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Man-Centered Christianity

October 8, 2011 in Ministry Philosophy, Reading Notes with 1 Comment

1 Chronicles 29:11

Christianity today is man-centered, not God-centered. God is made to wait patiently, even respectfully, on the whims of men. The image of God currently popular is that of a distracted Father, struggling in heartbroken desperation to get people to accept a Savior of whom they feel no need and in whom they have very little interest.

To persuade these self-sufficient souls to respond to His generous offers God will do almost anything, even using salesmanship methods and talking down to them in the chummiest way imaginable. This view of things is, of course, a kind of religious romanticism which, while it often uses flattering and sometimes embarrassing terms in praise of God, manages nevertheless to make man the star of the show.

Lord, take me to my knees in worship. Then let me go to share You, our great and majestic God Who deserves our worship. Amen.

Tozer, A. W. (2001). Tozer on Christian leadership : A 366-day devotional. Camp Hill, PA.: WingSpread.

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Meet Mrs. Ann Judson

October 7, 2011 in Ladies in Ministry, Reading Notes with 0 Comments

Judson, Mrs. Ann Hasseltine, the first wife of Dr. Judson, was born in Bradford, Mass., Dec. 22, 1789.

Her conversion took place when she was not far from seventeen years of age.

The interest which she exhibited for religious reading of the most elevated character was remarkable in a person comparatively so young.

At the meeting of the Massachusetts Congregational Association at Bradford in June, 1810, Mr. Judson met his future wife. His persuasive words induced her to consent to share the fortunes of his missionary life, as well as to be the first American woman who “resolved to leave her friends and country to bear the gospel to the heathen in foreign climes.”

She was married to Mr. Judson Feb. 5, 1812.

On the outward voyage to Calcutta she changed—as did her husband—her views on the mode and subjects of baptism, and was baptized with her husband by Rev. Mr. Ward.

With the same fidelity and patience which characterized her husband, she applied herself to learning the language, and at the close of 1815 she states that she can both read and write it with a good degree of ease.

She was the efficient helper of Dr. Judson for several years, when she was compelled by her failing health to return to her native land

On the 21st of June, 1823, she embarked on her return voyage to Calcutta, having as her companions Rev. Jonathan Wade and his wife, and arrived at Rangoon on the 5th of the following December.

Early in the month of October, 1826, she was stricken with the fever which finally proved fatal, and died the 24th.

The sad event was followed in a few months by the death of “little Maria,” and together they were buried under the “Hopia” tree at Amherst.

Roger William Heritage Archives Editors. (2003; 2003). Baptist Biographies. Roger Williams Heritage Archives.

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I have killed old Roads

October 5, 2011 in Reading Notes with 0 Comments

The following story is told of Charles Spurgeon when he was a boy.

There ought to be today such love for the Lord Jesus that we would want to live holy lives. I hope as you read the story you will be motivated to love Jesus more and live out who you are in Christ!

One of the members of the church at Stambourne, named Roads, was in the habit of frequenting the public-house to have his “drop of beer”, and smoke his pipe, greatly to the grief of his godly pastor, who often heaved a sigh at the thought of his unhappy member’s inconsistent conduct. Little Charles had doubtless noticed his grandfather’s grief on this account, and laid it to heart.

One day he suddenly exclaimed, in the hearing of the good old gentleman, “I’ll kill old Roads, that I will!”

“Hush, hush! my dear,” said the good pastor, “you mustn’t talk so; it’s very wrong, you know, and you’ll get taken up by the police, it you do anything wrong.”

“I shall not do anything bad; but I’ll kill him though, that I will.”

Well, the good grandfather was puzzled, but yet perfectly sure that the child would not do anything which he knew to be wrong, so he let it pass with some half-mental remark about “that strange child.”

Shortly after, however, the above conversation was brought to his mind by the child coming in and saying, “I’ve killed old Roads; he’ll never grieve my dear grandpa any more.”

“My dear child,” said the good man, “what have you done? Where have you been?”

“I haven’t been doing any harm, grandpa,” said the child; “I’ve been about the Lord’s work, that’s all.”

