Treasures of Grace in Urns of Clay

How Rich Thy Bounty, King of Kings!
Philip Doddridge, 1702-1751

How rich Thy bounty, King of kings!
Thy favors, how divine!
The blessings which Thy Gospel brings,
How splendidly they shine!

Gold is but dross, and gems but toys,
Should gold and gems compare;
How mean, when sent against those joys
Thy poorest servants share!

Yet all these treasures of Thy grace
Are lodged in urns of clay;
And the weak sons of mortal race
The immortal gifts convey.

Feebly they lisp Thy glories forth,
Yet grace the victory gives;
Quickly they molder back to earth,
Yet still Thy Gospel lives.

Such wonders power divine effects;
Such trophies God can raise;
His hand, from crumbling dust, erects
His monuments of praise.

Top 10 Most Read "Gospel Coalition" Articles of 2011

Collin Hansen, from the Gospel Coalition, has compiled a list of their top 10 most read articles during these past twelve months. Click here to see the list and read (or re-read) the articles.

Can You Relate?

The following is an excerpt from a letter by John Newton to his friend William Bull, describing how frantic and busy he felt during a difficult season of life.

I have seldom one hour free from interruption. Letters come that must be answered, visitants that must be received, business that must be attended to. . . . night comes before I am ready for noon and the week closes when according to the state of my business it should not be more than Tuesday.

I know the feeling. How about you?

The Gospel's Seemingly Contradictory Work

"The gospel gives us a new identity that is so majestic that we would be the most arrogant people in the world - except that we know we don't deserve it, it cost Christ his life, and it is all a free gift of grace....Only the gospel can do two seemingly contradictory things: destroy pride and increase courage. Destroy self-exaltation and increase confidence. Destroy the pushiness of self-assertion and deliver from the paralysis of self-doubt."

--John Piper, Bloodlines

Rise, the Woman's Conquering Seed!

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
Charles Wesley, 1707-1788; alt. George Whitefield, 1714-1770

Hark, the herald angels sing,
Glory to the newborn King!
Peace on earth and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled!
Joyful, all ye nations, rise,
Join the triumph of the skies;
With angelic host proclaim,
Christ is born in Bethlehem.
Hark! The herald angels sing,
Glory to the newborn King.

Christ, by highest heavn adored;
Christ, the everlasting Lord:
Late in time, behold Him come,
Offspring of a virgin's womb.
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see,
Hail th'incarnate Deity!
Pleased as man with men to dwell,
Jesus, our Immanuel.
Hark! The herald angels sing,
Glory to the newborn King.

Hail, the heav'n born Prince of Peace!
Hail, the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings,
Ris'n with healing in his wings.
Mild He lays His glory by,
Born that man no more may die,
Born to raise the sons of earth,
Born to give them second birth.
Hark! The herald angels sing,
Glory to the newborn King.

Come, Desire of nations, come,
Fix in us Thy humble home!
Rise, the Woman's conqu'ring Seed,
Bruise in us the Serpent's head!
Now display Thy saving power,
Ruined nature now restore;
Now in mystic union join
Thine to ours, and ours to Thine.
Hark! The herald angels sing,
Glory to the newborn King.

Adam's likeness, Lord, efface;
Stamp Thine image in its place;
Second Adam from above,
Reinstate us in Thy love!
Let us Thee, though lost, regain,
Thee, the Life, the Heavenly Man:
Oh, to all Thyself impart,
Formed in each believing heart!
Hark! The herald angels sing,
Glory to the newborn King.

Martin Luther's Christmas Story

Listen to a special Christmas edition of the Beeson Podcast as Timothy George reads Martin Luther's version of the Christmas story. Luther took great pains to make the nativity story come alive for the members of his congregation. Let it help you celebrate the birth of Christ this Christmas.

Handel and Humor

Check out these silent monks "singing" the Hallelujah Chorus from Handel's Messiah.

To Be a Christian Is to Know Humility

"A proud Christian is as much an oxymoron as a sober drunkard or a generous miser."

--John Newton

Marvel in the Mystery

All People of the Coming King
© 2010, M. Justin Wainscott

All people of the coming King,
All servants of the Lord,
Come, lift your voices, let us sing
With hearts in one accord:
Alleluia! Alleluia!

In Bethlehem the angels praised
The birth of Christ our King;
So let us now with voices raised
Rejoice with them and sing:
Alleluia! Alleluia!

Oh, marvel in the mystery
Of Jesus' virgin birth;
To God all praise and glory be,
And peace o'er all the earth.
Alleluia! Alleluia!

His first advent salvation wrought
By dying on the tree;
Yet He, through resurrection, bought
For us eternity.
Alleluia! Alleluia!

To Him who came and conquered sin,
Triumphant and supreme;
To Him who'll one day come again,
We sound this joyous theme:
Alleluia! Alleluia!

And when He comes, our King, to reign,
And earth and heav'n be new;
Then may the sound of this refrain
Our longing hearts renew:
Alleluia! Alleluia!

The Mystery of the Incarnation

"He, through whom time was born, was born in time;
and He, older by eternity than the world itself,
was younger in age than many of His servants in the world;
He, who made man, was made man;
He was given existence by a mother whom He brought into existence;
He was carried in hands which He formed;
He nursed at breasts which He filled;
He cried like a babe in the manger in speechless infancy --
this Word without which human eloquence is speechless!"

--Augustine, Sermon on Christmas

Keith and Kristyn Getty at Bellevue Baptist Church in Memphis

For those of you in and around Memphis, you might be interested to know that this year's celebration of "The Majesty of Christmas" at Bellevue Baptist Church will feature special guests Keith and Kristyn Getty (who have written modern hymns such as "In Christ Alone," "The Power of the Cross," and "Come, People of the Risen King."

The Gettys will be premiering their new Christmas CD, Joy: An Irish Christmas, as they join with the church's choir and orchestra this Sunday, December 18, at 6:00pm in the worship center at Bellevue. For more information, click here.

A Surprise Rendition of the Hallelujah Chorus

Many of you have likely seen this before, but it is worth watching again.

On Saturday, October 30, 2010, the Opera Company of Philadelphia brought together over 650 choristers from 28 participating organizations to perform one of the Knight Foundation's "Random Acts of Culture" at Macy's in Center City Philadelphia. Accompanied by the Wanamaker Organ - the world's largest pipe organ - the OCP Chorus and throngs of singers from the community infiltrated the store as shoppers, and burst into a pop-up rendition of the Hallelujah Chorus from Handel's "Messiah" at 12 noon, to the delight of surprised shoppers.

Our God Descended to the Earth and Didst Among Us Dwell

Sing Highest Praises to Our King
© 2009, M. Justin Wainscott

Sing highest praises to our King,
Who left His throne above,
And clothed Himself in flesh to bring
The blessings of His love.

The glory He had long enjoyed,
He humbly set aside;
How great the means which Christ employed
To save a sinful Bride!

In Bethlehem by virgin birth,
As prophets did foretell;
Our God descended to the earth,
And didst among us dwell.

We see Him in the manger lay,
But let us ne’er forget;
This precious Child was born to pay
Our cursed, sinful debt.

This perfect Lamb for sinners slain,
Who died and rose again,
Now sits on David’s throne and reigns
In vict’ry over sin.

So let our longing hearts all burn
With zeal for Christ our King,
And for the day of His return,
When He shall reign supreme!

Living Christmas Tree

First Baptist Church Jackson will be presenting the Living Christmas Tree this weekend. There will be two evening presentations and one in the afternoon (7PM on Friday and Saturday, 2PM on Sunday).

For more information or to reserve your tickets, click here.

Faith Can Be Neither Empty, Nor Blind

"Without personal identification with Jesus Christ, cognitive specification of who he is remains empty; without cognitive specification of who Jesus Christ is, however, personal identification with him is blind."

--Miroslav Volf

Born a Child and Yet a King

Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus
Charles Wesley, 1707-1788

Come, Thou long expected Jesus
Born to set Thy people free;
From our fears and sins release us,
Let us find our rest in Thee.
Israel’s Strength and Consolation,
Hope of all the earth Thou art;
Dear Desire of every nation,
Joy of every longing heart.

Born Thy people to deliver,
Born a child and yet a King,
Born to reign in us forever,
Now Thy gracious kingdom bring.
By Thine own eternal Spirit
Rule in all our hearts alone;
By Thine all sufficient merit,
Raise us to Thy glorious throne.

Out of the Mouth of Babes

Children are humorous, especially when they don't mean to be. Their responses to questions are classic (evidenced by the number of forwarded emails we've all received with such responses). Our 2 year-old daughter is no different. Two incidents occurred recently that left my wife and I laughing at her own "classic" responses to our questions.

