Preaching the Gospel to Myself [Handout]

In this morning's message, I mentioned a practice I have been trying to incorporate into my daily devotional time, 'preaching the gospel to myself.' This is not an idea that is original with me, and I heard it best explained by Jerry Bridges, in his book Respectable Sins.

I've included the handout I have made to keep myself on target, and I share it here for your use. Several of the scriptures are slightly edited, but none so changed as to change the meaning.

Preaching the Gospel to Myself Handout

Abide in Him,
Keith

1 John 5:13 [Fighter Verse for 02/28/10]

1 John 5:13 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life.

How to Fight:

• Explanation: Rather than just posting the verse, I am going to provide just a little bit of commentary to encourage your meditation on the truth of the scripture. The point of memorizing these verses is not to know the words and have them locked up in your mental RAM so you can spit them out again, but so that you can use them to fight off all manner of sins: Unbelief, anxiety, anger, lust, bitterness, depression, etc... I hope to encourage you in the way you lay hold of the verse. What truths are in it? What does it teach? What does it promise? What conditions are there? How should it make you joyous? Feel free to email me and share additional applications for each passage. Every passage has one defined meaning, but there can be many implications found in every truth of God's Word.
• Fighter Truths: 1 John 5:13 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life.

1. The truths written in 1 John are written to those who believe in the name of Jesus. If you believe in Him, the promises and blessings and encouragements of 1 John are addressed to you. Believe them! Receive them! Live in them and let them embolden you!
2. The letter is written for a purpose... "that." So that. John writes to give us certainty regarding the truths he is speaking about.
3. The truths are given to give us assurance of our eternal life. Let there be no question in your heart or mind. Do not let your heart be anxious or discouraged. Do not listen to the voice of the devil, the self-defeating voice of the flesh, or the taunting discouragement of the world: If you believe in the gospel, if you are abiding in Christ, if you trust in the work of Christ on the cross, and that God will credit the righteousness of Christ to you if you trust in Christ's sacrifice, then you have eternal life.

This is an amazing blessing! Let there be no doubt! Dive in to 1 John, focus on abiding (which, conveniently, is the subject of this week's sermon) and know with a certainty that you possess eternal life.

For His glory and your joy,
Keith

First Catechism Revisions for Baptists [Thursday Theology]

In our youngest Sunday school class, we use the First Catechism as part of our curriculum, which is produced by Great Commission Publications, a Presbyterian organization. I like Presbyterians, though we differ with them in a few areas of theology, specifically 'who are the right recipients of Baptism?'

To make the catechism fully accessible to our kids, my wife and I rewrote the 'questionable questions' and I am posting them, along with a link to the First Catechism. We're currently working through the questions with our kids, writing the questions on 3x5 cards, and then doing pop-quizzes after dinner. Mom and Dad get quizzed too in order to make it fair. (Mom is doing better than Dad so far... Dad is going to study a bit more and pull out a surprise victory!)

I commend the catechism to you as a basic discipleship tool. Let me know how you put it to use!

First Catechism Revisions

126. How many ordinances are there?
Two.

127. What are they?
Baptism and the Lord's Supper.

128. Who appointed these ordinances?
The Lord Jesus Christ.

129. Why did Christ appoint these ordinances?
To distinguish his people from the world, and to comfort and strengthen them.

130. What sign is used in baptism?
Immersion in water.

131. What does this immersion in water represent?
That we are buried with Christ, cleansed from sin by his blood, and raised to walk in newness of life.

132. Into whose name are we baptized?
Into the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

133. Who are to be baptized?
Believers only.

134. Why are only believers to be baptized?
Baptism is a symbol of union with Christ and so baptism is reserved for those who by faith have united with Christ.

Jesus, Thank You [Worship Music]

John 15:1-17 [Sermon Text]

This week's message will again be from John 15:1-17 as we continue our series within a series, "Secrets of the Vine." Focus on the theme of 'abiding' or 'remaining' as you read in preparation for this week's message.

John 15:1-17 (ESV)

15:1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. 9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

12 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15 No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. 17 These things I command you, so that you will love one another.

Jude 1:1 - Called by CJ Mahaney [Monday Message]

Listened to this excellent exposition of Jude 1:1 this past week. If you are feeling low, feel like you are failing in your Christian life, see God as distant, or the possibility of enduring to the end seems bleak... listen to this message!

One beggar sharing with others where the bread is,
Keith

http://www.covlife.org/resources/3573594-Called

John 15:7 [Fighter Verse for 02/21/10]

John 15:7

If you abide in me,
and my words abide in you,
ask whatever you wish,
and it will be done for you.

(Follow this link to see the verse on the ESV page, which will also enable you to check the verse out in other versions, if you prefer to memorize in another translation.)

Also, I plan to coordinate with our Sunday School teachers so you can have an up-to-date knowledge of what your kids should be memorizing, and to help you set the pace for them. If dad and mom store the Word up in their hearts, and use it to fight back against sin in their own lives... then the kids will do it too!

For Your Joy,
Keith

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Preaching the Gospel to Myself [Thursday Morning Theology]

Found this recently after mentioning this quote twice in the pulpit. Brilliant, encouraging wisdom on an important spiritual practice.

EBA Disaster Relief [Event]

Eastern Baptist Association
Disaster Relief Training
@ Harvest Baptist Church
119 South Blvd., Salisbury, Maryland

Friday, February 26, 7:00 PM
Introduction – Yellow Hat Training

Saturday, February 27, 9:00 AM
Recovery Unit Training
or
Field Kitchen Training
(You must complete introduction course before taking courses on Saturday)

Cost is $20.00 and includes instructional material, yellow hat & shirt & ID card
Lunch included

Please RSVP by February 22 to the EBA office @ 410-749-1820

The Glory of the Cross [Worship Music]

Flock Food [Monday Messages]

Here's a copy of the message that I recommended called "Flock Food" from my good friend and pastor, Mike Greiner.

Enjoy! And don't forget to begin at the beginning... start working on memorizing Psalm 119:11!

For His Glory, and Our Joy,
Keith

The APTAT Card

As mentioned in today's sermon, here is the APTAT card, a way I have found very helpful in my own fight for joy in the Father, joy in my salvation, and joy amidst the struggles of life.

The original messages where I found APTAT are here and here.

Fighter Verse for February 14th, 2010: Psalm 119:11

Psalm 119:11 I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.

Service / Superbowl Cancellation for 02-07-10

All services, including our much anticipated Superbowl / Chili Cook Off are canceled. Please stay home, stay safe, stay warm, and take the opportunity to listen to a sermon I've selected which will be relevant to our study in the Gospel of John.

Enjoy your family, Trust in Him. He is gracious, merciful and righteous!

Pastor Keith