Banner of Truth 2007 -- Session #3

NOTE: THIS DOCUMENT IS IN GREAT NEED OF EDITING, BUT AT THE MOMENT I DO NOT HAVE TIME TO DO SO. I HOPE IT CAN GIVE SOME OF THE FLAVOR OF WHAT THE SESSION WAS LIKE, BUT IF THERE IS ANYTHING THAT SEEMS WRONG IT IS PROBABLY BECAUSE OF MY TYPING ABILITY RATHER THAN THE SPEAKERS ORTHODOXY.

Session 3 Derek Thomas -- “Union with Christ: The Architectonic Principle of Holiness in Calvin’s Institutes”

-decided to keep focus on Book 3 of the institutes
-particularly the part called the golden booklet of the Christian life
-read romans 6:1-14
-the lens through which we will contemplate scriptural holiness is that of Calvin
-the quote from opening of book 3 of institutes, "we must now examine this question how do we received the benefits the father has bestowed upon his son . . . Within us."
-transition from book 2's consideration of what Christ had achieved in his finished work
-how is that work applied to us
-so we can benefit from it
-by 1559 version the ordering of institutes had moved to follow pattern of book 1 god the father book 2 god the son book 3 holy spirit
-moved section on election to book 3
-and moved section on Christian living from section on church book 4 to book 3
-Calvin was not concerned in his chapter order with following a classical ordo saludis
-starts with holy spirit
-was in a context where justification by faith was being charged with producing antinomianism
-he starts with spirit because he wanted to show how justification did not hinder sanctification
-opening title "our regeneration by faith"
-but not using regeneration the same way we do
-was born again and in his view was being regenerated
-need to keep this usage of regeneration in mind
-key to understanding Calvin's view of sanctification is union with Christ
-he means by union with Christ
-a mystical union brought about by the Holy Spirit where we are brought into a spiritual union with Christ
-but also this incorporates an important concept
-that Christ and we share in a common nature
-human body and soul
-so our participation in Christ is a participation in his body and blood
-against any gnostic tendency
-after resurrection we will share glorified physical bodies
-thus the communion that results in both spiritual and physical or incarnational
-Romans 8:29 Christ is firstborn
-he serves as older brother
-or Romans 11:17 where we have been in grafted into Christ
-so we draw from the energy or vitality of Christ
-or Galatians we have put on Christ
-so from the outset of book 3 Calvin show how union with Christ is the architectonic basis for our holiness
1. Basis of our holiness
-Christ possessed a spiritual wealth and power
-and he possessed it to enrich the poor and needy
-think of high priestly prayer of John 17
-Christ sanctified himself that his people might be sanctified
-spirit sprinkles us with the holiness of Christ and makes it ours
-not just through imputation
-but he is also our sanctification
-as a result of Christ's own sanctification
-in its perfection
-we might work out that sanctification in our own lives
-in order to answer the question of how we are saved
-Calvin would say we are saved in Christ
-our holiness is his holiness first of all
-his holiness is our holiness
-think of in Christ passages like Paul's address to Corinthians
-they were in Corinth
-they were in Christ
-living in this world is living in a world of sin
-but those indwelt by the Spirit are in Christ
-spiritual union with Christ is not to be thought of apart from the incarnational union with Christ
-our sanctification works its way our in physical even bodily terms
2. Means of sanctification is the holy spirit
-how the benefits of Christ become ours is through the work of the holy spirit
-it is the holy spirit as the one who indwelt first the incarnate Christ
-same spirit in him is the spirit in us
-holy spirit is the bond that unites us to Christ
-no one knows Christ or was more intimate with Christ or had more fellowship with Christ than the holy spirit of Christ
-where is Christ now
-in heaven at the right hand of god
-so there is a mystery in how we are brought into communion with the body of Christ
-role of holy spirit brings us into fellowship with Christ in LS
-not so much Christ comes down to us in supper
-as much as spirit bringing us up to Christ
-draws our hearts and minds to him
-language of supper, "Lift up your hearts"
-lifted to fellowship with Christ
-in bread and wine
-but in reality seated with him in heaven
-right at start of book 3 Calvin reflects on how spirit comes through death and resurrection of Christ
-reflection on order this worked out in order of history
-psalm 133
-Mt. Hermon reminds us of oil poured on priest and flows over garments
-so spirit poured out
-with blessings
-spirit grafts us into the body of Christ
3. Shape of holiness
-for Calvin Romans 6 the model or template for sanctification
-should we keep sinning to have go render even greater grace
-no. Because when we receive Christ we receive him totally
-in justification, sanctification and glorification
-cannot just take the justification and keep sinning
-it violates gospel principles
-we are those who died to sin
-medicine does not foster the disease which it destroys (Calvin)
-we are people who have died to sin
-there is a definitional quality to this
-it describes who we are
-we are baptized into his death
-death to sin
-death to claims of sin
-all claims of sin have been fully met in Christ
-so sin has no claim
-so we no longer serve sin
-our self in Adam has died in union with Christ
-so that the body of sin might be destroyed
-Calvin sees that as the mass or sin
-but probably better would be the physicality of sin in our bodies
-so that in our bodies we no longer are under sin
-this work is not completed on the day on which it starts
-but is gradually progressing
-communion with the death of Christ
communion with death of Christ
-is what energies and gives strength to the commands for sanctification
-we are people who have died to all of sins demands
-it is the union with death of Christ to sin
-and raised to life with Christ
-union with Christ's death and resurrection
-means as believers we will see and experience this death to sin and resurrection to righteousness throughout our life
-to know life
-we must experience death in some sense
-modality of holiness is reckon self dead to sin and look above to where Christ is seated
-call to imitate Christ
-with recognition that there are things that we should not imitate because they are uni1que to Christ
-imitation in sense of being moved by spirit that moved Christ
-and that is a difficult path
-as we die more and more to flesh and devil
-and live more and more to Christ

Open 'all people that on earth do dwell'
Close I greet thee who my sure redeemer art.

Banner of Truth 2007 -- Session #2

NOTE: THIS DOCUMENT IS IN GREAT NEED OF EDITING, BUT AT THE MOMENT I DO NOT HAVE TIME TO DO SO. I HOPE IT CAN GIVE SOME OF THE FLAVOR OF WHAT THE SESSION WAS LIKE, BUT IF THERE IS ANYTHING THAT SEEMS WRONG IT IS PROBABLY BECAUSE OF MY TYPING ABILITY RATHER THAN THE SPEAKERS ORTHODOXY.