The first happened when we were in a store and saw an inflatable Santa Claus. I asked my daughter who that was in the red suit with the white beard. Her response: "Noah" (she probably wondered why there were toys rather than animals in the sled).

The second incident was in the midst of my wife going over catechism questions with our daughter. They were talking about Adam and Eve, sin, and the punishment for sin. My wife asked, "What happens when we sin?" The answer we expected was: "It separates us from God." The answer our daughter gave: "We get a spanking."

What the Emerging Church Really Is

"The emerging church is not an evangelistic strategy. It is the last rung for evangelicals falling off the ladder into liberalism or unbelief."

--Kevin DeYoung

A Thanksgiving Hymn

Great Sovereign Lord, What Human Eye
Samuel Boyce, 1812

Great sovereign Lord, what human eye
Amidst Thy works can rove,
And not Thy liberal hand espy,
Nor trace Thy bounteous love?

Each star that gilds the heavenly frame,
On earth each verdant clod,
In language loud to men proclaim
The great and bounteous God.

The lesson each revolving year
Repeats in various ways;
Rich Thy provisions, Lord, appear;
The poor shall shout Thy praise.

Our fruitful fields and pastures tell,
Of man and beast Thy care;
The thriving corn Thy breezes fill,
Thy breath perfumes the air.

But oh, what human eye can trace,
Or human heart conceive,
The greater riches of Thy grace
Impoverished souls receive?

Love everlasting has not spared
Its best beloved Son;
And in Him endless life prepared,
For souls by sin undone.

Beeson Podcast on Hymns of Thanksgiving

Listen to this special edition of the Beeson Podcast with Dean Timothy George on the great hymns of Thanksgiving in the Christian tradition. Dr. George’s guest is Dr. Paul Richardson, professor of music at Samford University and past president of the Hymn Society of the United States and Canada. Along with discussion of the history and use of Thanksgiving hymns, you will hear choral arrangements of four beautiful and theologically-rich Thanksgiving hymns. One of the interesting points that emerges in this discussion is that the most beloved Thanksgiving hymns were written during times of extreme hardship.

If you are traveling this week, listening to this podcast would be a great way to spend a half hour of your travel time to set your heart on God’s goodness to his people.

You can download the podcast, or you can subscribe to it through iTunes here.

Nor Let That Ransomed Sinner Die

Arise, My Soul, Arise
Charles Wesley, 1707-1788

Arise, my soul, arise; shake off thy guilty fears;
The bleeding sacrifice in my behalf appears:
Before the throne my surety stands,
Before the throne my surety stands,
My name is written on His hands.

Five bleeding wounds He bears; received on Calvary;
They pour effectual prayers; they strongly plead for me:
“Forgive him, O forgive,” they cry,
“Forgive him, O forgive,” they cry,
“Nor let that ransomed sinner die!”

The Father hears Him pray, His dear anointed One;
He cannot turn away, the presence of His Son;
His Spirit answers to the blood,
His Spirit answers to the blood,
And tells me I am born of God.

My God is reconciled; His pardoning voice I hear;
He owns me for His child; I can no longer fear:
With confidence I now draw nigh,
With confidence I now draw nigh,
And “Father, Abba, Father,” cry.

The Redemption of Ordinary Life

"Ordinary life is what's going to be redeemed. There is nothing better than ordinary life, except that it's always going away and always falling apart. Ordinary life is food and work and chairs by the fire and hugs and dancing and mountains - this world. God loves it so much that he gave his only Son so we - and the rest of this ordinary world - could be redeemed and made perfect. And that's what is in store for us."

--Tim Keller, The King's Cross

The Sanctifying and Comforting Effect of the Cross

"Let the cross of Christ be often before our minds. Rightly understood, no object in all Christianity is so likely to have a sanctifying as well as a comforting effect on our souls."

--J.C. Ryle

A Sinner Saved by Sovereign Grace

Not One of Adam's Race
Henry Fowler, 1779-1838

Not one of Adam’s race
But is by sin undone,
Deep sunk in foul disgrace,
And righteousness has none;
And this, when brought through grace to know,
Will sink the sinner very low.

He sinks in miry clay,
And scarce can lift a sigh,
He tries, but cannot pray,
Nor lift to heaven his eye;
His bosom heaves, with guilt oppressed,
But, in himself, can find no rest.

In this bewildered state,
Pursued by guilt and sin,
He pushes at the gate,
But cannot enter in;
Till Jesus opens wide the door,
And saves the helpless and the poor.

The prisoner now goes forth;
The lame man leaps with joy;
He feels the Saviour’s worth,
And lifts his name on high.
On Jesus’ head the crown he’ll place;
A sinner saved by sovereign grace.

New Book on Adoption and Orphan Care

Interested in adoption? In the process of adoption? Want to know how you can care for orphans? Wondering how you can approach this issue in a gospel-centered way? If so, Tony Merida and Rick Morton have written a new book you might want to check out - Orphanology: Awakening to Gospel-Centered Adoption and Orphan Care.

Thanks to Ben Mitchell for making me aware of this book.

A Rap about Charles Spurgeon

Some of you may have already seen and heard this track by Shai Linne, but it's a combination of poetry and the story of God's grace seen in Charles Spurgeon. I had several friends send it to me, so I thought I'd post it here for others to view.

A Hymn for Orphan Sunday

This is a great hymn for Orphan Sunday (which is this Sunday). It can be sung to the tune of "The Church's One Foundation."

Though I Was Born an Orphan
© 2009, Eric Shumacher and David L. Ward

Though I was born an orphan,
Abandoned and alone,
Enslaved and bound in darkness,
Without a hope or home,
The God of grace and mercy
From his eternal throne
Ordained to be my Father
And claim me as His own.

That I might be adopted
The Father sent his Son
To live in full obedience
And die for what I’ve done.
Now through his resurrection,
Through faith, with him I’m one.
A member of his household,
I am an heir, a son.

To soothe my fear and worry
The Spirit from on high
Was sent to be a witness
That “Father!” I might cry.
O How I love this Father!
I’m never left alone.
He’s come to dwell within me
Until He calls me home.

Since I have this adoption,
I cannot close my home
To widows and to orphans,
Abandoned and alone.
Lord, fill me with compassion
To love the fatherless,
That I might show the nations
How great my Father is!

"Suffered Under Pontius Pilate"

Have you ever wondered about the significance of the phrase "suffered under Pontius Pilate" in the Apostles' Creed? Why mention Pilate? Why the reference to him in a creedal confession of the Christian faith? This quote from Harold Brown may help explain why this phrase has importance:

Jesus is...the Mediator between God and man, but he is not seen as a cosmic or universal principle, but as a real flesh-and-blood human being, who suffered, died, and rose again under a real, historical, and trivial Roman official, Pontius Pilate. During the early twentieth century, attempts were made to deny the historicity of Jesus Christ, and to present him as the invention of his followers, but there has never been an attempt to discredit the historicity of the unfortunate Pilate.

--Harold O. J. Brown, Heresies: Heresy and Orthodoxy in the History of the Church

The historicity of Pilate confirms the historicity of Christ.

Another Baseball Season in the Books

For those of you who are baseball fans, Glenn Stout has a great little reflection that recently aired on NPR about the end of another season and waiting for next year - Major League Longing: What Comes After Game 7.

In this way, the Major League Baseball season serves as something of an earthly reminder of the anticipation and fulfillment inherent in the Christian faith.

Happy Reformation Day!

A little Reformation humor...

A Reformation Hymn

Since this is the week leading up to Reformation Day, all posts will have to do with the Reformation.

A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
Martin Luther, 1483-1546

A mighty fortress is our God,
A bulwark never failing;
Our Helper, He amid the flood
Of mortal ills prevailing.
For still our ancient foe
Doth seek to work us woe;
His craft and power are great,
And armed with cruel hate,
On earth is not his equal.

Did we in our own strength confide,
Our striving would be losing,
Were not the right Man on our side,
The Man of God's own choosing.
Dost ask who that may be?
Christ Jesus, it is He;
Lord Sabaoth, His name;
From age to age the same,
And He must win the battle.

And though this world, with devils filled,
Should threaten to undo us,
We will not fear, for God hath willed
His truth to triumph through us.
The Prince of Darkness grim,
We tremble not for him;
His rage we can endure,
For lo, his doom is sure;
One little word shall fell him.

That word above all earthly powers,
No thanks to them, abideth;
The Spirit and the gifts are ours,
Through Him who with us sideth.
Let goods and kindred go,
This mortal life also;
The body they may kill;
God's truth abideth still;
His kingdom is forever.

Doing Ministry Under Difficult Circumstances

Since this is the week leading up to Reformation Day, all posts will have to do with the Reformation.

