An Indefinate Time of Leave...

Having moved to Zambia to serve pastors and leaders has put a few obstacles in keeping this blog alive. First, our internet is average to slow, and unreliable at best. It is difficult to download sermons. I am downloading an audio sermon of Mark Driscoll right now and it is showing me that it will take 2 hours. Second, well, actually, there is no second. This blog is internet-challenged and will be so in the unforseen future. So, saying that, I will keep this blog alive because I am still seeing a steady stream of people using the resource of sermons. My hope was to get some different people to volunteer weeks at time to keep it alive, but I have yet to find anyone who will commit to this. Until then, may I give you a few links:

Actually, here is just one: Reforming My Mind

This will keep you busy for a long time!

Also, if you haven't bought the LOGOS Piper Manuscript, you are missing out. I got it, love it, use it almost every time I study for different references and thoughts and clarifications. It is amazing, especially for those of us who are internet challenged.

Thanks again for being a part of this blog!
My best to you from Zambia!
Steve

A week in review...

Thanks to Pete Williamson for guest blogging last week!!!! This week we are going to bring back a few favorites...

I was listening to C.J. Mahaney on pride the last few days. Such a personal, practical, exhorting message that everyone should listen to over and over again...

So here it is again, kicking off the week!

John Piper - Treasuring Christ and the Call to Suffer

Believe me, I'd like to have another preacher to recommend, but there are so few that are as consistently good and speak to both the heart and mind with the passion Piper brings to it. Apologies again for this being a series of conference messages rather than a sermon, but this is a really rich set of messages, given at Wheaton College just a few weeks ago. And don't cheat yourselves by skipping over the Q & A...the students at Wheaton bring some great questions out and I think you'll be edified by Piper's response. Here's the list of messages:

• Treasuring Christ and the Call to Suffer, Part 1
• Treasuring Christ and the Call to Suffer, Part 2
• Treasuring Christ and the Call to Suffer, Part 3
• Treasuring Christ and the Call to Suffer, Part 4
• Q & A
  

And with that, I'm done. Thanks Steve for the privilege of sharing these with others, I hope that you all were as helped and fed by these as I was.

Until next time...

Mark Dever - Evangelism, Pastors, and Churches

I can't recall how I first came across Mark Dever, but since that time this man has profoundly affected my thinking about ecclesiology and pastoring. His books The Nine Marks of a Healthy Church and The Deliberate Church are something no pastor or church leadership should be without. Also not to be missed are the fantastic collection of interviews and articles over at the 9 Marks website. A lot of good material here for the benefit of the church.

I'm fudging a bit today with the purpose of this blog: this is neither a sermon nor is it a single one. Instead this is a series of talks given by Dever at the Sovereign Grace Pastors College back in February of last year. I hope the content of these talks will encourage you to extend grace to me. Here's the list:

• What is Evangelism?
• A Biblical Theology of Evangelism and the Gospel
• Evangelism for the Pastor or Preacher
• The Church Practice of Evangelism

I've found this to be a very helpful series personally. As a pastor/church planter, I've found it increasingly difficult to work engagement with unbelievers into a schedule filled with church-related items and it's something I very badly want to change.

Bob Kauflin - Corporate Worship as Pastoral Care

Bob Kauflin is someone that I've been exposed to more recently through listening to Sovereign Grace material. Bob was at one point a member of the a capella group GLAD and has now been involved in pastoral ministry at several SGM churches. Most recently, he is the Director of Worship Development at Covenant Life Church in Gaithersburg, MD (where Josh Harris pastors). I've found Bob's combination of experiences as a professional musician and a pastor really helpful in thinking through what worship - especially at the congregational level - should be about and look like.

Today's audio comes from a seminar Bob taught at SGM's Worship '06 conference.

John Piper - How Justified Sinners Love Each Other

That settles it. If Steve's going to bring up Piper then we might as well have a selection from Piper for today's audio. This is what I refer to as the "soup sermon." Great message on hospitality and service.

If you like John Piper and use LOGOS, check out this link!!!

http://www.logos.com/products/prepub/details/3392

Since 1980 John Piper has labored in the ministry of preaching at Bethlehem Baptist Church under the conviction that “People are starving for the greatness of God.” More than success, or riches, or esteem, or sex, or family, or sport, the glory of God satisfies the yearnings of our souls and sustains us in all our joys and pains.

John Piper’s goal in preaching is to proclaim God’s glory which shines forth “in the gospel of the glory of Christ” (2 Cor 4:4). The glory of God is vital for our lives and for the life of the church. So come, join John Piper as he exults in God through the exposition of the biblical text, and taste and see that the Lord is good.

One of today's preeminent preachers tackles current issues like terrorism, abortion and racial harmony as well as classic topics like baptism, biblical leadership and humility. With these manuscripts you can study whichever topic you prefer at your own pace. With the Logos Bible Software edition you can go deep into each subject or simply read John Piper's text. Either way, you are sure to find a gold mine of quality teaching.

