Abuse in the Church: Gospel Help for Victims

Abuse in the Church: Gospel Help for Victims

According to the U.S. Department of Justice

Domestic violence can be defined as a pattern of abusive behavior in any relationship that is used by one partner to gain or maintain power and control over another intimate partner.

Domestic violence can be physical, sexual, emotional, economic, or psychological actions or threats of actions that influence another person. This includes any behaviors that intimidate, manipulate, humiliate, isolate, frighten, terrorize, coerce, threaten, blame, hurt, injure, or wound someone.

Physical Abuse: Hitting, slapping, shoving, grabbing, pinching, biting, hair-pulling, biting, etc. Physical abuse also includes denying a partner medical care or forcing alcohol and/or drug use.

Sexual Abuse: Coercing or attempting to coerce any sexual contact or behavior without consent. Sexual abuse includes but is certainly not limited to marital rape, attacks on sexual parts of the body, forcing sex after physical violence has occurred, or treating one in a sexually demeaning manner.

Emotional Abuse: Undermining an individual's sense of self-worth and/or self-esteem. This may include, but is not limited to constant criticism, diminishing one's abilities, name-calling, or damaging one's relationship with his or her children.

Economic Abuse: Making or attempting to make an individual financially dependent by maintaining total control over financial resources, withholding one's access to money, or forbidding one's attendance at school or employment.

Psychological Abuse: Causing fear by intimidation; threatening physical harm to self, partner, children, or partner's family or friends; destruction of pets and property; and forcing isolation from family, friends, or school and/or work.

Domestic violence can happen to anyone regardless of race, age, sexual orientation, religion, or gender. Domestic violence affects people of all socioeconomic backgrounds and education levels. Domestic violence occurs in both opposite-sex and same-sex relationships and can happen to intimate partners who are married, living together, or dating.

Domestic violence not only affects those who are abused but also has a substantial effect on family members, friends, co-workers, other witnesses, and the community at large.

Children, who grow up witnessing domestic violence, are among those seriously affected by this crime. Frequent exposure to violence in the home not only predisposes children to numerous social and physical problems but also teaches them that violence is a normal way of life - therefore, increasing their risk of becoming society's next generation of victims and abusers.

Sources: National Domestic Violence Hotline, National Center for Victims of Crime, and WomensLaw.org.

http://www.ovw.usdoj.gov/domviolence.htm

We shouldn't be able to think about marriage without the gospel in mind. The gospel is what marriage is to represent in the world. Christ’s mission statement was to rescue His people (His Bride) from their sin. He lived for her. He suffered for her. He died and was buried for her. He was raised, lives for her, and intercedes for her now. His whole incarnate ministry was and is for Her. How can a woman not love and obey a Husband like that? And what a mission for a husband. No man can live up to the task, but when he becomes bent on harming his wife, rather than nurturing and cherishing her, the image that marriage is to reflect is marred.

Ephesians 5:25-29Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church.

The role of a wife is to be a submissive help-meet (Ephesians 5:22; Genesis 2:18), not a punching bag or a door mat.
 
The role of a husband is to nurture and protect his wife and love her as Christ loved the church and gave Himself for her (Ephesians 5:25-29), not to use and abuse her.

"Where the husband is meant to be a source of strength and safety, he has become weak and a source of fear and violence. If so, the church must step up and step in. Wives and children of abusers must be able to see in the church a refuge, a place of safety and help. Abused church members are the most vulnerable of all of Christ’s lambs and to them we owe a duty of special care and protection." ~R Scott Clark; Heidelblog (Source below.)

"What is Abuse? The definition of abuse: A pattern of coercive control (ongoing actions or inactions) that proceeds from a mentality of entitlement to power, whereby, through intimidation, manipulation and isolation, the abuser keeps his* target subordinated and under his control. This pattern can be emotional, verbal, psychological, spiritual, sexual, financial, social and physical. Not all these elements need be present, e.g., physical abuse may not be part of it. ~Jeff Crippen; A Cry For Justice (Source below.)

The definition of domestic abuser: a family member or dating partner (current or ex) who has a profound mentality of entitlement to the possession of power and control over the one s/he* chooses to mistreat. This mentality of entitlement defines the very essence of the abuser. The abuser believes he is justified in using evil tactics to obtain and maintain that power and control. ~Jeff Crippen; A Cry For Justice (Source below.)