Before the session started it was announced that next years conference is planned to be held on May 27-29, 2008. The scheduled speakers (names may be spelled incorrectly) are Rick Phillips, David Campbell and Ian Hamilton at this point.

SINCLAIR FERGUSON -- “Our Holiness: The Father’s Purpose and the Son’s Purchase”
(This talk was originally to be done by Walter Chantry, but due to health he could not do so. Dr. Ferguson graciously agreed to do these sessions using the same scripture texts and titles selected by Walt Chantry)

11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people,
12 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and Godly lives in the present age,
13 waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,
14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.
15 Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you.
Titus 2:11-15 (ESV)

The homework is to reflect on the question of whether you had three addresses on Holiness would you have used these three themes? (see titles originally selected by Walt Chantry)

Two things strike us about holiness.
1=would you say my people's greatest need is my holiness?
-we come conscious of the fact that this is one of the areas of our greatest weakness
-but we know an excellent level of holiness is a requirement for ministry
-dominant emphasis that is required for Christian leaders is an excellent level of holiness
-so people can point to elders and say they are an example of what it means to be saved by the precious blood of Christ
-all men should see our progress (Paul's words to timothy)
-are all men seeing your progress in this?
-would the congregation You serve point to your progress?
-makes me wonder if they would even consider this important
-as we move to look a holiness
we need to remember that the imperatives of holiness are always grounded in the indicatives of the gospel on which they rest
-often in our preaching the indicatives are not strong enough to uphold the imperatives of holiness
-so the imperatives become a whip
-we constantly need to remember that these imperatives are so frequently grounded in the indicatives of the the trinity
-remember 1 peter early verses in ch 1
-woven into the NT exposition of what it means for us to be holy
-is that the self existent, three times holy, triune God has committed himself to bringing about the holiness of his own people
-fathers purpose
-sons purchase
-Spirit ministry(?)
-to be a gospel minister is to be caught up in the working of the triune God
-this is Gods will for you, even your sanctification
-our holiness has been planned in the eternal purpose of the father
-not explicit in Titus
-but implicit in speaking of the grace of God appearing
-referring to coming of Christ
-and behind that the fruit of divine plan/purpose
-he has chosen us that we might be holy
-col 2:12ff
-this is what we should look like as Calvinists
-if you don't have this you are not a Calvinist
-because all that is rooted in the eternal counsels of God
-Romans 8:28-29
-purpose that we be conformed to the son
-that is what holiness is
-we must understand that
-holiness is being like Jesus Christ,no more, no less
-possible to have all kinds of ability, acute understand, to be intellectually and affectionately thrilled by the doctrines of grace
-but if not holy no use
-God divine election grounds our holiness
-the only people who see election as a problem to holiness are those who don't believe in election
-God chosen people to be his
-and to be like himself
-even when touched by God's grace there are still things in me that make me slothful and lethargic
-but for Gods purpose there would be no hope
-God has seen his image fractured and distorted
-he is not content with this
-God dealing with Satan is merely a means to an end
-God wants his portrait back
-God is getting rid of the things in us that are not holy
-similar to sculptor removing all the stuff from a block of marble that isn't what the carving is
-nothing can stand in the way of what God is doing (see romans 8:28ff)
-if God is for us we know the good he has purposed to do will prevail
-he is getting everything in the entire universe that is against displaying his glory
-he is de-constructing us
-as he crafts us to be more and more like Christ Jesus
-triune God is devoted to us being conformed to the image of the son
-cause of wonder humility and worship
-that he might take me to conform me to the son
-it is all purchased by the work of the son
-but his work goes beyond this
-important to remember that holiness was purchased for us by the son
-the very essence of Christ's work so he could destroy death and sanctify (Hebrews 2)
-holiness is as much part of the purchase of Christ as any other part of salvation
-we can get so focused on the pardon purchased
-that we lose sight of fact he purchased our holiness
-there are no blessings that come to us in any other way than through his death and resurrection
-we have nothing that Christ has not purchased for us
-reason is obvious
-that Christ died according to the scriptures for our sins
-in scriptures sin is a multifaceted reality
-OT rich in its vocabulary of sin
-so we can see the many aspects of sin
-the difficult part of our sanctification is that as the Spirit works he starts to pull the weave of our life apart
-so we see how sin is interwoven in all the parts of who we are
-if we are going to be saved by his blood
-then he must through his blood deal with all these different aspects
-to deal with sin completely
-so he must through his death doing so also to bring holiness
-we need to point them to all this
-price paid not just for forgiveness but for everything that gets int he ways of their holiness
-five or six things that Jesus purchases release from sin and all its area
1. Propitiation-the redemption that answers to the wrath of God
-doesn't that just deal with justification
-yes it deals with justification
-but also our holiness
-for as long as we are under the wrath of God
-or even feel under wrath of God
-enervated from all movement to holiness
-not possible for one who feels under wrath of God cannot be motivated to holiness
-when we know we are justified
-then we know we can stand before him with the identical confidence of Christ
-because we stand with righteousness of Christ
-the propitiation so delivers me to the assurance of the righteousness that is mine in Christ that I need no longer despair or be crushed by Satan when he drives me to despair
2expiration of our defilement
-our consciences are cleansed by work of Christ
-that sins washed away
-heart washed clean
-we often miss that our sins are washed away
-but our consciences are also cleansed
-my conscience is cleansed from dead works
-and set free from condemnation that paralyzes holiness
3. Our holiness is effected at the purchase price of the blood of Christ because in shedding his blood Christ died to sin Romans 6:10
-he died to sin
-seems to be different from saying he died for sin
-purpose there in romans is to explain what it means to be baptized Christian
-believer is someone who died tor reign of sin
-not under dominion of sin
-it has no claim on us
-our death to sin is grounded in Christ's death to sin
-can't conceivable mean we died for sin in propitiatory or expiatory way
-so when he says Christ died to sin
-it means at the very least that in his death Jesus in his humanity came under the reign of sin when he died for it
-so he not only purchased pardon and reconciliation
-he also purchased in his death that freedom from the dominion of sin that makes it possible for the believes once free from sin to live for God
-in some way Jesus purchased death to sin for those who are his
two main problems are convincing those under sin that they are under sin, and convincing those dead to sin they are no longer under power of sin
4. To free us from the bondage of Satan
-some of our great Christian hymns of easter catch this theme
-that Jesus entered into enemy territory
-Hebrews 2 to destroy the one who has power of death
-apart from redemptive work of Christ men and women are lifelong slaves to fear of death
-see it in all types of non-Christian funerals
-from the dark and dower to the ones that through false joy try to ignore
-funeral of true believers funeral
still a hope and openness in Christ to what Christ has achieved
-we don’t seem to catch this
-evangelical church is best when speaking about man
-and weakest when speaking about God and the work of the holy Spirit
-we need to grasp that Christ has crashed through the gates of death in his resurrection
-we find it difficult to speak about what it means to be raised to new life
-the shear power of the resurrection is missed
-does it really make much of a difference to my life that Christ is raised
5. He purchases for us the gift of the holy Spirit
-it is as a direct result of the work of Christ on the cross that the holy Spirit comes to us
-unless Christ goes the Spirit will not come
-but if he goes he will send him
-blood and water from Christ's side
-out of him shall flow rivers of flowing water
-Spirit that river (see earlier in john)
-acts 2
-think of peters explanation of Pentecost
-meaning of this v33 is that having been exalted at the right hand of the father he has received the promise of the holy Spirit and poured it out
-Jesus is fulfilling his promise of the upper room discourse
-that he would ask the father and he would send the Spirit
-as the Spirit has been poured out
-Peter says this is what was happening in heaven
-nations as an inheritance to Christ
-so holy Spirit poured out
-son came to father and son asked that father fulfill his promise
-so same Spirit that was on Christ
-is poured out on the people of Christ
-so they can become more like Jesus
-Jesus said when he(Spirit) comes he will take from what is mine and show it to you
6. WE ARE PURCHASED
-we are bought with a price of blood of Christ
-so glorify God in our body
-like going into store
-and see something that you need
-call over salesperson
-ask to purchase
-as about to pay they notice a note, already purchase by someone else
-and they say, you can't buy it
-that is what it is like for believers
-already purchased
-so they can be holy
-question that haunts Sinclair
-does anybody out there who watches me that there is something here that reminds me of Jesus
-that is the most important part of ministry
-not great gifts that he blesses but great likeness to Jesus