Additional Information

• 1,125 John Piper sermon manuscripts - That's more than 27 years of insight!
• Free regular updates of future John Piper sermon manuscripts
• Features a specialized Home Page that helps you search this massive collection
• Also includes the Holy Bible, English Standard Version™

Benefits of the Logos Bible Software Edition

Logos Bible Software and the John Piper Sermon Manuscript Library were truly a match made in heaven. Search every sermon for any topic you can think of in only seconds. View each sermon side-by-side with the trusted English Standard Version. Studying a specific verse? Find out what John Piper has said about that verse by doing a simple search through your collection. For fans of John Piper, this is the next best thing to being at Bethlehem Baptist Church each week!

The John Piper Sermon Manuscript Library incorporates seamlessly into your existing Logos digital library or it works great as a stand-alone product if you're new to Logos.

As mentioned above, you'll receive free updates of future Piper sermons. If your computer is connected to the internet you will be able to painlessly download these additional sermons in a matter of minutes.

About the Author

John Piper, pastor for preaching and vision at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota since 1980, is a widely respected theologian and bestselling author. Born in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and raised in Greenville, South Carolina, Piper attended Wheaton College where he majored in literature and minored in philosophy. He completed his Bachelor of Divinity at Fuller Theological Seminary, where he studied under Dr. Daniel Fuller. Piper received his Doctorate in Theology from the University of Munich and taught biblical studies for six years at Bethel College.

His preaching and teaching are featured daily on the radio program, Desiring God. His books include The Passion of Jesus Christ, Desiring God, The Pleasures of God, Life as a Vapor, and the Gold Medallion Award-wining Pierced by the Word.

Matt Chandler - Gravity

I think I'm going to start this week off with one of my favorite young preachers today. Matt is pastor of The Village Church down in Dallas, TX a fairly new, but rapidly growing replant. I've been listening to his sermons now for about two and a half years and I think what strikes me most about him is the combination of faithful exposition with very heartfelt pastoral application. For a big church pastor, Matt comes across as someone who really knows and cares about his people. He is also one of those preachers who does humor well...he's funny without trying to be Live at the Improv, if you catch my meaning.

Anyway, to get you introduced to Matt...here's a message he gave at the Reform/Resurge Conference in Seattle last year, titled 'Gravity'.

I'm back...

It's been almost a month since I last posted and it is mostly due to the change of living in Africa. Funny, I saw a sign today advertising Africonnect, the internet provider in Lusaka. It showed this guy holding on to the keyboard as the computer literally was like windstorm propelling him back... I chuckled because it is really a little faster than dial up and you pay for bandwidth. So, as I think through how this going to work, and because it was my plan to bring in some other highly respected and smart guys to share their favorite sermons, I hereby introduce to you the first of hopefully several guest pastors sharing their favorite sermons...

Pete Williamson is the lead pastor of Oikos Fellowship in my hometown of Bellingham, Washington. A great guy, huge heart and a passion for reaching Bellingham, he is also really smart. Just check out his blog to see the man and the mission! Enjoy this week! I know I will!

Taking a break until I get settled in Africa

We have 11 days until we leave for Africa and so I am going to take a little break the next three weeks as I prepare to leave and cleave:) Thank you for your prayers as we prepare to serve and love pastors and churches in Zambia. We will be focusing on the pastors and the poor, hoping to provide a Bible Istitute for those who can't afford it, seminars, a resource library and some mentoring/counseling on a per church basis. I look forward to learning and growing in my understanding of the African culture as well learning from these dedicated and committed pastors. Our agency, Action International, will be starting a new website called Equippastors.org in the next month which will be used to to help equip the 1,000,000 pastors in the world who have no access to bible training and education. Thank you again for you support and encouragement and we look forward to reconnecting on the other side...

If you want more information about our move, check out our blog http://www.aliveinafrica.com/

God bless,

Steve

How to listen to a sermon...

A great article from the Challies.com blog...


