R.C. Sproul Memorial Service, Grace Community Church Christmas Concert, & A Memorable Song

Who Was The Child Born In Bethlehem?

I have a song stuck in my head that I heard more than once this past Sunday!
Although I certainly don't believe we literally can crown the Lord, I realize that it can be taken to mean us adorning the Lord in a figurative way rather than a literal crowning.
Other than that, I really like the rest of the lyrics of the following song which not only remembers Christ's birth, but it goes beyond it to the rest of the story - His death & resurrection & His reign from His throne!

Grace Community Church's 2017 Concert 

The concerts are over, but soon they will be putting the concert up for those who missed going in person or watching the live-stream (or for those who want to see it again). 

I thought the concert built up as it went along. 

The music is high class and superb! 

I must admit to feeling a personal connection, as I not only went to the church for a time when I was younger, but I watch live-streaming on top of going to a local church. 

This means that I get to hear some of these people when there is no concert! 

The Gospel message that John MacArthur gave was the most important part, and hopefully, everything will be online shortly!

Grace Community Church Concert 2017
Update - It is currently available to watch at the link above!

R. C. Sproul Memorial Service

Tomorrow at 2 PM EST (11 AM PST & 7 PM GMT) a memorial service for R. C. Sproul is supposed to be streamed.

While I'm not a Presbyterian, I know that God used R. C. in the lives of many people 

It went far beyond the walls of the church he pastored.  

While I only had outside glimpses, it is likely that the Biblical truths he taught have permeated through to me through other people (not that they couldn't have been learned straight from God's Word as well).

If you want to watch, go to the following link. 

R. C. Sproul Memorial Service Live-Stream

Update  - You can watch the replay HERE.

Incrementalism vs. Abolishing Abortion

Many of us would agree that we want to see abortion stopped in the U.S.

Sproul on abortion

MacArthur on abortion. (I don't have his certainty about babies going to Heaven.) 

Some people are discouraged regarding the idea of being able to end abortion, and they promote incrementalism.

After all, the courts and governors stop bills that would abolish abortion. 

Some people say that incrementalism shouldn't be accepted or doesn't really stop abortion. 

Yes, it is true that some people just use pills instead of the surgical abortion, and some people travel to another area. 

Incrementalism certainly isn't what we should strive for, as it doesn't save all babies (and some bills need to be cautiously read lest you deny the personhood of the preborn child).

Then there are some people who think that Christians should take over the government.
That can be based on their eschatological view.
I believe that these people are confused in their understanding of Scripture.
That kind of thing did happen in history (in England, for example), but it wasn't a perfect utopia either.


Seeking for an end to abortion is not a bad thing, but there are important things to consider.
Making murder illegal (since murder is a sin against God) is a good thing, but it won't change hearts rebellious toward God.
This means that all our striving may be futile unless people are changed by God (not us).

Our primary goal then, as Christians, should be to evangelize the lost. This can happen at abortion clinics and elsewhere.
We can pray for changed hearts, and for God to cause things to change.
He is sovereign even over evil nations.

Christians should not attack other Christian brothers and sisters who may not have the same zeal as others for going to abortion clinics.

The body of Christ has many different parts, and while encouraging evangelism is good...attacking other Christians for not being militant is wrong. 

Why I would stay away from AHA  ◄ Please listen to the audio.
This is a group that many people who want to abolish abortion have turned to, but it has had issues since its inception.
The audio I've linked should be a red flag to those who support them.
Numerous pastors have called Pastor Ramos (of Redgracemedia.com) in Texas about AHA.  

We are to love our brothers and sisters, encourage them, and realize that God may be using them in ways that are just as important.
 Just as important???
 Yes.  Let's say the person is a pastor who teaches the Bible.
 God uses pastors to make the truth about God and the Gospel known (by their teaching of the Bible), and people become Christians.
Eternal souls are saved, and people are growing spiritually. 

Yes, some pastors do go out and preach at clinics, but that doesn't make those who don't less spiritual. 

 What if the person is not a pastor, but they have a family that they are responsible for (which keeps them from going out)?
God gives them responsibilities to their family, and maybe they are being used to minister to others in ways that you can't see.
There are some things that we should not separate over.

Maybe a person voted for Trump, and you don't think they are pro-life enough.
Maybe a person didn't vote for Trump, and you don't think they are pro-life enough.
Maybe you don't even like the term "pro-life" (as you feel they don't do enough).
Yet, your motives may actually be the same.  Neither of you are for killing babies. 

In some cases, a person may vote for an incremental bill. 

They may hope to save some lives.
You may decide that person is wicked, because some babies are still being murdered.
Your goals may be the same as that person.  You both may want all lives to be saved.
.

Remember who you used to be, and be careful of self-righteousness in who you've become.
You may be in great danger of straying from Biblical behavior.