When a spouse becomes abusive, spiritually, mentally, physically or sexually, the church and/or civil authorities may be utilized to protect and preserve the life and well being of the victims.

If you or someone you know is being abused in any of the ways noted above, please get help. Never assume that a person alleging abuse is lying or manipulating. Act first and investigate later. The worst that can happen if you are being manipulated is that you lose trust. The worst that can happen if you ignore a victim is loss of health or life. Please assist with tangible help when it is needed, providing a safe and healthy environment for the victims.

Resources on Abuses in the Church:

1. Abuse and the Church | Theology Gals | Episode 20: Jeff Crippen, Coleen Sharp, Marissa Namirr ("Gospel Gal"): Podcast: http://theology-gals.blubrry.net/2017/06/26/abuse-and-the-church-theology-gals-episode-20/

2. Not Under Bondage: Biblical Divorce for Abuse, Adultery and Desertion: Barbara Roberts: Book
https://www.amazon.com/Not-Under-Bondage-Biblical-Desertion/dp/0980355346

3. PCA General Assembly position on child abuse/ sexual abuse: 
http://pcahistory.org/pca/2014_overture6.pdf

4. On Disciplining Abusers And Protecting The Sheep: R. Scott Clark: Blog: https://heidelblog.net/2016/08/on-disciplining-abusers-and-protecting-the-sheep/

5. Heidelberg Catechism: 6^th CV : Murder and Violence: http://www.heidelberg-catechism.com/en/lords-days/40.html

6. A Cry for Justice: Jeff Crippen: Blog: https://cryingoutforjustice.com/sermons-and-talks/

7. Unholy Charade: Jeff Crippen: Book: https://www.amazon.com/Unholy-Charade-Unmasking-Domestic-Abuser/dp/0692533222

8. The Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse: Recognizing and Escaping Spiritual Manipulation and False Spiritual Authority Within the Church: David Johnson: Book:
https://www.amazon.com/Subtle-Power-Spiritual-Abuse-Manipulation/dp/0764201379/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1488649239&sr=8-1&keywords=the+subtle+power+of+spiritual+abuse

9.Women, Stop Submitting to Men: Blog: CP: Russell D. Moore

http://www.christianpost.com/news/women-stop-submitting-to-men-64121/#zRcMoH6sZ3lJFbjM.99

10. Abusive Speech & Gospel Hope: Gospel Gal Blog: Marissa Namirr http://gospelgalblog.blogspot.com/2017/08/abusive-speech-and-gospel-hope.html

In Christ or In Fig Leaves?

In Christ or in Fig Leaves? 

After the fall, Adam and Eve began the pattern of what they and all posterity would do from then on. When recognizing our state and having the knowledge of our sin, we hide. Adam made a covering of fig leaves to hide his shame and nakedness. We do the same thing when we try to hide what cannot be hidden from God in inventions of self-made righteousness that can never protect us from God's righteous and all-knowing eye. All our righteousness is as filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6).

Genesis 3:6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.7 And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.8 And they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God amongst the trees of the garden.9 And the Lord God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?10 And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.

Because of their sin, God issued a curse and then the great consolation. Rather than killing them on the spot, He took them and slaughtered an animal, Himself, to provide them with an acceptable covering. In that act, He showed what must be done because of sin: Someone must die, and for Adam and Eve, this blood sacrifice for sin, foreshadowed the once and for all sacrifice of the Lamb of God, Who takes away the sin of the world.  

Genesis 3:15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel...21 Unto Adam also and to his wife did the Lord God make coats of skins, and clothed them.

Today, if we are found clothed in His righteousness, rather than in the fig

leaves of our own self-righteous imaginations, we are "hemmed in." We are safe and secure from the just wrath that we would otherwise face, because of our disobedience to Him. And not only do we not face His wrath, we are in His favor, being found in Christ. His righteousness has become ours.  

Observe our blessings, being *in Christ:

Psalm 139:5 ESV You hem me in, behind and before,

Psalm 139:7 Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? 8 If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. 9 If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; 10 Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me. 11 If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me. 12 Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee. 13 For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb. 14 I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. 15 My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. 16 Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them. 17 How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them! 18 If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee.

