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Book Review: The Prodigal Church by Jared C. Wilson

Jared C. Wilson has written the book I’ve wanted to write for 10 years, but didn’t know where to begin. The problem is so large, so complicated, so involved, with too many emotions woven into it. For me, I’ve struggled with frustration, bitterness, sorrow, even despair over what I experienced, as well as with what I know countless other Christians have experienced—being chewed through the gears of the seeker/attractional church movement. Wilson faces this giant head-on in The Prodigal Church: A Gentle Manifesto Against the Status Quo.

Frankly, the book is so honest, so direct, so revealing, that I couldn’t put it down. I found myself hunched over, highlighter in hand, repeating phrases like, “Yes!” and “Thank you” and “Spot on!” In the end, I can only conclude that this may be one of the most important Christian books in print today.

Here’s why—

Wilson tackles what he calls the “attractional” church, which he defines as, “a way of ministry that derives from the primary purpose of making Christianity appealing.”1 This is the seeker movement pioneered by Willow Creek and Saddleback Church, which is since morphed into the Church Growth Movement.

Now, before your haunches go up; Wilson writes as one who has come out of the movement, and he is refreshingly gracious and sympathetic to the desire of many of these churches to lead people to Christ. But he has some concerns.

In the opening chapters, Wilson addresses the growing problem of pragmatism and consumerism in churches. He cites the ground-shaking REVEAL study, whereby Willow Creek evaluated their methodology of “doing church” and came to the realization that, in fact, virtually no one was growing spiritually. Wilson comments,

“Willow Creek discovered that after putting a lot of resources, expertise, volunteers, and years into the development of fully devoted followers of Christ, the system didn’t work… The results of the study, also conducted in other attractional churches around the country with similar results, were like a splash of cold water on the face of the attractional movement.”2

However, Bill Hybels, the recognized pioneer of the movement, seemed to be at a loss as to what to do. Many churches simply shrugged their shoulders and kept on plugging. Wilson adds, “One thing the REVEAL study proved is that one can have the appearance of success and yet not actually be succeeding.”3 The system is broken, Wilson maintains. And there doesn’t seem to be any solutions on the horizon. But this is why Wilson’s book is so needed.

In chapter 3, Wilson assaults the problem of church pragmatism, noting that “pragmatism has a utilitarian ethos to it [and] is by nature unspiritual.”4 In the end, pragmatism seeks after “what works” instead of “what pleases God.” When business models become the functional ideology of churches, the customer, not God, becomes the most important person. However, Wilson asserts, “The Bible’s ‘functional ideology’—contrary to consumerism and pragmatism—is that ‘what works’ is the Holy Spirit through the message of the gospel of Jesus.”5 In the end, it’s an emphasis on the gospel that must reign in churches.

Chapter 4 addresses the functional myth that the Bible is an instruction manual, full of advice for living a better life, rather than being the living Word of God. Wilson addresses the nationwide epidemic of biblical illiteracy and makes the case for biblical preaching. He maintains,

“When we preach a message like ‘Six Steps to _______’ or any other ‘Be a Better Whatever’ kind of message—where the essential proclamation is not what Christ has done but what we ought to do or need to do—we become in effect preachers of the law rather than of Christ.”6

Don’t miss that statement. That is a piercing observation. Whereas many churches today emphasize the need for “grace” above all things, they have effectively become legalists—dispensers of more law.

In chapter 5, Wilson addresses the issue of the worship service. Through the proliferation of drama sketches, modern rock music, games, and gimmicks, many churches have shifted the focus of worship away from God and onto the individual attender. Suddenly, “worship” becomes about our Sunday morning experience. Citing his friend, Bill Roberts, Wilson warns, “The potential is always there for people to worship worship.”7 However, we see that, historically, periods of true revival are always tied to a proclamation of the glory of Christ—“the risen, beautiful, supreme, sovereign Christ Jesus in the splendor of his holiness.”8

Chapter 6 deals with the problem of too much complexity, effectively “biting off more than you can chew.” Wilson calls for more simplicity; an effort to do the important things well. Over-programming creates a whole host of problems that can stifle church growth and burn out the very people who are supposed to be growing in Christ.

