Created by the 2007 JAARS IT summer interns.

I talk/think about engaging culture, these guys talk to people.

On the flip side, I keep hearing about how important it is to build a relationship with people that one witnesses to. I guess it could be that people are called to different things.

What do you think of street evangelism? It seems like something Paul might do in Acts.

Update: I think this comment by Nathan Creitz on Cultural Engagement? « Larry Temple - Cross, Crown, and Covenant: 4 days ago is quite on target (I hope he doesn't mind me quoting his entire comment! ;)

Hey Larry,

I think we are mostly agreeing. My point is primarily that we go to two extremes sometimes. There are the lazy Christians who rarely do anything to engage culture and they just hope their lives are interesting enough to invite questions from unbelievers. Then there are those who turn people off to Christianity by damning people to hell without even knowing them (I’ve been confronted on the streets of Boston by a person who yelled at me and said I was going to hell…and I’m a Christian!).

I’m advocating for the kind of person who does neither of these two things. I try to live like Jesus lived among unbelievers by spending time with them in their homes and inviting them over to my home and loving them regardless of their beliefs or behaviors. I don’t get in their face every single time we get together (or they would stop listening to me), but I have made sure that every single one of my friends knows what I am praying for them that they will come to know Jesus because He is the only way to the Father. Some have come to know Jesus as a result, others are still friends and they often bring up spiritual conversations. Other times I feel that I can raise an issue or confront a behavior because I have that close relationship with them. On the other hand, there are times I know to keep my mouth shut. In other words, I know them and I care for them. They know my message is sincere. While a person holding a sign or yelling through a megaphone could be sincere, the person on the other side will never know it. I want to engage culture with my sincerity because I know that’s the harder road and the more rewarding. With a tract or a sign, I can be sincere, I can be insincere and no one would ever know. So, I never question a street preachers motives, just his methods. Sometimes it is effective, but it’s hard to measure how effective, non-effective, or counter-effective it can be since no one knows the hearts of the people who hear other than God. You always know where you stand when you are sharing Christ with someone you care about.

...

...

Update 2: I just realized that Nathan posted his comment as blog post on his blog, so I've removed the full comment in order not to quote too much. You can read the rest here: Nathan Creitz: Engaging the Culture for Christ (Part 2)

I took these notes on my PDA while riding in the car (back from New Attitude?).

 Mr. And Mrs. Thing measure success by their thingodometer
America has too many things to think about
But THINGS DON'T LAST! One day Mr. And Mrs. Thing will hire a second-hand thing dealer to come get their things.
 One day you're gonna die and there's gonna one thing in the box.
We stand here in our things and miss the God who gave us everything.
I'm against people who put things above God.
COVETING IS THE ROOT OF ALL THE OTHER 9 COMMANDMENTS.
Let God give you the things. He knows how to handle your life.
V.5 Blessed are the meek.
Greed leads to immorality.
If you can stop greed in the bud you can stop immorality.
God cares more about what you think than what you say or do.
Wealth
v.19-24 luxuries
the ways money can corrupt or bless up
why are we in recession? Greed.
You are not gonna like this
2 treasures: on earth or heaven
2 visions
2 masters
God doesn't want you broke.
God doesn't care what size house you have or if you have a new car, but He does care if you charged.
Do not lay up for YOURSELF treasures on eart...but lay up for yourselves treasures on earth.
necessities
franklin crossroads baptist church.
90.1 radio.
By: Ron Davis Kentucky preacher 270...
Franklincrossroads.com
cecilia KY
elizabethtown KY

See: “You Tell On Yourself” Poem « A Godly Maiden

From: R.C. Sproul Changes his Views on Genesis 1

Renowned Christian scholar and apologist R.C. Sproul has taught an old earth reinterpretation of the early chapters of Genesis for many years. Recently, he corrected his course and now embraces the straightforward 6-day view, held by the ministry of ABR. We applaud him for his willingness to correct his view on this very important matter.

From: Famous evangelical apologist changes his mind: RC Sproul says he is now a six-day, young-earth creationist

But Sproul concludes:

For most of my teaching career, I considered the framework hypothesis to be a possibility. But I have now changed my mind. I now hold to a literal six-day creation, the fourth alternative and the traditional one. Genesis says that God created the universe and everything in it in six twenty-four–hour periods. According to the Reformation hermeneutic, the first option is to follow the plain sense of the text. One must do a great deal of hermeneutical gymnastics to escape the plain meaning of Genesis 1–2. The confession makes it a point of faith that God created the world in the space of six days. [emphasis in original, indicating these words are part of the Confession] (pp. 127–128)

Thanks to my Biblical Literature Professor, Dr. RV Hood for telling me about this! :)

You can read it here: Feminine Grace: Once I Tried to Use Him

See this good poem: When I say "I am a Christian"

Thanks to Samantha Brooks for sending it to me!

From: World Friendly

In his column for Plugged In, Adam Holz made another important observation: When a star such as Miley suddenly makes a left turn it's also fair to ask what influences in her life might have contributed. There's a not-so-subtle clue embedded in the first paragraph of the Vanity Fair story. Talking about her TV habits, Miley gushed about one program in particular, saying, "It's my favorite show! I love it!" The series in question? "Sex and the City." Whether Miley's been watching an edited version in syndication or the nudity- and explicit sex-filled HBO original, her affinity for a show that glamorously showcases shallow sex and skin demonstrates a disconnect between the values of the faith she professes and her own media choices. Few of us can relate to posing salaciously for a fashion magazine, but I'm guessing many of us can relate to indulging in an episode or two of a racy TV show, laughing at a course joke (or telling one) or hanging out with a questionable crowd. If you're like me, your legalism alarm is probably going off. You know where I'm headed, and you're already screaming, What about freedom in Christ? Everything is permissible! (1 Cor. 6:12). That's true. Legalism has no place in the life of a saved-by-grace believer in Jesus Christ. But permissiveness alone is not a virtue.

