Tag Archives: Bible - Page 2

The Contenders

Posted by on January 3, 2010 3 comments

Starting on January 31, 5:17 church will be looking at ‘The Contenders’. It will be a sermon series reflecting on what we believe, why we believe it, what difference does it make what we believe, what would we die for, divide for, or (in a cricket metaphor) let go through to the keeper.


The concept comes from Jude’s words in his letter: Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints (Jude 3). Hopefully this series will be historically enlightening, Biblically-clear and full of practical implications.


31/1 – Introducing the Contenders (The Letter of Jude)


14/2 – Splitting over a single letter? Contending for the unique supremacy of Christ (Colossians 1:15-23)
Historical contender: Athanasius (296-373AD


21/2 – How dare you call me a sinner? Contending for the doctrine of total depravity (Romans 1:18-32)
Historical contender: Augustine (354-430AD)


28/2 – You’ve got nothin’.  Contending for justification by faith alone (Romans 4:1-12)
Historical contender: Martin Luther (1483-1546AD)


7/3 – It’s all according to plan. Contending for the sovereignty of God (Ephesians 1:3-14)
Historical contender: John Calvin (1509-1564AD)


14/3 – You must be born again. Contending for regeneration by God the Holy Spirit (John 3:1-15)
Historical contender: John Owen (1618-1683AD)


21/3 – Cosmic Child Abuse? Contending for the penal substitution of Christ (Isaiah 52:13-53:12)
Historical contender: John Bunyan (1628-1688AD)


28/3 – But God, that’s not fair! Contending for the reality of judgement (Revelation 20:11-15)
Historical contender: Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758AD)


11/4 – Just a good book? Contending for the authority of Scripture (Psalm 119:9-16)
Historical contender: B.B. Warfield (1851-1921AD)


18/4 – So how now should we live? Contending for the necessity of holiness (1 Thessalonians 4:1-12)
Historical contender: J.I. Packer (1926- AD)


The woman, the dragon, and the baby

Posted by on December 18, 2009 Comments Off
You’ve probably never heard a Christmas message from the Bible book of Revelation – let alone Revelation chapter 12 verses 1-12.
What does Christmas have to do with a woman, a dragon, and a baby?!
You’re invited to 5:17 church’s Christmas Eve service, to find out what this cosmic intertwining means – for Christmas and for you.

the woman, the dragon, and the baby

You’ve probably never heard a Christmas message from the Bible book of Revelation – let alone Revelation chapter 12 verses 1-12.

What does Christmas have to do with a woman, a dragon, and a baby?!

You’re invited to 5:17 church’s Christmas Eve service, to find out what this cosmic intertwining means – for Christmas and for you.

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what are you reading?

Posted by on November 28, 2009 3 comments

I am sitting in our study with our guinea pig Munchee on my lap, with her little hind legs stuck out in her ‘this is the life’ position. I’ve just finished reading Isaiah 45 – a majestic portrayal of God’s absolute sovereignty over Israel and both her friends and her enemies. As a proclamation it could sound arrogant if it weren’t true, and justly so. And what a great finish -

They will say of me, ‘In the LORD alone are righteousness and strength.’ All who have raged against him will come to him and be put to shame. But in the LORD all the descendants of Israel will be found righteous and will exult.

You don’t need 3 guesses to work out which side you’d want to be on!

But actually I was going to ask what you’re reading, and say that if you ever want or need a recommendation, Steve and I love both reading and recommending books (including books of the Bible) to people. We’ve been so influenced and grown through reading over our journeys as Christians that we can’t help spreading the love. Plus we have several hundred books in our library available for borrowing, so let us know if you’d like a summer reading list. We’d be glad to get you started!

Reading is Cool

Preparing for this Sunday

Posted by on November 25, 2009 Comments Off

This Sunday at 5:17 church, we’ll be Encountering the dead God. That is, we’ll be looking at the death of Jesus. To get the most out of the sermon, have a read of Mark 15 and Isaiah 52:13-53:12. It’s a cracker of a read!

Memory verse of the week

Posted by on November 17, 2009 1 comment

As mentioned on Sunday, Mark 14:36 is our memory verse for this week. And he said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.”

I was really impacted going through this verse last week. It tells us that the cross was horrendously repulsive to Jesus. He didn’t want to go to the cross. But He did (Hebrews 12:2).  And praise God that He set His mind to the cross and didn’t turn aside.

Let’s memorise this verse and keep chewing over what it means.


Principles for memorising Scripture

Posted by on October 28, 2009 1 comment

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)

Faith and truth

Posted by on September 7, 2009 Comments Off

What is faith? I spoke with someone the other day who is trying to get their head around the concept of faith. This is such a worthy endeavour because faith is central to Christianity. But what is faith? I recently came across the following and was helped by it as a response to this question:

Part of what validates the Apostle Paul’s understanding of faith, is that faith’s object must be true… Of course, faith is more than recognising that something is true. In the Bible, faith characteristically involves trust in God and His Word, trust in God’s Son. In the book of Hebrews, faith includes the element of perseverance (see Hebrews 11). But without exception, faith is invalidated if its object is untrustworthy, or where ostensible facts are concerned, if the object of faith is not true. The Bible never encourages us to put our faith in what may or may not be true… In other words, the Apostle Paul does not think faith is virtuous because those who exercise the faith are sincere or devout (1 Corinthians 15:19). Faith without a true object, Paul asserts, is pitiful…

