08-10-08 Sermon Review

Marks of a Humble Man
John 3:22-30

John the Baptist is a remarkable man and one of my favorite characters in the Bible. How could you not revere a man to whom Jesus praised, "among those born of women there has not arisen anyone greater than John the Baptist"? We ought to ask then, "What made John the Baptist so great?" The simple answer that I can give to you now is this: John the Baptist was humble. In this short section that follows Jesus' teachings on regeneration, we have a short depiction of John the Baptist's amazing humility. It would do us great good to study and dwell on John the Baptist's display of humility. John the Baptist models for us in our text three marks of a humble man.

A humble man does theology - John's disciple approach him with the issue of Jesus' growing ministry. How does John answer this concern of his disciples? "A man cannot receive anything unless it is given him from heaven." The interesting thing about this answer is that it is deeply theological. It was a recognition of God's absolute sovereignty. Even vs. 29 is deeply theological (John alludes to OT imagery of God and His bride). From this, I conclude that the reason why John was humble was because he studied the great science of the deity. He had a clear portrait of God through his diligent study of God's revelation: His Word. The more we come face to face with the living God, the more we realize the great gulf between God and man, but the more we neglect the study of God, the more we'll see ourselves in light of our own achievements. A shallow understanding of God Almighty does not promote humility but rather pride.

A humble man lives with integrity - A humble man does only speak humble words; he lives with integrity. John never claimed to be anything greater than what he was: a messenger. He was able to point back to his ministry in his defense. He could say, "You yourselves are my witnesses that I said..." Those who feign humility do not usually have a track record of faithfulness and integrity. They usually make excuses when they are confronted. For John, no excuse was necessary because of his exemplary life. Humble people live in such a way.

A Humble man rejoices - Look at John's words in verse 29: "So this joy of mine has been made full!" What a statement! Truly humble people rejoice when others are lifted up, and that is exceptionally the case for believers who rejoice greatly at the exaltation of Jesus Christ. John illustrates this wonderfully by making an analogy of the bride, bridegroom, and the friend of the bridegroom. The friend is not jealous or angry. No better words can be used to describe his state than to say that He is happy! Humble people are happy people. To find a humble person who does not rejoice is like finding a dead man's body. It looks real and human, but all it's life has been drained out of him.

John Seldon, an English jurist, once wrote, "Humility is a virtue all men preach, none practice, and yet everybody is content to hear." We must ask ourselves whether we are simply content with hearing of humility or living humbly as we look upon a majestic and awesome God. Will you live with integrity knowing your call and place as a Christian? Will you rejoice along with the saints above and below as you celebrate the glories of Christ? That is up to you. I pray you'll walk this road of humility. For God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6). Stay strong and God bless!

08-03-08 Sermon Review

The Difference
John 3:16-21

We are still in the third chapter of John discussing faith and regeneration. In the sermon prior, we discussed the relationship between faith and regeneration. We noticed that we are incapable of causing regeneration ourselves and that faith is produced by regeneration. Therefore, as we test ourselves to see whether or not we are of the faith as exhorted by Paul in 2 Corinthians 13:5, we ought to consider whether or not we have a regenerate faith or a dead faith. The difference between the two can be seen in our passage today. I see a total of three differences in this passage through which we can test our faith.

We believe in the Son - It is not hard to find men of faith. You will easily find that men are more willing to put faith in something rather than nothing. That something can range from naturalism to satanism. What separates regenerate believers from men of faith is not in the degree of faith that they have but in the object of their faith. B.B. Warfield writes, “It is not faith that saves, but faith in Jesus Christ… It is not, strictly speaking, even faith in Christ that saves, but Christ that saves through faith. The saving power resides exclusively, not in the act of faith or the attitude of faith or in the nature of faith, but in the object of faith.” Regenerate believers believe in the Son, Jesus Christ.

We bear no judgment - Secondly, regenerate believers bear no sense of judgment. Our text today says, "Whoever believes in him is not condemned" (John 3:18). Because of the regenerate believer's understanding of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, they understand that their guilt has been washed away. They can say along with Paul, "There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus" (Romans 8:1). True believers draw encouragement from this truth and lives constantly in the joy it brings. A mark of an un-regenerate believer is the constant guilt he bears and the unwillingness to let these truth soothe him and wash away the guilt.