...

A few weeks ago, I heard a message by Hunter Smith. The Indianapolis Colts Punter talked about the values the world holds — money, power, sex — and how the pursuit of these things has no place in the life of a believer. He quoted James 4:4: "You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God."

I'd heard that verse before, but this time it hit me full force. Of all the things that could make me an enemy of God, friendship with the world isn't what I'd expect. I could understand if the verse said, "Anyone who joins a Satanic cult is an enemy of God," or even, "Anyone who denies the existence of Jesus...." But, "Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God?" It seems a little extreme.

After all, isn't being familiar with popular TV shows or appreciating the world's sense of humor an enlightened way to live as a Christian? Paul seems to say nothing is off limits (as long as its beneficial). And he quoted the Athenian's own poets to get his point across (Acts 17:28). Those who don't know Christ seem to respond positively to someone who understands their world. It feels good to be accepting and in the know.

[Click here to read the rest of this thought-provoking article]

Last semester, I bought They Like Jesus but Not the Church: Insights from Emerging Generations after hearing about it in chapel. I look forward to reading it sometime.

This article makes me think. Maybe it's not so bad to not really know much about or be involved in the secular culture in which we live. I guess I was thinking that "fitting in"/"being able to relate well to" the culture was something I should aim for. But we're not called to fit in with the culture. We're called to be the salt that makes people thirsty for God.

From: Self-Condemnation?

Is that you? Do you struggle with letting go of the past and moving on with life? Are there things in your life for which you cannot forgive yourself?

Here’s what one expert says about feeling unforgivable.

And here’s the conversation with Dr. Dobson about getting past self-condemnation.

Note: You can download the free MP3 audio of this message here: New Attitude | Liveblog

CJ INTRO

• We've asked CJ to remind you about the Love of the Father
• We have spent 3 days studying God's Word.
• Right now I want each of us to just fix our gaze on the father.
• Spend 55 minutes just thinking about God's love for us.
• I've been sitting under CJ's teaching for 17 years.
• I love
• I know my Bible so much better now because of his preaching of the Word
• I feel that I enter into his relationship with Jesus by the Spirit.
• Frankly, it's infectious. It creates in me more of a hunger: "Man, I want to know the Lord like this man does"
• It is so contagious.

CJ MAHANEY:

• :: laughs at sputtering microphone ::
• :: CJ cautiously walks ::
• :: Josh Brings Microphone ::
• :: CJ Laughs ::
• :: LAUGHS AS SOUND MAN PULLS ON MICROPHONE AND JOSH TELLS CJ TO KEEP TALKING :) :) :) ::
• So rarely does anything go wrong here, and yet when you think of all that's involved, all of the specifics, wires, buttons, individuals who arrived early and will stay late.
• :: LOUD CLAPPING FOR all those involved ::
• 3 Books to recommend to you that I  think will serve you
• Written excerpt of what you heard last night
• Battling Unbelief
• John Piper like you must talk to himself.
• And preach the gospel to himself.
• I sat last night and received hope.
• Checkbook of the bank of faith - Charles Spurgen
• Identified and isolates particular promise.
• Intro: "The sight of the promises themselves is encouraging to the eyes of faith"
• ...

• :: stops early applause for Josh and Eric ::
• Countless hours have been devoted to you by these men
• These are busy men. Men with serious responsibilities.
• And yet they agree to take on a conference of this massive magnitude.
• Why?
• Here's why: They care.
• They love the Saviour and they care about you.
• Their labor (and it is a labor) is a labor of joy.
• This conference is a gift from them to us.
• Thank you Josh, Thank you Eric.
• Thank you for caring about everyone present
• Thank you for doing all this.
  
• :: VERY LOUD STANDING OVATION ::
  

MESSAGE BEGIN:

• Galatians 4:1-7
• Heir is under managers and guardians.
• But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, .... to redeem those under the lay so we might receive adoption as sons. God has sent His Spirit in our hearts crying "ABBA FATHER!" So then you are no longer Sons, but heirs through God.
  
• God is eager, not reluctant, not hesitant, to reveal himself to each one present.
• Understanding the doctrine of ...
• Understanding Grace.
• :: Amazing humble prayer (See newattitude.org for audio)
  

• The following is a moving story of a man that CJ know's who adopted 2 boys from a Russian Orphanage.
• We almost vomited when we say the boys.
• They were laying in the dark in cribs in their own waste
• I said: "I will not leave you as orphans, I will come to you"
• Finally we returned after getting paperwork done
• The transition was much harder then we thought.
• We walked out of the orphanage, into the sun to the terror of the two boys.
• They had never seen the light or felt the breeze
  