Nothing more could be elicited from little Charles; but, before long, the mystery was cleared up. “Old Roads” called to see his pastor, and, with downcast looks and evident sorrow of heart, narrated the story of how he had been killed, somewhat in this fashion:

—“I’m very sorry indeed, my dear pastor, to have caused you such grief and trouble. It was very wrong, I know; but I always loved you, and wouldn’t have done it if I’d only thought.”

Encouraged by the good pastor’s kindly Christian words, he went on with his story. “I was a-sitting in the public just having my pipe and mug of beer, when that child comes in,—to think an old man like me should be took to task, and reproved by a bit of a child like that!

Well, he points at me with his finger, just so, and says, ‘What doest thou here, Elijah? sitting with the ungodly; and you a member of a church, and breaking your pastor’s heart. I’m ashamed of you! I wouldn’t break my pastor’s heart, I’m sure.’

And then he walks away. Well, I did feel angry; but I knew it was all true, and I was guilty; so I put down my pipe, and did not touch my beer, but hurried away to a lonely spot, and cast myself down before the Lord, confessing my sin and begging for forgiveness. And I do know and believe the Lord in mercy pardoned me; and now I’ve come to ask you to forgive me; and I’ll never grieve you any more, my dear pastor.”

It need not be said that the penitent was freely forgiven, and owned a brother in the Lord, and the Lord was praised for the wonderful way in which it had all come about.)

Spurgeon, C. H. (2009). C. H. Spurgeon’s Autobiography, Compiled from his diary, letters, and records, by his wife and his private secretary: Volume 1, 1834-1854 (23–24). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

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The pros and cons of expository, sequential preaching

October 3, 2011 in Preaching, Reading Notes with 0 Comments

The following points come from here. Click to read the original article.

The pastor and congregation are ‘stretched’ to preach on and hear about subjects that would not be normally chosen;

The preacher and hearers are immersed in one book of the Bible for many weeks and months;

It helps to keep passages in context;

It teaches people how to read and study their Bibles;

It provides a balanced diet and prevents pastors from sticking to their ‘hobby horses’;

The pastor does not need to agonize over his choice of text each week;

There does not need to be so much introduction and background given each week;

The overall argument or narrative of the book is better grasped and understood;

It helps people to see the overall plan of Scripture;

It encourages people to prepare ahead by reading and thinking about the passage;

It emphasizes the centrality and authority of Scripture.

Yes, many advantages, but let me now give you some tips on how to avoid the potential downsides:

Ensure that each sermon is complete in itself, rather than finishing this week what you didn’t finish last week;

The portion of Scripture for each sermon should not be too few verses, so that the series goes on too long, or too many, so that the preaching becomes shallow and superficial;

There should be a memorable theme and points for each sermon rather than simply making it a running commentary;

It may be helpful to read a related passage of Scripture rather than the same portion every week for many weeks;

Prayerfully consider the need for variation. For example, a series on a Pauline Epistle might be followed by a Gospel or an Old Testament narrative book;

Break the series from time to time to provide a change. Sometimes it may be wise to take a break for a few weeks or even months before returning to it;

Be prepared to preach on a text the Lord ‘lays on your heart’ even if it breaks the sermon series. Remain “open” to God’s direction each week.

Be conscious of your limitations. Few preachers can sustain their congregation’s interest in a long series of consecutive expository sermons, especially if two or more series are going on at the same time;

Before finally deciding to start a series, read the book through a few times and begin to map out preaching portions. This will also help you to decide if this is the right book and if your own gifts will stretch enough to take it on;

As starting a series is a major decision that will set the course of the congregation for a while, it may be wise to consult with some carefully chosen elders or mature Christians;

Try to avoid becoming a mere teacher or lecturer rather than a preacher;

There is no need for a long recap at the beginning of every sermon.

Remember to preach evangelistically to the lost before you, rather than just to build up the Christians in the congregation;

I find it to be a difficult thing to preach now without thinking that I must say what the Bible is saying. It is so easy to preach hobby horses or what you know that they will like. I am afraid that has killed our churches. The parents that get in stay in but their children often never really experience that work of grace and are soon gone to the world.

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