The Sunday Reader: Vol. 2 | #15

Is Digital Addiction Getting You Down? Try an Analog Cure

“My advice to gain the upper hand in this struggle is to demobilize the digital stream. Remove from your phone any app that monetizes your time and attention, like Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. You don’t have to quit these services; you can still access them from a browser. But you’ve removed their ability to follow you throughout your day, persuasively manipulating your attention toward their own ends.” It’s a drastic measure, but one I’ve found very beneficial.

What Should I Think About During the Lord’s Supper

Having just celebrated the supper this Friday evening, I was struck by how on-point this is.

Contradiction: Who Incited David to Count the Fighting Men of Israel—God or Satan?

This is a follow-up to last Sunday PM’s sermon, for those wanting more food for thought.

Death by Power Point

This pice discusses how the medium really can affect the message. In this case, how the use of Power Point software may have contributed to the deaths of several astronauts. It comes at a time when many churches are using presentation software during sermons, perhaps without asking how it changes not only the act of preaching, but the message.

ABOUT — The Sunday Reader shares articles we've found particularly insightful, thought-provoking, or edifying this week. While not always representing the views of our Pastors and Elders, these selections offer a mix of viewpoints to broaden and frame your understanding of God, Scripture, ourselves, and the world we serve in Christ's name.

The Sunday Reader: Vol. 2 | #14 — Angels & Demons Edition

8 Ways the Enemy Attacks Churches

Here’s a practical look at the enemy’s strategy.

The Assaults of Satan

Here’s a details breakdown of spiritual warfare from a classic Reformed theologian, Wilhelmus a’ Brakel.

Angelic Interest in the Gospel

Charles Spurgeon was a master preacher. In this sermon, he sheds light on 1 Pet 1:12, which says the angels “earestly desire to look into” the grace of God in Christ.

ABOUT — The Sunday Reader shares articles we've found particularly insightful, thought-provoking, or edifying this week. While not always representing the views of our Pastors and Elders, these selections offer a mix of viewpoints to broaden and frame your understanding of God, Scripture, ourselves, and the world we serve in Christ's name.

The Sunday Reader: Vol. 2 | #13

The Biblical Doctrine of the Wrath of God (.pdf)

Here’s an essay by R. V. G. Tasker on a topic often mentioned but rarely elaborated upon. Understanding God’s holy anger is crucial to an overall picture of his nature, work, and plan in Christ.

Four Things Youth Workers Would Tell Parents About Teenagers

I wish none of this had to be said, and perhaps you have already hear it—but I can confirm all of it. “If the cream of the teenage moral crop is susceptible to it, then everyone is… I cannot emphasize enough how insidious SnapChat is and how important it is to eliminate your child’s access to it.” On that note, here’s a good deal on a well-regarded book related to this issue.

Is the Nicene Faith the Basis for Ecumenism?

As important as the Nicene creed is to Reformed Christians, as to other branches of the faith, an Italian Evangelical pastor, Leonardo De Chirico, cautions us not to be naive about the extent of unity offered by so-called “mere Christianity.”

ABOUT — The Sunday Reader shares articles we've found particularly insightful, thought-provoking, or edifying this week. While not always representing the views of our Pastors and Elders, these selections offer a mix of viewpoints to broaden and frame your understanding of God, Scripture, ourselves, and the world we serve in Christ's name.

The Sunday Reader: Vol. 2 | #12

A Visual Theology Guide to the Bible

I was thrilled to have my copy of Tim Challies’ new book arrive this week. I must say, it exceeded all hopes. For visual learners, high schoolers in particular, this would be an awesome gift or addition to your library.

In the Beginning: Why I Reject Evolution and Embrace Wonder – Milton and Kelly on Creation and the Foundation of Faith

In light of our Sunday evening them, creation, here’s an edifying article from the president of Reformed Theological Seminary.

Responding to Carl Trueman's 'Follow the Money' Lecture

Speaking of seminaries… I realize not everyone follows the world of seminaries. But for those interested in the changing shape of Reformed higher education, this is worthwhile.

What Did the Cross Achieve? The Logic of Penal Substitution

While longer, this article by J. I. Packer serves a prime Lord’s Day feast.