After Luther's refusal to recant at the Diet of Worms in 1521 (and after already being condemned as a heretic by the Roman Catholic Church), Emperor Charles V placed him under a ban, known as the Edict of Worms. In that edict, the emperor decreed the following:

We enjoin you all not to take the aforementioned Martin Luther into your houses, not to receive him at court, to give him neither food nor drink, not to hide him, to afford him no help, following, support, encouragement, either clandestinely or publicly, through words or works. Where you can get him, seize him and overpower him, you should capture him and send him to us under tightest security.

How would you like to do ministry under those circumstances?

Though Luther was whisked away and placed in hiding after the Diet of Worms (translating the New Testament into German during that time), he eventually returned to Wittenberg in 1522 to continue teaching, preaching, and pastoring - living every day under that ban. Few, if any of us, have to labor under such difficult circumstances. Still, let us be challenged by Luther's perseverance, and let us strive to be faithful amidst our own hardships.

Luther before the Diet of Worms

Since this is the week leading up to Reformation Day, all posts will have to do with the Reformation.

As much as October 31 and Luther's tacking of the 95 Theses are celebrated as the beginning of the Reformation, in many ways, this was actually the moment that Protestant Christianity was born.

What the Reformation Was Really About

Since this is the week leading up to Reformation Day, all posts will have to do with the Reformation.

"The closer one looks, the clearer it becomes: the Reformation was not, principally, a negative movement, about moving away from Rome; it was a positive movement, about moving towards the gospel."

--Michael Reeves, The Unquenchable Flame: Discovering the Heart of the Reformation

The Morning Star of the Reformation

Since this is the week leading up to Reformation Day, all posts will have to do with the Reformation.

This has to be one of my favorite pictures of the era just prior to the Reformation. It is a portrait of John Wycliffe, who laid the groundwork for folks like Luther and Tyndale. Notice Wycliffe resisting the Roman Catholic authorities and clinging ever so tightly to his English Bible - something for which he eventually would be martyred.

This portrait says a lot about the significance of the time period leading up to and including the Reformation, and it speaks volumes about the incredible treasure of having the Bible translated in your own language. Thanks be to God for raising up men like John Wycliffe!

Here is the plaque that accompanies the painting at St. James Clerkenwell.

His Blood Shall Over All Prevail

I love the last two lines of this stanza by Toplady:

The Sinner's Rest
Augustus Toplady, 1740-1778

Oh, that I now the voice might hear,
That speaks my sins forgiv'n;
His Word is past to give me here
The inward pledge of heav'n.
His blood shall over all prevail,
And sanctify the unclean;
The grace that saves from future hell,
Shall save from present sin.

A Historical Glance at Colonial Baptists

"Persecution from the establishment - which ran from fines in New England and physical assault in the South, especially Virginia - was a steady fact of Baptist life into the 1770s. But for the opening geography of the colonies as well as for a society with opening ideology, the self-starting, lay-oriented, Bible-centered and thoroughly active work of the evangelical Baptists made them the mainland's most dynamic religious movement between the revivals of the 1740s and the Revolution of the 1770s. They were the primary beneficiaries of the Great Awakening. In the colonies of North America there were less than one hundred Baptist churches in 1740, but almost five hundred by the outbreak of the war with Britain in 1776."

--Mark Noll, The Rise of Evangelicalism

A Good Definition of "Hymn"

Carefully considered theology, composed in memorable strophes, combined with equally memorable tunes, with the goal that the person in the pew can sing, memorize, and internalize the carefully considered theology.

--Wes Ramsay

Balm to Heal the Smitten Heart

Chief of Sinners Though I Be
William McComb, 1864

Chief of sinners though I be,
Jesus shed His blood for me;
Died that I might live on high,
Died that I might never die;
As the branch is to the vine,
I am His, and He is mine.

O the height of Jesus’ love!
Higher than the Heaven above;
Deeper than the deepest sea,
Lasting as eternity;
Love that found me—wondrous thought!
Found me when I sought Him not!

Jesus only can impart
Balm to heal the smitten heart;
Peace that flows from sin forgiven,
Joy that lifts the soul to Heaven;
Faith and hope to walk with God
In the way that Enoch trod.

Chief of sinners though I be,
Christ is all in all to me;
All my wants to Him are known,
All my sorrows are His own;
Safe with Him from earthly strife,
He sustains the hidden life.

O my Savior, help afford
By Thy Spirit and Thy Word!
When my wayward heart would stray,
Keep me in the narrow way;
Grace in time of need supply
While I live and when I die.

The Unity of the Bible

One of the things I am continually amazed by as I read the Bible is the multitude of ways in which the New Testament alludes to and fulfills the Old. There is an obvious yet mysterious unity to the Bible that is truly astonishing. It is one more piece of evidence that the Bible really is the Word of God.

As a student and preacher of the Bible, this excites my mind. As a believer in the God of the Bible, this thrills my soul.

Of a Rebel Made a Son

Saved By Blood I Live to Tell
John Newton, 1725-1807

Saved by blood I live to tell,
What the blood of Christ hath done;
He redeemed my soul from hell,
Of a rebel made a son:
O, I tremble still, to think
How secure I lived in sin;
Sporting on destruction's brink,
Yet preserved from falling in.

In His own appointed hour,
To my heart the Savior spoke,
Touched me by His Spirit's power,
And my dangerous slumber broke.
Then I saw and owned my guilt.
Soon my gracious Lord replied,
"Fear not, I my blood have spilt,
'Twas for such as thee I died."

Shame and wonder, joy and love,
All at once possessed my heart;
Can I hope Thy grace to prove,
After acting such a part?
"Thou hast greatly sinned," He said,
"But I freely all forgive;
I myself thy debt have paid,
Now I bid thee rise and live."

Come, my fellow-sinners, try,
Jesus' heart is full of love;
Oh that you, as well as I,
May His wondrous mercy prove!
He has sent me to declare,
All is ready, all is free;
Why should any soul despair,
When He saved a wretch like me?

The Beginning of Knowledge

"The beginning of knowledge is to know oneself to be a sinner."

--Augustine

Evangelists and Theologians

"If evangelists were our theologians or theologians our evangelists, we should at least be nearer the ideal church."

--James Denney, The Death of Christ

Firm As His Throne His Promise Stands

I'm Not Ashamed to Own My Lord
Isaac Watts, 1674-1748

I’m not ashamed to own my Lord,
Or to defend His cause;
Maintain the honor of His Word,
The glory of His cross.

Jesus, my God! I know His Name,
His Name is all my trust;
Nor will He put my soul to shame,
Nor let my hope be lost.

Firm as His throne His promise stands,
And He can well secure
What I’ve committed to His hands
Till the decisive hour.

Then will He own my worthless name
Before His Father’s face,
And in the new Jerusalem
Appoint my soul a place.

Old Truth, New Effects

Richard Baxter, the renowned Puritan pastor, spoke of his own conversion in the following way:

The same things which I knew before came now in another manner, with Light,and Sense and Seriousness to my heart.

It seems to me that this ought to be the sentiment of most believers who grow up in a Christian home and who are brought up in a church that preaches the gospel. It's not so much that in conversion they are learning new truth as it is that the truth they know affects them in a new and profound way.

A Generation that Listens with Its Eyes and Thinks with Its Feelings

"We have lost our ability to reason....Very few are able to think clearly anymore. I have often said the challenge of the truth speaker today is this: How do you reach a generation that listens with its eyes and thinks with its feelings?"

--Ravi Zacharias, from an address at the United Nations' Prayer Breakfast, 2007

Justice Smiles And Asks No More

Let Us Love and Sing and Wonder
John Newton, 1725-1807

Let us love and sing and wonder,
Let us praise the Savior’s Name!
He has hushed the law’s loud thunder,
He has quenched Mount Sinai’s flame.
He has washed us with His blood,
He has brought us nigh to God.

Let us love the Lord Who bought us,
Pitied us when enemies,
Called us by His grace, and taught us,
Gave us ears and gave us eyes:
He has washed us with His blood,
He presents our souls to God.

Let us sing, though fierce temptation
Threaten hard to bear us down!
For the Lord, our strong Salvation,
Holds in view the conqueror’s crown:
He Who washed us with His blood
Soon will bring us home to God.

Let us wonder; grace and justice
Join and point to mercy’s store;
When through grace in Christ our trust is,
Justice smiles and asks no more:
He Who washed us with His blood
Has secured our way to God.

Let us praise, and join the chorus
Of the saints enthroned on high;
Here they trusted Him before us,
Now their praises fill the sky:
“Thou hast washed us with Your blood;
Thou art worthy, Lamb of God!”

