5:17 life

Respectable Sins

On December 5, 2009, In Uncategorized, By keiyeng

Last Sunday’s sermon application took in a list of sins taken from Jerry Bridges’ book, Respectable Sins (see a review of it here). Steve challenged us to not tolerate in our lives the sins that Jesus died for, and Bridges’ list is a list of sins that we tend to excuse more easily than others even though they’re no less sinful.

We looked at this list again at our Community Group on Thursday night which was a really fruitful exercise, not to mention humbling, encouraging, and bonding as we basically confessed our sins to each other and prayed for each other. But of course we can’t stop there – we need to fight our sin by acknowledging it, hating it, confessing it to God, and ultimately repenting of (or turning completely away from) it, and turning towards the Christlike attitudes and actions that replace it. We’re reproducing Jerry Bridges’ list below to this end.

anxieties and frustrations

discontentment

unthankfulness

pridefulness revealed specifically in self-righteousness, even in a pursuit of theological accuracy, in prideful motives behind our achievements and revealed in a spirit of independence

selfishness with our interests, time, money and inconsiderateness

lack of self-control in eating, drinking and temperament, finances, entertainment and shopping

impatience and irritability

anger, even anger towards God, and the underlying roots of anger in resentment, bitterness, enmity, hostility and holding grudges

judgmentalism and a critical spirit over differing convictions and doctrinal disagreements

envy, jealousy, competitiveness and being controlling

the sins of the tongue like gossip, slander, lying, harsh words, sarcasm, insults and ridicule

worldliness shown financially, by our idolatry and in “vicarious immorality,” that is, the enjoyment of watching or reading the sinfulness of others.

ungodliness

anxieties and frustrations

discontentment

unthankfulness

pride(fulness, revealed specifically in self-righteousness, even in a pursuit of theological accuracy, in prideful motives behind our achievements and revealed in a spirit of independence)

selfishness (with our interests, time, money and inconsiderateness)

lack of self-control (in eating, drinking and temperament, finances, entertainment and shopping)

impatience and irritability

anger (even anger towards God) and

the weeds of anger (underlying roots of anger in resentment, bitterness, enmity, hostility and holding grudges)

judgmentalism (and a critical spirit over differing convictions and doctrinal disagreements)

envy, jealousy, competitiveness and being controlling

sins of the tongue (like gossip, slander, lying, harsh words, sarcasm, insults and ridicule)

worldliness (shown financially, by our idolatry and in “vicarious immorality,” that is, the enjoyment of watching or reading the sinfulness of others)

As we tackle our ‘respectable sins’ and seek to expose them to the light, don’t forget this wonderful promise -

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9

Tagged with: 5:17 life • growing • sermons

interactive-ity

On November 7, 2009, In Uncategorized, By keiyeng

Following on from the last post and assuming a healthy readership (!), here’s an invitation to respond with more than just a number.

If you could put in a request for what you’d like to be taught about or interact with in a sermon or a seminar, what would you ask for?

Unfortunately we can’t make any promises, but it’d be great to have your input as we plan for next year…

Tagged with: 5:17 life • growing • sermons • truth

for the sake of ten righteous

On November 7, 2009, In Uncategorized, By keiyeng

Remember how God promised Abraham that He would not destroy Sodom if 10 righteous men could be found there?

I’ve been wondering how many readers this blog has – and whether for the sake of 10 righteous (?!) readers we won’t destroy it. Not that we are planning to, but sometimes we wonder who’s out there.

Will the 10 of you make yourselves known?! We’d love you to leave a comment, even anonymously, just to say you’re out there. You could even just number off 1 to 10, but if you wanted to say something more meaningful we wouldn’t object.

Tagged with: 5:17 life

Memorising the Scriptures #2

On October 28, 2009, In Uncategorized, By steve.nation

Man Uses Photographic Memory to Recite the Bible

By Jennifer Riley

Christian Post Reporter

Wed, Sep. 02 2009 01:59 PM EDT

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A man with a photographic memory has memorized most of the Bible and uses his gift to preach as a traveling evangelist.

The Jackson Sun reported that Charles Matlock, 59, is known as the “Walking Bible of West Tennessee” and can recite entire books and chapters.

Matlock said he started to memorize the Scriptures when he was 12 years old. He recalled memorizing his homework one day and thinking to himself that he could also memorize Scripture. The first passage he memorized was John 1:1-5.

But Matlock emphasized, “I want a relationship with Jesus more than just reading and memorizing verses.”

The “Walking Bible” has spent the last four decades traveling, mostly in southern United States, to preach in churches, nursing homes and on the streets.