Hymns Sung:
Opening -- Rock of ages
Closing -- O for a closer walk with God

Banner of Truth 2007 -- Introduction and Session #1

NOTE: THIS DOCUMENT IS IN GREAT NEED OF EDITING, BUT AT THE MOMENT I DO NOT HAVE TIME TO DO SO. I HOPE IT CAN GIVE SOME OF THE FLAVOR OF WHAT THE SESSION WAS LIKE, BUT IF THERE IS ANYTHING THAT SEEMS WRONG IT IS PROBABLY BECAUSE OF MY TYPING ABILITY RATHER THAN THE SPEAKERS ORTHODOXY.


Today started with breakfast at Fay's Country Kitchen (at least I think that was the name). The food there was great, and the portions were large. If you are ever in Carlisle PA and looking for a good breakfast try Fay's.

After breakfast we headed out to Cumberland Valley Bibles and Books. That is a store I could spend hours in. They have an excellent selection of theological books and biographies. After more than an hour and a half and more that $100 is purchases, I and the two men traveling with me headed to Messiah College in Grantham. It is a fairly short trip, and although this was my first time driving it without someone who knew where they were going, we arrived without getting off course even once.

After registering and unpacking we went for lunch at Brothers, a restaurant fairly near the campus. By 2 we were back, and I took a while to rest and read. One has to do that when they purchase new books.

The first session started at 3:30PM and the speaker was Ben Short.

Ian Hamilton introduced him, and reminded all of us that the theme of the conference is “Holiness, Our Greatest Need”

We opened out time together singing “Hallelujah Praise Jehovah” a song I have not sung for many years, and upon singing it realized how much I missed it.

Here are the lyrics:
Hallelujah, praise Jehovah,
O my soul, Jehovah praise;
I will sing the glorious praises
Of my God through all my days.
Put no confidence in princes,
Nor for help on man depend;
He shall die, to dust returning,
And his purposes shall end.
Happy is the man that chooses
Israel’s God to be his aid;
He is blessed whose hope of blessing
On the Lord his God is stayed.
Heaven and earth the Lord created,
Seas and all that they contain;
He delivers from oppression,
Righteousness He will maintain.
Food He daily gives the hungry,
Sets the mourning prisoner free,
Raises those bowed down with anguish,
Makes the sightless eyes to see.
Well Jehovah loves the righteous,
And the stranger He befriends,
Helps the fatherless and the widow,
Judgment on the wicked sends.
Hallelujah, praise Jehovah,
O my soul, Jehovah praise;
I will sing the glorious praises
Of my God through all my days.
Over all God reigns forever,
Through all ages He is King;
Unto Him, thy God, O Zion,
Joyful hallelujahs sing.
You can find the tune at http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/h/p/hpraisj1.htm

Then following prayer we read Philippians 1. The text that was being considered was Philippians 1:21, “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” The title of the talk was, “Antidote to Discouragement”

The message opened looking at the reality of discouragement in pastoral ministry. There is much to discourage us.

First we have the society around us. It is filled with things that are manifestations of sin. Things like individualism, subjectivism, anti-authoritarian mind sets, post modernism and more.

But it is not as is the church is immune to this. It can also be seen among people of the church, and its influence felt everywhere. It effects how people hear/listen, so we often wonder do they really hear at all. We have backsliding individuals who seem to loose all hunger for word of God and whose hearts harden. Not to mention all the other things.

With discouragement comes grave dangers. If it is not faced it can lead to depression, heartless labor, professionalism, lax sermon preparation, lack of prayer, jealousness of others and even regarding the congregation one serves as an enemy.

Paul himself knew of discouragement. What we find today is not anything new because the heart of man does not change. They faced much the the same thing then. Paul faced attacks from the devil, moral failures in churches, theological failures in churches, and twisting of the gospel in churches. There was also the hatred and animosity of the world both Jews and Gentiles. He was whipped, beaten, imprisoned and more. He faced the dangers of natural events in storms, ship wrecks, and more. There were Dangers from from false brothers, weariness, hunger, cold, nakedness, and the list goes on.

Would that not overwhelm any man? We don't usually face that today, but in his life Paul faced possibility of death every day. But, he was prepared to die for Christ. Paul said, "I die daily for Christ" (1 Cor 15:31)

We see it here in Philippians. Here we find what Paul was facing, some preached Christ for good reasons but others out of animosity seeking to make things worse for Paul. This could have brought him down. But, what we find here is that it did not. Instead Paul rejoiced.

Why could Paul do this? He gives the answer. It was because Christ is preached. Christ's name is being made known in Rome, and that was what Paul cared about. He was confident that in nothing he would be shamed. Instead whatever happened, Christ would be magnified in his body. What all that tells us is that to live is Christ and to die is gain is the explanation of Paul's endurance. This was what provided what he needed to overcome the situation/circumstances he faced.