• They were shaking and reaching back to the orphanage in the distance.
• All they know was the orphanage...It was squalid...It was their normal.
• They are now full Americanized (maybe too much) able to recognize the sound of the microwave ding from 40 yards? away.
• I still remember those little hands, and I see myself there.
• As I think about the 27 years I've had the privilige to serve at.
• Over those 27 years, few experiences filled me with as much joy as stories of adoption!
• Parents have traveled to dangerous places to adopt...
• Each time they've introduced me to their newly adopted children, I've felt God's pleasure.
• Each time I was reminded of God's love for me.
• So I wasn't surprised when I came across the following words from the classic Knowing God by JI Packer
• A Christian is one who [has God as father]
• The Truth of our adoption gives ups the deepest insights into the greatness of God's love.
• That forms my hope this morning.
• Here is my hope.
• I've already communicated that hope through my prayer.
• It is my hope this morning that everyone present who has turned from their sins...
• That this morning you become convinced OF GOD'S PERSONAL, PARTICULAR, and PASSIONATE LOVE FOR *YOU*.
• That's my hope.
• That's my prayer.
• I've interacted with too many genuince Christians who aren't certain of God's love for them.
• They are suspicious of God.
• Their awareness of Sin causes them to wonder if GOD REALLY DOES LOVE THEM.
• They think of God as merely tolorating them.
• Often frustrating them, eager to punish them.
• Perhaps this morning you are one of them.
• If so I HOPE THIS MESSAGE FORMS A DEFINING MOMENT IN YOUR CHRISTIAN LIFE.
• I hope this morning you will be convinced of God's adopting Grace.
• For non-Christians
• I pray you will be convinced of your sins...turn from your sins..flee wrath. Flee to the Cross. I pray you will ... adopting Grace.
• POINT 1:
• The preparation for adoption (we're going to move at warp speed!!)
• ........... :: warp speed ensues ::
• .........
• Gal 4:
• Legalism had bewitched the Galatians.
• They were in process of abandoning the gospel of Grace ...
• For these Christians, the work of Jesus on the cross was no longer sufficient
• This was a distortion of the Law.
• Law was never meant to save from sin
• It was mean to reveal sin.
• :: more warp speed ::
• Gal 3:19
• Why then the Law?
• v. 23 Before faith came we were held captive under the law.
• The law was our guardian until Christ came.
• In order that they might be justified by faith.
• 
  
• Israel under the law [didn't?] have access to their experience (sort of like slave)
• Recipients were Gentiles not law, they were ignorant of law.
• 4:8 When you did not know the law, you were enslaved to those who were by nature not gods.
• By abandoning the gospel and subjecting themselves to the law, the Gentiles were returning to their pre-saved state.
  
• LEGALISM IS SLAVERY!
• Those who are legalists.... seeking to achieve acceptance.
• They are enslaved just like pagans who are serving false Gods.
  
• The law was never meant to be relied upon as a means of salvation.

POINT 2: The basis of adoption

• v.4
• In these words we encounter the turning point in History and the most important point in History.
• Apart from these saving events that these words describe, we would have no saving ....salvation.
• God has provided to us the Saviour that we need.
• Please go to newattitude.org/liveblog and listen to CJ's PASSION!
• But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His Son!
• While we were enslaved by sin
• It was impossible for us to free ourselves from this enslavement.
• God sent forth his Son, from heaven to earth.
• Brothers and sisters, BEHOLD THE LOVE OF GOD REVEALED in sending forth His Son.
• Mr. Spurgeon's reflections on this verse
• Observe, ... that the Lord .... [wow, I didn't know advent meant coming]... (listen online for this GREAT quote and to hear CJ read it!)
• God sent forth His Son for those enslaved by their sin.
• The Son of God sent forth by the father, eventually to be crushed under the weight of the fathers wrath against our sin.
• This....
• This Saviour was uniquely qualified to be our substitute
• In order to be our Saviour he must be like us.
• Born of Woman
• He must also be different
• A perfectly righteous man.
• He was truly God and fully man.
• The mediator between God and Man.
• The PURPOSE AND EFFECT OF THIS DEATH:
• We read: TO REDEEM
• God Sent forth His Son to redeem those from the law and held captive to sin.
• Before God adopted.
• We [weren't?] orphans
  
• We weren't appealing
• We were enslaved to sin.
• We deserved the curse of the law, the wrath of God.
• We were held captive by sin and it was humanly impossible for us to get free.
• We needed someone to redeem us.
• A price needed to be paid for us because of our sin
• ...
• One day we'll even be freed from the presence of sin.
• God Sent forth His son to redeem!!!!!
• ...
• To free them from His righteous and furious wrath.
• God sent forth His son to redeem (v.5) those who were under the law so that we might receive adoption as sons.
• Send forth His son with
• Atoning purpose
  
• Adopting purpose
• ...
• If the sermon ended right there, the content of this sermon would be sufficiently astounding.
• No one should be disappointed when informed that God sent forth his substitute to pay our penalty for our sin.
• No one should be disappointed if I said it's over and invited band back up.
• BUT THE SENTENCE DOESN'T STOP THERE!!!!!!
• IT KEEPS GOING AND WE'RE GOING TO KEEP GOING AS WELL!
• Get read for where this is going to take us.
• God's perpose did not conclude with redeption
• It culminated with adoption.
• He made slaves into sons with the death of His son.
• JI PACKER was right.
• Here encounter the ... of ... (see mp3 on newattitude.org )
• We are encountering the DEEPEST INSIGHT INTO THE GREATNESS OF GOD'S LOVe
• So there is not misunderstanding.
• We've taught more on justification than adoption.
• I don't think we should teach less on the doctrine of justification.
• I just think we should teach more on adoption.
• doctrine of justification must always remain primary
• adoption depends justification.
• Grasping justification allows you grasp adoption.
• WE WILL NOT SPEAK OF THE FATHERHOOD OF GOD APART FROM THE CROSS AND ...
• Justification and Adoption ARE NOT THE SAME!
• Understanding difference is critical.
• PACKER QUOTE: "That justification -- by which we mean God's forgiveness of the past together with his ... We all stand by nature under God's judgment.....we have no peace in ourselves because we have no peace with our Maker....we need forgiveness of our sins, and assurance of restored relationship more than we need anything ELSE IN THIS WORLD.................To be right with God the judge is a great thing, but to be loved and cared for by God the father is greater.... (see mp3)"
• ...... (listen to the MP3! POWERFUL!)
  