How To Listen to a Sermon
I thought it would be nice to have a guest blogger for the first time in a long while. Today I’m going to post a wonderful little article excerpted from one of George Whitefield’s sermons. In this sermon he exposited Luke 8:18 where Jesus said, “Therefore consider carefully how you listen.” These pearls of wisdom will help you listen to sermons in a way that will bring great blessing to your soul. Or as Whitefield said, “Here are some cautions and directions, in order to help you hear sermons with profit and advantage.”
1. Come to hear them, not out of curiosity, but from a sincere desire to know and do your duty. To enter His house merely to have our ears entertained, and not our hearts reformed, must certainly be highly displeasing to the Most High God, as well as unprofitable to ourselves.
2. Give diligent heed to the things that are spoken from the Word of God. If an earthly king were to issue a royal proclamation, and the life or death of his subjects entirely depended on performing or not performing its conditions, how eager would they be to hear what those conditions were! And shall we not pay the same respect to the King of kings, and Lord of lords, and lend an attentive ear to His ministers, when they are declaring, in His name, how our pardon, peace, and happiness may be secured?
3. Do not entertain even the least prejudice against the minister. That was the reason Jesus Christ Himself could not do many mighty works, nor preach to any great effect among those of His own country; for they were offended at Him. Take heed therefore, and beware of entertaining any dislike against those whom the Holy Ghost has made overseers over you.
Consider that the clergy are men of like passions with yourselves. And though we should even hear a person teaching others to do what he has not learned himself, yet that is no reason for rejecting his doctrine. For ministers speak not in their own, but in Christ’s name. And we know who commanded the people to do whatever the scribes and Pharisees should say unto them, even though they did not do themselves what they said (see Matt. 23:1-3).
4. Be careful not to depend too much on a preacher, or think more highly of him than you ought to think. Preferring one teacher over another has often been of ill consequence to the church of God. It was a fault which the great Apostle of the Gentiles condemned in the Corinthians: ‘For whereas one said, I am of Paul; another, I am of Apollos: are you not carnal, says he? For who is Paul, and who is Apollos, but instruments in God’s hands by whom you believed?’ (1 Cor. 1:12; 2:3-5).
Are not all ministers sent forth to be ministering ambassadors to those who shall be heirs of salvation? And are they not all therefore greatly to be esteemed for their work’s sake?
5. Make particular application to your own hearts of everything that is delivered. When our Savior was discoursing at the last supper with His beloved disciples and foretold that one of them should betray Him, each of them immediately applied it to his own heart and said, ‘Lord, is it I?’ (Matt. 26:22).
Oh, that persons, in like manner, when preachers are dissuading from any sin or persuading to any duty, instead of crying, ‘This was intended for such and such a one!’ instead would turn their thoughts inwardly, and say, ‘Lord, is it I?’ How far more beneficial should we find discourses to be than now they generally are!
6. Pray to the Lord, before, during, and after every sermon, to endue the minister with power to speak, and to grant you a will and ability to put into practice what he shall show from the Book of God to be your duty.
No doubt it was this consideration that made St. Paul so earnestly entreat his beloved Ephesians to intercede with God for him: ‘Praying always, with all manner of prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and for me also, that I may open my mouth with boldness, to make known the mysteries of the gospel’ (Eph. 6:19-20). And if so great an apostle as St. Paul needed the prayers of his people, much more do those ministers who have only the ordinary gifts of the Holy Spirit.
If only all who hear me this day would seriously apply their hearts to practice what has now been told them! How ministers would see Satan, like lightning, fall from heaven, and people find the Word preached sharper than a two-edged sword and mighty, through God, to the pulling down of the devil’s strongholds!

Steve Allen - Thankfulness as the way of life

I preached this sermon at Oikos Fellowship in Bellingham this past Sunday. I appreciate very much Pete Williamson giving me a chance to preach. It has been a busy summer getting ready to move to Africa and I haven't had a chance to preach at all. Hope you enjoy it.

dietrich bonhoeffer - life together

I really liked this quote, so much so that it is a short sermon today.

Because God has already laid the only foundation of our fellowship, because God has bound us together in one body with other Christians in Jesus Christ, long before we entered into common life with them, we enter into that common life not as demanders but as thankful recipients. We thank God for what He has done for us. We thank God for giving us brethren who live by His call, by His forgiveness, and His promise. We do not complain of what God does not give us; we rather thank God for what He does give us daily... In the Christian community thankfulness is just what it is anywhere else in the Christian life. Only he who gives thanks for little things receives big things. We prevent God from giving us the great spiritual gifts He has in store for us, because we do not give thanks for daily gifts.

Bryan Chapell - Thanksgiving of the Unworthy

A great passionate exposition of the story of the 10 lepers... Love his thoughts and especially his conclusion... He said, "Gratitude is the heart of faith," and later that the strength of service is found in gratitude... Check it out!

Here is the link!

A little bio:

Dr. Bryan Chapell has served as President of Covenant Seminary since 1994. He began teaching at Covenant Seminary in 1984 after ten years in pastoral ministry. Before becoming President, he served for six years as Vice President for Academics and Dean of Faculty. He is much sought after as a speaker in churches and conferences around the country. Christ-Centered Preaching has established him as one of the nation's most recognized teachers of homiletics.

From challies.com, he led us to this this link about C.J found here!
Watch a wonderful, gospel-centered video presentation of the life of C.J. Mahaney. This video was produced to commemorate his life and ministry at Covenant Life as the pastoral leadership was handed off to Joshua Harris, his successor. Although it is now somewhat dated, it is still a great video to watch–to see how God’s people honor their pastor and how a pastor loves the Church and demonstrates the gospel as a passionate pacesetter and exemplar of exultation in the glory of God.

Here is the must watch video that summarizes so much of what I want to be about but encouragement to persevere to the glory of God!



part 2

John MacArthur - Fundamental Christian Attitudes: Thankfulness

Wow. He really brings it... So thorough and complete, exegeting all the passages, adding a great story, making practical the command to give thanks in everything. Very good. Worth the 15 minute read. It will change your life.

Here is the link!

John MacArthur - Giving of Thanks.

A great, great, great exposition on thankfulness. He covers the theological angle, the practical angle and the application issue. Thorough and complete... Not to be missed!!!

Note: This is a written sermon and not an MP3... But, read it!!!!! Well worth your time!!!

Here is the link!

John Piper - Proud people don't say thanks.

This week are going to focus on Thankfulness and its importance to the health of the christian life. Paul says in 1 Thess 5:18-give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. What are all circumstances and how does this apply to our lives... We will kick it off with Dr. John Piper...

I love the title of this sermon and I love how he exegetes this passage in Romans 1. You will be challenged and encouraged as John explains how everything fits into living for the glory of God.






Click here for the link!

