Sharing Life and Christ

The assignment was to read an article by Mark Driscoll and discuss my view of creation. Here's what I came up with. To find the Driscoll article, go to http://theresurgence.com/2006/07/03/answers-to-common-questions-about-creation In his article entitled “Answers to Common Questions about Creation,” Pastor Mark Driscoll states that the reason it is necessary to have an educated and Biblical opinion about creation is because “the question of origins has implications for everything else.” In my personal study, I have found this to be an accurate statement, and I believe creationism to be an important doctrine for my Christian life. This essay will attempt to offer a Biblical perspective on creation as written in Genesis 1-3 while using Pastor Driscoll’s article and other sources to explain where Biblical creationism and science compliment each other and where the two must agree to remain at odds. The viewpoint of creation that I hold to is the historic creationism perspect...

I’ve been making my best effort to preach the Gospel to myself daily as Jerry Bridges challenges us to do in his book The Discipline of God’s Grace. I feel led to write down and meditate on some of the truths about God that have been so crucial to sustaining my faith in a period of difficulty. I pray that they offer encouragement to you. 1. The Cross is the most glorious display of God’s love for us. Nothing speaks of the love God has for us as powerfully as the Cross and Christ crucified. When we are aware of the magnitude of Christ’s suffering and sacrifice at Calvary, we cannot possibly walk around grumbling or moping! It’s impossible to consider our beloved Savior nailed in agony to planks of wood and be self-absorbed at the same time. It can’t be done. I’m convinced that there is no thought more worthy of clinging to for our faith than the thought of the Cross and what was accomplished in Christ’s death. God loves us so much that He sent Jesus to the Cross. No amount o...

Now He was casting out a demon that was mute. When the demon had gone out, the mute man spoke, and the people marveled. But some of them said, “He casts out demons by Beelzebul, the prince of demons,” while others, to test Him, kept seeking from Him a sign from Heaven. But He, knowing their thoughts, said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and a divided household falls. And if Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? For you say that I cast out demons by Beelzebul...When a strong man, full armed, guards his own palace, his goods are safe; but when one stronger than he attacks him and overcomes him, he takes away his armor in which he trusted and divides his spoil. Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. Luke 11: 14-18, 21-23 While it may seem from this text that I plan to write about the Pharisees’ hatred of Jesus or the irrefutable response of Christ to their grumbling...

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. James 1:2-4 I’ve started paging through a new book by Milton Vincent called A Gospel Primer , which is the culmination of over two year’s worth of meditations on Scripture leading the author to write this book about preaching the Gospel to ourselves every day. Vincent says this in his introduction, “Over the course of time, preaching the Gospel to myself every day has made more of a difference in my life than any other discipline I have ever practiced.” I’m determined to take his advice and seek to center all of my meditation around the Gospel to see how it unfolds in my every day life. This morning I spent some time pondering the above verses on trials and would like to share some Gospel-centered thoughts not only with you, but also with ...

The following is a response to an e-mail I received. It is my humble attempt to make an argument for God's goodness. So, this is going to be a very long response. I took notes for the past hour from your message in order to make sure I hit all of what you spoke of. I want you to know that when I read your message this morning my heart was filled with sorrow for you and I've been crying to God for mercy and humbly asking that I might be able to share something from His Word that might shine a light on the part of your heart that I know longs for God. That is my prayer going forward with this message. I would encourage you not to immediately respond to this e-mail, but really go through each and every point that I've made, look up the verses for yourself, and take time to let it soak in. I want to first address your question, "What about the above statement is inaccurate?" There are a lot of things that you said that do not agree with sound doctrine from S...