March 2010 Newsletter Online

Just wanted to let everyone know that March's monthly newsletter is now available online for download. We will passing them out tomorrow in the morning service.

March 2010 Newsletter

Augustine's Pears: Lust's Lust

I am contemplated about telling the story of the great theologian's confession about when he stole some pears. Augustine account is insight, and thought simple, we can easily relate to it. Augustine recounts when he stole some pears with a group of friends and what motivated him to do it.

What fruit had I then (wretched man!) in those things, of the remembrance whereof I am now ashamed? Especially, in that theft which I loved for the theft's sake; and it too was nothing, and therefore the more miserable I, who loved it. Yet alone I had not done it: such was I then, I remember, alone I had never done it. I loved then in it also the company of the accomplices, with whom I did it? I did not then love nothing else but the theft, yea rather I did love nothing else; for that circumstance of the company was also nothing. What is, in truth? who can teach me, save He that enlighteneth my heart, and discovereth its dark corners? What is it which hath come into my mind to enquire, and discuss, and consider? For had I then loved the pears I stole, and wished to enjoy them, I might have done it alone, had the bare commission of the theft sufficed to attain my pleasure; nor needed I have inflamed the itching of my desires by the excitement of accomplices. But since my pleasure was not in those pears, it was in the offence itself, which the company of fellow-sinners occasioned.

What is interesting about this is that Augustine did not steal because he needed the pears for food, but because he wanted the excited that came with it. That is the nature of sin. It is sort of like a dog chasing his own tail. The excite is in chasing it, not actually catching it. Whenever a dog catches his tail, he is disappointed. Though he wanted that tail so badly, once he caught it, it was not what he expected it to be. Augustine felt the same way. He finally got the pears he wanted to badly, but once he got them, the thrill was gone.

Lust is very much the same way. To be consumed with lust is like Augustine and his pears or like a dog and his tail. We want pleasure, satisfaction, intimacy, or a "soul mate" so badly that when we see that person or that item or that image we think that our lives what be better. We think we will find contentment. But when we attain what we have lusted after for so long, all that happens is disappointment. All that is left to do is throw it out and chase after something else. Much like Augustine's pears.

February 21, 2010 - Matthew 5:23-26 - Resetting What Was Broken: The Necessity of Reconcilation

Sorry I'm running a little behind, I've had trouble staying connected to the Internet long enough to upload everything. Anyways, here is the audio and notes from this past Sunday's message from the Sermon on the Mount regarding reconciliation. Also, remember that the notes aren't just what I use in the morning but include notes that I take from all of the resources I use plus an entire bibliography of everything I read and listened to as I studied the text. And its all free!

Audio
Notes

Why Preach Expository?

Last month during our Men's Breakfast, we discussed expository preaching which is essentially using the biblical text, and the order in which it is presented, as the center-piece of hte sermon. This is why we have been going verse-by-verse through Matthew's Gospel and find ourselves in chapter 5.

Anyways, I came across DA Carson's defense of expository preaching. Here are his reasons why we should practice expository preaching in our churches and are among the reasons why I primarily do expository preaching each Sunday morning and Wednesday Night.

1. It is the method least likely to stray from Scripture.
2. It teaches people how to read their Bibles.
3. It gives confidence to the preacher and authorizes the sermon.
4. It meets the need for relevance without letting the clamor for relevance dictate the message.
5. It forces the preacher to handle the tough questions.
6. It allows the preacher to expound systematically the whole counsel of God.

H/T: Gospel Coalition

February 14, 2010 - Matthew 5:21-22: I am a Murderer . . . And So Are You

Here is this weeks message, both the audio and the notes. Everything is free and I pray that it leads us towards Christ and gospel living. I have really enjoyed the Sermon on the Mount and no wonder it has been a major force in Christianity since Jesus first preached it.

Audio
Notes

Not My Library . . . Yet

Here is that video I mentioned Saturday regarding the library of R. Albert Mohler, Jr., the President of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Al Mohler - Study Video from Together for the Gospel (T4G) on Vimeo.

And people think I have a lot of books!

February 7, 2010 - Matthew 5:17-20: Medium Rare is Unbiblical or What Do Christians Do with the Law

Here is this past Sunday's audio and notes on Matthew 5:17-20. Here's the description:

There are a lot of commandments in the Bible we don't obey like don't eat medium rare meat, don't shave your beard in honor of the dead, give the produce from the corners of your field to the poor, etc. As New Testament Christians who believe that all of the Bible is inspired, what do we do with such texts? Jesus tells us in Matthew 5:18-20.

Audio
Notes

January 31, 2010: Matthew 5:14-17 - Its Dark in Here: The Call to be Light of the World

Here is this weeks message audio and notes. I pray it helps as you seek to be the light of the world. Also, thanks to everyone who was able to make it out Sunday in spite of the weather. See ya next week!

Here's the description:

This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine. Hide it under a bushel? No. I'm gonna let it shine. Let it shine til Jesus comes, I'm gonna let it shine. We've sang the song our entire lives, and we encourage our kids to sing it. Yet if truth be told, we can sing it well, but we just don't live it well. Jesus has called us to be light of the world. I'm gonna let it shine.

Audio
Notes

For more:
Light of the World: Pentecost Weighs In
Matthew 4:12-25 - Follow Me: The Call to Surrender and Leave
Matthew 5:1-12 - If Your Joyful and You Know It . . .
Matthew 5:13 - Stuck Between Salt and Manure: The Call to Preserve the Gospel
In More Detail: Repost of the Beatitudes
Sermon Podcast