Hark! the Name of Jesus, sounded
Loud, from golden harps above!
Lord, we blush, and are confounded,
Faint our praises, cold our love!
Wash our souls and songs with blood,
For by Thee we come to God.

Task Force Appointed to Study Prospective Name Change for the Southern Baptist Convention

Bryant Wright, president of the Southern Baptist Convention, announced Monday evening the appointment of a presidential task force to study the prospect of changing the name of America's largest Protestant denomination. He had two primary reasons why the study could prove helpful:

First, the convention's name is so regional. With our focus on church planting, it is challenging in many parts of the country to lead churches to want to be part of a convention with such a regional name. Second, a name change could position us to maximize our effectiveness in reaching North America for Jesus Christ in the 21st century.

There are four main questions he wants the task force to consider:

1) Is it a good idea, that is, is there value in considering a name change?
2) If so, what would be a good name to suggest?
3) What would be the potential legal ramifications of a name change?
4) What would be the potential financial implications?

Click here for the full story from Baptist Press.

A website, Pray4SBC, has been created for people to submit their opinions and possible name changes.

But Thou Art Something Better

From "Purification" in The Valley of Vision:

O God, the Eternal All, help me to know that
all things are shadows, but Thou art substance,
all things are quicksands, but Thou art mountain,
all things are shifting, but Thou art anchor,
all things are ignorance, but Thou art wisdom.

The Mysterious Providence of God

God Moves in a Mysterious Way
William Cowper, 1731-1800

God moves in a mysterious way
His wonders to perform;
He plants His footsteps in the sea
And rides upon the storm.

Deep in unfathomable mines
Of never failing skill,
He treasures up His bright designs
And works His sovereign will.

Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take;
The clouds ye so much dread
Are big with mercy and shall break
In blessings on your head.

Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
But trust Him for His grace;
Behind a frowning providence,
He hides a smiling face.

His purposes will ripen fast,
Unfolding every hour;
The bud may have a bitter taste,
But sweet will be the flower.

Blind unbelief is sure to err
And scan His work in vain;
God is His own interpreter,
And He will make it plain.

Timothy George Preaching at FBC

Dr. Timothy George, founding dean of Beeson Divinity School (of which I am an alumnus), will be preaching this Sunday, September 18, at First Baptist Church. Dr. George is not only an esteemed historian and theologian, he's also a gifted preacher of God's Word.

We'd love to have you as our guest this Sunday. So join us for morning worship at 9:00am.

Prayer Is Humility in Action

Prayer Pondered
© 2011, M. Justin Wainscott

The vivid verbs of prayer –
yearning, longing,
hungering, thirsting,
asking, seeking,
beseeching, pleading,
needing, crying out –
along with the emotive actions of prayer –
weeping, wailing,
kneeling, bowing,
silence, shouting,
beating our breast
and clinching our fists –
should teach us all a truth about prayer:
It is humility in action,
evidence of our inadequacy.
Prayer reveals our weakness,
but it magnifies God’s strength.
It is the most earnest expression
of our faith and dependence.
We are poor beggars, ‘tis true,
but riches untold are at our disposal.
So keep longing,
keep yearning,
keep trusting,
keep crying, child of God.
You’re not an orphan;
your Father hears you,
and He will answer.

KJV400: Legacy and Impact

The Ryan Center for Biblical Studies at Union University will be hosting KJV400: Legacy and Impact this Thursday-Saturday (Sept. 15-17), a festival celebrating the broad cultural impact of the King James Version of the Bible in honor of its 400th anniversary.

Plenary addresses will be delivered by three prominent scholars: Timothy George, Leland Ryken, and John Woodbridge. Breakout sessions will be led by Union faculty from a variety of disciplines, and there will be celebrations of music, film, art, Shakespearean play, and dramatic reading.

In addition to the addresses, breakout sessions, and artistic expressions, there will be a one-of-a-kind historic Bible display - one of the best in all of North America. This display will be open to the public for free on Thursday afternoon and Saturday afternoon.

For more information, click here.

No Drop Remains of All the Curse

Jesus, Whose Blood So Freely Streamed
William Cowper, 1731-1800

Jesus, whose blood so freely streamed
To satisfy the law’s demand;
By Thee from guilt and wrath redeemed,
Before the Father’s face I stand.

To reconcile offending man,
Make Justice drop her angry rod;
What creature could have formed the plan,
Or who fulfill it but a God?

No drop remains of all the curse,
For wretches who deserved the whole;
No arrows dipped in wrath to pierce
The guilty, but returning soul.

Peace by such means so dearly bought,
What rebel could have hoped to see?
Peace by his injured Sovereign wrought,
His Sovereign fastened to a tree.

Now, Lord, Thy feeble worm prepare!
For strife with earth and hell begins;
Conform and gird me for the war;
They hate the soul that hates his sins.

Let them in horrid league agree!
They may assault, they may distress;
But cannot quench Thy love to me,
Nor rob me of the Lord my peace.

The Pain of Loss

The Rejected Husband
Wendell Berry, Given: Poems

After the storm and the new
stillness of the snow, he returns
to the graveyard, as though
he might lift the white coverlet,
slip in beside her as he used to do,
and again feel, beneath his hand,
her flesh quicken and turn warm.
But he is not her husband now.
To participate in resurrection, one
first must be dead. And he goes
back into the whitened world, alive.

Keller on the Sacrifice of Parenting

Tim Keller on the sacrifice required by parenting (and the disastrous consequences for children whose parents do not make the sacrifice):

When you have children, they're in a state of dependency. They have so many needs; they can't stand on their own. And they will not just grow out of their dependence automatically. The only way your children will grow beyond their dependency into self-sufficient adults is for you to essentially abandon your own independence for twenty years or so. When they are young, for example, you've got to read to them and read to them - otherwise, they won't develop intellectually. Lots of their books will be boring to you. And you have to listen to your children, and keep listening as they say all kinds of things that make for less than scintillating conversation.

And then there's dressing, bathing, feeding, and teaching them to do these things for themselves. Furthermore, children need about five affirmations for every criticism they hear from you. Unless you sacrifice much of your freedom and good bit of your time, your children will not grow up healthy and equipped to function. Unfortunately, there are plenty of parents who just won't do it. They won't disrupt their lives that much; they won't pour themselves into their children. They won't make the sacrifice. And their kids grow up physically, but they're still children emotionally - needy, vulnerable, and dependent. Think about it this way: You can make the sacrifice, or they're going to make the sacrifice. It's them or you. Either you suffer temporarily and in a redemptive way, or they're going to suffer tragically, in a wasteful and destructive way. It's at least partly up to you.

Behold A Never-Failing Store

Lord, We Adore Thy Boundless Grace
Anne Steele, 1717-1778

Lord, we adore Thy boundless grace,
The heights and depths unknown,
Of pardon, life, and joy, and peace,
In Thy beloved Son.

O wondrous gifts of love divine,
Dear Source of every good;
Jesus, in Thee what glories shine!
How rich Thy flowing blood!

Come, all ye pining, hungry poor,
The Saviour’s bounty taste;
Behold a never-failing store
For every willing guest.

Here shall your numerous wants receive
A free, a full supply;
He has unmeasured bliss to give,
And joys that never die.

Luther on the Christological Center of the Scriptures

"He who would read the Bible must simply take heed that he does not err, for the Scripture may permit itself to be stretched and led, but let no one lead it according to his own inclinations but let him lead it to the source, that is, the cross of Christ. Then he will surely strike the center."

--Martin Luther

It's Funny Because It's True

This humorous description of the growth of Baptists is sad but true:

Our numbers can be at least partially explained. Like cats, we multiply by fighting. One Baptist, a believer; two Baptists, a church; three Baptists, a church split.

--Ralph Wood, "My Water, His Wine" in July/August 2011 issue of Touchstone

Plead His Promise, Trust His Grace

Surely Christ Thy Griefs Has Borne
Augustus Toplady, 1740-1778

Surely Christ thy griefs has borne;
Weeping soul, no longer mourn:
View Him bleeding on the tree,
Pouring out His life for thee;
There thy every sin He bore;
Weeping soul, lament no more.

All thy crimes on Him were laid:
See, upon His blameless head
Wrath its utmost vengeance pours,
Due to my offence and yours;
Wounded in our stead He is,
Bruised for our iniquities.

Weary sinner, keep thine eyes
On th' atoning sacrifice;
There th' incarnate Deity,
Numbered with transgressors, see;
There, His Father's absence mourns,
Nailed and bruised, and crowned with thorns.

See thy God His head bow down,
Hear the Man of Sorrows groan!
For thy ransom there condemned,
Stripped, derided, and blasphemed;
Bleed the guiltless for the' unclean,
Made an offering for thy sin.

