with a reminder of the gospel. These aren't things that are done to attain salvation. These are ways in which we can live a better way and enjoy salvation. Salvation is by grace through faith alone. Let us remember that as we try with all our fervor to make our summer a pleasurable summer, one that is a delight to the Lord. Stay strong and God bless!