“He could’ve made a lot more money in his life doing something else with his talents,” commented Jim Essary, owner of a car dealership whom Matlock has visited and prayed for several times, to the Jackson Sun. “He’s very humble and survives off of the donations people give him. I’m very impressed with his knowledge of the Bible. He’s got a good spirit. It makes you feel good when he’s around.”

Source: http://www.christianpost.com/article/20090902/man-uses-photographic-memory-to-preach-the-bible/index.html

Accessed: 070909Man Uses Photographic Memory to Recite the Bible

Last month I cam across the following article in the Christian Post: “Man Uses Photographic Memory to Recite the Bible”. It fits in with our Scripture memorisation plans:

The Jackson Sun reported that Charles Matlock, 59, is known as the “Walking Bible of West Tennessee” and can recite entire books and chapters.

Matlock said he started to memorize the Scriptures when he was 12 years old. He recalled memorizing his homework one day and thinking to himself that he could also memorize Scripture. The first passage he memorized was John 1:1-5. But Matlock emphasized, “I want a relationship with Jesus more than just reading and memorizing verses.”

The “Walking Bible” has spent the last four decades traveling, mostly in southern United States, to preach in churches, nursing homes and on the streets.

“He could’ve made a lot more money in his life doing something else with his talents,” commented Jim Essary, owner of a car dealership whom Matlock has visited and prayed for several times, to the Jackson Sun. “He’s very humble and survives off of the donations people give him. I’m very impressed with his knowledge of the Bible. He’s got a good spirit. It makes you feel good when he’s around.”

This is maybe something we can aim for

Tagged with: 5:17 life

Principles for memorising Scripture

On October 28, 2009, In Uncategorized, By steve.nation

In last Sunday’s sermon on Ephesians 6:10-20, apart from other things, we looked at the sword of the Spirit – which is the Word of God. We found that the only weapon we have in the battle against Satan and his schemes is the Word of God. Jesus has won the victory over evil, sin, death and hell. And we need to actively live out this victory. We do this by wielding the weapon of God’s Word. One of the ways we do this is by memorising Scripture.

I’m super keen to see 5:17ers be a group of people who wield the weapon of the Word and reap the victory God promises. Thus, Scripture memorising will be on the front of our agenda for the coming weeks. We’ll start with our first memory verse this Sunday (Mark 11:22) – and below is a help from the ministry of The Navigators to aid our memorising. You’ll want to refer to these principles often in the coming weeks:

As you start to memorise a verse:

1. Read in your Bible the context of each verse you memorise.

2. Try to gain a clear understanding of what each verse actually means (you may want to read the verse in other Bible translations or paraphrases to get a better grasp of the meaning.)

3. Read the verse through several times thoughtfully, aloud or in a whisper. This will help you grasp the verse as a whole.

4. Discuss the verse with God in prayer, and continue to seek His help for success in Scripture memory.

While you are memorising Scripture:

5. Work on saying the verse aloud as much as possible.

6. If the verse has more than one phrase in it – learn the first phrase of the verse. Once you have learnt this and have repeated it several times, continue adding more phrases after you can quote correctly what you have already learned.

7. Think about how the verse applies to you and your daily circumstances.

8. Always include the Scripture reference when memorising the verse.

After you can quote correctly the reference and verse:

9. It is helpful to write the verse out. This deepens the impression in your mind.

10. Review the verse immediately after learning it, and repeat it frequently in the next few days. This is crucial for getting the verse firmly fixed in mind because of how quickly we tend to forget something recently learned.

11. Review, review, review! Repetition is the best way to engrave the verse on your memory.

(Source: The Navigators Scripture Memory Course: Topical Memory System, p15-16)

Tagged with: 5:17 life • Bible • Christian living • growing

Eleasa and Kim’s medical mission to Kenya

On October 23, 2009, In Uncategorized, By steve.nation

On Sunday, we at 5:17 church had the privilege of having Eleasa share about her (and Kim’s) upcoming medical mission to Kenya (they’re leaving at 2am tomorrow!). For more info on their trip and what they’ll be doing, here’s the blog they’ve set up for their time away. They’re not sure if they’ll have regular access to the internet, but please keep checking the blog and keep them in your prayers.

Tagged with: 5:17 life

What Our Mission Is Not

On October 22, 2009, In Uncategorized, By steve.nation

During the week, I noticed that a number of 5:17ers had quoted the following John Piper link in their facebook/blog accounts. I had a read and agreed – it’s a wonderful statement of what we are meant to be all about. I thought I’d cut and paste it here for your edification.