Colossians 3:3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

1 Corinthians 15:22 For as in Adam all die, even so *in Christ shall all be made alive.

2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be *in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Ephesians 2:6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places *in Christ Jesus

Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created *in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

1 Peter 5:14 Peace be with you all that are *in Christ Jesus.

Accepted

A sermon that is 99.9  percent Law may be appealing to the flesh rather than to the spirit. Although we know no one is saved by the works of the law or by obeying the commands of God, knowing that the violation of one of God’s commands brings death, we also know that it is our default to try. As human beings, we pride ourselves on what we have done and what we have not done. Most people, who claim to believe in some form of God, will assure themselves that they will enjoy God’s favor and heaven when they die, because they are a good person, or at least they hope they were “good enough.”

But it is so sad to realize that default (our fleshly desire to please God on our own) doesn’t go away when we become Christians. Sit in an ordinary, “Bible Believing Church,” and you may get some inference to “the gospel” that goes undefined or unexplored. And more than likely you will hear an hour of lecture or “admonition ” on how to do better, be better, live better, or how-to avoid God’s displeasure better, with little to no focus on the how.

How is it that those of us who claim to know and believe in Jesus, those who claim to know and believe Reformation doctrine so quickly forget the gospel? How is it that those who claim to have been saved by grace alone, by faith, alone, in Christ alone avoid looking to and meditating on Christ, and on what He has accomplished for us, and rather on what we must do to satisfy Him now?

The satisfaction is done! There is not a thing we can do better or that is more satisfying than what God has already done though Jesus Christ. He lived for us. He was humiliated and died for us. He rose again for us. He is interceding for us. He has been the propitiation for us. He has adopted us. He has justified us. He has regenerated us. And he has sanctified us. We are accepted in the beloved (Ephesians 1:6).How much more can we do to earn His favor?

Charles Spurgeon beautifully puts it this way: “When God accepts a sinner, He is, in fact, only accepting Christ. He looks into the sinner's eyes, and He sees His own dear Son's image there, and He takes him in.”

Christian: If Jesus lived, died, rose again for you, and continually intercedes for you, then there is nothing that is seen in you but Jesus. If you’re striving to earn His favor, STOP. Live in light of what has been done for you (John 19:3), and the grace you’ve been given. Keep your gaze on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2). Walk in step with the Spirit, by putting off your flesh and putting on Christ. When the Father sees you in Christ, He is satisfied. Solus Christus! Then we can begin a life of loving obedience to the Father, Who gave His one and only Son for us (John 3:16), by the power of the Holy Spirit living in us. Soli Deo Gloria!

Spurgeon's Sermon: https://books.google.com/books?id=_7ZZAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA109&lpg=PA109&dq=%E2%80%9CWhen+God+accepts+a+sinner,+He+is,+in+fact,+only+accepting+Christ.+He+looks+into+the+sinner%27s+eyes,+and+He+sees+His+own+dear+Son%27s+image+there,+and+He+takes+him+in.%E2%80%9D&source=bl&ots=QRYoIoKKi4&sig=T0FJEdaweEDUJT5AqO-wdus04-E&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwigofrj8bPVAhXL4iYKHSGzBb8Q6AEIODAE#v=onepage&q=%E2%80%9CWhen%20God%20accepts%20a%20sinner%2C%20He%20is%2C%20in%20fact%2C%20only%20accepting%20Christ.%20He%20looks%20into%20the%20sinner's%20eyes%2C%20and%20He%20sees%20His%20own%20dear%20Son's%20image%20there%2C%20and%20He%20takes%20him%20in.%E2%80%9D&f=false

Stripping Away the Fig Leaves: Horton

"The moment we trust in Christ and renounce our own claims to holiness and acceptability, stripping away the fig leaves of our own making, God clothes us in the robe of Christ’s righteousness." ~Michael Horton

Full article: https://cccdiscover.com/what-happens-when-christianity-doesnt-work/

Gospel-Driven Pure Religion

Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction... James 1:27

The church being instructed by James is a called out, blood-bought body who is made new, with a new heart: new passions, new thoughts, new desires, being risen with Christ. And being so called and so recreated they are to find, by the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit a new compassion for the downcast and oppressed in their society. Widows and orphans were the very oppressed and downcast of their society, who had spiritual and tangible needs to be met by the called out, recreated church.

Calvin states, "James then teaches us that religion is not to be estimated by the pomp of ceremonies; but that there are important duties to which the servants of God ought to attend.