Think of Jesus words for a moment. If anyone would come after me, he must take up his cross and follow me he who lose life will save it"
-this is what lay behind Paul's words
-Christ was everything to Paul
-all his thought life was affected
-new aims,goals,heart
-when a man is confronted by Christ
-everything changes
-if we say we are Christ's and that has not changed us
-not marked us off from the world
-something is wrong
-Paul could call people to follow his example
-but there is a demand that we be examples as believers
-especially as elder sand pastors
-to live is Christ
-to deny self because of Christ
-can I say that
-could I say that to the congregation I serve
-would they believe it
-would they think it was more than pious words
-Christ is our example of this
-his food was to follow Father
-to do works of father
-speak words of father
--he was not doing his own thing
-he took up his cross
-Christ was Paul's example
-he was bondslave of Jesus Christ
-lived and breathed Christ centeredness
-what does this mean
-his burning desire was have Christ glorified in his body
-in all he does
-Christ in him kept him going
-to rejoice and endure because of Christ
-to preach the foolish gospel of Christ crucified
-focus on Christ was above all

-to live is Christ means he belongs to Christ
-so his life lived in his body
-belongs to Christ
-his response on the Damascus road was "what do you want me to do?"
-he abandoned himself to and for Christ
-always serving Christ
-suffering for Christ
-sharing in the fellowship of Christ's sufferings
-put glory in all he did and suffered for Christ
-we will be put to the test
-it is the proof of our boast in how we react to our suffering
-it is not a response of easy living
-not the ease of our family
-are we willing to forgo our advancement for Christ
-are we willing to say, whatever you want me to do I will do
-whatever I have to give up for you I will give up
-where ever you want me to go I will go
-to live is Christ means we do not belong to this world
-no longer part of its thinking, living, acting
-all parts of life included
-this should be an antidote to discouagement
-because when people speak evil of us
-to live is Christ
-when I get jealous
-to live is Christ
-when people don't listen
to live is Christ
-when church politics attack and hurt
-to live Gilchrist
-we are not doing all we do for ourselves
-but for Christ
-Paul's motive was his obsession with Christ
-Paul loved Christ
-more than just duty
-duty will wear thin
-but love is firmer and stronger than duty
-this is mutual
-we love him because he first loved us
-Christ loves you
-can you think of any reason why
-considering that
-will move us to further love him
-because he first loved us
-so we can rejoice in being worthy to suffer for his name
-doing it because you love Christ
-keep sights upon him
-let for me to live is Christ undergird and motivate all your labors
-but Paul does not stop there
-to die is gain
-seems crazy
-dying is gain!
-how can that be
-this also is a powerful antidote to discouragement
-his vision was not limited to the present
-to what he could see and feel
-looking beyond circumstances to eternity
-pressed on toward the goal
-of the upward call of God
-because that is where his life was
-to live is fruitful labor
-but to die is to be with Christ
-for a Christ obsessed man like Paul
-dying is gain
-to die is to have glory revealed in us
-what it is about this life that makes dying preferable
-what is gain for us who believe in Jesus
1-we shall see him face to face
-what we dimly see now in mirror of scripture
-will be completely clear
-we will behold him as he is
-the same Jesus who walked this earth, died on the cross facing our punishment, laid in tomb, and rose on the third day, ascended to heave
-we will see him as he is
-even not seeing him we love him
-shown him
-come to know him in the written word
-but we will see him face to face
-we will see the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ
-all his perfections
-mercy, justice, grace,righteousness, splendor, and all the rest
-is it any wonder that Paul said death gain
-surely that should encourage
-3-we shall be like him
-god's redemptive purpose will be fulfilled
-the purpose of the restoration of all creation
-of humanity back to complete image bearers of Christ
-JOhn17 Jesus gave glory father gave him to his followers
-we shall be like him in glory
-the radience of his glory will shine out from us
-restored in the image of god in a fuller, richer,more wonderful way than Adam ever was
-not more sin in us
4wewill be holy as he is holy
-that is the desire/command of god
-we will be what god chose us to be
-we know so little of holiness now
-we struggle with sin
-sin is so much with us
-so much a part of us
-word we speak
-actions we do
-thoughts we think
-we battle sin all the time
-but then we WILL BE HOLY
-and pure
-like Jesus
-no more unholy thoughts, desires, speech, remorse shame guilt at giving in to sin
-sin will be impossible for us
-we will have no desire to sin
-or love of sin
-we will live and breath and move to God with all our being
-to died is gain
-and glory will be revealed in us that will make all the sufferings of this life like nothing
-death is not the end
-it is the entrance into the fullness of life
' into Christlikeness
-into real life
-our failings are real
-Paul failed
-hardships are real
-Satan's attacks are reality
-there are times we are tempted to despair
-the antidote is to live in Christ
-and look to the glory that is to come
-as long as we are here we will keep laboring for Christ
-that in our bodies he might be glorified
-so keep going
do it for Christ
-not reputation
-not for advancement
-not for comfort
-but all for Christ who loved you
-that will keep you from discouragement
443 Faith of Our Fathers

Arrived In Carlisle

Today we left for the Banner at 6:30am. We had a good and uneventful trip from Exeter to Woodstock where we met up with the rest of the group we were traveling with.

By a little after 8:00AM we were on our way. Unlike last year we had no problems at the border--Oh the blessing of not having anyone who has immigration problems. Travel went well, and other than a couple of stops for breaks we went straight through to Savona where we ate at Mom's Savona Diner. This is where we traditionally stop every year to enjoy a Philly Cheese Steak. Once again the food was quite good.

Following Lunch, we continued our travel. We made very good time, and did not have to stop for gas until we were within an hour and a half from Carlisle. We could have gone further, but I didn't want to get too low on gas only to discover no gas stations are within driving distance. I was quite pleased 700+ Km on one tank of gas, and I could have went further. I guess the tune-up I gave the van this winter was well worth it as we did not get this far on a full tank last year.

We arrived at the motel in Carlisle a little before 5:30PM. Not bad travel time at all.

Tonight we are heading out for supper, but I am not sure where. Another Banner attendee who we ran into in the foyer of the motel told us we should trust him to find a good place to eat.

I wonder how Annette and Justin are doing. I particularly wonder how bed time will work as he won't be able to have his normal evening routine where he says nite, nite to his dad.

The motel has WiFi for $2.99, and I am considering getting it so I can call Annette using Skype.

One Day Before We Leave

The time is counting down. One more day and we will be leaving for the Banner of Truth minister's Conference. I am looking forward to this a great deal. I find I am very drained spiritually, and my hope is that God will use this time to encourage me and build me up in the faith so that I can return strengthened and able to minister as I should.