What Our Mission Is Not

Our mission at Desiring God is to spread a passion for the supremacy of God in all things for the joy of all peoples through Jesus Christ. By turning a few things around, we can also see what our mission is not – and therefore more clearly what it is.

Our mission is not to create cul-de-sacs, but to spread.

Our mission is not to spread just knowledge about God. It is to spread a passion for God. Head and heart.

Our mission is not to spread a passion for the mediocrity of God or for the overlooking of God or for the assuming of God. It is to spread a passion for the supremacy of God.

Our mission is not to spread a passion for the supremacy of human beings or Western materialism or even you. It is to spread a passion for the supremacy of God.

Our mission is not to spread a passion for the supremacy of God in just a few things, or just a few parts of your life like the time you spend at church, but in all things.

We aim to do this not simply for Americans or Western Christians but for all people groups.

We aim to do this not for the boredom or gloom or sadness of all people groups, but for the joy of all people groups. “Let the nations be glad and sing for joy” (Psalm 67:4).

And we aim to do this not through our own efforts or with an ambiguous God-is-whoever-you-think-he-is God in mind, but through Jesus Christ, who died for us on the cross 2,000 years ago, rose again, ascended into heaven, sent the Holy Spirit, and will come again.

May we at 5:17 church do likewise!

Tagged with: 5:17 life • mission

Back home!

On August 31, 2009, In Uncategorized, By steve.nation

As most of you know (if you were at 5:17 church last night), after six weeks of amazing learning, seeing and doing on our overseas trip, Keiyeng and I got home late Saturday afternoon.

It was sad to leave the many people and places we came to love, but we’re also glad we’re home so that we can keep connecting with all of you, and (God willing) see 5:17 becoming more and more of a community of grace. We’ve been blessed by your prayers while we were away and your welcome home (especially the balloons and banner draped across our living room from our CG!).

Looking forward to getting back into blogging, and sharing some of the great things we learned.

Tagged with: 5:17 life

Signs of grace

On June 28, 2009, In Uncategorized, By steve.nation

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he (or she) is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come (2 Corinthians 5:17). That’s our church’s theme verse. But what does it mean? It means:

anyone: our church exists for everyone everywhere
in Christ: we live and promote the life and hope found in a living relationship with Jesus Christ through trusting in His life, death, resurrection and present rule.
new creation: Jesus changes us from the inside out – He took our guilt, shame and sin on the cross, and in its place has given us a new life and purpose.

I love these great truths and what they mean for us as individuals and together as a church. I was chatting with a few of the guys from church the other day, and we agreed that 5:17 church is going pretty well so far. There’s a real closeness to our relationships, and there’s a real committment to connecting with people around us and seeking to connect them with Christ’s love.

But we also see that it’s easy to find small faults in other people and the church as a whole. ‘Church bashing’ is a popular game in some circles (I’m really thankful that it hasn’t existed in 5:17 church yet) – and it’s an easy game because there are lots of faults in us and the church. But how often do we look for and see positive changes in people and the church? It’s easy to point out other’s faults, but how long is it since you pointed out someone’s positive growth? If we as a church are all about seeing lives transformed by Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17), then we should be on the lookout for this transformation in each other – and encourage each other as we see positive signs of growth.

So, here’s an exercise for us all to do. Let’s acknowledge and work on the faults in our church. But let’s also be on the lookout for ’signs of grace’. God graciously changes us from hopelessness to hope, despair to joy etc. God graciously gifts us with talents to serve and love other people. Look out for how God has been and is bringing positive change in your own thinking and actions. Be on the lookout for the way God is changing people around you. Be on the lookout for the way God is changing the church. And then share what you see with others – for each other’s good and God’s glory!

Tagged with: 5:17 life • community

5:17 church picnic this Saturday

On June 23, 2009, In Events, By steve.nation

5:17 Church Picnic

Roma Street Parklands
Saturday 27th June
12pm-4pm

Come along – and bring your friends!! (soccer ball included, but lolly pops and love hearts not provided!!)

We’ll ring around the 5:17ers to give more details about food and other stuff to bring.

Tagged with: 5:17 life • Events

Respectable Sins

interactive-ity

for the sake of ten righteous

Memorising the Scriptures #2

Principles for memorising Scripture

Eleasa and Kim’s medical mission to Kenya

What Our Mission Is Not

Back home!

Signs of grace

5:17 church picnic this Saturday

Connect

Answers to common questions about Christianity

Great Organisations

Resources for Christians

Connect

Answers to common questions about Christianity

Great Organisations

Resources for Christians

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