Brian G. Hedges's Blog, page 14
April 18, 2012
If We Hold Fast: Contemplating the Contingencies of the Gospel
Sometimes Scripture uses “if” to connect great salvific blessings of the gospel (salvation, forgiveness, partaking of Christ, and reconciliation) with certain attitudes or actions of faith that must be present in us. In other words, there are contingencies even in the gospel.
If You Abide in My Word (John 8:31-32)
For example, in John 8, Jesus speaks to some who had “believed” in him, saying
If You Abide in My Word (John 8:31-32)
For example, in John 8, Jesus speaks to some who had “believed” in him, saying
April 13, 2012
Standing in the Gospel of the Resurrection: A Sermon
The Crucifixion - Rembrandt, c. 1633
Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, 2 and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you— unless you believed in vain. 3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4
Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, 2 and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you— unless you believed in vain. 3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4
February 26, 2012
A Better Resurrection
I have no wit, no words, no tears;
My heart within me like a stone
Is numbed too much for hopes or fears.
Look right, look left, I dwell alone;
I lift mine eyes, but dimmed with grief
No everlasting hills I see;
My life is in the falling leaf:
O Jesus, quicken me.
My life is like a faded leaf,
My harvest dwindled to a husk:
Truly my life is void and brief
And tedious in the barren dusk;
My life
My heart within me like a stone
Is numbed too much for hopes or fears.
Look right, look left, I dwell alone;
I lift mine eyes, but dimmed with grief
No everlasting hills I see;
My life is in the falling leaf:
O Jesus, quicken me.
My life is like a faded leaf,
My harvest dwindled to a husk:
Truly my life is void and brief
And tedious in the barren dusk;
My life
January 25, 2012
My Observations from The Elephant Room 2
Yesterday I attended one of the simulcasts for The Elephant Room Round 2, the roundtable discussion hosted by James MacDonald with panelists Mark Driscoll, Jack Graham, Wayne Cordeiro, Crawford Loritts, Steven Furtick, and T. D. Jakes. MacDonald's decision to invite T. D. Jakes was, of course, controversial, and many of us wondered whether the real elephant in the room, Jakes' stance on the
January 17, 2012
The Judge Who Took Judgment for Me
Last Sunday, I ended my sermon with 17th-century English poet John Donne's "Holy Sonnet XIII." It is such a complex poem, that I now realize that the meaning was probably largely lost on the congregation (my fault, not theirs). But it is powerful enough to revisit for further reflection.
Here's the poem, followed by some brief comments:
What if this present were the world's last night?Mark in my
Here's the poem, followed by some brief comments:
What if this present were the world's last night?Mark in my
January 10, 2012
A Summary of 2011 Reading
Here's a summary of some of the high and low points in my reading last year. Maybe it will help you determine what to read (and what to avoid!) in 2012.
Most helpful spiritually:
The Enemy Within: Straight Talk About the Power and Defeat of Sin - Kris LundgaardJohn Owen on the Christian Life - Sinclair FergusonPersonal Declension and Revival of Religion in the Soul - Octavius WinslowApostasy
Most helpful spiritually:
The Enemy Within: Straight Talk About the Power and Defeat of Sin - Kris LundgaardJohn Owen on the Christian Life - Sinclair FergusonPersonal Declension and Revival of Religion in the Soul - Octavius WinslowApostasy
November 29, 2011
Christ Formed in You e-book for $.99!
Shepherd Press is offering all of their e-books -- including Christ Formed in You -- for just $.99 from now through Christmas. Please spread the word!
November 27, 2011
Mercy has swallowed up all misery
From Calvin:
Every good thing we could think or desire is to be found in this same Jesus Christ alone. For, He was sold, to buy us back; captive to deliver us; condemned, to absolve us; He was made a curse for our blessing, sin offering for our righteousness; marred that we may be made fair; He died for our life; so that buy Him fury is made gentle, wrath appeased, darkness turned into light,
Every good thing we could think or desire is to be found in this same Jesus Christ alone. For, He was sold, to buy us back; captive to deliver us; condemned, to absolve us; He was made a curse for our blessing, sin offering for our righteousness; marred that we may be made fair; He died for our life; so that buy Him fury is made gentle, wrath appeased, darkness turned into light,
November 18, 2011
Paul David Tripp on God's Grace
Paul David Tripp on God's grace:
"Grace is the most transformational word in Scripture. The entire Bible is a narrative of God's grace, a story of undeserved redemption. By the transformational power of his grace, God unilaterally reaches into the muck of this fallen world, through the presence of his Son, and radically transforms his children from what we are (sinners) into what we are
"Grace is the most transformational word in Scripture. The entire Bible is a narrative of God's grace, a story of undeserved redemption. By the transformational power of his grace, God unilaterally reaches into the muck of this fallen world, through the presence of his Son, and radically transforms his children from what we are (sinners) into what we are
November 17, 2011
Bridge-Building, Homosexuality, and the Christian Body
One of the best new titles I've seen this year is Matthew Lee Anderson's Earthen Vessels: Why Our Bodies Matter to Our Faith, a well-researched, thoughtfully-written treatment on embodied faith. I was so excited about this book that I ordered copies for our elder team and our church's book table. Matt invited me to be a part of the Earthen Vessels Symposium, a series of blog posts intended to
