This article by Philip Ryken was posted on Reformatio21.  Some are redefining these two doctrines and putting the biblical view of salvation at risk. Read the rest of this entry »

October 28, 2007 [Listen]

Over the last few months Community Bible Church has experienced a great deal of change (our move into a new facility / new people showing up every week / a dynamic, growing group under 30 years of age). Change is not always easy for everyone and can, for some, create anxiety and conflict. So, what I’d like to do today is step back and clarify a few very important priorities for the leadership of this church and hopefully for most of you. Read the rest of this entry »

Steven Cornell writes “Forgiveness is one thing; Reconciliation is another“.

“He said I am sorry but this is at least the tenth time! I don’t know what to do. I am told that it’s my Christian duty to forgive so I try to do it. But each time I forgive him, he changes for a little while and then returns to the same behavior. I have a gut feeling that I am handling things the wrong way. He never really changes and I just get angry. What should I do?”

Sound familiar? People facing circumstances like this must learn to distinguish forgiveness from reconciliation. Forgiveness is always required by God. Jesus clearly warned that God will not forgive our sins if we do not forgive those who sin against us (see: Matthew 6:14-15; Mark 11:25). Read the rest of this entry »

Michael Mewborn writes this posting called “6s and 7s” about sharing our struggles with each other Read the rest of this entry »

Acts 2:42, “our fellowship together” [no audio]

Today I’d like to talk about one of those foundational elements of God’s vision for us – one of those elements were we can easily fall short. Today I’d like to talk about the way believers are called to fellowship together. Read the rest of this entry »

Andreas Kostenberger comments on “allowable divorce” Read the rest of this entry »

This was posted in the Christian Post on Friday, Oct 12, 2007

One in five pregnancies worldwide and more than half of pregnancies in eastern Europe end un abortion, according to a new study that examined abortion trends from 1995 to 2003. Read the rest of this entry »

Don Matzat writes for Modern Reformation Magazine

Could Christianity survive without the gospel? In some quarters, including some fairly close to home, the answer seems to be in the affirmative. Read the rest of this entry »

Does Justification Still Matter? by Michael Horton (White Horse Inn / Modern Reformation) Read the rest of this entry »

Matthew 5:27-30, “adultery? lust? pornography?” [Listen]

Just as Jesus seemed to say that we are shallow if we don’t take hate as seriously as murder (Matt 5:21-26), here he seems to say we must look at lust the way we look at adultery. Read the rest of this entry »

This is the fastest (and coolest) way to find a topical section of the Bible >> go there by clicking here

By John Piper 10/3/07

I have asked the question in public, “When does God become 100% for us?” And I have given an answer that rightly troubles thoughtful, biblical people. So this article is an effort to answer their question. Read the rest of this entry »

I “pulled” this from The Purple Cellar (a blog for Christian women zealous for God’s glory)

1) God ordained everything that happened to him for a loving purpose (Eph. 2:10).

2) His real life wasn’t here on this earth. It was with Christ in God’s kingdom (Phil 3:20).

3) Every weakness was an opportunity to experience Christ’s strength (2 Cor. 12:9).

4) Every loss was an opportunity to know God’s comfort (2 Cor. 1:4).

5) Death was okay because it meant being in Christ’s presence (Phil 1:21).

6) All his bad stuff was working together for his good (Rom. 8:28).

7) His deprivations were opportunities to receive love and provision from fellow believers (1 Thess. 1:2-3).

8) Sin had less and less power to enslave him (Rom. 7:24-25).

9) Anxiety just wasn’t necessary (Phil. 4:6-7).

10) He was part of a family that would never abandon him (Rom. 8:15).