John Piper - How to do good so God gets the glory

Piper and glory... Boom! This is a great way to end the week, making practical the glory of God... Solid Deo Gloria!!!

Click here for the link!

Martyn Lloyd-Jones - Glory of God (Part 5)

The doctor preaches...

Here is the link!

King David - Psalm 24

Psalm 24:1-10 (NIV) Of David. A psalm.
The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it,

the world, and all who live in it;

[2] for he founded it upon the seas

and established it upon the waters.

[3] Who may ascend the hill of the Lord?

Who may stand in his holy place?

[4] He who has clean hands and a pure heart,

who does not lift up his soul to an idol

or swear by what is false.

[5] He will receive blessing from the Lord

and vindication from God his Savior.

[6] Such is the generation of those who seek him,

who seek your face, O God of Jacob. Selah

[7] Lift up your heads, O you gates;

be lifted up, you ancient doors,

that the King of glory may come in.

[8] Who is this King of glory?

The Lord strong and mighty,

the Lord mighty in battle.

[9] Lift up your heads, O you gates;

lift them up, you ancient doors,

that the King of glory may come in.

[10] Who is he, this King of glory?

The Lord Almighty--

he is the King of glory. Selah

John Piper - To Him Be Glory Forevermore

Piper on his second to last Romans sermon, talking about the glory of God. A must listen, read or watch!

Here is what ackendrick from Soli Deo Gloria blog wrote about this sermon!

Today I was watching a John Piper sermon online and I thought it exactly went along with the overall pupose of our blog. To Him Be Glory Forevermore was the title for the text of Romans 16:25-27. Piper gave this sermon to Bethlehem Baptist Church on December 17, 2006 as he is wrapping up a series through the entire book of Romans. He started this series on Romans back in 1998 starting with chapter 1 and now just wrapping it up in 2006. What a great expositional preacher of today to go striaght through an entire book. Piper claims that Romans was the greatest letter ever written and I might have to agree with him. Piper tries to do the impossible and define the glory of God but he does so by contrasting the glory of God to God’s holiness. Piper’s definition: “The glory of God is the infinite beauty and greatness of his manifold perfections.” An easier way to look at his definition is, “the glory of God is the manifestation of His holiness” or the “going public of His holiness.” This sermon helped me to understand the glory of God on a new level and I pray that you will read it or listen to it for yourself at DG . I also pray that we do what we were created for: Glorifing God.

Here is the link!

Dr. Derek Thomas - Soli Deo Gloria

A powerful sermon that focuses on Romans 11:33-36... Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!“For who has known the mind of the Lord,or who has been his counselor?”“Or who has given a gift to himthat he might be repaid?”For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.—Romans 11:33–36

Originally from Wales, Dr. Derek Thomas is the John E. Richards Professor of Systematic and Practical Theology at Reformed Theological Seminary, Jackson, Mississippi. After pastoring for 17 years in Belfast, Northern Ireland, Dr Thomas returned to the USA in 1996 where, in addition to his work at the seminary, he serves as the Minister of Teaching at First Presbyterian Church in Jackson.

Be encouraged...

Click here for link!

Michael Ross - Solia Deo Gloria

The last of the five solas of the reformation. I love this sermon for how he wraps up the series, establishes the absolute glory of God and humbles me into worship... A great sermon, practical and personal.

Here is the link!

Steve Allen - To live is Christ

This is a message I gave at Northlake on Philippians 1.21. It was part two of three on Philippians 1:21-24. Because to die is gain, it frees us to live Christ.

Here is the link! (it is at the bottom!)

Thanks!

Ivan Malyon - The Theme of all the Ages

You have to listen to this, if just for the awesome scottish accent. Passionate and biblical, he gives a new years message by preaching Christ and Christ alone!!! I loved it!

I have no picture or info, but I found his sermon on Monergism. The link below gives five different sermons by him!!! Check it out!!!

http://www.graceandtruth.org.uk/ivan_malyon.htm

Tim Keller - Christ, Our life

This is typical Keller bringing it home! He takes his gospel approach and really illustrates it well especially with a story of young, abused woman who describes idolatry as good as it can be. A great add to this week on Christ Alone!!!

Here is the link!

Mark Driscoll - The Cross of Christ

Mark preached this at the Northland Church in Florida. It is a powerful exposition of all that solo christo is and is meant to be. It is passionate and theological and practical.

Click here for the link!

Michael Ross - Solus Christus

The fourth of a five week series on the Solas!!!! This is much like the others, a solid, thorough exposition of why it is Christ alone that we are saved.

Here is the link!

John Piper - Future Grace of Faith, Part 1 and 2

This is a lecture classroom setting and a little less structured, but wow, talk about content, clarification and power. Especially the ending of part 1 where he explains how faith sanctifies. Worth the listen.

Here is the link!

Mark Dever - Faith that Works (The book of James)

Mark Dever is known for many things, but especially in regards to his 9 Marks ministry and that he has preached each book in the Bible in its entirety in 35 minutes. He has amazing ability to grasp a whole and preach it, which with books like James may not be as tough as something like Revelation, Leviticus, or Malachi. I have read the prophets in hjs Old Testament commentary and all of the New Testament Commentary that he has written and they are very well done. In light of the theme of the week being faith alone, I thought this would be a great sermon to listen to, which picks up faith in action.