• What a great relief to know this day that we are right with God the judge, BUT to be loved and cared for by God the father is greater!
• There's a great *and* and greater!??!?
• ...
• Now he wants to draw your attention to the greater.
• It's possible to be affected by the great, and not experience the greater.
• Do the words closeness, affection, and generosity ,describe YOUR relationship with God (not what you subjectively feel in your heart towards God)
• Do you perceive God as full of affection FOR YOU?
• Desiring to be close with you?
• Do you?
• If not, perhaps you are more aware of your sin than the adopting grace of God.
• Perhaps you're aware more of the .....
• I recommend you study the Doctrine of Adoption until you are assured of your ... with God.
• When I'm approached by someone not certain of God's love...
• I want to create a specilized diet...draw them towards adopting grace. Gal 4:1-7
• I want to say: Study these verses, remain close to THESE verses. Cry out for illumination.
• By the grace of God...you'll experience the closeness, affection, generosity of God.
  
• 3 recommendations
• Knowing God by JI Packer
• Turn immedietely to chapter 19
• buy the book if you don't have it.
• He'll spent a whole chapter explaning
• Children of the Living God
• Adopted into God's family by Treaver Burk.
• YOU CAN ANTICIPATE, EXPERIENCING, FEELING,
• Theologically informed feeling
• Feeling the affection of God himself for YOU!
• YOU will experience his closeness
• His affection
• you'll become freshly aware...
• Those who are not receiving and enjoying adopting grace, this saddens the father.
• John Owen wrote the following:
• "The greatest sorrow and burden you can lay on the father, the greatest unkindess you can do to Him is not to believe that He loves you"
• It's not scadelous sin (not minimizing sin)
• I think Owen is right.
• Why would this be the greatest sorrow?
• Here's why:
• He sent for this Son and CRUSHED His son .... for our Sin ... so He might liberate us from ... (listen to mp3 (see link above), much better than reading these incomplete notes)
• When He cried the garden.
• All my Son heard was silence, there was no alternative
• :: whispers :: This Saviour suspended....the effect of His sacrifice...the physical pain wasn't the primary agonoy, it was hour after of hour of WRATH. No WONDER He cried out. MY GOD, MY GOD, WHERE ARE YOU? Why is this taking place?
• That's what the father did to His Son, in order to redeem sinners like you.
• And not just redeem you, but adopt you.
• So He could pour out His personal....
• So that He could be generous to you.
• So when we don't believe he loves us. It is the greatest sorrow and burden we can lay upon the father....
• Here's what I recommend:
• LET'S STOP DOING IT.
• Let's by the grace of God, believe him
• and through beleiving him, please him
• Let's stop listening to ourselves and instead talk truth to ourselves and say:
• He sent forth His Son to redeem and adopt.
• :: searches for watch (Josh throws one: )
• Lastly, the experience of adoption:
• First God sends His Son so that we might have status.
• Sends His Spirit so we might experience.
• Accomplished by Son.
• Applied by Spirit
• :: warp speed ::
• ...
• There is a new cry in the heart of the believer: "Abba Father!"
• This cry assures us of God's love for us.
• This cry is a means of assuring us of God's love for us.
• Mr. Spurgeon ONE MORE TIME :)
• "I once knew of a good woamn who was a subject of many doubts, .... she knew she loved Christ but she didn't know if He loved her.......The heart is so corrupt, naturally, that love to God would never Get .....WOW AMAZING QUOTE! TO DO: GET THE REST! GOOGLE It.... You can be assured of God's love if You Love God!"
• It did not originate with you.
• God put it there
• [LISTEN TO CJ! Much better than these notes! He's passionate!!!!]
• You wouldn't be singing here had it not been for the Grace of God.
• If you're disappointed every time worship ends....
• That's proof positive..evidence of God's love for you.
• That cry:
• God put it there.
• As you cry God the father, it should be a means of God [showing you His love]
• It's possible to grow less aware of this cry.
• Paul is writing to those who have grown less aware.
• The Galations are no ...
• Many voices seek to turn our attention away from adopting grace
• Legalism
• indwelling sin
• distracting voices so that we might not experiece the assurance of this.
• So we can't be aware of the adoption of God.
• Not hearing the right voice? Getting distracted: Let me recommend that you contemplate these verses about adopting grace. You will experience God's affection, ... generosity.
• v.7
• Not the chance from plural in v.6 to singular in v.7
• Becomes very personal
• Notice "So You"
• Built upon all previous argument
• "So You" is God making eye contact with You
• "SO Eric"
• "So Josh"
• "So Catherine"
• You are no longer slaves, you are sons, you are my daughter.
• Son
• It's like..
• Just before we conclude, God wants to make eye contact with everyone here.
• :: Points all around "YOU!" "YOU!" ::
• You are no longer slaves, YOU ARE SONS!
• And if a son, then an heir.
• :: expresses amazement ::
• An hear, yes!
• Great
• Greater
• Greatest!
• You're an heir
• In the ancient a mans property was restricted to his sons, he couldn't transfer property to his daughters.
• If necessary, he would adopt an heir.
• God's adoption of you and me, wasn't necessary, He already has a Son, His only begotton Son.
• He didn't need an heir, He already had a heir.
• ... crushes His Son so He might redeem those enslaved to Sin.
• Make them heirs in order to reveal His love, in order to convince you of His love for you.
• "So, you are no longer slaves, you are heirs..."
• Then Paul turns our attention away from ourselves and back to God.
• This was only because of and though God.
• Therefore, ALL GLORY TO GOD.
• Let's pray....
  

Night Session: John Piper

First:

• Praying for unbelieving friends.
• Testimony from Josh of those who have come to Chirst through New Attitude.
  

