Take a look and make a note of the upcoming Church Schedule from now to the end of the year, through the Holiday Season!
HOLIDAY SCHEDULE
Sunday, November 18
Lord’s Day Morning and Evening Services - 8:30 & 11:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday, November 20
Midweek Prayer Meeting (Discipleship Groups are NOT meeting)
Note that Wednesday Midweek activities shift to Tuesday for next week only (because of the Thanksgiving Holiday)
Thursday, November 22
Thanksgiving Service - 8:30 a.m. (Nursery Provided)
Thursday-Friday, November 22-23
Church Offices are Closed for Thanksgiving
Sunday, November 25
Lord’s Day Morning and Evening Services - 8:30 & 11:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.
Sunday, December 2
Sunday Morning and Evening Services - 8:30 & 11:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.
The Children's Choir Christmas Music as part of the Evening Worship Service
Tuesday, December 4
WIC Christmas Dinner - 6:30 p.m.
Wednesday, December 5
"Joy, An Irish Christmas" with Keith and Kristyn Getty - 6:30 p.m.
Thursday, December 6
Men of the Covenant Luncheon - 11:45 a.m. Speaker: Tom Elkin
Sunday, December 16
Lord’s Day Morning Services - 8:30 & 11:00 a.m.
Music of Christmas Lessons and Carols 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday, December 19
Prayer Meeting - 6:30 p.m.
No Supper, Nursery or Children's Activites
Friday, December 21
Day School Dismissed for Holidays 11:00 a.m.
Sunday, December 23
Lord’s Day Morning and Evening Services - 8:30 & 11:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.
Monday, December 24
Family Christmas Eve Carol Service 4:00 p.m. (Nursery Provided)
Monday-Tuesday, December 24-25
Church Offices are Closed for Christmas
Wednesday, December 26
No Midweek Activities
Sunday, December 30
Lord’s Day Morning and Evening Services - 8:30 & 11:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday, January 1
Church Offices are Closed for New Years Day
Wednesday, January 2
No Midweek Activities
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Thursday, November 15, 2012
Monday, November 05, 2012
Sunday, August 19, 2012
Charles Simeon, Exhortation to Holiness not antithetical to the Gospel and Grace
Charles Simeon offers some sober warnings about a carelessness in how some preachers teach about the Gospel and grace, in relation to holiness and obedience.
How deluded they are who rest in Christian principles, without aspiring after Christian attainments— Such there have been in every age of the Church. Not that the Gospel has in itself any tendency to create such characters; but the corruption of men’s hearts will take occasion from the Gospel to foster sentiments, which are, in reality, subversive of its most fundamental truths.
Many regard all exhortations to holiness as legal: yea, there are not wanting some who will maintain, that Christ, having fulfilled the law for us, has absolved us from all obligation to obey it in any of its commands. They affirm that it is cancelled, not only as a covenant of works, but as a rule of life. They profess, that the sanctification of Christ is imputed to us, precisely as his righteousness is; and that we need no personal holiness, because we have a sufficient holiness in him.
Horrible beyond expression are such sentiments as these: and how repugnant they are to those contained in our text, it is needless to observe. That some who advance these sentiments are externally moral, and often benevolent, must be confessed: (if any be truly pious, it is not by means of these principles, but in spite of them:) but the great body of them, with, it is to be feared, but few exceptions, bear the stamp of their unchristian principles in their whole spirit and conduct.
The whole family of them may be distinguished by the following marks.
They are full of pride and conceit, imagining that none can understand the Gospel but themselves. Such is their confidence in their own opinions, that they seem to think it impossible that they should err.
They are dogmatical in the extreme, laying down the law for every one, and expecting all to bow to their judgment: and so contemptuous are they, that they speak of all as blind and ignorant who presume to differ from them.
Their irreverent manner of treating the great mysteries of our religion is also most offensive; they speak of them with a most unhallowed familiarity, as though they were common things: and so profane are they, that they hesitate not. to sneer at the very word of God itself, whenever it militates against their favourite opinions. “By these fruits ye shall know them;” and by these fruits ye may judge of their principles.