Here is the link!

More about Mark Dever!

Mark Dever, Author and Speaker
Mark Dever serves as the senior pastor of Capitol Hill Baptist Church in Washington, DC. Since his ordination to the ministry in 1985, Dr. Dever has served on the pastoral staffs of four churches, the second being a church he planted in Massachusetts. Prior to moving to Washington in 1994, Dr. Dever taught for the faculty of Divinity at Cambridge University while serving two years as an associate pastor of Eden Baptist Church.
In an effort to build biblically faithful churches in America, Dr. Dever serves as the executive director for 9Marks (formerly The Center for Church Reform, CCR) in Washington, D.C. 9Marks encourages pastors of local churches look to the Bible for instruction on how to organize and lead their churches. Dr. Dever also teaches periodically at various conferences, speaking everywhere from South Africa to Brazil to the United Kingdom to Alabama. Feeling a deep burden for student ministry, Dr. Dever often addresses student ministry groups at campuses throughout the country. He has also taught at a number of seminaries, including Beeson Divinity School in Birmingham, AL, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY, and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, IL. Dr. Dever’s scholarly interests include Puritanism and ecclesiology.

Michael Ross - Sola Fida Pt. II

The second in his two part sermon on Only Faith... Worth the listen to, especially as he starts it off with a bit of a shocking story that set us up the rest of the message.

Click here for the link!

Michael Ross - Sola Fida

Michael Ross continues his series on the 5 solas. Another well though through, biblical defense of Faith only! You won't be disappointed.

Here is the link!

C.J. Mahaney - Enjoying Grace and Avoiding Legalism

I am bringing back a favorite from a couple of weeks ago! In case you missed it, don't miss it again!!! Check out the link to reminisce on what I wrote last week!!! This sermon is too good to miss!

Here is the link!

Shirts appropiate for these weeks...

Check out this sweet link on Monergism.com.



These are the finalists or the best of the designs that were sent to us for our Monergism T-Shirt Design Contest. One of these fortunate artists will receive a $200 shopping spree in our store and have their design used on our next t-shirt Have a good look at these over the weekend. We will tell you who the winner is early next week Feel free to comment on the blog if you like any of them.



Here is my favorite! Comment on your favorite!

Charles Spurgeon - Sovereign Grace and Man's Responsibility

Charles Spurgeon speaking on grace via the written word. A great sermon. I included the last paragraph here, and gave you the link to read the whole thing! Enjoy!

Click on the title below:
Sovereign Grace and Man's Responsibility

Now, with regard to myself; you may some of you go away and say, that I was Antinomian in the first part of the sermon and Arminian at the end. I care not. I beg of you to search the Bible for yourselves. To the law and to the testimony; if I speak not according to this Word, it is because there is no light in me. I am willing to come to that test. Have nothing to do with me where I have nothing to do with Christ. Where I separate from the truth, cast my words away. But if what I say be God's teaching, I charge you, by him that sent me, give these things your thoughts, and turn unto the Lord with all your hearts.

C.J. Mahaney - Sovereign Grace

C.J. leads a ministry called Sovereign Grace. He has a book called The Cross Centered Life. C.J.'s message is called Sovereign Grace. This week is Sola Gratia (only grace).

Enough said!

Here is the link!

John Piper - For God's Sake, Let Grace be Grace

Piper again, bringing it home. Hard not to have Piper on a week like this!!! The title says it all!

Click here for the link!

Michael Ross - Sola Gratia

The second part of the "sola" series. Michael Ross speaks on "Sola Gratia" from Ephesians 2:1-10. This again is a great place to start when looking at this idea of grace alone.

Here is the link!

Alistair Begg - Preaching the Word

I am finishing off the week with a great message by Alastair Begg. I think you will find this a great finishing message as Pastor Begg speaks before a seminary and passionately encourages them to preach the word. He shares pitfalls and problems that distract people from preaching the word. Alistair Begg has been in pastoral ministry for 30 years. Following graduation from The London School of Theology he served eight years in Scotland at both Charlotte Chapel in Edinburgh and Hamilton Baptist Church. For the last 22 years he has been the senior pastor at Parkside Church near Cleveland, Ohio. He has written several books and is heard daily and weekly on the radio program, Truth For Life. The teaching on Truth For Life stems from the week by week Bible teaching at Parkside Church. He was recently awarded an honorary doctorate from Cedarville University. He and his wife, Susan, have been married 30 years and grown children.

Here is the link!

John Piper - A biography of Martin Luther

A fitting time to have this biography of Martin Luther during Sola Scriptura week!

So good, challenging, insightful and powerful!

Here is the link!

Mark Driscoll - Studied by Scripture

I loved this sermon, all 76 minutes of it!!! Pastor Driscoll explains his subjective methods for studying scripture in hopes that they will help you also determine how to better study Scripture. A perfect fit for Sola Scriptura week! Enjoy!

Here is the link!

Michael Ross - Sola Scriptura

We are starting off this week with Michael Ross. Rev. Michael Ross is Senior Pastor of Trinity Presbyterian Church, Jackson, MS. He does a great job of summarizing th 5 solas and then explain Sola Scriptura both from a scholar level as well as a passionate level. A very personal, enthusiastic message. A great start!