Cast thy guilty soul on Him,
Find Him mighty to redeem;
At His feet thy burden lay,
Look thy doubts and cares away;
Now by faith the Son embrace,
Plead His promise, trust His grace.

Lord, Thine arm must be revealed,
Ere I can by faith be healed;
Since I scarce can look to Thee,
Cast a gracious eye on me:
At Thy feet myself I lay;
Shine, O shine, my fears away!

The Key to C.S. Lewis

Gene Edward Veith on "The Key to C.S. Lewis" in Tabletalk:

...Lewis was a complex thinker with a wide-ranging sensibility. He was both logical and wildly imaginative, conservative and a non-conformist, a devout Christian whose faith was never stodgy or limiting, but stimulating and liberating. And I think I have found the key to understanding Lewis in all of his complexities and in all of his different kinds of writing....

...Christianity offers not only a world view but a sensibility, a way to think and to feel. Lewis addresses both the head and the heart. He is an apologist for reason, romanticism, and — what holds them together — Christianity.

Read the entire article here.

Piper on a Lesson Learned from Lewis

I am grateful for a friend and church member passing this quote along to me. It's a quote by John Piper, reflecting on what he learned from C.S. Lewis (and it's a great follow-up to yesterday's post):

He has made me wary of chronological snobbery. That is, he showed me that newness is no virtue and oldness is no vice. Truth and beauty and goodness are not determined by when they exist. Nothing is inferior for being old, and nothing is valuable for being modern. This has freed me from the tyranny of novelty and opened for me the wisdom of the ages.

Lewis on the Dangers of Novelty in Worship

C.S. Lewis, from Letters to Malcolm, on novelty in worship and the need for permanence and uniformity:

It looks as if they [Anglican clergymen] believed people can be lured to go to church by incessant brightenings, lightenings, lengthenings, abridgements, simplifications, and complications of the service. And it is probably true that a new, keen vicar will usually be able to form within his parish a minority who are in favour of his innovations. The majority, I believe, never are. Those who remain—many give up churchgoing altogether—merely endure.

Is this simply because the majority are hide-bound? I think not. They have a good reason for their conservatism. Novelty, simply as such, can have only an entertainment value. And they don’t go to church to be entertained. They go to use the service, or if you prefer, to enact it. Every service is a structure of acts and words through which we receive a sacrament, or repent, or supplicate, or adore. And it enables us to do these things best — if you like, it “works” best — when, through familiarity, we don’t have to think about it. As long as you notice, and have to count, the steps, you are not yet dancing but only learning to dance. A good shoe is a shoe you don’t notice. Good reading becomes possible when you need not consciously think about eyes, or light, or print, or spelling. The perfect church service would be one we were almost unaware of; our attention would have been on God.

But every novelty prevents this. It fixes our attention on the service itself; and thinking about worship is a different thing from worshipping….

A still worse thing may happen. Novelty may fix our attention not even on the service but on the celebrant. You know what I mean. Try as one may to exclude the question, “What on earth is he up to now?” will intrude. It lays one’s devotion waste. There is really some excuse for the man who said, “I wish they’d remember that the charge to Peter was Feed my sheep; not Try experiments on my rats, or even, Teach my performing dogs new tricks.”

Thus my whole liturgiological position really boils down to an entreaty for permanence and uniformity. I can make do with almost any kind of service whatever, if only it will stay put. But if each form is snatched away just when I am beginning to feel at home in it, then I can never make any progress in the art of worship.

None Can Ever Ask Too Much

Come, My Soul, Thy Suit Prepare
John Newton, 1725-1807

Come, my soul, thy suit prepare:
Jesus loves to answer prayer;
He Himself has bid thee pray,
Therefore will not say thee nay.

Thou art coming to a King,
Large petitions with thee bring;
For His grace and power are such,
None can ever ask too much.

With my burden I begin:
Lord, remove this load of sin;
Let Thy blood, for sinners spilt,
Set my conscience free from guilt.

Lord, I come to Thee for rest,
Take possession of my breast;
There Thy blood-bought right maintain,
And without a rival reign.

As the image in the glass
Answers the beholder’s face;
Thus unto my heart appear,
Print Thine own resemblance there.

While I am a pilgrim here,
Let Thy love my spirit cheer;
As my Guide, my Guard, my Friend,
Lead me to my journey’s end.

Show me what I have to do,
Every hour my strength renew:
Let me live a life of faith,
Let me die Thy people’s death.

Service Without Faith

"Till men have faith in Christ, their best services are but glorious sins."

--Thomas Brooks

Life to Our Souls, Death to Our Sins

"To continually behold the Lamb of God is life to our souls and death to our sins."

--William Mason, A Spiritual Treasury for the Children of God

HT: Of First Importance

Payment God Cannot Twice Demand

Faith Reviving
Augustus Toplady, 1740-1778

From whence this fear and unbelief?
Hath not the Father put to grief
His spotless Son for me?
And will the righteous Judge of men
Condemn me for that debt of sin
Which, Lord, was charged on Thee?

Complete atonement Thou hast made,
And to the utmost farthing paid
Whate’er Thy people owed;
How then can wrath on me take place
If sheltered in Thy righteousness,
And sprinkled with Thy blood?

If Thou hast my discharge procured,
And freely in my room endured
The whole of wrath divine,
Payment God cannot twice demand—
First at my bleeding Surety’s hand,
And then again at mine.

Turn then, my soul, unto thy rest!
The merits of thy great High Priest
Have bought thy liberty;
Trust in His efficacious blood,
Nor fear thy banishment from God,
Since Jesus died for thee!

Christian Reflections on Down Days in the Market

I was encouraged and edified by this reflection on the stock market's recent drops by one of our church members, Chad Wilson:

Many of us have 401K’s, IRA’s and even College Savings Funds that have been pummeled by wave after wave of bad news in the past week. Sudden moves in the market often solicit anxious thoughts. Questions arise like: “What if my savings dwindles to nothing?” “How can I be joyful with all this bad news on the economy?” “Is there any hope anywhere?”

In times like this, it is good to be reminded of 1 Peter 1:3-5 – “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled,unfading, kept in Heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” Here are some lessons from this verse that are worth remembering:

1. When we feel hopeless, we can be reminded that God has given us hope – not in a stock market rebound, but in His Son Jesus Christ. It is a living hope that does not ebb and flow depending on the events of the day.

2. Our lasting inheritance is not our Retirement Plan (important though that may be). Our True inheritance is in Heaven. There is never any risk of our Heavenly inheritance falling, fading, or vanishing.

3. God is the great guard of our eternal inheritance. Your financial adviser and the best asset allocation strategy in the world are not capable of perfectly guarding you and your future. Only God, by his power can guard your eternal future.

I certainly don’t intend to minimize the importance of wise decision making when it comes to our Earthly inheritance. I do intend to remind us that there is a much more important Heavenly inheritance that has been forever secured for the Children of God by the death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Let that comfort you on down days like today. It isn’t the first, and it won’t be the last.

The Sweet Stench of the Gospel

To some the gospel is the sweet smelling fragrance of life; to others it is the stench of death. The same gospel is simultaneously a message of salvation and judgment.

For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. (2 Corinthians 2:15-16).

The Historicity of Adam and the Basis for the Gospel

"Why must God the Son become incarnate, live our life, die our death, and be raised for our justification? Scripture's answer is clear: We need a redeemer because Adam as the first man and covenantal head of the human race brought sin, death, and destruction into this world, and it is only by the last Adam, our Lord Jesus Christ, that it can be paid for and reversed. The fact of human sin and death is grounded in a real, historical Adam who was created upright and morally good, but in history revolted against God and by that action took down the entire human race with him. If this is denied, the basis for the gospel is undercut, and the entire Christian position is destroyed."

--Stephen Wellum, The Southern Baptist Journal of Theology (Spring 2011)

When First Things Are Put First

A wise and helpful reminder from C.S. Lewis:

"When first things are put first, second things are not suppressed but increased."

Christ, Our Wounded Victor

Christ's Atoning Wounds
© 2009, M. Justin Wainscott

That sacred stream which ever flows,
Flows from the Savior's wounds,
Does in the souls of saints compose
Sweet, Christ-exalting tunes.

So let the saints in chorus flood
This place with songs of praise;
And sing of Christ's redeeming blood,
And marvel at his grace.

The precious wounds of Christ above -
His hands, his feet, his side -
Stand as a witness to his love
For us, his ransomed bride.

Those wounds which paid our sinful debt
Remove all grounds for pride;
For God's requirements all were met
When Christ our Savior died.

So let us boast in him alone,
And in the wounds he bears;
Since he who sits on heaven's throne
Those sacred scars still wears.