The issue of pastoral ministry is the focus of chapter 7, as Wilson blows up the ever-popular seeker maxim of discontented members to become “self-feeders.” However, Jesus Christ Himself calls Peter in John 21:15-17 to undertake the ministry of feeding the sheep. Often times, this essential elements of ministry are lost, as celebrity pastors build their platform one jumbo-sized view screen at a time.

In chapter 8, Wilson provides “a way forward,” offering real-time suggestions for how churches may increase their faithfulness. In the end, it’s the gospel—the news of what God has done; not what we can do—that brings spiritual growth and transformation.

Earlier, I said that The Prodigal Church may be the most important Christian book in print. I really mean it. Megachurches are getting increasingly bigger. Many pastors are becoming worldwide celebrities. Some church budgets rival blue chip corporations. The movement is getting bigger by the day. But as the movement begins to implode, the collateral damage will be flesh-and-blood Christian believers. Real people. More than that, however, it’s the gospel of the kingdom. The glory of God is at stake! And the church must act swiftly and boldly to regain faithfulness.

Jared Wilson will not change the world by himself. But an army of bold, growing Christians, following the example of people like Jared Wilson—so much as he follows Christ—certainly can.

It’s time for the prodigal church to come to her senses, to wake up, and to come home.

Title: The Prodigal Church: A Gentle Manifesto against the Status Quo

Author: Jared C. Wilson

Publisher: Crossway (April 30, 2015)

Purchase: Amazon[image error]

ReviewerNate Pickowicz Facebook Twitter

Nate Pickowicz is the pastor/planter of Harvest Bible Church in Gilmanton, New Hampshire. After being called into ministry in 2009, he led a team to plant in 2013. He and his wife Jessica have two children.

 

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The Daily Discovery (December 22, 2016)

ARTICLES I LIKE FROM AROUND THE WEB:

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The Forever-Exalted Christ – “We shouldn’t be deceived by the size and seeming vulnerability of the baby in the manger. Jesus Christ is the creator and ruler of the entire universe—and His incarnation didn’t alter that. Even in His infancy, He was supreme to everything else, in every possible way. That’s the central thesis of the book of Hebrews. In the opening verses of that epistle, the writer outlines seven facets of Christ’s preeminence in his opening statement…”

Why I’m Not Dreaming of a White Christmas – “Now’s about the time when Christmas-lovers and snow-enthusiasts around the country start checking the 5-day weather forecast, united in their hope that Christmas Day will be marked by a freshly fallen snow. I should know — I married a snow-lover. I can still remember the sparks of excitement and the impromptu dances at windows and screen doors every few years as Cindi and our like-minded kids have made that happiest of realizations — that snow has fallen silently over the night before Christmas.”

Why the Jewish Messiah is the Most Important Individual in History – “What Christmas commemorates is big for many reasons. With the incarnation comes the Savior. For those who repent, there is justification, adoption, redemption, reconciliation, regeneration, sanctification, and, one day, glorification. But if we back up a bit, with the incarnation, there is the arrival of the long-awaited Jewish Messiah. It’s difficult for a 21st century audience to appreciate the century-long yearning which the Hebrews had for the Messiah’s arrival. But why? What is the significance of the Jewish Messiah?”

The Observation of the Birth of Christ, the Duty of all Christians – “In the 1700’s, the celebration of Christmas by evangelicals was still controversial. It was banned by law in parts of the United States (the day was associated with revelry by some, and by others it was inextricably connected to the Catholic Mass). Puritans tended to eschew it simply because of the mas part of Christmas, and history seemed to be moving away from the notion of a Christian Christmas.”

Was John Calvin a Hyper-Calvinist? – “Many people claim that John Calvin was against missions and that those who call themselves Calvinists or prescribe to the 5-points of Calvinism are anti-missional in their thinking. Is that true? Does the belief in a robust God who saves spiritually dead sinners create cold hearts and who resist any work of gospel missions among the neighborhoods and the nations?”

SERMON:

The Dividing Line – Andy Stanley Separates Incarnation and Redemption

VIDEOS:

How to make sense of the Old Testament.