If you desire to go, I believe that it would still be possible to do so. Check out the Banner of Truth page.

Six Days To Go

Six more days to the Banner of Truth Ministers Conference. I am very much looking forward to it as I feel very battered and drained in the ministry I have. If you have never went and you are a reformed pastor, and elder, or a student training for pastoral ministry, please consider going. It is a wonderful time of fellowship, mutual encouragement, and being ministered to by the preaching of the Word of God.

Submit To All Human Institutions -- 1 Peter 2:13-17

Here is the sermon preached at our evening service of Sunday May 13, 2007.

Submit To All Human Institutions -- 1 Peter 2:13-17

Helpful Advice for Men

Brakes are DONE!!!

I finally got the brakes done on my Sunrunner. I decided to give up on putting a useful fitting on the line I had bent up as I could not get the flare correct when I was practicing on some extra brake line. I decided to go and check at Napa to see if their fittings were threaded all the way to the end. Sure enough they are, so I grabbed a line there and bent it up. Thirty minutes of work or so, and the Sunrunner is working again. I still will need to bleed the brakes another time, but they work!!!

Now all that is left is getting the Mazda to run smoothly, and some work on the van (door pins, blower regulator [I only have high on the heat/AC blower], oil change). I will probably will do the van first as it is the more needed vehicle, although when I am at the Banner if we take the van, Annette will need something to drive that the car seat can go in.

Car Repairs

one of the down sides of cars and truchs is that they need constant maintainence. Lately that has been especially true for us. Our van needed a new rear door handle. Thankfully I found one on E-bay for a great price. That, however is not where things end. The front doors of the van need new pins as the current ones are wornout. The car is not running right either. I just did the plugs, cap and rotor on her, but she is running very rough so I need to fix that, not to mention that the alternator is showing signs of seizing up as well.

Lastly, the sunrunner which runs fine is still in the process of having the brakelines replaced. I got stuck at a point and have not been able to get any further. While it is great to find I can do my own work on them, it would be nice to get back to regular maintenance again.

Tom Short

I don't know Tom Short, but while I was over at the Campus Preacher blog I saw a link to this video. Lately, I have been encountering more and more people who are preaching not only in the confines of a church building, but out on the street, or in this case, the campuses of this world. I have been wondering how to go about this. I have problems with the general, stereotypical street preacher that is portrayed in television, especially those news clips that I sometimes shown. You know the type who are screaming at the top of their lungs that people are going to hell. My problem is that while it is true that those outside of Christ are going to hell, that presentation is not turning people off with the gospel message, but with how it is presented. What I like about this video is that Tom Short is not one of those stereotypes. I would very much like to see a video that shows something like this from coming to the location, to actually starting to preach, and all the rest.



Check it out.



&lt;object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/RbOlgOcz_qI"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"&gt;</param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/RbOlgOcz_qI" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"&gt;</embed></object>

Sanctified as Christ's Bride -- Sesson #3

I don't really have time to clean-up and expand my point form notes on the various sessions of the 10th Annual Cambridge Reformed Bible Conference, but I will post my note none the less. If there are any mistakes, bad theology, or typos. Or, if you cannot make head nor tails of what is here, again fault my typing and transcription failings, not necessarily the speaker. With that said, here are my notes, such as they are, for the third session.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Ephes. 5:25-33 (ESV) Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, [26] that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, [27] so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. [28] In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. [29] For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, [30] because we are members of his body. [31] "Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh." [32] This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. [33] However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.

-mentioned book “It Takes a Village”

-wished someone would write a book called “It takes a Church”

-it is imperitive that we have a view of Biblical High churchmanship

-the church is the place of the finger prints of God

-there is God and he will be I guide

-the church bears the fingerprints of the living God

-our standard rule of faith

-is the Bible as the word of God

-Biblical High churchmanship is vital to our sanctification

-against the individualism of America (Canada)

-but also because of the challenge of post-modernism

-atoms of information

-used by people/structures/institution to impose on others

-if our churches impose our views, structures, etc on others

-it should be distrusted !

1)Over arching principle

Our sanctification at best will be severely retarded/held back/warped if we do not see our holiness as both developed by and contributing to the holiness of Christ's body, the church.

2)Biblical proof

General statements

Ephes. 3:14-19 (ESV) For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, [15] from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, [16] that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, [17] so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, [18] may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, [19] and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

-to comprehend the love of Christ

-by which we are sanctified

-through which we are filled with the fullness of God

-we must be in the communion of the saints

-to the extent that we do not have this

-with many saints

-there will be a truncation of our sanctification

Ephes. 4:7-16 (ESV) But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ's gift. [8] Therefore it says,

"When he ascended on high he led a host of captives,

and he gave gifts to men."

[9] ( In saying, "He ascended," what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower parts of the earth? [10] He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.) [11] And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, [12] to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, [13] until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, [14] so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. [15] Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, [16] from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.

-it takes a church

-not just pastors

-it takes every part serving

-if not it will only work to the retarding of the growth of the church

Ephes. 5:25-33 (ESV) Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, [26] that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, [27] so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. [28] In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. [29] For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, [30] because we are members of his body. [31] "Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh." [32] This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. [33] However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.

-specific texts

-the one another texts

-can't one another if you are only one

-show our sanctification is vitally connected to meaningful, active communion in the church

Romans 15:14 (ESV) I myself am satisfied about you, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able to instruct one another.

1 Cor. 12:25-27 (ESV) that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. [26] If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together. [27] Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.

Ephes. 5:18-21 (ESV) And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, [19] addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with all your heart, [20] giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, [21] submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

-filled with Spirit through these things

1 Thes. 3:12-13 (ESV) and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you, [13] so that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.

Hebrews 3:12-14 (ESV) Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. [13] But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called "today," that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. [14] For we share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end.

-those who want to be holy apart from the church

-are walking on the thin ice of unbelief

-and having a hardened heart

Hebrews 10:23 (ESV) Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.

Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV) And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, [25] not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

1 John 1:7-9 (ESV) But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. [8] If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. [9] If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

1 John 4:7-12 (ESV) Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. [8] Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. [9] In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. [10] In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. [11] Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. [12] No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.

-our giving ourselves to one another

-is one of the main conduits by which Christ gives his sanctifying grace and love to us

3)Practical out workings

-in week to week church life

-being sanctified in community

-means having a high view of the sabbath

-the new heavens and new earth are portrayed as a sabbath

-remember the sabbath day to keep it holy

-one day a week our minds, hearts, wills rooted in keeping this time separate to the Lord

-cannot but help us be holy other days of the week

Exodus 31:13-17 (ESV) "You are to speak to the people of Israel and say, 'Above all you shall keep my Sabbaths, for this is a sign between me and you throughout your generations, that you may know that I, the Lord, sanctify you.