And when before that throne we stand,
And on our Savior gaze;
We'll truly come to understand,
His wounds deserve our praise.

Dressing Up the Gospel

From the folks at The Sacred Sandwich:

The Root of All Error

"Ignorance of the Scriptures is the root of all error."

--J.C. Ryle

Welcome News To Sinners

The first and last stanzas of William Gadbsy's hymn, "The Gospel Is Good News Indeed," are a beautiful reminder of how sweet it is for sinners to hear the good news of the gospel:

The gospel is good news indeed,
To sinners deep in debt;
The man who has no works to plead,
Will thankful be for it.

The man that feels his guilt abound,
And knows himself unclean,
Will find the gospel's joyful sound
Is welcome news to him.

Great Quote, Great Picture - You Need to See Both for the Full Effect

Normally, I would just take a quote like the one I'm about to recommend and include it in the post (without making you have to go to another site to read it). But the picture that Kevin DeYoung included with this quote by the Puritan, Thomas Brooks, is too good not to point you to his blog to see both. Check them out here.

Congregationally Shaped Christians

"Most evangelical Christians today seem to treat their church as one more thing to help out their Christian life, perhaps along with this Bible study, that music, those authors, this retreat, and keeping a journal. In other words, the Christian conceives of his or her spiritual life as fundamentally one's own business, managed by selecting among various helps. This approach contrasts with an older and more biblical way of thinking about the Christian life that is congregationally shaped, where the demands of the gospel are made concrete in a particular local church."

--Mark Dever, "The Church," in A Theology for the Church

Let Me Learn Thy Word to Prize

Sin, When Viewed By Scripture Light
John Newton, 1725-1807

Sin, when viewed by Scripture light,
Is a horrid, hateful sight;
But when seen in Satan’s glass,
Then it wears a pleasing face.

When the gospel trumpet sounds,
When I think how grace abounds,
When I feel sweet peace within,
Then I’d rather die than sin.

When the cross I view by faith,
Sin is madness, poison, death;
Tempt me not, ’tis all in vain,
Sure I ne’er can yield again.

Satan, for awhile debarred,
When he finds me off my guard,
Puts his glass before my eyes,
Quickly other thoughts arise.

What before excited fears,
Rather pleasing now appears;
If a sin, it seems so small,
Or, perhaps, no sin at all.

Often thus, through sin’s deceit,
Grief, and shame, and loss I meet,
Like a fish, my soul mistook,
Saw the bait, but not the hook.

O my Lord, what shall I say?
How can I presume to pray?
Not a word have I to plead,
Sins, like mine, are black indeed!

Made, by past experience, wise,
Let me learn Thy Word to prize;
Taught by what I’ve felt before,
Let me Satan’s glass abhor.

Crying Over Meaningful Things

Grown Man Crying
© 2011, M. Justin Wainscott

I saw a grown man cry today,
But I didn't pity him.
I admired him,
Because he cared so deeply
about something (or someone)
that it moved him to tears.
Oh, that more grown men would cry
over meaningful things.

The Most Humbling Force in the World

"The gospel has more power to humble than any other force in the world."

--Jim Hamilton, "The Lord's Supper in Paul," in The Lord's Supper

To the Promises I Flee

Precious Bible! What a Treasure
John Newton, 1725-1807

Precious Bible! what a treasure
Does the Word of God afford?
All I want for life or pleasure,
Food and med’cine, shield and sword:
Let the world account me poor,
Having this I need no more.

Food to which the world’s a stranger,
Here my hungry soul enjoys;
Of excess there is no danger,
Though it fills, it never cloys:
On a dying Christ I feed,
He is meat and drink indeed.

When my faith is faint and sickly,
Or when Satan wounds my mind,
Cordials, to revive me quickly,
Healing med’cines here I find:
To the promises I flee,
Each affords a remedy.

In the hour of dark temptation
Satan cannot make me yield;
For the Word of consolation
Is to me a mighty shield
While the Scripture truths are sure,
From his malice I’m secure.

Vain his threats to overcome me,
When I take the Spirit's sword;
Then with ease I drive him from me.
Satan trembles at the Word:
’Tis a sword for conquest made,
Keen the edge, and strong the blade.

Shall I envy then the miser
Doting on his golden store?
Sure I am, or should be, wiser,
I am rich, ’tis he is poor:
Jesus gives me in his Word,
Food and med’cine, shield and sword.

Beware the Secret, Subtle, and Stealthy Serpent

"For it is not persecution alone that is to be feared; nor those things which advance by open attack to overwhelm and cast down the servants of God. Caution is more easy where danger is manifest, and the mind is prepared beforehand for the contest when the adversary avows himself. The enemy is more to be feared and to be guarded against, when he creeps on us secretly; when, deceiving by the appearance of peace, he steals forward by hidden approaches, whence also he has received the name of the Serpent. That is always his subtlety; that is his dark and stealthy artifice for circumventing man."

--Cyprian, Treatise I, "On the Unity of the Church"

Sojourn's "The Water and the Blood"

Sojourn Music has now released Volume 2 of their project on the hymns of Isaac Watts, titled "The Water and the Blood." Below is a video of the band discussing the album, along with a few snippets of some of the songs.

Honoring God Before Country

As we celebrate the independence of our great nation, we acknowledge God's bountiful blessings and providential care throughout our history.

We acknowledge the courageous and sacrificial service of so many men and women who fought, and are fighting, for the freedoms we enjoy and so often take for granted. With deep gratitude, we recognize and remember those who gave their lives defending those freedoms.

We acknowledge those who have gone before us to help shape and form these United States.

And we acknowledge the wonderful opportunities and benefits afforded to us simply by being American.

But as Christians, while still being grateful and mindful of this wonderful nation of ours, we celebrate a far greater freedom today - freedom from sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Thus on this day it becomes especially important for us to remember and confess that we are Christians first, then Americans.

We acknowledge God before country, and the Cross before the Stars and Stripes. Our primary loyalty is to Jesus Christ and his kingdom, which is made up of people from every nation, tribe, and tongue.

So while we acknowledge that we are citizens of two kingdoms, one has far greater significance than the other. And thus we proclaim today that "our citizenship is in heaven, and from there we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ" (Phil. 3:20).

He Who Never Hast a Good Withheld

O Lord, My Best Desire Fulfill
William Cowper, 1731-1800

O Lord, my best desire fulfill
And help me to resign,
Life, health, and comfort to Thy will,
And make Thy pleasure mine.

Why should I shrink at Thy command,
Whose love forbids my fears?
Or tremble at the gracious hand
That wipes away my tears?

No, let me rather freely yield
What most I prize to Thee;
Who never hast a good withheld,
Or wilt withhold from me.

Thy favor, all my journey through,
Thou art engaged to grant;
What else I want, or think I do,
’Tis better still to want.

Wisdom and mercy guide my way,
Shall I resist them both?
A poor blind creature of a day,
And crushed before the moth!

But ah! my inward spirit cries,
Still bind me to Thy sway;
Else the next cloud that veils my skies,
Drives all these thoughts away.

Reasons for the KJV's Durability

The following excerpts are taken from Barton Swain's article, "God's English: The Making and Endurance of the King James Bible, 1611-2011," in the May/June issue of Touchstone:

First, they [the translators of the KJV] understood, far better than modern translators have, the importance of rhythm in language. This is partly because learned men of the seventeenth century were steeped in written languages - English and Latin, but also Greek, Hebrew, French, Italian, and Spanish - to a degree that even the best educated cannot match now. They understood the dynamics of poetry: Andrewes was himself a brilliant poet, but the others, too, would have been deeply familiar with ancient and modern meters.

Equally important is the fact that the King James translators knew that their renderings would be heard even more than they would be read. The great preponderance of parishioners in early seventeenth-century England were partly or wholly illiterate, and for that reason the translators were careful to make their sentences easy to read aloud. Time and again the KJV's language falls into a snappy iambic cadence that rolls off the tongue....

One of the principal reasons the King James Bible has achieved such astonishing durability is that its diction captures the gravity and splendor one feels God's words deserve....

Can the Humble Be Confident?

Yes, humility can be coupled with confidence if the confidence is in the Lord. Consider the contrast between the first line in Psalm 40:17 and the second. The first is a confession of such humility that it sounds as if the psalmist is defeated, but the second line is an expression of such comfort and hope that it grants him complete confidence in the Lord.

As for me, I am poor and needy,
but the Lord takes thought for me. (Psalm 40:17)

Poor and needy we may be, but it should be enough for us to know that the Lord takes thought for us. What could give us greater confidence and assurance than that?