White & Durbin Respond to a Mormon

“All death can do to the believer is deliver him to Jesus.  It brings us into the eternal presence of our Savior.” – John MacArthur

The post The Daily Discovery (December 22, 2016) appeared first on Entreating Favor.

The Daily Discovery (December 21, 2016)

ARTICLES I LIKE FROM AROUND THE WEB:

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A Christmas Quiz: How Well Do You Know the Nativity Story? – “How well do you know the nativity story? This short quiz is designed to help you find out! It poses 25 quick questions based on the Bible’s accounts of Jesus’ birth. Take the quiz, share the quiz, enjoy the quiz! Best of all, let the quiz take you to the Bible to read more about this miraculous story.”

The Incarnate Image of God – “At Christmas most of the world sees Jesus as a baby in a manger—nothing more. But considering its innate love for sin and hatred for God, we should not be surprised by that shallow perspective. What ought to concern us is that many believers fall into the same myopic trap around this time of year. Caught up in the trappings and traditions of the season, they quickly lose sight of why we’re celebrating Christ’s birth in the first place. In simple terms, their emphasis on Christ’s infancy blinds them to His supremacy.”

What’s the Very First Time We See a NT Book Used as Scripture? My Article in the Festchrift for Stanley Porter – “Few issues in the study of the NT canon have generated more discussion (and disagreement) than that of the canon’s date. When were Christian writings first regarded as ‘Scripture’? When was the first time we can see that happening?”

Four Things That Will Be Missing from Your Family Christmas Party – “Celebrating Christmas is always a joy for our family. Our children have followed in their parent’s footsteps by enjoying all of the festivities of Christmas. This week will be a full week of parties, family gatherings, gift exchanges, and worship services. As we make our plans for this weekend and next Sunday, all plans revolve around the gathering of our church family. Yes, I know, I’m a pastor, so that’s to be expected—right? Maybe, but I would hope it would be the same if I worked as a mechanic, a car salesman, a doctor, or a lawyer too. Many churches are canceling services on Christmas in order to celebrate Christ’s birth at home. Does it really matter? Does the church do anything that my family can’t do at home?”

Charles Spurgeon’s Love-Hate Relationship With Christmas – “Charles Spurgeon had a love-hate relationship with Christmas. Because of the Roman Catholic influence over Christmas festivities (especially in England at that time) he wasn’t a huge fan of it and went back and forth over encouraging his congregation to celebrate Christmas.”

SERMON:

Paul Washer – God the Just and the Justifier of the Wicked

VIDEOS:

Did a lightbulb just go off for this nice young lady?

No, Jesus is not a myth.

“All death can do to the believer is deliver him to Jesus.  It brings us into the eternal presence of our Savior.” – John MacArthur

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The Daily Discovery (December 20, 2016)

ARTICLES I LIKE FROM AROUND THE WEB:

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4 Times In Life You Should Expect To Face Temptation – “Temptation is a mysterious thing. There must be method to the madness, there must be patterns of how and when we are tempted by specific sins. If there are, I’ve never quite been able to hack or solve the system. But at the very least we can observe this: There are some times in life when you should be especially wary, when temptation is especially likely. Here are four times you should expect to face temptation.”

What Child Is This? – “Yesterday, in our incarnation series, I preached from Matthew 2:1-12Open in Logos Bible Software (if available). As we’re mindful of the importance and significance of the incarnation, we are overjoyed with the truth that God became a man in order to save men by God’s grace. W. Chatterton Dix, born June 14th 1837 in Bristol, wrote the following hymn…”

Keep Your Head Down – “I’m a Christian and a pastor who loves God’s word and loves God’s people. I want to see Christ’s name exalted. And as a result, I have a constant burden: watching the reputation of Christ suffer by the words and actions of the kind of false teachers Scripture warns about time and time again.”

Mud is Muddy: How To Annoy Unbelievers Less This Christmas – “Christmas is traditionally a time for family. And since no family tree can be completely homogenous Christians will be dining with unbelievers on Christmas Day. And sadly, some Christians I know are dreading that time.”

Christ’s Supremacy: Before the Manger – “What do you think about when you see a nativity scene? We might recognize the baby in the manger as God in flesh. But seeing Christ as a helpless and vulnerable infant can delude us into thinking that the humility of the incarnation was not isolated to His physical form—that somehow, His deity was also diminished.”