True indeed, with their errors they bring forth much that is sound and good: but this only renders their errors the more palatable and the more delusive. They altogether vitiate the taste of the religious world, and indispose them for all practical instruction. They so exclusively set forth what may be called “the strong meat” of the Gospel, as to withhold all “milk” from the household of our God. In a word, they promote nothing but spiritual intoxication, and banish from the Church all spiritual sobriety.
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How deluded they are who rest in Christian principles, without aspiring after Christian attainments— Such there have been in every age of the Church. Not that the Gospel has in itself any tendency to create such characters; but the corruption of men’s hearts will take occasion from the Gospel to foster sentiments, which are, in reality, subversive of its most fundamental truths.
Many regard all exhortations to holiness as legal: yea, there are not wanting some who will maintain, that Christ, having fulfilled the law for us, has absolved us from all obligation to obey it in any of its commands. They affirm that it is cancelled, not only as a covenant of works, but as a rule of life. They profess, that the sanctification of Christ is imputed to us, precisely as his righteousness is; and that we need no personal holiness, because we have a sufficient holiness in him.
Horrible beyond expression are such sentiments as these: and how repugnant they are to those contained in our text, it is needless to observe. That some who advance these sentiments are externally moral, and often benevolent, must be confessed: (if any be truly pious, it is not by means of these principles, but in spite of them:) but the great body of them, with, it is to be feared, but few exceptions, bear the stamp of their unchristian principles in their whole spirit and conduct.
The whole family of them may be distinguished by the following marks.
They are full of pride and conceit, imagining that none can understand the Gospel but themselves. Such is their confidence in their own opinions, that they seem to think it impossible that they should err.
They are dogmatical in the extreme, laying down the law for every one, and expecting all to bow to their judgment: and so contemptuous are they, that they speak of all as blind and ignorant who presume to differ from them.
Their irreverent manner of treating the great mysteries of our religion is also most offensive; they speak of them with a most unhallowed familiarity, as though they were common things: and so profane are they, that they hesitate not. to sneer at the very word of God itself, whenever it militates against their favourite opinions. “By these fruits ye shall know them;” and by these fruits ye may judge of their principles.
True indeed, with their errors they bring forth much that is sound and good: but this only renders their errors the more palatable and the more delusive. They altogether vitiate the taste of the religious world, and indispose them for all practical instruction. They so exclusively set forth what may be called “the strong meat” of the Gospel, as to withhold all “milk” from the household of our God. In a word, they promote nothing but spiritual intoxication, and banish from the Church all spiritual sobriety.
Read more...
Friday, August 17, 2012
Calvinism in the Southern Baptist Convention
Dr. Frank S. Page has named an advisory group to help the SBC navigate the issues surrounding Calvinism. I know many of the fine people he has appointed to the team. His goal is for these folks to "help him craft a strategic plan to bring together various groups within the convention who hold different opinions on the issue of Calvinism" and then to "develop a strategy whereby people of various theological persuasions can purposely work together in missions and evangelism." This is most welcome, IMHO.
I hope that some of the State-level SBC officials and others who have been attempting to wage an exclusionary campaign against Calvinism in the SBC will re-think their activities in light of what Dr. Page is so graciously doing here. Dr. Page is in print critiquing Calvinism but he also understands that some of the best and brightest (and a significant proportion of the younger generation) of the SBC are Calvinists, and that they are in complete accord with the historic Baptist tradition and the Baptist Faith and Message, and that they are aggressively committed to the Great Commission, evangelism, missions and church planting.
As a Bible-believing Presbyterian (PCA), I am so thankful for the SBC. Of course I love that many SBC Baptists have rediscovered their historic Calvinist roots, but I value the SBC for profound reasons other than that. I rejoice in the SBC commitment to inerrancy. I treasure the SBC's fidelity to the Gospel. I admire the SBC's focus on the Great Commission. I revel in the SBC's warm embrace of complementarianism. SBC Calvinists and non-Calvinists alike embrace these theological priorities. I revere Dr. Paige Patterson and love Dr. Albert Mohler too. I respect Dr. Malcolm Yarnell and Dr. Russell Moore. I appreciate Dr. Chuck Kelley and Dr. Danny Akin as well. I esteem Dr. Mark Dever and Dr. Johnny Hunt. And I could go on.