To visit in necessity is to extend a helping hand to alleviate such as are in distress. And as there are many others whom the Lord bids us to succor, in mentioning widows and orphans, he states a part for the whole. There is then no doubt but that under one particular thing he recommends to us every act of love, as though he had said, 'Let him who would be deemed religious, prove himself to be such by self denial and by mercy and benevolence towards his neighbors.'"

"...extend a helping hand to alleviate such as are in distress."  Who are those in distress in your community? Here are some considerations about mine...According to Guttmacher, "Abortion is one of the safest surgical procedures for women in the United States." 
...Unless, of course, you're considering the developing woman, who has been burned alive and/or dismembered in her mother's womb in a sterile, clinical environment.
"In 2014, some 33,000 abortions were provided in Georgia..." #Guttmacher
"There were 28 abortion-providing facilities in Georgia in 2014, and 17 of those were clinics." #Guttmacher
I wonder if there are 28 churches in Georgia to man the 28 facilities, to plead for the lives of the 33,000 our most "distressed" neighbors awaiting slaughter this coming year. And I wonder if there are 28 evangelists from those churches who would be willing to bring the Law and Gospel to those swift to shed innocent blood.

As the called out recreated church, those purchased by the precious blood of Jesus, let us remember Proverbs 24:11&12: 

Rescue those who are being taken away to death;
    hold back those who are stumbling to the slaughter.
12 If you say, “Behold, we did not know this,”
    does not he who weighs the heart perceive it?

What would the Lord have us do? How pure is our religion? How can we rescue those who are in distress in the society where we live? 

Statistics from:The Guttmacher Institute: a leading research and policy organization committed to advancing sexual and reproductive health and rights in the United States and globally.https://www.guttmacher.org/about


 https://www.guttmacher.org/fact-sheet/state-facts-about-abortion-georgia?gclid=Cj0KCQjwh_bLBRDeARIsAH4ZYEPJHWb84wRZGpF3QvoI-s2wsHvN9_qlKe6pgYUjAzZQ-EPy1kvVK_MaAvtAEALw_wcB

Biblical Discernment

Scripture alone is the source of discernment. 

There is not a special spiritual, extra Biblical gift called, discernment. But every believer is assumed to be discerning by virtue of the fact that they have the Word of God at their disposal and the Holy Spirit enabling them to understand it. 

When confronted with new teachers, the Bereans were noted to be noble because they searched the Scriptures to see if what they were being taught with regard to the Gospel was true (Acts 17). This is our measure. Discernment is spiritual, but it is not mystical.

Acts 17:10 The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived they went into the Jewish synagogue. 11 Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. 

Romans 12:2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

2 Timothy 3:15 and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

For further study on on special giftings and the work of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer, listen to these episodes of Theology Gals:
1. Special Revleation with Coleen and Ashley: http://theologygals.com/2017/06/private-revelations-the-will-of-god-theology-gals-episode-18/ and

2. The Work of the Holy Spirit with Coleen and me: http://theologygals.com/2017/06/the-work-of-the-holy-spirit-theology-gals-episode-19/

Not that we have loved Him... Gospel thoughts on I John 4

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. I John 4:10
"Not that we have loved Him..."

This is our problem...the problem of all problems: That we have not loved Him. By making the conscious choice to sin against Him, we show our enmity against Him. We have all gone astray. There is none that do good...No. Not. One. (Romans 3:12)

But while we were His enemies (Romans 5:10), with no love for Him, He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. He bore our sins, so that we might not bear God's wrath. Then He died, was buried and rose again for our justification (Romans 4:25). 

For further study, go to http://www.ligonier.org/blog/two-important-words-good-friday-expiation-and-propitiation/

Responsibility, Inability and Grace: John Hendryx

Responsibility, Inability and Grace
John Hendryx "All that the Father gives Me will come to Me..." - John 6:37

The truth of God's word is honored not in holding exclusively to one truth to the exclusion of another truth, but in believing the whole counsel of God. The Bible plainly teaches that man is responsible to obey the summons of God to repent and believe the gospel just as it plainly teaches that he is morally unwilling and unable to do so. These two seemingly contradictory assertions can be reconciled when we understand that, after the fall, God's perfect standard for holiness for man does not change ... so even the very desire for faith, by which we believe in Christ who justifies sinners, can only belong to us, not by nature but by a gift of grace, that is, by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit amending our will and turning it from unbelief to faith and from godlessness to godliness. Jesus says, "no one can come to me [i.e. believe in me] unless the Father who sent me grants it." (John 6:54) Again, the Apostle Paul says, "And I am sure that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ" (Phil. 1:6). And again, "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God" (Eph. 2:8).