-what an amazing statement

-sabbath a sign that the Lord is the one who makes us holy

-we need that every week as the bride of Christ

-second outworking our worship and the means of grace

-Acts 2:42 (ESV) And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.

-especially on the Lord's day

-fellowship with Christ when fellowship with his people

-all this assumes corporate life

Titus 2:1-15 (ESV) But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine. [2] Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness. [3] Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, [4] and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, [5] to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled. [6] Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled. [7] Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, [8] and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us. [9] Slaves are to be submissive to their own masters in everything; they are to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, [10] not pilfering, f but showing all good faith, so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior. [11] For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, [12] training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, [13] waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, [14] who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. [15] Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you.

-sound churches have a culture of grace

-modeling it to a world falling apart

-church to be an enclave of what is right

-in a barbaric world

4)Dangers

a)Danger of becoming ingrown!

-a church culture

-rather than being a people of genuine, radical, committed Christianity

-solution:

-real evangelism

-by our lives adorning the gospel

-having new people brought to living faith by new birth

-story of young woman who came as an unbeliever to the congregation he serves

-and wept through series on Ruth

-and was used by God to break that church out of its ingrown culture

-new believers will stretch church

-just as child will stretch parents :)

-opening whole new areas of sanctification

-so pray God will bring new people into church

-from outside of our community

Rev. 2:1-7 (ESV) "To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: 'The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands. [2] " 'I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. [3] I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name's sake, and you have not grown weary. [4] But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. [5] Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. [6] Yet this you have: you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. [7] He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.'

-being ingrown is to have forgotten our first love—Jesus Christ

-if we lose our first love not only in great danger of retarding our sanctification

-but we are in great danger of losing our churches

b)?

Sanctified as God's Children -- Session #2

I don't really have time to clean-up and expand my point form notes on the various sessions of the 10th Annual Cambridge Reformed Bible Conference, but I will post my note none the less. If there are any mistakes, bad theology, or typos. Or, if you cannot make head nor tails of what is here, again fault my typing and transcription failings, not necessarily the speaker. With that said, here are my notes, such as they are, for the second session.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Opened with 1 Peter 1:1-2:3

Reviewed previous lecture

2 Cor. 5:14-15 (ESV) For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; [15] and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.

-could be said to be theme verses for this series of talks

-dangerous ways to seek to be Holy are any way that tries to do it on ones own

-by ones own strength

-so what are the means of our sanctification?

-what are the things God uses to sanctify us

-simple answer is, “Everything”

-Jesus sanctifies you

-and all things are under his authority

-his will is our sanctification

-so everything in this world is used to sanctify us

-but there are specific means that are especially used by God to sanctify us

-today deal with the individual aspects of sanctification

-”Be Holy, For I am holy” is challenge to each and every believer

-individuals must be holy is corporate body is to be holy

-but individuals cannot be holy outside of body

1. Concept that will tie together everything.

The healthiest way to think about sanctification as individuals is by constantly reminding yourself that we are being made holy as children of God.

-adoption is in a real sense the flip side of justification

-the judge declares you righteous through faith alone, in Christ alone

-Not Guilty!

-and the father takes those pardoned criminals and takes them into his home and adopts them as his own – ADOPTION

Ephes. 1:5-8 (ESV) he predestined us for adoption through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, [6] to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. [7] In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, [8] which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight

John 1:12-13 (ESV) But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God. [13] who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

-as children of God

-we are totally dependent on God

-just as a baby is completely dependent on its parents

-child has nothing to offer

-child lovingly, trustingly, dependently rest on the good of your Father in heaven

2. Biblical proof showing the truth that will sanctify.

-proof of this in Scripture

2 Cor. 6:11-7:1 (ESV) We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians; our heart is wide open. [12] You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted in your own affections. [13] In return (I speak as to children) widen your hearts also. [14] Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? [15] What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? [16] What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said,

"I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them,

and I will be their God,

and they shall be my people. [17]

Therefore go out from their midst,

and be separate from them, says the Lord,

and touch no unclean thing;

then I will welcome you, [18]

and I will be a father to you,

and you shall be sons and daughters to me,

says the Lord Almighty."

[7:1] Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.

-the question is who do you want

-what do you want

-the passing things this world offers

-or God himself

-when one leaves the things of this world

-they are received, welcomed by God

-as a child

1 Peter 1:13-19 (ESV) Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. [14] As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, [15] but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, [16] since it is written, "You shall be holy, for I am holy." [17] And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one's deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, [18] knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, [19] but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.

1 Peter 1:23 (ESV) since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God;

1 Peter 2:1-3 (ESV) So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. [2] Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up to salvation— [3] if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.

-notice the children language

-and its connection to holiness

Ephes. 5:1 (ESV) Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.

-can I say that I am a beloved child of God

-especially in light of the sin I keep falling into

-but here “beloved children”

-more grieved when children think they don't have to

-or shouldn't come to ask forgiveness

-than when they come asking for forgiveness

Philip. 2:12-16 (ESV) Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, [13] for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. [14] Do all things without grumbling or questioning, [15] that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, [16] holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.

-that we might shine as the children of God we are

3. The practical outworking of this process.

-ASIDE – those who have no father (single parent or divorced)

-have undue attaction to the things of the world

-like lost of centre of gravity

-Shishco tells them to regard him as their parents in the Lord

-even to point of meeting those who want to date them

-/ASIDE

-practical outworking

a) Sactification takes place in a home not a court room

-don't live in a court room for our sanctification

-so wrong to take approach of Lord I have sinned and your are going to punish me

-one way or another

-verdict has been given in the courtroom in Christ

-now you are in a home if you believe

-if a stranger throws a brick through your window

-you call the police to deal with it

-but if your son throws a brick through your window

-you don't call the police

-you call your son into the house and deal with it as a parent

-because he is your son

-it might hurt more than what the police will do to the stranger

-but it will be as a child to bring him to be formed into a better person

Psalm 103:13-14 (ESV)

As a father shows compassion to his children,

so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him. [14]

For he knows our frame;

he remembers that we are dust.

-God treats us not as strangers

-but as his children

-and he knows our weakness

-and what we really need

-in a home as a Father

-not in the courtroom as a judge

-God never judges his children

-Romans 8:1 (ESV) There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

b) Involves discipline not judgement

Hebrews 12:5-11 (ESV) And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons?

