Reformed Rap

More theology in this 4.5 minute video than is preached in an hour form the pulpits of many churches today.

Happy Reformation Day

Free MP3 download of Martin Luther’s Here I Stand by Max McClean is available from ListenersBible.com. Offer ends Nov 1.

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In the late afternoon of April 18, 1521, in the city of Worms, Germany, Martin Luther, a 37 year-old Catholic monk was called to defend himself before Charles the Fifth, the Holy Roman Emperor. The speech he delivered that day, Here I Stand, marked the beginning of the Reformation, a critical turning point in Christian history, that decisively altered the spiritual map of the world.

In this recording, Max McLean introduces the events leading up to the Diet of Worms: Martin Luther’s prayer the night before he delivered his speech; Luther’s stirring defense; the Catholic church’s rebuttal; and, Luther’s final heartfelt response.

The Grace of Prayer

“Some are loath to do good because they feel their hearts rebelling, and duties turn out badly. We should not avoid good actions because of the infirmities attending them. Christ looks more at the good in them which he means to cherish than the ill in them which he means to abolish. Though eating increases a disease, a sick man will still eat, so that nature may gain strength against the disease. So, though sin cleaves to what we do, yet let us do it, since we have to deal with so good a Lord, and the more strife we meet with, the more acceptance we shall have. Christ loves to taste of the good fruits that come from us, even though they will always savor of our old nature.”

“A Christian complains he cannot pray. `Oh, I am troubled with so many distracting thoughts, and never more than now!’ But has he put into your heart a desire to pray? Then he will hear the desires of his own Spirit in you. `We know not what we should pray for as we ought’ (nor how to do anything else as we ought), but the Spirit helps our infirmities with `groanings which cannot be uttered’ (Rom. 8:26), which are not hid from God. `My groaning is not hid from thee’ (Psa. 38:9). God can pick sense out of a confused prayer. These desires cry louder in his ears than your sins. Sometimes a Christian has such confused thoughts that he can say nothing but, as a child, cries, `O Father’, not able to express what he needs, like Moses at the Red Sea. These stirrings of spirit touch the heart of God and melt him into compassion towards us, when they come from the Spirit of adoption, and from a striving to be better.”

“`Oh, but is it possible’, thinks the misgiving heart, `that so holy a God should accept such a prayer?’ Yes, he will accept that which is his own, and pardon that which is ours. Jonah prayed in the fish’s belly (Jon. 2:1), being burdened with the guilt of sin, yet God heard him. Let not, therefore, infirmities discourage us. James takes away this objection (James 5:17). Some might object, `If I were as holy as Elijah, then my prayers might be regarded.’ `But,’ says he, ‘Elijah was a man subject to like passions as we are.’ He had his passions as well as we, or do we think that God heard him because he was without fault? Surely not. But look at the promises: `Call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee’ (Psa. 50:15). `Ask, and it shall be given you’ (Matt. 7:7) and others like these. God accepts our prayers, though weak, because we are his own children, and they come from his own Spirit; because they are according to his own will; and because they are offered in Christ’s mediation, and he takes them, and mingles them with his own incense (Rev. 8:3).”

“There is never a holy sigh, never a tear we shed, which is lost. And as every grace increases by exercise of itself, so does the grace of prayer. By prayer we learn to pray. So, likewise, we should take heed of a spirit of discouragement in all other holy duties, since we have so gracious a Saviour. Pray as we are able, hear as we are able, strive as we are able, do as we are able, according to the measure of grace received. God in Christ will cast a gracious eye upon that which is his own.”

Extract from The Bruised Reed by Richard Sibbes.

Baptism Part 1 – Paedobaptism and Credobaptism

Two excellent resources containing dialogue between proponents of infant and believer’s baptism:

1. R.C. Sproul and John MacArthur:

A. The Case for Infant Baptism: The Historic Paedo-Baptist Position by R.C. Sproul. (MP3 download)

B. The Case for Believer’s Baptism: The Credo Baptist Position by John MacArthur. (MP3 download)

2. Pastor William Shishko and Dr. James White (debate):

MP3 Download: Part 1, Part 2

Phil Johnson on Heresies

Heard any new heresies lately? I doubt it.

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“It’s important for Christians to have a grasp of heresies that the church has battled over the centuries, because they often return with new clothing, and the unprepared Christian is likely to fall into these old pits. Phil does an excellent job of looking at some of the major heresies that are revisiting the church today: Socinianism, Arianism, Pelagianism, Gnosticism, and Judaizing. This is an excellent 6 part series that will shore up some weak points in the church today.”

The series is available at the GraceLife Pulpit web site or you can download each MP3 individually below.