Friends, the SBC is hugely important to the rest of evangelicalism, and the vitality, unity and theological fidelity of the SBC is strategic for the well-being of robust Gospel witness here in the increasingly pagan Western world. I count you as a friend and ally, brethren of the SBC. Even if you think me to be suspect and dangerous because of my Calvinism and Presbyterianism (and, tell it not in Gath, my paedo-baptist convictions!), I love you still. And I pray for you. And I want you to prosper. And I thank God for you at every remembrance.
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Sunday, August 12, 2012
David Felker and Ralph Kelley Ordination/Installation Tonight at 6 o'clock
Tonight, on this beautiful Lord's Day evening, we will ordain and install David Felker as our Minister
of Young Adults, and we will install Ralph Kelley as our Executive Minister (he
is already ordained). Afterwards we will all have an opportunity to welcome them
at a reception in their honor in Lowe Hall. Make plans to be here for this very special
occasion. We are thankful to God for His generous gift of these men and their
families to us.
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Saturday, August 11, 2012
Ordination and Installation, Sunday PM, August12, 2012
ORDINATION AND INSTALLATION SERVICE August 12, 2012
Please plan to join us Sunday evening, August 12, 2012 at 6:00 p.m. We will have a special service of ordination and installation for David Felker as our new Minister of Young Adults and a service of installation for Ralph Kelley as our new Executive Minister.
It will be a time to praise and thank God for the call He has placed on their lives, and the gifts that He has given our church in giving them to us.
There will be a reception in Lowe Hall immediately following the service.
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Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Twin Lakes Fellowship, 2012 Schedule
2012 Twin Lakes Fellowship Schedule
Tuesday Activity
12:00 Noon Check-in begins lunch available in the Dining Hall
1:30-1:45 Welcome and Singing
1:45-1:50 Devotional Reading 1
1:50-2:50 Seminar 1 – The Hopefulness of Progressive Sanctification Philippians 2:12-13 – Ligon Duncan
2:50-3:20 Break
3:20-4:15 Introductions of church planters and newly attending Twin Lakes Fellows – Carl Robbins
4:15-4:30 Break
4:30-4:35 Devotional Reading 2
4:35-6:05 Seminar 2 – The Content of Our Preaching – Terry Johnson
6:05 Supper and Fellowship
7:30-9:00 Worship Service 1 – Wheels with Eyes: The Providence of God Ezekiel 1 - Dr. Douglas F. Kelly, preaching
9:00-9:05 Meditation, Repentance, Reflection, Rejoicing and Evening Fellowship and Rest
Wednesday Activity
8:00 Breakfast and Fellowship
9:10-9:15 Devotional Reading 3
9:15-10:30 Worship Service 2 – We Do Not Lose Heart: The Way of the Cross 2 Corinthians 4:7-15 - Dr. Sean Lucas, preaching
10:30-11:00 Break
11:00-11:05 Devotional Reading 4
11:05-12:15 Seminar 3 – Leading with the Soul: The Crucible of Pastoral Ministry – Nate Shurden
12:15 Break for lunch and fellowship
1:45-1:50 Devotional Reading 5
1:50-3:00 Worship Service 3 - The Missional Pastor: Our Call, Hindrances, Dangers, Help! Jonah –– Elbert McGowan, preaching
3:00-3:30 Church Planting Interviews and Reports 1 – Carl Robbins
3:30-6:00 Free Time – rest, recreation and fellowship
6:00 Supper and Fellowship
6:55-7:00 Devotional Reading 6
7:00-8:30 Worship Service 4 – To Journey's End Mark 14:32-42 - Derek W. H. Thomas, preaching
8:30-8:35 Meditation, Repentance, Reflection, Rejoicing and Evening Fellowship and Rest
Thursday Activity
8:00 Breakfast and Fellowship 8:40-8:45
Devotional Reading 7
8:45-10:00 Worship Service 5 – One Like No Others Hebrews 1:13-14 - Professor Reddit Andrews, preaching
10:00-10:05 Break
10:05-10:30 Church Planting Interviews and Reports 2 – Carl Robbins