"My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord,

nor be weary when reproved by him. [6]

For the Lord disciplines the one he loves,

and chastises every son whom he receives."

[7] It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? [8] If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. [9] Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? [10] For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. [11] For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

-sanctification includes discipline

-discipline is to make disciples

-law in that setting becomes the house rules for those in Christ

100. Sanctification will bring the experience of our Father's displeasure but not his wrath

Romans 7:15-25 (ESV) I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. [16] Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. [17] So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. [18] For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. [19] For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. [20] Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. [21] So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. [22] For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, [23] but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. [24] Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? [25] Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.

-fatherly displeasure

-but will not abandon love to them

-or wrath of judgment

500. Sanctification is with your elder Brother as your model

-you are not alone in this

-Jesus is your elder brother

-it is to his image that you are being conformed to

Romans 8:29 (ESV) For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.

Hebrews 2:10-11 (ESV) For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering. [11] For he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one origin. That is why he is not ashamed to call them brothers,

-Jesus not ashamed to call you his brother

Hebrews 2:12-13 (ESV) saying,

"I will tell of your name to my brothers;

in the midst of the congregation I will sing your praise."

-he does it in the church

-in the midst of worship of the people of God

-praising God with God's people

[13] And again,

"I will put my trust in him."

And again,

"Behold, I and the children God has given me."

-all is in context of worship

-and assembly on the Lord's day

-Jesus and the children with him

Hebrews 2:14-18 (ESV) Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, [15] and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. [16] For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham. [17] Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. [18] For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

-like an older brother

-he helps those who are struggling

-takes them aside and tells them he knows what they are struggling with

-and helps you and I in it

-with him as our elder brother we are not alone

-sanctification begins in our homes in repentence, asking for forgiveness for specific sins, and giving it.

-parents, have you ever asked your children to forgive you for something

-if not, how do you ever expect them to realize they are sinners who need forgiveness

-it is the constant asking of forgiveness and the giving of forgiveness is the nursery of sanctification

-this is where sanctification practically starts in our homes

-patterned in what we do before God

-forgiveness is a promise to not bring this up with others, against the person forgiven, or to God

-by the grace of God

-God is not there to condemn you if you are a believer

-if you don't realize that

-you probably don't know Christ

-and better check to see if you are in the faith

4. Dangers in these individual aspects of sanctification. For even the right things can be made dangerous.

-danger of substituting individualism in our sanctification for individual responsibility in our sanctification

-mean meet people who say only need Jesus, bible and journal

-don't think they need church

-just Jesus and me

-that is found no place in the word of God

-sanctification is not an individual enterprise

-we can be very holy when we are all alone

-until phone rings, or children start screaming at us

-that is when holiness becomes hard

-inherent in sanctification is the church

-do you love Jesus above all else?

-Paul – If anyone does not love the Lord Jesus let him be accursed

1 John 3:1-3 (ESV) See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. [2] Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we will be like him, because we shall see him as he is. [3] And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.

-do you see yourselves as children of God

-royal manners for royal children (supposedly from queen to he children)

Dangerous Ways of Trying to be Holy -- Session #1

I don't really have time to clean-up and expand my point form notes on the various sessions of the 10th Annual Cambridge Reformed Bible Conference, but I will post my note none the less. If there are any mistakes, bad theology, or typos. Or, if you cannot make head nor tails of what is here, again fault my typing and transcription failings, not necessarily the speaker. With that said, here are my notes, such as they are, for the first session.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Read: Gal 3:1-14; 2 Cor 5:14-15

-in OT the word for holy or holiness is qadosh

-discussion about what the root means

-some say “to shine”

-others “to be separate”

-from certain things and to God

-to be separate from what is unholy and separated to God with the goal of our shining

Exo 19:6 and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. These are the words that you shall speak to the people of Israel."

-after people separated from other people

-taken out of Egypt

-told that they were to be a distinct, separate people

-who could shine light of God in their midst

lev 11:[44] For I am the Lord your God. Consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy, for I am holy. You shall not defile yourselves with any swarming thing that crawls on the ground.

-set apart

-to be holy for this reason, because God is holy

-we are people of God

-while by nature were were children of wrath like the rest

-god called us out from the whole to be like him

-not to be conformed to the world

-see 1 Peter 1-2

-law cannot make people holy

-because of the weakness of fallen flesh

-prophets however spoke of a new age

-when Messiah would come

-and make all things new

-Eze 36 [22] "Therefore say to the house of Israel, Thus says the Lord God: It is not for your sake, O house of Israel, that I am about to act, but for the sake of my holy name, which you have profaned among the nations to which you came. [23] And I will vindicate the holiness of my great name, which has been profaned among the nations, and which you have profaned among them. And the nations will know that I am the Lord, declares the Lord God, when through you I vindicate my holiness before their eyes. [24] I will take you from the nations and gather you from all the countries and bring you into your own land. [25] I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. [26] And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. [27] And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules. [28] You shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers, and you shall be my people, and I will be your God.

-God does this for his name sake

-his sanctifying

-cleansing

-setting apart

Matt 1 [21] She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins."

-Jesus is the only one who can sanctify a person

-came to save his people from their sins

Rom 6 [6:1] What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? [2] By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? [3] Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? [4] We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. [5] For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. [6] We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin.

-there is a definitive time when each Christian died to sin

-old self crucified with Christ

-so that rising with Christ we might walk in newness of life

-and no longer slaves to sin

-living in sin is contrary to our new nature

Rom 8 [29] For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. [30] And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.

-goal of predestination

-to be conformed to image of his Son

2 thes 2 [13] But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the first fruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth. [14] To this he called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Thes 5 [23] Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

-any view of Christianity that does not have a well developed view of holiness does dispite to God and what he has done

-source of sanctification

-the gospel

-the good news

-the source of our sanctification is the love of God in Jesus Christ

-O the Deep Deep Love of Jesus . . . (Hymn)

-in sanctification section of Trinity Hymnal

(another sanctification hymn “love divine all loves excelling”

-how does it come

-God from the foundation of the world

chooses men/women/boys/girls to be his

-in love

-designed to make us like Christ

-to be conformed to his image

-to say a person can be a Christian and not be holy

-flies in the face of the calling of God

-and its goal

-God gives a new heart

-given from Christ

-God's own heart

-so it is a heart that hungers and thirst and beats and throbs for what God is

-has righteousness of Christ

-so no condemnation

-and hunger for holiness

-the gospel is the root of all sanctification

-must be a genuine Christian

-or cannot take one baby step in the work of sanctification

-witness Nicodemus (John 3)

-religious leader

-Jesus tells him, “You must be born again”

-sovereign work of God

-what are the means of sanctification

-deal with more tomorrow morning

-the means God uses is a faith that works

-phil 2:12-13 [12] Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, [13] for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

2 aspects of sanctification

-one is definitive

-have died with Christ

-other is progressive

-2 cor 7:1 [7:1] Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.