1. The Judaizers
2. The Gnostics
3. The Arians, #1
4. The Arians, #2
5. The Pelagians
6. The Socinians

Albert Mohler on the Apostle’s Creed

Dr. Albert Mohler’s 13 part sermon series on the Apostle’s Creed has been around for a couple of years. Nothing new here… but don’t move along too fast. Just as with the creed itself, this series is definitely worthy of thoughtful contemplation, of spending time with, and of being listened to again and again.

The series is available with other Chapel messages delivered by Dr. Mohler here or you can download each MP3 individually below.

 

1. The Apostles Creed: Credo: I Believe
2. The Apostles Creed: God the Father Almighty
3. The Apostles Creed: Maker of Heaven and Earth
4. The Apostles Creed: Jesus Christ, His Only Son, Our Lord
5. The Apostles Creed: Conceived of the Holy Ghost, Born of the Virgin Mary
6. The Apostles Creed: Suffered Under Pontius Pilot
7. The Apostles Creed: Was Crucified, Died, and Was Buried
8. The Apostles Creed: He Ascended into Heaven and Sitteth on the Right Hand of God the Father Almighty
9. The Apostles Creed: Whence He Shall Come to Judge the Living and the Dead
10. The Apostles Creed: The Holy Spirit
11. The Apostles Creed: The Holy Catholic Church and the Communion of the Saints
12. The Apostles Creed: The Forgiveness of Sins
13. The Apostles Creed: The Resurrection of the Body and Life Everlasting

S. Lewis Johnson on Prayer

In this 8 part series provided by the SLJ Institute, Dr. S. Lewis Johnson teaches on the theology of prayer in a way that is sadly, and unfortunately, lacking in many (so-called) churches today. Highly recommended for all Christians no matter their stage of spiritual maturity. Each lesson is available here or you can download each MP3 individually below.

1. The Theology of Prayer: the Nature, Object and Grounds of Prayer
2. Prayer and the Attributes, part I (Why Bother and Infinite, Omnipotent God of Love?)
3. Prayer and the Attributes, part II (Does Prayer Change an Unchanging God?)
4. Prayer and the Decrees
5. The Problem of Unanswered Prayer, part I
6. The Problem of Unanswered Prayer, part II
7. The Necessity of Prayer
8. Importunate Prayer

You Don’t Have to Pull a Trigger to be a Murderer

“But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire.” (Matthew 5:22)

Guy Davies – Dan Phillips Interview

 

The Exiled Preacher Guy Davies interviewed the Pyromaniac Dan Phillips.  The interesting, funny, thought provoking, and at times disturbing interview can be viewed here.

 

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GD: What is the biggest problem facing evangelicalism today and how should we respond?

DP: Here’s exactly what I think it is: failure truly to understand, believe, embrace, and live out a robust conviction of the authority and sufficiency of Scripture. I see that as the common theme behind the various church-growth fads, the Emerg*** movement, crippling forms of mysticism and charismaticism, and pulpit ills in general. We don’t really believe Scripture is enough. It must be supplemented with techniques, programs, experiences, exercises, entertainment. The Reformation put the pulpit (for the preaching of the Word) at the center, and we’re working hard to move it aside and replace it with a thousand and one distractions. "Preach the word!" Paul cried to Timothy as he finished his own course. God grant us ears to hear, greater hearts to grasp, bolder lips to proclaim, and stiffer spines to stand on the Word alone.

Rule of Prayer

by John Calvin

1. Let the first rule of right prayer then be, to have our heart and mind framed as becomes those who are entering into converse with God. This we shall accomplish in regard to the mind, if, laying aside carnal thoughts and cares which might interfere with the direct and pure contemplation of God, it not only be wholly intent on prayer, but also, as far as possible, be borne and raised above itself. I do not here insist on a mind so disengaged as to feel none of the gnawings of anxiety; on the contrary, it is by much anxiety that the fervor of prayer is inflamed.

2. Another rule of prayer is, that in asking we must always truly feel our wants, and seriously considering that we need all the things which we ask, accompany the prayer with a sincere, nay, ardent desire of obtaining them.

3. The third rule to be added is: that he who comes into the presence of God to pray must divest himself of all vainglorious thoughts, lay aside all idea of worth; in short, discard all self-confidence, humbly giving God the whole glory, lest by arrogating anything, however little, to himself, vain pride cause him to turn away his face.

4. The fourth rule of prayer is, that notwithstanding of our being thus abased and truly humbled, we should be animated to pray with the sure hope of succeeding.

Excerpt from Of Prayer — A Perpetual Exercise Of Faith. The Daily Benefits Derived From It.