The Church Is the Gospel Made Visible

"Christian proclamation might make the gospel audible, but Christians living together in local congregations make the gospel visible (see John 13:34-35). The church is the gospel made visible."

--Mark Dever, "The Church," in A Theology for the Church, Daniel Akin, ed.

I Need the Influence of Thy Grace

My Soul Lies Cleaving to the Dust
Isaac Watts,1674-1748

My soul lies cleaving to the dust;
Lord, give me life divine;
From vain desires and every lust
Turn off these eyes of mine.

I need the influence of Thy grace
To speed me in Thy way,
Lest I should loiter in my race,
Or turn my feet astray.

When sore afflictions press me down,
I need Thy quick'ning powers;
Thy word that I have rested on
Shall help my heaviest hours.

Are not Thy mercies sovereign still,
And Thou a faithful God?
Wilt Thou not grant me warmer zeal
To run the heav'nly road?

Does not my heart Thy precepts love,
And long to see Thy face?
And yet how slow my spirits move
Without enliv'ning grace!

Then shall I love Thy gospel more,
And ne'er forget Thy word,
When I have felt its quick'ning power,
To draw me near the Lord.

A Great Resource for Evangelism, Discipleship, and Training Leaders

David Helm's new book, One-to-One Bible Reading: A Simple Guide for Every Christian, is an excellent resource for churches to have on hand and to make use of in a variety of different contexts. It can serve as a tool for evangelism, discipleship, or training leaders.

Like all of Matthias Media's resources, it is both informative and practical. So if you're looking for a useful guide to help get people into the Word of God, you need to get this book.

A Warning about Departing from the Truth

"The beginning of departure from the pure truth is like the letting out of waters - first a drop, and at last a torrent."

--J.C. Ryle

Summary of 2011 SBC

Here is a summary and recap of last week's Southern Baptist Convention in Phoenix.

Sufficient and Alone

O God of Mercy, Hear My Call
Isaac Watts, 1674-1748

O God of mercy, hear my call;
My load of guilt remove;
Break down this separating wall
That bars me from Thy love.

Give me the presence of Thy grace,
Then my rejoicing tongue
Shall speak aloud Thy righteousness,
And make Thy praise my song.

No blood of goats, nor heifers slain
For sin could e'er atone;
The death of Christ shall still remain
Sufficient and alone.

A soul oppressed with sin's desert,
The Lord will ne'er despise;
A humble groan, a broken heart
Is our best sacrifice.

Cling to the Cross

"Cling to the cross, sinner. If the earth sink beneath thee, cling on; if storms should rage, and all the floods be out, and even God himself seem to be against thee, cling to the cross. There is thy hope. Thou canst not perish there."

--Charles Spurgeon

Religious Hubris vs. Gospel Humility

Theological Antonyms
© 2011, Justin Wainscott

The opposite of
religious hubris
is gospel humility.

Religious hubris breeds superiority
on the grounds of moral performance.
But it's a misplaced superiority,
because it's built on a lie.
All who gather on those grounds
will surely fall.

Gospel humility yields unity
at the foot of the cross.
And it's an appropriate unity,
because it's built on the truth.
All who gather there
stand on a sure and firm foundation.

Religious hubris
sees no need for a Savior.
Gospel humility
sees not only the need for a Savior,
but the Savior himself
meeting that very need.

Religious hubris stands tall,
but will one day be brought low.
Gospel humility bows low,
but will one day be exalted.

A Reminder to Pastors

"A good shepherd is one who sees what the Owner sees and does what the Owner does. He is a follower before he is a leader. He is a leader because he is a follower. The shepherds whom God judges in the Bible are those who forget that the people in their care are not their own."

--Timothy Laniak, Shepherds After My Own Heart

Close To the Ignominious Tree

Redeemer! Whither Should I Flee
Augustus Toplady, 1740-1778

Redeemer! whither should I flee,
Or how escape the wrath to come?
The weary sinner flies to Thee
For shelter from impending doom;
Smile on me, gracious Lord, and show
Thyself the Friend of sinners now.

Beneath the shadow of Thy cross
The heavy-laden soul finds rest;
I would esteem the world but dross,
So I might be of Christ possessed.
I'd seek my every joy in Thee,
Be Thou both life and light to me.

Close to the ignominious tree,
Jesus, my humbled soul would cleave;
Despised and crucified with Thee,
With Thee resolved to die and live;
This prayer and this ambition mine,
Living and dying to be Thine.

There, fastened to the rugged wood
By holy love's resistless chain,
And life deriving from Thy blood,
Never to wander wide again,
There may I bow my suppliant knee,
And own no other Lord but thee.

Glorying in the Gospel, Knowing the Plague Within

"The man that does not glory in the gospel can surely know little of the plague that is within him."

--J.C. Ryle

The Gospel and Giving

We should not give out of a misguided legalism, thinking that this action somehow earns us God’s favor. Nor should we give out of a Pharisaic self-righteousness, assuming that this practice of piety puts God in our debt. And neither should we treat giving as a means to manipulate God to bless us with more material wealth, as prosperity theology encourages. No, the reasons and motivations for our giving should be shaped by the gospel that we profess to have shaped us.

So, here are five ways that giving is shaped by the gospel. These are by no means exhaustive, but I would encourage you to think over these ways and reflect on them as you give.

1. We give gladly because we are grateful for what God has graciously given to us in and through the gospel.
   


2. We give faithfully because we trust God to meet our needs, which the gospel assures He will do.
   


3. We give sacrificially because in doing so we reflect the sacrificial giving of God in the gospel.


4. We give generously because the gospel has changed us from lovers of self and lovers of money into lovers of God and lovers of people.
   


5. We give intentionally because we desire to see the gospel made known to all peoples.

Brothers and sisters, let us never forget that we are receivers long before we are givers. And reflecting on how much God has given to us through Christ should cause gratitude in our hearts, which should overflow into cheerful, faithful, sacrificial, generous, and intentional giving.

A giving heart is a grateful heart – it really is as simple as that. If you’re glad in Christ, you’ll give to Christ and for Christ. And if you rightly understand the gospel, how could you not be glad in Christ?

Two Ways to Be Your Own Savior and Lord

"There are two ways to be your own Savior and Lord. One is by breaking all the moral laws and setting your own course, and one is by keeping all the moral laws and being very, very good.

...[T]he prerequisite for receiving the grace of God is to know you need it."

--Tim Keller, The Prodigal God

You Can't Trust the Bible, Can You?

See Vaughan Roberts' answer to that question in this brief video.

While you're there, check out the entire Christianity Explored site and consider making use of CE at your church.

And for a helpful overview of the storyline of the Bible, check out Vaughan Robert's book, God's Big Picture.

Praise Our Pardoning God

Redeemed, Restored, Forgiven
Henry Baker, 1821-1877

Redeemed, restored, forgiven,
Through Jesus’ precious blood,
Heirs of His home in heaven,
Oh, praise our pardoning God!
Praise Him in tuneful measures
Who gave His Son to die;
Praise Him Whose sev’nfold treasures
Enrich and sanctify.

Once on the dreary mountain
We wandered far and wide,
Far from the cleansing fountain,
Far from the piercèd side;
But Jesus sought and found us
And washed our guilt away;
With cords of love He bound us
To be His own for aye.

Dear Master, Thine the glory
Of each recovered soul,
Ah! who can tell the story
Of love that made us whole?
Not ours, not ours, the merit;
Be Thine alone the praise,
And ours a thankful spirit
To serve Thee all our days.

Now keep us, holy Savior,
In Thy true love and fear,
And grant us of Thy favor
The grace to persevere;
Till, in Thy new creation,
Earth’s time-long travail o’er,
We find our full salvation
And praise Thee evermore.

New Church Website

First Baptist Church of Jackson has a new website. It was designed by our very gifted Director of Media, Ryan Oetting.

Check it out here.

7 Reasons to Love Telling and Hearing the Gospel

Here are seven reasons every Christian should love to tell and hear the gospel - each of them inspired by the hymn, "I Love to Tell the Story," by Katherine Hankey.

1) Because of the certainty of its truthfulness and 2) Because it satisfies the sinner's longings

I love to tell the story, because I know ’tis true;
It satisfies my longings as nothing else can do.

3) Because of personal gratitude and experience

I love to tell the story, it did so much for me;
And that is just the reason I tell it now to thee.

4) Because it gets sweeter and sweeter the more it's understood

I love to tell the story; ’tis pleasant to repeat
What seems, each time I tell it, more wonderfully sweet.

5) Because others need to know God's grace for themselves

I love to tell the story, for some have never heard
The message of salvation from God’s own holy Word.

6) Because redeemed sinners still need to be reminded of it

I love to tell the story, for those who know it best
Seem hungering and thirsting to hear it like the rest.

