A few weeks ago, I was listening to this very encouraging series on prayer by R.C. Sproul, so I though I’d link it for you here. It will take you to the first message, How To Pray and you’ll find more episodes in the drop down menu on the right. They are not in order, so you’ll have to follow the flow from May 6th through May 13.
I also want to call your attention to all the free resources at the Gospel Coalition site. I’ve linked a few of their podcasts and vodcasts in other posts, but you can find them all here. You may also find some helpful blogs by members of the Gospel Coalition in their aggregator.
I was asked if we would be posting the outlines of our messages in Revelation on the site and I don’t think we’ll be able to do that right now, because of time constraints. I will be posting resources and discussions of specific issues related to our weekly study, however. We will also begin podcasting pretty soon, beginning with our Revelation series, starting in Chapter 1. Later, we will backfill with previous messages from over the years. You can keep up on news and updates to the site by clicking on the RSS feed button at the bottom of the page. I have the alerts sent to me via email, but you can choose how you will be updated.
Finally, I would ask that you would pray that I would be able to retire from the USPS and devote more time to the family and mission of NCCF, as well as other opportunities in our community and abroad. Our obstacles are financial (as they seem to be everywhere I look). Thank you and I look forward to our next time together.
Continue reading about Encouragement, Excuses and A Prayer Request
Welcome to the next installment of our online discussion of The Apocalypse or The Book of Revelation! Each Sunday at Nevada County Christian Fellowship, we are going verse by verse through the revelation of Jesus Christ, which He showed John the apostle in the first century. Our purpose has a very practical aim: we are approaching this letter as written specifically to us — disciples of Jesus Christ engaged in the monumental struggle between the Kingdom of God and the kingdom of this world. Each week, we conclude by asking ourselves, “what will be my response, as a disciple of Jesus?” We want to worship Him, tell others about Him and live for Him.
To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. Revelation 3:21 & 22
So, if you would like to participate, you are welcome.
I thought it would be good to begin by asking, “where are you coming from?” What is your purpose in studying Revelation along with us? Do you have a view of the end times that guides you through Revelation or do you favor one interpretive method above another? Whatever your interest, I hope that you want to see Christ above all.
I’ll start. For the longest time, I was put off by the wrangling and hard feelings in the Body of Christ over eschatology and different views of The Apocalypse. Sure, I’d studied Revelation, Daniel, the letters to the Thessalonians, Matthew 24 and actually remember getting a lot out of A.T. Robertson’s treatment of Revelation in Word Pictures in the New Testament. I was really apprehensive about teaching it, because I didn’t feel I had the depth in the Old Testament it takes to do a good job and, frankly, I still need a lot of work there. But, lately I felt compelled to get into Revelation and it has been one of the most exhilarating and profitable undertakings in my entire Christian walk. As of this writing, I am premillennial in my view of Revelation. I think the millennium is a literal period of Christ’s reign on earth, but I am not dispensational. I suppose I would be labeled historic pre-mil.
Interpretation? I take an ecclectic view – a position which seems to be gaining popularity nowadays. I see some things as fulfilled, some future, yet all things are ideal or profitable to Christians of every age, who take seriously their discipleship. Please join us each Sunday and here, online, under the Revelation link.
Well, we’ve begun our study in John’s Apocalypse. The best place to begin in the Book of Revelation is with the Revelation itself. Sit down and read it straight through, in order to get a sense of how it flows. Try not to get too hung up on the symbols or timing, but keep a note pad handy to write down your thoughts and questions as you read right through it.
We will be going through the book in a survey fashion over the next couple of months and that should help with the purpose, major themes, symbols and literary features of the book — Adam and I will try to keep it fairly simple. Each week we will draw out one important theme or application.
Next, you may want some general tools to help you get oriented. We’ve added a fairly thorough resource page. Check it out here.
Contemporary Options in Eschatology by Millard Erickson is a classic textbook at the undergraduate level (Bible institute or college) and and place to start if you’ve been a student of the Bible. Erickson does a good job of surveying the most popular views of the millennium out there, concluding each chapter with an evaluation highlighting their respective negative and positive aspects. This book goes in and out of print often and is now out of print. You can usually find it used for about $2-4! By the way, the author is so fair and objective, I’ll bet you can’t figure out which position he holds.