JOHN PIPER

• My assignment is to talk about: "Fighting the fight of faith with the Word"
• 1 Tim 6:12, 1 Cor 9:26
• I do not run aimlessly, I do not box as one beating the air..
• 2 Tim 4:7
• You have these verses that speak of the fight of faith.
• It's a good fight (not all fights are good).
• I want to get 6-8 clarifying observations about this fight.
• Last half: Practical outworking and how you use it.
• Observations:
• 1. I used to think that the life of faith was more or less a straight life at a diagonal. Justification: (groping for a word that doesn't sound high flautin) .... or instantaneous
• Our transformation into the life of Christ is incremental... I've never heard anyone talk about regressive sanctification..but it's real!..It's not good!
• You can grow and then at age 46 be languishing in the wildreness.
• The fight is a mortal fight to the death.
• Never get to the point where you say: I have fought valiantly for 30 years, I want to coast.
• You're in a river!
• If you stop swimming, you go backward.
• 2. The fight for faith is a fight for joy in Christ.
• Saving faith includes as part of it (not all of it) includes a treasuring of Christ, a being satisfied in Christ, a delighting in Christ.
• I don't think it's icing on the cake.
• The new birth bring brings about a new heart.
• Even thought it's a baby heart, immature heart, it's a NEW heart.
• Really shapes how you fight.
  
• Reasons:
• In 2 Cor 1:24,  "we were work with you for joy."
  
• But as many as received him, as many as believed in his name...
• Defines receiving as believing
• New birth: Sprititual, inward, welcoming, embracing of Chirst.
• Receive as what?
• I fear The answers some give are only utilitiarian.
• "Saviour from Hell..."
• Yes, by all means. But there are all kinds of utilitarian people in our lives who we don't admire.
• The supply things that we want but we don't want them.
• Unless Saviour means to know him.
• ...
• Believing is a coming to Him as to satisfy thirst.
• Kingdom of God is like field.
• Picture of conversion.
• Conversion: Stumbling on treasure of Christ and finding Him so valuable that saving faith is more valuable than anything else.
• The gospel has at LEAST 5 components (then you see beleiving Christ is enjoying Jesus)
• Gospel is...
• Event (Christ Died)
• Accomplishment (Died FOR our Sins)
• A free offer (if the achievement is offered for Works, there is no gospel. Unmerited)
• When that happens, something is applied to us, of the achievement of the cross. When I receive, forgiveness is accounted to me.
• There's where we usually stop.
• So what I'm forgiven? Must be some assumptions here. Why do you want to be forgiven?
• guilty conscience?
• Don't want to go to Hell?
• Hot
• My marriage would certainly be better I didn't labor under such a bad conscience.
• And the list of bad answers go on.
• The correct answer is:
• Sin stands between you and Jesus and You want Him
  
• BOOK: God is the Gospel.
• If Jesus is just a ticket, he's not honored
  
• Believing Gospel in its fulness means treasuring all that God is for you in Christ.
• I was with RC Sproul 2 years ago in Orlando at one of the ... conferences.
• Argued about the nature of faith.
• Had a chair.
• Do you believe a chair can hold you up?
• You don't believe if you're not willing to sit in chair.
• I like to fix talks, I know that RC is watching on video back in speakers lounge.
• I said, we have a problem,
• You're saying faith is not just saying that chair can hold you up.
• .... [missed this]
  
• What if chair is ugly and you don't like it?
• He said: THE CHAIR IS BEAUTFUL!
• Are you willing to sit in the chair if 1000 arrows are aimed at your face if you sit in the chair?
• Not just a  fight to trust him FOR something. A fight for joy.
• Clarifying Observation 3:
• JOY IN CHRIST IS NOT THE OPPOSITE OF SUFFERING.
• Another way of saying, the fight for the the joy of faith is not a fight for the prosperity gospel (health, wealth, ...)
• It's a fight for a relationship with Jesus that enables you
  

Eric Simmons:

• What you're going back to is more important than this conference
• :: LONG clapping for local pastors ::
  
• Next Sunday, make a bee-line to your local church pastor and think about how God has used your local church pastor in your life.
• Let's pray for these men....
• Team of about 18 people planned this conference for about 12 months.
• Honestly, this team's going away in about a week to plan next year.
  
• :: clapping :: :)

Note: You can download the free MP3 audio of this message here: New Attitude | Liveblog

• Good Books
  
• God's Big Picture (?) - Vaughn Roberts
• Don't Waste your life - John Piper ("highly recommended" -- Josh Harris. I also recommend! - Elijah)

John Piper intro (Josh Harris):

• Pastor
• Faithful husband
• "Let's just thank God as he comes"
  
• Roaring applause as he walks up to stage

JOHN PIPER

• I love vision of humble orthodoxy.
• I love the larger project of Soverign Grace Ministries.
• The piece is larger than what that little band can imagine.
• I'm thrilled at what is rippling out from this event and other ministries connected with Soverign Grace.

    WILLIAM TYNDALE

• William Tyndale had one driving passion: He wanted to see the Bible in the common language, English, printed.
• ...
  