-growing in grace

-how to put all this together

-think of sanctification as a change of kingdoms

-God translated us from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of his own beloved son in whom we have redemption the forgiveness of sins (Don't know scripture pass.)

-removed from dominating power of world, flesh, devil

-to where reigning power is Christ

-but old kingdom still has a lot of influence

-still some terrorist attacks

-dangerous ways of sanctification

-ways that become substitutes for sanctification

1. Moralism

-trying to be holy outside of Christ

-putting makeup on cancer

-how does it influence us?

-as our culture moves further from anything remotely like Christianity

-but Mormons, Muslims, and others are with us in moral area

-before you know it Rush Limbaughs are not far from the kingdom of heaven

-not because of faith

-but because of their moral standards

-John 15, without Christ we can do nothing

-the most moral, upright citizen

-voting, thinking, protesting the same thing we do

-if outside of Christ

-there is no comparison in terms of Holiness

2. Legalism

   -trying to be sanctified by laws or the law in themselves

   -if i just meditate on the Ten Commandment I will be more holy

   -if I just pay attention to the laws of Old Testament I will be more holy

-this is like playing with a sharp scaple

-the law by itself will not sanctify anyone

-Gal 3

-this is very attractive in lawless culture

-behind Federal Vision ideals

-want people who walk by the precepts of the Word

-if you emphasize law outside of faith in Christ

-you are not fine

-apart from Christ that cannot sanctify

3. Crisis experiences

-expereince that is meant to sanctify

-Methodism, Keswich and others

-crisis experiences are not going to sanctify you completely

-if one looks for this

-they will be very disappointed

-and will constantly be seeking these experiences

4. Spiritual breathing

   -breath in Spirit

   -breath out sin

   -preach gospel to self

-but there is a whole lot more to this than that

must have well developed view of Biblical holiness

-backdrop of all this is the battle

-the fight

-flesh lusts against Spirit and Spirit against flesh

-Rom 7, Gal 5?

-our culture doesn't like war

-tries to get out of it as soon as possible

-but only one way out of this war

-end of this life

-either death or return of Christ

-you want to be holy

-lord has enlisted you in his army

-to fight

-the love of God is behind all of this

-to fight

-can only be done if one has received the love of God (Rom 8)

Cambridge Reformed Bible Conference

Last night and today I was at the Tenth Annual Cambridge Reformed Bible Conference. This, sadly, little known conference has been going on for ten years now. It is a work put together by the collaboration of several reformed congregations in and around Cambridge Ontario. I attended two years back when they had O. Palmer Robertson speaking on Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel, and this year with Rev. William Shishko. As far as I know this conference happens every year on the last Friday and Saturday of April. This year they once again used the facilities of Calvary Pentecostal church on Hwy #24 in Cambridge.

I what unfamiliar with Rev. Shishco never having heard him before, but I was interested in the topics. Friday night he was scheduled to speak on Dangerous Ways of Trying to be Holy and today he was scheduled to speak on Sanctified as God's Children and Sanctified as Christ's Bride.

I arrived Friday night, and their was a decent crowd out including many young people. Rev. Shishko was ok, but I found him difficult to follow. This was probably due to two things. First, I was tired after a day of work, and second, apparently he arrived a little late and I would guess that hindered his preparation time.

I spent the night sleeping in the back of my van which perfectly fits a double bed mattress, so don't make the mistake of thinking it is an uncomfortable place to sleep. I actually slept through my alarm clock, but that wasn't a big problem as the conference did not start until 10AM.

The morning session was excellent. Very informative. Very convicting. Rev. Shishko proclaimed the word of God clearly.

For lunch I headed out to Applebees and had an excellent meal as I continued to think through some of what was taught that morning.

The afternoon session started at 2PM, and Rev. Shishko once again was very good as he passionately pointed out that for a Christian to grow in holiness, they need to be an active, committed, fellowshipping part of a congregation. As he said, "It takes a church to grow in sanctification."

Overall this is an excellent, all be it, not very well known conference. If you live in the Cambridge Ontario area, keep it in mind for next year. I will post a notice about it on my blog, if I remember, to remind everyone who might be interested.

Thank-you to the congregations that are part of planning this, Cambridge Orthodox Christian Reformed Church, Riverside Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church in Cambridge, Grace Covenant Church (OPC) in Sheffield, and Zion United Reformed Church in Sheffield.

All Registered for the Banner Conference

Once again this year I hope to attend the Banner of Truth Minister's conference. This is a conference I was encouraged to attend by a fellow pastor while I was training for ministry, and when I first started out pastoring the congregation I currently serve. For years I had other things I needed to use my study week for. Then about 5 years ago I had nothing I needed to use my study week for, and decided to go to the Banner. It was the best decision I have ever made. The preaching there encouraged me, exhorted me, challenged me, and by the grace of God changed me as well. It was just what I needed, and since then I have returned every year, and been as blessed each time.

Gathering with fellow Reformed ministers from various denominations, yet who all seek to serve the same Lord and Saviour, is a great blessing. Each year I get to know more people, and each year I have more people who I look forward to seeing again.

If you are a pastor or an elder who loves the doctrines of grace. Consider attending this conference. This year the speakers include:

* Sinclair Ferguson
* Derek Thomas
* Mark Johnston
* Patrick Harrison
* Ben Short
* Jonathan Watson

I have heard three of these men speak, and they have been greatly used by God to open my eyes further to his glory and grace. If you are considering going you can find more information here.

He's Alive

[John 20:1] Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. [2] So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, "They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him." [3] So Peter went out with the other disciple, and they were going toward the tomb. [4] Both of them were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. [5] And stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. [6] Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there, [7] and the face cloth, which had been on Jesus' head, not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a place by itself. [8] Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; [9] for as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead. [10] Then the disciples went back to their homes. [11] But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb. [12] And she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet. [13] They said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping?" She said to them, "They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him." [14] Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. [15] Jesus said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?" Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, "Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away." [16] Jesus said to her, "Mary." She turned and said to him in Aramaic, "Rabboni!" (which means Teacher). [17] Jesus said to her, "Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, 'I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.' " [18] Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, "I have seen the Lord"—and that he had said these things to her.

Jesus is alive! Do you believe?