Last fall, Steve Trint came from Uganda and urged us to follow our call. This week I listened to another podcast by Tim Keller, expanding on that theme from the life of Abraham. If you are wondering what God has in store for you, his exposition of Genesis 11:27-12:9 would be a great place to start: Real Security and the Call of God
I also listened to a timely and informative discussion of the inspiration of Scripture on The Whitehorse Inn. They touch on plenary verbal inspiration, inerrancy, the science of textual criticism, Bart Ehrman, John Shelby Spong and the reasonableness of the claim that the Bible is inspired and trustworthy. There are a number of helpful resources linked at their site, as well. This is a valuable resource for those going through our course on Bible Study Methods.
The men will be reading through Miracles by C.S. Lewis. Mike Anderson will be leading our discussions, beginning Tuesday April 13 @ 6AM @ Java John’s in Nevada City. You are welcome to read along with us even if:
1. You can’t make it on Tuesday mornings
2. You aren’t a guy
3. You don’t care for C.S. Lewis (as I remarked to one brother a month ago, the authors we read aren’t perfect and their books aren’t Scripture)
It will provide us many opportunities for discussion and mutual edification around the table, at McDonalds or on Facebook.
Buy a copy of Miracles here, at your favorite Christian bookstore, or… you can often find a copy at a thrift or used bookstore.
The Desiring God Pastor’s Conference this year was a celebration of joy, inspired by the writings of C.S. Lewis and you may find John Piper’s treatment of Lewis enlightening and inspiring (audio, video and manuscript). Just follow the link to access a number of messages by Piper, Sam Storms, Eric Mason and others.
Eric Mason
Paul urged his young disciple, Timothy:
Remain at Ephesus so that you may charge certain persons not to teach any different doctrine, nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculations rather than the stewardship from God that is by faith. The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. (1 Timothy 1:3–5 ESV)
Sound or healthy doctrine is the means to an end: Love. If we are to love God and others as we ought to, we must come to the Word of God with a pure heart and a good conscience, which flows out of a sincere faith. We also need to be instructed. So, who do I listen to beside the teachers and believers at NCCF? Well, I find that God puts different teachers in my life at different times, in order to give me a well-rounded, balanced view of Scripture. Lately, I’ve been podcasting Matt Chandler, R.C. Sproul and folks associated with the Acts 29 Network. My needs change and I’ll let you know who’s on my radar from time to time.
Last week I found this timely message on the subject of discipleship by Eric Mason. Eric is one of the pastors at Epiphany Fellowship. Eric is a brilliant theologian, ministering to the hip-hop generation. “Our mission is to show off the glory of Christ in every area of life.” Their vision statement follows it and says “Our vision is to comprehensively make disciples in a culturally relevant way to impact the world to Jesus Christ’s glory.”
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (12.1MB)
Dr. Timothy Keller
We all know that fear is a very present reality. How should we deal with it? Defining moments from the lives of David and Abram give us biblical and practical ways to deal with fear through prayer. Tim Keller is a church planter and pastor of Redeemer Church in Manhattan.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (9.5MB)
Dr. Timothy Keller
We know that we are to pray the Word of God, that we are to pray as the Lord showed His disciples. But, should we really pray our tears? Tim Keller thinks so and I think he makes some very important points from Psalm 39 and Psalm 126.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (8.0MB)
Friday At Five is our weekly prayer meeting. This is what you can expect when you arrive on Friday evenings. Someone will be at NCCF at 5PM and stay until at least 6PM. Often, the doors will be open before 5 and folks will stay beyond 6.
Usually, we will pray freely. Sometimes, we will pray in a certain direction or for specific occasions and purposes. We will see how the Lord leads.
This will be a great time to bring your prayers of thanksgiving to the Lord. We will want to ask for the resources, strength and empowering of the Spirit to carry out our mission to the Brunswick and beyond. Intercession will play a major part as we pray that people will come to Christ in faith, that others will be healed and that all will grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus.
We could go on, but I think you get the picture. We are coming together at the end of each week to meet the Lord and enjoy His presence.
Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16
On Tuesday, our men’s group will be getting together at Java John’s to begin reading and discussing John Piper’s Spectacular Sins and Their Global Purpose in the Glory of Christ.
From the Desiring God site:
In this series John Piper seeks to provide a biblical perspective on God’s sovereign and righteous governance over even the sinful acts of men.
History’s greatest sins do not thwart God’s purposes to save his people and glorify his Son; they fulfill them. And knowing this is the key to having “Christ-exalting strength in calamity and Christ-exalting courage in conflict.”
We will begin with the Introduction this week. You can read along for free online or purchase a copy here.
Next up will be Miracles by C.S. Lewis, so keep your eyes open for bargains out there.
Continue reading about Spectacular Sins and Their Global Purpose in the Glory of Christ
