Justin Taylor’s blog reminded me that yesterday marked 29 years since the death of D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, one of the best and most influential preachers of the 20th century. I first encountered the preaching of Dr. Lloyd-Jones through college friend Brian Habig, who had to wait a ridiculously long time for a Starkville Christian bookstore to receive a special order copy of the Banner of Truth paperback of Dr. Lloyd-Jones’ Evangelistic Sermons. I borrowed the book, read one sermon, returned it, and bought my own copy the next weekend in Jackson off the shelf of the RTS bookstore. During my last two years in college and the next couple of years after I devoured a number of volumes of his sermons (on Romans, Ephesians, on the Holy Spirit, on spiritual depression), the collection of lectures entitled The Puritans: Their Origins and Their Successors, and listened to recordings I borrowed from the Mount Olive Tape Library.
Below is a good ten-minute overview of his life and ministry:
For biographies, see the following from Iain Murray, his official biographer and former assistant:
- D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones: The First Forty Years 1899-1939
- D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones: Fight of Faith 1939-1981
- Lloyd-Jones: Messenger of Grace
You can hear The Doctor preach online for free at Martyn Lloyd-Jones Recording Trust.
Bach, hope, gospel, and Japan
January 14, 2010
Many of us at FPC Kosciusko were moved by the concert and presentation by Roger Lowther last September. I recently found this 2000 article in First Things about the popularity of Johann Sebastian Bach in Japan, and how that popularity has created surprising opportunities to connect gospel truth and hope with a hard-to-reach people group.
That’s Christmas
December 30, 2009
I’m a few days late on this. This is a great 10-minute video from the brethren at St. Helen’s Bishopsgate in London:
A thankful pastor
November 24, 2009
Much of my week is spent addressing problems, listening and talking to people, directing traffic and preparing to preach and teach. I have a front-row seat to individual problems and our shortcomings as a church. Sometimes it all gets me down. Thanksgiving has come along at just the right time and made me think about the mercies of God to me. I ought to share some of those thoughts with you.
I am thankful for First Presbyterian Church–a congregation…
- which loves the Word of God and values sound doctrine and expository preaching,
- which has such a keen interest in blessing the whole world with the good news of Jesus Christ,
- which is willing to let its leaders lead,
- which is willing to let its leaders alter vehicles of ministry without too much fuss,
- which has so many people who regularly remind me that they are praying for me,
- which weeps with those who weep and rejoices with those who rejoice,
- which expresses its love for little ones and our community through its children’s ministry, Preschool, and Presbyterian Day School,
- whose deacons work really hard,
- whose elders genuinely want to see people converted and nurtured in the Christian faith,
- which pays me generously so that I can preach, lead and serve without worrying about how to make ends meet, and
- which doesn’t mind having fun along the way.
I am thankful to God that you let me be your pastor.
Carson on basic questions
November 17, 2009
Below are three brief videos from Dr. Don Carson on three basic questions:
- How do we know God exists?
- How can God allow suffering and evil in the world?
- How can God be loving and still send people to hell?
These videos are part of an excellent series called A Passion for Life.
Focused prayer for the Mulsim world
September 3, 2009
Last year in our prayer meeting we spent a portion of time praying for the power of the Gospel to reach mightily into the Muslim world. 30-Days International (www.30-days.net) produces the “30-Days of Prayer for the Muslim World” Christian prayer guide coinciding with the Islamic holy month of Ramadan each year.
The origin of this international prayer network came about as a group of Christian leaders were praying during a meeting in the Middle East in April 1992. God put a burden on the hearts of these men and women to call as many Christians as possible to pray for the Muslim world. The annual, worldwide, 30-Days Muslim prayer focus gives Christians the opportunity to learn about Islam and pray for Muslims during Ramadan (Islam’s important annual month of fasting and religious observance).
Each year a new prayer guide booklet is published in a number of languages and locations around the world. The booklet is illustrated and contains daily readings with prayer points and informative background articles focusing on the Muslim world. Check out the site’s resources and join in praying for light of Christ to shine into darkness of Islam.