• The years is 1531, he's 37 years old.
• He's hiding on the continent; out of his own country.
• The king wants to get to him and bring him home.
• Tyndale reads the letter that mercy will be extended if he comes back.
• He sings his "one note" with his letter back to the king.
• I shall immediately promise to never write another book, if the king pledges that he'll produce this translation.
• The king refused.
• Tyndale was strangled and burned at the stake at age 42.
• Going back...
• He's a Roman Catholic priest, ordained.
• Notable Catholic spokesmen come through his house.
• Tyndale is reading Greek NT which was printed for the first time ever (only copied by hands before).
• Europe was exploding because of this printed Greek NT.
• It was changing everything in his mind.
• One visitor in John Walshe's house was getting upset (contemporary with Martin Luther).
• A guest said: We were better without God's laws than the pope's
• Tyndale said: I defy the pope and all his laws...4 years ... plough boy shall know more of the Bible than you do.
• Leave of NT make way home in bales of cloth (smuggled)
• For the first time in History the Greek NT had been translated into English.
• Before Tyndale, the only available effort was writings from Wycliffe and followers.
• For 1000 years only available translation was Latin Vulgate and it wasn't really available.
• The Geneva Bible was a stunning success and had sold 1 million copies before it was replaced by the King James Version.
• Last 300 years, dominant Bible: The King James Version.
• But many don't know: 9/10 of it is the very wording of Tyndale!
• It is simply stunning.
• Phrases straight out of head of William Tyndale:
• Don't assume Greek and Hebrew come into English ready-made.
• This is not easy.
• You're reading a translators art.
• "Let There Be Light"
• "The Lord Bless Thee and Keep Thee"
• Today millions of people are using the Words of William Tyndale and don't give him any credit or thank God for Him.
• "Wept Bitterly"
• Only a few knucklehead translations try to change it.
• e.g. "Went out and cried hard."
  
• Many of these things could be translated many different ways.
• Newspaper headlines today still quote Tyndale and he's reached more people than Shakespeare, though nobody knows it (generalization).
• 
  
• 
  
• 
  
• Cool quote: Gave to English, not only a Bible language, but a new prose..... Craftsmanship of English was ... [excellent]...
• Tyndale's Bible and his writing kindling that set off the Reformation in England.
• Fire was put to the kindling by some of his works as well.
• There are things yet to be done with the Bible that you should do....
  
• Most of the important things in this world have not been recounted on earth.
• We must die in 2 ways to advance God's call through the Bible.
• We must to the notion that we don't have to work hard or think hard to achieve [spiritual maturity]
• Tyndale also died to the notion that thinking hard and working hard are decisive in achieving spiritual goals (not decisive, just necessary)
• These 2 lessons are drawn from 2 Tim 2:7
• "Think over what I saw for the Lord will give you understanding in everything"
• Use your brain Timothy!
• Because (a lot of people would say, "instead of that, this") the Lord will give you understanding.
• Use your brain.
• Your thinking is not decisive.
• decisive = critical
• I wish somebody had said more than this to me about Erasmus:
• This is an example of humanist renaissance literature, read and wonder.
• Similarities:
• Both were huge scholars: Erasmus: first Greek NT printed.
• Tyndale knew 8 languages.
• Both loved the natural power of language.
• Erasmus wrote a textbook on the fullness and ... of the English language: Decopia
• Students had to write down 150 alternate ways of saying: "Your letter has delighted me very much"
  
• Why would anybody assign that?
• It was to train the students to use all the verbal muscles in order avoid any hint of flabbiness.
• You are FLABBY!
• THE WORD THAT MARKS IT ABOVE ALL ELSE: "LIKE"
• I really get bent out of shape about Christian low standards for communication. ;) My wife warns me, don't go there.
  
• Shakespeare was born out of that.
• One historian, without Erasmus, no Shakespeare.
• "Your's truly" in 150 ways, produces Shakespeare. 
• They were scholars and craftsman: Tyndale and Erasmus both were very good with language.
• Both wanted translation.
• Both wrote about Christ.
• Difference between Tyndale and Erasmus:
• Tyndale died to first laziness, and then .... non-laziness decisive in bringing about spiritual reformation.
• Luther was abomination to Erasmus.
• Tyndale loved Luther.
• The river divides.
• Erasmus to grave esteemed by Roman Catholic church
• Scholarship, craftsmanship, won't get you crucified.
• Teaching the wrong things about the gospel (or the right things) will get you crucified.
• Tyndale agreed with Luther in his book ... 100%
• Sovereign Grace.
• [a quote]
• The view of human sinfulness that Luther wrote in "Bond the the will" was echoed by Tyndale.
• Erasmus and Thomas Moore both hated William Tyndale.
• Thomas Moore wrote 3/4 of a million words attacking Tyndale.
• Erasmus and Thomas Moore operated at a high academic level that has a cleverness about them.
• When I read two works of Erasmus as a freshman in college, I heard no thunder, I was facinated by language.
• Sophomoric means fool by implication.
• Erasmus and Thomas Moore joked and bantered when Luther risked his life and nailed his 95 thesis to the door.
• To them, it was all a big game.
• Amazingly it sounds a lot like today.
• Erasmus was high-brow, layered, nuanceing.
• There are elitist, cool, avangarde, marginally evangelical school who are similar to this description of Erasmus and Moore.
• [large quote] ... as it to be dogmatic, was somehow distasteful...
• By contrast Tyndale is ferociously single-minded.
• It is ironic and sad that today, supposedly, avangarde, Christian writers, strike a cool evasive, imprecise, and call Erasmus, post-modern when it total pre-modern.
  
• It's a clever way to fool you who's roots in history aren't deep.
• Don't be duped. Be thoughtful, go deep, know your history.
• What drove Tyndale to that was total conviction of the lostness of sin.
• What made him so outrageous to Thomas Moore is about 5 words in his translation.
• We've been plucked out of Adam and grafted into Christ....
• He loved the doctrine of justification by faith.
• Don't bank on the lack of craftsmanship, lack of scholarship.
• Give yourself to think hard, but die to that as the decisive (i.e. critical) thing in spiritual reformation.
• Why was the Roman Catholic Church so furious at those who tried to put the Bible into English?
• So furious that they would burn people alive?
• In 1401, Parliament, passed something "On the Burning of Heretics" they made heresy punishable by burning. They had Bible translators in mind. 
• They said it was dangerous for translation to be done because same "sense" is lost.
• John Bale: Saw a boy of 11, as a boy of a 11, watched a burning of a young man, for posessing the Lord's Prayer in English.
• ...
  