10:30-11:00 Interview with Caleb Cangelosi
11:00-11:15 Break
11:15-12:00 Recorded Interview with Kevin DeYoung
12:00-12:05 Devotional Reading 8
12:10 Brown bag lunch and Farewell
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Tuesday Activity
12:00 Noon Check-in begins lunch available in the Dining Hall
1:30-1:45 Welcome and Singing
1:45-1:50 Devotional Reading 1
1:50-2:50 Seminar 1 – The Hopefulness of Progressive Sanctification Philippians 2:12-13 – Ligon Duncan
2:50-3:20 Break
3:20-4:15 Introductions of church planters and newly attending Twin Lakes Fellows – Carl Robbins
4:15-4:30 Break
4:30-4:35 Devotional Reading 2
4:35-6:05 Seminar 2 – The Content of Our Preaching – Terry Johnson
6:05 Supper and Fellowship
7:30-9:00 Worship Service 1 – Wheels with Eyes: The Providence of God Ezekiel 1 - Dr. Douglas F. Kelly, preaching
9:00-9:05 Meditation, Repentance, Reflection, Rejoicing and Evening Fellowship and Rest
Wednesday Activity
8:00 Breakfast and Fellowship
9:10-9:15 Devotional Reading 3
9:15-10:30 Worship Service 2 – We Do Not Lose Heart: The Way of the Cross 2 Corinthians 4:7-15 - Dr. Sean Lucas, preaching
10:30-11:00 Break
11:00-11:05 Devotional Reading 4
11:05-12:15 Seminar 3 – Leading with the Soul: The Crucible of Pastoral Ministry – Nate Shurden
12:15 Break for lunch and fellowship
1:45-1:50 Devotional Reading 5
1:50-3:00 Worship Service 3 - The Missional Pastor: Our Call, Hindrances, Dangers, Help! Jonah –– Elbert McGowan, preaching
3:00-3:30 Church Planting Interviews and Reports 1 – Carl Robbins
3:30-6:00 Free Time – rest, recreation and fellowship
6:00 Supper and Fellowship
6:55-7:00 Devotional Reading 6
7:00-8:30 Worship Service 4 – To Journey's End Mark 14:32-42 - Derek W. H. Thomas, preaching
8:30-8:35 Meditation, Repentance, Reflection, Rejoicing and Evening Fellowship and Rest
Thursday Activity
8:00 Breakfast and Fellowship 8:40-8:45
Devotional Reading 7
8:45-10:00 Worship Service 5 – One Like No Others Hebrews 1:13-14 - Professor Reddit Andrews, preaching
10:00-10:05 Break
10:05-10:30 Church Planting Interviews and Reports 2 – Carl Robbins
10:30-11:00 Interview with Caleb Cangelosi
11:00-11:15 Break
11:15-12:00 Recorded Interview with Kevin DeYoung
12:00-12:05 Devotional Reading 8
12:10 Brown bag lunch and Farewell
Read more...
Monday, February 20, 2012
Three Things that All Jesus' Disciples Do
Jesus' disciples, all of them, Come to Jesus, Listen to Jesus, and Live for Jesus. They depend on Jesus (and Jesus alone) for acceptance with God, they believe what Jesus teaches and they do what he commands. They Come to Christ, Hear Christ and Obey Christ. They come to him for pardon and acceptance, they listen to him for faith and live according to his word for joy.
So, Christians, heed the words of your Savior and (1) Come to Jesus, who is the only way to the Father and only hope of salvation; (2) Listen to Jesus like your life depended on it (because it does); and (3) Live as if Jesus is really your Lord and treasure (especially in the storms of life).
Charles Simeon elaborates this point in his comments on Matthew 7:24.
"In the words before us he describes,the character and condition of the godly— Their character is drawn in simple but comprehensive terms—
“They come to Christ:” this is absolutely necessary to their entrance on the divine life: till they have come to Christ under a sense of their own guilt and helplessness, they have no pretensions to godliness; they are obnoxious to the curse of the law, and the wrath of God.
After they have come to Christ, “they hear his sayings;” they sit at his feet, like Mary,” desiring to be fully instructed in his mind and will. With this view they study the Holy Scriptures, and “meditate in them day and night:” with this view also they attend the ordinances, and “receive the word, not as the word of man, but as it is in truth, the word of God.”