ABOUT — The Sunday Reader shares articles we've found particularly insightful, thought-provoking, or edifying this week. While not always representing the views of our Pastors and Elders, these selections offer a mix of viewpoints to broaden and frame your understanding of God, Scripture, ourselves, and the world we serve in Christ's name.

The Sunday Reader: Vol. 2 | #11 — Trinity Edition

In light of Sunday evening’s sermon, this edition of the Sunday Reader is focused on the doctrine of the Trinity. The articles are listed in order of length, but they are all worthwhile!

A Brief Definition of the Trinity by James White

Ten Things You Should Know About the Trinity by Fred Sanders

The Biblical Basis for the Doctrine of the Trinity by Robert Bowman

The Splendor of the Three-in-One God: The Necessity and Mystery of the Trinity by R. Scott Clark

ABOUT — The Sunday Reader shares articles we've found particularly insightful, thought-provoking, or edifying this week. While not always representing the views of our Pastors and Elders, these selections offer a mix of viewpoints to broaden and frame your understanding of God, Scripture, ourselves, and the world we serve in Christ's name.

The Sunday Reader: Vol. 2 | #10

The Inspiration of the Bible

A classic article by B. B. Warfield. He gives an overview of the doctrine and why we confess it to be true.

John Calvin on the Why and How of Fasting

And here’s one more short reflection from Archibald Alexander.

Don’t Mistake Transfer Growth for Evangelism

“Church growth is not the same thing as evangelism. You can grow a church or a ministry numerically and not bring one lost soul into the kingdom. This is a “dirty secret” of contemporary American church planting.“ God, grant us a part in converting the lost!

ABOUT — The Sunday Reader shares articles we've found particularly insightful, thought-provoking, or edifying this week. While not always representing the views of our Pastors and Elders, these selections offer a mix of viewpoints to broaden and frame your understanding of God, Scripture, ourselves, and the world we serve in Christ's name.

The Sunday Reader: Vol. 2 | #9

Is It Sinful to Observe (or Not To Observe) Lent?

A balanced overview of a practice which is increasingly common in Reformed and evangelical circles. It includes links to position-pieces by a number of Reformed theologians.

In What Sense Does God “Choose” Our Offspring?

Pastor Spotts explains Deuteronomy 4:37 in light of the two-fold way of relating to God in covenant.

The End of Parental Rights? A Chilling Case From Canada

While unpleasant, this article by Al Mohler exposes an area of mounting concern. The freedom of Christians parents to raise our children according to our convictions is narrowing. “The court ordered that a 14-year-old girl receive testosterone injections without parental consent. The court also declared that if either of her parents referred to her using female pronouns or addressed her by her birth name, the parents could be charged with family violence.“

Education in Ancient Israel

Did you know that in Jesus’ day, primary education was mandatory among the Jews meaning that average people could (and did) read Scripture? Here’s a fascinating glimpse into that period. Some of their teaching methods are surprising.

A Sermon Notes Sheet for Young Children

It is what it says it is.

ABOUT — The Sunday Reader shares articles we've found particularly insightful, thought-provoking, or edifying this week. While not always representing the views of our Pastors and Elders, these selections offer a mix of viewpoints to broaden and frame your understanding of God, Scripture, ourselves, and the world we serve in Christ's name.

the necessity of speaking the message

You have probably heard the quote, which is often misattributed to Francis of Assisi, “preach the Gospel, and if necessary use words.” However, the Bible says in 1 Corinthians 1: 21 that “it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe.” In his book, Spiritual Disciplines of the Christian Life, Donald Whitney makes this important observation about the necessity of speaking the Gospel message,

Often it is the message of the Cross lived and demonstrated that God uses to open a heart to the gospel, but it is the message of the Cross proclaimed (by word or page) through which the power of God saves those who believe its content. No matter how well we live the gospel (and we must live it well, else we hinder its reception), sooner or later we must communicate the content of the gospel before a person can become a disciple of Jesus. The example of Christianity saves no one; rather it is the message of Christianity—the gospel—that “is the power of God for salvation” (Romans 1: 16).”

God help you to do so.