Antinomian evils

One reason a proper view of the law is so important is found in the definition of sin. Jesus had to die on the cross to be the propitiation of God's righteous wrath. If you start tinkering with what law is you effectively redefine sin. The Catechism answer to the question What is sin? is "Sin is any want of conformity unto or transgression of the law of God." If you say law is unimportant you unwittingly assault the very reason that Christ had to be our representative. The holiness of God demands absolute conformity to His Law. We are personally disqualified by original sin and our own transgressions. This is the backdrop for the glorious Gospel of Christ. As our federal representative the righteous requirements of the Law, which He fulfilled, are imputed to our account. Faith is the only mechanism for redemption and it is a gift of a gracious, electing God. A proper view of Law keeps the Gospel God-centered. Can anyone argue against the need for a more robust God-centered soteriology in our day?

The trouble with us is we feel justified in creating our own subjective and inconsistent measures of righteousness. Idolatry in its essence is fashioning a God in an image of our liking, either physically or intellectually. This is the great transgression of our time and every other...We need to repent of our hatred for God's holy standards. In so doing, we will see more of the Glory of Christ!

Wednesday evening

Let's face it, I am a stinky blogger.

Wednesday night prayer meeting was a blessing. We studied Psalm 72 and prayed for the many needs of our body and for the advancement of Christ's Kingdom.

Tomorrow, we will be studying Exodus 19 in the Sr. Bible study.

The Sunday morning message will be in Acts 24. The evening service will be the second installment of the fruits of the Spirit from Galatians 5.

Mediatorial Kingship of Christ

The last couple of weeks I have been thinking about Christ's Reign over every sphere. If we lived acknowledging Christ as King our lives would be graciously ordered. He must have the preeminence in all things. Every decision would take on greater spiritual meaning.

We have had many families in varying states of illness in recent months. Please pray that everyone will be restored to full health.

I am really praying that the Lord will give us a greater desire to reach the lost and under churched. We must advance His Kingdom cause.

It was great to have the Boehlkes and Quinlan boys at prayer meeting last evening. We miss our former member families. My wife and I were thinking about how different the dynamics of our church would be if the Carmichaels, Boehlkes, Quinlans and Vances were still in town.

May the Lord build His church in Orlando!

Tuesday

This morning we had a 5 hour long elders meeting. The saints of Covenant are loved.

This week I will be working in the second half of Exodus 22 for Sunday morning and the first of two concluding messages on the 10 commandments. I am also praying about my next Sunday evening series. I am thinking of doing something like the Beatitudes or Fruits of the Spirit.

The thunderstorms and severe weather were quite entertaining. We did not suffer any damage though at one point they said a tornado was near our town (it never touched down). All of the kids went into disaster preparedness mode and it was quite a spectacle. Weaponry and barbies don't seem critical to many disaster planners but figured prominently in their contingency plans.

The 2 kids taking piano are very excited about their recital on Saturday. I hope they enjoy the learning experience of meeting a deadline and executing their practiced arrangements.

I really feel as though I am the most blessed man on the earth. It is good to delight in our LORD.

Thursday

I am very interested to learn more about Isaiah. Some of my devotional reading will be in the book and I am eager to again plumb the depths.

My wife is the best, she is such a merchant of love and grace.

Jameson and I are going to Subway to spend more of his gift card. The kid should get an endorsement deal from them.

I am looking forward to the Sunday morning sermon in Acts and the Sunday evening message on the tenth commandment. I am still praying about some writing projects. I am thinking about free, e and self-publishing. The goal being to get the work in the hands of the people for encouragement free of charge.

Wednesday

We are looking forward to prayer meeting tonight. We are starting a new series. Please join us.

I am reading the Hoeksma sermons on Isaiah, Redeemed in Judgment. If you want to understand prophecy about Christ, learn from Isaiah. It is quoted frequently in the NT, second only to the Psalms. The Psalm quotations are also very much related to Isaiah in many instances.

I will continue my study in Exodus tomorrow for the "senior's" Bible study. Please join us if you are able.

I am looking forward to seeing my grandmother on Friday evening. She is approaching 80 and yet is so full of life and energy.

Pray For Ireland

This morning, I read an article discussing Ireland's constitutional ban on abortion. Dating back to 1861, Ireland has codified its commitment to be a culture of life. This is under assault. Doctors and women's groups in Ireland and from countries like France are decrying the Irish law and are pressuring the Emerald Isle's inhabitants to comply with European Union standards of women's rights. In other words, they want to sanction murder in Ireland. Please pray for the church there. Pray that the ministers of the Gospel will speak loudly and the congregations will be bold in opposition.

My study today will largely be in Acts 20 for Sunday's message. Paul did not neglect to declare the whole counsel of God!

This morning we had an enjoyable Bible study in Exodus 16. The numbers were few but the fellowship sweet.