Here is the link!

Sola!

We are starting a five week journey through the solas!!! I was talking to a good buddy and pastor of a young adult minstry the other day while golfing and I asked him what he was going to name his group. He said, "Sola!" My immediate response was, "Brilliant!" He talked a bit about the need to get back the basics, push past the fluff and give student theolgy that will change their lives. I love it! That has stayed with me a bit and then I ran across a writing on Monergism.com titled: The Five Solas of the Reformation. It was written by Gregg Strawbridge, Ph.D.This document was originally written for the 1993 Reformation Celebration at Audubon Drive Bible Church in Laurel, MS, as part of a worship service.

I thought I would include it as an introduction to the next five weeks!

Not every sermon will be directly related to the reformation, but will directly relate to the topic and week at hand... Looking forward to the next 5 weeks! Steve

Sola Scriptura Soli Deo Gloria Solo Christo Sola Gratia Sola Fide
Sola Scriptura: The Scripture Alone is the Standard.

The doctrine that the Bible alone is the ultimate authority was the "Formal Principle" of the Reformation. In 1521 at the historic interrogation of Luther at the Diet of Worms, he declared his conscience to be captive to the Word of God saying, "Unless I am overcome with testimonies from Scripture or with evident reasons -- for I believe neither the Pope nor the Councils, since they have often erred and contradicted one another -- I am overcome by the Scripture texts which I have adduced, and my conscience is bound by God's Word." Similarly, the Belgic Confession stated, "We believe that [the] holy Scriptures fully contain the will of God, and that whatsoever man ought to believe unto salvation is sufficiently taught therein...Neither may we consider any writings of men, however holy these men may have been, of equal value with those divine Scriptures nor ought we to consider custom or the great multitude, or antiquity, or succession of times and persons, or councils, decrees or statutes, as of equal value with the truth of God... Therefore, we reject with all our hearts whatsoever does not agree with this infallible rule" (VII).
As the Scripture says,Open my eyes, that I may behold Wonderful things from Thy law....I will bow down toward Thy holy temple, And give thanks to Thy name for Thy lovingkindness and Thy truth; For Thou hast magnified Thy word according to all Thy name....You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them; and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work. (Psalm 119:18; Psalm 138:2; II Tim. 3:14-17)

Soli Deo Gloria! For the Glory of God Alone.

The Reformation reclaimed the Scriptural teaching of the sovereignty of God over every aspect of the believer's life. All of life is to be lived to the glory of God. As the Westminster Shorter Catechism asks, "What is the chief end of man? Man's chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy him forever." This great and all consuming purpose was emphasized by those in the 16th and 17th Centuries who sought to reform the church according to the Word of God. In contrast to the monastic division of life into sacred versus secular perpetuated by Roman Church, the reformers saw all of life to be lived under the Lordship of Christ. Every activity of the Christian is to be sanctified unto the glory of God.
As the Scripture says,Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God; Whoever speaks, let him speak, as it were, the utterances of God; whoever serves, let him do so as by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. He has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father; to Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. To Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might, be to our God forever and ever. For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen. (1CO 10:31; 1PE 4:11; REV 1:6; 2PE 3:1; EPH 3:21; REV 7:12; ROM 11:36)

Solo Christo! By Christ's Work Alone are We Saved.

The Reformation called the church back to faith in Christ as the sole mediator between God and man. While the Roman church held that "there is a purgatory and that the souls there detained are helped by the intercessions of the faithful" and that "Saints are to be venerated and invoked;" "that their relics are to be venerated" -- the reformers taught that salvation was by Christ's work alone. As John Calvin said in the Institutes of the Christian Religion, "Christ stepped in, took the punishment upon himself and bore the judgment due to sinners. With his own blood he expiated the sins which made them enemies of God and thereby satisfied him...we look to Christ alone for divine favour and fatherly love!" Likewise the Heidelberg Catechism, Question 30 asks, "Do such then believe in Jesus the only Saviour who seek their salvation and happiness in saints, in themselves, or anywhere else? They do not; for though they boast of him in words yet in deeds they deny Jesus the only deliverer and Saviour: for one of these two things must be true that either Jesus is not a complete Saviour or that they who by a true faith receive this Saviour must find all things in him necessary to their salvation."
As the Scripture says,There is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony borne at the proper time...For He delivered us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. And He is the image of the invisible God, the first-born of all creation. For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities-- all things have been created by Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the first-born from the dead; so that He Himself might come to have first place in everything. (1TI 2:5-6; COL 1:13-18)

Sola Gratia: Salvation by Grace Alone.

A central cry of the Reformation was salvation by grace. Though the Roman church taught that Mass is a "sacrifice [which] is truly propitiatory" and that by the Mass "God...grant[s] us grace and the gift of penitence, remits our faults and even our enormous sins" -- the reformers returned to the biblical doctrine of salvation by grace through faith. Our righteous standing before God is imputed to us by grace because of the work of Christ Jesus our Lord. In contrast to the doctrines of self-merit taught by Rome, sola gratia and the accompanying doctrines of grace -- total depravity, unconditional election, particular redemption, and perseverance of the saints -- were preached by all the reformers throughout the Protestant movement. As the Baptist Confession of 1689 says, "Christ, by his obedience and death, did fully discharge the debt of all those that are justified; and did, by the sacrifice of himself in the blood of his cross, undergoing in their stead the penalty due unto them, make a proper, real, and full satisfaction to God's justice in their behalf;...their justification is only of free grace, that both the exact justice and rich grace of God might be glorified in the justification of sinners."
As the Scripture says,Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace, which He lavished upon us. (Ephesians 1:3-8)

Sola Fide: Justification by Faith Alone.

