Quote of the Day

“The church today is often guilty of supplying believers with the paper armor of good advice, programs, activities, techniques, and methods – when what they need is the godly armor of holy living. No program, method, or technique can bring wholeness and happiness to the believer who is unwilling to confront and forsake his sin.” – John MacArthur

Why the Cross? Why the Resurrection?

This past Sunday I had shared on the 7 last sayings of Jesus from the Cross and why the Cross was important. The death of Jesus was our atonement in which Christ died and took our place and basically was our perfect Sacrificial Lamb.

But we can't leave Jesus on the Cross ...much less leave Jesus as the babe at Christmas. the Resurrection is important and fundamental to our faith.

There are several skeptic objections to the Resurrection including:

1. Jesus a mythological figure. There are 39 ancient sources outside the NT that refer to Jesus.

Source: Rose Publishing Evidence for the Resurrection pamphlet 2004

2. Jesus was just a man. If just a man either liar or lunatic and not Lord. Evidence supports Jesus was who claimed to be with the fulfillment of prophecy. The probability of just 8 prophecies overwhelming.
Source: Peter Stoner Science speaks, Moody Press, 1969.

3. Jesus' followers made it up and were unreliable. In 1 Cor. 15:6 with over 500 people having seen the risen Jesus. Thus no hallucination nor deception. They were willing to die for their faith.

4. The Resurrection isn't important to Christianity. far from true. In 1 Corinthians 15 the Apostle Paul talks about if Christ had not risen - we'd be still in our sins. Because He has risen ...we have hope, and are no longer in our sins.

So with all the evidence, apologetics ....still people like to deny.

With resources like Evidences that Demand a Verdict. The Case for Christ. Apologetics and archaeology tend to confirm what we believe that Christ did indeed rise from the dead.

Interesting to note that the skeptics still have theories that have been debunked:

1.. Witnesses hallucinated. 2. Jesus not die 3. Jesus body stolen. Each of which been refuted.

And now currently is the latest in which some "Claim" to have found the tomb of Jesus. Being married, and relatives etc. (The old box of brother of James which several scholars have denied but recently brought up in the media again)

http://www.jpost.com/Christian-News/Geologists-claim-statistical-findings-science-prove-Jesus-buried-in-Jlem-with-wife-supposed-son-396262

Thus people wanting to disclaim Jesus was who he said he was.

Church Shouldn't Suck the life out of you.

I had just read this book ...still taking it in.

Walking on Water.

There is a passage in Mark 6 that gives Jesus walking on water. I had recently given a short devotional thought this morning at Piedmont Christian School. (#yrs olds to High School)

Here are my thoughts:


I. We need to pray more. Pray like Jesus.


II. We don't need to be afraid. We don't need to be afraid of Jesus especially.


III. We do need to be astonished more. Our job is to point to well, Jesus.

Sometimes it is just a matter of knowing WHO is in control.

Mulan- I'll make a man out of you (with lyrics) (HD)

Teaching the Word. What books are you teaching?

Sunday Mornings I've been preaching through the book of Galatians.

Wednesday nights we just started Nehemiah. And my Thursday Morning Small Group we are looking at Ecclesiastes.


So what books of the Bible are you reading and teaching from?

Books I am Reading. Winter 2015

So with the cold weather there has been time to catch up on some books on my to read list.

I finished some of these books recently:

I. Be Real.

II. Deep and Wide by Andy Stanley (a book I am going to keep nearby and revisit its thoughts - good practical advice on reaching out to the unchurched)

III. Preachers I have Heard. (an older book from an author from the UK and first published in the 1940s some preachers include William Booth)


Upcoming to read:

I. Good Leaders Ask Great Questions. - Maxwell. (Follow up from an earlier seminar of the same title)

II. Growing in Christ. 40 days to a deeper faith. (Looking at it as a future resource)

III. The Relational Soul - Plass.


Also on my to read is a book called: Church shouldn't suck the life out of you.

So what are you reading?