Faith is not only something we exercise, but a gift from God (Ephesians 2:8-10). Faith enables us to have confidence in God where we do not see, because it is grounded in the immutable character of God that we have come by grace to perceive as entirely trustworthy. (D.A. Carson, Christ & Culture Revisited, p109-110)

How can we be sure that what we believe is actually true, and not simply a subjective grasp at something that may or may not be true? D.A. Carson again helps us:

It is important to return to the actual language of Scripture. Biblical writers are never embarrassed to talk about truth, including propositional truth; equally, they are not hesitant to speak about knowing people, knowing God – and knowing things and knowing truths. See, for example:

It seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught. (Luke 1:3-4)

He (Jesus) presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. (Acts 1:3)

Of course, many biblical writers also stress the crucial importance of faith. My point is that they can talk about faith and truth, about believing and knowing. Clearly this knowing is not the knowledge of omniscience. The certainty that Luke wants Theophilus to enjoy is not the certainty that belongs to God alone. But this is the language of Scripture, and it is entirely appropriate to the modes and extent of knowing of which human beings are capable (p.108).

Hudson Taylor, the great missionary to China, lived his entire life with one simple slogan: “Have faith in God!” (Mark 11:22). It is a simple slogan, yet profound. Simple in the brevity and clarity of the statement, profound in our human (God-given) ability to both know the God who made us, and to live a life trusting Him – for what He has done, is doing and promises to do.

May Mark 11:22 be a slogan for our lives too.

5:17 Bible reading plan – July ‘09

Posted by on July 3, 2009 Comments Off

A paper copy of the Bible reading plan below will be handed out on Sunday to all 5:17ers, but here’s a soft copy for all you who are more Web-based:

opening-bible

Heaven

6/7  The New Heavens and Earth (Isaiah 11:6-9)

7/7  Peace at last (Isaiah 66:22-24)

8/7  The Great Reversal (Luke 16:19-31)

9/7  Getting a new body (2 Corinthians 5:1-10)

10/7  To die is gain (Philippians 1:21-23)

11/7  Citizens of heaven (Philippians 3: 20-4:1)

12/7  Mount Zion (Hebrews 12:18-24)

13/7  A pictorial glimpse of heaven (Revelation 4:1-11)

14/7  A Great multitude (Revelation 7:9-17)

15/7  God’s making all things new! (Revelation 21:1-8)

16/7  The glorious city of God (Revelation 21:9-27)

17/7  Life in abundance with God (Revelation 22:1-5)

The Day of the Lion (Book of Amos)

18/7  Amos 1 &2

19/7  Amos 3&4

20/7  Amos 5&6

21/7  Amos 7:1 – 8:3

22/7  Amos 8:4 – 8:15

Ecclesiastes

23/7  Meaningless, Meaningless! (Eccl. 1&2)

24/7  A time for Everything (Eccl. 3:1-8)

25/7  Fear God, the Sovereign One! (Eccl. 3:9-15)

26/7  Meaningless, Meaningless, Part 2 (Eccl. 3:16-4:16)

27/7  Fear God, the Righteous One (Eccl. 5:1-7)

28/7  Life ‘under the sun’ (Eccl 5:8-7:24)

29/7  The heart of the problem: sin (Eccl. 7:25-29)

30/7  More Life ‘under the sun’ (Eccl. 8:1 – 12:7)

31/7  Conclusion: Fear and obey God (Eccl. 12:8-14)

Handy Hints for your Quiet Time – with each passage, ask (and write down!):

o What do I learn about God? (what He is like, what He wants of His people)

o What do I learn about people / myself?

o How do I need to change in response?

o Pray – praise, thanks, and requests based on your answers.

Culture vs Cross Culture – Standing in the True Grace of God – I & II Peter (May 30)

Posted by on May 6, 2009 Comments Off

I love the following story:

During a British conference on comparative religions, experts from around the world debated what, if any, belief was unique to the Christian faith. They began eliminating possibilities. Incarnation? Other religions had different versions of gods appearing in human form. Resurrection? Again, other religions had accounts of return from death. The debate went on for some time until C. S. Lewis wandered into the room. “What’s the rumpus about?” he asked, and heard in reply that his colleagues were discussing Christianity’s unique contribution among world religions. Lewis responded, “Oh, that’s easy. It’s grace.” Only Christianity dares to make God’s love unconditional.

Philip Yancey, What’s So Amazing About Grace?, p 45

If grace is at the heart of Christianity, why is it that so many of us struggle with the whole concept of grace? What is grace? How do we receive it? And how do we grow in it (as 2 Peter 3:18 states)?

We’re not alone in asking these questions. Some first generation Christians misunderstood the true grace of God too. That’s why the Apostle Peter wrote two letters:  the first, a brief letter of encouragement to stand firm in the true grace of God; the second, written on his death-bed, his last words to the Church.

In a couple of weeks time, there will be a free seminar, run by Queensland Theological College. Its Principal, Bruce Winter will give four talks on I and II Peter:

  1. Focus on the future
  2. Focus on doing good
  3. Focus on living and dying well
  4. Focus on the Word of God

brucewinter

This is a highly recommended event. It’ll be held at Creek Road Presbyterian Church, corner Creek and Fursdon Roads, Carina from 9:30am to 3:15pm. Morning tea will be provided, but BYO lunch.

It’s a free Seminar, but please register beforehand by sending the organisers an email at info@qtc.edu.au.