The "Material Principle" of the Reformation was justification by faith alone. As the Westminster Confession of Faith says, "Faith, thus receiving and resting on Christ and his righteousness, is the alone instrument of justification: yet is it not alone in the person justified, but is ever accompanied with all other saving graces, and is no dead faith, but worketh by love." The Genevan Confession likewise pointed out the necessity of those justified living by faith saying, "We confess that the entrance which we have to the great treasures and riches of the goodness of God that is vouchsafed us is by faith; inasmuch as, in certain confidence and assurance of heart, we believe in the promises of the gospel, and receive Jesus Christ as he is offered to us by the Father and described to us by the Word of God (Genevan 11).
As the Scripture says,Even so Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness. Therefore, be sure that it is those who are of faith who are sons of Abraham. And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, "All the nations shall be blessed in you." So then those who are of faith are blessed with Abraham, the believer. For as many as are of the works of the Law are under a curse; for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who does not abide by all things written in the book of the law, to perform them." Now that no one is justified by the Law before God is evident; for, "The righteous man shall live by faith." (Galatians 3:6-11)

I want your input!

It has been a great ride so far... I have learned so much and despite the rigors of discipline, it has been so challenging and encouraging to listen and grow through these sermons. It has been interesting to watch how the sermons, the weekly themes and the preachers which seem to keep reappearing, have occurred. I didn't have any plan or motive going into it. As we continue on, I would love to invite you to comment your thoughts on both what is written about but also what we themes you would like to see. If this blog is only for me, then it is worth it. But, I would love your thoughts and insight. I want to learn from you as well. What themes should I do? What speakers would you like to see added? What is your favorite sermon so far? Please, join me in this desire to learn and grow in God's word!

Thanks,
Steve

Tim Keller - Praying our Fears

Wow. Tim Keller brings it again! This sermon ministered to me so deeply as I prepare to head out with my family to Zambia in 2 months. So good. Sooooo good.

Here is the link! - Ps 3:1-8, Gen 15:1-8

(NOTE: Thank Kristi for your note! (see comments)... Since I listed this sermon, it is now no longer free. The link above will cost you $2.5o for an MP3 download. Bummer. So sorry, but it is worth it!)

Mark Driscoll - Prayer and Repentence

A great sermon. Thorough as Driscoll tends to be, amazingly practical and gospel-driven... Amazing. He really did a great job in the sermon of speaking on this father's day, to really analyze and explain prayer, teach about how to pray and then to explain the role of repentence within prayer. If you have an hour (make an hour) this is a great sermon to listen to and then pass on to others!

Here is the link!

Charles Spurgeon - A Golden Prayer

Spurgeon on prayer... Need I say more?

Here is the link!

John Piper - Prayer - The Power of Christian Hedonism

As I am trying to get different angles of prayer, I thought this was a great magnum opus sermon of Joh Piper. It discusses prayer within this idea of Christian Hedonism.

The quote that sums it up: "prayerlessness always produces joylessness..."

Here is the link!

Desires - The Valley of Vision

Here is this past Sunday’s corporate prayer - taken from The Valley of Vision (p. 106):
taken from the blog of Pete Williamson, pastor of Oikos Fellowship

O Thou that hearest prayer, teach me to pray.
I confess that in religious exercises the language of my lips and the feelings of my heart have not always agreed, that I have frequently taken carelessly upon my tongue a name never pronounced above without reverence and humility, that I have often desired things which would have injured me, that I have depreciated some of my chief mercies, that I have erred both on the side of my hopes and also of my fears, that I am unfit to choose for myself, for it is not in me to direct my steps.
Let thy Spirit help my infirmities, for I know not what to pray for as I ought.
Let him produce in me wise desires by which I may ask right things, then I shall know thou hearest me.
May I never be importunate for temporal blessings, but always refer them to thy fatherly goodness, for thou knowest what I need before I ask;
May I never think I prosper unless my soul prospers, or that I am rich unless rich toward thee, or that I am wise unless wise unto salvation.
May I seek first thy kingdom and its righteousness.
May I value things in relation to eternity.
May my spiritual welfare be my chief solicitude.
May I be poor, afflicted, despised and have thy blessing, rather than be successful in enterprise, or have more than my heart can wish, or be admired by my fellow-men, if thereby these things make me forget thee.
May I regard the world as dreams, lies, vanities, vexation of spirit, and desire to depart from it.
And may I seek my happiness in thy favour, image, presence and service.

John Piper - Meditate on the Word of God day and night

Why did I pick this Piper sermon during Prayer week? Piper answers this question in the first line of his sermon, " So why begin Prayer Week with this psalm and this focus on delighting in the law of God? Well, where is this psalm? It is the beginning of the book of Psalms. And what are the psalms? Many of them are prayers. In fact, the Psalter is the prayer book of the Bible. Millions of Christians go to the Psalms to find words for the cry of their hearts in the worst of times and the best of times. So I begin Prayer Week with Psalm 1 because the Bible begins its prayer book with Psalm 1."