SERMON:

Nate Pickowicz – God Loves First (1 John 4:19-21)

VIDEOS:

Tim Hawkins – Liberty University Convocation (Christian Comedy)

Are the 6 Days in Genesis 1 Literal or Metaphorical?

“All death can do to the believer is deliver him to Jesus.  It brings us into the eternal presence of our Savior.” – John MacArthur

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The Daily Discovery (December 19, 2016)

ARTICLES I LIKE FROM AROUND THE WEB:

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Hate What God Hates – “God is love. We love that God is love, that he is the never-ending source of love, that he is the one who always acts in loving ways. Even those who reject the Christian faith still like to imagine and believe in a God who is love.”

Last Second Books to Give Away This Christmas – “Over the past year, our bookstore — with suggestions by our pastors at Immanuel Bible Church — has featured a book of the month. The books have come from all different categories and with Christmas about a week away I thought you might find a list like this helpful. I’ve also included in this list books I have read over the past year, and books I have given away this year for ministry.”

5 Reasons to Read the Bible When You Feel Absolutely Nothing – “I sit down early in the morning, Bible in hand, super charged coffee by my side. The world is asleep. My kids are asleep. Heck, I’m still asleep. I sure could have used another 30 minutes. My eyes…so heavy…did someone attach barbells to them? Did I accidentally take a sedative this morning? I make/stumble my way through my daily reading. I try to jot a few notes, pray, get my heart oriented for the day. I finish, and I feel…nothing.”

About the King’s Business Regardless of Presidential Election Outcome – “I deliberately wrote this piece before the US national elections because I wanted to write down my thoughts before the outcome was known. Regardless of who is president, some very important truths need to be understood as we build our thinking on God’s Word.”

Is National Geographic Complicit in a Form of Child Abuse? – “What comes to mind when you hear the words National Geographic? Do you think of exotic pictures from the jungles of Africa or up-close documentation of an erupting volcano or the discovery of a stone-age, Amazon tribe previously lost to civilization? If so, brace yourself.”

SERMON:

John Piper – How to Know the Will of God

VIDEOS:

How to not get confused in a witness encounter.

Daughters, short shorts, and theology.

“All death can do to the believer is deliver him to Jesus.  It brings us into the eternal presence of our Savior.” – John MacArthur

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The Daily Discovery (December 15, 2016)

ARTICLES I LIKE FROM AROUND THE WEB:

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Jesus Isn’t Threatened by Your Christmas Gifts – “Christmas is fast approaching and, not surprisingly, my kids are looking forward to seeing what’s under the tree. The girls, at least, are still young enough that they are waiting with bated breath to learn what treasures they’ll be receiving. I love this. I enjoy their anticipation and am excited to experience their joy as they unwrap what Aileen and I have bought for them. It promises to be a good morning.”

Will Santa Make you a Bad Parent? – “Whether or not you “play Santa” does not really bother me. In fact, I’m not even bothered if you do or don’t celebrate Christmas. Ultimately, we who love the Lord should make Christmas season a celebration of both advents above and beyond any other celebration. But if someone in my church really thinks Santa is God, perpetuates it as truth, and follows Santa, then my response would be the same as if I were talking to a Mormon — evangelism. Often the anti-Santa rhetoric bothers me personally, not because people do not play Santa, rather because most anti-Santa discussions over-simplify the issue. Let me start with saying, this is a freedom issue. If you disagree, and think it’s sin, then do not do it. Follow your conscience. But would we really church discipline someone over this issue?”

Sorrow, Depression, & the Holidays – “Depression and discouragement are not respecters of the holidays. For many reasons, the normal sorrow of life can reach a highpoint this time of year for some. It may be a reminder that we are without a loved one. It may be financial stress, or loss, in a time where the pressure is to purchase. It might be emotional pressure of getting together with broken family. We just may not have a clue why we are discouraged, which can be discouraging itself. We can, even unintentionally, place big demands on this time of year to deliver and fulfill us in impossible ways, apart from God.”