We should not separate ourselves from each other.

We need each other!

Christians, please let us love one another!

Love is from God.

Believers Baptism Vs. Infant Baptism / Debate & Love

Recently we listened to a debate online on credobaptism (believers baptism) & paedobaptism (infant baptism) that included John MacArthur & R.C. Sproul.

I have some people I consider friends online that hold to paedobaptism who are reformed Presbyterians, but I believe in credobaptism.  

The debate (scroll down a ways to get to the audio or links depending on your browser) did not change my mind about the Bible, but I did appreciate the civil nature that often seems to be lacking in discussions on this subject.
I know that we all hold strong views of our understanding of Scripture, and when we care about people we want them to have the same beliefs that we do.

I have determined in recent times to try to show love and grace toward people that I disagree with on this subject.   I can't promise perfection though!  For either side it puts people off when a respected pastor is attacked or when people call each other sinners when both sides agree that physical baptism does not save / justify.  Disagreements can be polite, can't they?

For the record, I waited until I was 17 to be baptized.  I could have been baptized earlier, but I do think that a lot of churches I've been to make baptism overly intimidating (which it shouldn't be).   They want to interview you which makes you feel like you have to be worthy to be baptized (or have taken a class & made sure you have a testimony they are satisfied with).  I understand that they want to see that you understand what the Gospel is, but they could just ask that.
I felt like my testimony wasn't good enough, because I became a Christian as a young child.  I struggled with sin even as a believer.  My faith has grown over the years, but I have also had times of doubt (because of sin & later long after baptism also getting my focus off God onto what critics say). 
After awhile I felt guilty for waiting so long to be baptized.  So, even as a credobaptist I believe that churches should baptize young children who have professed faith (and weren't forced into it).

I cried the evening I got baptized.  I had memorized what I was going to say (which I would have said differently if it was now and not then).  They were having us practice and mine didn't sound like what I thought they expected of me.  (I did not enjoy making speeches in front of people either even when I had to for school - at one of the times when I wasn't being homeschooled.  I'm not good at it and am rather shy.)

To my reformed Presbyterian friends: I hope that you will also show me Christian love and grace and not attack my former pastor John MacArthur, Jr. within my view or hearing.   
I was willing to listen to both sides, so perhaps you will appreciate that.
I certainly appreciate you and have respect for you guys.
Thank you!

Part 1:  Believers Baptism - John MacArthur
http://www.ligonier.org/learn/series/baptism_debate/credo-baptist-position/?format=audio
 

Part 2: Infant Baptism - R.C. Sproul
 http://www.ligonier.org/learn/series/baptism_debate/historic-paedo-baptist-position/

For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh.
But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that which is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter; and his praise is not from men, but from God. 
Romans 2:28-29 NASB

For neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. 
Galatians 6:15 NASB

What Should Christian Churches Think & Do About Abortion?

John MacArthur and R.C. Sproul did a couple of shows on abortion which aired this week of the 40th anniversary of Roe v. Wade.  They are well worth listening to.  If you missed them, please click here.

You may have watched "180" Movie in the past, but there is a new documentary coming out soon that is very promising.  It points out the lack of churches doing much about abortion:
 

The website for the documentary is here.

Cross Encounters Radio had a special edition on the anniversary of Roe v. Wade that covered the documentary I have shared about in this blog.  It also featured other guests who are involved in going to abortuaries and giving the Gospel, pleading with people, holding signs, praying, etc.
To go to the site where you can hear the program click here.  

The people doing the show are not responsible for the unrelated ads you might see on the page.
 

Striving for Eternity Academy, Abortion & Adoption Awareness

In recent weeks I was introduced to an online class that is taught by a guy named Andrew Rappaport of Striving for Eternity.  

This past Monday the storm Sandy prevented the show from airing live, because the internet and electricity was lost on his end.  So far he has covered the attributes and names of God, and I look forward to continuing to audit the class and enjoy chatting in the chat room as well.

You can also choose to be a paid student with a lot of extra perks.
If you would like to join in, it normally airs Mondays at 8 PM Eastern time here in the U.S.

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/striving-for-eternity

If you are interested to know what the statement of belief is for Striving for Eternity, click here.

Is the church responsible for the continuation of abortion here in the U.S.?  R.C. Sproul, Jr. did a thought provoking blog post on this recently that you can check out:

http://highlandsministriesonline.org/kingdom-notes/talkin-bout-my-generation/

November is Adoption Awareness Month.  Grace Community Church has a site that is called Hands for Hope that focuses on adoption.  John MacArthur highlights adoption in the video below.  http://www.gracechurch.org/ministries/about.aspx?MinistryID=138

Pastor MacArthur on Adoption from Grace Community Church on Vimeo.