We boast in God - Finally, the regenerate believers boasts in God for his blissful state. The un-regenerate hate the light and do not come into the light, but the regenerate comes confidently into the light, not because of their own self-righteousness but because their deeds have been "wrought in God." True believers are content with the fact that God is solely responsible for their righteousness. They seek for a righteousness that is not "derived from the law, but that which is through faith in Jesus Christ, the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith" (Philippians 3:9). As believers, we ought to boast not in our own righteousness but in Christ's righteousness. This is a reality for the regenerate believer.

These three differences are a simple standard by which we can test our faith. IS Christ the object of my faith? Do I bear no sense of judgment? Do I happily receive the righteousness of God while rejecting my own righteousness? If God has regenerated you, these things are true of you. What a happy lot for the regenerate - those saved by mercy and grace! I pray that as you take an honest look at your faith, that you will be found pure. If not, I pray that you will repent and turn to Christ as you seek His mercies. Stay strong and God bless!

A Thought on Teaching

"Someone decided several years ago that the word propitiation is too technical and not user-friendly enough for contemporary Christians, so preachers stopped explaining the principle of propitiation. Now that the idea of propitiation is under attack, we have a generation of leaders who don't remember what it meant or why it's important to defend." - Phil Johnson at his blog.

Phil Johnson's words reminded me how important it is to teach "the whole counsel of God." If someone does not know what a certain theological term means, as pastors, we ought to teach them instead of doing our sheep the disfavor of skipping the concept because of their inability to grasp such truth at the moment. And those who are not teachers but students must labor through the difficulties so that they will be able to understand the rich doctrines of Scripture. May God raise up a generation that will both teach and study the great truths of Scripture.

Praise Songs for 08-17-08

Be Thou My Vision
Son of God
More than Enough
Knowing You Jesus

07-27-08 Sermon Review

The Most Famous Bible Verse
John 3:16

There is no doubt in my mind that John 3:16 is the most famous bible versein the world, and that it has affected the lives of many. Those who have grown up in a Christian home or in a church probably can recite it from memory. It is most often the first verse translated when missionaries attempt to translate the Bible into another language. The little Gideon's Bible has a few pages in the front dedicated to this passage, and numerous gospel tracts highlight this verse in their presentation.

What makes this Bible verse so great? I know my list will not be comprehensive, but I'll attempt to give you some good reasons why this verse is so cherished by Christians around the world.

The Greatest Person - First, this verse is making a statement about the greatest person in existence: God. Many do not realize that this verse is about God and not about them. One of the greatest realizations of my college years was that I am not the main character. Many would come to this verse and read, "For God so loved ME..." or the impact of the verse comes as "I am loved by God." Though the text does not say this, we usually like this verse not because it elevates God, but makes us feel good about ourselves. No, this verse is great because it is about God, the greatest person in existence.

The Greatest Love - So what of this God? This verse reveals to us the greatest person doing the greatest act of love. God's love resulted in God giving His Son for the sins of His people. Though it is not clearly stated in the verse that God gave His Son as a sacrifice, this is implied from the context. Jesus mentions His own exaltation on the cross for sinners in the verses prior. We are reminded of the words of Jesus when He says, "Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends" (John 15:13). In this case, the friends were sinners completely undeserving. Jesus did not just teach things about great love, He embodied it and lived it. No wonder the Apostle John can say that "God is love" (1 John 4:8). And no wonder this verse is so powerful. What a demonstration of love that is here!

The Greatest Offer - Why did God do this, why did God have to show His love in this way? If He did not, sinners would face the wrath of God. To appease that wrath, an adequate substitute or atonement must be made. Christ ws given as that substitute so that "whosoever believes will have eternal life." God Himself as an eternal possession instead of His eternal wrath in the lake of fire all through the work of Jesus Christ on the cross alone, that is a a great offer - the greatest offer that a sinner who stand in judgment can receive. And this verse gives us just that.