I am really trying to focus on sermons on prayer this week that look at different angles of prayer that we don't often think about... I am really encouraged today and reminded of the importance of scripture to my strength and joy of praying.

Be encouraged!

Click here for the link!

Dr. Martin Lloyd Jones - Prayer

This week we are going to hear from great men about prayer. I am starting it off with Dr. Martin Lloyd-Jones. I have heard his name a lot over the years, but during one message in particular by Tim Keller, he referred to this man as "The Doctor." I really respect Tim Keller and so I have been on a hunt to try and find some Lloyd-Jones sermons. I found a great one! Wow. This message was amazing. I can't really describe it, but I can see why he had such an impact. Stirring, holy-spririt empowering, thought-provoking and wholly different. This is a great start and a must hear... (I hope you like the picture:) And you have to love who the foreward is from!)

Click below for the link!

Prayer (Part 3) Martyn Lloyd-Jones MP3

C.J. Mahaney - The Pastoral Priorities

I decided to focus on pastors this last day of the week and I decided to include and article rather than a sermon. Some great thoughts by a great man...

Click here for the link!

C.J. Mahaney - Sovereign Grace

The message of his ministry... Sovereign Grace, in the humble deep end. Love it!

Click below for the link!

10.09.2005
C. J. Mahaney
Sovereign Grace Download (11.7 MB)

C.J. Mahaney - Pride

One of the things I have been challenged by the most listening to so many sermons for this blog is how to pray. Especially if I listen to a certain preacher more than once during the week, it is really interesting to listen to how they approach the preaching time. I think just listening to C.J. pray before he speaks is worth the price of admission. Regarding this sermon, I really, really love this sermon by C.J. I really mean it. He really does such a phenomenal job speaking about the perils of pride and how to purposefully live your life in humility before the Lord. As always, he speaks with great passion and creativity and honesty, a simplicity and authenticity that brings you into his heart. Beautiful, convicting, practical and inviting. Don't miss out on this amazing 1 hour and some change... He spoke this sermon at pastors conference but it is applicable to everyone!

Here is the link!

(The link is towards the bottom of the page under the following heading!)
Sovereign Grace Ministries Leadership Conference
C.J. Mahaney - Pride - Delivered at PDI Leadership Conference 2002

C.J. Mahaney - Interrogating the Legalist within

This is a great follow up to Monday's sermon, a follow-up in some senses, a personal and practical analysis in another and a reminder with some of the similar definitions and examples from the previous message as well. He adds some great new stories, he unpacks Galatians 3 in a great way, and really hammers home the evil and foolishness of legalism in a very eye opening way. If Enjoying Grace and Avoiding Legalism was helpful, this will be a great follow up. Listen to that one first before this one... Very helpful, encouraging and worth your time!!!

Click for the link!

Please note: The message is under Little Rock Baptist and the title is wrong: The Cross Center Life.

John Piper Books are CHEAP!!!

In case you haven't heard (it is possible:), Desiring God ministries is having a special sale on June 27 and 28 only. Every single book is only $5. Yes, you read that right. Every, single, book, (commas intended) is, only, $5, dollars...



Can I recommend a few?


Hunger for God - his book on fasting is one that I am working through right now. The best approach I have ever read on fasting, and it is so challenging and good.



Don't Waste your Life - the title alone changed my life, and the contents of the book and the DVD re-directed my life. We are heading to Zambia to work with pastors in September, and not that being a youth pastor in the states was wasting my life, but it opened my eyes to the world, to suffering and to being open to do anything and go anywhere.



Desiring God - A thick read, but insightful and his magnum opus, the must read to understand and know how he is most glorified in us when we are satisfied in him.

If you just bought these 3 books for only $15 bucks, you win... Period!

Here is the link!

Want more? Check out this blog for some more advice on building a Piper library!

C.J. Mahaney - Enjoying Grace and Avoiding Legalism

I first heard of C.J. Mahaney when I heard a sermon by Josh Harris called "Humble Orthodoxy." In this sermon, Josh shared how C.J. trained and mentored him and C.J. and the church, more or less, then gave the pastorate to him. My buddy was talking to me about this on how few pastors really mentor and train the younger generation of pastors and give them opportunity to grow and fail and succeed. This was a really cool example and so I was immediately impressed by him. And then I heard this sermon. Wow! I am tempted to put this sermon on every day this week. A must hear for new believers, old believers and everyone in between. Heartfelt, funny, compelling... I wish I had heard this sermon in college. So much pain I could have saved myself and judging others and pride and despair and depression...

Great message. Life changing message.

Click here for the link!
Scroll down to the the Enjoying Grace and Avoiding Legalism link!

More Bio on C.J.:
CJ Mahaney leads Sovereign Grace Ministries in its mission to establish and support local churches. After 27 years of pastoring Covenant Life Church in Gaithersburg, Maryland, C.J. handed the senior pastor role to Joshua Harris on September 18, 2004, allowing C.J. to devote his full attention to Sovereign Grace. He serves on the Council of the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals and on the board of The Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood.