Last Sunday night, I taught on the Rise of the Maccabees as we continue our study through the Intertestamental Period.

Here’s the Hannukah video I mentioned during the lesson (and which I could not get to play on Sunday night!). It gives a great little overview of the Jewish holiday, including its origin and modern elements that have been added.

According to John 10:22-23, Jesus himself took part in this festival, which celebrated the re-dedication of the temple in 165 BC.

I’m thinking a lot today about Christ’s commission to “Go therefore and make disciples” (Matt. 28:19). Jesus did not command us to draw people into our settings, but rather, to go where the people are, in settings that will be natural and comfortable to get to know them to discuss the things of God.

Notice how this command to “Go” applies in a tribal setting. New Tribes Missions says, “While there may be situations when it is preferable for the people to gather at the home of the missionary or in a specially-erected building, it is usually better to conduct pre-evangelism sessions in the peoples homes or wherever the villagers most naturally and commonly gather. It may be under a large shady tree in the center of the viallage or at the town plaza during the hottest time of the day…The locale may change according to the seasons and the work being done by the people…By going into their homes, sitting where they sit, and communicating within the framework of the tribal culture, we are showing them, by example, that the message of the Scriptures is meant to be taught and practiced within the structure of their culture…” (Building on Firm Foundations, Vol. 1, p. 111, 124)

But what about 21st century America? How do we obey Christ’s command to “Go”? If most of our church’s pre-evangelism and evangelism is happening in Sunday School, Sunday morning worship, mid-week Bible study, or door-to-door visitation, it would seem we are asking people to interact in a setting that is completely unnatural and uncomfortable to them. How much better it would be for us to engage the culture by building relationships and sharing the gospel in their own natural environment.

I don’t know how this will work itself out practically in our church, but I’m growing concerned that we must be much more aware of the cultural barriers we face as we seek to reach our own neighbors with the gospel.

One new resource I’m very excited about is a little booklet put out by Matthais Media called The Essential Jesus. It’s an attractive version of the Gospel of Luke with three introductory pages and then a closing summary of the gospel at the end. You can download a preview of the entire book here. If you buy them in bulk, they’re available for as little as 95 cents each.

I’m eager for creative ways to use this tool in the future, perhaps as a free giveaway at a local fair booth or as a possible book study at a local coffee shop. But even with this great tool, I realize there is now a whole generation of people who will not even spend the time to read a free, 80-page book. So, we must constantly explore newer and more effective ways to connect and reach unbelievers.

David Powlison has written a good little booklet on how to face death or help others who are facing death. The key ingredient is the hope of the gospel. Here’s an excerpt:

Your friends and relatives cannot go with you as you die, but the One who is closer than a brother promises to never leave you or forsake you. Jesus has a first hand knowledge of what you are facing. He will be with you as you face death and as you die. His life, death, and resurrection are your guarantee that beyond death’s door is a glorious new life. This is the reality of your faith. Your faith is not a nice theory, or a bunch of sweet, comforting, religious platitudes. God himself will be with you in the moment when death stretches its fingers toward you.

You can read the whole thing here.

Photo credit: Natalie Maynor

Regarding embryonic stem cell research, bioethicist Eric Cohen is quoted by Kairos Journal:

[A]lthough the pro-life movement has rightly spent its energy combating abortion, it would do well to begin giving some attention to embryonic stem-cell research as well. Pro-lifers have had substantial success convincing the public that abortion is a horrible and even inexcusable practice. Embryo research, on the other hand, seems relatively innocuous; but that is an illusion. Its insidious nature makes it more corrupting than abortion.

President Obama’s tragic decision this week to permit government funding for embryonic stem cell research has brought this ethical dilemma back into the public spotlight.

The Bible teaches that all life is sacred and to be protected because all humans are created in the image of God (Gen. 1:27). This is true at every stage of life — whether floating in the test tube of a laboratory, growing in the womb of a mother, or laying on the bed of a convalescent home.

It is never right to torture or sacrifice an innocent human life for the purpose of extending or improving the lives of others. God alone has the prerogative to give life and take it away (1 Sam. 2:6; Job 1:21).

When we get into the business of creating and killing life, even with the best of intentions, we are wielding a power that is reserved for God Himself.

Shepherd’s Conference last week was an enriching time. Over 4,000 men were present, representing 45 different countries.

The Lord impressed many truths upon my heart that I’m still meditating on. Here are some favorite quotes from the seminars and main sessions I was able to attend:

“There is no creation science. Science cannot explain creation.” – John MacArthur

“A ministry’s attitude toward Genesis 1-2 reveals their attitude toward the rest of Scripture” – John MacArthur

“If you deny the creation account, you diminish praise to God” – John MacArthur

“Walk on the grass, kill the deer, drill for oil” – John MacArthur, after explaining that environmentalism dishonors God’s command to subdue the earth and is killing millions of people

“The further we walk, the better the fishing” – cited by Irv Busenitz, who showed that the deep study of the Old Testament holds great reward

“The Bible was meant to be read forward, not backward” – Walt Kaiser, cited by Irv Busenitz, on how to properly read and interpret the Bible

“Some of us will eat a lot of crow at the marriage supper of the Lamb” – Irv Busenitz

“Damaging the church is rarely intentional” – Tom Pennington

“Paul never let his Calvinism get in the way of his care” – Rick Holland

“Satan always uses our language, and his dictionary” – Rick Holland

“Christianity is fundamentally a rational religion, which is why we teach“ – Rick Holland

“The aim of apologetics is to present the gospel, not just argue for theism. We must win converts to Jesus Christ” – Nate Busenitz

“Don’t pursue respectability at the expense of biblical fidelity” – Nate Busenitz

“An age of question marks is allergic to the exclamation mark” – Al Mohler, on why our culture is so resistant to expository preaching

“Preaching is your responsibility to get God’s Word from your lips to the congregation’s ears. The Spirit will get it from their ears to their heart.” – Martin Luther, cited by Al Mohler

“To depart from the gospel is to depart from God Himself” – Steve Lawson

“If Jesus is not the only way to salvation, He’s no way to salvation. For He said He was the only way. And no liar could be a Savior.” – Steve Lawson

“This is not a time for dialogue. This is a time for declaration.” – Steve Lawson

“If we please God, it does not matter who we displease. If we displease God, it does not matter who we please.” – Steve Lawson

“To design a God who gives people sovereignty outside Himself is to design a different God” – John MacArthur

“The existence of evil actually makes God more glorious.” – John MacArthur, showing how the existence of evil puts all of God’s attributes on clearer display and causes us to sing with greater passion

If you would like to learn more about this year’s conference, you can read the live-blog here, listen to MP3s here, or see photos here.

Photo credit: Lukas VanDyke