It’s Not a War on Christmas – It’s a War on the Constitution – “One of the most bizarre traditions of the holiday season for me is to watch those who assail the purpose and meaning of Christmas become apoplectic when someone weary of their politically correct antics refers to the behavior as a ‘war on Christmas.’ It seems to me that if you don’t want to be accused of warring against Christmas, you should stop attacking people’s public celebration of it.  Stop attempting to deprive the community you live in of its collective expression of the significance of the holiday just because you don’t share their convictions.  When you do that kind of thing, don’t be surprised when people point out your petulant childishness.”

The Bible Expositor’s Handbook – “The Bible Expositor’s Handbook of the Old Testament provides a thorough introduction to the attitudes and practices required to deeply understand the message of the Old Testament. Exhorting students of Scripture to approach the Old Testament with an attitude of humility and expectation, Greg Harris lays the groundwork for a Christ-centered interpretation that takes into account the redemptive story of the whole Bible. Employing a literal-grammatical hermeneutic, Harris leads the reader through the process of observing, interpreting, and applying the Old Testament.”

SERMON:

Brock Evans – The Cry of Praise

VIDEOS:

John 3:16

Rapture and Resurrection

“All death can do to the believer is deliver him to Jesus.  It brings us into the eternal presence of our Savior.” – John MacArthur

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The Daily Discovery (December 14, 2016)

ARTICLES I LIKE FROM AROUND THE WEB:

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Christmas Carols and the Gospel – “It’s that time of year. Turn on the radio, take a trip to the mall, or simply stroll down the aisles of the local grocery store, and you’re likely to hear songs about Jesus’ birth playing in the background. We call them ‘Christmas carols,’ but they are really Christian hymns celebrating the incarnation of our Lord and Savior. For a few weeks each December, these profound songs of worship become a ubiquitous part of the holiday atmosphere. Our society’s pervasive interest in them provides us with a unique opportunity to share the gospel. It is the perfect time to explain the meaning of these songs to those who don’t know Christ.”

What Every Christian Should Give their Pastor for Christmas – “Obviously the best and most helpful thing that you can do for your pastor is to pray for him, but in a more ‘earthly’ sense, what should you give him, especially with Christmas being right around the corner? Know it or not, your pastor is constantly learning, and when you help him learn MORE in LESS time with this resource, you will be giving the gift of knowledge…which will in-turn help him in his ministry!”

Jesus Will Save His People – “Yesterday I preached from Matthew 1:18-25 in our celebration of the incarnation. As we reflect on the hustle and bustle of our schedules during the Christmas season, it’s essential to recall the purpose of Jesus’ birth. The birth of Christ matters and without the incarnation, we would all be doomed.”

Priorities: Putting Jesus in his place at Christmastime – “In 2010 Argentine soccer legend, Diego Maradona, graced South Africa with his presence as the coach of their formidable World Cup squad. The advance team prepared every hotel room to Maradona’s specifications. The flurry of activity in anticipation of his arrival included making sure all the rooms that the team would occupy were painted pristine white and were equipped with six Play Station video game consuls, and—I’m not making this up—an imported, electronic toilet known as the E-bidet, complete with a heated seat, front and rear water sprayers, and an air dryer.”

Christmas: Another Proof for Premillennial Eschatology – “The manifold proofs for a premillennial understanding of biblical eschatology are extensive. Great books over the last 50 or so years have been written to show that the Bible does indeed teach a pre-tribulational, premillennial eschatology. To deny this truth is to have a presupposition already in place for which you refuse to give up (e.g., ‘I believe in reformed theology, therefore I am Amillennial in my eschatology’). With that said, I believe the Christmas story is yet another proof (yes, proof!) of a premillennial understanding of biblical eschatology.”

SERMON:

Eric Bancroft – Learning from Our Older Siblings: What Deuteronomy Teaches Our Church Today

VIDEOS:

Untethered – Episode 1: Meet the Untethered Generation

Mohler, Nichols, Sproul, and Thomas: Questions & Answers

“All death can do to the believer is deliver him to Jesus.  It brings us into the eternal presence of our Savior.” – John MacArthur

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The Daily Discovery (December 13, 2016)

ARTICLES I LIKE FROM AROUND THE WEB:

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When God Goes Big And I Go Small – “The Bible often speaks in broad words, in great sweeping statements. We often observe so little nuance in its words, so few exceptions to its commands. As we read the Bible we come across statements like these…”

Fools and Wise Men – “Do you remember what it was like as a child to know your grandparents were coming for Christmas? If you were young enough, you probably didn’t have a strong concept of time—you simply knew they could arrive at any moment. That anticipation filled the day with excitement, as you eagerly kept watch for their arrival.”

Responding to the False Teaching of Bethel Church, Jesus Culture, and Todd White – “Last week, I published a series of videos through WWUTT about false teachers at Bethel Church and Jesus Culture, including Bill Johnson and Todd White. This began with a video that Todd White posted on Facebook preaching a false man-centered gospel. I followed that up with a video on Bethel Church and Todd White. The last of the trilogy was a video addressing Bethel Church and Jesus Culture’s use of “glory clouds” during their worship services. How do I know these men are cons? Because the Bible says so. The following are some of the comments we got about those videos. The comments are in bold and my response follows.

Christmas is a Time for Peace – “It was Christmastime at London’s Garrick Club, and British writer and producer Frederick Lonsdale was asked by actor Seymour Hicks to reconcile with a fellow member. The two had fought in the past and never restored their friendship. ‘You must,’ Hicks said to Lonsdale. ‘It is very unkind to be unfriendly at such a time. Go over now and wish him a Merry Christmas.’  So, Lonsdale crossed the room and spoke to his enemy. ‘I wish you a Merry Christmas,’ he said, ‘but only one.’ That is not reconciliation.”

NCAA and the Gender Bender Agenda – “This past weekend I was sitting in my living room watching a football game that I wasn’t interested in because there wasn’t a baseball game on, a marathon (or any foot race) to watch, or a better football game to choose from. While sitting there, a commercial came on that grabbed my attention and elevated my pulse far more than the boring football game. The commercial was in form of a short video by the NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association). The advertisement contains an agenda that transcends collegiate sports. Near the end of the advertisement, two female athletes make the following statement, “Genders don’t play sports, athletes do.” As the commercial ends, a statement appears on the screen: Creating equal opportunities for college athletes.”

SERMON:

Nate Pickowicz – Perfect Love (1 John 4:17-8)

VIDEOS:

Old Earth Creationism?

Trusting in the Power of the Gospel to Save Sinners

“All death can do to the believer is deliver him to Jesus.  It brings us into the eternal presence of our Savior.” – John MacArthur

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The Daily Discovery (December 7, 2016)

ARTICLES I LIKE FROM AROUND THE WEB:

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“The Shack” and What It Says about Evangelicalism – “In 2008, William Paul Young wrote a book titled The Shack that was instantly a best-seller. It ascended to the top of the best-selling lists (including the New York Times and Amazon), and like many successful books often do, it has now morphed into a movie. The book originally written as a Christmas gift for a family has sold over 20-million copies and become one of the top 70 books in the history of printed books.”

The Disciple-Making Parent – “A core component of my regular reading diet is books on parenting. As long as I am a parent, and especially a parent of tweens and teens (parenting babies and toddlers is straightforward by comparison!), I want to stay sharp, to be challenged, to be equipped. A good book helps me better understand the purpose of parenting and helps me better fulfill my God-given duties. Chap Bettis’s The Disciple-Making Parent is a good book, exactly the kind that challenged me and, I trust, better equipped me as a dad. It offers what, to my knowledge, is a unique angle in a crowded genre: Its focus on discipleship as the heart of parenting. ‘The foundational parenting text is not Ephesians 6:1-4 or Deuteronomy 6:4-9, as important as they are. Rather it is Matthew 28:18-20.’ This is a book about raising children to be disciples of Christ for ‘God’s desire for your family is to be a Trinity-displaying, God-glorifying, disciple-making unit.'”

Are You Ready for Persecution? – “I have never been persecuted. Not really. Sure I’ve been called names, but my bank account and my health have not been affected in any way for being a Christian. I recently did an informal (and most definitely unscientific) survey, asking people who they thought was the most mature Christian. Although I got many different answers, there was a trend. Most people pointed to someone who had suffered severe trials or even died for their faith.”