Furthermore some teach that God has mercy upon us when, apart from his regenerative grace, we believe, will and desire to believe, but do not confess that it is by the work of renewal by the Holy Spirit within us that we even have the faith, the will, or the desire to do all these things; If we make the assistance of grace depend on our own wisdom, humility, prudence, obedience, sound judgment or good sense, but don't agree that it is a gift of grace itself that we are obedient and humble, we then directly contradict the Scripture which says, "What have you that you did not receive?" (1 Cor. 4:7), and, "But by the grace of God I am what I am" (1 Cor. 15:10).

The following chart shows that the Bible clearly teaches both man's responsibility to believe

the gospel and his inability to do so. The third column helps us to understand how those whom God has set his affection on infallibly come to faith, in spite of this inability and, most of all, how this gives all glory to God in the work of salvation: Augustine once said, "God bids us do what we cannot, that we may know what we ought to seek from him."

(This chart is loosely based on a chart by Lamar McKinney)

"God knoweth we have nothing of ourselves, therefore in the covenant of grace he requireth no more than he giveth, and giveth what he requireth, and accepteth what he giveth." - Richard Sibbes

John Hendryx
Monergism
https://www.monergism.com/thethreshold/articles/onsite/respnsibility_inability.html

How Can I Know Im Saved?

Eternal life is revealed BY believing the gospel. This is plainly taught in John 3 as well as in II Timothy 1. First we are regenerate and then we believe. There is no way of believing the gospel apart from regeneration. The gospel is foolishness to the unbeliever, per I Cor 1:18. BUT regeneration and eternal life is revealed to us BY believing the gospel. No one may know they are of the elect or know they have eternal life who DOES NOT believe the gospel.

John 3:1-7; 3:14-15; 3:36 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+3&version=GNV

II Timothy 1:10 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Timothy+1:10&version=KJV
I Cor 1:18 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Corinthians%201%3A18&version=KJV

See also Ordo Salutis (order of salvation): https://carm.org/what-is-the-ordo-salutis

For a full audio sermon on this subject, go to: http://player.subsplash.com/thjynow

An Excellent Wife Who Can Find? Reconsidering Proverbs 31

An Excellent Wife Who Can Find? Reconsidering Proverbs 31

As I look at Proverbs I read a loud, clear message calling me to Godly Wisdom. Wisdom is personified in Proverbs, although addressed with the feminine pronoun, "she," reveals attributes of God, specifically in Jesus Christ. Jesus is Wisdom personified.

But as I turn to chapter 31, the focus shifts from Wisdom, to a woman: and a wife, a very admirable one, and one that many of us have been taught to emulate since youth. But what an example, and what a to-do list! And although I have grasped for it, I have never lived up to her standard.

She is highly valued (v. 10), trustworthy (v. 11), faithful (v. 12); She is tireless and industrious (vv. 15,18); she is generous (v.19); she brings honor to her husband (v.23); provides and is concerned with the best interest of her household (v. 27); and she has a reputation and history of honor herself (vv. 29-31). 

Reading through, I become aware of my failings to my husband, family, community, and

mostly to the Lord. And then I reach for my gospel lenses: Those "cheaters" that bring the gospel back into focus, and I hope again. The good news is that although I have never kept in step with the Proverbs 31 woman, Jesus did in my place.  

He is highly valued (Matt. 3:17), trustworthy and faithful (Rev. 19:11); He is tireless and industrious (John 8:29); He is generous (Matt. 14:19-20); He brings honor to His Father (John 14:13); provides and is concerned with the best interest of his household (John 10), and He has a reputation and history of honor himself (Rev 5:12).

Although I may struggle and fail to measure up to the standard of Proverbs 31, Jesus has never failed. He is the fullness for all my failures. He has satisfied the Father by giving His life for me. He is conforming me to His own image by giving us His Spirit, sanctifying me by His Word, ever living to make intercession for me. And He will one day present me, as part of that spotless bride to His Father, fully glorified.