• This is the church of Rome burning the parents alive for teaching their children the Lord's prayer in English
• Why this hostility?
• Reasons give by the church:
• English language is rude and unworthy of the exatled language of God
• ("That's Crap!" - John Piper)
• ...
  
• When one translates, error can creep in.
• Each man will become own translator.
• 
  
• 5 Words
• Elder not priest
• ...
• ...
• Tyndale could not have been aware that those words undercut the entire sacramental system.
• Priesthood, penance, and confession got undercut.
• Power of church to control was broken.
• England became a protestant country.
• What it cost Tyndale?
• He left his homeland in 1524 (12 years before death, never went home again).
• Always knowing he could be betrayed, extradited.
• He wrote:
• My pains, my poverty, my exile, out of my native country, bitter absence from friends....innumerable other hard and sharp fightings that I endure.
• Climax of sufferings
• Was guest in Netherlands and a man named Henry Philips betrayed him.
• He had weaseled his way into the trust of William Tyndale as a sort of Judas
• Went through a place where only 1 could pass.
• Officers sat at door and captured Tyndale and took him and brought him to emporer general.
• Tyndale was sent to castle prison where he eventually died after 18 months.
• One guy wrote 3 books full of Tyndale's responses and criticism
• The charge was heresy of not agreeing with [Catholic Church]
• He wrote 1 book before he died in Prison.
• Faith alone justifies before God
• This is why he died.
• This is the message every culture needs to hear.
• If we by faith are united to Christ, our sins are covered, our righteousness is provided.
• This is THE MESSAGE THE WORLD NEEDS TO HEAR.
• We only have 1 letter from him in prison.
• Address to unnamed officer in castle (full of Pathos)
• Begged for a warmer cap from his own goods for "I suffer greatly from a cold in the head"
• "a piece of cloth too to patch my leggings"
• "I have also with him leggings of thicker cloth"
• "I ask to be allowed to have a lamp for the evening"
• "But most of all, I beg and beseech the commissary that I be kindly permitted to have a Hebrew Bible"
• "If any other decision has been taken concerning me, to be carried out before Winter, I will be patient...."
• We don't know if he ever got those requests.
• We know he was condemned, stripped of priestly ordination.
• Oct 6, sent to stake and because he had held office in the church, mercifully was strangled and then burned.
• 42 years old, never married, never buried.
• End: Letter he wrote to his best friend, John Frith.
• "Your cause is Christ's gospel,  A light that must be fed with the blood of faith...if we must suffer for Christ doing we suffer patiently......therefore we ought also lay down our lives...if the pain shall be above what you can bare...pray to the father in heaven that he may ease your pain or shorten it"
• He's writing to a man who's about to be burned alive
  
• 
  
• You are the heir of an amazing legacy.
• The Bible you hold cost Tyndale his life.
• Know it, and dare I say, several hundred of you give your lives translating it.
• Wycliffe has a goal to have them all started by 2025
• Don't ever think that your hard work is the decisive key, the decisive key is the soverign grace of God.
• ...
• Don't waste your life, male or female, be like William Tyndale.

Elijah Lofgren's thoughts:
Why spend my life getting a nice house, car, entertainment, etc.
Why not live on less and be able to spend most/much of my time helping with something that matters much.
Plan/Will need to raise support or support myself, or support someone else.



Exciting opportunity.
Opportunity to partener with coventant mercies (Philly Area church ministry)

• Video notes (Africa):
• 200? people in church. 10? have their own bible.
• you find the the here whetere 100,000... ..it's really hard for them to purchase Bibles.
• Many people flocked somehwere to hear the word of God. They want to know how they can access Bibles whereby they can read the Bible for themself.
• Into one home I went and found she had a Bible and she asked me to read it.
• They cask, can we get even a small copy whereby we can read?
• We're living a hard life whereby we don't have much hope.
• Many people have been coming to me and asking for a Bible and my only answers was: Share what little Bibles you have.

Eric:
Thru covenant Mercies we can partener with Moses. Each bookmark will buy a Bible for someone on Nogonero (sp?)
    My hope is that 3000 people Nogonero could get a Bible
    Sometimes people give away Bible to friend and they get saved.
    Thank you all for considering it.
    Be back at 7:45, God Bless you All, have a great dinner.

Note: You can download the free MP3 audio of this message here: New Attitude | Liveblog

Bored with Reading the Bible?

Good books (Josh Harris)

• A Gospel Primer for Christians
• Models for you how to preach the gospel to yourself on a daily basis.
• Also justs walks through the gospel.
• A rich resource to use in your devotions
• Pierced For Our Transgressions
• In many quarters, the idea of Christ's death on the cross is under attack.

• I'm thankful for Mark Dever
• I'm thankful he came and has participated in the whole conference. He didn't just come, speak, and leave. Thank you Mark (loud clapping).
• 100 people can sign up to talk to Mark Dever, specifically if you are a skeptic.
• Or if you are having serious struggles and doubts as a Christian
• Mark is going to, today, 5-6pm. 100 people. First come, first serve.
• Don't fake being an agnostic.
• We want people who would really benefit to come.

• Say: "I AM NOT TIRED. I HAVE NOT YET BEGUN TO LISTEN TO TEACHING!"
• STand up. say: I stayed up too late, but that doesn't matter! The Word Will be Preached

• Eric Simmons is a good man
• The man has style, he drives a jeep ;)
• I was reading my journal and read where I visited a care group led by Eric Simmons, written 11 or 12 years ago: Eric is a good teacher. And it's still true today.
• I have done so little for NA.
• The only reason we were able to start again we Eric Simmons is a great leader.
• All the planning, messages...
• All led by Eric and the NA Creative Team
• Thank God for these folks.
• His love you for you, you've been encountering this in the conference.
• I've seen him live what he preaches, walk through trials, practice what he preaches in private.