The Greatest Assurance - The greatest offer comes with the greatest assurance. God is faithful to His promises. The prophetic "wil have eternal life" in our verse today can be fully trusted. Therefore, the greatest assurance we can find on this side of eternity is the truthfulness of God's Word. God has given us His Son and promised in His Word. God will surely give eternal life to all who believe. What greater assurance could we ask for?

These four points are come of the reasons why I believe this verse has greatly encouraged and affected many. As long as we understand the deep truths embodied in this verse and the true meaning of the passage, we'll also draw much comfort, assurance, and joy as the rest who have found it in this verse. Praise the Lord that John 3:16 is in His unchanging, perfect Word! Stay strong and God bless!

07-20-08 Sermon Review

Regeneration and Faith
John 3:1-15

We are still in John chapter 3, and the subject is still regeneration. In the sermon prior, we learned how regeneration is necessary and completely outside of ourselves, but the teaching of the Bible also emphasizes that we are saved through faith (Ephesians 2:8). What then is the relationship between regeneration and faith?

Regeneration Precedes Faith - God must work in us regeneration before any of us can put faith in Jesus Christ. Paul writes that God has given us the knowledge of Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 4:6). He first spoke to our hearts, then we saw Christ, and then we believed. This ensures that every bit of our salvation, even our faith, comes from God, and therefore, only God will receive glory for His saving work.

Regeneration Produces Faith - This point ties in closely with the previous. The first point dealt with the timing; this point deals with the cause-result relationship. What results from God causing us to be born again is that we believe. We are not born again because we believe. We believe because we are born again. Without fail, faith springs up in all who are regenerated, and therefore, no genuinely born again Christian will not have faith, even if that faith may be weak.

Regeneration Preserves Faith - We are all called to persevere in faith. But if God has caused regeneration in you, you will surely persevere in faith. Paul confidently states, "He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus" (Philippians 1:6). God has started the work of salvation with regeneration and will complete it in glorification. Therefore, what is left in between, perseverance of the faith, is also guaranteed.


Now, if regeneration precedes faith, then how is one born again? That is a very important question to ask, since we have already read Jesus' words that we "must be born again." Having faith is not the answer from our study above. For a quick answer, we turn to 1 Peter 1:23: "For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God." The word "through" here is crucial to our understanding of regeneration. Peter states that the means with which God regenerates is the living and enduring Word.

I was once told by a seasoned Pastor, "The Spirit of God does not work apart from the Word of God." When the Spirit works in our hearts to produce this miracle of regeneration, He never does it apart from the truths of God's written Word. No wonder why Paul emphasizes the importance of preaching so that people hear (Romans 10:14-15) and preaching the Word (2 Timothy 4:1-2).

Knowing this ought to spur on greater love for the Word, challenge us to use the Word and its truths when we evangelize, and comfort us as we see our faith more surely rested on God's infallible Word. May God give us grace to love the Word, speak the Word, share the Word, and preach the Word. It is vital, not only for our growth but even our birth as children of God. May our faith be found to be a regenerate faith. Stay strong and God bless!

Praise songs for 08-10-08

Be Thou My Vision
Son of God
More than Enough
Knowing You Jesus

The Reason for God - Tim Keller

Tim Keller proves to be a brilliant mind in hist first book "The Reason for God." The book is in part a defense against attacks by New Atheists who have recently been writing prolifically against the existence of God. The book can also be seen as an aid to those who are dealing with doubts and have real questions concerning God's existence. Though readers might expect Keller to give them the reason for God, Keller actually gives a concise yet thorough overview on the whole subject matter. Keller is very gracious with his words yet challenging as well. This book does not simply give you a a reason for God, but challenges you on how you think. He does a great job dealing with doubt and therefore, this book is not only great for honest skeptics but growing believers as well. It will surely equip saints with great truths as well as encourage them to persevere in faith. I personally enjoyed the book quite a bit.

Pages: 320
Reading Difficulty: Normal
Rating: 4/5
Buy or Borrow: Borrow