“We are not to speculate as to whether our unconverted friends are elect or not (that is none of our business): we are to look simply to their need of Christ, and to do all we can in honest Christian compassion to meet that need by our witness and our prayers.”
J.I. Packer on “Election,” 18 Words: The Most Important Words You Will Ever Know, pp. 158-159.
There are many ways to develop leaders in the church, but one of the most exciting is to attend a Bible Conference with your staff or lay leaders.
For those on the west coast, I highly recommend Shepherd’s Conference in Sun Valley, California. It’s usually the first week of March. This year, it falls on Wednesday thru Friday, March 5-7, 2014. The speakers include John MacArthur, Al Mohler, Mark Dever, Steve Lawson, and Tom Pennington.
I’ve attended the conference many times over the years and always return home refreshed. Last year, I took along my music intern, and this year for the first time, I’ll be taking a few deacons and lay leaders. I am so eager for this time together in the Word and fellowship.
Here’s a video promoting the 2014 Shepherd’s Conference. As of this afternoon, there was still space, but I expect it will sell out very soon.
Shepherds’ Conference 2014 from Grace Community Church on Vimeo.
Question: Have you ever attended a Bible conference with others from your church? What did you enjoy the most? Click here to leave a comment.
“You can have anything in this world you want,” the cosmetologist Mary Kay Ash once said, “if you want it badly enough, and you’re willing to pay the price.”
Even with all the drive and discipline in the world, I seriously doubt I could ever slam dunk over Kobe Bryant or out-strum Eric Clapton. But there is truth in Mary Kay’s statement. Passion plus perspiration are a great recipe for success.
Jesus says that even getting into heaven demands serious effort. “Strive to enter through the narrow door” (Luke 13:24).
He’s not talking about good works, for clearly, no one is good enough to earn their way into heaven. “None is righteous, no not one…For by works of the law no human being will be justified” (Romans 3:10, 20). Meeting all of God’s requirements is no more possible than a preschooler getting an A+ on a calculus exam. We fall miserably short of God’s perfect standard.
Nevertheless, Jesus does say we must “strive” or “agonize” to get into heaven. He speaks of urgency. Desperation. Helplessness. The same kind of zeal that would drive a man across the Sahara in search of water. It is an all-consuming quest for the only thing that matters.
Do we have that kind of passion for God and for eternal life? This isn’t something to gamble on — eternity is at stake. Thankfully, God tells us exactly how we can be saved. 1 John 5:13 says, “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life.”
Know. What a beautiful word. We can know with absolute certainty that we are saved. Not wish, or hope, or pray. We can know! A closer look at John’s letter reveals three tests to see if we have eternal life.
First, the doctrinal test. We must believe that Jesus Christ is the one and only begotten Son of God, fully God and fully Man. “Whoever confesses the Son has the Father also” (1 John 2:23). Do I believe Jesus died on the cross for my sin and rose again on the third day? Have I confessed Him as my personal Savior and Lord?
Second, the moral test. Real Christians don’t just say they love God. They show it by their love for others. “We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. Whoever does not love, abides in death” (1 John 3:14). Children of God will resemble their spiritual father and develop the same kind of love, unity, and forgiveness he has shown us.
Finally, the spiritual test. “If our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God” (1 John 3:21). The Holy Spirit gives a calm and steady assurance to genuine believers. He whispers His love into our ear and reminds us we are children of the King.
Pass these three tests, and God promises you are saved. Fail any one of them, and it would be wise to go back and search the scriptures for yourself. Eternal life can be yours, if you want it badly enough and you’re willing to pay the price.
(This article first appeared in The Minister’s Message of our local newspaper, The Hi Desert Star.)
Question: When did you first become certain you were a Christian? What Scriptures or experience did God use in your life? Click here to share your thoughts.
Photo credit: dexchao
Sorry things went quiet here this month. I took a week off from church ministry and blogging to tackle a bunch of projects around the house.
Most of the time, I was covered with grime and disguised with safety goggles and a face mask — alternating between fence repair and drywall mud in two bedroom walls.
In ministry, there’s never time for a “weekend project,” so this DIY Week was a great way to catch up. We’ll probably make it an annual tradition. And praise the Lord, we enjoyed some beautiful warm weather (sorry to rub it in, East Coast friends).
Check back soon for more regular blog posts on church ministry and leadership development.
Let’s be honest. The Bible is intimidating. It’s a big book and not always easy to understand. Reading the Bible from cover to cover sounds about as realistic as scaling Mount Everest.
Oh, we have reasons for not reading the whole Bible. We’re too busy. We don’t understand it. We’re not good readers. We don’t know how. But like any other good habit, it’s going to take effort and planning.
According to a recent poll, 80% of Americans still consider the Bible to be a sacred book. Nearly 9 out of 10 own at least one copy of the Bible. Yet less than 1/4 have read the whole book. How can we claim to know God’s will if we haven’t read His book through even once?
It’s not too late to change. Why not commit to reading the whole Bible in 2014? Here are five secrets to reaching your goal. Well, they’re not exactly “secrets.” But these basic tips may be just what you need to read all sixty-six books of the Bible this year and beyond…
Question: What advice would you give for reading the Bible? Share your thoughts by clicking here.
Pinch Of Clay 