Disaster relief and church planting on the Gulf Coast
August 12, 2009
The Rev. Curt Moore of Lagniappe Presbyterian Church in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi has been named Mission to North America’s Disaster Response Specialist for the Gulf Coast Region. This past spring Lagniappe Church made a transition out of relief work and is now focused solely on development as a church plant and as a ministering presence in the community. Much confusion about this still exists. Every couple of weeks someone comments to me about “Lagniappe shutting down.” This is not the case. Please read this excerpt from Curt Moore’s latest newsletter, courtesy of MNA:
After hosting more than 17,000 volunteers since hurricane Katrina, Lagniappe Church has moved from relief to development. According to Pastor Jean Larroux, “Lagniappe embarks on exciting transition….Over 20 new homes….over 400 rebuilds/rehabs….more sheds than we could count….and nearly 17,000 volunteers- God has done wonderful things in Bay St. Louis. God is doing something else wonderful now! I As I have told hundreds of volunteer teams, ‘Lagniappe is NOT a construction company, we ARE a church.’ That truth has never been more evident.” You would think that after participating in relief work for almost four years Curt would be ready to move on like an evacuee away from the path of an approaching storm, however that’s not the case. These years of service have provided Curt with a renewed desire to move toward the brokenness and need of individuals with the love of Christ. “The Church has become relevant for many non-believers,” says Curt. “When the declaration of the love of God is wed with the demonstration of that same love it is a powerful apologetic. Many people have come to know Christ as a result of their experience with suffering and loss. It provides an incredible bridge for the Gospel. I look forward to serving in a region with such profound need and opportunity.”
On a related note, MNA Disaster Relief offers summer internships on the Gulf Coast. You college students out there, think about this.
Doing what missionaries do
August 5, 2009
“Outward-facing,” “missional,” “evangelistic”–whatever terms are used and whatever baggage each term may carry–are terms which should describe our church. At FPC Kosciusko we speak in terms of ‘pursuing people’ and of ‘REACHING’ others by (1) making room for outsiders through long-term relationships and multiple exposures to the Gospel and (2) committing ourselves to spend and be spent in local outreach, church planting and world missions.
Below is an excerpt from a blog entry by a man who was once my pastor–The Rev. Mark Bates, who now leads the Village Seven Presbyterian Church in Colorado Springs, Colorado. In his blog A View from 6000 Feet, he says some of the same things. I enjoy finding others who say some of these better than I can say them.
Whatever term one chooses to use, these are some of the important thoughts that need to be expressed:
1. It is a reminder that the church as a body, and Christians as individual members of this body, are on a mission. We are the “sent out” people of God. The Greek word for church, ecclesia, means ‘called out.’ The idea is that we have been called out of the world as God’s beloved, chosen people. Yet, as the whole thrust of Scripture shows, God never calls you in unless He also sends you out. Jesus said, “So send I you.” We tend to live in our Christian ghetto, forgetting that we are to carry out the mission of Christ.
2. It is a wake up call to the reality that we are in a post-Christian culture. Christendom is over in the west. I don’t think the majority of Christians realize this. We need to view our own culture as the mission field. Certainly, the rest of the Christian world does. So, if you were going to send missionaries to America, to your state, and your city, what would you expect those missionaries to do? How would those missionaries seek to embody the gospel in such a way as to reach the people of your community for Christ and enfold them into the Church? Well, God has sent you and has sent your church. You and your church should be doing what missionaries do. Failure to take this seriously is to be unfaithful to the God who redeemed you.
Chinese Calvinists
June 2, 2009
Read Andrew Brown’s blog at The Guardian (UK) concerning the spread of Calvinistic belief in China, especially among university students.
Truth Project begins May 20
May 18, 2009
FPC Kosciusko folks have been hearing about The Truth Project, which begins May 20, as part of our Wednesday Night Connection. Sunday evening we showed a promotional video. If you missed it or want to see it again, here it is:
Everyone is invited. Youth and their parents are especially encouraged to attend. Grant Carroll and Culley Newman will serve as facilitators.