This is our hope and our confidence: An Excellent Wife Who Can Find? We will be that bride because of what Jesus has done, is doing, and will do for us and in us. "Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 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."  Ephesians 5 

Justification is the Essence of the Gospel #JohnFonville

Election, redemption, adoption, sanctification, and glorification, are all elements of salvation, but justification is the essense of the gospel. #JohnFonville #ParamountChurch #Proclaim Radio Full Audio Sermon Courtesy of Proclaim Radio: http://player.subsplash.com/pmf4gox

Do You Know What Jesus Lives For?

What do you live for? Do you know what Jesus lives for?He lives to make intercession for sinners. ~ John Fonville Paramount Church Proclaim Radio

Full Audio Sermon Courtesy of Proclaim Radio:http://player.subsplash.com/pmf4gox

Gospel-centered Thoughts on Modesty

Gospel-centered Thoughts on Modesty

3Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; 4But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. #IPeter3

Christian Ladies: Part of the modesty issue is culturally determined and part of it is an internal attitude that determines an outward manifestation of our values and convictions. Is outward appearance the focus of our attention and effort? Modesty is first and foremost a heart issue.

A few of questions we can consider in regard to Gospel-centered modesty are: 1. What do you believe your appearance says about the state of your heart? 2. Is your outward appearance so important to you that you forget others inthe process of considering it, or forget the One Who purchased you with His precious blood? And 3. Is your appearance conducive to drawing attention to Christ or is it designed to draw attention to self?

As Christian women our appearance is important, in the respect that our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit. We should care for the temple, because it belongs to God, and we are not our own. A modest attitude will determine a modest appearance. It considers others and draws attention to our Savior rather than primarily to self. Let that motivate you toward love of God and neighbor as you clothe yourself and as you consider modesty and your physical appearance.

Jesus is the I AM of the OT

Jesus is the I AM of the OT.

As you read through the verses posted here today, meditate on what Jesus was pronouncing, both to His enemies and His followers. There can be no doubt that He was showing Himself to be the I AM Who revealed Himself in the OT, and was now, revealing Himself in the flesh. He is the fulfillment of all Scripture.

Exodus 3:13 Then Moses said to God, “If I come to the people of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what shall I say to them?” 14 God said to Moses, “I am who I am.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I am has sent me to you.’” 15 God also said to Moses, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘The Lord, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.’ This is my name forever, and thus I am to be remembered throughout all generations.

John 5:39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.

John 6:35 Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.

John 6:41 So the Jews grumbled about him, because he said, “I am the bread that came down from heaven.”

John 6:48 I am the bread of life.

John 6:51 I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.”

John 8:12 [ I Am the Light of the World ] Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

John 8:58 Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.”

John 9:5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”

John 10:9 I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.

John 10:11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

John 10:14 I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me,

John 11:25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live,

John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Heidelberg Q&A 1.

Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 1.

1.	Q.	What is your only comfort in life and death?
	A.	That I am not my own, 1 but belong with body and soul, both in life and in death, 2 to my faithful Saviour Jesus Christ. 3 He has fully paid for all my sins with his precious blood, 4 and has set me free from all the power of the devil. 5 He also preserves me in such a way 6 that without the will of my heavenly Father not a hair can fall from my head; 7 indeed, all things must work together for my salvation. 8 Therefore, by his Holy Spirit he also assures me of eternal life 9 and makes me heartily willing and ready from now on to live for him. 10
		1.1 Cor 6:19, 20. 2.Rom 14:7-9. 3.1 Cor 3:23; Tit 2:14. 4.1 Pet 1:18, 19; 1 Jn 1:7; 2:2. 5.Jn 8:34-36; Heb 2:14, 15; 1 Jn 3:8. 6.Jn 6:39, 40; 10:27-30; 2 Thess 3:3; 1 Pet 1:5. 7.Mt 10:29-31; Lk 21:16-18. 8.Rom 8:28. 9.Rom 8:15, 16; 2 Cor 1:21, 22; 5:5; Eph 1:13, 14. 10.Rom 8:14.

The Heidelberg Catechism, originally written during the Reformation, was a tool for Christian parents to use with their children to ground them in gospel truth and doctrine. Consider using it yourself and with your own children. This method of teaching is different than wrote Scripture memorization, with no context. It gives life and meaning conveyed by Scripture.

Resource: http://www.heidelberg-catechism.com/en/lords-days/1.html