Learning from The Forgotten Spurgeon – “Of the books I had the opportunity to read this year, Iain Murray’s The Forgotten Spurgeon stands out among them. Every time I read a book by Murray, I am greatly edified, and this time was no exception. At this point, it was the book I gained the most from reading in 2016. So, in this post I’d like to share some of the primary lessons I learned from it.”

God’s Purpose for His People – “Yesterday I had the privilege of preaching Ephesians 3:7-13Open in Logos Bible Software (if available). The text serves as the second half of a lengthy thirteen verse section where Paul is unveiling the mystery of God’s saving plan to save both Jew and Gentile in Christ. In doing so, Paul likewise unveils the purpose of his ministry and the distinct purpose of the church of Jesus Christ. As we read and consider these truths, we must never forget that God has a purpose for us and that purpose is not disconnected from the church.”

SERMON:

Paul Luedke – Life in the Body: Equipping the Saints

VIDEOS:

Are Bethel Church and Todd White False Teachers?

Dogmatic Secularism Rises – Dividing Line Excerpt

“All death can do to the believer is deliver him to Jesus.  It brings us into the eternal presence of our Savior.” – John MacArthur

The post The Daily Discovery (December 7, 2016) appeared first on Entreating Favor.

The Daily Discovery (December 5, 2016)

ARTICLES I LIKE FROM AROUND THE WEB:

(Click title to go to full article)

His Winnowing Fork Is in His Hand – “The Christian celebration of Christmas brings essential truths into clearer view. The central fact of the incarnation of the Son of God looms before us as the dividing line of all human history and the fulfillment of God’s promises. Priests and prophets and kings had long awaited the coming of the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. At Christmas we declare what the angelic host announced to shepherds on a Bethlehem night: ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased.’ [Luke 2:14].”

Sweet Promises of Blessing, Terrible Threats of Judgment – “Last week I told you why I believe the fifth commandment—honor your father and mother—is The Commandment We Forgot. The response was overwhelming and proves to me what I suspected—many people have serious questions and concerns about this commandment. We are comfortable with its implications for children, but perplexed when it comes to the implications for adults. How do we, as adults, show honor to our parents? What are our continuing obligations? What about parents who are difficult, absent, abusive, or even dead? What are the limitations on this commandment? These are great questions and as we go we will attempt to come to satisfying conclusions.”

Orthorexia and Christmas Liberty – “’Tis the season to be controversial. Regrettably, Christians can be vulnerable to a form of orthorexia when it comes to celebrating or conscientiously objecting to the celebration of Christmastime. Let’s first take a step back. Orthorexia is when people try to eat so perfectly that they end up obsessing about their health to the detriment of their health.”

Taking Back Christianese #6: “All Sins Are Equal in God’s Sight” – “For advocates of Reformed theology, we are keen to emphasize the seriousness of sin.  Sin is a big deal.  Each and every one of them. Indeed, this is precisely why we all desperately need a Savior. As true as this is, however, our enthusiasm for maintaining the seriousness of sin (which is good) can lead us to make additional statements which may not be so true (depending on how they are understood).  One of these statements, and the next installment in our ‘Taking Back Christianese’ series,  is, ‘All sins are equal in God’s sight.'”

Please, Stop the Mad-Ness – “I feel a bit compelled this week to write about a problem that has been building for years, and which last week it reached perhaps its high point so far: the ludicrous online outrage over the featured couple from the HGTV show Fixer Upper, Chip and Joanna Gaines. This compulsion, however, isn’t because some random person happened to publish a guilt-by-association hit-piece on a couple for probably believing what their pastor believes about same-sex marriage. Nor is it because it’s one of the only current shows I actually know anything about.”

SERMON:

Paul Luedke – Life in the Body: Equipping the Saints

VIDEOS:

Todd White Said the Cross Determined Your Value?

What the Bible Says About Tattoos?

“All death can do to the believer is deliver him to Jesus.  It brings us into the eternal presence of our Savior.” – John MacArthur

The post The Daily Discovery (December 5, 2016) appeared first on Entreating Favor.