7) Because it will be the reason for and content of our eternal praise

And when, in scenes of glory, I sing the new, new song,
’Twill be the old, old story that I have loved so long.

Thinking Theologically about Memorial Day

Kevin DeYoung on "Thinking Theologically about Memorial Day"

Turn My Tears to Praise

Salvation, Oh, Melodious Sound
Phillip Doddridge, 1702-1751

Salvation, oh, melodious sound,
To wretched, dying men!
Salvation that from God proceeds,
And leads to God again.

Rescued from hell's eternal gloom,
From fiends, and fires, and chains;
Raised to a paradise of bliss,
Where love triumphant reigns.

But, oh, may a degenerate soul,
Sinful and weak as mine,
Presume to raise a trembling eye
To blessings so divine?

The luster of so bright a bliss
My feeble heart o'erbears;
And unbelief almost perverts
The promise into tears.

My Savior God, no voice but Thine
These dying hopes can raise;
Speak Thy salvation to my soul,
And turn its tears to praise.

My Savior God, this broken voice,
Transported shall proclaim;
And call on the angelic harps,
To sound so sweet a name.

We Teach No New Thing

When the Roman Catholic Church accused the Reformers of teaching novelties and inventing new doctrines, Martin Luther's reply was simply this:

We teach no new thing, but we repeat and establish old things, which the apostles and all godly teachers have taught before us.

Oh, that more pastors today would be content with restoration rather than innovation!

Ponder Anew

Think about what we are communicating to one another when we sing these words by Joachim Neander (translated into English by Catherine Winkworth):

Praise to the Lord, who doth prosper
Thy work and defend thee;
Surely His goodness and mercy
Here daily attend thee.
Ponder anew what the Almighty can do,
If with His love He befriend thee.

We are reminding ourselves (and those within hearing distance) that it is the Lord who both prospers our work and defends us from evil and temptation. We are also reminding ourselves (and others) that His goodness and mercy are not just theological attributes or divine characteristics; they are actively present with us even now, attending to us daily. They are working in our lives even as we sing those words.

And as a result of that truth, we should ponder anew what God can do if we know it to be true that he has befriended us in love. If the thrice-holy God of the universe can befriend sinners with His love in and through His only Son, ponder what else He can do. And what He will do.

And ponder it anew. Oh, I'm sure you may have thought about that before, but think about it again. Think about it today. Think about it right now. Make it fresh. Ponder anew what the Almighty can do, if you know that He has befriended you in love.

There's No Shame in the Gospel

One of the reasons we should not be ashamed of the gospel is because it graciously reminds us that if there is a Savior for sinners, then there's no shame in admitting we're sinners in need of a Savior. The gospel frees us from feeling like we have to hide in the shame of our sin. It liberates us from having to suppress what we (and everyone close to us) already knows to be true, because admitting that bad news leads to savoring the good news. The dire nature of this bad news is what makes the gospel such gloriously good news.

And the sooner we realize this, the better.

Joys Like Those Above

Joy Is a Fruit That Will Not Grow
John Newton, 1725-1807

Joy is a fruit that will not grow
In nature’s barren soil;
All we can boast, till Christ we know,
Is vanity and toil.

But where the Lord has planted grace;
And made His glories known;
There fruits of heavenly joy and peace
Are found, and there alone.

A bleeding Savior seen by faith,
A sense of pard’ning love;
A hope that triumphs over death,
Give joys like those above.

To take a glimpse within the veil,
To know that God is mine;
Are springs of joy that never fail,
Unspeakable, divine!

A Path Worn by the Feet of Many Pilgrims

"Thousands and tens of thousands have sought for pardon at the mercy-seat of Christ, and not one has ever returned to say that he sought in vain. Sinners of every name and nation—sinners of every sort and description—have knocked at the door of the fold, and none have ever been refused admission.

If the way which the Gospel sets before us were a new and untraveled way—we might well feel faint-hearted. But it is not so. It is an old path. It is a path worn by the feet of many pilgrims, and a path in which the footsteps are all one way. The treasury of Christ’s mercies has never been found empty. The well of living waters has never proved dry."

--J.C. Ryle

HT: Of First Importance

The Name of Jesus

Consider the multitude of ways hymnwriters have incorporated the power and comfort of Jesus' name into many of our most beloved hymns.

Charles Wesley:

Jesus, the name that charms my fears,
That bids my sorrows cease;
‘Tis music in the sinner’s ears;
‘Tis life and health and peace.

John Newton:

How sweet the name of Jesus sounds
In a believer's ear!
It soothes his sorrows, heals his wounds,
And drives away his fear.

Edward Perronet:

All hail the pow’r of Jesus’ name!
Let angels prostrate fall;
Bring forth the royal diadem
And crown him Lord of all.

Frederick Whitfield:

There is a name I love to hear,
I love to sing its worth;
It sounds as music in my ear,
The sweetest name on earth.
Oh, how I love Jesus...

Luther Bridgers:

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus,
Sweetest name I know;
Fills my every longing,
Keeps me singing as I go.

Lydia Baxter:

Take the name of Jesus with you,
Child of sorrow and of woe;
It will joy and comfort give you,
Take it then where’er you go.
Precious name, O how sweet!
Hope of earth and joy of heav’n!

Dr. Albert Mohler at FBC Jackson

We will have Dr. Albert Mohler, President of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, as our guest preacher this Sunday morning, May 22, at First Baptist Church, Jackson, TN.

For those of you in and around Jackson, you are more than welcome to join us. Our morning worship is at 9:00am.

A New Look

Theology in Verse got a new look over the weekend. Most of the changes are simply cosmetic, though you can follow the blog by email now (see that option on the right hand side of your screen if you're interested).

Boasting Only in Christ

No More, My God
Isaac Watts, 1674-1748

No more, my God, I boast no more
Of all the duties I have done;
I quit the hopes I held before,
To trust the merits of Thy Son.

Now, for the love I bear His name,
What was my gain I count my loss;
My former pride I call my shame,
And nail my glory to His cross.

Yes, and I must and will esteem
All things but loss for Jesus’ sake:
O may my soul be found in Him,
And of His righteousness partake!

The best obedience of my hands
Dares not appear before Thy throne;
But faith can answer Thy demands
By pleading what my Lord has done.

The King's English

There are numerous ways people are celebrating the 400th anniversary of the King James Version of the Bible. The King's English is a blog that explains a popular phrase each day from the KJV (and some that should be more popular than they are). Below is a great video from this site that uses 100 phrases from the KJV in 3 minutes.



HT: Tim Challies

A Leveler of Persons

"The gospel is a leveler of persons. Those who embrace the gospel will boast only in Christ, and they will be inclined to celebrate their own folly and weakness that Christ might be seen as strong and wise."

--Jim Hamilton, "The Lord's Supper in Paul" in The Lord's Supper: Remembering and Proclaiming Christ Until He Comes

Sinner, Look to Christ and Live

As the Serpent Raised By Moses
John Newton, 1725-1807

As the serpent raised by Moses
Healed the burning serpent’s bite;
Jesus thus Himself discloses
To the wounded sinner’s sight:
Hear His gracious invitation,
“I have life and peace to give,
I have wrought out full salvation,
Sinner, look to Me and live."

“Pore upon your sins no longer,
Well I know their mighty guilt;
But My love than death is stronger,
I My blood have freely spilt:
Though your heart has long been hardened,
Look on Me—it soft shall grow;
Past transgressions shall be pardoned,
And I’ll wash you white as snow."

“I have seen what you were doing,
Though you little thought of Me;
You were madly bent on ruin,
But I said—It shall not be:
You had been for ever wretched,
Had I not espoused your part;
Now behold My arms outstretched
To receive you to My heart."

Well may shame, and joy, and wonder,
All your inward passions move;
I could crush thee with My thunder,
But I speak to thee in love:
See! your sins are all forgiven,
I have paid the countless sum!
Now My death has opened Heaven,
Thither you shall shortly come.

Dearest Savior, we adore Thee
For Thy precious life and death;
Melt each stubborn heart before Thee,
Give us all the eye of faith:
From the law’s condemning sentence,
To Thy mercy we appeal;
Thou alone canst give repentance,
Thou alone our souls canst heal.

National Day of Prayer

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. (1 Timothy 2:1-2)

Praying for Bible Translation in Sudan

Take a moment to stop what you're doing and pray for the work of Wycliffe Bible translators and their work in Sudan.

• Pray for a peaceful transition to independence in South Sudan.
• Pray for the safety and security of children and families.
• Pray for the progress of translation teams throughout Sudan.

For more information about Wycliffe, click here. For other ways you can pray for this ministry, click here.