They do not, however, rest in hearing his sayings; but they go forth to “do them.” They desire to know his will in order that they may do it. They love the most searching discourses, because by them they discover the evil of their own hearts, and are led to aspire after a fuller conformity to the Divine image: nor would they rest, till they feel every “thought and desire captivated to the obedience of Christ.”
Read more...
So, Christians, heed the words of your Savior and (1) Come to Jesus, who is the only way to the Father and only hope of salvation; (2) Listen to Jesus like your life depended on it (because it does); and (3) Live as if Jesus is really your Lord and treasure (especially in the storms of life).
Charles Simeon elaborates this point in his comments on Matthew 7:24.
"In the words before us he describes,the character and condition of the godly— Their character is drawn in simple but comprehensive terms—
“They come to Christ:” this is absolutely necessary to their entrance on the divine life: till they have come to Christ under a sense of their own guilt and helplessness, they have no pretensions to godliness; they are obnoxious to the curse of the law, and the wrath of God.
After they have come to Christ, “they hear his sayings;” they sit at his feet, like Mary,” desiring to be fully instructed in his mind and will. With this view they study the Holy Scriptures, and “meditate in them day and night:” with this view also they attend the ordinances, and “receive the word, not as the word of man, but as it is in truth, the word of God.”
They do not, however, rest in hearing his sayings; but they go forth to “do them.” They desire to know his will in order that they may do it. They love the most searching discourses, because by them they discover the evil of their own hearts, and are led to aspire after a fuller conformity to the Divine image: nor would they rest, till they feel every “thought and desire captivated to the obedience of Christ.”
Read more...
Sunday, February 05, 2012
A Lesson in Showing Proof of Our Love, from John Paton
As Derek preached from 2 Corinthians 8 this morning, and especially as he exhorted us to "show proof of our love" (2 Cor 8:24) in light of and in response to God's lavish love to us in the giving and sending of his Son, Jesus Christ and in the Son's gracious self-giving (2 Cor 8:9), I thought of the story of Scottish Missionary John Paton, who was deeply motivated in his life and ministry and mission by a loving earthly father who loved the heavenly Father.
I think it was my professor, David B. Calhoun, who first brought this story to my attention. When John Paton was leaving home for Glasgow to study theology and medicine and to work amongst the urban poor, before eventually heading to the New Hebrides to minister among the cannabilistic inhabitants what is now Vanuatu, he recounts this touching story of parting with his dear father on the road from Totherwald to Kilmarnock.
"My dear father walked with me the first six miles of the way. His counsels and tears and heavenly conversation on that parting journey are fresh in my heart as if it had been but yesterday; and tears are on my cheeks as freely now as then, whenever memory steals me away to the scene.
"For the last half mile or so we walked on together in almost unbroken silence—my father, as was often his custom, carrying hat in hand, while his long flowing yellow hair (then yellow, but in later years white as snow) streamed like a girl’s down his shoulders. His lips kept moving in silent prayers for me; and his tears fell fast when our eyes met each other in looks for which all speech was vain!
"We halted on reaching the appointed parting place; he grasped my hand firmly for a minute in silence, and then solemnly and affectionately said: “God bless you, my son! Your father’s God prosper you, and keep you from all evil!”
"Unable to say more, his lips kept moving in silent prayer; in tears we embraced, and parted.
"I ran off as fast as I could; and, when about to turn a corner in the road where he would lose sight of me, I looked back and saw him still standing with head uncovered where I had left him—gazing after me. Waving my hat in adieu, I rounded the corner and out of sight in instant.
"But my heart was too full and sore to carry me further, so I darted into the side of the road and wept for time. "Then, rising up cautiously, I climbed the dike to see if he yet stood where I had left him; and just at that moment I caught a glimpse of him climbing the dike and looking out for me! He did not see me, and after he gazed eagerly in my direction for a while he got down, set his face toward home, and began to return—his head still uncovered, and his heart, I felt sure, still rising in prayers for me.
"I watched through blinding tears, till his form faded from my gaze; and then, hastening on my way, vowed deeply and oft, by the help of God, to live and act so as never to grieve or dishonor such a father and mother as he had given me.