ERIC SIMMONS:

• It is a joy to be with you all this week.
• My jeep has a broken gas gage so I run out of gas about 2 times a month. ;)
• I love to be with you, I love to worship with you.
• I am a sinner saved by grace.
• I really can't believe that I get to do this.
• I can't believe that I get to live my Christian walk with people like you who love the gospel and take seriously the Word of God.

• 2 Timothy 3:14-17
• My son and I usually go down to my little office and take our Bibles (my ESV, his big picture story Bible) and we begin to read (in morning).
• I'll never forget when he was getting to the end.
• He was within a few chapters of the end.
• He was so excited.
• I'll never forget that day that he was done.
• He shut it, looked up at my and said: "Dad, I'm done"
• Then he looked up at me and said: "What's next?"
• In that moment, I realized that my son had vision to read his Bible the first time, but needed his dad to give him fresh vision to continue in the study.
• When he said that I was like: "I can relate to that"
• I'd been a Christian for 17 years.
• I can easily come to the end of it and say like my son: "What's next"
• We can easily lose vision for the passion for reading and studying this Word day in and day out.
• Maybe the only vision you have for reading the Bible is that it is a Christian rule to keep.
• Maybe it's more of a duty or a delight.
• I guarantee you in the days ahead, this battle will occur: The Battle for vision to diligently study the Word of God.
• Timothy seemed to have a battle for vision to read and study the Word of God.
• 2 Timothy 3:14-17
• ...
• All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching....
• It seems as though in this passage that Timothy is battling for vision to continue to study the Scriptures.
• There were many external reasons for Timonthy to battle continuing to study.
• He was a pastor in one of the most pagan, sexually perverse cities...
• We're not sure why he needed to reminded.
• Maybe it was persecution against his teaching
• Maybe false teachers were beginning to entice Him.
• Paul, Timothy's friend in the faith, was aware of struggle.
• Paul practiced what he preached.
• He was the man that Timothy learned it from.
• Paul is penning this letter from a Roman prison, about to die, and he knows it.
• This older man, sitting in a prison, what does he say about the Scriptures?
• To give up on them? NO!
• He says, continue to study!
• Timothy's battle is our battle, we are all susceptible.
• The command of God for us today is the same it was to Timothy:
• Keep studying, keep believing the Scriptures.
• Paul gives truths that he knows in faith that will give Timothy new vision.
• 3 Reasons God gives this in this passage:
1. The Scriptures reveal Jesus Christ
• The unifying principle and purpose for this book is in v.15 "You have been acquanted with the Scriptures which are able to make you wise unto salvation."
• Wise for what? Wise for salvation.
• What does wise mean? It teaches you and instructs you for Salvation.
• Salvation means: Deliverance from bondage to sin
• What do the Scriptures do?
• They make you wise .... unto Salvation
• Central purpose of Bible: Reveal and teach salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
• Jesus said: These Scriptures testify about me.
• They testify by telling an amazing story of Salvation
• Christ was our substitute.
• We are raised to life in His resurrection.
• The Father was satisfied with Jesus' sacrifice
• And We are raised to Life...
• John Stott: "The Bible is a book of salvation. And since salvation is through Christ, the Bible focuses its attention on Christ..."
• Paul knew that he and Timothy needed a Saviour.
• And that Saviour was Jesus Christ.
• ...
  
• Timothy, don't sway to the left or right, grab hold of the gospel tightly.
• And that is the command for us today.
• Study:
• So you might behold the glorious Saviour, Jesus Christ.
• Does that excite you?
• ...
• Does it create a love...
• John Piper: I love the Bible because it gives the wisdom onto salvation....It gives me ways to see and know and love Jesus Christ
• Do you love the Bible because it provides you with inexustible way of seeing, knowing, and loving Jesus Christ.
• If you love Christ, you will love this Word.
• If don't have a vision for studying this Word, perhaps it is because you don't value Christ as much as you once did, or he's become boring.
• I've realized:
• My love for the Bible is in direct relation to my love for Jesus.
• What I love, I love to read about.
• If you love sports, I love to read about it
• Jane Austin, Politics
• WE LOVE TO READ ABOUT WHAT WE LOVE
• I love reading about me.
• I was excited about a book that came about that was about me.
• I have never devoured, retained and read, a book like that one.
• Unbelievable.
• I was excited about me and my glory, and it fed a passion to read and study diligently.
• That's called idolatry, isn't it.
• I was worshipping something, and it wasn't Jesus Christ.
• I can get very frustrated in my idolotry that these pages say and have very little worship for me.
• It's all about Jesus.
• At times because of my idolotrous heart, I can lose vision for this, because I've found value in something else.
• This Word will not submit to my idolotry.
• I've tried to make it and it won't
• But by the Lord's grace it will reveal my idolatry
• My daughter cried about reading something, cried and said: "It's so boring!"
• I said: "Daddy has said the very same thing."
• And when I say that I realize at that moment I need to repent.
• There is probably something in that moment that is clouding my vision....
• Perhaps you are valuing something other than Jesus Christ.
• And you come to His Word is boring.
• We come to this Word as sinners saved by grace.
• When we confess our idolotry, He forgives and restores us.
• The Word will become more and more precious.

2nd Reason for why we keep studying the Scriptures: The Scriptures Give Life

• v.15 "All Scripture is breathed out by God"
• It is exhaled by God himself.
• Mar