"The appearance of my father when we parted has often through life risen vividly before my mind, and does so now as if it had been but an hour ago. In my earlier years particularly, when exposed to many temptations, his parting form rose before me as that of a guardian Angel. It is no pharisaism, but deep gratitude, which makes me here testify that the memory of that scene not only helped to keep me pure from the prevailing sins, but also stimulated me in all my studies, that I might not fall short of his hopes, and in all my Christian duties, that I might faithfully follow his shining example. (Autobiography, pp. 25-26)
We have an even more wonderful and loving heavenly Father than John Paton's earthly father. Shouldn't we want to show proof of our love to him, because of his great love and grace to us, in giving to the cause of his Son's kingdom (2 Corinthians 8:24)? Isn't that precisely what Paul was saying to the Corinthians?
Read more...
I think it was my professor, David B. Calhoun, who first brought this story to my attention. When John Paton was leaving home for Glasgow to study theology and medicine and to work amongst the urban poor, before eventually heading to the New Hebrides to minister among the cannabilistic inhabitants what is now Vanuatu, he recounts this touching story of parting with his dear father on the road from Totherwald to Kilmarnock.
"My dear father walked with me the first six miles of the way. His counsels and tears and heavenly conversation on that parting journey are fresh in my heart as if it had been but yesterday; and tears are on my cheeks as freely now as then, whenever memory steals me away to the scene.
"For the last half mile or so we walked on together in almost unbroken silence—my father, as was often his custom, carrying hat in hand, while his long flowing yellow hair (then yellow, but in later years white as snow) streamed like a girl’s down his shoulders. His lips kept moving in silent prayers for me; and his tears fell fast when our eyes met each other in looks for which all speech was vain!
"We halted on reaching the appointed parting place; he grasped my hand firmly for a minute in silence, and then solemnly and affectionately said: “God bless you, my son! Your father’s God prosper you, and keep you from all evil!”
"Unable to say more, his lips kept moving in silent prayer; in tears we embraced, and parted.
"I ran off as fast as I could; and, when about to turn a corner in the road where he would lose sight of me, I looked back and saw him still standing with head uncovered where I had left him—gazing after me. Waving my hat in adieu, I rounded the corner and out of sight in instant.
"But my heart was too full and sore to carry me further, so I darted into the side of the road and wept for time. "Then, rising up cautiously, I climbed the dike to see if he yet stood where I had left him; and just at that moment I caught a glimpse of him climbing the dike and looking out for me! He did not see me, and after he gazed eagerly in my direction for a while he got down, set his face toward home, and began to return—his head still uncovered, and his heart, I felt sure, still rising in prayers for me.
"I watched through blinding tears, till his form faded from my gaze; and then, hastening on my way, vowed deeply and oft, by the help of God, to live and act so as never to grieve or dishonor such a father and mother as he had given me.
"The appearance of my father when we parted has often through life risen vividly before my mind, and does so now as if it had been but an hour ago. In my earlier years particularly, when exposed to many temptations, his parting form rose before me as that of a guardian Angel. It is no pharisaism, but deep gratitude, which makes me here testify that the memory of that scene not only helped to keep me pure from the prevailing sins, but also stimulated me in all my studies, that I might not fall short of his hopes, and in all my Christian duties, that I might faithfully follow his shining example. (Autobiography, pp. 25-26)
We have an even more wonderful and loving heavenly Father than John Paton's earthly father. Shouldn't we want to show proof of our love to him, because of his great love and grace to us, in giving to the cause of his Son's kingdom (2 Corinthians 8:24)? Isn't that precisely what Paul was saying to the Corinthians?
Read more...
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Learning a Lesson from the Road to Emmaus
Let us learn a lesson from the two travelers to Emmaus. Let us speak of Jesus, when we are sitting in our houses and when we are walking by the way, whenever we can find a disciple to speak to. (Deut. 6:7.) If we believe we are journeying to a heaven where Christ will be the central object of every mind, let us begin to learn the manners of heaven, while we are yet upon earth. So doing we shall often have One with us whom our eyes will not see, but One who will make our hearts "burn within us" by blessing the conversation. (J.C. Ryle)
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